Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconstruction of human optic nerve heads for finite element modeling.

PURPOSE Glaucoma is a common ocular disease whose pathogenesis is hypothesized to involve biomechanical damage to optic nerve tissues. Here we describe a method for the construction of patient-specific models that can be used to evaluate the biomechanical environment within the optic nerve head. We validate the method using a virtual eye, and demonstrate its use in computing optic nerve head biomechanics. METHODS Human eyes were imaged and the optic nerve head region was processed to allow serial plastic histologic sections to be cut. These sections were photographed, unwarped and aligned so as to reconstruct three-dimensional patient-specific models incorporating sclera, pre- and post-laminar nerve, lamina cribrosa, and pia mater. Deformations, stresses and strains were computed in the resulting model using finite element techniques. RESULTS The approach successfully reconstructed patient-specific optic nerve head models. Reconstruction of a virtual eye showed excellent agreement between the true and reconstructed geometries, and between the deformations and strains computed on the true and reconstructed geometries. A sample reconstruction showed reasonable agreement between computed and measured retinal surface deformations. CONCLUSION The technique presented here is viable and can be used to accurately compute human optic nerve head biomechanics.
A Importância do Estágio de Pré-exportação na Internacionalização da Empresa: uma visão a partir do modelo de UPPsala

O interesse por se internacionalizar e um desejo que se apresenta cada vez mais nas empresas. O estudo da internacionalizacao de empresas e um campo que se desenvolve desde a metade do seculo XX, especialmente a partir das decadas de 60 e 70. Contudo, pouco se discute na academia a pre-internacionalizacao. A partir dos estudos dos escandinavos, a fase de pre-exportacao e a internacionalizacao passam a ser analisadas como um movimento comportamental da empresa. O modelo de Uppsala enquadrase por concentrar sua observacao nos tomadores de decisoes. Baseado neste contexto, este trabalho apresenta o modelo de Uppsala por ser o precursor dos estudos de internacionalizacao das firmas, destacando a sua importância e as atividades na fase da pre-exportacao. O metodo de pesquisa foi o qualitativo. Verificou-se o papel do tomador de decisao que adquire conhecimentos necessarios na fase pre-exportacao. Esta sequencia de eventos se repete ate que o mesmo esteja firmemente convicto de sua posicao estabelecida e realmente alcance o mercado externo de acordo com suas expectativas. Palavras-chave: Internacionalizacao. Modelo de Uppsala. Pre-exportacao.
Wave-activity conservation laws for the three-dimensional anelastic and Boussinesq equations with a horizontally homogeneous background flow

Wave-activity conservation laws are key to understanding wave propagation in inhomogeneous environments. Their most general formulation follows from the Hamiltonian structure of geophysical fluid dynamics. For large-scale atmospheric dynamics, the Eliassen–Palm wave activity is a well-known example and is central to theoretical analysis. On the mesoscale, while such conservation laws have been worked out in two dimensions, their application to a horizontally homogeneous background flow in three dimensions fails because of a degeneracy created by the absence of a background potential vorticity gradient. Earlier three-dimensional results based on linear WKB theory considered only Doppler-shifted gravity waves, not waves in a stratified shear flow. Consideration of a background flow depending only on altitude is motivated by the parameterization of subgrid-scales in climate models where there is an imposed separation of horizontal length and time scales, but vertical coupling within each column. Here we show how this degeneracy can be overcome and wave-activity conservation laws derived for three-dimensional disturbances to a horizontally homogeneous background flow. Explicit expressions for pseudoenergy and pseudomomentum in the anelastic and Boussinesq models are derived, and it is shown how the previously derived relations for the two-dimensional problem can be treated as a limiting case of the three-dimensional problem. The results also generalize earlier three-dimensional results in that there is no slowly varying WKB-type requirement on the background flow, and the results are extendable to finite amplitude. The relationship $A^{\cal E}\,{=}\,cA^{\cal P}$ between pseudoenergy $A^{\cal E}$ and pseudomomentum $A^{\cal P}$, where c is the horizontal phase speed in the direction of symmetry associated with $A^{\cal P}$, has important applications to gravity-wave parameterization and provides a generalized statement of the first Eliassen–Palm theorem.
Rôle du transfert des récepteurs des neurotrophines via les exosomes dans l'agressivité du glioblastome et le contrôle du microenvironnement

Les glioblastomes (GBM) sont des tumeurs astrocytaires au pronostic defavorable. L’echec des therapies actuelles (chimio et radiotherapies) est principalement lie a la resistance des cellules souches cancereuses (CSCs). Ces cellules ont besoin de communiquer en permanence avec leur microenvironnement pour leur survie et pour maintenir une niche favorable a leur developpement. Le transfert de materiel entre les CSC, les cellules tumorales et le microenvironnement contribue a l’echappement therapeutique. Des travaux recents revelent l’importance des recepteurs aux neurotrophines TrkB et TrkC dans la survie et la croissance des CSC de GBM. Nos travaux preliminaires dans le cancer bronchique demontrent que les recepteurs aux neurotrophines sont transferes aux cellules du microenvironnement via les exosomes afin de les controler. Cependant, le mecanisme de diffusion de recepteurs oncogeniques a partir de CSC n’a jamais ete etudie. Notre objectif principal etait donc de determiner l’implication des recepteurs des neurotrophines dans le transfert du phenotype agressif des CSC vers les cellules du microenvironnement afin de favoriser la resistance therapeutique du glioblastome. Nos resultats ont permis d’etablir un lien entre le stade de differenciation des cellules tumorales, l’expression des neurotrophines et leur interaction avec le microenvironnement tumoral via les exosomes. Le transfert de TrkB au sein des exosomes joue un role cle dans la progression tumorale du GBM et dans l’agressivite cellulaire. Neanmoins, le transfert des recepteurs aux neurotrophines via les exosomes pourrait egalement etre implique dans les mecanismes de radioresistance. Des etudes menees sur des cellules de GBM humain irradiees et traitees par des exosomes demontrent l’implication de ces derniers dans l’echappement therapeutique. Parmi les cellules du microenvironnement ciblees par les exosomes, les CSM sont celles qui ont ete les moins etudiees bien qu’elles possedent un tropisme specifique pour le GBM. Nos travaux demontrent que les exosomes de GBM modifient le phenotype des CSM et augmentent leurs capacites proliferatives et migratoires. La fonction exacte du transfert des recepteurs des neurotrophines devra etre analysee dans ces differents modeles afin de preciser son importance dans la physiopathologie du glioblastome et sa progression. L’expression des recepteurs aux neurotrophines dans ces exosomes permet d’envisager leur utilisation en tant que biomarqueurs diagnostiques et/ou pronostiques dans le GBM. Mots cles : Glioblastomes, cellules souches cancereuses, neurotrophines, TrkB, radiotherapie, cellules souches mesenchymateuses, exosomes.
Correlation characteristics and dimensionality of speech spetra.

Statistical properties of spectral samples derived from the continuous speech of six talkers and summarized by means of covariance‐matrix eigenvectors are used to study the dimensionality of the data space. The importance of eliminating low‐level samples by means of a fixed threshold is emphasized, and criteria for selecting such a threshold are presented. Measurements of spectral correlations stabilize after about 30 sec of speech, suggesting that short‐term examination of a talker's output may prove sufficient to calculate parameters useful in recognition schemes. Some features of the correlation matrix, which are readily displayed via isocorrelation contours, appear to be related to talker characteristics, while others are talker independent. The results suggest that the separation of speech data into gross classes prior to the application of statistical procedures will enhance the performance of processing schemes.
An assessment of implementation of municipality supported research projects

My Project Istanbul is the name of the Research Fund given by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for research projects directed to Municipality related subjects, and carried out by about 22 Universities located in Istanbul. Due to restricted funds, municipality has to be careful about supporting right projects. In this paper, we evaluate the success of completed projects by the help of conducted surveys. In proposed assessment tool, gathered surveys are analyzed by utilizing factor analysis. Moreover, 2-Dimensional R&D Project Portfolio Matrix is constructed and each completed projects are placed into this matrix in order to classify their success. Finally, we suggest a better procedure to select the most appropriate project among candidate projects for Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
Les récepteurs nucléaires PPAR : une nouvelle cible en neuropharmacologie ?

Les peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), dont il existe trois isoformes (a, β/δ, γ), sont des recepteurs nucleaires capables de reguler de nombreux genes. Au-dela de leurs effets sur le metabolisme lipidique (PPARa) et sur le metabolisme glucidique (PPARy), l'activation pharmacologique des PPAR permet egalement d'inhiber les processus inflammatoires et oxydatifs. Cette propriete permet d'expliquer que des activateurs synthetiques du PPARa (fibrates) ou du PPARy (thiazolidinediones) puissent exercer des proprietes neuroprotectrices dans des modeles de pathologies (maladie d'Alzheimer, maladie de Parkinson, ischemie cerebrale, sclerose en plaques), caracterisees par une mort neuronale d'origine inflammatoire et/ou oxydative. Des donnees preliminaires suggerent que la modulation pharmacologique des recepteurs PPAR pourrait egalement moduler la neurotransmission ou la plasticite cerebrale, ouvrant des perspectives therapeutiques plus larges dans le champ des maladies neurologiques ou psychiatriques.
Natural and artificial hyperimmune solutions: Impact on health in puppies

Contents Colostrum and milk are complex mammary secretions providing the puppy with many nutritional and immunological factors, which play a crucial role for its correct development and survival. In the case of colostrum and/or milk intake deficiency, puppies are at increased risk of infectious diseases. This work reviews the various nutritional hyperimmune supplementations proposed to provide a passive immune protection and to positively impact puppies’ health. Some strategies rely on canine immunoglobulins: canine colostrum banking and canine serum/plasma supplementation. Others involve heterologous sources of antibodies and other immune factors: bovine colostrum or hyperimmune egg powder. Among the different solutions evaluated from birth to weaning, canine plasma and hyperimmune egg powder showed promising beneficial effect on puppies’ health. Canine plasma seems to positively impact not only growth (increased growth during the neonatal period), but also digestive health (higher species richness of intestinal microbiota) and the general health (tendency of lower morbidity). Puppies supplemented with hyperimmune egg powder presented increased neonatal growth and decreased risk of canine parvovirus infection. Nevertheless, natural canine maternal colostrum and milk ingestion remains the optimal guarantee for puppies’ health and survival, as a source of immunity, energy and growth factors.
Gasless Transaxillary Thyroidectomy: A Technique of Endoscopic Thyroidectomy

Various endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) techniques ranging from video-assisted, total endoscopic, transaxillary endoscopic, robotic and chest wall approaches have been reported for thyroid surgery. They can be broadly divided in to gas-dependent and gasless approaches. Here, we describe our technique of gasless transaxillary thyroidectomy with synergistic benefits of open and endoscopic thyroidectomies.
Can Iron Chelators Influence the Progression of Atherosclerosis?

Epidemiological studies and experimental data suggest iron involvement in atherosclerosis. The relation between iron and atherosclerosis is complex and remains contradictory. In thalassemia patients, non transferrin bound iron (NTBI) and free hemoglobin (Hb) are present in plasma and may accelerate atherogenesis, but its progression may be inhibited by iron chelators. The mechanism whereby iron may stimulate atherogenesis has been intensively investigated. Non transferrin bound iron and sera from subjects with hemochromatosis induced endothelial activation with expression of vascular adhesion molecules and endothelial inflammatory chemokines. Such events could be inhibited by iron chelators and oxygen radical scavengers with intracellular activity. Iron chelators may be effective in preventing vascular damage in patients with high concentrations of NTBI as found in thalassemia.
A symbolic approach to gene expression time series analysis

In the analysis of gene expression time series, emphasis has been given on the capture of shape similarity (or dissimilarity). A number of proximity functions have been proposed for this task. However, none of them will suitably measure shape similarity (or dissimilarity) with data containing multiple gene expression time series, unless special data handling is made. In this paper, a symbolic description of multiple gene expression time series, where each variable takes as a value a time series, in conjunction with a version of a proximity measure, is proposed. In this symbolic approach, the shape similarity of each time series is calculated independently, and aggregated at the end. Gene expression data from five distinct time series are presented to a symbolic dynamical clustering method and self-organising map algorithm. The quality of the results obtained is evaluated using gene annotation allowing a verification of this proposal's adequacy.
The NTF2 Gene Encodes an Essential, Highly Conserved Protein That Functions in Nuclear Transport in Vivo*

The small protein p10/Ntf2p has been implicated in protein import in vitro (Moore, M. S., and Blobel, G. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 91, 10212-10216; Paschal, B. M. , and Gerace, L. (1995) J. Cell Biol. 129, 925-937). Here we present the first evidence that demonstrates an essential in vivo role for the NTF2 gene product in nuclear transport. The NTF2 locus was identified in a screen for temperature-sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants defective in the localization of nuclear proteins. Genetic analysis demonstrates that the NTF2 gene is essential for viability in budding yeast. Two temperature-sensitive mutants, ntf2-1 and ntf2-2, that each contain single point mutations in highly conserved amino acid residues show defects in the localization of nuclear proteins but not in the export of poly(A)+ RNA following a shift to the nonpermissive temperature. An epitope-tagged version of Ntf2p was used to show that the protein is concentrated at the nuclear envelope. Finally, the human gene under the control of the yeast promoter fully substitutes for the deleted yeast gene. Taken together, these results demonstrate the exquisite functional conservation of this protein throughout evolution and indicate a critical in vivo role in nuclear transport.
British university students' attitudes towards noise-induced hearing loss caused by nightclub attendance

Abstract Background: Over the past 30 years, the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss among adolescents and young adults has increased. This study aimed to address the current dearth of literature implicating excessive nightclub sound levels (more than 85 dB) as a direct cause of auditory symptoms related to noise-induced hearing loss. Method: A questionnaire was completed by 325 students to gauge the frequency of auditory symptoms after nightclub attendance, and to explore knowledge and opinions about noise levels in nightclubs. Results: The findings showed that 88.3 per cent of students experienced tinnitus after leaving a nightclub and 66.2 per cent suffered impaired hearing the following morning. In terms of behaviour, 73.2 per cent of students said that the risk of hearing damage would not affect their nightclub attendance, but most students (70.2 per cent) felt that noise levels in nightclubs should be limited to safe volumes. Conclusion: A high proportion of students reported experiencing symptoms related to noise-induced hearing loss after attending a nightclub. These findings are relevant to policy makers.
Implementation of a Clinical Decision Support Tool for Stool Cultures and Parasitological Studies in Hospitalized Patients

ABSTRACT There is substantial evidence that stool culture and parasitological examinations are of minimal to no value after 3 days of hospitalization. We implemented and studied the impact of a clinical decision support tool (CDST) to decrease the number of unnecessary stool cultures (STCUL), ova/parasite (O&P) examinations, and Giardia/Cryptosporidium enzyme immunoassay screens (GC-EIA) performed for patients hospitalized >3 days. We studied the frequency of stool studies ordered before or on day 3 and after day 3 of hospitalization (i.e., categorical orders/total number of orders) before and after this intervention and denoted the numbers and types of microorganisms detected within those time frames. This intervention, which corresponded to a custom-programmed hard-stop alert tool in the Epic hospital information system, allowed providers to override the intervention by calling the laboratory, if testing was deemed medically necessary. Comparative statistics were employed to determine significance, and cost savings were estimated based on our internal costs. Before the intervention, 129/670 (19.25%) O&P examinations, 47/204 (23.04%) GC-EIA, and 249/1,229 (20.26%) STCUL were ordered after 3 days of hospitalization. After the intervention, 46/521 (8.83%) O&P examinations, 27/157 (17.20%) GC-EIA, and 106/1,028 (10.31%) STCUL were ordered after 3 days of hospitalization. The proportions of reductions in the number of tests performed after 3 days and the associated P values were 54.1% for O&P examinations (P < 0.0001), 22.58% for GC-EIA (P = 0.2807), and 49.1% for STCUL (P < 0.0001). This was estimated to have resulted in $8,108.84 of cost savings. The electronic CDST resulted in a substantial reduction in the number of evaluations of stool cultures and the number of parasitological examinations for patients hospitalized for more than 3 days and in a cost savings while retaining the ability of the clinician to obtain these tests if clinically indicated.
Meal Patterns in Middle-aged Men in Southern Germany: Results from the MONICA Augsburg Dietary Survey 1984/85

Seven-day food records of the MONICA project Augsburg dietary survey, which were collected in 1984/85 from 899 men aged 45-64 years (random sample), were used to analyse meal patterns. The combination of the three traditional meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) with one eating event between was most frequent, followed by two meals with two eating events between and three main meals without any other eating event (31.4 vs. 31.0 vs. 15.6% of all reported days). Breakfast delivered 17, lunch 29 and dinner 33% of the total daily energy intake; all other eating events delivered 21%. The mean contribution of the three meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner to daily protein intake was 14, 36 and 36%, to fat intake 17, 33 and 35% and to carbohydrate intake 23, 25 and 29%, respectively. Data on meal patterns are important in a comprehensive description of dietary habits of a population for a variety of reasons.
Higher Milk Requirements for Bone Mineral Accrual in Adolescent Girls Bearing Specific Caucasian Genotypes in the VDR Promoter

Low milk intakes hamper bone mineral acquisition during adolescence, especially in European girls. We hypothesized that ethnic‐specific polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene promoter (VDRp) influence this milk/bone association. We evaluated lumbar spine BMC and BMD, milk/dairy products and calcium intakes, markers of P‐Ca metabolism, and VDRp polymorphisms at the Cdx‐2 binding (rs11568820) and −1012 (rs4516035) loci in 117 healthy European peri‐ and postmenarcheal girls (14.9 ± 1.6 yr) during a 4‐yr follow‐up. Calcium intakes from milk, nonmilk dairy products, and nondairy products averaged 199, 243, and 443 mg/d at the initiation of the study. Results show no association between milk intakes and bone mass accrual in girls bearing an A/A genotype at the −1012 VDRp locus (30% of the cohort). In contrast, A/G or G/G girls had lower spine BMC (−13%, p = 0.031), BMD (−10%, p = 0.004), and BMD Z‐score (−0.84 SD, p = 0.0003) when their milk intakes were <260 ml/d compared with genotype‐matched girls with higher milk intakes and with girls with an A/A genotype. The negative impact of low milk intake persisted up to 19.0 ± 1.7 yr. These findings suggest that European girls bearing a −1012 A/G or G/G VDRp genotype should have higher milk/calcium intakes for optimal vertebral mass accrual during adolescence than girls bearing an A/A genotype, a genotype found in 30% of European and 98% of Asian and Sub‐Saharan African populations. VDRp genotype diversity may contribute to the ethnic differences observed in milk requirements for bone health during adolescence.