Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Body mass index and brain structure in healthy children and adolescents

Obesity is associated with cognitive dysfunction in children and adolescents, although the mechanisms underlying these deficits remain unclear. This study examined the associations between body mass index (BMI) and regional gray matter volume and white matter integrity in 120 healthy children and adolescents (6–18 years of age) who underwent magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor imaging. Bonferroni-corrected partial correlation analyses controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics revealed significant inverse associations between demographically standardized BMI values and gray matter volume of frontal (r = −0.31) and limbic (r = −0.35) brain regions. No such pattern emerged for fractional anisotropy of white matter tracts. Subsequent hierarchical regression analyses indicated that the relationship between standardized BMI and structural gray and white matter brain indices did not vary with age. These findings suggest that obesity in children and adolescents is associated with decreased volume of frontal and limbic cerebral gray matter regions. Further research is much needed to better elucidate possible brain-based mechanisms for cognitive dysfunction associated with obesity.
Progression of Carotid Plaque Volume Predicts Cardiovascular Events

Background and Purpose— Carotid ultrasound evaluation of intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque burden has been used for risk stratification and for evaluation of antiatherosclerotic therapies. Increasing evidence indicates that measuring plaque burden is superior to measuring IMT for both purposes. We compared progression/regression of IMT, total plaque area (TPA), and total plaque volume (TPV) as predictors of cardiovascular outcomes. Methods— IMT, TPA, and TPV were measured at baseline in 349 patients attending vascular prevention clinics; they had TPA of 40 to 600 mm2 at baseline to qualify for enrollment. Participants were followed up for ⩽5 years (median, 3.17 years) to ascertain vascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and transient ischemic attacks. Follow-up measurements 1 year later were available in 323 cases for IMT and TPA, and in 306 for TPV. Results— Progression of TPV predicted stroke, death or TIA (Kaplan-Meier logrank P=0.001), stroke/death/MI (P=0.008) and Stroke/Death/TIA/Myocardial infarction (any Cardiovascular event) (P=0.001). Progression of TPA weakly predicted Stroke/Death/TIA (P=0.097) but not stroke/death/MI (P=0.59) or any CV event (P=0.143); likewise change in IMT did not predict Stroke/Death/MI (P=0.13) or any CV event (P=0.455 ). In Cox regression, TPV progression remained a significant predictor of events after adjustment for coronary risk factors (P=0.001) but change in TPA did not. IMT change predicted events in an inverse manner; regression of IMT predicted events (P=0.004). Conclusions— For assessment of response to antiatherosclerotic therapy, measurement of TPV is superior to both IMT and TPA.
Excretion of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in Urine by Pubertal Girls

Extract: Daily urinary excretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in one premenarchial and four postmenarchial girls was determined over a 3-month collection period. Samples were collected overnight and a 24-hr excretion was extrapolated. Gonadotropins were acetone-precipitated and assessed by using the Second International Reference Preparation of Human Menopausal Gonadotropin (2nd IRP-HMG). Excretion of LH and FSH in the premenarchial girl followed no constant pattern, but average levels were comparable to postmenarchial and adult levels for FSH and early postmenarchial levels for LH. During the 3-month observation period, two simultaneous spikes of LH to 55 international units (IU)/24 hr and FSH to 60 IU/24 hr, occurring 6 days apart, were observed. These were of the magnitude of low normal adult midcyclc peak values.In all postmenarchial girls, simultaneous midcycle surges of FSII to as high as 70 IU/24 hr and LH to 43–155 IU/24 hr were observed in all cycles. During the earliest postmenarchial cycles, peak levels were less than those observed during cycles of girls who were postmenarchial for a longer period of time. Some characteristics of adult cycles, such as follicular phase FSH elevations and higher follicular than luteal phase levels of both gonadotropins, were observed during cycles occurring only 1–4 months after menarche. Other characteristics of adult cycles, such as late luteal phase FSH rises, were seen only in the girl who was 3 years postmenarchial.Speculation: Premenarchial and early postmenarchial girls have gonadotropin surges similar to adult midcycle ovulatory peaks. They presage evolution of the adult gonadotropin pattern in the subsequent postmenarchial years.
Trends in antenatal HIV prevalence in urban Uganda associated with uptake of preventive sexual behaviour

Background: Epidemiological surveillance in Uganda has consistently shown declining HIV prevalence particularly among young antenatal women since the early 1990s, correlated with increased uptake of protective sexual behaviour. Objective: To describe trends in sexual behaviour nationwide and antenatal HIV prevalence from urban sentinel sites in Uganda (1989–2002). Methods: Review of antenatal HIV seroprevalence data from the sentinel surveillance system (1989–2002) and data on sexual behavioural indicators from the AIDS module of the National Demographic and Health Surveys (1989, 1995 and 2000/01). Trends in biological and behavioural indicators assessed. Results: Antenatal HIV seroprevalence in seven urban clinics peaked around 1992 (15–30%) followed by a steady decline by 2002 (5–12%), most markedly among women aged 15–19 and 20–24 years. This coincided with increased primary and secondary abstinence among young people nationwide. Median age at sexual debut increased from 16.5 in 1989 to 17.3 in 2000 for women and from 17.6 in 1995 to 18.3 in 2000 for men. Premarital sex among women and multiple partnerships decreased between 1995 and 2000. There were no significant changes in reporting of extramarital sex among men. Ever use of condoms increased from 1% among women in 1989 and 16% among men in 1995 to 16% and 40% in 2000, respectively. Between 1995 and 2000, condom use at last sex with a non-regular partner increased from 35% to 59% and 20% to 39% among men and women, respectively. Conclusion: The ecological correlation between the trends in HIV prevalence and incidence and the increase in protective sexual behaviour during the 1990s makes a compelling case for continuing prevention efforts in Uganda.
A study of retrograde cell degeneration in the lateral mammillary nucleus of the cat, with special reference to the role of axonal branching in the preservation of the cell

The significance of axonal branches in maintaining the integrity of the neuronal soma after axon section has been studied in the lateral mammillary nucleus (LMN) of the cat. Earlier studies with the Golgi and reduced silver methods have shown that the axons of most, if not all, of the cells of this nucleus which enter the principal mammillary tract (PMT) bifurcate with one branch entering the mammillo‐thalamic tract (MThT) and the other the mammillo‐tegmental tract (MTgT). Some of the fibers in the MThT may again bifurcate before ending bilaterally in the anterodorsal nucleus of the thalamus (AD).
Ventricular free wall rupture following acute myocardial infarction.

SUMMARY Ventricular free wall rupture remains a dreaded complication of acute myocardial infarction. A dramatic fatal presentation is not universal and if recognized early, especially in its sub-acute form, a therapeutic intervention may be lifesaving. Changing trends in its natural history and the previously described pathological subtypes have emerged since the advent of thrombolysis. Although frequently unpredictable, certain clinical, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic signs should suggest the diagnosis. Moreover, knowledge of predisposing risk factors and a high index of suspicion are helpful in early recognition of this complication. In recent years, several different therapeutic approaches have been described including percutaneous seals and surgical mechanical closure of ventricular free wall rupture. In this review, we sought to highlight established and debatable aspects of this pathology to hopefully enhance prompt diagnosis and treatment by all clinicians caring for patients suffering acute myocardial infarction.
A Novel Site of Action for α-SNAP in the SNARE Conformational Cycle Controlling Membrane Fusion

Regulated exocytosis in neurons and neuroendocrine cells requires the formation of a stable soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex consisting of synaptobrevin-2/vesicle-associated membrane protein 2, synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25), and syntaxin 1. This complex is subsequently disassembled by the concerted action of α-SNAP and the ATPases associated with different cellular activities-ATPase N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF). We report that NSF inhibition causes accumulation of α-SNAP in clusters on plasma membranes. Clustering is mediated by the binding of α-SNAP to uncomplexed syntaxin, because cleavage of syntaxin with botulinum neurotoxin C1 or competition by using antibodies against syntaxin SNARE motif abolishes clustering. Binding of α-SNAP potently inhibits Ca2+-dependent exocytosis of secretory granules and SNARE-mediated liposome fusion. Membrane clustering and inhibition of both exocytosis and liposome fusion are counteracted by NSF but not when an α-SNAP mutant defective in NSF activation is used. We conclude that α-SNAP inhibits exocytosis by binding to the syntaxin SNARE motif and in turn prevents SNARE assembly, revealing an unexpected site of action for α-SNAP in the SNARE cycle that drives exocytotic membrane fusion.
Traces of the Banu Salih in the Syrian Steppe? The Fortresses of Qinnasrin and Abu al-Khanadiq

Abstract The fortifications of the beginning of the Islamic period erected along the border with the Byzantine Empire or within the Muslim domain are not well known. While some are mentioned in texts, few have been identified on the ground, and fewer still have been the object of archaeological studies. This article presents two examples recently discovered in Syria along the margin of the steppe on the territory of the Banu Salih, a dynasty of local governors who were very active in the struggle against the Byzantines at the beginning of the Abbasid period.
A graph based synthesis procedure for linear analog function

This paper presents a graph based synthesis procedure for reconfigurable linear analog function. A n-level weighted binary tree structure has been used to represent nth order linear network. Root of the binary tree has two children nodes with weights of first order lowpass filter (LPF) and first order highpass filter (HPF). Traversing through each possible path in the tree implements one filter type. The level 2 binary tree has been transformed to a hexagonal closed graph. This conversion has been done to map the proposed synthesis procedure into field programmable analog array (FPAA), which demonstrates the reusuability and programmability. First order LPF and HPF has been used as basic building blocks, whereas a hexagonal structure is denoted as a configurable analog block (CAB) of the FPAA. The hexagonal topology of the FPAA gives the versatile connectivity between two adjacent CABS of the FPAA. Performance has been verified through SPICE simulations.
HPM: a hierarchical model for parallel computations

A hierarchical model for parallel computations is introduced and evaluated in this paper. This model describes the general homogeneous parallel computer systems with Hierarchical Parallelism and hierarchical Memories (named as HPM). The HPM model consists of a hierarchy of ERAMs that cooperate with each other. A parallel function HP describes the multi-level parallelism of the system. The memory function Hm shows the characteristics of the hierarchical memories. The organisation for implementing the memory accesses or data communication in a computer system is known by a joint name: generalised hierarchical memories. The binding relation HB gives the relation connecting parallelism and hierarchical memories. The HB defines the organisation of synchronisation between the subsystems, and forms the hierarchy relation tree. The performance of HPM algorithms is discussed. The 'generalised locality' and 'memory consistency' are proposed to analyse the algorithm performance. Their usage and examples are also given.
Oral health and well-being of older adults in residential aged-care facilities: issues for public health policy.

INTRODUCTION New Zealand is no exception to the global trend of population ageing. Approximately 500,000 New Zealanders (12% of the population) are aged 65 years and over, and the expectation is that this figure will exceed 1 million (21%) by the late 2020s; the fastest growing sub-group is adults aged over 85 years. In parallel with this trend is an epidemiological transition: older adults are retaining more of their own teeth and the proportion that are edentulous is reducing dramatically (Carter et al, 2004; Petersen and Yamamoto, 2005; Thomson, 1997; World Health Organization, 2006). This predisposes older adults to oral diseases: dental caries occurs at a rate over time which is similar to that of adolescents (Thomson, 2004), and the prevalence of periodontal disease is greater than any other age group (Lavigne, 2008; Chalmers and Ettinger, 2008). The emergence of an ageing dentate population (Carter et al, 2004; Petersen and Yamamoto, 2005; Thomson, 1997; World Health Organization, 2006) creates a situation where more older adults than ever before will require care and intervention to achieve and maintain an adequate level of oral health. Older adults’ share of health expenditure in New Zealand is expected to increase from 40% to 63% (Frizelle, 2005), with the middle-aged and elderly exerting the greatest pressure on the oral health system (Thomson, 1997). Furthermore, due to technological advances and previous high levels and awareness of health care, future older adults will most likely have higher expectations of oral health care delivery than previous generations (Harford, 2009). Overall, this scenario will generate a significant financial, social and health burden on society, and it presents considerable challenges and implications for health and social policy planning (Barmes, 2000; Frizelle, 2005; Harford, 2009). Although it is most likely that most older people will continue to live independently in the community, a proportion will live in residential aged-care facilities and be functionally dependent on others for their personal and healthcare needs and activities of daily living, including day-
IoT and Zigbee based Street Light Monitoring System with LabVIEW

A Street light is a source of light on the edge of a road which turns on at night for the convenience of people. Major advantages of street lighting includes: prevention of accidents and increase in safety. Paper presents a system for monitoring the working of street lights at a server with ‘N’ number of local controller unit. The monitoring is done with the help of graphical user interface designed with LabVIEW. The communication media between street light and local controller unit is Zigbee and for covering large distance to main server IoT is used. The system is an effective method for monitoring a large area lightning system from remote area without visiting the location.
Plasticity of regulation of mannitol phosphotransferase system operon by CRP-cAMP complex in Vibrio cholerae.

OBJECTIVE The complex of the cyclic AMP receptor protein (CRP) and cAMP is an important transcriptional regulator of numerous genes in prokaryotes. The transport of mannitol through the phosphotransferase systems (PTS) is regulated by the CRP-cAMP complex. The aim of the study is to investigate how the CRP-cAMP complex acting on the mannitol PTS operon mtl of the Vibrio cholerae El Tor biotype. METHODS The crp mutant strain was generated by homologous recombination to assess the need of CRP to activate the mannitol PTS operon of V. cholerae El Tor. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and the reporter plasmid pBBRlux were used to confirm the role that the CRP-cAMP complex playing on the mannitol PTS operon mtl. RESULTS In this study, we confirmed that CRP is strictly needed for the activation of the mtl operon. We further experimentally identified five CRP binding sites within the promoter region upstream of the mannitol PTS operon mtl of the Vibrio cholerae El Tor biotype and found that these sites display different affinities for CRP and provide different contributions to the activation of the operon. CONCLUSION The five binding sites collectively confer the strong activation of mannitol transfer by CRP in V. cholerae, indicating an elaborate and subtle CRP activation mechanism.
Give your patient a fast hug (at least) once a day*

Objective:To introduce the Fast Hug mnemonic (Feeding, Analgesia, Sedation, Thromboembolic prophylaxis, Head-of-bed elevation, stress Ulcer prevention, and Glucose control) as a means of identifying and checking some of the key aspects in the general care of all critically ill patients. Design:Not applicable. Setting:Any intensive care unit at any time. Patients:All intensive care unit patients. Interventions:Dependent on the results of applying the Fast Hug. Measurements and Main Results:Not applicable. Conclusions:Application of this simple strategy encourages teamwork and may help improve the quality of care received by our intensive care unit patients.
Degradation of Trimethylbenzene Isomers by an Enrichment Culture under N(inf2)O-Reducing Conditions

A microbial culture enriched from a diesel fuel-contaminated aquifer was able to grow on 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (1,3,5-TMB) and 1,2,4-TMB under N(inf2)O-reducing conditions, but it did not degrade 1,2,3-TMB. The oxidation of 1,3,5-TMB to CO(inf2) was coupled to the production of biomass and the reduction of N(inf2)O. N(inf2)O was used to avoid toxic effects caused by NO(inf2)(sup-) accumulation during growth with NO(inf3)(sup-) as the electron acceptor. In addition to 1,3,5-TMB and 1,2,4-TMB, the culture degraded toluene, m-xylene, p-xylene, 3-ethyltoluene, and 4-ethyltoluene.
Institute for Quantitative Studies in Economics and Population Immigration and the Rate of Population Mixing : Explorations with a Stylized Model

Immigrants can mix with the population of a receiving country in various ways. We consider demographic mixing by which we mean cross-mating, and more particularly the bearing of children where one parent is of immigrant descent and the other is not – cross-parenting as we term it. We consider a hypothetical country with an initial stable population and introduce immigration. The results of cross-parenting are taken into account by identifying three separate populations within the overall total: non-immigrant population, immigrant population (immigrants and their descendants), and mixed population. We develop a stylized model to track the three populations, with interest focusing in particular on how the proportion of mixed population changes through time as it moves toward a steady state. The model has a stable projection (Leslie) matrix that holds for all three populations and moves them forward from generation to generation as each evolves in its own way. As cross-parenting occurs the resulting progeny are transferred from the other populations to the mixed population. The pattern of cross-parenting is determined in the first instance by a matrix representing preferences among the three populations and alternative preferential patterns are experimented with, ranging from complete isolation to indifference as to cross-parenting choices. However the matrix must be modified to recognize supply constraints imposed by the sizes of the available populations and a restricted leastsquares procedure is employed to effect the modification while remaining as close as possible to the original preference pattern. Alternative rates of immigration are experimented with also.
A study of wireless power transfer topologies for 3.3 kW and 6.6 kW electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Inductive wireless power transfer (WPT) systems for electric vehicle (EV) charging applications are designed at 3.3 and 6.6 kW power classes. A comparison of compensation circuits between SS (series - series) and LCL-LCL topologies is carried out. Measurement results of 3.3 kW WPT system show that the SS topology has higher transfer efficiency than the LCL-LCL one with a peak transfer efficiency of 93.1 % and 89.5 % for SS and LCL-LCL topologies, respectively, at a transfer distance of 100 mm. The LCL-LCL topology is more robust than the SS topology in terms of power factor when a misalignment between coils occurs or when the frequency varies. Measurement results of 3.3 kW WPT system are consistent to the circuit simulation. The WPT systems operate at a frequency of 85 kHz.
Long-Term Survival After Liver Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases in Patients With Hepatic Pedicle Lymph Nodes Involvement in the Era of New Chemotherapy Regimens

Summary and Background:Survival benefit, in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM) and hepatic pedicle lymph nodes (HPLN) involvement along the common hepatic artery and celiac axis (area 2 or distal) has not been observed. However, these results are based on historical series, using suboptimal chemotherapy drugs. Objective:The aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of HPLN involvement on survival after resection for CLM in the era of the new chemotherapy regimens. Patients and Methods:Between January 2000 and June 2006, 45 high risk consecutive patients presenting all with pathologically proven HPLN metastases were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Prognostic factors for survival and recurrence were analyzed. Results:The mean follow-up was 25.5 months. HPLN involvement was located in area 1 in 17 patients, area 2 in 10, and both area 1 and 2 were involved in 18 patients. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 29.7% and 17.3%, respectively. The median survival was 20.9 months. Three patients are alive and disease-free at 32.4, 33.5, and 46.9 months, respectively. The multivariate analysis showed that the carcinoembryonic antigen blood level before hepatectomy, a curative intent R0 liver resection, the ratio of involved/total resected HPLN, and an adjuvant chemotherapy after liver resection were independent risk factors for overall survival. Conclusions:This study showed that the localization of HPLN metastases within area 1 or 2 does not anymore affect survival after CLM resection. Furthermore, this study provides a support to perform a routine HPLN dissection in high risk patients undergoing liver resection for CLM to recognize HPLN involvement, to improve the ratio of involved/total resected lymph nodes, and to assign the patients for an adjuvant chemotherapy. Finally, these results indicate that curative intent R0 liver resection with HPLN dissection can offer the only potential cure for patients with CLM who present with HPLN involvement.