Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reproducibility and Repeatability of Semiquantitative 18F-Fluorodihydrotestosterone Uptake Metrics in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Metastases: A Prospective Multicenter Study

18F-fluorodihydrotestosterone (18F-FDHT) is a radiolabeled analog of the androgen receptor’s primary ligand that is currently being credentialed as a biomarker for prognosis, response, and pharmacodynamic effects of new therapeutics. As part of the biomarker qualification process, we prospectively assessed its reproducibility and repeatability in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Methods: We conducted a prospective multiinstitutional study of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients undergoing 2 (test/retest) 18F-FDHT PET/CT scans on 2 consecutive days. Two independent readers evaluated all examinations and recorded SUVs, androgen receptor–positive tumor volumes, and total lesion uptake for the most avid lesion detected in each of 32 predefined anatomic regions. The relative absolute difference and reproducibility coefficient (RC) of each metric were calculated between the test and retest scans. Linear regression analyses, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and Bland–Altman plots were used to evaluate repeatability of 18F-FDHT metrics. The coefficient of variation and ICC were used to assess interobserver reproducibility. Results: Twenty-seven patients with 140 18F-FDHT–avid regions were included. The best repeatability among 18F-FDHT uptake metrics was found for SUV metrics (SUVmax, SUVmean, and SUVpeak), with no significant differences in repeatability among them. Correlations between the test and retest scans were strong for all SUV metrics (R2 ≥ 0.92; ICC ≥ 0.97). The RCs of the SUV metrics ranged from 21.3% (SUVpeak) to 24.6% (SUVmax). The test and retest androgen receptor–positive tumor volumes and TLU, respectively, were highly correlated (R2 and ICC ≥ 0.97), although variability was significantly higher than that for SUV (RCs > 46.4%). The prostate-specific antigen levels, Gleason score, weight, and age did not affect repeatability, nor did total injected activity, uptake measurement time, or differences in uptake time between the 2 scans. Including the most avid lesion per patient, the 5 most avid lesions per patient, only lesions 4.2 mL or more, only lesions with an SUV of 4 g/mL or more, or normalizing of SUV to area under the parent plasma activity concentration–time curve did not significantly affect repeatability. All metrics showed high interobserver reproducibility (ICC > 0.98; coefficient of variation < 0.2%–10.8%). Conclusion: Uptake metrics derived from 18F-FDHT PET/CT show high repeatability and interobserver reproducibility.
Effects of Ectoparasitism on Behavioral Thermoregulation in the Tropical lizards Anolis cybotes (Squamata: Dactyloidae) and Anolis armouri (Squamata: Dactyloidae)

Abstract A febrile response, or a raised body temperature in response to infection, has been widely documented in various species of reptiles in laboratory trials. However, whether and how behavioral fever is achieved in nature remains almost entirely unknown. Here, we examine whether two species of lizard in the cybotoid clade of Hispaniolan trunk-ground anoles (Anolis cybotes and Anolis armouri) change their basking behavior in response to infestation by the chigger mite, Eutrombicula alfreddugesi. We examined body temperature and basking behavior in wild populations of A. cybotes and A. armouri from four localities that spanned a 2,000-m elevational transect in the Sierra de Baoruco, Dominican Republic. Although basking rate increased with elevation, we found that it did not correlate with mite load. Body temperature was also unrelated to parasite load. Thus, we found that E. alfreddugesi infestation did not induce behavioral fever in these anoles. We found a strong altitudinal pattern in chigger infestations: Infestations levels were highest in lizards from mid-elevation and dropped dramatically at low and high elevation (particularly in the latter). We discuss possible mechanisms for this altitudinal pattern in chigger infestation and discuss the relationship between infection and behavioral thermoregulation in lizards.
Intermediaries and Cybermediaries: A Continuing Role for Mediating Players in the Electronic Marketplace

The advent of nearly ubiquitous information infrastructures has led many to predict that one effect of electronic markets will be the bypassing of intermediaries in electronic markets. The ability of electronic networks to reduce transaction costs is the theoretical cause of this supposed trend. We suggest that, on the contrary, not only is it likely that widely available information infrastructures will reinforce the position of traditional intermediaries, but that networks will also promote the growth of a new generation of intermediaries. These new players, which we term "Cybermediaries," are organizations that perform the mediating tasks in the world of electronic commerce. We illustrate that the case for the elimination of intermediaries in the move to create direct producer-consumer links is based on questionable assumptions. We then examine functions of intermediaries that are not easily absorbed by producers. We describe some of the new forms of cybermediaries, noting the new needs that electronic commerce imposes on producers and consumers. We note that using a rational, economic logic rooted in transaction cost theory, it is equally plausible to conclude that more, rather than fewer intermediaries will be involved in electronic markets. Finally, we briefly highlight several social and institutional factors that also may mitigate against the elimination of intermediaries. This broader perspective of the role of intermediaries in the exchange process calls for incorporating consumer-centric and institutional perspectives into the discussion of the evolution of electronic market structures. Página 1 de 14 Intermediaries and Cybermediaries: Sarkar, Butler and Steinfield 11/10/01 http://www.ascusc. org/jcmc/vol1/issue3/sarkar.html
Mimicking floodplain reconnection and disconnection using 15 N mesocosm incubations

Abstract. Floodplain restoration changes the nitrate delivery pattern and dissolved organic matter pool in backwaters, though the effects these changes have are not yet well known. We performed two mesocosm experiments on floodplain sediments to quantify the nitrate metabolism in two types of floodplains. Rates of denitrification, dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) and anammox were measured using 15N-NO3 tracer additions in mesocosms of undisturbed floodplain sediments originating from (1) restored and (2) disconnected sites in the Alluvial Zone National Park on the Danube River downstream of Vienna, Austria. DNRA rates were an order of magnitude lower than denitrification and neither rate was affected by changes in nitrate delivery pattern or organic matter quality. Anammox was not detected at any of the sites. Denitrification was out-competed by assimilation, which was estimated to use up to 70% of the available nitrate. Overall, denitrification was higher in the restored sites, with mean rates of 5.7 ± 2.8 mmol N m−2 h−1 compared to the disconnected site (0.6 ± 0.5 mmol N m−2 h−1). In addition, ratios of N2O : N2 were lower in the restored site indicating a more complete denitrification. Nitrate addition had neither an effect on denitrification, nor on the N2O : N2 ratio. However, DOM (dissolved organic matter) quality significantly changed the N2O : N2 ratio in both sites. Addition of riverine-derived organic matter lowered the N2O : N2 ratio in the disconnected site, whereas addition of floodplain-derived organic matter increased the N2O : N2 ratio in the restored site. These results demonstrate that increasing floodplains hydrological connection to the main river channel increases nitrogen retention and decreases nitrous oxide emissions.
Multiple Description Coding With Prediction Compensation

A new multiple description coding paradigm is proposed by combining the time-domain lapped transform, block level source splitting, linear prediction, and prediction residual encoding. The method provides effective redundancy control and fully utilizes the source correlation. The joint optimization of all system components and the asymptotic performance analysis are presented. Image coding results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method, especially at low redundancies.
Challenges in day-to-day midwifery practice; a qualitative study from a regional referral hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

ABSTRACT Background: Maternal and infant mortality rates in Tanzania have decreased over the past decades, but remain high. One of the challenges the country faces, is the lack of skilled health care workers. High fertility rates make midwives and their patients particularly susceptible to stress as a result of understaffing. Objective: This paper explores the challenges midwives face in their day-to-day practice at a regional referral hospital in Tanzania, and investigates which measures the midwives themselves find necessary to implement to improve their situation. Methods: A qualitative study design with focus group discussions (FGDs) was employed to explore which challenges the midwives experienced. Each focus group consisted of five to six midwives. A FGD topic guide covering challenges, consequences, motivation, ideal situation and possible solutions was used. These data were analyzed using Systematic Text Condensation. Results: A total of 28 Midwives, six men and 22 women, participated in five FGDs. Four categories emerged from the collected material: Feelings of demoralization, shortage of resources, societal challenges and personal struggles. A feeling of demoralization was especially prevalent and was caused by a lack of support from the leaders and little appreciation from the patients. Shortage of resources, and shortage of personnel in particular, was also highlighted as it led to an excessive workload resulting in difficulties with providing adequate care. These difficulties were intensified by lack of equipment, facilities and a non-optimal organization of the healthcare system. Conclusion: The challenges revealed during the FGDs prevent the midwives from providing sufficient midwifery care. To improve the situation, measures such as supportive leadership, reduction of workload, increasing availability of equipment and increasing knowledge of reproductive health in society, should be taken.
ABO incompatibility and RhIG immunoprophylaxis protect against non‐D alloimmunization by pregnancy

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is caused by maternal antibodies against fetal red blood cell antigens, most often anti‐D, ‐K, or ‐c. ABO incompatibility between mother and child and anti‐D immunoprophylaxis (RhIG) are known to reduce the risk of D immunization and subsequent HDFN. However, no immunoprophylaxis has been developed to prevent non‐D immunizations.
Non-Canonical Activation of Nrf2 by Dimercaptopropanol as a Treatment for Huntington's Disease

ii Acknowledgments . iii Table of Contents . iv List of Abbreviations . vi List of Figures . viii Chapter 1 : Introduction . 1 1.1 Huntington’s Disease Overview . 1 1.2 Molecular Basis for HD . 3 1.3 Oxidative Stress in HD Neurodegeneration . 6 1.4 Activation of Nrf2 and the Antioxidant Response . 9 1.5 2,3-Dimercaptopropanol . 11 1.6 Hypothesis and Research Outline . 12 Chapter 2 : Materials and Methods . 14 2.1 Cell Lines . 14 2.2 Subcellular Fractionation and Immunoblot Analysis . 14 2.3 Immunofluorescence Microscopy . 16 2.4 Trypan Blue Exclusion Test . 17 2.5 MTT Assay . 18 2.6 Live/Dead Cell Viability/Toxicity Assay . 18 2.7 Mitochondrial ROS Quantification . 19 2.8 Transfection of Keap1-RFP and Nrf2-GFP Vectors . 20 Chapter 3 : Results . 21 3.1 DMP confers neuroprotection against 3-NP-induced cytotoxicity in striatal cell lines expressing full-length normal and polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin . 21
The Effects of Resistance Training on Muscle and Body Fat Mass and Muscle Strength in Type 2 Diabetic Women

Background Our goal was to investigate the effects of low intensity resistance training on body fat, muscle mass and strength, cardiovascular fitness, and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. Methods Twenty-eight overweight women with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to a resistance training group (RG, n = 13) or a control group (CG, n = 15). RG performed resistance training using elastic bands, of which strength was equal to 40 to 50% of one repetition maximum (1RM), for three days per week. Each exercise consisted of three sets for 60 minutes. We assessed abdominal fat using computed tomography, muscle mass using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and muscle strength using Keiser's chest and leg press. Insulin sensitivity was measured using the insulin tolerance test, and aerobic capacity was expressed as oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold (AT-VO2) before and after the 12-week exercise program. Results The age of participants was 56.4 ± 7.1 years, duration of diabetes was 5.9 ± 5.5 years, and BMI was 27.4 ± 2.5 kg/m2, without significant differences between two groups. During intervention, a greater increase in muscle mass and greater decreases in both total fat mass and abdominal fat were observed in RG compared to those of CG (P = 0.015, P = 0.011, P = 0.010, respectively). Increase in 1RM of upper and lower extremities was observed in the RG (P = 0.004, P = 0.040, respectively), without changes in AT-VO2 and insulin resistance in either group. Conclusion In conclusion, the low intensity resistance training was effective in increasing muscle mass and strength and reducing total fat mass without change of insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients.
On a nonhomogeneous quasilinear eigenvalue problem in sobolev spaces with variable exponent

We consider the nonlinear eigenvalue problem -div (|∇ u | p(x) - 2 ∇ u ) = λ( u ( q(x) - 2 u in Ω, u = 0 on ∂Ω, where Ω is a bounded open set in R N with smooth boundary and p, q are continuous functions on Ω such that 1 0 sufficiently small is an eigenvalue of the above nonhomogeneous quasilinear problem. The proof relies on simple variational arguments based on Ekeland's variational principle.
Geometric Verification using semi-2 D Constraints for 3 D Object Recognition

Geometric verification with epipolar geometry often results in high score for an incorrect image pair due to an ambiguity of its geometric constraints. The ambiguity is caused by high degree of freedom of epipolar geometry and weak constraint from the fitting between a point and a line. In order to mitigate the ambiguity, we propose to filter geometrically inconsistent components, namely correspondences, a sample, a model, and inliers in RANSAC-based geometric verification. For the filtering, we introduce novel semi-2D constraints whose geometric constraint is weaker than full-2D constraint, but stronger than pure-epipolar constraint. Additionally, an advantage of the proposed approach is that it requires only an image pair, neither additional information nor prior learning. Experiments on the public dataset containing 3D object images show that the proposed approach improves the true positive rate when the false positive rate is low, and greatly reduces computational time of the geometric verification for both a correct image pair and an incorrect image pair.
Factors Affecting Cloud Computing Adoption in Higher Education in Bangladesh: A Case of University of Dhaka

In the arena of education, Cloud computing is more apparent technology to ensure availability and sharing of resources through virtualization. To acquire benefit from this technology boon, it is important for an educational institution to identify the important factors that contribute on cloud computing adoption. So, this study has been conducted to identify the factors that will affect cloud computing adoption in educational sector. University of Dhaka is chosen as a case for this paper. Both primary and secondary sources are used for data collection. Seventeen potential factors are taken into consideration, on which survey has been conducted focusing primary sources. After performing multiple regression, variance inflation factor and factor analysis on data of primary source, six factors are identified as core factors to cloud computing adoption, these are- service availability, cloud control ability, resource need, usefulness in education, lack of proper infrastructure, lack of training of staff. These findings can be used as a theoretical base and future development of technological adoption in higher education.
Description of Dimensional Change for Energy and Magnetic Properties of Ultrathin Magnetic Films Based on Critical Behavior Characteristics

Theoretical description of multilayer ferromagnetic films from Fe, Co, and Ni transition metals on a nonmagnetic metal substrate is considered by the spin-density functional method. The energy and magnetic characteristics of multilayer films are calculated for surface systems Fe (110)/W(110), Fe (110)/Ag (111), Ni (111)/Cu (111), and Сo (111)/Cu (111) in dependence on film thickness for different temperatures, based on critical behavior characteristics of films.
Meaningful Family Relationships: Neurocognitive Buffers of Adolescent Risk Taking

Discordant development of brain regions responsible for cognitive control and reward processing may render adolescents susceptible to risk taking. Identifying ways to reduce this neural imbalance during adolescence can have important implications for risk taking and associated health outcomes. Accordingly, we sought to examine how a key family relationship—family obligation—can reduce this vulnerability. Forty-eight adolescents underwent an fMRI scan during which they completed a risk-taking and cognitive control task. Results suggest that adolescents with greater family obligation values show decreased activation in the ventral striatum when receiving monetary rewards and increased dorsolateral PFC activation during behavioral inhibition. Reduced ventral striatum activation correlated with less real-life risk-taking behavior and enhanced dorsolateral PFC activation correlated with better decision-making skills. Thus, family obligation may decrease reward sensitivity and enhance cognitive control, thereby reducing risk-taking behaviors.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 interaction with myeloid cells in vivo

2 Maitreyi Shivkumar, Clara Lawler, Ricardo Milho, Philip G. Stevenson 3 4 Division of Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, UK 5 School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland and Royal 6 Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. 7 Current address: Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK 8 Current address: Costello Medical Consulting, Cambridge, UK 9 Correspondence to: Dr. P.G. Stevenson, Level 4 Building 76, School of Chemistry and 10 Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, 11 Australia. tel. +61-7-3636-1614; fax. +61-7-3636-1401; email p.stevenson@uq.edu. au 12 13
An evaluation of objective quality measures for speech intelligibility prediction

In this research various objective quality measures are evaluated in order to predict the intelligibility for a wide range of non-linearly processed speech signals and speech degraded by additive noise. The obtained results are compared with the prediction results of a more advanced perceptual-based model proposed by Dau et al. and an objective intelligibility measure, namely the coherence speech intelligibility index (cSII). These tests are performed in order to gain more knowledge between the link of speech-quality and speech-intelligibility and may help us to exploit the extensive research done into the field of speech-quality for speech-intelligibility. It is shown that cSII does not necessarily show better performance compared to conventional objective (speech)-quality measures. In general, the DAU-model is the only method with reasonable results for all processing conditions. Index Terms: Speech intelligibility prediction, speech quality, objective Measure.
Bubble Clouds in Coastal Waters and Their Role in Air-Water Gas Exchange of CO2

Bubbles generated by breaking waves can drive significant gas exchange between the ocean and atmosphere, but the role of bubble-mediated gas transfer in estuaries is unknown. Here, backscatter data from 41 acoustic Doppler current profiler stations was analyzed to assess subsurface bubble distributions in nine estuaries along the U.S. East and Gulf Coast. Wind speed, wind direction, and current velocity were the dominant controls on bubble entrainment, but the relative importance of these physical drivers depended on local geomorphology. Bubble entrainment in high-current or shallow, long-fetch estuaries began at wind speeds <5 m s−1. In deep or fetch-limited estuaries, bubble entrainment was less frequent and generally began at higher wind speeds. Data observed during several storms suggests that episodic bubble-driven gas exchange may be an important component of annual CO2 fluxes in large, shallow estuaries but would be less significant in other coastal systems.
Waist Circumference Is an Anthropometric Parameter That Identifies Women with Metabolically Unhealthy Phenotypes

Metabolically healthy (MH) and metabolically unhealthy (MUH) phenotypes can be present in any subject independently of their body mass index (BMI). However, factors related to the presence of these phenotypes are poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study is to describe the prevalence and characteristics associated with the MH and MUH phenotypes in Mexican subjects with different BMI categories. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were evaluated after 12 h of fasting. HMW (High Molecular Weight) adiponectin and insulin levels were measured by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). A total of 345 subjects were included, of which, 73.9% were women. The prevalence of the MH phenotype was 69.9%, 46.7%, and 19% in normal weight, overweight, and obesity, respectively. ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis showed that the waist circumference demonstrated a statistical significance (p < 0.01) in detecting the MUH phenotype in each BMI group only in women. Furthermore, subjects with lower HMW adiponectin levels showed a 2.1 increased risk of presenting the MUH phenotype. In conclusion, in this Mexican population, waist circumference was an anthropometric parameter that identified women with the MUH phenotype in all BMI categories and hypoadiponectinemia was a risk factor for the presence of this phenotype.