Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi center experience of interrupted versus continuous parachuting suturing technique of hepatico-jejunostomy posterior layer anastomosis

Background: In Biliary enteric anastomosis procedures, hepatico-jejunostomies are a crucial step. Depending on the situation, the hepatico-jejunostomy operation procedure varies depending on the surgical school, and can be continuous or interrupted. Patients and Methods: A prospective comparative randomized study included 100 Patients complaining of malignant pancreatic tumour (65%), iatrogenic bile duct injury (20%), multiple common bile duct stones (10%) and liver transplantation of cirrhotic patients (5%) underwent hepatico-jejunostomy anastomosis to review a multi-center experience of hepatico-jejunostomy anastomosis in Theodor Bilharz Research Institute and Faculty of Medicine of Cairo University with regard to the types of anastomosis performed, early and late complications, and long-term patency and outcomes. Results: According to the type of suturing technique, hepatico-jejunostomy anastomosis patients are sub grouped into posterior interrupted sutures group A and posterior parachuting sutures group B. A significant direct correlation of leakage in group A with obstructive jaundice (r = 0.327 and p value = 0.02), CBD diameter (r = 0.408 and p value = 0.001), and Duct wall thickness (r = 0.408 and p value = 0.001) While there were inverse correlations with pre-operative stent (r = -0.375 and p value = 0.01).
Vascular Endothelial Glycocalyx Damage and Potential Targeted Therapy in COVID-19

COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is characterized by progressive respiratory failure resulting from diffuse alveolar damage, inflammatory infiltrates, endotheliitis, and pulmonary and systemic coagulopathy forming obstructive microthrombi with multi-organ dysfunction, indicating that endothelial cells (ECs) play a central role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. The glycocalyx is defined as a complex gel-like layer of glycosylated lipid–protein mixtures, which surrounds all living cells and acts as a buffer between the cell and the extracellular matrix. The endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL) plays an important role in vascular homeostasis via regulating vascular permeability, cell adhesion, mechanosensing for hemodynamic shear stresses, and antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory functions. Here, we review the new findings that described EGL damage in ARDS, coagulopathy, and the multisystem inflammatory disease associated with COVID-19. Mechanistically, the inflammatory mediators, reactive oxygen species (ROS), matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), the glycocalyx fragments, and the viral proteins may contribute to endothelial glycocalyx damage in COVID-19. In addition, the potential therapeutic strategies targeting the EGL for the treatment of severe COVID-19 are summarized and discussed.
Dissection of Mouse Hippocampus with Its Dorsal, Intermediate and Ventral Subdivisions Combined with Molecular Validation

Many research methods applied in molecular neuroscience require the collection of hippocampal samples, but a still poorly recognized problem is contamination with the choroid plexus during brain dissection. Because of a distinct pattern of gene expression, its inclusion in brain samples can obscure or even confound conclusions drawn from molecular studies. Therefore, we tested our dissection method designed for removal of tissue contamination using expression of the transthyretin gene (Ttr) as a marker of the choroid plexus. Additionally, we also validated dissection of the entire hippocampus into its dorsal, intermediate and ventral subdivisions using the expression of Trhr and Lct genes as molecular markers of anatomical subdivisions. The PCR analysis showed that Ttr is expressed at a residual level in hippocampal samples that display an mRNA level several hundred lower than the adjacent control tissue colocalized with the choroid plexus. This indicates that the applied method for dissecting the hippocampus from a fresh brain allows for replicable removal of the majority of choroid plexus from hippocampal samples. In turn, differences in expression of Lct and Trhr confirmed the proper dissection of dorsal, intermediate and ventral subdivisions from fresh brain tissue. Therefore, a special emphasis on the removal of tissue contamination and avoidance of tissue distortions makes our protocol especially suitable for molecular experiments performed either on the entire hippocampus or its subdivisions.
Electro-Sorption of Hydrogen by Platinum, Palladium and Bimetallic Pt-Pd Nanoelectrode Arrays Synthesized by Pulsed Laser Ablation

Sustainable and renewable production of hydrogen by water electrolysers is expected to be one of the most promising methods to satisfy the ever-growing demand for renewable energy production and storage. Hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline electrolyte is still challenging due to its slow kinetic properties. This study proposes new nanoelectrode arrays for high Faradaic efficiency of the electro-sorption reaction of hydrogen in an alkaline electrolyte. A comparative study of the nanoelectrode arrays, consisting of platinum or palladium or bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) Pt80Pd20 (wt.%), obtained by nanosecond pulsed laser ablation in aqueous environment, casted onto graphene paper, is proposed. The effects of thin films of perfluoro-sulfonic ionomer on the material morphology, nanoparticles dispersion, and electrochemical performance have been investigated. The NPs-GP systems have been characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles. Faradaic efficiency up to 86.6% and hydrogen storage capacity up to 6 wt. % have been obtained by the Pt-ionomer and Pd/Pt80Pd20 systems, respectively.
In Situ Evaluation of Benzene and Toluene Biodegradation in a Large Block of Gneissic Residual Soil

Numerous socio-economic benefits are associated with the oil industry. However, problems cannot be neglected, resulting in many accidents that can occur at any production stage of this industry. A serious problem created by this industry is environmental contamination by hydrocarbons. Gasoline in contact with infiltration water, the aromatic constituents, in particular the BTEX group, partially dissolve being the first contaminants to reach the groundwater. Studies published in the literature indicate that biological degradation is the main mechanism responsible for reducing the concentration of these toxic pollutants. Laboratory studies of this kind have been conducted in small scale columns, where the biological field conditions are not well reproduced. However, studies conducted in a larger scale with structured soil, remaining closer to field conditions, evidenced biodegradation processes of BTEX. This paper presents the in situ construction, instrumentation and monitoring of a large rectangular block of undisturbed residual gneissic soil, subjected to a horizontal flow of a contaminant solution composed of water, benzene and toluene to evaluate the biodegradation of these compounds in different points of the block over time. During the period of 85 days, samples of the percolating solution were periodically collected from pre-established monitoring points and the concentrations of benzene and toluene were determined using a coupled technique of gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Based on the monitoring results, decay in the concentrations of the compounds over time and along the length of the block was observed. These results indicated, consistently with the biological characterization of the soil that showed the existence of microbial degrading activity, the occurrence of biodegradation of benzene and toluene, and, by an extraction process, the retention of these compounds in soil was also verified.
Bioleaching of Typical Electronic Waste—Printed Circuit Boards (WPCBs): A Short Review

The rapid pace of innovations and the frequency of replacement of electrical and electronic equipment has made waste printed circuit boards (WPCB) one of the fastest growing waste streams. The frequency of replacement of equipment can be caused by a limited time of proper functioning and increasing malfunctions. Resource utilization of WPCBs have become some of the most profitable companies in the recycling industry. To facilitate WPCB recycling, several advanced technologies such as pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy and biometallurgy have been developed. Bioleaching uses naturally occurring microorganisms and their metabolic products to recover valuable metals, which is a promising technology due to its cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and sustainability. However, there is sparse comprehensive research on WPCB bioleaching. Therefore, in this work, a short review was conducted from the perspective of potential microorganisms, bioleaching mechanisms and parameter optimization. Perspectives on future research directions are also discussed.
Influence Mechanism of Initial Concreting Temperature and Water-Binder Ratio on Hydration Rate of Fly Ash Concrete

The hydration exothermic rate of fly ash concrete is significantly affected by the initial concreting temperature and water-binder ratio. Firstly, the adiabatic temperature rise and temperature rise rate of fly ash concrete at different initial concreting temperatures and water-binder ratios were obtained by a thermal test instrument; then, the effects of initial concreting temperature and water-binder ratio on the hydration kinetic parameters of the NG-I-D hydration process of fly ash concrete were analyzed by the theory of hydration kinetics; lastly, the effects of initial concreting temperature and water-binder ratio on chemically bound water and pore bulk of fly ash concrete during hydration were analyzed by applying a thermogravimetric analyzer and industrial CT scanning techniques. The results showed that the increase in initial concreting temperature and the decrease in water-binder ratio accelerated the rate of temperature rise, and the initial concreting temperature had a more significant effect than the water-binder ratio. During the hydration reaction, the I process was significantly influenced by the initial concreting temperature, and the D process was significantly influenced by the water-binder ratio; the content of bound water increased with the increase in water-binder ratio and age and the decrease in initial concreting temperature. The initial temperature had a significant effect on the growth rate of 1 to 3 days bound water, and the water-binder ratio had a more significant effect on the growth rate of 3 to 7 days bound water. The porosity was positively correlated with the initial concreting temperature and water-binder ratio and decreased with age, but 1 to 3 days was the key period of porosity change. Additionally, the pore size was also influenced by the initial concreting temperature and water-binder ratio.
An extended LuGre-brush tyre model for large camber angles and turning speeds

ABSTRACT This paper presents a novel tyre model which combines the LuGre formulation with the exact brush theory recently developed by the authors, and which accounts for large camber angles and turning speeds. Closed-form solutions for the frictional state at the tyre-road interface are provided for the case of constant slip inputs, considering rectangular and elliptical contact patches. The steady-state tyre characteristics resulting from the proposed approach are compared to those obtained by employing the standard formulation of the LuGre-brush tyre models and the exact brush theory for large camber angles. Then, to cope with the general situation of time-varying slips and spins, two approximated lumped models are developed that describe the aggregate dynamics of the tyre forces and moment. In particular, it is found that the transient evolution of the tangential forces may be approximated by a system of two coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs), whilst the dynamics of the self-aligning moment may be described by combining two systems of two coupled ODEs. Given its stability properties and ease of implementation, the lumped one may be effectively employed for vehicle state estimation and control purposes.
High Myoinositol on Proton MR Spectroscopy Could Be a Potential Signature of Papillary Tumors of the Pineal Region—Case Report of Two Patients

Papillary tumor of the pineal region (PTPR) is an uncommon entity in which a presurgical suspicion may be crucial for patient management. Maximal safe neurosurgical resection is of choice when PTPR is suspected, whereas non-surgical approaches can be considered in other tumors of the pineal region, such as pineocytoma or concrete subtypes of germ-cell tumors. In general terms, imaging features of tumors of the pineal region have been reported to be unspecific. Nevertheless, in this report, we describe two pathology-confirmed PTPRs in which presurgical proton MR spectroscopy demonstrated extremely high myoinositol, a pattern which drastically differs from that of other pineal tumors. We hypothesize that this high myoinositol may be related to PTPR’s known ependymal component, and that it could be used as a specific non-invasive diagnostic signature.
Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: A Population-Based Registry Analysis to Assess Clinical Findings, Pharmacological Treatment and Survival

Background and Objectives: One of the most serious clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The aim is to analyze pharmacological treatment, survival and the main mortality predictors. Materials and Methods: A real-world data study from COVID-19-hospitalized patients with SARS from 1 March to 31 May 2020 has been carried out. Variables such as hospital length of stay, ventilation type and clinical outcomes have been taken into account. Results: In Castile and Leon, 14.03% of the 7307 in-hospital COVID-19 patients developed SARS, with a mortality rate of 42.53%. SARS prevalence was doubled in males compared to females, and 78.54% had an age of 65 years or more. The most commonly used medicines were antibiotics (89.27%), antimalarials (68.1%) and corticosteroids (55.9%). Survival of patients developing SARS was lower compared to patients without this complication (12 vs. 13 days). The main death predictors were disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (OR: 13.87) and age (>65 years) (OR: 7.35). Conclusions: Patients older than 65 years who develop DIC have a higher probability of hospital death. Tocilizumab and steroids have been linked to a lower incidence of hospital death, being the main treatment for COVID-19 hospitalized patients with SARS.
Evaluation of a Treadmill-Based Submaximal Fitness Test in Pugs, and Collecting Breed-Specific Information on Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome

Simple Summary In the present study, a submaximal fitness test on a treadmill was evaluated to assess its feasibility under standardised conditions. Moreover, its effectiveness in identifying pugs with clinical signs of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome was examined. It was apparent that respiratory symptoms can be exposed during the fitness test, and intensified with an increased duration of exercise. This method of testing improves the clinical evaluation of the dogs and helps identify restrictions due to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. Since most of the dogs could be familiarised with the treadmill, it may be a feasible option for performing fitness tests in brachycephalic dogs. Major benefits, therefore, are that each dog can be closely monitored during the entire process, and that the examination can be conducted under standardised conditions. Abstract Despite efforts of veterinarians and breeders, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) is still a common problem in pugs, underlining the need for objective tests to identify and prevent breeding with affected dogs. In the current study, a submaximal, treadmill-based fitness test was evaluated as a tool to identify signs of airway obstruction not recognisable under rest conditions. In addition to this, different body conformation and measurements were assessed regarding their association with BOAS. A total of 62 pugs and 10 mesocephalic dogs trotted with an individual comfort speed on a treadmill for 15 min. Before and during the examination, dogs were examined for signs of respiratory distress, and a functional BOAS grading was applied. The influence of body conformation on BOAS grading was tested in a univariable and multivariable logistic regression model. During exercise, more respiratory noises were observed, and existing respiratory noises became more apparent in comparison to when at rest. In the multivariable logistic regression model, no factor had a statistically significant influence on BOAS classification. Submaximal fitness testing helped to identify signs of respiratory distress not apparent under resting conditions, and could be a valuable addition for identifying dogs with BOAS. Performing testing on a treadmill facilitates continuous observation of the patients, and enables standardisation of the test regarding the test environment, as well as provides an uninterrupted, steady workload.
Influence of Farming System and Forecrops of Spring Wheat on Protein Content in the Grain and the Physicochemical Properties of Unsonicated and Sonicated Gluten

The potential for enhancing the spring wheat protein content by different cultivation strategies was explored. The influence of ultrasound on the surface and rheological properties of wheat-gluten was also studied. Spring wheat was cultivated over the period of 2018–2020 using two farming systems (conventional and organic) and five forecrops (sugar beet, spring barley, red clover, winter wheat, or oat). The obtained gluten was sonicated using the ultrasonic scrubber. For all organically grown wheat, the protein content was higher than for the conventional one. There was no correlation between the rheological properties of gluten and the protein content in the grain. Gluten derived from organically grown wheat was more elastic than those derived from the conventional one. Sonication enhanced the elasticity of gluten. The sonication effect was influenced by the forecrops. The most elastic gluten after sonication was found for organic barley and sugar beet. The lowest values of tan (delta) were noted for conventional wheat and conventional oat. Cultivation in the monoculture gave gluten with a smaller susceptibility to increase elasticity after sonic treatment. Sonication promoted the cross-linking of protein molecules and induced a more hydrophobic character, which was confirmed by an increment in contact angles (CAs). Most of the organically grown wheat samples showed a lower CA than the conventional ones, which indicated a less hydrophobic character. The gluten surface became rougher with the sonication, regardless of the farming system and applied forecrops. Sonication treatment of gluten proteins rearranged the intermolecular linkages, especially disulfide and hydrophobic bonds, leading to changes in their surface morphology.
Design of robust profitable false data injection attacks in multi-settlement electricity markets

The potential impacts of data integrity attacks on multi-settlement electricity markets have been recently investigated and have sent a strong message to power grids independent system operators (ISOs) that adversaries could launch profitable cyber attacks by casting an incorrect image of transmission lines congestion pattern. However, these cautionary messages may be underestimated due to the adversaries unrealistic requirements (e.g. having access to real-time measurements) to launch a successful stealthy and profitable attack. This study examines the potential of the aforementioned risk by demonstrating how a malicious power market participant could disturb the electricity market operation, using a pre-designed false data injection attack along with bogus electricity trades in both day-ahead and real-time markets. The proposed attack design is robust against market uncertainties and the adversary can guarantee the success of the attack in advance. Hence, the existence of such cyber attacks against electricity markets can make the adversaries more aggressive. The numerical results on the IEEE 14-bus test system confirm the vulnerability of multi-settlement electricity markets to such financial cyber attacks. The results obtained from investigating such an attack design can be employed by ISOs in order to provide appropriate countermeasures.
Genetic Basis of ACTH-Secreting Adenomas

Cushing’s disease represents 60–70% of all cases of Cushing’s syndrome, presenting with a constellation of clinical features associated with sustained hypercortisolism. Molecular alterations in corticotrope cells lead to the formation of ACTH-secreting adenomas, with subsequent excessive production of endogenous glucocorticoids. In the last few years, many authors have contributed to analyzing the etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology of corticotrope adenomas, which still need to be fully clarified. New molecular modifications such as somatic mutations of USP8 and other genes have been identified, and several case series and case reports have been published, highlighting new molecular alterations that need to be explored. To investigate the current knowledge of the genetics of ACTH-secreting adenomas, we performed a bibliographic search of the recent scientific literature to identify all pertinent articles. This review presents the most recent updates on somatic and germline mutations underlying Cushing’s disease. The prognostic implications of these mutations, in terms of clinical outcomes and therapeutic scenarios, are still debated. Further research is needed to define the clinical features associated with the different genotypes and potential pharmacological targets.
The intricacies of identifying equatorial waves

Equatorial waves (EWs) are synoptic‐ to planetary‐scale propagating disturbances at low latitudes with periods from a few days to several weeks. Here, this term includes Kelvin waves, equatorial Rossby waves, mixed Rossby–gravity waves, and inertio‐gravity waves, which are well described by linear wave theory, but it also other tropical disturbances such as easterly waves and the intraseasonal Madden–Julian Oscillation with more complex dynamics. EWs can couple with deep convection, leading to a substantial modulation of clouds and rainfall. EWs are amongst the dynamic features of the troposphere with the longest intrinsic predictability, and models are beginning to forecast them with an exploitable level of skill. Most of the methods developed to identify and objectively isolate EWs in observations and model fields rely on (or at least refer to) the adiabatic, frictionless linearized primitive equations on the sphere or the shallow‐water system on the equatorial β$$ \beta $$ ‐plane. Common ingredients to these methods are zonal wave‐number–frequency filtering (Fourier or wavelet) and/or projections onto predefined empirical or theoretical dynamical patterns. This paper gives an overview of six different methods to isolate EWs and their structures, discusses the underlying assumptions, evaluates the applicability to different problems, and provides a systematic comparison based on a case study (February 20–May 20, 2009) and a climatological analysis (2001–2018). In addition, the influence of different input fields (e.g., winds, geopotential, outgoing long‐wave radiation, rainfall) is investigated. Based on the results, we generally recommend employing a combination of wave‐number–frequency filtering and spatial‐projection methods (and of different input fields) to check for robustness of the identified signal. In cases of disagreement, one needs to carefully investigate which assumptions made for the individual methods are most probably not fulfilled. This will help in choosing an approach optimally suited to a given problem at hand and avoid misinterpretation of the results.