Neural Pairwise Ranking Factorization Machine for Item Recommendation

The factorization machine models attract significant attention from academia and industry because they can model the context information and improve the performance of recommendation. However, traditional factorization machine models generally adopt the point-wise learning method to learn the model parameters as well as only model the linear interactions between features. They fail to capture the complex interactions among features, which degrades the performance of factorization machine models. In this paper, we propose a neural pairwise ranking factorization machine for item recommendation, which integrates the multi-layer perceptual neural networks into the pairwise ranking factorization machine model. Specifically, to capture the high-order and nonlinear interactions among features, we stack a multi-layer perceptual neural network over the bi-interaction layer, which encodes the second-order interactions between features. Moreover, the pair-wise ranking model is adopted to learn the relative preferences of users rather than predict the absolute scores. Experimental results on real world datasets show that our proposed neural pairwise ranking factorization machine outperforms the traditional factorization machine models

Characteristics of CD8+ T cell subsets in Chinese patients with chronic HIV infection during initial ART

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>CD8+ T cells may play an important role in protecting against HIV. However, the changes of CD8+ T cell subsets during early period of ART have not been fully studied.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-one asymptomatic treatment-naive HIV-infected patients with CD4 T+ cells less than 350 cells/μl were enrolled in the study. Naïve, central memory(CM), effective memory(EM) and terminally differentiated effector (EMRA) CD8+ cell subsets and their activation and proliferation subsets were evaluated in blood samples collected at base line, and week 2, 4, 8 and 12 of ART.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The total CD8+ T cells declined and the Naïve and CM subsets had a tendency of increase. Activation levels of all CD8+ T cell subsets except EMRA subset decreased after ART. However, proliferation levels of total CD8+ T cells, EMRA, EM and CM subsets increased at the first 4 weeks of ART, then decreased. Proliferation level of the naïve cells decreased after ART.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The changes of CD8+ T cell subsets during initial ART are complex. Our results display a complete phenotypical picture of CD8+ cell subsets during initial ART and provide insights for understanding of immune status during ART.</p

Enhanced factorization machine via neural pairwise ranking and attention networks

The factorization machine models attract significant attention nowadays since they improve recommendation performance by incorporating context information into recommendation modeling. However, traditional factorization machine models often adopt the point-wise learning method for model parameter learning, as well as only model the linear interactions between features. They substantially fail to capture the complex interactions among features, which degrades the performance of factorization machine models. In this research, we propose a neural pairwise ranking factorization machine for item recommendation, namely NPRFM, which integrates the multi-layer perceptual neural networks into the pairwise ranking factorization machine model. Specifically, to capture the high-order and nonlinear interactions among features, we stack a multi-layer perceptual neural network over the bi-interaction layer, which encodes the second-order interactions between features. Moreover, instead of the prediction of the absolute scores, the pair-wise ranking model is adopted to learn the relative preferences of users. Since NPRFM does not take into account the importance of feature interactions, we propose a new variant of NPRFM, which learns the importance of feature interactions by introducing the attention mechanism. The empirical results on real-world datasets indicate that the proposed neural pairwise ranking factorization machine outperforms the traditional factorization machine models

Characteristics of Eddy Current Attenuation and Thickness Measurement of Metallic Plate

Abstract(#br)In eddy current testing, the law of attenuation of eddy current (EC) is of great concern. In conductive half space under the excitation of uniform magnetic field, the EC density decreases exponentially in the depth direction. However, in conductor with finite thickness tested by coil, the distribution of EC in the depth direction is more complicated. This paper studies the characteristics of EC attenuation in metallic plate of finite thickness. Simulation results show that there is an EC reflection at the bottom of plate, which changes the law of EC attenuation. A new concept, namely the equivalent attenuation coefficient, is proposed to quantify the speed of EC attenuation. The characteristics of EC attenuation are utilized to explain the nonmonotonic relation between coil..

Clinical Efficacy of Temozolomide and Its Predictors in Aggressive Pituitary Tumors and Pituitary Carcinomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: A growing number of evidences suggest that TMZ applications can generate impressive benefits for APT and PC patients. However, the definite role of TMZ for individuals remains unclarified due to the variation between studies. And the predictive factors to alter its efficacy remain debatable.Objective: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety profile of TMZ in the treatment of pituitary malignancies, and delineate the predictors during its clinical employment.Results: A literature retrieval was conducted from online databases for studies published up to December 31, 2020. Twenty one studies involving 429 patients were identified. TMZ exhibited 41% radiological overall response rate (rORR). The biochemical response rate was determinate in 53% of the functioning subset. Two-year and 4-year survival rate were 79 and 61%, respectively. TMZ prolonged the median PFS and OS as 20.18 and 40.24 months. TMZ-related adverse events occurred in 19% of patients. Regarding predictors of TMZ response, rORR was dramatically improved in patients with low/intermediate MGMT expression than those with high-MGMT (&gt;50%) (p &lt; 0.001). The benefit of TMZ varied according to functioning subtype of patients, with greater antitumor activities in functioning subgroups and fewer activities in non-functioning sets (p &lt; 0.001). Notably, the concomitant therapy of radiotherapy and TMZ significantly increased the rORR (p = 0.007).Conclusion: TMZ elicits clinical benefits with moderate adverse events in APT and PC patients. MGMT expression and clinical subtype of secreting function might be vital predictors of TMZ efficacy. In the future, the combination of radiotherapy with TMZ may further improve the clinical outcomes than TMZ monotherapy

Ophthalmology

To characterize the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of foveal hypoplasia (FH). Multicenter, observational study. A total of 907 patients with a confirmed molecular diagnosis of albinism, PAX6, SLC38A8, FRMD7, AHR, or achromatopsia from 12 centers in 9 countries (n = 523) or extracted from publicly available datasets from previously reported literature (n = 384). Individuals with a confirmed molecular diagnosis and availability of foveal OCT scans were identified from 12 centers or from the literature between January 2011 and March 2021. A genetic diagnosis was confirmed by sequence analysis. Grading of FH was derived from OCT scans. Grade of FH, presence or absence of photoreceptor specialization (PRS+ vs. PRS-), molecular diagnosis, and visual acuity (VA). The most common genetic etiology for typical FH in our cohort was albinism (67.5%), followed by PAX6 (21.8%), SLC38A8 (6.8%), and FRMD7 (3.5%) variants. AHR variants were rare (0.4%). Atypical FH was seen in 67.4% of achromatopsia cases. Atypical FH in achromatopsia had significantly worse VA than typical FH (P < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in the spectrum of FH grades based on the molecular diagnosis (chi-square = 60.4, P < 0.0001). All SLC38A8 cases were PRS- (P = 0.003), whereas all FRMD7 cases were PRS+ (P < 0.0001). Analysis of albinism subtypes revealed a significant difference in the grade of FH (chi-square = 31.4, P < 0.0001) and VA (P = 0.0003) between oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) compared with ocular albinism (OA) and Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS). Ocular albinism and HPS demonstrated higher grades of FH and worse VA than OCA. There was a significant difference (P < 0.0001) in VA between FRMD7 variants compared with other diagnoses associated with FH. We characterized the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of FH. Atypical FH is associated with a worse prognosis than all other forms of FH. In typical FH, our data suggest that arrested retinal development occurs earlier in SLC38A8, OA, HPS, and AHR variants and later in FRMD7 variants. The defined time period of foveal developmental arrest for OCA and PAX6 variants seems to demonstrate more variability. Our findings provide mechanistic insight into disorders associated with FH and have significant prognostic and diagnostic value

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Hexakis(imidazole) nickel (II) O,O′-diphenyldithiophosphate [Ni(Im)6](Ph2O2PS2)2

The crystal and molecular structures of [Ni(Im)6](dtp)2 (Im = imidazole, dtp = O,O′-diphenyldithiophosphate) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. It crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group Pī, with cell parameters a = 9.375 (2), b = 12.324(3), c = 13.285(3) Å, α = 107.86(3), β = 102.28(3), γ = 109.24(3), and Z = 1. The crystal structure of the title compound is built up of discrete monomeric molecules of [Ni(Im)6](dtp)2. The nickel (II) ion is hexacoordinated by six imidazole molecules and the coordination environment of Ni (II) is of octahedral geometry. In the solid state, a network of N-H···S intermolecular hydrogen bonds connect the Ni(Im)6 moieties and O,O′-diphenyldithiophosphate molecules, forming a three-dimensional structure

A novel missense variant expands the phenotype and genotype of PAX6-associated foveal hypoplasia accompanied by various manifestations of anterior segment dysgenesis

Abstract Background According to previous reports, PAX6-associated foveal hypoplasia (FH) could usually be accompanied by various anterior segment anomalies including variable iris changes. This study aims to exhibit unusual phenotypes of a novel missense variant of PAX6 from a Chinese pedigree. Methods Ophthalmic examinations including slit-lamp biomicroscopy, gonioscopy, ophthalmic ultrasound, ultrasonic biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, wide-field fundus imaging, and visual field test were performed to evaluate the clinical manifestations. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and bioinformatics analysis were conducted in eight members from this pedigree to identify the causative mutation. Results WES revealed a novel heterozygous substitution of PAX6 (NM_000280.5:c.157G > A, p.(Val53Met) (chr11:31823309 C > T, hg19)), which cosegregated with the phenotype of this pedigree. All the three patients (a pair of fraternal twins and their mother) exhibited bilateral FH and anterior segment dysgenesis (ASD) including microcornea, sclerocornea, obvious symmetrical corectopia, iris stromal dysplasia, goniodysgenesis, and abnormal distribution of fundus blood vessels. The girl of the fraternal twins also demonstrated bilateral temporal deviation of lenses and abnormal tissue membrane connecting anterior chamber angle and lens anterior capsule in the right eye. The mother additionally showed apparent cataract bilaterally and cupping of the optic disc in her left eye. Conclusion A novel missense variant in PAX6 gene was detected in a Chinese pedigree demonstrating bilateral FH and ASD. It is really distinctive that the ASD involves almost all parts of the anterior segment, and bilateral symmetrical corectopia is the most perceptible sign. This study expands the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of PAX6-associated ocular diseases, and facilitates the understanding of the crucial role that PAX6 plays in the development of the eye. Meanwhile, PAX6 could be considered as a candidate pathogenic gene of bilateral symmetrical corectopia