Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of laparoscopic versus open complete mesocolic excision in elderly patients with right hemicolon cancer: retrospective analysis of one single cancer

Objective: To investigate the clinical safety, performance, perioperative and oncologic outcome of laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME) for elderly patients with right hemicolon cancer. Methods: A total of 82 patients with right hemicolon cancer who underwent CME between January 2011 and December 2012 were included in this study and divided into laparoscopic colectomy (LC, n=27) group and open colectomy (OC, n=55) group according to surgical procedure. Demographic variables, perioperative and oncologic outcomes of these two groups were compared. Results: There were no significant differences of demographic and tumor characteristics between two groups. During the surgical procedures, the patients in LC group had shorter incision length (P<0.05), longer operation time (P<0.05) and similar blood loss (P>0.05) compared to those in OC group. After the operation, compared to OC group, LC group had lower pain scores (P<0.05), proceeded an earlier first passage of flatus (P<0.05), and restored the ability to consume solid food sooner (P<0.05). Moreover, when LC group was compared to OC group, hospitalization (P<0.05) was recorded shorter, total costs (P<0.05) were increased, similar numbers of lymph nodes were obtained (P>0.05), and comparable levels of postoperative complications occurred (P>0.05). With a 39-month follow-up, significant differences of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, local recurrence, distant metastasis, 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival were not observed. Conclusions: Laparoscopic CME has short-term advantages and comparable long term outcomes compared to open CME. It is safer, more feasible and more effective minimally invasive surgery procedure for elderly patients with right hemicolon cancer.
Genetic variation in the serotonin 2A receptor and suicidal ideation in a sample of 270 Irish high‐density schizophrenia families

Genetic variation in the serotonin 2A receptor (HTR2A) has been associated with both schizophrenia and suicidal behavior. Our sample comprised 270 Irish high‐density schizophrenia families (n = 1,408 subjects, including 755 with psychotic illness). Diagnoses were generated using a modified SCID. All patients who had at least one episode of psychosis were rated on the Operation Criteria Checklist for Psychotic Illness (OPCRIT). Lifetime history of suicidal ideation was determined from medical records and psychiatric interviews and was scored in the OPCRIT. Twelve SNPs were selected for study. Ten of these were tagSNPs derived from HapMap data, along with His452Tyr and T102C. We tested for association with psychotic illness as a whole, as well as stratified by the presence of suicidal ideation, using FBAT and PDTPHASE. Single‐marker as well as haplotype‐based tests using a “sliding window” approach were performed. We observed several 2, 3, and 4 marker haplotypes near the 3′ end of the gene that were over‐transmitted to psychotic subjects (0.02 ≤ P ≤ 0.04). His452Tyr was included in these haplotypes but was not itself significant. We also observed modest over‐transmission of a 2‐marker haplotype that included T102C (0.04 ≤ P ≤ 0.08), which was also not itself significant in single‐marker analyses. There was no significant association in the subgroup of the sample with suicidal ideation. Because of multiple testing, these results do not provide support for HTR2A as a susceptibility gene for psychotic illness, or for suicidal ideation within psychotic illness. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence, circumstances and consequences of falls among community-dwelling older people: results of the 2009 NSW Falls Prevention Baseline Survey.

AIM To describe the prevalence, circumstances and consequences of falls among community-dwelling older people in NSW using data from the 2009 NSW Falls Prevention Baseline Survey. METHODS Telephone interviews with a random sample of 5681 NSW residents aged 65 years and over were conducted in 2009. RESULTS Of those surveyed, 25.6% reported falling in the last year. Of those who fell, 61.2% fell once, 21.4% fell twice, 7.8% fell three times, and 9.5% fell four or more times in the last year. Sixty-six percent of those who fell in the last year were injured and 20.0% visited a hospital as a result of a fall. The most common injuries were cuts, grazes or bruises (71.0%) and sprains or strains (9.9%). CONCLUSION The findings of this survey are consistent with previous findings in the published fall injury prevention literature. The results from the survey will assist in the design of community oriented fall injury prevention strategies and will form the baseline measure for the evaluation of the impact of these strategies in NSW.
Geometric compression for interactive transmission

The compression of geometric structures is a relatively new field of data compression. Since about 1995, several articles have dealt with the coding of meshes, using for most of them the following approach: the vertices of the mesh are coded in an order that partially contains the topology of the mesh. In the same time, some simple rules attempt to predict the position of each vertex from the positions of its neighbors that have been previously coded. We describe a compression algorithm whose principle is completely different: the coding order of the vertices is used to compress their coordinates, and then the topology of the mesh is reconstructed from the vertices. This algorithm achieves compression ratios that are slightly better than those of the currently available algorithms, and moreover, it allows progressive and interactive transmission of the meshes.
Delay compensation in packet-switching networked controlled systems

In this paper, we consider the problem of stabilizing sufficiently smooth nonlinear time-invariant plants over a network whereby feedback is closed through a limited-bandwidth digital channel. Reliable packet switching networks are explicitly considered, for which both the time between consecutive accesses to each node (MATI) and the delay by which each data packet is received, processed, and fed back to the plant are unknown but bounded. For what concerns networked feedback control, the main difference between a packet-switching and a circuit-switching network with the same bandwidth is that packets can convey larger amounts of feedback data (measurements and control inputs) with much higher latency and jitter than a conventional communication channel. To compensate the unpredictably varying delays in packet switching networked control systems, we propose a model-based strategy that exploits the relatively high payload which can be associated to each packet. A bound on the tolerable delays and access frequency is explicitly provided.
Physico-Mechanical Performance of Hybrid Betel Nut (Areca catechu) Short Fiber/Seaweed Polypropylene Composite

The objective of this research was to investigate the mechanical performance (tensile, bending, and impact properties) of polypropylene (PP) composites filled with betel nut (Areca catechu) short fiber (Bn) at different compositions (3, 5, 10, 20, 30wt%), using extruding and hot press moulding technique. Results showed that Bn10:PP90 mixture composite (BnPP) had better performance among the composites prepared. Because of the suitability of seaweed (Sw) as a filler in PP composite, as shown in our previous work, seaweed is subjected to hybridize with betel nut short fiber in PP composite to achieve superior mechanical performance. Water sorption capacity, degradation behavior such as simulating weathering and soil buried test of different composites were also performed.
Castleman disease of the thorax: radiologic features with clinical and histopathologic correlation.

PURPOSE To correlate the radiologic manifestations of thoracic Castleman disease with the clinical and histopathologic features. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical, surgical, and histopathologic records; chest radiographs; and computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images in 30 pathologically proved cases of thoracic Castleman disease were reviewed. RESULTS Patients with localized Castleman disease (n = 24) typically had the hyaline-vascular type (n = 23), were asymptomatic (n = 14), and had solitary, well-circumscribed mediastinal masses (n = 24). All lesions at contrast material-enhanced CT (n = 13) enhanced. All lesions at MR imaging (n = 5) were heterogeneous and had increased signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted images. Three patterns were observed on CT or MR images in 20 patients: a solitary, noninvasive mass (n = 10); a dominant infiltrative mass with associated lymphadenopathy (n = 8); or matted lymphadenopathy without a dominant mass (n = 2). Patients with disseminated Castleman disease (n = 6) typically had the plasma cell type (n = 4), were symptomatic at presentation (n = 5), and had bilateral mediastinal masses on chest radiographs (n = 4). At CT, all lesions manifested with diffuse mediastinal lymphadenopathy. All lesions at contrast-enhanced CT (n = 5) enhanced. CONCLUSION Localized Castleman disease manifests as either a solitary, well-circumscribed mediastinal mass or an infiltrative mass with associated lymphadenopathy on CT or MR images. Disseminated Castleman disease manifests with diffuse mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
SPIRAL DENSITY WAVE TRIGGERING OF STAR FORMATION IN SA AND SAB GALAXIES

Azimuthal color (age) gradients across spiral arms are one of the main predictions of density wave theory; gradients are the result of star formation triggered by the spiral waves. In a sample of 13 spiral galaxies of types A and AB, we find that ten of them present regions that match the theoretical predictions. By comparing the observed gradients with stellar population synthesis models, the pattern speed and the location of major resonances have been determined. The resonance positions inferred from this analysis indicate that nine of the objects have spiral arms that extend to the outer Lindblad resonance; for one of the galaxies, the spiral arms reach the corotation radius. The effects of dust, and of stellar densities, velocities, and metallicities on the color gradients are also discussed.
Fusion of eye-tracking data from multiple observers for increased 3D gaze tracking precision

In this paper we discuss an approach to extract 3D gaze data information from binocular eye-tracking data. Factors such as tracking noise, tracking precision and observation distance limit the resolution of gaze tracking in three dimensions. We have developed a methodology, which uses a model of the stereoscopic human visual system (HVS) to analyze per-eye gaze data and to convert it into a something we call stereoscopic volume-of-interest (SVOI). We have found that using data from multiple observers increases the tracking precision. We aim to find the link between number of observers and tracking precision. This would allow one to optimize the number of participants involved in 3D gaze-tracking experiment, in order to achieve certain level of 3D gaze tracking precision.
Model for Assessing Cardiovascular Risk in a Korean Population

Background—A model for predicting cardiovascular disease in Asian populations is limited. Methods and Results—In total, 57 393 consecutive asymptomatic Korean individuals aged 30 to 80 years without a prior history of cardiovascular disease who underwent a general health examination were enrolled. Subjects were randomly classified into the train (n=45 914) and validation (n=11 479) cohorts. Thirty-one possible risk factors were assessed. The cardiovascular event was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. In the train cohort, the C-index (95% confidence interval) and Akaike Information Criterion were used to develop the best-fitting prediction model. In the validation cohort, the predicted versus the observed cardiovascular event rates were compared by the C-index and Nam and D’Agostino &khgr;2 statistics. During a median follow-up period of 3.1 (interquartile range, 1.9–4.3) years, 458 subjects had 474 cardiovascular events. In the train cohort, the best-fitting model consisted of age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, current smoking, family history of coronary heart disease, white blood cell, creatinine, glycohemoglobin, atrial fibrillation, blood pressure, and cholesterol (C-index =0.757 [0.726–0.788] and Akaike Information Criterion =7207). When this model was tested in the validation cohort, it performed well in terms of discrimination and calibration abilities (C-index=0.760 [0.693–0.828] and Nam and D’Agostino &khgr;2 statistic =0.001 for 3 years; C-index=0.782 [0.719–0.846] and Nam and D’Agostino &khgr;2 statistic=1.037 for 5 years). Conclusions—A risk model based on traditional clinical and biomarkers has a feasible model performance in predicting cardiovascular events in an asymptomatic Korean population.
Progressive lossless compression of arbitrary simplicial complexes

Efficient algorithms for compressing geometric data have been widely developed in the recent years, but they are mainly designed for closed polyhedral surfaces which are manifold or "nearly manifold". We propose here a progressive geometry compression scheme which can handle manifold models as well as "triangle soups" and 3D tetrahedral meshes. The method is lossless when the decompression is complete which is extremely important in some domains such as medical or finite element.While most existing methods enumerate the vertices of the mesh in an order depending on the connectivity, we use a kd-tree technique [Devillers and Gandoin 2000] which does not depend on the connectivity. Then we compute a compatible sequence of meshes which can be encoded using edge expansion [Hoppe et al. 1993] and vertex split [Popović and Hoppe 1997]. The main contributions of this paper are: the idea of using the kd-tree encoding of the geometry to drive the construction of a sequence of meshes, an improved coding of the edge expansion and vertex split since the vertices to split are implicitly defined, a prediction scheme which reduces the code for simplices incident to the split vertex, and a new generalization of the edge expansion operation to tetrahedral meshes.
The Relationship between Cranial Structure, Biomechanical Performance and Ecological Diversity in Varanoid Lizards

Skull structure is intimately associated with feeding ability in vertebrates, both in terms of specific performance measures and general ecological characteristics. This study quantitatively assessed variation in the shape of the cranium and mandible in varanoid lizards, and its relationship to structural performance (von Mises strain) and interspecific differences in feeding ecology. Geometric morphometric and linear morphometric analyses were used to evaluate morphological differences, and finite element analysis was used to quantify variation in structural performance (strain during simulated biting, shaking and pulling). This data was then integrated with ecological classes compiled from relevant scientific literature on each species in order to establish structure-function relationships. Finite element modelling results showed that variation in cranial morphology resulted in large differences in the magnitudes and locations of strain in biting, shaking and pulling load cases. Gracile species such as Varanus salvadorii displayed high strain levels during shaking, especially in the areas between the orbits. All models exhibit less strain during pull back loading compared to shake loading, even though a larger force was applied (pull =30N, shake = 20N). Relationships were identified between the morphology, performance, and ecology. Species that did not feed on hard prey clustered in the gracile region of cranial morphospace and exhibited significantly higher levels of strain during biting (P = 0.0106). Species that fed on large prey clustered in the elongate area of mandible morphospace. This relationship differs from those that have been identified in other taxonomic groups such as crocodiles and mammals. This difference may be due to a combination of the open ‘space-frame’ structure of the varanoid lizard skull, and the ‘pull back’ behaviour that some species use for processing large prey.
Dynamic Pricing and Advertising of Perishable Products with Inventory Holding Costs

We examine a special class of dynamic pricing and advertising models for the sale of perishable goods, including marginal unit costs and inventory holding costs. The time horizon is assumed to be finite and we allow several model parameters to be dependent on time. For the stochastic version of the model, we derive closed-form expressions of the value function as well as of the optimal pricing and advertising policy in feedback form. Moreover, we show that for small unit shares, the model converges to a deterministic version of the problem, whose explicit solution is characterized by an overage and an underage case. We quantify the close relationship between the open-loop solution of the deterministic model and the expected evolution of optimally controlled stochastic sales processes. For both models, we derive sensitivity results. We find that in the case of positive holding costs, on average, optimal prices increase in time and advertising rates decrease. Furthermore, we analytically verify the excellent quality of optimal feedback policies of deterministic models applied in stochastic models.
Mechanical and tribological behaviors of UHMWPE composites filled with basalt fibers

In this article, the basalt fibers were used to fill the UHMWPE because of their outstanding mechanical and tribological performances. The UHMWPE composites with the filler content of 5—20 wt. % were prepared. Then, the mechanical and tribological performances of the composites were tested. Also, the wear mechanism was analyzed. The results indicated that the UHMWPE composites’ impact toughness was decreased when filled with the basalt fibers, but the strength, hardness, and anti-indentation creep of the UHMWPE composites were improved. Under the same experimental conditions, the friction coefficient of the UHMWPE composites filled with basalt fibers was decreased to some extent, and the wear loss of the composites was significantly reduced. The analysis showed that the wear type of the UHMWPE composites was changed when filled with the basalt fibers. So, the wear-resistant performance of the UHMWPE composites was effectively enhanced.
NikR Mediates Nickel-Responsive Transcriptional Repression of the Helicobacter pylori Outer Membrane Proteins FecA3 (HP1400) and FrpB4 (HP1512)

ABSTRACT The transition metal nickel plays an important role in gastric colonization and persistence of the important human pathogen Helicobacter pylori, as it is the cofactor of the abundantly produced acid resistance factor urease. Nickel uptake through the inner membrane is mediated by the NixA protein, and the expression of NixA is controlled by the NikR regulatory protein. Here we report that NikR also controls the nickel-responsive expression of the FecA3 (HP1400) and FrpB4 (HP1512) outer membrane proteins (OMPs), as well as the nickel-responsive expression of an ExbB-ExbD-TonB system, which may function in energization of outer membrane transport. Transcription and expression of the frpB4 and fecA3 genes were repressed by nickel in wild-type H. pylori 26695, but they were independent of nickel and derepressed in an isogenic nikR mutant. Both the frpB4 and fecA3 genes were transcribed from a promoter directly upstream of their start codon. Regulation by NikR was mediated via nickel-dependent binding to specific operators overlapping either the +1 or −10 sequence in the frpB4 and fecA3 promoters, respectively, and these operators contained sequences resembling the proposed H. pylori NikR recognition sequence (TATWATT-N11-AATWATA). Transcription of the HP1339-1340-1341 operon encoding the ExbB2-ExbD2-TonB2 complex was also regulated by nickel and NikR, but not by Fur and iron. In conclusion, H. pylori NikR controls nickel-responsive expression of the HP1400 (FecA3) and HP1512 (FrpB4) OMPs. We hypothesize that these two NikR-regulated OMPs may participate in the uptake of complexed nickel ions and that this process is energized by the NikR-regulated ExbB2-ExbD2-TonB2 system, another example of the specific adaptation of H. pylori to the gastric lifestyle.
Mathematical modeling of incentive policies in p2p systems

In order to stimulate cooperation among nodes in P2P systems, some form of incentive mechanism is necessary so as to encourage service contribution. Hence, designing and evaluating the stability, robustness and performance of incentive policies is extremely critical. In this paper, we propose a general mathematical framework to evaluate the stability and evolution of a family of shared history based incentive policies. To illustrate the utility of the framework, we present two incentive policies and show why one incentive policy can lead to a total system collapse while the other is stable and operates at the optimal point. One can use this mathematical framework to design and analyze various incentive policies and verify whether they match the design objectives of the underlying P2P systems.
Mining Frequent Spatial Docking Patterns in Zinc Finger-DNA Complexes

We use techniques of logic-based relational machine learning to automatically detect spatial patterns common to 21 previously described examples of zinc finger DNA complexes. We demonstrate that such patterns can be found and thus the proposed methodology may potentially serve to achieve better understanding of zinc finger DNA binding. Keywords— Structural Genomics, Machine Learning, Data
Histochemical study of vascular endothelial growth factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to clarify the significance of VEGF expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODOLOGY Tissues samples were taken from 52 patients with esophageal SCC after surgery. VEGF expression in these SCCs was examined immunohistochemically. Microvessels in the tumor stained for Factor VIII-related antigen were counted. Ki-67 antigen as a proliferative marker was immunostained with MIB-1, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin nick end labeling was performed for the evaluation of apoptosis. Ki-67 labeling index (LI) and apoptotic index were then calculated. RESULTS VEGF expression was observed in 30 of the patients (57.7%). The microvessel count was significantly higher (p = 0.007), and the apoptotic index was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) in the SCC with VEGF expression than in the SCC without it, but no significant difference was observed in the Ki-67 LI between these groups. There was an inverse correlation between the microvessel count and the apoptotic index (p = 0.007). In the clinicopathologic factors, histologic venous invasion of cancer cells (p = 0.039) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.049) were significantly correlated with VEGF expression. The survival rate after curative surgery was better in the patients without VEGF expression (p < 0.05), and distant organ metastasis after surgery was frequently observed in the patients with VEGF expression (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that VEGF expression is associated with angiogenesis in esophageal SCC, and may be a prognostic factor in patients with esophageal SCC. Furthermore, apoptosis may be influenced by angiogenesis in esophageal SCC.