Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of Non-window Three-Dimensional–Printed Porous Titanium Cage in Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Pilot Trial

Background The commercially available design of a three-dimensional (3D)–printed titanium (3D-Ti) cage can be divided into two types according to the presence of a window: a cage with a window that allows filling of bone graft materials and a non-window cage for stand-alone use. This prospective observational case series study aimed to explore the clinical feasibility of using a non-window type 3D-Ti cage in cases of combined window and non-window cage implantation. Furthermore, we evaluated the bone in growth patterns of non-window cages and their correlation with published fusion grading systems. Methods A total of 31 consecutive patients who underwent single-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery were included. Two 3D-Ti cages with different designs were inserted: a non-window cage on the left side and a window cage on the right side. Radiographic fusion was defined by the segmental angle between flexion and extension radiographs (F-E angle) and cage bridging bone (CBB) scores on computed tomography. The association between the F-E angle and osteointegration scoring system including the surface osteointegration ratio (SOR) score was analyzed. Results Radiographic fusion was achieved in 27 of 31 patients (87%) at 12 months postoperatively. Among the non-window cages, 23 of 31 (74.2%) had fair SOR scores, while 19 of 31 (61.3%) window cages had fair intra-cage CBB scores. The higher the SOR score was, the smaller the flexion-extension angle (SOR 0 vs. SOR 1: 6.30° ± 2.43° vs. 1.95° ± 0.99°, p < 0.001; SOR 0 vs. SOR 2: 6.03° ± 2.43° vs. 0.99°± 0.74°, p < 0.001). Conclusions The clinical feasibility of using a non-window 3D-Ti cage during lumbar interbody fusion might be acceptable. Furthermore, a newly suggested fusion criterion for the use of the non-window cage, the SOR score, showed a significant association with the published fusion grading systems, demonstrating its feasibility in determining interbody fusion in lumbar spinal surgery.
The Jackson elk herd: intensive wildlife management in North America

Preface 1. Historical overview and introduction to management of the Jackson elk herd 2. Migration and seasonal distribution 3. The elk population 4. Habitat ecology 5. Winter feeding 6. Managing habitats on the National Forest 7. Management by the Wyoming Game and Fish department 8. Management of elk in Grand Teton National Park 9. Public interests in elk management 10. Conclusions and evaluation Appendices A-J References Indexes.
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy and non-coding RNA

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are common autoimmune diseases that affect skeletal muscle quality and function. The lack of an early diagnosis and treatment can lead to irreversible muscle damage. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play an important role in inflammatory transfer, muscle regeneration, differentiation, and regulation of specific antibody levels and pain in IIMs. ncRNAs can be detected in blood and hair; therefore, ncRNAs detection has great potential for diagnosing, preventing, and treating IIMs in conjunction with other methods. However, the specific roles and mechanisms underlying the regulation of IIMs and their subtypes remain unclear. Here, we review the mechanisms by which micro RNAs and long non-coding RNA-messenger RNA networks regulate IIMs to provide a basis for ncRNAs use as diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets for IIMs.
Immune reconstitution following alemtuzumab therapy is characterized by exhausted T cells, increased regulatory control of proinflammatory T cells and reduced B cell control

Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody targeting CD52 on the surface of immune cells, approved for the treatment of active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The purpose of this study was to analyze the repopulation of peripheral lymphocytes following alemtuzumab-induced lymphocyte depletion and investigate associations with disease activity and development of secondary autoimmunity. For this, blood samples were collected two years after initiation of alemtuzumab treatment and lymphocytes were subjected to a comprehensive flow cytometry analysis. Included in the study were 40 patients treated with alemtuzumab and 40 treatment-naïve patients with RRMS. Disease activity and development of secondary autoimmune disease was evaluated after three years of treatment. Our study confirms that alemtuzumab treatment profoundly alters the circulating lymphocyte phenotype and describes a reconstituted immune system characterized by T cell activation/exhaustion, an increased regulatory control of IL-17 producing effector T cells and CD20+ T cells, and a reduced control of B cells. There were no obvious associations between immune cell subsets and disease activity or development of secondary autoimmune disease during treatment with alemtuzumab. Our results indicate that the reconstituted immune response is skewed towards a more effective regulatory control of MS-associated proinflammatory T cell responses. Also, the enlarged pool of naïve B cells together with the apparent decrease in control of B cell activity may explain why alemtuzumab-treated patients retain the ability to mount a humoral immune response towards new antigens.
Effects of a Long-Term Administration of Aqueous Extract of Prunella vulgaris L. on Survival, Spontaneous Thyroid Carcinoma and Neoplastic C-cell Hyperplasia in Rats

Background: The continued global rise in thyroid carcinoma calls for alternative prevention and treatment strategies. Prunella vulgaris L. (PV) is a herbaceous plant with a medicinal property in the treatment of thyroid gland dysfunction, but its influence on thyroid carcinoma is unclear so far. This study was designed to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of PV on survival, spontaneous thyroid carcinoma and its preneoplastic lesion in rats.Methods: A total of 552 Wistar rats (half female and half male) were randomly assigned into 4 groups and given one of the following diets for 24 months: chow diet (control), 2.5 (low), 8.25 (middle) and 25 (high) g/kg bw PV diets. After intervention, serum metabolic parameters including indicators of liver and renal function, glucose and lipid profiles were measured. Histological examination was conducted to confirm the types of thyroid carcinoma and its preneoplastic lesion. Results: After intervention, serum aspartate transaminase of male rats in high PV group decreased significantly. No statistical differences among groups in terms of survival, body weight and other metabolic parameters were detected. In the control, low, middle and high PV groups, 14, 14, 15 and 8 rats developed thyroid carcinoma, respectively. Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) emerged as the most common histological type in both sexes. Although PV failed to decrease risk of total thyroid carcinoma or each histological type, the incidence rates of neoplastic C-cell hyperplasia (CCH, a preneoplastic lesion of hereditary MTC) in PV groups were lower than that of control, and the lowest was observed in high PV group, manifesting as 5.25-time decrease in female rats and 5.5-time decrease in male rats.Conclusion: Our results suggested for the first time that, a long-term administration of aqueous extract of PV decreased the incidence of neoplastic CCH without impairing survival and metabolic parameters.
Graphene-Based Nanomaterials for Photothermal Therapy in Cancer Treatment

Graphene-based nanomaterials (GBNMs), specifically graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), have shown great potential in cancer therapy owing to their physicochemical properties. As GO and rGO strongly absorb light in the near-infrared (NIR) region, they are useful in photothermal therapy (PTT) for cancer treatment. However, despite the structural similarities of GO and rGO, they exhibit different influences on anticancer treatment due to their different photothermal capacities. In this review, various characterization techniques used to compare the structural features of GO and rGO are first outlined. Then, a comprehensive summary and discussion of the applicability of GBNMs in the context of PTT for diverse cancer types are presented. This discussion includes the integration of PTT with secondary therapeutic strategies, with a particular focus on the photothermal capacity achieved through near-infrared irradiation parameters and the modifications implemented. Furthermore, a dedicated section is devoted to studies on hybrid magnetic-GBNMs. Finally, the challenges and prospects associated with the utilization of GBNM in PTT, with a primary emphasis on the potential for clinical translation, are addressed.
Teaching Reading

Look through the window of any second or foreign language (L2) reading classroom and, invariably, you will see the teacher and students seated with books open in front of them. This superficial similarity masks vast differences in teaching methodology, however. As the 20th century draws to a close, there are, around the world, at least four distinctive approaches to the teaching of L2 reading: grammar-translation, comprehension questions, skills and strategies, and extensive reading. After brief descriptions of these four approaches to teaching reading and their status in the reading classroom, important issues in L2 reading instruction are addressed, leading to more general concerns involving the relationship among theory, research, and teaching practice.
Exploring Bioactivities and Peptide Content of Body Mucus from the Lusitanian Toadfish Halobatrachus didactylus

Identifying bioactive molecules from marine organisms is still vastly understudied. Fish remain an untapped source of bioactive molecules, even when considering species whose toxicity to other fish species has been noticed before. We assessed potential applications of crude body mucus of the Lusitanian toadfish (Halobratachus didactylus) and characterized its peptide fraction composition. Mucus samples from three individuals (two wild and one captive) revealed potential antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial activities. For antioxidant activity, the best results of 2371 ± 97 µmol Trolox Equivalent/g protein for ORAC and 154 ± 6 µmol Trolox Equivalent/g protein for ABTS were obtained. For antihypertensive activity, the relevant inhibitory activity of ACE resulted in IC50 of 60 ± 7 µg protein/mL. Antimicrobial activity was also identified against the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. The peptide profile of the crude body mucus was obtained through size exclusion chromatography, with a conspicuous peak at ca. 800 Da. LC-MS/MS allowed the detection of the most probable peptide sequences of this dominant peptide. This is the first study where the bioactive potential of mucus from the Lusitanian toadfish is demonstrated. Peptides with such properties can be applied in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Low-Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Wire and Arc Additively Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V Material

Additive manufacturing (AM) techniques, such as wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), offer unique advantages in producing large, complex structures with reduced lead time and material waste. However, their application in fatigue-critical applications requires a thorough understanding of the material properties and behavior. Due to the layered nature of the manufacturing process, WAAM structures have different microstructures and mechanical properties compared to their substrate counterparts. This study investigated the mechanical behavior and fatigue performance of Ti-6Al-4V fabricated using WAAM compared to the substrate material. Tensile and low-cycle fatigue (LCF) tests were conducted on both materials, and the microstructure was analyzed using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the WAAM material has a coarser and more heterogeneous grain structure, an increased amount of defects, and lower ultimate tensile strength and smaller elongation at fracture. Furthermore, strain-controlled LCF tests revealed a lower fatigue strength of the WAAM material compared to the substrate, with crack initiation occurring at pores in the specimen rather than microstructural features. Experimental data were used to fit the Ramberg–Osgood model for cyclic deformation behavior and the Manson–Coffin–Basquin model for strain-life curves. The fitted models were subsequently used to compare the two material conditions with other AM processes. In general, the quasi-static properties of WAAM material were found to be lower than those of powder-based processes like selective laser melting or electron beam melting due to smaller cooling rates within the WAAM process. Finally, two simplified estimation models for the strain-life relationship were compared to the experimentally fitted Manson–Coffin–Basquin parameters. The results showed that the simple “universal material law” is applicable and can be used for a quick and simple estimation of the material behavior in cyclic loading conditions. Overall, this study highlights the importance of understanding the mechanical behavior and fatigue performance of WAAM structures compared to their substrate counterparts, as well as the need for further research to improve the understanding of the effects of WAAM process parameters on the mechanical properties and fatigue performance of the fabricated structures.
Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis: A case report and review of the literature

The present study describes a case of cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis. The clinical and radiological findings of the patient were consistent with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. Cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis is a rare subtype of mastitis with a distinct histological pattern that is associated with the Corynebacterium species. The diagnosis and treatment of cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis remains a significant challenge due to the scarcity of available data. The present study describes a classic case of cystic neutrophilic granulomatous mastitis that includes clinical, radiological and histopathological findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case documenting radiological findings before and after treatment. This report encourages the consideration of this entity in the differential diagnoses of mastitis.
The effect of COVID-19 on the academic performance of Zayed University students in the United Arab Emirates

Purpose The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic led to significant changes across various sectors, including the field of education. In response to the pandemic, educational institutions worldwide, including Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), transitioned to online learning. This study aimed to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on the academic performance of students in the UAE and their satisfaction with remote learning, while also examining gender differences in these variables. Methods This study used a quantitative research design in which a questionnaire was used to collect data. The study employed a snowball sampling method to recruit a total of 1,780 male and female students aged 18 and above from Zayed University in the UAE. The collected data were analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques. Results This study revealed that students at Zayed University maintained a good level of academic performance (M = 3.34, SD = 0.76) during the COVID-19 pandemic and were satisfied with online learning (M = 3.48, SD = 0.84) during the COVID-19 pandemic. A significant positive correlation was observed between students’ academic performance and their level of satisfaction with online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.001). Furthermore, no significant differences were found between gender and both academic performance and level of satisfaction with online learning. Finally, we found that more males leaned toward online learning while more females leaned toward face-to-face learning. Conclusion This study contributes to understanding the impact of COVID-19 on students’ academic performance and satisfaction with remote learning in the UAE context. The findings highlight the significance of student satisfaction for successful online learning and emphasize the need for adequate resources and the maintenance of education quality.
On the Dynamics of Rhyolite Dome Emplacement: Densities and Deformation Fields

Silicic rocks in Iceland are generally associated with central volcanoes and are often emplaced on or around caldera rims. Rhyolite magma can rise, due to buoyancy forces and either form a cryptodome in the shallow crust or rise to the surface, where it erupts. Due to its high viscosity and resistance to flow it often accumulates and forms a lava dome over the vent. Some of these domes were formed subglacially while others were erupted under ice-free conditions. In this thesis some aspects pertaining to the dynamics of dome emplacement are studied, s.a. size and density of domes. A model to describe the deformation field above a rising cryptodome is proposed. A gravity survey was carried out in the area of Krafla in 2007 and 2008 to determine the mean bulk density values of rhyolite domes. Data on density and volumes is essential for meaningful modelling of the emplacement of cryptodomes and lava domes. Such data is scarce. Profiles were measured over three formations, ranging in size from Hlíðarfjall (310 m high and 2 km long), formed under ice 90 000 years BP, to Hrafntinnuhryggur (80 m high and 2.5 km long) formed 24 000 years BP under a glacier to Hraunbunga (125 m high and 1.8 km long) formed 10 000 years BP. The Holocene formation Hraunbunga was measured as a reference to the subglacially formed ridges Hlíðarfjall og Hrafntinnuhryggur on the Krafla caldera’s rim. Mean bulk density for each formation was obtained by the Nettleton method. The results are that all the domes have low densities, reflecting both low grain-density and high porosity. The domes’s density values are significantly smaller than those of the surroundings, creating a density contrast possibly sufficient to drive the ascent of rhyolite magma. Furthermore, results from gravity data demonstrate that these formations are neither buried by younger volcanic eruptives nor are any roots detected. The domes studied were therefore emplaced as vent-forming domes. No dome eruption has been observed with modern monitoring equipment in Iceland. The persistent seismic cluster at Goðabunga on Katla’s caldera rim, located in the South Iceland Flank Zone (SIFZ), has been active for the last forty years. It is has been suggested that it represents a rising cryptodome. No deformation has been observed above this seismic cluster, possibly because of the large mesh size of the geodetic network. The Mogi model, due to its simplicity, is widely used to interpret a volcano’s
Use of threshold parameter variation for tropical cyclone tracking

Abstract. Assessing the capacity of numerical models to produce viable tropical cyclones, as well as assessing the climatological behavior of simulated tropical cyclones, requires an objective tracking method. These make use of parameter thresholds to determine whether a detected feature, such as a vorticity maximum or a warm core, is strong enough to indicate a tropical cyclone. The choice of parameter thresholds is generally subjective. This study proposes and assesses the parallel use of many threshold parameter combinations, combining a number of weaker and stronger values. The tracking algorithm succeeds in tracking tropical cyclones within the model data, beginning at their aggregation stage or shortly thereafter and ending when they interact strongly with extratropical flow and transition into extratropical cyclones or when their warm core decays. The sensitivity of accumulated cyclone energy to tracking errors is assessed. Tracking errors include the faulty initial detection and termination of valid tropical cyclones and systems falsely identified as tropical cyclones. They are found to not significantly impact the accumulated cyclone energy. Thus, the tracking algorithm produces an adequate estimate of the accumulated cyclone energy within the underlying data.
Multi-biological functions of intermedin in diseases

Intermedin (IMD) is a member of the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)/calcitonin (CT) superfamily, and it is expressed extensively throughout the body. The typical receptors for IMD are complexes composed of calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR) and receptor activity-modifying protein (RAMP), which leads to a biased activation towards Gαs. As a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, IMD regulates the initiation and metastasis of multiple tumors. Additionally, IMD functions as a proangiogenic factor that can restrain excessive vascular budding and facilitate the expansion of blood vessel lumen, ultimately resulting in the fusion of blood vessels. IMD has protective roles in various diseases, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, metabolic disease, cardiovascular diseases and inflammatory diseases. This review systematically elucidates IMD’s expression, structure, related receptors and signal pathway, as well as its comprehensive functions in the context of acute kidney injury, obesity, diabetes, heart failure and sepsis. However, the precise formation process of IMD short peptides in vivo and their downstream signaling pathway have not been fully elucidated yet. Further in-depth studies are need to translate IMD research into clinical applications.
Chronic jet lag reduces motivation and affects other mood-related behaviors in male mice

Introduction: The circadian system regulates various physiological processes such as sleep-wake cycles, hormone secretion, metabolism, and the reaction to both natural and drug-based rewards. Chronic disruption of the circadian system caused by unsteady synchronization with light-dark (LD) schedules, such as advancing chronic jet lag (CJL), leads to adverse physiological effects and pathologies, and is linked with changes in mood and depressive behaviors in humans and rodent models. Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were subjected to circadian disruption through phase advances of 6 h every 2 days (CJL +6/2). Mice under 12:12-h LD cycle were used as controls. After 8 weeks under these conditions, a battery of behavioral tests was performed to assess if mood-related behaviors were affected. Results: Compared to controls under 24 h LD cycles, mice under CJL presented desynchronization of activity-rest rhythms that led to several behavioral impairments, including a decrease in motivation for food reward, and an increase in anxiety, anhedonia, and depressive-like behavior. Conclusion: Chronic circadian disruption, caused by an experimental CJL protocol, affects mood-related and reward-related behaviors in mice. Understanding the importance of the circadian system and its potential role for disruption due to CJL is important for maintaining good health and well-being.
Multi-Pass Interferometry for Studies of Glacier Dynamics

This paper presents recent results from the ESA Tandem Announcement of Opportunity study 'An Investigation of the Utility of ERS SAR Data for Studies of Glacier Dynamics. ' The study is conducted by the Danish Center for Remote Sensing in collaboration with the Danish Polar Center. A key element in the study is multi-baseline repeat track interferometry (RTI), which potentially can be used to measure both velocities and the micro topography of glaciers. A primary test site has been established on the Storstrommen Glacier in North-East Greenland. Tandem ERS data acquired in August - December 1995 covering the glacier have been investigated. DCRS has acquired complementary airborne RTI data over the glacier in August of 1994 and RTI as well as single-pass interferometry (XTI) data in August of 1995. In-situ measurements including repeated positioning of poles as well as deployments of corner reflectors were performed by the Danish Polar Center.