Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endovascular Repair of Infrarenal Penetrating Aortic Ulcers: A Single-Center Experience in 20 Patients

Purpose: To present the early and midterm results of endovascular stent-graft repair in patients with infrarenal penetrating aortic ulcers (PAU). Methods: Between January 1997 and December 2009, 20 patients (17 men; median age 72 years, range 48–85) with PAU of the infrarenal aorta underwent endovascular repair. In this cohort, 2 (10%) patients had a concomitant PAU in the descending thoracic aorta. Indications for treatment were aortic rupture in 2 patients, persistent or recurrent pain in 3 patients, and progression of PAU size or morphological aspects (e.g., thin wall) in the 15 asymptomatic patients. Follow-up included serial aortic imaging at predefined intervals. Results: The technical success rate was 100%. In-hospital mortality was 10%, with 2 patients dying of myocardial infarction (MI). Postoperative complications were observed in 5 of 20 patients (4 MIs, 1 case of pneumonia, 1 acute on chronic renal failure, and a lymphatic complication at the access site). Primary endoleaks were observed in 4 (20%) patients and a secondary endoleak in 1 patient. The median follow-up was 22.3 months (range 0.4–104). The actuarial survival estimates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 77%, 69%, and 69%, respectively, with no aorta-related death during follow-up. The reintervention rate during follow-up was 10%, including 1 conversion at 11 months for type III endoleak. Conclusion: Patients with PAU have a significant number of cardiovascular comorbidities. The endovascular repair of infrarenal penetrating aortic ulcers thus is accompanied by mortality and morbidity caused predominantly by cardiac complications.
A 4H Silicon Carbide Gate Buffer for Integrated Power Systems

A gate buffer fabricated in a 2-μm 4H silicon carbide (SiC) process is presented. The circuit is composed of an input buffer stage with a push-pull output stage, and is fabricated using enhancement mode N-channel FETs in a process optimized for SiC power switching devices. Simulation and measurement results of the fabricated gate buffer are presented and compared for operation at various voltage supply levels, with a capacitive load of 2 nF. Details of the design including layout specifics, simulation results, and directions for future improvement of this buffer are presented. In addition, plans for its incorporation into an isolated high-side/low-side gate-driver architecture, fully integrated with power switching devices in a SiC process, are briefly discussed. This letter represents the first reported MOSFET-based gate buffer fabricated in 4H SiC.
Correction To "Scratch Drive Actuator With Mechanical Links For Self-assembly Of Three-dimensional MEMS"

The self-assembling of three-dimensional (3-D) MEMS from polysilicon surface micromachined part is very attractive. To avoid risky external manipulation, the practical use of integrated actuator to perform the assembling task is required. To that goal, this paper presents detailed characteristics of the electrostatic surface micromachined scratch drive actuator (SDA). First, from numerous SDA test, it results that this actuator is able to produce a threshold force of 30 N, with a yield above 60%. With polysilicon devices consisting of SDA mechanically linked to buckling beam, a horizontal force of 63 mN have been demonstrated with 112 V pulse, and up to 100 N can be obtain with higher voltage. With buckling beams, displacements up to 150 m have been obtained in the vertical direction. The generation of vertical force of 10 N was confirmed with a 100 m displacement producing in 1 nJ work in the vertical direction. Finally, SDA proves to overcome the usual sticking of surface machined polysilicon by producing enough vertical force to completely release wide polysilicon plate (500 m 50 m) without external manipulation. The above characteristic, both in terms of structure releasing and vertical/horizontal forces and displacements provide the SDA with the capability of self-assembling complex 3-D polysilicon part, opening new integration capabilities and new application field of MEMS. [214]
The clinical application of attachment theory and research: Introducing a series of Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry special sections

This issue of Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry contains the first of a series of special sections on the clinical application of attachment theory and research. This topic has, and will continue to hold, a special place in the history of our journal. We plan to publish three special sections for this series over the next 12 months, as well as an online compilation of previously published articles (an Editor’s Choice collection). For many of our readers, the clinical relevance of maladaptive attachment among their child and family clients will seem self-evident. Yet, our work is made difficult because of uncertainty about the nature of maladaptive attachment and its links to psychopathology, as well as a number of other barriers (such as a lack of clinically relevant attachment measures). In Michael Rutter’s 1995 landmark review of the clinical implications of attachment concepts, he proposed a lengthy list of unresolved questions that have clinical and/or psychosocial–developmental significance, and concluded that ‘. we are very far from having reached an understanding of the development of relationships or of the ways in which the distortions in relationships play a role in psychopathology’. Looking forward from then to now, we can see that some progress has been made towards resolving some of these questions. For example, theory and research on parental reflective functioning has improved our understanding of critical aspects of caregiving for children’s attachment development. Other questions, however, remain stubbornly unresolved. These can be roughly grouped into questions about (1) theory, constructs and clinical formulation; (2) assessment methods and tools; and (3) the design and effectiveness of attachment-informed interventions. This editorial provides me an opportunity to talk a little about the first and third of these groups of questions. There are some particular questions about the nature and meaning of maladaptive attachment development and its relationship with child psychopathology, which really stand out for me. Each of these questions is inter-related and should eventually be reconciled within an empirically supported, coherent theory. The first refers to the limitations of defining or classifying maladaptive attachment exclusively in terms of either attachment security, or attachment disorders. What does it mean, for example, when the attachment narratives of a sizeable proportion of children with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) reactive attachment disorder (RAD) are rated ‘secure’ (see Minnis et al., 2009)? Closely aligned to this is the question of whether both attachment security and disorders of non-attachment are best defined 538709 CCP0010.1177/1359104514538709Clinical Child Psychology and PsychiatryEditorial research-article2014
A probabilistic method for the classification of hyperspectral images

In this study a supervised classification and dimensionality reduction method for hyperspectral images is proposed. For this purpose, using probabilistic principal component analysis (PPCA), dimensionality reduction is performed and a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) is built. Alongside this mixture model, spatial information is also included into the classification process by taking advantage of pixel neighborhoods.
The effect of attachment orientation priming on pain sensitivity in pain-free individuals

The current study examined the causal relationship between secure and anxious attachment orientations and pain sensitivity in a pain-free sample. In a double blind repeated measures study, a cold pressor task was used to induce acute pain in 95 participants before and after priming them with a secure or anxious attachment orientation or a neutral prime. Measures of pain threshold, tolerance, catastrophizing and intensity were taken. Compared to the neutral prime, secure and anxious primes resulted in higher tolerance and threshold. The experimental conditions did not differ in reported pain intensity or pain catastrophizing. These findings suggest a causal relationship between attachment experiences and pain sensitivity that may be of interest to those devising and researching pain management interventions.
Clarifying the Pathway to Suicide: An Examination of Subtypes of Suicidal Behavior and Their Association With Impulsiveness.

Suicide is a leading cause of death around the world. Yet research seeking to uncover the causes of suicide has made little advancement. The purpose of this dissertation is to advance the understanding of one understudied but critical component of suicidal behaviors: how individuals move down the pathway from first thinking about suicide to ultimately attempting to take their own lives. A secondary goal of this work is to examine some flawed methods used in prior research in this area. In Paper 1, I examine the validity of single-item measurement, a commonly used approach in this area of research in which key suicidal behaviors are assessed with one brief question. The primary finding in that paper is that single-item measurement is associated with significant misclassification of suicidal behavior. In addition, I offer and examine an approach that improves validity for self-reported suicidal behaviors. In Paper 2, I attempt to improve on prior research examining suicide planning prior to a suicide attempt and present descriptive data showing how people transition from thinking about suicide to actually attempting (i.e. planning steps they take during this transition). This study revealed that, although the pathway to suicide is heterogeneous, the vast majority of steps occur within 2 weeks and most within 12 hours of an attempt. In Paper 3, I examine the association between impulsiveness and suicidal behavior, using more comprehensive measures of both constructs than prior studies and testing whether
Trigeminal Ganglion Neurons of Mice Show Intracellular Chloride Accumulation and Chloride-Dependent Amplification of Capsaicin-Induced Responses

Intracellular Cl− concentrations ([Cl−]i) of sensory neurons regulate signal transmission and signal amplification. In dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs), Cl− is accumulated by the Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter 1 (NKCC1), resulting in a [Cl−]i above electrochemical equilibrium and a depolarizing Cl− efflux upon Cl− channel opening. Here, we investigate the [Cl−]i and function of Cl− in primary sensory neurons of trigeminal ganglia (TG) of wild type (WT) and NKCC1−/− mice using pharmacological and imaging approaches, patch-clamping, as well as behavioral testing. The [Cl−]i of WT TG neurons indicated active NKCC1-dependent Cl− accumulation. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor activation induced a reduction of [Cl−]i as well as Ca2+ transients in a corresponding fraction of TG neurons. Ca2+ transients were sensitive to inhibition of NKCC1 and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs). Ca2+ responses induced by capsaicin, a prototypical stimulus of transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member-1 (TRPV1) were diminished in NKCC1−/− TG neurons, but elevated under conditions of a lowered [Cl−]o suggesting a Cl−-dependent amplification of capsaicin-induced responses. Using next generation sequencing (NGS), we found expression of different Ca2+-activated Cl− channels (CaCCs) in TGs of mice. Pharmacological inhibition of CaCCs reduced the amplitude of capsaicin-induced responses of TG neurons in Ca2+ imaging and electrophysiological recordings. In a behavioral paradigm, NKCC1−/− mice showed less avoidance of the aversive stimulus capsaicin. In summary, our results strongly argue for a Ca2+-activated Cl−-dependent signal amplification mechanism in TG neurons that requires intracellular Cl− accumulation by NKCC1 and the activation of CaCCs.
In vitro organogenesis using multipotent cells

The establishment of efficient methods for promoting stem cell differentiation into target cells is important not only in regenerative medicine, but also in drug discovery. In addition to embryonic stem (ES) cells and various somatic stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord blood, a novel dedifferentiation technology that allows the generation of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells has been recently developed. Although an increasing number of stem cell populations are being described, there remains a lack of protocols for driving the differentiation of these cells. Regeneration of organs from stem cells in vitro requires precise blueprints for each differentiation step. To date, studies using various model organisms, such as zebrafish, Xenopus laevis, and gene-targeted mice, have uncovered several factors that are critical for the development of organs. We have been using X. laevis, the African clawed frog, which has developmental patterns similar to those seen in humans. Moreover, Xenopus embryos are excellent research tools for the development of differentiation protocols, since they are available in high numbers and are sufficiently large and robust for culturing after simple microsurgery. In addition, Xenopus eggs are fertilized externally, and all stages of the embryo are easily accessible, making it relatively easy to study the functions of individual gene products during organogenesis using microinjection into embryonic cells. In the present review, we provide examples of methods for in vitro organ formation that use undifferentiated Xenopus cells. We also describe the application of amphibian differentiation protocols to mammalian stem cells, so as to facilitate the development of efficient methodologies for in vitro differentiation.
Bayesian statistics as applied to multiple sclerosis diagnosis by evoked potentials.

This study deals with the multiple sclerosis diagnosis by visual, somatosensory and brain stem auditory evoked potentials. By a statistical investigation of experimental data, four items have been selected as being both discriminative and independent: P100, N20, P40 latencies and the auditory central conduction time. The Bayesian approach was then attempted, i.e. the marginal density distributions of every item, and the joint density distribution functions have been established within both normal and multiple sclerosis population. No loss function consideration have been taken into account, as the final diagnosis is established by a neurologist who disposes of additional clinical and paraclinical information. The discrimination, as given by posterior Bayesian probability, is very satisfactory since the ratio of recognized multiple sclerosis among MS patients is over 90%, while no normal subject is diagnosed as MS.
Qualidade de vida, ansiedade e depressão em cuidadores de crianças com neoplasia cerebral

Este trabalho tem como objetivo caracterizar em termos socio-demografico os cuidadores de criancas com neoplasia cerebral atendidas em um hospital publico de Aracaju/SE e investigar a percepcao desse grupo quanto a sua qualidade de vida, ansiedade e depressao. Participaram do estudo 32 cuidadores de uma amostra por conveniencia e foram utilizados 3 instrumentos: questionario socio-demografico, WHOQOL-abrev e HADS. A amostra indicou que 100% dos cuidadores sao maes e avos. Na avaliacao da qualidade de vida dos cuidadores, o dominio fisico obteve avaliacao de 58,7; social, 57,6; ambiental, 43,8; o psicologico, 55,6. A prevalencia de ansiedade na amostra foi de 50% e a de depressao, 46,9%. A percepcao da qualidade de vida dos cuidadores foi moderada. O dominio social foi o fator relevante para a depressao e o dominio fisico foi o fator relevante para a ansiedade. Palavras-chave : Cuidadores; Neoplasias Encefalicas ; Qualidade de Vida; Ansiedade; Depressao.
Natural cases and an experimental study of H9N2 avian influenza in commercial broiler chickens of Iran

Since 1998, an epidemic of avian influenza has occurred in the Iranian poultry industry. The agent was pathotyped as non-highly pathogenic and subtyped as an H9N2 avian influenza virus. Therefore it did not require eradication. However, frequent incidences of high mortality were observed commonly on broiler farms. No other species of bird were affected. The circulation of the virus and mixed infection with other respiratory pathogens, particularly infectious bronchitis virus and Mycoplasma gallisepticum , were incriminated in the high mortality on poultry farms and resulting great economic losses. Clinical signs in both field and experimental studies included swelling of the periorbital tissues and sinuses, nasal and ocular discharge, and severe respiratory distress. However, in the experimental study, the mortality rate was much lower than in the natural outbreak. Gross lesions identified included extensive congestion of the respiratory tissues, and exudation with cast formation in the tracheal bifurcation, which extended to the secondary bronchi. Severe necrotizing tracheatis was the predominate histological lesion. Ultrastructurally, orthomyxovirus-like particles were identified in the inoculum used for the experimental study. An inactivated H9N2 avian influenza vaccine prevented mortality in experimentally challenged chickens.
Inside the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) Industry: The Role of Perceived Support on Employee Performance

Recognizing that current theories of organizational supports mainly focus on perceived organizational support, we operationalize the level of perceived support in terms of organizational, supervisory and coworkers. Testing our hypothesis on 150 production employees of Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh, we find that there is a positive relationship between perceived supports and employees' performance. The findings of the study show that perceived organizational, supervisory and coworkers' supports explained 56.4% variance of their in-role performance, whereas these three variables comprised 46% variance of extra-role performance. Among the entire hypotheses perceived organizational support showed a highest beta value (0.493) with employee in-role performance.
Prospects for river discharge and depth estimation through assimilation of swath‐altimetry into a raster‐based hydrodynamics model

Surface water elevation profiles for a reach of the Ohio River were produced by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory Instrument Simulator to represent satellite measurements representative of those that would be observed by a wide swath altimeter being considered jointly by U.S. and European space agencies. The Ensemble Kalman filter with a river hydrodynamics model as its dynamical core was used to assimilate the water elevation synthetic observations, and to estimate river discharge. The filter was able to recover water depth and discharge, reducing the discharge RMSE from 23.2% to 10.0% over an 84‐day simulation period, relative to a simulation without assimilation. An autoregressive error model was instrumental in correcting boundary inflows, and increasing the persistence of error reductions between times of observations. The nominal 8‐day satellite overpass produced discharge relative errors of 10.0%, while 16‐day and 32‐day overpass frequencies resulted in errors of 12.1% and 16.9% respectively.
Prognosis of metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer by HER2 status: a European and USA International collaborative analysis.

BACKGROUND To determine whether human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status is an independent prognostic factor in metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor samples from 381 metastatic gastric/GEJ cancer patients enrolled at Krankenhaus Nordwest and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Centers on six first-line trials of chemotherapy without trastuzumab were examined for HER2 by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH). IHC 3+ or ISH-positive tumors were considered HER2 positive. RESULTS Seventy-eight of 381 patients (20%) had HER2-positive disease. In the multivariate logistic model, there were significantly higher rates of HER2 positivity in patients with liver metastasis (liver metastasis 31%; no liver metastasis 11%; P = 0.025) and intestinal histology (intestinal 33%; diffuse/mixed 8%; P = 0.001). No significant differences in HER2 positivity were found between resections and biopsies or primaries and metastases. Patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer had longer median overall survival compared with HER2-negative gastric cancer patients (13.9 versus 11.4 months, P = 0.047), but multivariate analysis indicated that HER2 status was not an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 0.79; 0.44-1.14; P = 0.194). CONCLUSIONS Approximately 20% of Western patients with metastatic gastric cancer are HER2 positive. Unlike breast cancer, HER2 positivity is not independently prognostic of patient outcome in metastatic gastric or GEJ.
Does Low-Protein Diet Improve Broiler Performance under Heat Stress Conditions?

Nutrition for broilers under high temperatures is extremely important for brazilian broiler chicken industry because the amounts of consumed nutrients and environmental temperature have great effects on bird performance and carcass quality. Among diet nutrients, protein has the highest heat increment; thus, during many years, diets with low protein level were recommended in order to reduce heat production in broiler chickens under heat stress. However, reports have shown that lowprotein diets have negative effects on broiler performance when environmental temperature is high, because during heat stress, low food intake associated to a low diet protein induce amino acid deficiencies. Other studies have shown that broilers fed low-protein diets increase their energy requirement for maintenance with higher heat production. Thus, with the growth of broiler industry in tropical areas more challenges need to be faced by the farmers. So, both the ambient and nutritional conditions ought to be well managed to avoid negative effects on poultry production once they can affect the metabolism (body heat production under low temperature and body heat dissipation under high temperature) with consequence on poultry performance (meat and eggs).
Experimental results from a preclinical X-ray phase-contrast CT scanner

To explore the future clinical potential of improved soft-tissue visibility with grating-based X-ray phase contrast (PC), we have developed a first preclinical computed tomography (CT) scanner featuring a rotating gantry. The main challenge in the transition from previous bench-top systems to a preclinical scanner are phase artifacts that are caused by minimal changes in the grating alignment during gantry rotation. In this paper, we present the first experimental results from the system together with an adaptive phase recovery method that corrects for these phase artifacts. Using this method, we show that the scanner can recover quantitatively accurate Hounsfield units in attenuation and phase. Moreover, we present a first tomography scan of biological tissue with complementary information in attenuation and phase contrast. The present study hence demonstrates the feasibility of grating-based phase contrast with a rotating gantry for the first time and paves the way for future in vivo studies on small animal disease models (in the mid-term future) and human diagnostics applications (in the long-term future).