Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Further evidence that prostate-specific antigen screening reduces prostate cancer mortality.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening remains a focus of intense controversy, despite decades of clinical experience and several randomized trials. In this issue of the Journal, Stattin et al. (1) take advantage of a natural experiment in Sweden and use sophisticated statistical modeling techniques to provide further persuasive evidence for the benefits of PSA-based detection to reduce prostate cancer–specific mortality. Sweden has not endorsed a PSA screening program, but considerable “opportunistic” PSA screening has caused an apparent increase in rate of overall prostate cancer detection. This increase, of course, is primarily due to the identification of latent tumors, which are age-related, and in autopsy studies, are prevalent in about 36% of US and European men aged 70 to 79 years (2). Stattin et al. (1) used this effect of PSA screening to identify counties in Sweden with higher rates of PSA screening by categorizing the counties according to the increase in overall prostate cancer rates in recent decades after introduction of the PSA test. As expected, these high-incidence counties had greater usage of PSA testing, and the case patients had characteristics tending to be slightly more typical of screened populations, with somewhat lower levels of PSA at diagnosis and earlier-stage disease (3). Over the time period studied, the authors noted a 19% reduction in prostate cancer–specific mortality in the counties with more PSA screening as compared with less. The authors note that this is not a randomized trial, and the conclusions, as in any observational study, rest on the assumption that the control counties with lower screening are truly comparable and represent the counterfactual—what would have happened in the high-screening counties in the absence of higher screening. The authors provide an array of data and sound arguments supporting the reasonableness of that assumption. The observed marked reduction in prostate cancer–specific mortality likely represents an underestimate of the true impact of a full screening approach for three reasons. First, this study is of opportunistic screening, comparing modestly higher vs lower levels of intensity. A comparison of optimal screening intensity compared with no screening would almost surely reveal a larger impact. Indeed, the characteristics of the case patients in the higher-screening counties do not mirror those of an intensively screened population. For example, in the higher-screened counties, 19.6% of case patients had regional or distant metastases (using criteria almost identical to American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IV), compared with stage IV prevalence of 15.5% in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program (4) and of 2.3% and 2.9% in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial (5) intervention and control groups, respectively, during a comparable time period. Moreover, the median PSA at diagnosis in the higherscreened Swedish counties was 10.8 ng/mL, whereas in the Cancer
Joint Word Representation Learning Using a Corpus and a Semantic Lexicon

Methods for learning word representations using large text corpora have received much attention lately due to their impressive performancein numerous natural language processing (NLP) tasks such as, semantic similarity measurement, and word analogy detection.Despite their success, these data-driven word representation learning methods do not considerthe rich semantic relational structure between words in a co-occurring context. On the other hand, already much manual effort has gone into the construction of semantic lexicons such as the WordNetthat represent the meanings of words by defining the various relationships that exist among the words in a language.We consider the question, can we improve the word representations learnt using a corpora by integrating theknowledge from semantic lexicons? For this purpose, we propose a joint word representation learning method that simultaneously predictsthe co-occurrences of two words in a sentence subject to the relational constrains given by the semantic lexicon.We use relations that exist between words in the lexicon to regularize the word representations learnt from the corpus.Our proposed method statistically significantly outperforms previously proposed methods for incorporating semantic lexicons into wordrepresentations on several benchmark datasets for semantic similarity and word analogy.
Insular dysfunction within the salience network is associated with severity of symptoms and aberrant inter-network connectivity in major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by altered intrinsic functional connectivity within (intra-iFC) intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs), such as the Default Mode- (DMN), Salience- (SN) and Central Executive Network (CEN). It has been proposed that aberrant switching between DMN-mediated self-referential and CEN-mediated goal-directed cognitive processes might contribute to MDD, possibly explaining patients' difficulties to disengage the processing of self-focused, often negatively biased thoughts. Recently, it has been shown that the right anterior insula (rAI) within the SN is modulating DMN/CEN interactions. Since structural and functional alterations within the AI have been frequently reported in MDD, we hypothesized that aberrant intra-iFC in the SN's rAI is associated with both aberrant iFC between DMN and CEN (inter-iFC) and severity of symptoms in MDD. Twenty-five patients with MDD and 25 healthy controls were assessed using resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) and psychometric examination. High-model-order independent component analysis (ICA) of rs-fMRI data was performed to identify ICNs including DMN, SN, and CEN. Intra-iFC within and inter-iFC between distinct subsystems of the DMN, SN, and CEN were calculated, compared between groups and correlated with the severity of symptoms. Patients with MDD showed (1) decreased intra-iFC within the SN's rAI, (2) decreased inter-iFC between the DMN and CEN, and (3) increased inter-iFC between the SN and DMN. Moreover, decreased intra-iFC in the SN's rAI was associated with severity of symptoms and aberrant DMN/CEN interactions, with the latter losing significance after correction for multiple comparisons. Our results provide evidence for a relationship between aberrant intra-iFC in the salience network's rAI, aberrant DMN/CEN interactions and severity of symptoms, suggesting a link between aberrant salience mapping, abnormal coordination of DMN/CEN based cognitive processes and psychopathology in MDD.
Bimodal high-affinity association of Brd4 with murine leukemia virus integrase and mononucleosomes

The importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms of murine leukemia virus (MLV) integration into host chromatin is highlighted by the development of MLV-based vectors for human gene-therapy. We have recently identified BET proteins (Brd2, 3 and 4) as the main cellular binding partners of MLV integrase (IN) and demonstrated their significance for effective MLV integration at transcription start sites. Here we show that recombinant Brd4, a representative of the three BET proteins, establishes complementary high-affinity interactions with MLV IN and mononucleosomes (MNs). Brd4(1–720) but not its N- or C-terminal fragments effectively stimulate MLV IN strand transfer activities in vitro. Mass spectrometry- and NMR-based approaches have enabled us to map key interacting interfaces between the C-terminal domain of BRD4 and the C-terminal tail of MLV IN. Additionally, the N-terminal fragment of Brd4 binds to both DNA and acetylated histone peptides, allowing it to bind tightly to MNs. Comparative analyses of the distributions of various histone marks along chromatin revealed significant positive correlations between H3- and H4-acetylated histones, BET protein-binding sites and MLV-integration sites. Our findings reveal a bimodal mechanism for BET protein-mediated MLV integration into select chromatin locations.
Near-Memory Acceleration for Radio Astronomy

Processing-in-memory and near-memory computing have recently been rediscovered as a way to alleviate the “memory wall problem” of traditional computing architectures. In this paper, we discuss the implementation of a 3D-stacked near-memory accelerator, targeting radio astronomy and scientific applications. After exploring the design space of the architecture by focusing on minimizing the execution power of the processing pipeline of the SKA1-Low central signal processor, we show that our accelerator can achieve an energy efficiency of up to 390 GFLOPS/W, corresponding to an energy consumption one order of magnitude lower than alternative state-of-the-art implementations. When running additional mathematical and streaming-oriented kernels, our accelerator achieves from 6.4<inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times$</tex-math><alternatives> <inline-graphic xlink:href="fiorin-ieq1-2748580.gif"/></alternatives></inline-formula> to 20<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times$</tex-math><alternatives><inline-graphic xlink:href="fiorin-ieq2-2748580.gif"/> </alternatives></inline-formula> energy efficiency improvement compared to alternative solutions.
Pedicle Screw Surface Coatings Improve Fixation in Nonfusion Spinal Constructs

Study Design. Biomechanical and histologic analysis. Objective. To compare the strength of the bone-screw interface of standard uncoated pedicle screws with screws treated with hydroxyapatite (HA), titanium plasma spray (TPS), and a composite HA-TPS coating. Summary of Background Data. Transpedicular screw fixation has become the gold standard in the treatment of various thoracolumbar spinal conditions. Pedicle screw loosening, however, has been reported, especially in mechanically demanding constructs or in vertebrae with low bone mineral density. Methods. Six mature porcine were instrumented with 4 types of titanium monoaxial pedicle screws (uncoated, HA-only coated, TPS-only coated, and HA-TPS composite coated) in a systematically varied, single-blinded fashion. After a 3-month survival period, the spines were harvested en-bloc and “time zero” control screws were instrumented in adjacent vertebrae. Screw placement and bone mineral density were evaluated with a postharvest computed tomography, and the strength of the tissue-implant interface was evaluated with a torsional screw extraction analysis (60 screws) and a nondecalcified histologic analysis (16 screws). Results. At 3 months postoperative, peak torque increased for all 3 types of coated screws (increased fixation) and decreased significantly for the uncoated screws (P < 0.001). Although 3-month peak torque was not statistically different between the 3 screw coatings, 4 of 10 TPS-only coated screws had a peak torque that was nearly 0 (<0.1 N m) versus only 1 of 10 HA-only screws and 0 of 10 HA-TPS composite screws. Histologic analysis confirmed the biomechanical findings with improved osseointegration in the HA-only and HA-TPS composite screws. Conclusion. Pedicle screw coatings that promote mechanical interlocking, TPS, or direct osteoblast bonding(HA) increased screw fixation in this nonfusion model. More non-HA coated screws, however, were thought to be “loose” with a nearly zero peak extraction torque and fibrous encapsulation. Increased osseointegration with HA may result in a decreased incidence of screw loosening and improved outcomes of transpedicular spinal instrumentation in nonfusion procedures.
Ultra-Light Knitted Structures for Application in Urologinecology and General Surgery – Optimisation of Structure in the Aspect of Physical Parameters

– Optimisation of Structure in the Aspect of Physical Parameters. FIBRES & TEXTILES in Eastern Europe 2011, Vol. 19, No. 5 (88) pp. 92-98. 92 Ultra-Light Knitted Structures for Application in Urologinecology and General Surgery – Optimisation of Structure in the Aspect of Physical Parameters Marcin H. Struszczyk, **Agnieszka Gutowska, *Krzysztof Kowalski, *Kazimierz Kopias, **Beata Pałys, Agnieszka Komisarczyk, Izabella Krucińska
Covert Speech Arrest Induced by rTMS over Both Motor and Nonmotor Left Hemisphere Frontal Sites

Blocking the capacity to speak aloud (overt speech arrest, SA) may be induced by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). The possibility, however, of blocking internal speech (covert SA) has not been explored. To investigate this issue, we conducted two rTMS experiments. In the first experiment, we stimulated two left frontal lobe sites. The first was a motor site (left posterior site) and the second was a nonmotor site located in correspondence to the posterior part of the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) (left anterior site). The corresponding right hemisphere nonmotor SA site was stimulated as a control. In the second experiment, we focused on the right hemisphere and stimulated a right hemisphere motor site (right posterior site), and, as control sites, a right hemisphere nonmotor site corresponding to the IFG (right anterior site) and a left hemisphere anteromedial site (left control). For both experiments, participants performed a syllable counting task both covertly and overtly for each stimulation site. Longer latencies in this task imply the occurrence of an overt and/or covert SA. All participants showed significantly longer latencies when stimulation was either over the left posterior or the left anterior site, as compared with the right hemisphere site (Experiment 1). This result was observed for the overt and covert speech task alike. During stimulation of the posterior right hemisphere site, a dissociation for overt and covert speech was observed. An overt SA was observed but there was no evidence for a covert SA (Experiment 2). Taken together, the results show that rTMS can induce a covert SA when applied to areas over the brain that are pertinent to language. Furthermore, both the left posterior/motor site and the left anterior/IFG site appear to be essential to language elaboration even when motor output is not required.
Attitude Certainty and Resistance to Persuasion: Investigating the Impact of Source Trustworthiness in Advertising

This experimental study extended previous research concerning cognitive load and source expertise on attitude certainty by replacing source expertise with another component of source credibility, trustworthiness. Under either high or low cognitive load conditions, participants generated counterarguments to a message either high or low in trustworthiness. Participants became more certain of their attitudes when counterarguing a source low in trustworthiness, but only under low cognitive load. The results of this study indicate that source trustworthiness and source expertise may be quite different in their effects on resistance to persuasion and should be considered separately.
Efficient Group Signature Scheme Supporting Batch Verification for Securing Vehicular Networks

In this paper, we propose an efficient group signature scheme supporting batch verification for securing vehicular networks. Through analytical and simulation evaluations, we demonstrate that the currently available group signature schemes may not be suitable for vehicular networks due to the highly imposed security overhead. The proposed scheme can mitigate the effect of the heavy security overhead by batch group signature verification. Furthermore, the proposed scheme not only enables vehicles to verify a large number of messages in a timely manner, but also improves the system performance in terms of the message loss ratio.
The nonstructural 5A protein of hepatitis C virus genotype 1b does not contain an interferon sensitivity-determining region.

BACKGROUND The nonstructural (NS) 5A protein of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been suggested to contain an interferon (IFN) sensitivity-determining region (ISDR). METHODS We studied whether the degree of viral decline on day 1 is associated with differences in NS5A amino acid sequences among patients receiving IFN- alpha. RESULTS Phylogenetic analyses of the full-length protein and of functional domains showed no relationship between the baseline protein sequence and the antiviral response. NS5A quasispecies sequences showed no differences in the number of mutations in the putative ISDR relative to a prototype sequence between responders and nonresponders or according to IFN- alpha antiviral efficacy. No relationship was found between antiviral efficacy at 24 h and the baseline sequence of any NS5A region. Amino acid changes were observed in a few cases at 24 h in both responders and nonresponders, but no consistent pattern of amino acid shifts was observed, ruling out the possibility that IFN- alpha selected IFN-resistant variants. CONCLUSION Our findings show that there is no ISDR in the HCV genotype 1 NS5A protein and that the NS5A sequence does not influence the capacity of IFN- alpha to block viral replication. The findings do not rule out a role for NS5A in subsequent viral clearance.
Epoxy Impregnation without Hardener: To Decrease Yellowing, to Delay Casting, and to Aid Bubble Removal

Epoxy slices often yellow shortly after casting and the few hours following impregnation can be overwhelming as all slices need to be cast in a short period of time. A modified technique for producing epoxy slices was developed as a measure to address these problems. Tissue slices were impregnated using only epoxy polymer; no hardener was used during impregnation. The impregnated tissue slices were cast using modified casting-mixtures of epoxy polymer, hardener and glass separator. This modification of the classic E12 method (Biodur™) was done to determine: 1. If it is possible to indefinitely extend the casting time after impregnation of epoxy slices and produce quality slices; 2. If the impregnation bath could be reused for casting; 3. If transparency, bubble removal and aesthetics of the final sheet could be enhanced; and 4. If yellowing of the cast could be reduced. The unreacted epoxy impregnated slices were stored in the impregnation mixture for up to one year prior to casting. Hardener was painted on random slices prior to casting. All slices were cast with a polymer reaction-mixture containing 20 to 27% El (hardener) and 1 or 4% AE30 (glass separator). All cast manufactured slices cured. Tissue slices, which rested on the glass, had small areas that did not cure properly. These blemishes were corrected by recasting using a thicker gasket, placing polymer reaction-mixture on the blemished surface and covering with a glass, or placing polymer reaction-mixture on the blemished surface with no glass cover. All recast slices cured and were useful. After a few days, over 50% of the slices turned yellow. However, the intensity of the yellow was much less than that of slices produced by the classic E12 method.
Out-of-pocket costs of AIDS care in China: are free antiretroviral drugs enough?

Abstract Financial access to HIV care and treatment can be difficult for many people in China, where the government provides free antiretroviral drugs but does not cover the cost of other medically necessary components, such as lab tests and drugs for opportunistic infections. This article estimates out-of-pocket costs for treatment and care that a person living with HIV/AIDS in China might face over the course of one year. Data comes from two treatment projects run by Médecins Sans Frontières in Nanning, Guangxi Province and Xiangfan, Hubei Province. Based on the national treatment guidelines, we estimated costs for seven different patient profiles ranging from WHO Clinical Stages I through IV. We found that patients face significant financial barriers to even qualify for the free ARV program. For those who do, HIV care and treatment can be a catastrophic health expenditure, with cumulative patient contributions ranging from approximately US$200–3939/year in Nanning and US$13–1179/year in Xiangfan, depending on the patient's clinical stage of HIV infection. In Nanning, these expenses translate as up to 340% of an urban resident's annual income or 1200% for rural residents; in Xiangfan, expenses rise to 116% of annual income for city dwellers and 295% in rural areas. While providing ARV drugs free of charge is an important step, the costs of other components of care constitute important financial barriers that may exclude patients from accessing appropriate care. Such barriers can also lead to undesirable outcomes in the future, such as impoverishment of AIDS-affected households, higher ARV drug-resistance rates and greater need for complex, expensive second-line antiretroviral drugs.
Multi-Atlas Segmentation of the Prostate: A Zooming Process with Robust Registration and Atlas Selection

As an entry to the MICCAI 2012 Prostate Segmentation Challenge, this paper presents a multi-atlas-based automatic pipeline for segmenting prostate in MR images. Image registration is needed to trans- fer expert-dened ground-truth prostate segmentation from atlases onto target image. However, registration is rendered dicult in this dataset, due to dierent images having dierent eld of view (FOV), dierent imaging protocol (from multiple imaging centers), large anatomical vari- ability around prostate and large pathologic variability (some having enlarged prostate or prostate cancer). To overcome these limitations, we propose a "zooming process" for multi-atlas-based prostate segmenta- tion. We rst register all atlases onto target image to obtain an initial segmentation of the prostate. This step includes robust registration, atlas selection and majority-based label fusion. Then, we "zoom-in": re-run all atlas-to-target registrations, but this time restricting the registration to the vicinity of the prostate, ignoring compounding structures that are far away from the prostate and are largely variable. As a result, we can expect more accurate registrations and hence rened prostate segmen- tation. Our cross-validated results show improvement in segmentation by robust registration and atlas selection, compared to using all atlases. Additional improvement is observed when zooming in and focusing on registration of the prostate vicinity. We report average 0.84 dice overlap with expert-dened prostate segmentation in training subjects. Accuracy in testing datasets will be released by organizers of this challenge.
Exploring the middle ground between environmental protection and economic growth

Public preference concerning the environment and the economy typically has been characterized as either pro-environmental protection or pro-economic development. Researchers and policymakers increasingly suggest that environmental protection and economic growth are not mutually exclusive. However, use of dichotomous-choice policy preference questions persists. This note empirically examines an alternative response format for the typical dichotomous-choice environmental/economic policy preference question and explores respondents’ stated policy preferences in light of their support for recycling. We find that most respondents do not view environmental protection and economic development policy goals to be mutually exclusive. Most respondents view economic growth and environmental protection as compatible suggesting a more heterogeneous view of the environment–economic relationship than oft reported. Hence excluding a middle response choice to the standard environment/economic policy preference question may add measurement error, increase item nonresponse, and fail to account for the views of respondents who view these goals as complementary.