Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peritoneoscopic Placement of Swan Neck Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters

Peritoneoscopic placement of peritoneal dialysis catheters, although accomplished in only about 10% of dialysis centers, is a nonsurgical technique that fulfills requirements for safety and dependability. Over a 40-month period, 136 catheters were placed with the peritoneoscope, 135 of which were double-cuffed, Swan neck curled catheters, with a uniform radiopaque stripe. Patients were followed longitudinally for outcome. Catheters were placed in 44 diabetic patients, 1 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient, and 18 morbidly obese patients. No complications occurred as a direct result of placement. Catheters were used, on average, nine days after placement (many on days 1 to 4) usually with 1.5 to 2 L exchanges. With 1183 patient-months’ experience, complications were few: 28 patients experienced catheter-related infections, and there were five leaks that resolved with supine, low-volume dialysis for several days. Leakage did not correlate with time of usage after placement. Of ten outflow/mechanical problems that required catheter removal, nine involved catheter migration, probably due to lack of attention during placement to orientation of the radiopaque stripe. One was due to a preperitoneal placement early in this institution's experience with the peritoneoscope. Five of the migrated catheters were removed and then successfully replaced with the peritoneoscope at the same sitting. Four patients requested surgical removal and replacement. Sixteen catheters were removed because of catheter-related infections: five refractory Staphylococcus aureus, six Pseudomonas aeruginosa, two fungal, two Serratia species, and one Mycobacterium chelonei. Actuarial life table analysis showed that at the end of the 40-month follow-up, 62% of the catheters were expected to survive. Because more than 50% survived, median catheter survival could not be calculated. The adverse responses were removal because of infection or catheter migration. Peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation with the peritoneoscope represents a safe and dependable method for catheter placement. Literature review and comparison indicate that catheter-related complications are fewer and catheter longevity is better with peritoneoscopic placement than with surgical placement. Our experience with prompt postplacement utilization suggests the need for further evaluation of catheter break-in procedure with the peritoneoscope.
Frequency Synchronization for Multiuser MIMO-OFDM System Using Bayesian Approach

This paper addresses the problem of frequency synchronization in multiuser multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems. Different from existing work, a Bayesian approach is used in the parameter estimation problem. In this paper, the Bayes estimator for carrier frequency offset (CFO) estimation is proposed and the Bayesian Cram'er-Rao bound (BCRB) is also derived in closed form. Direct implementation of the resultant estimation scheme with conventional methods is challenging since a high degree of mathematical sophistication is always required. To solve this problem, the Gibbs sampler is exploited with an efficient sample generation method. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed estimation scheme.
Hydrostatic pressure stimulates synthesis of elastin in cultured optic nerve head astrocytes

Elastin is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the lamina cribrosa in the optic nerve head in humans and nonhuman primates. The lamina cribrosa appears to be the site of damage to the retinal ganglion cell axons in glaucomatous optic neuropathy, characterized in many patients by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Type 1B astrocytes are the major cell type in the lamina, synthesize elastic fibers during development, express increased elastin mRNA, and synthesize abnormal elastin in glaucoma. In this study, we determined the effect of elevated hydrostatic pressure on the synthesis of elastin by type 1B astrocytes in culture. Type 1B astrocytes were exposed to gradients of hydrostatic pressure and tested for proliferation, morphology, synthesis, and deposition of elastin. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled protein determined total new protein and elastin synthesis. Proteins from the conditioned media were analyzed by Western blot. Levels of elastin mRNA were determined by in situ hybridization. Cell proliferation increased ∼2‐fold after exposure to pressure for one day, ∼5‐fold after 3 and 5 days of exposure to pressure. Confocal and electron microscopic cytochemistry showed a marked increase in intracellular elastin in astrocytes exposed to pressure, as compared with controls. Intracellular elastin was associated with the RER‐Golgi region and with the cytoskeleton. Total protein and elastin synthesis increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 3‐ and 5‐day exposure to pressure, as well as the level of elastin mRNA. Elastin protein in the media increased with the level of pressure. These results indicate that hydrostatic pressure stimulates type 1B astrocytes to synthesize and secrete soluble elastin into the media. In glaucoma, type 1B astrocytes may respond to IOP‐related stress with increased expression of elastin and formation of elastotic fibers leading to loss of elasticity and tissue remodeling. GLIA 32:122–136, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Training and National deficit of psychiatrists in India – A critical analysis

India is the second most populous country in the world, with an estimated current population of 1.17 billion. This article aims to estimate the deficit of psychiatrists in India in relation to epidemiological burden of mental illness, propose short-term and long-term strategies to tackle the deficit and emphasize the importance of modifying the curriculum of undergraduate medical education to enable the proposed strategies. With 6.5% prevalence of serious mental disorder, the average national deficit of India is estimated to be 77%. More than one-third of the population has more than 90% deficit of psychiatrists. The authors estimated that the undergraduate medical curriculum devotes only 1.4% of lecture time and 3.8-4.1% of internship time to psychiatry, thereby leaving the general practitioners and the non-psychiatrist specialists unprepared to competently deal with mental illness in their practice. We propose short and long-term strategies to manage this deficit of psychiatrists.
Trimodal Scan-Based Test Paradigm

This paper presents a novel scan-based design for test (DFT) paradigm. Compared with conventional scan, the presented approach either significantly reduces test application time while preserving high fault coverage or allows applying a much larger number of vectors within the same time interval. An equally important factor is the toggling activity during test—with this scheme, it remains similar to that of the mission mode. Several techniques are introduced that allow integration of the proposed scheme with the state-of-the-art test generation and application methods. In particular, the new scheme uses redesigned scan cells to dynamically configure scan chains into different modes of operation for use with the underlying test-per-clock principle. The experimental results obtained for large and complex industrial application-specific IC designs illustrate the feasibility of the proposed test scheme despite additional costs and efforts entailed in consolidating architectural changes and operations across a DFT flow.
An activator of the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway promotes osteogenesis from human mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent adult stem cells capable of differentiating along the osteoblast, adipocyte, and chondrocyte lineages. Regulation of MSCs differentiation may be a useful tool for regenerative medicine and cell‐based therapy. The discovery of small molecule that activates the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs could aid in the development of a new anabolic drug for osteoporosis treatment. We identified CW008, a derivative of pyrazole–pyridine, that stimulates osteoblast differentiation of human MSCs and increases bone formation in ovariectomized mice. CW008 promotes osteogenesis by activating cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway and inhibiting leptin secretion. These results suggest that CW008 is an agonist of cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway in osteogenic differentiation and that application of CW008 may be useful for the treatment of bone‐related diseases and for the study of bone biology. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 617–626, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrastructural cytochemistry of complex carbohydrates in leukocyte granules.

proteinate staining. The distributions of reactive vicinal glycols and stained sulfate groups differed in rabbit heterophils and suggested that the high iron diamine-stained sulfated glycoconjugate was a glycosaminoglycan rather than a sulfated glycoprotein. The overlapping distribution of glycosaminoglycan and acid phosphatase staining in these granules, the increased cytochemical reactivity in immature granules and apparent masking of staining in mature granules, and biochemical data indicating an inhibitory effect of glycosaminoglycan on acid hydrolases, suggest that glycosaminoglycans may function in storage of some acid hydrolases and in prevention of premature granule destruction.
COUPLING OF BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM IN THE BRAIN

Blood flow and metabolism are locally heterogeneous in the brain, but tightly coupled. This adjustment occurs in two different ways: (1) short-term, dynamic coupling mediated by local vasoactive factors that ensure second-to-second regulation; (2) long-term, static coupling, apparently mediated by capillary density and developed in response to local functional and metabolic activity. Recognizing these two mechanisms permits one to distinguish apparent from real uncoupling. It allows the conclusion that there is no indication of an uncoupling of metabolism and blood flow during physiological conditions.
Two- and three- dimensional near field beam steering loop arrays

This paper presents near field beam steering arrays for wireless power transfer. Two types of near field beam steering arrays are introduced. One is two-dimensional array; the near field power is steered to a specific position of a receiver whose separation is 50 cm from the array at the frequency of 6.78MHz. The other is three-dimensional array which is composed of mode reconfigurable resonators insensitive to its alignment; the WPT efficiency in the azimuthal plane is measured at the transmitting distance of 20 cm at the frequency of 13.56MHz. Near field beam steering is achieved by controlling each capacitance of array resonator in both cases. The experimental results agree with the theoretical results.
Long-term antipsychotic polypharmacy: how does it start, why does it continue?

Background: Antipsychotic polypharmacy remains a widespread and persistent practice, despite a lack of empirical evidence to support its safety and efficacy. This study aimed to assess antipsychotic treatment prior to the initiation of polypharmacy and ascertained clinicians’ reasons for coprescribing long term. We also aimed to determine patterns of antipsychotic coprescription and associated outcome. Method: Prescription charts across a large mental health trust were reviewed to identify all patients coprescribed two or more antipsychotics excluding clozapine. For those receiving antipsychotic polypharmacy for at least 6 months, electronic patient records were examined to obtain demographic data, documented reasons for initiating polypharmacy and prior prescribing information. Sequence of prescribing, clinical outcome, adverse effects and prescriber considerations to revert to monotherapy were determined. Results: In all, 38 patients had been receiving two antipsychotics excluding clozapine for longer than 6 months. In 39% of cases patients had been prescribed no or only one antipsychotic before initiation of polypharmacy while 48% had been trialled on clozapine. The most frequently documented reason for coprescribing was that residual psychotic symptoms remained with monotherapy. An improvement in psychotic symptoms was documented in 26% of patients receiving polypharmacy. Prescribers considered stopping polypharmacy in 23 patients. Conclusion: Antipsychotics were coprescribed largely to improve symptoms and clinical outcome in patients with inadequate response to monotherapy. Polypharmacy was not solely reserved for patients in whom all other therapeutic options had failed. There was some evidence to suggest that patients did benefit from coprescription, albeit at the expense of an increased adverse effect burden. Prospective randomized trials of specific antipsychotic combinations are required to assess the therapeutic utility of this under-researched practice.
Minimizing invasion risk by reducing propagule pressure: a model for ballast‐water exchange

Biological invasions are a major and increasing agent of global biodiversity change. Theory and practice indicate that invasion risk can be diminished by reducing propagule pressure, or the quantity, quality, and frequency of introduced individuals. For aquatic invasions, the primary global invasion pathway is ballast-water transport, and the primary risk reduction strategy is currently open-ocean exchange. Exchange was developed with shipping between freshwater ports in mind, but the majority of shipping connects brackish and marine ports. A worldwide convention, adopted in 2004 by the International Maritime Organization, now mandates ballast-water exchange (or equivalent management) for its 164 member states. Will exchange be as effective in reducing invasion risk for euryhaline species (those capable of tolerating a wide range of salinity levels) in salt-water ports? Here we develop a simple mathematical framework for optimizing ballast-water exchange in terms of exchange level, timing, and species sal.
Effects of a Text-Processing Comprehension Intervention on Struggling Middle School Readers

Purpose: We examined the effects of a text-processing reading comprehension intervention emphasizing listening comprehension and expressive language practices with middle school students with reading difficulties. Method: A total of 134 struggling readers in grades 6–8 were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 83) and control conditions (n = 51) using a 2:1 ratio (two students randomized to treatment for every one student randomized to control). Students in the treatment condition received 40 min of daily instruction in small groups of four to six students for approximately 17 hr. Results: One-way analysis of covariance models on outcome measures with the respective pretest scores as a covariate revealed significant gains on proximal measures of vocabulary and key word and main idea formulation. No significant differences were found on standardized measures of listening and reading comprehension. Discussion: Results provide preliminary support for integrating listening comprehension and expressive language practices within a text-processing reading comprehension intervention framework for middle-grade struggling readers.
Expressions of androgen receptor and its co‐regulators in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma of salivary gland

Aims: Androgen receptor (AR) signalling is involved in cancer progression. The expression of AR has been reported in carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) of salivary gland, however AR gene status and the expressions of co‐factors for AR signalling have not been investigated. The aims of this study were to investigate the expressions of each of the molecules that contribute to AR activation with or without ligands in CXPA. In addition, AR gene amplification and single‐nucleotide polymorphism were investigated. Methods: Ten cases of CXPA and 23 cases of pleomorphic adenomas (PA) of the salivary glands were immunostained for the AR co‐regulators (SRC1, p300, and NCoR1) and the signalling molecules involved in the ligand‐independent pathway (i.e., HER‐2/neu and STAT3). AR gene amplification and single‐nucleotide polymorphism were investigated by dual‐coloured fluorescent in situ hybridisation and polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP), respectively. Results: AR expression was observed in nine of 10 cases of CXPA and in 30.4% of PA cases, a statistically significant difference. The expression, with low or high intensity, of HER‐2/neu and STAT3 was more frequent in CXPA (6/10 and 9/10, respectively) than in PA (0% and 46.7%). The expression of co‐activators was also stronger, though only slightly, in CXPA than in PA. The gain of chromosome X and AR gene amplification were not observed in any CXPA or PA cases, and the G → A allele in codon 211 was detected in only one case (a CXPA). Conclusions: These results suggest that although AR may be activated in the pathway with or without ligands, the expression of co‐regulators and AR gene aberrations are not involved in the carcinogenesis of CXPA.
Characterizing and Modeling Social Mobile Data Traffic in Cellular Networks

Understanding traffic characteristics in cellular networks is of great significance for better network design and performance optimization. The rapid development of various social networking applications for smart devices makes it an imperative to carry out cellular data traffic analysis further into the application level. In this paper, based on a plenty of practical mobile data traffic records, we focus on three typical application types and draw conclusions in terms of statistical characteristics and appropriate distribution model for social mobile data traffic. Firstly, the universal existence of burstiness and self-similarity is demonstrated by testing traffic series at different time scales. Afterwards, α-stable distributions are used to model traffic series benefiting from their internal burstiness and self- similarity. The minor fitting errors verify the validity of α-stable model and a preliminary traffic prediction shows the usefulness of α-stable model for further traffic analysis.
Building Murphy-compatible embedded Linux systems

It’s 2:00 a.m. An embedded Linux system in the ladies’ room of an Albuquerque gas station is being updated remotely. Just as the last bytes hit the flash, disaster strikes—the power fails. Now what? The regular way of updating the configuration or performing software upgrade of Linux systems is a nonsequiturin the embedded space. Still, many developers use these methods, or worse, for lack of a better alternative. This talk introduces a better alternative—a framework for safe remote configuration and software upgrade of a Linux system that supports atomic transactions, parallel, interactive and programmed updates, and multiple software versions with rollback and all using using such “novel” concepts as POSIX rename(2) , Linux pivot_root(2) , and the initrd/initramfs mechanism.
Wild-type and Brachyolmia-causing Mutant TRPV4 Channels Respond Directly to Stretch Force*

Whether animal ion channels functioning as mechanosensors are directly activated by stretch force or indirectly by ligands produced by the stretch is a crucial question. TRPV4, a key molecular model, can be activated by hypotonicity, but the mechanism of activation is unclear. One model has this channel being activated by a downstream product of phospholipase A2, relegating mechanosensitivity to the enzymes or their regulators. We expressed rat TRPV4 in Xenopus oocytes and repeatedly examined >200 excised patches bathed in a simple buffer. We found that TRPV4 can be activated by tens of mm Hg pipette suctions with open probability rising with suction even in the presence of relevant enzyme inhibitors. Mechanosensitivity of TRPV4 provides the simplest explanation of its various force-related physiological roles, one of which is in the sensing of weight load during bone development. Gain-of-function mutants cause heritable skeletal dysplasias in human. We therefore examined the brachyolmia-causing R616Q gain-of-function channel and found increased whole-cell current densities compared with wild-type channels. Single-channel analysis revealed that R616Q channels maintain mechanosensitivity but have greater constitutive activity and no change in unitary conductance or rectification.
The ‘light’ and ‘medium’ subunits of the photosynthetic reaction centre from Rhodopseudomonas viridis: isolation of the genes, nucleotide and amino acid sequence

The ‘light’ (L) and the ‘medium’ (M) subunits of the photosynthetic reaction centre from Rhodopseudomonas viridis were isolated and their amino‐terminal sequences, as well as the sequences of several chymotryptic peptides, determined. Rps. viridis DNA was cloned in the Escherichia coli plasmid pBR322. Mixed oligonucleotide probes derived from the amino acid sequences were synthesised and utilised to isolate one clone which contained the genes for the L and M subunits of the reaction centre as well as the α and β subunits of the light‐harvesting complex and part of the gene for the reaction centre cytochrome. The nucleotide sequences of the L and M subunit genes and the derived amino acid sequences are presented. The L subunit consists of 273 amino acids and has a mol. wt of 30 571. The M subunit consists of 323 amino acids and has a mol. wt of 35 902. The primary structure is discussed in the light of the recently published secondary and tertiary structure which has shown that both subunits contain five membrane‐spanning helices.
Naming deficit in herpes simplex encephalitis

Objectives– The preferential involvement of living categories in naming impairment is well recognised in Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE). In this paper we describe naming, neuropsychological and neuroradiological findings with seven fresh HSE cases. Material & methods– Patients were given a picture naming task that included 60 items belonging to 6 different categories (three living, i.e. fruits, vegetables and animals and three nonliving, i.e. furniture, vehicles and tools). In the statistical analysis several possible sources of bias as the frequency of the target word, the familiarity with the objects to name, the image complexity and other parameters were taken into account. Results– Four out of seven patients were significantly more impaired with living things. We describe their general cognitive profile and discuss the anatomo‐functional aspects of category dissociation. Conclusion– Language impairment, disproportionately severe for the naming of living exemplars, is frequently observed in HSE, is clinically relevant and should be specifically investigated.
An Eulerian Immersed Boundary Method for flow simulations over stationary and moving rigid bodies

The fluid flow over bodies with complex geometry has been the subject of research of many scientists and widely explored experimentally and numerically. The present study proposes an Eulerian Immersed Boundary Method for flows simulations over stationary or moving rigid bodies. The proposed method allows the use of Cartesians Meshes. Here, two-dimensional simulations of fluid flow over stationary and oscillating circular cylinders were used for verification and validation. Four different cases were explored: the flow over a stationary cylinder, the flow over a cylinder oscillating in the flow direction, the flow over a cylinder oscillating in the normal flow direction, and a cylinder with angular oscillation. The time integration was carried out by a classical 4th order Runge-Kutta scheme, with a time step of the same order of distance between two consecutive points in x direction. High-order compact finite difference schemes were used to calculate spatial derivatives. The drag and lift coefficients, the lock-in phenomenon and vorticity contour plots were used for the verification and validation of the proposed method. The extension of the current method allowing the study of a body with different geometry and three-dimensional simulations is straightforward. The results obtained show a good agreement with both numerical and experimental results, encouraging the use of the proposed method.