Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pregnancy and lactation in beef heifers grazing tallgrass prairie in the winter: influence on intake, forage utilization, and grazing behavior.

Six ruminally and eight bifistulated (ruminal and esophageal) Hereford x Angus heifers were used to determine effects of pregnancy and early lactation on forage intake and utilization under grazing conditions. Three ruminally and three bifistulated heifers were bred (pregnant/lactating; P/L; average calving date was February 11, 1989); remaining heifers served as controls (C). The experiment consisted of three periods (P1 = average of 55 d before parturition; P2 = average of 12 d before parturition; P3 = average of 26 d after parturition). All heifers grazed the same 24-ha Flint Hills range pasture. Dehydrated alfalfa pellets were supplemented at . 5% BW/heifer daily prepartum and at . 8% BW/heifer daily postpartum. Treatment x period interactions were noted (P less than .10) for forage OM intake, ruminal capacity, indigestible ADF (IADF) fill, and grazing time but not for OM digestibility or IADF passage rate (P greater than .10). In P1 and P3, P/L heifers had greater (P less than .10) forage OM intake than C heifers, whereas no differences were noted (P greater than .10) in P2. Pregnant/lactating heifers spent less time (P less than .10) grazing than did controls in P2 and more time (P less than .10) than controls in P3. Ruminal IADF fill and ruminal capacity, as measured by water fill, tended (P = .14 and .16, respectively) to differ between the two groups in P2. Digestibility of OM was unaffected (P greater than .10) by physiological status, whereas IADF passage rate was greater (P less than .10) in P/L heifers. Only minor differences were noted for the chemical composition of diets selected by the two groups. Ruminal fermentation patterns shifted only slightly; the largest effects were in P3, when P/L heifers had greater (P less than .10) propionate and less (P less than .10) acetate (mol/100 mol) than C heifers. In summary, during the period just before parturition, differences in forage OM intake between P/L and C heifers disappeared, and ruminal fill and capacity tended to be lower for P/L heifers. Intake was 16% greater for P/L than for C heifers during the early postpartum period. Organic matter digestibility was not influenced by physiological status, even though IADF passage rates were greater for P/L heifers.
Spinal cord arteriography: a safe adjunct before descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysmectomy.

OBJECTIVE Spinal cord arteriography (SCA) often has been considered difficult, hazardous, and unreliable. In this report, we question these assumptions. PATIENTS From August 1985 to June 2000, a total of 480 patients underwent 487 SCA procedures during diagnostic examination for 498 aneurysms, which included 159 that involved the descending thoracic aorta and 339 that involved the thoracoabdominal aorta. The underlying cause was degenerative disease in 288 cases, chronic dissection in 132 cases, and other causes in 78 cases. RESULTS Major procedure-related complications occurred in six patients (1.2%) and included spinal cord complications in two patients, renal complications in two patients, and stroke in two patients. Puncture-site complications occurred in three patients (0.6%). Rupture of the aneurysm occurred within 3 days after SCA in two patients (0.4%). Two deaths (0.4%) were directly imputable to SCA. In 476 patients (97.7%), SCA was devoid of major complications. The Adamkiewicz's artery was successfully located in 419 patients (86.0%) and arose from a left intercostal or lumbar artery in 323 patients (77.1%) and from between T8 and L1 levels in 361 patients (86.2%). On the basis of the extent of identification of spinal cord vasculature, the procedure was considered as a complete success in 321 patients (65.9%), as a partial success in 112 patients (23.0%), and as a failure in 54 patients (11.1%). Although the failure rates were comparable, the complete success rate was significantly higher in patients with degenerative rather than dissecting aneurysms (P <.001) and in patients with limited aneurysms (ie, types 1, 2, and 3 versus type 4 descending thoracic aneurysms, P <.05; and types 3 and 4 versus types 1 and 2 thoracoabdominal aneurysms, P <.001). CONCLUSION SCA is a safe adjunct that warrants more widespread use in the management of descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.
De novo expression of transforming growth factor-alpha in parathyroid gland tissue of patients with primary or secondary uraemic hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND The factors involved in abnormal parathyroid cell secretory function and growth in patients with primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism are still incompletely understood. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied the expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor (EGF-R) at the gene message and the protein level in parathyroid tissue obtained from six patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, 15 patients with secondary uraemic hyperparathyroidism and five subjects with normal parathyroid tissue, using in situ hybridization and/or immunostaining technique. RESULTS We found a consistent expression of TGF-alpha mRNA and protein in parathyroid endocrine cells of all six cases of primary parathyroid adenoma and in nearly all cases of secondary hyperplasia, in contrast to the absence of expression in normal parathyroid tissue. A marked expression of EGF-R mRNA and protein was also found in four of five tissue samples of primary parathyroid adenoma, in 13 of 15 tissue samples of secondary parathyroid hyperplasia and in most samples of normal parathyroid gland tissue. EGF mRNA and protein expression was undetectable in the majority of parathyroid tissue samples examined. CONCLUSION Since TGF-alpha is known to bind to the EGF-R, the finding of an increased expression of TGF-alpha at the gene message and the protein level, together with a strong expression of EGF-R, in hyperplastic and adenomatous parathyroid glands suggests that this growth factor interacts with its receptor to promote parathyroid cell proliferation, perhaps by an autocrine mechanism.
A theoretical and experimental study of neuromorphic atomic switch networks for reservoir computing

Atomic switch networks (ASNs) have been shown to generate network level dynamics that resemble those observed in biological neural networks. To facilitate understanding and control of these behaviors, we developed a numerical model based on the synapse-like properties of individual atomic switches and the random nature of the network wiring. We validated the model against various experimental results highlighting the possibility to functionalize the network plasticity and the differences between an atomic switch in isolation and its behaviors in a network. The effects of changing connectivity density on the nonlinear dynamics were examined as characterized by higher harmonic generation in response to AC inputs. To demonstrate their utility for computation, we subjected the simulated network to training within the framework of reservoir computing and showed initial evidence of the ASN acting as a reservoir which may be optimized for specific tasks by adjusting the input gain. The work presented represents steps in a unified approach to experimentation and theory of complex systems to make ASNs a uniquely scalable platform for neuromorphic computing.
Low Clinically Significant Rate of Recurrence in Benign Nevi

Abstract:The recurrence rate of benign nevi has been infrequently reported and primarily as a rate of clinical recurrence. The aim of this study was to document the rate of recurrence leading to re-excision of previously biopsied nevi (the clinically significant recurrence rate). Nevi undergoing primary biopsy with a minimum 5 years follow-up were reviewed in a pathology database for recurrence requiring a further excision. A total of 1035 nevi were reviewed including 196 dysplastic nevi. Twenty six percent of nevi had a positive margin, more common in shave and punch than ellipse biopsied lesions. Three cases recurred requiring re-excision resulting in a pathology recurrence rate of 0.3%. These 3 cases showed benign changes and 2 were originally excised with clear margins. The rate of recurrence requiring re-excision is very low at 0.3%. This suggests that few cases of clinical recurrence are re-excised. Re-excision of benign nevi including mild and moderately dysplastic nevi may not be necessary.
Three dimensional flow field at confluent fixed-bed open channels

River confluences are known for their marked 3D patterns and, due to the complexity of local flow features and bed morphology, they require particular consideration. Although there are studies on the flow structure in junctions of two streams, amore detailed description of the flow patterns is still required. The objective of this work is to contribute to such description at river confluence for concordant bed, where both main and tributary channel beds have the same elevation. For that purpose, a set of experiments with fixed bed under quasi-uniform approach flow conditions was carried out. The experimental facility included a 12 m long and 1 m wide main channel, and a 4.5 m long and 0.15 m wide tributary channel. The confluence angle was 70° so as to represent common natural conditions and the discharge ratio between discharges in the tributary and in the main channel was kept constant. An Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV) with a side-looking configuration was used to measure the three components of flow velocity on a dense grid of measuring points, providing the accurate characterization of the mean flow and second-order velocity moments. The acquired data set constitutes the most refined characterization of river confluence flow structures known to date, due to the adopted temporal and spatial discretization, and may serve for the validation of 3D numerical models of complex confluent flows. Flow dynamics zones typical of confluent beds are present in the studied case. The separation zone limits the effective lateral flow cross-section, and, hence, results in the added acceleration of the mainstream flow near the downstream junction corner. The upward orientated vertical velocities of high magnitude were observed all along the separation zone.
Relationship among activities and problems causing uncertainty in information seeking and retrieval

Purpose – This paper aims to argue that different types of uncertainty are associated with information seeking and retrieval (IS&R), and that, with the proliferation of new and different search tools, channels and sources, uncertainty, whether positive or negative, continues to be a significant factor in the search process. The paper aims to report on one part of an ongoing research that aims to study correlations among a series of information‐seeking activities and information‐seeking problems that cause uncertainty amongst users in academic environment.Design/methodology/approach – An online questionnaire is used to collect data from users in the higher education sector. Quantitative analysis is carried out on the data collected through an online questionnaire distributed through eight online mailing lists comprising a total of 3,607 registered users. A total of 668 responses are returned from three categories of respondents: academic staff, research staff and research students. Pearson's correlation co.
Improved survival with preoperative radiotherapy in resectable rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Adjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer has been extensively studied, but no trial has unequivocally demonstrated improved overall survival with radiotherapy, despite a reduction in the rate of local recurrence. METHODS Between March 1987 and February 1990, we randomly assigned 1168 patients younger than 80 years of age who had resectable rectal cancer to undergo preoperative irradiation (25 Gy delivered in five fractions in one week) followed by surgery within one week or to have surgery alone. RESULTS The irradiation did not increase postoperative mortality. After five years of follow-up, the rate of local recurrence was 11 percent (63 of 553 patients) in the group that received radiotherapy before surgery and 27 percent (150 of 557) in the group treated with surgery alone (P<0.001). This difference was found in all subgroups defined according to Dukes' stage. The overall five-year survival rate was 58 percent in the radiotherapy-plus-surgery group and 48 percent in the surgery-alone group (P=0.004). The cancer-specific survival rates at nine years among patients treated with curative resection were 74 percent and 65 percent, respectively (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS A short-term regimen of high-dose preoperative radiotherapy reduces rates of local recurrence and improves survival among patients with resectable rectal cancer.
Oxygen consumption during the initial stage of human leucocyte phagocytosis of polystyrene latex particles.

A polarographic method of studying oxygen consumption during phago cytosis by human leucocytes has been evaluated. Oxygen consumption during phagocytosis is markedly increased by raising the temperature from 20°C to 37°C, and inhibited by EDTA. Further, 2-deoxy-D-glucose inhibited the increase, but inhibition was stronger in combination with oligomycin. This indicates that the energy for phagocytosis is mainly derived from glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation playing a minor role. The increase of oxygen consumption by washed human leucocytes during phagocytosis was greater in heparinized plasma than in serum. The difference was due to heparin. Heat-inactivated serum had a higher stimulatory effect than untreated serum. The combination of both calcium and magnesium, added to dialyzed plasma, showed a greater stimulatory effect than did magnesium alone. Calcium alone had no stimulatory effect.
Platelet activity and in vivo arterial thrombus formation in rats with mild hyperhomocysteinaemia

Elevated plasma levels of total homocysteine (hcy) have been associated with an increased occurrence of arterial thrombosis. In the present study, we investigated the influence of hyperhomocysteinaemia on platelet aggregation and arterial thrombus formation in vivo. Fifty-one rats were included in the study, of which 29 received hcy in the drinking water for 4 weeks. Blood samples were withdrawn for measurement of platelet count and mean platelet volume. Platelet aggregation response in platelet-rich plasma following adenosine diphosphate or collagen stimulation were examined. In vivo thrombus formation was investigated by transillumination and videotape recording of the rat femoral artery after a thrombogenic injury was established. Off-line videotape analysis using computer-assisted planimetry permitted quantification of the thrombus area, and area versus time curves were obtained. In the intervention group receiving hcy, total hcy in plasma increased two-fold to 14.3 μmol/l, as compared with 7.3 μmol/l in the control group (P < 0.001). The platelet count and mean platelet volume did not differ between the two groups. In vivo thrombus formation expressed as the area under the curve or maximum thrombus area was not found to be altered in the presence of an increased homocysteine level, neither was adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation. However, collagen-induced platelet aggregation significantly decreased in the hcy group (P = 0.02). Pro-thrombotic effects of isolated mild hyperhomocysteinaemia are not supported by the present study in rats.
Reconfigurable origami equiangular conical spiral antenna

This paper presents a balanced reconfigurable origami conical spiral antenna that can axially radiate at two states: (a) circularly polarized (AR<;3 dB) from 1.85 GHz to 2.75 GHz, and (b) linearly polarized at 1.4 GHz and 3.7 GHz. This antenna can be applied to various wireless communications, such as, GPS, radars and satellites. The simulated realized gains of the two states are over 7 dB.
Adult identified with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome--mutation in PHOX2b gene and late-onset CHS.

In light of our recent review of the genetic basis for congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) (1), we bring to your attention a 35-year-old adult recently identified as having had late-onset CHS and the CCHS-mutation in PHOX2b. One year ago this patient presented with a history of snoring “for his whole life,” nocturnal gasping, and “stopping breathing and turning blue. ” During polysomnography he had 46 obstructive events (38 hypopneas, 8 apneas), 16 central apneas, and an apnea–hypopnea index of 77 events/hour, with an SaO2 nadir of 65% in room air and 80% with supplemental oxygen. He temporarily responded to Bi-Pap with supplemental oxygen during sleep, but within 6 months was referred for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. He was readmitted 48 hours after discharge with intermittent confusion, difficulty staying awake, and respiratory failure (awake arterial Pco2 of 73 mm Hg). His admission hematocrit was 73%, body temperature was 35.5 C, chest X-ray revealed cardiomegaly, and ECG revealed right axis deviation, enlargement, and hypertrophy. He required intubation and mechanical ventilation, then a tracheostomy; however, mechanical ventilation was discontinued. We were contacted by the family when an arterial blood gas assay upon awakening revealed a Pco2 of 129 mm Hg (pH 7.03). Because of his daughter’s diagnosis of late-onset CHS 3 years before, and documentation that she is heterozygous for the CCHS-related PHOX2b polyalanine expansion mutation, we conducted the same assay with the father’s DNA. Figure 1 demonstrates the identical mutation in the 4-year-old daughter and the father, as well as in the 2-yearold daughter, who also has alveolar hypoventilation (all three have a genotype of 20/25). In retrospect, we learned that the father uses Dexadrine to “stay on task,” has symptoms compatible with autonomic nervous system dysregulation (low body temperature, postural hypotension, pinpoint pupils minimally reactive to light, no shortness of breath despite markedly increased carbon dioxide levels), and has awakened with headaches and periods of disorientation for several years. On the basis of this remarkably late presentation of the alveolar hypoventilation component of CHS, we suggest that adult pulmonologists and intensivists consider the possibility of lateonset CHS, confirmable by PHOX2b assay, when caring for adults with hypercarbia of unknown etiology. From a scientific perspective, this case raises the possibility of a regulatory gene that modifies the expression or activity of PHOX2b, determining the severity of the autonomic dysregulation in late-onset CHS.
Structure-activity relationships of pyridoxal phosphate derivatives as potent and selective antagonists of P2X1 receptors.

Novel analogues of the P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxal-5'-phosphate 6-azophenyl-2',5'-disulfonate (2) were synthesized and studied as antagonists in functional assays at recombinant rat P2X1, P2X2, and P2X3 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes (ion flux stimulation) and at turkey erythrocyte P2Y1 receptors (phospholipase C activation). Selected compounds were also evaluated as antagonists of ion flux and the opening of a large pore at the recombinant human P2X7 receptor. Modifications were made in the 4-aldehyde and 5'-phosphate groups of the pyridoxal moiety: i.e. a CH2OH group at the 4-position in pyridoxine was either condensed as a cyclic phosphate or phosphorylated separately to form a bisphosphate, which reduced potency at P2 receptors. 5-Methylphosphonate substitution, anticipated to increase stability to hydrolysis, preserved P2 receptor potency. At the 6-position, halo, carboxylate, sulfonate, and phosphonate variations made on the phenylazo ring modulated potency at P2 receptors. The p-carboxyphenylazo analogue, 4, of phosphate 2 displayed an IC50 value of 9 nM at recombinant P2X1 receptors and was 1300-, 16-, and > 10,000-fold selective for P2X1 versus P2X2, P2X3, and P2Y1 subtypes, respectively. The corresponding 5-methylphosphonate was equipotent at P2X1 receptors. The 5-methylphosphonate analogue containing a 6-[3,5-bis(methylphosphonate)]phenylazo moiety, 9, had IC50 values of 11 and 25 nM at recombinant P2X1 and P2X3 receptors, respectively. The analogue containing a phenylazo 4-phosphonate group, 11, was also very potent at both P2X1 and P2X3 receptors. However, the corresponding 2,5-disulfonate analogue, 10, was 28-fold selective for P2X1 versus P2X3 receptors. None of the analogues were more potent at P2X7 and P2Y1 receptors than 2, which acted in the micromolar range at these two subtypes.
The Relationship Between Modifiable Health Risk Factors and Medical Expenditures, Absenteeism, Short-Term Disability, and Presenteeism Among Employees at Novartis

Objective: To quantify the impact of health risks on medical care and productivity costs in an employed population. Methods: Health risk, medical care, and productivity data were obtained for 5875 Novartis employees in 2005-2006. Factor analysis was performed to identify relationships among health risks. Multiple regression analyses were applied to estimate relationships between combined risk factors and costs. Results: We found a significant and consistent association among three factors (high biometric laboratory values, cigarette and alcohol use, and poor emotional health) and increased presenteeism for both men and women and increased absenteeism for women. Medical care expenditures were 13-22% higher for men and women at risk for the high biometric laboratory values and the emotional health factor. Conclusions: There is a potential for medical and productivity savings for employers able to reduce health risks among their workers.
Hierarchical structure and multi time-scale in large scale dynamical systems

In this paper, we deal with approximation methods of large-scale systems which describe the macroscopic behavior of the whole system and simultaneously the partially microscopic one of the objective subsystems. We propose a hierarchical representation of such large-scale systems by employing the connection graph structure of the elements and multiple time-scale dynamics. The approximation accuracy is rigorously induced and numerical simulation is also demonstrated to show the efficiency.
Experimental Verification of Circulating Current Mitigation Scheme in MMC by Using ISE Technique

The circulating currents of a modular multilevel converter (MMC) is ideally assumed to be the sum of an ac component and dc ac component operating with fundamental frequency. However, as ac current flows through the submodule (SM) capacitors, the capacitor voltages fluctuate with time. Consequently, the circulating current is usually distorted and allows multiple frequency components with the peak value of it is increased compared with the theoretical value. The circulating currents will increase power losses and may threaten the safe operation of the switching devices and module capacitors. This article proposes a MMC with a new controller design to mitigate circulating currents for various modulation indexes for wide ranges in load. This new controller is optimized with upper and lower module voltages as an objective function. The optimum values for controller are obtained by using conventional integral square error technique (ISE). The proposed scheme shows its effectiveness by controlling the circulating currents for various loads. It made strategic conclusions on MMC to make the system more robust in operation and less complexity in design and control. The proposed system is verified by 10 KVA prototypes MMC and results are explored. DOI : http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/telkomnika.v12i5. 5364