Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Left Ventricular Assist Devices as Bridge to Heart Transplantation in Congestive Heart Failure with Pulmonary Hypertension

Severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) has been considered a significant contraindication to cardiac transplantation. Ongoing clinical experience, however, has shown that temporary support using left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in these patients can result in significant reductions in PH. A comprehensive review of the available literature regarding the use of LVADs in heart failure patients with PH was conducted. The existing literature to date supports the use of LVADs in heart failure patients with PH and demonstrates that significant reductions in PH in these patients can be achieved. This subsequently allows for safe and effective cardiac transplantation in patients who were previously excluded from this modality. For heart failure patients with severe PH, the use of LVADs can provide significant benefits by significantly reducing PH and allowing subsequent staged transplantation.
Superselective Shunt Occlusion for the Treatment of Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae

BACKGROUND: In treating cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulae (CSdAVFs), transvenous embolization of the whole affected sinus is usually performed, which may result in the disturbance of normal venous drainage or permanent cranial nerve palsy. OBJECTIVE: To describe superselective shunt occlusion of CSdAVFs. METHODS: Between July 2005 and August 2011, we had 20 consecutive cases of CSdAVFs. In 14 cases (70%), we could detect the restricted locus of arteriovenous shunts by 3-dimensional rotational angiography and/or superselective arteriography. After navigating the microcatheter to the shunt segment, consecutive superselective arteriovenography was performed to confirm the location of the microcatheter at the proper position. RESULTS: In 12 of 14 cases (85.7%) in which the shunt was restricted, coiling only in the small venous pouch or compartment, which was just downstream of the shunt point, led to complete disappearance of the shunt without obliterating the entire sinus. No recurrence or permanent cranial nerve palsy was observed during the follow-up period with a mean of 46 months (range, 3-69 months) in 12 cases treated by superselective shunt occlusion. CONCLUSION: This technique, which enables complete extirpation of shunts by small amounts of coils, is a feasible way to treat CSdAVFs with excellent mid- to long-term results. Understanding of the angioarchitecture by 3-dimensional rotational angiography and consecutive superselective arteriovenography was useful. This method should be considered before sinus packing or mere obliteration of dangerous venous outlets. ABBREVIATIONS: AVF, arteriovenous fistula CNP, cranial nerve palsy CS, cavernous sinus CSdAVF, cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula ECA, external carotid artery 3-D RA, 3-dimensional rotational angiography SSSO, superselective shunt occlusion
Endocardial Laser Ablation for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in an Acute Sheep Model

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of the use of a new laser energy catheter for linear endocardial ablation in an acute sheep model. Methods: Bipolar pacing electrodes were positioned on the left atrial appendage (LAA) and the pulmonary veins (PVs). Laser ablation within the left atrium was performed around the LAA and PVs in six sheep. The temperature in the esophagus was measured continuously during ablation. The animals were weaned from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and were sacrificed two hours after ablation. The heart, lungs, and esophagus were retrieved for histological examination. Results: Aortic cross clamp time was 26.2 ± 6.1 minutes and CPB time was 81 ± 29 minutes. Electrical isolation of the LAA and PVs was confirmed in all sheep. On histological analysis, there was an extensive transmural alteration of the left atrial tissue including vascular lesions, myocardial degeneration, and necrosis, and epi‐ and endocardial necrosis. In six out of six cases, extensive lesions of the esophagus (muscular layer) were also found. Significant changes in esophageal temperature were observed, reaching up to 70 °C. The epithelial layer of the esophagus was not affected by the laser energy, but mild focal degeneration of the subepithelial connective tissue was observed in all sheep. There were no injuries to the circumflex coronary artery. Conclusions: Laser is an effective tool in endocardial ablation, resulting in electrical isolation and transmurality. Future studies should more completely assess the safety of laser ablation, especially with regards to the nearby esophagus, as well as examine the results of epicardial application.
Discrete regions of simian virus 40 large T antigen are required for nonspecific and viral origin-specific DNA binding

The nondefective adenovirus type 2 (Ad2)-simian virus 40 (SV40) hybrid viruses, Ad2+ND2 and Ad2+ND4, have been used to determine which regions of the SV40 genome coding for the large tumor (T) antigen are involved in specific and nonspecific DNA binding. Ad2+ND2 encodes 45,000 M4 (45K) and 56,000 Mr (56K) T antigen-related polypeptides. The 45K polypeptide did not bind to DNA, but the 56K polypeptide bound nonspecifically to calf thymus DNA, Ad2+ND4 encodes 50,000 Mr (60K), 66,000 Mr (66K), 70,000 Mr (70K), 74,000 Mr (74K), and 90,000 Mr (90K) T antigen-related polypeptides, all of which bound nonspecifically to calf thymus DNA. However, in more stringent assays, where tight binding to viral origin sequences was tested, only the 90K protein specified by Ad2A+ND4 showed specific high affinity for sequences at the viral origin of replication. From these results and previously published experiments describing the SV40 DNA integrated into these hybrid viruses, it was concluded that SV40 early gene sequences located between 0.39 and 0.44 SV40 map units contribute to nonspecific DNA binding, whereas sequences located between 0.50 and 0.63 SV40 map units are necessary for specific binding to the viral origin of replication.
Philosophy of mathematics : selected readings

Preface to the second edition Introduction Part I. The Foundations of Mathematics: 1. The logicist foundations of mathematics Rudolf Carnap 2. The intuitionist foundations of mathematics Arend Heyting 3. The formalist foundations of mathematics Johann von Neumann 4. Disputation Arend Heyting 5. Intuitionism and formalism L. E. J. Brouwer 6. Consciousness, philosophy, and mathematics L. E. J. Brouwer 7. The philosophical basis of intuitionistic logic Michael Dummett 8. The concept of number Gottlob Frege 9. Selections from Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy Bertrand Russell 10. On the infinite David Hilbert 11. Remarks on the definition and nature of mathematics Haskell B. Curry 12. Hilbert's programme Georg Kreisel Part II. The Existence of Mathematical Objects: 13. Empiricism, semantics, and ontology Rudolf Carnap 14. On Platonism in mathematics Paul Bernays 15. What numbers could not be Paul Benacerraf 16. Mathematics without foundations Hilary Putnam Part III. Mathematical Truth: 17. The a priori Alfred Jules Ayer 18. Truth by convention W. V. Quine 19. On the nature of mathematical truth Carl G. Hempel 20. On the nature of mathematical reasoning Henri Poincare 21. Mathematical truth Paul Benacerraf 22. Models and reality Hilary Putnam Part IV. The Concept of Set: 23. Russell's mathematical logic Kurt Goedel 24. What in Cantor's continuum problem? Kurt Goedel 25. The iterative concept of set George Boolos 26. The concept of set Hao Wang Bibliography.
C-Reactive Protein as a Predictor for Incident Diabetes Mellitus Among Middle-aged Men

Methods: A total of 2052 initially nondiabetic men aged 45 to 74 years who participated in 1 of the 3 MONICA (Monitoring of Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease) Augsburg surveys between 1984 and 1995 were followed up for an average of 7.2 years. Incidence of diabetes was assessed by questionnaire mailed to participants in 1998. High-sensitive CRP was measured by an immunoradiometric assay.
Adverse reaction to pomegranate ingestion

We present a non‐atopic 85‐year‐old woman, with a late‐onset recidivant tongue angioedema due to pomegranate intake, as proven by a double blind oral challenge test. This is the first case ever reported about adverse reaction to pomegranate. We have been unable to demonstrate an IgE‐mediated mechanism (prick test, histamine release test and RAST with pomegranate were all negative). We emphasize the importance of clinical history and oral challenge test in the diagnosis of food allergy.
Impact of foreign direct investment on economic growth: A case study of Pakistan

Purpose- This research paper aims to analyze the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan for the period 1981 to 2010. It evaluated the GDP growth performance and assessed the historical trends of the FDI and CPI in Pakistan. Methodology/Sample- The link between gross domestic product (GDP,) foreign direct investment and Inflation is measured with the help of multiple regression models. GDP in this model is used as dependent variable whereas FDI and inflation (CPI) are measured as independent variables. Findings- According to the results, the model is overall significant with the positive and significant association of GDP and FDI while a negative and significant relationship found between GDP and inflation. Practical Implications- On the basis of the empirical results acquired, Policy proposals are advised to attract FDI in Pakistan. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an essential factor for economic growth in the developing countries. FDI allows the transfer of technology, uplift competition in the domestic input market, contributes to human capital development and Profits created by FDI contribute to corporate tax revenues in the host country.
Interpretation of chromatogram image to automate soil analysis

Image understanding concerns the issues of how to facilitate interpretation of images. The work reported here is in support of a novel approach for machine interpretation of soil chromatograms. A chromatogram image is obtained from an alkaline solution of silver nitrate and soil. The patterns in the chromatogram contain information of mineral contents in the soil. We describe a combination of different methods for feature extraction. The objective is to segment the image into three regions, and measure the colour and dimension of different bands. The extracted features are used for image matching in a case based reasoning system.
India: Population Change and Its Consequences

In the 1980s I wrote two books--The Poverty of "Development Economics" and "The Hindu Equilibrium". The first questioned the intellectual consensus on dirigiste trade and development policies; the second the view that Indias age-old poverty was due to over-population. These repudiated views on which I was brought up in the early 1960s at Oxford. I know the first of these works of revisionism has had some effect in changing perceptions on the appropriateness of "outward-looking" policies for development. But I had not realized the once heretical view that the "population problem" is not a problem (except in the very short run and only if appropriate policies are not in place) is also now very much the consensus view. My late friend Julian Simon who was universally reviled by mainstream economists for his view that a large population is a countrys ultimate resource is now seen to have been proved right by a burgeoning body of research. During the mid-1970s to mid-1980s I was also associated with the World Banks research establishment. The sheaf of old memos in my files from those days demonstrates how entrenched was the old dirigiste consensus in an institution that is now seen as having been in the vanguard of the new revisionist consensus on population and development. So returning in this essay to the issues discussed in the first edition of The Hindu Equilibrium I feel rather like the old lady who went to see King Lear and found it full of quotations! I will first review what is now known of the economic effects of population growth over the last century in India including the emerging concerns that have been expressed by the environmental movement and why their attempts to legislate their "habits of the heart" pose real dangers for the welfare of the poor in India. I then examine the social and political consequences of this population growth. (excerpt)
Genetic Evidence for Multiple Invasions of the Eastern Subterranean Termite Into Canada

ABSTRACT Social insects are among the world's most successful species at invading new environments. Their characteristic division of labor can influence their capacity to colonize new habitats, often with negative ecological or economic impact. The social Hymenoptera (i.e., ants, bees, and wasps), are well studied in this regard, but much less is known about the invasive biology of termites (Isoptera). In this study we use province-wide sampling and a population genetic analysis to infer the minimum number of eastern subterranean termite [Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) ] introductions into Ontario (Canada). Structure analysis of multilocus microsatellite genotypes grouped the 30 collection points into K = 3 genetic clusters, suggesting as many three independent introductions into southern Ontario. Levels of genetic diversity were higher in termites from the Pelee region than in termites from Toronto and other Ontario cities, suggesting that these Pelee termite populations are potentially older and native to Ontario. A single origin scenario, in which all populations stem from a single source, therefore is not supported by the genetic data. Instead, our analysis suggests multiple independent introductions of this highly social, subterranean termite into Ontario, where the species is now well established as a structural pest of urban habitats.
Microalgae, old sustainable food and fashion nutraceuticals

Microalgae have been used for centuries to provide nourishment to humans and animals, only very recently they have become much more widely cultured and harvested at large industrial scale. This paper reviews the potential health benefits and nutrition provided by microalgae whose benefits are contributing to expand their market. We also point out several key challenges that remain to be addressed in this field.
Pulmonary dysfunction in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients: Overview, diagnostic considerations, and infectious complications

Pulmonary complications are among the most common and serious sequelae seen in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients. This two‐part review addresses the incidence and impact of pulmonary complications in pediatric HSCT patients. In this first part we review the available data for the use of diagnostic modalities in this population, including flexible bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and open lung biopsy (OLB). We also review the many infectious pulmonary complications that may occur in pediatric HSCT recipients, utilizing the traditional chronologic divisions of neutropenic phase (0–30 days following HSCT), early phase (30–100 days), and late phase (>100 days). Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:117–126. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
EXTENSIÓN DEL RANGO DINÁMICO DE DETECTORES PIROELÉCTRICOS EN MEDICIONES CON RELACIÓN SEÑAL A RUIDO DESFAVORABLE

Presentamos el uso de un filtro basado en redes neuronales destinado a la extension del rango dinamico de detectores piroelectricos en la region de bajas energias. Para ello se entreno un perceptron multicapa, a traves del metodo de aprendizaje backpropagation , tomando como senal teorica la obtenida del modelo electrico equivalente. Como experimento numerico se probo el desempeno del algoritmo recuperando senales teoricas sumergidas en ruido blanco calibrado y se lo contrasto contra otros metodos de procesamiento. Asimismo se lo utilizo en mediciones reales en las que se registro la energia de los pulsos de un laser de Nd:YAG atenuados por medio de un par de polarizadores rotados, pudiendose medir con precision valores de energia muy bajos.
Transmission of Wireless and Wired Services Employing a Simple System Architecture

This letter presents a novel modulation approach for simultaneous generation and transmission of optical radio-frequency (RF) wireless vector signal and baseband (BB) wireline signal using a single-electrode Mach-Zehnder modulator. Based on a double sideband with carrier suppression scheme and properly predistorted driving vector signal, a 2.5-Gb/s quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK) signal at 60 GHz is generated with a 1.25-Gb/s BB ON-OFF-keying (OOK) signal. The proposed system can carry higher spectral efficiency vector signals and needs no optical filter to separate the BB and RF signals at remote nodes. Moreover, optical RF signal generation with frequency doubling is also achieved to reduce the bandwidth requirement of the transmitter. After transmission over 25-km single-mode fiber, the power penalties of the generated QPSK and OOK signals are about 4 and 0.1 dB, respectively.
Accidental Fatal Hypothermia in Elderly People with Alzheimer's Disease

We report two forensic autopsy cases of fatal accidental hypothermia in an 89-year-old woman and a 76-year-old man who were found dead and unclothed. In both cases, Alzheimer's disease (AD) was diagnosed by neuropathological examination. Wandering due to AD was determined as the cause of these accidents. Although paradoxical undressing in hypothermic victims is known to occur as a result of cold exposure, in our patients, undressing was attributed to dementia due to AD before they became hypothermic. These cases indicate that neuropathological examination is crucial to determining the cause of such accidents and that undressing is not always the result of hypothermia in elderly victims.
Do equivalent doses of escitalopram and citalopram have similar efficacy? A pooled analysis of two positive placebo-controlled studies in major depressive disorder

Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of citalopram. In this study, we compared the efficacy of equivalent dosages of escitalopram and citalopram in the treatment of moderate to severe major depressive disorder (MDD), based on data from two, pooled, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of escitalopram in which citalopram was the active reference. The primary efficacy parameter was the mean change from baseline in the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score. Significant differences in favour of escitalopram were observed for the MADRS [P<0.05, observed cases (OC)/last observation carried forward (LOCF)] and Clinical Global Improvement–Severity of Illness scores (CGI-S; P<0.05, OC/LOCF). Escitalopram separated from placebo at week 1 on the primary efficacy parameter, whereas citalopram first separated from placebo at week 6. An analysis of time to response showed that escitalopram-treated patients responded significantly faster to treatment than citalopram-treated patients (P<0.01). More patients responded to and achieved remission with escitalopram than to citalopram (P<0.05, OC). The HAMD scale was only used in the fixed-dose study, where escitalopram-treated patients had a significant reduction in HAMD-17 total score at week 8 compared to citalopram-treated patients (P<0.05, OC/LOCF). In the pooled subpopulation of severely ill patients (MADRS≥30), escitalopram-treated patients showed greater improvement than citalopram-treated patients (P<0.05, LOCF/OC). Escitalopram showed consistently superior efficacy compared to citalopram in the treatment of moderate to severe MDD on all efficacy parameters, and was similarly well tolerated.
Core Histones Are Glutaminyl Substrates for Tissue Transglutaminase*

Chicken erythrocyte core histones are glutaminyl substrates in the transglutaminase (TGase) reaction with monodansylcadaverine (DNC) as donor amine. The modification is very fast when compared with that of many native substrates of TGase. Out of the 18 glutamines of the four histones, nine (namely glutamine 95 of H2B; glutamines 5, 19, and 125 of H3; glutamines 27 and 93 of H4; and glutamines 24, 104, and 112 of H2A) are the amine acceptors in free histones. The use of Gln112 of H2A requires a temperature-dependent partial unfolding of the histone, showing that structural determinants are decisive for the glutamine specificity. The structures of H2A and H2B do not appreciably change upon modification with DNC as determined by circular dichroism, and core particles reconstituted from these DNC-modified histones are indistinguishable from native nucleosome cores. When the reaction is carried out with native nucleosomes, only glutamines 5 and 19 of H3, which are located in the N-terminal tail, and glutamine 22 of H2B, which is not labeled in free histone, are modified. Methylamine and putrescine also are incorporated into nucleosomes by the TGase reaction. Our results reveal several possibilities for the application of the TGase reaction in the chromatin field, and taking into account that histones are easily cross-linked or modified by polyamines in vitro, the possibility that they may be TGase substrates in vivo is discussed.
Effect of the upper airway obstruction on arterial remodeling in rats: A mechanobiology study

Vascular remodeling is related to time-varying mechanical stress. In this report, arterial pressures (APs) in six Sprague Dawley (SD) rats are indirectly altered by the upper airway obstruction induced by the injection of Sodium Hyaluronate. The respiratory pressures (RPs) in the upper airways, the APs in the common carotid arteries in the six SD model rats and six SD control rats are simultaneously measured and analyzed by Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition(EEMD)-based Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT). The differentially or significantly regulated proteins in the common carotid arteries from the SD model and control rats are examined by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). The results demonstrate that the mean frequencies and normalized mean energy densities for some Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs) of the RPs and APs in the SD model rats are significantly different from those in the SD control rats, among all the regulated proteins, one protein is significantly up-regulated and three are significantly down-regulated, two subsets of proteins consistently exhibit significant differences in abundance and are likely to play key roles in arterial remodeling. The analysis of biomechanics and proteomics presented in this report may provide a mechanobiology approach for quantitatively investigating the relationship between mechanical stress and arterial remodeling at protein level.