Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic effects of oral versus transdermal estrogen in growth hormone-treated girls with turner syndrome.

BACKGROUND Transdermal (TD) estrogen is often preferred over the oral route in postmenopausal and GH-deficient women taking estrogen, but this has not been studied in detail in girls. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to study the metabolic effects of oral vs. TD estrogen in GH-treated girls with Turner syndrome. DESIGN AND METHODS Eleven girls with Turner syndrome, mean age 13.4 +/- 0.5 (se) yr, on GH for at least 6 months were recruited. Studies included [(13)C]leucine and d5-glycerol infusions, indirect calorimetry, dual-emission x-ray absorptiometry, and hormone and substrate measurements. They received, in random order, 17beta-estradiol orally (0.5, 1, and 2 mg for 2 wk each) and TD (0.025, 0.0375, and 0.05 mg for 2 wk each), and studies were repeated after each 6-wk course with 4 wk washout in between. RESULTS Rates of whole-body protein turnover, oxidation and synthesis, lipolysis, lipid and carbohydrate oxidation, and resting energy expenditure were unaffected by either form of estrogen; nor were lipids, insulin, and fibrinogen concentrations affected. Plasma IGF-I concentrations did not change clinically significantly with either form of estrogen, despite higher estrogen concentrations after oral estrogen. Estradiol concentrations did not correlate with any variables measured. CONCLUSIONS In GH-treated girls with Turner syndrome, neither oral nor TD estrogen adversely affected rates of protein turnover, lipolysis, and lipid oxidation rates or plasma lipids, fibrinogen, or fasting insulin concentrations. There was no clinically significant change in IGF-I concentrations after either form of estrogen. In aggregate, these data suggest that the route of delivery of estrogen does not adversely affect these metabolic effects of GH in young girls with Turner syndrome.
The Philosophical Views of Albert Einstein

On the Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of Albert Einstein March 14, 1979, marked 100 years since the birth of Albert Einstein, outstanding scientist of the twentieth century, profound thinker and humanist. Having created first the special, and then the general, theory of relativity, Einstein in many ways determined the course of development of modern physics. His works facilitated the creative reinterpretation of the traditional view of the structure of space-time and the nature of gravity and helped to deepen significantly our notions of physical reality as a whole.
Wireless unit for environmental monitoring

Living conditions in any country are important, especially a local environment is more important to many people. The parameters like a noise level, light intensity, barometric pressure, carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration levels are monitored to evaluate living conditions. The mentioned reasons led to the practical realization of Wireless Unit for Environmental Monitoring (WUEM). This paper describes a basic concept of the monitoring unit, its main parts and functionalities. The parameters and the proper function are evaluated on the base of the measurement and the results are discussed.
Altering the Substrate Specificity of Organophosphorus Hydrolase for Enhanced Hydrolysis of Chlorpyrifos

ABSTRACT Chlorpyrifos is one of the most popular pesticides used for agriculture crop protection, and widespread contamination is a potential concern. However, chlorpyrifos is hydrolyzed almost 1,000-fold slower than the preferred substrate, paraoxon, by organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH), an enzyme that can degrade a broad range of organophosphate pesticides. We have recently demonstrated that directed evolution can be used to generate OPH variants with up to 25-fold improvement in hydrolysis of methyl parathion. The obvious question and challenge are whether similar success could be achieved with this poorly hydrolyzed substrate, chlorpyrifos. For this study, five improved variants were selected from two rounds of directed evolution based on the formation of clear haloes on Luria-Bertani plates overlaid with chlorpyrifos. One variant, B3561, exhibited a 725-fold increase in the kcat/Km value for chlorpyrifos hydrolysis as well as enhanced hydrolysis rates for several other OP compounds tested. Considering that wild-type OPH hydrolyzes paraoxon at a rate close to the diffusion control limit, the 39-fold improvement in hydrolysis of paraoxon by B3561 suggests that this variant is one of the most efficient enzymes available to attack a wide spectrum of organophosphate nerve agents.
Invasive Listeria monocytogenes Gastroenteritis Leading to Stupor, Bacteremia, Fever, and Diarrhea: A Rare Life-Threatening Condition

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive, rod-shaped organism that can cause serious infections such as meningitis, invasive gastroenteritis, and endocarditis. Every year 1600 people in the United States are affected, with significant mortality of 260 people annually. Listeria gastroenteritis has the third highest mortality rate among all the food-borne infection. Invasive listeriosis most commonly affect pregnant women, those in extremes of ages, people with comorbid diseases, and people with weakened immune response. In this article, we present a rare case of invasive Listeria gastroenteritis in an 83-year-old female with multiple comorbid conditions and past medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and multiple risk factors who was brought to the hospital with altered mental status. She had history of fever, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea up to 14 episodes in 24 hours for the last 7 days. Her stool culture grew Listeria monocytogenes sensitive to penicillin. She was started on penicillin for 2 weeks. She had subsequently complete resolution of fever, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. High index of suspicion is the key to ensure timely initiation of appropriate empirical treatment in the setting of invasive gastroenteritis, especially in people who have high risk factors for listeriosis. We recommend raising awareness in the health care profession about invasive listeriosis in the need of time. Intravenous ampicillin or penicillin G is the treatment of choice, with meropenem as an alternative.
Trzepotanie i migotanie przedsionków - bliscy przyjaciele, a tak bardzo różni

Przedstawiamy opis pacjenta z napadowym migotaniem i trzepotaniem przedsionkow. W ramach przyczynowego leczenia trzepotania przedsionkow oraz hybrydowego leczenia (w po³±czeniu z farmakoterapi± antyarytmiczn±) migotania przedsionkow wykonano ablacje cie¶ni dolnej. Dzieki niej pacjent zosta³ ca³kowicie wyleczony z zaburzen rytmu. Na tej podstawie prezentujemy wskazania do ablacji pod³o? a trzepotania przedsionkow, przybli? amy metody tego leczenia oraz sposob przygotowania pacjenta do tego typu zabiegu. Nale? y zwrociae uwage ? e trzepotanie przedsionkow rzadko jest podatne na farmakoterapie, st±d wytyczne europejskiego i amerykanskich towarzystw naukowych jako „z³oty standard” sugeruj± leczenie niefarmakologiczne. Forum Medycyny Rodzinnej 2008, tom 2, nr 2, 112-120
Postural Control in Scoliosis: A Statokinesimetric Study in Patients with Scoliosis due to Neuromuscular Disorders and in Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis

Statokinesimetric characteristics were analysed in patients with scoliosis which had developed in the course of degenerative neuromuscular disorders and in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Patients with Duchenne and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy showed markedly decreased oscillations of the body's centre of gravity, in addition to a forward shift of its mean position. Thus the postural equilibrium in neuromuscular patients with scoliosis is even more efficiently controlled than normal. On the other hand, patients with idiopathic scoliosis did not show any significant changes as compared with normal subjects. The present study therefore does not support the suggestion that the pathogenesis of scoliosis, at least in neuromuscular patients, is triggered by an impairment of descending postural control.
Evaluation of the effect of reactive sulfide on the acute toxicity of silver (I) to Daphnia magna. Part 2: Toxicity results

The protective effect of reactive sulfide against AgNO3 toxicity to Daphnia magna neonates was studied. Acute (48‐h) toxicity tests were performed in the absence (<5 nM) and presence of low (∼25 nM) and high (∼250 nM) concentrations of zinc sulfide clusters under oxic conditions. In both the presence and the absence of sulfide, lower mean lethal concentration (LC50) values were observed when measured as opposed to nominal silver concentrations were used in calculations. This reflected the fact that measured total silver concentrations were lower than nominal concentrations due to losses of silver from solution observed during the experiment. High concentration (∼250 nM) of sulfide completely protected against toxicity up to the highest silver concentration tested (2 μg/L [19 nM]) with measured silver data. In the presence of environmentally realistic levels of sulfide (∼25 nM) in receiving waters, acute silver toxicity was reduced by about 5.5‐fold. However, when filtered (0.45 μm) silver concentrations alone were considered, toxicity (48‐h LC50) was similar in the absence (0.22 μg/L) and presence (0.28 μg/L) of sulfide. The difference between measured total and filtered silver was attributed to chemisorption of the metal sulfide onto the membrane filter and provides evidence that the toxic fraction of silver is that which is unbound to sulfide. Accumulation of silver was greater in daphnids exposed to silver in the presence of sulfide than in its absence, even though a toxic effect was not observed under these conditions. In this case, silver appears to be incorporated by daphnids rather than merely adsorbed on the surface. Our results point out the need to incorporate sulfide into the acute biotic ligand model and to assess its potentially large role in preventing chronic toxicity.
Sistema de inteligencia de negocios para el apoyo al proceso de toma de decisiones

Resumen.En la actualidad el exito de las empresas depende del aprovechamiento de sus recursos intangibles. El acertado flujo y gestion de datos e informacion es vital para un acertado proceso de toma de decisiones. Debido al aumento del volumen de los datos almacenados, los directivos se enfrentan a un ambiente de incertidumbre y complejidad crecientes. Generalmente no se cuenta con las herramientas necesarias para manipular estos datos y convertirlos en informacion valiosa. La informatizacion de las empresas no es suficiente para garantizar un acertado apoyo al proceso de toma de decisiones, para realizarlo de forma correcta es vital contar con un sistema donde se combinen las herramientas informaticas necesarias y se enfatice en la Inteligencia de Negocios. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo desarrollar un Sistema de Inteligencia de Negocios que permita capturar, almacenar, procesar, analizar y mostrar de manera eficiente, los datos generados en los departamentos de las empresas de acueducto y alcantarillado, mejorando el apoyo al proceso de toma de decisiones. Se utilizo la metodologia HEFESTO para el desarrollo de almacenes de datos y la suite comunitaria de Pentaho, en su version 4.8. 0, para la implementacion del sistema. Palabras clave: Datos, Informacion, Inteligencia de Negocios. Business intelligence system to support the decision making process
A infra-estrutura de teste da câmara multi-telescópio do GRAVITY

The main objective of this thesis is the development, design and construction of a testing infrastructure for a subsystem of the GRAVITY (General Relativity Analysis via Vlt InTerferometrY) instrument, which will be installed in the ESO’s (European Southern Observatory) VLT (Very Large Telescope) telescope. The VLT is has 4 telescopes each with a 8 meter aperture. This testing infrastructure will be used to test the subsystem referred before, which is a multi-telescope camera. It will receive the light from the 4 telescopes and, using several optical operations will monitor the received beams, and perform several measurements. The working conditions of this camera will be in high vacuum (10−6mbar) with cryogenic temperatures near 80K. Throughout the thesis the context of the this work will be defined, explaining some part of ESO’s history and its telescopes, and the importance of using specific instruments on the telescopes. Regarding the main subject of the thesis, which is the testing infrastructure of the GRAVITY’s multi-telescope camera, the whole design and assembly is described, including the technical drawings of its components, explaining, when necessary, the options that were made. As the testing infrastructure will be in vacuum and with cryogenic temperatures inside, it was necessary to talk about some specific matters on these two areas, which very often come together. The tests and results in the working conditions revealed that the testing infrastructure was able to match the working conditions of the multi-telescope camera, although some more conclusive tests should be conducted. My learning trend on the in vacuum and cryogenic technologies had a positive progress throughout the writing of the thesis. Another positive component was the involvement with companies of high precision metalworking, and other areas related with them. This contributed to a better understanding of business dynamics, which sometimes is quite different from the academic dynamic.
Atividades Física, Educativa e de Dança: Um Estudo dos Valores Pessoais dos Consumidores Idosos

Este artigo apresenta como objetivo principal identificar os valores pessoais dos consumidores idosos dos servicos de atividades fisica, educativa e de danca, sob o aspecto motivacional hedonico e utilitario. Adotou-se o modelo de cadeia meios-fim de Gutman (1982), o qual sugere que a pesquisa deve utilizar uma abordagem qualitativa atraves da entrevista em profundidade no levantamento dos dados e da analise de conteudo. Uma fase da metodologia e quantitativa, decorrente da tabulacao das consequencias e valores em tabelas, visando construir os mapas hierarquicos, os quais se constituem em diagramas de frequencia. Por meio dos resultados indicados nos mapas hierarquicos de valor foi possivel observar que os valores e beneficios associados a participacao em cada atividade sao tanto de interesse individual quanto coletivo, e tanto de natureza hedonica quanto utilitaria. Constatou-se atraves dos resultados, a identificacao de valores convergentes e divergentes apontando o perfil heterogeneo do consumidor idoso indicando que a cultura, as vivencias, as experiencias e as realidades atuais corroboram para a manifestacao de um valor pessoal caracteristico na sua vida. E nas situacoes de compra e utilizacao de servicos, apresentam como meta a aquisicao de novas amizades e a experimentacao de momentos variados (com novidades) na vida diaria. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v10i3. 2251
On-Orbit Camera Misalignment Estimation Framework and Its Application to Earth Observation Satellite

Despite the efforts for precise alignment of imaging sensors and attitude sensors before launch, the accuracy of pre-launch alignment is limited. The misalignment between attitude frame and camera frame is especially important as it is related to the localization error of the spacecraft, which is one of the essential factors of satellite image quality. In this paper, a framework for camera misalignment estimation is presented with its application to a high-resolution earth-observation satellite—Deimos-2. The framework intends to provide a solution for estimation and correction of the camera misalignment of a spacecraft, covering image acquisition planning to mathematical solution of camera misalignment. Considerations for effective image acquisition planning to obtain reliable results are discussed, followed by a detailed description on a practical method for extracting many GCPs automatically using reference ortho-photos. Patterns of localization errors that commonly occur due to the camera misalignment are also investigated. A mathematical model for camera misalignment estimation is described comprehensively. The results of simulation experiments showing the validity and accuracy of the misalignment estimation model are provided. The proposed framework was applied to Deimos-2. The real-world data and results from Deimos-2 are presented.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Corticospinal Tract Hyperintensities in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

This 77-year-old male with probable progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) diagnosed in 2011 was admitted from a nursing home following a fall. Examination demonstrated parkinsonism, axial rigidity, limited downgaze with 10 degrees of vertical excursion, and slow, hypometric saccades. Repeat imaging was obtained to exclude acute injury. Prior magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) had not shown any evidence of corticospinal tract (CST) degeneration, and the patient exhibited no signs of alternative pathology on clinical examination. Neuroimaging in PSP may show atrophy of the midbrain tegmentum with sparing of the pons, the hummingbird sign, which is reported to be highly sensitive in PSP.1 Corticospinal tract degeneration has been described with motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,2 but is rarely reported with tauopathies.3 Although prior reports have linked CST degeneration and tauopathies,4 with 1 case describing MRI evidence of CST atrophy in a corticobasal degeneration patient,5 this is the first, to our knowledge, of PSP presenting with the evidence of CST degeneration. This supports growing evidence that tauopathies affect both pyramidal and extrapyramidal pathways.2–6 Figure 1. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showing a T1-weighted midline sagittal view (A) of a patient with the classic hummingbird sign of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP); the pericallosal hyperintensity represents falx calcification. The .
Optimal Allocation and Sizing of Dynamic Var Sources Using Heuristic Optimization

This paper addresses the problem of joint optimal allocation and sizing of dynamic Var sources (ODynVarS) for short-term dynamic performance enhancement of power systems. A heuristic optimization based approach is proposed with the aim of achieving a desirable performance under multiple contingencies with respect to a reference short-term voltage response. Based on a pre-selected set of credible contingencies and potential candidate locations for device additions, the approach employs the mean-variance mapping optimization (MVMO) in combination with an integrated mixed-integer search strategy (IMIS) and two intervention schemes, to accelerate and guide the search process towards a techno-economically optimum solution. The first intervention is performed at fitness evaluation stage to screen economic solutions which entail technical feasibility and to reduce computational effort. IMIS and the second intervention is concerned with MVMO's knowledge management, which facilitates the search for solutions comprising a small number of devices with relatively large VAr capacity. The approach is tested using the IEEE 39-bus New England system.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Brain Injury: Controversies, Causes and Consequences

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety condition that often arises following a traumatic experience. It has commonly been argued that impaired consciousness associated with mild brain injury (MBI) precludes encoding of the traumatic experience, and this prevents PTSD development. This review considers the available evidence on PTSD following MBI and indicates the distinctive nature of PTSD after MBI. The review then discusses the possible mechanisms that may mediate PTSD in this population. The interaction of PTSD and postconcussive symptoms is discussed within a cognitive model that emphasizes the role of catastrophic interpretations of postconcussive symptoms. Finally, the implications of PTSD after MBI for assessment and treatment are reviewed.
Automated red light enforcement camera for traffic control

The analysis of past few years shows a drastic increase in road accidents especially in a country like India. In this paper, we designed a traffic enforcement camera that detects a vehicle, entering into the intersection zone and captures the image of a vehicle that violates traffic signal. The camera automatically takes the photograph of the number plate of vehicle via 1sheeld connected to Arduino board, whenever such violation occurs. The photo acts as an evidence for the police officials to enforce traffic rules. Such implementation of traffic rules is necessary to curb road accidents but still it is not followed by most of the people. This idea came to our mind by looking toward the intense population growth in India. Hence, it has become impossible for the police officials to keep an eye on a particular person.
Do Patient Decision Aids Meet Effectiveness Criteria of the International Patient Decision Aid Standards Collaboration? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective. To describe the extent to which patient decision aids (PtDAs) meet effectiveness standards of the International Patient Decision Aids Collaboration (IPDAS). Data sources. Five electronic databases (to July 2006) and personal contacts (to December 2006). Results. Among 55 randomized controlled trials, 38 (69%) used at least 1 measure that mapped onto an IPDAS effectiveness criterion. Measures of decision quality were knowledge scores (27 trials), accurate risk perceptions (12 trials), and value congruence with the chosen option (3 trials). PtDAs improved knowledge scores relative to usual care (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 15.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.7 to 18.7); detailed PtDAs were somewhat more effective than simpler PtDAs (WMD = 4.6%, 95% CI = 3.0 to 6.2). PtDAs with probabilities improved accurate risk perceptions relative to those without probabilities (relative risk = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.4 to 1.9). Relative to simpler PtDAs, detailed PtDAs improved value congruence with the chosen option. Only 2 of 6 IPDAS decision process criteria were measured: feeling informed (15 trials) and feeling clear about values (13 trials). PtDAs improved these process measures relative to usual care (feeling uninformed WMD = —8.4, 95% CI = —11.9 to —4.8; unclear values WMD = —6.3, 95% CI = —10.0 to —2.7). There was no difference in process measures when detailed and simple PtDAs were compared. Conclusions. PtDAs improve decision quality and the decision process's measures of feeling informed and clear about values; however, the size of the effect varies across studies. Several IPDAS decision process measures have not been used. Future trials need to use a minimum data set of IPDAS evaluation measures. The degree of detail PtDAs require for positive effects on IPDAS criteria should be explored.
Prediction of Drug Solubility by the General Solubility Equation (GSE)

The revised general solubility equation (GSE) proposed by Jain and Yalkowsky is used to estimate the aqueous solubility of a set of organic nonelectrolytes studied by Jorgensen and Duffy. The only inputs used in the GSE are the Celsius melting point (MP) and the octanol water partition coefficient (K(ow)). These are generally known, easily measured, or easily calculated. The GSE does not utilize any fitted parameters. The average absolute error for the 150 compounds is 0.43 compared to 0.56 with Jorgensen and Duffy's computational method, which utilitizes five fitted parameters. Thus, the revised GSE is simpler and provides a more accurate estimation of aqueous solubility of the same set of organic compounds. It is also more accurate than the original version of the GSE.