Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Knowledge Gaps in the Etiology and Pathophysiology of Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis

PURPOSE: Incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) due to the prolonged exposure of the skin to urinary, fecal, or double incontinence represents a major clinical practice challenge. The aim of this review was to identify and critically appraise the results of published studies on the etiology and pathophysiology of IAD and highlight the current gaps in empirical evidence. METHODS: Scoping literature review. SEARCH STRATEGY: The electronic databases PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched for relevant articles published from 1996 to April 2018. Thirteen studies and review articles related to the etiology and pathophysiology of IAD were identified in our initial review, and 3 studies published subsequent to our initial review were evaluated and included in our final review. FINDINGS: These studies suggest that several etiologic factors contribute to the development of IAD including exposure to urine, stool, or a combination of these substances (dual incontinence), the duration and frequency of exposure, frequent cleaning, and inflammatory responses. Results from the current scoping review showed that despite the increasing interest in IAD, evidence related to the underlying mechanisms causing IAD remains sparse. This paucity represents a clear gap in knowledge and indicates a need for additional research. IMPLICATIONS: Future studies should aim at elucidating: (1) the role of urine and its inherent pH on skin integrity, (2) the role of stool, specific digestive enzymes, and fecal bacteria on skin integrity, (3) the permeability and susceptibility of the skin to damage following frequent cleansing activities and occlusion, and (4) the specific inflammatory response triggered following exposure to urine and fecal matter.
The trouble with salmon: relating pollutant exposure to toxic effect in species with transformational life histories and lengthy migrations

The control of point-source contaminants and regulations designed for specific waste discharges have reduced incidents of fish kills. These actions, however, do not protect fish like salmon, which encounter many different contaminants during extensive migrations. Attempts to document pollutant-associated toxicity is challenging in migratory salmon, although a few laboratory and field studies have produced a convincing body of evidence that lifelong contaminant exposure can contribute to the demise of fish. The case of the decline of Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in British Columbia, Canada, brought into sharp relief the difficulty of assigning a specific cause (e.g., climate, disease, or contaminants) to a diffuse problem (i.e., low fish returns). Determining the effects that pollutants have on wild salmon requires study designs that consider life history, habitat, and the real world of complex contaminant exposures. In the absence of evidence from such study designs, the future survival of salmon may hinge on the application by managers of the precautionary approach to stressors that are within immediate jurisdictional control, such as toxic chemicals. Resume : Le controle des contaminants de source ponctuelle et la reglementation visant les rejets de dechets precis ont reduit l'incidence de mortalites massives de poissons. Ces mesures ne protegent toutefois pas des poissons comme le saumon, qui est confronte ade nombreux contaminants differents durant ses grandes migrations. Si la documentation de la toxicite associee aux polluants chez les saumons migrateurs n'est pas chose facile, quelques laboratoires et etudes de terrain ont produit des preuves convaincantes du lien entre l'exposition soutenue aux contaminants et la mortalite des poissons. Le cas du declin du saumon sockeye (Oncorhynchus nerka) du fleuve Fraser, en Colombie-Britannique (Canada), a mis en evidence la difficulte d'attribuer aune cause precise (p. ex. climat, maladie, contaminants) un probleme diffus (c.-a ` -d. baisse du nombre de poissons revenant au cours d'eau d'origine). La determination des effets des polluants sur le saumon sauvage necessite une methodologie d'etude qui tienne compte du cycle de vie, de l'habitat et de la realite de la complexite de l'exposition aux contaminants. En l'absence de preuves decoulant d'etudes ainsi concues, la survie du saumon pourrait dependre de l'application d'une approche prudente ala gestion des stresseurs pouvant faire l'objet d'un controle etroit, tels que les produits chimiques toxiques. (Traduit par la Redaction)
Security in Cloud over the Virtual Environment

Cloud computing is becoming increasingly important for provision of services and storage of data in the Internet. However there are several significant challenges in securing cloud infrastructures from different types of attacks. The focus of this paper is on the security services that a cloud provider can offer as part of its infrastructure to its customers (tenants) to counteract these attacks. Our main contribution is a security architecture that provides a flexible security as a service model that a cloud provider can offer to its tenants and customers of its tenants. Our security as a service model while offering a baseline security to the provider to protect its own cloud infrastructure also provides flexibility to tenants to have additional security functionalities that suit their security requirements. The paper describes the design of the security architecture and discusses how different types of attacks are counteracted by the proposed architecture. We have implemented the security architecture and the paper discusses analysis and performance evaluation results.
Role of undersown catch crops and crop rotation in state of health of spring barley

In the field experiment carried out in 2002-2004 the effect of undersown catch crops of Italian ryegrass and red clover and stands in crop rotations with 25, 50 and 75% of spring barley on its health was assessed. The composition of microorganisms colonizing the stem base in barley was also determined. It was indicated that catch crops did not have effect on differences in the degree of barley infestation by pathogens of net blotch, ear blight and fusarium foot rot. However, they caused increased incidence of powdery mildew and scald. Rust appeared only on barley grown without catch crops. An increased development of net blotch was observed on barley with catch crop, grown after spring wheat, and of scald - after potato. In pure stand the highest intensity of net blotch, powdery mildew, rust and leaf-strip disease was found in crop rotation with 75% of barley. This crop rotation was also favorable for development of the stem base diseases. No effect of the sowing method and stand in crop rotation on the number of microorganisms colonizing the stem base of spring barley was observed.
Variability in the Degree of Expression of Phosphorylated IκBα in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cases With Nodal Involvement

Purpose: Based on previous preliminary observations, we hypothesize that the molecular and clinical variability of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) reflects differences in the degree of nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation, as determined by the expression of phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα). Experimental Design: The expression profile (mRNA and protein expression) was analyzed with the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas Oncochip, a cDNA microarray containing 6386 cancer-related genes, and a tissue microarray (TMA). The results were correlated with the IgVH mutational status, ZAP-70 expression, cytogenetic alterations, and clinical outcome. Results: We found correlations between the presence of p-IκBα, a surrogate marker of NF-κB activation, and changes in the expression profile (mRNA and protein expression) and clinical outcome in a series of CLL cases with lymph node involvement. Activation of NF-κB, as determined by the expression of p-IκBα, was associated with the expression of a set of genes comprising key genes involved in the control of B-cell receptor signaling, signal transduction, and apoptosis, including SYK, LYN, BCL2, CCR7, BTK, PIK3CD, and others. Cases with increased expression of p-IκBα showed longer overall survival than cases with lower expression. A Cox regression model was derived to estimate some parameters of prognostic interest: IgVH mutational status, ZAP-70, and p-IκBα expression. The multivariate analysis disclosed p-IκBα and ZAP-70 expression as independent prognostic factors of survival. Conclusions: A variable degree of activation of NF-κB, as determined by the expression of p-IκBα, is an identifiable event in CLL, and is correlated with changes in the expression profile and overall survival.
Routing Techniques of VANETs : A Review

The vehicular adhoc networks are the self configuring and decentralized type of network in which vehicle nodes join or leave the network when they want. Due to decentralized nature of VANET security, routing and quality of service are the three major issues which reduce performance of the network. In this paper, various routing technique has been reviewed and discussed in terms of description and outcome. The routing protocols are broadly classified into reactive, proactive and hybrid type of routing. It is been analyzed that reactive routing performs well in terms of various parameters.
Assessment and Transplantation of Orphan Donor Livers: A Back‐to‐Base Approach to Normothermic Machine Perfusion

Globally, a large proportion of donor livers are discarded due to concerns over inadequate organ quality. Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) allows for hepatocellular and biliary viability assessment prior to transplantation and might therefore enable the safe use of these orphan donor livers. We describe here the first Australasian experience of NMP‐preserved liver transplants using a ‘back‐to‐base’ approach, where NMP was commenced at the recipient hospital following initial static cold storage. In the preclinical phase, 10 human donor livers declined for transplantation (7 from donation after circulatory death [DCD] and 3 from donation after brain death [DBD]) were perfused using a custom‐made NMP setup. Subsequently, 10 orphan donor livers (5 from DCD and 5 from DBD) underwent NMP and viability assessment on the OrganOx metra device (OrganOx Limited, Oxford, United Kingdom). Both hepatocellular and biliary viability criteria were used. The median donor risk index was 1.53 (1.16‐1.71), and the median recipient Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score was 17 (11‐21). In the preclinical phase, ‘back‐to‐base’ NMP was deemed suitable and feasible. In the clinical phase, each graft met predefined criteria for implantation during NMP and was subsequently transplanted. Five (50%) recipients developed early allograft dysfunction based on peak aspartate aminotransferase. To date, all grafts function satisfactorily, and none of the 5 recipients who received a DCD liver have developed cholangiopathy. The OrganOx metra using a back‐to‐base approach has enabled the safe use of 10 high‐risk orphan donor livers with 100% 6‐month patient and graft survival. NMP improved surgeon confidence to use orphan donor livers and has enabled a safe expansion of the donor pool.
Neural coordination of bilateral power and precision finger movements

The dexterity of hands and fingers is related to the strength of control by cortico‐motoneuronal connections which exclusively exist in primates. The cortical command is associated with a task‐specific, rapid proprioceptive adaptation of forces applied by hands and fingers to an object. This neural control differs between “power grip” movements (e.g., reach and grasp of a cup) where hand and fingers act as a unity and “precision grip” movements (e.g., picking up a raspberry) where fingers move independently from the hand. In motor tasks requiring hands and fingers of both sides a “neural coupling” (reflected in bilateral reflex responses to unilateral stimulations) coordinates power grip movements (e.g., opening a bottle). In contrast, during bilateral precision movements, such as playing piano, the fingers of both hands move independently, due to a direct cortico‐motoneuronal control, while the hands are coupled (e.g., to maintain the rhythm between the two sides). While most studies on prehension concern unilateral hand movements, many activities of daily life are tackled by bilateral power grips where a neural coupling serves for an automatic movement performance. In primates this mode of motor control is supplemented by a system that enables the uni‐ or bilateral performance of skilled individual finger movements.
Global Biodiversity Indicators Reflect the Modeled Impacts of Protected Area Policy Change

Global biodiversity indicators can be used to measure the status and trends of biodiversity relating to Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) targets. Whether such indicators can support decision makers by distinguishing among policy options remains poorly evaluated. We tested the ability of two CBD indicators, the Living Planet Index and the Red List Index, to reflect projected changes in mammalian populations in sub‐Saharan Africa in response to potential policies related to CBD targets for protected areas (PAs). We compared policy scenarios to expand the PA network, improve management effectiveness of the existing network, and combinations of the two, against business as usual. Both indicators showed that more effective management would provide greater benefits to biodiversity than expanding PAs alone. The indicators were able to communicate outcomes of modeled scenarios in a simple quantitative manner, but behaved differently. This work highlights both the considerable potential of indicators in supporting decisions, and the need to understand how indicators will respond as biodiversity changes.
An integrative understanding of comparative cognition: lessons from human brain evolution.

A comprehensive understanding of animal cognition requires the integration of studies on behavior, electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, development, and genomics. Although studies of comparative cognition are receiving increasing attention from organismal biologists, most current studies focus on the comparison of behaviors and anatomical structures to understand their adaptative values. However, to understand the most potentially complex cognitive program of the human brain a greater synthesis of a multitude of disciplines is needed. In this review, we start with extensive neuroanatomic comparisons between humans and other primates. One likely specialization of the human brain is the expansion of neocortex, especially in regions for high-order cognition (e.g. prefrontal cortex). We then discuss how such an expansion can be linked to heterochrony of the brain developmental program, resulting in a greater number of neurons and enhanced computational capacity. Furthermore, alteration of gene expression in the human brain has been associated with positive selection in DNA sequences of gene regulatory regions. These results not only imply that genes associated with brain development are a major factor in the evolution of cognition, but also that high-quality whole-genome sequencing and gene manipulation techniques are needed for an integrative and functional understanding of comparative cognition in non-model organisms.
Noxa upregulation and 5‐gene apoptotic biomarker panel in colorectal cancer

NOXA and MCL1 are involved in the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, where Noxa selectively binds to MCL1 and prevents it from inhibiting apoptosis. Both factors are considered as potential tumour biomarkers, while MCL1 has attracted interest as target in cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of NOXA and MCL1 in 160 CRC tumour samples, to investigate their significance, also in combination with IAPs, DR5 expression and KRAS gene mutations in CRC.
Exchange Design and Efficiency

Most assets clear independently rather than jointly. This paper presents a model based on the uniform‐price double auction which accommodates arbitrary restrictions on market clearing, including independent clearing across assets (allowed when demand for each asset is contingent only on the price of that asset) and joint market clearing for all assets (required when demand for each asset is contingent on the prices of all assets). Additional trading protocols for traded assets—neutral when the market clears jointly—are generally not redundant innovations, even if all traders participate in all protocols. Multiple trading protocols that clear independently can be designed to be at least as efficient as joint market clearing for all assets. The change in price impact brought by independence in market clearing can overcome the loss of information, and enhance diversification and risk sharing. Except when the market is competitive, market characteristics should guide innovation in trading technology.
Harmonic Evaluation for Five Level Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter Using Specific PWM technique

The multilevel voltage source inverter utilization has been increased as an alternative to the normal two level voltage source inverter, especially in the area of high power, medium voltage application due to their ability to synthesize waveforms with better harmonic spectrum and faithful output. For the proper utilization of multilevel inverter topologies, suitable modulation technique is also needed for the best performance. In power electronics, pulse width modulation (PWM) is the best way to obtain the voltage and current waveforms under required conditions. There is no single PWM technique that is the best suited for all the application. With advances in solid state power electronic devices and some advanced controllers, varies PWM techniques have been developed for industrial application. Here, we presents advanced multicarrier PWM techniquesIn Phase Disposition, Phase Opposition Disposition and Alternate Phase Opposition Disposition for three phase system with Induction Motor as a load. Simulation is done using MATLAB ® Simulink. KeywordMultilevel Inverter, Multicarrier PWM Technique, In Phase Disposition, Phase Opposition Disposition, Alternate Phase Opposition Disposition
Autonomous Vehicular Surveillance using License Plate Recognition over Cloud Computing Architecture

License Plate Recognition (LPR) is the extraction and identification of licence plate numbers from license plates. The extraction process requires ample image pre-processing using normalization, gray scaling and edge removal techniques. These extracted plates can then be identified using image processing techniques such as neural networks and support vector machines. These license plates are captured using stationary video cameras, which extracts images from their feed as inputs into the image extraction algorithm. For the purposes of vehicular surveillance, these cameras are inefficient, as a lot of them will be required to monitor vehicles effectively. Hence there is a need for a larger scale model to carry out effective vehicular surveillance. For this purpose, the cameras embedded in self driving cars are utilised as replacements to stationary video cameras. These cameras have to advantage of being constantly mobile, hence being able to carry out a larger scale of surveillance. These cameras capture meaningful images of license plates from their video feed, and upload these images to the cloud using a Vehicular Cloud Computing (VCC) architecture. This centralized cloud carries out the image extraction and image processing tasks. The identified license plates can be used to monitor the cars they belong to. The cloud compares them to a database of license plates that are flagged by law enforcement. If the license plate is found to be flagged, then the respective law enforcement authorities are notified of the location of the car. If the plate belongs to a car with a history of misbehavior, the car capturing the plate is informed of thus, making it easier to safely navigate around the problematic driver.
Association of cigarette smoking with irritable bowel syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most commonly diagnosed gastrointestinal disorders, and its etiology is believed to be multifactorial. The role of smoking in the pathophysiology of IBS still remains inconclusive. Hence, we aim to investigate whether or not an association exists between smoking and IBS. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Karachi. A sample size of 200 smokers and 200 non smokers was selected. A two-part self-reported questionnaire was administered to the participants and the diagnosis of IBS was based on the Rome III diagnostic criteria. All data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17. Statistical tests employed were Independent samples t-test, chi-square test, and binary logistic regression analysis to obtain Odds Ratio (OR) for various variables. A P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Overall prevalence of IBS based on Rome III criteria was 9.5% (95% CI 9.45-9.60). Smoking was significantly found to be associated with IBS (P=0.002). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that non-smokers were more likely to have IBS (Crude OR: 3.00, 95% CI 1.23-7.30) than smokers, and females were more likely to have IBS (Crude OR: 3.73, 95% CI 1.56-7.69) than males. Age, BMI, and food groups were not found to be significantly associated with IBS. Conclusion: Our study concludes that IBS was more prevalent among non-smokers and amongst females. Further studies are required to firmly establish the role of smoking in IBS.
The evolution of plumage colouration in parrots: a review

Abstract The plumages of parrots provide some of the most striking colouration in nature. We summarise the diversity of mechanisms producing colour in parrots and the current evidence for the adaptive significance of variation in the colour of parrot plumages. Only recently have detailed studies begun to unravel the mechanisms of their colour-production and colour-vision systems. Parrots produce much of their plumage colouration through a unique suite of pigments (psittacofulvins), or through a feather tissue nanostructure that results in coherent scattering of light, or a combination of the two (producing green). Psittacofulvins are found nowhere else in nature, and may even generate fluorescence in many parrot species. Compared with other avian taxa, the adaptive significance of parrot plumage colouration remains poorly understood, although some studies suggest that plumage colouration may form important sexual signals and may be used in mate-choice by several species. There is evidence to suggest that parrot colouration can be subject to both environmental and genetic control. We emphasise that parrots offer a distinctive and useful colouration system for further study. Further research is required to unravel how the dramatic colour patterns of parrots evolved, and what roles colour signals may play in the life histories of parrots.