Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Understanding Interlayer Coupling in TMD-hBN Heterostructure by Raman Spectroscopy

In 2-D van der Waals heterostructures, interactions between atomic layers dramatically change the vibrational properties of the hybrid system and demonstrate several interesting phenomena that are absent in individual materials. In this paper, we have investigated the vibrational properties of the heterostructure between transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) on gold film at low- and high-frequency ranges by Raman spectroscopy. Nineteen Raman modes have been observed from the sample, including a new interlayer coupling mode at 28.8 cm−1. Compared to reported experimental results of tungsten disulfide (WS2) on SiO2/Si substrates, the Raman spectrum for WS2 on hBN/Au emerges a blue shift of about 8 cm−1. Furthermore, a remarkable enhancement of Raman intensity can be obtained when tuning hBN thickness in the heterostructure. Through systematic first-principles calculations, numerical simulations, and analytical calculations, we find that the 28.8 cm−1 mode originates from the shearing motion between monolayer TMD and hBN layers. In addition, the gold substrate and hBN layers form an optical cavity and the cavity interference effects enhance the obtained Raman intensity. This paper demonstrates the novel vibrational modes of 2-D van der Waals heterostructure as an effective tool to characterize a variety of such heterostructures and reveals a new method to enhance the Raman response of 2-D materials.
Dynamic Performance Improvement of Multiple Delayed Signal Cancelation Filters Based Three-Phase Enhanced-PLL

Phase-locked loop (PLL) techniques are widely utilized for synchronization and control of grid-connected power electronic systems for estimation of phase angle, frequency, and amplitude of the grid voltage. Recently, an advanced scheme called the three-phase enhanced PLL (3P-EPLL) has been proposed for estimating the grid voltage information. However, recent studies have shown that this 3P-EPLL cannot provide accurate estimations under adverse grid conditions, especially when the grid voltage is polluted with harmonics, dc offsets, and unbalance. This paper proposes an improved scheme of 3P-EPLL. A novel filtering technique called the multiple delayed signal cancelation (MDSC) is integrated into both the phase-angle estimation loop, and the amplitude estimation loop of the 3P-EPLL for eliminating periodic ripples due to harmonics and unbalance in the grid voltage. MDSC filters can indeed provide more flexibility to configure the lowest undesired harmonics, and can have less delay time in the digital implementations when compared with moving average filters and cascaded delayed signal cancelation filters. Thus, the fast response time of the filter is expected. To improve the dynamic performance of the 3P-EPLL, the proportional-integral-derivative controller is used instead of the conventional proportional-integral controller. Comprehensive analysis of the MDSC-based 3P-EPLL is investigated. Both simulations and experimental studies are conducted to validate the prompt dynamic performance of the proposed MDSC-based 3P-EPLL.
Reduced CD160 Expression Contributes to Impaired NK-cell Function and Poor Clinical Outcomes in Patients with HCC.

: We previously reported that deficiencies in natural killer (NK)-cell number and function play an important role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain obscure. In this study, we analyzed the expression of CD160 on intrahepatic NK cells by evaluating peritumoral and intratumoral tissues of 279 patients with HCC and 20 healthy livers. We observed reduced expression of CD160 on intratumoral NK cells, and patients with lower CD160 cell densities within tumor cells exhibited worse disease and a higher recurrence rate. High-resolution microarray and gene set enrichment analysis of flow cytometry-sorted primary intrahepatic CD160+ and CD160- NK cells of healthy livers indicated that human CD160+ NK cells exhibited functional activation, high IFNγ production, and NK-mediated immunity. In addition, global transcriptomic analysis of sorted peritumoral and intratumoral CD160+ NK cells revealed that intratumoral CD160+ NK cells are more exhausted than peritumoral CD160+ NK cells and produce less IFNγ. High levels of TGFβ1 interfered with production of IFNγ by CD160+ NK cells, blocking of which specifically restored IFNγ production in CD160+ NK cells to normal levels. These findings indicate that reduced numbers of CD160+ NK cells, together with the functional impairment of CD160+ NK cells by TGFβ1, contribute to tumor immune escape. In addition, restoring the expression of CD160 and blocking TGFβ1 appear a promising therapeutic strategy against liver cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings show that reduced number and function of CD160+ NK cells in the tumor microenvironment contributes to immune escape of HCC; blocking TGFβ1 restores IFNγ production of CD160+ NK cells.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals. org/content/canres/78/23/6581/F1.large. jpg.
Comparative analyses of multifrequency PSI ground deformation measurements

In recent years many new developments have been made in the field of SAR image analysis. The diversity of available SAR imagery allows a wider range of applications to be covered in the domain of risk management and hazard mapping. The work that we propose is based on the analysis of differences in ground deformation measurements extracted from the processing of data stacks acquired at different frequencies. The aim of the project is the definition of criteria that could assist in the selection of the most appropriate SAR mission according to the type of regions of interest. Key factors are geographic localization and land cover. The study is organized in two main parts. First, the impact of sensitivity to motion, land cover characteristics, spatial resolution and atmospheric artifacts is investigated at different wavelengths. Second, the PS density achieved and the capacity to detect and monitor fast and slow motions over urban and rural areas with different frequencies is analyzed. The presented InSAR analyses have been performed using the Stable Point Network (SPN) PSI software developed by Altamira Information.
What Role can NOMA Play in Massive MIMO?

This paper seeks to answer a simple but fundamental question: what role can non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) play in massive multi-in multi-out (MIMO)? It is well established that power-domain NOMA schemes can outperform conventional orthogonal multiple access schemes in cellular networks. However, this fact does not imply that NOMA is the most efficient way to communicate in massive MIMO setups, where the base stations have many more antennas than there are users in the cell. These setups are becoming the norm in future networks and are usually studied by assuming spatial multiplexing of the users using linear multi-user beamforming. To answer the above-mentioned question, we analyze and compare the performance achieved by NOMA and multi-user beamforming in both non-line-of-sight and line-of-sight scenarios. We reveal that the latter scheme gives the highest average sum rate in massive MIMO setups. We also identify specific cases where NOMA is the better choice in massive MIMO and explain how NOMA plays an essential role in creating a hybrid of NOMA and multi-user beamforming that is shown to perform better than two standalone schemes do.
Long-term results after surgical treatment of the dominant lung adenocarcinoma associated with ground-glass opacities.

Background To evaluate the effect of first-time and eventual reiterative surgery on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in Caucasian patients affected by an invasive adenocarcinoma (ADC) with at least another ground-glass opacity (GGO). Methods We analysed 47 patients operated on for lung ADC, identified as main cancer (MC), with at least one synchronous GGO, from January 2003 to March 2017. Characteristics associated with the evolution of GGOs were investigated with logistic regression and overall and DFS were evaluated with Kaplan-Meier method. Results Forty-two (89%) patients received an anatomic resection of the MC, 5 patients were treated by a single or multiple wedge resections. In total, 9 (19.1%) patients had all the lesions resected undergoing simultaneous resection of ipsilateral GGOs at first surgery while the remaining 38 (80.9%) patients still had at least one GGO that was followed up by serial CT scan. At the median follow-up of 41 months, GGO evolved in 16 (42.1%) patients. The presence of solid component at the initial CT scan was the only risk factor for evolution of the GGO. Thirteen patients underwent surgical resection showing an invasive ADC in 9 patients, MIA in 3 and AIS in 1. New GGOs developed in 7 (14.9%) patients, in which three underwent surgery showing the presence of solid ADC, MIA and AAH. OS rate at 5 years was 97.4%. DFS at 3 years was 82% and was significantly influenced by the stage of MC. Conclusions Patients affected by an invasive ADC with at least another GGO nodule enjoy good OS and DFS with a surgical reiterative approach. Part-solid GGO is associated with GGO progression requiring treatment, but OS is not influenced by the new onset or evolution of GGOs. DFS is affected by the stage of the MC which dictates the treatment strategy.
Imaging appearance of myelopathy secondary to nitrous oxide abuse: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Purpose The abuse of nitrous oxide (N2O) can induce Vitamin B12 deficiency that subsequently leads to central nervous demyelination, myelopathy and peripheral neuropathy. Although myelopathy has been reported in the past, the specific locations and prognosis of the disease are still unclear. Materials and methods: We report the case of a 22-year-old male who presented with quadriplegia that began after a 3-month history of inhalation of N2O. We summarized the clinical data of this entity and performed a comprehensive literature review of various presentations and MRI features of myelopathy secondary to N2O abuse. Results: In combination with previous reports of 14 cases, we found that the onset of the disease was usually subacute, and the majority of patients (92.85%) were young men. There was no definite relationship between myelopathy and the amount or duration of N2O inhalation. The most common clinical manifestation was sensory ataxia, and the cervical spinal cord was the most frequently impaired area of the whole spinal cord. The spinal cord lesions had a high signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI and usually involved more than three spinal segments and impaired the posterior column more significantly. Most patients recovered well after vitamin B12 supplementation. Conclusions: Myelopathy secondary to N2O abuse is generally seen in young men. The clinical diagnosis mainly depends on a history of N2O inhalation and the characteristic imaging changes in the posterior cervical spinal cord. Early diagnosis and intervention are important for a satisfactory prognosis.
Does age over 80 years have to be a contraindication for lung cancer surgery-a nationwide database study.

Background Nowadays surgery remains the best treatment for localized lung cancer (LC). However, patients over 80 years old are often denied surgery because of the postoperative risk of death. This study aimed to estimate in-hospital mortality (IHM) and determine whether age over 80 is the most important predictor of IHM after LC surgery. Methods From January 2005 to December 2015, 97,440 patients, including 4,438 patients over 80 years old, were operated on for LC and recorded in the French Administrative Database. Characteristics of patients, hospitals and surgery were analysed. Results Crude IHM was 3.73% (n=3,639) and 7.77% (n=345) for the over 80s vs. 3.54% (n=3,294) for younger patients (P<0.0001). In multivariate analysis, predictive factors for IHM with the odds ratios (OR) were: 2.60 for age ≥80 (95% CI: 2.30-2.94; P=0.0001), 5.85 for a previous liver disease (95% CI: 4.79-7.16; P=0.0001) and 5 for previous lung disease (95% CI: 4.25-5.9; P=0.0001). IHM was also linked to hospital volume with an OR of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.69-0.81; P=0.0001) and a linear decrease for predicted IHM according to hospital volume for the over 80s. Adjusted ORs were 1.15 (95% CI: 0.96-1.4; P=0.0116) for lobectomy, 2.18 for bilobectomy (95% CI: 1.7-2.8; P=0.0001) and 3.83 (95% CI: 3.2-4.6; P=0.0001) for pneumonectomy. Conclusions Concerning IHM, age ≥80 had a lower weight than did a previous pulmonary or liver disease and the type of pulmonary resection. Patients over 80s with localized LC and no significant comorbidities should be referred for surgery if lobectomy or sublobar resection could be performed.
Evaluation of the Detectability of Electromechanical Faults in Induction Motors Via Transient Analysis of the Stray Flux

The stray flux that is present in the vicinity of an induction motor is a very interesting information source to detect several types of failures in these machines. The analysis of this quantity can be employed, in some cases, as a supportive tool to complement the diagnosis provided by other quantities. In other cases, when no other motor quantities are available, stray flux analysis can become one of the few alternatives to evaluate the motor condition. Its noninvasive nature, low cost, and easy implementation makes it a very interesting option that requires further investigation. The aim of this work is to evaluate the suitability of the stray flux analysis under the starting transient as a way to detect certain faults in induction motors (broken rotor bars and misalignments), even when these types of faults coexist in the motor. To this end, advanced signal processing tools will be applied. Several positions of the flux sensors are considered in this study. Also, for the first time, a fault indicator based on the stray flux analysis under the starting is introduced and its sensitivity is compared versus other indicators relying on other quantities. It must be emphasized that, since the capture of the transient and steady-state flux signals can be carried out in the same measurement, the application of the approach presented in this work is straightforward and its derived information may become crucial for the diagnosis of some faults.
Mevalonate Metabolism in Cancer Stemness and Trained Immunity

Mevalonate metabolism provides cancer and immune cells with diverse products to ensure cell functionality. Similar metabolic reprogramming that raises mevalonate metabolism to higher levels appears to drive both, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells, a reverse differentiation program that generates cancer cells with stem cell properties, and immune cell training for increased responsiveness to secondary stimulation. In this review, we address how mevalonate metabolism supports cancer development and stemness on the one hand, and on the other promotes immune responsiveness. In view of this dual nature of mevalonate metabolism, strategies to manipulate this metabolic pathway as part of anti-cancer therapies require careful analysis of risks versus benefits.
Estimating heterogeneous treatment effects for latent subgroups in observational studies

Individuals may vary in their responses to treatment, and identification of subgroups differentially affected by a treatment is an important issue in medical research. The risk of misleading subgroup analyses has become well known, and some exploratory analyses can be helpful in clarifying how covariates potentially interact with the treatment. Motivated by a real data study of pediatric kidney transplant, we consider a semiparametric Bayesian latent model and examine its utility for an exploratory subgroup effect analysis using secondary data. The proposed method is concerned with a clinical setting where the number of subgroups is much smaller than that of potential predictors and subgroups are only latently associated with observed covariates. The semiparametric model is flexible in capturing the latent structure driven by data rather than dictated by parametric modeling assumptions. Since it is difficult to correctly specify the conditional relationship between the response and a large number of confounders in modeling, we use propensity score matching to improve the model robustness by balancing the covariates distribution. Simulation studies show that the proposed analysis can find the latent subgrouping structure and, with propensity score matching adjustment, yield robust estimates even when the outcome model is misspecified. In the real data analysis, the proposed analysis reports significant subgroup effects on steroid avoidance in kidney transplant patients, whereas standard proportional hazards regression analysis does not.
A Large-Scale Study of I/O Workload’s Impact on Disk Failure

In large-scale data centers, disk failure is the norm rather than an exception. Frequent disk failure noticeably hurts user experience and results in unavailability of data in the worst case. Previous researches from both industry and academia have studied the reasons of disk failure; however, there is a lack of knowledge of the intrinsic relation between failed disks and their I/O workload. In this paper, we collect and investigate about four billion drive hours I/O traces over 500 000 disks in Tencent’s data centers. Our focus is to first exploit the key characteristics of I/O workload that influences disk reliability. We further present the impact of these I/O workload features on lifespan of disks and uncover the root causes. Finally, we introduce a new metric to accurately identify the ”dangerous” I/O workload which is extremely harmful to disk health. To the best of our knowledge, this research is by far the first in-depth analysis of the I/O workload’s impact on disk reliability and opens up a new dimension for I/O schedule policy in data centers.
Microbial and Chemical Parameters of Traditional Siahmazgi Cheese Produced in Zanjan Province, Iran

| One of the most ancient forms of manufactured food is traditional dairy products, especially cheese. Siahmazgi is an Iranian traditional cheese produced which is getting increasingly popular. In this study, chemical and microbial quality of Siahmazgi cheeses (76 samples) are collected randomly from different regions of Zanjan province was studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate some chemical parameters (pH, acidity, salt) and undesirable microbial populations (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Coliforms, molds and yeasts). Average results of chemical parameters: pH (4.79±0.27), titratable acidity (0.86±0.22%) and NaCl (4.56±1.2%) were determined. The results indicated that out of the total samples of Siahmazgi cheese in terms of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Coliforms, molds and yeasts in cheese were 3, 21, 23 and 23 (in term of CFU/g) in samples were not agree with the Iranian national standard (ISIRI), respectively. Also, contamination with Salmonella spp. (in term of CFU/25g) wasnot observed in all analyzed samples. Our findings indicated that in addition to chemical characteristics (especially in terms of NaCl), the most microbiological (especially in case of Escherichia coli, Coliforms, molds and yeasts) loads of Siahmazgi cheese produced in Zanjan province are not agree with the Iranian National Standard, however continues supervision, sampling and controlling is required during production of their products from microbial and chemical contamination point of view.
Violent Video Games, Externalizing Behavior, and Prosocial Behavior: A Five-Year Longitudinal Study During Adolescence

Decades of research on the effects of media violence have examined associations between viewing aggressive material in the media and aggression and prosocial behavior. However, the existing longitudinal studies have tended to exclusively examine aggression and prosocial behavior as outcomes, with a limited range of potential mediators. The current study examines associations between playing violent video games and externalizing and prosocial behavior over a 5-year period across adolescence. Additionally, the study examines potential mediators of these associations, including empathic concern, benevolence, and self-regulation. Participants included 488 adolescents (Mage of child at Wave 1 = 13.83, SD = 0.98) and their parents, who completed self- and parental measures at three different time points, each 2 years apart. Results revealed that early exposure to video game violence was indirectly associated with lower levels of prosocial behavior as mediated by lower levels of benevolence. Additionally, early video game violence play was associated with higher levels of externalizing behavior at the cross-sectional level, but not 5 years later. Implications of results for adolescents and parents are discussed.
Harnessing Smoothness to Accelerate Distributed Optimization

There has been a growing effort in studying the distributed optimization problem over a network. The objective is to optimize a global function formed by a sum of local functions, using only local computation and communication. The literature has developed consensus-based distributed (sub)gradient descent (DGD) methods and has shown that they have the same convergence rate $O(\frac{\log t}{\sqrt{t}})$ as the centralized (sub)gradient methods (CGD), when the function is convex but possibly nonsmooth. However, when the function is convex and smooth, under the framework of DGD, it is unclear how to harness the smoothness to obtain a faster convergence rate comparable to CGD's convergence rate. In this paper, we propose a distributed algorithm that, despite using the same amount of communication per iteration as DGD, can effectively harnesses the function smoothness and converge to the optimum with a rate of $O(\frac{1}{t})$. If the objective function is further strongly convex, our algorithm has a linear convergence rate. Both rates match the convergence rate of CGD. The key step in our algorithm is a novel gradient estimation scheme that uses history information to achieve fast and accurate estimation of the average gradient. To motivate the necessity of history information, we also show that it is impossible for a class of distributed algorithms like DGD to achieve a linear convergence rate without using history information even if the objective function is strongly convex and smooth.
Multi-Task Learning for Machine Reading Comprehension

We propose a multi-task learning framework to jointly train a Machine Reading Comprehension (MRC) model on multiple datasets across different domains. Key to the proposed method is to learn robust and general contextual representations with the help of out-domain data in a multi-task framework. Empirical study shows that the proposed approach is orthogonal to the existing pre-trained representation models, such as word embedding and language models. Experiments on the Stanford Question Answering Dataset (SQuAD), the Microsoft MAchine Reading COmprehension Dataset (MS MARCO), NewsQA and other datasets show that our multi-task learning approach achieves significant improvement over state-of-the-art models in most MRC tasks.