Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of volume controlled ventilation and pressure controlled ventilation in patients undergoing robot-assisted pelvic surgeries: An open-label trial

Background and Aims: Although volume controlled ventilation (VCV) has been the traditional mode of ventilation in robotic surgery, recently pressure controlled ventilation (PCV) has been used more frequently. However, evidence on whether PCV is superior to VCV is still lacking. We intended to compare the effects of VCV and PCV on respiratory mechanics and haemodynamic in patients undergoing robotic surgeries in steep Trendelenburg position. Methods: This prospective, randomized trial was conducted on sixty patients between 20 and 70 years belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiologist Physical Status I–II. Patients were randomly assigned to VCV group (n = 30), where VCV mode was maintained through anaesthesia, or the PCV group (n = 30), where ventilation mode was changed to PCV after the establishment of 40° Trendelenburg position and pneumoperitoneum. Respiratory (peak and mean airway pressure [APpeak, APmean], dynamic lung compliance [Cdyn] and arterial blood gas analysis) and haemodynamics variables (heart rate, mean blood pressure [MBP] central venous pressure) were measured at baseline (T1), post-Trendelenburg position at 60 min (T2), 120 min (T3) and after resuming supine position (T4). Results: Demographic profile, haemodynamic variables, oxygen saturation and minute ventilation (MV) were comparable between two groups. Despite similar values of APmean,APpeakwas significantly higher in VCV group at T2 and T3 as compared to PCV group (P < 0.001). Cdynand PaCO2were also better in PCV group than in VCV group (P < 0.001 and 0.045, respectively). Conclusion: PCV should be preferred in robotic pelvic surgeries as it offers lower airway pressures, greater Cdynand a better-preserved ventilation-perfusion matching for the same levels of MV.
Responsivity of Periaqueductal Gray Connectivity Is Related to Headache Frequency in Episodic Migraine

Migraineurs show hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli at various stages throughout the migraine cycle. A number of putative processes have been implicated including a dysfunction in the descending pain modulatory system in which the periaqueductal gray (PAG) is considered to play a crucial role. Recurring migraine attacks could progressively perturb this system, lowering the threshold for future attacks, and contribute to disease chronification. Here, we investigated PAG connectivity with other brain regions during a noxious thermal stimulus to determine changes in migraineurs, and associations with migraine frequency. 21 episodic migraine patients and 22 matched controls were included in the study. During functional MRI, a thermode was placed on the subjects’ temple delivering noxious and non-noxious heat stimuli. A psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis was carried out to examine pain-induced connectivity of the PAG with other brain regions. The PPI analysis showed increased PAG connectivity with the S1 face representation area and the supplementary motor area, an area involved with pain expectancy, in patients with higher frequency of migraine attacks. PAG connectivity with regions involved with the descending pain modulatory system (i.e., prefrontal cortex) was decreased in the migraineurs versus healthy individuals. Our results suggest that high frequency migraineurs may have diminished resistance to cephalic pain and a less efficient inhibitory pain modulatory response to external stressor (i.e., noxious heat). The findings support the notion that in migraine there is less effective pain modulation (viz., decreased pain inhibition or increased pain facilitation), potentially contributing to increased occurrence of attacks/chronification of migraine.
THE EFFECTS OF CONCURRENT BIOFEEDBACK ON ROWING PERFORMANCE

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of concurrent biofeedback (BFb) on the ability of skilled rowers to modify the relative motions of their elbow and knee joints during ergometer rowing. Over 2 weeks, BFb (n=7) and control (n=7) participants completed two maximal rowing tasks (pre-intervention; transfer) separated by three submaximal rowing sessions supplemented with BFb for the BFb group. Pre-intervention to transfer session patterns showed increased elbow extension and knee flexion in the early phases of the pull, which was a move towards the pattern advocated by the BFb intervention. Although these alterations were not universal, BFb appears to be a useful training aid for those further from the target movement pattern.
Residual Networks: Lyapunov Stability and Convex Decomposition

While training error of most deep neural networks degrades as the depth of the network increases, residual networks appear to be an exception. We show that the main reason for this is the Lyapunov stability of the gradient descent algorithm: for an arbitrarily chosen step size, the equilibria of the gradient descent are most likely to remain stable for the parametrization of residual networks. We then present an architecture with a pair of residual networks to approximate a large class of functions by decomposing them into a convex and a concave part. Some parameters of this model are shown to change little during training, and this imperfect optimization prevents overfitting the data and leads to solutions with small Lipschitz constants, while providing clues about the generalization of other deep networks.
Homomorphic encryption-state of the art

Homomorphic Encryption has become a viable method for privacy preservation. It basically deals with the computations of encoded data. Homomorphic encryption scheme allows operations on encrypted data which, when decrypted will provide the same results as we performed directly on the raw data. Certain cryptographic algorithms having the homomorphic property. A detailed survey is carried out on the various homomorphic encryption scheme based on the parameter involved, the encryption decryption mechanisms, their hammerphic properties, security considerations etc. The encryption methods with homomorphic property are much suitable for applications require data privacy and security.
The Effectiveness of Green Tea or Green Tea Extract on Insulin Resistance and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis

Green tea or green tea extract (GT/GTE) has been demonstrated to reduce insulin resistance and improve glycemic control. However, evidence for this health beneficial effect is inconsistent. This systematic review evaluated the effect of GT/GTE on insulin resistance and glycemic control in people with pre-diabetes/type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to April 2017 for randomised controlled trials of participants with pre-diabetes or T2DM, where the intervention was GT/GTE. Meta-analysis was performed to assess the standardised mean difference (SMD) in biomarkers of insulin resistance and glycemic control between GT/GTE and placebo groups. Six studies (n=382) were pooled into random-effects meta-analysis. Overall, no differences were found between GT/GTE and the placebo for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c: SMD, −0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.86 to 0.23), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR: SMD, 0.10; 95% CI, −0.17 to 0.38), fasting insulin (SMD, −0.25; 95% CI, −0.64 to 0.15), and fasting glucose (SMD, −0.10; 95% CI, −0.50 to 0.30). No evidence support the consumption of GT/GTE could reduce the levels of HbA1c, HOMA-IR, fasting insulin, or fasting glucose in people with pre-diabetes/T2DM. However, the studies included were small and of varying quality.
Thrombocytosis as a prognostic marker in stage III and IV serous ovarian cancer

Objective Thrombocytosis is an adverse prognostic factor in many types of cancer. We investigated if pre-treatment increased platelet counts provide prognostic information specifically in patients with stage III and IV serous ovarian cancer which is the most common clinical presentation of ovarian cancer. Methods Platelet number on diagnosis of stage III and IV serous ovarian adenocarcinoma was evaluated in 91 patients for whom there were complete follow-up data on progression and survival. Survival and progression free survival of patients with normal platelet counts (150-350 ×109/L) was compared with that of patients with thrombocytosis (>350×109/L) by χ2 and logrank tests. Results The median age of the patients was 66 years-old. From the 91 patients, 52 (57.1%) had normal platelet counts (median, 273×109/L; range, 153-350) at diagnosis of their disease and 39 patients (42.9%) had thrombocytosis (median, 463×109/L; range, 354-631). In the group of patients with normal platelet counts, 24 of the 52 patients had died with a median survival of 43 months (range, 3-100). In the group of patients with thrombocytosis, 24 of the 39 patients had died with a median survival of 23 months (range, 4-79). In the entire group of 91 patients there was a statistically significant difference of the overall survival and progression-free survival between the two groups (logrank test P=0.02 and P=0.007, respectively). Conclusion In this retrospective analysis of stage III and IV ovarian cancer patients, thrombocytosis at the time of diagnosis had prognostic value regarding overall survival and progression-free survival.
Transport of ice into the stratosphere and the humidification of the stratosphere over the 21st century

Climate models predict that tropical lower stratospheric humidity will increase as the climate warms. We examine this trend in two state‐of‐the‐art chemistry‐climate models. Under high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, the stratospheric entry value of water vapor increases by ~1 ppmv over the 21st century in both models. We show with trajectory runs driven by model meteorological fields that the warming tropical tropopause layer (TTL) explains 50–80% of this increase. The remainder is a consequence of trends in evaporation of ice convectively lofted into the TTL and lower stratosphere. Our results further show that within the models we examined, ice lofting is primarily important on long time scales; on interannual time scales, TTL temperature variations explain most of the variations in lower stratospheric humidity. Assessing the ability of models to realistically represent ice lofting processes should be a high priority in the modeling community.
Synthesis of Nanometer Sized Bis- and Tris-trityl Model Compounds with Different Extent of Spin–Spin Coupling

Tris(2,3,5,6-tetrathiaaryl)methyl radicals, so-called trityl radicals, are emerging as spin labels for distance measurements in biological systems based on Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). Here, the synthesis and characterization of rigid model systems carrying either two or three trityl moieties is reported. The monofunctionalized trityl radicals are connected to the molecular bridging scaffold via an esterification reaction employing the Mukaiyama reagent 2-chloro-methylpyridinium iodide. The bis- and tris-trityl compounds exhibit different inter-spin distances, strength of electron–electron exchange and dipolar coupling and can give rise to multi-spin effects. They are to serve as benchmark systems in comparing EPR distance measurement methods.
(Pro)renin receptor (ATP6AP2) depletion arrests As4.1 cells in the G0/G1 phase thereby increasing formation of primary cilia

The (pro)renin receptor [(P)RR, ATP6AP2] is a multifunctional transmembrane protein that activates local renin–angiotensin systems, but also interacts with Wnt pathways and vacuolar H+‐ATPase (V‐ATPase) during organogenesis. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of ATP6AP2 in the cell cycle in more detail. ATP6AP2 down‐regulation by siRNA in renal As4.1 cells resulted in a reduction in the rate of proliferation and a G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. We identified a number of novel target genes downstream of ATP6AP2 knock‐down that were related to the primary cilium (Bbs‐1, Bbs‐3, Bbs‐7, Rabl5, Ttc26, Mks‐11, Mks‐5, Mks‐2, Tctn2, Nme7) and the cell cycle (Pierce1, Clock, Ppif). Accordingly, the number of cells expressing the primary cilium was markedly increased. We found no indication that these effects were dependent of V‐ATPase activity, as ATP6AP2 knock‐down did not affect lysosomal pH and bafilomycin A neither influenced the ciliary expression pattern nor the percentage of ciliated cells. Furthermore, ATP6AP2 appears to be essential for mitosis. ATP6AP2 translocated from the endoplasmatic reticulum to mitotic spindle poles (pro‐, meta‐ and anaphase) and the central spindle bundle (telophase) and ATP6AP2 knock‐down results in markedly deformed spindles. We conclude that ATP6AP2 is necessary for cell division, cell cycle progression and mitosis. ATP6AP2 also inhibits ciliogenesis, thus promoting proliferation and preventing differentiation.
Long term (4 years) improved insulin sensitivity following islet cell transplant in type 1 diabetes

Impaired insulin sensitivity (IS) predicts complications and mortality in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Insulin sensitivity improves shortly after islet cell transplant for T1D, yet long‐term changes in IS and associated factors such as patient characteristics, transplant factors, clinical management, and IS‐related biomarkers are unknown.
Regional scale patterns of fine root lifespan and turnover under current and future climate

Fine root dynamics control a dominant flux of carbon from plants and into soils and mediate potential uptake and cycling of nutrients and water in terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding of these patterns is needed to accurately describe critical processes like productivity and carbon storage from ecosystem to global scales. However, limited observations of root dynamics make it difficult to define and predict patterns of root dynamics across broad spatial scales. Here, we combine species‐specific estimates of fine root dynamics with a model that predicts current distribution and future suitable habitat of temperate tree species across the eastern United States (US). Estimates of fine root lifespan and turnover are based on empirical observations and relationships with fine root and whole‐plant traits and apply explicitly to the fine root pool that is relatively short‐lived and most active in nutrient and water uptake. Results from the combined model identified patterns of faster root turnover rates in the North Central US and slower turnover rates in the Southeastern US. Portions of Minnesota, Ohio, and Pennsylvania were also predicted to experience >10% increases in root turnover rates given potential shifts in tree species composition under future climate scenarios while root turnover rates in other portions of the eastern US were predicted to decrease. Despite potential regional changes, the average estimates of root lifespan and turnover for the entire study area remained relatively stable between the current and future climate scenarios. Our combined model provides the first empirically based, spatially explicit, and spatially extensive estimates of fine root lifespan and turnover and is a potentially powerful tool allowing researchers to identify reasonable approximations of forest fine root turnover in areas where no direct observations are available. Future efforts should focus on reducing uncertainty in estimates of root dynamics by better understanding how climate and soil factors drive variability in root dynamics of different species.
Training Load, Immune Status, and Clinical Outcomes in Young Athletes: A Controlled, Prospective, Longitudinal Study

Introduction: Beside positive effects on athlete's health, competitive sport can be linked with an increased risk of illness and injury. Because of high relative increases in training, additional physical and psychological strains, and an earlier specialization and professionalization, adolescent athletes needs an increased attention. Training can alter the immune system by inducing a temporary immunosuppression, finally developing infection symptoms. Previous studies identified Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) as potential indicator for the immune status. In addition to the identification of triggering risk factors for recurrent infections, the aim was to determine the interaction between training load, stress sense, immunological parameters, and clinical symptoms. Methods: A controlled, prospective, longitudinal study on young athletes (n = 274, mean age: 13.8 ± 1.5 yrs) was conducted between 2010 and 2014. Also 285 controls (students, who did not perform competitive sports, mean age: 14.5 ± 1.9 yrs) were recruited. Athletes were examined 3 times each year to determine the effects of stress factors (training load: training hours per week [Th/w]) on selected outcome parameters (clinical [susceptibility to infection, WURSS-21: 21-item Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey], immunological, psychological end points). As part of each visit, EBV serostatus and EBV-specific IgG tiers were studied longitudinally as potential immune markers. Results: Athletes (A) trained 14.9 ± 5.6 h weekly. Controls (C) showed no lower stress levels compared to athletes (p = 0.387). Twelve percent of athletes reported recurrent infections (C: 8.5%, p = 0.153), the presence of an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) was achieved in 30.7%. EBV seroprevalence of athletes was 60.3% (C: 56.6%, p = 0.339). Mean EBV-specific IgG titer of athletes was 166 ± 115 U/ml (C: 137 ± 112 U/ml, p = 0.030). With increasing Th/w, higher stress levels were observed (p < 0.001). Analyzes of WURSS-21 data revealed no relationship to training load (p = 0.323). Also, training load had no relation to EBV serostatus (p = 0.057) or the level of EBV-specific IgG titers (p = 0.364). Discussion: Young elite athletes showed no increased sense of stress, no higher prevalence of recurrent infections, and no different EBV-specific serological parameters compared to controls. Also, no direct relationship between training loads, clinical complaints, and EBV-specific immune responses was found. With increasing training loads athletes felt more stressed, but significant associations to EBV-specific serological parameters were absent. In summary, EBV serostatus and EBV-specific IgG titers do not allow risk stratification for impaired health. Further investigations are needed to identify additional risk factors and immune markers, with the aim to avoid inappropriate strains by early detection and following intervention.
A framework for culture-aware robots based on fuzzy logic

Cultural adaptation, i.e., the matching of a robot's behaviours to the cultural norms and preferences of its user, is a well known key requirement for the success of any assistive application. However, culture-dependent robot behaviours are often implicitly set by designers, thus not allowing for an easy and automatic adaptation to different cultures. This paper presents a method for the design of culture-aware robots, that can automatically adapt their behaviour to conform to a given culture. We propose a mapping from cultural factors to related parameters of robot behaviours which relies on linguistic variables to encode heterogeneous cultural factors in a uniform formalism, and on fuzzy rules to encode qualitative relations among multiple variables. We illustrate the approach in two practical case studies.
The ArfGEF GBF-1 Is Required for ER Structure, Secretion and Endocytic Transport in C. elegans

Small GTPases of the Sar/Arf family are essential to generate transport containers that mediate communication between organelles of the secretory pathway. Guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEFs) activate the small GTPases and help their anchorage in the membrane. Thus, GEFs in a way temporally and spatially control Sar1/Arf1 GTPase activation. We investigated the role of the ArfGEF GBF-1 in C. elegans oocytes and intestinal epithelial cells. GBF-1 localizes to the cis-Golgi and is part of the t-ER-Golgi elements. GBF-1 is required for secretion and Golgi integrity. In addition, gbf-1(RNAi) causes the ER reticular structure to become dispersed, without destroying ER exit sites (ERES) because the ERES protein SEC-16 was still localized in distinct punctae at t-ER-Golgi units. Moreover, GBF-1 plays a role in receptor-mediated endocytosis in oocytes, without affecting recycling pathways. We find that both the yolk receptor RME-2 and the recycling endosome-associated RAB-11 localize similarly in control and gbf-1(RNAi) oocytes. While RAB5-positive early endosomes appear to be less prominent and the RAB-5 levels are reduced by gbf-1(RNAi) in the intestine, RAB-7-positive late endosomes were more abundant and formed aggregates and tubular structures. Our data suggest a role for GBF-1 in ER structure and endosomal traffic.
Tolerability of Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine in Pediatric Patients

Background. Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus endemic to parts of Asia. Manufacture of JE-VAX, the mouse brain-derived vaccine against JEV, was discontinued in February 2011. IXIARO, an inactivated cell culture-derived vaccine, was approved in 2009 for use in adult patients. Although IXIARO was not licensed for pediatric patients until 2013, our clinic routinely used this vaccine in at-risk children starting in 2011. The purpose of this study was to review our experience as to the tolerability of the new IXIARO vaccine in children. Methods. We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients less than 18 years of age who received at least 1 dose of IXIARO in our Family Travel Clinic from November 2011 through August 2014. Subjects' electronic medical records were reviewed for any documented medical visits within 3 months after vaccination. Each visit was assessed for possible adverse events with relationship to vaccine administration as determined by the reviewer. Results. Ninety-two patients less than 18 years of age received a total of 145 doses of IXIARO between November 2011 and August 2014. Seven adverse events were documented. Only 1 was deemed to be possibly related. No serious adverse events were found on chart review. Conclusions. Our study reinforces the recent decision to expand IXIARO vaccination to the pediatric population. The experience in our clinic since vaccine introduction shows it to be overall tolerable when used in routine clinical practice. Practitioners should feel comfortable recommending vaccination against JEV for any pediatric traveler to an area of risk.
Smartphone addiction among university students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and correlates of smartphone addiction among university students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between September 2014 and March 2015. An electronic self administered questionnaire and the problematic use of mobile phones (PUMP) Scale were used. Results: Out of 2367 study subjects, 27.2% stated that they spent more than 8 hours per day using their smartphones. Seventy-five percent used at least 4 applications per day, primarily for social networking and watching news. As a consequence of using the smartphones, at least 43% had decrease sleeping hours, and experienced a lack of energy the next day, 30% had a more unhealthy lifestyle (ate more fast food, gained weight, and exercised less), and 25% reported that their academic achievement been adversely affected. There are statistically significant positive relationships among the 4 study variables, consequences of smartphone use (negative lifestyle, poor academic achievement), number of hours per day spent using smartphones, years of study, and number of applications used, and the outcome variable score on the PUMP. The mean values of the PUMP scale were 60.8 with a median of 60. Conclusion: University students in Saudi Arabia are at risk of addiction to smartphones; a phenomenon that is associated with negative effects on sleep, levels of energy, eating habits, weight, exercise, and academic performance.