Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Handsewn semiclosed single-layer jejunocecal side-to-side anastomosis in the horse.

OBJECTIVE To report a technique for semiclosed 1-layer side-to-side jejunocecal anastomosis in horses. STUDY DESIGN Experimental study and clinical reports. SAMPLE POPULATION Part 1--In vitro: Intestinal specimens from 24 horses collected immediately after death at an abattoir. Part 2--CLINICAL CASES: 10 horses with clinical signs of colic requiring jejunocecostomy. METHODS Mean time to perform twelve 2-layer handsewn (HS2L) and 12 semiclosed 1-layer modified handsewn (SC) jejunocecal anastomoses was compared. Mean bursting pressures of anastomoses measured with a modified tank inflation test were compared. The SC technique was used in 10 horses that required jejunocecal anastomosis with and without resection (complete or incomplete ileocecal bypass). RESULTS The SC technique was significantly quicker to perform than HS2L technique. Clinically, the technique appeared safe with a major complication, associated with obstruction from kinking of the anastomosis, occurring in 1 horse. CONCLUSIONS The SC technique was easy to perform with very little mucosal exposure in comparison to the HS2L technique, and was safe and effective in restoring intestinal continuity in clinical cases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The SC technique should be considered for jejunocecostomy in horses because it reduces anastomosis time and mucosal exposure compared with other techniques.
Analysis of software quality cost modeling’s industrial applicability with focus on defect estimation

The majority of software quality cost models is by design capable of describing costs retrospectively but relies on defect estimation in order to provide a cost forecast. We identify two major approaches to defect estimation and evaluate them in a large scale industrial software development project with special focus on applicability in quality cost models. Our studies show that neither static models based on code metrics nor dynamic software reliability growth models are suitable for an industrial application.
Middleware for Robotics: A Survey

The field of robotics relies heavily on various technologies such as mechatronics, computing systems, and wireless communication. Given the fast growing technological progress in these fields, robots can offer a wide range of applications. However real world integration and application development for such a distributed system composed of many robotic modules and networked robotic devices is very difficult. Therefore, middleware services provide a novel approach offering many possibilities and drastically enhancing the application development for robots. This paper surveys the current state of middleware approaches in this domain. It discusses middleware challenges in these systems and presents some representative middleware solutions specifically designed for robots. The selection of the studied methods tries to cover most of the middleware platforms, objectives and approaches that have been proposed by researchers in this field.
To Do or Not to Do: The Neural Signature of Self-Control

Voluntary action is fundamental to human existence. Recent research suggests that volition involves a specific network of brain activity, centered on the fronto-median cortex. An important but neglected aspect of intentional action involves the decision whether to act or not. This decision process is crucial in daily life because it allows us to form intentions without necessarily implementing them. In the present study, we investigate the neural correlates of intentionally inhibiting actions using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Our data show that a specific area of the fronto-median cortex is more strongly activated when people prepare manual actions but then intentionally cancel them, compared with when they prepare and then complete the same actions. Our results suggest that the human brain network for intentional action includes a control structure for self-initiated inhibition or withholding of intended actions. The mental control of action has an enduring scientific interest, linked to the philosophical concept of “free will. ” Our results identify a candidate brain area that reflects the crucial decision to do or not to do.
Structure and thermal/mechanical properties of poly (∈-caprolactone)-clay blend

Montmorillonite was organically modified with distearyldimethylammonium chloride. This organically modified clay (OMON) and poly (ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) were solvent-cast blended with chloroform, and the structure and properties of the resulting PCL-clay blends were investigated. From isothermal crystallization experiments, it was found that a small amount of OMON in the blend accelerated the crystallization of PCL, whereas a large amount of the organophilic clay delayed it. From small-and wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements, it was found that the silicate layers forming the clay could not be dispersed individually in the PCL blends. In other words, the clay seemed to exist as the tactoids consisting of some silicate layers. These tactoids formed a remarkable geometric structure; that is, their surface planes lay almost parallel to the blend film surface. Furthermore, the tactoids were stacked with insertion of PCL lamellae in the film-thickness direction. Preferred orientation of the PCL crystallites was induced by the presence of the clay. During the drawing process of the blends, fibrillation took place with formation of planelike voids developed on the plane parallel to the film surface. From dynamic viscoelastic measurements, it was shown that intercalation of PCL chains into the layered silicates did not take place in the blends prepared by the solvent-cast method used in this work. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2211–2220, 1997
Human-Computer Interaction in the Control of Dynamic Systems

Modes of human-computer interaction in the control of dynamicsystems are discussed, and the problem of allocating tasks betweenhuman and computer considered. Models of human performance in avariety of tasks associated with the control of dynamic systems arereviewed. These models are evaluated in the context of a designexample involving human-computer interaction in aircraftoperations. Other examples include power plants, chemical plants,and ships.
Bronchial responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in epidemiological studies: comparison of different indices.

We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of different indices drawn from the forced expiratory curve in order to detect the best one for evaluating bronchial reactivity in the general population, and particularly, for distinguishing between normal and asthmatic subjects. 654 subjects, between 15 and 64 years of age, who were representative for age and sex of the general population of a small Lombardy town (Italy), were studied. Of the total sample, 448 subjects were clinically normal and asymptomatic, 87 were symptomatic or with acute upper respiratory disease within 30 days before the challenge with methacholine, 43 with allergic rhinitis, 26 asthmatics and 50 chronic bronchitics. All the subjects who had a baseline FEV1 greater than 85% predicted underwent methacholine challenge. Provocative LnDoses of a 6, 10, 15% fall in FEV1 (LnPD6, LnPD10, LnPD15) and provocative LnDose causing FEV1 to fall more than 2 SD below the mean of 5 FEV1 measurements following buffer inhalation (LnTD) were evaluated. Furthermore we calculated the "Dose-Response slope" (SL) proposed by O'Connor. The cut-off value of each index to define a responder was calculated by discriminant analysis of the response to the challenge in normal and in the asthmatic group. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of LnPD6, LnTD and SL were 79, 74, 14%; 71, 74, 13% and 46, 97, 48% respectively. LnPD10 had the best sensitivity (83%) with a high specificity (83%), but, as compared to LnPD15, whose sensitivity was 79% and specificity 89%, a lower predictive value (21% vs 27%). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Preparation, clinical support, and confidence of speech-language pathologists managing clients with a tracheostomy in Australia.

PURPOSE To describe the preparation and training, clinical support, and confidence of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in relation to tracheostomy client care in Australia. METHOD A survey was sent to 90 SLPs involved in tracheostomy management across Australia. The survey contained questions relating to preparation and training, clinical support, and confidence. RESULTS The response rate was high (76%). The majority of SLPs were pursuing a range of professional development activities, had clinical support available, and felt confident providing care of clients with tracheostomies. Despite these findings, 45% of SLPs were not up-to-date with evidence-based practice, less than 30% were knowledgeable of the advances in tracheostomy tube technology, and only 16% felt they worked as part of an optimal team. Only half were confident and had clinical support for managing clients who were ventilated. Most (88%) believed additional training opportunities would be beneficial. CONCLUSIONS The current data highlight issues for health care facilities and education providers to address regarding the training and support needs of SLPs providing tracheostomy client care.
Parallel generation of samples for simulation techniques applied to Stochastic Automata Networks

The Stochastic Automata Networks (SAN) formalism provides a compact and modular description for Markovian models. Moreover, SAN is suitable to derive performance indices for systems analysis and interpretation using iterative numerical solutions based on a descriptor and a state space sized probability vector. Depending on the size of the model this operation is computationally onerous and sometimes impracticable. An alternative method to compute indices from a model is simulation, mainly because it simply requires the definition of a pseudorandom generator and transition functions for states that enable the creation of a trajectory. The sampling process can be different for each technique, establishing some rules to collect samples for further statistical analysis. Simulation techniques often demand lots of samples in order to calculate statistically relevant performance indices. We focus our attention on the parallelization of sampling techniques to enhance the generation of more samples in less time, drawing considerations about the impact on results accuracy.
Patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing 3 I148M affects liver steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Steatosis is a common histopathological feature of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and has been associated with severity of liver disease. Recently, the rs738409 I148M patatin‐like phospholipase domain‐containing 3 (PNPLA3) polymorphism has been demonstrated to influence steatosis susceptibility and fibrosis progression in patients with different liver diseases, but no data are yet available for CHB. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PNPLA3 I148M influences steatosis susceptibility in a large series of patients with CHB. We enrolled 235 treatment‐naïve CHB patients consecutively examined by percutaneous liver biopsy. In ≥2‐cm‐long liver tissue cores, steatosis and fibrosis were staged by Kleiner and METAVIR scores, respectively. The I148M polymorphism was determined by Taqman assays. Steatosis was present in 146 (62%) patients, of whom 24 (10%) had severe (>33% of hepatocytes) steatosis. Steatosis was independently associated with age (odds ratio [OR]: 2.67; confidence interval [CI]: 1.50‐4.92; for age ≥50 years), body mass index (BMI; OR, 2.84; CI, 1.30‐6.76; for BMI ≥27.5 kg/m2), diabetes or impaired fasting glucose (OR, 4.45; CI, 1.10‐30.0), and PNPLA3 148M allele (OR, 1.62; CI, 1.00‐7.00; for each 148M allele). Independent predictors of severe steatosis were BMI (OR, 3.60; CI, 1.39‐9.22; for BMI ≥27.5 kg/m2) and PNPLA3 148M allele (OR, 6.03; CI, 1.23‐5.0; for each 148M allele). PNPLA3 148M alleles were associated with a progressive increase in severe steatosis in patients with acquired cofactors, such severe overweight and a history of alcohol intake (P = 0.005). Conclusion: In CHB patients, the PNPLA3 I148M polymorphism influences susceptibility to steatosis and, in particular, when associated with severe overweight and alcohol intake, severe steatosis. (Hepatology 2013;58:1245–1252)
Advanced Composite Joints; Design and Acoustic Fatigue Characteristics

Abstract : The design and acoustic fatigue characteristics of joints with advanced composite materials are presented. Three hine-bay, cross-stiffened, graphite-epoxy panels with a six-plyskin and a central bay with nominal dimensions of 10.0 x 7.0 x 0.03 inch were designed and manufactured. The panels were tested to obtain acoustic response and acoustic fatigue data. A shaker test program was conducted to demonstrate that S-N data for acoustic fatigue predictions can be obtained in shaker specimen testing which is inexpensive relative to more costly acoustic panel tests. S-N data that were obtained in the shaker test program led to a prediction, which was subsequently confirmed by tests, that the joint assemblies of the flat, acoustic test panels would not experience an acoustic fatigue failure. S-N curves were developed for graphite- epoxy skins to a graphite-epoxy stiffener, boron-epoxy skin to a titanium alloy stiffener, and graphite- epoxy skin to a titanium alloy stiffener.
Differential Expression of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes in Normal and Tumor Tissues from Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma

Intratumoral expression of genes encoding Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) might play a critical role not only in cancer development but also in the metabolism of anticancer drugs. The purpose of this study was to compare the mRNA expression patterns of seven representative CYPs in paired tumor and normal tissue of child patients with rabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Using real time quantitative RT-PCR, the gene expression pattern of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, CYP2E1, CYP2W1, CYP3A4, and CYP3A5 were analyzed in tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues from 13 child RMS patients. Protein concentration of CYPs was determined using Western blot. The expression levels were tested for correlation with the clinical and pathological data of the patients. Our data showed that the expression levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 were negligible. Elevated expression of CYP1B1 mRNA and protein was detected in most RMS tumors and adjacent normal tissues. Most cancerous samples exhibit higher levels of both CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 compared with normal tissue samples. Expression of CYP2E1 mRNA was found to be significantly higher in tumor tissue, however no relation was found with protein levels. CYP2W1 mRNA and/or protein are mainly expressed in tumors. In conclusion, we defined the CYP gene expression profile in tumor and paired normal tissue of child patients with RMS. The overexpression of CYP2W1, CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 in tumor tissues suggests that they may be involved in RMS chemoresistance; furthermore, they may be exploited for the localized activation of anticancer prodrugs.
Criteria for Evaluation of Novel Markers of Cardiovascular Risk: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

There is increasing interest in utilizing novel markers of cardiovascular disease risk, and consequently, there is a need to assess the value of their use. This scientific statement reviews current concepts of risk evaluation and proposes standards for the critical appraisal of risk assessment methods. An adequate evaluation of a novel risk marker requires a sound research design, a representative at-risk population, and an adequate number of outcome events. Studies of a novel marker should report the degree to which it adds to the prognostic information provided by standard risk markers. No single statistical measure provides all the information needed to assess a novel marker, so measures of both discrimination and accuracy should be reported. The clinical value of a marker should be assessed by its effect on patient management and outcomes. In general, a novel risk marker should be evaluated in several phases, including initial proof of concept, prospective validation in independent populations, documentation of incremental information when added to standard risk markers, assessment of effects on patient management and outcomes, and ultimately, cost-effectiveness.
Technological knowledge assets and innovation

The aim of this paper is to study the influence of technological knowledge assets with different levels of codification on innovation capability from the resource- and knowledge-based view of the firm. To that end, a study of 1444 Spanish industrial firms was performed between 1998 and 2000, based on information provided by the Survey of Business Strategies (SBS). The results show that technological knowledge assets exert different levels of influence depending on their character. Thus, tacit assets exert more influence on firm innovation than other technological knowledge assets. Specifically, technological knowledge capabilities are the most significant during the three-year period of analysis.
Biological risk indicators for recurrent non-specific low back pain in adolescents

Objectives: A matched case-control study was carried out to evaluate biological risk indicators for recurrent non-specific low back pain in adolescents. Methods: Adolescents with recurrent non-specific low back pain (symptomatic; n = 28; mean (SD) age 14.9 (0.7) years) and matched controls (asymptomatic; n = 28; age 14.9 (0.7) years) with no history of non-specific low back pain participated. Measures of stature, mass, sitting height, sexual maturity (Tanner self assessment), lateral flexion of the spine, lumbar sagittal plane mobility (modified Schöber), hip range of motion (Leighton flexometer), back and hamstring flexibility (sit and reach), and trunk muscle endurance (number of sit ups) were performed using standardised procedures with established reliability. Backward stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed, with the presence/absence of recurrent low back pain as the dependent variable and the biological measures as the independent variables. Results: Hip range of motion, trunk muscle endurance, lumbar sagittal plane mobility, and lateral flexion of the spine were identified as significant risk indicators of recurrent low back pain (p<0.05). Follow up analysis indicated that symptomatic subjects had significantly reduced lateral flexion of the spine, lumbar sagittal plane mobility, and trunk muscle endurance (p<0.05). Conclusions: Hip range of motion, abdominal muscle endurance, lumbar flexibility, and lateral flexion of the spine were risk indicators for recurrent non-specific low back pain in a group of adolescents. These risk indicators identify the potential for exercise as a primary or secondary prevention method.
Combined inhibition of nitrergic and prostanoid pathways in J774 macrophages.

OBJECTIVES Nitric oxide and prostaglandins are both implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The hypothesis that simultaneous inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) was more effective than inhibition of either enzyme alone was tested. METHODS J774 macrophages were pre-incubated with L-NAME and/or indomethacin, prior to activation with LPS (10 micrograms/ml). RESULTS LPS significantly increased NO2-; PGE2 and TNF-alpha levels by 24 h. Quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in the expression of COX-2 in the presence of increasing doses of L-NAME. NO2- and PGE2 production were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by either indomethacin or L-NAME. Combined administration of L-NAME and indomethacin produced a significantly greater inhibition of NO2- and PGE2 than either inhibitor alone. CONCLUSION The data supports the therapeutic potential of combined inhibition of the prostanoid and nitrergic systems as an anti-inflammatory treatment strategy and supports the progression of this work into models of arthritis.
Modeling the Time Course of the Tissue Responses to Intramuscular Long-acting Paliperidone Palmitate Nano-/Microcrystals and Polystyrene Microspheres in the Rat

Long-acting injectable (LAI) drug suspensions consist of drug nano-/microcrystals suspended in an aqueous vehicle and enable prolonged therapeutic drug exposure up to several months. The examination of injection site reactions (ISRs) to the intramuscular (IM) injection of LAI suspensions is relevant not only from a safety perspective but also for the understanding of the pharmacokinetics. The aim of this study was to perform a multilevel temporal characterization of the local and lymphatic histopathological/immunological alterations triggered by the IM injection of an LAI paliperidone palmitate suspension and an analog polystyrene suspension in rats and identify critical time points and parameters with regard to the host response. The ISRs showed a moderate to marked chronic granulomatous inflammation, which was mediated by multiple cyto-/chemokines, including interleukin-1β, monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1, and vascular endothelial growth factor. Lymphatic uptake and lymph node retention of nano-/microparticles were observed, but the contribution to the drug absorption was negligible. A simple image analysis procedure and empirical model were proposed for the accurate evaluation of the depot geometry, cell infiltration, and vascularization. This study was designed as a reference for the evaluation and comparison of future LAIs and to support the mechanistic modeling of the formulation–physiology interplay regulating the drug absorption from LAIs.
Temperature Drops and the Onset of Severe Avian Influenza A H5N1 Virus Outbreaks

Global influenza surveillance is one of the most effective strategies for containing outbreaks and preparing for a possible pandemic influenza. Since the end of 2003, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAI) H5N1 have caused many outbreaks in poultries and wild birds from East Asia and have spread to at least 48 countries. For such a fast and wide-spreading virulent pathogen, prediction based on changes of micro- and macro-environment has rarely been evaluated. In this study, we are developing a new climatic approach by investigating the conditions that occurred before the H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks for early predicting future HPAI outbreaks and preventing pandemic disasters. The results show a temperature drop shortly before these outbreaks in birds in each of the Eurasian regions stricken in 2005 and 2006. Dust storms, like those that struck near China's Lake Qinghai around May 4, 2005, exacerbated the spread of this HPAI H5N1 virus, causing the deaths of a record number of wild birds and triggering the subsequent spread of H5N1. Weather monitoring could play an important role in the early warning of outbreaks of this potentially dangerous virus.
An examination of nucleotypic effects in diploid and polyploid cotton

This paper outlines the relationship between genome size and cell size in diploid and polyploid cotton plants, reinforcing previous observations that larger genomes correlate with larger cells in plants. We also note that domesticated cotton plants have smaller cells than their wild counterparts and that nucleotypic effects seem stronger in more specialized cell types.