Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Delayed Donor Bone Marrow Infusion Induces Liver Transplant Tolerance

Background Nonmyeloablative conditioning followed by donor bone marrow infusion (BMI) to induce tolerance has not been robustly tested in liver transplantation (LT) and may be unsafe at the time of LT. We hypothesized T cell–depleted BMI is effective in inducing tolerance when delayed after LT, resulting in potentially safer future clinical applications. Methods Nonimmunosuppressed syngeneic (Lewis to Lewis) and allogeneic (ACI to Lewis) rat LT transplants were initially performed as controls. Three experimental allogeneic LT groups were treated with tacrolimus (TAC) for 3 to 4 weeks and then underwent: (1) TAC withdrawal alone; (2) nonmyeloablative conditioning (anti-&agr;&bgr;TCR mAb + total body irradiation [300 cGy]) followed by TAC withdrawal; (3) Nonmyeloablative conditioning + donor BMI (100 × 106 T cell–depleted bone marrow cells) followed by TAC withdrawal. Results All group 1 recipients developed chronic rejection. Group 2 had long-term survival but impaired liver function and high donor-specific antibody (DSA) levels. In contrast, group 3 (conditioning + BMI) had long-term TAC-free survival with preserved liver function and histology, high mixed chimerism and blood/liver/spleen CD4 + CD25 + Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, and low DSA titers, similar to syngeneic grafts. While donor-specific tolerance was observed post-BMI, graft-versus-host disease was not. Conclusions These results support that donor-specific tolerance can be achieved with BMI even when delayed after LT and this tolerance correlates with increased mixed chimerism, regulatory T cell generation, and diminished DSA.
The Effect of Postoperative KT-1000 Arthrometer Score on Long-Term Outcome After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Many long-term studies have looked at outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), but none have correlated long-term outcomes with postoperative laxity greater than 5 mm. It has been stated previously that more than 5 mm of postoperative graft laxity constituted a procedural failure. Purpose: To directly compare tight grafts (<3 mm) and loose grafts (>5 mm) to determine the effect of graft laxity, as measured by KT-1000 arthrometer, after ACLR on long-term clinical outcomes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: The study included 171 consecutive patients who had undergone transtibial bone–patellar tendon–bone ACLR between 1992 and 1998. At 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively (the immediate postoperative period), patients were evaluated. Group A included patients with a maximal side-to-side (STS) difference in the immediate postoperative period of less than 3 mm (tight grafts), and group B included patients with a maximal STS difference of greater than 5 mm (loose grafts). Any patient with a history of ipsilateral or contralateral ACLR or ACL injury, meniscectomy, or cartilage restoration was excluded. Patients were prospectively followed to long-term follow-up, when a telephone interview was conducted regarding knee function and to document Lysholm, Tegner, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective outcome scores. Results: Eighty-seven patients met inclusion criteria: 66 tight grafts (group A) and 21 loose grafts (group B). The mean ± SD time to follow-up was 16.3 ± 1.5 years in group A (n = 46) and 16.8 ± 1.3 years in group B (n = 15). Tegner (P = .77), Lysholm (P = .85), KOOS (P = .96), and IKDC (P = .42) were found to have no statistically significant difference between groups at long-term follow-up. Both Tegner and Lysholm scores significantly improved in tight and loose grafts in the immediate postoperative period as well as at long-term follow-up compared with preoperatively. There were 2 ACL revisions in group A and none in group B. Eleven of 46 patients (24%) in group A required subsequent procedures versus 1 of 15 patients (6.7%) in group B (P = .146). Conclusion: Postoperative laxity of greater than 5 mm STS difference as measured by KT-1000 arthrometer does not appear to place patients at a worse clinical outcome at long-term follow-up, nor does it lead to significantly more subsequent procedures. In addition, transtibial ACLR can provide excellent clinical results at long-term follow-up.
Management considerations for childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients and implications on therapy

ABSTRACT Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that may involve various organs and systems. This narrative review focuses on the recent evidence relating to cSLE management. The general management considerations of cSLE patients require the use of validated classification criteria, disease and health-related quality of life tools evaluation, as well as assessments of lupus nephritis biomarkers and cSLE quality indicators. The drug treatment for cSLE patients includes general supportive care and immunosuppressive therapy. Important implications on cSLE therapy are also updated such as infection, vaccination, infertility, pregnancy, contraception, dyslipidemia, physical activity, cancer, bone health, drug pharmacokinetics, adherence, academic outcomes, transition to adult care and cumulative organ damage.
An algorithm for the grading of activity in chronic hepatitis C

Histological activity reflects the global assessment of basic necroinflammatory lesions and is a criterion of major importance in chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to propose and test the accuracy of a simple algorithm that generates a single activity score based on basic pathological features. A panel of 10 pathologists reviewed 363 chronic hepatitis C liver biopsies and graded the activity of hepatitis according to their own experience (reference activity). Then, a consensual algorithm on the grading of activity was established by the 10 experts in a panel discussion. Finally, stepwise discriminant analysis was performed to define which basic features had been intuitively used in the reference activity (statistical activity). To test the accuracy of the algorithm, concordance between the activity defined by the algorithm and the reference activity was assessed. It was compared with concordance between the activity defined by the statistical model and the reference activity. The algorithm proposed by the panel for the grading of activity included piecemeal necrosis and lobular necrosis. Concordance between reference activity and activity defined by the algorithm was substantial (305 cases, 84%, κ = .75). Discriminant analysis showed that piecemeal necrosis, lobular necrosis, and portal inflammation were independently used to grade the activity. Concordance between reference activity and activity defined by the statistical model was substantial (300 cases, 83%, κ = .73), virtually identical to the concordance between reference activity and activity defined by algorithm. This study proposes a simple algorithm for the grading of activity in chronic hepatitis. Its accuracy is as high as that obtained using a statistical approach.
Rendering Spaces for Architectural Environments

We present a new framework for rendering virtual environments. This framework is proposed as a complete scene description, which embodies the space of all possible renderings, under all possible lighting scenarios of the given scene. In effect, this hypothetical rendering space includes all possible light sources as part of the geometric model. While it would be impractical to implement the general framework, this approach does allow us to look at the rendering problem in a new way. Thus, we propose new representations that are subspaces of the entire rendering space. Some of these subspaces are computationally tractable and may be carefully chosen to serve a particular application. The approach is useful both for real and virtual scenes. The framework includes methods for rendering environments which are illuminated by artificial light, natural light, or a combination of the two models.
Dış Borçların Ekonomik Büyüme Üzerindeki Etkisi: Türkiye Örneği

Az gelismis ve gelismekte olan ulkeler arzuladiklari ekonomik buyume hizina ulasmada cesitli kisitlarla karsi karsiyadirlar. Bunlardan en onemlisi yatirimlari finanse edecek olan ic tasarruflarin yetersizligidir. Ayrica bu ulkelerde ihracat gelirlerinin dusuk olmasi doviz kitligina neden olmaktadir. Az gelismis ve gelismekte olan ulkeler bu kisitlari asarak yuksek buyume hizlarina ulasmak icin dis borclanmaya sik basvurmaktadirlar. Fakat literaturde dis borclanma ve ekonomik buyume arasindaki iliski tartismalidir. Yapilan ampirik calismalarin buyuk bir kisminda yuksek dis borca sahip ulkelerde dis borc ile ekonomik buyume arasinda negatif bir iliski tespit edilmistir. Bu calismada, dis borc ve ekonomik buyume iliskisi Turkiye ekonomisi acisindan ele alinmistir. Calismada, Turkiye icin 1968-2005 donemine ait yillik veriler kullanilmistir. Yapilan regresyon analizi sonucunda Turkiye’deki dis borclarin ekonomik buyume uzerinde negatif bir etkiye sahip oldugu dolayisiyla borc fazlasi sorunu ile karsi karsiya oldugu sonucuna ulasilmistir. Bu sonuc, ekonomik buyumeyi hizlandirmak icin ulkenin dis borclarinin azaltilmasi gerektigi seklinde yorumlanabilir
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus sp. Strain NPS 308

ABSTRACT Streptococcus sp. strain NPS 308, isolated from an 8-year-old girl diagnosed with infective endocarditis, likely presents a novel species of Streptococcus. Here, we present a complete genome sequence of this species, which will contribute to better understanding of the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis.
Asynchronous Online Discussions within Multi-media Case Based Instruction

This study compares the experiences of students and instructors participating in three different asynchronous online discussion formats used to support collaborative and social aspects of multimedia case-based instruction. Data were collected and analyzed from three different universities that implemented case-based discussions as a part of a larger research consortium project. Implementations represented three distinctive formats: open discussions, prompted discussions, and structured chat discussions. Discussion archives were analyzed for number of students who participated, number of postings, average postings per student, and range of contributions per student. Follow-up interviews from each course were conducted with a sample of students to assess perceptions of the benefits and limitations of online discussion groups to augment multimedia case-based instructional approaches in special education teacher training. Results contribute support to prior research findings that online chats and discussions provide opportunities for the students to share, discuss, and modify their case understanding and to sustain each other in using that knowledge to solve case and classroom problems. However, additional practical implications for instructors using discussion groups in case-based instruction were found.
Things Take Time -Establishing Usability Work in a University Context

1. Summary This short paper present a project spanning over two years with the goal of establishing usability work in a university context. The project was a collaborative project where members from the university administrations planning division worked together with action researchers in order to reach the project goals. During the first year the project members educated almost 200 of the IT professionals working at the university, and organised seminars and workshops. The second year the project did two studies on the work environment and usability issues of the people working with financial administration, which were well received within the organisation. To summarize one can say that the project was successful, and that the collaboration within the project worked well despite the fact that it is difficult to measure organisational changes of this nature. Usability work is now an integrated part of the development plans at the university, and usability work will be catered for by a the establishment of a knowledge center to enable continuous development in this field. However, one can conclude that a sustainable work environment requires sustainable change process regarding usability. There are surely no quick fixes, and things take time.
Physical Activity and Nutrition Program for Seniors (PANS)

Issue addressed. The Physical Activity and Nutrition Program for Seniors (PANS) program aimed to increase levels of physical activity and improve the diet of insufficiently active community-based seniors aged 60 to 70 years using a range of strategies. Comprehensive process evaluation was used to determine the suitability and appropriateness of the resources and effectiveness of the strategies. Method. Process evaluation data (qualitative and quantitative) were collected on the program strategies and resources throughout, and at the conclusion of the intervention period. Results. The program strategies/resources were found to be relevant to the population, assisting participants to increase their level of physical activity and improve their diet. Participants reported that the program resources were suitable for their age-group (84%), encouraged them to think about physical activity (78%), and nutrition (70%). Participants reported that they used the pedometer (91%) and recorded daily steps (78%). Moreover, the provision of group guides facilitated individuals to set and achieve personal goals. Conclusion. The PANS strategies and resources were appropriate, which supported the seniors in identifying, establishing, and achieving their physical activity and nutrition goals. Minor refinements of the program were recommended based on the findings.
PK-PD curve-fitting problems with the Hill equation? Try one of the 1-exp functions derived from Hodgkin, Douglas or Gompertz.

UNLABELLED Non-linear phenomena are observed with enzyme kinetics, protein binding, pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. The Hill equation, the Michaelis-Menten equation extended by a power coefficient, is traditionally used for sigmoid curve fitting. Sigmoid saturation phenomena can also be described by exponential functions (1-exp), extended by a power coefficient such as those derived by Hodgkin, Douglas or Gompertz. Comparing the 4 equations, the sigmoid 1-exp function in the form of Hodgkin and Huxley comes closest to the principle of simplicity and succinctness with regard to definition, slope and flexibility of the inflection point. To compare the applicability, a standardized sample of 250 curves was generated by each I of the 4 equations and mutually fitted with the remaining 3. The Hill equation gives the closest fit with the data generated by the other functions. The Douglas variant exhibits the highest rate of convergence. The Gompertz function provides the basic feature of a baseline effect. CONCLUSION The sigmoid functions investigated (Hill, Hodgkin, Douglas, Gompertz) have differing characteristics and can be used interchangeably for solving specific problems in non-linear modeling.
Calculation of fingerprints of typical antipersonnel landmines by varying the observation point and incidence angles of excitations

This work presents comparison of fingerprints results from computer simulations of the different types of antipersonnel land mines. The fingerprints are computed above the top surface of the centre of the antipersonnel land mines. The influences of a vertical, a lateral shift of the observation points, and different angle of incidence on the fingerprints of the mines are investigated. The frequency used for the simulation was from 0.2 GHz-8 GHz (wideband system). It had been shown in this work that fingerprints of complex targets are complicated functions of the incident, the reception angle and of radar frequency. The echo response of the studied objects is analysed for characteristics resonances, which can be used for target identification and hence reduce the false alarm rate.
Necessary and Sufficient Consistency Conditions for Fanbeam Projections Along a Line

In medical imaging, a fanbeam projection refers to a collection of line integrals of some two-dimensional function, for lines converging on a point known as the source point for X-ray applications. In this work, necessary and sufficient consistency conditions (also known as range conditions) are given for fanbeam projections when the source trajectory follows an infinite straight line. The conditions are specified for both angular and linear parameterizations of the projection rays. In both cases, integrals of the fanbeam projections multiplied by a certain function will be a polynomial in the trajectory variable, so these consistency conditions can be considered true analogs of the well-known Helgason-Ludwig range conditions for parallel projections.
Marked inflammatory sequelae to implantation of biodegradable and nonbiodegradable polymers in porcine coronary arteries.

BACKGROUND With the thrombogenic tendency and permanent implant nature of metallic stents, synthetic polymers have been proposed as candidate materials for stents and local drug delivery designs. We investigated the biocompatibility of several synthetic polymers after experimental placement in the coronary artery. METHODS AND RESULTS Five different biodegradable polymers (polyglycolic acid/polylactic acid [PGLA], polycaprolactone [PCL], polyhydroxybutyrate valerate [PHBV], polyorthoester [POE], and polyethyleneoxide/polybutylene terephthalate [PEO/ PBTP]) and three nonbiodegradable polymers (polyurethane [PUR], silicone [SIL], and polyethylene terephthalate [PETP]) were tested as strips deployed longitudinally across 90 degrees of the circumferential surface of coil wire stents. Appropriately sized polymer-loaded stents were implanted in porcine coronary arteries of 2.5- to 3.0-mm diameter. Four weeks after implantation, stent patency was assessed by angiography followed by microscopic examination of the coronary arteries. The biodegradable PCL, PHBV, and POE and the nonbiodegradable PUR and SIL evoked extensive inflammatory responses and fibrocellular proliferation (thickness of tissue response: 0.79 +/- 0.22, 1.12 +/- 0.01, 2.36 +/- 0.60, 1.24 +/- 0.36, and 1.43 +/- 0.15 mm, respectively). Less but still severe responses were observed for the biodegradable PGLA and PEO/PBTP (0.46 +/- 0.18 and 0.61 +/- 0.23 mm, respectively) and for the nonbiodegradable PETP (0.46 +/- 0.11 mm). CONCLUSIONS An array of both biodegradable and nonbiodegradable polymers has been demonstrated to induce a marked inflammatory reaction within the coronary artery with subsequent neointimal thickening, which was not expected on the basis of in vitro tests. The observed tissue response may be attributable to a combination of parent polymer compound, biodegradation products, and possibly implant geometry.
Wolfberries potentiate mitophagy and enhance mitochondrial biogenesis leading to prevention of hepatic steatosis in obese mice: the role of AMP-activated protein kinase α2 subunit.

SCOPE The aim of this study is to investigate whether AMP-activated protein kinase α2 (AMPKα2) is essential for wolfberry's protective effects on mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent hepatic steatosis in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS Six-week-old male AMPKα2 knockout mice and genetic background C57BL/6J (B6) mice were fed a control, high-fat diet (HD, 45% (kilocalorie) fat), and/or HD with 5% (kilocalarie) wolfberry diets for 18 wk. At termination, blood and liver tissues were sampled for analysis by ELISA, HPLC, microscopy, real-time PCR, and Western blot. HD lowered hepatic lutein and zeaxanthin contents, inhibited protein expression of β,β-carotene 9',10'-oxygenase 2 (BCO2) and heat shock protein 60 in mitochondria, increased reactive oxygen species level, and suppressed mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis as determined by accumulation of p62, inhibited phosphorylation of Unc-51-like kinase 1 on Ser555, and declined expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1 α, resulting in hepatic steatosis in B6 and knockout mice. Dietary wolfberry elevated the xanthophyll concentrations and enhanced expression of BCO2 and heat shock protein 60, attenuated mitochondrial oxidative stress, activated AMPKα2, potentiated mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis, and enhanced lipid oxidation and secretion in the liver of B6 mice. CONCLUSION Dietary wolfberry selectively activated AMPKα2, which resulted in enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis and potentiated mitophagy, leading to the prevention of hepatic steatosis in obese mice.
A new class of nonlinear filters-neural filters

A class of nonlinear filters based on threshold decomposition and neural networks is defined. It is shown that these neural filters include all filters defined either by continuous functions, such as linear finite impulse response (FIR) filters, or by Boolean functions, such as generalized stack filters. Adaptive least-mean-absolute-error and adaptive least-mean-square-error algorithms are derived for determining optimal neural filters. As special cases, adaptive generalized stack and adaptive generalized weighted order statistic filtering algorithms under both error criteria are derived. Experimental results in 1D and 2D signal processing are presented to compare the performances of the adaptive neural filters and other widely used filters. >
A high data-rate, software-defined underwater acoustic modem

Most underwater acoustic modems offer only low data rates. This is largely because they operate at low frequency, which limits the channel bandwidth available, and hence the symbol rate. The low frequency acoustic channel suffers from substantial multipath and doppler effects, which constrain the signal quality at the receiver. As a result only 1 or 2 bits per symbol are achieved, with the effective data rate further reduced by error control coding. High frequency acoustic signals are heavily attenuated in water, severely constraining the range of high frequency links. High frequency signals however offer substantially greater signal bandwidth, and probably improved channel quality which guides our design choice of a high frequency acoustic modem for underwater communication. Contemporary Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) can provide good system functionality at low cost and with the flexibility to perform rapid testing and development of communication algorithms. They may also be competitive in production systems. In this paper we describe current progress in development of a high frequency, high data-rate modem which is implemented entirely in FPGA. This differs from most existing modems which are based on DSP processors. Being software defined, the modem is flexible because the parameters can be reconfigured with relative ease, minimising the cost of rework as the design evolves. This modem will not only demonstrate the feasibility of high frequency FPGA based modems, but will also be a valuable tool to provide a better understanding of the high frequency acoustic channel, and demonstrate the utility of absorption to enhance channel re-use rates in underwater acoustic networks. The modulator has been implemented in the FPGA, to produce laboratory and open water tests that conform to modelling. The demodulator has been implemented in Matlab, and recovers the carrier, code synchronisation and data from recordings of both laboratory and open water tests. Coding of the demodulator into the FPGA is currently in progress.