Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peritoneal Dialysis in Acute Kidney Injury: Brazilian Experience

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) was the first modality of renal replacement therapy (RRT) successfully used for patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) (1). In 1970, acute PD was widely accepted for AKI treatment, but its practice progressively declined in favor of hemodialysis techniques until, currently, PD is underutilized for AKI around the world (2–4). Recently, Brazilian experiences with PD in AKI have been published, and interest in using PD to manage selected AKI patients has been increasing. Here, we review recent literature and studies of PD for the treatment of AKI patients performed at the Botucatu School of Medicine, Sao Paulo State University, Brazil.
A note on program reliability

I introduced a recent pair of lectures [1] with some remarks about program reliability, in the form of an example, a safe prediction, a nightmare, an observation, and a challenge. Although the technical content of these lectures has already been published [2], the introductory remarks have not, and some students were kind enough to suggest that they were worthy of circulation to a wider audience via Software Engineering Notes.
The Study of Microfluidic Chip with Micro Cylindrical Post Array for Separating Particles

This study presents the design, simulation, fabrication and measurement of a microfluidic chip with micro cylindrical post array for separating particles. The structure of microfluidic chip is consisted of top glass, a micro channel with cylindrical post array, two Au end electrodes and bottom glass. Both in-line and staggered arrays of micro cylindrical posts were designed and made of SU-8 inside the micro channel by MEMS technology. The simulated results showed that the applied DC voltage at the end electrodes would generate a non-uniform electric field within the array of cylindrical posts, and particles would be attracted there. From the results of experiment, the minimum required DC voltages to drive micro particles flowing into the micro channel by electrokinetic effect were 15V and 30V, respectively, at the electrode spacing of 8mm and 25mm for both array types. Under the dielectrophoretic effect created by the non-uniform electric field, the latex particles could be concentrated around micro cylindrical posts with electric field intensity minima and separated from flowing fluid. This phenomenon is in agreement with the simulation.
Primary Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphoma in Young Monozygotic Twins

Although familial aggregation of lymphoproliferative disorders has been described, heredity has not been implicated in the etiology of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (PCBCL). We report herein the first case of 2 young monozygotic twins with PCBCL. The first twin was an 18-year-old woman when she presented with multiple skin nodules on the thorax and head. Histology showed an atypical small B-cell proliferation, consistent with primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (PCMZL). Molecular genetics studies demonstrated B-cell clonality. Seven years later, the second twin developed her first lesion that was histologically similar to that of her twin. She subsequently developed other clinically similar lesions. Histology was consistent with PCMZL and showed B-cell clonality. Occurrence of PCBCL in these monozygotic twins raises the possibility of a genetic risk factor. Further study of such rare cases may offer valuable insights into the molecular basis of the etiology and pathogenesis of this unusual disorder.
Reliability Study of Low Silver Alloy Solder Pastes

Sn3.0Ag0. 5Cu (SAC305) is currently the most popular near eutectic lead-free alloy used in the manufacturing processes. Over the last several years, the price of silver has dramatically increased driving a desire for lower silver alloy alternatives. As a result, there is a significant increase in the number of alternative low/no silver lead-free solder alloys available in the industry recently. Our previous study showed that many alternative low silver solder paste materials had good printing and wetting performance as compared to SAC305 solder pastes. However, there is lack of information on the reliability of alternative alloy solder joints assembled using alternative low silver alloy solder pastes. In this paper, we will present the reliability study of lead-free solder joints reflowed using various lead-free alloy solder pastes after thermal cycling test (3000 cycles, 0°C to 100°C). Six different lead-free pastes were investigated. SAC305 solder joints were used as the control. Low and no silver solder pastes and a low temperature SnBiAg solder pastes were also included.
Soft estimates of the ability level of a testee

A mathematical model for pedagogical measurements is considered. In the model the decision functions of a testee are the functions of his test score. The calculation of the ability level of a testee and the difficulty level of test items are performed in the framework of the item response theory using the Rasch model. For the mathematical model of decision making we consider a statistical game of a testee against the examiner. In depending on the type of the pay-off function of the game we find confidence intervals for the ability level of a testee or the type of the University where the testee could be learn. The approach proposed enables one to calculate the accuracy and reliability of the decisions. In the game the testee optimal strategies are the randomized decision functions that depend on the test score.
Nucleotide sequence of the simian virus 40 HindII + III restriction fragment A (second part of the T antigen gene).

The nucleotide sequence of the second part of the simian virus 40 DNA HindII + III restriction fragment A is presented. The sequence extends from map position 0.533 to 0.424 and together with the first part of Hind-A [Volckaert et al. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 75, 2160--2164 (1978)] completes the total hind-A sequence, comprising 1169 base pairs. The second half of Hind-A includes the region corresponding to the second splicing boundary common to small tumor antigen (small-t) and large tumor antigen (large-T) mRNA and it contains coding information for an internal portion of large-T antigen. Two similar secondary structures of reasonable thermodynamic stability can be proposed for the nucleotide sequence of the pre-mRNA corresponding to the region reported here. Their possible relevance to the splicing of the SV40 early mRNAs is discussed. The deduced amino acid sequence is 188 residues long and contains a Lys-Lys-Lys-Arg-Lys-stretch which may be involved in the DNA binding capacity of large-T. A presumptive phosphorylation site is also present.
A 0.18/spl mu/m 102dB-SNR mixed CT SC audio-band /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ ADC

A second-order mixed CT SC /spl Delta//spl Sigma/ modulator uses multi-bit feedback to reduce clock-jitter sensitivity. The chip is implemented in 0.18/spl mu/m CMOS using 3.3V I/O devices and achieves 102dB SNR in a 20kHz bandwidth by using chopper stabilization to reduce flicker noise. The ADC core draws 11.3mA from a 3.3V supply and occupies 0.65mm/sup 2/.
THE IMPACT OF TOXIC HEAVY METALS ON THE HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN COMMON CARP (CYPRINUS CARPIO L.)

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of heavy metal pollutants such as cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead in aquatic system on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) by using a set of biochemical parameters. The experimental group of fish was exposed to a sublethal concentration of 5 mg/L of combined (Cd+Pb+Cr+Ni) metal solution containing 1.25 mg/L of each metal ion (1/10th of LC 50/48 h) for a period of 32 days. The results indicated that the values of the hemoglobin were in the range of 55.30±1.20 g/L to 74.55±1.33 g/L (p<0.001) and the packed cell volume was in the range of 26.72±0.26% to 30.68±0.43% (p<0.01). Concentrations of red blood cells, blood glucose and total cholesterol were significantly elevated. The level of serum iron and copper was increased. The results showed the decreased activity of vitamin C during chronic exposure to toxic heavy metals, which indicates the presence of reactive oxygen species–induced peroxidation. The study suggested that the presence of toxic heavy metals in aquatic environment has strong influence on the hematological parameters in the fresh water fish common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).
Health Promotion for Persons with Disabilities: Moving beyond Rehabilitation

Persons with disabilities are at significant risk for additional or secondary disabilities. Because of this increased risk, especially for persons suffering from the “disuse syndrome,” it is important that a comprehensive health promotion component is included in the rehabilitation program for disabled individuals. Current concepts of disability are discussed as well as the distinctions between primary and secondary disabilities. Specific types and causes of disabilities are identified and described. Each type of secondary disability is assessed in terms of its “preventability. ” Examples and characteristics of quality programs for health promotion for disabled persons are presented. Recommendations for further research and study are discussed to include the need for determining effective components of successful programs and ways to encourage the field of rehabilitation to incorporate health promotion into the rehabilitation process for its disabled clients.
Does Current Practice in the United States of Carotid Artery Stent Placement Benefit Asymptomatic Octogenarians?

For both of these interventions to be considered successful, the rate of death/stroke needs to be less than 3% in the 30 days that follow the procedures. Though endarterectomy for asymptomatic stenoses has been extensively assessed, many patients are choosing stenting, a less well-evaluated procedure. Morbidity and mortality are known to increase with age for both procedures and because our patient population is getting older, the authors decided to look into the benefits of carotid stenting in individuals older than 80 years. They studied more than 30,000 patients obtained via a Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Both complication and death (4.9% vs 3.8%) rates were higher for those treated by stenting than for patients who had open surgery. Cost was also higher for stenting than for surgery. The authors concluded that in octogenarians, stenting does not improve the natural history of the disease. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: CAS or CEA for asymptomatic carotid stenosis is the focus of recently completed and ongoing randomized clinical trials. These techniques are widely utilized outside the setting of such trials. Therefore, our goal was to analyze the in-hospital stroke or death rates after CAS or CEA for asymptomatic stenosis that reflect current nationwide practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using sample-weighted ANOVA, we analyzed records from the 2006 and 2007 NIS, which are nationally representative cohorts for asymptomatic CAS or CEA. The primary outcome measure was a composite end point of in-hospital stroke, cardiac complications, or death. In-hospital stroke or death was a secondary outcome measure. RESULTS: For ≥80 years of age, the in-hospital stroke, cardiac complications, or death rate after CAS was 4.9%, while the complication rate after CEA was 3.8%. The stroke or death rate after CAS was 2.7% for ≥80 years of age and was 1.5% after CEA for the same age group. Multivariate analysis showed that age (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.97–1.3; P < .07) or procedure (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.99–1.27; P < .14) was not associated with the composite end point of in-hospital stroke, cardiac complications, or death. In contrast, CAS (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.03–1.58) and female sex (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.04–1.45) were independently associated with in-hospital stroke or death following asymptomatic carotid revascularization. Hospital charges and hospital costs were lower for CEA than CAS (2007 costs: $7779 versus $12,104). CONCLUSIONS: CAS is independently associated with increased in-hospital stroke or death (excluding cardiac complications from the composite outcome). In those ≥80 years of age, CAS as currently performed may not improve the natural history of asymptomatic carotid stenosis, because in-hospital stroke or death rates following CAS approached 3% in this group.
Topic-based habitat classification using visual data

It is now common to quasi-automatically generate acoustic bathymetry and optical mosaics from instrumented Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). However, further analysis and interpretation of gathered data is needed to address tasks such as habitat characterization and monitoring. This analysis stage is performed by human experts which limits the amount and speed of data processing. While it is unlikely that machines will match humans at fine-scale classification, machines can now perform preliminary, coarser classification to provide timely and relevant feedback to assist human decisions and enable adaptive AUV behavior. This paper presents a preliminary investigation into using a ‘bag of features’ object recognition system for unsupervised clustering of marine habitat imagery. In addition to directly using the high dimensional signature vectors, we also perform clustering based on a low dimensional topic model of the images. We use an AUV transect in the Great Barrier Reef that covers distinct habitat to illustrate the behavior of hierarchical clustering using both representations. Results suggest that both approaches generate clusters of images that are easily recognizable by humans, with significant computational gains to be made by using a topic-based model.
Thoracic electrical bioimpedance versus thermodilution in patients post open-heart surgery.

Thoracic electrical bioimpedance cardiography is a non-invasive, continuous and low-cost method of estimation of cardiac output and other haemodynamic parameters. Though subject to continuous technological refinement controversial opinions exist on its validity in subsets of critically ill patients, patients with heart disease or after cardiac surgery. A comparison study between thermodilution (TD) and bioimpedance (TEB) was performed in 28 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery (CABG, aortic or mitral valve replacement or combined procedures). 128 pairs of cardiac index estimates at specific time points during 20 hours at the postoperative ICU were evaluated. A poor correlation (r = 0.26, p < 0.05, bias -0.07 l.min-1.m2, precision + 1.1 l.min-1.m-2, 95% limits of agreement -2.27-2.13 l.min-1.m-2) between TD and TEB cannot support the routine use of TEB monitoring in early postoperative period after open-heart surgery. Possible reasons of lack of agreement in this population are discussed. Further studies with technically improved bioimpedance cardiographs will be needed.
Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Policy

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is being developed as an approach to generate images that may improve the sensitivity and specificity of mammography. Current radiographic approaches to mammography produce two-dimensional (2D) images. These 2D systems can have limitations due to overlapping tissue in the breast that may hide lesions (cancers) or cause benign masses to appear suspicious. DBT, also called 3D mammography, may be utilized along with full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in screening for breast cancer and may also be used as a technique for the diagnosis of breast cancer in helping to clarify equivocal mammographic findings.
Substrate integrated slab waveguide (SISW) for wideband microwave applications

A new slab waveguide integrated in planar form has been developed for wideband microwave applications. The guide is synthesized on a substrate by adding an air hole into an SIW (substrate integrated waveguide). Using these techniques, a substrate integrated slab waveguide (SISW) covering the X and Ku bands has been designed and measured. Wideband microstrip transitions are presented with S/sub 21/ lower than 0.75 dB and S/sub 11/ below -15 dB over the entire band. Propagation constant and quality factor measurements are also presented with a Q value of 308.
The 2013 Okhotsk deep‐focus earthquake: Rupture beyond the metastable olivine wedge and thermally controlled rise time near the edge of a slab

The 2013 M8.3 Okhotsk earthquake involves two primary mechanisms of deep‐focus earthquake rupture, mineral phase transformation of olivine to spinel and thermal shear instability. Backprojection imaging of broadband seismograms recorded by the North American and European networks indicates bilateral rupture toward NE and SSE. The rupture paths of the NE segment and other regional M7 earthquakes are confined in narrow regions along the slab contours, consistent with the phase transformation mechanism. However, the SSE rupture propagates a long distance across the slab and aftershocks are distributed across a ~60 km wide zone, beyond the plausible thickness of the metastable olivine wedge, favoring thermal shear weakening. While the NE rupture is only visible at high frequencies, the SSE rupture is consistently observed across a broad‐frequency range. This frequency‐dependent rupture mode can be explained by lateral variations of rise time controlled by thermal thinning of the slab near its northern end.
The Outcome of Triplet versus Twin Pregnancies

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine and to determine whether triplet pregnancies are associated with a significantly greater risk of adverse outcome than are twin pregnancies. Methods: Maternal and perinatal outcomes were evaluated retrospectively in 41 sets of triplets and twin pregnancies that were matched for maternal age, parity, mode of delivery, preterm delivery, mode of conception, and antepartum complications. Main Outcome Measures: Perinatal outcome in triplet versus twin gestation. Results: Triplets had a significantly lower mean average birth weight than in twin gestation (1,596 vs. 2,317 g, p < 0.018) and gestational age at delivery (32.9 vs. 35.9 weeks; p < 0.03). Preterm labour occurred significantly more often in triplet than in twin gestation (80.5 vs. 41.5%) as did preterm delivery (87.8 vs. 46.2%). Triplets required a longer hospital stay than did twins (25 vs. 9 days; p < 0.04). There were no significant differences between the groups in number of administrations to the Special Care Baby Unit (32.5 vs. 30.5%). Apgar score <7 at 5 min was significantly more in triplet as compared with twin gestation (17 vs. 6%; p < 0.0015). Neonatal deaths occurred significantly more in triplets than in twins (26 vs. 8.5%; p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between the groups in maternal antepartum or neonatal complications such as anaemia, pregnancy-induced hypertension, placental abruption, respiratory distress syndrome or intraventricular haemorrhage. Preterm labour was the only complication that occurred significantly more often in the triplet than in the twin gestation. Conclusions: We concluded that this information could be useful in counseling patients with respect to the anticipated perinatal outcome of triplet pregnancies.
Metabolites from Alternaria Fungi and Their Bioactivities

Alternaria is a cosmopolitan fungal genus widely distributing in soil and organic matter. It includes saprophytic, endophytic and pathogenic species. At least 268 metabolites from Alternaria fungi have been reported in the past few decades. They mainly include nitrogen-containing metabolites, steroids, terpenoids, pyranones, quinones, and phenolics. This review aims to briefly summarize the structurally different metabolites produced by Alternaria fungi, as well as their occurrences, biological activities and functions. Some considerations related to synthesis, biosynthesis, production and applications of the metabolites from Alternaria fungi are also discussed.
Maintenance of the corpus luteum after uterine transfer of trophoblastic vesicles to cyclic cows and ewes.

One or two trophoblastic vesicles (0.4-2 mm diam.) from cow (Day 14) or ewe (Day 11-13) embryos without their disc were transferred, after culture for 24 h, into recipients. Each vesicle was transferred into the uterine horn ipsilateral to the CL by the cervical route in heifers and surgically in ewes on Day 12 of the oestrous cycle. In cows, daily measurements of plasma progesterone concentrations and checks for return to oestrus showed that the CL was maintained in 8 out of 12 recipients. These 8 cows had 25- to 37-day cycles while 4 recipient heifers returned to oestrus normally. Three recipients with an extended cycle were slaughtered. The dissected uterus showed that trophoblastic vesicles had developed in the uterine horns. In ewes, the serum progesterone curve, determined in each recipient, showed that the CL was maintained in 7 out of 12 recipients. These 7 ewes had 20- to 54-day cycles and the other 5 ewes had a normal cycle of 15-19 days comparable to that of 17.0 +/- 0.5 days for the 6 control ewes. Whenever the CL was maintained, high blood progesterone levels were followed by rapid luteolysis. In cattle and sheep, therefore, a trophoblastic vesicle transferred into the uterus can develop in vivo, secreting the embryonic signals when there is no embryonic disc control and transforming the cyclic CL into a CL of pregnancy in about 60% of the cases. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Promoting and Implementing Evidence-Based, Best Practices in Childbirth Education

Childbirth educators have a duty to promote and implement best practices. Best practices are individualized and evidence-based, using quality research to optimize outcomes. This requires addressing change. The childbirth educator must model evidence-based practices by systematically engaging in activities to improve his or her own changing curriculum. The childbirth educator is also a professional in a core position to play an active role as a change agent in the system through evaluation and dissemination of information to parents, fellow childbirth educators, and other professionals on the health-care team. This information provides the basis for important health-care decisions for self and others.