Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of recipient renal outcomes with laparoscopic versus open live donor nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (laparoNx) has the potential to increase living kidney donation rates by reducing the pain and suffering of the donor. However, renal function outcomes of a large series of recipients of laparoNx have not been studied. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 132 recipients of laparoNx done at our center between 3/96 and 11/97 and compared them to 99 recipients of kidneys procured by the open technique (openNx) done between 10/93 and 3/96. RESULTS Significantly more patients in the laparoNx group (25.2%) were taking tacrolimus within the first month than those in the openNx group (2.1%). Mean serum creatinine was higher in laparoNx compared with openNx at 1 week (2.8+/-0.3 and 1.8+/-0.2 mg/dl, respectively; P=0.005) and at 1 month (2.0+/-0.1 and 1.6+/-0.1 mg/dl, P=0.05) after transplant. However, by 3 and 6 months, the mean serum creatinine was similar in the two groups (1.7+/-0.1 versus 1.5+/-0.05 mg/dl, and 1.7+/-0.1 versus 1.7+/-0.1, respectively). By 1 year posttransplant, the mean serum creatinine for laparoNx was actually less than that for openNx (1.4+/-0.1 and 1.7+/-0.1 mg/dl, P=0.03). Although patients in the laparoNx compared to the openNx group were more likely to have delayed graft function (7.6 versus 2.0%) and ureteral complications (4.5 versus 1.0%), the rate of other complications, as well as hospital length of stay, patient and graft survival rates were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION Although laparoNx allografts have slower initial function compared with openNx, there was no significant difference in longer term renal function.
Mutagenesis of Arg335 in Bovine Mitochondrial Elongation Factor Tu and the Corresponding Residue in the Escherichia coli Factor Affects Interactions with Mitochondrial Aminoacyl-tRNAs

During protein biosynthesis, elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) delivers aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) to the A-site of the ribosome. Mammalian mitochondrial EF-Tu (EF-Tumt) carries out this activity using aa-tRNAs that lack many of the invariant or semi-invariant residues that stabilize the 3-dimensional structures of canonical tRNAs. The primary sequence of EF-Tu is highly conserved. However, several residues involved in aa-tRNA binding are not conserved between the mitochondrial and bacterial factors. One such residue, located at position 287 in Escherichia coli EF-Tu, is adjacent to the 5’ end of the aa-tRNA and is acidic in all prokaryotic factors but is basic in EF-Tumt. Site-directed mutagenesis of this residue (Glu287) in E. coli EF-Tu and complementary mutagenesis of the corresponding Arg335 in EF-Tumt was performed to create E. coli EF-Tu E287R and EF-Tumt R335E respectively. EF-Tumt R335E has a reduced activity in ternary complex formation and A-site binding with mitochondrial Phe-tRNAPhe. In contrast, E. coli EF-Tu E287R is more active that the wild-type factor in forming ternary complexes with mitochondrial Phe-tRNAPhe, and the variant promotes the binding of mitochondrial aa-tRNA to the ribosome more effectively than does the wild-type factor. Both EF-Tumt R335E and E. coli EF-Tu E287R have activities comparable to the corresponding wild-type factors in assays using E. coli Phe-tRNAPhe. These data suggest that the residue at position 287 plays an important role in the binding and EF-Tu-mediated delivery of mitochondrial aa-tRNAs to the A-site of the ribosome.
Resolving ozone vertical gradients in air quality models

Abstract. Models severely overestimate surface ozone in the Southeast US during summertime and this overestimation has implications for the design of air quality regulations. We use the GEOS-Chem model to interpret ozone observations from aircraft (SEAC4RS), ozonesondes (SEACIONS), and surface sites (CASTNET) in August–September 2013. After correcting for a 30–50 % NOx emission overestimate in the US EPA National Emission Inventory, we find that the model is unbiased relative to aircraft observations below 1 km. However, surface observations of maximum daily 8-h average (MDA8) ozone are still biased high in the model (averaging 48 ± 9 ppb) compared to observations (40 ± 9 ppb). The low tail in the observations (MDA8 ozone
Online network impedance identification with wave-package and inter-harmonic signals

In power system analysis the main supply at a point of common coupling (PCC) is often presented by its Thévenin or Norton equivalent. In most cases these models adequately define the electrical characteristics of a PCC and are commonly used for power flow evaluations, fault estimations, as well as stability and power quality assessments. To determine the equivalent impedance of a PCC through analytical calculation or simulation precisely may be challenging due to the complexity and time varying nature of power supply systems. Especially in medium- and low-voltage distribution networks with a high share of fluctuating consumers and generators a measurement may be required to exactly capture the equivalent impedance over time. This contribution presents a method, which can be used to identify varying equivalent parameters of an AC power system with high accuracy and time resolution. To identify the network impedance the system is excited with short sequences of current signals while measuring the corresponding voltage and current characteristics. The method is evaluated in a simulation model. Further on, impedance measurements on the low-voltage level are presented and discussed.
Vitamin C content in plants is modified by insects and influences susceptibility to herbivory

Analysis of a diverse cross‐sample of plant‐insect interactions suggests that the abundance of vitamin C (L‐ascorbic acid, ascorbate or AsA) in plants influences their susceptibility to insect feeding. These effects may be mediated by AsAs roles as an essential dietary nutrient, as an antioxidant in the insect midgut, or as a substrate for plant‐derived ascorbate oxidase, which can lead to generation of toxic reactive oxygen species. Ascorbate can also influence the efficacy of plant defenses such as myrosinases and tannins, and alter insects' susceptibility to natural enemies. Conversely, herbivores appear to influence both de novo synthesis and redox cycling of AsA in their host plants, thereby potentially altering the nutritional value of crops and their susceptibility to pests. The recent development of genetically modified crops with enhanced AsA content provides both an impetus and a tool set for further studies on the role of AsA in plant‐insect interactions.
Arterial Waveforms Measured at the Wrist as Indicators of Diabetic Endothelial Dysfunction in the Elderly

Although air pressure sensing system (APSS) is a reliable means of assessing vascular endothelial function with high reproducibility, it cannot distinguish between the effects of age and diabetes. This paper aimed at investigating the potential benefit of utilizing signal-processing technique in improving the clinical validity of APSS. Arterial waveforms acquired from the left wrist before and after induction of reactive hyperemia over the left arm were recorded using APSS. Values of dilatation index (DI) were calculated and compared before (DIORIGINAL) and after (DIEEMD) ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD). Compared with DIORIGINAL, DIEEMD showed better negative correlations with anthropometric, hemodynamic, and biochemical parameters (all P <; 0.05). Instead of DIORIGINAL, DIEEMD significantly distinguished between the two groups of testing subjects (P = 0.008). EEMD further refined the validity of DI obtained through APSS, which is a simple self-operable system in evaluating endothelial function for the general public. It may also serve as an assessment tool for clinicians to implement timely therapeutic measures for diabetic patients.
Identifying Sites Bound by Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 1 (EBNA1) in the Human Genome: Defining a Position-Weighted Matrix To Predict Sites Bound by EBNA1 in Viral Genomes

ABSTRACT We identified binding sites for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) in the human genome using chromatin immunoprecipitation and microarrays. The sequences for these newly identified sites were used to generate a position-weighted matrix (PWM) for EBNA1's DNA-binding sites. This PWM helped identify additional DNA-binding sites for EBNA1 in the genomes of EBV, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and cercopithecine herpesvirus 15 (CeHV-15) (also called herpesvirus papio 15). In particular, a homologue of the Rep* locus in EBV was predicted in the genome of CeHV-15, which is notable because Rep* of EBV was not predicted by the previously developed consensus sequence for EBNA1's binding DNA. The Rep* of CeHV-15 functions as an origin of DNA synthesis in the EBV-positive cell line Raji; this finding thus builds on a set of DNA-binding sites for EBNA1 predicted in silico.
Hafting and Retooling: Effects on the Archaeological Record

Hafting has long been recognized by archaeologists as a process affecting stone tools. However, the effects of this process on the archaeological record have been virtually ignored. Hafting affects the final typological form of tools because hafted tools are usually more extensively and intensively worked than their unhafted counterparts. Ethnoarchaeological and some recent archaeological evidence indicates that functionally equivalent but typologically diverse hafted and unhafted tools may be in use at the same site. Because hafted tools are disposed of as a consequence of the “retooling” of hafts, the context of their disposal may not be equivalent to the context of their use. But, unhafted tools appear to be disposed of more often at or near the focus of use. Indifference to the hafted/unhafted distinction then may seriously distort inferences based upon intrasite spatial analysis. It is also argued that hafting is a strategy that will be differentially employed by any social group at different sites according to circumstances, thereby contributing to interassemblage variability. Finally, some methods of analysis are suggested that will allow the typological and distributional effects of hafting and retooling to be taken into account by lithic analysts.
Peritoneal cell sheets composed of mesothelial cells and fibroblasts prevent intra‐abdominal adhesion formation in a rat model

Postoperative intra‐abdominal adhesions remain an unsolved problem despite significant progress in the surgical procedures themselves. They often lead to small‐bowel obstruction, chronic abdominal and pelvic pain, as well as female infertility. The loss of mesothelial cells and several components of the inflammatory system following injury to the peritoneum results in fibrin formation and angiogenesis. The remaining fibrin matrix and angiogenesis lead to replacement by fibroblasts and fibrous band formation. The aim of this study was to develop a new therapeutic method of preventing intra‐abdominal adhesions. We fabricated transplantable peritoneal cell sheets from the rat peritoneum by cell sheet engineering using a temperature‐responsive culture system. The peritoneal cell sheets developed were composed of an upper monolayer of mesothelial cells and underlying multilayered fibroblasts, similar to the peritoneum in vivo. Transplantation of peritoneal cell sheets prevented tissue adhesion, fibrin deposition and angiogenesis, and, moreover, lymphangiogenesis and macrophage infiltration in a rat caecum cauterization adhesion model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Case studies on impacts of plug-in vehicle charging load on the planning of urban electricity distribution networks

In this paper, the impact of plug-in vehicle charging load on electricity network planning is investigated by means of case studies which are based on statistical PHEV charging load modeling work and co-operation with two Finnish distribution network companies. According to the case studies, the impacts of plug-in vehicle charging load on Finnish urban distribution networks are modest with low penetration levels, but with high penetration levels plug-in vehicles should be taken into account in long-term network planning. Also, needs and possibilities of “smart charging” were acknowledged from the calculation results.
Character Recognition Based on DTW-Radon

The paper presents a method for isolated off-line character recognition using radon features. The key characteristic of the method is to use DTW algorithm to match corresponding pairs of radon histograms at every projecting angle. Thanks to DTW, it avoids compressing feature matrix into a single vector which may miss information. Comparison has been made with the state-of-the-art of shape descriptors over several different character as well as numeral datasets from different scripts.
Narrative Transformation Among Military Personnel on an Adventurous Training and Sport Course

In the wake of recent wars, some military personnel face considerable physical and mental health problems. In this article I explore the effects of an adapted sport and inclusive adventurous training course for military personnel who have experienced physical injury and/or psychological trauma. Using a dialogical narrative approach, I analyzed stories shared by six soldiers during the course to explore the effects of involvement. Participation in the course seemed to facilitate a narrative transformation or opening corresponding to a broadening identity and sense of self. Story plots progressed from a failing monological narrative, through a chaos narrative, toward a dialogical quest narrative prioritizing immersion in an intense present, a developing self, and a relational orientation. On the basis of narrative theory, I suggest this transformation holds positive consequences for the health and well-being of military personnel who have experienced injury and/or trauma.
Recherche d'un effet fondateur de la mutation dite canadienne-française de l'hypercholesterolémie familiale au Québec

La genealogie de trente proposants atteints de la mutation dite canadienne-francaise (deletion de 10Kb) de l'hypercholesterolemie familiale a ete reconstruite. Les proposants, leurs parents et leurs grands-parents montrent une concentration geographique croissante dans les regions de la Cote-du-Sud et du Bas-Saint-Laurent. Les parents presumes porteurs de la mutation sont plus apparentes entre eux que les parents presumes sains. Vingt-quatre ancetres communs a toutes les genealogies ont ete identifies. Parmi ceux-ci, six souches familiales differentes sont communes a toutes les genealogies des parents presumes porteurs et viennent principalement des provinces de l'ouest de la France. Ces ancetres ont donc pu avoir introduit la mutation au Quebec.
Tratamiento Endoscópico de la Fístula crónica del Asa alimentaria en el Bypass Gástrico Laparoscópico

La obesidad morbida es una enfermedad compleja y con una prevalencia en aumento. El bypass gastrico laparoscopico sigue siendo la tecnica mas realizada en todo el mundo. La fistula enterocutanea es una complicacion rara de dificil tratamiento que ocurre entre un 0,5% y un 3,9 % de los pacientes sometidos a cirugia bariatrica. Su origen es una fuga digestiva cronificada tras un procedimiento de cirugia bariatrica. La localizacion habitual es con origen en una fuga de la anastomosis gastroyeyunal. Siendo la localizacion en el munon del asa yeyunal alimentaria una localizacion casi inexistente en la literatura. Los autores presentamos un caso de esta complicacion asi como una revision no sistematica de la literatura para conocer el estado actual del tema. Y exponemos en nuestro caso clinico el abordaje endoscopico para solucionar esta complicacion.
EFECTO DEL ESTIÉRCOL DE VACUNO EN LA ESTABILIDAD ESTRUCTURAL Y LA ACTIVIDAD BIOLÓGICA DE UN SUELO BAJO MANEJO AGRICOLA

Dentro de las practicas de manejo agricola, que han generado buenos resultados, se encuentra el uso de abonos organicos, entre ellos los estiercoles, que aportan materia organica la cual favorece la agregacion y la estabilidad estructural del suelo En este sentido, el objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la aplicacion del estiercol de vacuno sobre la estabilidad estructural y la actividad biologica del suelo. El ensayo se realizo empleando parcelas de 25x25 m2, en un suelo Mollisol, clasificado como Haplustolis del estado Falcon - Venezuela, bajo tres tipos de sistemas sin tratamiento (ST), tres anos de haber sido abonado, por vez unica, con estiercol de vacuno (B = 5 Mg ha-1) y otro igual aB pero reabonado al inicio del tratamiento con estiercol de vacuno (RB = 5 Mg ha-1). Cada sistema fue sembrado con el pasto Cynodon dactylon, el cual sirvio de guja para establecer los periodos de seguimiento: al inicio del tratamiento (1, O dias), durante el crecimiento medio (CM, 44 dias) y maximo (PM, 98 dias) del pasto y luego en la postcosecha del pasto (PC, 144 dias). Para el estudio, en cada periodo y en cada parcela, se tomaron tres muestras desuelo (0-10 cm de profundidad) y se determino la distribucion de agregados estables al agua (AE), la estimacion de biomasa microbiana (C-BM y N-BM) y la densidad de hongos y bacterias Encontrandose que el uso del estiercol de vacuno contribuye a mejorar y a mantener la estructui~ de los suelos, favoreciendo el mantenimiento de los microagregados (< 0,15 mm) y la formacion de agregados intermedios (0,25 - 0,50 mm), ademas de proveer al suelo de mejores condiciones que favorecen la actividad de la biomasa microbiana y mantener las poblaciones de hongos y bacterias Asi mismo, se puede senalar que el buen uso de las emniendas organicas y un minimo de perturbacion del suelo en el momento de su aplicacion permitiran a futuro, disminuir nesgos de perdidas de la capa fertil en los agroecosistemas.
The effect of nitrogen fertilization on root distribution of winter wheat

The effect of nitrogen fertilization on root length (RL) distribution of winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) was investigated. The study was conducted in Prague-Ruzyne on clay loam Chernozemic soil in the years 1996–2003. Two (N0, N1) and three (N0, N1, N2) treatments, unfertilized (N0), fertilized with 100 kg (N1) and 200 kg N/ha (N2) were studied in 1996–2000 and 2001–2003, respectively. Nitrogen rate 100 kg/ha had no effect on RL in soil layers (P > 0.1) in years 1996–2000 and 2002–2003 and there was not significant interaction between N treatment and soil layer except for year 1998 (P < 0.01). Nitrogen fertilization affected RL distribution significantly (P = 0.013) only in 2001 due to reduction of root growth in subsoil layers in treatment N2 (200 kg N/ha) in comparison with N0 and N1. The effect of N fertilization on total RL in rooted soil volume was insignificant. There was a significant effect of year on total RL (P < 0.01) but not of interaction of year and N treatment. Roots reached, with the exception of two years, the depth between 100 and 130 cm. Nitrogen fertilization (N1) had no effect (P = 0.59) on rooting depth (RD) in years 1996–2000 but there was a significant effect of interaction between year and N fertilization on RD (P < 0.01). In the second experimental series (2001–2003) N fertilization rate 200 kg N/ha significantly reduced maximum RD (P < 0.01) in comparison with N0 and N1. The year had highly significant effect on RD.
Design and development of a switched reluctance motor and dsPIC based drive

This paper presents the design and development of a 120W 3Ph Switched Reluctance Motor and associated Controller. The motor as well as controller design procedures are discussed. The motor is designed using the conventional analytical methods and the design is verified and fine tuned using FEMM software. The motor prototype has been fabricated and assembled. The Controller prototype consisting of a 3 Phase Asymmetric Converter, DC Supply and Voltage and Current Sensing boards has also been designed and developed. The control logic is implemented in a dsPIC digital signal controller. The power draw of the prototype is also compared with a single phase Induction Motor for Fan load. The setup realised from this work will be used for future research on sensorless and high efficiency SRM control algorithms.
Sensitive Particle Acoustic Quantification (SPAQ): A New Ultrasound-Based Approach for the Quantification of Ultrasound Contrast Media in High Concentrations

Rationale and Objectives:Ultrasound contrast media (USCM) consisting of gas-filled microparticles (MPs) can be detected in tissue in extremely small amounts using the stimulated acoustic emission effect (SAE), which occurs after the destruction of MPs in an acoustic field. Limited by the spatial resolution of ultrasound devices, the displayed size of individual MPs/SAEs is in the range of millimeters rather than micrometers. Thus, more than approximately 1000 microparticles per milliliter led to complete SAE saturation in the image and cannot be quantified. We have developed a method to quantify microparticles in high concentrations by increasing the resolution. Methods:We quantified gas-filled microparticles in an agar phantom containing 30,000 microparticles per mL with a defined overlap of consecutive images, thereby destroying the microparticles with high mechanical index and measuring the corresponding SAE effects using videodensitometry. Results:In each image, only those particles that had not been previously destroyed were detected. The thickness of the slices containing SAE signals was thus determined by frame-to-frame displacement. Based on the reduced slice thickness and the resulting improved spatial resolution, individual microparticles were detected even in high microparticle concentrations. Conclusion:Sensitive particle acoustic quantification (SPAQ) allows the quantification of microparticles, even in high concentrations, based on a massive increase in resolution.
Les rhinites allergiques professionnelles

Les rhinites allergiques professionnelles prennent une importance grandissante par l'apparition d'allergenes nouveaux d'une part, et par leur caractere prodromique d'un asthme professionnel d'autre part. Le clinicien doit apprecier avec attention les symptomes consideres comme banals mais qui apparaissent rythmes par le travail. La rhinoscopie apprecie l'etat de la pituitaire et elimine eventuellement une pathologie tumorale. Le diagnostic s'appuie sur les donnees du bilan allergologique (tests cutanes, examens de laboratoire, test de provocation nasal allergenique) apres avoir pris connaissance du milieu professionnel dans lequel evolue le patient. La constatation d'une rhinite professionnelle impose des mesures d'evictions allergeniques et une declaration de maladie professionnelle. Une information precoce des sujets atopiques, une amelioration des conditions de travail et une modification des techniques industrielles devraient permettre, dans l'avenir, une certaine reduction de la prevalence des rhinites allergiques et des manifestations pulmonaires d'origine professionnelle
Concepts and facts in calculation.

A patient is described who is affected by an inability to recall and use 'arithmetical facts' of one-digit multiplications and divisions. This loss contrasts with the preservation of a wide set of complex notions that the patient exploits in order to overcome his deficit and get the right result. This observation helps in isolating and describing an important component of arithmetical long-term memory that is not overlearnt and the functioning of which is not automatic or mechanistic. An account of such a component is lacking in models of arithmetic currently referred to in cognitive neuropsychology. In a remediation study, performed over several weeks, the effect of training was selective for each single arithmetical fact: not even skills with multiplication complements (e.g. 6 x 3, 3 x 6) fully benefited from the rehabilitation of a specific fact. This suggests that the storage format of each fact is independent from that of other facts.