Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum estradiol levels in controlled ovarian stimulation directly affect the endometrium

Previous studies have shown that increasing estradiol concentrations had a toxic effect on the embryo and were deleterious to embryo adhesion. In this study, we evaluated the physiological impact of estradiol concentrations on endometrial cells to reveal that serum estradiol levels probably targeted the endometrium in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) protocols. An attachment model of human choriocarcinoma (JAr) cell spheroids to receptive-phase endometrial epithelial cells and Ishikawa cells treated with different estradiol (10−9 M or 10−7 M) concentrations was developed. Differentially expressed protein profiling of the Ishikawa cells was performed by proteomic analysis. Estradiol at 10−7 M demonstrated a high attachment rate of JAr spheroids to the endometrial cell monolayers. Using iTRAQ coupled with LC–MS/MS, we identified 45 differentially expressed proteins containing 43 significantly upregulated and 2 downregulated proteins in Ishikawa cells treated with 10−7 M estradiol. Differential expression of C3, plasminogen and kininogen-1 by Western blot confirmed the proteomic results. C3, plasminogen and kininogen-1 localization in human receptive endometrial luminal epithelium highlighted the key proteins as possible targets for endometrial receptivity and interception. Ingenuity pathway analysis of differentially expressed proteins exhibited a variety of signaling pathways, including LXR/RXR activation pathway and acute-phase response signaling and upstream regulators (TNF, IL6, Hmgn3 and miR-140-3p) associated with endometrial receptivity. The observed estrogenic effect on differential proteome dynamics in Ishikawa cells indicates that the human endometrium is the probable target for serum estradiol levels in COH cycles. The findings are also important for future functional studies with the identified proteins that may influence embryo implantation.
Regulation of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Gene Expression during GnRH Neuron Migration in the Mouse

The mechanisms underlying the migration of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons from the nose into the forebrain are not resolved. In an attempt to characterize further the migrating GnRH neurons, we have employed in situ hybridization techniques and transgenic mouse models to examine levels of GnRH mRNA and GnRH gene transcription in GnRH neurons during migration in the mouse. In the first experiment, cellular levels of GnRH mRNA in neurons located throughout the nose and forebrain were examined in embryonic day (E) 12.5, 14.5, 16.5 and 19.5 mice using in situ hybridization. The GnRH mRNA content of cells located in both the nose (p < 0.01) and forebrain (p < 0.05) was found to increase significantly from E12.5 to E19.5 and from E14.5 to E19.5, respectively. However, cellular levels of GnRH mRNA were not significantly different in neurons located in the nose compared with the brain at each developmental age. In the second experiment, levels of GnRH gene transcription were investigated at E14.5 using two different GNLZ transgenic mouse lines in which 13.5 kb of GnRH gene sequences direct the expression of the LacZ reporter to the nucleus of GnRH neurons. Migrating GnRH neurons displayed up to a 3-fold increase (p < 0.01) in transgene expression, an index of GnRH transcription, precisely as they approached and entered the forebrain. These results indicate that GnRH gene expression in migrating GnRH neurons is likely regulated by temporal as well as spatial factors and that, as found postnatally, this may involve both transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms.
Cost-sensitive decision tree learning using a multi-armed bandit framework

Decision tree learning is one of the main methods of learning from data. It has been applied to a variety of different domains over the past three decades. In the real world, accuracy is not enough; there are costs involved, those of obtaining the data and those when classification errors occur. A comprehensive survey of cost-sensitive decision tree learning has identified over 50 algorithms, developing a taxonomy in order to classify the algorithms by the way in which cost has been incorporated, and a recent comparison shows that many cost-sensitive algorithms can process balanced, two class datasets well, but produce lower accuracy rates in order to achieve lower costs when the dataset is less balanced or has multiple classes. This thesis develops a new framework and algorithm concentrating on the view that cost-sensitive decision tree learning involves a trade-off between costs and accuracy. Decisions arising from these two viewpoints can often be incompatible resulting in the reduction of the accuracy rates. The new framework builds on a specific Game Theory problem known as the multi-armed bandit. This problem concerns a scenario whereby exploration and exploitation are required to solve it. For example, a player in a casino has to decide which slot machine (bandit) from a selection of slot machines is likely to pay out the most. Game Theory proposes a solution of this problem which is solved by a process of exploration and exploitation in which reward is maximized. This thesis utilizes these concepts from the multi-armed bandit game to develop a new algorithm by viewing the rewards as a reduction in costs, utilizing the exploration and exploitation techniques so that a compromise between decisions based on accuracy and decisions based on costs can be found. The algorithm employs the adapted multi-armed bandit game to select the attributes during decision tree induction, using a look-ahead methodology to explore potential attributes and exploit the attributes which maximizes the reward. The new algorithm is evaluated on fifteen datasets and compared to six well-known algorithms J48, EG2, MetaCost, AdaCostM1, ICET and ACT. The results obtained show that the new multi-armed based algorithm can produce more cost-effective trees without compromising accuracy. The thesis also includes a critical appraisal of the limitations of the developed algorithm and proposes avenues for further research.
Practical Gauss-Newton Optimisation for Deep Learning

We present an efficient block-diagonal ap- proximation to the Gauss-Newton matrix for feedforward neural networks. Our result- ing algorithm is competitive against state- of-the-art first order optimisation methods, with sometimes significant improvement in optimisation performance. Unlike first-order methods, for which hyperparameter tuning of the optimisation parameters is often a labo- rious process, our approach can provide good performance even when used with default set- tings. A side result of our work is that for piecewise linear transfer functions, the net- work objective function can have no differ- entiable local maxima, which may partially explain why such transfer functions facilitate effective optimisation.
Glucocorticoid-induced changes in synaptic vesicles of rat phrenic nerve terminals.

The mean cross sectional area of synaptic vesicle profiles of the myoneural junction of rat diaphragm is increased significantly when rats are injected i.p. with single doses of 200 micrograms/kg dexamethasone 1/2 hr to 8 hr previously to a control injection of 0.9% NaCl. A maximum effect is observed at 8 hr after pretreatment with dexamethasone. The treatment of rats with hemicholinium-3 (300 micrograms/kg) induces a significant reduction of the vesicle size. Complete prevention of this decrease in vesicle size is already observed when the animals are pretreated with a single dose of 200 micrograms/kg dexamethasone 1/2 hr before treatment with 300 micrograms/kg hemicholinium-3. Dexamethasone in the same dose causes an optimum increase of the mean cross sectional area when it is given 1 hr before treatment of the animals with hemicholinium-3. It is concluded that glucocorticoids have direct actions in both "normal" motor nerve terminals and in motor nerve terminals with a deficient choline transport system, which may contribute to their proposed beneficial effects in certain cases of muscle weakness.
MRI of the Breast as Part of the Assessment in Population-Based Mammography Screening

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the indications and impact of MRI of the breast as an assessment modality in population-based mammography screening. Materials and Methods: 135 consecutive contrast-enhanced MRI exams of the breast, which were performed between April 2007 and October 2012 as part of the assessment at one mammography screening unit before issuance of a final management recommendation (e. g. definitely benign or malignant), were retrospectively reviewed. Overall, the cases with an MRI exam of the breast during assessment represent less than 2 % of all assessment cases at this screening unit. All MRI exams were performed as part of the routine clinical care on a 1.5 T or 3 T whole-body magnet using a standard dynamic breast MRI protocol. Results: In the 135 study patients, a total of 30 malignancies in 28 patients were found, including two bilateral cancers. One patient was diagnosed with a non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and of the remaining 29 malignant lesions, 3 (10 %) were in-situ cancers (DCIS) and 26 (90 %) were invasive breast cancers including 3 multifocal or multicentric cancers. All 26 detected invasive cancers were lymph-node negative and 25/29 (86 %) of the detected breast cancer were early stage cancers (stage 0 or 1). 53 of the 135 MRI exams (39.3 %) were suspicious for malignancy (BIRADS 4 or 5) with no cancer missed by MRI. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the MRI on a per patient basis were 100 %, 77 %, 0.53, and 1, respectively. Conclusion: MRI is a useful problem-solving tool in mammography screening assessment with a high sensitivity and an acceptable positive predictive value. Citation Format: Bick U, Engelken F, Diederichs G et al. MRI of the Breast as Part of the Assessment in Population-Based Mammography Screening. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2013; 185: 849 – 856
Decrease of human skull size in the Holocene.

Calcul des capacites craniennes obtenues a partir de donnees crâniometriques collectees sur des series de crânes d'hommes et de femmes originaires du quart NW du Vieux Monde, du Paleolithique superieur aux Temps modernes. La diminution de la capacite crânienne pendant l'holocene a lieu pendant la periode la plus significative de l'achevement intellectuel. L'hypothese est avancee que cette diminution est une consequence de la reduction structurale generalisee
A two-dimensional network containing an -Mn-O-C-O-Mn- chain: poly[diaqua[1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethylene][μ3-3-carboxy-5-(carboxylatomethoxy)benzoato]manganese(II)].

In the title compound, [Mn(C10H6O7)(C12H10N2)(H2O)2]n or [Mn(HOABDC)(bpe)(H2O)2]n [H3OABDC is 5-(carboxymethoxy)isophthalic acid and bpe is 1,2-bis(pyridin-4-yl)ethylene], each Mn(II) cation is at the centre of a distorted octahedron formed by three carboxylate O atoms from three different HOABDC(2-) ligands, one pyridyl N atom from the terminal bpe ligand and two water molecules. The flexible oxyacetate group bound to a methylene C atom of the HOABDC(2-) ligand links the Mn(II) centres into -Mn-O-C-O-Mn- chains, and the carboxylate group bound directly to the benzene ring extends the chains into two-dimensional layers which lie parallel to the (010) plane and present herringbone patterns. Intermolecular O-H.N and C-H.O hydrogen bonds connect the layers into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure.
Spatial Speech Perception Benefits in Young Children With Normal Hearing and Cochlear Implants

Objectives: Several studies have demonstrated better speech perception performance in children using two rather than one cochlear implant (CI). The extent to which bilaterally implanted children benefit from binaural cues to segregate speech and noise in a spatial configuration is less clear. Although better-ear effects are expected to be similar to adults, it is unknown whether electrical stimulation allows true binaural processing of speech signals in noise. Moreover, little data are available on the binaural hearing abilities of normal-hearing children. This study aimed at (1) developing and evaluating a speech test based on numbers to determine speech reception thresholds (SRTs) fast and accurately in young children, (2) evaluating a setup for measuring benefits of speech perception in a spatial configuration in young children and determining normative values of normal-hearing children, and (3) measuring spatial speech benefits in cochlear-implanted children with good sound localization abilities. Design: The speech test was conducted using the Leuven Intelligibility Number Test (LINT) data base. The test was limited to the numbers 1 to 10 spoken by one female speaker (“LittleLINT”). The LINT speech-weighted noise was used as a masker. Perception of this speech material was evaluated at fixed signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) through monaural presentation via headphones in 34 normal-hearing children of 4 and 5 yrs of age and 20 normal-hearing adults. Subsequently, spatial speech perception benefits were measured in 50 normal-hearing children between 4 and 8 yrs of age, 15 normal-hearing adults, and eight children with bilateral CIs. An adaptive procedure was used for estimating unilateral and bilateral SRTs for different spatial configurations of speech and noise. Speech was always presented at 0° azimuth (the front) and noise at the front, 90° to the right, or 90° to the left. Results: Unilateral headphone SRTs for the LittleLINT were higher for children (−9 dB SNR) than for adults (−13 dB SNR) and were lower than those for the LINT (−10 dB SNR for adults). Slopes (12 to 14%/dB) were comparable with that of the LINT (15%/dB), suggesting equal efficiency for the limited set of numbers. Normal-hearing subjects demonstrated several benefits of two-ear listening in spatial configurations (spatial release from masking [SRM], head shadow, summation, and squelch). Only SRM was influenced by age. Implanted children clearly benefited from bilateral implantation, as shown by SRM (3 dB) and head shadow effects (4 to 6 dB) comparable with normal-hearing children, but no summation or binaural squelch was established. The first CI seemed to contribute most to spatial speech perception. Conclusions: The steep slope, the familiarity to children, and the repeatability of lists make the LittleLINT suitable for fast and accurate SRT estimation in children. Spatial speech perception benefits were observed in normal-hearing subjects from the age of 4 yrs. Cochlear-implanted children showed better-ear effects but there was no evidence of true binaural processing.
The role of the BeOSi bond in the structures of beryllosilicate minerals

Ab initio STO-3G molecular orbital methods have been used to calculate equilibrium geometries for the dimers, BeSi(OH), and HuBeSiOr, to model the BeOSi bonds in beryllosilicate minerals. The optimized geometry and calculated potential energy surface for the dimer BeSi(OH)' are consistent with the Be-O and Si-O bridging bond length and BeOSi angle variations observed for these minerals. This indicates that the structures of beryllosilicates are determined in part by the same kind of short range forces that govern the geometry of the BeOSi bond in the dimer. Calculations for HoBeSiOz indicate that the BeOSi angle is an intrinsic consequenco of the electronic structure of the BeOSi bond and not merely a property of the coordination number of the bridging oxygen. The calculations also indicate that coupled substitutions of Be for either Si or Al will tend to occur in silicate structures that have TOT angles near the calculated equilibrium value (129o) for the BeOSi angle. A refinement of the anisotropic temperature factors and Ap maps of asbecasite, Ca3(Ti,Sn)As"Si2Be2Oro, calculated with the published data of CannrTlo et al. (1969) indicate that the BeOSi bond in the mineral may not be straight as reported. The potential energy surface for H.BeSiOT appears to conform with the anisotropic charge density distribution observed for the BeOSi bond in asbecasite. When the short Be-O bond in the mineral is omitted from a regression analysis of experimental data, only two percent of the variation in d(Be-O) can be explained in terms of a linear dependence on the BeOSi angle.
Bioavailability of polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in biosolids and spiked sediment to the aquatic oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus

Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants have become distributed ubiquitously in the environment. High concentrations have been reported in U.S. sewage sludge (biosolids). The burgeoning practice of land‐applying biosolids as fertilizer creates an avenue for reintroduction of PBDEs to surface waters and aquatic sediments. Bioavailability of biosolids‐ and sediment‐associated PBDEs was assessed using the freshwater oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus. Oligochaetes were exposed to composted biosolids (1,600 ng/g total PBDEs) and artificial sediment spiked with penta‐ and deca‐brominated diphenyl ether (BDE) formulations (1,300 ng/g total PBDEs). Uptake (28‐d exposure) and depuration (21 d) of eight congeners were studied. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in both substrates were bioavailable, but bioaccumulation was 5 to 10 times greater from spiked artificial sediment. The congeners BDE 47 and BDE 99 were the most prevalent congeners in oligochaetes after exposure. Congener BDE 47 was more bioaccumulative, possibly due to the threefold greater depuration rate of BDE 99. Bioaccumulation of penta‐ and hexa‐brominated congeners appeared to be affected more strongly by substitution pattern than degree of bromination. Uptake of BDE 209, the dominant congener in deca‐BDE, was minimal. Accumulation of certain PBDE congeners from biosolids and sediments by benthos provides a pathway for transfer to higher trophic levels, and congener discrimination may increase with each trophic transfer.
Phycomycosis in a dog caused by unusual strains of Absidia corymbifera.

A case of phycomycosis in a corgi bitch is described. The lesions were in the left cervical lymph nodes and in the larynx, and followed a bite by another dog. Three causal organisms were isolated and identified as unusual strains of Absidia corymbifera. On histology and in KOH squash preparations of the lesions the hyphae were characteristically swollen and distorted. In culture the vegetative hyphae and rhizoids of the isolates were stunted and swollen to varying degrees. The isolates grew much more slowly than a normal strain of A. corymbifera and one died when a small inoculum was stored at room temperature for 9 days. Both morphologically and in their temperature relations the 3 isolates graded into one another.This is the first occasion on which the causal organism has been isolated from phycomycosis in the dog.
Increased frequency of activated satellite cells in overacting inferior oblique muscles from humans.

PURPOSE Strabismus is an oculomotor disorder in which there is a misalignment of the visual axes of the eyes. Inferior oblique muscle (IOM) overaction is a common finding in comitant horizontal strabismus, but its origin is unclear. Recent studies have demonstrated that myogenic satellite cells (SCs) are still activated in adult extraocular muscles, with continuous myonuclear addition in normal uninjured muscles. The objective of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the processes of activation and proliferation of SCs in IOMs of patients with strabismus and IOM overaction and in patients with no history of strabismus. METHODS Cross sections of IOMs from strabismic and control groups were analyzed immunohistochemically for the presence of MyoD1 and myogenin, specific markers of activated SCs, and for c-Met, which is expressed in quiescent, activated, and proliferating SCs. RESULTS In overacting IOMs of 26 patients in the strabismic group and 10 patients in the control group, 28.8% and 3.0% of the myofibers, respectively, were associated with MyoD1-positive SC. The frequency of myogenin-positive SC was 30.8% in the strabismic group and 3.6% in the control group, and the frequency of presumptive SCs immunostained for c-Met was 33.6% in the strabismic group and 34.1% in the control group. CONCLUSIONS The presence of an increased number of activated SCs in overacting IOMs of the strabismic group in contrast to the frequency in the control group resembles the findings detected in developing, regenerating, or hypertrophic muscle tissue. High levels of MyoD1- and myogenin-positive SC in overacting IOMs support the hypothesis that these cells may be involved in alterations in IOM structure correlated with the overaction observed clinically.
Effect of spiritual intelligence, emotional intelligence, psychological ownership and burnout on caring behaviour of nurses: a cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To propose a model of prediction of caring behaviour among nurses that includes spiritual intelligence, emotional intelligence, psychological ownership and burnout. BACKGROUND Caring behaviour of nurses contributes to the patients' satisfaction, well-being and subsequently to the performance of the healthcare organisations. This behaviour is influenced by physiological, psychological, sociocultural, developmental and spiritual factors. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey was used, and data were analysed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modelling. METHODS Data were collected between July-August 2011. A sample of 550 nurses in practice from seven public hospitals in and around Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) completed the questionnaire that captured five constructs. Besides nurses, 348 patients from seven hospitals participated in the study and recorded their overall satisfaction with the hospital and the services provided by the nurses. Data were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM). RESULTS The key findings are: (1) spiritual intelligence influences emotional intelligence and psychological ownership, (2) emotional intelligence influences psychological ownership, burnout and caring behaviour of nurses, (3) psychological ownership influences burnout and caring behaviour of nurses, (4) burnout influences caring behaviour of nurses, (5) psychological ownership mediates the relationship between spiritual intelligence and caring behaviour and between emotional intelligence and caring behaviour of nurses and (6) burnout mediates the relationship between spiritual intelligence and caring behaviour and between psychological ownership and caring behaviour of nurses. CONCLUSIONS Identifying the factors that affect caring behaviour of nurses is critical to improving the quality of patient care. Spiritual intelligence, emotional intelligence, psychological ownership and burnout of nurses play a significant role in effecting caring behaviour of nurses. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Healthcare providers must consider the relationships between these factors in their continuing care and incorporation of these in the nursing curricula and training.
Organic field-effect transistors for nonvolatile memory devices using charge-acceptor layers

We introduce a charge-accepting layer on a gate dielectric to investigate the reversible threshold voltage (Vth) shifts in both p-channel and n-channel organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) using organic semiconductors of pentacene and poly-naphthalene dicarboximide [P(NDI2OD-T2)], respectively. Bottom gate with top drain-source contact structure of both devices exhibited a unipolar property of field-effect transistor behavior. Furthermore, the existence of fullerene (PCBM) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films as a charge-accepting-like storage layers in p-channel and n-channel devices, respectively, resulted in a reversible Vth shifts upon the application of external gate bias (Vbias). Hence, p-channel OFETs exhibited a memory window of 2.4 V and n-channel OFETs exhibited a memory window of 10.7 V for program and erase electrically upon application of gate bias.