Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent developments on DHEA supplementation in the substitutive therapy of primary adrenal insufficiency

Primary adrenal insufficiency is the consequence of the bilateral destruction or impaired function of the adrenal cortex. The reduction of the adrenocortical cell mass is responsible for a deficiency of glucocorticoids and, in some cases, of mineralcorticoids. The substitutive therapy with hydrocortisone, or cortisone acetate and fludrocortisone is life-saving and the current oral pharmaceutical preparations allow an adequate treatment of the clinical signs and a satisfactory quality of life, even though the currently available therapy cannot guarantee a correct adaptation of the hormone levels to the physiologic requests. The adrenal cortex also produces DHEA and DHEA-S, whose levels are typically reduced in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Clinical studies have shown that substitutive therapy with DHEA is associated with improvement of patient well-being. However, the unavailability of a large series of data on long-term efficacy and safety has so far limited the routine clinical use of DHEA in adrenal insufficiency therapy. Novel DHEA compounds, reviewed in this article, have been proposed to either reduce the minimum dose of DHEA needed to obtain normal serum levels or to minimise the side effects of the treatment. These recently developed DHEA compounds will enable large clinical studies of DHEA substitution that will increase our understanding of the physiological role of DHEA and will allow a future correct use of this drug in the treatment of adrenal insufficiency.
Response of Maize Seedlings to Cadmium Application after Different Time Intervals

Present study was conducted to appraise the inhibitory effects of cadmium applied at different time intervals on various growth and biochemical parameters in two maize lines, Maize-TargetedMutagenesis 1 and 2 (MTM-1 and MTM-2). Twenty-day-old seedlings were exposed to 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 mg CdCl2 kg−1 sand. Both maize lines exhibited significant perturbations in important biochemical attributes being employed for screening the crops for cadmium tolerance. The results showed that a higher concentration of cadmium (12 mg CdCl2 kg−1) considerably reduced the plant growth in line MTM-1 on the 5th, 10th, and 15th day after the treatment. In contrast, irrespective of exposure time, the plant biomass and leaf area did not show inhibitory effects of cadmium, specifically at 3 mg CdCl2 kg−1 in line MTM-2. In addition, MTM-2 was found to be more tolerant than line MTM-1 in terms of lower levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, and relative membrane permeability (RMP). Moreover, H2O2, MDA, RMP, and anthocyanin increased at all levels of cadmium in both lines, but a significant decline was observed in photosynthetic pigments, total free amino acids, and proline contents in all treatments particularly on the 10th and 15th day after treatment.
Technical Note - An Improved Transformation of the Symmetric Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem

We improve the standard transformation of the symmetric, single-depot, multiple traveling salesman problem (MTSP) to one on a sparser edge configuration. The improvement tends to suppress, to a large extent, the degeneracy of the resulting symmetric traveling salesman problem (TSP). As a result, a 1-tree based TSP algorithm solves large MTSPs of the type we consider as easily as it solves standard TSPs. We demonstrate the improvement by presenting computational results that are currently the best available.
Development of Human Nervous Tissue upon Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells in Three‐Dimensional Culture

Researches on neural differentiation using embryonic stem cells (ESC) require analysis of neurogenesis in conditions mimicking physiological cellular interactions as closely as possible. In this study, we report an air‐liquid interface‐based culture of human ESC. This culture system allows three‐dimensional cell expansion and neural differentiation in the absence of added growth factors. Over a 3‐month period, a macroscopically visible, compact tissue developed. Histological coloration revealed a dense neural‐like neural tissue including immature tubular structures. Electron microscopy, immunochemistry, and electrophysiological recordings demonstrated a dense network of neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes able to propagate signals. Within this tissue, tubular structures were niches of cells resembling germinal layers of human fetal brain. Indeed, the tissue contained abundant proliferating cells expressing markers of neural progenitors. Finally, the capacity to generate neural tissues on air‐liquid interface differed for different ESC lines, confirming variations of their neurogenic potential. In conclusion, this study demonstrates in vitro engineering of a human neural‐like tissue with an organization that bears resemblance to early developing brain. As opposed to previously described methods, this differentiation (a) allows three‐dimensional organization, (b) yields dense interconnected neural tissue with structurally and functionally distinct areas, and (c) is spontaneously guided by endogenous developmental cues. STEM CELLS 2009;27:509–520
A Novel Method of Dynamic Culture Surface Expansion Improves Mesenchymal Stem Cell Proliferation and Phenotype

Repeated passaging in conventional cell culture reduces pluripotency and proliferation capacity of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). We introduce an innovative cell culture method whereby the culture surface is dynamically enlarged during cell proliferation. This approach maintains constantly high cell density while preventing contact inhibition of growth. A highly elastic culture surface was enlarged in steps of 5% over the course of a 20‐day culture period to 800% of the initial surface area. Nine weeks of dynamic expansion culture produced 10‐fold more MSC compared with conventional culture, with one‐third the number of trypsin passages. After 9 weeks, MSC continued to proliferate under dynamic expansion but ceased to grow in conventional culture. Dynamic expansion culture fully retained the multipotent character of MSC, which could be induced to differentiate into adipogenic, chondrogenic, osteogenic, and myogenic lineages. Development of an undesired fibrogenic myofibroblast phenotype was suppressed. Hence, our novel method can rapidly provide the high number of autologous, multipotent, and nonfibrogenic MSC needed for successful regenerative medicine. STEM CELLS 2009;27:200–209
Neues in der Varizenchirurgie: Welche Bedeutung hat die Chirurgie in Zeiten von Laser, Schaum und Radiofrequenz

Kurzfassung: Die Therapie der Stammvarikose der Vena saphena magna und parva hat in den vergangenen 10 Jahren einen Innovationsschub erlebt. Mehrere neue – mehrheitlich der Crossektomie und Stripping gegenuber als uberlegen dargestellte – ausschlieslich endoluminale Therapieoptionen haben den Markt erobert. Die Operation ist sicher nicht mehr fur alle Patienten und alle Indikationen die optimale Therapie, die derzeitige Evidenz steht jedoch im krassen Gegensatz zur mehrheitlich aus merkantilen Absichten gefuhrten Diskussion. Aus der derzeitigen Evidenzlage und Erfahrung sind sehr groslumige (> 10 mm), geschlangelte Stammvarizen mit ausgepragten Seitenasten weiterhin chirurgisch besser versorgt. Auch ist ein BMI > 27 als Risikofaktor fur Rekanalisation nach endoluminalem Verfahren zu sehen. Schlusselworter: Varizenchirurgie, Radiofrequenz, Laser, Schaumsklerosierung
Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculosis in Candidates for Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Antagonists: An Experts Survey

Background: There are some controversies regarding the management of latent tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis in patients with rheumatologic indications for biologic therapy. Objectives: To describe current expert opinions and preferences regarding the evaluation and management of latent tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis in candidates and recipients of tumor-necrosis factor-alpha blocking therapy. Methods: A questionnaire addressing preferences related to management and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis in tumor-necrosis factor-alpha blocking candidates was distributed to tuberculosis and rheumatology experts across the United States between August 18, 2009, and June 21, 2010. Survey responses were formulated as a 5-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree), or as a priority rank order list (1 to 6 or 7), and data were analyzed for percent agreement and median rankings. Measurements and main results: The tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assays for latent tuberculosis infection screening were highly accepted among tuberculosis and rheumatology experts. Most participants supported the use of daily isoniazid for 9 months for latent tuberculosis infection therapy, but responses were mixed regarding timing to initiation of tumor-necrosis factor-alpha blocking therapy. Most tuberculosis experts supported standard anti-tuberculosis therapy for treatment of tuberculosis, but preferences varied among rheumatologists. In contrast, most rheumatologists believed tumor-necrosis factor-alpha blocking therapy should be stopped in individuals with active tuberculosis, while opinions varied among tuberculosis experts. Conclusions: Agreement among experts was common regarding preferences for diagnosis and management of latent tuberculosis infection and tuberculosis under hypothetical but likely common clinical scenarios, but some differences exist.
Differential Recovery of Neural Stem Cells in the Subventricular Zone and Dentate Gyrus After Ionizing Radiation

Radiation therapy is a widely used treatment for malignant central nervous system tumors. Mature neurons are terminally differentiated, whereas stem and progenitor cells have a prominent proliferative capacity and are therefore highly vulnerable to irradiation. Our aim was to investigate how cranial radiation in young rats would affect stem/progenitor cells in the two niches of adult neurogenesis, the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation. Nine weeks after irradiation we found that in irradiated animals, hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced to 5% of control levels. Similarly, the numbers of actively proliferating cells and radial glia‐like stem cells (nestin+/glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]+) in the dentate gyrus were reduced to 10% and 15% of control levels, respectively. In the irradiated olfactory bulb, neurogenesis was reduced to 40% of control levels, and the number of actively proliferating cells in the SVZ was reduced to 53% of control levels. However, the number of nestin+/GFAP+ cells in the SVZ was unchanged compared with controls. To evaluate the immediate response to the radiation injury, we quantified the amount of proliferation in the SVZ and dentate gyrus 1 day after irradiation. We found an equal reduction in proliferating cells both in dentate gyrus and SVZ. In summary, we show an initial response to radiation injury that is similar in both brain stem cell niches. However, the long‐term effects on stem cells and neurogenesis in these two areas differ significantly: the dentate gyrus is severely affected long‐term, whereas the SVZ appears to recover with time. STEM CELLS 2009;27:634–641
Group-based reduction schemes for streaming applications

Some peer-to-peer streaming systemsmake use of linear codes to reduce the rate of the data uploaded by peers with limited upload capabilities. Such "data reduction" techniques are based on a vector-space approach and produce the data to be uploaded bymeans of linear combinations of the content data in a suitable finite field. In this paper, we propose a more general approach based on group theory. The new approach, while including the vector space approach as a special case, allows to design schemes that cannot be modeled as linear codes. We analyze the properties of the schemes based on the new approach, showing also how a group-based scheme can be used to prevent stream poisoning and how a group-based scheme can be converted into a secret-sharing scheme. Examples of group-based schemes that cannot be described in the vector-space framework are also shown.
Quels sont les vecteurs du virus West Nile dans le Sud de la France

Les cycles epidemiologiques du virus West Nile comprennent les oiseaux comme hotes amplificateurs, les moustiques comme vecteurs et les hommes et equides comme hotes tangentiels et sensibles. Chez ces derniers, bien que souvent inapparente, l’infection peut provoquer une encephalite. L’interet actuel pour le virus West Nile s’explique surtout par son emergence aux Ameriques, ou il provoque chaque annee des milliers de cas (essentiellement aux Etats-Unis). En France, ce virus a provoque des epizooties associees a quelques cas humains au debut des annees 1960, avant de disparaitre pendant 35 ans. Depuis 2000, ce virus est responsable d’epizooties en Camargue et de cas sporadiques humains et/ou equins sur le reste du littoral mediterraneen. Cet article presente une synthese des travaux realises ces dernieres annees pour identifier les especes vectrices du virus West Nile dans le Sud de la France. Des captures sur appât oiseau, homme et cheval ont ete menees pour repertorier les especes potentiellement vectrices. L’exposition, en conditions naturelles, de ces especes au virus a ete testee par recherche virale sur des individus captures sur le terrain. Des infections experimentales ont permis d’evaluer l’aptitude de ces candidats a acquerir, multiplier et transmettre le virus. Grâce a l’ensemble de ces protocoles, Culex modestus et Culex pipiens peuvent etre consideres comme les principaux vecteurs du virus West Nile dans les zones humides de Camargue, alors que Culex pipiens est vraisemblablement le seul vecteur des zones seches du littoral mediterraneen. Apres l’identification des vecteurs, l’estimation du risque d’infection associe a chaque espece dans l’espace et au cours du temps est necessaire pour proposer des methodes de prevention ou de lutte. Les demarches actuellement developpees dans ce but, utilisant des outils de modelisation mathematique et de geomatique, sont brievement presentees.
An (S - 1, S) Inventory System with Emergency Orders

In this paper, we develop an approximate model of an inventory control system in which there exist two options for resupply, with one having a shorter lead-time. We assume that demand and the fixed ordering costs are small relative to the holding cost so that a one-for-one ordering policy is appropriate. We consider a policy for placing emergency orders that uses information about the age of outstanding orders. We derive the steady-state behavior of this policy and present some computational results.
Dominance and Decomposition Heuristics for Single Machine Scheduling

New heuristic dominance rules and a flexible decomposition heuristic are developed for the problem of minimizing weighted tardiness on a single processor. Extensive computational experience demonstrates that, when our new heuristic dominance rules were incorporated into an optimal algorithm, optimal or nearly optimal solutions were obtained quickly. In fact, solution times were orders of magnitude faster than those using the optimal algorithm alone. On larger problems, our decomposition heuristic obtained better solutions than previous heuristics. Furthermore, on 50-job problems our decomposition heuristic obtained an optimal solution over ten times more often on the average than the best competing heuristic (22% versus 2% of the time). Since both our approaches are basically relaxations of optimal solution algorithms, they could easily be adapted for use in the solution of other scheduling problems.
USMLE step one, otolaryngology in-training examination scores, and the American Board of Otolaryngology examination performance

To determine if U. S. Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) Step One scores have a positive correlation with performance on the annual Otolaryngology Training Examination (OTE) and subsequent performance on the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) examination. A retrospective cohort study of 70 residents completing Otolaryngology residencies from 2005-2009. 103 otolaryngology training programs were contacted and USMLE Step 1 scores, OTE scores, and performance on the ABOto examination were collected for the graduating chief residents from 2005-2009 from a limited number of residency programs. The associations between the examinations were evaluated using Spearman\'s rank correlation coefficient and Pearson’s correlation. USMLE Step 1 scores and board performance were provided for 70 residents from 7 Otolaryngology residency programs. Positive correlations were found using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation to be significant for USMLE Step 1 scores compared with scores on the OTE-2, OTE-3, OTE-4, OTE-5 (p
Design and Implementation of an Interactive Optimization System for Telephone Network Planning

We describe an interactive optimization system for multiperiod exhaust relief planning in the local loop of a public telephone network. In exhaust relief planning in the local loop one seeks the minimum cost capacity expansion plan that meets projected demand over a given planning horizon. The problem can be modeled as an integer programming problem. However, due to cost structures and varying transmission technologies, the single-period exhaust relief planning problem is NP-complete. The size of the problem precludes the use of general purpose integer programming. Based on the mathematical structure and complexity of the problem, we decompose the optimization problem into a single-period dynamic programming problem, and a multiperiod greedy heuristic. A software system surrounds the optimization algorithm and provides interactive planning capabilities, before and after creation of the optimized plan. Important aspects of the system are the model assumptions made to keep the problem tractable, and their effect on the standardization of input data and methodology. The system is in use by several hundred outside plant planners in a major U.S. telephone company. An overview of major elements of the package is given as well as a summary of important implementation issues that arose during the first three years of the on-going project.
Rolling Horizon Procedures in Nonhomogeneous Markov Decision Processes

By far the most common planning procedure found in practice is to approximate the solution to an infinite horizon problem by a series of rolling finite horizon solutions. Although many empirical studies have been done, this so-called rolling horizon procedure has been the subject of few analytic studies. We provide a cost error bound for a general rolling horizon algorithm when applied to infinite horizon nonhomogeneous Markov decision processes, both in the discounted and average cost cases. We show that a Doeblin coefficient of ergodicity acts much like a discount factor to reduce this error. In particular, we show that the error goes to zero for any fixed rolling horizon as this Doeblin measure of control over the future decreases. The theory is illustrated through an application to vehicle deployment.
Constant Access Systems: A General Framework for Greedy Optimization on Stochastic Networks

We consider network optimization problems in which the weights of the edges are random variables. We develop conditions on the combinatorial structure of the problem which guarantee that the objective function value is a first passage time in an appropriately constructed continuous time Markov chain. The arc weights must be distributed exponentially, the method of solution of the deterministic problem must be greedy in a general sense, and the accumulation of objective function value during the greedy procedure must occur at a constant rate. We call these structures constant access systems after the third property. Examples of constant access systems include the shortest path system, the longest path system, the time until disconnection in a network of failing components, and some bottleneck optimization problems. For each system, we give the distribution of the objective function, the distribution of the solution of the problem, and the probability that a given arc is a member of the optimal solution. We.
Multiclass Queueing Systems: Polymatroidal Structure and Optimal Scheduling Control

In many multiclass queueing systems, certain performance measures of interest satisfy strong conservation laws. That is, the total performance over all job types is invariant under any nonidling service control rule, and the total performance over any subset (say A) of job types is minimized or maximized by offering absolute priority to the types in A over all other types. We develop a formal definition of strong conservation laws, and show that as a necessary consequence of these strong conservation laws, the state space of the performance vector is a (base of a) polymatroid. From known results in polymatroidal theory, the vertices of this polyhedron are easily identified, and these vertices correspond to absolute priority rules. A wide variety of multiclass queueing systems are shown to have this polymatroidal structure, which greatly facilitates the study of the optimal scheduling control of such systems. When the defining set function of the performance space belongs to the class of generalized symmet.
BPSS: A Scheduling Support System for the Packaging Industry

This paper describes a scheduling support system for plants that produce multiply paper bags. The machine environment in these plants may be described as a flexible flow shop. That is, there are a number of stages in series with a number of machines in parallel at each stage. The jobs have specified shipping dates as well as priorities; their processing times and setup times are known in advance. We developed a five-step algorithm that schedules all the jobs at the various stages. This algorithm has been incorporated in a system, the Bagpak Production Scheduling System (BPSS), which also contains a data base management module and a user interface module. The system has been implemented in two plants, and is used on a regular basis. It has increased considerably the accuracy of the available information regarding the production process. The scheduler, in conjunction with the system, is able to produce better schedules; he now always knows where given performance measures stand. In addition, the available i.
The Physics of the Mt/G/∞ Queue

We establish some general structural results and derive some simple formulas describing the time-dependent performance of the Mt/G/∞ queue (with a nonhomogeneous Poisson arrival process). We know that, for appropriate initial conditions, the number of busy servers at time t has a Poisson distribution for each t. Our results show how the time-dependent mean function m depends on the time-dependent arrival-rate function λ and the service-time distribution. For example, when λ is quadratic, the mean m(t) coincides with the pointwise stationary approximation λ(t)E[S], where S is a service time, except for a time lag and a space shift. It is significant that the well known insensitivity property of the stationary M/G/∞ model does not hold for the nonstationary Mt/G/∞ model; the time-dependent mean function m depends on the service-time distribution beyond its mean. The service-time stationary-excess distribution plays an important role. When λ is decreasing before time t, m(t) is increasing in the service-time.