Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Surgical Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis Associated with Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

The clinical management of patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) associated with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) presents many challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate patient outcome after surgical management of CP associated with SOD intractable to medical management. The records of patients with CP and SOD who underwent surgical treatment between 1994 and 1998 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Manometry of biliary and pancreatic ducts was performed. Basal pressures were considered abnormal if ≥40 mm Hg for at least 30 seconds. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasound, and clinical criteria were utilized in the diagnosis of CP. Quality-of-life issues were assessed. Twenty-nine patients were identified (21 women and eight men) with a mean age of 43.3 years (range 24–54). Mean basal biliary and pancreatic sphincter pressures were 155.1 and 90.4 mm Hg respectively. Chronic pancreatitis was graded as mild in nine patients, moderate in six, severe in two, and normal or equivocal in 12 patients according to the Cambridge classification. A Whipple procedure was performed in 17 (59%) patients, lateral pancreaticojejunostomy in nine (31%), and distal resections or a combination of procedures in three (10%). The morbidity and mortality rates were 21 and 0 per cent respectively. Mean follow-up was 30 months (range 3–48). Pain relief ranging from fair to excellent was seen in 83 per cent of patients with pain scores decreasing from an average of 9 (scale 1–10) before surgery to 3 postoperatively. Seventy per cent maintained their weight, 45 per cent continued to require pancreatic enzyme supplementation, and there were no changes in the status of diabetes. Rehospitalizations for recurrent pancreatitis or persistent pain were necessary in 24 per cent of patients. Surgical management of patients with CP and SOD who fail medical management is safe and effective in most patients. Operative morbidity and mortality are low, and the majority of patients have improvement in pain, although some require rehospitalization for recurrent pancreatitis and chronic pain.
Disease-related and functional predictors of employment status among adults with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND Due to the extent and complexity of its physical, cognitive, and psychological accompaniments, multiple sclerosis has tremendously negative effects on employment outcomes for adults with the disease. OBJECTIVE This article extends the current understanding of the relationship between disease-related and functional factors and employment status among adults with multiple sclerosis. METHODS Findings are reported in terms of descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The logistic regression analysis was completed to determine the extent to which disease-related and functional predictors contributed to the overall prediction model for the employment status of adults with MS. RESULTS The combined variables explained approximately 33% of the variance in employment status. In addition to three items of the Psychological subscale and 12 items of the Physical subscale, one of the items from the Cognitive Functioning Scale contributed to the prediction of employment status. CONCLUSIONS The findings emphasize the importance of including physical, psychological, and cognitive functioning variables when predicting employment status among adults with multiple sclerosis.
Sparkle: an ambient light display for dynamic off-screen points of interest

In this paper we present Sparkle, an ambient light display for dynamic off-screen points of interest (POIs) embedded with a tablet computer. We report on the design process using a virtual prototype to inform design decisions for the physical prototype used in the evaluation as well as on the results of our experiment. We show that Sparkle reduces a user's workload and increases the perceived usability. Compared to state-of-the-art on-screen display techniques for off-screen POIs Sparkle proves to be robust and competitive. We contribute to the community by demonstrating the beneficial use of ambient light displays in combination with tablet size computers. Ambient light can serve as an alternative in situations where on-screen aids are not permissible.
Physiological modelling of oxygen consumption in birds during flight

This study combines data on changes in cardiovascular variables with body mass (Mb) and with exercise intensity to model the oxygen supply available to birds during flight. Its main purpose is to provide a framework for identifying the factors involved in limiting aerobic power input to birds during flight and to suggest which cardiovascular variables are the most likely to have been influenced by natural selection when considering both allometric and adaptive variation. It is argued that natural selection has acted on heart rate (fh) and cardiac stroke volume (Vs), so that the difference in the arteriovenous oxygen content (CaO2-Cv¯O2) in birds, both at rest and during flight, is independent of Mb. Therefore, the Mb exponent for oxygen consumption (V(dot)O2) during flight can be estimated from measurements of heart rate and stroke volume. Stroke volume is likely to be directly proportional to heart mass (Mh) and, using empirical data, values for the Mb coefficients and exponents of various cardiovascular variables are estimated. It is concluded that, as found for mammals, fh is the main adaptive variable when considering allometric variation, although Mh also shows a slight scaling effect. Relative Mh is likely to be the most important when considering adaptive specialisations. The Fick equation may be represented as: (V(dot)O2)Mbz = (fh)Mbw x (Vs)Mbx x (CaO2 - Cv¯O2)Mby , where w, x, y, z are the body mass exponents for each variable and the terms in parentheses represent the Mb coefficients. Utilising this formula and data from the literature, the scaling of minimum V(dot)O2 during flight for bird species with a 'high aerobic capacity' (excluding hummingbirds) is calculated to be: 166Mb0.77±0.09 = 574Mb-0.19±0.02 x 3.48Mb0. 96±0.02 x 0.083Mb0. 00±0.05 , and for hummingbirds (considered separately owing to their unique wing kinematics) it is: 314Mb0.90±0.22 = 617Mb-0.10±0.06 x 6.13Mb1. 00±0.11 x 0.083Mb0. 00±0.05 . These results are largely dependent on the cardiovascular values obtained from pigeons flying near to the minimum power speed of 10 m s-1, but would appear to provide realistic values. Both the measured and the estimated V(dot)O2 for hummingbirds appear to scale with a larger Mb exponent than that for all other birds, and it is suggested that this is as a result of the larger Mb exponent for flight muscle mass as the larger species of hummingbirds try to maintain hovering performance. It is proposed that estimated V(dot)O2 for birds during flight, which is based on Mh in combination with estimates of fh and CaO2-Cv¯O2, gives an indirect measure of relative aerobic power input and, when corrected for the estimated scaling influences of the mechano-chemical conversion efficiency and lift generation with respect to Mb, may be a useful indicator of the relative capacity of the muscle to sustain power output and lift production during flight.
Separate Versus Combined Analysis of Phylogenetic Evidence

There has been much discussion in the recent systematic literature over whether different data sets bearing on phylogenetic relationships should be analyzed separately or combined and analyzed simultaneously. We review arguments in favor of each of these views. Assuming that the goal is to uncover the true phylogeny of the entities in question, arguments for combining data based on the notions that one should use the "total evidence" available, or that the combined analysis gives the tree with the greatest descriptive and explanatory power, are not compelling. However, combining data sets can enhance detection of real phylogenetic groups. On the other hand, if there is heterogeneity
A SDN-based architecture for horizontal Internet of Things services

The Internet of Things (IoT) architecture is expected to evolve into a horizontal model containing various open systems, integrated environments, and platforms. However, not much research effort has been devoted to developing architectures for horizontal IoT solutions so far. This paper presents an IoT architecture based on Software-Defined Networking (SDN). In this architecture, devices, gateways, and data are open and programmable to IoT application developers and service operators. Moreover, IoT data provision and interoperability are supported at different levels. We present an implementation of the proposed architecture. Our implementation shows that the proposed architecture enables rapid creation of IoT applications by reusing ready applications and data. The measurement and evaluation results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed architecture.
Evoked potentials in multiple systematrophy (MSA)

Objectives– To study the involvement of pyramidal tracts and sensory pathways in multiple system atrophy (MSA). Materials and methods– Evoked potential studies were performed in 45 MSA patients suffering from either MSA of cerebellar type (MSA‐C) or MSA of parkinsonian type (MSA‐P). Results– Motor evoked potentials were normal in all MSA patients, whereas visual and somatosensory evoked potential abnormalities were found in about 40% of the MSA patients with no significant difference between the cerebellar (MSA‐C) and parkinsonian (MSA‐P) subgroup. Abnormal latencies of wave III in brainstem auditory evoked potentials were significantly more frequent in MSA‐C. Conclusions– Abnormalities of somatosensory, visual and auditory evoked potentials are frequent findings in MSA, whereas abnormal motor evoked potentials are not a characteristic feature of the disease.
HLA B*5701-Positive Long-Term Nonprogressors/Elite Controllers Are Not Distinguished from Progressors by the Clonal Composition of HIV-Specific CD8+ T Cells

ABSTRACT To better understand the qualitative features of effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific immunity, we examined the TCR clonal composition of CD8+ T cells recognizing conserved HIV p24-derived epitopes in HLA-B*5701-positive long-term nonprogressors/elite controllers (LTNP/EC) and HLA-matched progressors. Both groups displayed oligoclonal HLA-B5701-restricted p24-specific CD8+ T-cell responses with similar levels of diversity and few public clonotypes. Thus, HIV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in LTNP/EC are not differentiated from those of progressors on the basis of clonal diversity or TCR sharing.
Financiamiento y gasto educativo en América Latina

La reforma de los sistemas educativos parece ser una de las prioridades mas claras en las agendas de los paises latinoamericanos. La necesidad de lograr sociedades mas equitativas, inclusivas y cohesionadas, que promuevan el crecimiento economico, el empleo de calidad y la consolidacion de los sistemas democraticos depende de que los paises logren mejoras en la cobertura, calidad, inclusion y equidad de sus sistemas educativos. En este marco se percibe un intenso debate sobre los alcances y contenidos de los derechos a la educacion y las alternativas para su cumplimiento efectivo. El presente estudio tiene como objetivo realizar una primera aproximacion al tema, mediante el analisis de la situacion actual en materia de gasto y financiamiento de la educacion en America Latina. Para cumplir con ese cometido, el documento revisa los cambios recientes en la organizacion del sector en los diferentes paises de la region y la cobertura del sistema en sus distintos niveles, para luego concentrarse en el analisis del gasto educativo y sus modalidades de financiamiento. Si bien el abordaje ofrece un mayor grado de exhaustividad en lo referido a la educacion basica de los paises de America Latina, dentro de lo posible se incorporan referencias a la situacion de la educacion terciaria y a los paises de la region del Caribe.
A multicenter clinical evaluation of the Clot Signature Analyzer

Summary. Background: The Clot Signature Analyzer (CSA) was designed to assess global hemostasis as a screening assay using non‐anticoagulated whole blood. Three different measurements are produced by the instrument: platelet hemostasis time (PHT), clot time (CT), and collagen‐induced thrombus formation (CITF). Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to determine normal ranges for these measurements and assess the performance of the CSA in patients with well‐characterized hemostatic disorders and in normal subjects. Patients and methods: Four institutions participated in the study. Each established their own normal reference ranges. Patients with well‐characterized hemostatic disorders and concurrent normal controls were subsequently examined. Results: Normal ranges between institutions were similar although statistically different. One hundred and eight patients were examined: 46 individuals with von Willebrand disease (VWD) (type 1, 26; type 2A, 11; type 2B, six; type 3, three); 38 patients with a coagulation factor deficiency; 13 individuals with platelet function defects; 10 patients taking warfarin; and one individual on low‐molecular‐weight heparin. Of these patients, 89% had at least one abnormality by CSA: 42/46 VWD patients, 35/38 coagulation protein defect patients, 9/13 patients with platelet function defects, 9/10 patients on warfarin and 1/1 patient on low‐molecular‐weight heparin. Of 116 normal subjects, 103 (89%) fell within the centers' normal range. These data suggest that the CSA has a good sensitivity for bleeding disorders.
Solution structure of loop A from the hairpin ribozyme from tobacco ringspot virus satellite.

The solution structure of loop A from the hairpin ribozyme found in the minus strand of tobacco ringspot virus satellite has been determined by NMR spectroscopy. The ribozyme consists of two internal loops flanked by short helices: loop A and helices I and II include the substrate and substrate binding site; loop B and helices III and IV are the catalytic domain. Loop A is a symmetric internal loop of eight nucleotides that contains the cleavage site. The 2-amino group of the guanine immediately 3' to the cleavage site is essential for catalysis. NMR results show that this guanine forms a sheared G.A base pair. The cytosine residue immediately 5' to the cleavage site forms an AH+. C base pair with an adenine whose pKa is shifted to 6.2 to allow partial protonation near neutral pH. Although the residues flanking the cleavage site are stacked in an A-form pattern, the phosphodiester backbone next to the cleavage site on the 3' side is splayed apart. This places the following base-a uracil-in the expanded major groove. The conformational flexibility and the lack of steric hindrance of the uracil as well as the unoccupied Watson-Crick positions on the sheared G.A base pair can allow loop A to specifically interact with the catalytic domain (loop B) without drastically changing its own conformation. The three-dimensional structure of loop A provides explanations for previously published mutation and structural mapping results.
Relationship of Interleukin‐1 Receptor Antagonist to Mucosal Inflammation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Summary: Previous work has suggested that the interleu-kin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist, IL-Ira, may regulate mucosal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease. The present study assessed the relationship of mucosal IL-Ira levels to histologic severity of inflammation and the related proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 in children with inflammatory bowel disease. Colonic biopsy specimens from 29 patients with ulcerative colitis, 27 with Crohn's disease, and 24 noninflammatory control subjects were assayed for IL-Ira, IL-1β, and IL-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histologic activity was graded as none, mild, moderate, or severe. Mucosal IL-1β levels, but not IL-lra levels, were significantly elevated in moderate/severely inflamed biopsies from patients with either ulcerative colitis (p < 0.01) or Crohn's disease (p < 0.001) compared with those with none/mild inflammation. The mucosal molar ratio of IL-lra/IL-1β was significantly lower for moderate/severe inflammation compared with none/mild inflammation for patients with ulcerative colitis (p < 0.05) and Crohn's disease (p < 0.01). The mucosal IL-lra/IL-1β ratio was similar in controls to none/mild inflamed biopsies from subjects with either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Our observations suggest that increasing mucosal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease in children is associated with a decrease in the “normal” effective IL-lra/IL-1β ratio in which IL-lra predominates. The importance of this abnormality to the pathogencsis of inflammatory bowel disease awaits further study.
The role of thioredoxin TrxA in Bacillus subtilis: A proteomics and transcriptomics approach

Thiol‐disulfide oxidoreductases of the thioredoxin superfamily are crucial for maintaining the thiol redox state in living organisms. For the bacterium Bacillus subtilis thioredoxin A (TrxA) was described as the product of an essential gene indicating a key role during growth. By means of mRNA profiling Smits et al. (J. Bacteriol. 2005, 187, 3921–3930) suggested a critical function for TrxA in sulfur utilization during stationary phase. We extended the analysis of TrxA to exponential growth and characterized a trxA conditional mutant by proteome analysis complemented by transcriptomics. After TrxA‐depletion, the growth rate was dramatically decreased. The cells responded at mRNA and protein level by the increased expression of genes involved in the utilization of sulfur, which represents the most obvious response as visualized by gel‐based proteomics. Furthermore, several genes of the antioxidant response were found at higher expression levels after TrxA‐depletion. When sulfate was replaced by thiosulfate or methionine as sulfur source, the growth inhibition was abolished. In the presence of thiosulfate but in the absence of TrxA, the induction of the sulfur limitation response and the oxidative stress response was not observed. Our results show that the global change of gene expression is primarily caused by the interruption of the sulfate utilization after TrxA depletion. Thus, its function in sulfate assimilation renders TrxA an essential protein in growing B. subtilis cells.
Game-theoretic hierarchical resource allocation in ultra-dense networks

Ultra-dense networks (UDN) can increase the network coverage and improve the overall throughput which make it a promising network technology. However, traditional resource allocation algorithms are concerned with the improvement of the overall performance of the network. This paper considers the quality of service (QoS) and energy consumption of each femtocell and proposes a game-theoretic hierarchical resource allocation algorithm in UDN. Firstly, a modified clustering algorithm is performed. Then we transform this resource allocation problem to a two-stage Stackelberg game. In sub-channel resource allocation, we aim to maximize the throughput of the whole system by cluster heads (CHs). The power allocation takes account of the balance between QoS requirement and transmit power consumption. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can obtain a performance improvement compared with other algorithms.
Telecommunications strategic marketing - KDD and economic modeling

The Italian deregulation process of telecommunications market in the last years has produced a large economic impact since it has altered equilibriums that were established for a long time. In this framework, we notice a strong need for adequate tools to analyze the market and its trends and, at the same time, a lack of specific solutions within the scientific literature, due to the new technical challenges issued by the problem. In particular, in the context of building a Decision Support System (DSS) for the strategic marketing unit of TELECOM Italia (TI) we have devised a new methodology to profitably combine most powerful tools from KDD and Economic Sciences. We have tested our approach by analyzing the residential telecommunications market demand in Italy during the transition from a monopolistic structure to an oligopolistic one. In this paper, we first address the state of the art in DSS design, then we describe the proposed methodology and its application in the case study.
Roles for Class III HD-Zip and KANADI Genes in Arabidopsis Root Development1

Meristems within the plant body differ in their structure and the patterns and identities of organs they produce. Despite these differences, it is becoming apparent that shoot and root apical and vascular meristems share significant gene expression patterns. Class III HD-Zip genes are required for the formation of a functional shoot apical meristem. In addition, Class III HD-Zip and KANADI genes function in patterning lateral organs and vascular bundles produced from the shoot apical and vascular meristems, respectively. We utilize both gain- and loss-of-function mutants and gene expression patterns to analyze the function of Class III HD-Zip and KANADI genes in Arabidopsis roots. Here we show that both Class III HD-Zip and KANADI genes play roles in the ontogeny of lateral roots and suggest that Class III HD-Zip gene activity is required for meristematic activity in the pericycle analogous to its requirement in the shoot apical meristem.
ST-MRAM Fundamentals, Challenges, and Outlook

Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM) technology was introduced into the market last decade in the form of Toggle MRAM, available in densities up to 16Mb. In the last few years, Spin-Torque MRAM, the next generation of Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) based memory, has become available offering higher density and bandwidth. This paper describes the device and design fundamentals, the associated challenges, and the outlook of this evolving MTJ based memory.