Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predictors of live birth and pregnancy success after in vitro fertilization in infertile women aged 40 and over

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate pregnancy outcomes and the live birth rate at 1-year age increments in women aged ≥40 years undergoing fresh non-donor in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET), and to identify predictors of success in these patients. Methods This retrospective study was performed among women ≥40 years of age between 2004 and 2011. Of the 2,362 cycles that were conducted, ET was performed in 1,532 (73.1%). Results The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate in women ≥40 years significantly decreased with each year of increased age (p<0.001). Maternal age (odds ratio [OR], 0.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.540–0.769; p<0.001), basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (OR, 0.950; 95% CI, 0.903–0.999; p=0.047), the number of high-quality embryos (OR, 1.258; 95% CI, 1.005 –1.575; p=0.045), and the number of transferred embryos (OR, 1.291; 95% CI, 1.064 –1.566; p=0.009) were significant predictors of live birth. A statistically significant increase in live birth rates was seen when ≥3 embryos were transferred in patients 40 to 41 years of age, whereas poor pregnancy outcomes were seen in patients ≥43 years of age, regardless of the number of transferred embryos. Moreover, the cumulative live birth rate increased in patients 40 to 42 years of age with repeated IVF cycles, but the follicle-stimulating hormone in those ≥43 years of age rarely showed an increase. Conclusion IVF-ET has acceptable outcomes in those <43 years of age when a patient's own oocytes are used. Maternal age, basal FSH levels, and the number of high-quality embryos and transferred embryos are useful predictors of live birth.
Catalytic ferrous iron in amniotic fluid as a predictive marker of human maternal-fetal disorders

Amniotic fluid contains numerous biomolecules derived from fetus and mother, thus providing precious information on pregnancy. Here, we evaluated oxidative stress of human amniotic fluid and measured the concentration of catalytic Fe(II). Amniotic fluid samples were collected with consent from a total of 89 subjects in Nagoya University Hospital, under necessary medical interventions: normal pregnancy at term, normal pregnancy at the 2nd trimester, preterm delivery with maternal disorders but without fetal disorders, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, fetal growth restriction, pregnancy-induced hypertension, gestational diabetes mellitus, Down syndrome and trisomy 18. Catalytic Fe(II) and oxidative stress markers (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG; dityrosine) were determined with RhoNox-1 and specific antibodies, respectively, using plate assays. Levels of 8-OHdG and dityrosine were higher in the 3rd trimester compared with the 2nd trimester in normal subjects, and the abnormal groups generally showed lower levels than the controls, thus suggesting that they represent fetal metabolic activities. In contrast, catalytic Fe(II) was higher in the 2nd trimester than the 3rd trimester in the normal subjects, and overall the abnormal groups showed higher levels than the controls, suggesting that high catalytic Fe(II) at late gestation reflects fetal pathologic alterations. Notably, products of H2O2 and catalytic Fe(II) remained almost constant in amniotic fluid.
The Linear Behavior of the System Middle Cerebral Artery Flow Velocity and Blood Pressure in Patients With Migraine: Lack of Autonomic Control?

Background and Purpose— Migraine is considered a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. We used the frequency analysis of dynamic cerebral autoregulation to assess whether blood flow regulation disturbances can be found at the frequencies at which sympathetic and parasympathetic activity is present. Methods— We measured simultaneously mean arterial blood pressure (BP) and the mean blood velocity (V) in the middle cerebral artery using transcranial Doppler ultrasound in 33 healthy controls (mean age±SD; 36±13 years) and in 22 patients with migraine (mean age; 39±7 years). Apart from assessing spectral power density for BP and V, we calculated the transfer function parameters gain, phase, and coherence at the frequency range between 0.0 and 0.25 Hz. Results— Compared with the controls, the spectral power density of BP and V exhibited a maximum magnitude of 1026 in the migraine patients, whereas the maximum magnitude of BP and V in the controls was 10−3. Coherence showed no difference between patients and controls. Gain between BP and V increased in the controls >0.01 Hz but was ≈0 or negative in the migraine patients over the whole frequency range (P<0.01). The usually observed phase lead of V against BP was absent in the migraine patients in whom BP leaded V over nearly the whole frequency range (P<0.01). Conclusions— In terms of phase and gain, dynamic cerebral autoregulation is completely different in migraine patients compared with healthy subjects. Insofar, this can be interpreted as a lack of sympathetic and parasympathetic control of cerebral blood flow.
On the Relative Strength of Electric and Magnetic ULF Wave Radial Diffusion During the March 2015 Geomagnetic Storm

In this paper, we study electron radial diffusion coefficients derived from Pc4‐Pc5 ultralow frequency (ULF) wave power during the intense geomagnetic storm on 17–18 March 2015. During this storm the population of highly relativistic electrons was depleted within 2 hr of the storm commencement. This radial diffusion, depending upon the availability of source populations, can cause outward radial diffusion of particles and their loss to the magnetosheath, or inward transport and acceleration. Analysis of electromagnetic field measurements from Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES), Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) satellite, and ground‐based magnetometers shows that the main phase storm‐specific radial diffusion coefficients do not correspond to statistical estimates. Specifically, during the main phase, the electric diffusion ( DLLE ) is reduced, and the magnetic diffusion ( DLLB ) is increased, compared to empirical models based on Kp. Contrary to prior results, the main phase magnetic radial diffusion cannot be neglected. The largest discrepancies, and periods of dominance of DLLB over DLLE , occur during intervals of strongly southward IMF. However, during storm recovery, both magnetic and electric diffusion rates are consistent with empirical estimates. We further verify observationally, for the first time, an energy coherence for both DLLB and DLLE where diffusion coefficients do not depend on energy. We show that, at least for this storm, properly characterizing main phase radial diffusion, potentially associated with enhanced ULF wave magnetopause shadowing losses, cannot be done with standard empirical models. Modifications, associated especially with southward IMF, which enhance the effects of DLLB and introduce larger main phase outward transport losses, are needed.
Dynamics of Drilling Systems With an Antistall Tool: Effect on Rate of Penetration and Mechanical Specific Energy

This paper considers the effect of an antistall tool on the dynamics of deep drilling systems. Field results show that the antistall tool increased the rate of penetration (ROP) of drilling systems when compared with ROP in offset wells drilled without this tool. We developed a model–based approach to investigate the effect of this downhole tool on the ROP and on the mechanical specific energy. Toward this, a drillstring model including the antistall tool was constructed; it describes the coupled axial/torsional dynamics in the form of delay differential equations. Simulation results and a dynamic analysis based on averaging the obtained steady–state response show that an increased drilling efficiency was obtained using the antistall tool, resulting in a higher ROP.
Drug treatment at the end of life: An epidemiologic study in nursing homes

Abstract Objective. To examine drug treatment in nursing home patients at the end of life, and identify predictors of palliative drug therapy. Design. A historical cohort study. Setting. Three urban nursing homes in Norway. Subjects. All patients admitted from January 2008 and deceased before February 2013. Main outcome measures. Drug prescriptions, diagnoses, and demographic data were collected from electronic patient records. Palliative end-of-life drug treatment was defined on the basis of indication, drug, and formulation. Results. 524 patients were included, median (range) age at death 86 (19–104) years, 59% women. On the day of death, 99.4% of the study population had active prescriptions; 74.2% had palliative drugs either alone (26.9%) or concomitantly with curative/preventive drugs (47.3%). Palliative drugs were associated with nursing home, length of stay > 16 months (AOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.12–3.94), age (1.03, 1.005–1.05), and a diagnosis of cancer (2.12, 1.19–3.76). Most initiations of palliative drugs and withdrawals of curative/preventive drugs took place on the day of death. Conclusion. Palliative drug therapy and drug therapy changes are common for nursing home patients on the last day of life. Improvements in end-of-life care in nursing homes imply addressing prognostication and earlier response to palliative needs.
Conservation status of ten endemic trees from the Atlantic Forest in the south of Bahia - Brazil

The Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia, rich in tree species and with high levels of endemism, has been suffering a strong impact from intense habitat reductions caused by deforestation. The conservation status for ten tree species was assessed in the landscape comprised of “cabrucas”, or areas of cacao cultivation with thinned out forests and remaining forest fragments in the south of Bahia. For such, criteria adopted for elaborating red lists were applied, using material deposited in herbariums, field studies and existing records in literature as a basis. Most of the species had a very restricted geographic distribution with few collections recorded in herbariums. It also presented a generally low frequency and low density in the field. The Andreadoxa flava Kallunki species was considered extinct in the wild (EW), whereas Acanthosyris paulo-alvinii Barroso and Stephanopodium magnifolium Prance were classified as in critical risk (CR). Bracteanthus atlanticus Jangoux, Dimorphandra jorgei M. F. Silva, Harleyodendron unifoliolatum R. S. Cowan and Parinari alvimii Prance were considered endangered (EN), and Chrysophyllum splendens Spreng, Macrolobium latifolium Vogel and Stephanopodium blanchetianum Baill were classified as vulnerable (VU). The results indicated that these species are not being effectively preserved in the “cabrucas” and the remaining small forest fragments are very disturbed. Implementation of new protected areas in areas with more fertile soils can be important for the conservation of some endangered species.
The Vietnam Era Twin Registry

Abstract The Vietnam Era Twin (VET) Registry is composed of 7369 middle-aged male-male twin pairs both of whom served in the military during the time of the Vietnam conflict (1965–1975). The Registry is a United States Department of Veterans Affairs resource that was originally constructed from military records; the Registry has been in existence for more than 15 years. It is one of the largest national twin registries in the US and currently has subjects living in all 50 states. Initially formed to address questions about the long-term health effects of service in Vietnam the Registry has evolved into a resource for genetic epidemiologic studies of mental and physical health conditions. The management and administration of the VET Registry is described with particular attention given to the processes involved with database maintenance and study coordination. Several waves of mail and telephone surveys have collected a wealth of health-related information on Registry twins. More recent data collection efforts have focused on specific sets of twin pairs and conducted detailed clinical or laboratory testing. New Registry initiatives for the future include the construction of a web site and the development of a DNA repository.
Tumor suppressor p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and longevity, cancer survival, and risk of cancer in the general population

p53 is an important tumor suppressor, normally preventing cancer development via apoptosis. A genomic Arg72Pro substitution in the p53 protein has important influence on cell death via apoptosis, which could be beneficial. We therefore tested the hypotheses that this polymorphism influences longevity, survival after a cancer diagnosis, and risk of cancer in the general population. We examined a cohort of 9,219 participants ages 20–95 from the Danish general population with 100% follow-up. The overall 12-yr survival was increased in p53 Arg/Pro heterozygotes with 3% (P = 0.003) and in Pro/Pro homozygotes with 6% (P = 0.002) versus Arg/Arg homozygotes, corresponding to an increase in median survival of 3 yr for Pro/Pro versus Arg/Arg homozygotes. We also demonstrated an increased survival after the development of cancer, or even after the development of other life-threatening diseases, for Pro/Pro versus Arg/Arg homozygotes. The Arg72Pro substitution did not associate with decreased risk of cancer. In conclusion, in this large cohort from the general population, we show that a well-known functional single nucleotide polymorphism in the tumor suppressor p53 protein leads to increased longevity, but not to decreased risk of cancer. The increased longevity may be due to increased survival after a diagnosis of cancer or other life-threatening diseases.
New Scheduling Policy For Estimation Of Stationary Performance Characteristics In Single Server Queues With Inaccurate Job Size Information

The study of size-based and size-oblivious scheduling policies with inaccurate job size information appears nowadays to be an important direction of scientific studies because as recent research results show advantages of size-based policies can be saved even when the job sizes are not perfectly known a priori. This paper is focused on the same topic but touches upon a different question: is it possible to predict such estimates of system’s performance characteristics (for example, job’s mean sojourn time), that will be close to those which will be observed in practice, if the scheduler is provided only with the inaccurate information about the job size distribution? It is shown here that there are conditions under which the answer to the question is positive. A simple mathematical model (M/G/1 queueing system) of a top level view of a data-intensive execution engine is being proposed. It is shown that, in case of long-tailed service time distribution, a special service policy – Preemptive-Last-ComeFirst-Served with service time re-generation on arrival instants – allows one to obtain better upper bounds for job’s mean sojourn time than those achieved by common work conserving policies. Extensive numerical examples are presented.
Axillary recurrence in sentinel lymph node-negative breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) was developed to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) in the treatment of breast cancer. SLNB is predictive of axillary node status. Major concern is the occurrence of a false-negative SLN. Purpose of this study is to determine the rate of axillary recurrence in our series of unselected patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients with a negative SLNB from November 1999 to December 2006 have been treated and followed at our unit. Information on patients' characteristics, treatment and follow-up has been collected. RESULTS Eight-hundred and four patients with negative SLNB did not receive ALND. After a median follow-up of 38.8 months, 21 patients had distant metastases, four had axillary relapse, nine had an in-breast recurrence and two had both. All patients with axillary recurrence received axillary dissection and systemic adjuvant therapy. They are all presently alive and free from disease. CONCLUSION Data from this series, the largest from a general hospital, showed that isolated axillary node recurrence after negative SLNB is rare (<1%) and comparable with those reported from referral cancer institutions. We confirm that SLNB for the treatment of early breast cancer patients of a community-based hospital is safe and reliable.
A Model of Emergent Category-specific Activation in the Posterior Fusiform Gyrus of Sighted and Congenitally Blind Populations

Theories about the neural bases of semantic knowledge tend between two poles, one proposing that distinct brain regions are innately dedicated to different conceptual domains and the other suggesting that all concepts are encoded within a single network. Category-sensitive functional activations in the fusiform cortex of the congenitally blind have been taken to support the former view but also raise several puzzles. We use neural network models to assess a hypothesis that spans the two poles: The interesting functional activation patterns reflect the base connectivity of a domain-general semantic network. Both similarities and differences between sighted and congenitally blind groups can emerge through learning in a neural network, but only in architectures adopting real anatomical constraints. Surprisingly, the same constraints suggest a novel account of a quite different phenomenon: the dyspraxia observed in patients with semantic impairments from anterior temporal pathology. From this work, we suggest that the cortical semantic network is wired not to encode knowledge of distinct conceptual domains but to promote learning about both conceptual and affordance structure in the environment.
Virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes in human MRSA ST398 isolates in Austria

SUMMARY This study determined the genetic background of virulence and resistance genes of MRSA ST398 in Austria. From 2004 up to 2008 a total of 41 human isolates of MRSA ST398 were investigated for virulence and resistance gene patterns using DNA microarray chip analysis. Highly similar virulence gene profiles were found in 29 (70·7%) of the isolates but genes encoding Panton–Valentine leukocidin, enterotoxins, or toxic shock syndrome toxin were not detected. Genes conferring resistance to tetracycline and erythromycin-lincosamide were common as all but one of the isolates exhibited tetM and/or tetK, which are involved in tetracycline resistance, and 12 (29·9%) were positive for ermC, conferring resistance to erythromycin/lincosamide. SplitsTree analysis showed that 40 isolates were closely related. Changes in virulence and resistance gene patterns were minimal over the observed time period.
User-defined gestures for augmented reality

Recently there has been an increase in research of hand gestures for interaction in the area of Augmented Reality (AR). However this research has focused on developer designed gestures, and little is known about user preference and behavior for gestures in AR. In this paper, we present the results of a guessability study focused on hand gestures in AR. A total of 800 gestures have been elicited for 40 selected tasks from 20 partic-ipants. Using the agreement found among gestures, a user-defined gesture set was created to guide design-ers to achieve consistent user-centered gestures in AR.
A game-theoretic approach to deformable shape matching

We consider the problem of minimum distortion intrinsic correspondence between deformable shapes, many useful formulations of which give rise to the NP-hard quadratic assignment problem (QAP). Previous attempts to use the spectral relaxation have had limited success due to the lack of sparsity of the obtained “fuzzy” solution. In this paper, we adopt the recently introduced alternative L1 relaxation of the QAP based on the principles of game theory. We relate it to the Gromov and Lipschitz metrics between metric spaces and demonstrate on state-of-the-art benchmarks that the proposed approach is capable of finding very accurate sparse correspondences between deformable shapes.
Prednisone in COPD exacerbation requiring ventilatory support: an open-label randomised evaluation

Recommendation of the use of systemic steroids in chronic obstructive disease (COPD) exacerbation rely on trials that excluded patients requiring ventilatory support. In an open-label, randomised evaluation of oral prednisone administration, 217 patients with acute COPD exacerbation requiring ventilatory support were randomised (with stratification on the type of ventilation) to usual care (n=106) or to receive a daily dose of prednisone (1 mg·kg−1) for up to 10 days (n=111). There was no difference regarding the primary end-point, intensive care unit mortality, which was 17 (15.3%) deaths versus 15 (14%) deaths in the steroid-treated and control groups, respectively (relative risk 1.08, 95% CI 0.6–2.05). Analysis according to ventilation modalities showed similar mortality rates. Noninvasive ventilation failed in 15.7% and 12.7% (relative risk 1.25, 95% CI 0.56–2.8; p=0.59), respectively. Both study groups had similar median mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit length of stay, which were 6 (interquartile range 6–12) days versus 6 (3.8–12) days and 9 (6–14) days versus 8 (6–14) days, respectively. Hyperglycaemic episodes requiring initiation or alteration of current insulin doses occurred in 55 (49.5%) patients versus 35 (33%) patients in the prednisone and control groups, respectively (relative risk 1.5, 95% CI 1.08–2.08; p=0.015). Prednisone did not improve intensive care unit mortality or patient-centred outcomes in the selected subgroup of COPD patients with severe exacerbation but significantly increased the risk of hyperglycaemia. In COPD exacerbation needing ventilatory support, prednisone has no impact on ICU mortality or related patient outcome http://ow.ly/qxGq0
Fetal Exposure to High-Avidity TCR Ligand Enhances Expansion of Peripheral T Regulatory Cells1

Lately, it has become clear that regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a major role in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance and control of autoimmunity. Despite these critical functions, the process underlying the development of Tregs remains largely undefined. Herein, altered peptide ligand (APL) variants derived from the proteolipid protein-1 (PLP1) epitope were expressed on immunoglobulins (Igs) and the resulting Ig-APLs were used to deliver the APLs from mother to fetus through the maternal placenta to influence thymic T cell selection. This delivery system was then adapted to the SJL/J mouse, a strain that expresses only the DM20 form of PLP, which lacks the dominant PLP1 epitope in the thymus during fetal and neonatal development. This model, which restores thymic T cell selection for PLP1, was then used to determine whether affinity plays a role in the development of Tregs. The findings show that fetal exposure to low-affinity peptide ligand was unable to drive development of Tregs while variants with higher affinity to the TCR resulted in significant seeding of the periphery with mature, naive Tregs. Thus, contrary to pathogenic T cells, Tregs require avid TCR-ligand interaction to undergo thymic development and maturation.