Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brotherhood of Kings: How International Relations Shaped the Ancient Near East

Amanda Podany here takes readers on a vivid tour through a thousand years of ancient Near Eastern history, from 2300 to 1300 BCE, paying particular attention to the lively interactions that took place between the great kings of the day. Allowing them to speak in their own words, Podany reveals how these Near Eastern leaders and their ambassadors devised a remarkably sophisticated system of diplomacy and of trade that extended from the Aegean Sea to Afghanistan, and from the Baltic to central Africa. The allied kings referred to one another as "brothers," kings with equal power and influence who were tied to one another through peace treaties and powerful obligations. They were also often bound together as in-laws, as a result of marrying one another's daughters. These rulers had almost never met one another in person, but they felt a strong connection-a real brotherhood-which gradually made wars between them less common. A remarkable account of a pivotal moment in world history-the establishment of international diplomacy thousands of years before the United Nations-Brotherhood of Kings offers a vibrantly written history of the region often known as the "cradle of civilization. "
Proteomic analysis of seminal plasma from bilateral varicocele patients indicates an oxidative state and increased inflammatory response

Seminal plasma is a rich source of proteins and serves as an ideal sample for proteomic analysis of male infertility. In varicocele-associated infertility, the contributory role of seminal plasma proteins specific to unilateral and bilateral varicocele is not clear. Furthermore, there is a lack of specific protein biomarker to differentiate bilateral from unilateral varicocele. The main objective is to identify the differentially regulated molecular and cellular pathways in bilateral varicocele. Furthermore, we intend to identify seminal plasma biomarkers to differentiate bilateral and unilateral varicocele patients in comparison with fertile healthy men. Global proteomic analysis of seminal plasma proteins has identified the functionality of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in varicocele patients. Bioinformatic analysis has revealed response to reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, and tissue homeostasis as top process pathways that are affected in bilateral varicocele patients compared to fertile healthy men. In comparison with unilateral varicocele patients, inflammatory response pathways were dysregulated, especially interleukin 6 (IL-6) signaling and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak-STAT) pathways, in bilateral varicocele patients, owing to the involvement of underexpressed DEPs. Key DEPs associated with oxidative stress (peroxiredoxin 2; PRDX2), DNA fragmentation (fatty acid synthase; FASN), and inflammatory response (fibronectin 1; FN1) validated by western blot analysis revealed differential expression of these proteins in unilateral and bilateral varicocele groups. Altered expression of DEPs and its association with key processes show that the seminal plasma homeostasis is compromised in bilateral varicocele patients. Furthermore, we propose PRDX2, FASN, and FN1 as potential noninvasive seminal plasma markers for the differentiation of unilateral and bilateral varicocele patients.
Características físico-químicas de cultivares de alho (Allium sativum L.) do grupo semi-nobre, nas condições de Lavras, MG.

Physico-chemical characteristics of half-noble group garlic cultivars (Allium sativum L.), under Lavras – MG, conditions. With the objective of evaluating the physico-chemical characteristics of half-noble group garlic cultivars, the experiment at vegetable session of the Universidade Federal de Lavras MG (Federal University of Lavras - MG) was carried out. The experimental design was in randomized complete blocks with six cultivars (Gigante Roxo; Gigante Roxao, Amarante; Cateto Roxo, Gravata and Gigante Curitibanos) and three replications. The highest percentages of soluble solids were presented by cultivars Amarante (37.16%) and Cateto Roxo (34.00%). The smallest percentages of soluble solids were presented by cultivars Gravata (29.66%) and Gigante Curitibanos (29.33%), without any differences among them. There was a small variation of pH among cultivars, when the cultivar Amarante (7.06) presented the greatest value and the cultivar Gigante Curitibanos (6,60) presented the smallest value, that differed to other cultivars. The cultivars Gigante Curitibanos with 1.24% and Cateto Roxo with 1.13% presented the greatest titulable acidity value.
Mapping knowledge landscapes and emerging trends of robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty: A bibliometric analysis

The robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty has gained increasing attention in the research field. To date, no comprehensive bibliometric analysis has been carried out on this topic. The present study aimed to introduce the research status and hotspots and explore the field of robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty from a bibliometric perspective. The Web of Science Core Collection database was utilized to retrieve articles and reviews on robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty published between 1993 and 2023. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, Pajek, and a bibliometric online analysis platform (http://bibliometric.com/) were employed to analyze the regions, institutions, journals, authors, and keywords, aiming to predict the latest trends in research related to robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty. This study encompasses 697 records. The annual publication count pertaining to robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty demonstrates consistent growth. The United States leads with the highest number of studies (298), trailed by the United Kingdom (110) and France (49). The Hospital for Special Surgery emerges as the most prolific institution, while Professor Mont, Michael A holds significant author influence. The Journal of Arthroplasty reigns supreme in this field, boasting the highest publication and citation figures. Funding sources predominantly include Stryker (34), Smith Nephew (19), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (17). Noteworthy research themes within robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty encompass patient satisfaction, kinematic alignment, and clinical benefits. The landscape of robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty research is thriving. Anticipated trajectories of research will be geared toward refining the precision of robotic technology and enhancing clinical outcomes within the realm of robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty.
Outcomes of Descemet-Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty in Congenital Hereditary Endothelial Dystrophy.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the outcomes and complications of Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) in children with congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED). METHODS Eighteen eyes from 10 children with CHED who underwent standard phakic DSAEK were enrolled in this retrospective interventional case series. Medical records including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, cycloplegic refraction, visual acuity, and measurements of central corneal thickness, corneal topography, and endothelial cell density were evaluated. All complications were recorded. RESULTS The mean age of cases was 8.1±4.2 (range: 3-16) years at the time of surgery. Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty was performed successfully in all eyes, which survived in 16/18 (88.9%) of cases during a median follow-up period of 38 (range 19-64) months. In patients with clear graft, best-corrected visual acuity was improved to a range of 20/100 to 20/40 and improved to fix and follow in one younger child. Endothelial cell density decreased by an average of 42.1%, comparing baseline and 6-month follow-up and was relatively stable thereafter. A marked flattening of the anterior corneal curvature (mean change of anterior K reading: +2.56±3.14 diopters) was observed after DSAEK. The only major complication in patients with clear graft was intraocular pressure elevation in 61.1% of the eyes, which was easily controlled with one antiglaucoma medication. None of the eyes developed cataract. CONCLUSION Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty is a safe and successful procedure in children with an acceptable graft survival in a mid-term follow-up period. A marked hyperopic shift could occur after DSAEK in children with CHED.
Managing with Style: The Effect of Managers on Firm Policies

This paper investigates whether and how individual managers affect corporate behavior and performance. We construct a manager-firm matched panel data set which enables us to track the top managers across different firms over time. We find that manager fixed effects matter for a wide range of corporate decisions. A significant extent of the heterogeneity in investment, financial and organizational practices of firms can be explained by the presence of manager fixed effects. We identify specific patterns in managerial decision making that appear to indicate general differences in "style" across managers. Moreover, we show that management style is significantly related to manager fixed effects in performance and that managers with higher performance fixed effects receive higher compensation and are more likely to be found in better governed firms. In a final step, we tie back these findings to observable managerial characteristics. We find that executives from earlier birth cohorts appear on average to be more conservative; on the other hand, managers who hold an MBA degree seem to follow on average more aggressive strategies.
Approximation Methods to Solve the Alternative Subgraphs Assembly Line Balancing Problem

This paper studies the performance of a group of heuristic methods developed to solve the Alternative Subgraphs Assembly Line Balancing Problem. This problem implies selecting an assembly subgraph for each subassembly that allows alternatives and assigning the tasks to the workstations, simultaneously. A computational experiment is carried out to analyse and compare the efficiency of the proposed procedures considering medium and large scale problems. Test results are reported.
Seizure frequency in patients with isolated subdural hematoma and preserved consciousness

ABSTRACT Background: Seizures are a complication of subdural hematoma (SDH), and there is substantial variability in the use of seizure prophylaxis for patients with SDH. However, the incidence of seizures in patients with SDH without severe neurotrauma is not clear. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of and factors associated with seizures in patients with isolated SDH (iSDH) without severe neurotrauma. Methods: In this retrospective, observational study, we identified adults with Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) ≥13 and computed tomography (CT)-documented iSDH. The primary outcome was clinical seizure frequency. Seizure medication use was also assessed. Fisher’s exact test and logistic regression were used to assess association. Results: Of 643 patients with iSDH, 14 (2.2%) had seizures during hospitalization. Of 630 patients (98%) not receiving seizure medication prior to SDH, 522 (82.9%) received levetiracetam. Of the patients who received a seizure medication, 12 (2.3%) had a seizure, while of the 121 patients who did not receive seizure medications, 2 (1.9%) had a seizure (p = .49). In multivariable regression, the only variable significantly associated with seizure was thickness of subdural hematoma (OR 1.16, p = .005). Conclusion: In patients with iSDH and preserved consciousness, in-hospital seizures were rare regardless of seizure medications use.
Prospects and perspectives: inferring physiological and regulatory targets for CAM from molecular and modelling approaches

Abstract Background and Scope This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) by integrating evolutionary, ecological, physiological, metabolic and molecular perspectives. A number of key control loops which moderate the expression of CAM phases, and their metabolic and molecular control, are explored. These include nocturnal stomatal opening, activation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase by a specific protein kinase, interactions with circadian clock control, as well as daytime decarboxylation and activation of Rubisco. The vacuolar storage and release of malic acid and the interplay between the supply and demand for carbohydrate reserves are also key metabolic control points. Future Opportunities We identify open questions and opportunities, with experimentation informed by top-down molecular modelling approaches allied with bottom-up mechanistic modelling systems. For example, mining transcriptomic datasets using high-speed systems approaches will help to identify targets for future genetic manipulation experiments to define the regulation of CAM (whether circadian or metabolic control). We emphasize that inferences arising from computational approaches or advanced nuclear sequencing techniques can identify potential genes and transcription factors as regulatory targets. However, these outputs then require systematic evaluation, using genetic manipulation in key model organisms over a developmental progression, combining gene silencing and metabolic flux analysis and modelling to define functionality across the CAM day–night cycle. From an evolutionary perspective, the origins and function of CAM succulents and responses to water deficits are set against the mesophyll and hydraulic limitations imposed by cell and tissue succulence in contrasting morphological lineages. We highlight the interplay between traits across shoots (3D vein density, mesophyll conductance and cell shrinkage) and roots (xylem embolism and segmentation). Thus, molecular, biophysical and biochemical processes help to curtail water losses and exploit rapid rehydration during restorative rain events. In the face of a changing climate, we hope such approaches will stimulate opportunities for future research.
A study on nutrient uptake by paddy in integrated use of fertilizers and vermicompost.

For sustainable agriculture, it is imperative to utilize renewable inputs, which can maximize the ecological benefits and minimize the environment hazards. Application of organic-inorganic combination is very effective in realization of high yield and high responses to added nutrients (Sarkar et al.,1997). An integrated approach is considered as the need of hour. Hence, present study was conducted to know the effect of different combinations of vermicompost and fertilizer on nutrient uptake in paddy crop.
Resting-State Functional Connectivity Between Centromedial Amygdala and Insula as Related to Somatic Symptoms in Depressed Patients: A Preliminary Study.

OBJECTIVE Somatic symptoms are prevalent in patients with depression. The centromedial amygdala (CMA) is a key brain region that mediates autonomic and somatic responses. Abnormal function in the CMA may contribute to the development of somatic symptoms in depressed patients. METHODS We compared the resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) based on the seed of the left and right CMA between 37 patients with depression and 30 healthy controls. The severity of depressive and somatic symptoms was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the 15-item somatic symptom severity scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-15). Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the RSFC and clinical variables (HDRS and PHQ-15) in depressed patients. RESULTS Compared with healthy controls, patients with depression exhibited decreased RSFC between the CMA and insula, and superior temporal gyrus. In addition, functional connectivity between the left CMA and left insula was negatively correlated with PHQ-15 (r = -0.348, p = .037) in depressed patients. No significant relation was found between the RSFC and HDRS in depressed patients. CONCLUSIONS Functional connectivity between the CMA and insula is reduced in depressive patients, which is associated with the severity of somatic symptoms. Our findings may provide a potential neural substrate to interpret the co-occurrence of depression with somatic symptoms.
The Steens Mountain (Oregon) geomagnetic polarity transition: 3

There is disclosed apparatus for rewinding a web. The apparatus comprises a simple inexpensive clutch arrangement which gradually applies and removes driving force from a rewind shaft. A pair of bearing sleeves are received about the shaft. The sleeves have cooperable cam surfaces. The first sleeve is continuously driven. A roll in contact with the web senses the tautness or slack in the web and selectively operates a cam to move the sleeves into and out of camming cooperation. When in camming cooperation, the first sleeve binds on the shaft to effect clutching and consequent rotation of the shaft.
Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial of High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin I–Guided Combination Angiotensin Receptor Blockade and Beta-Blocker Therapy to Prevent Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity: The Cardiac CARE Trial

BACKGROUND: Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity has a variable incidence, and the development of left ventricular dysfunction is preceded by elevations in cardiac troponin concentrations. Beta-adrenergic receptor blocker and renin-angiotensin system inhibitor therapies have been associated with modest cardioprotective effects in unselected patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy. METHODS: In a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end-point trial, patients with breast cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma receiving anthracycline chemotherapy underwent serial high-sensitivity cardiac troponin testing and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging before and 6 months after anthracycline treatment. Patients at high risk of cardiotoxicity (cardiac troponin I concentrations in the upper tertile during chemotherapy) were randomized to standard care plus cardioprotection (combination carvedilol and candesartan therapy) or standard care alone. The primary outcome was adjusted change in left ventricular ejection fraction at 6 months. In low-risk nonrandomized patients with cardiac troponin I concentrations in the lower 2 tertiles, we hypothesized the absence of a 6-month change in left ventricular ejection fraction and tested for equivalence of ±2%. RESULTS: Between October 2017 and June 2021, 175 patients (mean age, 53 years; 87% female; 71% with breast cancer) were recruited. Patients randomized to cardioprotection (n=29) or standard care (n=28) had left ventricular ejection fractions of 69.4±7.4% and 69.1±6.1% at baseline and 65.7±6.6% and 64.9±5.9% 6 months after completion of chemotherapy, respectively. After adjustment for age, pretreatment left ventricular ejection fraction, and planned anthracycline dose, the estimated mean difference in 6-month left ventricular ejection fraction between the cardioprotection and standard care groups was −0.37% (95% CI, −3.59% to 2.85%; P=0.82). In low-risk nonrandomized patients, baseline and 6-month left ventricular ejection fractions were 69.3±5.7% and 66.4±6.3%, respectively: estimated mean difference, 2.87% (95% CI, 1.63%–4.10%; P=0.92, not equivalent). CONCLUSIONS: Combination candesartan and carvedilol therapy had no demonstrable cardioprotective effect in patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy with high-risk on-treatment cardiac troponin I concentrations. Low-risk nonrandomized patients had similar declines in left ventricular ejection fraction, bringing into question the utility of routine cardiac troponin monitoring. Furthermore, the modest declines in left ventricular ejection fraction suggest that the value and clinical impact of early cardioprotection therapy need to be better defined in patients receiving high-dose anthracycline. REGISTRATION: URL: https://doi.org; Unique identifier: 10.1186/ISRCTN24439460. URL: https://www.clinicaltrialsregister. eu/ctr-search/search; Unique identifier: 2017-000896-99.
Anticipative alpha-stable linear processes for time series analysis : conditional dynamics and estimation

Dans le contexte des series temporelles lineaires, on etudie les processus strictement stationnaires dits anticipatifs dependant potentiellement de tous les termes d'une suite d'erreurs alpha-stables independantes et identiquement distribuees.On considere en premier lieu les processus autoregressifs (AR) et l'on montre que des moments conditionnels d'ordres plus eleves que les moments marginaux existent des lors que le polynome caracteristique admet au moins une racine a l'interieur du cercle unite.Des formules fermees sont obtenues pour les moments d'ordre un et deux dans des cas particuliers.On montre que la methode des moindres carres permet d'estimer une representation all-pass causale du processus dont la validite peut etre verifiee par un test de type portmanteau, et l'on propose une methode fondee sur des proprietes d'extreme clustering pour retrouver la representation AR originale.L'AR(1) stable anticipatif est etudie en details dans le cadre des vecteurs stables bivaries et des formes fonctionnelles pour les quatre premiers moments conditionnels sont obtenues pour toute parametrisation admissible.Lors des evenements extremes, il est montre que ces moments deviennent equivalents a ceux d'une distribution de Bernoulli chargeant deux evolutions futures opposees: accroissement exponentiel ou retour aux valeurs centrales.Des resultats paralleles sont obtenus pour l'analogue de l'AR(1) en temps continu, le processus d'Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stable anticipatif.Pour des moyennes mobiles alpha-stables infinies, la distribution conditionnelle des chemins futurs sachant la trajectoire passee est obtenue lors des evenements extremes par le biais d'une nouvelle representation des vecteurs stables multivaries sur des cylindres unites relatifs a des semi-normes.Contrairement aux normes, ce type de representation donne lieu a une propriete de variations regulieres des queues de distribution utilisable dans un contexte de prevision, mais tout vecteur stable n'admet pas une telle representation. Une caracterisation est donnee et l'on montre qu'un chemin fini de moyenne mobile alpha-stable sera representable pourvu que le processus soit "suffisamment anticipatif". L'approche s'etend aux processus resultant de la combinaison lineaire de moyennes mobiles alpha-stables, et la distribution conditionnelle des chemins futurs s'interprete naturellement en termes de reconnaissance de formes.