Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current Diagnostic and Management Options in Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are heterogeneous biliary tract tumors with dismal prognosis. Perihilar CCA (pCCA) involves the large bile ducts of the hepatic hilum, and is the most common type of CCA. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an established risk factor for pCCA. Although the diagnosis of pCCA is challenging, recent advances have been made including cytologic techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridization. Endoscopic ultrasound with sampling of regional lymph nodes is emerging as a valuable diagnostic modality in the diagnosis and staging of pCCA. Curative treatment options are limited to early stage disease, and include surgical resection and liver transplantation after neoadjuvant therapy. This underscores the importance of early detection, and the need for development of innovative diagnostic tools such as biomarkers. A dense desmoplastic tumor stroma plays an integral role in pCCA progression. The tumor stroma represents an additional target for development of new therapies. Herein, we discuss these advances in the diagnosis and treatment of pCCA.
Non-Signaling Parallel Repetition Using de Finetti Reductions

In the context of multiplayer games, the parallel repetition problem can be phrased as follows: given a game G with optimal winning probability 1 - α and its repeated version Gn (in which n games are played together, in parallel), can the players use strategies that are substantially better than ones in which each game is played independently? This question is relevant in physics for the study of correlations and plays an important role in computer science in the context of complexity and cryptography. In this paper, the case of multiplayer non-signaling games is considered, i.e., the only restriction on the players is that they are not allowed to communicate during the game. For complete-support games (games where all possible combinations of questions have non-zero probability to be asked) with any number of players, we prove a threshold theorem stating that the probability that non-signaling players win more than a fraction 1-α+β of the n games is exponentially small in nβ2 for every 0 ≤ β ≤ α. For games with incomplete support, we derive a similar statement for a slightly modified form of repetition. The result is proved using a new technique based on a recent de Finetti theorem, which allows us to avoid central technical difficulties that arise in standard proofs of parallel repetition theorems.
HEBS: histogram equalization for backlight scaling

In this paper, a method is proposed for finding a pixel transformation function that maximizes backlight dimming while maintaining a pre-specified image distortion level for a liquid crystal display. This is achieved by finding a pixel transformation function, which maps the original image histogram to a new histogram with lower dynamic range. Next the contrast of the transformed image is enhanced so as to compensate for brightness loss that would arise from backlight dimming. The proposed approach relies on an accurate definition of the image distortion which takes into account both the pixel value differences and a model of the human visual system and is amenable to highly efficient hardware realization. Experimental results show that the histogram equalization for backlight scaling method results in about 45% power saving with an effective distortion rate of 5% and 65% power saving for a 20% distortion rate. This is significantly higher power savings compared to previously reported backlight dimming approaches.
Possible application of flow cytometry for evaluation of the structure and functional status of WASP in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP), which is defective in Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome (WAS) patients, is an intracellular protein expressed in non‐erythroid hematopoietic cells. Previously, we have established methods to detect intracellular WASP expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) using flow cytometric analysis (FCM‐WASP) and have revealed that WAS patients showed absent or very low level intracellular WASP expression in lymphocytes and monocytes, while a significant amount of WASP was detected in those of normal individuals. We applied these methods for diagnostic screening of WAS patients and WAS carriers, as well as to the evaluation of mixed chimera in WAS patients who had previously undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. During these procedures, we have noticed that lymphocytes from normal control individuals showed dual positive peaks, while their monocytes invariably showed a single sharp WASP‐positive peak. To investigate the basis of the dual positive peaks (WASPlow‐bright and WASPhigh‐bright), we characterized the constituent linage lymphocytes of these two WASP‐positive populations. As a result, we found each WASPlow/high population comprised different linage PBMNCs. Furthermore, we propose that the difference between the two WASP‐positive peaks did not result from any difference in WASP expression in the cells, but rather from a difference in the structural and functional status of the WASP protein in the cells. It has been shown that WASP may exist in two forms; an activated or inactivated form. Thus, the structural and functional WASP status or configuration could be evaluated by flow cytometric analysis.
c-Rel Deficiency Increases Caspase-4 Expression and Leads to ER Stress and Necrosis in EBV-Transformed Cells

LMP1-mediated activation of nuclear factor of kappaB (NF-κB) is critical for the ligand independent proliferation and cell survival of in vitro EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). Previous experiments revealed that a majority of LMP1-dependent responses are regulated by NF-κB. However, the extent that individual NF-κB family members are required for these responses, in particular, c-Rel, whose expression is restricted to mature hematopoietic cells, remains unclear. Here we report that low c-Rel expression in LCLs derived from a patient with hyper-IgM syndrome (Pt1), resulted in defects in proliferation and cell survival. In contrast to studies that associated loss of NF-κB with increased apoptosis, Pt1 LCLs failed to initiate apoptosis and alternatively underwent autophagy and necrotic cell death. Whereas the proliferation defect appeared linked to a c-Rel-associated decrease in c-myc expression, identified pro-survival and pro-apoptotic targets were expressed at or near control levels consistent with the absence of apoptosis. Ultrastructural examination of Pt1 LCLs revealed a high level of cellular and ER stress that was further supported by gene expression profiling showing the upregulation of several genes involved in stress and inflammation. Apoptosis-independent cell death was accompanied by increased expression of the inflammatory marker, caspase-4. Using gene overexpression and siRNA knockdown we demonstrated that levels of c-Rel directly modulated expression of caspase-4 as well as other ER stress genes. Overall, these findings reveal the importance of c-Rel in maintaining LCL viability and that decreased expression results in ER stress and a default response leading to necrotic cell death.
Human broadly neutralizing antibodies to the envelope glycoprotein complex of hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects ∼2% of the world's population. It is estimated that there are more than 500,000 new infections annually in Egypt, the country with the highest HCV prevalence. An effective vaccine would help control this expanding global health burden. HCV is highly variable, and an effective vaccine should target conserved T- and B-cell epitopes of the virus. Conserved B-cell epitopes overlapping the CD81 receptor-binding site (CD81bs) on the E2 viral envelope glycoprotein have been reported previously and provide promising vaccine targets. In this study, we isolated 73 human mAbs recognizing five distinct antigenic regions on the virus envelope glycoprotein complex E1E2 from an HCV-immune phage-display antibody library by using an exhaustive-panning strategy. Many of these mAbs were broadly neutralizing. In particular, the mAb AR4A, recognizing a discontinuous epitope outside the CD81bs on the E1E2 complex, has an exceptionally broad neutralizing activity toward diverse HCV genotypes and protects against heterologous HCV challenge in a small animal model. The mAb panel will be useful for the design and development of vaccine candidates to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies to HCV.
Combined antiretroviral treatment and heterosexual transmission of HIV-1: cross sectional and prospective cohort study

Objective To estimate the risk and probability of heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 from infected people taking combined antiretroviral treatment. Design Cross sectional and prospective cohort studies. Setting HIV clinic in Madrid, Spain. Participants Stable heterosexual couples with one partner with HIV-1 infection (index partner) and the other reporting this sexual relationship as the only risk exposure. Main outcome measures HIV seroprevalence in non-index partners at enrolment and seroconversions in follow-up according to antiretroviral treatment taken by the index partner. Results In 476 couples in which the index partner was not taking antiretroviral treatment, HIV seroprevalence at enrolment in non-index partners was 9.2% (n=44), whereas in 149 couples in which the index partner was taking combined antiretroviral therapy no partner was infected (P<0.001). During follow-up, the 341 serodiscordant couples in which the index partner was not taking antiretroviral treatment had about 11 000 acts of intercourse without condoms, 50 natural pregnancies, and five HIV seroconversions (0.0004 per unprotected intercourse; 95% confidence interval 0.0001 to 0.0010); 294 of these couples always used condoms, accounting for about 42 000 acts of intercourse, 136 risk exposures from condom failure, and one HIV seroconversion. The relative risk associated with condom use was 0.07 (0.01 to 0.58). In 144 couples the index partner was taking combined antiretroviral treatment; they accounted for over 7000 unprotected acts of intercourse and 47 natural pregnancies but no HIV seroconversion (0 to 0.0005 per unprotected intercourse). Conclusions The heterosexual infectivity of HIV-1 in individuals taking effective antiretroviral treatment is low. Avoidance of unprotected intercourse and receipt of antiretroviral treatment by the infected partner in accordance with protocols are complementary measures to prevent HIV transmission.
The GPU Computing Era

GPU computing is at a tipping point, becoming more widely used in demanding consumer applications and high-performance computing. This article describes the rapid evolution of GPU architectures-from graphics processors to massively parallel many-core multiprocessors, recent developments in GPU computing architectures, and how the enthusiastic adoption of CPU+GPU coprocessing is accelerating parallel applications.
Personality and Executive Functioning as Risk Factors in Recidivists

The classification of an inmate population at a maximum security jail in Canada was undertaken to study factors correlated with recidivism. A total of 12 recidivists and 12 nonrecidivists were classified according to their index offenses, and a Criminal Record search was completed to verify their statements. A total of 15 non-offenders who had also undergone a criminal record check were included as controls. All participants were administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-168, Violence Risk Scale-Experimental Version, Coopersmith Self-esteem Inventory, and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the groups on scores for the Hypochondriasis, Psychopathic Deviate, and Hypomania scales of the MMPI-168. Significant differences were noted for the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task and the Violence Risk Scale. Discriminant analysis of the recidivists and nonrecidivists correctly classified at a 91.3% level.
PP and P P Multi-Particles Production Investigation Based on CCNN Black-Box Approach

The multiplicity distribution (P(nch)) of charged particles produced in a high energy collision is a key quantity to understand the mechanism of multiparticle production. This paper describes the novel application of an artificial neural network (ANN) black-box modeling approach based on the cascade correlation (CC) algorithm formulated to calculate and predict multiplicity distribution of proton-proton (antiproton) (PP and PP ) inelastic interactions full phase space at a wide range of center-mass of energy . In addition, the formulated cascade correlation neural network (CCNN) model is used to empirically calculate the average multiplicity distribution nch> as a function of . The CCNN model was designed based on available experimental data for = 30.4 GeV, 44.5 GeV, 52.6 GeV, 62.2 GeV, 200 GeV, 300 GeV, 540 GeV, 900 GeV, 1000 GeV, 1800 GeV, and 7 TeV. Our obtained empirical results for P(nch), as well as nch> for (PP and PP) collisions are compared with the corresponding theoretical ones which obtained from other models. This comparison shows a good agreement with the available experimental data (up to 7 TeV) and other theoretical ones. At full large hadron collider (LHC) energy ( = 14 TeV) we have predicted P(nch) and nch> which also, show a good agreement with different theoretical models.
Non-Gaussian and Long Memory Statistical Characterizations for Internet Traffic with Anomalies

The goals of the present contribution are twofold. First, we propose the use of a non-Gaussian long-range dependent process to model Internet traffic aggregated time series. We give the definitions and intuition behind the use of this model. We detail numerical procedures that can be used to synthesize artificial traffic exactly following the model prescription. We also propose original and practically effective procedures to estimate the corresponding parameters from empirical data. We show that this empirical model relevantly describes a large variety of Internet traffic, including both regular traffic obtained from public reference repositories and traffic containing legitimate (flash crowd) or illegitimate (DDoS attack) anomalies. We observe that the proposed model accurately fits the data for a wide range of aggregation levels. The model provides us with a meaningful multiresolution (i.e., aggregation level dependent) statistics to characterize the traffic: the evolution of the estimated parameters with respect to the aggregation level. It opens the track to the second goal of the paper: anomaly detection. We propose the use of a quadratic distance computed on these statistics to detect the occurrences of DDoS attack and study the statistical performance of these detection procedures. Traffic with anomalies was produced and collected by us so as to create a controlled and reproducible database, allowing for a relevant assessment of the statistical performance of the proposed (modeling and detection) procedures
Characterization of Photodegradation of Meta‐tetra (Hydroxyphenyl)chlorin (mTHPC) in Solution: Biological Consequences in Human Tumor Cells

The photobleaching of meta‐tetra(hydroxyphenyl)chlorin mTHPC) (irradiation wavelength 413 nm) in protein‐containing solution was evaluated by decay in absorbance in Soret band and in fluorescence (λexc= 423 nm, λem= 655 nm). Light exposure resulted in a decrease in absorption throughout the spectrum and simultaneous appearance of new absorption bands in the spectral region 325–450 nm. The rate of mTHPC photodegradation, followed by decay in absorbance, was 15‐fold lower than that observed in fluorescence. This fact reflects the photobleaching of presumably monomeric, fluorescing species of mTHPC. In order to determine the consequences of photobleaching of fluorescing mTHPC material on cellular uptake and photocytotoxicity, human HT29 colon adenocarcinoma cells were incubated with photobleached mTHPC during 5 h with or without following irradiation with the fixed fluence. Surprisingly, but up to the time when the fluorescence decreased by 50%, only a slight decrease in photocytotoxicity was detected. Either aggregated forms that have been taken up undergo intracellular monomerization (but we did not observe increase in fluorescence in living cells) or the photodynamic activity is mostly due to aggregates. The discrepancy of m‐THPC‐photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect and fluorescence measurements may suggest that aggregated m‐THPC plays an important role in mTHPC‐PDT.
Does Place of Education Matter? Contextualizing the Education and Health Status Association Among Asian Americans

The educational gradient in health is one of the most robust associations in social science research. Results of the current study indicate that, like the pattern observed among other racial and ethnic minority groups, the well-established educational gradient in health is attenuated among Asian Americans. We also show that the gradient association between educational attainment and self-rated health among Asian Americans depends on whether they receive the bulk of their education in the United States or abroad. Compared to the schooling received in the United States, being educated in a foreign country does not result in the same health payoffs for increasing educational attainment. Analysis of an extensive set of mediators indicates that a foreign education restricts economic opportunities, limits positive social interaction, and inhibits English language proficiency. We discuss the implications for Asian Americans, a group composed largely of immigrants who received their education outside the United States.
Multidimensional Sampling of Isotropically Bandlimited Signals

A new lower bound on the average reconstruction error variance of multidimensional sampling and reconstruction is presented. It applies to sampling on arbitrary lattices in arbitrary dimensions, assuming a stochastic process with constant, isotropically bandlimited spectrum and reconstruction by the best linear interpolator. The lower bound is exact for any lattice at sufficiently high and low sampling rates. The two threshold rates where the error variance deviates from the lower bound gives two optimality criteria for sampling lattices. It is proved that at low rates, near the first threshold, the optimal lattice is the dual of the best sphere-covering lattice, which for the first time establishes a rigorous relation between optimal sampling and optimal sphere covering. A previously known result is confirmed at high rates, near the second threshold, namely, that the optimal lattice is the dual of the best sphere-packing lattice. Numerical results quantify the performance of various lattices for sampling and support the theoretical optimality criteria.
Copperhead: compiling an embedded data parallel language

Modern parallel microprocessors deliver high performance on applications that expose substantial fine-grained data parallelism. Although data parallelism is widely available in many computations, implementing data parallel algorithms in low-level languages is often an unnecessarily difficult task. The characteristics of parallel microprocessors and the limitations of current programming methodologies motivate our design of Copperhead, a high-level data parallel language embedded in Python. The Copperhead programmer describes parallel computations via composition of familiar data parallel primitives supporting both flat and nested data parallel computation on arrays of data. Copperhead programs are expressed in a subset of the widely used Python programming language and interoperate with standard Python modules, including libraries for numeric computation, data visualization, and analysis. In this paper, we discuss the language, compiler, and runtime features that enable Copperhead to efficiently execute data parallel code. We define the restricted subset of Python which Copperhead supports and introduce the program analysis techniques necessary for compiling Copperhead code into efficient low-level implementations. We also outline the runtime support by which Copperhead programs interoperate with standard Python modules. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our techniques with several examples targeting the CUDA platform for parallel programming on GPUs. Copperhead code is concise, on average requiring 3.6 times fewer lines of code than CUDA, and the compiler generates efficient code, yielding 45-100% of the performance of hand-crafted, well optimized CUDA code.
THE BENEFITS OF TRADE FOR EMPLOYMENT AND GROWTH OECD , ILO , WORLD BANK , WTO

Open markets play a pivotal role in supporting growth and job creation, and in achieving our goals under the G-20 Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth. We ask the OECD, the ILO, World Bank, and the WTO to report on the benefits of trade liberalisation for employment and growth at the Seoul Summit. The present document is submitted in fulfilment of that mandate. It is the product of close collaboration between the four international organisations, and draws upon the latest research. The message is clear: open markets can contribute to growth and better employment outcomes; this was true before the crisis and it remains true today. In the near term, given pressures on governments, the financial sector, and households to strengthen balance sheets, further trade opening can generate an additional stimulus that will create employment opportunities for the world as a whole. The benefits of trade generally outweigh the costs associated with the reallocation of labour and capital to more efficient uses. However, if support for open markets is to be sustained, those costs need to be recognised and policies put in place to assist workers and communities to adjust to a more competitive environment. It is for this reason that the report considers not only further liberalisation of trade in goods and services, but also highlights the importance of complementary action at the national and international levels to facilitate adjustment and ensure that the benefits of trade are widely shared. Countries that have embraced openness have been more successful in sustaining growth and moving up the development ladder than those that have not. The available evidence highlights that trade openness will contribute to growth and employment, provided that it is complemented by appropriate policies. Trade facilitates technological progress and the global spread of innovation. These deeper economic forces are the primary source of longer-term gains in productivity that are necessary to achieve higher levels of per capita income. National governments have an important role to play in maximizing the contribution that trade can make to ensuring sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth. Properly designed economic, labour market, education and social policies can serve to enhance the opportunities available to those who stand to gain from trade opening to actually do so and to help those who are displaced to develop new skills and find new opportunities. International institutions can play a supportive role by clarifying how trade, labour market, …