Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Secondary Arteriovenous Fistulas: Converting Prosthetic AV Grafts to Autogenous Dialysis Access

As existing arteriovenous grafts (AVGs) fail, the National Kidney Foundation KDOQI Guidelines and the AV Fistula First Breakthrough Initiative (“Fistula First”) project recommend that each patient be re‐evaluated for conversion to an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). AVFs created following failure of an AVG have been termed secondary fistulas (SAVF). We review our experience and outcomes converting AVGs to SAVFs, utilizing the mature outflow vein of the AVG when possible, otherwise creating a new AVF at a remote site. We reviewed two groups of consecutive patients undergoing operations for vascular access at different centers. Group 1 had a SAVF protocol in place during the study period with specific criteria for timing SAVF construction. Patients from group 2 were referred for evaluation by nephrologists or dialysis nurses as access problems were recognized, without a formal protocol in place. All patients had preoperative ultrasound or contrast imaging in addition to physical examination. Indications for creating a SAVF were AVG thrombosis, dysfunction, erosion, bleeding, or steal syndrome involving the existing AVG. The simple presence of a functional AVG without evidence of dysfunction was not an indication for conversion to a SAVF. SAVFs were classified according to location and the potential for utilizing the existing mature AVG outflow vein. Group 1: 40 consecutive patients, age 26–78 (mean = 62), 42% were female; 55% were diabetic. These patients had 1–22 previous access operations (mean = 3). 92.5% underwent SAVF surgery prior to loss of the AVG, minimizing catheter use. Cumulative patency was 92.5% at 1 year and 87.5% at 2 years. Group 2: 102 consecutive patients, age 24–87 (mean = 55), 52% were female; 50% were diabetic. These patients had 1–50 previous access operations (mean = 3). Only 19.3% were referred for SAVF surgery prior to loss of the AVG or outflow vein. Cumulative patency was 94.4% at 1 year and 91.6% at 2 years. Failure, dysfunction, or complications of AVGs may be resolved by conversion to a SAVF. Further, the limited lifespan of AVGs and the superiority of AVFs dictates that a plan be in place to transition the AVG patient to an AVF. Most, if not all, hemodialysis patients whose access is an AVG will have one or more anatomic sites and vessels suitable for an autogenous SAVF. Vessel mapping is critical in the evaluation of failing AVGs and in preparation for a SAVF. Cumulative patency rates exceeded 90% at 12 months for SAVFs in both patient groups in this report. The need for catheters was dramatically less in the patient group with an established SAVF conversion plan.
Ketamine anaesthesia in patients with intracranial pathology.

SUMMARY Intravenous ketamine anaesthesia induced abrupt increases in intracranial pressure levels ranging from 25 to 82 mm Hg on nine occasions in five patients with abnormal cerebrospinal fluid flow dynamics and/or other intracranial pathology. The mean gain in intracranial pressure in patients with cerebral abnormalities was 41.5 (SD 16.6) mm Hg. This is compared with a ketamine-induced mean pressure increase of 19.4 (SD 6.9) mm Hg found by other investigators in a group of neurologically normal patients. Intravenous injection of thiopentone may terminate intracranial pressure elevations caused by ketamine.
Competitive Interactions Between Cells: Death, Growth, and Geography

Winner Takes All? Competition between individual cells plays a role in normal animal development and cell homeostasis. Johnston (p. 1679) reviews two situations of cell competition in Drosophila, one involving epithelial cells in the wing and another involving germline or somatic stem cells. “Loss” in cell competition is evidenced by the “weaker” cell's death or displacement. On the other hand, winners may engulf the loser or display enhanced proliferation. Competitive interactions allow cells to sense and eliminate poor-quality cells during development. Competitive interactions between cells are the basis of many homeostatic processes in biology. Some of the best-described cases of competition between cells occur in Drosophila: cell competition, whereby somatic cells within a growing epithelium compete with one another for contribution to the adult, and stem cell competition, in which germline or somatic stem cells vie for residency in the niche. Both types of competition are conserved physiological processes, with much to tell us about how cellular neighborhoods influence cell behavior, and have importance to stem cell biology, regeneration and transplantation, and cancer.
Stock Market Prediction Using Artificial Neural Networks Based on HLP

Forecasting stock price or stock index is an important financial subject that has attracted researchers' attention for many years. In this paper, we put forward a new method called HLP as data preprocessing to process the stock data. By HLP method we can get the stock high low point with different frequency and amplitude. The extracted data describes the feature of stock price movement. After that we construct ANN models to forecast the stock movement direction and price. The HLP method and ANN models give assistance to investors.
A three-dimensional cinematographical analysis of the volleyball spike.

The objectives of this study were to describe the volleyball spiking actions used by players in top-level competition, and also to examine the interrelationships between upper limb, lower limb and whole body kinematic variables, and post-impact ball speed in the spiking technique. Two Photosonics Biomechanics 500 cine-cameras operating at a nominal frame rate of 100 Hz were used to film the spiking actions of 10 male senior international volleyball players at the XVI Universiade (1991 World Student Games). Three-dimensional object space co-ordinates of digitized image co-ordinates were obtained using a DLT algorithm and an array of calibration points in the filmed volume. Relationships between lower limb angular kinematics at take-off, centre of mass vertical velocity at take-off and centre of mass vertical displacement (jump height) were examined. Relationships between angular kinematics of the hitting arm and post-impact ball speed were also determined. The mean (+/- S.E.) centre of mass vertical velocity at take-off was 3.59 +/- 0.05 m s-1 and the mean height jumped was 0.62 +/- 0.02 m. As expected, a significant correlation was found between the square of the centre of mass vertical velocity at take-off and jump height (r = 0.78; P < 0.01). No significant correlations were found between lower limb angular kinematics and centre of mass vertical velocity at take-off or jump height. The mean post-impact ball speed was 27.0 +/- 0.9 m s-1, and this was significantly correlated to maximum right humerus angular velocity (r = 0.75; P < 0.01). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
CHARACTERISTICS OF MEMBRANE TRANSPORT PROCESSES OF MACULA DENSA CELLS

1. Macula densa (MD) cells are located within the thick ascending limb (TAL) and have their apical surface in contact with tubular fluid and their basilar region in contact with the glomerulus. These cells sense changes in luminal fluid sodium chloride concentration ([NaCl]) and transmit signals resulting in changes in vascular resistance (tubuloglomerular feedback) and renin release.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at Boston City Hospital. Bacteriologic and epidemiologic observations.

Abstract Twenty-two isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were obtained from 18 patients; 21 of the strains were phage nontypable, exhibited methicillin resistance to other penicillins and cephalosporins tested, and had characteristics similar to those of previously reported methicillin-resistant strains. These staphylococci were isolated from patients on seven of the 42 hospital wards. Fifteen of the 18 patients acquired their infection in the hospital. Thirteen of the 22 isolates were from the sputum of 12 patients with pulmonary superinfection, and four from the urine of two patients with catheter-associated urinary-tract infections. Evidence of patient-to-patient spread of infection was found during a ward outbreak involving four clinical cases and a nurse who was a nasopharyngeal carrier.
Could Statins Be Useful in the Treatment of Patients With Migraine?

Migraine is a common and disabling neurological disorder. Studies have shown that patients with migraine (especially those with typical aura with migraine) have an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile and an increased risk of early‐onset (<45 years) ischemic stroke. Statins are effective hypolipidemic drugs that reduce cardiovascular‐related morbidity and death in patients with or without established atherosclerotic vascular disease.
Chemical constituents from the tubers of Scirpus yagara and their anti-inflammatory activities

Abstract A new natural compound, dehydrophyllodulcin (1) was isolated from the tubers of Scirpus yagara, together with 11 known compounds. Among them, compounds 2, 5–8, and 10–12 were isolated from this plant for the first time. 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and 2D NMR data of compound 1 are first reported in this article, though it was synthesized in 1996. The structures of all compounds were determined by comprehensive analyses of their spectroscopic data and compared with literature information. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effects of compounds 1, 3, 4, 6, and 9 against inflammatory cytokines production in Lipopolysaccharide – or Pam3csk4-stimulated macrophage RAW264.7 cells were evaluated by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. And these compounds significantly inhibited the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 productions in RAW264.7 cells, with IC50 values less than 20 μM.
Book of Dreams

This is a perfect song to begin the new year, month or day practicing visualization skills with your families and their child(ren). Begin by playing the song and asking them to let their imaginations soar. With lyrics such as “We don’t have wings, but still we fly” and with images such as singing seagulls, rainbows, Zanzibar, and dancing with butterflies, it doesn’t take much to infuse the room with a little sparkling wonder.
Optimal Design of EMALS Based on a Double-Sided Tubular Linear Induction Motor

A novel evolutionary algorithm is used for the optimization of the thrust force of the stages of an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, based on a double-sided tubular linear induction motor. A semianalytical model allows for a fast and accurate prediction of all the electromagnetic quantities in the device, including the thrust force, the back electromotive force, the distribution of the induced current density, and the average magnetic flux density in the teeth. Using the semianalytical formulation, the characterization of the machine is greatly facilitated, so allowing a fast evaluation of the cost function and of the design constraints.
Representation of Object-Oriented Database for the Development of Web Based Application Using Db4o

Impedance mismatch of data flow is the major problem in the relational database when one is using the web based application development on the computer system. It effects the development of scalable and reusable web application. Due to this, the research cost of development and maintenance increases. Therefore the present work is an attempt towards an object-oriented database system by using Db4o to overcome the impedance mismatch problem. In the current work, the development of web application for Indian Postal Services by using Db4o is demonstrated on dot NET platform. Before developing the application, the authors used a Unified Modeling Language (UML) model in the form of UML class, sequence and use-case diagrams. The Db4o is used to store the object-oriented database and the performance of Db4o is observed through several object-oriented queries and corresponding results are demonstrated.
Influence of pre‐exercise muscle glycogen content on exercise‐induced transcriptional regulation of metabolic genes

Transcription of metabolic genes is transiently induced during recovery from exercise in skeletal muscle of humans. To determine whether pre‐exercise muscle glycogen content influences the magnitude and/or duration of this adaptive response, six male subjects performed one‐legged cycling exercise to lower muscle glycogen content in one leg and then, the following day, completed 2.5 h low intensity two‐legged cycling exercise. Nuclei and mRNA were isolated from biopsies obtained from the vastus lateralis muscle of the control and reduced glycogen (pre‐exercise glycogen = 609 ± 47 and 337 ± 33 mmol kg−1 dry weight, respectively) legs before and after 0, 2 and 5 h of recovery. Exercise induced a significant (P < 0.05) increase (2‐ to 3‐fold) in transcription of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) and uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) genes in the reduced glycogen leg only. Although PDK4, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hexokinase II (HKII) mRNA were elevated in the reduced glycogen leg before exercise, no consistent difference was found between the two legs in response to exercise. In a second study, six subjects completed two trials (separated by 2 weeks) consisting of 3 h of two‐legged knee extensor exercise with either control (398 ± 52 mmol kg−1 dry weight) or low (240 ± 38 mmol kg−1 dry weight) pre‐exercise muscle glycogen. Exercise induced a significantly greater increase in PDK4 transcription in the low glycogen (> 6‐fold) than in the control (< 3‐fold) trial. Induction of PDK4 and UCP3 mRNA in response to exercise was also signficantly higher in the low glycogen (11.4‐ and 3.5‐fold, respectively) than in the control (5.0‐ and 1.7‐fold, respectively) trial. These data indicate that low muscle glycogen content enhances the transcriptional activation of some metabolic genes in response to exercise, raising the possibility that signalling mechanisms sensitive to glycogen content and/or FFA availability may be linked to the transcriptional control of exercise‐responsive genes.
The Predictive Value of the Height Ratio and Thyromental Distance: Four Predictive Tests for Difficult Laryngoscopy

Preoperative evaluation of anatomical landmarks and clinical factors help identify potentially difficult laryngoscopies; however, predictive reliability is unclear. Because the ratio of height to thyromental distance (RHTMD) has a demonstrably better predictive value than the thyromental distance (TMD), we evaluated the predictive value and odds ratios of RHTMD versus mouth opening, TMD, neck movement, and oropharyngeal view (modified Mallampati). We collected data on 550 consecutive patients scheduled for elective-surgery general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation and then assessed all five factors before surgery. An experienced anesthesiologist, not apprised of the recorded preoperative airway assessment, performed the laryngoscopy and grading (as per Cormack and Lehane’s classification). Difficult laryngoscopy (Grade 3 or 4) occurred in 69 patients (12.5%). RHTMD had a higher sensitivity, positive predictive value, and fewer false negatives than the other variables tested. In the multivariate analysis, three criteria were found independent for difficult laryngoscopy (neck movement ≤80 degrees; Mallampati Class 3 or 4, and RHTMD ≥23.5). The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of the RHTMD, Mallampati class, and neck movement were 6.72 (3.29–13.72), 2.96 (1.63–5.35), and 2.73 (1.14–6.51), respectively. The odds ratio for RHTMD was the largest and thus may prove a useful screening test for difficult laryngoscopy.
Socialization and religiosity: a cross-national analysis of catholic adolescents.

Within a brief synthesis of child psychology and sociological literature, this paper relates dimensions of religiosity (belief, experience, knowledge, and practice) to adolescents' perception of the control and support received from parents. Purposive samples were chosen from male Catholic schools in New York, St. Paul, San Juan, and Merida. Except for the Merida sample and the knowledge dimension, the apriori hypothesis that adolescents perceiving a high (low) degree of control and support score highest (lowest) on religiosity is moderately verified, mainly because of a positive relationship between support and religiosity, although control is noticeably related in the San Juan sample. Variations between Anglo and Latin samples are incipiently explained by reasons for religious behavior: Anglos attend churck because of parental expectations, whereas Latins give "self" reasons. For the Anglo samples, the study demonstrates the usefulness of socialization variables irt understanding religiosity, and the differences across samples point to the importance of reasons for religious behavior.
Two novel patients with Bohring–Opitz syndrome caused by de novo ASXL1 mutations

Bohring–Opitz syndrome (BOS) is a rare condition characterized by facial anomalies, multiple malformations, failure to thrive and severe intellectual disabilities. Recently, the cause was identified on the basis of de novo heterozygous mutations in the ASXL1 gene. We report on two novel cases carrying two previously undescribed mutations (c.2407_2411del5 [p.Q803TfsX17] and c.2893C>T [p.R965X]). These new data further support ASXL1 as cause of BOS and may contribute to a more precise definition of the phenotype caused by the disruption of this gene. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rethinking the definition of the word ‘map’: an evaluation of Beck's representation of the London Underground through a qualitative expert survey

This paper reports on the results from a qualitative expert survey of members of the international geospatial community to elicit their view of Henry (Harry) Beck's iconic 1931 representation of the London Underground. It begins by providing a background to the publishing era when Beck's representation was developed under the ‘umbrella’ of the design style adopted by the London Passenger Transport Board to promote the image of ‘the new’ and contemporary Britain. It then outlines Beck's representation and his quest to develop a clearer and more understandable graphic information resource. This is followed by an overview of representative views from the design community about Beck's representation. Finally, it provides the results of research undertaken with an informed international cartographic community to determine whether they viewed the product as a map or a diagram. It is important to understand how Beck's representation is viewed from the perspective of the geospatial community. If it works as a map, albeit one where geography is generally abandoned, relative positions are favoured over the absolute and azimuth is distorted, then the view that successful (geo)communication artefacts must be linked to map designs that focus on precise and true representations of geographic information can be questioned.
A dual-motor joint model for humanoid robots

To make humanoid robots walking fast, it's important to improve driving force of their leg joints. Usually, each joint of humanoid robots is driven by a single motor. Dual-motor joint, on the other hand, is one of the candidate solutions to meet the power requirement needed for fast walking. This paper proposed a new dual-motor control model. In the model, two motors are treated as a single control plant instead of two parallel control plants. With the usage of current distributor, the control model can pump different current to each motor freely so as to eliminate the unbalance of the load imposed on each motor. Simulation and experiment show that the proposed model works well under high joint load and it can be used on a fast walking humanoid robot.
An apple a day or an aspirin a day?

In 1989, the Second American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy 1 recommended that aspirin, 325 mg/d, should be considered for all individuals with evidence of coronary artery disease and in those with risk factors for coronary artery disease. Aspirin, 1 g/d, was also recommended by the ACCP Panel 2 for patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or a history of stroke. These recommendations, which apply to millions of Americans, were based on the results of a long series of reports and clinical trials dating back to 1948. The recommendation that all individuals with evidence of coronary artery disease should take aspirin daily is based on the results of aspirin treatment in survivors of acute myocardial infarction, 3-9 patients with unstable angina, 10-12 patients with acute myocardial infarction, 13 patients surviving coronary artery bypass grafting, 14 and patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. 15,16 The recommendation for
Cryptosporidiosis: Prevalence in Children in Nepal and Bhutan

Objective: To assess prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in children with acute diarrhea and nondiarrhea controls in Nepal and Bhutan. Methods: A case-control study of acute diarrhea etiology was conducted from 2006-2009 in Nepal and from 2011-2015 in Bhutan. Children aged from 3 months to 5 years with acute diarrhea and asymptomatic controls were enrolled. Commercial ELISA kits were used for detecting Cryptosporidium. Results: In Bhutan, Cryptosporidium was detected in 45/1716 (2.6%) of diarrhea cases and 27/1644 (1.6%) of non-diarrhea controls (OR=1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.6). The overall prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in Bhutan was 2.1% and the prevalence was significantly higher in peri-urban (2.6%) than in rural areas (1.0%) (OR=2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.3). The highest prevalence detected was observed in children aged 24-47 months old and Cryptosporidium was associated with diarrhea in children 24-35 months old (OR=6.2, 95% CI 1.4-27.9). In Nepal, Cryptosporidium was significantly detected in 26/1200 (2.2 %) of cases compared to 10/1200 (0.8%) in controls (OR=2.6, 95% CI 1.3-5.5); no significant difference of prevalence between peri-urban and rural areas (1.8% and 1.2%, respectively) was observed. Divided by age groups, the highest prevalence were from children of aged 24-35 and 36-47 months old. Increasing of cases of cryptosporidiosis was observed during the hot and monsoon seasons in both sites. Conclusion: The results of case-control studies in Nepal and Bhutan suggest that Cryptosporidium is prevalent and a significant pathogen. As the prevalence and burden of Cryptosporidium may be underestimated, additional surveillance and morbidity studies of cryptosporidiosis in Nepal and Bhutan are warranted.
Establishment in continuous culture of a T‐lymphoid cell line (HD‐Mar) from a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma

A new cell line, HD‐Mar, was established from a pleural effusion of a patient with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Formation of E rosettes, sensitivity to anti‐T serum, elevated terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase activity, presence of T‐cell and the common ALL membrane antigens, morphology, and cytochemical staining indicate that the HD‐Mar line is of thymic derivation. Absence of any immunoglobulin determinants, the lack of EBNA or any other EBV‐associated antigen or function are also characteristics associated with established T‐ cell‐derived lymphoma cell lines. Karyotype analysis indicated a tetraploid origin of the cell line.
Active nematics are intrinsically phase separated.

Two-dimensional nonequilibrium nematic steady states, as found in agitated granular-rod monolayers or films of orientable amoeboid cells, were predicted [Europhys. Lett. 62, 196 (2003)10.1209/epl/i2003-00346-7] to have giant number fluctuations, with the standard deviation proportional to the mean. We show numerically that the steady state of such systems is macroscopically phase separated, yet dominated by fluctuations, as in the Das-Barma model [Phys. Rev. Lett. 85, 1602 (2000)10.1103/PhysRevLett.85. 1602]. We suggest experimental tests of our findings in granular and living-cell systems.