Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DNA demethylating therapy reverts mesenchymal stromal cells derived from high risk myelodysplastic patients to a normal phenotype

CV, SOZ, KJG, SC, MLG, MR, PLPR, MTOC, IL, MLP, MS and FC: None. Carolina Villegas Da Ros Mariano Linares Garcia Sebastian Ortiz Zuluaga Karla Javier Gonzalez Sofia Costa Monica Roig Pedro Luis Perez Rodriguez Mayte Orero Castello Irene Luna Maria L opez-Pav ıa Magdalena Sanchez Felix Carbonell Department of Haematology, Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain. E-mail: caro.villegas. daros@gmail.com
Detection of leukemia and its types using image processing and machine learning

Leukemia (blood cancer) begins in the bone marrow and causes the formation of a large number of abnormal cells. The most common types of leukemia known are Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). This thesis makes an effort to devise a methodology for the detection of Leukemia using image processing techniques, thus automating the detection process. The dataset used comprises of 220 blood smear images of leukemic and non leukemic patients. The Image segmentation algorithms that have been used are k means clustering algorithm, Marker controlled watershed algorithm and HSV color based segmentation algorithm. The morphological components of normal and Leukemic lymphocytes differ significantly; hence various features have been extracted from the segmented lymphocyte images. The leukemia is further classified into its types and sub types by making use of the SVM classifier, which is a Machine Learning classifier. This thesis aims at detecting leukemia and determine whether it is AML, CML, CLL or ALL; thus taking the classification process one step further in the field of research, because most of the previous methods have been limited to the detection of leukemia or classifying it into one or two subtypes.
Seymour's second neighbourhood conjecture for quasi-transitive oriented graphs

Seymour's second neighbourhood conjecture asserts that every oriented graph has a vertex whose second out-neighbourhood is at least as large as its out-neighbourhood. In this paper, we prove that the conjecture holds for quasi-transitive oriented graphs, which is a superclass of tournaments and transitive acyclic digraphs. A digraph $D$ is called quasi-transitive is for every pair $xy,yz$ of arcs between distinct vertices $x,y,z$, $xz$ or $zx$ ("or" is inclusive here) is in $D$.
A novel non-canonical Wnt signature for prostate cancer aggressiveness

Activation of the Canonical Wnt pathway (CWP) has been linked to advanced and metastatic prostate cancer, whereas the Wnt5a-induced non-canonical Wnt pathway (NCWP) has been associated with both good and poor prognosis. A newly discovered NCWP, Wnt5/Fzd2, has been shown to induce epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancers, but has not been investigated in prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate if the CWP and NCWP, in combination with EMT, are associated with metabolic alterations, aggressive disease and biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer. An initial analysis was performed using integrated transcriptomics, ex vivo and in vivo metabolomics, and histopathology of prostatectomy samples (n=129), combined with at least five-year follow-up. This analysis detected increased activation of NCWP through Wnt5a/ Fzd2 as the most common mode of Wnt activation in prostate cancer. This activation was associated with increased expression of EMT markers and higher Gleason score. The transcriptional association between NCWP and EMT was confirmed in five other publicly available patient cohorts (1519 samples in total). A novel gene expression signature of concordant activation of NCWP and EMT (NCWP-EMT) was developed, and this signature was significantly associated with metastasis and shown to be a significant predictor of biochemical recurrence. The NCWP-EMT signature was also associated with decreased concentrations of the metabolites citrate and spermine, which have previously been linked to aggressive prostate cancer. Our results demonstrate the importance of NCWP and EMT in prostate cancer aggressiveness, suggest a novel gene signature for improved risk stratification, and give new molecular insight.
Synthesis, Characterization and Enhanced Sensing Properties of a NiO/ZnO p–n Junctions Sensor for the SF6 Decomposition Byproducts SO2, SO2F2, and SOF2

The detection of partial discharge and analysis of the composition and content of sulfur hexafluoride SF6 gas components are important to evaluate the operating state and insulation level of gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) equipment. This paper reported a novel sensing material made of pure ZnO and NiO-decorated ZnO nanoflowers which were synthesized by a facile and environment friendly hydrothermal process for the detection of SF6 decomposition byproducts. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the structural and morphological properties of the prepared gas-sensitive materials. Planar-type chemical gas sensors were fabricated and their gas sensing performances toward the SF6 decomposition byproducts SO2, SO2F2, and SOF2 were systemically investigated. Interestingly, the sensing behaviors of the fabricated ZnO nanoflowers-based sensor to SO2, SO2F2, and SOF2 gases can be obviously enhanced in terms of lower optimal operating temperature, higher gas response and shorter response-recovery time by introducing NiO. Finally, a possible gas sensing mechanism for the formation of the p–n junctions between NiO and ZnO is proposed to explain the enhanced gas response. All results demonstrate a promising approach to fabricate high-performance gas sensors to detect SF6 decomposition byproducts.
α-Conotoxin Vc1.1 inhibits human dorsal root ganglion neuroexcitability and mouse colonic nociception via GABAB receptors

Objective α-Conotoxin Vc1.1 is a small disulfide-bonded peptide from the venom of the marine cone snail Conus victoriae. Vc1.1 has antinociceptive actions in animal models of neuropathic pain, but its applicability to inhibiting human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuroexcitability and reducing chronic visceral pain (CVP) is unknown. Design We determined the inhibitory actions of Vc1.1 on human DRG neurons and on mouse colonic sensory afferents in healthy and chronic visceral hypersensitivity (CVH) states. In mice, visceral nociception was assessed by neuronal activation within the spinal cord in response to noxious colorectal distension (CRD). Quantitative-reverse-transcription-PCR, single-cell-reverse-transcription-PCR and immunohistochemistry determined γ-aminobutyric acid receptor B (GABABR) and voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV2.2, CaV2.3) expression in human and mouse DRG neurons. Results Vc1.1 reduced the excitability of human DRG neurons, whereas a synthetic Vc1.1 analogue that is inactive at GABABR did not. Human DRG neurons expressed GABABR and its downstream effector channels CaV2.2 and CaV2.3. Mouse colonic DRG neurons exhibited high GABABR, CaV2.2 and CaV2.3 expression, with upregulation of the CaV2.2 exon-37a variant during CVH. Vc1.1 inhibited mouse colonic afferents ex vivo and nociceptive signalling of noxious CRD into the spinal cord in vivo, with greatest efficacy observed during CVH. A selective GABABR antagonist prevented Vc1.1-induced inhibition, whereas blocking both CaV2.2 and CaV2.3 caused inhibition comparable with Vc1.1 alone. Conclusions Vc1.1-mediated activation of GABABR is a novel mechanism for reducing the excitability of human DRG neurons. Vc1.1-induced activation of GABABR on the peripheral endings of colonic afferents reduces nociceptive signalling. The enhanced antinociceptive actions of Vc1.1 during CVH suggest it is a novel candidate for the treatment for CVP.
Design of a Cascade Backward-Wave Oscillator Based on Metamaterial Slow-Wave Structure

An innovative complementary electric split-ring resonator metamaterial (MTM) structure applied as the slow-wave circuit for a cascade backward-wave oscillator (CBWO) operating in C-band is studied in this paper. The idea of a drift tube in a multiresonant cavity extended interaction klystron is borrowed to design a novel backward-wave oscillator (BWO). The construction of this device features two BWOs separated by a short cutoff waveguide for permitting the flow of the electron beam and stopping the electromagnetic wave. The high-frequency characteristics are analyzed and optimized by using a high-frequency structure simulator and computer simulation technology (CST). Meanwhile, the S-parameter retrieval approach is used to retrieve the effective permittivity and permeability. In addition, the CST code is adopted to investigate the performance of the MTM-based CBWO. The particle-in-cell simulation results show that the novel CBWO is capable of achieving over 51.77% electronic efficiency from 4.8344 to 4.8687 GHz. Meanwhile, the maximum electronic efficiency can reach 82.44%, corresponding to a peak output power of 14.51 MW at 4.8466 GHz. These results indicate that the MTM-based CBWO proposed in this paper has the characteristic of miniaturization, manufacturability, and high electronic efficiency.
A J2–J3 approach in plastic and damage description of ductile materials

This paper illustrates a methodology to improve the description of the plastic behavior and the fracture prediction for ductile materials under complex loading conditions. To this purpose, a plasticity model and a damage estimation model are proposed. The former, differently from the classic J2 plasticity theory, takes into account the effect of the third deviatoric invariant on the plastic flow. The latter assumes that damage accumulation is governed by both stress triaxiality and deviatoric parameters, and takes advantage of the new plasticity formulation. The two models rely on the same theoretical foundation, where a specific function is invoked to describe the subsequent yield surfaces and the damage accumulation up to fracture. Both have been implemented into a commercial finite element code via user subroutines. Three steel alloys have been tested under very different stress states: tensile tests on smooth and round notched bars, plane strain tests, torsion tests, and combined tension–torsion tests on hollow and solid cylindrical bars have been executed. For the last ones, several tension—torsion-loading ratios have been applied. These kinds of tests allow to explore a wide domain of the governing parameters for both models. The experimental results from tensile and torsion tests are used to calibrate the proposed plasticity model and the damage model; combined tests are used for validation purposes. The experimental–numerical comparison of global quantities made by using a standard plasticity approach confirms the need for a more accurate plastic description in the large strain range. The proposed plasticity model is able to provide a very good match until fracture for all tests available. Moreover, the damage model has the potential to take into account the experimental evidence, predicting the fracture initiation accurately. In particular, its validation by using tension–torsion tests shows to be really significant.
Energy Efficient Relay Matching With Bottleneck Effect Elimination Power Adjusting for Full-Duplex Relay Assisted D2D Networks Using mmWave Technology

In the fifth-generation (5G) of the wireless communication systems, the millimeter wave (mmWave)-based device-to-device (D2D) communication is a promising technique to boost the end-to-end capacity. However, the well-known blockage and high path loss problems of the mmWave severely restrict the reachability of the D2D communication. Therefore, the relaying transmission scheme becomes a necessary component to complete the puzzle of the technologies for 5G. In this paper, we aim to boost the energy efficiency (EE) of the full-duplex relay-aided mmWave D2D communications. To achieve this goal, the nonlinear fractional programming-based iterative power allocation algorithm is first developed to optimize the EE. Then, on top of it, the bottle-neck effect elimination power (BEEP) adjusting method is proposed to further reduce the transmission power while maintaining the end-to-end capacity. By combining these techniques with the properly designed matching algorithm, we propose the EE relaying with the BEEP (BEEPER) algorithm. Via the simulation results, the superior performance of the BEEPER algorithm is verified.
A comprehensive review of regulatory test methods for endocrine adverse health effects

Abstract Development of new endocrine disruption-relevant test methods has been the subject of intensive research efforts for the past several decades, prompted in part by mandates in the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). While scientific understanding and test methods have advanced, questions remain on whether current scientific methods are capable of adequately addressing the complexities of the endocrine system for regulatory health and ecological risk assessments. The specific objective of this article is to perform a comprehensive, detailed evaluation of the adequacy of current test methods to inform regulatory risk assessments of whether a substance has the potential to perturb endocrine-related pathways resulting in human adverse effects. To that end, approximately 42 existing test guidelines (TGs) were considered in the evaluation of coverage for endocrine-related adverse effects. In addition to evaluations of whether test methods are adequate to capture endocrine-related effects, considerations of further enhancements to current test methods, along with the need to develop novel test methods to address existing test method gaps are described. From this specific evaluation, up to 35 test methods are capable of informing whether a chemical substance perturbs known endocrine related biological pathways. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that current validated test methods are adequate to discern substances that may perturb the endocrine system, resulting in an adverse health effect. Together, these test methods predominantly form the core data requirements of a typical food-use pesticide registration submission. It is recognized, however, that the current state of science is rapidly advancing and there is a need to update current test methods to include added enhancements to ensure continued coverage and public health and environmental protection.
Fifty Shades of Green: Pathway to Healthy Urban Living

Currently half the world population lives in cities, and this proportion is expected to increase rapidly to 70% over the next years. Over the years, we have created large, mostly grey cities with many high-rise buildings and little green space. Disease rates tend to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas. More green space in cities could reduce these rates. Here, we describe the importance of green space for health, and make recommendations for further research. Green space has been associated with many beneficial health effects, including reduced all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and improved mental health, possibly through mediators, such as reduced air pollution, temperature and stress, and increased physical activity, social contacts, and restoration. Additional studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base and provide further guidelines to transport planners, urban planners, and landscape architects. We need more longitudinal studies and intervention studies, further understanding of the contribution of various mechanisms toward health, and more information on susceptible populations and on where, when, how much, and what type of green space is needed. Also needed are standardized methods for green space quality assessments and evaluations of effectiveness of green prescriptions in clinical practice. Many questions are ideally suited for environmental epidemiologists, who should work with other stakeholders to address the right questions and translate knowledge into action. In conclusion, a growing evidence base supports the hypothesis that greener cities are healthier cities.
Risk of Incident Cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Starting Anti-TNF Therapy While Having Recent Malignancy

Background:Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and history of malignancy within the last 5 years are usually contraindicated for receiving anti–tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents. The aim of this study is to assess survival without incident cancer in a cohort of IBD patients exposed to anti-TNF while having previous malignancy within past 5 years. Methods:Data from IBD patients with previous malignancy diagnosed within the last 5 years before starting an anti-TNF agent were collected through a Groupe d'Etude Thérapeutiques des Affections Inflammatoires du tube Digestif multicenter survey. Inclusion date corresponded to the first anti-TNF administration after cancer diagnosis. Results:Twenty centers identified 79 cases of IBD patients with previous malignancy diagnosed 17 months (median; range: 1–65) before inclusion. The most frequent cancer locations were breast (n = 17) and skin (n = 15). After a median follow-up of 21 (range: 1–119) months, 15 (19%) patients developed incident cancer (8 recurrent and 7 new cancers), including 5 basal-cell carcinomas. Survival without incident cancer was 96%, 86%, and 66% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively. Crude incidence rate of cancer was 84.5 (95% CI, 83.1–85.8) per 1000 patient-years. Conclusions:In a population of refractory IBD patients with recent malignancy, anti-TNF could be used taking into account a mild risk of incident cancer. Pending prospective and larger studies, a case-by-case joint decision taken with the oncologist is recommended for managing these patients in daily practice.
Accurate Analysis of Target Characteristic in Bistatic SAR Images: A Dihedral Corner Reflectors Case

The dihedral corner reflectors are the basic geometric structure of many targets and are the main contributions of radar cross section (RCS) in the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. In stealth technologies, the elaborate design of the dihedral corners with different opening angles is a useful approach to reduce the high RCS generated by multiple reflections. As bistatic synthetic aperture sensors have flexible geometric configurations and are sensitive to the dihedral corners with different opening angles, they specially fit for the stealth target detections. In this paper, the scattering characteristic of dihedral corner reflectors is accurately analyzed in bistatic synthetic aperture images. The variation of RCS with the changing opening angle is formulated and the method to design a proper bistatic radar for maximizing the detection capability is provided. Both the results of the theoretical analysis and the experiments show the bistatic SAR could detect the dihedral corners, under a certain bistatic angle which is related to the geometry of target structures.
Aging Affects Adaptation to Sound-Level Statistics in Human Auditory Cortex

Optimal perception requires efficient and adaptive neural processing of sensory input. Neurons in nonhuman mammals adapt to the statistical properties of acoustic feature distributions such that they become sensitive to sounds that are most likely to occur in the environment. However, whether human auditory responses adapt to stimulus statistical distributions and how aging affects adaptation to stimulus statistics is unknown. We used MEG to study how exposure to different distributions of sound levels affects adaptation in auditory cortex of younger (mean: 25 years; n = 19) and older (mean: 64 years; n = 20) adults (male and female). Participants passively listened to two sound-level distributions with different modes (either 15 or 45 dB sensation level). In a control block with long interstimulus intervals, allowing neural populations to recover from adaptation, neural response magnitudes were similar between younger and older adults. Critically, both age groups demonstrated adaptation to sound-level stimulus statistics, but adaptation was altered for older compared with younger people: in the older group, neural responses continued to be sensitive to sound level under conditions in which responses were fully adapted in the younger group. The lack of full adaptation to the statistics of the sensory environment may be a physiological mechanism underlying the known difficulty that older adults have with filtering out irrelevant sensory information. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Behavior requires efficient processing of acoustic stimulation. Animal work suggests that neurons accomplish efficient processing by adjusting their response sensitivity depending on statistical properties of the acoustic environment. Little is known about the extent to which this adaptation to stimulus statistics generalizes to humans, particularly to older humans. We used MEG to investigate how aging influences adaptation to sound-level statistics. Listeners were presented with sounds drawn from sound-level distributions with different modes (15 vs 45 dB). Auditory cortex neurons adapted to sound-level statistics in younger and older adults, but adaptation was incomplete in older people. The data suggest that the aging auditory system does not fully capitalize on the statistics available in sound environments to tune the perceptual system dynamically.
NGS of Virus-Derived Small RNAs as a Diagnostic Method Used to Determine Viromes of Hungarian Vineyards

As virus diseases cannot be controlled by traditional plant protection methods, the risk of their spread have to be minimized on vegetatively propagated plants, such as grapevine. Metagenomic approaches used for virus diagnostics offer a unique opportunity to reveal the presence of all viral pathogens in the investigated plant, which is why their application can reduce the risk of using infected material for a new plantation. Here we used a special branch, deep sequencing of virus-derived small RNAs, of this high-throughput method for virus diagnostics, and determined viromes of vineyards in Hungary. With NGS of virus-derived small RNAs we could detect not only the viruses tested routinely, but also new ones, which had never been described in Hungary before. Virus presence did not correlate with the age of the plantation, moreover phylogenetic analysis of the identified virus isolates suggests that infections are mostly caused by the use of infected propagating material. Our results, validated by other molecular methods, raised further questions to be answered before this method can be introduced as a routine, reliable test for grapevine virus diagnostics.
RF Energy Absorption by Biological Tissues in Close Proximity to Millimeter-Wave 5G Wireless Equipment

In this paper, mechanisms of RF energy absorption by body tissue in close proximity to wireless equipment, are studied using numerical simulations at frequencies above 24 GHz. It is shown that at millimeter-wave (mmW) frequencies, of relevance for 5G mobile communications, and for realistic source to body separation distances, the contribution from the reactive near-field to the energy deposition in the tissue is small. Furthermore, the interaction between the source and the exposed body is modest. The results suggest that the effects of the near-field body interactions are small when evaluating electromagnetic field compliance at mmW frequencies.