Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Watchful Waiting Versus Surgery of Mildly Symptomatic or Asymptomatic Inguinal Hernia in Men Aged 50 Years and Older: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To compare if watchful waiting is noninferior to elective repair in men aged 50 years and older with mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic inguinal hernia. Background: The role of watchful waiting in older male patients with mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic inguinal hernia is still not well-established. Methods: In this noninferiority trial, we randomly assigned men aged 50 years and older with mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic inguinal hernia to either elective inguinal hernia repair or watchful waiting. Primary endpoint was the mean difference in a 4-point pain/discomfort score at 24 months of follow-up. Using a 0.20-point difference as a clinically relevant margin, it was hypothesized that watchful waiting was noninferior to elective repair. Secondary endpoints included quality of life, event-free survival, and crossover rates. Results: Between January 2006 and August 2012, 528 patients were enrolled, of whom 496 met the inclusion criteria: 234 were assigned to elective repair and 262 to watchful waiting. The mean pain/discomfort score at 24 months was 0.35 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28–0.41)] in the elective repair group and 0.58 (95% CI 0.52–0.64) in the watchful waiting group. The difference of these means (MD) was −0.23 (95% CI −0.32 to −0.14). In the watchful waiting group, 93 patients (35·4%) eventually underwent elective surgery and 6 patients (2·3%) received emergent surgery for strangulation/incarceration. Postoperative complication rates and recurrence rates in these 99 operated individuals were comparable with individuals originally assigned to the elective repair group (8.1% vs 15.0%; P = 0.106, 7.1% vs 8.9%; P = 0.668, respectively). Conclusions: Our data could not rule out a relevant difference in favor of elective repair with regard to the primary endpoint. Nevertheless, in view of all other findings, we feel that our results justify watchful waiting as a reasonable alternative compared with surgery in men aged 50 years and older.
Quantitative analysis of EDC‐condensed DNA on vertically aligned carbon nanofiber gene delivery arrays

Vertically aligned carbon nanofibers (VACNFs) with immobilized DNA have been developed as a novel tool for direct physical introduction and expression of exogenous genes in mammalian cells. Immobilization of DNA base amines to the carboxylic acids on nanofibers can influence the accessibility and transcriptional activity of the DNA template, making it necessary to determine the number of accessible gene copies on nanofiber arrays. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in vitro transcription (IVT) were used to investigate the transcriptional accessibility of DNA tethered to VACNFs by correlating the yields of both IVT and PCR to that of non‐tethered, free DNA. Yields of the promoter region and promoter/gene region of bound DNA plasmid were high. Amplification using primers designed to cover 80% of the plasmid failed to yield any product. These results are consistent with tethered, longer DNA sequences having a higher probability of interfering with the activity of DNA and RNA polymerases. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to quantify the number of accessible gene copies tethered to nanofiber arrays. Copy numbers of promoters and reporter genes were quantified and compared to non‐tethered DNA controls. In subsequent reactions of the same nanofiber arrays, DNA yields decreased dramatically in the non‐tethered control, while the majority of tethered DNA was retained on the arrays. This decrease could be explained by the presence of DNA which is non‐tethered to all samples and released during the assay. This investigation shows the applicability of these methods for monitoring DNA immobilization techniques. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2007;97: 680–688. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative and qualitative image quality analysis of super resolution images from a low cost scanning laser ophthalmoscope

The lurking epidemic of eye diseases caused by diabetes and aging will put more than 130 million Americans at risk of blindness by 2020. Screening has been touted as a means to prevent blindness by identifying those individuals at risk. However, the cost of most of today's commercial retinal imaging devices makes their use economically impractical for mass screening. Thus, low cost devices are needed. With these devices, low cost often comes at the expense of image quality with high levels of noise and distortion hindering the clinical evaluation of those retinas. A software-based super resolution (SR) reconstruction methodology that produces images with improved resolution and quality from multiple low resolution (LR) observations is introduced. The LR images are taken with a low-cost Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope (SLO). The non-redundant information of these LR images is combined to produce a single image in an implementation that also removes noise and imaging distortions while preserving fine blood vessels and small lesions. The feasibility of using the resulting SR images for screening of eye diseases was tested using quantitative and qualitative assessments. Qualitatively, expert image readers evaluated their ability of detecting clinically significant features on the SR images and compared their findings with those obtained from matching images of the same eyes taken with commercially available high-end cameras. Quantitatively, measures of image quality were calculated from SR images and compared to subject-matched images from a commercial fundus imager. Our results show that the SR images have indeed enough quality and spatial detail for screening purposes.
Das Digitale Wörterbuch der Deutschen Sprache (DWDS)

Es hat die Vollendung erlebt, und auch wieder nicht, denn als im Jahre 1960 die letzte Lieferung des Deutschen Worterbuchs erschien, da war langst deutlich, dass weite Teile dieses gewaltigen Werks vollig uberholt waren: Es hat sich, je weiter es voranschritt, zugleich von der Erfullung seiner Aufgabe, den deutschen Wortschatz in seiner geschichtlichen Entwicklung umfassend darzustellen, immer weiter entfernt. Dies gilt besonders fur die noch von Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm bearbeiteten Teile mit den Buchstaben A F, die bei Abschluss des Werkes schon ein Jahrhundert alt waren. So wurde denn zwischen der Deutschen Akademie der Wissenschaften in Berlin (jetzt BBAW) und der Gottinger Akademie der Wissenschaften vereinbart, zunachst einmal diese Teile gemeinsam neu zu bearbeiten; was mit den Buchstaben G Z geschehen sollte, wurde man sehen. Die Beratungen, die zu diesem Beschluss gefuhrt haben, waren durchaus kontrovers, denn zum einen war klar, dass auch andere Teile langst uberholt waren, und zum anderen war die Befurchtung nicht ganz von der Hand zu weisen, dass auch die Neubearbeitung eben dieser Buchstaben uber die ursprunglich 15 avisierten Jahre hinaus dauern konnte. Das hat sich bestatigt. Die erste Lieferung ist 1965 erschienen, mit dem Abschluss ist nun, einigermasen sicher, im Jahre 2013 zu rechnen. Was soll danach geschehen? Man konnte so weitermachen wie bisher. Dagegen sprechen zwei Grunde, ein negativer und ein positiver:
Improved saponification then mild base and acid-catalyzed methylation is a useful method for quantifying fatty acids, with special emphasis on conjugated dienes

The objective of this study was to evaluate mild lipid saponification then gentle base and acid-catalyzed methylation, in succession, at 80°C, 60°C, 40°C, or ambient temperature for quantification of fatty acids (FAs), with special emphasis on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers. Methylation at 80°C resulted in a substantial increase in the amount of trans,trans (t,t) CLA isomers and in loss of cis,trans/trans,cis CLA isomers, as a result of intra-isomerization and formation of artefacts. Methylation at 40°C, in contrast, seems to enable the most accurate quantification of CLA isomers, because it resulted in no noticeable intra-isomerization of conjugated dienes or formation of artefacts. Under these derivatization conditions, other FA methyl esters (FAMEs) also seem to be accurately quantified. The proposed procedure adequately prepares FAMEs from FA standards and from lipids in biological samples, because mild saponification and methylation at 40°C using typical basic and acidic catalysts and subsequent extraction with a smaller volume of heptane resulted in satisfactory accuracy of quantification, negligible changes in the composition of FAs, especially conjugated dienes, and a better yield of FAMEs. The proposed improved procedure, comprising mild lipid saponification and methylation at 40°C in solutions carefully flushed with argon (Ar) (derivatization–Ar), in the absence of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol, then extraction with 4 mL heptane, seemed the most satisfactory method of preparing FAs, particularly CLA isomers, for chromatographic quantification by argentation–liquid chromatography, the method of choice for analysis of fatty acids containing conjugated double bonds.
The Carboxyl-terminal Domain of Receptor-associated Protein Facilitates Proper Folding and Trafficking of the Very Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor by Interaction with the Three Amino-terminal Ligand-binding Repeats of the Receptor*

The 39-kDa receptor-associated protein (RAP) is a specialized antagonist that inhibits all known ligand interactions with receptors that belong to the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor gene family. Recent studies have demonstrated a role for RAP as a molecular chaperone for the LDL receptor-related protein during receptor folding and trafficking within the early secretory pathway. In the present study, we investigated a potential role for RAP as a chaperone for the very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) receptor, another member of the LDL receptor gene family. Using intracellular cross-linking techniques, we found that RAP is associated with newly synthesized VLDL receptor. In the absence of RAP co-expression, newly synthesized VLDL receptor exhibited slower trafficking along the early secretory pathway, most likely due to misfolding of the receptor. The role of RAP in the folding of the VLDL receptor was further studied using an anchor-free, soluble VLDL receptor. Metabolic pulse-chase labeling experiments showed that while only 3% of the soluble VLDL receptor was folded and secreted in the absence of RAP co-expression, over 50% of the soluble receptor was secreted in the presence of RAP co-expression. The functions of RAP in VLDL receptor folding and trafficking were mediated by its carboxyl-terminal repeat but not by the amino-terminal and central repeats. Using truncated VLDL receptor constructs, we identified the RAP-binding site within the first three ligand-binding repeats of the VLDL receptor. Thus, our present study demonstrates that RAP serves as a folding and trafficking chaperone for the VLDL receptor via interactions of its carboxyl-terminal repeat with the three amino-terminal ligand-binding repeats of the VLDL receptor.
The expression of BIRC5 is correlated with loss of specific chromosomal regions in breast carcinomas

Expression of BIRC5 (survivin), a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, is elevated in fetal tissues and in various human cancers. Mechanisms up‐regulating BIRC5 in cancer are poorly understood. Here, we show that overexpression of BIRC5 induces a high proliferation level in MCF‐7 breast tumor cells. In a population of 191 breast carcinomas, BIRC5 expression is not affected by BIRC5 promoter polymorphism at −31, or BIRC5 gene copy number. However, a significant correlation was found between expression of demethylase (dMTase) and expression of BIRC5. In addition, among 13 chromosomal regions tested for allelic loss [loss of heterozygosity (LOH)], two regions close to D3S1478 and D6S264 were related to BIRC5 expression. In tumors with LOH at D3S1478 and/or D6S264, BIRC5 expression was significantly increased. These regions have been suggested to harbor tumor suppressor genes and/or common fragile sites that may play a role in increasing genetic instability. These results suggest that genes located near D3S1478 and D6S264 might work by inhibiting, directly or indirectly, BIRC5 expression and thus their loss leads to its up‐regulation. In addition, BIRC5 expression may induce breast tumor proliferation by promoting genetic instability. This article contains Supplementary Material available at http://www.interscience. wiley.com/jpages/1045‐2257/suppmat. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Novel Observer for Lithium-Ion Battery State of Charge Estimation in Electric Vehicles Based on a Second-Order Equivalent Circuit Model

Accurate state of charge (SOC) estimation can prolong lithium-ion battery life and improve its performance in practice. This paper proposes a new method for SOC estimation. The second-order resistor-capacitor (2RC) equivalent circuit model (ECM) is applied to describe the dynamic behavior of lithium-ion battery on deriving state space equations. A novel method for SOC estimation is then presented. This method does not require any matrix calculation, so the computation cost can be very low, making it more suitable for hardware implementation. The Federal Urban Driving Schedule (FUDS), The New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), and the West Virginia Suburban Driving Schedule (WVUSUB) experiments are carried to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. Experimental results show that the SOC estimation error can converge to 3% error boundary within 30 seconds when the initial SOC estimation error is 20%, and the proposed method can maintain an estimation error less than 3% with 1% voltage noise and 5% current noise. Further, the proposed method has excellent robustness against parameter disturbance. Also, it has higher estimation accuracy than the extended Kalman filter (EKF), but with decreased hardware requirements and faster convergence rate.
Control of snake robots with switching constraints: trajectory tracking with moving obstacle

We propose control of a snake robot that can switch lifting parts dynamically according to kinematics. Snakes lift parts of their body and dynamically switch lifting parts during locomotion: e.g. sinus-lifting and sidewinding motions. These characteristic types of snake locomotion are used for rapid and efficient movement across a sandy surface. However, optimal motion of a robot would not necessarily be the same as that of a real snake as the features of a robot’s body are different from those of a real snake. We derived a mathematical model and designed a controller for the three-dimensional motion of a snake robot on a two-dimensional plane. Our aim was to accomplish effective locomotion by selecting parts of the body to be lifted and parts to remain in contact with the ground. We derived the kinematic model with switching constraints by introducing a discrete mode number. Next, we proposed a control strategy for trajectory tracking with switching constraints to decrease cost function, and to satisfy the conditions of static stability. In this paper, we introduced a cost function related to avoidance of the singularity and the moving obstacle. Simulations and experiments demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed controller and switching constraints. Graphical Abstract
A Synthesis of Enterprise Architecture Effectiveness Constructs

Companies throughout the world use Enterprise Architecture (EA) because of benefits such as the alignment of business to Information Technology (IT), centralisation of decision making and cost reductions due to standardisation of business processes and business systems. Even though EA offers organisational benefits, EA projects are reported as being costly, time consuming and require tremendous effort. Companies therefore seek to ascertain ways to measure the effectiveness of EA implementation because of the money and time being spent on EA projects. EA Effectiveness refers to the degree in which EA helps to achieve the collective goals of the organisation and its measurement depends on a list of constructs that can be used to measure the effectiveness of EA implementation. Currently, there exist no comprehensive list of constructs that are suitable to measure the effectiveness of EA implementation. The paper reports on the results of a study that explored the development of a comprehensive list of constructs suitable for measuring the effectiveness of EA implementation. The artefact developed in this research study is called Enterprise Architecture Effectiveness Constructs (EAEC). The EAEC consists of 6 constructs namely: - alignment; communication; governance; scope; top leadership commitment and skilled teams, training and education. To achieve the purpose of this research study, a design science research (DSR) strategy was followed. The EAEC was evaluated in two rounds by EA experts from industry and academia.
Construct and Concurrent Validation of OMNI–Kayak Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale

This study tested the concurrent and construct validity of a newly developed OMNI–Kayak Scale, testing 8 male kayakers who performed a flatwater load-incremented “shuttle” test over a 500-m course and 3 estimation-production trials over a 1,000-m course. Velocity, blood lactate concentration, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE), using the OMNI–Kayak RPE Scale and the Borg 6–20 Scale were recorded. OMNI–Kayak Scale RPE was highly correlated with velocity, the Borg 6–20 Scale RPE, blood lactate, and heart rate for both load-incremented test (rs = .87–.96), and estimation trials (rs = .75–.90). There were no significant differences among velocities, heart rate and blood lactate concentration between estimation and production trials. The OMNI–Kayak RPE Scale showed concurrent and construct validity in assessing perception of effort in flatwater kayaking and is a valid tool for self-regulation of exercise intensity.
Umbilical laparoendoscopic urological surgery with a novel reusable device

Abstract Objective.The aims of this study were to present cumulative experience with umbilical laparoendoscopic urological surgery using a reusable device and to evaluate outcomes and complications in the first 100 patients. Material and methods. Patients undergoing umbilical surgery with the KeyPort system and DuoRotate instruments (Richard Wolf, Knittlingen, Germany) were evaluated prospectively. Demographic, intraoperative and postoperative data were assessed. Results.Between October 2011 and July 2012, 79 pelvic (66 radical prostatectomy, 10 radical cystectomy, one diverticulectomy, one bilateral orchiectomy, one ureter reimplantation) and 21 renal (seven radical nephrectomy, six partial nephrectomy, five nephroureterectomy, two pyeloplasty, one pyelolithotomy) surgeries were performed through the umbilicus using this platform. Follow-up was 56.7 ± 12.6 weeks (mean ± SD). Mean age was 64.3 ± 10.3 years, body mass index 29 ± 4.6 kg/m2, operative time 232 ± 106 min and estimated blood loss 260 ± 95 ml. Conversion to standard multiport laparoscopy was not necessary. An accessory port was used in 87 cases to facilitate suturing and conduct drainage extraction. Postoperative complications occurred in 24 cases (six Clavien grade I, 12 grade II, one grade IIIa, two grade IIIb, two grade IVa, one grade IVb). Mean hospital stay was 4.2 ± 4 days. Total transfusion rate was 10%. Mean visual analogue pain scale at day 2 was 2.1 ± 1.3 (0–10). Visual analogue wound satisfaction scale at month 1 was 9.2 ± 0.6 (0–10). No cancer-related events occurred during follow-up. Late complications (4%) were not related to the surgical approach. Conclusions.Umbilical KeyPort surgery is technically feasible for a great variety of procedures, both ablative and reconstructive. This access offers adequate surgical outcomes, scarce postoperative pain and security for the patient in the short term. Its reusable nature implies a noticeable economic advantage.
Urinary bladder cancer treated with radical cystectomy: Perioperative parameters and early complications prospectively registered in a national population-based database

Abstract Objective. Cystectomy combined with pelvic lymph-node dissection and urinary diversion entails high morbidity and mortality. Improvements are needed, and a first step is to collect information on the current situation. In 2011, this group took the initiative to start a population-based database in Sweden (population 9.5 million in 2011) with prospective registration of patients and complications until 90 days after cystectomy. This article reports findings from the first year of registration. Material and methods. Participation was voluntary, and data were reported by local urologists or research nurses. Perioperative parameters and early complications classified according to the modified Clavien system were registered, and selected variables of possible importance for complications were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results. During 2011, 285 (65%) of 435 cystectomies performed in Sweden were registered in the database, the majority reported by the seven academic centres. Median blood loss was 1000 ml, operating time 318 min, and length of hospital stay 15 days. Any complications were registered for 103 patients (36%). Clavien grades 1–2 and 3–5 were noted in 19% and 15%, respectively. Thirty-seven patients (13%) were reoperated on at least once. In logistic regression analysis elevated risk of complications was significantly associated with operating time exceeding 318 min in both univariate and multivariate analysis, and with age 76–89 years only in multivariate analysis. Conclusions. It was feasible to start a national population-based registry of radical cystectomies for bladder cancer. The evaluation of the first year shows an increased risk of complications in patients with longer operating time and higher age. The results agree with some previously published series but should be interpreted with caution considering the relatively low coverage, which is expected to be higher in the future.
Eradicating Reliance on Free Artificial Milk

Hospitals that set forth to obtain Baby-Friendly Hospital designation often face considerable challenges in implementing the purchase of formula and supplies at a fair market rate as outlined in the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Some of the challenges include difficulty tracking products in use and volumes used and obtaining pricing information from manufacturers of artificial milk. We report on our experience with assessing these factors, with an example of calculations used to arrive at fair market pricing, which might benefit other institutions seeking Baby-Friendly Hospital designation.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N2) Associated with an Outbreak in Commercial Chickens, Iowa, USA, 2015

ABSTRACT A novel reassortant influenza A virus (H5N2) was first detected in British Columbia, Canada, in December 2014. The virus rapidly spread along the waterfowl migration flyways in the United States, causing multiple HPAI outbreaks in poultry. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of HPAIV-H5N2 from a commercial chicken flock in Iowa.