Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Esophageal Perforation Following Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Study Design: Multicenter retrospective case series and review of the literature. Objective: To determine the rate of esophageal perforations following anterior cervical spine surgery. Methods: As part of an AOSpine series on rare complications, a retrospective cohort study was conducted among 21 high-volume surgical centers to identify esophageal perforations following anterior cervical spine surgery. Staff at each center abstracted data from patients’ charts and created case report forms for each event identified. Case report forms were then sent to the AOSpine North America Clinical Research Network Methodological Core for data processing and analysis. Results: The records of 9591 patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery were reviewed. Two (0.02%) were found to have esophageal perforations following anterior cervical spine surgery. Both cases were detected and treated in the acute postoperative period. One patient was successfully treated with primary repair and debridement. One patient underwent multiple debridement attempts and expired. Conclusions: Esophageal perforation following anterior cervical spine surgery is a relatively rare occurrence. Prompt recognition and treatment of these injuries is critical to minimizing morbidity and mortality.
La foresta come habitat del Gallo cedrone: ricerca applicata e nuove esperienze di gestione

Abstract: Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus L.) is considered as an indicator species for naturally open coniferous forests, with high proportions of old and open stands. At present, Capercaillie conservation status is threatened in all its central European distribution range: the species has narrow habitat preferences and large spatial requirements and it is particularly susceptible to changes in landscape and habitat use. Forestry practices are commonly considered as the major factor influencing Capercaillie’s population dynamics, though direct human disturbance is another threat of considerable impact. Increasing loss and fragmentation of suitable habitats have resulted in small populations with different levels of connectivity, up to complete isolation. Preservation, restoration and improvement of the habitat are the most important conservation measures to ensure the long-term survival of Capercaillie populations. Integrating silvicultural practices with specific environmental requirements of this forest grouse is therefore of crucial importance. Some results of recent research and conservation efforts carried out in central-eastern Alpine Arc of Switzerland and Italy are presented here, based on different research approaches. Preliminary experiences of management guidelines applied to conservation strategy of such a symbolic species are also commented. A conservation strategy recently developed by Regione Lombardia is discussed. Secondly, two studies developed in the frame of a research project concerning “A metapopulation model of Capercaillie in the Swiss Alps” are presented, referring to different spatial scale (forest stand and landscape). A specific Action Plan at Swiss national level will be developed based on the main results of this project. Finally implementation of Special Forest Reserves is described, as a possible long-term tool for protecting and conserving Capercaillie populations.
Dual-Band Bandpass Filter With Controllable Bandwidths Using Two Coupling Paths

This letter presents the designs of dual-band bandpass filters using two coupling paths to control the bandwidth of each passband. One coupling path only delivers signals at the upper passband frequency whereas the other one couple signals at both passbands. Utilizing this method, the two bandwidths can be adjusted. The filters make use of stub-loaded resonators and it is convenient to tune the passband frequencies. Therefore, both the frequency and bandwidth of each passband can be easily controlled. For demonstration purpose, two example filters are implemented with different bandwidths. The experimental results are presented to verify the proposed method.
Photolithotropic and chemoorganotrophic activity of bacteria and algae as related to beachrock formation and degradation (gulf of Aqaba, Sinai)

Beachrock formation and degradation along the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba (Sinai) were studied in the field and at the laboratory. Different types of beachrock were found, including laminated rocks. Rates of photosynthesis and respiration were studied under high‐and low‐tide conditions. Epilithic, chasmolithic, and endolithic bacteria, cyanobacteria, and algae were studied quantitatively. Bacterial contribution to carbonate precipitation and cementation was estimated in thin sections and by laboratory experiments. Precipitation of aragonite and monohydrocalcite was observed at salinities between 28‰ and 45‰. Concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and particulate organic matter (POM) were high at initial stages of beachrock formation and extremely low in final rock. Anaerobic and later aerobic decay processes initiate carbonate precipitation. A model is suggested that places beachrock as an intermediate between cyanobacterial influenced subtidal and su‐pratidal rocks. Formation, cementation, and .
Preliminary survey of the hydrothermal field at Rabaul, New Britain

Abstract Many hot springs are located around the shoreline of the breached caldera in which the township of Rabaul stands. The hydrology and chemical analyses suggest that there is convective circulation of sea water in a zone of subsidence close to two young volcanoes. The total heat flow is not known and there appears to be little thermo-artesian pressure or hot water storage, but it may nevertheless be possible to exploit a part of the hydrothermal field to supply Rabaul's power requirements. Further investigation and test drilling are required before a final assessment of the project can be made.
Valuing water quality in urban watersheds: A comparative analysis of Johnson Creek, Oregon, and Burnt Bridge Creek, Washington

This study uses the hedonic price method to investigate the effect of five water quality parameters on the sale price of single‐family residential properties in two urbanized watersheds in the Portland, Oregon‐Vancouver, Washington metropolitan area. Water quality parameters include E. coli or fecal coliform, which can affect human health, decrease water clarity and generate foul odors; pH, dissolved oxygen, and stream temperature, which can impact fish and wildlife populations; and total suspended solids, which can affect water clarity, aquatic life, and aesthetics. Properties within ¼ mile, ½, mile, one mile, or more than one mile from Johnson Creek are estimated to experience an increase in sale price of 13.71%, 7.05%, 8.18%, and 3.12%, respectively, from a one mg/L increase in dissolved oxygen levels during the dry season (May–October). Estimates for a 100 count per 100 mL increase in E. coli during the dry season are −2.81% for properties within ¼ mile of Johnson Creek, −0.86% (½ mile), −1.19% (one mile), and −0.71% (greater than one mile). Results for properties in Burnt Bridge Creek include a significantly positive effect for a one mg/L increase in dissolved oxygen levels during the dry season for properties within ½ mile (4.49%), one mile (2.95%), or greater than one mile from the creek (3.17%). Results for other water quality parameters in Burnt Bridge Creek are generally consistent with a priori expectations. Restoration efforts underway in both study areas might be cost justified based on their estimated effect on property sale prices.
Vascular Structural Changes in DOC‐Salt Hypertensive Rats

SUMMARY Vascular alterations in DOC-salt hypertensive rats 10 and 30 days after the onset of the treatment were studied and compared with those from rats receiving only DOC, rats drinking salt, and control rats. Wet weight and absolute amounts of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) of the artery wall were significantly increased in DOC-salt rats 10 and 30 days after the onset of the treatment. RNA/DNA and protein/ DNA ratios were similar in all the experimental groups. The arteries of DOC-salt animals incorporated tritiated thymidine at a higher rate 10 days after beginning the treatment, while the uptake was similar in all the animals at the end of the experimental period. These results would indicate that, in this type of hypertension, the increase in artery mass is mainly the result of cellular hyperplasia, which is active during the early phase of the process; afterward the vascular wall reaches a new steady state characterized by a greater number of cells and no further cell proliferation. (Hypertension 3 (suppl II): II-183-II-186, 1981)
Long‐term effects of restoration on soil hydraulic properties in revegetation‐stabilized desert ecosystems

Improving structure of soils found at 0–5 cm depth, and increasing the thickness of biological soil crusts are both associated with sand dune revegetation‐stabilization in arid northwestern China. Since 1956, research on sand dune stabilization has included the use of straw chequer‐boards to facilitate development of soil structure. One method to gauge the degree of stabilization is to compare undisturbed soil hydraulic properties, including water retention [h(θ)] and hydraulic conductivity [K(h)] functions, with properties from stabilized sites of different ages. This study examined properties at five experimental sites of different ages since revegetation (51, 42, 34, 20 and 0 years). Saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) was determined in‐situ from all five sites, and the h(θ) curve was determined from samples collected from three sites. A significant negative correlation existed between Ks and the clay, silt and organic matter contents. Differences in most van Genuchten parameters for h(θ) were observed between the revegetated plots and the migrating sand dune area. Results of this long‐term study show that changes in soil hydraulic properties and improvement in soil structure were associated with migrating dune stabilization.
Value of Immunological Markers in Predicting Responsiveness to Influenza Vaccination in Elderly Individuals

ABSTRACT Elderly individuals are at high risk for morbidity and mortality when infected with influenza virus. Vaccinations with inactivated virus are less effective in the elderly due to the declining competency of the aging immune system. We have explored whether immunological parameters predict poor anti-influenza virus vaccine responses and can be used as biological markers of immunosenescence. One hundred fifty-three residents of community-based retirement facilities aged 65 to 98 years received a trivalent influenza vaccine. Vaccine-induced antibody responses were determined by comparing hemagglutination inhibition titers before and 28 days after immunization. The composition of the T-cell compartment was analyzed by flow cytometry and the sizes of three T-cell subsets, CD4+CD45RO+ cells, CD4+ CD28null cells, and CD8+ CD28null cells, were determined. Only 17% of the vaccine recipients were able to generate an increase in titers of antibody to all three vaccine components, and 46% of the immunized individuals failed to respond to any of the three hemagglutinins. The likelihood of successful vaccination declined with age and was independently correlated with the expansion of a particular T-cell subset, CD8+ CD28null T cells. The sizes of the CD4+ CD45RO+ memory T-cell and CD4+ CD28null T-cell subsets had no effect on the ability to mount anti-influenza virus antibody responses. Frequencies of CD8+ CD28null T cells are useful biological markers of compromised immunocompetence, identifying individuals at risk for insufficient antibody responses.
Origin and diagenetic evolution of Ca–Mg–Fe carbonates in some coalfields of Japan

Carbonate concretions, lenses and bands in the Pleistocene, Palaeogene and Upper Triassic coalfields of Japan consist of various carbonate minerals with varied chemical compositions. Authigenic carbonates in freshwater sediments are siderite > calcite > ankerite > dolomite >> ferroan magnesite; in brackish water to marine sediments in the coal measures, calcite > dolomite > ankerite > siderite >> ferroan magnesite; and in the overlying marine deposits, calcite > dolomite >> siderite. Most carbonates were formed progressively during burial within a range of depths between the sediment-water interface and approximately 3 km. The mineral species and the chemical composition of the carbonates are controlled primarily by the initial sedimentary facies of the host sediments and secondarily by the diagenetic evolution of pore water during burial. Based on the regular sequence and burial depth of precipitation of authigenic carbonates in a specific sedimentary facies, three diagenetic stages of carbonates are proposed. Carbonates formed during Stage I ( 2000 m) are Fe calcite and extremely high Ca-Mg siderite; the latter is exclusively in marine mudstones. The supply of Ca is partly from the alteration of silicates in the sediments at elevated burial temperatures. After uplift, calcite with low Mg content precipitates from percolating groundwater and fills extensional cracks.
Compliance therapy in psychotic patients: randomised controlled trial

Abstract Objective: To determine whether compliance therapy, a cognitive-behavioural intervention, could improve compliance with treatment and hence social adjustment in acutely psychotic inpatients, and if so, whether the effect persisted six months later. Design: Randomised controlled trial of compliance therapy and non-specific counselling, each comprising 4-6 sessions lasting 10-60 minutes. Setting: Acute psychiatric admissions ward serving an inner London catchment area. Subjects: 47 patients with psychosis. Main outcome measures: Informant and observer reported measure of compliance; observer assessed global functioning after intervention and three and six months later; self rated attitudes to drug treatment after the intervention and one month later; symptom scores after intervention and six months later. Results: 25 patients received compliance therapy and showed significantly greater improvements in their attitudes to drug treatment and in their insight into illness and compliance with treatment compared with the control group. These gains persisted for six months. The intervention group was 5.2 times more likely than the control group to reach a criterion level of compliance (95% confidence interval 1.5 to 18.3). Global functioning showed a tendency to improve more in the intervention group after a delay (odds ratio 3.0 (0.8 to 11.5) to reach the criterion level at six months). Four subjects given compliance therapy and six in the control group were readmitted during follow up (odds ratio 2.0 (0.48 to 8.2)). Conclusions: Compliance therapy is a pragmatic method for improving compliance with drug treatment in psychotic inpatients and its gains persist for at least six months. Overall functioning may also be enhanced. Key messages Key messages Compliance is strongly related to attitudes to treatment and to insight The study found that such attitudes may be influenced by a simple and brief intervention known as compliance therapy Compliance therapy compared with non-specific counselling leads to improved compliance The improvement is sustained for at least six months and may lead to improved social functioning
Enterprise expert and knowledge discovery

In this paper we describe two systems designed to connect users to distributed, continuously changing experts and their knowledge. Using information retrieval, information extraction, and collaborative filtering techniques, these systems are able to enhance corporate knowledge management by overcoming traditional problems of knowledge acquisition and maintenance and associated (human and financial) costs. We describe the purpose of these two systems, how they work, and current deployment in a global corporate environment to enable end users to directly discover experts and their knowledge.
Electron Distribution in Non-uniformly Doped NPN Transistors

In this paper the analytical expressions of minority carrier distribution for Exponential and Gaussian doped base within the n-p-n bipolar transistors are obtained. The derivation of model equations starts by first considering low level of minority carrier injection within the base. A minority carrier profile is obtained by solving electric field equation and current equations for holes and electrons at equilibrium. Next a first order differential equation is obtained for minority carrier distribution. The solution of the differential equation gives the minority carrier profile. In this paper characteristics of the derived equations of minority carrier distribution are studied with the variation of different parameters with reliability. The analytical model is justified by using a simple TCAD simulation.
Inventario dei movimenti di terreno per analisi dei segnali InSAR nelle Alpi meridionali svizzere (periodo 1994-2007)

The main goal of this research was to obtain a regional overview about permafrost creep in the Southern Swiss Alps, in particular in the Canton of Ticino. For this, a large set of space-borne Synthetic Aperture Radar interferograms (InSAR) has been analyzed. The analysis of the InSAR interferograms allowed us to inventory 178 polygons of movement, with displacement rates ranging from cm/d to cm/y. Most of the detected movements are the result of alpine permafrost creep (76 polygons have been identified as active rock glaciers) and glacier movement (28 polygons have been attributed to debris-covered glaciers). At the regional scale, there is no observable Acte_Olivone. indb 147 24.02. 11 15:55 148 Stefano Mari, Reynald Delaloye, Cristian Scapozza, Tazio Strozzi difference in the frequency distribution of polygons between the western and the eastern part of Ticino. However, a difference concerns the velocity of the inventoried landforms (in particular the rock glaciers): in general, landforms in the western Ticino Alps tend to move more rapidly than the landforms in the eastern part. This apparent difference could be attributed, on the one hand, to the a larger number of glaciers and debris-covered glaciers and their possibly influence on the structure and dynamics of several rock glaciers in the western Ticino Alps, and, on the other hand, to larger mean annual precipitations in the latter region.
Regression test suite prioritization using system models

During regression testing, a modified system is often retested using an existing test suite. Since the size of the test suite may be very large, testers are interested in detecting faults in the modified system as early as possible during this retesting process. Test prioritization attempts to order tests for execution so that the chances of early detection of faults during retesting are increased. The existing prioritization methods are based on the source code of the system under test. In this paper, we present and evaluate two model‐based selective methods and a dependence‐based method of test prioritization utilizing the state‐based model of the system under test. These methods assume that the modifications are made both on the system under test and its model. The existing test suite is executed on the system model and information about this execution is used to prioritize tests. Execution of the model is inexpensive as compared with execution of the system under test; therefore, the overhead associated with test prioritization is relatively small. In addition, we present an analytical framework for evaluation of test prioritization methods. This framework may reduce the cost of evaluation as compared with the framework that is based on observation. We have performed an empirical study in which we compared different test prioritization methods. The results of the empirical study suggest that system models may improve the effectiveness of test prioritization with respect to early fault detection. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phase I Study of Cediranib in Combination with Oxaliplatin and Infusional 5-Fluorouracil in Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Purpose: Cediranib is a potent oral inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity associated with all subtypes of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor. Purposes of this study were to determine the recommended phase II dose of cediranib in combination with standard doses of modified FOLFOX-6 (mFOLFOX-6), and the tolerability, safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor activity of this combination in patients with untreated metastatic colorectal cancer. Experimental Design: Cediranib was administered daily orally at a starting dose of 30 mg and escalated to 45 mg daily, and mFOLFOX-6 was repeated every 14 days. Pharmacokinetic studies were done for oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and cediranib. Response was assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors every four cycles. Results: Sixteen patients received 150 cycles of treatment (median, 6; range, 1-20 cycles). Of 9 patients enrolled at the 30-mg dose level, 1 patient experienced grade 3 diarrhea during cycle 1. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed in 7 patients at the 45-mg dose level. Common grade 3 toxicities related to cediranib included hypertension, diarrhea, fatigue, and anorexia. Of 14 patients evaluable for response, there were 6 partial responses (42.9%; 95% confidence interval, 17.7-71.1%) and 6 stable disease. The median progression-free survival was 9.3 months. There were no pharmacokinetic interactions between cediranib and 5-fluorouracil or free plasma intact oxaliplatin. Conclusions: Toxicities of this combination were manageable and consistent with previous studies. The recommended phase II dose is cediranib at 30 mg daily continuously in combination with standard doses of mFOLFOX-6. Cediranib and mFOLFOX-6 has promising antitumor activity and this combination warrants further investigation.
Limitations of using the Lorenz curve framework to understand the distribution of population viral load.

6. Morris SR, Klausner JD, Buchbinder SP, Wheeler SL, Koblin B, Coates T, et al. Prevalence and incidence of pharyngeal gonorrhea in a longitudinal sample of men who have sex with men: the EXPLORE study. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 43:1284–1289. 7. Alaei K, Paynter CA, Juan SC, Alaei A. Using preexposure prophylaxis, losing condoms? Preexposure prophylaxis promotion may undermine safe sex. AIDS 2016; 30:2753–2756. 8. Carlo Hojilla J, Koester KA, Cohen SE, Buchbinder S, Ladzekpo D, Matheson T, Liu AY. Sexual behavior, risk compensation, and HIV prevention strategies among participants in the San Francisco PrEP Demonstration Project: a qualitative analysis of counseling notes. AIDS Behav 2016; 20:1461–1469.
The Economic Performance of European Stock Corpora- tions. Does Sustainability Matter?

Concerning the relationship between sustainability and economic performance, this paper examines econometrically the effect of environmental and social performance on the shareholder value of European stock corporations. The shareholder value is measured as the average monthly stock return for the period from 1996 to 2001. The sustainability performance is measured independently by both an evaluation of the environmental and social risks of the industry to which the company belongs and by an evaluation of the environmental and social activities of a company relative to the industry average. Methodically, we apply two-stage econometric approaches which include recent insights from empirical finance. The most important result is that a higher environmental sector performance has a significantly positive influence on the shareholder value. In contrast, a higher social sector performance has a negative influence on the average monthly stock returns. This effect is partly less significant, however. The variables of the corporate environmental or social activities relative to the industry average have no significant effect on the shareholder value.