Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis: correlation of ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy, chest radiography, and CT with pulmonary function tests.

PURPOSE To determine the findings on ventilation-perfusion (V-P) scintigrams, computed tomographic (CT) scans, and chest radiographs and correlate them with pulmonary function test results in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS V-P scintigraphy, chest radiography, conventional and thin-section CT, and pulmonary function tests were performed in 39 patients. The images were graded on a scale of 0 (normal) to 3 (severely abnormal). RESULTS Imaging abnormalities were found on 92% of ventilation scintigrams, 92% of perfusion scintigrams, 79% of chest radiographs, 100% of CT scans, and 100% of thin-section CT scans. On ventilation scintigrams, 28 (72%) patients demonstrated a speckling pattern. On CT scans, all patients had pulmonary cysts. Univariate analysis showed that extent of disease on chest radiographs and CT scans, cyst size, V-P abnormalities, and degree of speckling were inversely correlated with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)), diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide, and the ratio of FEV(1) to forced vital capacity (FVC) (P <.01) but not with FVC and total lung capacity. Larger cyst size correlated with extent of disease at CT, but not significantly (P =.056). CONCLUSION Scintigraphic and radiologic abnormalities are seen in a majority of patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis. On ventilation scintigrams, a frequently seen speckling pattern may be related to accumulation of radionuclide in pulmonary cysts-a hallmark of the disease at CT. Findings with each imaging modality correlate with certain pulmonary functions.
Wrong way: go back! An exploration of novice search behaviours while conducting an information search

The push toward the development of user-managed online search processes is clearly evident in libraries. Implicit in this trend is the assumption that searchers are competent in searching these services and retrieving their desired information. However, a close examination of the search strategies of novices while they performed an information search task reveals some significant barriers to successful searching. The results illustrate that novice searchers work very hard on their searches, but find it difficult to develop an effective strategy. These difficulties often prevent successful completion of the search process. The study raises some serious issues which need to be further explored, particularly in terms of tracing user search behaviours, and in developing appropriate support services for such clients.
Thiazolidinediones Block Fatty Acid Release by Inducing Glyceroneogenesis in Fat Cells*

Thiazolidinediones are used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus because they decrease plasma glucose, insulin, triglyceride, and fatty acid levels. Thiazolidinediones are agonists for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, a nuclear receptor that is highly expressed in fat tissue. We identify glyceroneogenesis as a target of thiazolidinediones in cultured adipocytes and fat tissues of Wistar rats. The activation of glyceroneogenesis by thiazolidinediones occurs mainly in visceral fat, the same fat depot that is specifically implicated in the progression of obesity to type 2 diabetes. The increase in glyceroneogenesis is a result of the induction of its key enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, whose gene expression is peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ-dependent in adipocytes. The main role of this metabolic pathway is to allow the re-esterification of fatty acids via a futile cycle in adipocytes, thus lowering fatty acid release into the plasma. The importance of such a fatty acid re-esterification process in the control of lipid homeostasis is highlighted by the existence of a second thiazolidinedione-induced pathway involving glycerol kinase. We show that glyceroneogenesis accounts for at least 75% of the whole thiazolidinedione effect. Because elevated plasma fatty acids promote insulin resistance, these results suggest that the glyceroneogenesis-dependent fatty acid-lowering effect of thiazolidinediones could be an essential aspect of the antidiabetic action of these drugs.
Echo doppler assessment of left ventricular function in rats with hypertensive hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE This study attempted to establish echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular (LV) mass and LV systolic and diastolic function, particularly in rats with hypertensive heart. METHODS M-mode LV echograms and Doppler mitral flow were obtained in Dahl salt-sensitive rats placed on 0.3% or 8% sodium chloride diet. Echo Doppler measurements were compared with catheterization and pathologic measurements in 54 rats for LV mass and in 45 rats for LV systolic and diastolic function. RESULTS Echocardiographic measurement of LV mass correlated well with pathologic measurement (r = 0.94, P <.01, n = 54, SEE = 0.08 mg), independent of LV size, aging, and therapeutic intervention. Endocardial fractional shortening (FS) correlated with LV peak + dP/dt (r = 0.56, n = 45, P <.01), and the correlation was improved to r = 0.71 if 11 rats with marked LV hypertrophy were excluded. Midwall FS correlated well with LV peak + dP/dt (r = 0.72, n = 45, P <.01) even if rats with extremely thickened ventricular wall were included. If midwall FS was lower than 14%, LV systolic dysfunction was very likely (sensitivity 67%, specificity 91%). Association of mitral E/A ratio of 2.0 or greater with deceleration time of shorter than 35 ms was an accurate indicator of elevated LV end-diastolic pressure (sensitivity 82%, specificity 86%) and increased lung weight because of congestive heart failure (sensitivity 89%, specificity 96%) in rats with hypertension. CONCLUSION LV mass, LV systolic function, and LV end-diastolic pressure were assessable with echo Doppler in rats with hypertensive heart.
Representing Interests after Decision-Making: An Analysis of Interest Group Activities during Transposition and Application of EU Law

Quantitative research on member-state compliance with EU law has explored numerous independent variables in order to explain different aspects of compliance. However, the role of interest groups in policy implementation and their potential impact on member-state compliance are yet to be analyzed. The dissertation provides an analysis of interest groups during policy implementation and consists of two parts. The first half of the dissertation focuses on mobilization of interest groups. The results show that interest groups are not totally absent when EU policies are transposed and applied in member states. Instead, they take action when they observe a legal or practical problem and they frequently exchange information with political actors about the application process. The results also show a business bias that is present at the EU level. The second half of the dissertation studies the impact of interest group mobilization on legal and practical compliance. While diversity of interest groups complicates the transposition process, their independence from political authorities and additional expertise they provide during the application of law improve the quality of practical implementation in
Controller Tuning by Means of Multi-Objective Optimization Algorithms: A Global Tuning Framework

A holistic multi-objective optimization design technique for controller tuning is presented. This approach gives control engineers greater flexibility to select a controller that matches their specifications. Furthermore, for a given controller it is simple to analyze the tradeoff achieved between conflicting objectives. By using the multi-objective design technique it is also possible to perform a global comparison between different control strategies in a simple and robust way. This approach thereby enables an analysis to be made of whether a preference for a certain control technique is justified. This proposal is evaluated and validated in a nonlinear multiple-input multiple-output system using two control strategies: a classical proportional-integral-derivative control scheme and a feedback state controller.
"El Escalafon y el Doble Turno": An International Perspective on School Director Preparation.

El Escalafón is the process for appointing school directors and el Doble Turno is the double shift of morning and afternoon sessions in Mexican schools. These two concepts open the door to examine more general issues in the appointment of school directors and the structure of the school day. Director appointment and school time are rooted in local culture but can have implications across national borders. This study reports interviews of six first-year school directors in the state of Sonora, Mexico and six principals in Texas, USA. It is part of a larger international study that includes Australia, Canada, England, Jamaica, Scotland, South Africa, and Turkey. The purpose is to look at the appointment, preparation, and challenges of first-year school directors. School directors in both countries wrestled with parent expectations and relations with teachers. The systems for appointing school directors and the structure of the school day were different. These differences were based in cultural orientations and suggested contradictions and shortcomings in each educational system. These issues are important to consider in planning programs of educational administration preparation.
Function of Cdc2p‐dependent Bub1p phosphorylation and Bub1p kinase activity in the mitotic and meiotic spindle checkpoint

Cdc2p is a cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) essential for both mitotic and meiotic cell cycle progression in fission yeast. We have found that the spindle checkpoint kinase Bub1p becomes phosphorylated by Cdc2p during spindle damage in mitotic cells. Cdc2p directly phosphorylates Bub1p in vitro at the CDK consensus sites. A Bub1p mutant that cannot be phosphorylated by Cdc2p is checkpoint defective, indicating that Cdc2p‐dependent Bub1p phosphorylation is required to activate the checkpoint after spindle damage. The kinase activity of Bub1p is required, but is not sufficient, for complete spindle checkpoint function. The role of Bub1p in maintaining centromeric localization of Rec8p during meiosis I is entirely dependent upon its kinase activity, suggesting that Bub1p kinase activity is essential for establishing proper kinetochore function. Finally, we show that there is a Bub1p‐dependent meiotic checkpoint, which is activated in recombination mutants.
Cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid modification: NICE guideline.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has updated its guidance on cardiovascular risk assessment and the modification of blood lipids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). 1 This article discusses the main recommendations and the implications of the update for general practice. New evidence on risk assessment tools and on statins and reduction in the cost of statins has resulted in significant changes to the level of risk at which treatment is recommended, and on the choice and dose of statins. The new guideline also incorporates guidance on lipid modification for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and with chronic kidney disease (CKD). See Box 1 for a summary of the main points of the revised lipid-modification guideline. Box 1. ### Summary of the updated NICE lipid-modification guideline Identifying high risk systematically
Emergence of increasing linezolid-resistance in enterococci in a post-outbreak situation with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium

SUMMARY During 2004 and at the start of 2005 a university hospital in Southwest Germany was affected by an extensive outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE). Although the outbreak was contained, linezolid-resistant enterococci emerged during and after the outbreak as the usage of linezolid became more common. Linezolid resistance was no longer limited to VRE. Nosocomial spread of linezolid-resistant but vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium was detected and these strains also emerged in patients without prior drug exposure. Linezolid should therefore be used with caution and the susceptibility of isolates monitored over time. Isolation precautions and screening of contacts should be considered to avoid spread of resistant isolates.
Measuring Surgical Recovery: The Study of Laparoscopic Live Donor Nephrectomy

Following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN), recovery has only been studied using traditional outcomes, subjective and confounded by comorbidity and psychosocial variables. The purpose of this study is to estimate surgical recovery following LDN using standardized, validated instruments and to compare this recovery profile to that obtained with traditional measures. This was a prospective study of patients undergoing LDN at a single institution between September 2001 and January 2004 (n = 35). At baseline and 4 weeks following surgery, functional exercise capacity was measured using the 6‐min walk test (6MWT) and health‐related quality of life was assessed with the Short Form–36 (SF‐36) questionnaire, including physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. Patients' self‐assessment of recovery and time to resumption of regular activities was ascertained. At follow‐up (median 29 days), patients' 6MWT was lower by a median of 30 m (p = 0.07) and PCS decreased from 57.1 to 42.3 (p = 0.0001), whereas MCS remained constant. Overall, length of stay, return to activities and patient‐stated recovery were inadequate outcomes for classifying patient recovery using 6MWT and PCS as the reference standards. Four weeks following LLDN, patients have returned to baseline exercise capacity, but not baseline general physical health. Traditional measures of recovery are incomplete descriptors of recovery.
Formal and Informal Actors in Addis Ababa’s Solid Waste Management System

Decentralisation reforms in Ethiopia aimed to empower both formal and informal actors involved in different socioeconomic development efforts. However, an investigation of solid waste management in Addis Ababa shows that informal actors that play a significant role in solid waste collection – and especially in recycling, in which the city government has no capacity of its own – are not recognised by the city government and excluded from the management of the system. Using social network analysis, this article argues that the integration of informal waste collectors and recyclers within the city’s waste management system will improve the state of services offered to Addis Ababa’s residents.
Small incision cataract surgery: Complications and mini-review

This article reviews the literature on manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS) and its complications. Various articles on MSICS published in indexed journals were reviewed, as well as the sections on complications of MSICS. The Pubmed search engine on the Internet was used to find out articles published since 1985 on MSICS in any language in indexed journals. Books published by Indian authors and the website of Indian Journal of Ophthalmology were also referred to. MSICS has become very popular technique of cataract surgery in India, and it is often used as an alternative to phacoemulsification. Studies on its efficacy and safety for cataract surgery show that, being a variant of extracapsular cataract surgery, MSICS also has similar intraoperative and postoperative complications. The considerable handling inside the anterior chamber during nucleus delivery increase the chances of iris injury, striate keratitis, and posterior capsular rupture. The surgeon has to be extra careful in the construction of the scleral tunnel and to achieve a good capsulorrhexis. Postoperative inflammation and corneal edema are rare if surgeons have the expertise and patience. The final astigmatism is less than that in the extracapsular cataract surgery and almost comparable to that in phacoemulsification. There is, however, a concern of posterior capsular opacification in the long term, which needs to be addressed. Although MSICS demands skill and patience from the cataract surgeon, it is a safe, effective, and economical alternative to competing techniques and can be the answer to tackle the large backlog of blindness due to cataract.
Efficient long-term gene transfer into muscle tissue of immunocompetent mice by adeno-associated virus vector

Muscle-directed gene transfer is being considered for the treatment of several metabolic diseases, including hemophilia and Duchene's muscular dystrophy. Previous efforts to target this tissue for somatic delivery with various vector systems have resulted in transient expression due to silencing of the transgene or to an immune response against the vector-transduced cells. We introduced recombinant adeno-associated virus vector (rAAV) carrying a lacZ reporter into muscle tissue of immunocompetent mice. The lacZ reporter gene was efficiently transduced and expressed with no evidence of a cellular immune response. Moreover, gene expression persisted for more than 1.5 years. Molecular characterization of rAAV vector DNA suggests a mechanism for persistence, since vector episomes convert to high-molecular-weight genomic DNA. These data provide the first report for establishing long-term gene transduction into mammalian muscle cells in vivo without the need for immune modulation of the organism.
Water safety: age-specific changes in knowledge and attitudes following a school-based intervention

Objectives: To explore whether an intervention during mandatory schooling can lead to age-specific changes in water safety knowledge and attitudes. Methods: Age-specific questionnaires were distributed to 202 kindergarten and grade one pupils, 220 elementary school pupils and 337 pupils attending the first three high school grades in Greater Athens. The information was used to design an educational package that was subsequently presented to pupils of the same grades and similar socio-demographic profiles attending different schools in the same area. One month later, a post-exposure evaluation was conducted using the initial questionnaires, in which 115, 205 and 321 pupils from the respective grade categories provided their responses. In order to compare the performance of pupils exposed to the educational intervention with that of pupils who participated only in the initial assessment, mean differences in scores measuring overall knowledge and attitudes were estimated within each of the three grade groups adjusting for age, gender, sibship size, maternal education and swimming knowledge. Results: Among kindergarten and grade one pupils, those who received the intervention scored significantly higher for knowledge (17.40%, 95% CI 6.41% to 28.39%) and attitudes (23.64%, 95% CI 4.48% to 42.79%). Among elementary school pupils the gains in knowledge were less evident (14.58%, 95% CI −3.05% to 32.21%)) and almost null in attitudes (5.64%, 95% CI −11.47% to 22.77%). Further advancement of age showed no improvement in knowledge (−0.15%, 95% CI −5.30% to 4.99%) and a minimal, insignificant increase in attitudes (6.32%, 95% CI −1.87% to 14.52%) among exposed high school pupils. Conclusion: The school-based intervention resulted in considerable positive changes in knowledge and attitudes among very young pupils. Elementary schooling seems to provide meagre opportunities to simply improve knowledge. Alternative/complementary approaches should be sought in any attempt to modify behavior.
Regulation of Legumin Levels in Developing Pea Seeds under Conditions of Sulfur Deficiency: Rates of Legumin Synthesis and Levels of Legumin mRNA.

It was shown previously that when peas (Pisum sativum L.) are grown with suboptimal sulfur supply the level of legumin (the more S-rich of the two major seed storage proteins) in the mature seed is selectively reduced (Randall, Thomson, Schroeder, 1979 Aust J Plant Physiol 6: 11-24). This paper reports a study of the cellular mechanisms involved in regulating legumin synthesis under these conditions. Pulse and pulse-chase labeling experiments were carried out with excised, immature cotyledons from normal and S-deficient plants. Legumin was isolated from cotyledon extracts by immunochromatography, and the proportion of legumin synthesis relative to total protein synthesis was determined. Results showed that reduced legumin accumulation could largely be accounted for by a greatly reduced level of legumin synthesis (80-88% reduction) rather than by a major increase in legumin breakdown.Legumin mRNA levels were assayed by two methods. In vitro translation of polysomal RNA from cotyledons of normal and S-deficient plants indicated a reduction of 60 to 70% in synthesis of legumin-related products by preparations from S-deficient plants. A legumin cDNA clone was constructed, characterized, and used to measure the levels of legumin mRNA in polysomal and total RNA preparations from developing cotyledons. Legumin mRNA levels were reduced by 90% in preparations from S-deficient plants.When restored to an adequate S supply, S-deficient plants (or pods taken from such plants) recovered normal levels of legumin synthesis (in vivo and in vitro) and of legumin mRNA. These results indicate that reduced legumin accumulation under conditions of S deficiency is primarily a consequence of reduced levels of legumin mRNA.
Applied spectrophotometry: Analysis of a biochemical mixture

Spectrophotometric analysis is essential for determining biomolecule concentration of a solution and is employed ubiquitously in biochemistry and molecular biology. The application of the Beer‐Lambert‐Bouguer Lawis routinely used to determine the concentration of DNA, RNA or protein. There is however a significant difference in determining the concentration of a given species (RNA, DNA, protein) in isolation (a contrived circumstance) as opposed to determining that concentration in the presence of other species (a more realistic situation). To present the student with a more realistic laboratory experience and also to fill a hole that we believe exists in student experience prior to reaching a biochemistry course, we have devised a three week laboratory experience designed so that students learn to: connect laboratory practice with theory, apply the Beer‐Lambert‐Bougert Law to biochemical analyses, demonstrate the utility and limitations of example quantitative colorimetric assays, demonstrate the utility and limitations of UV analyses for biomolecules, develop strategies for analysis of a solution of unknown biomolecular composition, use digital micropipettors to make accurate and precise measurements, and apply graphing software. © 2013 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 41(4):242–250, 2013
A 1.2–5Gb/s 1.4–2pJ/b serial link in 22nm CMOS with a direct data-sequencing blind oversampling CDR

A scalable-rate serial link - comprising of a bidirectional transmitter (TX)/receiver (RX) and two all-digital PLLs (ADPLLs) - operates at 1.2-5Gb/s from 0.55-0.7V DC supply with 1.4-2pJ/b total energy efficiency, respectively. Power efficiency is improved by avoiding the use of any analog circuitry, a low swing voltage-mode transmitter, and a direct data-sequencing blind oversampling (DDS-BOS) clock and data recovery (CDR). Using DDS in feed-forward BOS-CDR obviates area and power consuming FIFOs, improves jitter tolerance (JTOL), and permits up to 7500ppm frequency tolerance (FTOL) between the TX-RX clocks - rendering it attractive for fast-locking continuous/burst operation.