Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional dosimetric considerations from different point A definitions in cervical cancer low-dose-rate brachytherapy

Purpose To investigate the dosimetric difference due to the different point A definitions in cervical cancer low-dose-rate (LDR) intracavitary brachytherapy. Material and methods Twenty CT-based LDR brachytherapy plans of 11 cervical patients were retrospectively reviewed. Two plans with point As following the modified Manchester system which defines point A being 2 cm superior to the cervical os along the tandem and 2 cm lateral (Aos), and the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) guideline definition in which the point A is 2 cm superior to the vaginal fornices instead of os (Aovoid) were generated. Using the same source strength, two plans prescribed the same dose to Aos and Aovoid. Dosimetric differences between plans including point A dose rate, treatment volume encompassed by the prescription isodose line (TV), and dose rate of 2 cc of the rectum and bladder to the prescription dose were measured. Results On average Aovoid was 8.9 mm superior to Aos along the tandem direction with a standard deviation of 5.4 mm. With the same source strength and arrangement, Aos dose rate was 19% higher than Aovoid dose rate. The average TV(Aovoid) was 118.0 cc, which was 30% more than the average TV(Aos) of 93.0 cc. D2cc/D(Aprescribe) increased from 51% to 60% for rectum, and increased from 89% and 106% for bladder, if the prescription point changed from Aos to Aovoid. Conclusions Different point A definitions lead to significant dose differences. Careful consideration should be given when changing practice from one point A definition to another, to ensure dosimetric and clinical equivalency from the previous clinical experiences.
Zerumbone Alleviates Neuropathic Pain through the Involvement of l-Arginine-Nitric Oxide-cGMP-K+ ATP Channel Pathways in Chronic Constriction Injury in Mice Model

The present study investigates the involvement of the l-arginine-Nitric Oxide-cGMP-K+ ATP pathways responsible for the action of anti-allodynic and antihyperalgesic activities of zerumbone in chronic constriction injury (CCI) induced neuropathic pain in mice. The role of l-arginine-NO-cGMP-K+ was assessed by the von Frey and the Randall-Selitto tests. Both allodynia and hyperalgesia assessments were carried out on the 14th day post CCI, 30 min after treatments were given for each respective pathway. Anti-allodynic and antihyperalgesic effects of zerumbone (10 mg/kg, i.p) were significantly reversed by the pre-treatment of l-arginine (10 mg/kg), 1H [1,2,4]Oxadiazole[4,3a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a soluble guanosyl cyclase blocker (2 mg/kg i.p.) and glibenclamide (ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker) (10 mg/kg i.p.) (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results indicate that systemic administration of zerumbone produces significant anti-allodynic and antihyperalgesic activities in neuropathic pain in mice possibly due to involvement of the l-arginine-NO-cGMP-PKG-K+ ATP channel pathways in CCI model.
Distributed Evaluation of Nonmonotonic Multi-context Systems

Multi-context Systems (MCSs) are a formalism for systems consisting of knowledge bases (possibly heterogeneous and non-monotonic) that are interlinked via bridge rules, where the global system semantics emerges from the local semantics of the knowledge bases (also called "contexts") in an equilibrium. While MCSs and related formalisms are inherently targeted for distributed settings, no truly distributed algorithms for their evaluation were available. We address this shortcoming and present a suite of such algorithms which includes a basic algorithm DMCS, an advanced version DMCSOPT that exploits topology-based optimizations, and a streaming algorithm DMCS-STREAMING that computes equilibria in packages of bounded size. The algorithms behave quite differently in several respects, as experienced in thorough experimental evaluation of a system prototype. From the experimental results, we derive a guideline for choosing the appropriate algorithm and running mode in particular situations, determined by the parameter settings.
7 Function Approximation-based Sliding Mode Adaptive Control for Time-varying Uncertain Nonlinear Systems

Dead zone characteristics exist in many physical components of control systems. They are nonlinear features particularly in direct current (DC) motor position tracking control systems, mainly caused by the uncertain time-varying nonlinear friction. They can severely limit the control performance owing to their non-smooth nonlinearities. However, dead zone characteristics usually are not easy to be known exactly and may vary with time in practical. In addition to the uncertainties in the linear part of the plant, controllers are often required to accommodate time-varying dead zone uncertainties. In general, there are two usual methods treating the systems with uncertain time-varying dead zone characteristics caused by uncertain nonlinear frictions in DC motor position control systems. The first one is to separate the unknown dead zone from the original DC motor systems and construct an adaptive dead zone inverse, and then compensate the effects of unknown dead zone characteristics (Gang & Kokotovic, 1994; Cho & Bai, 1998; Wang et al., 2004; Zhou et al., 2006). The second method is to deal with both the unknown dead zone characteristics and all the other uncertainties as one uniform uncertainty, thereupon design proper compensator (Wang et al., 2004) or adaptive controller which can counteract the effects of uncertainty(Selmic & Lewis, 2000; Tian-Ping et al., 2005). Furthermore, dead zone uncertainties' bounds remain unknown in many practical DC motor control systems. This problem can't be coped with conventional sliding mode controller (Young et al., 1999; Hung et al., 1993) and general adaptive controller (Gang & Kokotovic, 1994; Cho & Bai, 1998; Wang et al., 2004; Zhou et al., 2006; Wang et al., 2004; Selmic & Lewis, 2000; Tian Ping et al., 2005; Young et al., 1999; Hung et al., 1993). In order to deal with nonlinear systems with unknown bound time-varying uncertainties, adaptive control schemes combined with sliding mode technique have been developed (Chyau-An & Yeu-Shun, 2001; Chyau-An & Yuan-Chih, 2004; Huang & Chen, 2004; Chen & Huang, 2004). These control schemes can transform the unknown bound time-varying uncertainties into finite combinations of Fourier series as long as the uncertainties satisfy Dirichlet condition, so that they can be estimated by updating the Fourier coefficients. Since the coefficients are timeinvariant, update laws are easily obtained from the Lyapunov design to guarantee output error convergence. This chapter is devided into two parts. In the first part, for the position tracking in DC motor with unknown bound time-varying dead zone uncertainties, we’ll propose a Function
A new full rate full diversity quasi-orthogonal space time block code based on group precoding

It is well known that a complex orthogonal design that provides full diversity and full transmission rate exists only for two antennas. For larger number antennas either the symbol rate or full diversity needs to be sacrificed in general. In this paper, we present a quasi-orthogonal space time block code (QOSTBC)for four transmit antennas based on group precoding (GP), which we call GP-QOSTBC, that achieves full rate and full diversity. The optimal receiver for the new code decouples the symbol detection problem into pairs of symbols, thus greatly reducing decoding complexity. Simulation results show that the proposed quasi-orthogonal code outperforms the previous Jafarkhani code and coordinate-interleaved space-time block codes.
Security Management Issues for Open Source ERP in the NGN Environment

This chapter aims to provide a critical evaluation of security issues and potential solutions related to the use of free and open enterprise resource planning (FOS ERP) systems in highly dynamic and heterogeneous next generation networks (NGN). The authors first present a brief state of the art with respect to technologies, features and applicability of the existing security solutions for ERP systems. Second, they address security issues in FOS ERP systems. Further, they consider research directions concerning NGN infrastructure security
Early Service leavers: a study of the factors associated with premature separation from the UK Armed Forces and the mental health of those that leave early.

BACKGROUND Approximately 18,000 personnel leave the UK Armed Forces annually. Those leaving before completing the minimum term of their contracts are called early Service leavers (ESLs). This study aims to identify characteristics associated with being an ESL, and compare the post-discharge mental health of ESLs and other Service leavers (non-ESLs). METHOD A cross-sectional study used data on ex-Serving UK Armed Forces personnel. ESLs were personnel leaving before completing their 3-4.5 years minimum Service contracts and were compared with non-ESLs. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations between Service leaving status with socio-demographics, military characteristics and mental health outcomes. RESULTS Of 845 Service leavers, 80 (9.5%) were ESLs. Being an ESL was associated with younger age, female sex, not being in a relationship, lower rank, serving in the Army and with a trend of reporting higher levels of childhood adversity, but not with deployment to Iraq. ESLs were at an increased risk of probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), common mental disorders, fatigue and multiple physical symptoms, but not alcohol misuse. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that operational Service is not a factor causing personnel to become an ESL. Current mental health problems were more commonly reported among ESLs than other Service leavers. There may be a need to target interventions to ESLs on leaving Service to smooth their transition to civilian life and prevent the negative mental health outcomes experienced by ESLs further down the line.
A Theory of Bank Regulation and Management Compensation

This paper examines the incentive structure underlying the current features of bank regulation. We show that capital regulation has limited effectiveness, given the observed high leverage ratios of banks. We propose instead a more direct and effective mechanism of influencing incentives through the role of top-management compensation, whereby a fair and revenue-neutral FDIC premium incorporates incentive features of top-management compensation. With this pricing scheme (for FDIC insurance), we show that bank owners choose an optimal management compensation structure which induces first-best value-maximizing investment choices by a bank's management. We also characterize the parameters of the optimal managerial compensation structure and the FDIC premium schedule explicitly.
Changes in the timing of winter–spring streamflows in eastern North America, 1913–2002

Changes in the timing and magnitude of winter‐spring streamflows were analyzed for gaging stations in eastern North America north of 41° north latitude during various periods through 2002. Approximately 32 percent of stations north of 44° have significantly earlier flows over the 50, 60, 70, and 90 year periods; 64 percent have significantly earlier flows over the 80 year period; there are no stations significantly later flows for any time period examined. Flows for the average of all stations north of 44° became earlier by 6.1, 4.4, 4.8, 8.6, and 6.5 days for the 50 through 90 year periods, respectively. Changes over time in monthly mean runoff support the flow timing results—January, February, and particularly March runoff show much higher percentages of stations with increases than with decreases over all time periods and May runoff shows relatively high percentages of stations with decreases.
Asthma Is Associated with Multiple Alterations in Anti-Viral Innate Signalling Pathways

Background Human rhinovirus (HRV) infection is a major trigger for asthma exacerbations. Anti-viral immunity appears to be abnormal in asthma, with immune dysfunction reported in both airway structural cells and migratory, bone marrow derived cells. Though decreased capacity to produce anti-viral interferons (IFNs) has been reported in asthma, a detailed analysis of the molecular events involved has not been undertaken. Objective To compare the molecular pathway controlling type I IFN synthesis in HRV-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from asthmatic and healthy subjects. Methods PBMC from 22 allergic asthmatics and 20 healthy donors were cultured with HRV for 24 hours. Multiple components of the Toll-like receptor (TLR), IFN regulatory and NFκβ pathways were compared at the mRNA and protein level. Results Multiple deficiencies in the innate immune response to HRV were identified in asthma, with significantly lower expression of IFNα, IFNβ and interferon stimulated genes than in healthy subjects. This was accompanied by reduced expression of intra-cellular signalling molecules including interferon regulatory factors (IRF1, IRF7), NF-κB family members (p50, p52, p65 and IκKα) and STAT1, and by reduced responsiveness to TLR7/TLR8 activation. These observations could not be attributed to alterations in the numbers of dendritic cell (DC) subsets in asthma or baseline expression of the viral RNA sensing receptors TLR7/TLR8. In healthy subjects, blocking the activity of type-I IFN or depleting plasmacytoid DC recapitulated many of the abnormalities observed in asthma. Conclusions Multiple abnormalities in innate anti-viral signalling pathways were identified in asthma, with deficiencies in both IFN-dependent and IFN-independent molecules identified.
A NEW CROCODYLOMORPH ARCHOSAUR FROM THE UPPER TRIASSIC OF NORTH CAROLINA

Abstract A new taxon of sphenosuchian crocodylomorph, Dromicosuchus grallator, is described on the basis of a well-preserved, largely articulated partial skeleton from Late Triassic strata in the Durham sub-basin of the Deep River basin (Newark Supergroup) of Durham County, North Carolina. The holotype was preserved directly beneath the skeleton of a rauisuchian archosaur; this association, along with apparent bite marks to the head and neck of the crocodylomorph, suggests that the two animals died and were buried together during the act of predation. Dromicosuchus grallator is most closely related to Hesperosuchus agilis from the Petrified Forest Member of the Chinle Formation (late Carnian or early Norian) of Arizona and New Mexico and Saltoposuchus connectens from the Middle Stubensandstein (Löwenstein Formation; middle Norian) of Württemberg, Germany. The monophyly of Sphenosuchia is only weakly supported at present.
Hypoxia enhances proliferation of mouse embryonic stem cell‐derived neural stem cells

Neural stem (NS) cells can provide a source of material with potential applications for neural drug testing, developmental studies, or novel treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Herein, the ex vivo expansion of a model system of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cell‐derived NS cells was characterized and optimized, cells being cultivated under adherent conditions. Culture was first optimized in terms of initial cell plating density and oxygen concentration, known to strongly influence brain‐derived NS cells. To this end, the growth of cells cultured under hypoxic (2%, 5%, and 10% O2) and normoxic (20% O2) conditions was compared. The results showed that 2–5% oxygen, without affecting multipotency, led to fold increase values in total cell number about twice higher than observed under 20% oxygen (20‐fold vs. 10‐fold, respectively) this effect being more pronounced when cells were plated at low density. With an optimal cell density of 104 cells/cm2, the maximum growth rates were 1.9 day−1 under hypoxia versus 1.7 day−1 under normoxia. Cell division kinetics analysis by flow cytometry based on PKH67 tracking showed that when cultured in hypoxia, cells are at least one divisional generation ahead compared to normoxia. In terms of cell cycle, a larger population in a quiescent G0 phase was observed in normoxic conditions. The optimization of NS cell culture performed here represents an important step toward the generation of a large number of neural cells from a reduced initial population, envisaging the potential application of these cells in multiple settings. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;106: 260–270. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cross-sectional survey of salt content in cheese: a major contributor to salt intake in the UK

Objective To investigate the salt (sodium chloride) content in cheese sold in UK supermarkets. Study design We carried out a cross-sectional survey in 2012, including 612 cheeses available in UK supermarkets. Methods The salt content (g/100 g) was collected from product packaging and nutrient information panels of cheeses available in the top seven retailers. Results Salt content in cheese was high with a mean (±SD) of 1.7±0.58 g/100 g. There was a large variation in salt content between different types of cheeses and within the same type of cheese. On average, halloumi (2.71±0.34 g/100 g) and imported blue cheese (2.71±0.83 g/100 g) contained the highest amounts of salt and cottage cheese (0.55±0.14 g/100 g) contained the lowest amount of salt. Overall, among the 394 cheeses that had salt reduction targets, 84.5% have already met their respective Department of Health 2012 salt targets. Cheddar and cheddar-style cheese is the most popular/biggest selling cheese in the UK and has the highest number of products in the analysis (N=250). On average, salt level was higher in branded compared with supermarket own brand cheddar and cheddar-style products (1.78±0.13 vs 1.72±0.14 g/100 g, p<0.01). Ninety per cent of supermarket own brand products met the 2012 target for cheddar and cheddar-style cheese compared with 73% of branded products (p=0.001). Conclusions Salt content in cheese in the UK is high. There is a wide variation in the salt content of different types of cheeses and even within the same type of cheese. Despite this, 84.5% of cheeses have already met their respective 2012 targets. These findings demonstrate that much larger reductions in the amount of salt added to cheese could be made and more challenging targets need to be set, so that the UK can continue to lead the world in salt reduction.
Molecular and Cellular Profiling of Scalp Psoriasis Reveals Differences and Similarities Compared to Skin Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis shows a variable clinical spectrum and in many cases poses a great therapeutic challenge. However, it remains unknown whether the immune response of scalp psoriasis differs from understood pathomechanisms of psoriasis in other skin areas. We sought to determine the cellular and molecular phenotype of scalp psoriasis by performing a comparative analysis of scalp and skin using lesional and nonlesional samples from 20 Caucasian subjects with untreated moderate to severe psoriasis and significant scalp involvement and 10 control subjects without psoriasis. Our results suggest that even in the scalp, psoriasis is a disease of the inter-follicular skin. The immune mechanisms that mediate scalp psoriasis were found to be similar to those involved in skin psoriasis. However, the magnitude of dysregulation, number of differentially expressed genes, and enrichment of the psoriatic genomic fingerprint were more prominent in skin lesions. Furthermore, the scalp transcriptome showed increased modulation of several gene-sets, particularly those induced by interferon-gamma, compared with that of skin psoriasis, which was mainly associated with activation of TNFα/L-17/IL-22-induced keratinocyte response genes. We also detected differences in expression of gene-sets involving negative regulation, epigenetic regulation, epidermal differentiation, and dendritic cell or Th1/Th17/Th22-related T-cell processes.
Hyperspectral CNN Classification with Limited Training Samples

Hyperspectral imaging sensors are becoming increasingly popular in robotics applications such as agriculture and mining, and allow per-pixel thematic classification of materials in a scene based on their unique spectral signatures. Recently, convolutional neural networks have shown remarkable performance for classification tasks, but require substantial amounts of labelled training data. This data must sufficiently cover the variability expected to be encountered in the environment. For hyperspectral data, one of the main variations encountered outdoors is due to incident illumination, which can change in spectral shape and intensity depending on the scene geometry. For example, regions occluded from the sun have a lower intensity and their incident irradiance skewed towards shorter wavelengths. In this work, a data augmentation strategy based on relighting is used during training of a hyperspectral convolutional neural network. It allows training to occur in the outdoor environment given only a small labelled region, which does not need to sufficiently represent the geometric variability of the entire scene. This is important for applications where obtaining large amounts of training data is labourious, hazardous or difficult, such as labelling pixels within shadows. Radiometric normalisation approaches for pre-processing the hyperspectral data are analysed and it is shown that methods based on the raw pixel data are sufficient to be used as input for the classifier. This removes the need for external hardware such as calibration boards, which can restrict the application of hyperspectral sensors in robotics applications. Experiments to evaluate the classification system are carried out on two datasets captured from a field-based platform.
Characterization of preneoplastic and neoplastic rat mesothelial cell lines: the involvement of TETs, DNMTs, and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is one of the worst cancers in terms of clinical outcome, urging the need to establish and characterize new preclinical tools for investigation of the tumorigenic process, improvement of early diagnosis and evaluation of new therapeutic strategies. For these purposes, we characterized a collection of 27 cell lines established from F344 rats, after 136 to 415 days of induction with crocidolite asbestos administered intraperitoneally. Four mesotheliomas were distinguished from 23 preneoplastic mesothelial cell lines (PN) according to their propensity to generate tumors after orthotopic transplantation into syngeneic rats, their growth pattern, and the expression profile of three genes. PN cell lines were further discriminated into groups / subgroups according to morphology in culture and the expression profiles of 14 additional genes. This approach was completed by analysis of positive and negative immunohistochemical MM markers in the four tumors, of karyotype alterations in the most aggressive MM cell line in comparison with a PN epithelioid cell line, and of human normal mesothelial and mesothelioma cells and a tissue array. Our results showed that both the rat and human MM cell lines shared in common a dramatic decrease in the relative expression of Cdkn2a and of epigenetic regulators, in comparison with PN and normal human mesothelial cells, respectively. In particular, we identified the involvement of the relative expression of the Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) family of dioxygenases and Dnmt3a in relation to the 5-hydroxymethylcytosine level in malignant transformation and the acquisition of metastatic potential.