Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EXPANDED ENDOSCOPIC ENDONASAL APPROACH FOR ANTERIOR CRANIAL BASE AND SUPRASELLAR LESIONS: INDICATIONS AND LIMITATIONS

OBJECTIVEThe traditional boundaries of the transsphenoidal approach can be expanded to include the region from the cribriform plate of the anterior cranial fossa to the foramen magnum in the anteroposterior plane. The introduction of endoscopy to transsphenoidal surgery, with its improved illumination and wider field of view, has added significant further potential for the resection of a variety of cranial base lesions. We review our experience with the expanded endoscopic endonasal approach in a series of 22 patients with anterior cranial base and supradiaphragmatic lesions. METHODSFrom June 2005 to June 2007, the expanded endoscopic endonasal approach was used in 22 patients with the following pathologies: 6 craniopharyngiomas; 4 esthesioneuroblastomas; 3 giant pituitary macroadenomas; 2 suprasellar Rathke's pouch cysts; 2 angiofibromas; and 1 each of suprasellar meningioma, germinoma, ethmoidal carcinoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and large suprasellar arachnoid cyst. This study specifically focused on the surgical indications and approaches to these lesions and the surgical results, complications, and limitations associated with this technique. RESULTSGross total tumor removal, as assessed by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, was possible in the majority of patients (73%), with the exception of the craniopharyngioma group, in which only 1 lesion was completely removed. There were no permanent neurological complications except for increased visual disturbance in 1 patient. Other complications included cerebrospinal fluid fistulae in 4 patients (18%) and meningitis in 1 patient (5%). There was no operative mortality. Large lesions, significant lateral extension, encasement of neurovascular structures, and brain invasion in malignant lesions are considered some of the contraindications for this technique. CONCLUSIONThe expanded endoscopic endonasal approach is a promising minimally invasive alternative to open transcranial approaches for selective lesions of the midline anterior cranial base. The avoidance of craniotomy and brain retraction and reduced neurovascular manipulation with less morbidity are potential advantages. Major complications have been few, but there are also limitations with this technique. This approach should be included in the armamentarium of cranial base surgeons and considered as an option in the management of selected patients with these complex pathologies.
Recrystallisation of Ti IF Steel Investigated with Electron Back-scattering Pattern (EBSP)

The deformed structure of cold rolled IF steels consists of a large number of α fibre and γ fibre oriented grains and a small number of (110) oriented grains, each with a distinctive grain shape, subgrain structure, hardness and etching appearance. Early nucleation occurs mainly in γ fibre grains and (110) grains. The texture of the early nuclei consists of a γ fibre with a spread towards (221) together with a weak // ND fibre. Numerous nuclei develop within a single deformed grain. α fibre grains are consumed only after 70% of the materials is recrystallised.
Beyond accuracy: evaluating recommender systems by coverage and serendipity

When we evaluate the quality of recommender systems (RS), most approaches only focus on the predictive accuracy of these systems. Recent works suggest that beyond accuracy there is a variety of other metrics that should be considered when evaluating a RS. In this paper we focus on two crucial metrics in RS evaluation: coverage and serendipity. Based on a literature review, we first discuss both measurement methods as well as the trade-off between good coverage and serendipity. We then analyze the role of coverage and serendipity as indicators of recommendation quality, present novel ways of how they can be measured and discuss how to interpret the obtained measurements. Overall, we argue that our new ways of measuring these concepts reflect the quality impression perceived by the user in a better way than previous metrics thus leading to enhanced user satisfaction.
Individually based measurement of temporal summation evoked by a noxious tonic heat paradigm

Background A model for measuring temporal summation (TS) by tonic noxious stimulation was recently proposed. However, methodological variations between studies make it difficult to reach a consensus regarding the way TS should be applied and calculated. The present study aimed to present a calculation method of TS magnitude produced by a tonic heat model in a large cohort of healthy subjects. Methods Noxious heat stimulation (46.5°C/2 minutes) was applied to the forearm of 154 subjects who continuously rated pain intensity using a computerized visual analog scale. TS was calculated by “mean group” and “individual” approaches. Results A “typical” pattern of pain response, characterized by a peak pain followed by a decrease in intensity to a nadir and subsequently a progressive increase in pain scores, was exhibited by 86.4% of the subjects. Using the “mean group” and “individual” calculation approaches, the mean ± standard deviation magnitudes of TS were 31.4±27.5 and 41.0±26.0, respectively (P<0.001). Additionally, using the individualized approach, we identified a different (“atypical”) response pattern among the rest of the subjects (13.6%). Conclusion The results support the tonic heat model of TS for future utilization. The individualized TS calculation method seems advantageous since it better reflects individual magnitudes of TS.
Pre-treatment with dexamethasone attenuates experimental ventilator-induced lung injury

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effects that administering dexamethasone before the induction of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) has on the temporal evolution of that injury. Methods: Wistar rats were allocated to one of three groups: pre-VILI administration of dexamethasone (dexamethasone group); pre-VILI administration of saline (control group); or ventilation only (sham group). The VILI was induced by ventilation at a high tidal volume. Animals in the dexamethasone and control groups were euthanized at 0, 4, 24, and 168 h after VILI induction. We analyzed arterial blood gases, lung edema, cell counts (total and differential) in the BAL fluid, and lung histology. Results: At 0, 4, and 24 h after VILI induction, acute lung injury (ALI) scores were higher in the control group than in the sham group (p < 0.05). Administration of dexamethasone prior to VILI induction decreased the severity of the lung injury. At 4 h and 24 h after induction, the ALI score in the dexamethasone group was not significantly different from that observed for the sham group and was lower than that observed for the control group (p < 0.05). Neutrophil counts in BAL fluid were increased in the control and dexamethasone groups, peaking at 4 h after VILI induction (p < 0.05). However, the neutrophil counts were lower in the dexamethasone group than in the control group at 4 h and 24 h after induction (p < 0.05). Pre-treatment with dexamethasone also prevented the post-induction oxygenation impairment seen in the control group. Conclusions: Administration of dexamethasone prior to VILI induction attenuates the effects of the injury in Wistar rats. The molecular mechanisms of such injury and the possible clinical role of corticosteroids in VILI have yet to be elucidated.
Vitamin D treatment improves levels of sexual hormones, metabolic parameters and erectile function in middle-aged vitamin D deficient men

Abstract Background: The associations between serum vitamin D (VD), serum testosterone (TT) and metabolic syndrome are complex and with limited published research, particularly on the effects of VD treatment on sexual hormones, erectile function and the metabolic syndrome. Objectives: This study assessed whether a monthly high dose VD treatment for 12 months in VD deficient middle-aged men was associated with: changes in levels of sexual hormones, improvement of diabetes control and metabolic syndrome components, better erectile function [International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire]; and changes in a prostate marker. Materials and methods: Descriptive research of a prospective study, conducted between October 2014 and September 2015, 102 male patients ≥35 [(±SD: 53.2 ± 10.5), (range 35–64)] years with deficient serum VD level (<30 ng/mL) were included in the study. Participants were followed up for one year, with monitoring at 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-months. At the initial baseline visit, a complete medical examination was conducted, and blood was drawn for laboratory tests for above biochemical and hormonal variables under examination. Participants received an initial VD (Ergocalciferol; oral solution 600 000 IU/1.5 ml), and followed a VD treatment regime thereafter. At the four follow up visits (3, 6, 9 and 12 months), blood was collected, and patients’ erectile function was evaluated by IIEF-5 questionnaire. Main outcome measures: During the follow up visits, all the biochemical and hormonal (TT, estradiol and luteinizing hormones, HbA1c, serum lipids profile) were assessed, and patients’ erectile function was evaluated by IIEF-5 questionnaire. Results: Patients’ mean age was 53.2 ± 10.4 years. Serum VD exhibited significant increments (p <0.001) from baseline (15.16 ± 4.64 ng/mL), to 3 (31.90 ± 15.99 ng/mL), 6 (37.23 ± 12.42 ng/mL), 9 (44.88 ± 14.49 ng/mL) and 12 months (48.54 ± 11.62 ng/mL), and there was significant stepladder increases in both serum TT level (12.46 ± 3.30 to 15.99 ± 1.84 nmol/L) and erectile function scores (13.88 ± 3.96 to 20.25 ± 3.24) (p <0.001 for both). We also observed significant stepladder decreases in estradiol (87.90 ± 27.16 to 69.85 ± 14.80 pmol/L, p = 0.001), PTH (from 58.52 ± 28.99 to 38.33 ± 19.44 pg/mL, p <0.001) and HbA1c levels (7.41 ± 2.85 to 6.66 ± 1.67%, p = 0.001). Mean BMI significantly decreased from 33.91 ± 6.67 to 33.14 ± 6.35 kg/m2 (p = 0.001); and PSA values significantly increased from 0.59 ± 0.30 to 0.82 ± 0.39 ng/mL (p <0.001) at the end of the 12 months’ follow-up. There were no changes in LH levels. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that VD treatment improves testosterone levels, metabolic syndrome and erectile function in middle-aged men. More randomized placebo-controlled interventional trials of VD treatment in patients with the metabolic syndrome and low TT could assist in uncovering the putative roles of VD.
A Magnetically Insulated Transmission Line Oscillator With Metal Array Cathode

An L-band magnetically insulated transmission line oscillator (MILO) with metal array cathode (MAC) is presented. Metal plates with different radii and thicknesses are periodically arranged in the longitudinal direction to act as emitters. To ensure stability of the tube, higher order mode depressed structure is applied. Experimental results reveal that MAC-MILO works steadily at the fundamental mode. High-power microwave at the same power level as the velvet cathode is generated by the MAC-MILO. The MAC has a much longer lifetime and a much lower outgassing rate compared with the velvet. This tube brings a promising approach to repetitive operation of the MILO.
Finite‐Element Analysis of Porosity Closure by Heavy Reduction Process Combined with Ultra‐Heavy Plates Rolling

Limited by reduction radio, ultra‐heavy plates manufactured from slabs are always subjected to deterioration of soundness. For overcoming these defects, a new approach named heavy reduction process was presented. According to real production condition, a two‐step strategy was preceded using THERCAST3D to obtain the information of solidification firstly. Then, a special forging product FORGE3D had been used to simulate the heavy reduction and ultra‐heavy plates rolling. Results showed that the spheroidal porosity void can be formed into ellipsoidal body, but far from closure in the process of heavy reduction. Interestingly, the relationship between porosity void aspect ratio and closure evaluation index was independent of initial porosity void size and the reduction intensity. Furthermore, there was excellent correlation between equivalent strain and the porosity void aspect ratio. Results of such studies provided some valuable information on the optimization or design process of heavy reduction and rolling schedule for ultra‐heavy plates production.
Optimal Control Strategies in Delayed Sharing Information Structures

The n-step delayed sharing information structure is investigated. This information structure comprises of K controllers that share their information with a delay of n time steps. This information structure is a link between the classical information structure, where information is shared perfectly between the controllers, and a non-classical information structure, where there is no “lateral” sharing of information among the controllers. Structural results for optimal control strategies for systems with such information structures are presented. A sequential methodology for finding the optimal strategies is also derived. The solution approach provides an insight for identifying structural results and sequential decomposition for general decentralized stochastic control problems.
Personalized Intelligent M-learning System for Supporting Effective English Learning

To provide an effective and flexible learning environment for english learning, this study adopts the advantages of the mobile learning to present a personalized intelligent m-learning system (PIMS) which can appropriately recommend english news articles to learners based on the learners' reading abilities evaluated by the proposed fuzzy item response theory (FIRT) for non-native english speakers. In addition, to promote an individual's ability to read news articles in english, the new or unfamiliar vocabularies of the individual learner can also be automatically discovered and retrieved from the reading english news articles by the PIMS system according to the english vocabulary ability of the individual learner for enhancing vocabulary learning.
MUTATIONS FLANKING THE POLYGLUTAMINE REPEAT IN THE MODULATORY DOMAIN OF RAT GLUCOCORTICOID RECEPTOR LEAD TO AN INCREASE IN AFFINITY FOR HORMONE

A polyglutamine repeat in the N-terminus of the rat glucocorticoid receptor shows polymorphism, with variants of Q2RQ5, Q2RQ15–21. We investigated whether these natural polymorphisms affect receptor function, and whether alleles with polyglutamine repeats shorter than Q2RQ5, between Q2RQ6–14, or longer than Q2RQ21 are not found naturally because they encode a dysfunctional receptor. Ligand binding and transactivation properties of sets of natural (Q2RQ5–Q2RQ21) and artificial (Q4–Q80) alleles were compared following expression in CV-1 cells. The sequence of artificial alleles at sites flanking the repeat region was altered slightly to facilitate cloning. Western blotting showed that all constructs expressed GR protein in CV-1 cells. When co-expressed with an MMTV-lacZ reporter plasmid, all GR proteins were shown to be transcriptionally active in the presence of hormone. Scatchard analysis of ligand binding curves showed that affinities for dexamethasone and corticosterone were not affected by variation in the polyglutamine repeat in either the natural or artificial sets of alleles. However, affinities were greater for the artificial compared with the natural alleles (2–3-fold for dexamethasone, p<0.001; and 4-fold for corticosterone, p<0.001). These differences provide evidence of a direct or indirect interaction within GR between the ligand binding domain and residues flanking the polyglutamine repeat of the N-terminal domain.
Early lipopolysaccharide-induced reactive oxygen species production evokes necrotic cell death in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Background Endothelial dysfunction is a crucial step in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) during sepsis promotes progressive endothelial failure. Typically, LPS-stimulated leukocytes produce pro-inflammatory cytokines, which trigger endothelial ROS production through NAD(P)H oxidase (Nox) activation, in a process that takes hours. Noteworthy, endothelial cells exposed to LPS may also generate ROS in just a few minutes. However, the mechanisms underlying this early event and its deleterious effect in endothelial function are unknown. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of early LPS-induced ROS generation and its effect in endothelial cell viability. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to LPS for 1–40 min to study ROS generation, cytokines expression, and signaling transduction by confocal microscopy, real-time PCR (RT-PCR), western blot, and immunoprecipation. Fourty-eight hour treatments were used to determine cell death by MTT assay, cell counting, and flow cytometry. Contribution of specific Nox isoform was evaluated using a siRNAs approach. Results LPS rapidly evoked a cytokine-independent ROS production, eliciting a rapid increase in p47phox phosphorylation by a phospholipase C/conventional protein kinase C and PI3-K signaling. It is noteworthy that the early LPS-induced ROS production triggered significant endothelial necrosis, which was prevented by a previous, but not a posterior, antioxidant treatment. The early LPS-induced ROS production as well as endothelial necrosis was totally dependent of Nox2 and Nox4 activity. Conclusion Endothelial cells exposure to LPS triggers an early ROS production. Remarkably, this single early ROS production is enough to generate extensive endothelial cell death by necrosis dependent on the activity of Nox2 and Nox4. Because, in sepsis, ROS production can cause endothelial dysfunction, results here provided may be relevant when considering the development of strategies for sepsis therapy.
Relationship between Endometrial Thickness and In Vitro Fertilization-Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Outcome

Background: This study assessed the relationship between endometrial thickness on day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration and in vitro fertilizationintracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI). Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included a total of 593 women. Patients were treated with either the agonist or antagonist protocol according to the clinician’s and patient’s preference. Endometrial thickness on the hCG day was measured by transvaginal ultrasonography (TV-USG). Patients were divided into four groups according to endometrial lines, as follows: <7 mm (group 1), 7-10 mm (group 2), 10-14 mm (group 3), and >14 mm (group 4). Results: Implantation rate (IR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and ongoing pregnancy rate (OPR) were significantly lower in group 1 than the other three groups (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference among groups 2, 3 and 4. Although the endometrial line in the agonist protocol was higher than in the antagonist protocol, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The chance of pregnancy appears to be lower in individuals with endometrial thickness less than 7 mm compared with those of higher value.
ToPS: A Framework to Manipulate Probabilistic Models of Sequence Data

Discrete Markovian models can be used to characterize patterns in sequences of values and have many applications in biological sequence analysis, including gene prediction, CpG island detection, alignment, and protein profiling. We present ToPS, a computational framework that can be used to implement different applications in bioinformatics analysis by combining eight kinds of models: (i) independent and identically distributed process; (ii) variable-length Markov chain; (iii) inhomogeneous Markov chain; (iv) hidden Markov model; (v) profile hidden Markov model; (vi) pair hidden Markov model; (vii) generalized hidden Markov model; and (viii) similarity based sequence weighting. The framework includes functionality for training, simulation and decoding of the models. Additionally, it provides two methods to help parameter setting: Akaike and Bayesian information criteria (AIC and BIC). The models can be used stand-alone, combined in Bayesian classifiers, or included in more complex, multi-model, probabilistic architectures using GHMMs. In particular the framework provides a novel, flexible, implementation of decoding in GHMMs that detects when the architecture can be traversed efficiently.
Polymorphisms in Metabolic Genes Related to Tobacco Smoke and the Risk of Gastric Cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition

Metabolizing enzymes, which often display genetic polymorphisms, are involved in the activation of compounds present in tobacco smoke that may be relevant to gastric carcinogenesis. We report the results of a study looking at the association between risk of gastric adenocarcinoma and polymorphisms in genes CYP1A1, CYP1A2, EPHX1, and GSTT1. A nested case-control study was carried out within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, developed in 10 European countries. The study includes 243 newly diagnosed cases of histologically confirmed gastric adenocarcinoma and 946 controls matched by center, age, sex, and date of blood collection. Genotypes were determined in nuclear DNA from WBCs. We found an increased risk of gastric cancer for homozygotes for C (histidine) variant in Y113H of EPHX1 (odds ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-3.07) compared with subjects with TC/TT. There was also a significant increased risk for smokers carrying at least one variant allele A in Ex7+129C>A (m4) of CYP1A1 and never smokers with null GSTT1 and allele A in the locus −3859G>A of CYP1A2. Most of these genes are involved in the activation and detoxification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, suggesting a potential role of these compounds in gastric carcinogenesis. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(12):2427–34)
Odor Retention on Apparel Fabrics: Development of Test Methods for Sensory Detection

A method for collecting axillary odor on nine knit fabrics was developed and odor intensity determined using a panel of assessors. Two methods, one involving paired-comparisons in the quad analysis method and the other a line scale, were investigated to determine if differences in intensity of odor retained on the fabrics varying by fiber and fabric structure could be detected. Both methods allowed detection of differences. However, the line scale method was more time-efficient and enabled a greater number of assessors on the panel, an advantage for reducing the effect of individual differences in sensitivity to axillary odorants. Recommendations for a collection method, handling and assessment method are raised.
INSCRIBING CUBES AND COVERING BY RHOMBIC DODECAHEDRA VIA EQUIVARIANT TOPOLOGY

First, we prove a special case of Knaster’s problem, implying that each symmetric convex body in R 3 admits an inscribed cube. We deduce it from a theorem in equivariant topology, which says that there is no S4-equivariant map from SO(3) to S 2 , where S4 acts on SO(3) as the rotation group of the cube and on S 2 as the symmetry group of the regular tetrahedron. We also give some generalizations. Second, we show how the above non-existence theorem yields Makeev’s conjecture in R 3 that each set in R 3 of diameter 1 can be covered by a rhombic dodecahedron, which has distance 1 between its opposite faces. This reveals an unexpected connection between inscribing cubes into symmetric bodies and covering sets by rhombic dodecahedra. Finally, we point out a possible application of our second theorem to the Borsuk problem in R 3 .