Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic livers: double-contrast thin-section MR imaging with pathologic correlation of explanted tissue.

OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to determine the sensitivity of double-contrast MR imaging in the detection of hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with a cirrhotic liver. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients underwent double-contrast MR imaging and subsequent liver transplantation. Breath-hold T1- and T2-weighted MR images were obtained before and after administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide, and three-dimensional T1-weighted gradient-recalled echo MR images were obtained 10, 40, and 120 sec after a bolus injection of gadolinium. Hypervascular lesions that failed to take up superparamagnetic iron oxide were regarded as showing typical characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma; lesions that had only one of these two characteristics (either hypervascularity or failure to take up superparamagnetic iron oxide) were regarded as highly suspicious for hepatocellular carcinoma. Radiology reports were correlated with pathology reports for the explanted livers. RESULTS Thirty-two hepatocellular carcinomas were found in 14 of the 31 patients. Combining the number of MR imaging reports citing lesions that were "typical of hepatocellular carcinoma" with the number of those citing lesions that were "highly suspicious," we found that for 25 of 32 lesions, an accurate MR imaging diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was made (overall sensitivity, 78%). These lesions included 10 of the 11 lesions that were larger than 20 mm (sensitivity, 91%), 12 of the 13 lesions that were 11-20 mm (sensitivity, 92%), and three of the eight lesions that were 10 mm or less (sensitivity, 38%). Nineteen (76%) of 25 lesions had characteristics considered typical of hepatocellular carcinoma; the remaining six lesions either failed to take up superparamagnetic iron oxide and were hypovascular or were hypervascular but showed some uptake of superparamagnetic iron oxide. CONCLUSION In patients with a cirrhotic liver, double-contrast MR imaging is highly sensitive in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinomas of 10 mm or larger, but success in the identification of tumors smaller than 10 mm is still limited.
Lung Disease and Asthma Severity in Adults with Asthma: Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination

Risk factors for obstructive or restrictive lung disease among persons with asthma are not well defined. Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to determine predictors of poor lung function among 1063 adults, aged 20 years and older, who self-report physician-diagnosed asthma any time during their life regardless of current asthma status. Obstructive lung disease and restrictive lung disease were defined by using spirometry and modified Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease criteria. Reported symptoms were used to grade asthma severity. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between lung disease, respiratory symptom severity, and adults who ever had asthma. Risk factors for spirometry-defined obstructive lung disease included increasing age, body mass index < 18.5, current asthma, and non-white race (p < 0.05). Risk factors for spirometry-defined restrictive lung disease included older age at asthma diagnosis, low socioeconomic status, current asthma, and being female (p < 0.05). Risk factors for moderate or severe respiratory symptoms included older age at diagnosis and current smoking status (p < 0.05). Asthma is a known risk factor for chronic obstructive lung disease; these data also suggest that adults, particularly females, who are older at the time of asthma diagnosis, may be at risk to develop spriometry-defined restrictive lung disease as well. These data also suggest that a significant proportion of people with lifetime asthma have impaired lung function; however, it is unclear if more aggressive therapy for asthma would prevent these complications. To further examine the role of these factors in predicting poor lung function among adults with asthma, additional information is needed on these patients' asthma therapy, natural history, and environmental exposures.
Different characteristics associated with intensive care unit transfer from the medical ward between patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with and without pneumonia.

BACKGROUND The rate of hospitalization due to acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) is increasing. Few studies have examined the clinical, laboratory and treatment differences between patients in general wards and those who need transfer to an intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS We retrospectively reviewed clinical, laboratory, and treatment characteristics of 374 patients who were initially admitted to the general ward at Chonnam National University Hospital in South Korea due to AECOPD (pneumonic, 194; non-pneumonic, 180) between January 2008 and March 2015. Of these patients, 325 were managed at the medical ward during their hospitalization period (ward group), and 49 required ICU transfer (ICU group). We compared the clinical, laboratory, and treatment characteristics associated with ICU transfer between patients with AECOPD with and without pneumonia. RESULTS Male patients were 86.5% in the ward group and 79.6% in the ICU group. High glucose levels [median 154.5 mg/dL, interquartile range (IQR) 126.8-218.3 in ICU group vs. median 133.0, IQR 109.8-160.3 in ward group], high pneumonia severity index scores (median 100.5, IQR 85.5-118.5 vs. median 86.0, IQR 75.0-103.5), low albumin levels (median 2.9 g/dL, IQR 2.6-3.6 vs. median 3.4, IQR 3.0-3.7), and anemia (73.3% vs. 43.3%) independently increased the risk of ICU transfer in the pneumonic AECOPD group. High PaCO2 levels (median 53.1 mmHg in ICU group, IQR 38.5-84.6 vs. median 39.7, IQR 34.2-48.6 in ward group) independently increased the risk of ICU transfer in the non-pneumonic AECOPD group. Treatment with systemic corticosteroids (≥30 mg of daily prednisolone) during hospitalization in the medical ward independently reduced the risk of ICU transfer in both groups. CONCLUSIONS The characteristics associated with ICU transfer differed between the pneumonic and non-pneumonic AECOPD groups, and systemic corticosteroids use was associated with lower rate of ICU transfer in both groups.
KAMET II: An open diagnosis knowledge-acquisition methodology

Different methodologies have been developed to solve various tasks such as classification, design, planning, scheduling and diagnosis. Diagnosis is a task of which the desired output is a malfunction of a system. KAMET (Knowledge-Acquisition Methodology) is a knowledge engineering methodology aimed to attack diagnosis tasks exclusively. In this article KAMET II, the second version of KAMET, will be presented with the objective of knowing its most important characteristics as well as its modeling notation which will subsequently be necessary for the knowledge bases, Problem-Solving Methods (PSMs) and the knowledge model specification. KAMET is a model-based methodology appointed to administer knowledge acquisition from multiple knowledge sources. The methodology provides a mechanism by means of which knowledge acquisition is achieved in an incremental fashion and in a cooperative environment. One important feature is the specification used to describe knowledge-based systems independently of their implementation. A four-component architecture is presented to achieve this goal and to allow component separation and consequently component reuse.
Turning the tables: the growth of upward bullying in nursing academia.

[Extract] Bullying in the workplace has become a major problem. The subsequent international trend to impose legislation around workplace bullying has led to a significant increase in bullying claims. The intention of such legislation is positive, yet some of these claims can be destructive, particularly when bullying allegations arise from situations where managers are tyring to ensure employees handle reasonable workloads efficiently and effectively. Some employees seek union and human resources support to dfeal with the apparently 'errant' manager. Pity the poor manager, who they been employed for, and for which they receive good compensation.
Convexity Results for Stochastic Inventory Networks

In this paper, we establish the convexity of important cost functions in a general class of multi-echelon inventory models. In particular, we first study an assembly system with a single finished product managed using an echelon order-up-to policy. We show that the shortage penalty cost over any horizon is jointly convex with respect to the base-stock levels and capacity levels. Our second result pertains to an arbitrary inventory network, with multiple components, products, production stages and distribution locations, managed optimally. We show that the cost-to-go function of the dynamic program is jointly convex in the inventory state vector and the capacity vector for both the backorder and lost sales models. These convexity properties have implications for developing algorithms for making optimal inventory and capacity decisions in such systems.
Rapport technique : Outils de caractérisation du comportement mémoire et d'estimation de la consommation énergétique

Ce rapport presente differents outils de caracterisation du comportement memoire et d'estimation de la consommation energetique ; il decrit toutes les etapes de compilation et d'installation de chacun de ces outils ainsi que la maniere de les utiliser en detaillant leurs entrees/sorties et en expliquant leurs resultats obtenus.
Colonic mucosal gene expression in irritable bowel syndrome rats by the liquid chip technology

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most frequent GI disorders. The etiology and pathogenesis underlying IBS are currently unclear. Gene influence a number of chronic disease processes and may also be involved in regulating disease activity in gastrointestinal disorders, but few studies of IBS have focused on gene expression. Objective: The objective of this study was to screen the differentially expressed colonic mucosal genes in IBS rats to build the expression profile of genes in the colon of IBS rats. Methods: Twenty SD rats were divided randomly into two groups: the rats of control group were normal rats; the rats of model group were induced by conditioned stimulus and unconditioned stimulus. The rats’ visceral sensitivity was evaluated by abdominal withdraw reaction. Then we screened differential expression of colonic mucosal gene by the liquid chip technology and verified by RT-PCR technology. Results: The IBS model was successfully established. Compared with control group, the dose of injection water was decreased in model group (P<0.01). We screened htr4, htr1a, 2rl3, nos1, Calca, npy, crhr2, il1b, p2rx3, nos2, tph1, crhr1, hmox1, trpv1, Vip, f2rl, tgfb1, htr3a, slc6a4, tff2, aqp8 from the colon, but we found that only the expression of nos1, il1b, htr3a in model group was up-regulated (P<0.05). Conclusion: Colonic mucosal genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of IBS with the regulation in colon function.
Aproksimacija funkcije Fourierovim i valičnim redom

In many mathematical applications it is needed to approximate a given function with another function. Trigonometric series are used for the approximation of periodic function. If the function can be approximated by a trigonometric series, it is talked about expanding a function in a Fourier series. Wavelets represent the newer part of mathematics which is extensively developing. With wavelet series, the accurate representation of the function is achieved with fewer terms and faster calculation.
Mécanique des Structures. Etude des Poutres

Ce cours est consacre aux structures elancees de type poutre. Apres un rappel sur l'elasticite tridimensionnelle, la solution des problemes de Saint-Venant est donnee. La theorie approchee de poutre de Navier-Bernoulli est alors presentee ainsi que les methodes de resolution correspondantes. Le cas des treillis et de la flexion plane sont alors illustres.
Risk Integration Mechanisms and Approaches in Banking Industry

Recently, the number of consultative documents and research papers that discuss risk integration has grown considerably. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the work done on risk integration in the banking industry. This survey includes: (1) risk integration methods within regulatory frameworks and the banking industry; (2) challenges of risk integration; (3) risk interaction mechanisms; (4) development of risk integration approaches; (5) risk interaction results: diversification versus compounding effects; and (6) some future research topics in risk integration. We seek to understand developments in modeling risk integration, particularly in light of the global financial crisis of 2008 and important future research topics that emerge from both the literature and the banking industry.
Rising cost of hospital care.

Inevitably, reading is one of the requirements to be undergone. To improve the performance and quality, someone needs to have something new every day. It will suggest you to have more inspirations, then. However, the needs of inspirations will make you searching for some sources. Even from the other people experience, internet, and many books. Books and internet are the recommended media to help you improving your quality and performance.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm: novel mechanisms and therapies

Purpose of review Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a pathological condition of permanent dilation that portends the potentially fatal consequence of aortic rupture. This review emphasizes recent advances in mechanistic insight into aneurysm pathogenesis and potential pharmacologic therapies that are on the horizon for AAAs. Recent findings An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that genetic factors, including 3p12.3, DAB2IP, LDLr, LRP1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3, TGFBR2, and SORT1 loci, are associated with AAA development. Current human studies and animal models have shown that many leukocytes and inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1, IL-17, TGF-&bgr;, and angiotensin II, are involved in the pathogenesis of AAAs. Leukocytic infiltration into aortic media leads to smooth muscle cell depletion, generation of reactive oxygen species, and extracellular matrix fragmentation. Preclinical investigations into pharmacological therapies for AAAs have provided intriguing insight into the roles of microRNAs in regulating many pathological pathways in AAA development. Several large clinical trials are ongoing, seeking to translate preclinical findings into therapeutic options. Summary Recent studies have identified many potential mechanisms involved in AAA pathogenesis that provide insight into the development of a medical treatment for this disease.
Bot Personas as Off-The-Shelf Users

This alt.chi paper proposes the concept of bot personas. These interactive personas act as off-the-shelf users, as they allow design teams to interact with rich user data throughout the design process. Bot personas, as always-on participants, hold several opportunities to address some practical and ethical challenges of involving real-human-users. Therefore, bot personas could be a refreshing technological approach to lower the barriers of involving users, and thus bridge labor intensive academic practices and the realities of a corporate context.
Trajectory time scaling of a mobile robot to avoid dynamic obstacles on the basis of the INLVO

To ensure the collision safety of mobile robots, the velocity of dynamic obstacles should be considered while planning the robot’s trajectory for high-speed navigation tasks. A planning scheme that computes the collision avoidance trajectory by assuming static obstacles may result in obstacle collisions owing to the relative velocities of dynamic obstacles. This article proposes a trajectory time-scaling scheme that considers the velocities of dynamic obstacles. The proposed inverse nonlinear velocity obstacle (INLVO) is used to compute the nonlinear velocity obstacle based on the known trajectory of the mobile robot. The INLVO can be used to obtain the boundary conditions required to avoid a dynamic obstacle. The simulation results showed that the proposed scheme can deal with typical collision states within a short period of time. The proposed scheme is advantageous because it can be applied to conventional trajectory planning schemes without high computational costs. In addition, the proposed scheme for avoiding dynamic obstacles can be used without an accurate prediction of the obstacle trajectories owing to the fast generation of the time-scaling trajectory.
Food policies: a threat to health?

Food policies deliver large quantities of food relatively safely, but they are failing to deliver healthy diets. Policies fall into three broad categories: the supply of sufficient amounts of food (food security); the provision of food free from contamination (food safety); the provision of a healthy diet available to all (nutritional quality). These three aspects are dealt with by institutions that rarely engage with each other, let alone coordinate their strategies. Greater financial support has been given to agricultural policy than to any other joint EU endeavour. In the last decade food safety has dominated headlines and has influenced recent changes to EU food policies. New food authorities and agencies have been established and ministerial responsibilities have been redefined. Yet, it is nutrition, or rather `mis-nutrition', that is the largest single cause of death and disease within the region, and indeed worldwide. This need not be the case. Nutrition and dietary policies may find themselves in close alliance with policies for sustainable agriculture. However, the change in thinking that will be required will mean reconsidering the role of commercial food production. Successful nutrition policies may yet prove to be the next major step in the improvement of public health.
The zinc‐finger protein ZFR is critical for Staufen 2 isoform specific nucleocytoplasmic shuttling in neurons

In mammalian neurons, transport and translation of mRNA to individual potentiated synapses is believed to occur via a heterogeneous population of RNA granules. To identify components of Staufen2‐containing granules, we used the yeast two‐hybrid system. A mouse fetal cDNA library was screened with the N‐terminal fragment of Staufen2 as bait. ZFR, a three zinc finger protein, was identified as an interacting protein. Confocal microscopy showed that ZFR, although mainly nuclear, was also found in the somatodendritic compartment of primary hippocampal neurons where it localized as granule‐like structures. Co‐localization with Staufen2 was observed in several granules. Biochemical analyses (immunoprecipitation, cell fractionation) further confirmed the ZFR/Staufen2 association. ZFR was shown to interact with at least the Staufen262 isoform, but not with Staufen1. ZFR also co‐fractionated with ribosomes and Staufen259 and Staufen252 in a sucrose gradient. Interestingly, knockdown expression of ZFR through RNA interference in neurons relocated specifically the Staufen262, but not the Staufen259, isoform to the nucleus. Our results demonstrate that ZFR is a native component of Staufen2‐containing granules and likely plays its role during early steps of RNA transport and localization. They also suggest that one of these roles may be linked to Staufen262‐containing RNA granule formation in the nucleus and/or to their nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling.
PHYLOGENETIC POSITION OF THE GIANT ANURAN TRYPANOSOMES TRYPANOSOMA CHATTONI, TRYPANOSOMA FALLISI, TRYPANOSOMA MEGA, TRYPANOSOMA NEVEULEMAIREI, AND TRYPANOSOMA RANARUM INFERREDFROM 18S rRNA GENE SEQUENCES

Phylogenetic relationships within the kinetoplastid flagellates were inferred from comparisons of small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences. These included 5 new gene sequences, Trypanosoma fallisi (2,239 bp), Trypanosoma chattoni (2,180 bp), Trypanosoma mega (2,211 bp), Trypanosoma neveulemairei (2,197 bp), and Trypanosoma ranarum (2,203 bp). Trees produced using maximum-parsimony and distance-matrix methods (least-squares, neighbor-joining, and maximum-likelihood), supported by strong bootstrap and quartet-puzzle analyses, indicated that the trypanosomes are a monophyletic group that divides into 2 major lineages, the salivarian trypanosomes and the nonsalivarian trypanosomes. The nonsalivarian trypanosomes further divide into 2 lineages, 1 containing trypanosomes of birds, mammals, and reptiles and the other containing trypanosomes of fish, reptiles, and anurans. Among the giant trypanosomes, T. chattoni is clearly shown to be distantly related to all the other anuran trypanosome species. Trypanosoma mega is closely associated with T. fallisi and T. ranarum, whereas T. neveulemairei and Trypanosoma rotatorium are sister taxa. The branching order of the anuran trypanosomes suggests that some toad trypanosomes may have evolved by host switching from frogs to toads.
Type II Protein Secretion Is a Subset of the PilD-Dependent Processes That Facilitate Intracellular Infection byLegionella pneumophila

ABSTRACT Previously, we had demonstrated that a Legionella pneumophila prepilin peptidase (pilD) mutant does not produce type IV pili and shows reduced secretion of enzymatic activities. Moreover, it displays a distinct colony morphology and a dramatic reduction in intracellular growth within amoebae and macrophages, two phenotypes that are not exhibited by a pilin (pilEL) mutant. To determine whether thesepilD-dependent defects were linked to type II secretion, we have constructed two new mutants of L. pneumophila strain 130b. Mutations were introduced into either lspDE, which encodes the type II outer membrane secretin and ATPase, orlspFGHIJK, which encodes the pseudopilins. Unlike the wild-type and pilEL strains, bothlspDE and lspG mutants showed reduced secretion of six pilD-dependent enzymatic activities; i.e., protease, acid phosphatase, p-nitrophenol phosphorylcholine hydrolase, lipase, phospholipase A, and lysophospholipase A. However, they exhibited a colony morphology different from that of thepilD mutant, suggesting that their surfaces are distinct. The pilD, lspDE, and lspG mutants were similarly and greatly impaired for growth within Hartmannella vermiformis, indicating that the intracellular defect of the peptidase mutant in amoebae is explained by the loss of type II secretion. When assessed for infection of U937 macrophages, bothlsp mutants exhibited a 10-fold reduction in intracellular multiplication and a diminished cytopathic effect. Interestingly, thepilD mutant was clearly 100-fold more defective than the type II secretion mutants in U937 cells. These results suggest the existence of a novel pilD-dependent mechanism for promotingL. pneumophila intracellular infection of human cells.