Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo MRI cell tracking using perfluorocarbon probes and fluorine‐19 detection

This article presents a brief review of preclinical in vivo cell‐tracking methods and applications using perfluorocarbon (PFC) probes and fluorine‐19 (19F) MRI detection. Detection of the 19F signal offers high cell specificity and quantification ability in spin density‐weighted MR images. We discuss the compositions of matter, methods and applications of PFC‐based cell tracking using ex vivo and in situ PFC labeling in preclinical studies of inflammation and cellular therapeutics. We also address the potential applicability of 19F cell tracking to clinical trials. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and prostaglandin regimen for the planned breeding of dairy cows

Four studies were carried out to determine the ovarian responses of dairy cows undergoing natural oestrous cycles to sequential injections of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), followed seven days later by prostaglandin and, 48 to 72 hours later, by a second injection of GnRH. In study 1, of 60 cows so treated, 47 were in the intended periovulatory phase when a fixed-time insemination was given 72 hours after the prostaglandin. In study 2, detailed observations were made in 32 cows treated as in study 1, using ultrasound to determine the optimum time to administer the second dose of GnRH. Ovulation was most effectively synchronised by giving GnRH 56 to 60 hours after the prostaglandin. Study 3 investigated the timing of ovulation when no initial dose of GnRH was given. Six cows were injected with prostaglandin on day 12 of the oestrous cycle, followed by GnRH 60 hours later. Five of the six cows ovulated 24 to 36 hours after GnRH, an equivalent timing and synchrony to that in study 2, in which a dose of GnRH had been given seven days before prostaglandin. In study 4, an initial dose of GnRH was given to six cows late (day 17) in the oestrous cycle, and prostaglandin seven days later. The GnRH treatment delayed luteolysis in five of the cows so that they were responsive to the prostaglandin and ovulated 24 to 36 hours after the second dose of GnRH. The use of GnRH (day 0) - prostaglandin (day 7) - GnRH (day 9.5) appears to be an effective means of synchronising ovulation in most cows.
Diagnosis of eating disorders in primary care.

Eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are significant causes of morbidity and mortality among adolescent females and young women. Eating disorders are associated with devastating medical and psychologic consequences, including death, osteoporosis, growth delay, and developmental delay. Prompt diagnosis is linked to better outcomes. A good medical history is the most powerful tool. Simple screening questions, such as "Do you think you should be dieting? " can be integrated into routine visits. Physical findings such as low body mass index, amenorrhea, bradycardia, gastrointestinal disturbances, skin changes, and changes in dentition can help detect eating disorders. Laboratory studies can help diagnose these conditions and exclude underlying medical conditions. The family physician can play an important role in diagnosing these illnesses and can coordinate the multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nutritionists, and other professionals to successfully treat patients with eating disorders.
The Economics of the Cloud

This article proposes a model to study the interaction of price competition and congestion in the cloud computing marketplace. Specifically, we propose a three-tier market model that captures a marketplace with users purchasing services from Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) providers, which in turn purchase computing resources from either Provider-as-a-Service (PaaS) or Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) providers. Within each level, we define and characterize market equilibria. Further, we use these characterizations to understand the relative profitability of SaaSs and PaaSs/IaaSs and to understand the impact of price competition on the user experienced performance, that is, the “price of anarchy” of the cloud marketplace. Our results highlight that both of these depend fundamentally on the degree to which congestion results from shared or dedicated resources in the cloud.
In vitro and in vivo studies on the generation of the primary T‐cell receptor repertoire

Summary: The primary T‐cell receptor repertoire is generated by somatic rearrangement of discontinuous gene segments. The shape of the combinatorial repertoire is stereotypical and, in part, evolutionarily conserved among mammals. Rearrangement is initiated by specific interactions between the recombinase and the recombination signals (RSs) that flank the gene segments. Conserved sequence variations in the RS, which modulate its interactions with the recombinase, appear to be a major factor in shaping the primary repertoire. In vitro, biochemical studies have revealed distinct steps in these complex recombinase–RS interactions that may determine the final frequency of gene segment rearrangement. These studies offer a plausible model to explain gene segment selection, but new, more physiological approaches will have to be developed to verify and refine the mechanism by which the recombinase targets the RS in its endogenous chromosomal context in vivo.
Early identification of children with developmental disabilities

This paper provides an overview of research into early identification of children with developmental disabilities in child healthcare, especially those disabilities related to cognitive impairment. The review covers the following related topics: definition of the target group, the predictive value of developmental screening instruments and psychomotor tests, risk indexes, early intervention and evaluation of developmental screening programmes. Empirical research into child development and the predictive value of developmental tests is extensive. However, proportionally few, mostly cohort or case‐control, studies focusing on evaluation of developmental screening programmes conducted within a clinical setting were found. Some sensitivity and most specificity rates reported fell within what is considered acceptable for developmental screening performed in the pre‐school years, i.e. a sensitivity of more than 70% and a specificity between 70% and 80%. Overall, between 1–6% of the children screened were identified.
PRINCIPAL COMPONENT MULTI LINEAR ANALYSIS FOR CONTENT BASED IMAGE RETRIEVAL

In the process of content based Image retrieval (CBIR), image information is presented in descriptive features to obtain retrieval of image information. In the representation of descriptive features a large feature count is observed, which results in the overhead in processing. To reduce these descriptive features different dimensional reduction logic were used in which PCA is the most commonly used approach. However the approach of dimensional reduction is carried out by a Histogram space transformation and mapping, features when processing for retrieval exhibits multiple feature similarity among object classes. Hence considering all dataset features are not useful. In this paper, we present a Principal Component Multi-Linear Analysis (PCMLA) for dimension reduction approach to feature reduction based on feature relations for dimensional reduction approach
Transabdominal recordings of fetal heart rate in extremely small fetuses

Abstract Introduction: As part of the fetal assessment for the Safe Passage Study, we recorded raw data of the fetal ECG via five maternal abdominal wall electrodes from 20 weeks to 23 weeks 6 days’ gestation. Materials: For this study were extracted and analyzed the FHR patterns from the stored raw data in 16 stillbirths where the fetus weighed less than 1000 g and where autopsy was performed. Results: Birth weights ranged from 190 to 970 g. The proportion FHR signal loss ranged from 0.3% to 21.1%. In the smallest fetus the heart weighed 1.3 g, yet the FHR signal loss was only 0.9%.
Hepatoprotective Effects of Ageratum conyzoides L. on Biochemical Indices Induced by Acetaminophen Toxicity in Wistar rats

Ageratum conyzoides L. (Compositae) has been used in various parts of the world for the treatment of various diseases based on their age-old use in folklore system. Present study was aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective activity of acetone and n-hexane extracts of Ageratum conyzoides in wistar rats following acetaminophen (APAP) induced hepatotoxicity. Single high dose exposure of APAP significantly (p<0.05) increased in ALT, AST, and GGT activity and levels of BUN, CR, unconjugated bilirubin and A/G ratio, whereas activity of LDH-P, total protein, albumin, globulin and conjugated bilirubin were significantly (p<0.05) reduced as compared to control. Pre-exposure with acetone and n-hexane extracts of A. conyzoides restore the values of ALT, GGT, LDH-P, albumin, unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin as compared to control whereas the AST, globulin, A/G ratio, BUN and CR levels are not restored by administration of plant extracts. It is evident from observations that acetone and n-hexane extracts of A. conyzoides was able to restore the levels of SGPT, SGOT, LDH and bilirubin as an indication of the stabilization of plasma membrane as well as repair of hepatic tissue damages caused by APAP.
Real time simulation and visualization of deformable objects

In this thesis, I present a framework for physical simulation and visualization of deformable volumetric bodies in real time. Based on the implicit finite element method a multigrid approach for the efficient numerical simulation of elastic materials has been developed. Due to the optimized implementation of the multigrid scheme, 200,000 elements can be simulated at a rate of 10 time steps per second. The approach enables realistic and numerically stable simulation of bodies that are described by tetrahedral or hexahedral grids. It can efficiently simulate heterogeneous bodies---i.e., bodies that are composed of material with varying stiffness---and includes linear as well as non-linear material laws. To visualize deformable bodies, a novel rendering method has been developed on programmable graphics hardware. It includes the efficient rendering of surfaces as well as interior volumetric structures. Both the physical simulation framework and the rendering approach have been integrated into a single simulation support system. Thereby, available communication bandwidths have been efficiently exploited. To enable the use of the system in practical applications, a novel approach for collision detection has been included. This approach allows one to handle geometries that are deformed on the graphical subsystem.
Tiempo y Capital Financiero en el Capital de Marx (Time and Financial Capital in Marx's Capital)

Este artículo sugiere que la metamorfosis de las deudas en derivados y títulos financieros, y de estos en deudas, genera redes de activos y obligaciones, que inducen la emergencia de distintos tiempos del capital, articulados en un sistema complejo, cuya dinámica hace posible sincronizarlos en forma de crisis de carácter global. La crisis se trata como un cambio de estado en un sistema complejo, precipitada por la conectividad generada por el apalancamiento creciente. Es un desarrollo de las teorías de la crisis y de la socialización de la deuda planteadas por Marx en El Capital.
Phase II study of autologous filgrastim (G-CSF)-mobilized peripheral blood progenitor cells to restore hemopoiesis after high-dose chemotherapy for lymphoid malignancies.

The hemopoietic growth factor filgrastim (r-metHu G-CSF) stimulates granulopoiesis after autologous BMT and can also be used as a peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC)-mobilizing agent. Rapid platelet recovery follows the addition of filgrastim-mobilized PBPC to autologous BMT. We have now studied 29 adults with malignant lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease or ALL to assess the ability of filgrastim-mobilized PBPC to rapidly and durably restore hemopoiesis without bone marrow (BM) infusion. Patients with a high yield of PBPC from three leukaphereses, defined as > 30 x 10(4)/kg GM-CFC, were eligible for PBPC transplant without BM. Patients with a low yield of GM-CFC received both PBPC and BM infusion. After filgrastim therapy 12 or 24 micrograms/kg/day by continuous sc infusion for 6 or 7 days, a high yield was obtained in 11 of 29 patients. Kinetics of recovery of both the platelet and neutrophil counts were more rapid in the high yield group than in the low yield group. The platelet count recovered to > 20 x 10(9)/l at a median of 9 days, to > 50 x 10(9)/l at 11 days and the neutrophil count to > 0.5 x 10(9)/l at 9 days in the high yield group compared with 12 days, 37 days and 10 days, respectively, in the low yield group (p = 0.028, p < 0.001 and p = 0.027). Fewer platelet transfusions were required in the high yield group (median 11 vs 29.5 units, p = 0.021). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effects of teriparatide, alendronate, or both in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

CONTEXT Teriparatide increases both bone formation and bone resorption. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether combining teriparatide with an antiresorptive agent would alter its anabolic action. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a randomized controlled trial conducted in a single university hospital. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION We randomized 93 postmenopausal women with low bone mineral density (BMD) to alendronate 10 mg daily (group 1), teriparatide 40 microg sc daily (group 2), or both (group 3) for 30 months. Teriparatide was begun at month 6. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES BMD of the lumbar spine, proximal femur, proximal radius, and total body was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) every 6 months. Lumbar spine trabecular BMD was measured at baseline and month 30 by quantitative computed tomography. Serum osteocalcin, N-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen, and N-telopeptide levels were assessed frequently. Women who had at least one repeat DXA scan on therapy were included in the analyses (n = 69). RESULTS DXA spine BMD increased more in women treated with teriparatide alone than with alendronate alone (18 +/- 11 vs. 7 +/- 4%; P < 0.001) or both (18+/-11 vs. 12 +/- 9%; P = 0.045). Similarly, femoral neck BMD increased more in women treated with teriparatide alone than with alendronate alone (11 +/- 5 vs. 4 +/- 4%; P < 0.001) or both (11 +/- 5 vs. 3 +/- 5%; P < 0.001). Quantitative computed tomography spine BMD increased 1 +/- 7, 61 +/- 31, and 24 +/- 24% in groups 1, 2, and 3 (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Serum osteocalcin, N-terminal propeptide of type 1 collagen, and cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen increased more with teriparatide alone than with both (P < 0.001 for each marker). CONCLUSION Alendronate reduces the ability of teriparatide to increase BMD and bone turnover in women.
Estimating vaccination coverage for the trivalent measles–mumps–rubella vaccine from trivariate serological data

The effectiveness of childhood immunization programs depends on the vaccination coverage actually achieved. Routinely collected coverage data are not always available, and comparability between countries is often compromised because of different data collection methods. In 2000, Gay developed a method to estimate trivalent vaccination coverage from readily available trivariate serological data on the basis of parametric assumptions related to the rate of seroconversion for each vaccine component and probabilities of natural exposure to infection. Gay's work was indirectly published in a paper by Altmann and Altmann, who derived exact solutions for the parameters on the basis of Gay's modeling equations. In this paper, we propose a general likelihood‐based marginal model framework to extend Gay's model by relaxing two of its main assumptions. We use the Bahadur model for trivariate binary data to explicitly account for an association between the disease‐specific exposure probabilities. We fit several correlation structures to measles, mumps, and rubella serology from Belgium and Ireland. For both countries, we estimate a small positive pairwise exposure correlation, which improves the fit to the data. However, the effect on the estimated vaccination coverage and its associated variability is fairly moderate. For both Belgium and Ireland, all models reveal that the vaccination coverage achieved during the first 15 years since the introduction of measles, mumps, and rubella immunization is insufficient to eliminate measles. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A role for CK2 upon interkinetic nuclear migration in the cell cycle of retinal progenitor cells

In developing retina, the nucleus of the elongated neuroepithelial cells undergoes interkinetic nuclear migration (INM), that is it migrates back and forth across the proliferative layer during the cell cycle. S‐phase occurs at the basal side, while M‐phase occurs at the apical margin of the retinal progenitors. G1 and G2‐phases occur along the nuclear migration pathway. We tested whether this feature of the retinal cell cycle is controlled by CK2, which, among its many substrates, phosphorylates both molecular motors and cytoskeletal components. Double immunolabeling showed that CK2 is contained in BrdU‐labeled retinal progenitors. INM was examined after pulse labeling the retina of newborn rats with BrdU, by plotting nuclear movement from basal to apical sides of the retinal progenitors during G2. The CK2 specific inhibitor 4,5,6,7‐tetrabromobenzotriazole inhibited the activity of rat retinal CK2, and blocked nuclear movement proper in a dose‐dependent way. No apoptosis was detected, and total numbers of BrdU‐labeled nuclei remained constant following treatment. Immunohistochemistry showed that, following inhibition of CK2, the tubulin cytoskeleton is disorganized, with reduced acetylated and increased tyrosinated tubulin. This indicates a reduction in stable microtubules, with accumulation of free tubulin dimers. The results show that CK2 activity is required for INM in retinal progenitor cells. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2008
In situ degradability of fresh grass and grass conserved under different harvesting methods.

The effects of forage conservation and harvesting method on DM and CP degradability of grass cut at the boot stage were determined using nylon bags incubated in the rumen of two fistulated lactating cows. Samples of fresh grass, wilted grass prior to and after ensiling in a stack silo and cut with either a cylinder-type forage harvester (11.3 mm of length cut) or a self-loading wagon (42.4 mm of length cut), wilted grass prior to and after ensiling in large round bales, and grass hay were obtained from the same field and used for determination of DM and CP degradability. The DM-soluble fraction of fresh grass was significantly lower than that of wilted grass and silage, but it was higher than that of hay. In general, the potentially degradable fraction of all treatments was related inversely to the readily soluble fraction in water. The effective degradability of DM of fresh grass was similar to that of hay but was lower than that of wilted grass and silage. The effective degradability of DM of silage was higher than that of wilted grass and hay. The disappearance rate of CP of fresh grass was similar to that of wilted grass, hay, and silage. Silage had a lower disappearance rate of CP than wilted grass. The effective degradability of CP was similar for fresh and wilted grasses. Protein degradability was greater for silages than for fresh and wilted grasses. Protein degradability of hay was similar to that of fresh grass and wilted grass. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Executive dysfunctions in pedophilic and nonpedophilic child molesters.

INTRODUCTION There is some evidence that child molesters show neuropsychological abnormalities which might reflect specific structural and/or functional brain alterations, but there are also inconsistencies in the existing findings which need to be clarified. Most of the different outcomes can either be explained by the fact that different types of child molesters were examined or by not having accounted for basically confounding factors such as age, education/intelligence, or criminality. AIM The present study therefore sought to determine whether pedophilic and nonpedophilic child molesters, compared to relevant control groups, show different profiles of executive dysfunction when accounting for potentially confounding factors. METHODS The performance of 30 child molesters (15 pedophilic and 15 nonpedophilic) and 33 age- and education-matched controls (16 nonsexual offenders and 17 healthy controls) was assessed regarding several neuropsychological functions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Scores on different neurocognitive tests and semistructured diagnostical interviews. RESULTS Results indicate that pedophilic child molesters exhibited less performance deficits in cognitive functioning than nonpedophilic child molesters. Compared to healthy controls and nonsexual offenders, the pedophilic child molesters only showed executive dysfunction concerning response inhibition, whereas the nonpedophilic child molesters revealed more severe dysfunction, especially on tasks associated with cognitive flexibility and verbal memory. CONCLUSIONS These results enhance our knowledge about executive dysfunction associated with criminality and/or pedophilia, as they suggest different profiles of impairment between groups. In summary, data suggest that nonpedophilic child molesters showed more severe cognitive deficits than pedophilic child molesters. However, as response inhibition is associated with prefrontal (i.e., orbitofrontal) functioning, the deficits observed in both child molester groups indicate dysfunction in the orbitofrontal cortex. This has to be further examined with functional imaging approaches in larger samples and a full-factorial approach which allows for a clear distinction between criminality and pedophilia in a factorial manner.
Priorities for research on mental health in primary care settings

Synopsis A Delphi study was conducted with a multi-disciplinary group of experts attending a conference on mental illness in primary care settings. Respondents' priorities for research which could maximize benefits for service developments in this field were elicited by asking them to distribute hypothetical annual research budgets among (a) 6 mental health priority areas, and (b) 7 subjects ‘needing’ investigation within the primary care priority area. The respondents' three top-ranked priority areas for research were: (1) primary care; (2) the elderly mentally ill; and (3) chronically disabling mental illness. Their three top-ranked subjects for investigation within the primary care priority area were: (1) the effectiveness of treatment measures; (2) the problems of mental health presenting to primary care services; and (3) the training requirements for family doctors in psychiatric skills. The results are discussed with reference to the method used and to the economic concepts of programme budgeting and marginal analysis.
Two-Switch Forward Converter With Reset Winding and an Auxiliary Active-Clamp Circuit for a Wide Input Voltage Range

In this study, a two-switch forward converter with reset winding and an auxiliary active-clamp circuit for a wide input voltage range are proposed. The proposed converter offers simple reset scheme through reset winding, while retaining the reduced voltage stress on the switches. Hence, the operating duty ratio can be extended. Furthermore, it can also attain zero-voltage switching (ZVS) through the auxiliary active-clamp network when magnetizing inductor is properly designed. The operation principle of the proposed converter is analyzed. Analyses of the extended duty ratio and ZVS condition are then conducted in detail based on mode analysis. The performance of the proposed converter is evaluated using a 100-kHz 300-W/48-V prototype converter for an input voltage range of 200–400 V.