Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical relevance of adapting portal vein flow in living donor liver transplantation in adult patients

Size mismatching is a major concern in adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). Graft hyperperfusion in these grafts is considered the main factor leading to graft dysfunction and poor survival. We describe the clinical significance of graft inflow modification (GIM) by splenic artery ligation in a series of 24 consecutive ALDLT. Between September 1999 and December 2001, 24 patients underwent ALDLT at our institution. Patients were divided into two groups: G1, n = 11 without GIM, and G2, n = 13 with GIM. Both groups were equivalent in terms of preoperative clinical state, graft characteristics, and surgical technique. Graft hyperperfusion was noticed overall, especially in small grafts (graft‐to‐recipient body weight ratio <0.8), with mean recipient portal vein (rPVF) values at least three times greater than those recorded in the donors. GIM permitted in G2 a significant decrease in rPVF. Small‐for‐size syndrome (SFSS) occurred in three (27%) patients in G1 with small grafts showing graft hyperperfusion and necessitating a retransplantation. SFSS did not occur in G2. One‐year overall survival was 62% and 93% respectively for G1 and G2. It is concluded that when small‐for‐size grafts are accompanied by graft hyperperfusion, the rPVF should be lowered to avoid the SFSS and to improve the outcome. (Liver Transpl 2003;9:S36‐S41.)
Design of Compact Multiband Antenna for Triple-Band Cellular Base Stations

In this letter, a tapered-slot antenna (TSA) that covers 1.5/2/2.4-GHz bands is designed for a 6-sector base station. It is shown that the TSA with desired half-power beamwidth and front-to-back (F/B) ratio at the frequency bands can be designed by loading the two pairs of slits and reflector. Results of numerical simulation show that the designed TSA radiates a sector beam with high F/B ratios over 20 dB at 1.5/2/2.4-GHz bands.
The Prevalence of Overactive Bladder Syndrome and Urinary Incontinence in a Turkish Women Population; Associated Risk Factors and Effect on Quality of Life

Aims To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of overactive bladder syndrome and urinary incontinence in Turkish women; furthermore, to assess the impact on the quality of life. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional, epidemiological study was carried out in women of reproductive age to define overactive bladder syndrome, urinary incontinence, ICIQ-SF score and medical care seeking. Results The women's average age was 34.4 ± 5.26 years. The prevalence of UI was 26.9%. Stress UI was the predominant form. The prevalence of UI increased with age, BMI, number of pregnancies and children delivered. The prevalence of OAB was 20.7%. Women with OAB were older and had greater number of pregnancies than women without OAB. History of nocturnal enuresis was a significant risk factor for OAB and UUI. Women with MUI had more frequent and more abundant leakage of urine. 10.7% of women sought medical care for their condition. Conclusions Although prevalence estimates differ across studies, the available evidence indicates that UI and OAB are highly prevalent conditions among women. UI had negative effect on QoL, but only severely-affected women sought medical care. Public health and clinical management programs are needed to determine diagnosis and management of these social problems.
Computerized System for Static and Kinetic Automatic Perimetry

A new automatic perimeter has recently been developed under the supervision of the Perimetry Study Group of the Genoa University Eye Clinic. The main characteristics of this instrument are the following: projected targets; accurate calibration of stimulus size and shape; preliminary measurement of visual acuity and pupillary diameter; automated fixation control based on an optimized television system; static, kinetic, and mixed procedures; screening and diagnostic threshold and suprathreshold strategies; standard and non-standard parameters for stimuli, background, and procedures; user-friendly software; large disk memory for data storage and analysis.
Large BRCA1 gene deletions are found in 3% of German high‐risk breast cancer families

We have tested for large BRCA1 gene rearrangements in German high‐risk breast and ovarian cancer families previously screened negative for point mutations by dHPLC and sequencing. Using the novel MLPA method, two deletions of exons 1A, 1B and 2 and exon 17, respectively, were detected in four out of 75 families investigated in Southern Germany. An identical exon 17 deletion with the same breakpoints and a deletion of exons 1A, 1B and 2 were found by fluorescent multiplex PCR in two out of 30 families investigated in Northern Germany. Combining both populations, genomic rearrangements were found in 6% of the mutation‐negative families and 3% of all high‐risk families and account for 8% of all BRCA1 mutations. Our data indicate that the exon 17 deletion may be a founder mutation in the German population. The prevalence of BRCA1 gene deletions or duplications in our patients is similar to previous reports from Germany and France. Genomic quantification by MLPA is a useful method for molecular diagnostics in high‐risk breast cancer families. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of Policy Reforms in the New Zealand Forest Manufacturing Sector

ii Dedication . iii Acknowledgments . iv Table of contents . vi List of figures . vii List of tables . viii List of appendices. x Chapter 1: Introduction.1 Chapter 2: Policy impacts on New Zealand’s forest industrial production structures.35 Chapter 3: Policy impacts on New Zealand’s forest industrial cost structures . 63 Chapter 4: Policy impacts on cost efficiency in the New Zealand wood industry . 88 Chapter 5: Concluding remarks.115 Literature cited. 122 Appendix A . 12 8 Appendix B . 13 5 Appendix C . 14 5 Vita. 146
Characteristics of InGaAs Submonolayer Quantum-Dot and InAs Quantum-Dot Photonic-Crystal Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers

We have made InGaAs submonolayer (SML) quantum-dot (QD) and InAs QD photonic-crystal vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (PhC-VCSELs) for fiber-optic communications in the 990 and 1300 nm ranges, respectively. The active region of the InGaAs SML QD PhC-VCSEL contains three InGaAs SML QD layers, with each of the SML QD layer formed by alternating depositions of InAs and GaAs. The active region of the InAs QD PhC-VCSEL contains 17 undoped InAs-InGaAs QD layers. Both types of QD PhC-VCSELs exhibit single-mode characteristics throughout the current range, with side-mode suppression ratio (SMSR) larger than 35 dB. A maximum output power of 5.7 mW has been achieved for the InGaAs SML QD PhC-VCSEL. The near-field image study of the QD PhC-VCSELs indicates that the laser beam is well confined by the photonic-crystal structure of the device.
Preventing Crime: What Works, What Doesn't, What's Promising. Research in Brief. National Institute of Justice.

In 1996, a Federal law required the U.S. Attorney General to provide Congress with an independent review of the Many crime prevention programs work. Others don’t. Most programs have not yet been evaluated with enough scientific evidence to draw conclusions. Enough evidence is available, however, to create provisional lists of what works, what doesn’t, and what’s promising. Those lists will grow more quickly if the Nation invests more resources in scientific evaluations to hold all crime prevention programs accountable for their results. Issues and Findings
Robust Coding of Ego-Motion in Descending Neurons of the Fly

In many species, motion-sensitive neurons responding to optic flow at higher processing stages are well characterized; however, less is known how this representation of ego-motion is further transformed into an appropriate motor response. Here, we analyzed in the blowfly Calliphora vicina the visuomotor transformation from motion-sensitive neurons in the lobula plate [V2 and vertical system (VS) cells] onto premotor descending neurons [descending neurons of the ocellar and vertical system (DNOVS) cells] feeding into the motor circuit of the fly thoracic ganglion. We found that each of these cells is tuned to rotation of the fly around a particular body axis. Comparing the responses of presynaptic and postsynaptic cells revealed that DNOVS cells have approximately the same tuning widths as V2 and VS cells. However, DNOVS signals cells are less corrupted by fluctuations arising from the spatial structure of the visual input than their presynaptic elements. This leads to a more robust representation of ego-motion at the level of descending neurons. Thus, when moving from lobula plate cells to descending neurons, the selectivity for a particular optic flow remains unaltered, but the robustness of the representation increases.
Lung nodules: size still matters

The incidence of indeterminate pulmonary nodules has risen constantly over the past few years. Determination of lung nodule malignancy is pivotal, because the early diagnosis of lung cancer could lead to a definitive intervention. According to the current international guidelines, size and growth rate represent the main indicators to determine the nature of a pulmonary nodule. However, there are some limitations in evaluating and characterising nodules when only their dimensions are taken into account. There is no single method for measuring nodules, and intrinsic errors, which can determine variations in nodule measurement and in growth assessment, do exist when performing measurements either manually or with automated or semi-automated methods. When considering subsolid nodules the presence and size of a solid component is the major determinant of malignancy and nodule management, as reported in the latest guidelines. Nevertheless, other nodule morphological characteristics have been associated with an increased risk of malignancy. In addition, the clinical context should not be overlooked in determining the probability of malignancy. Predictive models have been proposed as a potential means to overcome the limitations of a sized-based assessment of the malignancy risk for indeterminate pulmonary nodules. Size and growth rate remain the main determinants of nodule management http://ow.ly/mtDB30gugUg
Length of stay and mortality in neurocritically ill patients: Impact of a specialized neurocritical care team*

Objective:To determine predictors of in-hospital and long-term mortality and length of stay in patients admitted to the neurosciences critical care unit. Design:Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database. Setting:Neurosciences critical care unit of a large academic tertiary care hospital. Patients:Adult patients (n = 2381) admitted to our neurosciences critical care unit from January 1997 to April 2000. Interventions:Introduction of a specialized neurocritical care team. Measurements and Main Results:Data obtained from the database included demographics, admission source, length of stay, neurosciences critical care unit and hospital disposition, admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III score, and principal and secondary diagnoses. The introduction of a neurocritical care team in September 1998 was also collected, as was death at 1 yr after admission. Univariate analysis was carried out using Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or chi-square test (significance, p < .05). A logistic regression model was used to create a prediction model for in-hospital and long-term mortality. A general linear model was used to determine predictors of length of stay (after log transformation). Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality included APACHE III (odds ratio, 1.07 [1.06–1.08]) and admission from another intensive care unit (odds ratio, 2.9 [1.4–6.2]). The presence of a neurocritical care team was an independent predictor of decreased mortality (odds ratio, 0.7 [0.5–1.0], p = .044). Admission after the neurocritical care team was implemented was associated with reduced length of stay in both the neurosciences critical care unit (4.2 ± 4.0 vs. 3.7 ± 3.4, p < .001) and the hospital (9.9 ± 8.0 vs. 8.4 ± 6.9, p < .0001). There was no difference in readmission rates to the intensive care unit or discharge disposition to home before and after the neurocritical care team was established. The availability of the neurocritical care team was not associated with significant changes in long-term mortality. Factors independently associated with long-term mortality included female gender, admission from another intensive care unit, APACHE III score, and being moderately disabled before admission. Conclusion:Introduction of a neurocritical care team, including a full-time neurointensivist who coordinated care, was associated with significantly reduced in-hospital mortality and length of stay without changes in readmission rates or long-term mortality.
Efficiency and productivity in Sri Lanka’s banking sector: Evidence from the post-conflict era

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Novel Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Protein That Is Indispensable for Virulence and Intracellular Replication

ABSTRACT Upon contact with host cells, the intracellular pathogenSalmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium promotes its uptake, targeting, and survival in intracellular niches. In this process, the bacterium evades the microbicidal effector mechanisms of the macrophage, including oxygen intermediates. This study reports the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of an S. enterica serovar Typhimurium mutant that is hypersusceptible to superoxide. The susceptible phenotype is due to a MudJ insertion-inactivation of a previously undescribedSalmonella gene designated sspJ that is located between 54.4 and 64 min of the Salmonellachromosome and encodes a 392-amino-acid protein. In vivo, upon intraperitoneal injection of 104 to 107bacteria in C3H/HeN and 101 to 104 bacteria in BALB/c mice, the mutant strain was less virulent than the wild type. Consistent with this finding, during the first hour after ingestion by macrophage-like J774 and RAW264.7 cells in vitro, the intracellular killing of the strain carrying sspJ::MudJ is enhanced fivefold over that of wild-type microorganisms. Wild-type salmonellae displayed significant intracellular replication during the first 24 h after uptake, but sspJ::MudJ mutants failed to do so. This phenotype could be restored to that of the wild type by sspJ complementation. The SspJ protein is found in the cytoplasmic membrane and periplasmic space. Amino acid sequence homology analysis did reveal a leader sequence and putative pyrroloquinoline quinone-binding domains, but no putative protein function. We excluded the possibility that SspJ is a scavenger of superoxide or has superoxide dismutase activity.
Impact of providing fee data on laboratory test ordering: a controlled clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE Inpatient care providers often order laboratory tests without any appreciation for the costs of the tests. OBJECTIVE To determine whether we could decrease the number of laboratory tests ordered by presenting providers with test fees at the time of order entry in a tertiary care hospital, without adding extra steps to the ordering process. DESIGN Controlled clinical trial. SETTING Tertiary care hospital. PARTICIPANTS All providers, including physicians and nonphysicians, who ordered laboratory tests through the computerized provider order entry system at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. INTERVENTION We randomly assigned 61 diagnostic laboratory tests to an "active" arm (fee displayed) or to a control arm (fee not displayed). During a 6-month baseline period (November 10, 2008, through May 9, 2009), we did not display any fee data. During a 6-month intervention period 1 year later (November 10, 2009, through May 9, 2010), we displayed fees, based on the Medicare allowable fee, for active tests only. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We examined changes in the total number of orders placed, the frequency of ordered tests (per patient-day), and total charges associated with the orders according to the time period (baseline vs intervention period) and by study group (active test vs control). RESULTS For the active arm tests, rates of test ordering were reduced from 3.72 tests per patient-day in the baseline period to 3.40 tests per patient-day in the intervention period (8.59% decrease; 95% CI, -8.99% to -8.19%). For control arm tests, ordering increased from 1.15 to 1.22 tests per patient-day from the baseline period to the intervention period (5.64% increase; 95% CI, 4.90% to 6.39%) (P < .001 for difference over time between active and control tests). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Presenting fee data to providers at the time of order entry resulted in a modest decrease in test ordering. Adoption of this intervention may reduce the number of inappropriately ordered diagnostic tests.
Evaluation of Tooth-Click Triggering and Speech Recognition in Assistive Technology for Computer Access

Background. Computer access can play an important role in employment and leisure activities following spinal cord injury. The authors’ prior work has shown that a tooth-click detecting device, when paired with an optical head mouse, may be used by people with tetraplegia for controlling cursor movement and mouse button clicks. Objective. To compare the efficacy of tooth clicks to speech recognition and that of an optical head mouse to a gyrometer head mouse for cursor and mouse button control of a computer. Methods. Six able-bodied and 3 tetraplegic subjects used the devices listed above to produce cursor movements and mouse clicks in response to a series of prompts displayed on a computer. The time taken to move to and click on each target was recorded. Results. The use of tooth clicks in combination with either an optical head mouse or a gyrometer head mouse can provide hands-free cursor movement and mouse button control at a speed of up to 22% of that of a standard mouse. Tooth clicks were significantly faster at generating mouse button clicks than speech recognition when paired with either type of head mouse device. Conclusions. Tooth-click detection performed better than speech recognition when paired with both the optical head mouse and the gyrometer head mouse. Such a system may improve computer access for people with tetraplegia.
Carbamazepine and carbamazepine-10,11- epoxide during pregnancy and postnatal period in epileptic mother and their nursed infants: pharmacokinetics and clinical effects.

A total of 11 epileptic mothers treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) as well as their 12 newborns were included in this study. Maternal CBZ concentrations remained rather constant during pregnancy and slightly increased after parturition. Carbamazepine-10, 11-epoxide ( CBZE ) levels were less predictable and either increased or decreased during pregnancy. Fetal/maternal serum concentration ratios at birth were 0.78 +/- 0.14 (n = 5) for CBZ and 0.75 +/- 0.09 (n = 5) for CBZE . Neonatal half-lives were 28 +/- 11 hours (n = 4) for CBZ and 20 and 24 hours (n = 2) for CBZE . maternal milk/serum concentration ratios of CBZ and CBZE were 0.39 +/- 0.22 (N = 11) and 0.49 +/- 0.28 (n = 6), respectively. The steady-state CBZ serum levels of nursed infants were about 1.0 micrograms/ml in all cases but one, where a maximum concentration of 4.7 micrograms/ml was reached. One of the infants had major malformations. Minor anomalies were less frequent in the CBZ group, compared to the whole group of infants exposed to anticonvulsive drugs other than CBZ and as frequent as in a matched pair control group of unexposed neonates. Neonatal somatic data were found to be below the corresponding values of neonates exposed to antiepileptic drugs other than CBZ.
Prokaryotic expression and analysis on the mpb83-ag85b fusion gene of Mycobacterium bovis

For raising the antigenicity of Mycobacterium bovis single antigen, fusion protein of two genes was acquired. The DNA fragments of mpb83 and ag85b were fused by splicing by overlapping extension (SOE) polymerase chain reaction(PCR), and the fusion gene mpb83-ag85b were cloned into pMD18-T vector, then we got the recombinant plasmid pMD-83-85b. pMD-83-85b and pET28a(+) were digested by BamH I and EcoR I double enzymes. The purified pMD-83-85b fusion gene was subcloned into the expression vector pET28a(+), and the prokaryotic expression vector pET-83-85b was constructed. Plasmid containing pET-83-85b was transformed into competence Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The bacterium was induced by isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside(IPTG) and its lysates were loaded directly onto sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), approximately 55 kDa exogenous protein was observed on the SDS-PAGE. The protein was analyzed by using Western blotting, the results indicated that the protein was of antigenic activity of Mycobacterium bovis. These results could serve as a basis for further studies on the usefulness of the fusion gene and its expression product in the development of subunit vaccine and DNA vaccine against bovine tuberculosis.
Integrating Adaptive Power Control and Channel Selection in Ad Hoc Networks

In this paper we study the convergence behaviour of dynamic power control algorithm for ad hoc networks when a number of non-overlapping channels are available. The convergence condition is expressed in terms of an inequality relationship which depends on the link gains, the required QoS and the number of available channels. The results are demonstrated by simulations with different number of nodes and for different number of available channels.
Aggregating Crowd Wisdoms with Label-aware Autoencoders

Aggregating crowd wisdoms takes multiple labels from various sources and infers true labels for objects. Recent research work makes progress by learning source credibility from data and roughly form three kinds of modeling frameworks: weighted majority voting, trust propagation, and generative models. In this paper, we propose a novel framework named Label-Aware Autoencoders (LAA) to aggregate crowd wisdoms. LAA integrates a classifier and a reconstructor into a unified model to infer labels in an unsupervised manner. Analogizing classical autoencoders, we can regard the classifier as an encoder, the reconstructor as a decoder, and inferred labels as latent features. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first trial to combine label aggregation with autoencoders. We adopt networks to implement the classifier and the reconstructor which have the potential to automatically learn underlying patterns of source credibility. To further improve inference accuracy, we introduce object ambiguity and latent aspects into LAA. Experiments on three real-world datasets show that proposed models achieve impressive inference accuracy improvement over state-of-the-art models.