Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RETINAL MORPHOMETRY CHANGES MEASURED WITH SPECTRAL DOMAIN-OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY AFTER PAN-RETINAL PHOTOCOAGULATION IN PATIENTS WITH PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Purpose: To identify the effects of pan-retinal laser treatment on the integrity of neurosensory retinal layers. Methods: Patients were examined with fluorescence angiography after a standardized examination for diabetic retinopathy and a peripapillary ring scan with spectral domain optical coherence tomography. A single-session pan-retinal photocoagulation was performed using the PASCAL pattern scanning argon laser applying a minimum of 1,500 spots. Optical coherence tomography was evaluated more than 6 months. Results: Eighteen eyes of 12 consecutive patients with new onset, treatment-naive proliferative diabetic retinopathy secondary to diabetes Type 2 were treated and retinal optical coherence tomography morphology evaluated. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness increased statistically significantly from baseline to week 1, when it reached its peak. The combined thickness of the outer plexiform and the inner nuclear layers and the combined thickness of the inner plexiform and the ganglion cell layers showed no relevant changes. The combined thickness of the retinal pigment epithelium and the photoreceptor cell layers decreased at month 1 followed by a steady increase in thickness, which remained below baseline values over time. Conclusion: Pan-retinal photocoagulation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy leads to a slowly reversible, marked biological response with statistically significant morphometric changes detected by spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Swelling of the retinal nerve fiber and outer nuclear layers induce an increase in peripapillary total retinal thickness. Simultaneously, the photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium layers decrease in thickness. These changes indicate diffuse retinal inflammation after pan-retinal laser therapy.
Subacute constrictive pericarditis with cardiac tamponade.

A 26-year-old man with unsuspected reticulum cell sarcome presented as an instance of concurrent subacute constrictive pericarditis and cardiac amponad. Numerous remarkable features either obscured or illuminated the diagnosis. These included: a relatively acute history, fever, convulsions with elevated cerebrospinal fluid pressure, orthopnea, plethora, “Stokes’ collar” neck edema, pulsus paradoxus with initially high diastolic blood pressure, markedly raised systemic venous pressure, electric alternation of the heart responding to pericardiocentesis, disproportionate elevation of pericardial fluid LDH, unprecedented intolerance to post-pericardiocentesis air insufflation. A unique roentgenographic appearance of the induced pneumopericardium gave the essential clue for detection of the combined mechanical impediment of the heart.
Work in Progress: Self Evaluation Through Monitored Peer Review Using the Moodle Platform

We developed a module for the Moodle open-source eLearning platform through which undergraduate students can Build, Answer and Evaluate by blind peer review questions related to a course subject. In the first learning phase the students can build and submit questions. Selected questions are candidates for inclusion in later tests. After the test a reference solution and evaluation criteria is made public. The student's answers are then randomly distributed so that each student has to evaluate at least three of his peer's tests using double blind peer review. After all tests are cross-evaluated by the community of students, the system grades them by majority vote in each question. The need to: i) build meaningful questions; ii) present a correct answer; iii) state the evaluation criteria; iv) answer to subject-related questions; and finally v) evaluate; and vi) justify a grade attributed to a classmate, is a powerful community-aware context in which students develop competences on the subject's topic while simultaneously have to reason about their learning process
A single aspartate residue is involved in both intrinsic gating and blockage by Mg2+ of the inward rectifier, IRK1.

1. We describe the effects on channel function of changing an aspartate residue (Asp172) in a membrane‐spanning alpha‐helix of the murine inward rectifier, IRK1, by site‐directed mutagenesis. 2. Alteration of Asp172 to Glu (charged) or to Gln or Asn (polar but uncharged) produced functional channels showing inward rectification, though rectification was weaker with Gln and Asn. 3. Intrinsic gating around the potassium equilibrium potential, EK, was conserved only if the charge on residue 172 was conserved. Currents through channels with Gln or Asn in this position showed no time dependence under hyperpolarization. 4. The change from Asp to Gln also reduced the affinity for internal Mg2+ at least fivefold, indicating that Asp172 also forms part of the site for Mg2+ blockage. 5. The consequences for channel structure of Asp172 lining the pore are discussed.
High Speed Electro-Optic Polymeric Waveguide Devices With Low Switching Voltages and Thermal Drift

Experimental investigation of the feasibility of electro-optic (EO) polymeric devices is reported. A 2 × 2 latch-type EO multimode interference switch is shown to operate at 3.8 V with cross-talk 15 dB and switching time 6 ns. By introducing a macrocyclic polyether in the core for ion-trapping, thermal phase-drift of less than 1 radian for both 25°C and 70°C, after 500 hours of continuous operation, is achieved. This level of phase-drift suggests that EO polymers are attractive material platforms for practical photonic devices.
Viral DNA synthesized in vitro by avian retrovirus particles permeabilized with melittin. II. Evidence for a strand displacement mechanism in plus-strand synthesis

Analyses of the native DNA product of mellitin-activated avian retrovirus reverse transcription have revealed a unique structure. The vast majority of the molecules were linear, either 7.7 (genome) or 8.0 (extended genome) kilobases in length, and contained single-stranded DNA branches distributed throughout. These conclusions are based on electrophoretic properties of intact and restriction endonuclease-treated molecules before and after treatment with single-strand-specific nuclease S1. Preliminary data from linear viral DNA extracted from infected cells suggest that these molecules have a similar structure. The findings summarized in this report and those in the preceding paper indicated that the single-stranded branches are of positive polarity and are generated by a strand displacement mechanism. The existence of these branches suggests a role for strand displacement in replication and recombination.
Modeling predation processes in activated sludge

Predation by protozoa plays an important role in activated sludge. In this work, the kinetics for protozoan predation of active bacteria (XH), extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), and intracellular storage products (XSTO) are added into a previously expanded unified model that describes the dynamics of EPS, XSTO, and soluble microbial products (SMP). The new biomass growth–decay–predation model describes the biomass fractions, soluble organic components, and oxygen‐uptake rates considering EPS, XSTO, and predators during dynamic operating conditions in activated sludge. Model calibration using batch experimental data provides the new parameter values for predation processes and insights into mechanisms involving predators. The calibrated value of the maximum specific growth rate for the predators is much slower than for the bacteria, confirming that predators are relatively slow growers. However, the predators and bacteria have similar decay rates and dissolved oxygen affinities. Model testing with results independent of the calibration data shows two things. First, the model and calibrated parameters accurately simulate the independent results when predators are present. Second, eliminating predation by high salinity significantly lowers the OUR, and this is captured by the model. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;105: 1021–1030. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Piezoelectric switch to activate event-driven wireless sensor node by several Hz of vibration

The present study describes the MEMS-based piezoelectric switch to activate the event-driven wireless sensor node for chicken health monitoring system. We have fabricated the switch composed of “S” shaped piezoelectric cantilever and proof mass, where the resonance is 24 Hz. When the switch has been vibrated at 4, 6, 8, and 12 Hz, which is close to the chicken movement frequency, the input vibration was converted into the resonant one through superharmonic resonance leading to enough voltage to activate event-driven operation.
The effect of subcrestal placement of the polished surface of ITI implants on marginal soft and hard tissues.

In order to achieve esthetically more satisfying results, it has been proposed to place ITI implants with their border between the rough and smooth surfaces below the level of the alveolar crest, thereby obtaining a submucosally located implant shoulder following healing. The aim of the present experimental study was to clinically and radiographically evaluate the tissue response to the placement of one-stage transmucosal implants with the border between the rough and the smooth surfaces sunk by 1 mm into a subcrestal location. 11 patients underwent comprehensive dental care including the placement of 2 implants of the ITI Dental Implant System in the same quadrant (test and control). Randomly assigned control implants were placed according to the manufacturer's instructions, i.e. the border between the rough titanium plasma-sprayed and the smooth polished surfaces precisely at the alveolar crest. At the test implant the apical border of the polished surface was placed approximately 1 mm below the alveolar crest. Probing bone levels were assessed at implant placement (baseline), 4 and 12 months later. Modified plaque and modified gingival indices were recorded at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 12 months. Clinical probing depth and "attachment" levels were measured at 4 and 12 months. All parameters were assessed at 6 sites around each implant. The mean for each implant was calculated and used for analysis. The Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test and the Student t-test were applied to detect differences over time and between the test and control implants. At baseline, a mean difference in probing bone level of -0.86 mm (SD 0.43 mm, p < 0.05) was found between test and control implants with the test implants being placed more deeply. Both test and control implants lost a significant amount of clinical bone height during the first 4 months (test 1.16 mm, p < 0.05; control 0.58 mm, p < 0.05). However, only the test implants significantly lost clinical bone height from 4-12 months (test 1.04 mm, p < 0.05; control 0.45 mm, p = 0.08). Overall, the test implants lost 2.26 mm and the control implants 1.02 mm of bone height during the first year of service. On the average, the test implants demonstrated a bone level of 0.38 mm lower than the controls at 12 months. Except for the modified gingival index at 4 months (mean difference 0.21, SD 0.19, p < 0.05), no clinical parameters yielded significant differences between test and control implants at any time. It is concluded that in addition to the crestal bone resorption occurring at implants placed under standard conditions, the bone adjacent to the polished surface of more deeply placed ITI implants is also lost over time. From a biological point of view, the placement of the border between the rough and the smooth surfaces into a subcrestal location should not be recommended.
Interprocedural Specialization of Higher-Order Dynamic Languages Without Static Analysis

Function duplication is widely used by JIT compilers to efficiently implement dynamic languages. When the source language supports higher order functions, the called function's identity is not generally known when compiling a call site, thus limiting the use of function duplication. This paper presents a JIT compilation technique enabling function duplication in the presence of higher order functions. Unlike existing techniques, our approach uses dynamic dispatch at call sites instead of relying on a conservative analysis to discover function identity. We have implemented the technique in a JIT compiler for Scheme. Experiments show that it is efficient at removing type checks, allowing the removal of almost all the run time type checks for several benchmarks. This allows the compiler to generate code up to 50% faster. We show that the technique can be used to duplicate functions using other run time information opening up new applications such as register allocation based duplication and aggressive inlining.
Segmental translation after lumbar total disc replacement using Prodisc-L®: associated factors and relation to facet arthrosis.

BACKGROUND Segmental translation after lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) with ProDisc-L® prosthesis frequently observed radiographic findings during follow-up period. However its precise pathomechanism and relation with facet arthrosis have not been investigated yet. This study was performed to evaluate possible factors that affect postoperative segmental translation and to identify its relation with facet joint degeneration after lumbar TDR using ProDisc-L® prosthesis. METHODS Thirty-five consecutive patients, who underwent lumbar TDR using ProDisc-L®, completed minimum 24 months follow-up. Segmental translation was assessed postoperatively at 1 month and at least at 24 months by using dynamic plain radiograph. Segmental translation was assessed in relation to patient age, sex, change of functional spinal unit (FSU) height, segmental range of motion (ROM), global lumbar ROM, implanted level, relative prosthesis size and prosthesis position. The comparison of segmental translation between progressive facet arthrosis (PFA) group and non-PFA group was also made. RESULTS The mean segmental translation was 0.49±0.49 mm at 1 month after surgery and showed significant increase to 0.83±0.78 mm at last follow-up (P=0.014). Change of FSU height, segmental ROM, global lumbar ROM, implanted level and relative size of prosthesis were the significant factors among the variables related to segmental translation that authors assessed (P=0.032, P=0.000, P=0.001, P=0.046 and P=0.042, respectively). There was no significant intergroup difference of mean segmental translation between PFA group and non-PFA group (P=0.586). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that segmental translation after TDR using ProDisc-L® has significant relations with change of FSU height, segmental ROM, global lumbar ROM, implanted level and relative size of prosthesis. With the intergroup comparison, PFA group did not show significant higher segmental translation than non-PFA group.
Nice Mobile Services do not Fly. Observations of Mobile Services and the Finnish Consumers

When the short message service (SMS), was first initiated in 1992 nobody could foresee its tremendous popularity. Simple in design, easy to adapt and effortless to employ it rapidly became a profitable, matchless, globally used mobile service – referred to as a “killer application”. Ever since the quest for the next mobile service “killer application” has continued. Year after year the mobile service market(s) produce(s) new services and applications that due to complexity or lack of relevance fail to meet the consumers’ expectations. In this paper we will discuss three mobile services that commonly have been described as promising and innovative: mobile games, mobile television and snapshots with mobile phones, in an attempt to understand their potential for becoming successful services. We will study the Finnish mobile services market from two different viewpoints: on the one hand what Finnish experts and professionals on mobile commerce think the consumers want, and on the other hand, what the consumers actually use and will use in the future. In his way we will show some identifiable reasons for the discrepancies between mobile services offered and mobile services actually used. The analysis is based on our 2004-5 consumer surveys of mobile services combined with some insights from our 2004-5 Finnish expert studies on mobile commerce.
Alcohol use, condom use and partner type among heterosexual adolescents and young adults.

OBJECTIVE The present study examined the links between alcohol use and condom use, and the nature of the sexual relationship in which these behaviors occurred, and tested the notion that partner type suppresses the negative, direct effects of alcohol use on condom use. METHOD Data were collected as part of face-to-face interviews conducted with 1,417 (54% female) randomly selected young adults (aged 18-25 years) who had had sex in the past 6 months. RESULTS Using within-subjects analytic procedures, results showed that both drinking and condom use were more common with casual than with serious sexual partners, as expected. Moreover, consistent with the suppression hypothesis, the relationship between alcohol use and condom use became significant and negative only after controlling for partner type. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the interrelationships among partner type, alcohol use and condom use are complex and that the processes linking each pair of variables are best understood as part of a larger system of interconnected variables.
Overcoming Mixed-Gender Requirements Misspecification with the Modified Coherence Method

Research has identified significant differences between the communication patterns employed by males and females in all cultures. The variances in communication can lead to ineffective transfer of information from the user to an analyst in the system development process. The quality of the resulting system will primarily depend on the information that is verbalized to the system analyst by the system users during the requirements elicitation process. Therefore, coherence between the parties, especially within mixed gender dyads, is vital in understanding what the user would expect from the system to be developed. We explore these communication differences in an attempt to improve the understanding among both parties in overcoming issues arising from lack of themal coherence. After analyzing those differences, the modified coherence method is presented as a primary method in overcoming the language barriers encountered during the discourse between analyst and users during requirements elicitation.
Ectopic sebaceous gland: a developmental anomaly

Abstract: We report the case of a 21‐year‐old white male with an ectopic sebaceous gland and duct located within the bulb of an anagen hair follicle. This is an incidental finding in one of two biopsies from his chin, performed as part of the workup for a recalcitrant perioral acneiform eruption. The embryogenesis and development of sebaceous glands in human scalp hair follicles are reviewed. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such a developmental anomaly.
Overexpression of cyclin A but not Skp 2 correlates with the tumor relapse of human hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cyclin A is an S- and G2-M-phase regulatory protein, and its abnormal expression has been implicated in cellular transformation. This work was undertaken to investigate the frequency of cyclin A overexpression and the correlated clinical outcome in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, 12 of 31 (39%) patients exhibited cyclin A overexpression in their tumorous tissues, resulting from gene amplification in 6 of 12 patients, (post)transcription in 4 of 12 patients, and (post)translation in 2 of 12 patients. Patients who overexpressed cyclin A had significantly more tumor cells in the S and G2-M phases compared with those expressing a normal cyclin A level (P = 0.007 and 0.039, respectively). Increased levels of Skp 2, a cyclin A-interacting protein, were also found in 17 of 31 (55%) of HCC patients who showed a trend to have more S-phase tumor cells (P = 0.07). By an unpaired Student's t test and a Fisher's exact or chi2 analysis, overexpression of cyclin A had a strong correlation with elevated Skp 2 expression and increased alpha-fetoprotein levels (P = 0.001 and 0.009, respectively), but it was not associated with patients' age, tumor size, cirrhosis, or the positive detection of hepatitis B virus surface antigen. In the disease-free survival analysis, patients whose tumors overexpressed cyclin A had a median disease-free survival of 6 months, whereas patients who lacked cyclin A overexpression exhibited a longer median period of 29 months (P = 0.046). The overall survival analysis revealed the same trend, i.e., cyclin A-overexpressing patients had shorter overall survival periods (median, 12 versus 50 months; P = 0.09). By multivariate analysis, the correlation of cyclin A overexpression with shorter disease-free periods remained significant after adjustment for Skp 2 overexpression and alpha-fetoprotein induction (P = 0.019). These data suggest that overexpression of cyclin A can be an independent prognostic factor for the tumor relapse of human HCC.
Epoxidation of acrylonitrile by rat and human cytochromes P450.

The cytochromes P450 (P450) involved in the epoxidation of the rat carcinogen acrylonitrile (ACN) to the mutagen 2-cyanoethylene oxide (CEO) have been investigated in hepatic microsomes from F-344 rats and humans. Induction of P450 2E1 by acetone treatment increased the Vmax for rat microsomal CEO formation 5-fold, while ACN treatment had little effect. Treatment with beta-naphthoflavone, dexamethasone, and phenobarbital had little effect upon Vmax but increased the KM 3- to 5-fold. The P450 ligand 1-phenylimidazole and substrate ethanol were potent inhibitors of ACN epoxidation after all treatments. 2-(Diethylamino)ethyl 2,2-diphenylvalerate (SKF 525A; 0.1 mM) was not an effective inhibitor with microsomes from untreated or acetone-treated rats, but inhibited approximately 50% following dexamethasone or phenobarbital treatment. Antibodies to P450 2E1 inhibited > 85% of the ACN epoxidation activity in microsomes from untreated or beta-naphthoflavone- or acetone-treated rats, but only produced 40% and 60% inhibition following dexamethasone or phenobarbital treatments, respectively. These results indicate that P450 2E1 is the major catalyst of ACN epoxidation in untreated rats and that other forms of P450 can also epoxidize ACN. Diethyldithiocarbamate (0.1 mM) was a potent irreversible inhibitor of ACN epoxidation after all of the induction treatments, indicating that it is not specific for P450 2E1. Chlorzoxazone (2 mM) produced 75-90% inhibition after all of the induction treatments, indicating that it interacts with several rodent P450 isoforms in addition to 2E1. Human hepatic microsomes (n = 6) epoxidized ACN with Vmax'S ranging from 129 to 315 pmol of CEO formed/(min.mg of protein) and KM's from 12 to 18 microM. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A REVIEW OF SENTENCE COMPLETION METHODS IN PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT.

Abstract Theoretical and empirical support for a variety of sentence completion tests are examined. Reasons for and consequences of, variations in construction, administration, scoring and interpretation are considered. Much of the variation is apparently gratuitous and has retarded the development of a systematic body of information relevant to any one test. Generally, the S-C has been found to be a valuable clinical and research instrument that compares favorably in economy and power with other available psychometric devices.