Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebrospinal fluid biochemical examinations: do they reflect clinical or biological differences?

5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), cortisol (CS), tryptophan (TRY), and calcium (Ca) concentrations were measured in the spinal fluid of 85 female psychiatric inpatients in a drug-free state; 32 women suffered from major depression, another 32 had schizophrenic (or schizophreniform) disorder, and 21 had alcohol dependence as defined by DSM-III criteria. A dexamethasone suppression test (DST) was carried out following lumbar punctures in all patients. Biochemical results were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance to test the effect of diagnosis and dexamethasone nonsuppression. CS concentration proved to be significantly higher in dexamethasone nonsuppressors, independent of the diagnosis. HVA was lower in nonsuppressors, particularly in alcohol-dependent patients; 5HIAA showed a tendency to be higher in nonsuppressor depressed patients. TRY was again higher in nonsuppressors, significant only in schizophrenic patients. Ca concentration was higher in depression and lower in alcohol dependence, and within the depression group it was higher in normal DST patients. The results indicate that the primarily biological dysfunction, i.e., the limbic-hypothalamic disinhibition reflected in the DST, may be more closely related to spinal fluid biochemistry than clinical syndromes.
Normal regional right ventricular function and its change with age: a Doppler myocardial imaging study.

BACKGROUND Doppler Myocardial Imaging (DMI) is a new technique currently being studied for the assessment of regional systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) function. No normal values or data on age-related changes in regional myocardial right ventricular (RV) velocities are available. METHODS AND RESULTS Color DMI was used in 32 healthy volunteers (aged 16-76 years) to derive regional velocities from basal, medial, and apical segments of the RV free wall in the apical 4-chamber view, and from distal segments as well as from the tricuspid annulus in the parasternal long-axis view. Both mitral annular and regional LV velocities (4-chamber, long-axis parasternal view) were also recorded and compared with corresponding RV regional velocities. The M-mode displacement of the cardiac base was measured. Corresponding RV and LV DMI data sets were compared. For longitudinal function, RV free wall systolic velocities were consistently higher than velocities recorded in corresponding LV segments (analysis of variance, P <.05). Older subjects (40-76 years; 13 men, 2 women) had lower RV long-axis regional velocities than younger subjects (16-39 years; 15 men, 2 women), but had higher short-axis RV systolic velocities. For diastolic velocities, a negative correlation between age and the ratio of regional early diastolic to late diastolic velocity was shown for all RV free wall segments (eg, basal segment: r = -0.63, P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS The right ventricle has higher long-axis regional velocities, a greater excursion of its lateral atrioventricular valve ring, and reduced circumferential shortening velocities compared with the left ventricle. Right ventricular longitudinal shortening is dominant over short-axis function in healthy young subjects. Normal age-related changes of diastolic velocities for each segment of the normal RV free wall have been defined.
A Quatro-Based 65-nm Flip-Flop Circuit for Soft-Error Resilience

A flip-flop circuit hardened against soft errors is presented in this paper. This design is an improved version of Quatro for further enhanced soft-error resilience by integrating the guard-gate technique. The proposed design, as well as reference Quatro and regular flip-flops, was implemented and manufactured in a 65-nm CMOS bulk technology. Experimental characterization results of their alpha and heavy ions soft-error rates verified the superior hardening performance of the proposed design over the other two circuits.
Intracellular Trafficking of Cholesterol Monitored with a Cyclodextrin*

The sterol binding agent 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin is shown to be a convenient and useful experimental tool to probe intracellular pathways of cholesterol transport. Biochemical and cytochemical studies reveal that cyclodextrin specifically removes plasma membrane cholesterol. Depletion of plasma membrane sphingomyelin greatly accelerated cyclodextrin-mediated cholesterol removal. Cholesterol arriving at the plasma membrane from lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum was also removed by cyclodextrin. Cellular cholesterol esterification linked to the mobilization of cholesterol from lysosomes was strongly attenuated by cyclodextrin, suggesting that the major portion of endocytosed cholesterol is delivered from lysosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum via the plasma membrane. Evidence for translocation of lysosomal cholesterol to the endoplasmic reticulum by a plasma membrane-independent pathway is provided by the finding that cyclodextrin loses its ability to suppress esterification when plasma membrane sphingomyelin is depleted. The Golgi apparatus appears to play an active role in directing the relocation of lysosomal cholesterol to the plasma membrane since brefeldin A also abrogated cyclodextrin-mediated suppression of cholesterol esterification. Using cyclodextrin we further show that attenuated esterification of lysosomal cholesterol in Niemann-Pick C cells reflects defective translocation of cholesterol to the plasma membrane that may be linked to abnormal Golgi trafficking.
Using Water Footprints to Identify Alternatives for Conserving Local Water Resources in California

As a management tool for addressing water consumption issues, footprints have become increasingly utilized on scales ranging from global to personal. A question posed by this paper is whether water footprint data that are routinely compiled for particular regions may be used to assess the effectiveness of actions taken by local residents to conserve local water resources. The current California drought has affected an agriculturally productive region with large population centers that consume a portion of the locally produced food, and the state’s arid climate demands a large volume of blue water as irrigation from its dwindling surface and ground water resources. Although California exports most of its food products, enough is consumed within the state so that residents shifting their food choices and/or habits could save as much or more local blue water as their reduction of household or office water use. One of those shifts is reducing the intake of animal-based products that require the most water of any food group on both a gravimetric and caloric basis. Another shift is reducing food waste, which represents a shared responsibility among consumers and retailers, however, consumer preferences ultimately drive much of this waste.
Screening for small-cell lung cancer: a follow-up study of patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome.

PURPOSE A small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) is found in 50% of patients with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). We evaluated screening to optimize screening strategy for SCLC. It is important to detect these tumors early in newly diagnosed patients with LEMS to offer optimal patient treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS A large nationwide cohort study of consecutive patients in the Netherlands, seen between 1990 and 2007, were screened for the presence of a tumor using chest x-ray, computed tomography of the thorax (CT-thorax), [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), bronchoscopy, and/or mediastinoscopy. RESULTS SCLC was found in 54 patients, and in 46 patients, no tumor was found during a median follow-up of 8 years (range, 3 to 26 years). All patients with SCLC had a positive smoking history and 86% were still smoking at diagnosis. SCLC was found in 92% of these patients within 3 months and in 96% within a year. At first screening, CT-thorax detected an SCLC in 45 patients (83%), whereas chest x-ray found the tumor in only 23 patients (51%). An SCLC was found during secondary screening in another nine patients (median, 3 months; range, 1 to 41 months). In six patients, a lung tumor was found by CT-thorax or FDG-PET, and in three patients, extrapulmonary metastases were found, initially without identifiable tumor mass on CT-thorax. CONCLUSION In almost all patients (96%), the SCLC was found within 1 year of diagnosis. CT-thorax scans detected most of the tumors (93%) and was far more sensitive than chest x-ray (51%). FDG-PET may have additive value in selected cases. We propose a screening protocol based on CT-thorax and FDG-PET.
Gate stack process optimization for TDDB improvement in 28nm high-k/metal gate nMOSFETs

The effects of IL (interfacial layer) thickness and nitrogen concentration of high-k layer on TDDB are comprehensively investigated for HK/MG nMOSFETs. Comparison of the TDDB characteristics based on IL thickness splits manifests that thick IL device exhibits longer failure time and lower SILC augment due to reduction of IL tunneling rate of electron. However, the gate leakage current of thick IL device is aggravated by decrease of total physical oxide thickness even for the same EOT due mainly to thinner HK thickness. Since SILC behavior is attributed to the bulk transient charge trapping by pre-existing defects in HK, the process optimization to reduce bulk defects in HK is a critical solution to improve TDDB in HK/MG nMOSFETs. In addition, nitridation process after HK deposition contributes to passivate oxygen vacancies in the gate dielectrics and removes electron leakage path driven by oxygen vacancies. Hence, nMOSFET with higher nitrogen concentration shows improved TDDB reliability without compromise in DC characteristics and the power law voltage acceleration factor.
Parameter estimation with multiterminal data compression

The multiterminal estimation theory deals with an entirely novel problem which takes place in the void between information theory and statistics, that is, what amount of Fisher information can be attained under a restriction on the amount of Shannon information. The key idea here is the indivisible fusion of the information-theoretic universal coding problem and the statistical maximum-likelihood parameter estimation problem. The main result is the explicit establishment of maximum-likelihood estimators attainable under the rate-constrained universal coding scheme, which is shown to have a variance equal to the inverse of the Fisher information. This may be regarded as giving a multiterminal generalization of the usual Cramer-Rao bound. Relevant properties and examples of these maximum-likelihood estimators are also shown.
Patient profile and decision-making in periodontal practice.

Over the past few years, much has been learned of the relationship between risk factors and the development and progression of periodontal diseases (10, 21). Data coming mostly from cross-sectional studies have identified infrequent dental attendance, smoking, diabetes, stress, genetic factors as well as specific bacterial species as possible risk factors or risk indicators for periodontal disease (8, 14, 17, 18, 20, 26). Clinical experience shows that these factors not only increase the probability of developing periodontal disease but that they are critical in the prevention of and in the treatment of the disease. The purpose of this paper is to discuss all the factors that have to be considered in the management of a periodontal patient, factors that influence determination of therapeutic objectives as well as the selection of treatment procedures. Some elements are related to the patient’s profile and include physical, biological as well as behavioral factors such as a patient’s aptitude to undergo active therapy or to accept the burden of treatment. Other elements are related to the professional environment and include technical aspects as well as collaboration with other specialties. In clinical practice, defining the objectives of therapy is a pivotal step in the management of the patient as this drives the entire treatment plan. The objectives of treatment have to be determined on the basis of the patient’s needs and of the patient’s profile. Patient profile may be defined as the sum of all the determinants and attributes that characterize an individual and that serve to evaluate that individual’s aptitude to undergo active therapy. Assessing the patient’s profile is of the utmost importance for the success of therapy. Patient profile The purpose of the initial consultation is to collect all relevant information that can help in defining the patient’s profile. The interview should include information related to a patient’s identity, socioeconomic background, general health, and dental history. The patient’s chief complaint should also be recorded. Diagnostic procedures should enable identification of risk factors or risk indicators that can influence treatment decisions and treatment outcome. The findings should guide the clinician and help to optimize periodontal therapy. The data may serve as the basis for establishing the treatment plan and, after therapy, enable evaluation of the treatment outcome. The data is also useful to monitor patients during periodontal maintenance. The initial consultation should also allow a sound and reliable patient‐ clinician relationship to be established. Assessment of the patient should not be limited to the initial consultation. During the course of therapy, patient status may be subject to changes relative to systemic conditions, use of medicaments, smoking habits, stress, and economics. Therefore, the medical history, the environmental and the behavioral factors should be reevaluated on a regular basis during active treatment as well as during supportive periodontal therapy.
Two Bit Quantum Protocol for a Three Party Modular Function

Communicational complexity problem among three parties for the calculation of a three party inner product modular function is discussed, where each party possess some of the function’s input. Classical communicational complexity of this function can be evaluated by three classical bits. In classical theory, the three party modular function can’t be evaluated by two classical bits, but using quantum entanglement in quantum theory two classical bits are sufficient to calculate the three party problem.
Oligodendrocyte maturation in Xenopus laevis

Oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the central nervous system, have a characteristic morphology, whose full extent is revealed immunohistochemically by the expression of specific markers. Proteolipid protein (PLP) is regarded as a terminal differentiation marker of oligodendrocytes. By using PLP antibody and confocal microscopy, PLP expression in developing oligodendrocytes and the detailed three‐dimensional morphology of oligodendrocytes were observed throughout early and late Xenopus laevis tadpole development. Premyelinating oligodendrocytes with radial processes were intensely stained with PLP antibody. The morphology of developing oligodendrocytes is comparable with that described in rodents. In Xenopus, the appearance of PLP‐ and MBP‐positive oligodendrocytes is synchronized spatially and temporarily, revealing that PLP is also an early marker of developing oligodendrocytes. In addition, oligodendrocytes in early tadpole spinal cord are few in number but have a large cell body that is easily identified on a transverse section, revealing the relatively simple cytoarchitecture of this glial component. Xenopus spinal cord may therefore be useful as model system for studying the maturation of oligodendrocytes and the myelination process in situ. J. Neurosci. Res. 50:169–176, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combustion and Co-combustion of Biomass: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Primary Measures for Emission Reduction†

Since biomass is the only carbon-based renewable fuel, its application becomes more and more important for climate protection. Among the thermochemical conversion technologies (i.e., combustion, gasification, and pyrolysis), combustion is the only proven technology for heat and power production. Biomass combustion systems are available in the size range from a few kW up to more than 100 MW. The efficiency for heat production is considerably high and heat from biomass is economically feasible. Commercial power production is based on steam cycles. The specific cost and efficiency of steam plants is interesting at large scale applications. Hence co-combustion of biomass with coal is promising, as it combines high efficiency with reasonable transport distances for the biomass. However, biomass combustion is related to significant pollutant formation and hence needs to be improved. To develop measures for emission reduction, the specific fuel properties need to be considered. It is shown that pollutant formati.
Applications of optimal industrial load management modeling in smart grids

This paper presents the application and validation of a previously proposed generic Optimal Industrial Load Management (OILM) model for industrial energy hubs in smart grids. Available data obtained from measuring campaigns are used for accurately modeling the customers' demand, considering electrical variables, material flow rates, and other relevant operating variables of the industrial processes for 2 industrial customers. The first customer corresponds to a water pumping facility with the objective of optimally dispatching a set of water pumps, and the second customer corresponds to an automotive manufacturing company where the schedule of the water-cooled chillers is optimized. The results show that the developed models are very accurate in predicting the power demand as a function of the main electrical and operational variables of the industrial loads studied, and that significant energy and peak savings can be obtained by applying the OILM model to these industrial customers, while improving operational procedures.
Design and synthesis of 3-[(7-chloro-1-oxidoquinolin-4-ylamino)alkyl]-1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones as antimalarial agents

A new series of quinoline analogs have been synthesized and found active against P. falciparum in vitro and P. yoelli in vivo. Compounds 8, 10 and 11 exhibited superior in vitro activity compared to chloroquine. Selected compounds 8, 10 and 11 exhibited significant suppression of parasitaemia in vivo assay. These analogs form a complex with hematin and inhibit the β-hematin formation, suggesting that this class of compounds act on a heme polymerization target. Further this study confirms that quinoline ring nitrogen is essential for both transportation of the molecule across the membrane as well as for tight binding to hematin.
Arginine-Stimulated Hyperglucagonemia in Diabetic Pima Indians

Groups of 27 nondiabetic Pima Indians, 34 nondiabetic Caucasians, and 12 diabetic Pima Indians with recent onset of their disease received an arginine infusion to determine if (1) nondiabetic Pima Indians and Caucasians had a similar glucagon response to arginine and (2) diabetic Pimas had excessive glucagon response to arginine as reported in other racial groups. The fasting glucagon levels in the three groups were not significantly different. During arginine monochloride infusion (5 mg./kg./minute for 40 minutes) the diabetic Pimas had glucagon levels significantly higher at 10 minutes and at all sampling points thereafter than the normo-glycemic Pimas. Plasma insulin levels also increased during the infusion but, notably, never differed significantly between these two groups. There was no significant difference in the glucagon levels at any sampling point between the nondiabetic Pimas and Caucasians. The differences in glucagon levels between the nondiabetic and diabetic Indians are similar to those differences reported between diabetic and nondiabetic subjects of other racial origins.
Cemental Annulation as an Age Criterion in Forensic Dentistry

Intact teeth were obtained from three cadavers of known age 57, 67, and 76 years, respectively. Cross-sections 100-150 μm thick were taken from the roots using a diamond saw. Individual sections were stained, mounted on glass slides, and photographed on a light microscope. The usual number of years for the eruption of any particular tooth were added to the annulation count to determine the estimated age for that cadaver.
Holding On and Letting Go: A Perspective from the Keystone IV Conference

This commentary examines what it might look like to be countercultural in the current era of health care change, and asks what we should hold onto and what we should let go of as we reinvent an ideal that gives meaning to family physicians and value to patients and populations – that primary health care is a relationship to be nurtured and supported, not just a commodity to be delivered and optimized, measured and incentivized, bought and sold.
Design and performance analysis of a purely textile spiral antenna for on-body NFC applications

Novel combinations of materials and construction techniques are key for the development of new textile antenna configurations for on-body applications. Stretchable, flexible and conformable features of textile antennas are one of the hot research topics nowadays. This work gives a step forward with new designs of purely textile spiral antennas with flexible and robust features for Near Field Communications (NFC) on-body applications. Their performance is successfully validated with a real NFC chipset, and some design and construction considerations are offered for novel textile materials.
Five-Millimeter-Incision Deep Lamellar Endothelial Keratoplasty: One-Year Results

Purpose: To evaluate visual acuity, topography, and endothelial cell density 1 year after deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) for endothelial dysfunction. Methods: This is a prospective, comparative, interventional case series. Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients who had undergone DLEK with a 5-mm incision and had a minimum of 1-year follow-up were included. Main outcome measures were best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), astigmatism, topographic regularity and symmetry, and endothelial cell density. Results: One year postoperatively, BSCVA was 0.33 ± 0.12 (mean, 20/60; range, 20/40-20/400) compared with 0.15 ± 0.15 preoperatively (mean, 20/200; range, 20/70-20/800). Six patients did not reach an acceptable visual acuity and were not included in the mean BSCVA, 2 had a primary failure, and the others had preexisting glaucoma or macular disease. Spherical equivalent was -0.04 ± 1.2 D, refractive astigmatism was 1.76 ± 1.69 D, surface regularity index was 0.97 ± 0.54, and surface asymmetry index was 1.25 ± 0.78 1 year after surgery. Mean endothelial cell count from the donor was 2904 ± 559 (range, 4694-2111) and 1 year after surgery was 1595 ± 662 (range, 702-3040), equating to 45% cell loss (range, 15%-77%). Conclusions: DLEK is a newer method to replace the endothelium in patients with Fuchs dystrophy. Results showed minimal astigmatism, good topographic parameters, and acceptable visual acuity. Endothelial cell loss at 1 year was significant.
A New Neural Signal Collecting Circuit with High Signal to Noise Rate Performance

In this paper, a special kind of neural signal recording system including active microelectrode arrays is presented for the electroencephalogram-based brain computer interface (EEG-based BCI). As the electrical signal sensed by electrodes is extremely weak and is likely to be influenced by other radiation source in the nearby environment, many researches has been done to improve the signal-to-noise rate of neural signals in order to help neurophysiologists better understand neural action and the human being's cognizance process. An integrated voltage-to-pulse generator circuit is proposed to improve performance, which get many advantages over other methods, such as adding preamplifier in the recording arrays. Since the electric field in the cerebral cortex can be described in Cartesian coordinate so the signals should be sensed tridimensionally. The simulation result will be discussed in the end of this paper to show the good measurement performance of this circuit.