Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo imaging of cellular proliferation in colorectal cancer using positron emission tomography

Background and aims: Positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F labelled 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18FDG) is an established imaging tool, although the recent development of a biologically stable thymidine analogue [18F] 3′-deoxy-3-fluorothymidine (18FLT) has allowed PET to image cellular proliferation by utilising the salvage pathway of DNA synthesis. In this study, we have compared uptake of 18FLT and 18FDG with MIB-1 immunohistochemistry to evaluate the role of PET in quantifying in vivo cellular proliferation in colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients and methods: Patients with resectable, primary, or recurrent CRC were prospectively studied. Thirteen lesions from 10 patients (five males, five females), median age 68 years (range 54–87), were evaluated. Patients underwent 18FDG and 18FLT PET scanning. Tracer uptake within lesions was quantified using standardised uptake values (SUVs). Histopathological examination and MIB-1 immunohistochemistry were performed on all lesions, and proliferation quantified by calculating a labelling index (% of MIB-1 positively stained nuclei within 1500 tumour cells). Results: Histology confirmed adenocarcinoma in 12 of 13 lesions; the remaining lesion was reactive. All eight extrahepatic lesions were visualised using both 18FLT and 18FDG. Three of the five resected liver metastases were also avid for 18FLT and showed high proliferation, while the remaining two lesions which demonstrated no uptake of 18FLT had correspondingly very low proliferation. There was a statistically significant positive correlation (r =0.8, p<0.01) between SUVs of the tumours visualised with 18FLT and the corresponding MIB-1 labelling indices. No such correlation was demonstrated with 18FDG avid lesions (r =0.4). Conclusions:18FLT PET correlates with cellular proliferation markers in both primary and metastatic CRC. This technique could provide a mechanism for in vivo grading of malignancy and early prediction of response to adjuvant chemotherapy.
Directed Multi-Objective Optimization

While evolutionary computing inspired approaches to multi-objective optimization have many advantages over conventional approaches; they generally do not explicitly exploit directional/gradient information. This can be inefficient if the underlying objectives are reasonably smooth, and this may limit the application of such approaches to real-world problems. This paper develops a local framework for such problems by geometrically analyzing the multi-objective concepts of descent, diversity and convergence/optimality. It is shown that locally optimal, multi-objective descent direction can be calculated that maximally reduce all the objectives and a local sub-space also exists that is a basis for diversity updates.
Significance of protesters’ words during Gezi Park protests: finding implicit meanings in sticky notes and tweets

ABSTRACT On 28 May 2013, an impromptu occupation in Istanbul’s Gezi Park turned into a nation-wide protest encompassing diverse forms of discontent towards the government. This study explores protesters’ accounts of their experiences. We examine these experiences using two lines of inquiry – how did the participants of the Gezi Park protests use linguistic cues when writing at the park and how did those writings differ from personal reflections posted on Twitter? Using a narrative inquiry framework, we employed significance analysis on short narratives written on sticky notes in the Gezi Park and a sample of tweets posted during the protests. Narrators of the sticky notes responded to two prompts: ‘before the resistance’ and ‘after the resistance. ’ Results revealed that participants in the Park used low rates of cognitive and affective expressions, and negations in the after-narratives. The after-narratives were then compared with tweets posted on Twitter. Analysis of tweets showed higher rates of intensifiers and cognitive expressions, and notably less affective expressions than the after-narratives written on sticky notes. The differences in participants’ accounts are discussed in relation to qualities of technologies individuals were using, social contexts, potential audiences, and the country’s sociopolitical history.
Speech Segmentation and its Impact on Spoken Document Processing

Progress in both speech and language processing has spurred efforts to support applications that rely on spoken—rather than written—language input. A key challenge in moving from text-based documents to such “spoken documents” is that spoken language lacks explicit punctuation and formatting, which can be crucial for good performance. This paper describes different levels of speech segmentation, approaches to automatically recovering segment boundary locations, and experimental results demonstrating impact on several language processing tasks. The results also show a need for optimizing segmentation for the end task rather than independently.
2. Conservation Implications When the Nest Predators Are Known

Conservation and management of passerines has largely focused on habitat manipulation or restoration because the natural communities on which these birds depend have been destroyed and fragmented. However, productivity is another important aspect of avian conservation, and nest predation can be a large source of nesting mortality for passerines. Recent studies using video surveillance to identify nest predators allow researchers to start evaluating what methods could be used to mitigate nest predation to help passerines of conservation concern. From recent studies, we identified latitudinal and habitat-related patterns in the importance of predator groups that depredate passerine nests. We then reviewed how knowledge of specific nest predators can benefit conservation of bird species of concern. Mammals were the dominant predator group in northern grasslands. Snakes were the dominant predator group in southern habitats. Fire ants were only a any bird species have suffered loss, degradation, and fragmentation of the habitats on which they depend (e.g., Askins et al. 2007). As a result, conservation efforts on behalf of these birds have largely focused on habitat manipulations or restoration. However, population status of nest predator in southern latitudes. Differences in the importance of predator species or groups were likely the result of both their geographic patterns of distribution and habitat preferences. Some direct and indirect predator control measures developed for waterfowl management potentially could be used to benefit passerine productivity. We reviewed three examples-cowbirds, snakes in shrublands, and ground squirrels in grasslands-to illustrate how different predator control strategies may be needed in different situations. Mitigation of passerine nest predation will need to be based on knowledge of predator communities to be effective. This requires large samples of predation events with identified predators; video technology is essential for this task.
What are Memristor, Memcapacitor, and Meminductor?

Memristor, memcapacitor, and meminductor are new fundamental circuit elements, whose properties depend on the history of devices. This paper presents the physical analysis of these memory devices. Three simple examples are given for the memristor, memcapacitor, and meminductor, and are then generalized to reveal their general physical origin. It is found that the memristance, memcapacitance, and meminductance are caused by different combinations of nonlinear electric responses. The mathematical expressions for the currents through any voltage-driven memristor, memcapacitor, and meminductor are given, and the corresponding expressions for the memristance, memcapacitance, and meminductance are derived. Moreover, a method to determine the charge-flux relationship of a memristor is proposed.
Effect of plasma and red blood cell transfusions on survival in patients with combat related traumatic injuries.

BACKGROUND The amount and age of stored red blood cells (RBCs) are independent predictors of multiorgan failure and death in transfused critically ill patients. The independent effect of plasma transfusion on survival has not been evaluated. Our objective was to determine the independent effects of plasma and RBC transfusion on survival for patients with combat-related traumatic injuries receiving any blood products. METHODS We performed a retrospective review of 708 patients transfused at least one unit of a blood product at one combat support hospital between November 2003 and December 2004. Admission vital signs, laboratory values, amount of blood products transfused in a 24-hour period, and Injury Severity Score (ISS) were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression to determine independent associations with in-hospital mortality. RESULTS Seven hundred and eight of 3,287 (22%) patients admitted for traumatic injuries were transfused a blood product. Median ISS was 14 (range, 9-25). In-hospital mortality was 12%. Survival was associated with admission Glasgow Coma Scale score, SBP, temperature, hematocrit, base deficit, INR, amount of RBCs transfused, and massive transfusion. Each transfused FFP unit was independently associated with increased survival (OR: 1.17; 95% CI: [1.06-1.29]; p = 0.002); each transfused RBC unit was independently associated with decreased survival (OR: 0.86; [0.8-0.92]; p = 0.001). A subset analysis of patients (n = 567) without massive transfusion (1-9 RBC/FWB units) also revealed an independent association between each FFP unit and improved survival (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: [1.0-1.48]; p = 0.05) and between each RBC unit and decreased survival (OR: 0.77; [0.64-0.92]; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION For trauma patients transfused at least one unit of a blood product, FFP and RBC amounts were independently associated with increased survival and decreased survival, respectively. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether the early and increased use of plasma and decreased use of RBCs affect mortality for patients with traumatic injuries requiring transfusion.
Mass Appraisal of Residential Apartments: An Application of Random Forest for Valuation and a CART-Based Approach for Model Diagnostics

To the best knowledge of authors, the use of Random forest as a potential technique for residential estate mass appraisal has been attempted for the first time. In the empirical study using data on residential apartments the method performed better than such techniques as CHAID, CART, KNN, multiple regression analysis, Artificial Neural Networks (MLP and RBF) and Boosted Trees. An approach for automatic detection of segments where a model significantly underperforms and for detecting segments with systematically under- or overestimated prediction is introduced. This segmentational approach is applicable to various expert systems including, but not limited to, those used for the mass appraisal.
Serum Oxidative Stress-Induced Repression of Nrf2 and GSH Depletion: A Mechanism Potentially Involved in Endothelial Dysfunction of Young Smokers

Background Although oxidative stress plays a major role in endothelial dysfunction (ED), the role of glutathione (GSH), of nuclear erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and of related antioxidant genes (ARE) are yet unknown. In this study we combined an in vivo with an in vitro model to assess whether cigarette smoking affects flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), GSH concentrations and the Nrf2/ARE pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods and Results 52 healthy subjects (26 non-smokers and 26 heavy smokers) were enrolled in this study. In smokers we demonstrated increased oxidative stress, i.e., reduced concentrations of GSH and increased concentrations of oxidation products of the phospholipid 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (oxPAPC) in serum and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), used as in vivo surrogates of endothelial cells. Moreover we showed impairment of FMD in smokers and a positive correlation with the concentration of GSH in PBMC of all subjects. In HUVECs exposed to smokers' serum but not to non-smokers' serum we found that oxidative stress increased, whereas nitric oxide and GSH concentrations decreased; interestingly the expression of Nrf2, of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic (GCLC) subunit, the rate-limiting step of synthesis of GSH, was decreased. To test the hypothesis that the increased oxidative stress in smokers may have a causal role in the repression of Nrf2/ARE pathway, we exposed HUVECs to increasing concentrations of oxPAPC and found that at the highest concentration (similar to that found in smokers' serum) the expression of Nrf2/ARE pathway was reduced. The knockdown of Nrf2 was associated to a significant reduction of HO-1 and GCLC expression induced by oxPAPC in ECs. Conclusions In young smokers with ED a novel further consequence of increased oxidative stress is a repression of Nrf2/ARE pathway leading to GSH depletion.
High-Detail 3D Capture and Non-sequential Alignment of Facial Performance

This paper presents a novel system for the 3D capture of facial performance using standard video and lighting equipment. The mesh of an actor's face is tracked non-sequentially throughout a performance using multi-view image sequences. The minimum spanning tree calculated in expression dissimilarity space defines the traversal of the sequences optimal with respect to error accumulation. A robust patch-based frame-to-frame surface alignment combined with the optimal traversal significantly reduces drift compared to previous sequential techniques. Multi-path temporal fusion resolves inconsistencies between different alignment paths and yields a final mesh sequence which is temporally consistent. The surface tracking framework is coupled with photometric stereo using colour lights which captures metrically correct skin geometry. High-detail UV normal maps corrected for shadow and bias artefacts augment the temporally consistent mesh sequence. Evaluation on challenging performances by several actors demonstrates the acquisition of subtle skin dynamics and minimal drift over long sequences. A quantitative comparison to a state-of-the-art system shows similar quality of temporal alignment.
Dynamic Changes in the Peripheral and the Central Nervous Systems in Patients with Prior Polio

After the acute spell of poliomyelitis, patients commonly suffers from sequelae of weakness. Some of these patients experience new weakness after a time period of stable symptoms.The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the possible mechanisms for persistent weakness and development of new weakness in prior polio patients.The usefulness of neurophysiologic methods to study prior polio was evaluated. Also two follow up investigations were performed in the attempt to investigate a possible relationship between development of weakness over time and possible failure in neuromuscular function and relation to muscular activity. In another investigation an evaluation of the exceptional finding of a history of paralytic poliomyelitis without neurophysiologic signs of anterior horn cell death was made. The last investigation dealt with reflex pattern in prior polio and it’s relation to weakness and anterior horn cell loss.The weakness in prior polio is mainly due to loss of motor neurons with incomplete compensatory mechanisms of reinnervation. The new weakness is mainly due to exaggerated physiological age dependent loss of whole motor neurons, but also fragmentation of the motor unit is likely when these have reached an upper size. Defective neuromuscular transmission and failure in the central drive contribute to a lesser degree to weakness. Neurophysiologic method of choice for the assessment of motor unit size and the micro-physiology of the motor unit is Macro EMG.Muscular overuse may accelerate motor unit loss over time in prior polio. Extremely large motor units measured with Macro EMG predict new weakness and Macro EMG can be used for prognostication of development of new weakness in prior polio.
Sparse Approximation by Semidefinite Programming

The problem of sparse approximation and the closely related compressed sensing have received tremendous attention in the past decade. Primarily studied from the viewpoint of applied harmonic analysis and signal processing, there have been two dominant algorithmic approaches to this problem: Greedy methods called the matching pursuit (MP) and the linear programming based approaches called the basis pursuit (BP). The aim of the current paper is to bring a fresh perspective to sparse approximation by treating it as a combinatorial optimization problem and providing an algorithm based on the powerful optimization technique semidefinite programming (SDP). In particular, we show that there is a randomized algorithm based on a semidefinite relaxation of the problem with performance guarantees depending on the coherence and the restricted isometry constant of the dictionary used. We then show a derandomization of the algorithm based on the method of conditional probabilities.
Long Term 5-Year Survival of Persons with Cryptococcal Meningitis or Asymptomatic Subclinical Antigenemia in Uganda

Data presented previously as an abstract at the 2011 CUGH Global Health Conference in Montreal, Canada on 15 Nov 2011. The long-term survival of HIV-infected persons with symptomatic cryptococcal meningitis and asymptomatic, subclinical cryptococcal antigenemia (CRAG+) is unknown. We prospectively enrolled 25 asymptomatic, antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve CRAG+ Ugandans with CD4<100 cells/mcL who received pre-emptive fluconazole treatment (CRAG+ cohort) and 189 ART-naïve Ugandans with symptomatic cryptococcal meningitis treated with amphotericin (CM cohort). The 10-week survival was 84% (95%CI: 70–98%) in the CRAG+ cohort and 57% (95%CI: 50%–64%) in the CM cohort. The CRAG+ cohort had improved five-year survival of 76% (95%CI: 59%–93%) compared to 42% (95%CI: 35%–50%) in the CM cohort (P = 0.001). The two cohorts had similar immunosuppression pre-ART with median CD4 counts of 15 vs. 21 CD4/mcL in the CRAG+ and CM cohorts, respectively (P = 0.45). Despite substantial early mortality, subsequent 5-year survival of persons surviving 6-months was excellent (>88%), demonstrating that long term survival is possible in resource-limited settings. Pre-ART CRAG screening with preemptive fluconazole treatment and improved CM treatment(s) are needed to reduce AIDS-attributable mortality due to cryptococcosis which remains 20–25% in sub-Saharan Africa.
Rational Combinations Using HDAC Inhibitors

In addition to well-characterized genetic abnormalities that lead to cancer onset and progression, it is now recognized that alterations to the epigenome may also play a significant role in oncogenesis. As a result, epigenetic-modulating agents such as histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) have attracted enormous attention as anticancer drugs. In numerous in vitro and preclinical settings, these compounds have shown their vast potential as single agent anticancer therapies, but unfortunately equivalent responses have not always been observed in patients. Given the pleiotropic effects HDACi have on malignant cells, their true therapeutic potential most likely lies in combination with other anticancer drugs. In this review we will focus on the anticancer effects of HDACi when combined with other cancer therapeutics with an emphasis on those combinations based on a strong molecular rationale.
Target versus Native Language Use in Foreign Language Classes: Perspectives of Students and Instructors

Whether or not to use students’ native language (L1) in second or foreign language classes has always been debated by many scholars and researchers. This controversial issue has taken place in the literature with various case studies and findings. The current study investigates into both students and teachers’ perspectives on using L1 in foreign classes. The study was conducted in a state university offering compulsory language education for at least one academic year in three foreign languages, English, German, and French in 2016-2017 academic year. As data collection instruments, two Likert-type questionnaires were administered to instructors and students. Ten English, seven German and three French Language instructors participated in the study together with 217 students from three compulsory foreign language preparatory classes. Descriptive data were analysed in order to determine the students and instructors’ perspectives about L1 use. ANOVA test was also used to find out whether there exist significant differences among students and instructors with regard to L1 use. The results reveal that there is a statistically significant difference between English and German language students and between French and German language students with regard to L1 use in the foreign language classrooms. However, there is not a statistically significant difference between English and French language students with regard to L1 use in the foreign language classrooms. The findings also indicate that there is no statistically significant difference among English, French and German language instructors concerning the use of L1 in the classes.
Fibring Logics with Topos Semantics

The concept of fibring is extended to higher-order logics with arbitrary modalities and binding operators. A general completeness theorem is established for such logics including HOL and with the meta-theorem of deduction. As a corollary, completeness is shown to be preserved when fibring such rich logics. This result is extended to weaker logics in the cases where fibring preserves conservativeness of HOL-enrichments. Soundness is shown to be preserved by fibring without any further assumptions.
The Effects of Tonic Locus Ceruleus Output on Sensory-Evoked Responses of Ventral Posterior Medial Thalamic and Barrel Field Cortical Neurons in the Awake Rat

In mammals, the pontine nucleus locus ceruleus (LC) is the sole source of norepinephrine (NE) projections to the forebrain. Increasing tonic discharge of LC neurons elevates extracellular levels of NE in the cortex and thalamus. Tonic LC discharge is linked to the level of wakefulness and behavioral performance, demonstrating an optimal firing rate during sustained attention tasks. Iontophoretic application of NE to target neurons in the forebrain has been shown to produce a diverse set of neuromodulatory actions, including augmentation of synaptically evoked discharge as well as suppression of spontaneous and stimulus-evoked firing patterns. Iontophoretic studies cataloged potential NE effects; however, the context in which such actions could occur in awake behaving animals remained controversial. To address this issue, the current study examined the effects of increasing tonic LC output on spontaneous and stimulus-evoked discharge of neurons within the ventroposterior medial (VPM) thalamus and barrel field (BF) somatosensory cortex of awake animals using multichannel extracellular recording strategies. The present findings indicate two primary outcomes that result from increasing frequencies of LC stimulation, either an inverted-U facilitating response profile or monotonic suppression of sensory-evoked neuronal responses. Increased tonic LC output generally decreased neuronal response latency measures for both BF cortical and VPM thalamic cells. LC-mediated effects on target VPM and BF cortical neuron sensory processing are consistent with previous demonstrations of NE modulatory actions on central neurons but indicate that such actions are cell specific. Moreover, clear differences were observed between the modulation of VPM and BF cortical cells. These data suggest that sensory signal processing is continually altered over the range of tonic LC discharge frequencies that occur in the waking animal. Such changes may account for LC-mediated shifts in sensory network performance across multiple stages of arousal and attention.