Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Study to Compare the Effect of Different Registration Methods on Patient Setup Uncertainties in Cone-beam Computed Tomography during Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients

Purpose: This study compared three different methods used in registering cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image set with planning CT image set for determining patient setup uncertainties during volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Seven breast cancer patients treated with 50 Gy in 25 fractions using VMAT technique were chosen for this study. A total of 105 CBCT scans were acquired by image guidance protocol for patient setup verification. Approved plans' CT images were used as the reference image sets for registration with their corresponding CBCT image sets. Setup errors in mediolateral, craniocaudal, and anteroposterior direction were determined using gray-scale matching between the reference CT images and onboard CBCT images. Patient setup verification was performed using clip-box registration (CBR) method during online imaging. Considering the CBR method as the reference, two more registrations were performed using mask registration (MR) method and dual registration (DR) (CBR + MR) method in the offline mode. For comparison, systematic error (∑), random error (σ), mean displacement vector (R), mean setup error (M), and registration time (Rt) were analyzed. Post hoc Tukey's honest significant difference test was performed for multiple comparisons. Results: Systematic and random errors were less in CBR as compared to MR and DR (P > 0.05). The mean displacement error and mean setup errors were less in CBR as compared to MR and DR (P > 0.05). Increased Rtwas observed in DR as compared to CBR and MR (P < 0.05). In addition, multiple comparisons did not show any significant difference in patient setup error (P > 0.05). Conclusion: For breast VMAT plan delivery, all three registration methods show insignificant variation in patient setup error. One can use any of the three registration methods for patient setup verification.
Implantable Neural Probes for Brain-Machine Interfaces – Current Developments and Future Prospects

A Brain-Machine interface (BMI) allows for direct communication between the brain and machines. Neural probes for recording neural signals are among the essential components of a BMI system. In this report, we review research regarding implantable neural probes and their applications to BMIs. We first discuss conventional neural probes such as the tetrode, Utah array, Michigan probe, and electroencephalography (ECoG), following which we cover advancements in next-generation neural probes. These next-generation probes are associated with improvements in electrical properties, mechanical durability, biocompatibility, and offer a high degree of freedom in practical settings. Specifically, we focus on three key topics: (1) novel implantable neural probes that decrease the level of invasiveness without sacrificing performance, (2) multi-modal neural probes that measure both electrical and optical signals, (3) and neural probes developed using advanced materials. Because safety and precision are critical for practical applications of BMI systems, future studies should aim to enhance these properties when developing next-generation neural probes.
Generating Vegfr3 reporter transgenic mouse expressing membrane-tagged Venus for visualization of VEGFR3 expression in vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (Vegfr3) has been widely used as a marker for lymphatic and vascular endothelial cells during mouse embryonic development and in adult mouse, making it valuable for studying angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis under normal and pathological conditions. Here, we report the generation of a novel transgenic (Tg) mouse that expresses a membrane-localized fluorescent reporter protein, Gap43-Venus, under the control of the Vegfr3 regulatory sequence. Vegfr3-Gap43-Venus BAC Tg recapitulated endogenous Vegfr3 expression in vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells during embryonic development and tumor development. Thus, this Tg mouse line contributes a valuable model to study angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis in physiological and pathological contexts.
Digital Image Watermarking Algorithm Using the Intermediate Frequency

Digital image watermarking is one of the proposed solutions for copyright protection of multimedia data. This technique is better than Digital Signatures and other methods because it does not increase overhead. Watermarking adds the additional requirement of robustness. To improve the robustness of digital image watermarking method based on the image frequency, this paper adopts the intermediate frequency to embed the watermarking and proposes an digital image watermarking algorithm based on robust principal component analysis (RPCA) and discrete cosine transform (DCT). Firstly, the high frequency part and the low frequency part of the image are extracted by the RPCA algorithm. Because the high frequency part has complex statistical characteristics, this paper processes the high frequency part with "8×8" DCT method to obtain intermediate frequency coefficients and then the watermarking information is embedded into the obtained intermediate frequency coefficients. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm leads to satisfactory robustness to the attacks of impulse noise and cropping.
Alectinib versus crizotinib in treatment-naive advanced ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): Primary results of the global phase III ALEX study.

LBA9008Background: Alectinib, a TKI targeting ALK, has shown robust efficacy in crizotinib-naive/resistant ALK+ NSCLC. J-ALEX showed superiority of alectinib 300mg BID vs crizotinib in Japanese pts with crizotinib-naive ALK+ NSCLC (progression-free survival [PFS] HR 0.34, p<0.0001). We report primary results from the ALEX study of first-line alectinib 600mg BID vs crizotinib in advanced ALK+ NSCLC (NCT02075840). Methods: This open-label randomized multicenter phase III study enrolled pts with stage IIIB/IV ALK+ NSCLC, determined by central IHC testing. Eligible pts had ECOG PS 0–2 and no prior systemic therapy for advanced NSCLC. Pts with asymptomatic CNS metastases were allowed. Pts (n=303) were randomized 1:1 to receive alectinib 600mg or crizotinib 250mg BID. Primary endpoint: Investigator (Inv)-assessed PFS (RECIST v1.1), with systematic CNS imaging in all pts. Secondary endpoints included independent review committee (IRC)-assessed PFS, IRC-assessed time to CNS progression (TTP), objective response r.
Patient-reported outcomes from randomized, phase-3 study of trabectedin (T) vs. dacarbazine (D) in advanced leiomyosarcoma (LMS) or liposarcoma (LPS).

11061Background: T is recently approved in the US for treatment of advanced LMS or LPS after prior chemotherapy failure based on results from a randomized, phase-3 study (Demetri et al, 2015, J Clin Oncol; 62.4734). Here we describe patient-reported outcomes from this pivotal study, performed at the time of final progression-free survival and overall response rate analyses (interim overall survival analysis). Methods: Patients (pts) completed the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), a 19-item questionnaire that measures symptom severity (SS), and whether symptoms interfere with daily function (Symptom Interference-SI). Pts rated their experience (on 0-10 point scales, where lower scores mean fewer symptoms and less interference) across 13 different symptom measures (SS), and 6 measures of physical and mental function (SI), before treatment on day 1 of each treatment cycle (Cy). Results: Among 495 (T = 340; D = 155) pts randomized and treated, 329 (96.8%) from T group and 150 (96.8%) from D group comp.
Can 3-year Disease-free Survival be Substituted for 5-year Overall Survival in Curatively Resected Gastric Cancer?

Purpose: The 5-year survival rate is the most useful parameter for evaluating the effect of management on most malignant tumors. Recurrence after a curative resection for gastric cancer occurs mostly within 3 years of the operation, which caused us to evaluate whether a 3-year disease-free survival (3DFS) can be substituted for a 5-year overall survival (5OS). Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 656 consecutive patients who had undergone a curative resection for gastric cancer To assess whether 3DFS represents 5OS, we used a simple linear regression with survival probability calculated by using the survival function. Results: Recurrence was found in 175 cases during the follow-up periods. The accumulative frequencies of recurrence at postoperative 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years were 46% (81 cases), 89% (156 cases), and 97% (170 cases), respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) and the coefficient of determination between 3DFS and 5OS were 0.87 and 0.76, respectively, and the regression equation was . The r and according to the type of recurrence were 0.89 and 0.80 in peritoneal seeding, 0.88 and 0.78 in hematogeneous metastasis, and 0.86 and 0.73 in local recurrence, respectively. The r (0.77) and (0.60) were relatively lower in low stages (stage I and II) compared to r (0.88) and in high stages (stage III and IV). Conclusion: The 3DFS is an excellent predictor of 5OS. Therefore, if we use the former as the treatment evaluating method, 2-year time reduction in assessing and reporting treatment results is expected.
Performance Evaluation and Comparative Analysis of Code-Clone-Detection Techniques and Tools

Since Code Cloning is the recent area of research in software engineering, it is crucial to have good understanding of all the code-clone-detection techniques. Clones in software development increases maintenance cost and it leads to poor software quality. This paper is basically combination of two issues: literature review of code clone detection techniques and experimental work for the evaluation of chosen techniques from literature. This paper firstly list out the various studies and then evaluates the performance of three chosen techniques (Text-based, Token-based and Tree-based) by means of automated tools. Netbeans-Javadoc, JBoss and Java-Quizz source codes has been examined to validate results. From the analysis it has been observe red that token based approach reports more false positives as compared to other techniques. Text based and token based approaches have precision values greater than tree based approach, but tree based approach has higher recall values. Token based, Tree based and metric based approaches are useful in combination with refactoring tools. It has been observed that in terms of speed, text-based approach is suitable to small size projects, but token based technique is scalable to large size projects also. Tree-based and token based techniques work effectively to detect near-miss clones and give more safe and sound result. DuDe, ccFinder, solid-SDD and cloneDr tools have been used for validation. From the experimental work it has been observed that Dude tool is suitable for small projects, but ccFinder is scalable from small to large projects. False positives are reported by ccFinder because of its token based approach, but cloneDr leads to minimum false positives as compared to ccFinder. The aim of the paper is to find the strengths and weaknesses of these techniques which will be helpful to select a clone detection technique for a particular
CAGEN: a modern, PC based computer modeling tool for explosive MCG generators and attached loads

We describe the PC based computer program CAGEN in its current state of development. It models the performance of many varieties of magneto-cumulative-generators (MCG) which are energized with high explosive (HE). CAGEN models helical or coaxial types (in the same generator, if desired) which have HE on the interior. Any materials and any HE types may be used. The cylindrical radius of the windings (or outer conductor) and the radius of the armature may vary with axial position. Variable winding width, thickness, shape, and pitch can be represented, and divided windings are allowed. The MHD equations are used to advance the magnetic field into and through the conductors in order to compute resistance, melting, flux loss, pressure and contact effects. The MCG model is treated as part of a lumped circuit, which includes the priming circuit, several different opening fuse switches, transformers, peaking circuit, and loads. Several calculations of benchmark published experiments are shown. A typical problem will complete in a few minutes. Graphical input, run control, and results-analysis, is provided by MathGraf, a CARE'N CO. application.
Challenges in managing ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fracture at Mission Hospital

Rarity of ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fracture qualifies it as a difficult fracture to diagnose as well as treat. No ideal treatment option has been defined, and no ideal implant has been assigned for the management of such fractures. Fixation of ipsilateral fractures of femoral neck and shaft are technically demanding. They are also associated with complications such as osteonecrosis of femoral head, delayed union, varus malunion, and nonunion. Treating such complicated fractures in a level V trauma center such as rural mission hospital with limited resources multiplies the difficulty of managing such fracture. This case report highlights the outcome and challenges in treating a patient with ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fracture in a mission hospital in rural central India.
Intracellular magnesium content in hypertension

A method to determine total Mg2+ content in lymphocytes was developed, offering advantages for routine measurements as compared to fluorescence methods. Intracellular Mg2+ measurements were performed in lymphocytes of 16 normotensive, 20 essential hypertensive, 15 renal hypertensive patients (patients with a chronic glomerulonephritis), and 10 normotensive, renal insufficient patients. Mg2+ content was referred to lymphocytic protein, which was determined according to Bradford's method. Mg2+ measurements were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy using an electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscope. The results show that in patients with essential hypertension, intralymphocytic Mg2+ content is significantly lower (0.07±0.04 mmol/g lymphocytic protein, mean ± SD) compared with controls (0.11±0.03 mmol/g lymphocytic protein, mean ± SD,p<0.05). In renal hypertensive patients, intracellular Mg2+ concentrations are significantly increased compared with normotensive or essential hypertensive patients (0.35±0.10 mmol/g lymphocytic protein, mean ± SD,p<0.05). In the normotensive renal insufficient group, intracellular Mg2+ concentrations were measured (0.37±0.05 mmol/g lymphocytic protein, mean ± SD being significantly increased compared to the normotensive or hypertensive group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the renal insufficient group with and without arterial hypertension. In plasma Mg2+ concentrations there was no significant difference in the four groups of patients. Furthermore, this method also seems suitable for routine measurements of cellular Mg2+ concentrations in even larger groups of patients.
Prevalence of male attendance and associated factors at their partners antenatal visits among antenatal care attendees in Bale Zone, South East Ethiopia

Male involvement in antenatal care helps to have safe delivery, especially in developing countries. The problem has been insufficiently studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study assessed male attendance and associated factors at their partners’ antenatal visits among antenatal care attendees in Bale Zone health facilities. Cross sectional study was conducted from May to June, 2017 among 609 pregnant mothers. Simple random sampling was used to select participants. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 21). Variables with p-values <0.05 were considered to declare statistical significance in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Male attendance at their partners’ antenatal visits was 41.4%. Having primary level of education (AOR=2.15, CI=1.12, 4.11), age ≥ 35 years (AOR=0.3, CI=0.1, 0.87), being farmer (AOR=0.23, CI=0.11, 0.51), having previous antenatal care visit (AOR=0.49, CI=0.26, 0.92) were factors associated with male partner involvement. Male attendance at their partners’ antenatal visits was low. Hence, health providers and other stakeholders shall create awareness and implement strategies to boost male partners’ involvement in antenatal care visit. Key words: Antenatal visits, Bale-Zone.
Some aspects of thyroid dysfunction in thalassemia major patients with severe iron overload

Background Severe iron overload due to recurrent transfusions for chronic anemia and inadequate iron chelation therapy in thalassemia major patients result in various complications, including hypothyroidism. Currently, there has been no data on the prevalence of hypothyroidism in thalassemia major patients at the Thalassemia Centers, Department of Child Health, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (DCH CMH). Objective To study the prevalence of primary hypothyroidism in thalassemia major patients in the Thalassemia Center, DCH MCH. Methods We performed a cross-sectional, descriptive study. All thalassemia major subjects aged O􀁬18 years with severe iron overload underwent thyroid functionexamination. Primary hypothyroidism was defined as either normal (compensated) or decreased (decompensated) free T4 (FT4) levels, along with elevated sensitive thyroid􀁬stimulatinghonnone (TSH)levels. Results 179 subjects enrolled this study Mth male: female ratio of 1: 1.6. The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism in thalassemia major patients Mth severe iron overloadws26.8% (48/179). Of those 48,45 had compensated hypothyroidism and 3 had decompensated hypothyroidism, 25.1% and 1.7% of the total subjects, respectively. Compensated hypothyroidism was observed in 17 subjects aged ≤1O years and in 28 subjects aged> 10 years. All 3 decompensated hypothyroidism cases were> 10 years of age. No relationship was found between the occurrence of primary hypothyroidism and mean pre-tr811sfusion Hb levels (P=0.481, OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.63 to 2.68), elevated serum ferritin levels (P=0.74, OR 0.89; 95% CI 0.46 to 1.75), and compliance to iron chelation therapy (P=0.570, OR 0.76; 95% CI 035 to 1.65). Based on multivariate analysis, only age of <10 year-old (P=O.029, OR 0.469; 95% CI 0.23 to 0.93) was significantly associated Mth primary hypJthyroidism. Further analysis using receiver operator curve (ROC) technique found that age of 8.5 year-old was the cutoff value to predict the risk of hypothyroidism. Conclusion The prevalence of primary hypothyroidism in our study is high. The occurrence of hypothyroidism is associated with age.
VHDL-AMS modeling of VCSEL including noise

We present a VCSEL diode model including electrical, thermal and optical behaviors where noise is present in the rate equations. VHDL-AMS language is used to write this model. Langevin forces are introduced in equations and generated in Mentor Graphics ADVanceMS/sup /spl copy// by white noise signal generators, using the UNIFORM statement. The comparison of transient results with spice ones published in literature shows a good agreement.
A meta-analysis on effective strategies for integrated STEM education

STEM education reform plays a critical role in modern education for the country to keep abreast of being competitive in global economy. For a long time, STEM disciplines have been in silos, rendering the students unable to connect learned knowledge with real life problems. The emergence of integrated STEM education in some institutions suggests that, this approach makes students better problem solvers and logical thinkers. This paper provided an overview of what teaching strategies dominate in the implementation of integrated STEM education. The research methodology was based on a review of relevant literature search strategy through ERIC, online databases and journals such as Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Taylor and Francis Online, SpringerLink, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, JSTOR and Journal of STEM Education. The keywords used in the search included integration strategies, science and technology, teaching and learning STEM, STEM in primary school, STEM in secondary school and STEM in higher education. The results of this meta-analysis revealed that, a project-based learning approach is the dominant strategy in STEM education implementation as this method improves the students’ skills and their capability to compete with others in the highly knowledge-based society. Findings from this review will lead educators who are new to STEM education to investigate further on how project-based learning could be effectively implemented in their teaching.
Lenalidomide Overcomes Poor Prognosis Conferred by del13q and t(4;14) but Not del17p13 in Multiple Myeloma: Results of the Canadian MM016 Trial.

The outcome of conventional therapy in MM is highly heterogeneous and appears to be largely dictated by the presence of recurrent genomic aberrations. Among these t(4;14), deletion 17p13 (TP53 locus), maf gene translocations and to a lesser extent del13q define a subgroup of patients with high risk disease. We here report on the efficacy (RR, PFS and OS) of lenalidomide and dexamethasone (len-dex) in relapsed MM patients according to their del13q, t(4;14) and del17p13 status. The MM016 is a multicenter single arm open label expanded access program for len in relapsed and refractory MM. Pts received dex orally (40mg, days 1–4; 9–12 and 17–20 for 4 cycles, then days 1–4 beginning with cycle 5) and len 25mg orally on days 1–21 of a 28 days cycle. FISH studies with commercially available probes detected the presence or absence of del13q, t(4;14)(p16;q32) and del17p13 on the interphase bone marrow aspirates. Blade criteria were used to define RR. PFS and OS were defined according to the international uniform response criteria. 159 patients with FISH results available for a least one of the genomic aberrations were included in this analysis: median age was 61 yrs (32–85), 50.3% had ISS stage II or III, median beta2-microglobulin was 3.055 mg/L (0.69–17.5), median number of prior treatments was 3 (1–6) with 50.3% previously treated with thalidomide, 43.7% with bortezomib and 73% with SCT. Del13q, t(4;14) and del17p13 were detected in 57 (37.3%), 21(19.1%) and 11 (11.6%) of patients, respectively. The overall response RR (CR+PR) to len-dex was 77.3% (14.4% CR and nCR) and 64.9% for the del13q, 76.2% for t(4;14) and 63.6% for del17p patients. The median PFS was 10.56 months (95%C.I.[6.65–14.48]). The median OS was not reached at the time of this analysis with 55.4% alive at a median follow-up of 16 months. PFS and OS were also similar when results were analyzed according to the presence or absence of del13q, t(4;14), ISS stage and prior SCT. In univariate analysis, prior thalidomide or bortezomib exposure, number of prior lines of therapy, depth of response (CR vs PR) and the presence of del17p13 by FISH did result in lower PFS and OS. However in multivariate analysis only the presence of 17p13 deletion and the depth of response correlated with PFS and OS (Table). Treatment with len-dex overcomes the poor prognosis conferred by t(4;14), high beta2-microglobulin and del13q in relapsed and refractory MM. Patients with deletion of the TP53 locus still fare very poorly despite a rapid initial response to len-dex. Confirmation of these results in patients with del17p13 with a larger prospective study is clearly warranted.