Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Global Left Ventricular Myocardial Function with Electrocardiogram-Gated Multidetector Computed Tomography: Comparison with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Rationale and Objectives:Electrocardiogram-gated 3D volume data from multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography (MDCT-CA) enable image reconstruction in any phase of the cardiac cycle. The objective was to determine left ventricular (LV) function parameters by MDCT in comparison to cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods:Thirty patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) underwent MDCT-CA. From multiplanar reformations in short axis orientation end-diastolic and end-systolic LV volumes (LVEDV, LVESV) were determined to calculate LV stroke volume and ejection fraction (LVSV, LVEF) and compared with MRI measurements. Results:LVEDV (147 ± 27 mL) and LVESV (65 ± 22 mL) determined by MDCT correlated well to the respective MRI measurements (LVEDV 133 ± 27 mL, r = 0.80, P < 0.001; LVESV 48 ± 19 mL, r = 0.89, P < 0.001). LVSV (MDCT 82 ± 15 mL; MRI 85 ± 17 mL; r = 0.77, P < 0.001) and LVEF (MDCT 56 ± 9%; MRI 65 ± 8%; r = 0.85, P < 0.001) showed a good correlation as well. LVEF was significantly underestimated by MDCT (−8.5 ± 4.7%, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Initial experience in patients evaluated for CAD shows that spiral MDCT studies may provide LV functional data in good correlation to Cine MRI.
PCA based Optimization using Conjugate Gradient Descent Algorithm

The energy dissipation in Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) systems is the biggest concern as it proportionally affects the system longevity. This energy dissipation in the WBAN system mainly takes place due to the signal interference from other networks causing reduction on the dimensionality. The data prediction in WBAN is also a considerable concern corresponding to misinterpretations and faults in the signals. In this paper a novel combination of Principle Component Analysis (PCA) pre-processing along with optimization using the conjugate gradient descent algorithm is proposed. Experimental observations show an improvement in the mean square error and the regression based correlation coefficient when compared to other standard techniques.
La teoría económica del federalismo fiscal y las finanzas federales

Proyecto "Disparidades Regionales y Federalismo Fiscal: Una Propuesta para la Reforma del Regimen de Coparticipacion Federal de Impuestos en la Argentina" que se realiza en el Departamento de Economia de la UNLP cuenta con el apoyo de Tinker Foundation. Director del Proyecto: Dr. Alberto Porto.
A dual-band CPW-fed stepped-impedance slot antenna with wide range of frequency ratio

A capacitively excited coplanar waveguide-fed dual-band stepped-impedance slot antenna with wide range of frequency ratio is proposed. The wide range of frequency ratio is achieved by the first two modes of the stepped-impedance slot. The stepped-impedances are characterized by the slotline of different sizes, and the lower and upper bounds of the frequency ratio for the proposed slot antenna are presented and discussed. Simulation and measurement results are also presented.
Quality of life 12 months after radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of radical prostatectomy (RP) upon quality of life (QOL) in patients with prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Seventy-nine patients with prostate cancer were recruited to evaluate the impact of RP upon QOL. The patients comprised two groups: the first group (n = 51) was evaluated 12 months or longer after RP; and the second group (n = 28) was evaluated 1 month prior to RP. All patients completed two previously reported QOL measures: the Functional Living Index Cancer (FLIC) and Profile of Mood States (POMS), and a series of questions which evaluated bladder, bowel and sexual function. RESULTS Comparison of patients before RP with those after RP at 12 month follow-up revealed significant (P < 0.05) deterioration in sexual function, continence and hardship scores following RP while tension scores improved significantly. Although 10 other subscale parameters were analysed, no other differences were observed. Of the 51 post-RP patients, 46 (90%) stated that given a choice they would have their surgery again. CONCLUSION The results reported show that RP has minimal overall impact upon patient QOL. Although minimal voiding and bowel dysfunction was reported, many patients were dissatisfied with post-operative sexual function.
Molecular Systematics of Dictyostelids: 5.8S Ribosomal DNA and Internal Transcribed Spacer Region Analyses

ABSTRACT The variability and adaptability of the amoebae from the class Dictyosteliomycetes greatly complicate their systematics. The nucleotide sequences of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacers and the 5.8S ribosomal DNA gene have been determined for 28 isolates, and their utility to discriminate between different species and genera has been shown.
A Module-Based Approach for Stability Analysis of Complex More-Electric Aircraft Power System

Moving toward more-electric aircraft (MEA) architecture, future aircraft power system will consist of a large number of power converters and motor drive loads which behave as constant power load and may cause stability issues. It is essential to ensure stable operation of the MEA power system, even though the complexity of the system hinders the comprehensive analysis of system stability. This paper presents a framework for stability analysis of a complex MEA power system. A module-based approach is proposed to provide a general and flexible solution for modeling and integrating complex systems, even under situations of system extension and reconfiguration. Using the proposed technique, a complex system model is conveniently formulated and overall system stability can be evaluated. Then, the critical stability points can be investigated. Impacts of parameters and their damping effects are identified by eigenvalue analysis and sensitivity analysis. The hybrid ac/dc MEA power system adopted by Boeing 787 is analyzed using the proposed technique. Simulations in MATLAB/Simulink are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed modeling technique and the analytical results.
Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des Lastausgleichs durch Energiespeicher, verschiebbare Lasten und stromgeführte KWK bei hohem Anteil fluktuierender erneuerbarer Stromerzeugung

Das Ziel des Vorhabens war die Ermittlung des Einsatzpotenzials unterschiedlicher Lastausgleichsoptionen in einem zukunftigen Stromversorgungssystem bei steigendem Anteil der Stromerzeugung aus fluktuierenden erneuerbaren Energien. Dabei waren neben dem Einsatz von Stromspeichern auch die Moglichkeiten und Grenzen verschiebbarer Lasten, des Stromtransports im transeuropaischen Verbund und des stromgefuhrten Betriebs dezentraler KWK-Anlagen mit Warmespeicher zu untersuchen. Das am DLR entwickelte Energiesystemmodell REMix wurde um die entsprechenden Technologiemodelle erweitert. Fur Europa konnte gezeigt werden, dass in den untersuchten Szenarien bei angepasstem Netzausbau ein Ausbau neuer Speicherkapazitaten unterbleibt und die Uberschusse aus fluktuierender Stromerzeugung deutlich reduziert werden. Langzeitspeicher werden nur bei konservativ begrenztem Netzausbau, wie er z.B. aus Akzeptanzgrunden auftreten konnte, eingesetzt. In Detailsimulationen zum Lastausgleich in Deutschland wurden ausgehend von den Europaszenarien zusatzlich zu Langfristspeichern folgende Optionen des Lastausgleichs untersucht: a) Flexibilisierung des KWK-Betriebs mit thermischen Speichern, konventionellen und elektrischen Spitzenlastkesseln, b) Lastmanagementoptionen einschlieslich flexibilisierter Warmepumpen und Ladesteuerung fur Elektrofahrzeuge und c) modellendogener Zubau von Mittelfristspeichern. Damit konnte die Funktionen des erweiterten Modells REMix demonstriert und erste Erkenntnisse zur zukunftigen Rolle von Lastausgleichsoptionen und zu Wechselwirkungen zwischen den Sektoren Strom, Warme und Verkehr gewonnen werden.
Cutting Edge: Natalizumab Blocks Adhesion but Not Initial Contact of Human T Cells to the Blood-Brain Barrier In Vivo in an Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis1

The humanized anti-α4 integrin Ab Natalizumab is an effective treatment for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Natalizumab is thought to exert its therapeutic efficacy by blocking the α4 integrin-mediated binding of circulating immune cells to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). As α4 integrins control other immunological processes, natalizumab may, however, execute its beneficial effects elsewhere. By means of intravital microscopy we demonstrate that natalizumab specifically inhibits the firm adhesion but not the rolling or capture of human T cells on the inflamed BBB in mice with acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The efficiency of natalizumab to block T cell adhesion to the inflamed BBB was found to be more effective in EAE than in acute systemic TNF-α-induced inflammation. Our data demonstrate that α4 integrin-mediated adhesion of human T cells to the inflamed BBB during EAE is efficiently blocked by natalizumab and thus provide the first direct in vivo proof of concept of this therapy in multiple sclerosis.
Type determination by PCR and Dot Blotting of Streptococcus agalactiae 1 Strains from Zimbabwe Revealed Distinctive Features of Surface-Anchored 2 Proteins 3 4

4 Rooyen T. Mavenyengwa 1 , Johan A. Maeland 2* , Sylvester R. Moyo 3 5 6 7 Department of Medical Microbiology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe 1 , 8 Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health, St Olav Hospital, 9 Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) 2 , Department of Life and Consumer 10 Sciences, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA) 3 . 11 12 Corresponding author. Mailing address: Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, St. Olav’s 13 Hospital, University Hospital, N-7006, and Trondheim, Norway. Phone: 00 47 72 55 71 79. Fax: 14 00 47 72 57 64 17. 15 E-mail: johan.meland@ntnu.no. 16 17 Running title: Zimbabwean Streptococcus agalactiae, surface-anchored proteins 18 19
Sub-Clinical Trauma in the Treatment of Partner Violent Offenders with Substance Dependence.

PURPOSE With an established association between PTSD and the perpetration of intimate partner violence, evaluating the effectiveness of emerging integrated treatments for dual substance use and partner violent behavior on individuals with a significant trauma history may serve to improve treatment outcomes for clients with axis I psychopathology. This paper examined the association between sub-clinical trauma, treatment compliance, and recidivism in a sample of male, substance dependent intimate partner violence offenders. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH The described investigation utilized violence perpetration, substance use, and trauma data collected during a larger, randomized control treatment evaluation study. Data was collected from 56 participants at 4 time points throughout treatment. FINDINGS Participants with a significant trauma history comprised 33.9% of the sample and demonstrated poorer treatment attendance, as well as heightened partner violence recidivism throughout treatment, as compared to participants who denied experiencing a significant trauma. This finding held across participants receiving substance treatment only and combined treatment addressing substance use and violence. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS IPV perpetrators often have a trauma history themselves. The association between sub-clinical trauma symptomatology and poor treatment outcomes calls for the adaptation of current partner violence intervention models to accommodate the large subset of clients who suffer from either sub-clinical or clinically significant trauma. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This paper is the first to address the potential influence of sub-clinical trauma on the integrated treatment of substance use and partner violence within a forensic sample. Suggestions are offered to adapt existing treatment models to accommodate dual diagnosed clients.
The Therapeutic Response of in Immune-suppressed Mice Three Human Tumor Lines Maintained

SUMMARY Studies were made of the growth and therapeutic re- sponse of three lines of human tumor serially transplanted in immune-suppressed mice. They included a well-differen- tiated colonic carcinoma (HX 13), a poorly differentiated colonic carcinoma (HX 18), and undifferentiated small-cell carcinoma of the bronchus (HX 29). Their histological appearance and growth rates were stable, with volume-doubling times ranging from 6 to 12 days. Studies by the technique of labeled mitoses showed that the growth kinetics of the three tumor lines were very similar, with median intermitotic times in the range of 26 to 35 hr. An analysis of the incidence of single and double takes revealed evidence for variation in susceptibility among the recipient mice. One tumor (HX 18) was transplantable with single-cell suspensions but 105 cells were required for 50C4 takes. The response of the tumors to a range of chemothera- peutic agents was studied. There was evidence that drugs that are known to be effective in the treatment of patients did well, in particular 5-fluorouracil against the colonic tumors and cyclophosphamide against the bronchial carci- noma. Long-term regressions induced by cyclophosphamide in the bronchial carcinoma may reflect assistance from host defense mechanisms. INTRODUCTION At present there is considerable interest in the properties of human tumors transplanted into immune-deficient mice. The achievement of growth in such xenografts has now been reported from a number of laboratories (2, 4, 6-8, 11, 16), and information on their response to treatment has also appeared (1, 3, 9, 20). At this stage little is known about the biological characteristics of the xenografts, and the extent to which their therapeutic response reflects that of the tumor within the original patients or indeed of any human tumors is not known. The work reported here derived from an earlier study of the growth kinetics of xenografted human tumors (17). This study demonstrated that the growth rate and cell population kinetics of xenografts of 8 colorectal tumors probably From the-lst Institute of Pathology, Semmelweis Medical Universitx. Budapest, Hungary. The work reported in this paper was undertaken during the tenure of a Research Training Fellowship awarded by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Received March 24, 1975; accepted June 18, 1975. differed in some respects from the growth kinetics of the tumors in the original patients. Nevertheless, in view of the greater disparity in kinetic state between human tumors and most experimental murine tumors, it was felt that the xenografts deserved further investigation. We have there- fore examined the response of 3 xenografted lines of human tumors to a range of chemotherapeutic agents, with the initial objective of comparing their response with the spectrum of responses that might be expected in the treatment of the corresponding disease categories in man. MATERIALS AND METHODS
Effect of Temperature on Life History Parameters of Adult Culicoides sonorensis (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Relation to Geographic Origin and Vectorial Capacity for Bluetongue Virus

Abstract The effect of temperature on survival, oviposition, gonotrophic development, and a life history factor of vectorial capacity were examined in adult Culicoides sonorensis (Wirth & Jones) (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) that originated from two geographic locations. Flies originating from the United States (Colorado) had slightly reduced survival after a bloodmeal compared with wild flies collected in southern Alberta (AB), Canada. Survival of AB flies declined in a curvilinear manner with temperature, whereas survival of U.S. flies showed a linear response to temperature. The survivorship curve of the AB flies more closely followed a Weibull distribution than an exponential, indicating survival was age-dependent. Survivorship of the U.S. flies followed an exponential distribution. Females from both sources laid similar numbers of eggs throughout their life. The first eggs were laid by females from both sources at 31.9 degree-day (DD)9.3. Dissections of blood-fed flies reared at various temperatures indicated that flies from both sources were 90% gravid at 32 DD9.3. Relationships among temperature and life history components of vectorial capacity were similar among flies from the two sources and indicated that vectorial capacity would be ≈1.8–2.6-fold greater in a southern U.S. climate compared with southwestern Canada due solely to the effects of temperature on the life history of C. sonorensis. Using life history estimates derived from Weibull model had little effect on estimating vectorial capacity, whereas using estimates derived from the exponential model slightly overestimated vectorial capacity.
Evaluation of Treatment: Some Lessons from Control Trials

This paper is concerned with certain fundamental problems in the evaluation of treatment. The data will be used as a practical example to illustrate the problems, rather than to give information about the comparative value of the drugs used. The data were obtained in the course of an investigation on the differences between those patients who responded and tho~e who did not respond to drugs. For this reason the material rel~ted to the evaluation of the drugs is derived from a control trial but not from a blind trial. The patients coming into the trial were dlagnos.ed a~ suffering from a primary depressive disorder; they were not so ill tha~ they needed ~. c.T. Once the diagnOSIS was determmed and the decision made to put the patient on drugs, they :v~re th~n randomly allotted to either ImIpramme or phenelzine. The assessment of their condition having been made and recorded by means of a rating scale (2) they were then seen as often as
Nucleotide sequence of an infectious molecularly cloned genome of ground squirrel hepatitis virus

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of an infectious cloned genome of ground squirrel hepatitis virus (GSHV), a nonpathogenic member of the hepadnavirus group. The genome is 3,311 base pairs long and contains the major open reading frames described for the related human and woodchuck hepatitis B viruses (HBV and WHV, respectively). These reading frames include genes for the major structural proteins (the surface and core antigens), unassigned open reading frames (A and B), the longer of which is presumed to encode the viral DNA polymerase, and an open reading frame preceding and continuous with the surface antigen gene. The arrangement of these open reading frames is similar to that encountered in the genomes of HBV and WHV: all of the reading frames are encoded on the same strand, they are positioned in the same fashion with respect to each other, and a large portion (at least 51%) of the genome can be translated in two reading frames. Comparisons of the predicted translational products of the three mammalian hepadnaviruses reveal 78% amino acid homology between the proteins of GSHV and WHV and 43% homology between those of GSHV and HBV. In addition, a perfect direct repeat of 10 to 11 base pairs, separated by ca. 46 to 223 base pairs, is present in the three mammalian viruses and in duck hepatitis B virus; the position of the repeats near the 5' termini of the two strands of virion DNA suggests a role in viral replication.
Hospital-acquired listeriosis linked to a persistently contaminated milkshake machine

SUMMARY One case of hospital-acquired listeriosis was linked to milkshakes produced in a commercial-grade shake freezer machine. This machine was found to be contaminated with a strain of Listeria monocytogenes epidemiologically and molecularly linked to a contaminated pasteurized, dairy-based ice cream product at the same hospital a year earlier, despite repeated cleaning and sanitizing. Healthcare facilities should be aware of the potential for prolonged Listeria contamination of food service equipment. In addition, healthcare providers should consider counselling persons who have an increased risk for Listeria infections regarding foods that have caused Listeria infections. The prevalence of persistent Listeria contamination of commercial-grade milkshake machines in healthcare facilities and the risk associated with serving dairy-based ice cream products to hospitalized patients at increased risk for invasive L. monocytogenes infections should be further evaluated.
Witnessing violence among inner-city children of substance-abusing and non-substance-abusing women.

OBJECTIVES To determine if children of substance-abusing mothers witness more violence than children of non-substance-abusing (control) mothers, and to determine if children who witness violence have more behavioral problems and higher stress scores than children who do not witness violence. DESIGN Cross-sectional research design comparing exposure to violence among children of substance-abusing mothers and control mothers of low socioeconomic status. SETTING An inner-city pediatric clinic. PARTICIPANTS Forty substance-abusing mothers and their children, and 40 non-substance-abusing mothers and their children, examined when the children were 6 years old. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Maternal report of children's exposure to violence was assessed using the Exposure to Violence Interview and the Conflict Tactics Scale. Maternal report of children's behavior was assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist and the Children's Response to Stress Inventory. RESULTS Children of substance-abusing mothers did not witness more violence than the control children (P>.05). However, 6-year-old inner-city children in the present study witnessed a high rate of violence: 43% had seen someone beaten up, 13% had seen someone threatened with a knife, and 7% had seen someone stabbed or shot. Children witnessing violence had significantly higher aggressive, delinquent, anxious/depressed, withdrawn, attention, and social problems (P<.05) on the Child Behavior Checklist, and higher stress scores (P =.05) on the Children's Response to Stress Inventory. CONCLUSIONS More than half of the 6-year-old inner-city children in the present study witnessed some form of violence. Witnessing violence was associated with more behavioral problems and higher stress scores as assessed through maternal report. Subsequent research should examine the long-term effects of this exposure to violence among young children.
Effects of Cryopreservation on Sperm DNA Integrity in Normospermic and Four Categories of Infertile Males

This study examined the effects of cryopreservation on DNA integrity of spermatozoa from 34 fertile subjects and 166 infertile subjects comprised of 80 teratospermic, 32 normospermic, 30 astheno-teratospermic, and 24 oligo-astheno-teratospermic individuals. Semen samples were prepared by swim-up and the Percoll density gradient centrifugation method (Pdgc) prior to freezing in liquid nitrogen. Neat and prepared samples were supplemented with cryoprotectant (SpermFreez) in cryoampoules and were frozen using the static phase vapor cooling procedure. Sperm DNA integrity of all thawed samples was determined using the alkaline comet assay. It was noticed that the sperm DNA integrity of frozen samples of fertile subjects was considerably higher than that of infertile subjects with greater catch-up integrity similar to the fresh samples. Freezing caused less chromatin damage to sperm of Pdgc samples from both fertile and infertile subjects as was compared to the neat and swim-up samples. It is concluded that the increase in comet frequency of frozen-thawed samples from infertile subjects was more prominent (8.25–22.78%; P<0.01) than in the fresh samples. Frozen-thawed samples from Ts (Teratospermic individuals) and ATs (Astheno-teratozoosspermic) showed higher level of OTM (Olive tail moment) indicating a higher level of chromatin fragmentation than fertile, Ns (Normospermics), and OATs (Oligo-astheno-teratozoospermics).