Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Plasma norepinephrine kinetics, dopamine-beta-hydroxylase, and chromogranin-A, in hypothyroid patients before and following replacement therapy.

Whether the increased plasma norepinephrine level reported in hypothyroidism is the result of impaired norepinephrine (NE) clearance or increased NE release by nerve terminals is unknown. We, therefore, measured plasma NE levels and clearance in 11 hypothyroid patients before [T4 index, 41.2 +/- 7.7 nmol/L (mean +/- SEM); TSH, 71.4 +/- 23.0 mU/L] and 4 +/- 0.5 months after thyroid replacement (T4 index, 136.4 +/- 24.4 nmol/L; TSH, 3.2 +/- 1.2 mU/L) and in 8 healthy volunteers. Plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase and chromogranin-A, which are coreleased with NE by sympathetic nerve endings, were also measured. Plasma NE was higher in the hypothyroid (2.37 +/- 0.24 nmol/L) than in the euthyroid state (1.86 +/- 0.24 nmol/L; P less than 0.02) or in the controls (1.87 +/- 0.27 nmol/L). Plasma clearance of NE, however, was not affected after thyroid replacement (hypothyroid, 2.08 +/- 0.31 L/min; euthyroid, 1.94 +/- 0.21 L/min; controls, 1.86 +/- 0.15 L/min). There was no significant change in plasma dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (hypothyroid, 720 +/- 139 nmol/mL.h; euthyroid, 553 +/- 97 nmol/mL.h) or plasma chromogranin-A (hypothyroid, 48.9 +/- 7.1 ng/mL; euthyroid, 42.9 +/- 5.3 ng/mL) after thyroid replacement. We conclude that the increased plasma NE in hypothyroid patients is not due to a change in plasma clearance, but is more likely secondary to increased NE release.
Aspects of hybrid QM/MM calculations: The treatment of the QM/MM interface region and geometry optimization with an application to chorismate mutase

The location of stationary points on potential energy surfaces calculated by hybrid quantum mechanical (QM)/molecular mechanical (MM) methods, allowing for relaxation of both the QM and MM regions, is discussed and illustrated with results from a study of the enzyme chorismate mutase. Enhanced interactions between carboxylate groups and neighboring arginine residues are shown to be important in the catalysis of chorismate to prephenate by this enzyme. The treatment of the interface between the QM and MM regions is studied by calculations on a series of models of amino acids. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 21: 1433–1441, 2000
Cerebral infarction due to fungal embolus

Focal neurologic signs developed in a 71 year old man after insertion of an aortic valve prosthesis. The patient died, and autopsy showed a mycotic thrombus on the prosthesis and fungal thromboemboli in branches of the coronary and left middle cerebral arteries, with infarcts in the heart and brain. Aspergillus niger was cultured from the thrombus. Only three previous cases have been reported in which focal neurologic deficits were associated with Aspergillus infection of a valve prosthesis. The present case is the first in which the pathogenesis of the neurologic abnormalities has been clearly shown to be related to fungal emboli.
An Untapped Resource: Using YouTube in Nursing Education

Minimal information is available in the literature addressing video sharing in nursing education. Using multiple examples, the authors discuss the use of YouTube, a popular video-sharing and social networking site. YouTube is used to illustrate theoretical content, involve students, and inspire innovative teaching methods. Faculty can use this technology to stimulate student discussions, share information, and create a learning community. YouTube stimulates active learning and brings new relevance and applications to nursing curriculum.
Meningitis Simultaneuously Due to Cryptococcus neoformans and Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a Inmunosupressed Patient

A 51-year-old white female patient was admitted to our Intensive Care Unit, who was originally referred from Nephrology department due to neurological impairment. She had crhonic renal failure and was being treated with immunosuppressants (tacrolimus and prednisone) because she had undergone a cadaveric kidney transplantation in the past. The previous week she had been discharged after being treated for tuberculosis but she developed new symtoms including nausea, vomiting and hepatotoxicity due to the antituberculous treatment, which had to be finally stopped. Her abdominal simptomatology improved, however, she developed neurological impairment, refractory headache and tremors. On admission her temperature was 37.5oC and Glasgow coma score 13.
Decreasing incidence of symptomatic gastrointestinal ulcers and ulcer complications in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) frequently cause gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers and complications of ulcers. In 1997 in Amsterdam, the incidence of symptomatic GI events was 2.1% (95% CI 1.0–3.1) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We conducted a new prospective, observational study on the symptomatic GI events in our outpatient clinics, and compared the data to a previous study conducted by our group. Over the same time period, a decline of GI events over the last decade was reported for US patients. Methods: In 2003, three questionnaires were sent to all RA patients in Amsterdam at 4-month intervals, addressing medication use, dyspepsia, and symptomatic GI events in the previous 4 months. Results: The incidence of GI events in high-risk patients, defined as age ⩾60 and/or history of GI event) using NSAIDs or cyclo-oxygenase 2 specific inhibitors (COXIBs) was 1.2% (95% CI 0.2–2.3), which appears to be substantially lower than the 2.1% observed in 1997; however this difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.3). In 64% (95% CI 61–68) of the high-risk patients, acid-suppressive drugs (ie, proton pump inhibitors, prostaglandin analogues or high dose H2 antagonists) were used. In 1997 this percentage was significantly lower at 49% (45–52; p<0.001). The compliance to the Dutch guidelines for prevention of NSAID-related gastropathy was almost 75%, with 64% of the patients using acid-suppressive drugs and 11% using COXIBs. Conclusion: The present study reveals a decline of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal events, which is similar to the results observed in the US. This is most likely due to a more strict adherence to guidelines for prevention of NSAID gastropathy, and better treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
A Compact Microstrip Square-Ring Slot Antenna for UWB Applications

A microstrip square-ring slot antenna (MSRSA) for UWB (ultra wideband) antenna applications is proposed and improved by compaction. This structure is fed by a single microstrip line with a fork like-tuning stub. By splitting the square-ring slot antenna (SRSA) and optimization of the feeding network, the required impedance bandwidth is achieved over the UWB frequency range (3.1 to 10.6 GHz). The experimental and simulation results exhibit good agreement together. Parametric study is applied to compaction of structure. This compaction provides a good radiation pattern and a relatively constant gain over the entire band of frequency
Program Synthesis from Natural Deduction Proofs

There have already been many program synthesizers which are based on classical logic. There is, however, some evidence that intuitionistic logic is more suitable for computer programs. This paper presents a program synthesis method based on intuitionistic logic. The synthesizing method is essentially an application of Godel's interpretation. An experimental program synthesizer NJL, which performs Godel's interpretation, is implemented in LISP. NJL takes natural deduction proofs as input and produces LISP programs.
Effects of Fentanyl and Morphine on Intraoperative Somatosensory Cortical‐Evoked Potentials

We compared the effects of morphine and fentanyl in the presence of 60% N2O on somatosensory cortical-evoked potentials (SCEP). Both drugs were administered by intravenous bolus (n = 12) and infusion (n = 20) techniques. SCEPs were recorded preoperatively and intraoperatively in 32 patients undergoing corrective surgery for scoliosis. Records were taken at the contralateral cerebral cortex by individual stimulation of the posterior tibial nerves at the ankle. Both drugs increased the latencies of the N1, P2, and N2 peaks and affected the peak-to-peak amplitudes of the primary complex. Intravenous bolus injections and continuous infusions of equianalgesic doses produced similar effects. The increase in N1 latency was significantly greater (morphine, P < 0.05; fentanyl, P < 0.01) with the bolus than with the infusion technique. The doses of morphine and fentanyl given by bolus injections were 1/3 times and 3 1/3 times greater than doses given by infusion. Changes in latency were more consistent than changes in amplitude. Both fentanyl and morphine increase latencies while affecting amplitudes unpredictably. Equianalgesic doses of fentanyl and morphine have similar effects on SCEP latencies. Low-dose continuous infusions of narcotics depress SCEPs less than intermittent bolus injections.
A new model to measure the knowledge diffusion via information entropy in virtual communities

In order to measure the different values of a great number of knowledge spreading in virtual communities, we build a knowledge diffusion measurement model based on information entropy. The model quantifies the knowledge entropy of different nodes in the spreading process in terms of users' behaviors. Consequently, transmitted knowledge can be sorted by the knowledge entropy, making the measurement of knowledge values and knowledge diffusion more accurately.
An Exploratory Factor Analysis of Student Learning in a Collaborative Virtual Computer Laboratory

Information security is a growing part of the information technology function in an organization. Higher learning institutions generally do not provide much “hands-on” exposure to information security concepts due to costs, internal information security concerns, and a lack of worthwhile exercises that cater to students. We have created a collaborative virtual computer laboratory (CVCLAB) that seeks to leverage a large group of virtual computers together with specially designed laboratory exercises in order to create a learning environment for information security. We studied the impact of collaborative work on student learning using controlled experiments in the CVCLAB. In this paper, we are investigating how to best utilize the virtual computers for teaching information security debating such issues as whether learning is greater when exercises are conducted in groups or as individuals. We developed a research model based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and used an exploratory factor analysis to answer the research questions.
CARD9 Mediates Dectin-2-induced IκBα Kinase Ubiquitination Leading to Activation of NF-κB in Response to Stimulation by the Hyphal Form of Candida albicans*

The scaffold protein CARD9 plays an essential role in anti-fungus immunity and is implicated in mediating Dectin-1/Syk-induced NF-κB activation in response to Candida albicans infection. However, the molecular mechanism by which CARD9 mediates C. albicans-induced NF-κB activation is not fully characterized. Here we demonstrate that CARD9 is involved in mediating NF-κB activation induced by the hyphal form of C. albicans hyphae (Hyphae) but not by its heat-inactivated unicellular form. Our data show that inhibiting Dectin-2 expression selectively blocked Hyphae-induced NF-κB, whereas inhibiting Dectin-1 mainly suppressed zymosan-induced NF-κB, indicating that Hyphae-induced NF-κB activation is mainly through Dectin-2 and not Dectin-1. Consistently, we find that the hyphae stimulation induces CARD9 association with Bcl10, an adaptor protein that functions downstream of CARD9 and is also involved in C. albicans-induced NF-κB activation. This association is dependent on Dectin-2 but not Dectin-1 following the hyphae stimulation. Finally, we find that although both CARD9 and Syk are required for Hyphae-induced NF-κB activation, they regulate different signaling events in which CARD9 mediates IκBα kinase ubiquitination, whereas Syk regulates IκBα kinase phosphorylation. Together, our data demonstrated that CARD9 is selectively involved in Dectin-2-induced NF-κB activation in response to C. albicans hyphae challenging.
Resolving API Mentions in Informal Documents

Developer forums contain opinions and information related to the usage of APIs. API names in forum posts are often not explicitly linked to their official resources. Automatic linking of an API mention to its official resources can be challenging for various reasons, such as, name overloading. We present a technique, ANACE, to automatically resolve API mentions in the textual contents of forum posts. Given a database of APIs, we first detect all words in a forum post that are potential references to an API. We then use a combination of heuristics and machine learning to eliminate false positives and to link true positives to the actual APIs and their resources.
RENEWED HOPE FOR A VACCINE AGAINST THE INTESTINAL ADULT TAENIA SOLIUM

Review of experimental and observational evidence about various cestode infections of mammalian hosts revives hope for the development of an effective vaccine against adult intestinal tapeworms, the central protagonists in their transmission dynamics. As for Taenia solium, there are abundant immunological data regarding cysticercosis in humans and pigs, but information about human taeniasis is scarce. A single publication reporting protection against T. solium taeniasis by experimental primo infection and by vaccination of an experimental foster host, the immunocompetent female hamster, kindles the hope of a vaccine against the tapeworm to be used in humans, its only natural definitive host.
Z-source converter based grid-interface for variable-speed permanent magnet wind turbine generators

A Z-source inverter based grid-interface for a variable-speed wind turbine connected to a permanent magnet synchronous generator is proposed. A control system is designed to harvest maximum wind energy under varied wind conditions with the use of the permanent magnet synchronous generator, diode-rectifier and Z-source inverter. Control systems for speed regulation of the generator and for DC- and AC- sides of the Z-source inverter are investigated using computer simulations and laboratory experiments. Simulation and experimental results verify the efficacy of the proposed approach.
Speech Perception by Children with the Clarion (CIS) or Nucleus 22 (SPEAK) Cochlear Implant or Hearing Aids

Multichannel cochlear implants allow many children with prelingual (< 3 years of age) profound hearing loss to obtain high levels of speech perception. New devices and processing strategies provide substantial benefit to many children with cochlear implants (CIs). Two groups of children with profound prelingual hearing loss who received implants prior to the age of six participated in the study: (1) all children in the U.S. (N=179) who received a Clarion implant (CIS strategy) prior to June 1997 and participated in the clinical trials for FDA approval; and (2) all 40 children who received a Nucleus-22 implant (SPEAK strategy) and participated in the Indiana University CI program. Twenty-six children who wear hearing aids acted as the control group in the study. Speech perception was assessed with the Mr. Potato Head Test (Robbins, 1993) a modified open-set test of word recognition. Performance for the children who use CIs was compared to predictions from a linear regression analysis of chronological age on test score for the children who use hearing aids. By 12-18 months of implant use, average performance for the children with implants equaled average performance predicted for the children with hearing aids at the same chronological age. Significant differences were not found between the two groups of children who use implants, perhaps due to the small number of participants who were followed up to 18 months in this study.
Preserving the Tree of Life

Phylogenies provide new ways to measure biodiversity, to assess conservation priorities, and to quantify the evolutionary history in any set of species. Methodological problems and a lack of knowledge about most species have so far hampered their use. In the future, as techniques improve and more data become accessible, we will have an expanded set of conservation options, including ways to prioritize outcomes from evolutionary and ecological processes.
Yield enhancement techniques in analog design automation

In this paper, two techniques that allow simultaneous sizing and yield enhancement of analog circuit are evaluated. Both methods use first-order sensitivity information to predict the performance degradation due to process variations. The methods are incorporated in an analog design automation tool that is used to design a large number of circuits in order to evaluate the approaches. Experimental results show that the two methods can be used to produce circuits with high yield while keeping the computational effort low.
Lasers, a tool for soft cochleostomies

Advancements in implantable auditory prostheses now demand preservation of residual auditory function following the surgery. Atraumatic cochleostomy formation is essential to this goal. Clinically reported hearing outcomes in human implantation are still quite variable in this regard. The objective of the manuscript is to report on clinical indications and supportive laboratory evidence that the handheld CO2 laser fiber (BeamPath® OTO-S, OmniGuide® Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA) is an effective tool for creating a soft cochleostomy.
Low complexity iterative decision feedback equalizer for 8PSK modulation in time dispersive channels

This paper addresses the problem of low complexity iterative channel equalization in intersymbol interference channels using 8PSK modulation. In this paper, we apply a recently proposed low complexity iterative channel equalization technique, called the iterative decision feedback equalizer (IDFE) to a coded system using 8PSK modulation. In this system, the structure of the DFE has been modified to incorporate soft a priori information from previous iterations of the channel decoder in detection of the corrupted signal. As a result, in this algorithm complexity is only a linear function of channel memory length. Simulation results show that this technique, using a convolutional code with constraint length K=3 and interleaver size N=3000 over a known time invariant ISI channel achieves a remarkable gain of about 5 dB compared to the conventional DFE. Complexity evaluation also shows that the iterative DFE has advantages in terms of complexity compared to other types of turbo equalization techniques and is an appropriate candidate for EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) systems.
Analyses of proteins involved in vesicular trafficking in platelets of mouse models of Hermansky Pudlak syndrome.

Hermansky Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterized by defects in synthesis and/or secretion of three related subcellular organelles: melanosomes, platelet-dense granules, and lysosomes. In the mouse, mutant forms of any of 14 separate genes result in an HPS-like phenotype. The mouse pearl and mocha genes encode subunits of the AP3 adaptor protein complex, confirming that HPS mutations involve proteins regulating intracellular vesicular trafficking. Therefore, expression of several additional proteins involved in vesicular transport was examined by immunoblotting of platelet extracts from HPS mutant and control mice. Platelet levels of SCAMPS (secretory carrier membrane proteins), Rab11, Rab31, NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein), syntaxin 2, syntaxin 4, munc18c, and p115/TAP (p115/transcytosis-associated protein) were not significantly altered in several different HPS mutants. However, gunmetal (gm/gm) platelets contained decreased amounts of SNAP-23. The Snap23 gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 5, demonstrating it cannot encode the gm gene, which maps to chromosome 14. It is likely therefore that the gm gene functions upstream of SNAP-23 in vesicular trafficking.
Tight junctions.

Tight junctions are the most apical intercellular junctions of epithelial and endothelial cells and create a regulatable semipermeable diffusion barrier between individual cells. On a cellular level, they form an intramembrane diffusion fence that restricts the intermixing of apical and basolateral membrane components. In addition to these well defined functions, more recent evidence suggests that tight junctions are also involved in basic cellular processes like the regulation of cell growth and differentiation.
Cloning of the Mouse Somatostatin Receptor Subtype 5 Gene: Promoter Structure and Function1.

Somatostatin is a peptide hormone whose actions are mediated by five somatostatin receptor subtypes (sst1–5). In the pituitary, somatostatin inhibits TSH release from thyrotropes and GH release from somatotropes. We have shown that sst5 transcripts and protein are induced by thyroid hormone in TtT-97 thyrotropic tumors. To map sequences responsible for promoter activity in pituitary cells, we cloned the mouse sst5 coding region of 362 amino acids and 12 kb of upstream DNA. Initial transfection studies in TtT-97 or GH3 cells mapped high levels of basal promoter activity to a 5.6-kb fragment upstream of the translational start, whereas shorter genomic fragments had low activity. To identify the transcriptional start site we used 5′ RACE with TtT-97 poly A+ RNA and a sst5 antisense coding region primer. Sequence comparison between the complementary DNA and the gene revealed that the mouse sst5 gene contains 3 exons and 2 introns. The entire coding region was contained in exon 3. Two differently sized RACE pr.
Botulinum toxin type B for type A resistant bladder spasticity.

Urinary dysfunction is one of the main problems afflicting patients with spinal cord injury. In particular, detrusor hyperreflexia causes urinary incontinence, which decreases quality of life, and high bladder storage pressures with secondary renal damage. Available therapies are intermittent self-catheterization and oral anticholinergic drugs, which are associated with a high frequency of side effects. Botulinum toxin (BTX) selectively blocks the release of acetylcholine from nerve endings and accordingly blocks neural transmission in cholinergic synapses. The long-term experience of treatment for dystonia and blepharospasm has demonstrated that approximately 16% of patients undergoing repeated treatments become resistant to this drug. It is supposed that an immunological mechanism is responsible for drug resistance, and in many resistant subjects antibodies to the toxin can be detected. Recordings of the compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) elicited by electrical stimulation of the peroneal nerve before and after botulinum toxin injection in the extensor digitorum brevis show a correspondence between antibody seropositivity and absence of toxin responsivity.1 As botulinum toxin type B (BTX-B) has an antigenic specificity different from type A (BTX-A), type A resistant subjects affected by cervical dystonia have been treated successfully with BTX-B. BTX-A used in the treatment of bladder detrusor hyperreflexia causes increased bladder capacity and post-void residual urine volume, decreased mean maximum detrusor voiding pressure and resolution of autonomic dysreflexia.2 No significant side effects have been detected. BTX-B injection was introduced recently, and only 1 report of its effect in neurogenic bladder dysfunction has been published previously.3 In that instance a good therapeutic effect was noted without significant side effects in a patient without previous treatments. We report our experience with botulinum toxin type B injection for the management of bladder spasticity in a subject resistant to BTX-A.