Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma can only be cured by physical removal or destruction of the tumor before it has spread. This can be accomplished by the ablation of the tumor, surgical resection of the tumor‐bearing liver, or by liver transplantation. Ablation and resection can only be performed in patients who will be left with sufficient liver volume to sustain normal hepatic function. Unfortunately, the same disease that caused the HCC also limits the amount of parenchymal loss that can be tolerated by the patient. Liver transplantation is an appealing treatment option because it has the potential to cure patient of both the cancer and the predisposinig liver disease. Excellent survival rates are possible in patients with early HCC who receive a transplant, but dismal results are seen when patients with advanced tumors are transplanted.Wide criteria for transplant allow for more patients to be cured of HCC, but this comes at the expense of a greater overall recurrence rate. The acceptable recurrence rate is not a concrete number, but this is a function of donor organ availability. A 50% cure rate is viewed as an excellent outcome for many accepted cancer operations; however, in the case of transplant for HCC, this would represent a poor use of the scarce donor resource when the same liver offers a 70% 5‐year survival rate to a non‐HCC patient. These issues and methods retarding tumor progression while on the transplant waiting list are reviewed herein.
Non-Uniform Linear Antenna Array Design and Optimization for Millimeter-Wave Communications

In this paper, we investigate the optimization of non-uniform linear antenna arrays (NULAs) for millimeterwave (mmWave) line-of-sight (LoS) multiple-input multipleoutput (MIMO) channels. Our focus is on the maximization of the system effective multiplexing gain (EMG), by optimizing the individual antenna positions in the transmit/receive NULAs. Here, the EMG is defined as the number of signal streams that are practically supported by the channel at a finite signal-to-noise ratio. We first derive analytical expressions for the asymptotic channel eigenvalues with arbitrarily deployed NULAs when, asymptotically, the end-to-end distance is sufficiently large compared with the aperture sizes of the transmit/receive NULAs. Based on the derived expressions, we prove that the asymptotically optimal NULA deployment that maximizes the achievable EMG should follow the groupwise Fekete-point distribution. Specifically, the antennas should be physically grouped into K separate ULAs with the minimum feasible antenna spacing within each ULA, where K is the target EMG to be achieved; in addition, the centers of these K ULAs follow the Fekete-point distribution. We numerically verify the asymptotic optimality of such an NULA deployment and extend it to a groupwise projected arch-type NULA deployment, which provides a more practical option for mmWave LoS MIMO systems with realistic nonasymptotic configurations. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate a significant capacity gain of the optimized NULAs over traditional ULAs.
How to Refute a Random CSP

Let P be a k-ary predicate over a finite alphabet. Consider a random CSP(P) instance I over n variables with m constraints. When m ≫ n the instance will be unsatisfiable with high probability and we want to find a certificate of unsatisfiability. When P is the 3-ary OR predicate, this is the well-studied problem of refuting random 3-SAT formulas and an efficient algorithm is known only when m ≫ n3/2. Understanding the density required for refutation of other predicates is important in cryptography, proof complexity, and learning theory. Previously, it was known that for a k-ary predicate, having m ≫≫n[k/2] constraints suffices for refutation. We give a criterion for predicates that often yields efficient refutation algorithms at much lower densities. Specifically, if P fails to support a t-wise uniform distribution, then there is an efficient algorithm that refutes random CSP(P) instances whp when m ≫ nt/2. Indeed, our algorithm will “somewhat strongly” refute the instance I, certifying Opt(I) ≤ 1 - Ωk(1). If t = k then we get the strongest possible refutation, certifying Opt(I) ≤ E[P] + o(1). This last result is new even for random k-SAT. Prior work on SDP hierarchies has given some evidence that efficient refutation of random CSP(P) may be impossible when m ≫ nt/2; thus there is an indication that our algorithm's dependence on m is optimal for every P, at least in the context of SDP hierarchies. As an application of our result, we falsify assumptions used to show hardness-of-learning in recent work of Daniely, Linial, and Shalev-Shwartz.
Recent Progress on Magnetorheological Solids: Materials, Fabrication, Testing, and Applications

Magnetorheological (MR) materials are classified as smart materials due to their responsiveness to external magnetic stimuli. Intensive research on MR materials has led to broad applications in several potential fields. A solid carrier matrix state called MR elastomer with its exceptional magnetic responsive feature is obtained by merging magnetizable particles within an elastomeric polymer. This integration results in outstanding characteristics on the rheological performances. Special prominence is given to the understanding of the base materials and fabrication as well as the functional behavior through various characterization methods. Broad applications of MREs are also explored to provide a profound market picture and to motivate researchers to develop novel technology.
Rac3 regulates breast cancer invasion and metastasis by controlling adhesion and matrix degradation

The initial step of metastasis is the local invasion of tumor cells into the surrounding tissue. Invadopodia are actin-based protrusions that mediate the matrix degradation necessary for invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. We demonstrate that Rac3 GTPase is critical for integrating the adhesion of invadopodia to the extracellular matrix (ECM) with their ability to degrade the ECM in breast tumor cells. We identify two pathways at invadopodia important for integrin activation and delivery of matrix metalloproteinases: through the upstream recruiter CIB1 as well as the downstream effector GIT1. Rac3 activity, at and surrounding invadopodia, is controlled by Vav2 and &bgr;PIX. These guanine nucleotide exchange factors regulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of Rac3 activity, impacting GIT1 localization. Moreover, the GTPase-activating function of GIT1 toward the vesicular trafficking regulator Arf6 GTPase is required for matrix degradation. Importantly, Rac3 regulates the ability of tumor cells to metastasize in vivo. The Rac3-dependent mechanisms we show in this study are critical for balancing proteolytic activity and adhesive activity to achieve a maximally invasive phenotype.
The move to cyclic salt‐spray testing from continuous salt spray

Describes methods of accelerated corrosion testing currently being used in the world today and the cabinets available in which to perform the tests. Compares the tests and looks at the results obtained from them, looking at constant salt‐spray testing ASTM B117, cyclic wet/dry Prohesion and the multi‐function automotive cyclic corrosion test which incorporates salt‐spray cycles and high humidity cycles. Gives test results comparing constant salt‐spray to cyclic Prohesion to natural outdoor exposure.
Abstract A05: Functional genetic approach identifies cancer-specific requirement for BUB1B/BubR1 in human brain tumor isolates and genetically transformed cells

Cancer cells give rise to distinctive and complimentary capabilities that enable them to continuously grow. These capabilities may as well generate additional vulnerabilities and can be targeted for therapy. To identify new candidate therapeutic targets for glioblastoma multiforme, we combined functional genetics and glioblastoma network modeling to identify kinases required for the growth of patient-derived brain tumor-initiating cells (BTIC) but that are dispensable to proliferating human neural stem cells (NSC). This approach yielded BUB1B/BUBR1, a critical mitotic spindle checkpoint player, as the top-scoring glioblastoma lethal kinase. Knockdown of BUB1B inhibited expansion of BTIC isolates, both in vitro and in vivo, without affecting proliferation of NSCs or astrocytes. Mechanistic studies revealed that BUB1B9s GLE2p-binding sequence (GLEBS) domain activity is required to suppress lethal kinetochore-microtubule (KT-MT) attachment defects in glioblastoma isolates and genetically transformed cells with altered sister KT dynamics, which likely favor KT-MT instability. These results indicate that glioblastoma tumors have an added requirement for BUB1B to suppress lethal consequences of altered KT function and further suggest that sister KT measurements may predict cancer-specific sensitivity to BUB1B inhibition and perhaps other mitotic targets that affect KT-MT stability. Significance: Currently, no effective therapies are available for glioblastoma, the most frequent and aggressive brain tumor. Our results suggest that targeting the GLEBS domain activity of BUB1B may provide a therapeutic window for glioblastoma, as the GLEBS domain is nonessential in untransformed cells. Moreover, the results further suggest that sister KT distances at metaphase may predict sensitivity to anticancer therapeutics targeting KT function. Citation Format: Yu Ding, Christopher Hubert, Jacob Herman, Jennifer DeLuca, James Olson, Patrick Paddison. Functional genetic approach identifies cancer-specific requirement for BUB1B/BubR1 in human brain tumor isolates and genetically transformed cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Synthetic Lethal Approaches to Cancer Vulnerabilities; May 17-20, 2013; Bellevue, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(5 Suppl):Abstract nr A05.
Interplay between cancer cells, macrophages and natural killer cells may actually decide the outcome of therapy with sorafenib

et al. Strong association between non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and low 25(OH) vitamin D levels in an adult population with normal serum liver enzymes. BMC Med 2011;9:85. 4. Hong HC, Hwang SY, Choi HY, Yoo HJ, Seo JA, Kim SG, et al. The relationship between sarcopenia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: the Korean sarcopenic obesity study. HEPATOLOGY 2014;59:1772-1778. 5. Pratesi A, Tarantini F, Di Bari M. Skeletal muscle: an endocrine organ. Clin Cases Miner Bone Metab 2013;10:11-14. 6. Bostrom P, Wu J, Jedrychowski MP, Korde A, Ye L, Lo JC, et al. A PGC1-alpha-dependent myokine that drives brown-fat-like development of white fat and thermogenesis. Nature 2012;481:463-468. 7. Primeau V, Coderre L, Karelis AD, Brochu M, Lavoie ME, Messier V, et al. Characterizing the profile of obese patients who are metabolically healthy. Int J Obes (Lond) 2011;35:971-981. 8. Stefan N, Kantartzis K, Machann J, Schick F, Thamer C, Rittig K, et al. Identification and characterization of metabolically benign obesity in humans. Arch Intern Med 2008;168:1609-1616. 9. Messier V, Karelis AD, Robillard ME, Bellefeuille P, Brochu M, Lavoie JM, et al. Metabolically healthy but obese individuals: relationship with hepatic enzymes. Metabolism 2010;59:20-24. 10. Kim TN, Park MS, Yang SJ, Yoo HJ, Kang HJ, Song W, et al. Body size phenotypes and low muscle mass: the Korean sarcopenic obesity study (KSOS). J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2013;98:811-817.
TNF-alpha and TNF-beta gene polymorphisms in Polish patients with sarcoidosis. Connection with the susceptibility and prognosis.

BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology, in which genetic factors, especially the genes of the highly polymorphic MHC region, seem to play an important role in the disease predisposition and course. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of TNF genes polymorphism in sarcoidosis and to estimate possible association between these polymorphisms and susceptibility and prognosis of sarcoidosis. The analysis of -308G > A TNF-alpha gene (TNFA*1 and TNFA*2 alleles) and 252A > G TNF-beta gene polymorphisms (TNFB*1 and TNFB*2 alleles) were performed. METHODS The study comprised of 130 sarcoidosis patients (75 subjects in the radiological stage I, and 55 in the stages II/III). Löfgren syndrome (LS) was manifested in 38 patients. After at least 3-years observation, 69 patients had remission, 24 subjects manifested persistent disease and 25 patients had progression. The control group consisted of 84 healthy subjects. The genotypes were determined using PCR-RFLP assay. RESULTS The variant allele TNFA*2 was observed significantly more frequent in patients with Löfgren syndrome when compared to control group (OR = 2.301, C.I. = [1.23-4.32], chi2 = 6.91, p > 0.01), as well as to non-LS patients (OR = 2.167, C.I. = [1.17-4.01], chi2 = 6.22, p < 0.05). Moreover, the variant allele TNFA*2 was also observed significantly more frequent in patients with disease resolution than in patients with persistent disease and progression (OR = 3.53, C.I. = [1.66-7.50], chi2 = 11.65, p < 0.001). The variant allele TNF*2 was also overrepresented in patients with disease resolution after exclusion the patients with Löfgren syndrome (OR = 2.4, C.I. = [1-5.772], chi2 = 3.98, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in TNF-A allele distribution between the control group and whole sarcoidosis group. The variant allele TNFB*1 was observed significantly more frequent in patients with disease resolution than in patients with persistent disease and progression. This difference was caused only by overrepresentation of TNFB*1 variant allele in Löfgren group. The significant differences in the distribution of TNFB*1 allele between the sarcoidosis an the control group was also noted (OR = 1,607, C.I. = [1,033-2,5], chi2 = 4.46, p < 0.05), but it was limited only to patients displaying Löfgren syndrome. CONCLUSION Two alleles TNFB*1 and TNFA*2 of TNF gene are overrepresented in polish patients with Löfgren syndrome. The TNFA*2 allele is related with mild course of sarcoidosis in patients without LS.
Anemia and performance status as prognostic markers in acute hypercapnic respiratory failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background In patients with acute hypercapnic respiratory failure (AHRF) during exacerbations of COPD, mortality can be high despite noninvasive ventilation (NIV). For some, AHRF is terminal and NIV is inappropriate. However there is no definitive method of identifying patients who are unlikely to survive. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with inpatient mortality from AHRF with respiratory acidosis due to COPD. Methods COPD patients presenting with AHRF and who were treated with NIV were studied prospectively. The forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), World Health Organization performance status (WHO-PS), clinical observations, a composite physiological score (Early Warning Score), routine hematology and biochemistry, and arterial blood gases prior to commencing NIV, were recorded. Results In total, 65 patients were included for study, 29 males and 36 females, with a mean age of 71 ± 10.5 years. Inpatient mortality in the group was 33.8%. Mortality at 30 days and 12 months after admission were 38.5% and 58.5%, respectively. On univariate analysis, the variables associated with inpatient death were: WHO-PS ≥ 3, long-term oxygen therapy, anemia, diastolic blood pressure < 70 mmHg, Early Warning Score ≥ 3, severe acidosis (pH < 7.20), and serum albumin < 35 g/L. On multivariate analysis, only anemia and WHO-PS ≥ 3 were significant. The presence of both predicted 68% of inpatient deaths, with a specificity of 98%. Conclusion WHO-PS ≥ 3 and anemia are prognostic factors in AHRF with respiratory acidosis due to COPD. A combination of the two provides a simple method of identifying patients unlikely to benefit from NIV.
Arithmetic invariants of discrete Langlands parameters

Let G be a reductive algebraic group over the local field k. The local Langlands conjecture predicts that the irreducible complex representations π of the locally compact group G(k) can be parametrized by objects of an arithmetic nature: homomorphisms φ from the Weil-Deligne group of k to the complex L-group of G, together with an irreducible representation ρ of the component group of the centralizer of φ. In light of this conjecture which has been established for algebraic tori, as well as for some nonabelian groups like GLn(k) [21],[23], and SLn(k) [25] it is reasonable to predict how representation theoretic invariants of π = π(φ, ρ) relate to the arithmetic invariants of its parameters (φ, ρ). An early example of this was the paper [17], which predicts branching laws for the restriction of irreducible representations of the group SOn(k) to the subgroup SOn−1(k), using the e-factor of a distinguished symplectic representation of the L-group of SOn × SOn−1. These conjectures have now been verified in several cases; see [19] and [20].
Factors Affecting Nurse Retention at an Academic Magnet® Hospital

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the factors affecting the retention of registered nurses (RNs) and validate the revised Casey-Fink Nurse Retention Survey© (2009). Background: Creating an organizational culture of retention may reduce nurse turnover. Focusing on why nurses leave and identifying factors why nurses stay are essential. Methods: A descriptive survey design gathered data from RNs with 1 or more years of experience providing direct patient care and employed in inpatient/ambulatory settings in an acute care, academic, Magnet® hospital. Conclusions: There were no statistically significant relationships between nurse respondents’ perceptions of work environment/support/encouragement and age or years of experience. However, there were significant differences between inpatient and ambulatory nurse responses in several key areas including job satisfaction, mentorship, and educational support. Overall, nurses reported feeling a lack of support and recognition from managers. Results provide evidence to support improved strategies to foster nurse retention.
Redox-Specialized Bacterioplankton Metacommunity in a Temperate Estuary

This study explored the spatiotemporal dynamics of the bacterioplankton community composition in the Gulf of Finland (easternmost sub-basin of the Baltic Sea) based on phylogenetic analysis of 16S rDNA sequences acquired from community samples via pyrosequencing. Investigations of bacterioplankton in hydrographically complex systems provide good insight into the strategies by which microbes deal with spatiotemporal hydrographic gradients, as demonstrated by our research. Many ribotypes were closely affiliated with sequences isolated from environments with similar steep physiochemical gradients and/or seasonal changes, including seasonally anoxic estuaries. Hence, one of the main conclusions of this study is that marine ecosystems where oxygen and salinity gradients co-occur can be considered a habitat for a cosmopolitan metacommunity consisting of specialized groups occupying niches universal to such environments throughout the world. These niches revolve around functional capabilities to utilize different electron receptors and donors (including trace metal and single carbon compounds). On the other hand, temporal shifts in the bacterioplankton community composition at the surface layer were mainly connected to the seasonal succession of phytoplankton and the inflow of freshwater species. We also conclude that many relatively abundant populations are indigenous and well-established in the area.
NA2SO4 SOUNDNESS TEST EVALUATION

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) uses the sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) soundness test as one of its main aggregate acceptance tests. Unfortunately, many accusations concerning the lack of reproducibility and validity of the soundness test are continually voiced by aggregate producers and specifying agencies. In order to better understand the sodium sulfate soundness test, IDOT conducted an evaluation program to identify the major problem areas in the test method. The evaluation program consisted of eight separate evaluations. Samples from a number of different Illinois aggregate sources were tested for each evaluation. The evaluations looked at (1) temperature control, (2) different Na2SO4 materials, (3) repeatability, (4) validity, (5) increased cycles, (6) cooling of samples, (7) pan versus basket soaking, and (8) the method used to interrupt the test. Several general conclusions were drawn from the evaluations on the sodium sulfate soundness test. These conclusions identify areas of the test procedure which could produce erratic and erroneous results. One area was that temperature must be accurately controlled, both during soaking and during cool down of the samples. Another was that the specified method of interrupting the test produces results that do not correlate with running the test straight through to completion. There are also several other items that indicate potential problems and that should have additional research run on them. The overall summary concluded that when tighter control, especially temperature, is maintained, the sodium sulfate soundness test seems to provide valid test results.
Subacute toxicity of nano‐selenium compared to other selenium species in mice

Sixteen groups of mice were fed diets containing different selenium species to compare their toxicity. Inorganic sodium selenate and sodium hydroselenite, elementary nanoSe, organic Sel‐Plex, and Lacto‐MicroSelenium were administered for 14 d at concentrations of 0.5, 5, and 50 ppm Se, equivalent to 0.5, 5, and 50 mg Se/kg food, corresponding to an estimated 4, 40, and 400 µg/kg body weight/d Se uptake, respectively. At the end of the treatment, body, liver, spleen, kidney, heart, and brain weights were measured, mice were subjected to necropsy, and histological examinations were performed on the liver. At lower Se doses (0.5 and 5 ppm) a moderate reduction was observed in the number of bone marrow and white blood cells and in granulocyte–macrophage colony‐forming units (GM‐CFUs) relative to the untreated control group of mice. A comparison of lowest toxic doses of sodium selenite in mice (0.5 ppm) and mallard (10 ppm) indicates that birds are more resistant to Se than rodents. In mice, a small but measurable weight loss was observed after 5 ppm selenate and LactoMicroSe treatment. The most significant changes took place after 50‐ppm administration in body and spleen weight, hematology, and liver histology. Toxicity was more pronounced when inorganic Se was applied than after subacute application of Sel‐Plex, nanoSe, or LactoMicroSe. To summarize the effects, the authors' 14‐d murine subacute toxicity study showed that the toxicity of Se species decreased in the following order: selenate > selenite > nanoSe > Sel‐Plex > LactoMicroSe. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2812–2820. © 2012 SETAC