Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A matched cohort study of laparoscopy‐assisted and open total gastrectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer without serosa invasion

Background Little is known about the feasibility and safety of laparoscopy‐assisted total gastrectomy (LATG) with extended lymphadenectomy in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC). This study compared the technical feasibility, safety, and oncologic efficacy of LATG with open total gastrectomy (OTG) for AGC without serosa invasion. Methods From January 2009 to December 2011, 235 patients underwent LATG and 153 patients underwent OTG for AGC without serosa invasion. Age, gender, and depth of invasion (pT2 and pT3) were matched by propensity scoring, and 116 patients (58 LATG and 58 OTG) were selected for analysis. Their clinicopathologic characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and survival were compared. Results There was no significant difference in clinicopathologic characteristics between the two propensity‐matched groups. Median number of lymph nodes per patient was 29, and the mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was similar in the LATG and OTG groups (30.8±10.2 vs. 29.0±8.3). Peri‐operative characteristics, operation time, number of transfused units per patient, and time to resumption of activities were similar in the two groups; while blood loss, times to first flatus and resumption of soft diet, and post‐operative stay were significantly lower in the LATG group (P <0.05, respectively). Rates of post‐operative complications (12.1% vs. 15.5%) and postoperative mortality (0% vs. 1.7%), as well as cumulative survival rates, were similar. Conclusions LATG with D2 lymphadenectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for AGC patients without serosa invasion. Prospective, multicenter, randomized trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of LATG in this patient population.
Defect pairs and clusters related to the EL2 centre in GaAs

In this article, we attempt to consistently interpret Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and electrical conductivity experimental data for irradiated GaAs. Our analysis reveals the occurrence of an irradiation-induced single donor mid-gap level (MG) related to the AsGa antisite defect. We give evidence that MG can be identified with the deep level associated to the native bulk centre EL2. We make use of a model we have recently developed for the calculation of inter-defect phonon-assisted tunnelling rates. We calculate the nearest neighbour defect-induced hopping conductivities. In heavy dose irradiated GaAs, the DC conductivity is attributed to hopping between MG defects. Our calculations provide extremely good fits to the experimental results of Deng et al. for the DC electrical conductivity in GaAs induced by argon ion bombardment for temperatures ranging from around 20 K to 500 K. The phonon energy ħω (20 ± 2 meV) and Franck-Condon shift Sħω (145 ±10 meV) of MG needed to achieve this fit are in very good agreement with the ħω and Sħω values earlier determined for the native EL2 defect. The bulk AC hopping conductivity has also been calculated and found to agree well with experimental results of Mares et al. for high purity semi-insulating GaAs. The corresponding low-frequency AC conductivity is attributed entirely to a homogeneous random distribution of native mid-gap donor defects EL2. We are also led to invoke the mid-gap level MG (identifiable with that of EL2) in order to account for DLTS results. In fast-electron irradiated n-GaAs, the two high temperature DLTS peaks E4 and E5 are both accounted for by two defect pairs each including an MG level component. In heavy-particle bombarded n-GaAs damage clusters including MG defects account for the experimentally recorded high temperature DLTS peak. For these defect pairs and clusters, our DLTS simulations correctly predict the observed peak positions and their dependence on the electric field.
Peroneal palsy due to hematoma in the common peroneal nerve sheath after distal torsional fractures and inversion ankle sprains.

Palsy of the common peroneal nerve due to a traumatic hematoma within its nerve sheath is described as a complication of spiral fractures of the distal part of the leg. This unusual complication was observed after two skiing injuries. Traction was apparently transmitted along the nerve, from ankle to mid-thigh, where a vas nervorum of the common peroneal nerve was ruptured below the sciatic bifurcation, with a resulting hematoma between the epineurium and perineurium. In neither case was there evidence of direct trauma to the region of the hematoma or of ligamentous injury at the knee. The same condition may result from an inversion sprain of the ankle. The common peroneal nerve and its branches would appear to be vulnerable to remote torsion injuries of the distal part of the leg and ankle. Severe intractible pain after reduction and immobilization of a fracture of the tibia and fibula may be an important clue to nerve involvement, and should alert the surgeon to investigate for motor and sensory deficits. In the two cases reported, early exploration of the nerve and its branches with evacuation of the hematoma and ligation of the ruptured was nervorum was followed by swift and dramatic recovery. Awareness of the vulnerability of the vasa nervorum of the commons peroneal nerve near the sciatic bifurcation is important in determining the level for exploration. It seems likely that some peroneal nerve palsies heretofore attributed to overstretching of nerve fibers or to external pressure from a cast may in fact have been the result of a traumatic hematoma within the nerve sheath. Since irreversible palsies may presumably result from unirecognized traumatic hematomata, it is important to be aware of this entity and to be prepared to evacuate the hematoma promptly.
Expression of Cyclin D 1 in Oral Leukoplakia Compared with Normal Mucosa , Benign and Malignant Tumors of the Oral Cavity

Introduction The development of malignant tumours of the oral cavity is a complex, multistage process in which the premalignant disorders play an important role. Some authors distinguish two basic steps in this process: first the transformation of normal mucosa into a potentially malignant lesion or condition, and secondary the evolution of these lesions towards oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) [1,2]. However, it is known that an OSCC can develop directly from normal oral mucosa and also that in some cases premalignant lesions – even those with high risk – do not evolve towards malignant transformation. In a recently held WHO workshop it has been recommended the use of the term "potentially malignant disorders" instead of "potentially malignant lesions" or "conditions", the most frequent of these – representing about 85% – being oral leukoplakia. The average malignant transformation rate is about 4%, but it varies between 0.1–28% according to different studies. Despite of big progresses achieved in molecular biology and immunohistochemistry, in the present there is no single reliable marker to predict this transformation [3,4]. The complex process of carcinogenesis involves a series of mutations of multiple genes, some of them with important role in the cell cycle control. Cyclin D1, a 45kD protein encoded by the Cyclin D1 gene (located on chromosome 11q13) is one of them. It is a rate-limiting controller of the G1 phase and the G1 to S transition of the cell cycle. It’s overexpression may cause disturbance in the normal cell cycle, leading to a shortened G1 phase, which may cause an increased proliferation and consecutive tumour formation [5–8]. The expression of Cyclin D1 was studied separately in normal oral mucosa, potentially malignant disorders and carcinomas, or some authors compared two of these categories. Some of the studies also tried to correlate this expression with histopathological grading or with different clinical features such as gender, age, localization, smoking habits etc., but the reported results were not conclusive, sometimes even contradictory [5–11]. Hence our objective was to analyse the expression of Cyclin D1 in oral leukoplakia in comparison with normal mucosa, benign and malignant tumours of the oral cavity, also considering clinical and histopathological aspects.
Thermal infrared identification of buried landmines

This paper deals with a three-dimensional thermal model for landmine detection problems and an inverse problem for reconstructing the physical parameters of buried objects. Moreover, solutions are given for the estimation of the soil thermal diffusivity and meteorological parameters, needed for solving the inverse problem. The paper describes the main fundamental principles of thermal modelling for buried object identification and illustrates the results on data acquired from a real minefield, together with qualitative and quantitative results illustrating the validity of the model.
Dynamics of cerebral tissue injury and perfusion after temporary hypoxia-ischemia in the rat: evidence for region-specific sensitivity and delayed damage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Selective regional sensitivity and delayed damage in cerebral ischemia provide opportunities for directed and late therapy for stroke. Our aim was to characterize the spatial and temporal profile of ischemia-induced changes in cerebral perfusion and tissue status, with the use of noninvasive MRI techniques, to gain more insight in region-specific vulnerability and delayed damage. METHODS Rats underwent 20 minutes of unilateral cerebral hypoxia-ischemia (HI). We performed combined repetitive quantitative diffusion-weighted, T2-weighted, and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MRI from before HI to 5 hours after HI. Data were correlated with parallel blood oxygenation level-dependent MRI and laser-Doppler flowmetry. Finally, MRI and histology were done 24 and 72 hours after HI. RESULTS Severe hypoperfusion during HI caused acute reductions of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of tissue water in the ipsilateral hemisphere. Reperfusion resulted in dynamic perfusion alterations that varied spatially. The ADC recovered completely within 1 hour in the hippocampus (from 0.68 +/- 0.07 to 0.83 +/- 0.09 x 10[-3] mm2/s), cortex (from 0.56 +/- 0.06 to 0.77 +/- 0.07 x 10[-3] mm2/s), and caudate putamen (from 0.58 +/- 0.06 to 0.75 +/- 0.06 x 10[-3] mm2/s) but only partially or not at all in the thalamus (from 0.65 +/- 0.07 to 0.68 +/- 0.12 x 10[-3] mm2/s) and substantia nigra (from 0.80 +/- 0.08 to 0.76 +/- 0.10 x 10[-3] mm2/s). Secondary ADC reductions, accompanied by significant T2 elevations and histological damage, were observed after 24 hours. Initial and secondary ADC decreases were observed invariably in the hippocampus, cortex, and caudate putamen and in approximately 70% of the animals in the thalamus and substantia nigra. CONCLUSIONS Region-specific responses and delayed ischemic damage after transient HI were demonstrated by MRI. Acute reperfusion-induced normalization of ADCs appeared to poorly predict ultimate tissue recovery since secondary, irreversible damage developed eventually.
Non-linear electromechanical RF model of a MEMS varactor based on VerilogA© and lumped-element parasitic network

In this paper we discuss an approach for the implementation of non-linear electromechanical and RF models of complete RF-MEMS devices within a standard circuit simulator, such as Cadence Spectrecopy or Agilent ADStrade. The intrinsic electromechanical core is based on a structural hierarchical model library implemented in VerilogAcopy language. Moreover, a surrounding lumped element network accounting for the electromagnetic RF behaviour of the MEMS device is extracted from S-parameters measured data. The whole nonlinear model network, composed of the intrinsic VerilogAcopy core plus lumped-element parasitics, can be analysed within a radiofrequency circuit simulator schematic. The model is fully validated against electromechanical and RF static and dynamic measurements, showing good agreement between simulations and experimental results. The presented modeling approach can be the basis for the development of complete RF-MEMS design technology libraries, aiming at optimum hierarchical designs of MEMS-enabled RF circuit blocks.
Structure and evolution of protoplanetary disks

We present here a few thoughts on how high-angular resolution observations can give clues to some properties of protoplanetary disks that are fundamental to theories of planet formation. High-angular resolution infrared spectroscopy, either with a large single mirror telescope, or by using infrared interferometry, allows us to probe the abundance of thermally processed dust in the disk as a function of distance to the star. We show that this radial abundance profile can give information about the early evolution of the protoplanetary disk as well as about the nature of the turbulence. Since turbulence is one of the main ingredients in theories of planet formation, this latter result is particularly important. We also show that Nature itself provides an interesting way to perform high-angular resolution observations with intermediate-angular resolution telescopes: if a disk has a (nearly) edge-on orientation and is located in a low-density ambient dusty medium, the disk casts a shadow into this medium, as it blocks the starlight in equatorial direction. We argue how these shadows can be used to characterize the dust in the disk.
New markets and new products: Strategies for reaching the base of the pyramid

Examines new evidence regarding the following: (1) the potential for profitability at the base of the pyramid consisting of over 4 billion people, mostly from third world countries; and (2) entrepreneurial qualities displayed by the informal sector mostly in the developed economies. A few large corporations have targeted the economically poor emerging new markets by developing new products and new technologies. There is no evidence to support the view that sustainable profitability is possible by catering to the needs of this new market segment. Multinational corporations have two options: (1) sell new products using adaptive technology to the middle income segment of the population with traditional marketing approaches; and (2) sell entirely new products at a substantially low price to the vast number of economically poor in the third world countries. This paper examines the critical factors associated with these two business strategies. Informal sector acts as “an incubator for business potential . and transitional base for accessibility and graduation to the formal economy. ” The potential of the informal sector to develop new products and technologies is examined. Presents a set of conclusions regarding the role of the informal sector in meeting the challenges of the bottom of the pyramid.
Sensitivity learning oriented nonmonotonic multi reservoir echo state network for short-term load forecasting

Load forecasting is becoming an important issue day by day for economic generation of power, economic allocation between plants, maintenance scheduling and for system security which involves peak load shaving by power inter change with interconnecting utilities. In this paper, sensitivity learning oriented multi reservoir Echo State Network (ESN) using non monotonic transfer function with optimized structures by particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, are used for short term load forecasting. Load time series of Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) control area and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) data are used for benchmarking the proposed method. Sensitivity oriented Linear Learning gives the sensitivities of the sum of squared errors. It has no extra computational cost, because the required information becomes available without having extra calculations. Echo state network parameters are being optimized with well-known Particle swarm optimization technique. Experimental results depicts that the proposed sensitivity oriented non monotonic Echo State network (SNESN) offers superior performance, in terms of mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), in time series prediction and eventually outperform the traditional load forecasting model like ARIMA and modern techniques like Support Vector Machine (SVM) based Genetic algorithm, Wavelet Neural Network and ANN based Fuzzy Network which prove the state of the art.
The effect of a respiratory home nurse intervention in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

BACKGROUND Chronic obstructive pulmomary disease (COPD) is associated with substantial mortality, morbidity, and costs to the health care system. With the increasing interest in outreach care programmes it is important to evaluate their impact upon patients and health services, for conditions such as COPD. AIM To determine the effectiveness of an outreach respiratory nurse in a shared care approach, with collaboration between general practitioners and hospital services, in the management of patients with severe COPD. METHODS Patients with severe COPD attending The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide participated in a randomised controlled trial of a home based nursing intervention (HBNI) over 12 months with outcome measures including mortality rate, hospital service utilisation, FEV1 and health related quality of life (HRQL) using a modified Dartmouth Primary Care Co-operative Quality of Life questionnaire. RESULTS There were 48 subjects in each study arm, with no differences in mortality rate (eight deaths in the HBNI group and seven in the control group), hospital admissions, length of stay, number of outpatient and Emergency Service visits. The study had inadequate follow-up of FEV1 and HRQL within the control group. Within the HBNI group, a small improvement in HRQL (in three of ten indices measured) was demonstrated, despite a deterioration in FEV1 (11% reduction, p=0.04) compared to baseline. Quality of life of HBNI subjects' carers did not change. CONCLUSION An increased level of care given by an outreach respiratory nurse in a shared care approach for patients with severe COPD produced small improvements in HRQL but did not result in the prevention of deaths or reduced health care utilisation.
Understanding influences on smoking in Bangladeshi and Pakistani adults: community based, qualitative study

Abstract Objective: To gain detailed understanding of influences on smoking behaviour in Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities in the United Kingdom to inform the development of effective and culturally acceptable smoking cessation interventions. Design: Qualitative study using community participatory methods, purposeful sampling, one to one interviews, focus groups, and a grounded approach to data generation and analysis. Setting: Newcastle upon Tyne, during 2000-2. Participants: 87 men and 54 women aged 18–80 years, smokers and non-smokers, from the Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities. Results: Four dominant, highly inter-related themes had an important influence on smoking attitudes and behaviour: gender, age, religion, and tradition. Smoking was a widely accepted practice in Pakistani, and particularly Bangladeshi, men and was associated with socialising, sharing, and male identity. Among women, smoking was associated with stigma and shame. Smoking in women is often hidden from family members. Peer pressure was an important influence on smoking behaviour in younger people, who tended to hide their smoking from elders. There were varied and conflicting interpretations of how acceptable smoking is within the Muslim religion. Tradition, culture, and the family played an important role in nurturing and cultivating norms and values around smoking. Conclusion: Although there are some culturally specific contexts for smoking behaviour in Bangladeshi and Pakistani adults—notably the influence of gender and religion—there are also strong similarities with white people, particularly among younger adults. Themes identified should help to inform the development and appropriate targeting of smoking cessation interventions. What is already known on this topic Smoking is common among Bangladeshi and Pakistani men in Britain but rare among the women Smoking is particularly common in Bangladeshi men Socioeconomic status is thought to influence smoking uptake in Bangladeshi men Influences on smoking in South Asians in Britain are poorly understood What this study adds Smoking among Pakistani and Bangladeshi men is strongly seen as socially acceptable—a “normal” part of being a man Smoking in Bangladeshi men is more deeply socially ingrained than in Pakistanis, contributing to group cohesion and identity Smoking in Bangladeshi and Pakistani women is associated with a strong sense of cultural taboo, stigma, and non-acceptance Islam forbids addiction and intoxicants, but opinions differ on whether the Muslim religion allows smoking Culturally sensitive smoking cessation interventions for Bangladeshis and Pakistanis are needed
Pegaptanib sodium for neovascular age-related macular degeneration: clinical experience in the UK

The pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is unclear, but it can take either a neovascular/exudative/wet form, characterized by choroidal neovascularization (CNV), or a dry form. No treatments are available for the dry form, but there are a number of pharmacological interventions that inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is central to the pathogenesis of CNV and neovascular AMD. Available anti-VEGF agents either target all active VEGF isoforms (eg, ranibizumab), or take a more selective approach and inhibit only VEGF165 (eg, pegaptantib sodium). Current guidance on their use is equivocal and restrictive at best, resulting in associated difficulties in securing adequate, timely funding for treatment. The Moorfields Eye Hospital undertook an audit of 70 patients receiving intravitreal (ITV) pegaptanib sodium on a pro re nata (prn) dosing schedule. Despite initial funding delays, the audit recorded superior treatment outcomes compared with those reported in the VISION trials at 12 weeks: 88% of audit patients maintained stable vision, 29% gained vision and 6% experienced severe vision loss compared with 70%, ≥6% and ≤10% of patients in VISION at 54 weeks, respectively. The audit indicates a positive correlation between patients with better baseline visual acuity (VA) and improved therapeutic benefits, including a greater likelihood of both vision gain and vision preservation. Experience at Moorfields also suggests that pegaptanib sodium is more useful in occult lesions than minimally classic lesions, and clinical experience suggests that combination therapies may offer the best approach with anti-VEGF therapies. Further randomized clinical trials will help better determine the optimal treatment strategies with pegaptanib sodium in neovascular AMD.
In vivo and in vitro arginine methylation of RNA-binding proteins

Heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) bind pre-mRNAs and facilitate their processing into mRNAs. Many of the hnRNPs undergo extensive posttranslational modifications including methylation on arginine residues. hnRNPs contain about 65% of the total NG,NG-dimethylarginine found in the cell nucleus. The role of this modification is not known. Here we identify the hnRNPs that are methylated in HeLa cells and demonstrate that most of the pre-mRNA-binding proteins receive this modification. Using recombinant human hnRNP A1 as a substrate, we have partially purified and characterized a protein-arginine N-methyltransferase specific for hnRNPs from HeLa cells. This methyltransferase can methylate the same subset of hnRNPs in vitro as are methylated in vivo. Furthermore, it can also methylate other RNA-binding proteins that contain the RGG motif RNA-binding domain. This activity is evolutionarily conserved from lower eukaryotes to mammals, suggesting that methylation has a significant role in the function of RNA-binding proteins.