Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Right secondary somatosensory cortex—a promising novel target for the treatment of drug-resistant neuropathic orofacial pain with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation

Abstract High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) of the motor cortex has analgesic effect; however, the efficacy of other cortical targets and the mode of action remain unclear. We examined the effects of rTMS in neuropathic orofacial pain, and compared 2 cortical targets against placebo. Furthermore, as dopaminergic mechanisms modulate pain responses, we assessed the influence of the functional DRD2 gene polymorphism (957C>T) and the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met polymorphism on the analgesic effect of rTMS. Sixteen patients with chronic drug-resistant neuropathic orofacial pain participated in this randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Navigated high-frequency rTMS was given to the sensorimotor (S1/M1) and the right secondary somatosensory (S2) cortices. All subjects were genotyped for the DRD2 957C>T and COMT Val158Met polymorphisms. Pain, mood, and quality of life were monitored throughout the study. The numerical rating scale pain scores were significantly lower after the S2 stimulation than after the S1/M1 (P = 0.0071) or the sham (P = 0.0187) stimulations. The Brief Pain Inventory scores were also lower 3 to 5 days after the S2 stimulation than those at pretreatment baseline (P = 0.0127 for the intensity of pain and P = 0.0074 for the interference of pain) or after the S1/M1 (P = 0.001 and P = 0.0001) and sham (P = 0.0491 and P = 0.0359) stimulations. No correlations were found between the genetic polymorphisms and the analgesic effect in the present small clinical sample. The right S2 cortex is a promising new target for the treatment of neuropathic orofacial pain with high-frequency rTMS.
The Archaea Community Associated with Lava-Formed Gotjawal Forest Soil in Jeju, Korea

The abundance and diversity of archaeal assemblages were analyzed in soils collected from Gyorae Gotjawal forest, Jeju, Korea. Gotjawal soil refers to soil derived from a lava-formed forest, characterized by high organic matter content, fertility, and poor rocky soil. Using domain-specific primers, archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequences were PCR amplified for clone library construction, and a total of 185 archaeal clones were examined. The archaeal clones were affiliated with the phyla Thaumarchaeota (96.2%) and Euryarchaeota (3.8%). The most abundant thaumarchaeal group (90.3% of the clones) was the group I.1b clade, which includes soil ammonia-oxidizing archaea. The unique characteristics of Gotjawal soil, including basalt morphology, vegetation, and groundwater aquifer penetration, may be reflected in the archaeal community composition. Further study is necessary to understand the unique factors of Gotjawal soils that influence archaeal abundance, composition, and diversity.
Invited Talk ] Efficient Gradient-Based Beam Alignment for Low-Cost mmW Devices

Increasing demand for higher data rate in mobile communications has recently attracted interest in high frequency communications above 10 GHz, known as millimeter wave (mmW) communications. Challenged by the high path loss, the use of antenna arrays are mandatory. The resulting directional deafness has to be met by effective beam alignment algorithms. In order to keep costs and complexity in acceptable limits, it is likely that first devices for mobile communication will feature analog beam forming with one RF chain. We address this scenario, by introducing an efficient robust beam alignment algorithm and show its performance by simulation.
Une étude des voies de signalisation impliquées dans la carcinogénèse et le traitement des fibromatoses agressives

Les fibromatoses agressives sont des tumeurs conjonctives rares, pouvant envahir les structures adjacentes parfois de maniere tres agressive et responsables de frequentes recidives loco-regionales mais depourvues de potentiel metastatique. Leur evolution est imprevisible. Actuellement, la strategie de leur prise en charge est remise en cause et ces tumeurs sont de plus en plus souvent surveillees a leur diagnostic. En cas de tumeur evolutive, les traitements systemiques disponibles sont multiples mais d'efficacite variable. Aucun facteur pronostique de recidive ou d'evolutivite spontanee et aucun facteur predictif d'efficacite des traitements medicaux n'a aujourd'hui ete identifie. Les travaux de 2 premieres publications ont etudie les facteurs cliniques de recidive apres exerese chirurgicale, et ont retenu le jeune âge du patient, la grande taille tumorale et sa localisation extra-abdominale comme etant de mauvais pronostic. Dans une 3eme publication, nous avons recherche si le sous-type moleculaire de mutation de CTNNB1 observe dans les fibromatoses sporadiques pouvait influencer la recidive: la mutation S45F est de moins bon pronostic que les autres. Un autre article rapporte les resultats de l'analyse des profils d'expression des miRNAs des fibromatoses qui semblent se correler a leur pronostic mais cela doit etre confirme. Les 3 articles suivant presentent des travaux recherchant des facteurs predictifs de reponse des fibromatoses a l'imatinib : l'expression d'aucune des cibles connues de l'imatinib n'a ete retrouvee comme influencant significativement la reponse au traitement. Le role des variants M541L et V530I de l'exon 10 de KIT reste a determiner
Pore formation by LamB of Escherichia coli in lipid bilayer membranes

Lipid bilayer experiments were performed in the presence of different Escherichia coli LamB preparations. These LamB preparations formed two types of pores in the membranes. Large pores, which had a single-channel conductance of 2.7 nS and comprised about 1 to 6% of the total pores, were presumably contaminants which might have been induced together with LamB. LamB itself formed small pores with a single-channel conductance of 160 pS in 1 M KCl. These pores could be completely blocked by the addition of maltose and maltodextrins. Titration of the pore conductance with maltotriose suggested that there was a binding site inside the pores with a Ks of 2.5 X 10(-4) M for maltotriose. On the basis of our data we concluded that the structure of the LamB channels is quite different from the structures of the channels of general diffusion porins, such as OmpF and OmpC.
Analysis of a new thruway communication system with discrete minimal zones

A mobile communication system for high-speed thruways is currently under consideration in Japan. The system consists of fixed stations installed at regular intervals (2-5 km) along the thruway which are connected to a host computer. Subscribing customers can communicate with the system as they drive through each station's communication zone of minimal type (40-100 m). The authors develop and analyze a stochastic model for this new communication system. The model closely follows the sequence of operations which actually take place according to a communication protocol for handling collisions, and requires no exponential assumptions for the underlying service times. The tradeoff between the total number of stations installed and the probability of successful completion of a task within z km after the initial submission is investigated. Some numerical results are also given for illustrating the tradeoff, with validation via SIMAN simulation. >
A case report on buccal mucosa graft for upper ureteral stricture repair

Management of ureteric stricture especially long length upper one-third poses a challenging job for most urologists. With the successful use of buccal mucosa graft (BMG) for stricture urethra leads the foundation for its use in ureteric stricture also. A 35-year-old male diagnosedcase of left upper ureteric stricture, postureteroscopy with left percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) in situ. Cysto-retrograde pyelography and nephrostogram done simultaneously suggestive of left upper ureteric stricture of 3 cm at L3 level. On exploration, diseased ureteral segment exposed, BMG harvested and sutured as onlay patch graft with supportive omental wrap. The treatment choice for upper ureteric long length stricture is inferior nephropexy, autotransplantation, or bowel interposition. With PCN in situ, inferior nephropexy becomes technically difficult, other two are morbid procedures. Use of BMG in this situation is technically better choice with all the advantages of buccal mucosa. Onlay BMG for ureteral stricture is technically easy, less morbid procedure and can be important choice in future.
Novel High-Conversion-Ratio High-Efficiency Isolated Bidirectional DC–DC Converter

This paper proposes a novel high-conversion-ratio high-efficiency isolated bidirectional dc-dc converter. The proposed converter is operated in the step-down stage. The dc-blocking capacitor in the high-voltage side is used to reduce the voltage on the transformer, and the current-doubler circuits are used in the low-voltage side to reduce the output current ripple. The energy stored in the leakage inductance is recycled to the dc-blocking capacitor. When the proposed converter is operated with a step-up function, dual current-fed circuits on the low-voltage side are used to reduce the current ripples and conduction losses of the switches in the low-voltage side. The voltage-doubler circuit in the high-voltage side increases the conversion ratio. The proposed converter can achieve high conversion with high efficiency. Experimental results based on a prototype implemented in the laboratory with a high voltage of 200 V, low voltage of 24 V, and output power of 200 W verify the performance of the proposed converter. The peak efficiency of the proposed converter in the high-step-down and high-step-up stages is 96.3% and 95.6%, respectively.
Automatically constructing blue pages for characters in instructional videos

This paper presents our recent work on automatically constructing blue pages for main characters in instructional videos. Specifically, a blue page is a personal profile which contains various types of information such as name, affiliation, portrait and voice that are specific to each individual. To accomplish this, we first extract various types of personal identity information from the video by analyzing multiple media cues; then we carefully correlate them with each other w.r. t. individual video characters based on an advanced video context analysis. When additional information sources are available, the constructed blue pages could be further enriched with advanced data mining and information extraction techniques. To validate the proposed ideas, we have carried out some preliminary experiments on a set of instructional videos with acceptable results obtained.
Effects of selected weight training programs on the development of strength and muscle hypertrophy.

Abstract This experiment was undertaken to determine the effects of a six-week progressive weight training program on the development of strength and muscle hypertrophy, using one exercise, the deep-knee bend, with varying repetitions. Thirty students were chosen by random from beginning weight lifting classes at Michigan State University. Following a two-week conditioning period the subjects were divided into three groups of ten each for the controlled training period. The programs were as follows: Group A—3 sets of 9-10 repetitions, Group B—3 sets of 5-6 repetitions, and Group C—3 sets of 2-3 repetitions. Individuals in each group handled maximum weight loads for the number of repetitions each was required to perform. The effectiveness of the program was determined by three measurements: (a) thigh girth, (b) dynamic strength as measured by one RM on the deep-knee bend, and (c) static strength as measured on the dynamometer. The results were graphically analyzed and percentages calculated. The data were .
A Method for Embedding Context to Sound-based Life Log

: Wearable computing technologies are attracting a great deal of attention on context-aware systems. They recognize user context by using wearable sensors. Though conventional context-aware systems use accelerometers or microphones, the former requires wearing many sensors and a storage such as PC for data storing, and the latter cannot recognize complex user motions. In this paper, we propose an activity and context recognition method where the user carries a neck-worn receiver comprising a microphone, and small speakers on his / her wrists that generate ultrasounds. The system recognizes gestures on the basis of the volume of the received sound and the Doppler e ﬀ ect. The former indicates the distance between the neck and wrists, and the latter indicates the speed of motions. We combine the gesture recognition by using ultrasound and conventional MFCC-based environmental-context recognition to recognize complex contexts from the recorded sound. Thus, our approach substitutes the wired or wireless communication typically required in body area motion sensing networks by ultrasounds. Our system also recognizes the place where the user is in and the people who are near the user by ID signals generated from speakers placed in rooms and on people. The strength of the approach is that, for o ﬄ ine recognition, a simple audio recorder can be used for the receiver. Contexts are embedded in the recorded sound all together, and this recorded sound creates a sound-based life log with context information. We evaluate the approach on nine gestures / activities with 10 users. Evaluation results conﬁrmed that when there was no environmental sound generated from other people, the recognition rate was 86.6% on average. When there was environmental sound generated from other people, we compare an approach that selects used feature values depending on a situation against standard approach, which uses feature value of ultrasound and environmental sound. Results for the proposed approach are 64.3%, for the standard approach are 57.3
Measuring the Operative Treatment Effect in End-Stage Ankle Arthritis: Are We Asking the Right Questions? A COFAS Multicenter Study

Background: Foot and ankle surgeons are increasingly relying on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) such as the Ankle Osteoarthritis Scale (AOS) to evaluate treatment options. The objectives of this retrospective cohort study were 2-fold: (1) to examine the AOS instrument using psychometric analysis and (2) to revise the questions on the AOS to improve the effect of questions on the score and remove redundancies. Methods: Pre- and postoperative patient scores were obtained from AOS questionnaires in the COFAS Prospective Ankle Reconstruction Database, a cohort of patients operatively treated for end-stage ankle arthritis. A split-sample approach was used to evaluate the AOS and to propose a revised instrument. Results: A total of 380 patients who had been treated with total ankle replacement or ankle arthrodesis were prospectively followed to the 2-year postoperative time point. Correlation analysis demonstrated that a number of questions on the AOS were highly correlated with other similar questions, frequently incomplete, or showed little variation between respondents. Eight of the original AOS questions were retained in the newly proposed Ankle Arthritis Score (AAS) [3 from the AOS Pain subscale and 5 from the AOS Disability subscale]. Principal components analysis (PCA) showed that these questions equally clustered into 2 domains in AAS: Basic Activity and Advanced Activity. Conclusions: The AAS is shorter and has improved psychometric properties as compared to the AOS. Further investigation is required to better characterize the clinical utility of this proposed new patient-reported outcome score. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.
Estimating tourism statistics with Wikipedia page views

Decision makers depend on socio-economic indicators to shape the world we inhabit. Reports of these indicators are often delayed due to the effort involved in gathering and aggregating the underlying data. Our increasing interactions with large scale technological systems are generating vast datasets on global human behaviour which are immediately accessible. Here we analyse whether data on how often people view Wikipedia articles might help us to improve estimates of the current number of tourists leaving the UK. Our analyses suggest that in the absence of sufficient history, Wikipedia page views provide an advantage. We conclude that when using adaptive models, Wikipedia usage opens up the possibility to improve estimates of tourism demand.
Identification of a Retinal Aldosterone System and the Protective Effects of Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism on Retinal Vascular Pathology

Blockade of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) is being evaluated as a treatment for diabetic retinopathy; however, whether the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and aldosterone influence retinal vascular pathology is unknown. We examined the effect of MR antagonism on pathological angiogenesis in rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). To determine the mechanisms by which the MR and aldosterone may influence retinal angiogenesis; inflammation and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) were evaluated in OIR and cultured bovine retinal endothelial cells (BRECs) and bovine retinal pericytes (BRPs). In OIR, MR antagonism (spironolactone) was antiangiogenic. Aldosterone may mediate the pathogenic actions of MR in the retina, with 11&bgr;-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 mRNA being detected and with aldosterone stimulating proliferation and tubulogenesis in BRECs and exacerbating angiogenesis in OIR, which was attenuated with spironolactone. The MR and aldosterone modulated retinal inflammation, with leukostasis and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA and protein in OIR being reduced by spironolactone and increased by aldosterone. A reduction in G6PD may be an early response to aldosterone. In BRECs, BRPs, and early OIR, aldosterone reduced G6PD mRNA, and in late OIR, aldosterone increased mRNA for the NAD(P)H oxidase subunit Nox4. A functional retinal MR–aldosterone system was evident with MR expression, translocation of nuclear MR, and aldosterone synthase expression, which was modulated by RAAS blockade. We make the first report that MR and aldosterone influence retinal vasculopathy, which may involve inflammatory and G6PD mechanisms. MR antagonism may be relevant when developing treatments for retinopathies that target the RAAS.
Homogeneous polynomially parameter-dependent state feedback controllers for finite time stabilization of linear time-varying systems

This paper investigates the problem of parameter-dependent state feedback control of continuous-time systems in the context of finite time stability. The controller is designed in order to guarantee that the closed-loop system is finite time stable. The system is considered time varying with the parameters modeled within a unit simplex. The design conditions obtained by means of Lyapunov functions are expressed as linear matrix inequalities. The finite time stability is assessed by using homogeneous polynomially parameter-dependent state feedback gains with arbitrary degree g. LMI relaxations are proposed based on Pólya's theorem. A controller is obtained by the solution of a factibility problem and the effect of the relaxation procedures analyzed by an optimization problem. Numerical examples are provided.
A Four-Step Approach for Establishment of a National Medical Response to Mega-Terrorism

Abstract A simplified, four-step approach was used to establish a medical management and response plan to mega-terrorism in Israel. The basic steps of this approach are: (1) analysis of a scenario based on past incidents; (2) description of relevant capabilities of the medical system; (3) analysis of gaps between the scenario and the expected response; and (4) development of anoperational framework. Analyses of both the scenario and medical abilities led to the recommendation of an evidence-based contingency plan for mega-terrorism. An important lesson learned from the analyses is that a shortage in medical first responders would require the administration of advanced life support (ALS) by paramedics at the scene, along with simultaneous, rapid evacuation of urgent casualties to nearby hospitals by medics practicing basic life support (BLS). Ambulances and helicopters should triage casualties from inner to outer circle hospitals secondarily, preferentially Level-1 trauma centers. In conclusion, this fourstep approach based on scenario analysis, mapping of medical capabilities, detection of bottlenecks, and establishment of a unique operational framework, can help other medical systems develop a response plan to megaterrorist attacks.
Twenty-six cases of advanced ampullary adenocarcinoma treated with systemic chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE Ampullary adenocarcinoma is a rare disease entity and little information regarding these tumors is available. The aim of the present study was to clarify the treatment outcome of systemic chemotherapy in patients with advanced ampullary adenocarcinoma. METHODS This study consisted of a retrospective review of data obtained from patients diagnosed as having advanced ampullary adenocarcinoma who received non-surgical treatment at a single institution between 1997 and 2010. RESULTS We identified 26 patients (15 men, 11 women; median age, 62.0 years) who received treatment for advanced ampullary adenocarcinoma. Twelve patients had Stage IV disease and 14 had recurrences. The chemotherapy regimens consisted of 5-fluorouracil-based regimens (5-fluorouracil + cisplatin, n = 3; tegafur-uracil + doxorubicin, n = 5 and tegafur, gimeracil and oteracil potassium, n = 3) and gemcitabine-based regimens (gemcitabine, n = 10 and gemcitabine + cisplatin, n = 5). The overall response rate was 7.7%. The median progression-free survival period was 3.2 months (2.5 months in the 5-fluorouracil group vs. 3.5 months in the gemcitabine group), and the median overall survival time was 9.1 months (8.0 months in the 5-fluorouracil group vs. 12.3 months in the gemcitabine group). The median overall survival was significantly longer in stage IV disease than in recurrent disease. The histological phenotype was determined in 10 of the 26 patients. Eight patients had intestinal-type adenocarcinomas and remaining two patients had pancreatobiliary-type adenocarcinomas. CONCLUSIONS The treatment outcome of patients with advanced ampullary adenocarcinoma was poor. Further development of novel treatments is necessary to improve the prognosis.
Folsom Points

Folsom. New Archaeological Investigations of a Classic Paleoindian Bison Kill. By David J. Meltzer. University of California Press, Berkeley, 2006. 388 pp. $55, £35.95. ISBN 9780520246447. Meltzer's monograph on this late-ice age site (which includes contributions by nine other authors) combines an evaluation of the findings from the initial (late 1920s) investigations with findings from recent excavations and laboratory analyses.
Visual odometry from an omnidirectional vision system

We describe a method for estimating the translation and rotation between two subsequent poses of a moving robot from images taken with an omnidirectional vision system. This allows some form of visual odometry. We use two sorts of projections derived from the omnidirectional image. The rotation and translation direction are determined from panoramic projections. After that, a projection on a plane parallel to the ground is used to estimate the length of the translation vector. Experiments on real and simulated data are carried out.