Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metastatic Tumor Dormancy in Cutaneous Melanoma: Does Surgery Induce Escape?

According to the concept of tumor dormancy, tumor cells may exist as single cells or microscopic clusters of cells that are clinically undetectable, but remain viable and have the potential for malignant outgrowth. At metastatic sites, escape from tumor dormancy under more favorable local microenvironmental conditions or through other, yet undefined stimuli, may account for distant recurrence after supposed “cure” following surgical treatment of the primary tumor. The vast majority of evidence to date in support of the concept of tumor dormancy originates from animal studies; however, extensive epidemiologic data from breast cancer strongly suggests that this process does occur in human disease. In this review, we aim to demonstrate that metastatic tumor dormancy does exist in cutaneous melanoma based on evidence from mouse models and clinical observations of late recurrence and occult transmission by organ transplantation. Experimental data underscores the critical role of impaired angiogenesis and immune regulation as major mechanisms for maintenance of tumor dormancy. Finally, we examine evidence for the role of surgery in promoting escape from tumor dormancy at metastatic sites in cutaneous melanoma.
Dietary fruits and vegetables and cardiovascular diseases risk

ABSTRACT Diet is likely to be an important determinant of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. In this article, we will review the evidence linking the consumption of fruit and vegetables and CVD risk. The initial evidence that fruit and vegetable consumption has a protective effect against CVD came from observational studies. However, uncertainty remains about the magnitude of the benefit of fruit and vegetable intake on the occurrence of CVD and whether the optimal intake is five portions or greater. Results from randomized controlled trials do not show conclusively that fruit and vegetable intake protects against CVD, in part because the dietary interventions have been of limited intensity to enable optimal analysis of their putative effects. The protective mechanisms of fruit and vegetables may not only include some of the known bioactive nutrient effects dependent on their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and electrolyte properties, but also include their functional properties, such as low glycemic load and energy density. Taken together, the totality of the evidence accumulated so far does appear to support the notion that increased intake of fruits and vegetables may reduce cardiovascular risk. It is clear that fruit and vegetables should be eaten as part of a balanced diet, as a source of vitamins, fiber, minerals, and phytochemicals. The evidence now suggests that a complicated set of several nutrients may interact with genetic factors to influence CVD risk. Therefore, it may be more important to focus on whole foods and dietary patterns rather than individual nutrients to successfully impact on CVD risk reduction. A clearer understanding of the relationship between fruit and vegetable intake and cardiovascular risk would provide health professionals with significant information in terms of public health and clinical practice.
CATCH Court: Changing Actions to Change Habits—A Preliminary Evaluation Study

ABSTRACT This preliminary evaluation study reports on the Changing Actions to Change Habits (CATCH) specialized docket in Franklin County, Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 2009 for human-trafficking victims, including victims of sexual exploitation, CATCH blends punitive sentences with a 2-year treatment-oriented nonadversarial program for participants with multiple services for physical and psychological problems. From 2009 to 2013, CATCH served 130 participants (12% graduation rate). In this mixed-method study, data were collected from court records, a participant survey, and participant focus group. The five quantitative goals and objectives were partially met. Program completers had fewer jail days, arrests, and recidivism and had improved employment/volunteer/educational status than noncompleters with statistically significant lower recidivism for completers. Qualitative analysis revealed one major theme regarding the program, “It Works! ” and eight subthemes: Caring, Support, No Judgments, Growing Self-Esteem, Physical and Emotional Help, Improved Family Relationships, Hope: From Victim to Victor, and Life Saving. Correspondences were evident in the quantitative survey and qualitative findings. Recommendations for further research include more frequent and discrete court data collection, larger sample sizes, and additional individual in-depth interviews. The success of the CATCH program to date supports its use as a model for similar courts in Ohio and nationally.
Exploring the Use of the Teaching Dimensions Observation Protocol to Develop Fine‐grained Measures of Interactive Teaching in Undergraduate Science Classrooms

to Develop Fine-grained Measures of Interactive Teaching in Undergraduate Science Classrooms (WCER Working Paper 2013-6). Retrieved from University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin Center for Education Research website: http://www.wcer. wisc.edu/publications/workingPapers/papers.php Exploring the Use of the Teaching Dimensions Observation Protocol to Develop Fine‐grained Measures of Interactive Teaching in Undergraduate Science Classrooms
The DooDB Graphical Password Database: Data Analysis and Benchmark Results

We present DooDB, a doodle database containing data from 100 users captured with a touch screen-enabled mobile device under realistic conditions following a systematic protocol. The database contains two corpora: 1) doodles and 2) pseudo-signatures, which are simplified finger-drawn versions of the handwritten signature. The dataset includes genuine samples and forgeries, produced under worst-case conditions, where attackers have visual access to the drawing process. Statistical and qualitative analyzes of the data are presented, comparing doodles and pseudo-signatures to handwritten signatures. Time variability, learning curves, and discriminative power of different features are also studied. Verification performance against forgeries is analyzed using state-of-the-art algorithms and benchmark results are provided.
MULTIPATH MITIGATION BY WAVELET ANALYSIS FOR GPS BASE STATION APPLICATIONS

Abstract It is well known that multipath disturbance is one of the major error sources impacting on high precision GPS positioning. The multipath disturbance is largely dependent on the receiver's environment since satellite signals can arrive at the receiver via multiple paths, due to reflections from nearby objects such as trees, buildings, vehicles, etc. Although the multipath effect can be reduced by choosing sites without multipath reflectors or by using choke-ring antennas to mitigate the reflected signal, it is difficult to eliminate all multipath effects from GPS observations. Since the geometry between the GPS satellites and a specific receiver-reflector location repeats every sidereal day, multipath tends to exhibit the same pattern between consecutive days. This repetition can then be useful for verifying the presence of multipath through the analysis of observations made at a static receiver on different days. In this study, the authors apply a wavelet decomposition technique to extract multipath from GPS observations. The extracted multipath signature is then applied directly to the GPS observations to correct for the multipath effects. The results show that the proposed method can be used to significantly mitigate the multipath effects at a permanent GPS station.
A Two-Factor Model for Stochastic Mortality With Parameter Uncertainty: Theory and Calibration

In this paper we consider the evolution of the post-60 mortality curve in the UK and its impact on the pricing of the risk associated with mortality improvements over time: so-called longevity risk. We introduce a two-factor stochastic model for the development of this curve through time. The flrst factor afiects mortality-rate dynamics at all ages in the same way, whereas the second factor afiects mortality-rate dynamics at higher ages much more than at lower ages. The paper then examines the pricing of longevity bonds with difierent terms to maturity referenced to difierent cohorts. We flnd that longevity risk over relativelyshort time horizons is very low, but at horizons in excess of 10 years it begins to pick up very rapidly. We propose a method for risk-adjusting the market price of a longevity bond which includes an allowance for parameter risk in the stochastic mortality model. We utilise the pricing information contained in the November 2004 European Investment Bank longevity bond to make inferences about the likely market prices of the risks in the model. Based on these, we investigate how future issues might be priced to ensure an absence of arbitrage between bonds with difierent characteristics.
A recurrent neural network approach for 3D vision-based force estimation

Robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery has demonstrated its benefits in comparison with traditional procedures. However, one of the major drawbacks of current robotic system approaches is the lack of force feedback. Apart from space restrictions, the main problems of using force sensors are their high cost and the biocompatibility. In this work a proposal based on Vision Based Force Measurement is presented, in which the deformation mapping of the tissue is obtained using the ℓ2 - Regularized Optimization class, and the force is estimated via a recurrent neural network that has as inputs the kinematic variables and the deformation mapping. Moreover, the capability of RNN for predicting time series is used in order to deal with tool occlusions. The highlights of this proposal, according to the results, are: knowledge of material properties are not necessary, there is no need of adding extra sensors and a good trade-off between accuracy and efficiency has been achieved.
Induction of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-Specific CD8 T-Cell Responses by Listeria monocytogenes and a Hyperattenuated Listeria Strain Engineered To Express HIV Antigens

ABSTRACT Induction of cell-mediated immunity may be essential for an effective AIDS vaccine. Listeria monocytogenes is an attractive bacterial vector to elicit T-cell immunity to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) because it specifically infects monocytes, key antigen-presenting cells, and because natural infection originates at the mucosa. Immunization with recombinant L. monocytogenes has been shown to protect mice from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, influenza virus, and tumor inoculation.L. monocytogenes expressing HIV gag elicits sustained high levels of Gag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in mice. We have examined the ability of Listeria to infect human monocytes and present HIV antigens to CD8 T lymphocytes of HIV-infected donors to induce a secondary T-cell immune response. Using this in vitro vaccination protocol, we show that L. monocytogenes expressing the HIV-1 gag gene efficiently provides a strong stimulus for Gag-specific CTLs in HIV-infected donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells.Listeria expressing Nef also elicits a secondary in vitro anti-Nef CTL response. Since L. monocytogenes is a pathogen, before it can be seriously considered as a human vaccine vector, safety concerns must be addressed. We therefore have produced a highly attenuated strain of L. monocytogenes that requiresd-alanine for viability. The recombinant bacteria are attenuated at least 105-fold. We show that when these hyperattenuated bacteria are engineered to express HIV-1 Gag, they are at least as efficient at stimulating Gag-specific human CTLs in vitro as wild-type recombinants. These results suggest that attenuatedListeria is an attractive candidate vaccine vector to induce T-cell immunity to HIV in humans.
RACIAL , ETHNIC , AND GENDER DISPARITIES IN SENTENCING : EVIDENCE FROM THE U . S . FEDERAL COURTS

This paper examines 77,236 federal offenders sentenced under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 and concludes the following. First, after controlling for extensive criminological, demographic, and socioeconomic variables, I found that blacks, males, and offenders with low levels of education and income receive substantially longer sentences. Second, disparities are primarily generated by departures from the guidelines, rather than differential sentencing within the guidelines. Departures produce about 55 percent of the black-white difference and 70 percent of the male-female difference. Third, although black-white disparities occur across offenses, the largest differences are for drug trafficking. The Hispanic-white disparity is generated primarily by those convicted of drug trafficking and firearm possession/trafficking. Last, blacks and males are also less likely to get no prison term when that option is available; less likely to receive downward departures; and more likely to receive upward adjustments and, conditioned on having a downward departure, receive smaller reductions than whites and females.
Effects of High Cholesterol Diet and Parallel Chronic Exercise on Erythrocyte Primary Antioxidant Enzymes and Plasma total Antioxidant Capacity In Dutch Rabbits

xercise is a deterrent of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis, but the mechanisms by which exercise reduces atherogenic risk remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of chronic exercise and/or high cholesterol diet on primary antioxidant enzymes and plasma total antioxidant capacity in Dutch rabbits. Materials and Methods: 60 male Dutch white rabbits were divided into four groups: The normal diet control (NC), normal diet with exercise (NE), high-cholesterol diet control (HC) and high cholesterol diet with exercise (HE). Animals in high cholesterol diet groups were fed 2% cholesterol rabbit chow for 8 weeks. Animals of exercise groups ran on a treadmill at 0.88 km/h for 10 –60 min/day, 5 day/week, and 8 weeks in total. At the end of experiments, blood samples were drawn from vena cavae and were used for determination of Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) activities in red cells, plasma Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), Malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum cholesterol profile. Thoracic aorta and carotid arteries were isolated for histological examination to evaluate atherosclerosis. Results: We found that 8 weeks of chronic exercise reduced atherogenic diet-induced atherosclerotic lesions in all arteries along with positive changes in cholesterol profile especially increase of serum HDL-C level. Plasma MDA and TAC concentrations were enhanced by exercise in the both normal and hypercholesterolemic groups. Erythrocyte catalase activity was increased significantly by chronic exercise (P<0.05), whereas total SOD activity rose with exercise only in the control group. Surprisingly, GPX activity was significantly decreased in response to exercise in the control group and also in the high cholesterol diet group. Conclusion: It is speculated that exercise is an appropriate method for prevention and regression of atherosclerosis that accompanies enhancement of plasma TAC and positive changes in serum cholesterol profile; the exercise effects on red cell antioxidant activities is however more limited in hypercholesterolemic animals as compared to normal ones possibly in part because of alterations in the ability to adapt to exercise– induced oxidative stress in the high cholesterol diet.
Exploring the Nature of Compensation Strategies in Individuals With Dyslexia

Some individuals with developmental dyslexia are able to acquire age-appropriate reading comprehension abilities by the time they reach postsecondary education. This study explored the role that study strategies have with secondary students with dyslexia in achieving age-appropriate reading comprehension skills. The findings of this study indicated that study strategies were not significant predictors of reading comprehension abilities, though cognitive ability was a robust predictor. Furthermore, oral reading fluency was not a significant predictor. These findings further support that as words become more complex, oral reading fluency may not be related to reading comprehension. Practical implications and suggestions for future directions in this area are discussed.
CD16+ Monocyte Subset Was Enriched and Functionally Exacerbated in Driving T-Cell Activation and B-Cell Response in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background The roles that CD16+ monocyte subset plays in T-cell activation and B-cell response have not been well studied in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Objective The present study aimed to investigate the distribution of CD16+ monocyte subsets in SLE and explore their possible roles in T-cell activation and B-cell differentiation. Methods The frequencies of monocyte subsets in the peripheral blood of healthy controls (HCs) and patients with SLE were determined by flow cytometry. Monocyte subsets were sorted and cocultured with CD4+ T cells and CD19+ B cells. Then, T and B cells were collected for different subset detection, while the supernatants were collected for immunoglobulin G, IgA, and IgM or interferon-γ and interleukin-17A detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Our results showed that CD16+ monocytes exhibited a proinflammatory phenotype with elevated CD80, CD86, HLA-DR, and CX3CR1 expression on the cell surface. It’s further demonstrated that CD16+ monocytes from patients and HCs shared different cell-surface marker profiles. The CD16+ subset was enriched in SLE and had an exacerbated capacity to promote CD4+ T cell polarization into a Th17 phenotype. Also, CD16+ monocytes had enhanced impacts on CD19+ B cells to differentiate into plasma B cells and regulatory B cells with more Ig production. Conclusion This study demonstrated that CD16+ monocytes, characterized by different cell-surface marker profiles, were enriched and played a critical role in driving the pathogenic T- and B-cell responses in patients with SLE.
Applying Quantum Cascade Laser Spectroscopy in Plasma Diagnostics

The considerably higher power and wider frequency coverage available from quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) in comparison to lead salt diode lasers has led to substantial advances when QCLs are used in pure and applied infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, they can be used in both pulsed and continuous wave (cw) operation, opening up new possibilities in quantitative time resolved applications in plasmas both in the laboratory and in industry as shown in this article. However, in order to determine absolute concentrations accurately using pulsed QCLs, careful attention has to be paid to features like power saturation phenomena. Hence, we begin with a discussion of the non-linear effects which must be considered when using short or long pulse mode operation. More recently, cw QCLs have been introduced which have the advantage of higher power, better spectral resolution and lower fluctuations in light intensity compared to pulsed devices. They have proved particularly useful in sensing applications in plasmas when very low concentrations have to be monitored. Finally, the use of cw external cavity QCLs (EC-QCLs) for multi species detection is described, using a diagnostics study of a methane/nitrogen plasma as an example. The wide frequency coverage of this type of QCL laser, which is significantly broader than from a distributed feedback QCL (DFB-QCL), is a substantial advantage for multi species detection. Therefore, cw EC-QCLs are state of the art devices and have enormous potential for future plasma diagnostic studies.
Adaptor protein 2–mediated endocytosis of the β-secretase BACE1 is dispensable for amyloid precursor protein processing

An adaptor protein complex, AP-2, is involved in the endocytosis of β-secretase (BACE1) via the clathrin-dependent machinery. Endosomal targeting of either the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and/or BACE1 is expendable for the amyloidogenic processing of APP.
Energy Efficient Approach for In-Network Aggregation in Wireless Sensor Networks

The term Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is nothing but collection of small sensor devices without any physical infrastructure used for communication. The communication in this network is done by radio frequencies and wireless routing. In WSN, data aggregation is main task which is used to collect information from sensor nodes on behalf of sink node. In-network aggregation is nothing but global process of gathering and routing information through a multihop network, processing data at intermediate nodes with the objective of reducing resource consumption (in particular energy), thereby increasing network lifetime. For efficient data aggregation there are many methods presented by researchers with goal of improving energy efficiency. DRINA was the recent and most efficient technique for In-network aggregation for wireless sensor networks in terms of scalability, delivery efficiency, aggregation rate, and aggregated data delivery rate. DRINA has delivered the best performances against the existing methods like SPT. In this paper we are instigating the performances of DRINA approach by extending for routing efficiency. We will presented the evaluation of this proposed DRINA against the SPT in terms of average throughput, end to end delay, packet delivery ratio and average energy consumption for scalable and varying network scenarios. For routing efficiency we proposed new algorithm as addition in DRINA. Hence this new protocol is named as Improved DRINA (IDRINA). Our simulations studied with carry using NS2.
Do Consumers Recall Products’ Warning Labels? A Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis is a statistical technique that allows one to combine the results from multiple studies to glean inferences on the overall importance of a certain phenomenon. This study employs a substantive metaanalysis approach to quantitatively summarize the results of empirical studies of the direct impact of products’ warning labels on consumers’ recall. When all the available estimates are combined and averaged, there seems to be a genuine and positive effect of warning labels on consumers’ recall (average effect size = 0.34, aggregate n = 1882). The findings of this study significantly refine the body of knowledge concerning the impact of products’ warning labels on consumers’ recall, and thereby offer an improved conceptual framework for marketers and warning label designers
On the suitability of dead reckoning schemes for games

A major problem of network-based multiplayer games (and other distributed virtual environments) is caused by the network transmission delay. This delay leads to inconsistency and other problems. Dead reckoning is often used to reduce the effects of network induced delays and losses by applying prediction means. The quality of the prediction and, hence, the consistency of the distributed game, depends on the difference between the real and the predicted position of some objects. In this paper we discuss prediction methods for games and study their usefulness in regard to different game types (genre) like Sport, 3D-Action and racing games. Using implementations, the methods are evaluated experimentally.