Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Infections: Diagnosis and Management

Purpose To develop diagnostic and treatment strategies for peritoneal dialysis catheter exit-site and tunnel infections. Population All consenting peritoneal dialysis patients performing home dialysis through the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Home Dialysis Training Center. This is a state-owned teaching hospital serving a rural population of approximately one million people in Iowa and western Illinois. Methods Four dialysis nurses collected information on a prospectively designed data acquisition tool. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups, intraperitoneal vancomycin plus oral rifampin or oral trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), and their initial antibiotic therapy determined by that assignment. If the infection was gram -negative, the initial antibiotics were discontinued and an alternative therapy begun. Therapy was initiated by the nursing staff and required physician notification within 48 hours. Results There were 126 recorded catheter infections (exit-site, tunnel, or cuff infection) resulting in a rate of 0.67 episodes per patient year of exposure. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the majority (60%) of these events. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the next most common isolate and accounted for 21% of infections. Rubor, dolor, and turgor are the classic signs of inflammation, and at least one of these was present in 79% of the episodes. Isolated pericatheter erythema or serous discharge was associated with a minimal risk «2%) of catheter loss. The presence of a purulent exit-site discharge identified patients who had a 30% chance of failing systemic antibiotic therapy and a 20% risk of catheter loss. The concurrent presence of exit-site tenderness or swelling identified the most severe infections. Staphylococcal infections responded equally well to local cleaning and vancomycin plus rifampin (86% cured) or oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (89% cured) therapy. Gram-negative infections were frequent (27%) and appeared to respond best to a combination of tobramycin and ciprofloxacin. Conclusion Exit-site/tunnel inflammation is detectable by patients and can be used to guide therapy. An isolated finding of erythema or serous discharge is not indicative of an acute infection and may not require systemic antibiotics. The presence of purulence identifies patients at risk for catheter loss, and these patients benefit from systemic therapy. The combination of a purulent exit-site discharge plus pericatheter tenderness or swelling identifies patients likely to suffer treatment failure and require subsequent catheter removal. The cure rate of gram -positive catheter infections treated with vancomycin plus rifampin was indistinguishable from that achieved with oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (p = 0.99).
A new constraint model for optimal design of constrained FIR digital filters

Magnitude-error and phase-error constrained optimal designs of finite impulse response (FIR) filters are nonconvex problems due to the nonconvexity of the lower-bound constraint of magnitude at any passband frequency point. In order to solve these problems, the nonconvex constraint region at an arbitrary passband frequency is usually approximated by a convex one. In this paper, a new convex constraint model is proposed. It approximates the nonconvex lower-bound magnitude constraint by a linear one while keeping the upper-bound magnitude and phase-error constraints unchanged. Design results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed constraint model and good performance of the designed filters.
A Framework for Energy-Aware Routing in Packet Networks

Although there is great interest in reducing energy consumption for all areas of human activity, many of the proposed approaches such as the smart home or the smart grid are actually prone to an increase in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) which itself is a big consumer of energy. It is remarkable that ICT's carbon imprint is of the order of 2% of the world total, comparable to the carbon imprint of air travel. Thus, it is imperative to address energy savings in ICT and, in particular, in data centres and networks. This paper follows up on our previous work that seeks novel ways to reduce the energy consumption in packet networks which constitute the backbone of the Internet and of the information society as a whole. Here we discuss the use of routing control as a means to reduce energy consumption while remaining aware of QoS considerations, and propose a method that uses a queueing theoretic analysis and optimization technique to distribute traffic so as to reduce a cost function that comprises both energy and QoS. A method using G-networks is developed to incorporate both the effect of user traffic and the overhead in QoS and energy consumption introduced by the control traffic that will be needed to carry out the re-routing decisions. For an N-node network, we show that this approach results in an algorithm which has O(N3) time complexity. Because this approach may be too costly in computational overhead and delays, we also propose another approach that uses load balancing and which would be much simpler to implement.
Investigating Electronic Word-of-Mouth Motivations in the Middle East: Twitter as Medium and Message

This paper reports on a study carried out in Kuwait aimed at exploring the motivational factors which drive consumers to mention company names in Twitter. Building on existing models for eWOM motives and using Twitter as the tool for data collection, an electronic questionnaire was launched with the help of a number of opinion leaders. A total of 1,192 valid responses were collected from 5,011 hits. Data were statistically analyzed to extract the strongest factors. Concern for Other Consumers, Extraversion/Positive Self Enhancement, Venting Negative Feelings and Helping the Company are the primary factors. However, the findings are inconclusive when considering the proposition that studies aimed at identifying motivational factors behind eWOM engagement, differences can be expected in results from populations with predominantly collectivist values as opposed to populations with predominantly individualist values. Assuming that in the Kuwaiti cultural context individualist values predominate, it would have been expected to have results which are different from those obtained in studies carried out among populations whose cultural values are predominantly collectivist. However, this was not the case. In some factors the results are very similar, while in others, results are markedly different. This suggests that more research is needed in the cross cultural implications of motivational factors behind eWOM engagement.
Carbonic Anhydrases inhibitory effects of new benzenesulfonamides synthesized by using superacid chemistry

A series of benzofused sultams and fluorinated benzenesulfonamides were synthesized in superacid HF/SbF5 from simple N-allylic derivatives. Almost all of these original compounds showed micromolar inhibitory activities against carbonic anhydrases I and II. The fluorinated derivatives inhibit better the tumor-associated isoforms IX and XII, and one of the tested compounds showed inhibition in the nanomolar range.
Peripheral Antihyperalgesic and Analgesic Actions of Ketamine and Amitriptyline in a Model of Mild Thermal Injury in the Rat

In this study, we examined antihyperalgesic and analgesic actions after local peripheral administration of ketamine and amitriptyline in a rat model of mild thermal injury. Exposure of the hindpaw to 52°C for 45 s under anesthesia produced a subsequent thermal hyperalgesia lasting at least 2 h. The local peripheral administration of ketamine (100–1000 nmol) 15 min before the thermal injury produced an antihyperalgesic effect when injected into the ipsilateral paw, whereas amitriptyline produced both antihyperalgesic (300 nmol) and analgesic (1000 nmol) effects. Administered after the thermal injury, ketamine had no effect, whereas amitriptyline retained its analgesic but not its antihyperalgesic effect. Amitriptyline (300 and 1000 nmol) produced an analgesic action when administered into the normal nonsensitized hindpaw. Both drugs increase paw volume, particularly at larger doses; biogenic amines are not involved in the action of amitriptyline, as was shown previously for ketamine. These results indicate that (a) ketamine produces antihyperalgesia, but not analgesia, when administered locally with a mild thermal injury model; (b) amitriptyline produces both antihyperalgesia and analgesia when administered locally; and (c) the increase in paw volume produced by these drugs occurs by different mechanisms.
Reproductive dysfunction and associated pathology in women undergoing military training

Introduction Evidence from civilian athletes raises the question of whether reproductive dysfunction may be seen in female soldiers as a result of military training. Such reproductive dysfunction consists of impaired ovulation with or without long-term subfertility. Methods A critical review of pertinent evidence following an extensive literature search. Results The evidence points towards reduced energy availability as the most likely explanation for exercise-induced reproductive dysfunction. Evidence also suggests that reproductive dysfunction is mediated by activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, with elevated ghrelin and reduced leptin likely to play an important role. The observed reproductive dysfunction exists as part of a female athletic triad, together with osteopenia and disordered eating. If this phenomenon was shown to exist with UK military training, this would be of significant concern. We hypothesise that the nature of military training and possibly field exercises may contribute to greater risk of reproductive dysfunction among female military trainees compared with exercising civilian controls. We discuss the features of military training and its participants, such as energy availability, age at recruitment, body phenotype, type of physical training, psychogenic stressors, altered sleep pattern and elemental exposure as contributors to reproductive dysfunction. Conclusions We identify lines of future research to more fully characterise reproductive dysfunction in military women and suggest possible interventions that, if indicated, could improve their future well-being.
Outcome of transurethral resection of prostate in clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged. Some men with enlarged prostate glands may experience symptoms while some may have few symptoms. Symptomatic improvement determines the successful outcome of surgical procedure of TURP for clinical BPH patients. Objectives of this study were to assess the outcome of transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) in clinical BPH with the help of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). METHODS This was descriptive case series study conducted at the Department of Urology, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro from November 2009 to April 2010. All patients who underwent TURP for clinical BPH were included in the study. Their preoperative IPSS was done by asking irritative and obstructive symptoms. IPSS was calculated for patients who presented with urinary retention by asking lower urinary tract symptoms before urinary retention. Each symptom carried a score of 0-5, and the total score was 35. After the TURP, IPSS was calculated on 1st follow-up visit after 6 weeks and 2nd follow-up visit after 12 weeks. Outcome, was considered favourable if there was mild grade (IPSS < 7) on 12th week after TRUP. RESULTS Total of 70 patients of clinical BPH were included in study. Mean age of the patients was 63.1 +/- 3.0 yrs. Outcome of transurethral resection of prostate was found to be favourable in 81.4% after 6 weeks in 1st follow-up visit and in 62 (88.6%) patients after 12 weeks in second follow-up visit. Preoperatively mean IPSS was 22.5 and postoperatively mean IPSS was 6.5. CONCLUSION TURP is an effective and gold standard surgical treatment option in the clinical BPH patients.
B-cell neoplasia in a developmental framework.

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T‐cell development, doing it in a dish

Summary: The thymus provides a unique environment for the development of T lymphocytes from bone marrow‐derived progenitor cells. Several environmental factors have been identified that influence the development of T cells in the thymus. In particular, the Notch pathway has emerged as critical for the induction of T‐lineage commitment and differentiation. Until recently, however, the precise nature of the thymus‐derived signals that drive T‐cell development were unclear, and the only reliable in vitro culture system that supported T‐cell differentiation required the use of thymus organ cultures. Here, we discuss recent advances in the identification of critical Notch receptor ligands that have facilitated the development of a simple in vitro model for the differentiation of T cells ‘in a dish’, providing an alternate approach for studying T lymphopoiesis.
IARG-AnCora: Anotación de los corpus AnCora con argumentos implícitos

El proyecto IARG-AnCora tiene como objetivo la anotacion con papeles tematicos de los argumentos implicitos de las nominalizaciones deverbales en el corpus AnCora. Estos corpus serviran de base para los sistemas de etiquetado automatico de roles semanticos basados en tecnicas de aprendizaje automatico. Los analizadores semanticos son componentes basicos en las aplicaciones actuales de las tecnologias del lenguaje, en las que se quiere potenciar una comprension mas profunda del texto para realizar inferencias de mas alto nivel y obtener asi mejoras cualitativas en los resultados.
Row-Store / Column-Store / Hybrid-Store

Three of the most widely used main memory database system layouts available today are row store, column store and hybrid store. In this paper, their similarities and differences regarding their layout and the way each of them handle data are presented based on available literature and two simple implementations. The results of the implementations, not always matching the theoretical findings, present a simple understanding of how different approaches and additional techniques may change the results drastically.
Platelet free cytosolic calcium concentration during ageing of type 2 diabetic patients

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of biological ageing on concentration of free calcium ions ([Ca2+]i) in platelets of type 2 diabetic patients, an issue not documented till now. Since diabetes platelets are surrounded by a hyperglycemic environment enriched in products of nonenzymatic glycation and oxidation of proteins (known as “advanced glycation end products” (AGEs)), we questioned on the individual effect of high glucose concentration, AGEs, and oxidative stress on platelet [Ca2+]i. To these purposes, we performed: (i) measurement of basal and thrombin-stimulated [Ca2+]i in platelets isolated from type 2 diabetic patients and from normal subjects of young (27 ± 7 years), mature (48 ± 12 years) and older (>60 years) age, and (ii) quantitation of [Ca2+]i when platelets of young healthy subjects were exposed to 25.5 mM glucose (vs. 11 mM glucose), 0.23–1.7 mM AGE-poly-L-lysine (vs. poly-L-lysine), 0.3–2.26 mM AGE-albumin (vs. albumin), and to 10 mM and 100 mM H2O2. Reactions of nonenzymatic glycation were conducted in vitro to prepare AGE-poly-L-lysine and AGE-albumin, and spectrofluorimetry was used to measure platelet free [Ca2+]i following Fura-2/AM cells loading. The results showed that: (i) in physiological conditions, [Ca2+]i was ∼10% increased in the platelets of the mature subjects, and ∼33% enhanced at the older group (vs. young), sustaining that biological ageing is associated with accumulation of free [Ca2+]i within the platelets cytoplasm; (ii) in type 2 diabetes, [Ca2+]i was ∼16% and ∼27% higher in the platelets of mature and older patients, respectively (vs. age-matched normals), demonstrating that ageing of diabetics is accompanied by alterations in calcium balance (vs. physiological ageing); (iii) thrombin (1U/ml) induced ∼39% increase of [Ca2+]i in platelets of matures and ∼29% at older normals, and ∼34% increase at the mature diabetics, ∼84% at the older diabetics (vs. no thrombin condition), indicating that under thrombin stimulation simultaneous insults of diabetes and advanced age produced a higher thrombin-evoked mobilization of Ca2+ from intracellular stores; (iv) the components of the diabetic milieu had various effects on platelet free [Ca2+]i: high enhancement (∼73%) in 25.5 mM glucose (vs. 11 mM glucose), a minor increase (∼15%) in 100 mM H2O2, and a decrease (by ∼56% and ∼132%) in 1.7 mM AGE- poly-L-lysine (vs. poly-L-lysine) and 2.26 mM AGE- albumin (vs. albumin), respectively. Thus, a complex of factors contribute to platelet free [Ca2+]i during biological ageing of diabetics: age, hyperglycemia and oxidative stress release Ca2+ from intracellular stores, while AGE products reduced the cytosolic free Ca2+. Thus, platelets [Ca2+]i level is the final result of the combined effects of ageing and of the components of the diabetic milieu.
Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) to improve oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs

The purpose of this work was to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs by incorporation into solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). All‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) was used as a poorly soluble model drug. Different formulations of SLNs loaded with ATRA were successfully prepared by a high‐pressure homogenization method and using Compritol 888 ATO as lipid matrix. The particle size and distribution, drug loading capacity, drug entrapment efficiency (EE %), zeta potential, and long‐term physical stability of the SLNs were investigated in detail. Drug release from two sorts of ATRA‐SLN was studied and compared with the diffusion from ATRA solution in 0.1 M HCl, distilled water and phosphate buffer (pH 7.40), using a dialysis bag method. A pharmacokinetic study was conducted in male rats after oral administration of 8 mg kg−1 ATRA in different formulations and it was found that the relative bioavailability of ATRA in SLNs was significantly increased compared with that of an ATRA solution. The amount of surfactant also had a marked effect on the oral absorption of ATRA with SLN formulations. Although an emulsion formulation also increased ATRA absorption, it was too unstable for use in clinical situations. The absorption mechanism of the SLN formulations was discussed. These results indicate that ATRA absorption is enhanced significantly by employing SLN formulations. SLNs offer a new approach to improve the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.
Hidden Members and Key Players Detection in Covert Networks Using Multiple Heterogeneous Layers

National security is one of the biggest challenges of the world today because of the number of terrorist incidents occurring across the world. It has been seen that suspicious individuals work in very organized groups. They hide themselves between common public and communicate through different media. The whole network is often organized in such a way that all members may not be directly interacting; rather they may be interacting through different mediators and may be using different media for interaction. This type of group is difficult to identify completely because of the presence of mediators and also different media of communication. In order to mitigate the potential risk of terrorist activities, such organized groups are required to be destabilized which is a big challenge for national security organizations. In this paper we propose a new model for detecting such networks. Detection is done by integrating databases having records of associations of suspicious individuals from different domains. 
EXTENT OF RESECTION AND SURVIVAL IN GLIOBLASTOMA MULTIFORME: IDENTIFICATION OF AND ADJUSTMENT FOR BIAS

OBJECTIVEThe influence of the degree of resection on survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme is still under discussion. The highly controlled 5-aminolevulinic acid study provided a unique platform for addressing this question as a result of the high frequency of “complete” resections, as revealed by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans achieved by fluorescence-guided resection and homogeneous patient characteristics. METHODSTwo hundred forty-three patients with glioblastoma multiforme per protocol from the 5-aminolevulinic acid study were analyzed. Patients with complete and incomplete resections as revealed by early magnetic resonance imaging scans were compared. Prognostic factors that might cause bias regarding resection and influence survival (e.g., tumor size, edema, midline shift, location, age, Karnofsky Performance Scale score, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score) were used for analysis of overall survival. Time to reintervention (chemotherapy, reoperation) was analyzed further to exclude bias regarding second-line therapies. RESULTSTreatment bias was identified in patients with complete (n = 122) compared with incomplete resection (n = 121), i.e., younger age and less frequent eloquent tumor location. Other factors, foremost preoperative tumor size, were identical. Patients without residual tumor survived longer (16.7 versus 11.8 mo, P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, only residual tumor, age, and Karnofsky Performance Scale score were significantly prognostic. To account for distribution bias, patients were stratified for age (>60 or ≤60 yr) and eloquent location. Survival advantages from complete resection remained significant within subgroups, and age/eloquent location were no longer unevenly distributed. Reinterventions occurred marginally earlier in patients with residual tumor (6.7 versus 9.5 mo, P = 0.0582). CONCLUSIONTreatment bias was demonstrated regarding resection and second-line therapies. However, bias and imbalances were controllable in the cohorts available from the 5-aminolevulinic acid study so that the present data now provide Level 2b evidence (Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine) that survival depends on complete resection of enhancing tumor in glioblastoma multiforme.