Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[The multidisciplinary management of acute pancreatitis: a review of 244 cases].

BACKGROUND Acute pancreatitis (AP) has still a high mortality rate; therefore the accuracy of the predictors of severity actually employed and the therapeutic choices are under debate. The aim of this work is to valuate the accuracy of the prognostic factors actually employed and the results of a multidisciplinary treatment of the AP. METHODS A consecutive series of 244 patients affected by AP (168 mild, 76 severe) is analysed. Mean age 64.4 years (range 17-94 years old). As regard as aetiology is concerned, 166 are biliary pancreatitis, 42 alcoholic, 27 idiopathic, 9 iatrogenic. Ranson's score, Balthazar criteria, and ASA are employed to assess the high-risk patients. The treatment is medical and in severe AP the patient is admitted in ICU. 80 patients affected biliary AP undergo an ERCP. An endoscopic papillotomy is performed in 55 cases and in 49 biliary stones are removed. 90 patients underwent a delayed colcistectomy. 11 patients underwent a surgical treatment: 9 for infected necrotic pancreatitis, 1 for a hemorrhagic shock, 1 for peritonitis. The overall mortality, the mortality related to the severity of the AP, the prognostic evaluation of the etiology, the ASA index, the Ranson and Balthazar scores are evaluated. RESULTS The overall mortality rate is 2.8% (0.6% in the mild AP and 7.8% in the severe AP). In the surgical group the mortality rate is 18.1%. The Ranson's score is the only independent factor in the multivariate analysis (p<0.0374) while also the Balthazar classification is significant in the univariate analysis. CONCLUSION As regard as the prognostic factors in AP are concerned, the Ranson's score and Balthazar criteria are reliable even if many other predictors of severity are tested to make progress in the early detection of the complications. As regard as the therapy is concerned, the endoscopic papillotomy and the endoscopic removal of the biliary stones is the gold standard in the treatment of the biliary AP. In the other cases of AP medical treatment shall be started as early as possible with intensive care management in the severe AP. In patients with infected pancreatic necrosis or haemorrhage or peritonitis, surgery is the only therapeutic choice while the surgical treatment in case of sterile pancreatic necrosis with MODS unresponsive to medical therapy is still under debate.
Active Queue Management Controller using Smith Predictor for Time Delay Networks

This paper presents an investigation into a robust controller for active queue management (AQM) using Smith predictor (SP). A new SP random early detector (RED) controller is proposed and compared with traditional RED based controller. It is worth noting that the RED controller is augmented by a Smith predictor structure for plants with medium and high time delays. The proposed Smith predictor based controller is implemented, tested and validated. Finally, a comparative performance of the SP controller and RED controller is presented and discussed to demonstrate the merits of the controller through a set of experiments.
Diet-Related Stomach Cancer Behavior Among Iranian College Students: A Text Messaging Intervention

Background: Stomach cancer is one of the five most common cancers in Iran. This study examined the effectiveness of a mobile telephone short-message service (SMS) based-education intervention using Health Belief Model (HBM) variables in improving dietary behavior in terms of stomach cancer prevention among a sample of Iranian female college students. Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 124 female college students in the dormitories of Yazd University, Yazd, Iran were randomly selected and assigned to either the intervention (n=62) or the control group (n=62). Information (data) regarding HBM variables and dietary behavior related to stomach cancer prevention was collected by a self-administrated questionnaire. Forty eight messages were designed and sent to the participants’ phones in the intervention group during the 48-day intervention period. Two groups were followed-up one month after the intervention delivered via SMS. Results: There were significant differences in HBM variables (except for the perceived severity) and the preventive dietary behaviors for stomach cancer in the intervention group compared to the comparison group following the education intervention delivered via SMS. Conclusions: SMS-delivered nutrition education intervention can be a practical strategy to improve dietary behavior related to stomach cancer prevention.
Connective tissue growth factor: a fibrogenic master switch in fibrotic liver diseases

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF=CCN2), one of six members of cysteine‐rich, secreted, heparin‐binding proteins with a modular structure, is recognized as an important player in fibrogenic pathways as deduced from findings in non‐hepatic tissues and emerging results from liver fibrosis. Collectively, the data show strongly increased expression in fibrosing tissues and transforming growth factor (TGF‐β)‐stimulated expression in hepatocytes, biliary epithelial cells and stellate cells. Functional activity as a mediator of fibre–fibre, fibre–matrix and matrix–matrix interactions, as an enhancer of profibrogenic TGF‐β and several secondary effects owing to TGF‐β enhancement, and as a down‐modulator of the bioactivity of bone morphogenetic protein‐7 has been proposed. By changing the activity ratio of TGF‐β to its antagonist bone‐morphogenetic protein‐7, CTGF is proposed as a fibrogenic master switch for epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Consequently, knockdown of CTGF considerably attenuates experimental liver fibrosis. The spill‐over of CTGF from the liver into the blood stream proposes this protein as a non‐invasive reporter of TGF‐β bioactivity in this organ. Indeed, CTGF‐levels in sera correlate significantly with fibrogenic activity. The data suggest CTGF as a multifaceted regulatory protein in fibrosis, which offers important translational aspects for diagnosis and follow‐up of hepatic fibrogenesis and as a target for therapeutic interventions. In addition, CTGF‐promoter polymorphism might be of importance as a prognostic genetic marker to predict the progression of fibrosis.
Numerical dispersion optimized leapfrog ADI-FDTD method and its application for capturing surface current distributions of complex objects illuminated by an electromagnetic pulse (EMP)

A numerical dispersion optimized leapfrog alternating direction implicit finite-difference time-domain (ADI-FDTD) method is proposed in this paper, where a set of artificial anisotropic parameters is introduced into its implementation. Under such circumstances, its numerical dispersion can be suppressed efficiently. Some numerical experiments are performed and compared with the original leapfrog ADI-FDTD method, it is shown that our proposed method can achieve much higher computational accuracy. Further, such method is adopted for predicting surface current distributions of some 3-D complex objects illuminated by an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), such as a tank and an aircraft, etc., and good agreement is obtained in comparison with commercial software.
Robustness in Wireless Network Access Protocols

This paper proposes a highly efficient cryptographic denial of service attack against 802.11 networks using 802.11i TKIP and CCMP. The attacker captures one frame, then modifies and transmits it twice to disrupt network access for 60 seconds. We analyze, implement and experimentally validate the attack. We also propose a robust solution and recommendations for network administrators.
Super-resolution microscopy reveals the insulin-resistance-regulated reorganization of GLUT4 on plasma membranes

ABSTRACT GLUT4 (also known as SLC2A4) is essential for glucose uptake in skeletal muscles and adipocytes, which play central roles in whole-body glucose metabolism. Here, using direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM) to investigate the characteristics of plasma-membrane-fused GLUT4 at the single-molecule level, we have demonstrated that insulin and insulin resistance regulate the spatial organization of GLUT4 in adipocytes. Stimulation with insulin shifted the balance of GLUT4 on the plasma membrane toward a more dispersed configuration. In contrast, insulin resistance induced a more clustered distribution of GLUT4 and increased the mean number of molecules per cluster. Furthermore, our data demonstrate that the F5QQI motif and lipid rafts mediate the maintenance of GLUT4 clusters on the plasma membrane. Mutation of F5QQI (F5QQA-GLUT4) induced a more clustered distribution of GLUT4; moreover, destruction of lipid rafts in adipocytes expressing F5QQA-GLUT4 dramatically decreased the percentage of large clusters and the mean number of molecules per cluster. In conclusion, our data clarify the effects of insulin stimulation or insulin resistance on GLUT4 reorganization on the plasma membrane and reveal new pathogenic mechanisms of insulin resistance. Summary: The organization of membrane-fused GLUT4 is regulated by insulin and insulin resistance, and the F5QQI motif and lipid rafts are proven to be associated with the maintenance of GLUT4 clusters.
Recent developments in cardiac output determination by bioimpedance: comparison with invasive cardiac output and potential cardiovascular applications

Purpose of review To describe recent developments in bioimpedance technique and its application in cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac output determination has been used selectively during recent years because of the need for invasive right heart catheterization. Hence, experience with its application in patients with cardiovascular diseases and especially heart failure is limited. Bioimpedance is a novel noninvasive technique determining changes in instantaneous (during one heartbeat) conductance of a small electrical current transferred through the body. By using different algorithms correcting for various body composition constants, it calculates the change in instantaneous arterial blood volume (that is, stroke volume) and cardiac output. Traditionally, bioimpedance cardiac output is determined using either thoracic or whole body techniques according to the location of the electrodes transmitting and receiving the small electrical current. Recent findings Significant progress was achieved in recent years in cardiac output determination by bioimpedance. Newer algorithms using thoracic and whole body bioimpedance have demonstrated better correlation with invasive cardiac output determination. In a few preliminary studies bioimpedance-determined cardiac output was found useful in the diagnosis, risk stratification, and treatment titration of some cardiovascular conditions. Further, larger prospective studies are required to determine the true independent value of cardiac output measurement by bioimpedance for the evaluation of cardiovascular diseases and especially heart failure. Summary Recently, significant improvement was achieved in cardiac output measurement by bioimpedance with both newer thoracic and whole body techniques. Preliminary studies imply that this measure may be of value in managing some cardiovascular disorders.
Conversion between bromcresol green- and bromcresol purple-measured albumin in renal disease.

BACKGROUND Albumin measured by a bromcresol purple dye-binding assay (Alb(BCP)) agrees more closely with the gold standard of immunonephelometry than does bromcresol green (Alb(BCG)) measurement. Both tests are in current clinical use. A method for converting between the two would be useful. METHODS We measured albumin by bromcresol green and bromcresol purple in 535 patients, 155 of whom had renal disease. We randomly divided data from the patients with renal disease into two equal-sized sets, and used one set to derive, and the remaining set to validate, a regression equation relating the two values. RESULTS The relationship Alb(BCG)=5.5+Alb(BCP) performed very well in both the renal patient validation set and in the data from 380 unselected in-patients and out-patients. Intraclass correlations for agreement between measured Alb(BCG) and predicted Alb(BCG) was 0.98 in both analyses. CONCLUSIONS The ability to convert between these measurements will be of use in clinical situations where the absolute value of the serum albumin is important, when data from laboratories using different methodologies must be combined, and in the application of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula to estimate glomerular filtration rate in patients whose albumin has been measured by bromcresol purple.
Industrialization in Burma in Historical Perspective

In recent discussions of trade and industrialization strategies in Asia, much attention has focused on the newly industrializing countries (NICs) of Northeast Asia and ASEAN's rapid industrial growth, but the experience of some other, more inward-looking countries has been largely ignored. The NICs and most of the ASEAN countries have completed a phase of import-substituting industrialization and have subsequently embarked on a vigorous export-oriented drive, especially in the field of labour-intensive manufactures. Their record, however, is in sharp contrast to that of some other countries in the region, where the manufacturing sector is still in a relatively early stage of development.
The complete mitochondrial genome of the oblong rockfish Sebastes oblongus (Scorpaenidae, Scorpaeniformes)

Abstract The complete mitogenome of the oblong rockfish Sebastes oblongus was constructed using next-generation sequencing. The full genome was 16,396 bp in length, including two rRNA, 22 tRNA, one control region and 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs). The genome consisted of 28.0% A, 26.4% T, 16.9% G and 28.6% C, showing a slight AT bias (54.4%). All PCGs contained an ATG start codon, excluding COX1 that contained a GTG. All PCGs contained the stop codon TAA, excluding ND3 (TAG stop codon) and Cytb (incomplete termination codon, T). All tRNAs contained the typical clover leaf structure, except for two tRNAs, serine (AGY) and threonine, which lacked the DHU arm. The complete mitogenome of S. oblongus will contribute to genetic analysis of the effective population size for aquaculture.
Forward vs. reverse traversal in path expression query processing

Path traversals have been recognised as one of the strengths of object oriented query processing, as information retrieval can be achieved through pointer navigation. There are two existing path traversal methods, namely "forward" and "reverse traversal". We analyse and compare the two traversal methods. Our results show that forward traversal is suitable for path expression queries involving selection operations on the start of the path expression, as the selection operations provide a filtering mechanism. Furthermore, redundant accesses to the associated objects may also be avoided indirectly through filtering. In contrast, reverse traversal is suitable for path expression queries involving selection operations at the end of path expression, since the problem of redundant accesses to the associated objects may be avoided. From our analysis, we formulated two lemmas on path traversals. These lemmas are anticipated to be used as a foundation for future query optimization of general path expression queries involving an arbitrary number of classes connected in relationships.
Substance Users' Perspectives on Helpful and Unhelpful Confrontation: Implications for Recovery

Abstract Substance users commonly face confrontations about their use from family, friends, peers, and professionals. Yet confrontation is controversial and not well understood. To better understand the effects of confrontation we conducted qualitative interviews with 38 substance users (82% male and 79% White) about their experiences of being confronted. Confrontation was defined as warnings about potential harm related to substance use. Results from coded transcripts indicated that helpful confrontations were those that were perceived as legitimate, offered hope and practical support, and were delivered by persons who were trusted and respected. Unhelpful confrontations were those that were perceived as hypocritical, overtly hostile, or occurring within embattled relationships. Experiences of directive, persistent confrontation varied. Limitations of the study include a small and relatively high functioning sample. We conclude that contextual factors are important in determining how confrontation is experienced. Larger studies with more diverse samples are warranted.
A Customized and Interpretable Deep Neural Network for High-Dimensional Business Data - Evidence from an E-Commerce Application

Extracting actionable information from complex data is a key challenge for business analytics researchers (Hedgebeth, 2007). This is particularly difficult for high-dimensional datasets, to which an increasing number of businesses have access (Martens et al., 2016). In this study, we develop a customized neural network for extracting interpretable features from very highdimensional datasets. These features can be interpreted both at an aggregated as well as a very fine-grained level. Interpreting non-linear interactions is almost as easy as interpreting a linear regression. We apply the algorithm to a dataset related to product returns in online retail which contains a total of 3,637,654 transactions and 13,533 dimensions. Comparing 85 different models, we demonstrate that, in addition to being interpretable, our algorithm yields higher predictive accuracy than extant methods. The approach is sufficiently abstract to be applicable to a wide variety of business analytics datasets.
Antibody Profiling of COVID-19 Patients in an Urban Low-Incidence Region in Northern Germany

A vast majority of COVID-19 cases present with mild or moderate symptoms. The study region is in an urban and well-defined environment in a low-incidence region in Northern Germany. In the present study, we explored the dynamics of the antibody response with respect to onset, level and duration in patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA were detected by automated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients monitored by the Health Protection Authority. This explorative monocentric study shows IgA and IgG antibody profiles from 118 patients with self-reported mild to moderate, or no COVID-19 related symptoms after laboratory-confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2. We found that 21.7% and 18.1% of patients were seronegative for IgA or IgG, respectively. Clinically, most of the seronegative patients showed no to only moderate symptoms. With regard to antibody profiling 82% of all patients developed sustainable antibodies (IgG) and 78% (IgA) 3 weeks or later after the infection. Our data indicate that antibody-positivity is a useful indicator of a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Negative antibodies do not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection. Future studies are needed to determine the functionality of the antibodies in terms of neutralization capacity leading to personal protection and prevention ability to transmit the virus as well as to protect after vaccination.
Fortification of Wine with Herbal Extracts: Production, Evaluation and Therapeutic applications of such Fortified Wines

The health benefits of moderate and regular consumption of wine have been widely studied and reported. However, Fortification of wine for enhancing its properties like taste, flavour, strength has become a recent trend but, fortification of wine for increasing its healthful properties is less explored. This work explains how wine can be effectively fortified with extracts of herbs like, Holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), Lemon-grass (Cymbopogon citratus), Ginger (Zingiber officinale), and Peppermint (Mentha arvensis) to boost the health benefits and enhance the therapeutic applications of wine. Orange-wine was used as a base wine and extracts of these herbs were added to separate samples of wine. These fortified wine-samples were evaluated after each addition for development of better flavours, taste and to detect any undesirable change. The resulting wines were found to be highly acceptable and even better than the base wine. These fortified wines can be used in therapeutics due to the incorporated herbal extracts that have a widely accepted medicinal application in prevention and treatment of various disorders. Thus, such fortified alcoholic beverage has potential application
A Lower Bound for the Maximum Topological Entropy of (4k + 2)-Cycles

For continuous interval maps we formulate a conjecture on the shape of the cycles of maximum topological entropy of period 4k + 2. We also present numerical support for the conjecture This numerical support is of two different kinds. For periods 6, 10, 14, and 18 we are able to compute the maximum-entropy cycles using nontrivial ad hoc numerical procedures and the known results of [Jungreis 91]. In fact, the conjecture we formulate is based on these results. For periods n = 22, 26, and 30 we compute the maximum-entropy cycle of a restricted subfamily of cycles denoted by C * n . The obtained results agree with the conjectured ones. The conjecture that we can restrict our attention to C * n is motivated theoretically. On the other hand, it is worth noticing that the complexity of examining all cycles in C * 22, C * 26, and C * 30 is much less than the complexity of computing the entropy of each cycle of period 18 in order to determine those with maximal entropy, therefore making it a feasible problem.
Kinetic model for the biodistribution of an 111In-labeled monoclonal antibody in humans.

Using data from 12 patients, we have analyzed the pharmacokinetics of 111In-9.2. 27, an antimelanoma monoclonal antibody, following i.v. infusion. Plasma data and scintillation camera images obtained from patients receiving either 1, 50, or 100 mg of monoclonal antibody indicated dose-dependent (i.e., saturable) kinetics. Based on these observations and known immunoglobulin kinetics, we developed a nonlinear compartmental model to describe the biodistribution of 111In-9.2. 27 and the other coinjected 111In-associated compounds. The model included (a) three compartments representing intact 111In-9.2. 27 ("plasma," "nonsaturable," and "saturable binding" compartments), (b) four compartments representing 111In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, and (c) one compartment representing 111In in an undetermined chemical form ("extravascular delay" compartment). Analysis of the rate of urinary excretion relative to plasma concentration indicated that the saturable binding compartment was a site for catabolism of monoclonal antibody. Further examination of the urinary data, together with previous studies of the site(s) of immunoglobulin catabolism, suggested that additional elimination took place from either the plasma or the nonsaturable compartment. The model indicated that to fill the saturable sites would require a dose of approximately 0.5 mg and suggested that greater than 3.5 mg would maintain saturation for 200 h. Computer integration of gamma camera counts over the spleen revealed a clear saturable component of uptake, whereas integration over the liver showed no such pattern. The proposed model was fitted to the liver and spleen imaging data by summing fractions of model simulations of each compartment. That analysis confirmed the suspected saturable uptake by the spleen (21% of the saturable binding compartment) and revealed a quantitatively important component of saturation in the liver (35% of the saturable binding compartment) that was not obvious from initial examination of the images. When the results were expressed on a concentration basis, the spleen accounted for 247% of the saturable compartment per kg, whereas the liver accounted for 25%/kg. The bone marrow also showed saturable uptake; hence, the saturable uptake may relate to the sinusoidal blood supply characteristic of liver, spleen, and marrow. The model predicts the dose levels required to overcome saturable background, suggests appropriate doses and schedules for cold loading strategies, and provides a format for explicit inclusion of tumor antigen.