Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of patient rotation on ovary observation during laparoscopic ovariectomy in dogs

OBJECTIVE To describe the optimal recumbency for laparoscopic ovariectomy (LapOVE) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS Sixteen healthy client-owned female dogs undergoing routine single-port LapOVE. METHODS Anesthetized dogs were placed in dorsal recumbency on a tilting operation table. The operating laparoscope was introduced and, after inspection of abdominal organs, directed toward the randomly assigned ovary. Fifteen-second video recordings were taken at each table rotation of 0°, 22.5°, and 45°. LapOVE was performed using the single-port technique. The procedure was repeated on the contralateral side. Blinded observers (3 inexperienced [IO], 3 experienced [EO], 1 expert [EE]) evaluated the recordings postoperatively for visibility of ovary/ovarian bursa, ovario-uterine transition, and other organs. RESULTS In the 0° position, ovarian structures were rarely visualized (IO, 13/96 [13.5%]; EO, 7/96 [7.3%]; EE, 5/32 [15.6%]). In the 22.5° position, visualization improved significantly for EO (26/96 [27.1%], P < .001). There was a marked improvement in visualization for all groups when the positioning angle was altered to 45° (IO, 62/96 [64.6%]; EO, 67/96 [69.8%]; EE, 25/32 [78.1%]). The differences between 0° and 45° and between 22.5° and 45° were significant for all groups of observers (all P < .001). There was an advantage for ovary visualization when procedures were started with left ovariectomy. CONCLUSION The 45° table rotation provided the best ovary visualization, regardless of body side or observer experience. There is evidence that procedures should be started with the left ovary when body side declination is used for organ retraction from the ovaries.
Hypo-osmolar Formulation of Tenofovir (TFV) Enema Promotes Uptake and Metabolism of TFV in Tissues, Leading to Prevention of SHIV/SIV Infection

ABSTRACT Oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has been approved for prophylaxis of HIV-1 transmission but is associated with high costs and issues of adherence. Protection from anal transmission of HIV using topical microbicides and methods congruent with sexual behavior offers the promise of improved adherence. We compared the pharmacokinetics (PK) and ex vivo efficacy of iso-osmolar (IOsm) and hypo-osmolar (HOsm) rectal enema formulations of tenofovir (TFV) in rhesus macaques. Single-dose PK of IOsm or HOsm high-dose (5.28 mg/ml) and low-dose (1.76 mg/ml) formulations of TFV enemas were evaluated for systemic uptake in blood, colorectal biopsy specimens, and rectal CD4+ T cells. Markedly higher TFV concentrations were observed in plasma and tissues after administration of the HOsm high-dose formulation than with all other formulations tested. TFV and TFV diphosphate (TFV-DP) concentrations in tissue correlated for the HOsm high-dose formulation, demonstrating rapid uptake and transformation of TFV to TFV-DP in tissues. TFV-DP amounts in tissues collected at 1 and 24 h were 7 times and 5 times higher, respectively (P < 0.01), than the ones collected in tissues with the IOsm formulation. The HOsm high-dose formulation prevented infection in ex vivo challenges of rectal tissues collected at 1, 24, and 72 h after the intrarectal dosing, whereas the same TFV dose formulated as an IOsm enema was less effective.
Ranking Of Tourist Destinations With Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods In Bosnia And Herzegovina

Developments in communication and transportation technology have increased access to formerly distant destinations in an unprecedented way. Tourist centers develop new strategies to increase their share in this growing market. Travel agencies put up advertisements to keep their present customers and attract the new ones. Because customers have a wide array of alternatives to choose from, appropriate strategies should be developed to persuade customers during their decision-making process. In this study, six tourist centers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) were analyzed according to the criteria used by customers as they decide on their vacation destinations. The data were collected from four travel agencies by means of focus group interviews. The interview data were analyzed with Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), which are methods of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM). The criteria used in the study were determined by the teams in the agencies that were the experts in the local conditions of the country. The aim of the study was to extract the main criteria that influence tourists to visit B&H and provide a ranking of tourist destinations in terms of popularity.
A PDF-Based Capacity Analysis of Diversity Reception Schemes over Composite Fading Channels Using a Mixture Gamma Distribution

In this paper, we analyze the ergodic capacity performance for diversity reception schemes over composite fading channels using a mixture gamma (MG) distribution. By adopting the MG distribution, various composite fading channel models can be approximated with mathematically tractable and highly accurate properties. In other words, signal- to-noise ratio statistics which contain complicated functions for each diversity reception scheme are formulated as a weighted sum of gamma distributions. With an aid of properties of the gamma distribution, we can derive closed-form expressions of an ergodic capacity for important diversity reception schemes such as maximal ratio combining and selection combining. We observe that our analysis can be expressed with the general number of receiver branches over various composite fading conditions. Simulation results verify that the derived ergodic capacity expressions match well with the empirical results.
Is Liquidity a Pricing Factor on the JSE?

This paper builds on the findings of previous studies that found size, value and momentum effects to be significant in explaining excess stock returns on the JSE by adding a further potential explanatory factor, namely liquidity. Five liquidity proxies are used: the bid-ask spread, turnover, the price impact measure and two zero return measures. Our findings suggest that while size, value and momentum are significant in explaining excess stock returns on the JSE, liquidity is not found to be significant, irrespective of the type of liquidity measure used.
A Novel Disturbance Observer for Multiagent Tracking Control with Matched and Unmatched Uncertainties

In this paper, multiagent tracking control problem of second-order multiagent systems with unknown leader acceleration, input saturation, and matched and unmatched disturbances is investigated. An auxiliary system is constructed to approximate system position states, and a novel sliding mode disturbance observer is designed to estimate matched and unmatched uncertainties. A sliding mode disturbance observer-based control protocol is proposed by constructing a novel sliding mode manifold based on the sliding mode disturbance observer outputs. In addition, the input saturation and the unknown leader acceleration become a part of lumped uncertainties by using mathematic transformation. The lumped uncertainties estimated by the sliding mode disturbance observer are compensated by the sliding mode disturbance observer-based control protocol. Stability of the second-order multiagent systems is guaranteed via Lyapunov method. Finally, a simulation example is proposed to exhibit advantages and availability of the developed techniques.
Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the Very Old (≥90 Years): Epidemiology, Adherence to Treatment, and Comparison of Efficacy

Purpose To investigate neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients aged ≥90 years from several perspectives for a comprehensive overview: prevalence, presenting characteristics, treatment adherence, reasons for discontinuation, and efficacy of antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment comparing Ranibizumab and Aflibercept. Methods In this retrospective chart review, we determined the prevalence and presenting characteristics by reviewing all data for patients referred to our department with treatment-naïve neovascular AMD. By looking at historical cohorts, we determined adherence to treatment, reasons for discontinuation, and treatment outcomes after loading dose, 12 months, and 24 months. Results Patients aged ≥90 years constituted 7% of the patients. Treatment was discontinued in 51%, primarily because of death and treatment burden. Mean change in best-corrected visual acuity was 3.2, 1.5, and −2.2 ETDRS letters at 4, 12, and 24 months, respectively. Aflibercept was superior to Ranibizumab in visual and anatomic outcomes. After two years of treatment, patients losing ≥15 ETDRS letters made up 19% in the Aflibercept group and 26% in the Ranibizumab group. Conclusions We propose that the very old patients with neovascular AMD may constitute a distinctive group warranting special attention and possibilities for individualized therapy. Possible differences between anti-VEGF agents need further investigations.
Beyond the "Bear" Necessities: A Mixed Methods Analysis of the Conflicts Arising in Human-Black Bear Encounters

BEYOND THE BEAR NECESSITIES: A MIXED METHODS ANALYSIS OF THE CONFLICTS ARISING IN HUMAN–BLACK BEAR ENCOUNTERS Kathryn Mazaika, Ph.D. George Mason University, 2013 Dissertation Director: Dr. Kevin A. Avruch Human–black bear conflicts have been increasing over the last 25 years in the western United States. Conflicts arising in human–bear encounters involve both those between people and bears, and between people about bears and how to address them. Research focusing on the interactions between people and black bears is extensive, but few studies have focused on the conflict, or the progression from encounter to problem to conflict. Using concurrent mixed methods, this study examined the conflicts arising in human–black bear encounters in the Lake Tahoe Basin of California and Nevada. Through 70 semi-structured interviews and 119 surveys with community members and agency employees, and legal, policy, and document reviews, this research sought to learn more about the factors that influence the views participants formed about bears, and the alternatives they considered when an encounter became a problem. The interviews and background survey were administered concurrently, analyzed separately, and compared and integrated in a final interpretation. Background survey and Potential for Conflict Index (PCI) results supplemented the interview findings and created context and connections with earlier studies. Five themes organized the 12 findings that emerged from the semi-structured interviews through open and focused coding. Background survey analyses identified significant differences based on gender, and significant differences and highly mixed opinions on the importance of engaging an impartial facilitator. The research also found at least three distinct communities sharing the same physical space, but functioning for the most part independently until a problem black bear encounter occurred. Bears as provocateurs were both troublemakers and the catalysts for understanding the fractured community, how it addresses problem situations, and how their troublemaking could help to build a more connected community. Acknowledging the partitions in the larger community can create incentives to tailor conflict resolution systems that will reach individual communities based on their foremost needs and interests. It can also provide opportunities to explore areas most likely and fruitful for building bridges between the communities. These findings also provide insights into ways that existing systems for addressing problem encounters can be improved for greater harmony between people and bears and people about bears.
Efficiency of converting nutrient dry matter to milk in Holstein herds.

Production of milk from feed dry matter intakes (DMI), called dairy or feed efficiency, is not commonly measured in dairy herds as is feed conversion to weight gain in swine, beef, and poultry; however, it has relevance to conversion of purchased input to salable product and proportion of dietary nutrients excreted. The purpose of this study was to identify some readily measured factors that affect dairy efficiency. Data were collected from 13 dairy herds visited 34 times over a 14-mo period. Variables measured included cool or warm season (high ambient temperature <21 degrees C or >21 degrees C, respectively), days in milk, DMI, milk yield, milk fat percent, herd size, dietary concentrations (DM basis) and kilograms of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and forage. Season, days in milk, CP % and forage % of diet DM, and kilograms of dietary CP affected dairy efficiency. When evaluated using a model containing the significant variables, dairy efficiency was lower in the warm season (1.31) than in the cool season (1.40). In terms of simple correlations, dairy efficiency was negatively correlated with days in milk (r = -0.529), DMI (r = -0.316), forage % (r = -0.430), NDF % (r = -0.308), and kilograms of forage (r = -0.516), NDF (r = -0.434), and ADF (r = -0.313), in the diet, respectively. Dairy efficiency was positively correlated with milk yield (r = 0.707). The same relative patterns of significance and correlation were noted for dairy efficiency calculated with 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield. Diets fed by the herds fell within such a small range of variation (mean +/- standard deviation) for CP % (16.3 +/- 0.696), NDF % (33.2 +/- 2.68), and forage % (46.9 +/- 5.56) that these would not be expected to be useful to evaluate the effect of excessive underfeeding or overfeeding of these dietary components. The negative relationships of dairy efficiency with increasing dietary fiber and forage may reflect the effect of decreased diet digestibility. The results of this study suggest that managing herd breeding programs to reduce average days in milk and providing a cooler environment for the cows may help to maximize dairy efficiency. The mechanisms for the effects of the dietary variables on dairy efficiency need to be understood and evaluated over a broader range of diets and conditions before more firm conclusions regarding their impact can be drawn.
Rotational odometry calibration for differential robot platforms

In order to navigate a robotic base in an unfamiliar environment, some mechanisms to detect positioning and location must be provided. When the base is in the process of navigation and makes use of these mechanisms, errors originating from the environment and base are inserted into the system, resulting in an erroneous position estimation. One relevant approach to reduce the error amplitude is to attack the error at its grounds, through an efficient calibration model, capable of identifying and estimating values for the main sources of uncertainty in odometry calculations. This work presents a novel calibration method, which differs from the classical ones by the way the calibration is performed, based on rotational movement instead of the usual linear displacement, reducing the area covered by the robotic base during the calibration process. The calibration results obtained are equivalent to those from the main classical methods.
The 3-D Positioning of Wireless Sensors in Dispersive Propagation Media

This paper describes a novel inversion algorithm for determining the 3-D position coordinates and environmental complex permittivity of wireless nodes embedded in a dispersive propagation media. In this paper, wireless sensors are considered to form part of a network for monitoring salient parameters, such as temperature and humidity, in large wheat-filled storage vessels, where the highly reflective nature of the propagation environment engenders extreme multipath effects. Under such conditions, the inherent difficulties in deriving reliable pulse propagation delay and amplitude estimates greatly diminishes the effectiveness of conventional free-space positioning methods. These limitations have lead to the development of alternative inversion techniques capable of retrieving both geometric positioning and electromagnetic propagation data. The inversion algorithm developed within is formulated as a nonlinear least squares problem in which the misfit between time domain positioning measurements and modeled data is minimized via application of a novel minimum single-level linkage optimization algorithm. In developing a more refined propagation forward solution incorporating position coordinates, host media electromagnetic properties and antenna radiation patterns, accurate positioning resolutions and macroscopic permittivity estimates are obtained under challenging propagation conditions.
Transport of naphthoic acids in metal-contaminated soil columns: experimental study and modeling approach.

Transport of two naphthoic acids (14hydroxy424napht hoic acid (HNA) and 24naphthoic acid (NA)) was studied in soil4packed columns. Firstly, the aqueous transport was described with surface complexation model incorporated in PHREEQC, implemented with the hydrodynamic parameters and by adjusting the sorption constants of solute breakthrough in column packed with an artificial soil. The experimental breakthrough curves of solutes in a metal contaminated soil were then determined and compared with those calculated using the sorption parameters derived from synthetic soil experiments. This modeling approach was used as tool to understand the mobility of HNA vs NA under convective4dispersive flow in contaminated soil. The effect of solute injection on the mobilisation of Pb, Zn and Cu from metal contaminated soil was also monitored. This study has important implications for the fate and transport of both carboxylated aromatic contaminants and heavy metals in mixed contaminated soils.
Detection of CYP2D6*3 and 2D6*4 Allelic Variants by PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

Abstract The mutant of CYP2D6*3 allele with A2637 deletion in exon 5 and the mutant of CYP2D6*4 allele G1934→A, splice site defect are among the most common polymorphic alleles of CYP2D6 gene, resulting in a decreased or no activity of CYP isoenzyme. In this study, a reliable polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method for identification of CYP2D6*3 and CYP2D6*4 alleles was used to investigate the genotype and phenotype prevalence in the groups of normal controls, and of cirrhosis and cancer patients. The results showed none of 36 controls genotyped for 2D6*3 and 2D6*4 allele to have the 2D6*3 allele with frameshift mutation in exon 5, while 33 % (n=12) were found to bear the 2D6*4 allele with G to A mutation at the intron 3—exon 4 junction. In breast cancer patients (n=35) genotyped for 2D6*3 and 2D6*4 alleles, none with 2D6*3 allele was found either, but 60 % (n=18) were found to bear the 2D6*4 allele. In patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer, there was only one subject with 2D6*3 allele and he was heterozygous. Among them, as many as ten (40 %) patients were found to bear 2D6*4 allele. In the cirrhosis group, none of the patients was found to have the 2D6*3 allele, while the CYP2D6*4 allele was found in 23 % (n=6) patients. The phenotype predicted according to the genotype was as follows: in the control group, 3% of individuals were identified as poor metabolizers, 70 % as extensive metabolizers, and 27 % as heterozygote extensive metabolizers. In the group of breast cancer, 7% of the patients were identified as poor metabolizer, 57 % as extensive metabolizer and 36% as phenotype. In squamous cell cancer and cirrhosis patients, the incidence of poor metabolizer was zero, and of heterozygotes extensive metabolizer 42 % and 31 %, respectively.
Noninvasive ambulatory measurement system of cardiac activity

This work implements a noninvasive system that measures the movements caused by cardiac activity. It uses unobtrusive Electro-Mechanical Films (EMFi) on the seat and on the backrest of a regular chair. The system detects ballistocardiogram (BCG) and respiration movements. Real data was obtained from 54 volunteers. 19 of them were measured in the laboratory and 35 in a hospital waiting room. Using a BIOPAC acquisition system, the ECG was measured simultaneously to the BCG for comparison. Wavelet Transform (WT) is a better option than Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) for signal extraction and produces higher effective measurement time. In the laboratory, the best results are obtained on the seat. The correlation index was 0.9800 and the Bland-Altman limits of agreement were 0.7136 ± 4.3673 [BPM]. In the hospital waiting room, the best results are also from the seat sensor. The correlation index was 0.9840, and the limits of agreement were 0.4386 ± 3.5884 [BPM]. The system is able to measure BCG in an unobtrusive way and determine the cardiac frequency with high precision. It is simple to use, which means the system can easily be used in non-standard settings: resting in a chair or couch, at the gym, schools or in a hospital waiting room, as shown.
Peritubular Capillary Rarefaction and Lymphangiogenesis in Chronic Allograft Failure

Background. Chronic renal allograft failure is a common and multifactorial but incompletely understood process with no effective treatment strategy. Methods. We used immunohistochemistry to evaluate changes in density and turnover (proliferation) of the microvasculature and lymphatic vessels in endstage human transplant nephrectomies and control tissue derived from macroscopically normal areas of native nephrectomy specimens removed for renal carcinoma. We also examined the expression of angiogenic and lymphangiogenic growth factors in the associated inflammatory infiltrate. Results. Endstage allografts showed reduced microvascular density in cortex and medulla compared with controls (P<0.0001), despite the presence of endothelial cell proliferation. However, the grafts also showed new lymphatic vessels in the tubulointerstitium, not evident in controls, and which appeared to be functional with luminal macrophages. Double labeling studies showed a subpopulation of the graft-infiltrating macrophages to be immunopositive for inducible nitric oxide synthase or vascular endothelial growth factor-C (a lymphatic-specific growth factor). B cells also strongly expressed the inflammatory and angiogenic cytokine vascular endothelial growth factor A. Conclusions. The present results identify contrasting changes in the microanatomy of vascular and lymphatic beds in endstage renal allografts associated with subpopulations of infiltrating macrophages and B cells that potentially regulate some of these changes. These cells and processes could become a new therapeutic target in chronic allograft failure.
Iron Chelators of the DpT and BpT Series Inhibit HIV-1 Transcription: Identification of Novel Cellular Targets – Iron, CDK2 and CDK9

Center for Sickle Cell Disease, Department of Medicine, Howard University, Washington DC (Z.D., T.A., D.B., V.R.G., S.N.); Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Howard University, Washington DC (Z.D., P.K.K., K.K); Department of Microbiology, Howard University, Washington DC (D.B., S.N.); Iron Metabolism and Chelation Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia (D.B.L., D.S.K., D.R.R.); Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. (M.J., P.R.) and National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, George Mason University, Manassas, VA (F.K.)