Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[EUS-guided drainage of the pancreatic duct (EUPD)--promising therapeutic alternative to surgical intervention in case of symptomatic retention of the pancreatic duct and unsuccessful ERP].

BACKGROUND Transpapillary ERP is the gold standard in symptomatic retention of the pancreatic duct or pancreatic fistula; however, it fails in 5-10 % due to a papilla which cannot be reached or cannulated, or in postoperative changes which do not allow conventional endoscopic drainage. METHOD Based on our clinical, endoscopic and EUS-related experience as well as a literature search, EUS-guided pancreaticography and drainage of the pancreatic duct (EUPD) are described as alternative approach i) to symptomatic retention of pancreatic duct, ii) for cases with stenoses of the pancreatic duct and anastomoses which cannot be treated with conventional endoscopy, and iii) for patients with postoperative pancreatic fistula within the diagnostic and therapeutic management, including adequate indication, performance and outcome. RESULTS EUPD is indicated in cases with i) altered anatomy of upper GI tract (congenital; papilla or pancreaticoenteric anastomosis), ii) symptomatic retention of pancreatic duct due to changes in peripapillary region or iii) stenosis of pancreatic duct/anastomosis, and iv) if surgical intervention cannot be done with a reasonable risk-benefit ratio. EUPD can provide a success rate of 25 to 92 %, a complication rate of 14 to 40 % (bleeding, perforation, pancreatitis, pain) and long-term clinical success rate of 69 to 78 % (pain-, symptom-free). Advantages are sustained endoscopic methodological variability, minimal invasiveness, improvement in quality of life, possible endoscopic revision of complications and conventional endoscopic equipment. In contrast disadvantages include high level of expertise, only low case load, long learning curve, instruments needing further optimisation, and a still not good clinical success rate of 70 % as well as status as an experimental clinical method. CONCLUSION With adequate experience EUPD is for carefully selected patients an uncomplicated, elegant and safe method and represents an alternative therapeutic option for the interventional endoscopist allowing more invasive procedures to be avoided. Further prospective and systematic evaluations and technical refinements of EUPD-associated results are needed in order to establish general therapeutic guidelines on indications, peri-interventional management and to define a practical guideline-relevant procedure.
The amphibians and reptiles of Luzon Island, Philippines, VIII: the herpetofauna of Cagayan and Isabela Provinces, northern Sierra Madre Mountain Range

Abstract We provide the first report on the herpetological biodiversity (amphibians and reptiles) of the northern Sierra Madre Mountain Range (Cagayan and Isabela provinces), northeast Luzon Island, Philippines. New data from extensive previously unpublished surveys in the Municipalities of Gonzaga, Gattaran, Lasam, Santa Ana, and Baggao (Cagayan Province), as well as fieldwork in the Municipalities of Cabagan, San Mariano, and Palanan (Isabela Province), combined with all available historical museum records, suggest this region is quite diverse. Our new data indicate that at least 101 species are present (29 amphibians, 30 lizards, 35 snakes, two freshwater turtles, three marine turtles, and two crocodilians) and now represented with well-documented records and/or voucher specimens, confirmed in institutional biodiversity repositories. A high percentage of Philippine endemic species constitute the local fauna (approximately 70%). The results of this and other recent studies signify that the herpetological diversity of the northern Philippines is far more diverse than previously imagined. Thirty-eight percent of our recorded species are associated with unresolved taxonomic issues (suspected new species or species complexes in need of taxonomic partitioning). This suggests that despite past and present efforts to comprehensively characterize the fauna, the herpetological biodiversity of the northern Philippines is still substantially underestimated and warranting of further study.
Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infections: A Review

Nosocomial urinary tract infections are a common complication in healthcare systems worldwide. A review of the literature was performed in June 2014 using the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) database, through either PubMed or Ovid as a search engine, to identify publications regarding nosocomial urinary tract infections (NUTIs) definition, epidemiology, etiology and treatment. According to current definitions, more than 30% of nosocomial infections are urinary tract infections (UTIs). A UTI is defined ‘nosocomial’ (NUTI) when it is acquired in any healthcare institution or, more generally, when it is related to patient management. The origin of nosocomial bacteria is endogenous (the patient's flora) in two thirds of the cases. Patients with indwelling urinary catheters, those undergoing urological surgery and manipulations, long-stay elderly male patients and patients with debilitating diseases are at high risk of developing NUTIs. All bacterial NUTIs should be treated, whether the patient is harboring a urinary catheter or not. The length of treatment depends on the infection site. There is abundance of important guidance which should be considered to reduce the risk of NUTIs (hand disinfection with instant hand sanitizer, wearing non-sterile gloves permanently, isolation of infected or colonized catheterized patients). Patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria can generally be treated initially with catheter removal or catheter exchange, and do not necessarily need antimicrobial therapy. Symptomatic patients should receive antibiotic therapy. Resistance of urinary pathogens to common antibiotics is currently a topic of concern.
Representing different views of acupuncture in a single ontology

A major challenge for health informatics is to model the health-care domain knowledge into appropriate and useful ontologies. This is difficult, and modellers tend to simplify things dramatically by ignoring the fact that the health care domain encompasses a global perspective. The influx of complementary and alternative medicines from the East to the West, or indeed the ongoing colonialization of orthodox Western medicine into other non-western traditions requires multiple paradigms of delivering treatment to be considered simultaneously, side by side. Models and specifications need to be developed to encompass this richness and represent this complex reality so as to understand what the different concepts and terms in each tradition achieve. Acupuncture is used as a test case of cross-membership between two different paradigms. Here, we briefly outline requirements and answer possible objections to our approach before illustrating how we have modelled heterogeneous domain knowledge from different cultures, and across different paradigms, within a single ontology.
Diversity Analysis of MIMO Network Coded Cooperation Systems with Relay Selection

Network coded cooperation (NCC) has recently gained interest due to its ability to increase the network throughput in multisource cooperative systems. NCC with single relay selection (SRS) or multiple relay selection (MRS) has been studied for single-antenna terminals only. Employing multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) can significantly improve the performance of NCC systems. In this paper, we consider a NCC system with decode-and-forward (DF) relaying where relays use maximum distance separable (MDS) codes as their encoding vectors. More specifically, we consider $\mathcal{N}$ sources, $\mathcal{M}$ relays and a single destination. Relays and the destination are equipped with multiple antennas whereas sources have single antenna. The performance of the system under consideration is investigated by deriving exact outage probability expressions for both SRS and MRS protocols. The asymptotical diversity orders are further provided to obtain valuable insights into practical system design. Furthermore, numerical results are provided to validate the accuracy of our derivations and quantify the effect of system parameters on the outage probability and diversity order.
Randomized controlled trial of yttrium-90-labeled ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy versus rituximab immunotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSE Radioimmunotherapy combines biologic and radiolytic mechanisms to target and destroy tumor cells, thus offering a needed therapeutic alternative for refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients. This phase III randomized study compares the novel radioimmunotherapy yttrium-90 ((90)Y) ibritumomab tiuxetan with a control immunotherapy, rituximab, in 143 patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed CD20(+) transformed NHL. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients received either a single intravenous (IV) dose of (90)Y ibritumomab tiuxetan 0.4 mCi/kg (n = 73) or rituximab 375 mg/m(2) IV weekly for four doses (n = 70). The radioimmunotherapy group was pretreated with two rituximab doses (250 mg/m(2)) to improve biodistribution and one dose of indium-111 ibritumomab tiuxetan for imaging and dosimetry. The primary end point, overall response rate (ORR), was assessed by an independent, blinded, lymphoma expert panel. RESULTS ORR was 80% for the (90)Y ibritumomab tiuxetan group versus 56% for the rituximab group (P =.002). Complete response (CR) rates were 30% and 16% in the (90)Y ibritumomab tiuxetan and rituximab groups, respectively (P =.04). An additional 4% achieved an unconfirmed CR in each group. Kaplan-Meier estimated median duration of response was 14.2 months in the (90)Y ibritumomab tiuxetan group versus 12.1 months in the control group (P =.6), and time to progression was 11.2 versus 10.1 months (P =.173) in all patients. Durable responses of > or = 6 months were 64% versus 47% (P =.030). Reversible myelosuppression was the primary toxicity noted with (90)Y ibritumomab tiuxetan. CONCLUSION Radioimmunotherapy with (90)Y ibritumomab tiuxetan is well tolerated and produces statistically and clinically significant higher ORR and CR compared with rituximab alone.
Funds Flow vs. Expectational Theories of Research and Development Expenditures in the Firm

and are of interest for this reason. ' They can also be useful per se in understanding the effects of such expenditures on industry and general market conditions, and vice versa. Several studies have been undertaken recently concerned with determinants of R & D spending in the firm. Grabowski [2] has found that inter-firm differences in technology, product diversification, and internally generated cash are significant in explaining firm R & D activity in the petroleum, drug, and chemical industries. Mansfield [5] has found statistical support among firms in the chemical and petroleum industries for an explanatory model of spending based upon expected returns. Mueller [7] has studied an explanatory model which recognizes interdependence between R & D, marketing, and capital expenditures. His results imply an important explanatory role for past profits and past depreciation, both interpreted as measures of command over internal funds. He also finds an important role for industry research expenditures in explaining firm R & D expenditures [7, 65]. A unique facet of these studies is contained in Mueller's analysis, in which significant explanatory power attaches to the level of industry R & D expenditures,
Comments on some theories of fuzzy computation

In classical computability theory, there are several (equivalent) definitions of computable function, decidable subset and semi-decidable subset. This paper is devoted to the discussion of some proposals for extending these definitions to the framework of fuzzy set theory. The paper mainly focuses on the notions of fuzzy Turing machine and fuzzy computability by limit processes. The basic idea of this paper is that the presence of real numbers in the interval [0,1] forces us to refer to endless approximation processes (as in recursive analysis) and not to processes terminating after a finite number of steps and giving the exact output (as in recursive arithmetic). In accordance with such a point of view, an extension of the famous Church thesis is proposed.
Planar Miniaturized Balanced-to-Single-Ended Power Divider Based on Composite Left- and Right-Handed Transmission Lines

A planar asymmetrical miniaturized circuit based on composite left- and right-handed transmission lines (CLRHTLs) is proposed to design a new balanced-to-single-ended (BTSE) power divider (PD) in this letter. The CLRHTLs are used to realize circuit miniaturization and positive-phase response. Conversion between the mixed-mode scattering parameters and the standard scattering parameters, and circuit analytical methods are discussed to realize the equal power division in phase from one differential input to two SE outputs. To verify the correctness of the proposed theory, a practical BTSE PD, which operates at 0.95 GHz, is designed and fabricated. The measured relative bandwidth is 26.3%, and the final circuit size is only $0.021~\lambda _{g}^{2}$ .
Approaches to the Identification and Recording of Nasal Lesions in Toxicology Studies *

The identification, recording, and interpretation of nasal lesions can be a difficult task in toxicology studies. The objective of this article is to provide some guidelines for approaches to nasal toxicologic pathology, based on the author's experience and information available in the published literature. Identification of treatment-induced nasal lesions requires adequate in-life and post-mortem observation, and thorough histopathology. Histopathologic assessment is dependent upon high quality and consistent histologic preparations, adequate knowledge of nasal anatomy and histology, and experience with the range of aging, background, and treatment-induced lesions that may be encountered. In recent years there has been a marked increase in the number of articles reporting nasal pathology in studies for which materials were delivered by inhalation and by non-inhalation routes. Because of the increasing size of this database, it is recommended that standardized and systematic nomenclature be developed for these changes. The following points are considered to be particularly important: 1) alert animal care staff to clinical changes that may indicate nasal lesions; 2) screen animals for nasal disease, such as nasal nematodes in non-human primates; 3) record gross lesions during trimming of decalcified nasal tissues; 4) save spare tissue in fixative; 5) remember that the normal bilateral symmetry of the nose can be a valuable diagnostic aid; 6) avoid excessive lumping or splitting of diagnoses; 7) develop a logical order for recording of lesions (the approach preferred by the author is degenerative, inflammatory, regenerative, proliferative, for each of the epithelial types in a logical anatomical order, such as squamous, transitional, respiratory, and olfactory); 8) accurately determine the site of toxic responses; 9) keep a notebook of interesting or important observations and ideas if you are using a computerized data acquisition system; 10) consider the role of factors that may account for lesion distribution (regional dose and tissue susceptibility) during interpretation of tissue responses; and 11) during preparation of the descriptive narrative, clearly define what occurred, where and when it occurred, and consider the use of simple anatomical diagrams as an adjunct to the text. Adequate lesion detection and characterization by the toxicologic pathologist is often a critical feature of toxicology studies, and can play an important role in determination of human risks associated with exposure to xenobiotics. A systematic but flexible approach is recommended.
Oversampling A-to-D and D-to-A converters with multistage noise shaping modulators

High-resolution oversampling analog-to-digital-to-analog converters are proposed. The converters utilize multistage noise shaping modulation techniques that can be implemented with VLSI MOS technology. The modulators consist of multiconnected single-integration delta-sigma modulation loops. Quantization noise in the first delta-sigma loop is requantized by the next delta-sigma loop and cancelled by adding the requantized noise to the first-stage signal. Quantization noise in the modulated signal is suppressed by double or multiple integration gain. Modulator resolution increases with the number of stages without feedback loop instability problems. A three-stage multistage noise shaping modulator with 1-bit quantization achieves the equivalent of 16-bit resolution for the hi-fi audio band at 2-MHz sampling rate. Simulation results show that analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter circuits constructed of switched capacitors do not require highly accurate components. >
Ruggedised low frequency range vibration sensor using fiber Bragg gratings

We report a fiber optic vibration sensor developed from a Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensor. Three FBG vibration sensors are constructed and subjected to drop test, vibration test and mock train-railway positioning test. All the Bragg wavelengths of the sensors, as well as the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) graphs are recorded by a computer via an FBG interrogator. Two commercial FBG vibration sensors are also tested for comparison. The results show that the fabricated sensors are robust, pick up low frequency vibrations, and detect a mini train position on a railway simulation.
Effect of high-intensity intermittent exercise on postprandial plasma triacylglycerol in sedentary young women.

High-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) such as the 30-s Wingate test attenuates postprandial triacylglycerol (TG), however, the ability of shorter versions of HIIE to reduce postprandial TG is undetermined. Thus, the effect of 8-s sprinting bouts of HIIE on blood TG levels of 12 females after consumption of a high-fat meal (HFM) was examined. Twelve young, sedentary women (BMI 25.1 ± 2.3 kg/m²; age 21.3 ± 2.1 years) completed a maximal oxygen uptake test and then on different days underwent either an exercise or a no-exercise postprandial TG condition. Both conditions involved consuming a HFM after a 12-hr fast. The HFM, in milkshake form provided 4170 kJ (993 Kcal) of energy and 98 g fat. Order was counter-balanced. In the exercise condition participants completed 20-min of HIIE cycling consisting of repeated bouts of 8 s sprint cycling (100-115 rpm) and 12 s of active rest (easy pedaling) 14 hr before consuming the HFM. Blood samples were collected hourly after the HFM for 4 hr. Total postprandial TG was 13% lower, p = . 004, in the exercise (5.84 ± 1.08 mmol L⁻¹ 4 h⁻¹) compared with the no-exercise condition (6.71 ± 1.63 mmol L⁻¹ 4 h⁻¹). In conclusion, HIIE significantly attenuated postprandial TG in sedentary young women.
Toxicity and antitumor activity against solid tumors of micelle-forming polymeric anticancer drug and its extremely long circulation in blood.

Toxicity and in vivo antitumor activity against five solid tumors (C 26, C 38, M 5076, MKN-45, MX-1) of Adriamycin (ADR)-conjugated poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(aspartic acid) block copolymer (PEG-P[Asp(ADR)]) were evaluated, and its pharmacokinetic behavior in blood and biodistribution by i.v. injection were obtained. PEG-P[Asp(ADR)] was revealed to express higher antitumor activity than ADR against all the examined tumors except MKN-45. Especially against C 26, PEG-P[Asp(ADR)] expressed critical suppression of tumor growth and considerably prolonged life span of the treated mice. PEG-P[Asp(ADR)] was observed in blood at much higher concentrations with a longer half-life than ADR after the i.v. injection. PEG-P[Asp(ADR)] was known to form a micellar structure with a diameter of approximately 50 nm and a narrow distribution in phosphate-buffered saline. Therefore, the stabilized circulation of ADR residue in blood by binding to the block copolymer was considered to result from the micellar structure which possesses the hydrated outer shell composed of the poly(ethylene glycol) chains.
Structural basis of toxicity and immunity in contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems

Contact-dependent growth inhibition (CDI) systems encode polymorphic toxin/immunity proteins that mediate competition between neighboring bacterial cells. We present crystal structures of CDI toxin/immunity complexes from Escherichia coli EC869 and Burkholderia pseudomallei 1026b. Despite sharing little sequence identity, the toxin domains are structurally similar and have homology to endonucleases. The EC869 toxin is a Zn2+-dependent DNase capable of completely degrading the genomes of target cells, whereas the Bp1026b toxin cleaves the aminoacyl acceptor stems of tRNA molecules. Each immunity protein binds and inactivates its cognate toxin in a unique manner. The EC869 toxin/immunity complex is stabilized through an unusual β-augmentation interaction. In contrast, the Bp1026b immunity protein exploits shape and charge complementarity to occlude the toxin active site. These structures represent the initial glimpse into the CDI toxin/immunity network, illustrating how sequence-diverse toxins adopt convergent folds yet retain distinct binding interactions with cognate immunity proteins. Moreover, we present visual demonstration of CDI toxin delivery into a target cell.
2.4 Tb/s (120 /spl times/ 20 Gb/s) transmission over transoceanic distance using optimum FEC overhead and 48 % spectral efficiency

We have demonstrated 2.4 Tb/s (120 /spl times/ 20 Gb/s) transmission over the transoceanic distance of 6,200 km using optimum forward error correction (FEC) code overhead, 48% spectral efficiency, ultra-low slope dispersion map, and full C-band EDFAs.
The Theory of Developing Polities

A decade ago Roy Macridis waved a red flag in the face of the politicel science fraternity by proclaiming that the collection of data on foreign political systems had become a sterile preoccupation because of its parochial and “monographic” concern with a limited number of Western great powers, and its theoretical shallowness.1 During the intervening years considerable money and time have been spent in a frontal attack on these deficiencies. Spearheading this attack has been a band of younger scholars brought together under the leadership of Gabriel Almond in the Committee on Comparative Politics of the Social Science Research Council.
ADC and DSP challenges in the development of software radio base stations

The need for software-defined radios raises a number of technical challenges, which play a significant role in the development of third-generation personal communications systems (PCS). Some of the most important technical challenges deal with analog-to-digital conversion and digital signal processing technologies, which, in many cases, cannot provide the advanced hardware needed to support the demanding PCS telecommunications services. We discuss these two technical challenges, focusing primarily on base station radio systems. We first identify the most important requirements for ADC and DSP technologies, and we then extensively discuss and/or propose enabling schemes that could relax these requirements and aid the implementation of software radio base stations. Furthermore, we discuss new structures that can support the development of physically distributed base stations.