Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New and Simple Silicone Intubation Method for Dacryocystorhinostomy

Aim: To describe a new and simple bicanalicular silicone intubation technique, which can be used during dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) surgery. Method: In this method, a lacrimal canula is used to pass the silicone tube through the lacrimal canaliculi. A 26-Gauge curved lacrimal canula is inserted into one end of a silicone tube with an inner diameter of 0.50 mm and outer diameter of 0.94 mm. The lacrimal puncta are enlarged using a one-snip procedure. The canula is introduced together with the tube into the punctum and advanced to the rhinostomy site. Here, the tube is detached from the canula by a forceps and the canula retracted. The other canaliculus is intubated in a similar manner. The tubes are passed out through the rhinostomy site and nose, and tied inside the nose. Result: Silicone intubation was performed in 32 DCR procedures in 30 patients (revision DCR in 13 eyes, primary DCR in 10 eyes, canalicular DCR in 7 eyes, and endonasal DCR in 2 eyes) using the described method. No significant difficulty was encountered in any case. During the follow-up, a slit punctum developed in 1 eye and prolapsus of the tube at the medial canthus in another eye; no other complication was observed. Conclusion: This method eliminates the need for retrieval of a metal leader from the lacrimal canaliculi and rhinostomy site and facilitates silicone intubation during DCR. It is a relatively nontraumatic and inexpensive method that may be an alternative to the other intubation methods.
Planning behavior and its functional role in interactions with complex systems

This paper reports on a field study of the behavior of anesthesiologists as expert practitioners in managing a class of complex systems: patients under general anesthesia and surgery. The anesthesiologists studied were found to make extensive use of preparatory strategies, which provided them with many types of resources, including potential problems to be dealt with, materials needed, contingency response plans, desired goals, and the errors that are likely to be committed, The process of preparing these resources usually started with the compilation and review of a set of points for consideration (PFCs). A conceptual model of human planning is proposed which challenges traditional views on problem solving and planning, The model accounts for not only the specific results obtained in this field study, but also for the functional role of planning behavior during interactions with dynamic and complex systems in general, an important aspect of problem solving which has direct implications for the design of human-machine interfaces and cognitive support systems.
INVITED: ObfusCADe: Obfuscating additive manufacturing CAD models against counterfeiting

As additive manufacturing (AM) becomes more pervasive, its supply chains shift towards distributed business models that heavily rely on cloud resources. Despite its countless benefits, this paradigm raises significant concerns about the trustworthiness of the globalized process, as there exist several classes of cybersecurity attacks that can undermine its security guarantees. In this work, we focus on the protection of the intellectual property (IP) of 3D designs, and introduce ObfusCADe, which is a novel protection method against counterfeiting, by embedding special features in CAD models. The introduced features interfere with the integrity of the design, effectively restricting high quality manufacturing to only a unique set of processing settings and conditions; under all other conditions, the printed artifact suffers from poor quality, premature failures and/or malfunctions.
Body composition and fasting heat production from birth to 14 months of age for three biological types of beef heifers.

Thirty heifers were randomly sampled at five ages from each of the Hereford, Charolais, and Simmental herds at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center to estimate association of fasting heat production (FHP) with body composition. Replicated measures of respiratory exchange were obtained for six heifers per breed at ages 2 d, 3 mo, 7 mo, 10 mo, and 14 mo using open-circuit calorimetry. Regression adjustment of FHP/live weight.75 to zero activity (AFHP) reduced the mean by 12% and variance among periods for the same animal by 42%. Daily AFHP (kcal/kg.75) was highest at 2 d (122), lowest at 10 mo (92) (P less than .01), and intermediate (103 to 106) at other ages and averaged 109, 106, and 102 for Charolais, Simmental and Hereford over all ages (P less than .05). Pooled within-age correlations of AFHP were . 77 with weight of carcass (CAR) nonfat or water and . 75 with live and empty body weight (EBW) but were only . 13 with fat weight. Prediction of AFHP within age groups was most accurate from multiple regression on the nonfat weight in visceral organs and blood (VOB), gastrointestinal tract (GIF), head, hide, and shanks (HHS), and CAR fractions (R2 = 61%, error SD = 21.5), from regression on nonfat in CAR alone (60%, 21.6), or from regression on chemical components in each of the four fractions (59%, 22.0), relative to EBW (55%, 22.9) or its four chemical components (58%, 22.3). Partial regressions were largest for water or nonfat (P less than .01) and were negligible for fat. Importance in predicting AFHP was two to eight times greater for nonfat in CAR than in other fractions because CAR was 60 to 65% of EBW. Lean mass is clearly a major predictor of nutrient requirement that is useful to evaluate effects of body composition on the efficiency of beef production.
Invited Paper Special Section on Recent Progress in Microwave and Millimeter-wave Technologies and Their Applications Siw-like Guided Wave Structures and Applications

SUMMARY In this paper, the research advances in SIW-like (Substrate Integrated Waveguide-like) guided wave structures and their applications in the State Key Laboratory of Millimeter Waves of China is reviewed. Our work is concerned with the investigations on the propagation characteristics of SIW, half-mode SIW (HMSIW) and the folded HMSIW (FHMSIW) as well as their applications in microwave and millimeter wave filters, diplex-ers, directional couplers, power dividers, antennas, power combiners, phase shifters and mixers etc. Selected results are presented to show the interesting features and advantages of those new techniques.
Globalization and Redistribution Towards the Poor in Developing Countries : Experiment in India Sera Linardi linardi

Can globalization change our willingness to redistribute to the poor? We propose the hypothesis that in developing countries, the ‘glitter’ of foreign direct investment (FDI) reduces public support for redistribution by creating perceptions of better employment opportunities for the poor. Initial evidence is derived from World Value Survey responses from developing economies. Delving deeper, a framed field experiment in India reveals foreign ownership of low-skilled firms reduces redistribution to the poor. We further find that rich conservatives drive this reduction. This analysis provides the first experimental evidence of the causal impact of globalization on redistribution, mediated by ideology and income.
Reading Fluency and Its Intervention

This 3-part article represents an effort to confront 3 large lacunae in the research on reading fluency: definition, component structure, and theory-based intervention. The 1st section describes several historical approaches to fluency and the components of fluent reading that are implicit in these approaches. We then present our own developmental- and component-based definition of reading fluency. In the 2nd section we discuss how different types of current fluency interventions correspond to particular components in fluency's structure and to particular phases of its development. The last section presents an overview of an experimental fluency program that attempts to address multiple components in the development of fluent reading. Finally, we argue that increased exploration of the issues surrounding fluency and comprehension will contribute to our understanding of both reading development and dyslexia subtypes.
Weaning from the ventilator and extubation in ICU

Purpose of reviewThe decision to extubate is a crucial moment for intubated patients. In most cases, the transition to spontaneous breathing is uneventful, but in some patients, it implies a more challenging decision. Both extubation delay and especially the need for reintubation are associated with poor outcomes. We aim to review the recent literature on weaning and to clarify the role of certain interventions intending to help in this process. Recent findingsCardiac dysfunction is probably one of the most common causes of weaning failure. Several studies have evaluated the ability of B-natriuretic peptides and echocardiographic tools to predict weaning outcome due to cardiac origin, attempting to prevent its failure. Noninvasive ventilation may have a potential benefit in preventing respiratory failure after extubation of hypercapnic patients, although more studies are needed to define a target population. SummaryCurrent research is focusing on preventing extubation failure, especially in the most challenging cases. The use of weaning protocols – written or computerized – attempts to early identify patients who are able to breathe spontaneously and to hasten extubation, resulting in better outcomes. Nevertheless, individualized care is needed in the most vulnerable patients, trying to prompt weaning without exposing patients to unnecessary risks.
Membrane binding and endoplasmic reticulum retention sequences of rotavirus VP7 are distinct: role of carboxy-terminal and other residues in membrane binding

The sequences responsible for binding rotavirus glycoprotein VP7 to the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) have not been identified. Here we show that the sequences which promote membrane binding in vitro are distinct from the N-terminal sequences which promote retention of VP7 in the ER in vivo. The role of the C-terminal region in membrane binding was also examined by using truncation mutants. Membrane binding in vitro was reduced but not abolished by removing up to 102 residues from the C terminus. The data suggest that the last 36 residues of VP7 may be present in the membrane or translocation pore, possibly with the C terminus protruding into the cytoplasm, since these residues contribute to, but do not account for, membrane binding. Surprisingly, modified forms of VP7 which are secreted from transfected cells showed the same membrane-binding properties in vitro as the protein retained in the ER membrane. Thus, secreted VP7 may not be present as a soluble polypeptide in the ER. A model to explain these results is presented. Previously published data are consistent with the idea that the highly conserved C terminus of nascent VP7 could have a cytoplasmic orientation which is important for assembly of mature virus particles.
Apertura comercial y crecimiento de la productividad total de los factores

Mejorar la productividad es uno de los principales retos para las economías dado que es un elemento fundamental para el desarrollo y crecimiento económico sostenible en el largo plazo. La literatura reciente demuestra que existen diferentes canales que afectan a la productividad agregada, como el stock de capital, la educación, el comercio y la calidad institucional. Este trabajo se propone identificar y cuantificar el efecto de las políticas públicas de una de las principales variables que determinan el crecimiento de la productividad total de los factores (PTF), la apertura comercial. En este sentido, este estudio encuentra que las exportaciones son uno de los principales determinantes de la evolución de la PTF. Luego, es natural preguntarse cuál es el efecto de las políticas de apertura comercial sobre las exportaciones dada la influencia que estas últimas tienen sobre la productividad. De esta manera, se encuentra que los tratados de libre comercio son el principal instrumento mediante el cual los gobiernos podrían aumentar el nivel de exportaciones. En particular, las economías emergentes son las que más se benefician de este tipo de acuerdos cuando los mismos son celebrados con economías desarrolladas.
Reduced Peripheral PGE2 Biosynthesis in Plasmodium falciparum Malaria Occurs through Hemozoin-Induced Suppression of Blood Mononuclear Cell Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene Expression via an Interleukin-10-Independent Mechanism

Molecular immunologic determinants of disease severity during Plasmodium falciparum malaria are largely undetermined. Our recent investigations showed that peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression and plasma prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production are suppressed in children with falciparum malaria relative to healthy, malaria-exposed children with partial immunity. Furthermore, decreased COX-2/PGE2 levels were significantly associated with increased plasma interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine that inhibits the expression of COX-2 gene products. To determine the mechanism(s) responsible for COX-2-derived PGE2 suppression, PBMCs were cultured from children with falciparum malaria. PGE2 production was suppressed under baseline and COX-2-promoting conditions (stimulation with lipopolysaccharide [LPS] and interferon [IFN]-γ) over prolonged periods, suggesting that an in vivo-derived product(s) was responsible for reduced PGE2 biosynthesis. Ingestion of hemozoin (malarial pigment) by PBMC was investigated as a source of COX-2/PGE2 suppression in PBMCs from healthy, malaria-naive adults. In addition, synthetically prepared hemozoin, β-hematin, was used to investigate the effects of the core iron component of hemozoin, ferriprotoporphyrin-IX (FPIX). Physiologic concentrations of hemozoin or β-hematin suppressed LPS- and IFN-γ-induced COX-2 mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner, resulting in decreased COX-2 protein and PGE2 production. Suppression of COX-2/PGE2 by hemozoin was not due to decreased cell viability as evidenced by examination of mitochondrial bioactivity. These data illustrate that ingestion of FPIX by blood mononuclear cells is responsible for suppression of COX-2/PGE2. Although hemozoin induced overproduction of IL-10, neutralizing IL-10 antibodies failed to restore PGE2 production. Thus, acquisition of hemozoin by blood mononuclear cells is responsible for suppression of PGE2 in malaria through inhibition of de novo COX-2 transcripts via molecular mechanisms independent of increased IL-10 production.
Lactation After Conservative Breast Surgery Combined with Radiation Therapy

Radiosensitivity of the mammary gland and the effect of therapeutic radiation on lactation has not been denned. To investigate lactation following conservative surgical management and megavoltage radiation treatments for early breast carcinoma, data were collected from a national survey of 2,582 members of the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. This study reports 53 women who became pregnant after lumpectomy, axillary dissection, and radiation treatments with an average dose of 180–200 cGy. The mean daily total dose to the breast was 49.4 Gy and to the boost area 15 cGy either with electrons or implant. Of these patients, 34% were able to exhibit some form of lactation from the irradiated breast; 24.5% were able to successfully breast-feed from the involved breast. Results of the study document that bilateral lactation can successfully occur after conservative surgery and radiation therapy in approximately 1 in 4 women.
Induction of hepatic CYP1A in channel catfish increases binding of 2-aminoanthracene to DNA in vitro and in vivo.

Data are presented from in vitro and in vivo studies that indicate cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) hepatic tissue activates 2-amino-anthracene (AA) to a reactive metabolite that binds to DNA. Channel catfish were injected i.p. with vehicle or 10 mg/kg beta-naphthoflavone (betaNF) on two consecutive days. Two days after the final injection of vehicle or betaNF, vehicle or [3H]AA was injected i.p. at 10 mg/kg, creating four different treatments: vehicle only, betaNF only, [3H]AA only, and betaNF/[3H]AA. Hepatic tissue was examined for CYP1A-associated ethoxyresorufin-O-de-ethylase (EROD) activity, and for DNA adducts at 1, 2, 4 and 7 days following administration of vehicle or [3H]AA. Hepatic EROD activity in betaNF-treated fish was 17-fold higher at day 0 and remained significantly greater than untreated animals for the 7-day experiment. Hepatic DNA adducts, as measured by tritium-associated DNA, ranged from 4.8 to 8.6 pmol/mg DNA in vehicle-pretreated fish injected with [3H]AA, but ranged from 12.6 to 22.7 pmol/mg DNA in betaNF-pretreated fish injected with [3H]AA. Thus, pretreatment with betaNF significantly increased binding of [3H]AA to hepatic DNA in vivo at all four times. Analysis by 32P-post-labeling and thin layer chromatography of hepatic DNA from channel catfish treated with AA revealed two major and several minor spots, which are indicative of DNA adduct formation. Hepatic microsomes from betaNF-pretreated fish were more effective at catalysing the binding of [3H]AA to DNA in vitro than were microsomes from non-treated fish. In addition, binding was decreased by the CYP1A inhibitor 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl. Collectively, these data demonstrate that CYP1A is involved in the activation of AA in channel catfish.
The cytolytic activity of pulmonary CD8+ lymphocytes, induced by infection with a vaccinia virus recombinant expressing the M2 protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), correlates with resistance to RSV infection in mice

Previous studies demonstrated that the pulmonary resistance to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) challenge induced by immunization with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the M2 protein of RSV (vac-M2) was significantly greater 9 days after immunization than at 28 days and was mediated predominantly by CD8+ T cells. In this study, we have extended these findings and sought to determine whether the level of CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity measured in vitro correlates with the resistance to RSV challenge in vivo. Three lines of evidence documented an association between the presence of pulmonary CTL activity and resistance to RSV challenge. First, vac-M2 immunization induced pulmonary CD8+ CTL activity and pulmonary resistance to RSV infection in BALB/c (H-2d) mice, whereas significant levels of pulmonary CTL activity and resistance to RSV infection were not seen in BALB.K (H-2k) or BALB.B (H-2b) mice. Second, pulmonary CD8+ CTL activity was not induced by infection with other vaccinia virus-RSV recombinants that did not induce resistance to RSV challenge. Third, the peak of pulmonary CTL activity correlated with the peak of resistance to RSV replication (day 6), with little resistance being observed 45 days after immunization. An accelerated clearance of virus was not observed when mice were challenged with RSV 45 days after immunization with vac-M2. The results indicate that resistance to RSV induced by immunization with vac-M2 is mainly mediated by primary pulmonary CTLs and that this resistance decreases to very low levels within 2 months following immunization. The implications for inclusion of CTL epitopes into RSV vaccines are discussed in the context of these observations.
Comparación de los resultados a mediano plazo entre la pieloplastia abierta versus laparoscópica en pacientes adultos con obstrucción de la unión ureteropiélica

OBJETIVO: Comparar los resultados a mediano plazo entre la pieloplastia abierta versus laparoscópica en pacientes con obstrucción de la unión ureteropiélica primaria o secundaria.MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, observacional y longitudinal, efectuado en pacientes adultos tratados con pieloplastia abierta o laparoscópica por obstrucción de la unión ureteropiélica, entre enero de 2007 y marzo de 2017. Se analizaron las variables de éxito quirúrgico (cese completo de los síntomas y mejoría de la función renal) y complicaciones posoperatorias con la clasificación de Clavien-Dindo. Se utilizó la prueba de c2 para comparar las variables cualitativas y la U de Mann-Whitney para las variables independientes con distribución anormal. Se consideró estadísticamente significativo el valor de p <0.05. RESULTADOS: Se registraron 40 pacientes con edad promedio de 39 años y seguimiento de 38 meses (1-180). Los pacientes con pieloplastia laparoscópica tuvieron menor estancia hospitalaria (3.6 ± 1.4 vs 6.9 ± 2.1 días; p = 0.001). La tasa de éxito de pieloplastias laparoscópicas fue de 92% en pacientes sin tratamiento previo y de 100% en tratados previamente. Solo se reportaron complicaciones de bajo grado (Clavien-Dindo I y II) en 40% de los casos con pieloplastia abierta y en 44% con laparoscopia. CONCLUSIONES: La pieloplastia abierta y laparoscópica muestran tasas de éxito y resultados similares; por tanto, pueden considerarse técnicas seguras para el tratamiento de la obstrucción ureteropiélica. PALABRAS CLAVE: Laparoscopia; cirugía; obstrucción de la unión ureteropiélica.
Lysosomotropic Agents and Cysteine Protease Inhibitors Inhibit Scrapie-Associated Prion Protein Accumulation

We report that lysosomotropic agents and cysteine protease inhibitors inhibited protease-resistant prion protein accumulation in scrapie-infected neuroblastoma cells. The inhibition occurred without either apparent effects on normal prion protein biosynthesis or turnover or direct interactions with prion protein molecules. The findings introduce two new classes of inhibitors of the formation of protease-resistant prion protein.
Nadir CD4 count and monthly income predict cervical squamous cell abnormalities in HIV-positive women in a resource-limited setting

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 385 HIV-positive women in Bangkok to assess the prevalence and predictors of cervical abnormalities on Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. Low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL), high-grade SIL (HSIL) and invasive cervical cell cancer (ICC) were assessed by cytological examination after Pap smear and logistic regression models were used to assess associations with patient characteristics. Overall prevalence of LSIL, HSIL and ICC were 11.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.2-14.7%), 4.7% (95%CI 2.8-7.3%) and 0.5% (95%CI 0.06-1.9%), respectively. In multivariate models, only the nadir CD4 count and income remained significantly associated with cytological abnormalities, whereas smoking, hormonal contraceptive or antiretroviral use, condom use, parity and number of lifetime sexual partners were not associated. The odds ratio for having cytological abnormalities was 2.6 (95% CI 1.24-5.34) in those with a nadir CD4 count <200 cells/mm3 compared with those with a higher nadir CD4 count, and 1.99 (1.11 -3.57) in those with an income of <125 US dollars/month compared with those with higher incomes. In settings where access to affordable treatment is improving, this study reinforces the importance of regular Pap smear screening in HIV-positive women, particularly those with low nadir CD4 counts and lower incomes.
BRST quantization of matrix models with constraints and two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory on the cylinder

BRST quantization of the one-dimensional constrained matrix model which describes two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory on the cylinder is performed. Classical and quantum BRST generators and BRST-invariant Hamiltonians are constructed. The evolution operator is expressed in terms of the BRST path integral. Advantages of the BRST quantization over the reduced phase space approach leading to the theory of N free fermions are discussed.