Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Breast cancer among radiologic technologists.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the risk of breast cancer among women occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. DESIGN Case-control study. PARTICIPANTS A health survey of 105,385 women radiologic technologists certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists since 1926. Among 79,016 respondents, 600 breast cancer cases were identified. Each of 528 eligible subjects with breast cancer was matched to five control subjects based on age, year of certification, and follow-up time. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Relative risk (RR) estimated as the relative odds ratio for breast cancer over categories of years worked as a radiologic technologist and according to personal and occupational exposure characteristics. RESULTS Study subjects had been certified for a mean of 29 years; 63.8% of cases and 62.6% of controls worked as radiologic technologists for 10 years or more. Significant increased risks for breast cancer were associated with early age at menarche (for < 11 years of age: RR = 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 2.94), nulliparity (RR = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.78), first-degree relative with history of breast cancer (RR = 2.07; 95% CI, 1.56 to 2.74), prior breast biopsy (RR = 1.53; 95% CI, 1.17 to 2.00), alcohol consumption (for > 14 alcoholic drinks per week: RR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.06 to 4.27), thyroid cancer (RR = 5.36; 95% CI, 1.64 to 17.5), hyperthyroidism (RR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.71), and residence in the northeastern United States (RR = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.19 to 2.30). Jobs involving radiotherapy, radioisotopes, or fluoroscopic equipment, however, were not linked to breast cancer risk, nor were personal exposures to fluoroscopy or multifilm procedures. Use of birth control pills, postmenopausal estrogens, or permanent hair dyes also were not risk factors. Based on dosimetry records for 35% of study subjects, cumulative exposures appeared low. Among women who worked more than 20 years, the RR for breast cancer was 1.13 (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.64). CONCLUSIONS More than 50% of the reported breast cancers could be explained by established risk factors. Employment as a radiologic technologist, however, was not found to increase the risk of breast cancer. The contribution of prolonged exposure to relatively low doses of ionizing radiation to breast cancer risk was too small to be detectable at this time.
Polymorphisms in coagulation factors and the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in men after a first myocardial infarction

Summary. Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether genetic predisposition to high levels of coagulation factors influences the risk of developing fatal and non‐fatal arterial cardiovascular events in men with a first myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: We performed a cohort study among 542 MI patients with a mean age of 56 years (range 32–70 years) at the time of the event. All of the men had a first MI between 1990 and 1996 and were followed until 1 September 2004. DNA was analyzed for polymorphisms of fibrinogen, prothrombin (factor II), factor V, factor VII and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, all of which are associated with gain of function of the protein. We collected information from hospital files and general practitioners on the occurrence of major arterial events. Results: In total, 254 major arterial cardiovascular events occurred during a median follow‐up period of 11 years (range 0.2–15 years). The point estimates of the relative rates (RRs) of these events for the variant genotypes were all between 0.7 and 1.1 except for the prothrombin 20210A mutation: RR 1.8 (95% confidence interval 0.8–4.1). Conclusion: These findings suggest that there is no association between coagulation factor polymorphisms, previously associated with plasma levels, and the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events.
Generating electric power with a MEMS electroquasistatic induction turbine-generator

This paper presents a microfabricated electroquasistatic (EQS) induction turbine-generator that has generated net electric power. A maximum power output of 192 /spl mu/W was achieved under driven excitation. We believe that this is the first report of electric power generation by an EQS induction machine of any scale found in the open literature. This paper also presents self-excited operation in which the induction generator self-resonates and generates power without the use of any external drive electronics. The generator comprises five silicon layers, fusion bonded together at 700/spl deg/C. The stator is a platinum electrode structure formed on a thick (20 /spl mu/m) recessed oxide island. The rotor is a thin film of lightly doped polysilicon also residing on an oxide island, (10 /spl mu/m) thick. This paper also presents a generalized state-space model for an EQS induction machine that takes into account the machine and its external electronics and parasitics. This model correlates well with measured performance and was used to find the optimal drive conditions for all driven experiments.
Role of peg formation in clamp cell fusion of homobasidiomycete fungi

In most filamentous basidiomycetes, clamp cells are found at the septa of dikaryotic mycelia. Clamp cell formation starts at hyphal tip cells with the development of a lateral bulge at a position slightly apical to the future septum. Relative to the growth direction of the hypha, the protrusion expands backwards into a hook‐like structure. Next, the two genetically different haploid nuclei within the hyphal tip cell divide. A septum appears between clamp cell and hyphal tip cell, thereby trapping one nucleus within the clamp cell. Another septum is laid within the hypha, separating a nucleus of the other type in the newly generated subapical hyphal cell from the two different nuclei kept together in the new apical hyphal cell. Through fusion of clamp and subapical cell, the two solitary nuclei become united within the subapical hyphal compartment. In 1933, Buller described subapical formation of a peg to which the clamp cell fuses as an additional, subsequently neglected step in this series of events. In this study, we represent evidence for subapical peg formation and its role in clamp cell fusion. Our observations potentially indicate a B mating type regulated extracellular communication between clamp and subapical hyphal cell. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The cellular and molecular events of central nervous system remyelination

Central nervous system (CNS) Abbreviations: CNS=central nervous system; PNS=peripheral nervous system; MS=multiple sclerosis; MBP=myelin basic protein; MHC=major histocompatibility complex; EAE=experimental allergic encephalomyelitis; O‐2A=oligodendrocyte‐type 2 astrocyte; GC=galactocerebroside; GFAP=glial fibrillary acidic protein; FGF=fibroblast growth factor; IGF1=insulin‐like growth factor. regeneration is a subject of great interest, particularly in diseases causing a dramatic loss of neurons. However, some CNS diseases do not affect neurons but damage other cells, such as the myelin‐forming cells — called oligodendrocytes — which are also crucial to the harmonious function of the nervous system. Diseases in which oligodendrocytes and myelin are attacked can cause devastating neurological dysfunction which is sometimes followed by recovery and myelin repair or remyelination. The question of the regeneration potential of oligodendrocytes in experimental and human demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis has been debated for a long time. Present evidence suggests that oligodendrocyte precursor cells persist in the adult CNS and that oligodendrocyte regeneration can occur but may be limited by ongoing disease processes. Here we will briefly review recent advances which have broadened our understanding of the cellular and molecular events of CNS remyelination.
Students ’ Patterns of Library Use and Their Learning Outcomes

This study examines students’ use of academic libraries and tries to clarify what educational outcomes are achieved in relation to their patterns of library use. The authors conducted three focus group interviews and three surveys in Japanese and Finnish universities from 2004 to 2006 and obtained findings which may contribute to the research on library outcomes assessment. Three patterns of common user groups ('learners group', 'extended use group', and 'place and PC use group') are identified by cluster analysis of the survey data. Using the library for its material or for research purposes, as the learners group does, is the use that is most likely to have a direct connection to students’ educational outcomes. However, another use pattern, strolling among the bookshelves, is notable because this study shows strong links between it, and educational outcomes and motivation for students’ learning.
The genetics of mitral valve prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a very common clinical condition that refers to a systolic billowing of one or both mitral valve leaflets into the left atrium. Improvements of echocardiographic techniques and new insights in mitral valve anatomy and physiology have rendered the diagnosis of this condition more accurate and reliable. MVP can be sporadic or familial, demonstrating autosomal dominant and X‐linked inheritance. Three different loci on chromosomes 16, 11 and 13 have been found to be linked to MVP, but no specific gene has been described. Another locus on chromosome X was found to cosegregate with a rare form of MVP called ‘X‐linked myxomatous valvular dystrophy’. MVP is more frequent in patients with connective tissue disorders including Marfan syndrome, Ehlers–Danlos and osteogenesis imperfecta. The purpose of this review is to describe previous studies on the genetics and prevalence of MVP. The report warrants the need for further genetically based studies on this common, albeit not fully understood, clinical entity.
Efficiency of nebulizers for depositing saline in human lung.

The efficacy of 2 types of nebulizers for delivering 0.15 M sodium chloride to the lower airways of 8 healthy, adult, male volunteers was measured with an Anger scintillation camera immediately after 5 minutes of breathing technetium-99m as pertechnetate in 0.15 M sodium chloride. Six milliliters of isotonic saline containing 15 mCi of 99mTc was placed in the single-dose cup of an ultrasonic nebulizer for 4 subjects and in the mainstream jet nebulizer of an intermittent positive pressure breathing device for the other 4. To quantify activity, radioactivity from the lung areas at the end of aerosol breathing was compared with radioactivity from 99mTc phantoms. The ultrasonic nebulizer deposited an average of 60.0 ± 2.6 μl ± SD of saline in the lungs compared to 115.8 ± 46.2 μl ±. SD for intermittent positive pressure breathing device (P < 0.1). Thus, these nebulizers probably did not deliver enough water below the midtrachea to affect the consistency of airway secretions.
Incremental Learning, Clustering and Hierarchy Formation of Whole Body Motion Patterns using Adaptive Hidden Markov Chains

This paper describes a novel approach for autonomous and incremental learning of motion pattern primitives by observation of human motion. Human motion patterns are abstracted into a dynamic stochastic model, which can be used for both subsequent motion recognition and generation, analogous to the mirror neuron hypothesis in primates. The model size is adaptable based on the discrimination requirements in the associated region of the current knowledge base. A new algorithm for sequentially training the Markov chains is developed, to reduce the computation cost during model adaptation. As new motion patterns are observed, they are incrementally grouped together using hierarchical agglomerative clustering based on their relative distance in the model space. The clustering algorithm forms a tree structure, with specialized motions at the tree leaves, and generalized motions closer to the root. The generated tree structure will depend on the type of training data provided, so that the most specialized motions will be those for which the most training has been received. Tests with motion capture data for a variety of motion primitives demonstrate the efficacy of the algorithm.
Are you ashamed? Can a gaze tracker tell?

Our aim was to determine the possibility of detecting cognitive emotion information (neutral, disgust, shameful, ‘‘sensory pleasure’’) by using a remote eye tracker within an approximate range of 1 meter. Our implementation was based on a self-learning ANN used for profile building, emotion status identification and recognition. Participants of the experiment were provoked with audiovisual stimuli (videos with sounds) to measure the emotional feedback. The proposed system was able to classify each felt emotion with an average of 90% accuracy (2 second measuring interval). Subjects Human-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision
Associations between Benzodiazepine Use and Neuropsychological Test Scores in Older Adults*

RÉSUMÉ Les benzodiazépines sont largement prescrits pour l'anxiété, bien que l'utilisation de cette classe de médicaments fût associée à la dépendance et les changements cognitifs. Cet article décrit une étude dans laquelle j'ai examiné la relation entre une* classe des benzodiazépines disponibles pour l'utilisation et le rendement lié aux tests neuro-psychologiques dans un échantillon de communauté de 1 754 Canadiens âgés de l'Etude canadienne sur la santé et le vieillissement. Les benzodiazépines ont été classés comme ayant une action de courte durée, intermédiare ou longue. À l'aide d'une analyse de régression multiple, et tenant compte de variables démographiques, les associations ont été calculées entre chaque catégorie de benzodiazépine et huit mesures neuro-psychologiques. Les résultats ont révélé des effets différents au sein des classes des trois médicaments; les benzodiazépines avec une courte demi-vie n'etaient associées à aucune mesure neuro-psychologique. Chacune des benzodiazépines à demi-vie intermédiare et à longue demi-vie ont été associée à deux mesures. Afin d'améliorer notre compréhension de la façon dont l'utilisation des benzodiazépines influence la cognition, une concentration accrue sur des domaines spécifiques de la fonction cognitive est requise. ABSTRACT Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed for anxiety, although use of this class of medications has been associated with dependency and cognitive changes. This article describes the study in which we investigated the relationship between the class of benzodiazepine available for use and associated performance on neuropsychological tests in a community sample of 1,754 older Canadians from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging. Benzodiazepines were classified as short-, intermediate-, and long-acting. Associations were calculated between each class of benzodiazepine and eight neuropsychological measures, using multiple regression analysis and controlling for demographic variables. Results showed different effects of the co-variates across the three drug classes, and short half-life benzodiazepines were not associated with any neuropsychological measure. Intermediate half-life and long half-life benzodiazepine use were each associated with two measures. Increased focus on specific domains of cognitive function is needed to improve our understanding of how benzodiazepine use influences cognition.
Radiofrequency capacitive hyperthermia for deep‐seated tumors. I. Studies on thermometry

The thermometry results of radiofrequency (RF) capacitive hyperthermia for 60 deep‐seated tumors in 59 patients are reported. Hyperthermia was administered regionally using two RF capacitive heating equipments which the authors have developed in cooperation with Yamamoto Vinyter Company Ltd., (Osaka, Japan). Intratumor temperatures were measured by thermocouples inserted through angio‐catheters which were placed 5 cm to 12 cm deep into the tissues. Tumor center temperatures were measured for 307 treatments in all tumors; thermal distributions within tumors and surrounding normal tissues were obtained for 266 treatments of 53 tumors by microthermocouples.
Evaluation and Treatment of Enthesitis-Related Arthritis.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic pediatric rheumatic disease and the most common cause of acquired disability in childhood in the US [1–6]. Incidence and prevalence rates vary significantly by geographical location, with an estimated annual incidence of approximately one per 100 000 children in Japan [7], 90 per 100 000 children in the US [8], and 170 per 100 000 in Belgium [9]. These widely disparate rates may reflect differences in genetic susceptibility, environmental influences, and other unknown factors. The term JIA encompasses seven categories of disease that involve arthritis of at least one joint that begins before the age of 16 years and lasts ≥6 weeks. Distinct clinical features characterize each of the JIA categories during the first 6 months of disease. The enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) category of JIA describes a heterogeneous group of children, including those with enthesitis and arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated arthropathy, and what is traditionally thought of as juvenile ankylosing spondylitis (AS). ERA accounts for approximately 15–20% of JIA cases and has a peak age of onset of 12 years [10–13]. Boys are affected more often than girls, accounting for 60% of cases [13]. Approximately half of children are human leukocyte antigen-B27 (HLA-B27)-positive and 20% have a family history of HLA-B27-associated disease, such as reactive arthritis, AS, or IBD with sacroiliitis. Tests for rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) are characteristically negative in patients with ERA. ERA is similar to but not interchangeable with juvenile spondyloarthropathy (SpA). Juvenile SpA includes not only children with ERA but also many who do not meet ERA criteria, including patients with the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) undifferentiated and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) categories, IBD-related arthritis, juvenile AS, and reactive arthritis.
Practice evidence to put evidence into practice

In the Allergy issue of March 2004 the article Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) in the Pharmacy has been published. This consensus document extends the concepts and recommendations included in the original WHO guidelines on ARIA to pharmacists. The fight against allergic diseases calls for a collaboration of all health professionals. Therefore, we consider the involvement of pharmacists in a balanced management of diseases with high prevalence, chronicity and significant socio-economic impact of extreme relevance and novelty. The ARIA in the Pharmacy guidelines as well as the original ARIA document and other guidelines stress the concept of practice being based on evidence. Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has introduced a series of new terms and concepts [such as meta-analysis, systematic reviews (SRs), grading of evidence and recommendations, randomized clinical trials – RCTs, etc.] whose relevance is widely accepted. However, not all research workers and practicing doctors are fully familiar with the complex background of these terms and concepts. This editorial aims at addressing some aspects of evidence that should be considered when writing or applying guidelines. It also provides a series of references to practice evidence, in order to better put evidence into practice.
Perceptual organization of occluding contours

The mechanics of occlusion of one surface by another are described by a set of integer linear constraints. These constraints insure that the output of a contour grouping process is physically valid and consistent with the image evidence. Among the many feasible solutions, the most compelling is the solution which best explains the presence and form of image structure. The problem of computing a complete and consistent surface boundary representation is reduced to solving an integer linear program. <<ETX>>
The role of authenticity in electoral social media campaigns

Authenticity is a popular buzzword in electoral politics: Electoral candidates and politicians are expected to be authentic in their public interactions. Since 2008, campaigning via social media has become an integral part of elections in the United States, and continues to gain importance. In such an environment, this paper presents research into the role of authenticity in social media electoral campaigns. Using Gilpin, et al.’s (2010) definition of authenticity as the theoretical basis, interviews were conducted with U.S. Democrats to query their perceptions of candidates’ Facebook pages, and particularly in relation to authenticity. This study refines existing definitions of authenticity and offers insights into how electoral candidates can demonstrate authenticity in electoral social media campaigns.
Silent no more

Endogenous small RNA pathways related to RNA interference (RNAi) play a well-documented role in protecting host genomes from the invasion of foreign nucleic acids. In C. elegans, the PIWI type Argonaute, PRG-1, through an association with 21U-RNAs, mediates a genome surveillance process by constantly scanning the genome for potentially deleterious invading elements. Upon recognition of foreign nucleic acids, PRG-1 initiates a cascade of cytoplasmic and nuclear events that results in heritable epigenetic silencing of these transcripts and their coding genomic loci. If the PRG-1/21U-RNA genome surveillance pathway has the capacity to target most of the C. elegans transcriptome, what mechanisms exist to protect endogenous transcripts from being silenced by this pathway? In this commentary, we discuss three recent publications that implicate the CSR-1 small RNA pathway in the heritable activation of germline transcripts, propose a model as to why not all epialleles behave similarly, and touch on the practical implications of these findings.