Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variables Predictive of Bilateral Occult Papillary Microcarcinoma Following Total Thyroidectomy

Objective. To investigate risk factors associated with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTM) involving the thyroid lobes bilaterally at the time of diagnosis. In doing so, the authors hope to identify a subset of PTM patients who may benefit from more aggressive surgical intervention with a total thyroidectomy. Study Design. A prospective cohort study of all newly diagnosed, previously untreated PTM patients presenting between 1998 and 2008. Setting. Tertiary care military hospital. Subjects and Methods. Following total thyroidectomy, patients were grouped according to unilateral versus bilateral PTM thyroid lobe involvement. The primary outcome variable was PTM in both thyroid lobes. Independent variables of interest included patient demographics, tumor stage, nodule size, tumor focus size, and tumor focality. Univariate analysis was used to investigate risk factors associated with bilateral lobe PTM. Results. Five of 25 (20%) patients had bilateral thyroid lobe PTM at presentation. There was no statistically significant difference between the unilateral versus bilateral groups with respect to age, gender, history, stage, and tumor size. Bilateral thyroid lobe PTM occurred significantly more often in the setting of multifocal PTM (4/7, 57%) versus unifocal PTM (1/18 cases, 5.6%; P = .012). The odds ratio of harboring occult PTM in the contralateral lobe at time of diagnosis in the setting of multifocal PTM was 23 times greater than the unifocal counterpart (95% confidence interval, 1.9-27.9). Conclusion. Multifocal PTM is a significant risk factor associated with bilateral thyroid lobe involvement at presentation. Surgeons are justified and encouraged to offer multifocal PTM patients completion thyroidectomy as part of their oncologic treatment.
Holocene Evolution of the Outer Lake of Hwajinpo Lagoon On the Eastern Coast of Korea; Environmental Changes with Holocene Sea-Level Fluctuation of the East Sea (Sea of Japan)

The evolution of the outer lake of Hwajinpo Lagoon in Korea has been reconstructed using environmental proxies (lithologic, geochemical, and fossil data) with a chronology established using 7 accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates. Grain size, water content, and X-ray analyses from the core of outer coastal lakes (HJ99) were used to reconstruct sedimentary environments by using total organic carbon, C/N, S, and C/S chemical proxies. Assemblages of mollusc remains also provided paleoenvironmental information. The environmental changes of the outer lake of Hwajinpo Lagoon can be divided into 6 depositional phases. The basin of the Hwajinpo was exposed and underwent a weathering process before the Holocene period. The muddy sand layer on the weathered bedrock indicated an estuarine system about 6000 BP. The laminated layer implies that the lagoonal system was anoxic between about 5500–2800 BP. The marl layer implies a relatively oxic lagoonal condition with mollusc presence about 2500 B P. The layer of very low sulfur content indicates a freshwater lake system isolated by a sand barrier about 1700 BP. Beginning about 1000 B P, the river system deposits progress progradation on the marl layer. Two erosional landforms could be related with a high standing sea level span during Holocene. These high-stands are dated at 5700 BP and 2200 BP and are supposed to have formed erosional landforms of about 1.6 amsl and 0.8 amsl, respectively. Environmental changes of the outer lake of Hwajinpo Lagoon are considered due mainly to the lake- and sea-level fluctuation during Holocene.
Are Attentional Control Resources Reduced by Worry in Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

This is the first study to examine attentional control capacities in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is characterized by uncontrollable worry. Individuals diagnosed with GAD and healthy participants (HPs) performed a random key-pressing task while thinking about a worrisome or a positive future event, to assess the extent to which attentional control resources are used by worry. Attentional control was also assessed when participants were not instructed to think about a specific topic using the N-back task, which varies in task difficulty, and therefore is sensitive to subtle differences in ability to handle increasing demands on attentional control within the same paradigm. GAD participants (but not HPs) were less random while worrying than thinking about a positive event during the key-pressing task, suggesting that worry consumed more attentional control resources in this population. During the N-Back task, GAD participants performed worse than HPs during the high load conditions only, indicating greater difficulty in sustaining focus on conditions requiring a higher degree of attentional control, even without concurrent task activity. Poor attentional control might underpin the difficulty of GAD individuals to stop worrying and switch to thinking more benign information. Further research could investigate whether worry consumes attentional control resources in other psychological disorders with high rates of worry (e.g., panic disorder, psychosis), as well as the extent to which attentional control is used by other forms of repetitive thinking, such as depressive rumination.
Worst and best-case coverage in sensor networks

Wireless ad hoc sensor networks have recently emerged as a premier research topic. They have great long-term economic potential, ability to transform our lives, and pose many new system-building challenges. Sensor networks also pose a number of new conceptual and optimization problems. Here, we address one of the fundamental problems, namely, coverage. Sensor coverage, in general, answers the questions about the quality of service (surveillance) that can be provided by a particular sensor network. We briefly discuss the definition of the coverage problem from several points of view and formally define the worst and best-case coverage in a sensor network. By combining computational geometry and graph theoretic techniques, specifically the Voronoi diagram and graph search algorithms, we establish the main highlight of the paper - an optimal polynomial time worst and average case algorithm for coverage calculation for homogeneous isotropic sensors. We also present several experimental results and analyze potential applications, such as using best and worst-case coverage information as heuristics to deploy sensors to improve coverage.
On size and scale in geomorphology

Progress in scientific understanding is made by either deductive or inductive reasoning. The former leads to necessary statements embodied in theories: the latter expresses formal relations (i.e. relations that are not analytically rigorous) amongst phenomena that have been observed empirically. The rational elegance of textbooks notwithstanding, most inquiries, at least in the field sciences, are initially prompted by the observation of formal relations. Such relations commonly reveal correlations amongst geometric or functional aspects of systems of interest. An important approach in contemporary geomorphology is to seek empirical ’equilibrium’ relations amongst landform parameters, or between landform parameters and supposed governing processes. It is the purpose of this paper to examine some of these formal relations in terms of the information that they indicate must be included in geomorphological theories, and the constraints imposed by the requirements of sound mechanical theories.
Parse geometry from a line: Monocular depth estimation with partial laser observation

Many standard robotic platforms are equipped with at least a fixed 2D laser range finder and a monocular camera. Although those platforms do not have sensors for 3D depth sensing capability, knowledge of depth is an essential part in many robotics activities. Therefore, recently, there is an increasing interest in depth estimation using monocular images. As this task is inherently ambiguous, the data-driven estimated depth might be unreliable in robotics applications. In this paper, we have attempted to improve the precision of monocular depth estimation by introducing 2D planar observation from the remaining laser range finder without extra cost. Specifically, we construct a dense reference map from the sparse laser range data, redefining the depth estimation task as estimating the distance between the real and the reference depth. To solve the problem, we construct a novel residual of residual neural network, and tightly combine the classification and regression losses for continuous depth estimation. Experimental results suggest that our method achieves considerable promotion compared to the state-of-the-art methods on both NYUD2 and KITTI, validating the effectiveness of our method on leveraging the additional sensory information. We further demonstrate the potential usage of our method in obstacle avoidance where our methodology provides comprehensive depth information compared to the solution using monocular camera or 2D laser range finder alone.
1550-nm High-Speed Short-Cavity VCSELs

The latest advances in 1550-nm high-speed short-cavity vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are presented. The electrical, optical, and thermal design of these devices is discussed with respect to their high-speed modulation behavior. The implemented design improvements allow high output powers for ambient temperatures up to 90°C, high differential quantum efficiencies up to 40%, temperature-stable single-mode emission, low thermal resistances down to 1.6 K/mW, small-signal modulation bandwidths in excess of 17 GHz, and error-free data transmission at room temperature at data rates of 35 Gb/s in back-to-back configuration and up to 25 Gb/s over 4.2 km of single-mode fiber.
Modeling bipolar phase-shifted multielectrode catheter ablation

Atrial fibrillation (AFIB) is a common clinical problem affecting approximately 0.5-1% of the United States population. Radio-frequency (RF) multielectrode catheter (MEC) ablation has successes in curing AFIB. We utilized finite-element method analysis to determine the myocardial temperature distribution after 30 s, 80 degrees C temperature-controlled unipolar ablation using three 7F 12.5-mm electrodes with 2-mm interelectrode spacing MEC. Numerical results demonstrated that cold spots occurred at the edges of the middle electrode and hot spots at the side electrodes. We introduced the bipolar phase-shifted technique for RF energy delivery of MEC ablation. We determined the optimal phase-shift (phi) between the two sinusoidal voltage sources of a simplified two-dimensional finite-element model. At the optimal phi, we can achieve a temperature distribution that minimizes the difference between temperatures at electrode edges. We also studied the effects of myocardial electric conductivity (sigma), thermal conductivity (k), and the electrode spacing on the optimal phi. When we varied sigma and kappa from 50% to 150%, optimal phi ranged from 29.5 degrees to 23.5 degrees, and in the vicinity of 26.5 degrees, respectively. The optimal phi for 3-mm spacing MEC was 30.5 degrees. We show the design of a simplified bipolar phase-shifted MEC ablation system.
Activity limitations, use of assistive devices or personal help, and well-being: variation by education.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the associations among self-care or mobility limitations, use of assistive devices or personal help, and well-being while giving special attention to 3 dimensions of well-being and older adults' educational attainment. METHOD The analysis was based on 4,456 community-dwelling older adults with self-care or mobility limitations who completed interviews in the first round of the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Path models were estimated to examine the associations among limitations, use of assistive devices or personal help, and 3 dimensions of well-being (positive affect, self-realization, and self-efficacy) for different educational groups of older adults. RESULTS Self-care or mobility limitations had a negative association with 3 dimensions of well-being. The use of assistive devices was positively related, but the use of personal help was negatively related to well-being. Older adults with more education demonstrated weaker associations between assistive devices and well-being and stronger inverse associations between personal help and well-being than those with less education. DISCUSSION The use of coping strategies to address self-care or mobility limitations is not necessarily associated with better well-being, and education does not seem to play a protective role once limitations develop. More research is needed to unpack population heterogeneity in the association between coping strategies and well-being.
From Primitive to Indigenous: The Academic Study of Indigenous Religions

Contents: Introduction: problems, research context and overview The academic study of indigenous religions: underlying assumptions and historical developments Essentialism and the world religions paradigm Defining 'indigenous' scientifically Towards a socio-cultural, non-essentialist interpretation of religion The Yupiit of Alaska: the 'real people' The adaptive nature of indigenous religions in Zimbabwe Indigenous religions and the debate over primitivism Afterword: a practical conclusion Bibliography Index.
High-Dimensional Copula-Based Distributions with Mixed Frequency Data

This paper proposes a new model for high-dimensional distributions of asset returns that utilizes mixed frequency data and copulas. The dependence between returns is decomposed into linear and nonlinear components, enabling the use of high frequency data to accurately forecast linear dependence, and a new class of copulas designed to capture nonlinear dependence among the resulting uncorrelated, low frequency, residuals. Estimation of the new class of copulas is conducted using composite likelihood, facilitating applications involving hundreds of variables. In- and out-of-sample tests confirm the superiority of the proposed models applied to daily returns on constituents of the S&P 100 index.
2D common‐offset traveltime based diffraction enhancement and imaging

The diffracted energy in a seismic recording contains key information about small‐scale inhomogeneities or discontinuities of the subsurface. Diffractions can therefore lead to high‐resolution imaging of subsurface structures associated with hydrocarbon traps. However, seismic diffracted signals are often much weaker than specular reflections and consequently require enhancement before they can be utilized. In this paper diffractions are enhanced relative to reflections based on two traveltime techniques, namely the modified common‐reflection‐surface approach, which uses the common‐reflection‐surface technique with some modification to tailor it for diffractions and the replacement‐media approach derived here for the purpose of a simplified parametrization of diffraction traveltimes. Both approaches are implemented in the common‐offset domain with the use of a finite‐offset central ray unlike the zero‐ or small‐offset diffraction enhancement techniques that use a zero‐offset central ray. The validity of the two moveout expressions is tested using velocity data taken from a smooth isotropic Marmousi model. A feasibility test was also carried out with respect to the new replacement‐media traveltime approximation addressing the various effects of signal‐to‐noise ratio, depth and lateral displacement of the diffractor location. Finally, diffraction enhancement and imaging was performed on 2D seismic data from the Jequitinhonha basin offshore Brazil. Diffractions were significantly enhanced and a high‐resolution image of the discontinuities of the subsurface was obtained.
Fabrication and Characterization of Multilayer Amorphous Carbon Films for Microcantilever Devices

Various multilayer amorphous carbon films were prepared by a double bend filtered cathodic vacuum arc system in conjunction with a substrate voltage pulse bias generator. The internal structure of the multilayer films consisted of equal layers of high content (80%) films interspaced periodically (and uniformly) between layers of moderate content (60%) films. The modulation of the multilayer films was systematically varied so as to achieve films of different internal composition for comparative studies. The set of films were further annealed for thermal stability measurements. Properties measured included reduced modulus and stress. Free-standing microcantilevers have also been subsequently fabricated using the various different types of multilayer film using standard lithography and wet etching. The resonance frequencies of the microcantilevers were then measured by a vacuum laser vibrometer setup.
Stability of XGCGCp, GCGCYp, and XGCGCYp helixes: an empirical estimate of the energetics of hydrogen bonds in nucleic acids.

The stabilizing effects of dangling ends and terminal base pairs on the core helix GCGC are reported. Enthalpy and entropy changes of helix formation were measured spectrophotometrically for AGCGCU, UGCGCA, GGCGCCp, CGCGCGp, and the corresponding pentamers XGCGCp and GCGCYp containing the GCGC core plus a dangling end. Each 5' dangling end increases helix stability at 37 degrees C roughly 0.2 kcal/mol and each 3' end from 0.8 to 1.7 kcal/mol. The free energy increments for dangling ends on GCGC are similar to the corresponding increments reported for the GGCC core [Freier, S. M. , Alkema, D. , Sinclair, A. , Neilson, T. , & Turner, D. H. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 4533-4539], indicating a nearest-neighbor model is adequate for prediction of stabilization due to dangling ends. Nearest-neighbor parameters for prediction of the free energy effects of adding dangling ends and terminal base pairs next to G.C pairs are presented. Comparison of these free energy changes is used to partition the free energy of base pair formation into contributions of "stacking" and "pairing". If pairing contributions are due to hydrogen bonding, the results suggest stacking and hydrogen bonding make roughly comparable favorable contributions to the stability of a terminal base pair. The free energy increment associated with forming a hydrogen bond is estimated to be -1 kcal/mol of hydrogen bond.
Growth and Survival of Escherichia coli in Kunun Zaki During Storage

Growth and survival of Escherchia coli counts were determined in Kunun-zaki along with physio-chemical analysis parameters. The Kunun-zaki samples were stored at-4°C, 5±1°C and at room temperature (28±2°C) for 5 days. There was a decline in total bacterial count from 2.52x 10 cfu/ml to 8
Using MSC-Conditioned Media to Reconstruct Gluococorticoid Damaged Trabecular Meshwork Cytoskeleton

One advantage of a research university is the opportunity that it provides for undergraduate students to become involved in cutting edge research with leading scientists and engineers. The University of Pittsburgh and its Swanson School of Engineering are no different. This past spring, the Swanson School invited all undergraduates to propose a research topic of interest and to identify a faculty mentor who would serve as a sponsor. Students were not restricted to the Swanson School of Engineering or even the University of Pittsburgh. The world was fair game. In fact, two students journeyed Germany to work with colleagues at the Hannover Medical school (as an outreach of our Engineering Research Center). In all, we were able to fund 41 students, with generous support from the Office of the Provost; additional support was provided by the Swanson School of Engineering and individual investigators Students came from all of the Swanson School's six departments. Mentors came from throughout the University of Pittsburgh as well as the above noted Hannover Medical School. Each student received a grant of $3,500; the only obligations were to write a two-page abstract at the end of the summer and submit a poster abstract to Science 2013 – Convergence in October. Many of the students also present posters in their special undergraduate student research session event at Science 2013. This document contains the students' abstracts. It demonstrates the creative, intellectually challenging research that our undergraduates are conduction, and our students' wide range of interests. In presenting this work, we also want to acknowledge and thank those faculty mentors who made available their laboratories, their staff, and their personal time to assist the students and further spark their interest in research. * Abstract withheld to protect intellectual property INTRODUCTION Soft tissue biomechanics is an important aspect of clinical and engineering research. Some important tissues being studied include skin, tendons, heart valves, blood vessels, and vaginal tissue. Soft tissues exhibit unique biomechanical properties, making traditional uniaxial testing insufficient. Thus, biaxial testing is important because this allows a deeper knowledge of structure-function relationships. Additionally, it provides insight into the axial coupling relationships and often better simulates in-vivo loading states. Also, biaxial testing is important for constitutive modeling in that it allows for a direct measurement of tissue anisotropy. However, biaxial testing is limited by several factors. These include sample geometries, difficulty achieving an equal force distribution in plane, specimen variability, …
Structure and petrology of the Lanzo peridotite massif (Piedmont Alps)

The Lanzo massif consists of a 150 km 2 body of plagioclase Iherzolite, situated along the inner arc of the Alps, at the triple junction of the Ivrea zone, the Sesia-Lanzo zone, and the Pennine zone, Geophysical models show that the massif is probably still rooted in the mantle. A reliable study of field structures, rock structures, and mineral preferred orientations is interpreted in terms of plastic flow during the solid-state emplacement of the peridotite. The kinematics of the massif are related to the relative displacement of the South Alpine and European plates during Cretaceous time. During its solid-state emplacement, the peridotite underwent a gabbroic partial melting episode that produced dikes and lenses whose orientations are related to the flow structures. The petrology of the lherzolite and gabbros indicates that the peridotite mass originated as deep as 100 km in the mantle and crossed the lherzolite solidus at about 15 to 20 km and 1250 °C during its ascent. The pyroxenitic layering is considered from a structural and petrological point of view. The observed clinopyroxene preferred orientation is assumed to be of magmatic origin and not transposed by plastic flow.
Multi-task rank order tournaments

This work extends Lazear and Rosen's seminal paper to evaluate the performance of rank order tournaments when agents perform multiple tasks and the principal chooses, together with the prize spread, the weights assigned to each task in determining aggregate performance of each agent. All essential results of one-dimensional tournaments generalize to a multi-dimensional setting. However, the relative performance of tournaments and linear piece rates is shown to also depend on the covariance between measurement errors.