Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Randomized prospective trial comparing immediate versus delayed ureteroscopy for patients with ureteral calculi and normal renal function who present to the emergency department.

PURPOSE To compare the safety and efficacy of emergency vs scheduled ureteroscopy with a prospective study that included patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) with renal colic from ureteral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS There were 271 consecutive patients who were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients were randomized to emergency ureteroscopy (group A) or delayed ureteroscopy (group B). All patients underwent helical unenhanced CT (HUCT). Stone-free status was defined as the complete absence of residual fragments at 1 week postoperatively, assessed with HUCT, with no need for ancillary interventions after ureteroscopy. RESULTS Group A included 139 assessable patients. The overall stone-free rate was 93%. Neither location nor size was a significant prognostic factor (P>0.05). Single-session ureteroscopy failed to clear nine ureteral stones. A Double-J stent was placed in 27/139 patients. Group B included 100 assessable patients. Patients in the control group were scheduled for ureteroscopy after their departure from the ED. The overall stone-free rate was 90%. Single-session ureteroscopy failed to clear 10 ureteral stones. A Double-J stent was placed in 80/100 patients. There were no statistical differences with regard to stone diameter and location, complications, and stone-free rate between group A and group B patients. The rate of Double-J stent positioning was significantly higher (P<0.05) in group B patients. CONCLUSIONS In our experience, emergency ureteroscopy showed equal efficacy and safety compared with the elective procedure. It has the main advantage of providing both immediate relief from pain and stone fragmentation.
Towards Automatic Classification of Discourse Elements in Essays

Educators are interested in essay evaluation systems that include feedback about writing features that can facilitate the essay revision process. For instance, if the thesis statement of a student's essay could be automatically identified, the student could then use this information to reflect on the thesis statement with regard to its quality, and its relationship to other discourse elements in the essay. Using a relatively small corpus of manually annotated data, we use Bayesian classification to identify thesis statements. This method yields results that are much closer to human performance than the results produced by two baseline systems.
Attack Scenario Modeling for Smart Grids Assessment through Simulation

Smart Grids (SGs) are Critical Infrastructures (CI), which are responsible for controlling and maintaining the distribution of electricity. To manage this task, modern SGs integrate an Information and Communication Infrastructure (ICT) beside the electrical power grid. Aside from the benefits derived from the increasing control and management capabilities offered by the ICT, unfortunately the introduction of this cyber layer provides an attractive attack surface for hackers. As a consequence, security becomes a fundamental prerequisite to be fulfilled. In this context, the adoption of Systems Engineering (SE) tools combined with Modeling and Simulation (M&S) techniques represent a promising solution to support the evaluation process of a SG during early design stages. In particular, the paper investigates on the identification, modeling and assessment of attacks in SG environments, by proposing a model for representing attack scenarios as a combination of attack types, attack schema and their temporal occurrence. Simulation techniques are exploited to enable the execution of such attack combinations in the SG domain. Specifically, a simulator, which allows to assess the SG behaviour to identify possible flaws and provide preventive actions before its realization, is developed on the basis of the proposed model and exemplified through a case study.
Beneficial effects of mycophenolate mofetil on cardiotoxicity induced by tacrolimus in wistar rats

The immunosuppressive drug tacrolimus (TAC) is used clinically to reduce the rejection rate in transplant patients. TAC has contributed to an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease in patients receiving solid organ transplantation. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), a potent inhibitor of de novo purine synthesis, is known to prevent ongoing rejection in combination with TAC. In the present study, we investigated the antioxidant and antigenotoxic effect of MMF on TAC-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Oral administration of TAC at 2.4, 24, and 60 mg/kg b.w. corresponding, respectively, to 1, 10, and 25% of LD50 for 24 h caused cardiac toxicity in a dose-dependant manner. TAC increased significantly DNA damage level in hearts of treated rats. Furthermore, it increased malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels and decreased catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. The oral administration of MMF at 50 mg/kg b.w. simultaneously with TAC at 60 mg/kg b.w. proved a significant cardiac protection by decreasing DNA damage, MDA, and PC levels, and by increasing the antioxidant activities of CAT and SOD. Thus, our study showed, for the first time, the protective effect of MMF against cardiac toxicity induced by TAC. This protective effect was mediated via an antioxidant process.
Sexual Desire and Relationship Functioning: The Effects of Marital Satisfaction and Power

The present study examined the association among marital satisfaction, marital power, and sexual desire in a sample of 60 community couples. We predicted that marital satisfaction would be positively correlated with sexual desire and that this association would be moderated by marital power, such that marital satisfaction would be more strongly correlated with sexual desire among individuals who perceive themselves as having less power in their relationship. Results indicated that marital satisfaction was significantly associated with sexual desire, but there was no evidence for the moderating effects of various forms of marital power.
Yttrium 90 radioembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: Biological lessons, current challenges, and clinical perspectives

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is the 6th most common malignancy diagnosed worldwide(1). Late stage presentation, co-morbidities, and limited donor availability enables only 10% of patients to receive curative therapies. Hence, there exists a critical need for novel treatments addressing HCC at all stages. During the last decade, several transarterial locoregional therapies have been developed. One of these, Yttrium-90(Y90) radioembolization, has matured into a recognized treatment option, with a demonstration of a clear palliative role by inducing necrosis and delaying progression(2-8). This overview will describe the biological rationale for Y90, highlight seminal data, propose research questions and discuss the future role of Y90 in HCC.
From "Think Like a Vertex" to "Think Like a Graph"

To meet the challenge of processing rapidly growing graph and network data created by modern applications, a number of distributed graph processing systems have emerged, such as Pregel and GraphLab. All these systems divide input graphs into partitions, and employ a "think like a vertex" programming model to support iterative graph computation. This vertex-centric model is easy to program and has been proved useful for many graph algorithms. However, this model hides the partitioning information from the users, thus prevents many algorithm-specific optimizations. This often results in longer execution time due to excessive network messages (e.g. in Pregel) or heavy scheduling overhead to ensure data consistency (e.g. in GraphLab). To address this limitation, we propose a new "think like a graph" programming paradigm. Under this graph-centric model, the partition structure is opened up to the users, and can be utilized so that communication within a partition can bypass the heavy message passing or scheduling machinery. We implemented this model in a new system, called Giraph++, based on Apache Giraph, an open source implementation of Pregel. We explore the applicability of the graph-centric model to three categories of graph algorithms, and demonstrate its flexibility and superior performance, especially on well-partitioned data. For example, on a web graph with 118 million vertices and 855 million edges, the graph-centric version of connected component detection algorithm runs 63X faster and uses 204X fewer network messages than its vertex-centric counterpart.
A Systematic Approach to Synthesizing Multi-Input DC/DC Converters

The objective of this paper is to propose a general approach to developing multi-input converters (MICs). The derived MICs can deliver power from all of the input sources to the load either individually or simultaneously, without using coupled transformers. By analyzing the topologies of the six basic pulse-width modulation (PWM) converters, the method for synthesizing an MIC is inspired by adding an extra pulsating voltage or current source to a PWM converter with appropriate connection. As a result, the pulsating voltage source cells (PVSCs) and the pulsating current source cells (PCSCs) are proposed for deriving MICs. According to the presented synthesizing rules, two families of MICs, including quasi-MICs and duplicated MICs, are generated by introducing the PVSCs and the PCSCs into the six basic PWM converters.
Stock Return Predictability, Conditional Asset Pricing Models and Portfolio Selection

I examine an investor’s portfolio allocation problem across multiple risky assets in the presence of return predictability when, in addition to the predictability evidence, the investor uses conditional asset pricing models to guide him in the portfolio selection decision. I also explore how the uncertainty associated with the model dynamics affects the investor’s optimal portfolio. To analyze this, I introduce Bayesian techniques that have not been used before in the asset pricing literature. Using a market index and a small capitalization or a value portfolio, I find that the sample evidence on predictability plays a major role in the investor’s portfolio allocation decision. The optimal portfolio also depends on his beliefs about the extent to which this predictability can be attributed to time variation in risk premia and betas. Finally, I show that the portfolio allocation decision is also affected by the investor’s uncertainty about the beta risk dynamics.
Maternal food consumption during pregnancy and asthma, respiratory and atopic symptoms in 5-year-old children

Background: Associations between maternal vitamin E, vitamin D and zinc intakes during pregnancy and asthma, wheeze and eczema in 5-year-old children have previously been reported. A study was undertaken to investigate whether maternal intake of specific foods during pregnancy is associated with asthma and allergic outcomes in the same children. Methods: A longitudinal birth cohort study was conducted in 1924 children born to women recruited during pregnancy. Maternal diet during pregnancy was assessed by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Cohort children were followed up at 5 years by symptom questionnaire and FFQ. Food groups of interest were fruit, vegetables, fruit juice, whole grain products, fish, dairy products and fat spreads. Trends across outcome groups defined by level of food intake are presented. Results: 1253 children participated at 5 years and maternal FFQ data were available for 1212. No consistent associations were found between childhood outcomes and maternal intake of the analysed foods except for apples and fish. Maternal apple intake was beneficially associated with ever wheeze (OR highest vs lowest tertile 0.63, 95% CI 0.42 to 0.95), ever asthma (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.92) and doctor-confirmed asthma (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.82) in the children. Maternal fish consumption was beneficially associated with doctor-confirmed eczema (OR ⩾1/week vs never 0.57, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.92). Conclusion: There was no evidence for associations between maternal intake of most foods during pregnancy and asthma, respiratory and allergic outcomes in 5-year-old children, except for apples and fish. Consumption of apples and fish during pregnancy may have a protective effect against the development of childhood asthma and allergic disease.
Association of plasma adiponectin levels with cellular hydration state measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with COPD

Background It is widely recognized that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes a variety of extra pulmonary complications and comorbidities. Recently, adiponectin was shown to regulate cellular metabolism in humans. Cellular hydration state is affected by a variety of hormonal factors and regulates cellular metabolic state. Therefore, this study was designed to determine whether adiponectin is a possible factor involved in cellular hydration state in COPD. Methods Thirty patients with COPD and 41 age-matched controls participated in the study. Plasma levels of total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin were measured and anthropometry and pulmonary function tests were conducted. Intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW), and ECW/ICW ratio, which are parameters of cellular hydration state, were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results Higher levels of total and HMW adiponectin in plasma were found in patients with COPD compared with levels in controls. A significant inverse correlation was observed between body mass index and plasma levels of total and HMW adiponectin in the control group. However, this significant correlation was not observed in patients with COPD. The plasma levels of total and HMW adiponectin were also not significantly correlated with any pulmonary function parameters in patients with COPD. Regarding the state of cellular hydration, the plasma levels of total adiponectin were inversely correlated with the ECW/ICW ratio and positively with ICW values in patients with COPD. Moreover, closer correlations were found between these parameters and plasma HMW adiponectin levels. Conclusion The results of the present study suggest a novel association of the plasma adiponectin with cellular hydration state in patients with COPD. Accordingly, lower adiponectin levels may result in cellular shrinkage, leading to metabolic malfunction at a cellular level. Thus, our findings provide new insights regarding the preventive roles of adiponectin in the progression of comorbidities in COPD.
MicroRNA Profiling of Pericardial Fluid Samples from Patients with Heart Failure

Aims Multicellular organisms maintain vital functions through intercellular communication. Release of extracellular vesicles that carry signals to even distant target organs is one way of accomplishing this communication. MicroRNAs can also be secreted from the cells in exosomes and act as paracrine signalling molecules. In addition, microRNAs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a large number of diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, and are considered as promising candidate biomarkers due to their relative stability and easy quantification from clinical samples. Pericardial fluid contains hormones secreted by the heart and is known to reflect the cardiac function. In this study, we sought to investigate whether pericardial fluid contains microRNAs and if so, whether they could be used to distinguish between different cardiovascular pathologies and disease stages. Methods and Results Pericardial fluid was collected from heart failure patients during open-heart surgery. MicroRNA profiles of altogether 51 patients were measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) using Exiqon human panels I and II. On the average, 256 microRNAs were detected per sample, and 70 microRNAs out of 742 profiled microRNAs were detected in every sample. The five most abundant microRNAs in pericardial fluid were miR-21-5p, miR-451a, miR-125b-5p, let-7b-5p and miR-16-5p. No specific signatures for cardiovascular pathologies or clinically assessed heart failure stages could be detected from the profiles and, overall, microRNA profiles of the samples were found to be very similar despite the heterogeneity in the study population. Conclusion Measured microRNA profiles did not separate the samples according to the clinical features of the patients. However, several previously identified heart failure marker microRNAs were detected. The pericardial fluid microRNA profile appeared to be a result of an active and selective secretory process indicating that microRNAs may act as paracrine signalling factors by mediating the local crosstalk between cardiac cells.
MODULI OF WEIGHTED STABLE MAPS AND THEIR GRAVITATIONAL DESCENDANTS

We study the intersection theory on the moduli spaces of maps of $n$-pointed curves $f:(C,s_1,\dots,s_n)\to V$ which are stable with respect to the weight data $(a_1,\dots,a_n)$, $0\le a_i\le1$. After describing the structure of these moduli spaces, we prove a formula describing the way descendant invariants change under a wall crossing. As a corollary, we compute the weighted descendants in terms of the usual ones, i.e. for the weight data $(1,\dots,1)$, and vice versa.
Comparison of pregnancy rate between fresh embryo transfers and frozen-thawed embryo transfers following ICSI treatment

Background: The use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) is increasing in the world. The rate, efficacy and safety of ART are very different among countries. There is an increase in the use of intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), single fresh embryo transfer (ET) and frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET). Objective: The objective of this study was to compare pregnancy rate in fresh ET and FET. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study 1014 ICSI-ET cycles (426 fresh ET and 588 FET) from 753 women undergoing ICSI treatment referred to Fatemezahra Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center in Babol, Iran from 2008 to 2013 were reviewed. Results: There were no significant differences between biochemical pregnancy rate (23% versus 18.8%, OR 1.301; 95% CI .95-1.774), gestational sac (95.6% versus 100% in FET, OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.54-0.67), and fetal heart activity (87.2% versus 93.6% OR .46; 95% CI .16-1.32) in fresh ET and FET cycles, respectively. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all measures. Conclusion: Although, the result showed no significantly difference between the fresh ET and the FET cycles, however the embryos are able to be stored for subsequent ART. Therefore, we recommend FET cycles as an option alongside the fresh ET.
ON COMPLEXITY OF TRELLIS STRUCTURE OF LINEAR BLOCK CODES

This paper is concerned with the trellis structure of linear block codes. The paper consists of four parts. In the first part, we investigate the state and branch complexities of a trellis diagram for a linear block code. A trellis diagram with the minimum number of states is said to be minimal. First, we express the branch complexity of a minimal trellis diagram for a linear block code in terms of the dimensions of specific subcodes of the given code. Then we derive upper and lower bounds on the number of states of a minimal trellis diagram for a linear block code, and show that a cyclic(or shortened cyclic) code is the worst in terms of the state complexity among the linear block codes of the same length and dimension. Furthermore, we show that the structural complexity of a minimal trellis diagram for a linear block code depends on the order of its bit positions. This fact suggests that an appropriate permutation of the bit positions of a code may result in an equivalent code with a much simpler minimal trellis diagram. In part two, we consider boolean polynomial representation of codewords of a linear block code. This representation will help us in study of the trellis structure of the code. In part three, we apply boolean polynomial representation of a code to construct its minimal trellis diagram. Particularly, we focus on the construction of minimal trellises for Reed-Muller codes and the extended and permuted binary primitive BCH codes which contain Reed-Muller code as subcodes. Finally, we an_yze and present the structural complexity of minimal trellises
Administering exogenous porcine prolactin to lactating sows: milk yield, mammary gland composition, and endocrine and behavioral responses.

Third-parity sows received s.c. injections of sterile water (CTL, n = 12) or 15 mg of recombinant porcine prolactin (pPRL, n = 12) at 0730, 1530, and 2330 from d 2 to 23 of lactation. Litters were standardized to 11 or 12 pigs and were weighed weekly until weaning (d 24). On d 22 of lactation, milk production was estimated, and a milk sample was obtained the next day. Jugular blood samples were collected from sows on d 2, 7, 14, and 21 of lactation. Sows were slaughtered and mammary glands collected at d 24. Injections of pPRL doubled the serum concentrations of prolactin (P < .001) on d 7, 14, and 21 of lactation and decreased IGF-I concentrations on d 14 (P = .07) and 21 (P < .01). Weight, backfat, and milk yield of sows and mean pig weights were not affected by pPRL (P > . 1), yet the mean duration of intervals between nursings was reduced by 4.2 min (P = .06) in pPRL litters (45.9 vs 41.7 min). Dry matter and fat percentages in milk were lower in pPRL sows (P < .01). Weights of parenchymal and extraparenchymal tissues were not altered by pPRL treatment (P > .1). Number of prolactin receptors in parenchymal tissue as well as receptor affinity were similar in both groups (P > .1). Results indicate that virtually all prolactin receptors were saturated in CTL sows. This is probably the reason why additional exogenous prolactin had negligible effects.
Early and Efficient Detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Sputum by Microscopic Observation of Broth Cultures

Early, efficient and inexpensive methods for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis are urgently needed for effective patient management as well as to interrupt transmission. These methods to detect M. tuberculosis in a timely and affordable way are not yet widely available in resource-limited settings. In a developing-country setting, we prospectively evaluated two methods for culturing and detecting M. tuberculosis in sputum. Sputum samples were cultured in liquid assay (micro broth culture) in microplate wells and growth was detected by microscopic observation, or in Löwenstein–Jensen (LJ) solid media where growth was detected by visual inspection for colonies. Sputum samples were collected from 321 tuberculosis (TB) suspects attending Bugando Medical Centre, in Mwanza, Tanzania, and were cultured in parallel. Pulmonary tuberculosis cases were diagnosed using the American Thoracic Society diagnostic standards. There were a total of 200 (62.3%) pulmonary tuberculosis cases. Liquid assay with microscopic detection detected a significantly higher proportion of cases than LJ solid culture: 89.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.7% to 93.3%) versus 77.0% (95% CI, 71.2% to 82.8%) (p = 0.0007). The median turn around time to diagnose tuberculosis was significantly shorter for micro broth culture than for the LJ solid culture, 9 days (interquartile range [IQR] 7–13), versus 21 days (IQR 14–28) (p<0.0001). The cost for micro broth culture (labor inclusive) in our study was US $4.56 per sample, versus US $11.35 per sample for the LJ solid culture. The liquid assay (micro broth culture) is an early, feasible, and inexpensive method for detection of pulmonary tuberculosis in resource limited settings.