Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgical and conservative methods for restoring impaired motor function - facial nerve, spinal accessory nerve, hypoglossal nerve (not including vagal nerve or swallowing)

The present review gives a survey of rehabilitative measures for disorders of the motor function of the mimetic muscles (facial nerve), and muscles innervated by the spinal accessory and hypoglossal nerves. The dysfunction can present either as paralysis or hyperkinesis (hyperkinesia). Conservative and surgical treatment options aimed at restoring normal motor function and correcting the movement disorders are described. Static reanimation techniques are not dealt with. The final section describes the use of botulinum toxin in the therapy of dysphagia.
Amikacin resistance mediated by multiresistance transposon Tn2424

Tn2424, a multiresistance transposon 25 kilobases long, was isolated from IncFII plasmid NR79. Tn2424 transposed resistance to sulfonamides, streptomycin and spectinomycin, mercuric chloride, chloramphenicol, and amikacin with a frequency of 6 X 10(-5). Resistance to amikacin was mediated by a 6'-N-acetyltransferase, which conferred higher levels of resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa than in Escherichia coli. A restriction analysis and cloning experiments resulted in a physical and functional map of Tn2424. Comparison by a heteroduplex technique revealed that Tn2424 includes the total sequence of Tn21 and two additional DNA fragments that are 1.8 and 4 kilobases long.
Geochemical and biological controls over methylmercury production and degradation in aquatic ecosystems

It is the goal of this paper to discuss the more salient recent AdvancCll in the understanding of the controls of net CH3Hg formation in Datural systems. The discussion lIighlights the gaps in knowledge and the areas where progress in understanding has occurred. In particular, this chapter focuses on recent developments in Hg bioavailability and uptake by methylating bacteria, on the competing roles of sulfate and sulfide in the control of methylation, and in pathways for demethylation. The role of sulfide in influencing methylation is discussed in detail. In addition, the impact of other environmental variables such as pH, dissolved organic carbon and temperature on mercury methylation are discussed. Lastly, we provide a synthesis of the variability in the methylation response to Hg inputs across ecosystems. We suggest that although methylation is a function of Hg concentratioD, the range of methylation rates across ecosystems is larger than the range in Hg deposition rates. Overall, we conclude that factors in addition to the amount Hg deposition playa large role in controlling CH3Hg production and bioaccumulation in aquatic ecosystems.
RNA‐binding ability of PIPP in requires the entire protein

Post‐transcriptional fate of eukaryotic mRNAs depends on association with different classes of RNA‐binding proteins (RBPs). Among these proteins, the cold‐shock domain (CSD)‐containing proteins, also called Y‐box proteins, play a key role in controlling the recruitment of mRNA to the translational machinery, in response to environmental cues, both in development and in differentiated cells. We recently cloned a rat cDNA encoding a new CSD‐protein that we called PIPPin. This protein also contains two putative double‐stranded RNA‐binding motifs (PIP1 and PIP2) flanking the central CSD, and is able to bind mRNAs encoding H1° and H3.3 histone variants. In order to clarify the role of each domain in the RNA‐binding activity of PIPPin, we constructed a number of different recombinant vectors, encoding different regions of the protein. Here we report that only recombinant proteins that contain all the putative PIPPin domains show RNA‐binding ability.
In vivo dielectric analysis of free water content of biomaterials by time domain reflectometry.

A method of in vivo analysis of the free water content in living organisms by dielectric analysis in the time domain is described. Human skin is chosen as an example of living tissue. The cells suitable for the measurement of various layers of human skin and calculation procedures for the waveform reflected from the probe end are described. The approach was confirmed to be effective for the determination of the water content through measurement of the standard samples, keratin-water mixtures. This method was also applied to human skin in vivo. Water content data measured with a probe specially designed for surface layer analysis were sensitive to humidity around the subject. The formula expressing the relation between the electrical field character of the probe, the permittivity depth profile, and the measured permittivity was used to analyze the water content profile as a function of the depth from the skin surface. The use of several kinds of probes, differing in their electric field characteristics, permitted evaluation of the water content depth profile of human skin. This procedure is easy and applicable to any sample due to its simplicity. The measurement needs only a touch of the probe on a sample spot. It is therefore a promising method of physicochemical research on living organisms and biomaterials.
Constitutional chromothripsis involving chromosome 19 in a child with subtle dysmorphic features

There is no conflict of interest to be reported. Hamilton Health Sciences consider this study to be in the realm of routine clinical care instead of research on human subjects. Correspondence to: Dr. Jia-Chi Wang, Cytogenetics Laboratory, Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute, 33608 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA, 92690. E-mail: jia-chi.j.wang@questdiagnostics.com Article first published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com): 3 March 2015 DOI 10.1002/ajmg.a. 36962 TO THE EDITOR:
Switching behavior of silicon carbide JFET: An experimental analysis

This paper highlights the transient behavior of the silicon carbide JFET. The turn-on and the turn-off waveforms are presented. The experimental circuit is based on the buck converter structure. The silicon carbide JFET transient turn-off waveforms presented an unexpected result that will be then discussed and explained. This phenomenon is observed in the SiC-JFET turn-on waveforms but it has not yet clarified by the experimenters. We try here to give an explanation based on SiC-JFET structure and experimental circuit.
Contourlet transform-based sharpening enhancement of retinal images and vessel extraction application

Abstract Low-contrast retinal images have to be enhanced for good visual perception to aid in retinal vessel analysis. Classical sharpening enhancement techniques such as unsharp masking (USM) improve the contrast and bring out the information along with noise. This article uses a shift-invariant anisotropic Contourlet transform (CT) to decompose the retinal image into subbands. A new nonlinear method is applied over the subbands to modify the CT coefficients, followed by inverse CT. The proposed method is compared with a nonlinear USM (NLUSM) technique and wavelet transform-based method. The objective performance is measured in terms of enhancement measure. We observed that the proposed methodology provides better result. We demonstrate that this sharpening algorithm can be used as a preprocessing step to (i) adaptive histogram equalization and (ii) retinal vessel extraction. Pratt’s figure of merit was used to analyze the vessel extracted from the retinal images with their ground truth that were obtained from STARE and DRIVE databases.
Performance Optimization of a Kirsten–Boeing Turbine by A Metamodel Based on Neural Networks Coupled with CFD

The supply of energy is sustainable only if it is predominantly based on renewable or regenerative energies. For this reason, the use of micro-hydropower plants on rivers and streams is considered recently. This is a particular challenge for the preservation of ecologically permeable streams, so that no dams or similar structures can be considered. While the axial turbine design has prevailed in wind power, there is still no consensus for the generation of energy in free water flow conditions. In this work, an existing prototype of an unusual vertical axis Kirsten–Boeing turbine was investigated. A multivariate optimization process was created, in which all important machine parameters were checked and improved. By using neural networks as a metamodel coupled with flow simulations in ANSYS CFX, a broadly applicable optimization strategy is presented that yielded a blade design that is 36% more efficient than its predecessor in experiments. During the process, it was shown how to set up a complex sliding mesh problem with ANSYS expressions while evaluating a free surface problem.
Irruptive mammal host populations shape tularemia epidemiology

Funding: This work was funded by Programa Estatal de I+D+i Orientada a los Retos de la Sociedad; Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, Gobierno de Espana (Spain). This publication is part of the project ECOTULA (reference: CGL2015-66962-C2-1-R). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide for neuroblastoma

The authors report a retrospective analysis of high‐dose ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (HD‐ICE) for patients with refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma (NB). A major reason for using this regimen was the long time since patients received previous treatment with a platinum compound. The authors also summarized the published experience on ICE in patients with NB.
Map-building and map-based localization in an underground-mine by statistical pattern matching

This paper reports on the map-building and map-based localization of a load-haul-dump (LHD) truck in an underground mine using statistical pattern-matching techniques utilizing range images obtained from a scanning laser range-finder The map-building approach is based on an extended Kalman filter (EKF) and the resulting map is composed of poly-lines. Three approaches are proposed for the localization of the vehicle, namely the iterative closest point (ICP) approach, a reflective beacon based approach and the combined ICP-EKF approach, wherein, the last two approaches explicitly take into account the uncertainty associated with the observation data. These approaches are then compared using data gathered from an underground mine in Queensland, Australia for their relative merits subject to various factors and the corresponding results are presented.
Vibration modelling of piezoelectric actuator (PEA) using Simulink software

This paper presents to define a vibration modelling of a PEA using MATLAB-Simulink software based on a single degree freedom mechanical model. The experimental vibration displacement values of PEA have been carried out utilizing the swept-sine signal excitation following the peak values in the signal response measured as contactless by the laser displacement sensor. Harmony between the mathematical modelling and experimental values have been observed from 96.6 to 81.4 % between excitation amplitudes of 0.5 and 3.0 V when the vibration modelling of PEA is normally taken into consideration with a linear working range. Therefore, obtained this vibration modelling could be used as training-testing tool for estimating vibration characterization of an actuator under any excitation voltages.
Assistance visuelle des malvoyants par traitement d'images adaptatif. (Visual assistance of visual impaired people by adaptive image processing)

Cette these s’inscrit dans le cadre de l’analyse des besoins de personnes malvoyantes dans le but de developper de nouvelles solutions d’assistance visuelle en utilisant le principe de realite augmentee. Le principal objectif de ces travaux etait le developpement d’un dispositif d’assistance visuelle pour faciliter la mobilite de personnes malvoyantes grâce a un algorithme qui en temps reel adapte sa reponse en fonction des besoins de l’utilisateur et de la situation dans laquelle il evolue. Le premier postulat de cette these est d’utiliser l’acuite residuelle fonctionnelle des malvoyants afin de leur permettre de percevoir un certain nombre d’informations. Le second postulat est d’utiliser les seules informations pertinentes, utiles a un malvoyant, afin d’ameliorer sa perception du monde dans lequel il evolue. Le premier axe de recherche a consiste a analyser les besoins des malvoyants afin de recenser, les indices visuels utiles a rehausser afin d’ameliorer la perception des malvoyants. Cette etude a ete realisee en immersion et une enquete precise a ete menee aupres de malvoyants. Cette etude permet de mieux comprendre les besoins des malvoyants, les methodes qu’ils utilisent ainsi que leurs usages des dispositifs actuels. Le deuxieme axe de recherche a consiste a concevoir et a mettre en oeuvre un algorithme de traitement d’images repondant aux besoins identifies. Un outil interactif a ete developpe qui permet de selectionner la quantite de contours en fonction de la situation. Ce detecteur de contour optimise sa detection afin d’obtenir des contours plus exploitables pour les malvoyants, compares aux resultats des autres methodes de l’etat de l’art. Cet outil a ete teste et valide aupres d’une population donnee de personnes malvoyantes. Ces tests realises sur ecran ont demontre que les contours constituent des indices visuels tres importants qui peuvent etre d’une grande aide dans l’analyse d’une scene. Le troisieme axe de travail a consiste au developpement d’un systeme de realite augmentee permettant d’utiliser ce detecteur de contours dans un contexte de mobilite. L’analyse des besoins des malvoyants vis-a-vis d’un tel dispositif nous a permis de definir les caracteristiques indispensables pour le systeme de calcul, la camera et le dispositif d’affichage. Concernant le systeme d’affichage, l’analyse des besoins des malvoyants en termes de profil, de couleur, de largeur des contours, nous a permis de definir les parametres necessaires pour un affichage qui repond a ces besoins. Il a egalement ete pris en compte dans les developpements les parametres physiologiques de chaque observateur afin que les images affichees soient visuellement confortables
Accommodation, Accommodative Convergence, and Response AC/A Ratios Before and at the Onset of Myopia in Children

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate accommodation, accommodative convergence, and AC/A ratios before and at the onset of myopia in children. Methods. Refractive error, accommodation, and phorias were measured annually over a period of 3 years in 80 6- to 18-year-old children (mean age at first visit = 11.1 years), including 26 who acquired myopia of at least -0.50 D and 54 who remained emmetropic (-0.25 to + 0.75 D). Refraction was measured by noncycloplegic distance retinoscopy. Concomitant measures of accommodation and phorias were taken for letter targets at 4.0 m and 0.33 m using the Canon R-1 open field-of-view autorefractor with an attached motorized Risley prism and Maddox rod. The accommodation and phoria measurements were used to calculate response AC/A ratios. Results. Compared with children who remained emmetropic, those who became myopic had elevated response AC/A ratios at 1 and 2 years before the onset of myopia, in addition to at onset and 1 year later (t’s = -2.97 to -4.04, p < 0.01 at all times). The significantly higher AC/A ratios in the children who became myopic are a result of significantly reduced accommodation. Accommodative convergence was significantly greater in myopes only at onset. Conclusions. These findings suggest that the abnormal oculomotor factors found before the onset of myopia may contribute to myopigenesis by producing hyperopic retinal defocus when a child is engaged in near-viewing tasks.
Dificultades de las Familias para Participar en los Centros Escolares Difficulties of Families to Participate in Schools

La participacion de las familias en los centros escolares beneficia al alumnado, a las familias y a la institucion escolar. Sin embargo, existen condicionantes que dificultan esta participacion y que conviene analizar para sugerir estrategias de actuacion. Este es el objetivo de este estudio, en el que han participado 880 padres y madres espanoles con hijos escolarizados en 2o y 4o de la ensenanza secundaria obligatoria cumplimentando la Escala de Relaciones de Confianza entre la Familia y el Centro Escolar (adaptado por Martinez-Gonzalez, 1996). Los resultados obtenidos tras realizar contrastes de grupos considerando el genero, edad, nivel de estudios y situacion laboral de los progenitores indican que las mayores dificultades de participacion se deben al horario laboral (padres) y a la crianza de los hijos (madres). Se requieren estrategias de conciliacion de la vida laboral y familiar, asi como adecuar los horarios de los centros para posibilitar la participacion familiar.
Human Cancer Biology Costimulatory Protein 4 IgB 7 H 3 Drives the Malignant Phenotype of Glioblastoma by Mediating Immune Escape and Invasiveness

Purpose:Recent work points out a role of B7H3, amember of the B7-family of costimulatory proteins, in conveying immunosuppression and enforced invasiveness in a variety of tumor entities. Glioblastoma is armed with effective immunosuppressive properties resulting in an impaired recognition and ineffective attack of tumor cells by the immune system. In addition, extensive and diffuse invasion of tumor cells into the surrounding brain tissue limits the efficacyof local therapies.Here, 4IgB7H3 is assessed as diagnostic and therapeutic target for glioblastoma. Experimental Design: To characterize B7H3 in glioblastoma, we conduct analyses not only in glioma cell lines and glioma-initiating cells but also in human glioma tissue specimens. Results: B7H3 expression by tumor and endothelial cells correlates with the grade of malignancy in gliomas and with poor survival. Both soluble 4IgB7H3 in the supernatant of glioma cells and cell-bound 4IgB7H3 are functional and suppress natural killer cell–mediated tumor cell lysis. Gene silencing showed that membrane and soluble 4IgB7H3 convey a proinvasive phenotype in glioma cells and glioma-initiating cells in vitro. These proinvasive and immunosuppressive properties were confirmed in vivo by xenografted 4IgB7H3 gene silenced glioma-initiating cells, which invaded significantly less into the surrounding brain tissue in an orthotopic model and by subcutaneously injected LN-229 cells, which weremore susceptible to natural killer cell–mediated cytotoxicity than unsilenced control cells. Conclusions: Because of its immunosuppressive and proinvasive function, 4IgB7H3 may serve as a therapeutic target in the treatment of glioblastoma. Clin Cancer Res; 18(1); 105–17. 2011 AACR.
Updating the evidence. A systematic review of what works in preventing childhood unintentional injuries: Part 2

Injuries in the home environment Four recent studies focus on the prevention of home accidents at a general level. These papers suggest that, while educational campaigns and equipment loan schemes may be potentially eVective in terms of promoting behavioural change, there is little evidence that injury reductions are achieved by these means (table 1). There is increasing evidence from the United States of the positive eVect of campaigns promoting the use of smoke alarms (table 2). A smoke alarm giveaway programme in the central area of Oklahoma City, where there was a high fire risk, showed an 80% annual injury rate decline from 15.3/100 000 to 3.1/100 000, compared with a slight increase in the rest of the city. The authors point out that, “interventions that target areas with high rates of fires may be especially eYcient ways to lower the incidence of injuries and deaths from residential fires”. This is the first community based study to demonstrate the eVectiveness of a smoke alarm promotion programme on health outcomes. There is also evidence that smoke alarm promotion programmes lead to changes in behaviour which are sustained over a long period of time (3–4 years), resulting in greater numbers of households with functioning smoke alarms. Additional evidence related to the prevention of childhood poisoning comes from a long term follow up of legislation in the United States introduced in 1974, which required child resistant packaging for all prescription drugs. For children aged 0–4 years the mortality rate for oral prescription drugs declined from 3.5 per million in the late 1960s (before legislation), to fewer than 2 deaths per million in the early 1990s. This represented 460 fewer deaths for the period 1974 to 1992 (table 3). 11
Influence of atrial fibrillation on plasma von willebrand factor, soluble E-selectin, and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide levels in systolic heart failure.

BACKGROUND Endothelial dysfunction is present in patients with heart failure (HF) due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction, as well as in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who have normal cardiac function. It is unknown whether AF influences the degree of endothelial dysfunction in patients with systolic HF. METHODS We measured levels of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) and E-selectin (as indexes of endothelial damage/dysfunction and endothelial activation, respectively; both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) in patients with AF and HF (AF-HF), who were compared to patients with sinus rhythm and HF (SR-HF), as well as in age-matched, healthy, control subjects. We also assessed the relationship of vWF and E-selectin to plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NTpro-BNP), a marker for HF severity and prognosis. RESULTS One hundred ninety patients (73% men; mean age, 69.0 +/- 10.1 years [+/- SD]) with systolic HF were studied, who were compared to 117 healthy control subjects: 52 subjects (27%) were in AF, while 138 subjects (73%) were in sinus rhythm. AF-HF patients were older than SR-HF patients (p = 0.046), but left ventricular ejection fraction and New York Heart Association class were similar. There were significant differences in NT-proBNP (p < 0.0001) and plasma vWF (p = 0.003) between patients and control subjects. On Tukey post hoc analysis, AF-HF patients had significantly increased NT-proBNP (p < 0.001) and vWF (p = 0.0183) but not E-selectin (p = 0.071) levels when compared to SR-HF patients. On multivariate analysis, the presence of AF was related to plasma vWF levels (p = 0.018). Plasma vWF was also significantly correlated with NT-proBNP levels (Spearman r = 0.139; p = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS There is evidence of greater endothelial damage/dysfunction in AF-HF patients when compared to SR-HF patients. The clinical significance of this is unclear but may have prognostic value.
Recognition combined human pose tracking using single depth images

This paper presents a method for tracking human poses in real-time from depth image sequences. The key idea is to adopt recognition for generating the model to be tracked. In contrast to traditional methods utilizing a single-typed 3D body model, we directly define the human body model based on the body part recognition result of the captured depth image, which leads to the reliable tracking regardless of users' appearances. Moreover, the proposed method has the ability to efficiently reduce the tracking drift by exploiting the joint information inserted into our body model. Experimental results on real-world environments show that the proposed method is effective for estimating various human poses in real-time.