Bilateral Chylothorax Secondary to Retrosternal Goitre: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

Chylothorax is characterized by an accumulation of lymphatic fluid in the pleural cavity due to damage to the thoracic duct. The aetiology can be traumatic or non-traumatic. Goitre is a rare cause of chylothorax with only eight cases previously described in the literature including only one case causing a bilateral chylothorax. This report describes a patient with bilateral chylothorax secondary to substernal goitre, which was successfully treated, and discusses this very rare case in light of the available literature.

Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting with Bilateral Subdural Haematomas of Arterial Origin

Giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis is an inflammatory condition affecting medium to large sized vessels, particularly the cranial arteries. A 76-year-old man with no significant past medical history presented to the emergency department with a 3-week history of diffuse headaches associated with fever, loss of appetite, weight loss and general malaise. A CT scan of the brain showed bilateral shallow chronic low density subdural haematomas. A complete laboratory panel was unremarkable except for a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate and elevated C-reactive protein. A transthoracic echocardiogram and CT scan of the body were unremarkable. MRI of the brain confirmed bilateral old subdural collections and showed marked vessel wall enhancement in the frontal branches of the left superficial temporal artery. A left temporal artery biopsy confirmed giant cell temporal arteritis. We speculate that a vasculitic process in the small subdural arteries may have contributed to our patient’s spontaneous subdural haematomas.

Low spatial frequency filtering modulates early brain processing of affective complex pictures

Recent research on affective processing has suggested that low spatial frequency information of fearful faces provide rapid emotional cues to the amygdala, whereas high spatial frequencies convey fine-grained information to the fusiform gyrus, regardless of emotional expression. In the present experiment, we examined the effects of low (LSF, <15 cycles/image width) and high spatial frequency filtering (HSF, >25 cycles/image width) on brain processing of complex pictures depicting pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral scenes. Event-related potentials (ERP), percentage of recognized stimuli and response times were recorded in 19 healthy volunteers. Behavioral results indicated faster reaction times in response to unpleasant LSF than to unpleasant HSF pictures. Unpleasant LSF pictures and pleasant unfiltered pictures also elicited significant enhancements of P1 amplitudes at occipital electrodes as compared to neutral LSF and unfiltered pictures, respectively; whereas no significant effects of affective modulation were found for HSF pictures. Moreover, mean ERP amplitudes in the time between 200 and 500ms post-stimulus were significantly greater for affective (pleasant and unpleasant) than for neutral unfiltered pictures; whereas no significant affective modulation was found for HSF or LSF pictures at those latencies. The fact that affective LSF pictures elicited an enhancement of brain responses at early, but not at later latencies, suggests the existence of a rapid and preattentive neural mechanism for the processing of motivationally relevant stimuli, which could be driven by LSF cues. Our findings confirm thus previous results showing differences on brain processing of affective LSF and HSF faces, and extend these results to more complex and social affective pictures.

Collaborative Filtering with Semantic Neighbour Discovery

Nearest neighbour collaborative filtering (NNCF) algorithms are commonly used in multimedia recommender systems to suggest media items based on the ratings of users with similar preferences. However, the prediction accuracy of NNCF algorithms is affected by the reduced number of items – the subset of items co-rated by both users – typically used to determine the similarity between pairs of users. In this paper, we propose a different approach, which substantially enhances the accuracy of the neighbour selection process – a user-based CF (UbCF) with semantic neighbour discovery (SND). Our neighbour discovery methodology, which assesses pairs of users by taking into account all the items rated at least by one of the users instead of just the set of co-rated items, semantically enriches this enlarged set of items using linked data and, finally, applies the Collinearity and Proximity Similarity metric (CPS), which combines the cosine similarity with Chebyschev distance dissimilarity metric. We tested the proposed SND against the Pearson Correlation neighbour discovery algorithm off-line, using the HetRec data set, and the results show a clear improvement in terms of accuracy and execution time for the predicted recommendations.

Efeito de um programa de exercícios para prevenção da dor lombar ao nível do endurance e co-ativação bilateral do músculo médio glúteo, sway postural e intensidade da dor

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVOS: A dor lombar (DL) é considerada um dos maiores problemas socioeconómicos dos países industrializados e está associada à manutenção da posição de ereta em atividades ocupacionais e laborais. O objetivo do presente estudo é descrever e analisar o efeito de um programa de exercícios para prevenção da DL ao nível do endurance e co-ativação bilateral do músculo médio glúteo (MG), sway postural e a intensidade da DL em indivíduos que desenvolvem dor (DD) numa tarefa prolongala em pé. É expetável que os indivíduos DD, após o programa de exercícios, reduzam a intensidade subjetiva da dor, o nível de co-ativação bilateral e o sway postural e que aumentem o endurance do músculo MG. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Os participantes (19 homens, 31 mulheres), sem história prévia de DL, foram sujeitos ao teste de indução de DL transitória. Antes do teste foi avaliado o endurance da musculatura lombo-pélvica pelo side-bridge teste (SBT); e durante o teste foram recolhidos dados da atividade do músculo MG através de eletromiografia (EMG) de superfície, avaliado o sway postural com recurso a um acelerómetro 3D e intensidade subjetiva da dor, pela EVA. Um aumento>10mm na EVA durante o teste categorizou os indivíduos como DD. Os participantes foram aleatoriamente distribuídos por sexo e por desenvolver ou não dor (DD/NDD) em grupo experimental (Exp) e controlo (Cont). O grupo Exp realizou um programa e exercícios no domicílio e o grupo Cont manteve as suas atividades. Após 4 semanas procedeu-se à reavaliação. RESULTADOS: Os individuos que constituem a amostra deste estudo foram agrupados de acordo com diversos critérios e avaliados vários aspectos relacionados com a DL. Os resultados revelaram que 48% dos participantes foram classificados como DD. Em muitos aspectos analisados, o comportamento dos indivíduos foi semelhante não existindo diferenças significativas (p≥0,05). No entanto, os resultados mostram que existem diferenças quanto à intensidade subjetiva da dor onde se obteve uma variação significativa entre os dois dias de teste (p<0,05) em indivíduos DDExp. Também se observou um efeito clinicamente relevante na interação da intervenção e sexo enquanto medidas repetidas ao nível do endurance. CONCLUSÕES: O programa de exercícios provou ser benéfico na redução da intensidade da dor durante uma tarefa prolongada em pé. O endurance muscular revelou uma variação positiva ao exercício. Nos participantes em estudo não houve alteração relevante nas medidas de co-ativação muscular e sway postural.

Wave impedance selection for passivity-based bilateral teleoperation

When a task must be executed in a remote or dangerous environment, teleoperation systems may be employed to extend the influence of the human operator. In the case of manipulation tasks, haptic feedback of the forces experienced by the remote (slave) system is often highly useful in improving an operator's ability to perform effectively. In many of these cases (especially teleoperation over the internet and ground-to-space teleoperation), substantial communication latency exists in the control loop and has the strong tendency to cause instability of the system. The first viable solution to this problem in the literature was based on a scattering/wave transformation from transmission line theory. This wave transformation requires the designer to select a wave impedance parameter appropriate to the teleoperation system. It is widely recognized that a small value of wave impedance is well suited to free motion and a large value is preferable for contact tasks. Beyond this basic observation, however, very little guidance exists in the literature regarding the selection of an appropriate value. Moreover, prior research on impedance selection generally fails to account for the fact that in any realistic contact task there will simultaneously exist contact considerations (perpendicular to the surface of contact) and quasi-free-motion considerations (parallel to the surface of contact). The primary contribution of the present work is to introduce an approximate linearized optimum for the choice of wave impedance and to apply this quasi-optimal choice to the Cartesian reality of such a contact task, in which it cannot be expected that a given joint will be either perfectly normal to or perfectly parallel to the motion constraint. The proposed scheme selects a wave impedance matrix that is appropriate to the conditions encountered by the manipulator. This choice may be implemented as a static wave impedance value or as a time-varying choice updated according to the instantaneous conditions encountered. A Lyapunov-like analysis is presented demonstrating that time variation in wave impedance will not violate the passivity of the system. Experimental trials, both in simulation and on a haptic feedback device, are presented validating the technique. Consideration is also given to the case of an uncertain environment, in which an a priori impedance choice may not be possible.

The right hippocampus leads the bilateral integration of gamma-parsed lateralized information

It is unclear whether the two hippocampal lobes convey similar or different activities and how they cooperate. Spatial discrimination of electric fields in anesthetized rats allowed us to compare the pathway-specific field potentials corresponding to the gamma-paced CA3 output (CA1 Schaffer potentials) and CA3 somatic inhibition within and between sides. Bilateral excitatory Schaffer gamma waves are generally larger and lead from the right hemisphere with only moderate covariation of amplitude, and drive CA1 pyramidal units more strongly than unilateral waves. CA3 waves lock to the ipsilateral Schaffer potentials, although bilateral coherence was weak. Notably, Schaffer activity may run laterally, as seen after the disruption of the connecting pathways. Thus, asymmetric operations promote the entrainment of CA3-autonomous gamma oscillators bilaterally, synchronizing lateralized gamma strings to converge optimally on CA1 targets. The findings support the view that interhippocampal connections integrate different aspects of information that flow through the left and right lobes.

A model of increased impulsivity in rats with bilateral parkinsonism treated with Pramipexole

Impulse control disorders (ICD) is a common side effect of the dopaminergic treatment in patients with Parkinson's disease, which is more associated with dopamine agonists than with levodopa. To understand its pathophysiology, reliable animal models are essential. Using the variable delay-to-signal (VDS) paradigm, impulsivity was evaluated in bilateral parkinsonian rats treated with pramipexole (PPX). In this test, rats have to introduce the snout into a nose poke that is signaled by a light (presented at variable delays) triggering the delivery of a food reward after a correct response. Reaching a stable baseline performance, a partial bilateral dopaminergic lesion with 6-OHDA was induced in the dorsolateral striatum (AP: +1mm, L: ±3.4mm, V:-4.7 mm, Bregma). Rats undertook the VDS test under 5 conditions: basal state, 6-OHDA-induced lesion, the effect of two doses of PPX (0,25mg/kg and 3mg/kg; Latin-square design), and the day after the last dose of PPX. Only the acute administration of 3 mg/kg of PPX significantly rised the number of premature responses, indicating an increase of impulsive behavior, in parkinsonian but not in sham rats. Both doses of PPX significantly decreased the accuracy of responding (correct/total number of responses) and increased the incorrect and perseverative (compulsive behavior) responses in both parkinsonian and sham treated groups when compared with saline-treated groups. In conclusion, PPX induced attention deficit (lack of accuracy) as well as compulsive behavior in control and parkinsonian rats, but increased impulsivity only in the parkinsonian animals. This model could constitute a valid tool to investigate the pathophysiology of ICD.

Um novo horizonte para a cooperação bilateral entre Espanha e Portugal em matéria de defesa

Os Estados Membros da UE devem assumir a responsabilidade pela sua defesa e segurança, num novo quadro com menos presença dos EUA e novas ameaças. A perda de capacidades militares desde o início da crise é evidente, tornando-se necessária uma partilha que permita manter a eficiência e a economia de meios. Nesta conjuntura, Portugal e Espanha têm definido no Tratado de Baiona (2015) o mais ambicioso quadro legal da sua história para uma necessária cooperação bilateral em defesa. Uma iniciativa que pode e deve servir de primeiro passo na integração da defesa comum europeia. O presente trabalho desenha uma estratégia de cooperação bilateral, materializada num modelo de cooperação construído sobre o Tratado de Baiona, que resulta de analisar os fins, os meios e os modos de cooperação em europa nos níveis regional (OTAN e UE) e sub-regional (bilaterais e minilaterais). Abstract: The Member States of the UE need to assume the responsibility of their defense and security, in the framework of a reduced presence of the USA and increased threats. The loss of military capabilities from the beginning of the crises appears to be evident, making necessary the establishment of a sharing procedure that ensures efficiency and economy of means. Within this situation, Portugal and Spain have defined in the Treaty of Baiona (2015) the most ambitious legal framework ever in their common history, for an enhanced bilateral defense cooperation. This initiative may and must serve as first step in the integration of an European common defense. The present work designs a strategy for bilateral cooperation, materialized in a cooperation model build upon the Treaty of Baiona, as a result of the analysis of the ends, ways and means of the European cooperation at both regional (NATO & EU) and sub-regional (bilateral & minilateral) levels.

WordPress as a framework for automated data capture, filtering and structuring processes

The Exhibitium Project , awarded by the BBVA Foundation, is a data-driven project developed by an international consortium of research groups . One of its main objectives is to build a prototype that will serve as a base to produce a platform for the recording and exploitation of data about art-exhibitions available on the Internet . Therefore, our proposal aims to expose the methods, procedures and decision-making processes that have governed the technological implementation of this prototype, especially with regard to the reuse of WordPress (WP) as development framework.

Evaluation of sperm retrieval rate with bilateral testicular sperm extraction in infertile patients with azoospermia

Background: About 10% to 15% of infertile men have azoospermia, which could be obstructive or non-obstructive. Diagnostic biopsy from the testis and recently testicular sperm extraction (TESE) are the most precise investigations in these patients. Testicular biopsy can be done unilaterally or bilaterally. The worth of unilateral or bilateral testicular biopsy in men with azoospermia is controversial. Objective: To evaluate the necessity of bilateral diagnostic biopsy from the testis in new era of diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the results of testis biopsy in 419 azoospermic men, referred to Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility from 2009-2013. Patients with known obstructive azoospermia were excluded from the study. Results: In totally, 254 infertile men (60.6%) were underwent unilateral TESE, which in 175 patients (88.4%) sperm were extracted from their testes successfully. Bilateral testis biopsy was done in 165 patients (39.4%) which in 37 patients (22.4%), sperm were found in their testes tissues. Conclusion: Due to the low probability of positive bilateral TESE results especially when we can’t found sperm in the first side, we recommend that physicians re-evaluate the risk and benefit of this procedure in era of newer and more precise technique of sperm retrieval like micro TESE.

Collaborative filtering and deep learning based recommendation system for cold start items

Recommender system is a specific type of intelligent systems, which exploits historical user ratings on items and/or auxiliary information to make recommendations on items to the users. It plays a critical role in a wide range of online shopping, e-commercial services and social networking applications. Collaborative filtering (CF) is the most popular approaches used for recommender systems, but it suffers from complete cold start (CCS) problem where no rating record are available and incomplete cold start (ICS) problem where only a small number of rating records are available for some new items or users in the system. In this paper, we propose two recommendation models to solve the CCS and ICS problems for new items, which are based on a framework of tightly coupled CF approach and deep learning neural network. A specific deep neural network SADE is used to extract the content features of the items. The state of the art CF model, timeSVD++, which models and utilizes temporal dynamics of user preferences and item features, is modified to take the content features into prediction of ratings for cold start items. Extensive experiments on a large Netflix rating dataset of movies are performed, which show that our proposed recommendation models largely outperform the baseline models for rating prediction of cold start items. The two proposed recommendation models are also evaluated and compared on ICS items, and a flexible scheme of model retraining and switching is proposed to deal with the transition of items from cold start to non-cold start status. The experiment results on Netflix movie recommendation show the tight coupling of CF approach and deep learning neural network is feasible and very effective for cold start item recommendation. The design is general and can be applied to many other recommender systems for online shopping and social networking applications. The solution of cold start item problem can largely improve user experience and trust of recommender systems, and effectively promote cold start items.

Collaborative filtering and deep learning based hybrid recommendation for cold start problem

Recommender systems (RS) are used by many social networking applications and online e-commercial services. Collaborative filtering (CF) is one of the most popular approaches used for RS. However traditional CF approach suffers from sparsity and cold start problems. In this paper, we propose a hybrid recommendation model to address the cold start problem, which explores the item content features learned from a deep learning neural network and applies them to the timeSVD++ CF model. Extensive experiments are run on a large Netflix rating dataset for movies. Experiment results show that the proposed hybrid recommendation model provides a good prediction for cold start items, and performs better than four existing recommendation models for rating of non-cold start items.

The effect of notch filtering on the waveform of the newborn auditory brainstem response

OBJECTIVE: To identify whether the use of a notch filter significantly affects the morphology or characteristics of the newborn auditory brainstem response (ABR) waveform and so inform future guidance for clinical practice. DESIGN: Waveforms with and without the application of a notch filter were recorded from babies undergoing routine ABR tests at 4000, 1000 and 500 Hz. Any change in response morphology was judged subjectively. Response latency, amplitude, and measurements of response quality and residual noise were noted. An ABR simulator was also used to assess the effect of notch filtering in conditions of low and high mains interference. RESULTS: The use of a notch filter changed waveform morphology for 500 Hz stimuli only in 15% of tests in newborns. Residual noise was lower when 4000 Hz stimuli were used. Response latency, amplitude, and quality were unaffected regardless of stimulus frequency. Tests with the ABR stimulator suggest that these findings can be extended to conditions of high level mains interference. CONCLUSIONS: A notch filter should be avoided when testing at 500 Hz, but at higher frequencies appears to carry no penalty.