Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antifungal Therapy Strategies in Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplant Recipients: Early Treatment Options for Improving Outcomes

Changes in clinical practice permit more patients to undergo hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation but also have increased the risk for invasive fungal infection (IFI) in this population. Given the difficulties in the diagnosis of fungal infection and the correlation between delays in therapy and poor outcome, earlier treatment, and prophylactic strategies are attractive options for the management of IFIs in high-risk patients. The selection of the most effective antifungal treatment strategy requires a thorough knowledge of IFI risk factors, potential causative organisms, and the safety and efficacy of appropriate antifungal agents.
Physiological Basis for Transfusion Therapy in Hemorrhagic Disorders: A Critical Review

The theme of this issue is the preservation of plasma clotting factors. Dr. Aggeler was invited to prepare an editorial on this subject. He became so engrossed that before he knew it his editorial had grown to the proportions of this review which is presented as an “editorial review. ” (Editor)
Ordering and reduction of BDDs for multi-input adders using evolutionary algorithm

Boolean function manipulation is an important component of many logic synthesis algorithms including logic optimization and logic verification of combinational and sequential circuits. Digital integrated circuits, often represented as Boolean functions, can be best-manipulated graphically in the form of Binary Decision Diagrams (BDD). Reduced-ordered binary decision diagrams (ROBDDs) are data structures for representation and manipulation of Boolean functions. The variable ordering largely influences the size of the BDD, varying from linear to exponential. In this paper, an evolutionary algorithm named genetic algorithm has been proposed for minimization of shared ordered BDDs by finding the optimal input variable ordering that aims to minimize the node count using evolutionary algorithm. The proposed algorithm gives upto 73.4% less nodes for multi-input adders.
Delirium is associated with early postoperative cognitive dysfunction

The purpose of this analysis was to determine if postoperative delirium was associated with early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (at 7 days) and long‐term postoperative cognitive dysfunction (at 3 months). The International Study of Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction recruited 1218 subjects ≥ 60 years old undergoing elective, non‐cardiac surgery. Postoperatively, subjects were evaluated for delirium using the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. Subjects underwent neuropsychological testing pre‐operatively and postoperatively at 7 days (n = 1018) and 3 months (n = 946). Postoperative cognitive dysfunction was defined as a composite Z‐score > 2 across tests or at least two individual test Z‐scores > 2. Subjects with delirium were significantly less likely to participate in postoperative testing. Delirium was associated with an increased incidence of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (adjusted risk ratio 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.1), but not long‐term postoperative cognitive dysfunction (adjusted risk ratio 1.3, 95% CI 0.6–2.4). Delirium was associated with early postoperative cognitive dysfunction, but the relationship of delirium to long‐term postoperative cognitive dysfunction remains unclear.
Conformational mobility of His-64 in the Thr-200----Ser mutant of human carbonic anhydrase II.

The three-dimensional structure of the Thr-200----Ser (T200S) mutant of human carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) has been determined by X-ray crystallographic methods at 2.1-A resolution. This particular mutant of CAII exhibits CO2 hydrase activity that is comparable to that of the wild-type enzyme with a 2-fold stabilization of the E.HCO3- complex and esterase activity that is 4-fold greater than that of the wild-type enzyme. The structure of the mutant enzyme reveals no significant local changes accompanying the conservative T200S substitution, but an important nonlocal structural change is evident: the side chain of catalytic residue His-64 rotates away from the active site by 105 degrees about chi 1 and apparently displaces a water molecule. The displaced water molecule is present in the wild-type enzyme; however, the electron density into which this water is built is interpretable as an alternate conformation of His-64 with 10-20% occupancy. The rate constants for proton transfer from the zinc-water ligand to His-64 and from His-64 to bulk solvent are maintained in the T200S variant; therefore, if His-64 is conformationally mobile about chi 1 and/or chi 2 during catalysis, compensatory changes in solvent configuration must sustain efficient proton transfer.
Satellite Radar Interferometry for Monitoring Ice Sheet Motion: Application to an Antarctic Ice Stream

Satellite radar interferometry (SRI) provides a sensitive means of monitoring the flow velocities and grounding-line positions of ice streams, which are indicators of response of the ice sheets to climatic change or internal instability. The detection limit is about 1.5 millimeters for vertical motions and about 4 millimeters for horizontal motions in the radar beam direction. The grounding line, detected by tidal motions where the ice goes afloat, can be mapped at a resolution of ∼0.5 kilometer. The SRI velocities and grounding line of the Rutford Ice Stream, Antarctica, agree fairly well with earlier ground-based data. The combined use of SRI and other satellite methods is expected to provide data that will enhance the understanding of ice stream mechanics and help make possible the prediction of ice sheet behavior.
Quinic Acids from Aster caucasicus and from Transgenic Callus Expressing a β-Amyrin Synthase§

Several different classes of secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, triterpenoid saponins and quinic acid derivatives, are found in Aster spp. (Fam. Asteraceae). Several Aster compounds revealed biological as well as pharmacological activities. In this work, a phytochemical investigation of A. caucasicus evidenced the presence of quinic acid derivatives, as well as the absence of triterpene saponins. To combine in one species the production of different phytochemicals, including triterpenes, an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of A. caucasicus was set up to introduce A. sedifolius β-amyrin synthase (AsOXA1)-encoding gene under the control of the constitutive promoter CaMV35S. The quali-quantitative analysis of transgenic calli with ectopic expression of AsOXA1 showed, in one sample, a negligible amount of triterpene saponins combined with higher amount of quinic acid derivatives as compared with the wild type callus.
Lactate and glucose metabolism in severe sepsis and cardiogenic shock*

Objective:To evaluate the relative importance of increased lactate production as opposed to decreased utilization in hyperlactatemic patients, as well as their relation to glucose metabolism. Design:Prospective observational study. Setting:Surgical intensive care unit of a university hospital. Patients:Seven patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, seven patients with cardiogenic shock, and seven healthy volunteers. Interventions:13C-labeled sodium lactate was infused at 10 &mgr;mol/kg/min and then at 20 &mgr;mol/kg/min over 120 mins each. 2H-labeled glucose was infused throughout. Measurements and Main Results:Baseline arterial lactate was higher in septic (3.2 ± 2.6) and cardiogenic shock patients (2.8 ± 0.4) than in healthy volunteers (0.9 ± 0.20 mmol/L, p < .05). Lactate clearance, computed using pharmacokinetic calculations, was similar in septic, cardiogenic shock, and controls, respectively: 10.8 ± 5.4, 9.6 ± 2.1, and 12.0 ± 2.6 mL/kg/min. Endogenous lactate production was determined as the initial lactate concentration multiplied by lactate clearance. It was markedly enhanced in the patients (septic 26.2 ± 10.5; cardiogenic shock 26.6 ± 5.1) compared with controls (11.2 ± 2.7 &mgr;mol/kg/min, p < .01). 13C-lactate oxidation (septic 54 ± 25; cardiogenic shock 43 ± 16; controls 65 ± 15% of a lactate load of 10 &mgr;mol/kg/min) and transformation of 13C-lactate into 13C-glucose were not different (respectively, 15 ± 15, 9 ± 18, and 10 ± 7%). Endogenous glucose production was markedly increased in the patients (septic 14.8 ± 1.8; cardiogenic shock 15.0 ± 1.5) compared with controls (7.2 ± 1.1 &mgr;mol/kg/min, p < .01) and was not influenced by lactate infusion. Conclusions:In patients suffering from septic or cardiogenic shock, hyperlactatemia was mainly related to increased production, whereas lactate clearance was similar to healthy subjects. Increased lactate production was concomitant to hyperglycemia and increased glucose turnover, suggesting that the latter substantially influences lactate metabolism during critical illness.
Software Engineering Programs Are Not Computer Science Programs

Software Engineering programs have become a source of contention in many universities. Computer Science departments, many of which have used that phrase to describe individual courses for decades, claim SE as part of their discipline. Yet some engineering faculties claim it as a new specialty among the engineering disciplines. This article discusses the differences between traditional CS programs and most engineering programs, and argues that we need SE programs that follow the traditional engineering approach to professional education.
Pattern-based Classification of Rhythms

We present a pattern-based approach for the rhythm classification task that combines an Auto-correlation function (ACF) and Discrete Fourier transform (DFT). Rhythm hypotheses are first extracted from symbolic input data, e.g. MIDI data, by the ACF. These hypotheses are validated by the use of DFT to remove duplicates before the classification process. The classification of rhythms is performed using ACF in combination with rhythm patterns contained in a knowledge base. In this, the input data is classified against basic rhythmic patterns in the knowledge base. The evaluation of this method is performed using pre-labelled input data. We show that a knowledge-based approach is reasonable to address the problem of rhythm classification for symbolic data.
Current-source parallel resonant class E inverter with low peak switch current

This paper proposes a current-source parallel resonant Class E inverter with low peak switch current. The proposed circuit consists of two switches, a parallel resonant circuit, a capacitor, an inductor, a choke inductor, and a DC voltage source. The peak current flowing through the switches is no more than the input current, which reduces the current stress of the switching devices. Zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and zero-voltage derivative switching (ZVDS) are maintained, therefore, high power conversion efficiency is achieved under high operating frequency. Moreover, both the source pins of the switches are grounded, so that no complex gate drive circuit is needed. A circuit analysis, simulation, and circuit experiment were carried out. The simulation results and the experimental results were in good agreement. Measured power conversion efficiency was over 91.3 % with the output power 2.6 W and the input voltage 10 V at the operating frequency 500 kHz.
Proprioception In Insects: III. The Function Of The Hair Sensilla At The Joints

1. Concentrations of hair sensilla have been noted by a number of authors in the joints of the insect body and limbs. 2. Special groups of such sensilla in the form of "hair plates" are described from three positions on the legs of Periplaneta americana . 3. The hairs of the hair plates are mechanical sense organs with a slow rate of adaptation. 4. In life the hairs are excited by a fold of the intersegmental membrane, the excitation varying with the position of the joint. 5. It is suggested that these and similar structures in other parts of the bodies of insects act as "position" sense organs.
Multiple intracranial metastases from postoperative giant sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma: A case report and literature review

Sarcomatoid malignant pleural mesothelioma (SMPM) is a rare tumor with poor response to treatment and a dismal prognosis. Distant metastases are not uncommon and usually appear at the late stages of the disease. However, cerebral metastases have rarely been documented. We herein report a case of a giant sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pleura in a 41-year-old male patient with no history of exposure to asbestos, who presented with a chief complaint of left-sided chest pain for 1 month. Extrapleural pneumonectomy and rib excision were performed. At 5 months after the surgery, the patient was diagnosed with multiple intracranial metastatic neoplasms and succumbed to the disease soon thereafter. The aim of the present case report was to emphasize this rare metastatic pattern and aggressive clinical course of SMPM, with a supplementary review of the previously published literature.
Evaluating different active crop canopy sensors for estimating rice yield potential

GreenSeeker active crop canopy sensor has been widely reported in literature for in-season nitrogen (N) management. An N fertilization optimization algorithm has been developed to use this sensor for topdressing N recommendation. An important component of this algorithm is to use crop sensor to estimate yield potential before topdressing N application. In addition to GreenSeeker, another commercial crop sensor, Crop Circle ACS - 470, has been recently developed with 6 possible spectral band choices (blue, green, two red bands, red edge and NIR). Little research has been conducted to compare these two sensors for estimating rice yield potential. The objective of this research was to determine how much improvements the Crop Circle ACS 470 would achieve for estimating rice yield potential at stem elongation stage, as compared with GreenSeeker sensor. Four N rate experiments were conducted in Jiansanjiang, Heilongjiang Province, in Northeast China in 2008 and 2009. The FieldSpec 3 hyperspectral canopy sensor was used to collect canopy reflectance, which was used to simulate spectral bands of GreenSeeker and Crop Circle sensors. The results indicated that in-season estimate of yield (INSEY) calculated with GreenSeeker NDVI and RVI could explain 42% and 62% of yield potential variability. The INSEY calculated with nine vegetation indices using simulated Crop Circle spectral bands performed better than GreenSeeker indices, with R2 being 0.64-0.75. INSEY (MTCARI) had the best performance, explaining 75% of the yield potential variability, followed by INSEY (MCARI1) (R2=0.73). The preliminary result indicated that Crop Circle ACS 470 sensor could explain 13% more variability in rice yield potential at stem elongation stage. More studies are needed to more systematically evaluate all possible vegetation indices that can be calculated with Crop Circle spectral bands for estimating rice yield potential at different growth stages.
Enhanced nuclear factor-kappa B activation induced by tumour necrosis factor-alpha in stably tat-transfected cells is associated with the presence of cell-surface-bound Tat protein.

OBJECTIVE An enhanced nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B activation in response to tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha has been observed in stably tat-transfected cells. Recent experimental evidence suggests that Tat may autocrinously influence both cellular physiology and HIV-1 long terminal repeat-directed gene expression in Tat-producing cells. Therefore, the possible association of a Tat autocrinous loop with the enhanced NF-kappa B-binding activity induced by TNF-alpha in Tat-producing cells was studied by anti-Tat antibody blocking experiments. DESIGN AND METHODS Permanently tat-transfected Jurkat cells, maintained either in the presence or absence of anti-Tat antibody, were studied for the presence of TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappa B-binding activity (quantified by electrophoretic mobility shift assays) and the presence of cell-surface-bound Tat (determined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy of anti-Tat immunofluorescence-stained cell preparations. RESULTS The enhanced production of TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappa B binding activity exhibited by tat-transfected Jurkat cells was completely abolished in cell cultures maintained in the presence of anti-Tat antibody, thus indicating that the increased TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappa B binding activity observed in Jurkat-tat cells was dependent on the presence of Tat protein in an antibody-accessible location. In accordance with these findings, immunofluorescence-stained preparations of unfixed tat-transfected Jurkat cells showed the presence of cell-surface-bound Tat protein which was completely absent in cells incubated in the presence of anti-Tat antibodies. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the enhanced NF-kappa B activation exhibited by stably tat-transfected cells in response to TNF-alpha, is associated with cell surface interaction of extracellularly released Tat protein. These data add further evidence to the possible relevance of a Tat autocrinous loop in the physiology of Tat-producing cells and suggest that in HIV-1-infected cells Tat is likely to behave as a bifunctional molecule which not only acts from within facilitating NF-kappa B recruitment in the viral transcription complex, but may also act from without increasing the availability of activated NF-kappa B.
Prescribing indicators. Development and validation of guideline-based prescribing indicators as an instrument to measure the variation in the prescribing behaviour of general practitioners.

BACKGROUND Differences in prescribing behaviour among general practitioners (GPs). AIM To formulate and validate clinical prescribing indicators based on general practice guidelines. DESIGN Validatory study. SETTING Pharmacies and general practices in the Netherlands in 2003. PARTICIPANTS A total of 379 pharmacies, 947 general practices and 3.8 million patients. METHODS A total of 51 potential indicators were formulated, based on medicinal recommendations from the evidence-based guidelines of the Dutch College of General Practitioners and the corresponding recommendations from the Commission Pharmaceutical Help of the Health Care Insurance Board. These indicators were submitted to an expert panel to assess content validity. The panel assessment was analysed using the RAND-UCLA appropriateness method (RAM). Then, for the remaining indicators, it was assessed to what extent these could be used to determine the prescribing behaviour of GPs and the level to which this behaviour varies among GPs. This was done using a prescribing analyses and cost (PACT) database that was compiled from prescription databases from 379 pharmacies, with all prescriptions from 1,434 GPs over an entire year to 3.8 million patients. RESULTS The panel considered 34 of the 51 potential indicators to be valid with respect to providing an adequate reflection of the central recommendations in the guideline and in terms of relevance with respect to health gain and/or efficiency. Of these 34 indicators, 20 revealed considerable differences in the prescribing behaviour of GPs. CONCLUSION On the basis of existing general practice guidelines, 20 prescribing indicators could be formulated that were assessed by an expert panel to be sufficiently valid and which could also discriminate the prescribing behaviour of GPs as reflected in the prescription databases of pharmacies.
Monte Carlo evaluation of electron transport in heterojunction bipolar transistor base structures

Electron transport through base structures of AlxGa1-xAs heterojunction bipolar transistors is evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of both ballistic launching ramps and graded bases for reducing base transit time. Both techniques are limited, however, in their ability to maintain short transit times across the wide bases that are desirable for reduction of base resistance. Simulation results demonstrate that neither technique is capable of maintaining a 1-ps transit time across a 0.25-µm base. The physical mechanisms responsible for limiting the performance of each structure are identified and a promising hybrid structure is described.
High‐dose cyclophosphamide and adriamycin with DTIC maintenance for metastatic soft tissue sarcomas

Intensive chemotherapy with high‐dose cyclophosphamide and adriamycin with DTIC maintenance was given to 12 patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcomas. A partial response rate of 25% was seen; this is no better than can be achieved with single‐agent therapy. Because of substantial toxicity without improved efficacy, the trial of high dose therapy was halted.
The influence of the absence of rumen protozoa on ruminant production.

The results of a 6yr research programme designed to investigate the effects of removing protozoa from the rumen of sheep and cattle are discussed in relation to recently published results of similar studies conducted in other laboratories. Evidence is presented which suggests that the removal of protozoa from the rumen is associated with an increase in the availability of protein for digestion in and absorption from the intestines. This response has been demonstrated in animals held under laboratory and grazing conditions.
Hyper- and Hypoventilation Affects Spinal Motor Neuron Excitability During Isoflurane Anesthesia

Increasing evidence indicates that the spinal cord is an important site of anesthetic action necessary for surgical immobility.Whether clinical hyper- or hypoventilation affects motor neuron excitability during general anesthesia is unknown. To clarify this issue, we studied seven adult ASA physical status I or II patients undergoing elective surgery. Spinal motor neuron excitability was determined by measuring the posterior tibial nerve H reflex and F wave. The baseline H reflex and F wave were recorded before anesthesia using electrodes placed over the soleus and abductor hallucis muscles. After inhaled induction, the end-tidal isoflurane concentration in O2 was maintained at 0.8%. Ventilation was controlled to maintain a steady-state ETCO (2) of 25 +/- 1 and 45 +/- 1 mm Hg randomly for 20 min. Then the H-reflex and F wave were recorded. The difference in H reflex and F wave were analyzed using Student's paired t-test. The baseline H-reflex amplitude (6.8 +/- 2.7 mV) decreased to 4.0 +/- 2.0 mV (P < 0.01) at an ETCO2 of 25 mm Hg and to 2.0 +/- 2.2 mV (P < 0.01) at an ETCO2 of 45 mm Hg. The F-wave persistence (100%) decreased to 77% +/- 24% (P < 0.05) at an ETCO2 of 25 mm Hg and to 61% +/- 19% at an ETCO2 of 45 mm Hg (P < 0.01). Changing ETCO2 values affected H-reflex amplitude and F-wave persistence (P < 0.05), which suggests a change of spinal cord motor neuron excitability, which may affect surgical immobility. Implications: The spinal cord is important for preventing patient movement during surgery. The likelihood of movement may be predicted by measuring the spinal motor neuron excitability by using the H reflex and F wave. Our results show that intraoperative hyper- and hypoventilation can change the H reflex and F wave, which may affect the probability of patient movement during surgery. (Anesth Analg 1998;87:407-10)
Wheat seed proteins regulated by imbibition independent of dormancy status

Seed dormancy is an important trait in wheat (Trticum aestivum L.) and it can be released by germination-stimulating treatments such as after-ripening. Previously, we identified proteins specifically associated with after-ripening mediated developmental switches of wheat seeds from the state of dormancy to germination. Here, we report seed proteins that exhibited imbibition induced co-regulation in both dormant and after-ripened seeds of wheat, suggesting that the expression of these specific proteins/protein isoforms is not associated with the maintenance or release of seed dormancy in wheat.