Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coronary arteriography in elderly patients: risk, therapeutic consequences and long‐term follow‐up

Objective Elderly people comprise the fastest-growing segment of the German population. This study evaluated the benefit of coronary arteriography in the management of selected old-age patients suffering from symptomatic coronary heart disease.Method From 1982 to 1992, with annually increasing frequency, coronary arteriography was performed in 398 patients with suspected or proven coronary artery disease who were 75 years of age or older.Results Compared with 300 consecutive patients younger than 75 years, patients older than 75 years presented significantly more often with unstable angina, history of myocardial infarction, and multivessel disease; mean ejection fraction was significantly lower and risk of cardiac catheterization significantly higher. In more than half the older patients, balloon angioplasty (n = 130) or bypass surgery (n = 73) were judged to be indicated. Long-term prognosis was significantly worse with medical therapy: the 5-year survival rate was 58% for those receiving medical therapy, whereas it was 73% for those undergoing angioplasty, and 67% for those undergoing surgery. Multivanate analysis revealed history of diabetes and left ventricular ejection fraction as the most powerful predictors of death. Prognosis was significantly improved by surgery compared with medicine in patients with extensive coronary artery disease and impaired left ventricular function. More revasculanzed patients were free of angina at follow-up after a mean of 35 months, whereas intensity of antianginal medication was lower only in the surgically treated patients.Conclusions In about half the selected aged patients, coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery was deemed feasible. Long-term prognosis, however, was primarily determined by left ventricular ejection fraction and history of diabetes. Compared with medical therapy, bypass surgery improved prognosis in patients with extensive coronary artery disease and impaired ventricular function. Interventions were effective in alleviating anginal complaints and reducing the need for antianginal drugs.
Identification of Genes Involved in Swarming Motility Using a Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 Mini-Tn5-lux Mutant Library

ABSTRACT During a screening of a mini-Tn5-luxCDABE transposon mutant library of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 for alterations in swarming motility, 36 mutants were identified with Tn5 insertions in genes for the synthesis or function of flagellin and type IV pilus, in genes for the Xcp-related type II secretion system, and in regulatory, metabolic, chemosensory, and hypothetical genes with unknown functions. These mutants were differentially affected in swimming and twitching motility but in most cases had only a minor additional motility defect. Our data provide evidence that swarming is a more complex type of motility, since it is influenced by a large number of different genes in P. aeruginosa. Conversely, many of the swarming-negative mutants also showed an impairment in biofilm formation, indicating a strong relationship between these types of growth states.
Collaborative Preference: The Role of Homophily, Multiplexity, and Advantageous Network Position across Small and Medium-sized Organizations

The purpose of this paper is to examine collaboration between individuals across organizations. While both for profit and not-for-profit organizations utilize collaborative efforts, the factors that are important for bringing individuals and businesses together for collaboration still remain somewhat unresolved. In this paper, colleague similarity, the quality of pre-existing relationships, and the relative power of the other colleague are all examined for their correlation with the desirability of collaboration with that individual. In a study of pastors of small and medium sized churches in a southwestern protestant conference, we examined these areas through the lenses of homophily theory, multiplicity theories, and network positioning theories and found support for each of our hypotheses. Implications for management as well as future research directions are also presented.
Modélisation de la connectivité larvaire et implications en terme de gestion de l'environnement

Integrer les connaissances sur la connectivite ecologique dans la gestion des ecosystemes marins est essentiel, surtout dans un contexte d'appauvrissement des ressources marines et de degradation des habitats cotiers a l'echelle mondiale. Des outils environnementaux, tels que les Aires Marines Protegees ont ete mises en œuvre pour proteger la biodiversite, restaurer les ecosystemes endommages, soutenir les pecheries et reconstituer les stocks surexploites. Leur efficacite depend en partie du maintien de la connectivite entre les populations marines, assuree a travers divers processus ecologiques dont la dispersion larvaire. Dans le cadre de ce travail de these, un modele biophysique integrant des donnees de courants, issues de mesures d'altimetrie par satellite, a ete utilise pour evaluer la connectivite entre les recifs de l'ocean Indien d'une part, et a travers le reseau d'AMP de Mediterranee d'autre part. Differentes methodes d'analyse ont ete utilisees, telles que la theorie des graphes et le clustering. Dans l'ocean Indien occidental, l'analyse des connectivites marines montre que le nombre de connexions entre les recifs augmente avec la duree de vie larvaire des poissons. Elle met egalement en evidence une faible connectivite a l'echelle de la region, mais une forte inter-connectivite au sein de plusieurs sous-regions (Canal du Mozambique, Mascareignes). En Mediterranee, la connectance est globalement faible a l'echelle regionale, bien que plus importante dans le bassin occidental que le bassin oriental. L'analyse des connectivites marines montre egalement un taux de connectivite eleve a l'echelle d'un meme pays. Selon le cas d'etude, une liste de recifs ou de sites prioritaires dans la mise en œuvre des AMP a ete proposee. Enfin, les implications de ces resultats en termes de politiques transfrontalieres et de cooperation regionale sont discutees.
Graph-Based Retinal Fluid Segmentation from OCT Images

Accurate and reproducible segmentation of cysts and fluid-filled regions from retinal OCT images is an important goal for quantifying disease status, longitudinal progression and response to therapy in retinal diseases. However, segmentation of fluid-filled regions from OCT images is a challenging task due to their inhomogeneous appearance, the unpredictability of their number, size and location, as well as the intensity profile similarity between such regions and certain healthy tissue types. While machine learning techniques can be beneficial for this task, they require large training datasets and are often over-fitted to the appearance models of specific scanner vendors. We propose a knowledge-based approach that leverages a carefully designed cost function and graph-based segmentation techniques to provide a vendor-independent solution to this problem. We illustrate the results of this approach on the MICCAI 2015 OPTIMA Cyst Segmentation Challenge dataset.
Simulation of Ca2+-activated Cl− current of cardiomyocytes in rabbit pulmonary vein: implications of subsarcolemmal Ca2+ dynamics

In recent studies, we recorded transiently activated outward currents by the application of three-step voltage pulses to induce a reverse mode of Na+–Ca2+ exchange (NCX). We found that these currents were mediated by a Ca2+-activated Cl− current. Based on the recent reports describing the atrial Ca2+ transients, the Ca2+ transient at the subsarcolemmal space was initiated and then diffused into the cytosolic space. Because the myocardium in the pulmonary vein is an extension of the atrium, the Ca2+-activated Cl− current may reflect the subsarcolemmal Ca2+ dynamics. We tried to predict the subsarcolemmal Ca2+ dynamics by simulating these current traces. According to recent reports on the geometry of atrial myocytes, we assumed that there were three compartments of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR): a network SR, a junctional SR and a central SR. Based on these structures, we also divided the cytosolic space into three compartments: the junctional, subsarcolemmal and cytosolic spaces. Geometry information and cellular capacitance suggested that there were essentially no T-tubules in these cells. The basic physical data, such as the compartmental volumes, the diffusion coefficients and the stability coefficients of the Ca2+ buffers, were obtained from the literature. In the simulation, we incorporated the NCX, the L-type Ca2+ channel, the rapid activating outward rectifier K+ channel, the Na+–K+ pump, the SR Ca2+-pump, the ryanodine receptor, the Ca2+-activated Cl− channel and the dynamics of Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl−. In these conditions, we could successfully reconstruct the Ca2+-activated Cl− currents. The simulation allowed estimation of the Ca2+ dynamics of each compartment and the distribution of the Ca2+-activated Cl− channel and the NCX in the sarcolemma on the junctional or subsarcolemmal space.
Optimization-based image reconstruction from low-dose patient breast CT Data

Current dedicated breast-CT prototypes use analytic-based algorithms such as FDK for image reconstruction, which require a large number of densely sampled views. Because the total imaging dose delivered to a patient in a breast-CT scan is kept about the same as that in a typical two-view mammography exam, the use of a large number of views thus can lead to projection data of low SNR and images with high noise, which makes reconstruction improvement challenging. Recently, there exists increased interest in development and evaluation of optimization-based (i.e. iterative) image reconstruction algorithms for low-dose cone-beam CT (CBCT). In the work, we focus on investigation of optimization-based image reconstruction for low-dose breast CT by tailoring a TV-minimization-based algorithm, adaptive-steep-descent (ASD)-projection-onto-convex-set (POCS) algorithm, for image reconstruction from low-SNR patient data. We performed inverse-crime studies for verifying if the algorithm is solving the designed optimization program, and studied the effect of optimization program parameter, ε, on the reconstruction images. We also studied the change of image power spectra with ε and iteration numbers. The results indicate that optimization-based algorithms may improve image quality over analytic-based algorithm for low-dose dedicated breast CT.
LHC-GCS: A FRAMEWORK FOR THE PRODUCTION OF 23 HOMOGENEOUS CONTROL SYSTEMS

The LHC experiments’ Gas Control System (LHC GCS) [1] aims to provide the LHC experiments with homogeneous control systems (supervision and process control layers) for their 23 gas systems. To ease the production of these control systems, it has been decided to develop a library of components, the LHC GCS framework, and to adopt a model-driven automatic code generation approach. The first milestones of the project have been achieved. The components of the LHC GCS framework have been developed as well as the code generation tools. A first control application has been built and put into production, a second is in preparation. This paper describes the components which have been developed to ease the production of the supervision and process control layers of the control applications. It identifies in particular the additions and extensions to the UNICOS [2] libraries and how the framework could be re-used for other applications. The paper also explains how the LHC GCS framework is associated with the LHC GCS automatic code production [3].
Evaluation of two immunofluorescence assays with monoclonal antibodies for typing of herpes simplex virus

An indirect immunofluorescence assay and a direct immunofluorescence assay were evaluated for typing clinical isolates of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The indirect immunofluorescence assay (Electro-Nucleonics, Inc.) correctly identified 16 HSV type 2 (HSV-2) isolates, but failed to identify 4 of 14 HSV-1 isolates because of background fluorescence and instability of reagents. Forty-nine HSV-1 isolates were correctly typed by direct immunofluorescence assay (Kallestad Laboratories, Inc.), but 1 of 39 HSV-2 isolates did not react with the HSV-2 type-specific antibody conjugate.
A Student-Centred Electronic Health Record System for Clinical Education

INTRODUCTION Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems are an increasingly important feature of the national healthcare system [1]. However, little research has investigated the impact this will have on medical students' learning. As part of an innovative technology platform for a new masters level program in medicine, we are developing a student-centred EHR system for clinical education. A prototype was trialed with medical students over several weeks during 2010. This paper reports on the findings of the trial, which had the overall aim of assisting our understanding of how trainee doctors might use an EHR system for learning and communication in a clinical setting. BACKGROUND In primary care and hospital settings, EHR systems offer potential benefits to medical students' learning: Longitudinal tracking of clinical progress towards established learning objectives [2]; Capacity to search across a substantial body of records [3]; Integration with online medical databases [3]; Development of expertise in creating, accessing and managing high quality EHRs [4]. While concerns have been raised that EHR systems may alter the interaction between teachers and students [3], and may negatively influence physician-patient communication [6], there is general consensus that the EHR is changing the current practice environment and teaching practice needs to respond. METHODS Final year medical students on clinical placement at a large university teaching hospital were recruited for the trial. Following a four-week period of use, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and data analysed for emerging themes. Study participants were also surveyed about the importance of EHR systems in general, their familiarity with them, and general perceptions of sharing patient records. CONCLUSIONS Medical students in this pilot study identified a number of educational, practical and administrative advantages that the student-centred EHR system offered over their existing ad-hoc procedures for recording patient encounters. Findings from this preliminary study point to the need to introduce and instruct students' on the use of EHR systems from their earliest clinical encounters, and to closely integrate learning activities based on the EHR system with established learning objectives. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of student-centred EHR systems on learning outcomes.
Preliminary Arteriovenous Fistula for Free‐Flap Reconstruction in the Diabetic Foot

We present our experience at the American University of Beirut Medical Center with two diabetic patients suffering from large necrotic and infected foot ulcers. Both patients were ambulatory at the time of presentation despite their extensive wounds and were believed to have a useful limb with adequate protective sensation worth saving. Below-knee amputation was prevented in both cases by successful soft-tissue coverage of the ulcers using microvascular composite-tissue transfer a few days after performing a preliminary arteriovenous fistula with a long vein graft loop. The flap vessels were anastomosed end-to-end to the arterial and venous limbs of the divided arteriovenous loop. This reconstructive technique of difficult diabetic wounds of the lower extremity, though in two stages, may be safer than one long procedure in a high-risk patient. It is technically easier than long interpositional vein grafts at the same time as free-flap transfer or microvascular anastomoses with small and diseased vessels. It definitely provides more chance of success as larger vessels are used to supply the flap. It permits distension of the vein graft at normotensive physiologic pressures and allows testing the arterial anastomosis as well as the venous flow before final flap transfer. Above all, it allows extreme freedom in performing tension-free anastomoses away from the infected wound. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 95: 1062, 1995.)
Hepatitis C Virus Infection Sensitizes Human Hepatocytes to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in a Caspase 9-Dependent Manner1

Apoptosis of infected cells represents a key host defense mechanism against viral infections. The impact of apoptosis on the elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected cells is poorly understood. The TRAIL has been implicated in the death of liver cells in hepatitis-infected but not in normal liver cells. To determine the impact of TRAIL on apoptosis of virus-infected host cells, we studied TRAIL-induced apoptosis in a tissue culture model system for HCV infection. We demonstrated that HCV infection sensitizes primary human hepatocytes and Huh7.5 hepatoma cells to TRAIL induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mapping studies identified the HCV nonstructural proteins as key mediators of sensitization to TRAIL. Using a panel of inhibitors targeting different apoptosis pathways, we demonstrate that sensitization to TRAIL is caspase-9 dependent and mediated in part via the mitochondrial pathway. Sensitization of hepatocytes to TRAIL-induced apoptosis by HCV infection represents a novel antiviral host defense mechanism that may have important implications for the pathogenesis of HCV infection and may contribute to the elimination of virus-infected hepatocytes.
Sense of clubhouse community belonging and empowerment

Background: While the neighborhood community literature well documents a link between participation in supportive and effective community groups or activities and empowerment, there is as yet little empirical evidence of this relationship in the context of community mental health programs. Aim: The primary purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between sense of community belonging and empowerment among members of mental health clubhouses. Methods: A secondary analysis using a hierarchical regression model was conducted on cross-sectional structured interview data collected through a self-report questionnaire from 102 clubhouse members from six clubhouses in the United States and Finland. Results: The results indicated that members’ sense of clubhouse community belonging positively contributes to their empowerment. Conclusion: Fostering sense of community belonging appears to be a valid approach to catalyze empowerment. Study limitations and future research agendas were discussed.
Dip-Shaped AlGaN/AlN Light-Emitting Diodes With Delta-Layer Containing Boron

Effects of a BAlGaN delta-layer on light emission characteristics of ultraviolet AlGaN/AlN quantum-well (QW) structures in light-emitting diodes were investigated using the multiband effective-mass theory. The reduction in the spatial separation between electron and hole wavefunctions is found to be significant with the inclusion of the BAlGaN delta-layer. The light emission intensity rapidly increases with increasing B content $x_{d}$ in the delta-layer. The peak intensity of the QW structure with the boron content of 0.06 appears to be two and half times larger than that of the QW structure with the conventional AlGaN delta-layer. On the other hand, the transition wavelength is nearly not affected by the inclusion of the BAlGaN delta layer.
Polymorphisms in WNT6 and WNT10A and Colorectal Adenoma Risk

The WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway upregulates transcription of genes involved in cell proliferation and cancer progression; it has been implicated in colorectal adenoma formation. To date, no studies have examined polymorphisms in WNT genes or WNT gene–environment interactions in relation to adenoma risk. Within a colonoscopy-based case-control study of 628 adenoma cases and 516 polyp-free controls, we analyzed two tagSNPs in WNT6 (rs6747776 G > C, rs6754599 G > C) and WNT10A (rs7349332 G > A, rs10177996 A > G). The WNT6 rs6747776 homozygous minor allele (CC) was associated with increased risk of colorectal adenoma (OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.03–7.31). We observed a statistically significant interaction between WNT6 rs6747776 and the proportion of calories from total fat (P-int = 0.02), where the highest risk was observed among those with minor alleles and lowest fat intake. We also detected a marginally significant (0.05 < P ≤ 0.10) interaction with fish intake (P-int = 0.09). Additionally, a marginally significant interaction was observed between proportion of calories from saturated fat and the WNT10A rs7349332 polymorphism. Our results suggest that genetic variability in the WNT pathway may play a role in colorectal adenoma formation or may partly mediate the increased risk of colorectal cancer associated with fat intake.
Business Value Creation through Business Processes Management and Operational Business Intelligence Integration

Current approaches to Business Process Management (BPM) and operational Business Intelligence (BI) integration have been very limited and simply reduced to the problem of technical integration between BPM and BI systems. This paper argues that further opportunities for business value creation could be discovered through systematic analysis of the non-technical aspects of BI and BPM integration, especially in terms of strategy alignment, human-centered knowledge management and ongoing improvement of BI supported processes. The paper proposes a theoretical framework founded in the related research in BPM, BI and Knowledge Management (KM) fields and describes how it has been used to guide our empirical case study research in service organisations in the context of BI-supported customer-facing processes.
Adaptation in Open Corpus Hypermedia

Adaptive hypermedia courseware benefits from being distributed over the Web: content can always be kept up-to-date, discussions and interactions between instructors and learners can be supported, new courses can easily be distributed to the students. Nevertheless, adaptive hypermedia systems are - even in the web context - still stand-alone systems as long as they lack the ability to integrate and adapt information from arbitrary places in the web. In this paper we discuss the concept and realization of an adaptive educational hypermedia system which facilitates adaptation of distributed learning materials. The proposed system is based on an indexing concept for various information resources and a Bayesian Network engine for calculating estimations on a user's changing knowledge. It implements constructivist teaching approaches, establishes conceptual models for designing courses and enables guided tours, intelligent example retrieval and further adaptive navigation support. Advantages and problems in designing adaptive open corpus hypermedia will be discussed in a concluding section.
Chromosomal abnormalities, meiotic behavior and fertility in domestic animals

Since the advent of the surface microspreading technique for synaptonemal complex analysis, increasing interest in describing the synapsis patterns of chromosome abnormalities associated with fertility of domestic animals has been noticed during the past three decades. In spite of the number of scientific reports describing the occurrence of structural chromosome abnormalities, their meiotic behavior and gametic products, little is known in domestic animal species about the functional effects of such chromosome aberrations in the germ cell line of carriers. However, some interesting facts gained from recent and previous studies on the meiotic behavior of chromosome abnormalities of domestic animals permit us to discuss, in the frame of recent knowledge emerging from mouse and human investigations, the possible mechanism implicated in the well known association between meiotic disruption and chromosome pairing failure. New cytogenetic techniques, based on molecular and immunofluorescent analyses, are allowing a better description of meiotic processes, including gamete production. The present communication reviews the knowledge of the meiotic consequences of chromosome abnormalities in domestic animals.