Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Emerging Modular Multilevel Converters for BESS Applications

The power conversion system for a battery-energy storage system typically employs a conventional voltage-source converter with battery strings directly connected to the dc bus. This system configuration presents several issues, such as limited efficiency of two-level converter systems and the limited reliability associated with the use of long battery strings. This paper examines three viable multilevel converter solutions for integrating battery energy storage that offer the potential for enhanced efficiency and reliability. These solutions are the modular multilevel converter (MMLC) with battery energy storage distributed into its submodules, the cascaded converter, and the MMLC with battery energy storage centralized on its dc link. The three systems are compared in terms of efficiency, reliability, and module redundancy. It is determined that the MMLC with distributed battery energy storage must operate differently from conventional MMLC systems. Its operation is therefore studied in detail and validated through simulation to demonstrate its suitability for distributed energy-storage integration. The analysis shows that the MMLC with distributed battery energy storage requires the largest number of semiconductor devices for a given power level; however, it also provides the most efficient, reliable, and versatile solution of energy-storage integration.
Expression and Function of Psoriasin (S100A7) and Koebnerisin (S100A15) in the Brain

ABSTRACT The expression and function of psoriasin in the brain have been insufficiently characterized. Here, we show the induction of psoriasin expression in the central nervous system (CNS) after bacterial and viral stimulation. We used a pneumococcal meningitis in vivo model that revealed S100A15 expression in astrocytes and meningeal cells. These results were confirmed by a cell-based in vivo assay using primary rat glial and meningeal cell cultures. We investigated psoriasin expression in glial and meningeal cells using polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, a synthetic analog of double-stranded RNA that mimics viral infection. Furthermore, previous results showed that antimicrobial peptides have not only bactericidal but also immunomodulatory functions. To test this statement, we used recombinant psoriasin as a stimulus. Glial and meningeal cells were treated with recombinant psoriasin at concentrations from 25 to 500 ng/ml. Treated microglia and meningeal cells showed phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1)/ERK2 (ERK1/2) signal transduction pathway. We demonstrated that this activation of ERK depends on RAGE, the receptor for advanced glycation end products. Furthermore, microglia cells treated with recombinant psoriasin change their phenotype to an enlarged shape. In conclusion, our results indicate an occurrence of psoriasin in the brain. An involvement of psoriasin as an antimicrobial protein that modulates the innate immune system after bacterial or viral stimulation is possible.
Short-term outcome and morbidity of different contemporary urethroplasty techniques--a preliminary comparison.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Only few comparative reports about different urethroplasties have been published, addressing success rate (SR), adverse events (AE), and quality of life (QoL). Our purpose was to evaluate SR, AE, and QoL in a contemporary cohort of patients undergoing urethroplasty in the short-term follow-up (FU). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between December 2008 and June 2010, 205 patients underwent urethroplasty for anterior urethral strictures at our institution. A standardized questionnaire was sent to all patients. The primary end point was SR. Secondary end points were AE and QoL. To assess the risk of SR, the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used. To assess risk factors for urethral stricture recurrence (SRec), univariable Cox regression analysis was used. RESULTS Overall, 140 (68%) patients responded to our questionnaire and were used for analysis. Of these 9%, 85%, and 6% were treated by excision and primary anastomosis (EPA), buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty (BMGU), and mesh graft urethroplasty (MGU), respectively. At 10 months of FU, SR was 87.5%. SRs of EPA, BMGU, and MGU were 100% (n=13/13), 85.7% (n=102/119), and 87.5% (n=7/8), with no significant differences between the groups. In univariable analysis, ≥ 2 vs 1 previous urethroplasties showed a trend toward a reduced SR (hazard risk 2.95; P=0.057). Streaking the urethra (P=0.024) and penile curvature (P=0.026) were significantly more often associated with MGU compared with EPA and BMGU. Postoperative total median (mean) scores were 3.5 (4.8) for the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Male lower urinary tract symptoms, 15 (15.2) for the International Index of Erectile Function, and 80 (73) for EuroQol visual analogue score; there was no difference between urethroplasty types. CONCLUSION In the short-term FU, urethroplasty demonstrates an excellent SR. Specific SRs of EPA, BMGU, and MGU seem comparable. Despite significant differences in AE, patient reported QoL is high with no difference between the applied techniques.
The Many Faces of the A2b Adenosine Receptor in Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases

Modulation of the low affinity adenosine receptor subtype, the A2b adenosine receptor (A2bAR), has gained interest as a therapeutic target in various pathologic areas associated with cardiovascular disease. The actions of the A2bAR are diverse and at times conflicting depending on cell and tissue type and the timing of activation or inhibition of the receptor. The A2bAR is a promising and exciting pharmacologic target, however, a thorough understanding of A2bAR action is necessary to reach the therapeutic potential of this receptor. This review will focus on the role of the A2bAR in various cardiovascular and metabolic pathologies in which the receptor is currently being studied. We will illustrate the complexities of A2bAR signaling and highlight areas of research with potential for therapeutic development. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2891–2897, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Urine Galactomannan-to-Creatinine Ratio for Detection of Invasive Aspergillosis in Patients with Hematological Malignancies

ABSTRACT Galactomannan (GM) testing of urine specimens may provide important advantages, compared to serum testing, such as easy noninvasive sample collection. We evaluated a total of 632 serial urine samples from 71 patients with underlying hematological malignancies and found that the urine GM/creatinine ratio, i.e., (urine GM level × 100)/urine creatinine level, which takes urine dilution into account, reliably detected invasive aspergillosis and may be a promising diagnostic tool for patients with hematological malignancies. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01576653.)
An exploration of subgroups of mild cognitive impairment based on cognitive, neuropsychiatric and functional features: analysis of data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center.

OBJECTIVES To empirically expand the existing subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by incorporating information on neuropsychiatric and functional features, and to assess whether cerebrovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are associated with any of these subgroups. DESIGN Latent class analysis using 1,655 patients with MCI. SETTING Participants in the Uniform Data Set (UDS) from 29 National Institutes of Health-supported Alzheimer's Disease Centers. PARTICIPANTS Patients with a consensus diagnosis of MCI from each center and with a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 22 or greater. MEASUREMENTS UDS cognitive battery, Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire, and Functional Assessment Questionnaire administered at initial visit. RESULTS Seven empirically based subgroups of MCI were identified: 1) minimally impaired (relative frequency, 12%); 2) amnestic only (16%); 3) amnestic with functional and neuropsychiatric features (16%); 4) amnestic multidomain (12%); 5) amnestic multidomain with functional and neuropsychiatric features (12%); 6) functional and neuropsychiatric features (15%); and 7) executive function and language impairments (18%). Two of these subgroups with functional and neuropsychiatric features were at least 3.8 times more likely than the minimally impaired subgroup to have a Rosen-Hachinski score of 4 or greater, an indicator of probable CVD. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that there are several distinct phenotypes of MCI characterized by prominent cognitive features, prominent functional features, and neuropsychiatric features or a combination of all three. Subgroups with functional and neuropsychiatric features are significantly more likely to have CVD, which suggests that there may be distinct differences in disease etiology from the other phenotypes.
Rebiopsy of Lung Cancer Patients with Acquired Resistance to EGFR Inhibitors and Enhanced Detection of the T790M Mutation Using a Locked Nucleic Acid-Based Assay

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation T790M is reported in approximately 50% of lung cancers with acquired resistance to EGFR inhibitors and is a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker. Its assessment can be challenging due to limited tissue availability and underdetection at low mutant allele levels. Here, we sought to determine the feasibility of tumor rebiopsy and to more accurately assess the prevalence of the T790M using a highly sensitive locked nucleic acid (LNA) PCR/sequencing assay. MET amplification was also analyzed. Methods: Patients with acquired resistance were rebiopsied and samples were studied for sensitizing EGFR mutations. Positive cases were evaluated for T790M using standard PCR-based methods and a subset were re-evaluated with an LNA-PCR/sequencing method with an analytical sensitivity of approximately 0.1%. MET amplification was assessed by FISH. Results: Of 121 patients undergoing tissue sampling, 104 (86%) were successfully analyzed for sensitizing EGFR mutations. Most failures were related to low tumor content. All patients (61/61) with matched pretreatment and resistance specimens showed concordance for the original sensitizing EGFR mutation. Standard T790M mutation analysis on 99 patients detected 51(51%) mutants. Retesting of 30 negative patients by the LNA-based method detected 11 additional mutants for an estimated prevalence of 68%. MET was amplified in 11% of cases (4/37). Conclusions: The re-biopsy of lung cancer patients with acquired resistance is feasible and provides sufficient material for mutation analysis in most patients. Using high sensitivity methods, the T790M is detected in up to 68% of these patients. Clin Cancer Res; 17(5); 1169–80. ©2011 AACR.
[Elective cesarean section is preferred after the completion of a minimum of 38 weeks of pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of neonatal respiratory morbidity following elective caesarean delivery at term and to identify prognostic factors for this morbidity. DESIGN Retrospective. SETTING Academic Hospital Utrecht/Wilhelmina Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Utrecht, the Netherlands. METHOD All elective caesarean deliveries in the Academic Hospital Utrecht from the period 1990-1995 were studied. Also, neonates were included who were admitted for intensive neonatal care because of respiratory insufficiency following elective caesarean delivery in the region surrounding Utrecht. An elective caesarean delivery was defined as a delivery performed after 37 weeks of gestation without any complicating factor that might influence the timing of delivery. Prognostic factors for neonatal morbidity after caesarean delivery were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS During 1990-1995, 272 elective caesarean deliveries after 37 weeks of gestation were performed that fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 5.1% of the neonates were admitted to the medium care unit because of respiratory problems. The relative risk of respiratory morbidity after delivery by caesarean section with a gestational age of 39-42 weeks compared with a gestational age of 37-38 weeks, was 0.14 (95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.64; p < 0.001). Male sex was a cofactor. Nine neonates of whom 8 (90%) had a gestational age of less than 39 weeks were admitted to the intensive care unit. CONCLUSION Most of neonatal respiratory morbidity could have been avoided by postponement of the at-term elective caesarean section until a certain gestational age of at least 38 complete weeks. An elective caesarean section should not be performed before that period.
Patterns of Children's Participation in Unorganized Physical Activity

Children's leisure-time or unorganized physical activity is associated with positive physical and mental health, yet there is little information available on tracking and predicting participation throughout the childhood and adolescent years. The purpose of the current study was to explore patterns of unorganized physical activity participation of children ages 4 through 17 years. Longitudinal data from the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth were analyzed using semiparametric group-based trajectory modeling. Participation in unorganized physical activity was best represented by two trajectory groups for boys (n = 4,476) and girls (n = 4,502). For boys, these groups were labeled regular participation and infrequent participation. For girls, there was also a regular group and a second group that reflected infrequent and decreasing participation throughout childhood and adolescence. A higher educational level for parents and having two parents in the home predicted regular participation for boys. For girls, none of the examined variables were significant predictors. The results suggest that boys have a relatively stable pattern of unorganized physical activity throughout childhood and adolescence; however, for some girls, participation declines in adolescence.
Caractérisation de l'adaptation de la glande mamaire des vaches laitières à l'allongement de l'intervalle entre traites

La these avait pour objectif de caracteriser l’adaptabilite de la glande mammaire, organe support de la fonction de lactation, afin de contribuer a l’etude de la robustesse des vaches laitieres et a l’identification de vaches adaptables. L’approche utilisee pour caracteriser l’adaptabilite de la glande mammaire consistait a decrire les reponses inter-individuelles de production laitiere lors d’une perturbation, puis a identifier des criteres phenotypiques et/ou genetiques modulant les caracteristiques adaptatives. Deux modalites d’allongement de l’intervalle entre traites ont ete choisies pour perturber le fonctionnement de la glande mammaire : un intervalle de traite unique de 24h (24h-MI) et 3 semaines de monotraite (ODM). Les 2 composantes de l’adaptabilite, a savoir la resistance et la resilience, ont ete respectivement estimees par les pertes de lait lors de l’allongement de l’intervalle entre traites et par le taux de recuperation au retour a 2 traites par jour,Quatre profils de reponse, definis par leur association des modalites de resistance et de resilience, ont ete mis en evidence, dont 3 etaient communs aux 2 perturbations (24h-MI et ODM). Ces profils etaient caracterises par la compliance de la glande mammaire (c’est-a-dire son aptitude a se distendre) et par son etat inflammatoire. Les reponses de production laitiere seraient des caracteres heritables (h2= 0.32 pour les pertes de lait en kg/j et 0.63 pour la recuperation de lait (kg/d), respectivement) ouvrant des perspectives de selection des vaches sur ces caracteres adaptatifs. Les zones du genome influant
Relations of Body Mass Index, Body Fat, and Power of Various Muscles to Sport Injuries

The aim of the present study was to estimate associations of Body Mass Index, body Fat, and muscle power on sport injuries. In injured and noninjured athletes during a sport season of four months, the differences in Body Mass Index, the percent body fat, and back, leg, and right- and left-hand muscle strength were examined. The subjects were 329 men and 127 women attending classes in the departments of Physical Training and Sport of Atatürk University (Erzurum, Erzincan, and Ağri in Turkey). Body Mass Index was higher in injured athletes than in noninjured ones, but there was no difference in percent body fat between injured and noninjured athletes. The back and leg muscle power were higher for noninjured athletes than for injured ones. The right- and left-hand power was higher for injured athletes in some sports. Because the back and leg muscles function in control of equilibrium, the power of these muscles may be important for control related to avoidance of sport injuries.
Developmental disorders of the dentition: An update

Dental anomalies are common congenital malformations that can occur either as isolated findings or as part of a syndrome. This review focuses on genetic causes of abnormal tooth development and the implications of these abnormalities for clinical care. As an introduction, we describe general insights into the genetics of tooth development obtained from mouse and zebrafish models. This is followed by a discussion of isolated as well as syndromic tooth agenesis, including Van der Woude syndrome (VWS), ectodermal dysplasias (EDs), oral‐facial‐digital (OFD) syndrome type I, Rieger syndrome, holoprosencephaly, and tooth anomalies associated with cleft lip and palate. Next, we review delayed formation and eruption of teeth, as well as abnormalities in tooth size, shape, and form. Finally, isolated and syndromic causes of supernumerary teeth are considered, including cleidocranial dysplasia and Gardner syndrome. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oral pre-cancer and the associated risk factors among industrial workers in Japan's overseas enterprises in the UK.

BACKGROUND Screening at industries has been advocated as a method of early detection for cancer. This study describes the prevalence of oral pre-cancerous lesions and other mucosal diseases following oral mucosal screening, and associated risk factors among Japanese industrial workers in the UK. METHODS Oral mucosal screening was by invitation at 51 industrial locations in the UK. A self-administered questionnaire was used to record socio-behavioural factors and frequency of daily intake of fruits and vegetables. RESULTS Four hundred and eighty-four subjects attended for oral mucosal screening (mean age 39.9 +/- 8.3 years) and their mean period of residence in UK was 5.3 +/- 4.5 years. 63.4% examined were male. 31.3% of males and 26.6% of females smoked daily. The gender differences were striking compared with Japan's national rates. A higher proportion of managerial staff was regular heavy (20+ per day) smokers. The intake of more than five portions per day of vegetables and/or fruits during the weekend was significantly higher in females than in males (P = 0.022). One hundred and six subjects (22%) were detected with oral mucosal lesions, including 16 leukoplakia lesions (3.3%) and three with oral lichen planus (1%). The rate of positive detections was higher in managers (7.5%). Odds ratios were estimated by socio-behavioural variables. Among subjects positive for oral leukoplakia, managers accounted for 68.8% (OR 5.26; 95% CI, 1.24-22.29). 87.5% of subjects detected with oral leukoplakia smoked daily and had done so for the past 10 years (OR 28.40; 95% CI, 5.63-143.28). Though regular alcohol drinking was a common feature among male leukoplakia cases, heavy alcohol misuse was not encountered. None reported an intake of five or more portions of fruits or vegetables. CONCLUSIONS The Japanese nationals working in managerial positions in the UK and daily regular smokers in the industries visited were found to be at a high risk of oral pre-cancer. Regular dental/oral check up and tobacco education programmes are encouraged for oral cancer/pre-cancer control in industrial settings.
Coronally advanced flap + connective tissue graft techniques for the treatment of deep gingival recession in the lower incisors. A controlled randomized clinical trial.

AIM The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and aesthetic outcomes of two different surgical approaches for the treatment of deep gingival recession affecting the mandibular incisors. METHODS Fifty patients with Miller class I and II gingival recessions (≥ 3 mm) in the lower incisors were enrolled. Twenty-five patients were randomly assigned to the control group and the other 25 patients to the test group. All defects were treated with the coronally advanced flap + connective tissue graft (CAF + CTG) and in the test group the labial submucosal tissue (LST) was removed. Post-operative morbidity was evaluated at 1 week. Clinical and aesthetic evaluations were made at 1 year. RESULTS Statistically greater recession reduction, probability of CRC (adjusted OR 7.94 95% CI = 1.88-33.50, p = 0.0024) and greater increase in GT were observed in the test group. Greater graft exposure and increase in KTH were demonstrated in the control group. Better aesthetics outcomes were observed in the test group. No statistically significant between groups differences were demonstrated in patient analgesic assumption and post-operative discomfort and bleeding. CONCLUSIONS LST removal during CAF + CTG surgery is indicated to provide better root coverage and aesthetic outcomes in the treatment of gingival recessions affecting the lower incisors.
Transillumination‐assisted maxillary trephination: Cadaver validation of a new technique

INTRODUCTION Endoscopic sinus surgery is performed on patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who have previously failed medical therapy. The maxillary sinus is one of the most commonly affected, and endoscopic access is typically through uncinectomy and middle meatal antrostomy (MMA). Difficulties in reaching the anterior and inferior portions of the sinus have been noted due to limitations of rigid endoscopic equipment. The canine fossa puncture has been suggested as a secondary route of surgical access, and was initially described as a trochared puncture through the canine fossa, superior to the root of the canine tooth, inferior to the infraorbital foramen, medial to the zygomatic buttress, and lateral to the pyriform aperture. Recently, an updated anatomical study has described new landmarks, namely a trephination at the intersection of the midpupillary line and the horizontal line through the floor of the nasal vestibule. Cadaveric studies have shown this to be the optimum position for avoiding damage to the plexuses of the anterior superior alveolar nerve (ASAN) and middle superior alveolar nerve (MSAN), and the potential sequelae of cheek swelling, dental numbness, facial numbness, tingling, and pain. We present a modification of this technique that uses transillumination of the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus to identify the major trunks of the ASAN and MSAN, followed by an accurately drilled trephination to gain surgical access to the sinus, and a cadaveric study to assess nerve injuries in heads that have undergone canine fossa trephination (CFT) using updated anatomical landmarks. Subsequent to this cadaveric study, we tested this method of locating the optimum trephination position in patients who required CFT as part of the operative management of sinus disease.