Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Netrin-1 and Semaphorin 3A Predict the Development of Acute Kidney Injury in Liver Transplant Patients

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication after liver transplantation. Currently there are no validated biomarkers available for early diagnosis of AKI. The current study was carried out to determine the usefulness of the recently identified biomarkers netrin-1 and semaphorin 3A in predicting AKI in liver transplant patients. A total of 63 patients’ samples were collected and analyzed. AKI was detected at 48 hours after liver transplantation using serum creatinine as a marker. In contrast, urine netrin-1 (897.8±112.4 pg/mg creatinine), semaphorin 3A (847.9±93.3 pg/mg creatinine) and NGAL (2172.2±378.1 ng/mg creatinine) levels were increased significantly and peaked at 2 hours after liver transplantation but were no longer significantly elevated at 6 hours after transplantation. The predictive power of netrin-1, as demonstrated by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for diagnosis of AKI at 2, 6, and 24 hours after liver transplantation was 0.66, 0.57 and 0.59, respectively. The area under the curve for diagnosis of AKI was 0.63 and 0.65 for semaphorin 3A and NGAL at 2 hr respectively. Combined analysis of two or more biomarkers for simultaneous occurrence in urine did not improve the AUC for the prediction of AKI whereas the AUC was improved significantly (0.732) only when at least 1 of the 3 biomarkers in urine was positive for predicting AKI. Adjusting for BMI, all three biomarkers at 2 hours remained independent predictors of AKI with an odds ratio of 1.003 (95% confidence interval: 1.000 to 1.006; P = 0.0364). These studies demonstrate that semaphorin 3A and netrin-1 can be useful early diagnostic biomarkers of AKI after liver transplantation.
The model for public television and the young audience’s expectations. Differences between Great Britain and Spain in the perception of qualities and obligations

Public service media (PSM) are in crisis throughout Europe. As a scenario for research, the two extremes of the background have been chosen: the first, BBC , is at the heart of media system, has become a model for the others and has just finished the particularly delicate challenge of renewal the fundamental law that is to rule over the next ten years; the second is on the periphery of public television, and in the extreme circumstances in Spain that have driven some of the television corporations to extinction, such as Canal 9 - Radiotelevisio Valenciana ( RTVV ). Using a method based on the use of semi-structured interviews and Delphi, the conception of these media models among their respective audiences is explored.
Toward an MRI-based method to measure non-uniform cartilage deformation: an MRI-cyclic loading apparatus system and steady-state cyclic displacement of articular cartilage under compressive loading.

Recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have shown potential for measuring non-uniform deformations throughout the volume (i.e. three-dimensional (3D) deformations) in small orthopedic tissues such as articular cartilage. However, to analyze cartilage deformation using MRI techniques, a system is required which can construct images from multiple acquisitions of MRI signals from the cartilage in both the underformed and deformed states. The objectives of the work reported in this article were to 1) design an apparatus that could apply highly repeatable cyclic compressive loads of 400 N and operate in the bore of an MRI scanner, 2) demonstrate that the apparatus and MRI scanner can be successfully integrated to observe 3D deformations in a phantom material, 3) use the apparatus to determine the load cycle necessary to achieve a steady-state deformation response in normal bovine articular cartilage samples using a flat-surfaced and nonporous indentor in unconfined compression. Composed of electronic and pneumatic components, the apparatus regulated pressure to a double-acting pneumatic cylinder so that (1) load-controlled compression cycles were applied to cartilage samples immersed in a saline bath, (2) loading and recovery periods within a cycle varied in time duration, and (3) load magnitude varied so that the stress applied to cartilage samples was within typical physiological ranges. In addition the apparatus allowed gating for MR image acquisition, and operation within the bore of an MRI scanner without creating image artifacts. The apparatus demonstrated high repeatability in load application with a standard deviation of 1.8% of the mean 400 N load applied. When the apparatus was integrated with an MRI scanner programmed with appropriate pulse sequences, images of a phantom material in both the underformed and deformed states were constructed by assembling data acquired through multiple signal acquisitions. Additionally, the number of cycles to reach a steady-state response in normal bovine articular cartilage was 49 for a total cycle duration of 5 seconds, but decreased to 33 and 27 for increasing total cycle durations of 10 and 15 seconds, respectively. Once the steady-state response was achieved, 95% of all displacements were within +/- 7.42 microns of the mean displacement, indicating that the displacement response to the cyclic loads was highly repeatable. With this performance, the MRI-loading apparatus system meets the requirements to create images of articular cartilage from which 3D deformation can be determined.
Leisure-time centres: social pedagogical tradition in educational practice

ABSTRACT This article is positioned in the context of a discussion about an increasing focus on quality in education. The aim of the article is to explore discourses enacted in Systematic Quality Work (SQW) in municipalities and leisure-time centres. In Sweden, SQW comes within the statutory obligations of municipals and leisure-time centres and constitutes a significant part of teachers’ work. The article explores how local policy-makers, a principal, and two teachers enact SQW policy and transform it into practice. The findings are discussed as recontextualized discourses, norms, and traditions in the various actors’ enactment of SQW in discursive practices. Educational discourse is recontextualized in the studied municipalities, highlighting the norms according to routines and models of SQW in compulsory schools. When SQW is recontextualized in the leisure-time centre, a social pedagogical discourse that highlights children’s social and relational learning is reproduced.
Multiview point cloud filtering for spatiotemporal consistency

This work presents algorithms to resample and filter point cloud data reconstructed from multiple cameras and multiple time instants. In an initial resampling stage, a voxel or a surface mesh based approach resamples the point cloud data into a common sampling grid. Subsequently, the resampled data undergoes a filtering stage based on clustering to remove artifacts and achieve spatiotemporal consistency across cameras and time instants. The presented algorithms are evaluated in a view synthesis scenario. Results show that view synthesis with enhanced depth maps as produced by the algorithms leads to less artifacts than synthesis with the original source data.
Clinical outcome for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in extremely elderly patients

Purpose Extremely elderly patients who present with complicated gallstone disease are less likely to undergo definitive treatment. The use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in older patients is complicated by comorbid conditions that are concomitant with advanced age and may increase postoperative complications and the frequency of conversion to open surgery. We aimed to evaluate the results of LC in patients (older than 80 years). Methods We retrospectively analyzed 302 patients who underwent LC for acute cholecystitis between January 2011 and December 2013. Total patients were divided into three groups: group 1 patients were younger than 65 years, group 2 patients were between 65 and 79 years, and group 3 patients were older than 80 years. Patient characteristics were compared between the different groups. Results The conversion rate was significantly higher in group 3 compared to that in the other groups. Hematoma in gallbladder fossa and intraoperative bleeding were higher in group 3, the difference was not significant. Wound infection was not different between the three groups. Operating time and postoperative hospital stay were significantly higher in group 3 compared to those in the other groups. There was no reported bile leakage and operative mortality. Preoperative percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were performed more frequently in group 3 than in the other groups. Conclusion LC is safe and feasible. It should be the gold-standard approach for extremely elderly patients with acute cholecystitis.
Performance and Delay Analysis of Hybrid ARQ With Incremental Redundancy Over Double Rayleigh Fading Channels

In this paper, we study the performance of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) with incremental redundancy over double Rayleigh channels, a common model for the fading amplitude of vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems. We investigate the performance of HARQ from an information theoretic perspective. Analytical expressions are derived for the e-outage capacity, the average number of transmissions, and the average transmission rate of HARQ with incremental redundancy assuming a maximum number of HARQ rounds. Moreover, we evaluate the delay experienced by Poisson arriving packets for HARQ with incremental redundancy. We provide analytical expressions for the expected waiting time, the packet's sojourn time in the queue, the average consumed power, and the energy efficiency. In our study, the communication rate per HARQ round is adjusted to the average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) such that a target outage probability is not exceeded. This setting conforms with communication systems in which a quality of service is expected regardless of the channel conditions. Our analysis underscores the importance of HARQ in improving the spectral efficiency and reliability of communication systems. We demonstrate as well that the explored HARQ scheme achieves full diversity. Additionally, we investigate the tradeoff between energy efficiency and spectral efficiency.
High dimensional gaussian classification

High dimensional data analysis is known to be as a challenging problem. In this article, we give a theoretical analysis of high dimensional classification of Gaussian data which relies on a geometrical analysis of the error measure. It links a problem of classification with a problem of nonparametric regression. We give an algorithm designed for high dimensional data which appears straightforward in the light of our theoretical work, together with the thresholding estimation theory. We finally attempt to give a general treatment of the problem that can be extended to frameworks other than gaussian.
Variable Nitrogen Fixation in Wild Populus

The microbiome of plants is diverse, and like that of animals, is important for overall health and nutrient acquisition. In legumes and actinorhizal plants, a portion of essential nitrogen (N) is obtained through symbiosis with nodule-inhabiting, N2-fixing microorganisms. However, a variety of non-nodulating plant species can also thrive in natural, low-N settings. Some of these species may rely on endophytes, microorganisms that live within plants, to fix N2 gas into usable forms. Here we report the first direct evidence of N2 fixation in the early successional wild tree, Populus trichocarpa, a non-leguminous tree, from its native riparian habitat. In order to measure N2 fixation, surface-sterilized cuttings of wild poplar were assayed using both 15N2 incorporation and the commonly used acetylene reduction assay. The 15N label was incorporated at high levels in a subset of cuttings, suggesting a high level of N-fixation. Similarly, acetylene was reduced to ethylene in some samples. The microbiota of the cuttings was highly variable, both in numbers of cultured bacteria and in genetic diversity. Our results indicated that associative N2-fixation occurred within wild poplar and that a non-uniformity in the distribution of endophytic bacteria may explain the variability in N-fixation activity. These results point to the need for molecular studies to decipher the required microbial consortia and conditions for effective endophytic N2-fixation in trees.
User Cost Elasticity of Capital Revisited

Researchers still lack consensus about the size of the user cost elasticity of capital. The divergence in prior estimates may have arisen because one of the two strands of research has neglected cointegration among capital, its user costs, and sales. Using German firm-level panel data, I show that estimating a distributed lag model, prevalent in prior literature, leads to low estimates of the user cost elasticity. Properly accounting for cointegration in an error correction model yields a much larger point estimate of the price elasticity of capital (close to −1). Non-random sample attrition is found to be relatively unimportant.
Constructing minority representation : empirical-theoretical study

Performance and performativity are deeply entwined in political representation. This research explores the performance of minority representation – i.e., how representatives from ethnic minority backgrounds shape their positions and deliver their claims about and for minorities depending on the audience they address – and the performativity of their representative claims – i.e., how they contribute to the construction of ethnic identities and interests, which they purportedly merely describe or present. In doing so, the thesis reuses, tests and expands the increasingly influential theoretical understanding of representation as claim-making, while, at the same time, it effects a much-needed constructivist turn in the empirical study of the representation of ethnic minorities. In theoretical terms, the dissertation argues that the categories of descriptive and substantive representation remain essential to the study of minority representation. Its contribution to the theoretical literature is in reconceptualising these categories in line with the constructivist turn. The constructivist understanding of political representation has had considerable theoretical impact, but limited operationalization and empirical application. When applied to the study of group representation, the representation of gender has commanded attention. The thesis breaks new ground in applying it to the study of the representation of minority ethnic groups, a field in which the traditional understanding of representation as responsiveness to the pre-given demands and interests of constituents remains dominant. Focusing on two similar cases where ethnicity has been historically and institutionally constructed as a relevant feature to be represented in political forums, this thesis shows that rather than factors determining the behaviour of representatives, institutional and cultural backgrounds can be, and are often, deployed creatively as resources in the claim-making process whereby ethnic identifications are produced and reproduced over time.
On the tidal evolution of the orbits of low-mass satellites around black holes

Context. Low-mass satellites, like asteroids and comets, are expected to be present around the black hole at the Galactic center. We consider small bodies orbiting a black hole, and we study the evolution of their orbits due to tidal interaction with the black hole. Aims. In this paper we investigate the consequences of the existence of plunging orbits when a black hole is present. We are interested in finding the conditions that exist when capture occurs. Methods. Earlier analysis of the evolution of classical Keplerian orbits was extended to relativistic orbits around a Schwarzschild black hole. Results. The main difference between the Keplerian and black hole cases is in the existence of plunging orbits. Orbital evolution, leading from bound to plunging orbits, goes through a “final” unstable circular orbit. On this orbit, tidal energy is released on a characteristic black hole timescale. Conclusions. This process may be relevant for explaining how small, compact clumps of material can be brought onto plunging orbits, where they may produce individual short duration accretion events. The available energy and the characteristic timescale are consistent with energy released and the timescale typical of Galactic flares.
Inconsistency Detection between UML Models Using RACER and nRQL Ragnhild

An object-oriented software design consists of models that embody a consistent view on the software system under study. We focus on design models expressed in the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and more specifically on class, state machine and sequence diagrams. In this paper, we report on our experiences in using RACER and its New Racer Query Language (nRQL) for detecting inconsistencies between models. By means of a simple, yet representative, example we show how different representations in RACER are used for the detection of inconsistencies. As such, the full power of both T-box and A-box reasoning is used in the context of inconsistency detection.
An unconditionally stable scheme for the finite-difference time-domain method

In this work, we propose a numerical method to obtain an unconditionally stable solution for the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method for the TE/sub z/ case. This new method does not utilize the customary explicit leapfrog time scheme of the conventional FDTD method. Instead we solve the time-domain Maxwell's equations by expressing the transient behaviors in terms of weighted Laguerre polynomials. By using these orthonormal basis functions for the temporal variation, the time derivatives can be handled analytically, which results in an implicit relation. In this way, the time variable is eliminated from the computations. By introducing the Galerkin temporal testing procedure, the marching-on in time method is replaced by a recursive relation between the different orders of the weighted Laguerre polynomials if the input waveform is of arbitrary shape. Since the weighted Laguerre polynomials converge to zero as time progresses, the electric and magnetic fields when expanded in a series of weighted Laguerre polynomials also converge to zero. The other novelty of this approach is that, through the use of the entire domain-weighted Laguerre polynomials for the expansion of the temporal variation of the fields, the spatial and the temporal variables can be separated.
Soil Physical Changes Associated with Forest Harvesting Operations on an Organic Soil

The influence of forest operations on forest soil and water continues to be an issue of concern in forest management. Research has focused on evaluating forest operation effects on numerous soil and water quality indicators. However, poorly drained forested watersheds with organic soil surface horizons have not been extensively investigated. A study was initiated in the Tidewater region of North Carolina to gain a better understanding of the impact of harvesting operations on poorly drained organic soils. Soils on the study site, having . 80% organic matter (OM) content to a depth of 60 cm below the soil surface, were classified as shallow organic soils. Soil physical properties were examined by collecting soil cores from control and treatment watersheds in a nested design. Compaction caused by the harvest operation increased bulk density (Db) from 0.22 to 0.27 g cm 23 , decreased saturated hydraulic conductivity (ksat) from 397 to 82 cm h 21 , and decreased the drained volume for a given water table depth. However, Db following the harvest remained low at 0.27 g cm 23 . The drained volume at equilibrium following the lowering of the water table from the soil surface to a depth of 200 cm was reduced by 10% from that of control watershed as a result of harvesting. NCREASED DEMAND for timber products has resulted in management practices to increase productivity of the current forestland base. The USA supplies 25% of the worldwide demand for timber products. Forests within the southern USA are some of the most productive forests in the world, supplying 60% of all timber products in the nation (Prestemon and Abt, 2002). Increased productivity of southern forest can be attributed largely to the increased utilization of intensive forest management practices over the past 25 yr. Site preparation, thinning, harvesting, and fertilization are forest operations typically associated with intensive management. Commonly, these forest operations involve large mechanized equipment to perform management activities. Previous soil investigations on forest operations have focused on effects of varying operational procedures on
Ages and career stages: Considerations in providing support for mid-late career stage doctoral students

Abstract This article raises two inter-related issues: firstly there is a correlation between the needs of doctoral students that are strongly related to age and career stage; and secondly, because these needs differ according to their demographic, the current discourse of developing work-readiness skills of doctoral students is misplaced for the growing cohort of mid and late career students. This article draws on data from a recent qualitative study into supervision in doctoral studies in social science disciplines in Australia. The data-set for this article comes from 10 close-to-completion doctoral students. This article argues that it is the mid-career candidates (35–44 years of age) who are least well-served by the focus on work-readiness skills and this discourse serves to reinforce a deficit model where prior knowledge and experience are undervalued. This impacts negatively on the self-efficacy of this cohort by undermining established professional identities and consequently diminishing agency.
Diversity, Ecology and Biogeochemistry of Cyst-Forming Acantharia (Radiolaria) in the Oceans

Marine planktonic organisms that undertake active vertical migrations over their life cycle are important contributors to downward particle flux in the oceans. Acantharia, globally distributed heterotrophic protists that are unique in building skeletons of celestite (strontium sulfate), can produce reproductive cysts covered by a heavy mineral shell that sink rapidly from surface to deep waters. We combined phylogenetic and biogeochemical analyses to explore the ecological and biogeochemical significance of this reproductive strategy. Phylogenetic analysis of the 18S and 28S rRNA genes of different cyst morphotypes collected in different oceans indicated that cyst-forming Acantharia belong to three early diverging and essentially non symbiotic clades from the orders Chaunacanthida and Holacanthida. Environmental high-throughput V9 tag sequences and clone libraries of the 18S rRNA showed that the three clades are widely distributed in the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at different latitudes, but appear prominent in regions of higher primary productivity. Moreover, sequences of cyst-forming Acantharia were distributed evenly in both the photic and mesopelagic zone, a vertical distribution that we attribute to their life cycle where flagellated swarmers are released in deep waters from sinking cysts. Bathypelagic sediment traps in the subantarctic and oligotrophic subtropical Atlantic Ocean showed that downward flux of Acantharia was only large at high-latitudes and during a phytoplankton bloom. Their contribution to the total monthly particulate organic matter flux can represent up to 3%. High organic carbon export in cold waters would be a putative nutritional source for juveniles ascending in the water column. This study improves our understanding of the life cycle and biogeochemical contribution of Acantharia, and brings new insights into a remarkable reproductive strategy in marine protists.