Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comment on “DNA from Pre-Clovis Human Coprolites in Oregon, North America”

Gilbert et al. (Reports, 9 May 2008, p. 786) presented DNA analysis of coprolites recovered from an Oregon cave as evidence for a human presence in North America before the Clovis culture. Results of our micromorphological and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses of one of the reported coprolites are difficult to reconcile with the DNA results identifying the coprolite as human.
Effects of repeated-sprints with changes of direction on youth soccer player's performance: Impact of initial fitness level.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of an 8-week repeated sprint with change of direction training program on repeated sprint, intermittent endurance and change of direction performance in youth soccer players with different aerobic fitness levels. Athletes were randomly assigned into a soccer-only (n=9; age, 14.9±0.4 yr) and soccer plus repeated sprint with change of direction (RS-COD) training programs for players with high (n=10; age, 14.4±0.5 yr) and low (n=10; age, 14.4±0.5 yr) aerobic fitness. RS-COD was completed two days per week, involving three sets of ten 18-m sprints with two changes of direction of 90°. The soccer-only group achieved greater improvements in intermittent endurance (ES = 0.61) and sprint decrement during RS ability test (ES = 0.77) compared to the RS-COD groups (ES = 0.19 to 0.24; ES = -0.27 to 0.02; respectively). RS-COD training improved repeated sprint (ES = 0.16 to 0.38) and change of direction (ES = 0.48) performance in high, but not in low fitness players (ES = 0.03 to 0.13; ES = 0.16; respectively). Moreover, improvements in repeated sprint and change of direction were (possibly) greater in high compared to low fitness and soccer-only trained players (possibly to very likely). In conclusion, although RS-COD training may positively affect repeated sprint and change of direction performance, its effects may vary according to the initial aerobic fitness of youth soccer players, with trivial effect on intermittent endurance in high-aerobic fitness players and possible beneficial effect on low-aerobic fitness players.
Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: An update of the ucla experience, 1960–1985

The UCLA experience with juvenile angiofibroma (JNA) over a 25‐year period is reviewed. There were 83 patients, the majority being adolescent males. Surgery was the primary method of treatment for disease not extending intracranially; 63 of 68 patients (92.5%) became asymptomatic with this modality. In patients treated with a single course of primary radiation, 10 of 14 (78.5%) became asymptomatic. Trends in diagnosis and treatment were evaluated. Contrast computerized tomography reliably assesses tumor extent. Preoperative arteriography is essential for the evaluation and embolization of feeding vessels; this in turn significantly reduces operative blood loss and the need for transfusions. Radiotherapy should be reserved for disease extending intracranially and should be in doses of 3,600 cGy or larger.
Algorithmic music composition for computer games based on L-system

An application for music composition using L-system is presented as an experimental platform for further research on the topic of the composition of interactive music for computer games. L-system is presently used in many high-end computer games for the generation of natural surroundings, but there has been little research performed on the subject of L-system music composition. However, by its very nature, including data compression, parameterization, and the generation of tree structures, L-system seems currently to be an optimal method for such application.
Analysis of the initial treatment phase in first-episode psychosis

Background The Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) commenced operation in Melbourne, Australia, in 1992. It offers a model for management of first-episode psychosis, utilising principles of early detection, low-dose medication and comprehensive psychosocial interventions within the least restrictive setting. Method Data were examined from the first three months of treatment for all consecutive people with first-episode psychosis (n=231) accepted in the programme in 1995–1996. A subsample of patients (n=120) was assessed comparing clinical ratings with variables of gender, diagnosis, hospitalisation, and medication. Results Hospitalisations were brief, and avoided for a third of the people. Low-dose antipsychotic medication was maintained in both in-patient and community settings. Those people with manic psychosis were more likely to be hospitalised. Hospitalised people received higher antipsychotic dosages, and had a greater rate of reduction in Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale psychotic sub-scale scores at three months follow-up. Eighty per cent of a representative subsample had responded to treatment and 63% were in remission by the end of the three months. Conclusion This naturalistic study suggests that the feasibility of implementing the EPPIC model in a range of clinical settings is promising and applicable in practice.
An Economic Analysis on Energy Direct Rebound Effect: From Microcosmic Angle

The rebound effect has been a hot topic in the economic sphere.Nowadays,as the economy grows and the energy supply confronts severe situation,it becomes more and more significant for us to explore the relation between energy efficiency and energy consumption.However,there has been a lack of unified and standard category methodology,even in terms of jargons and definitions.This paper conducts an economic analysis on the mechanism of energy rebound effect,on the basis of an international review of a wide range of definition of energy rebound effect,in order to better understand the substitution effect and income effect in the direct rebound effect from a microcosmic point of view,and thus gets a better grip of the existence of rebound effect.
Socioeconomic differences in patient survival are increasing for acute myeloid leukemia and multiple myeloma in sweden.

PURPOSE An association between socioeconomic status (SES) and survival in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and multiple myeloma (MM) has not been established in developed countries. We assessed the impact of SES on survival in two large population-based cohorts of AML and MM patients diagnosed in Sweden 1973 to 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS The relative risk of death (all cause and cause specific) in relation to SES was estimated using Cox's proportional hazards regression. We also conducted analyses stratified by calendar periods (1973 to 1979, 1980 to 1989, 1990 to 1999, and 2000 to 2005). RESULTS We identified a total of 9,165 and 14,744 patients with AML and MM, respectively. Overall, higher white-collar workers had a lower mortality than other SES groups for both AML (P = .005) and MM (P < .005). In AML patients, a consistently higher overall mortality was observed in blue-collar workers compared with higher white-collar workers in the last three periods (hazard ratio [HR], 1.26; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.51; HR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.45; HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.57, respectively). In MM, no difference was observed in the first two calendar periods. However, in 1990 to 1999, self-employed (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.37), blue-collar workers (HR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.32), and retired (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.80) had a higher mortality compared to higher white-collar workers. In 2000 to 2005, blue-collar workers had a higher mortality (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.60) compared with higher white-collar workers. CONCLUSION SES was significantly associated with survival in both AML and MM. Most conspicuously, a lower mortality was observed among the highest SES group during more recent calendar periods. Differences in management, comorbidity, and lifestyle, are likely factors to explain these findings.
Impact of medical therapy on patients with Crohn's disease requiring surgical resection.

AIM To evaluate the impact of medical therapy on Crohn's disease patients undergoing their first surgical resection. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated all patients with Crohn's disease undergoing their first surgical resection between years 1995 to 2000 and 2005 to 2010 at a tertiary academic hospital (St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, Canada). Patients were identified from hospital administrative database using the International Classification of Diseases 9 codes. Patients' hospital and available outpatient clinic records were independently reviewed and pertinent data were extracted. We explored relationships among time from disease diagnosis to surgery, patient phenotypes, medication usage, length of small bowel resected, surgical complications, and duration of hospital stay. RESULTS Total of 199 patients were included; 85 from years 1995 to 2000 (cohort A) and 114 from years 2005 to 2010 (cohort B). Compared to cohort A, cohort B had more patients on immunomodulators (cohort A vs cohort B: 21.4% vs 56.1%, P < 0.0001) and less patients on 5-aminosalysilic acid (53.6% vs 29.8%, P = 0.001). There was a shift from inflammatory to stricturing and penetrating phenotypes (B1/B2/B3 38.8% vs 12.3%, 31.8% vs 45.6%, 29.4% vs 42.1%, P < 0.0001). Both groups had similar median time to surgery. Within cohort B, 38 patients (33.3%) received anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agent. No patient in cohort A was exposed to anti-TNF agent. Compared to patients not on anti-TNF agent, ones exposed were younger at diagnosis (anti-TNF vs without anti-TNF: A1/A2/A3 39.5% vs 11.8%, 50% vs 73.7%, 10.5% vs 14.5%, P = 0.003) and had longer median time to surgery (90 mo vs 48 mo, P = 0.02). Combination therapy further extended median time to surgery. Using time-dependent multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, patients who were treated with anti-TNF agents had a significantly higher risk to surgery (adjusted hazard ratio 3.57, 95%CI: 1.98-6.44, P < 0.0001) compared to those without while controlling for gender, disease phenotype, smoking status, and immunomodulator use. CONCLUSION Significant changes in patient phenotypes and medication exposures were observed between the two surgical cohorts separated by a decade.
2013 IEEE Scientific Visualization Contest Winner: Observing Genomics and Phenotypical Patterns in the Developing Mouse Brain

The 2013 IEEE Scientific Visualization Contest focused on developmental neuroscience related to the mouse brain. In developmental neuroscience, researchers examine spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression to understand how brain structures evolve and vary over an organism's life. The Allen Developing Mouse Brain Atlas project generated expression data for thousands of genes with high spatial resolution over multiple developmental stages. These data have become an invaluable resource for neuroscientists and developmental biologists exploring interesting spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression. Given the extremely large amounts of data, it's desirable to apply visualization techniques to their access, analysis, and interpretation. The proposed visual-analytics system enables clear, insightful observations of the gene expression patterns for such data, focusing on structural patterns that vary across gene expression levels over six developmental stages. Users can explore patterns through specialized data-driven representations that capture emerging structure-function associations in the developing mouse brain. The system also provides an effective characterization of certain processes in the developing brain that could lead to further analysis.
Can Bovine In Vitro-Matured Oocytes Selectively Process X- or Y-Sorted Sperm Differentially?1

Abstract It has been reported that the mammalian female could have a preconceptual influence on the sex of her offspring, and it has been hypothesized that this influence could go some way toward accounting for the reported lower fertility following insemination with sex-sorted sperm. To test whether in vitro matured oocytes are able to select X- or Y-bearing spermatozoa following in vitro fertilization (IVF), we fertilized in vitro 1788 oocytes with X-sorted semen, Y-sorted semen, a mix of X- and Y-sorted semen, and unsorted semen from the same bull, and cultured until Day 9. Fertility was assessed by recording cleavage rate at 48 h postinsemination (hpi) and blastocyst development until Day 9. Embryos were sexed at the two- to four-cell stage and the blastocyst stage. The proportion of zygotes cleaving at 48 hpi was not different between X- and Y-sorted groups and the mix of X- and Y-sorted semen group; however, all were significantly lower than the unsorted group (P < 0.001). Blastocyst yield on Day 6 was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) in the control group compared with the rest of the groups. Cumulative blastocyst yields on Days 7, 8, and 9 were also significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) in the unsorted group compared with the sorted groups. The proportion of female and male two- to four-cell embryos obtained following IVF with X- and Y-sorted sperm was 88% and 89%, respectively and the sex ratio at the two- to four-cell stage was not different following IVF with unsorted or sorted/recombined sperm (56.9% males vs. 57% males, respectively). At the blastocyst stage, similar percentages were obtained. In conclusion, the differences in cleavage and blastocyst development using sorted versus unsorted sperm are not due to the oocyte preferentially selecting sperm of one sex over another, but are more likely due to spermatic damage caused by the sorting procedure.
Variation in thromboxane B2 concentrations in serum and plasma in patients taking regular aspirin before and after clopidogrel therapy

Abstract Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 antagonist is widely prescribed for the prevention of thrombotic events in patients with an acute coronary syndrome or undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is recognised that there is inter-individual variation in the antiplatelet effects of both drugs. Recent data also suggest that P2Y12 antagonists can affect the response to aspirin. A direct indicator of the effect of aspirin on platelets is their ability to generate thromboxane, which if measured as the difference between the level of thromboxane B2 in serum and plasma ([TxB2]S-P) avoids the confounding effect of endogenous TxB2 production from other cells. We therefore analysed [TxB2]S-P as a measure of aspirin response in a group of 123 patients undergoing elective PCI before and after the introduction of clopidogrel. In a subgroup of 40 patients taking aspirin alone, we compared [TxB2]S-P and VerifyNow Aspirin for the assessment of aspirin response. There was a wide variation in plasma and serum TxB2 concentrations both before and after clopidogrel therapy but only 3.5% of patients had residual serum concentration of TxB2 > 10 ng/ml. There was a strong correlation between the pre and post clopidogrel levels of TxB2 (r ≥ 0.78; p = 0.001) and no significant difference in [TxB2]S-P. There was no correlation between the magnitude of response to clopidogrel response and the generation of thromboxane B2. Correlation between [TxB2]S-P and VerifyNow Aspirin was poor. We conclude that the use of a P2Y12 antagonist does not influence the effect of aspirin on the ability of platelets to generate thromboxane. Therefore, measurement of TxB2 levels in serum, after subtracting the contribution from plasma, provides a measure of the response to aspirin in patients taking dual antiplatelet therapy.
Comparison of diffusion‐ and T2‐weighted MRI for the early detection of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats

The sensitivity of diffusion‐weighted MRI was compared to that of T2‐weighted MRI following temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCA‐0) for 33 min followed by 4 h of reperfusion in rats. Diffusion‐weighted spin‐echo images using strong gradients (b value of 1413 s/mm2) demonstrated a significant increase in signal intensity in ischemic regions as early as 14 min after onset of ischemia in comparison to the normal, contralateral hemisphere (p < 0.05). This hyperintensity returned to baseline levels during reperfusion. T2‐weighted images showed no evidence of brain injury during the temporary occlusion. In three rats subjected to permanent MCA‐0, diffusion‐weighted MRI demonstrated an increased signal intensity on the first image following occlusion and continued to increase during the 4‐h observation period. T2‐weighted images failed to demonstrate significant injury until approximately 2 h after MCA‐O. Signal intensity ratios of ischemic to normal tissues were greater in the diffusion‐weighted images than in the T2‐weighted MR images at all time points (p < 0.05). Close anatomical correlation was found between the early and sustained increase in diffusion‐weighted MRI signal intensity and localization of infarcts seen on post‐mortem histopathology. © 1991 Academic Press. Inc.
Coxsackie B virus infections in new zealand patients with cardiac and non‐cardiac diseases

From 1979 to 1981, a total of 910 cardiac patients and 776 noncardiac patients were studied and compared for evidence of coxsackie B virus infections. Of 78 cardiac patients with coxsackie B infection, 30 had pleurodynia, 18 myocarditis, and 20 pericarditis. The age‐adjusted rates of infection per 100 cases of defined category were 7.2, 13.3, and 7.0, respectively. Of 69 noncardiac patients with coxsackie B infection, 27 presented with pyrexia of unknown origin, 14 with upper respiratory tract infection, and 9 with meningitis. The age‐adjusted rates of infection per 100 population were 10.6, 11.0, and 8.4, respectively. The sex‐specific, age‐adjusted rates for both cardiac and noncardiac patients were generally higher in male than female. For cardiac patients, the highest percentage with coxsackie B virus infection occurred in the 20–39‐year age group, while in the noncardiac group, it was the 0–19‐year age group.
Coordinate enhancement of cytokine gene expression in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected promonocytic cells

A promonocytic cell model was used to investigate cytokine gene transcription in U937 and U9-IIIB cells chronically infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The production of interferon (alpha-1 interferon [IFN-alpha 1], IFN-alpha 2, and IFN-beta), interleukin (interleukin 1 alpha [IL-1 alpha], IL-1 beta, and IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA was characterized by quantitative polymerase chain reaction mRNA phenotyping in U937 and U9-IIIB cells following coinfection with Sendai paramyxovirus or stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Chronic HIV-1 infection of U9-IIIB cells resulted in a low constitutive level of transcription of TNF and IL-1 genes but not IFN genes; however, when the cells were coinfected with Sendai virus, 10- to 20-fold higher levels of IFN-beta, IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha mRNA were observed in U9-IIIB cells than in similarly induced U937 cells. The enhanced levels of cytokine RNA in virus-infected U9-IIIB cells were also accompanied by higher levels of IFN antiviral activity and TNF secretion than in U937 cells. Transcript levels for IFN-alpha 1 and IFN-alpha 2 were equivalently induced in virus-infected U937 and U9-IIIB cells, indicating that a generalized derepression of cytokine gene expression did not occur as a consequence of HIV-1 infection. When LPS was used as an inducer, a distinct pattern of cytokine gene expression was detected in U9-IIIB cells. TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta but not IFN-alpha or IFN-beta transcripts were induced by LPS. These results suggest that HIV-1 infection of promonocytic cells may prime or sensitize cells such that subsequent antigenic challenge leads to coordinate enhancement of cytokine gene expression.
Thin-film piezoelectric transformers operating in harmonics of out-of-plane flexure modes

This paper documents disc-shaped flexure-mode piezoelectric transformers constructed with 0.5 μm lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) on 4-μm silicon resonators. The transformers are electrode shaped to excite out-of-plane flexure modes at ~12, ~34, and ~63 MHz. The incorporation of silicon enables the excitation of out-of-plane flexural modes which exploit large quasi-static material coupling factors (using both e31 and e32). Transformer efficiencies >50% with ~5X open-circuit voltage gains are predicted. Experimental transformer figures of merit equivalent to previously-reported extensional modes [1] are demonstrated with 3X-13X size reductions. Electromechanical coupling factors, keff2, of 3.4% exceed those measured for extensional modes (with 4 μm silicon) by ~3.5X.
Spectral analysis of walking improvement utilizing AR modeling

This study analyzes the walking improvement based on 1/f fluctuations and impulse responses utilizing Auto-Regressive (AR) modeling. Once subjects were aware of the correct posture, the fluctuation of subject's both sides of the hip while walking was improved more rhythmic. The analysis of impulse response utilizing AR modeling provided clear results for the evaluation of improvement to walking stability. After the subjects understood their own walking condition, based on 1/f fluctuation, and had received suitable rehabilitation and shoes, their walking stability improved satisfactorily. This study provides a useful method of medical evaluation in rehabilitation and physical fitness, and a means for subjects to maintain a state of well being.
Housing characteristics and children's respiratory health in the Russian Federation.

OBJECTIVES We studied housing characteristics, parental factors, and respiratory health conditions in Russian children. METHODS We studied a population of 5951 children from 9 Russian cities, whose parents answered a questionnaire on their children's respiratory health, home environment, and housing characteristics. The health outcomes were asthma conditions, current wheeze, dry cough, bronchitis, and respiratory allergy. RESULTS Respiratory allergy and dry cough increased in association with the home being adjacent to traffic. Consistent positive associations were observed between some health conditions and maternal smoking during pregnancy, many health conditions and lifetime exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), and nearly all health conditions and water damage and molds in the home. CONCLUSIONS Vicinity to traffic, dampness, mold, and ETS are important determinants of children's respiratory health in Russia.
Design and preliminary testing of the RIC hybrid knee prosthesis

We present a novel hybrid knee prosthesis that uses a motor, transmission and control system only for active dynamics tasks, while relying on a spring/damper system for passive dynamics activities. Active dynamics tasks require higher torque, lower speed, and occur less frequently than passive dynamic activities. By designing the actuation system around active tasks alone, we achieved a lightweight design (1.7 Kg w/o battery) without sacrificing peak torque (85Nm repetitive). Preliminary tests performed by an able-bodied person using a bypass orthosis show that the hybrid knee can support reciprocal stairs ambulation with low electrical energy consumption.