Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Results of Trochanteric Wire Removal Surgery and Its Relation to Revision Hip Arthroplasty

Local trochanteric symptoms can occur after Total Hip Arthroplasty through any approach but are said to be more common after the transtrochanteric approach. Most of these symptoms subside spontaneously or after a local anaesthetic and steroid injection. Unremitting symptoms can be indicative of persistent trochanteric bursitis, septic loosening or aseptic loosening. In cases of hip arthroplasties performed through a transtrochanteric approach, the trochanteric wires are commonly incriminated as a cause of persistent trochanteric pain. In this retrospective study of 92 patients who underwent trochanteric wire removal surgery, 32 patients (34.78%) had an unsatisfactory result. 24 patients (26.09%) underwent revision surgery at an average of 36.75 months after wire removal surgery. This study suggests that signs of early loosening need to be carefully looked for and ruled out before advising trochanteric wire removal for persistent trochanteric discomfort.
THE CASTLE OF ASSORO: THE INTEGRATED SURVEY FOR THE KNOWLEDGE AND CONSERVATION OF RUINS

Abstract. Assoro is an ancient city located in the heart of Sicily. Its fame in the Middle Ages is linked to the strategic location of its primitive nucleus placed at the top of Monte Stella. The fortified site allowed, in fact, both the defence of the surrounding territory and the control of the internal crossings of the island, from east to west. Today, the ruins of the castle, still visible in the highest part of the city, are enclosed in a large urban park that neither enhances nor facilitates its understanding. Actually, the knowledge of the monument is very incomplete due to the lack of documentary sources. To compensate these gaps new investigations were undertaken. Survival masonries were examined by a careful visual investigation and a deep survey, both for the stratigraphic, material and degradation aspects, carried out through the integrated use of active and passive sensors instruments. The critical analyses arising from the appropriately constructed 3D models and the photo-realistic orthographic projections with the mapping of the different constructive phases, the building materials and decay, was laid as the foundation of the cognitive process aimed at the establishment of a sustainable conservation and valorisation project. The programme has also foreseen the realisation of some archaeological coverings and the improvement of the whole park fruition, through paths that aim to both ensure easier access to some rocky archaeological areas currently difficult to reach and greater integration and permeability, between the historic urban fabric and the park.
Active Distribution System Reinforcement Planning With EV Charging Stations–Part II: Numerical Results

The second part of this two-paper series discusses two case-studies to confirm the effectiveness of the scenario-based stochastic model developed in the first part for the multistage joint expansion planning of distribution systems and electric vehicle charging stations. Numerical results obtained in the 18-bus distribution system confirm the effectiveness of proposed approach through the minimization of total investment and operational costs, and the adequate characterization of uncertainties. The proposed solution determines the optimal construction/reinforcement of substations, electric vehicle charging stations and feeders, and the placement of distributed generators and capacitor banks along the three-stage planning horizon. The comparative analysis of proposed approach, against the deterministic and robust approaches; confirms its superiority in dealing with the uncertainties of wind and photovoltaic generation, and conventional loads and electric vehicle demands. Finally, the scalability of proposed approach is confirmed using the IEEE 123-bus distribution system.
Hsp70 Interacts with the Retroviral Restriction Factor TRIM5α and Assists the Folding of TRIM5α*

Tripartite motif (TRIM) protein TRIM5α has been shown to restrict human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 infection in Old World monkey cells at the early post-entry step by poorly understood mechanisms. Currently, the physiological function of TRIM5α is not known. In this study, we showed that transiently overexpressed TRIM5α causes a morphological change in HEK293T cells. A proteomics analysis of the protein complexes that were pulled down with hemagglutinin-tagged TRIM5α suggested that the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) may serve as a TRIM5α-binding partner. The interaction between Hsp70 and TRIM5α was confirmed by co-localization and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Co-expression of Hsp70 reversed the TRIM5α-induced morphological change in HEK293T cells. Another heat shock protein Hsc70 also bound to TRIM5α, but unlike Hsp70, Hsc70 was not able to reverse the TRIM5α-induced morphological change, suggesting that Hsp70 specifically reverses the morphological change caused by TRIM5α. Studies using a series of TRIM5α deletion mutants demonstrate that, although the PRYSPRY domain is critical for binding to Hsp70, the entire TRIM5α structure is necessary to induce the morphological change of cells. When the ATPase domain of Hsp70 was mutated, the mutated Hsp70 could not counteract the morphological change induced by TRIM5α, indicating that the catalytic activity of Hsp70 protein is important for this function. Co-expression of Hsp70 elevated the levels of TRIM5α in the detergent-soluble fraction with a concomitant decrease in the detergent-insoluble fraction. Together these results suggest that Hsp70 plays critical roles in the cellular management against the TRIM5α-induced cellular insults.
Efficacy of probing as treatment of epiphora in adults with blocked nasolacrimal ducts

AIMS To determine the efficacy of probing in the initial treatment of epiphora and the symptom free period in adults with blocked nasolacrimal ducts. METHODS The results of probing in 85 eyes with epiphora due to nasolacrimal duct obstruction were studied retrospectively after a mean follow up of 7.4 months (SD 11.6) by a questionnaire and interview survey of patients. RESULTS 35% of the eyes had an outcome of no watering after probing, 17% mild watering, 35% moderate watering, and 11% severe watering. The patients’ satisfaction (watering subjectively improved) after undergoing this procedure was 82%, which is higher than previously reported. The mean symptom free period in eyes with no watering was 11.25 months, in eyes with mild watering 8.20 months, in eyes with moderate watering 5.35 months, and in eyes with severe watering 0.95 months. There was a significant difference (p=0.001) in the symptom free period between the no watering and severe watering groups. CONCLUSIONS Probing in adults with confirmed nasolacrimal duct obstruction can be recommended as an initial treatment procedure because of its relatively good efficacy and high patient satisfaction without compromising subsequent surgical treatment if unsuccessful.
Tension in the plaque: hypoxia modulates metabolism in atheroma.

Investigators have long recognized low oxygen tension in the atherosclerotic plaque. The diffusion limitation for molecular oxygen through the relatively avascular center of the plaque decreases the supply of this gas. Inflammatory cells accumulate in the core of atheromata. These cells have high metabolic rates and correspondingly high oxygen consumption, increasing demand (Figure). Human and experimental atheromata have hypoxic regions. Animal studies have shown that hypoxia augments atherogenesis.1,2 Recent work has highlighted the myriad mechanisms by which hypoxia may contribute to atheroma evolution and complication.3,4 Figure. Hypoxia in atherogenesis. This figure illustrates selected examples of the manifold effects of hypoxia in atheromata; see text for explanation. 15-LOX-2 indicates 15-lipoxygenase-2; ABCA1, ATP-binding cassette A 1; FA, fatty acid; GLUT-1, glucose transporter 1; HIF-1α, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α; HMG-CoA, hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A; IL, interleukin; MMP, matrix metalloproteinase; VCAM-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor. Pathologists have long appreciated the microvasculature of plaques. The rise of Judah Folkman's concept of tumor angiogenesis as a growth-promoting mechanism in malignancy stimulated parallel thinking in atherosclerosis research.5 Plaque neovessels may stimulate lesion growth and provide a portal with a large surface area for penetration of inflammatory cells. Fragile neovessels in atheromata, as in the diabetic retina, may prove prone to hemorrhage. Extravasated erythrocytes furnish a local depot of cholesterol-rich red cell membranes and of heme, a source of iron—which is a catalyst for oxidative stress. Thrombosis in situ may elicit cycles of thrombin-mediated smooth-muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation and hence lesion growth. Thus the neovessels stimulated through the …
Effects of ammonia on the de novo synthesis of polypeptides in cells of Nitrosomonas europaea denied ammonia as an energy source

The effects of ammonium on the de novo synthesis of polypeptides in the soil-nitrifying bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea have been investigated. Cells were incubated in the presence of both acetylene and NH4+. Under these conditions, the cells were unable to utilize NH4+ as an energy source. Energy to support protein synthesis was supplied by the oxidation of hydroxylamine or other alternative substrates for hydroxylamine oxidoreductase. De novo protein synthesis was detected by 14C incorporation from 14CO2 into polypeptides by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. In the presence of NH4+, acetylene-treated cells synthesized the 27-kDa polypeptide of ammonia monoxygenase (AMO) and two other major polypeptides (with sizes of 55 and 65 kDa). The synthesis of these polypeptides was completely inhibited by chloramphenicol and attenuated by rifampin. The optimal concentration of hydroxylamine for the in vivo 14C-labeling reaction was found to be 2 mM. The effect of NH4+ concentration was also examined. It was shown to cause a saturable response with a Ks of approximately 2.0 mM NH4+. Labeling studies conducted at different pH values suggest cells respond to NH3 rather than NH4+. No other compounds tested were able to influence the synthesis of the 27-kDa component of AMO, although we have also demonstrated that this polypeptide can be synthesized under anaerobic conditions in cells utilizing pyruvate- or hydrazine-dependent nitrite reduction as an energy source. We conclude that ammonia has a regulatory effect on the synthesis of a subunit of AMO in addition to providing nitrogen for protein synthesis.
Extremal Problems on Finite Sets and Posets

The overarching theme of the thesis is the investigation of extremal problems involving forbidden partially ordered sets (posets). In particular, we will be concerned with the function La(n, P ), defined to be the maximum number of sets we can take in the Boolean lattice 2[n] without introducing the relations of a poset P as containment relations among the sets. This function plays an analogous role in the setting of nonuniform hypergraphs (set systems) as the extremal function ex(n,G) in graph theory and has already been studied extensively. While this type of problem was formally introduced in 1983, there have already been more than 50 papers on the subject. The majority of the results involve bounding La(n, P ) both in a general sense, as well as for numerous specific cases of posets. The thesis is divided into 5 main chapters. The first chapter gives a summary of the history of forbidden poset problems as well as the relevant background information from extremal set theory. In the second chapter we give a significant improvement of the general bounds on La(n, P ) as a function of the height of the poset h(P ) and the size of the poset |P | due to Burcsi and Nagy and later Chen and Li. The resulting bound is in a certain sense best possible. We also give an improvement of the bound on the so-called Lubell function in the induced version of the problem, and we introduce a new chain counting technique which may have additional applications. The results in this chapter were joint work with Daniel Grosz and Abhishek Methuku. The third chapter introduces a new partitioning technique on cyclic permutations. In this chapter we find a surprising generalization of a result of De Bonis, Katona and Swanepoel on a poset known as the butterfly. Namely, we show that one can introduce a subdivision to one of the edges of the Hasse diagram of this poset and prove that nonetheless the same bound holds on its extremal number. Using the new partitioning technique, we also determine the exact bound for the La function of an infinite class of pairs of posets. The results in this chapter were joint work with Abhishek Methuku. In the fourth chapter we introduce a new variation on the extremal subposet problem. Namely, we assume that the family must also be intersecting. We give a novel generalization of the partition method of Griggs and Li and prove an exact bound for intersecting, butterfly-free families. We also give a new proof of a result of Gerbner on intersecting k-Sperner families and determine the equality cases for the first time. The results in this chapter were joint work with Daniel Gerbner and Abhishek Methuku. In the fifth chapter we prove a new version of the De Bruijn Erdős theorem for partially ordered sets, as well as another version in a graph setting. The results in this subsection were joint work with Pierre Aboulker, Guillaume Lagarde, David Malec and Abhishek Methuku.
Nano-sized 58S bioactive glass enhances proliferation and osteogenic genes expression of osteoblast-like cells.

OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of ionic dissolution products on nano-sized 58S bioactive glass (nano-58S) on proliferation and specific osteogenic genes expression in MG-63 cells. METHODS Ionic dissolution products were prepared by incubating nano-58S or sol-gel bioactive glass 58S (58S) particulates in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) at 1% w/v for 24 hr and filtrated through 0.22 µm filters to remove the particulates. MG-63 cells were cultured in the nano-58S extraction, 58S extraction, and DMEM, respectively, for different time periods to assay the proliferation, mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Cbfa1, Collagen type I (Col-I) and osteocalcin (OCN), as well as ALP staining, activity and matrix mineralisation. RESULTS In the nano-58S group, cell proliferation and mRNA expression of ALP, Cbfa1 and OCN were significantly enhanced in a time-dependent manner compared with the control group. mRNA expression of Cbfa1 on day 4 and OCN on day 7 was significantly higher than that in the 58S group. Moreover, there was significantly more ALP protein expression and mineralisation in the nano-58S group than in the 58S group. CONCLUSION The nano-58S enhanced proliferation, osteogenic markers expression in MG-63 cells and induced stronger mineralization than 58S.
The Homogentisate Pathway: a Central Catabolic Pathway Involved in the Degradation of l-Phenylalanine, l-Tyrosine, and 3-Hydroxyphenylacetate in Pseudomonas putida

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas putida metabolizes Phe and Tyr through a peripheral pathway involving hydroxylation of Phe to Tyr (PhhAB), conversion of Tyr into 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate (TyrB), and formation of homogentisate (Hpd) as the central intermediate. Homogentisate is then catabolized by a central catabolic pathway that involves three enzymes, homogentisate dioxygenase (HmgA), fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (HmgB), and maleylacetoacetate isomerase (HmgC), finally yielding fumarate and acetoacetate. Whereas the phh, tyr, and hpd genes are not linked in the P. putida genome, the hmgABC genes appear to form a single transcriptional unit. Gel retardation assays and lacZ translational fusion experiments have shown that hmgR encodes a specific repressor that controls the inducible expression of the divergently transcribed hmgABC catabolic genes, and homogentisate is the inducer molecule. Footprinting analysis revealed that HmgR protects a region in the Phmg promoter that spans a 17-bp palindromic motif and an external direct repetition from position −16 to position 29 with respect to the transcription start site. The HmgR protein is thus the first IclR-type regulator that acts as a repressor of an aromatic catabolic pathway. We engineered a broad-host-range mobilizable catabolic cassette harboring the hmgABC, hpd, and tyrB genes that allows heterologous bacteria to use Tyr as a unique carbon and energy source. Remarkably, we show here that the catabolism of 3-hydroxyphenylacetate in P. putida U funnels also into the homogentisate central pathway, revealing that the hmg cluster is a key catabolic trait for biodegradation of a small number of aromatic compounds.
The recognition of threatening facial stimuli.

Two studies examined the information that defines a threatening facial display. The first study identified those facial characteristics that distinguish between representations of threatening and nonthreatening facial displays. Masks that presented either threatening or nonthreatening facial displays were obtained from a number of non-Western cultures and scored for the presence of those facial features that discriminated between such displays in the drawings of two American samples. Threatening masks contained a significantly higher number of these characteristics across all cultures examined. The second study determined whether the information provided by the facial display might be more primary nonrepresentational visual patterns than facial features with obvious denotative meaning (e.g., diagonal lines rather than downturned eyebrows). The subjective response to sets of diagonal, angular, and curvilinear visual stimuli revealed that the nonrepresentational features of angularity and diagonality in the visual stimulus appeared to have the ability to evoke the subjective responses that convey the meaning of threat.
Virtual Assistant Platform

In this paper a novel virtual assistant platform is presented. The platform allows for easy creation, administration, and use of virtual assistants as additional services on websites and as a stand-alone application on mobile platforms. The implementation is based on the principle of Software as a Service, which significantly eases the installation and maintenance of the system and consequently reduces costs
Cascading failures in electric power systems: What about prices?

Given the incidence of blackouts during recent years, there has been an increased interest in understanding them to take corrective or mitigating measures, limiting their occurrence and scope in the future. Different models have been proposed to represent these sequences of events. The power tails found by some researchers in the latest North American blackout size distribution have led them to think of power systems as complex dynamical systems, drifting away from more traditional electric power system reliability models. The main contributions of this paper are: (a) Briefly review different models of blackouts and cascading in power systems, (b) Identify the role that electricity spot prices should have in those models, and (c) Enlarge one of the existing models by modeling prices and its role in the development of the system in a computationally efficient way. We conclude that the representation of an evolving market is perfectly compatible with the idea of understanding power markets/systems as complex dynamical systems. We also provide arguments supporting the idea that those markets and prices must be a part of any cascading models, especially if they model any longer-term system evolution.
Disease control on organic and natural cattle operations

Abstract The number of cattle operations which manage their livestock as certified organic or as natural is constantly increasing. Common conditions that practitioners often see have bacterial, viral or parasite etiologies. With restrictions on treatments allowed, either by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Organic program or by other niche programs, it would help practitioners to know what is allowable to use and how to approach cases in these settings. This presentation aims to provide veterinarians with an awareness of animal health care when working with organic/natural producers and alternative therapies that are understandable to medically trained professionals.
Multifunctional Imaging Signature for V-KI-RAS2 Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Viral Oncogene Homolog (KRAS) Mutations in Colorectal Cancer

This study explores the potential for multifunctional imaging to provide a signature for V-KI-RAS2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) gene mutations in colorectal cancer. Methods: This prospective study approved by the institutional review board comprised 33 patients undergoing PET/CT before surgery for proven primary colorectal cancer. Tumor tissue was examined histologically for presence of the KRAS mutations and for expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and minichromosome maintenance protein 2 (mcm2). The following imaging parameters were derived for each tumor: 18F-FDG uptake (18F-FDG maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax]), CT texture (expressed as mean of positive pixels [MPP]), and blood flow measured by dynamic contrast-enhanced CT. A recursive decision tree was developed in which the imaging investigations were applied sequentially to identify tumors with KRAS mutations. Monte Carlo analysis provided mean values and 95% confidence intervals for sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Results: The final decision tree comprised 4 decision nodes and 5 terminal nodes, 2 of which identified KRAS mutants. The true-positive rate, false-positive rate, and accuracy (95% confidence intervals) of the decision tree were 82.4% (63.9%–93.9%), 0% (0%–10.4%), and 90.1% (79.2%–96.0%), respectively. KRAS mutants with high 18F-FDG SUVmax and low MPP showed greater frequency of HIF-1 expression (P = 0.032). KRAS mutants with low 18F-FDG SUVmax, high MPP, and high blood flow expressed mcm2 (P = 0.036). Conclusion: Multifunctional imaging with PET/CT and recursive decision-tree analysis to combine measurements of tumor 18F-FDG uptake, CT texture, and perfusion has the potential to identify imaging signatures for colorectal cancers with KRAS mutations exhibiting hypoxic or proliferative phenotypes.
The reliability of fine‐needle aspiration biopsy as the initial diagnostic procedure for palpable masses

Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a reliable, rapid, minimally invasive alternative to surgical biopsy when it is performed by physician specialists for the diagnosis of palpable masses. FNAB may be under‐utilized in community hospitals in the U.S. because physicians without specialty training commonly provide the service, resulting in less reliable results.
Chemokine and toll‐like receptor signaling in macrophage mediated islet xenograft rejection

Abstract: Background: Adoptive transfer of antigen‐primed T‐cell‐activated macrophages into NOD‐SCID mice within 14 days of foetal porcine pancreatic fragment (FPP) or foetal porcine skin (FPS) transplantation had been shown to cause xenograft rejection. In the present study, it was proposed that signaling between the graft and macrophages promoted specific graft recognition and destruction in this setting.
The urban heat island effect is closely related to cicada density in metropolitan Seoul

Background. Cryptotympana atrata and Hyalessa fuscata are the most abundant cicada species in the Korean Peninsula, where their population densities are higher in urban areas than in rural ones. The urban heat island (UHI) effect, wherein human activities cause urban areas to be significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas, may underlie this difference. We predicted a positive relationship between the degrees of UHI in urban areas and population densities of C. atrata and H. fuscata.