Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DEFINING GASTROINTESTINAL FAILURE

Abstract Introduction: Gastrointestinal failure (GIF) has been postulated as the motor of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) but is not commonly included among other organ failures in scoring systems identifying MODS. Materials and Methods: Relevant articles and published reviews were identified and analyzed through a PubMed search of English language literature on gastrointestinal problems. Results and discussion: Wide variability in terms and definitions was observed. Data on the incidence of GIF and its impact on mortality in critically ill patients are controversial. Very few objectively measurable variables of GI function are available. Most of the definitions of GIF are diagnosis-, but not function-based. Diagnosis-based approach to GIF differs significantly from the function-based assessment of other organ failures and has not justified itself over time. Conclusions: There is no consensus on definition of GIF and different medical specialties have different approaches. Development of a proper definition of GIF is warranted.
Participation of Wind Power in LMP-Based Energy Markets

Since the advent of the integration of wind power technologies into power systems, power system operators have developed numerous strategies to accommodate its impacts. At low penetrations, many system operators will treat wind power as negative load, in that it is planned for as a fixed value, not as an option to assist in the optimal dispatch solution. However, a number of system operators have recently seen the benefits of allowing wind power to be part of the optimal dispatch or commitment solution. This paper discusses the potential societal benefits to the energy market by allowing the economic dispatch of wind generation in times when it may enhance reliability and be economically advantageous to do so.
Extraforaminal with or without foraminal disk herniation: reliable MRI findings.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to evaluate spinal MR images for extraforaminal disk herniation with or without foraminal disk herniation to determine the reliable MRI findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-five patients with extraforaminal with or without foraminal disk herniation confirmed at radiculography or surgery between March 2005 and July 2007 underwent spinal MRI. We assessed the morphologic features of the disk, changes in nerve root thickness, epidural fat obliteration surrounding the nerve root, and displacement of the nerve root in the foraminal and extraforaminal zones. RESULTS Mixed disk herniation was found in 23 patients, and purely extraforaminal herniation was found in 12 patients. Focal eccentricity of the disk contour was identified in 32 patients (91%). Change in the nerve root thickness was found in 30 patients (86%). The nerve roots were displaced in 22 patients (63%), and the original location was maintained in nine patients (26%). Differentiation between the disk and the nerve root was poor in four of the 35 patients (11%). Obliteration of the epidural fat surrounding the nerve root was present in all patients. CONCLUSION The presence of extraforaminal with or without foraminal disk herniation should be ascertained on the basis of the following MRI findings: focal eccentricity of the disk contour, obliteration of epidural fat surrounding the nerve root, change in the thickness of the nerve root, and displacement of the nerve root.
Knowledge-Based Contextual Overlap keen Ideas for Word Sense Disambiguation using Wordnet

Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD) is a task of identifying correct sense of a given word especially when it has multiple meanings. WSD acts as a foundation to many AI applications such as Data Mining, Information Retrieval and Machine Translation. It has drawn much interest in the last decade and much improved results are being obtained. For WSD we require a knowledge-base, using which we can resolve the ambiguity and identify the correct sense of a given word in a sentence. The most commonly used computational lexicon for WSD, especially for English, is the English Wordnet, which later inspired the use of Wordnet specifically for WSD for Indo-Aryan languages such as Hindi, Sanskrit, etc. In this paper we explore some ideas that may enhance the efficiency of knowledge-based contextual overlap WSD algorithms when they are used on Wordnets.
Trust-Based Work Time and the Productivity Effects of Mobile Information Technologies in the Workplace

We investigate whether the returns to mobile information and communication technology (ICT) in the workplace are contingent on granting employees autonomy over the structure of their workday through trust-based work time arrangements (TBW). Our regression analysis is based on a production function framework and exploits fine-grained firm survey data on ICT use and organisational practices for 1,045 service firms in Germany. We find empirical support for the argument that the returns to mobile ICT are higher when TBW allows for discretion over when, where and how to perform work-related tasks. The finding holds when we account for more limited forms of workplace flexibility, suggesting that the high degree of formal employee autonomy under TBW drives the complementarity between mobile ICT and organisational practices.
Ultra-pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry targeted profiling of arachidonic acid and eicosanoids in human colorectal cancer.

Cumulative evidence shows that eicosanoids such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes and hydroxy eicosatetraenoic acids play an important role in associating inflammation with human colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study an ultra-pressure liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the targeted profiling of eight relevant eicosanoids and the major metabolic precursor, arachidonic acid (AA), in human colon. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) experiments were performed in negative electrospray ionization mode. The metabolites were separated using a C(18) column consisting of 1.7 µm ethylene-bridged hybrid particles (100 × 2.1 mm i.d.) and gradient elution (50 to 95% of solvent B) with a mobile phase comprising water (0.1% formic acid) [solvent A] and acetonitrile (0.1% formic acid) [solvent B] at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The analysis time for each sample was 5.5 min. Our UPLC/MS/MS method demonstrated satisfactory validation results in terms of selectivity, sensitivity, matrix effect, linearity, extraction efficiency, intra- and inter-day precision, accuracy and autosampler stability. The method was applied for the clinical profiling of matched pairs of cancerous and normal colon mucosae obtained from eight colorectal cancer patients. Endogenous levels of AA and selected eicosanoids such as prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), prostacyclin (PGI(2)) [assayed as its stable hydrolytic product 6-keto-prostaglandin(1α) (6-k PGF(1α))] and 12-hydroxy-5Z,8Z,10E,14Z-eicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) were found to be significantly different (p <0.05; paired t-test) between cancerous and normal mucosae.
New heuristic for determination Gaussian kernels parameter

For SVM using Gaussian kernel, it was known that parameter /spl sigma/ changing from infinity to zero corresponds SVM model performing severe under-fitting to severe over-fitting. In this paper, we theoretically investigated the correspondence between Gaussian kernel's parameter and support vectors' distribution, interesting result was found: with /spl sigma/'s changing from big to small, the samples nearest to other class first become support vectors, then nearest and farthest ones, finally all samples become support vectors. Then we proposed a new heuristic algorithm based on Zhangling et al.'s boundary points theory for selecting Gaussian kernel's parameter. Experimental results showed this heuristic performed well on selecting a suitable a for Gaussian kernel.
Biosynthesis of chondroitin sulfate. 3. Formation of a sulfated glycosaminoglycan with a microsomal preparation from chick embryo cartilage.

Abstract A microsomal preparation from chick embryo epiphyseal cartilage previously has been shown to catalyze the formation of chondroitin and to catalyze the incorporation of sulfate-35S into endogenous microsomal chondroitin sulfate. This same preparation has now been shown to catalyze the new formation of chondroitin-14C sulfate. This formation requires the addition of 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate as well as uridine diphosphate N-acetylgalactosamine and uridine diphosphate glucuronic acid-14C to the reaction mixture. The final products, which appear to be a mixture of approximately 25% chondroitin sulfate and 75% chondroitin, remain bound to the microsomal preparation. It is suggested that the polysaccharide polymerization and sulfation to form chondroitin sulfate take place in close proximity in the cell.
The solution structure of horseshoe crab antimicrobial peptide tachystatin B with an inhibitory cystine‐knot motif

Tachystatin B is an antimicrobial and a chitin‐binding peptide isolated from the Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) consisting of two isopeptides called tachystatin B1 and B2. We have determined their solution structures using NMR experiments and distance geometry calculations. The 20 best converged structures of tachystatin B1 and B2 exhibited root mean square deviations of 0.46 and 0.49 Å, respectively, for the backbone atoms in Cys4‐Arg40. Both structures have identical conformations, and they contain a short antiparallel β‐sheet with an inhibitory cystine‐knot (ICK) motif that is distributed widely in the antagonists for voltage‐gated ion channels, although tachystatin B does not have neurotoxic activity. The structural homology search provided several peptides with structures similar to that of tachystatin B. However, most of them have the advanced functions such as insecticidal activity, suggesting that tachystatin B may be a kind of ancestor of antimicrobial peptide in the molecular evolutionary history. Tachystatin B also displays a significant structural similarity to tachystatin A, which is member of the tachystatin family. The structural comparison of both tachystatins indicated that Tyr14 and Arg17 in the long loop between the first and second strands might be the essential residues for binding to chitin. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genomanalyse und WWW: Vom Klon zum Klick

Von links nach rechts: H. -W. Mewes, A. Kaps, K. Heumann und A. Maierl. Dr. Hans-Werner Mewes, Arbeitsgruppenleiter von MIPS, studierte Chemie an der Philipps-Universität Marburg und promovierte über die Identifizierung von Proteinen durch computergestützte Aminosäurenanalyse. Seit Beginn der Achtziger Jahre beschäftigt er sich mit Konzepten der Informatik und ihrer Anwendung auf biologische Problemstellungen. Dipl. -Inform. Andreas Kaps, Dipl. -Inform. Klaus Heumann und Dipl. -Inform. Andreas Maierl studierten Informatik an der Technischen Universität München. Sie sind als wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter bei MIPS beschäftigt. K. Heumann beschäftigt sich mit Algorithmen und Datenstrukturen zur biologischen Sequenzdatenanalyse, A. Kaps mit Geschäftsprozeßmodellierung und Workflow-Management im Bereich biologischer Sequenzdatenbanken sowie verteilten Anwendungen, und A. Maierl mit objektorientierter Analyse und Design sowie objektorientierten Datenbanken.
Cajal–Retzius cells and subplate neurons differentially express vesicular glutamate transporters 1 and 2 during development of mouse cortex

In the light of the various neurobiological effects of glutamate in brain development, although some embryonic cells are a probable source of glutamate involved in the development of precursor cells and/or immature neurons, little is known about when and where glutamate plays its crucial roles during corticogenesis. To investigate these roles, we focused on the developmental expression of vesicular glutamate transporter (VGLUT)1 and VGLUT2, which are regarded as the best markers for verifying glutamatergic neuron identity, especially the spatiotemporal distributions of their transcripts and proteins in the developing mouse cortex and hippocampus. In situ hybridization studies revealed that VGLUT1 mRNA is expressed in preplate and marginal zone cells at embryonic day (E)10 and in subplate cells by E13, whereas VGLUT2 mRNA is expressed in preplate and marginal zone cells at E10 and in cells of the subventricular zone by E13. Reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction analysis detected full‐length VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 gene transcripts in the embryonic brain. By dual labeling combined with immunostaining for microtubule‐associated protein 2 (MAP2) or reelin, we showed that MAP2‐positive preplate and marginal zone neurons and subplate neurons express VGLUT1, while reelin‐positive preplate and marginal zone cells and MAP2‐negative subventricular zone cells express VGLUT2. The present study is the first to provide morphologically reliable evidence showing that Cajal–Retzius cells and subplate neurons are glutamatergic, and that the two cells differentially express VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, respectively, as the specific transport system of glutamate in some events orchestrated by these cells during the cortical development of mice.
P o S ( I S G C 2 0 1 4 ) 0 0 9 Prototyping a Cloud Ecosystem for a Regional Public Administration

In this paper we present the lessons learned in the deployment of a Cloud solution in the Marche Region Local Public Administration, which represents one of the pilot experiences at National level. The MarcheCloud (MCloud) pilot Project, started in mid-2012 as a joint collaboration among the Marche Region, National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), University of Camerino and Polytechnic University of Marche.
Color Image Steganalysis Method for LSB Matching

This paper presents a new method for color images steganalysis, in which stego-images have been generated by the LSB Matching steganography method, obtaining a database of 15000 images. For this method the Histogram Characteristic Function Center of Mass (HCFCoM) is used to detect histogram changes in each color channel, and the distance among them is calculated as a form to obtain a unique value between origin (‘0’) and HCF-CoM values. The Probability Density Function (PDF) is used to find an adequate threshold value to achieve better performance. This paper includes a comparison with another LSB steganalysis method reported previously with the same objective of the proposed one. The obtained results show a better performance with low computational cost and easy implementation.
A Systematic Review of the Prognosis of Acute Whiplash and a New Conceptual Framework to Synthesize the Literature

Study Design. Systematic review of prognostic studies of acute whiplash. Objectives. To update the systematic review on the prognosis of acute whiplash published by the Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders and to propose a new conceptual framework to conduct systematic reviews on prognosis. Summary of Background Data. In 1995, the Quebec Task Force published a systematic review of the literature on whiplash and concluded that its prognosis is favorable. However, few prognostic factors were identified. Recent studies have added to this knowledge, and there is a need to update the review conducted by the Quebec Task Force. Methods. A bibliographic search of four electronic databases was performed to identify prognostic studies of acute whiplash published after 1995. The literature was appraised with standard review criteria. The consistency of evidence across studies was assessed. A conceptual framework was designed to classify the literature according to methodologic quality, target population, and phases of investigation. Results. Thirteen cohort studies were included in the review. The framework used in this study demonstrates that most of the recent prognostic studies are descriptive in nature. The prognosis of acute whiplash varies according to the population sampled and the insurance/compensation system under which individuals are allowed to claim benefits. Besides age, gender, baseline neck pain intensity, baseline headache intensity, and baseline radicular signs and symptoms, there is little consistency in the literature about the prognostic factors for the recovery of whiplash. Conclusions. Scant knowledge about the prognosis of whiplash has been gained since the release of the Quebec Task Force report. However, it is becoming obvious that the insurance and compensation systems have a large impact on recovery from acute whiplash injuries. The conceptual framework used in this study demonstrates that large cohort studies investigating a wide range of prognostic factors are necessary to improve the understanding of this problem.
Scheduling an interval ordered precedence graph with communication delays and a limited number of processors

We consider the scheduling of an interval order precedence graph of unit execution time tasks with communication delays, release dates and deadlines. Tasks must be executed by a set of processors partitioned into K classes; each task requires one processor from a fixed class. The aim of this paper is to study the extension of the Leung–Palem–Pnueli (in short LPP) algorithm to this problem. The main result is to prove that the LPP algorithm can be extended to dedicated processors and monotone communication delays. It is also proved that the problem is NP–complete for two dedicated processors if communication delays are non monotone. Lastly, we show that list scheduling algorithm cannot provide a solution for identical processors.
Assessing vertical axis rotations in large-magnitude extensional settings: A transect across the Death Valley extended terrane, California

Models for Neogene crustal deformation in the central Death Valley extended terrane, southeastern California, differ markedly in their estimates of upper crustal extension versus shear translations. Documentation of vertical axis rotations of range-scale crustal blocks (or parts thereof) is critical when attempting to reconstruct this highly extended region. To better define the magnitude, aerial extent, and timing of vertical axis rotation that could mark shear translation of the crust in this area, paleomagnetic data were obtained from Tertiary igneous and remagnetized Paleozoic carbonate rocks along a roughly east-west traverse parallel to about 36°N latitude. Sites were established in ∼7 to 5 Ma volcanic sequences (Greenwater Canyon and Brown's Peak) and the ∼10 Ma Chocolate Sundae Mountain granite in the Greenwater Range, ∼8.5 to 7.5 Ma and 5 to 4 Ma basalts on the east flank of the Black Mountains, the 10.6 Ma Little Chief stock and upper Miocene(? ) basalts in the eastern Panamint Mountains, and Paleozoic Pogonip Group carbonate strata in the north central Panamint Mountains. At the site level, most materials yield readily interpretable paleomagnetic data. Group mean directions, after appropriate structural corrections, suggest no major vertical axis rotation of the Greenwater Range (e.g., D = 359°, I = 46°, α_(95) = 8.0°, N = 12 (7 normal (N), 5 reversed (R) polarity sites)), little post-5 Ma rotation of the eastern Black Mountains (e.g., D = 006°, I = 61°, α_(95) = 4.0°, N = 9 N, 6 R sites), and no significant post-10 Ma rotation of the Panamint Range (e.g., D = 181°, I = −51°, α_(95) = 6.5°, N = 9 R sites). In situ data from the Greenwater Canyon volcanic rocks, Chocolate Sundae Mountain granite, Funeral Peak basalt rocks, the Little Chief stock, and Paleozoic carbonate rocks (remagnetized) are consistent with moderate south east-side-down tilting of the separate range blocks during northwest directed extension. The paleomagnetic data reported here suggest that the Panamints shared none of the 7 Ma to recent clockwise rotation of the Black Mountains crystalline core, as proposed in recent models for transtensional development of the central Death Valley extended terrane.
Overview of presurgical assessment and surgical treatment of epilepsy from the Italian League Against Epilepsy

The Commission for Epilepsy Surgery of the Italian League Against Epilepsy (LICE) presents an overview of the techniques and methodologies of presurgical evaluation and of the surgical treatment of epilepsies. This overview is the result of the experience developed in the past years in the major Italian centers where programs of epilepsy surgery have been established, and it has the aim of offering a quick and easy reference tool for those involved in the treatment of patients with epilepsy. The sharing of different experiences has the additional aim of conforming and disseminating the employed techniques as well as the methods of selection and evaluation of patients. The synthetic coverage of the main issues concerning the presurgical workup and the available surgical options will hopefully provide a framework that may integrate and develop the contributions of every single center, in one of the more complex, challenging, and dynamic areas of neurological sciences.
The structure of exports and revealed comparative advantage of the world largest exporters

Summary: The aims of this paper are to estimate the revealed comparative advantage of the largest world exporters – the USA, Germany and China – in the years 2000-2014 and com-pare the comparative advantage index with the structure of their exports. The classical RCA and the modified RCA DVA index (based on value added) were used for estimating revealed comparative advantage in foreign trade. The analysis shows that the USA had comparative advantage in the trade of agricultural products and services. Germany and China had comparative advantage in the trade of manufactured products. It was ascertained that the correlation between the share of a given good or service in total exports of the countries under study and the RCA DVA index was positive. The structure of Chinese exports was the most consistent with the comparative advantage index, whereas the structure of US exports was the least consistent with this index.
Optimal aperture distribution for near-field detection of foreign objects in lossy media

We determine the optimal source aperture field distribution to maximize the power transfer through a lossy medium from the transmitter aperture to a receiver aperture located in the near-field region. The optimal distribution is determined by applying array signal processing techniques to aperture field modes. By designing the system to be sensitive to the presence of foreign objects in a homogenous matter, the synthesized optimal aperture distribution increases the detection probability of foreign objects in various near-field applications, such as those that can detect potentially hazardous contaminations in food.
Software para Utilização do Custeio Baseado em Atividades e Tempo (Tdabc) Em Cooperativa de Crédito

Reports a case study about the use of Activity-Based Costing and Time (TDABC) in a credit cooperative with the objective of developing software based on this costing methodology to determine the cost of activities performed in this type of financial institution. It was intended to answer a research question about the benefits of using software based on TDABC within a credit cooperative. For this purpose, a descriptive methodology was used, in the case study format, with a qualitative approach. After a brief review of the literature, the characteristics of the credit cooperative researched were described and the steps followed to apply TDABC through a computerized system specifically developed by the authors were evidenced. Regarding the results, a model was proposed that covers the steps to be taken to elaborate a software that realizes the costing of activities and financial products in credit cooperatives through TDABC. Also, it was found that the use of software with this configuration, in this context, brings greater clarity regarding the costs of the services provided by the cooperative, which gives managers a better vision to facilitate cost management and determination of profitability of the services provided.