Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Frequency of Circulating Tumour Cells and the Correlation with the Clinical Response to Standard Chemoradiotherapy in Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Prospective Study

Purpose: Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) have been found to correlate with treatment response and prognosis in some cancers; however, such correlations have not been reported in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We aimed to determine the relationship between CTCs and the treatment response in NPC. Patients and methods: In this prospective study, we ascertained the karyotype of CTCs and identi ﬁ ed a possible correlation between karyotype and treatment response in locally advanced NPC (LANPC). We prospectively collected peripheral blood from LANPC patients. CTCs were measured by negative enrichment with immuno ﬂ uorescence in situ hybridization (imFISH) and a centromere of chromosome 8 (CEP8) probe. Chromosome 8 was karyotyped in CTCs, which were identi ﬁ ed as triploid, tetraploid or multiploid. Patients were then treated with platinum-based induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy. CTCs were measured before and after treatment. Results: We detected CTCs in 27 of 50 (54%) patients, which served as a baseline value. The results were independent of age, smoking history and NPC clinical stage. All of the 27 evaluable enrolled patients with detectable CTCs showed decreases in both total CTCs and CTCs of different ploidies after treatment (P<0.05). Reductions in CTCs were signi ﬁ cantly more common in patients with a complete response (CR) than in those with a partial response (PR) (P<0.05). The presence of fewer tetraploid CTCs before treatment had a positive predictive value for a CR to chemoradiotherapy (P<0.05). CTC-positive patients had a shorter PFS after treatment (P=0.03). Conclusion: The decrease in CTCs was correlated with therapeutic ef ﬁ cacy in patients with LANPC, and the presence of tetraploid CTCs before treatment is a potential predictive factor for clinical outcomes.
UAV-based thermography reveals spatial and temporal variability of evapotranspiration from a tropical rainforest

Evapotranspiration (ET) from tropical forests plays a significant role in regulating the climate system. Forests are diverse ecosystems, encompass heterogeneous site conditions and experience seasonal fluctuations of rainfall. Our objectives were to quantify ET from a tropical rainforest using high-resolution thermal images and a simple modeling framework. In lowland Sumatra, thermal infrared (TIR) images were taken from an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) of upland and riparian sites during both dry and wet seasons. We predicted ET from land surface temperature data retrieved from the TIR images by applying the DATTUTDUT energy balance model. We further compared the ET estimates to ground-based sap flux measurements for selected trees and assessed the plot-level spatial and temporal variability of ET across sites and seasons. Average ET across sites and seasons was 0.48 mm h–1, which is comparable to ET from a nearby commercial oil palm plantation where this method has been validated against eddy covariance measurements. For given trees, a positive correlation was found between UAV-based ET and tree transpiration derived from ground-based sap flux measurements, thereby corroborating the observed spatial patterns. Evapotranspiration at upland sites was 11% higher than at riparian sites across all seasons. The heterogeneity of ET was lower at upland sites than at riparian sites, and increased from the dry season to the wet season. This seasonally enhanced ET variability can be an effect of local site conditions including partial flooding and diverse responses of tree species to moisture conditions. These results improve our understanding of forest-water interactions in tropical forests and can aid the further development of vegetation-atmosphere models. Further, we found that UAV-based thermography using a simple, energy balance modeling scheme is a promising method for ET assessments of natural (forest) ecosystems, notably in data scarce regions of the world.
Reduction of NH3 Emissions from Urea by Long-Term No-Tillage and Stover Mulching with Inhibitors: An Isotopic Field Study in Northeast China

Large nitrogen (N) losses during fertilization in agricultural production may result in energy wastage, soil and water contamination, and potentially influence crop development. Thus, with the help of a 15N-labeled tracer, we carried out a field monitoring analysis of NH3 emissions in a long-term (9-year) conservation tillage agroecosystem of Mollisols in northeast China, in order to determine whether a no-tillage regime and four levels of stover mulching (0%, 33%, 67%, and 100%), combined with urease and nitrification inhibitors, could improve fertilizer utilization efficiency in agricultural systems by reducing ammonia volatilization. Our results showed that in comparison with ridge tillage, no-tillage with stover mulching levels of 33%, 67%, and 100% significantly reduced NH3 emission rates and cumulative volatilization from 159.67 to 130.42 g N ha−1 and 15N-NH3 cumulative volatilization emission by 26% (on average). Furthermore, the application of urease and nitrification inhibitors significantly reduced 15N-NH3 volatilization levels from 1.19 to 0.98 g N ha−1. Our research results demonstrate that a long-term no-tillage regime and straw mulching can significantly reduce NH3 volatilization in fertilizers. Furthermore, when combined with the use of urease and nitrification inhibitors, these practices further enhance the reduction in NH3 volatilization. Although the volatilization of 15N-NH3 is minimally studied in Mollisols, these findings provide a solid foundation for improving fertilizer utilization efficiency, reducing crop production costs and mitigating subsequent environmental pollution.
Fine Thermohaline Structure and Gas-exchange in the Near-Surface Layer of the Ocean During GasEx-98

During the GasEx-98 field campaign, observations of the upper ocean structure were performed to identify relationships between the fine thermohaline structure, turbulence, and gas exchange in the near-surface layer of the ocean. The upper ocean dynamics were then simulated using a 1-D mixed layer model with the mixing parameterization developed during TOGA Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (COARE). The model was initialized with the temperature, salinity, and velocity profiles in the upper 50 m thick layer of the ocean obtained from the Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) and Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measurements and was forced with the air-sea heat and momentum fluxes measured by Edson et al. [1999]. The model produced a set of parameters including the time and depth dependent mixing coefficient and the depth of the mixed layer. The simulated mixed layer depth is consistent with the depth of the actively mixed layer determined from the turbulence profiles taken occasionally during GasEx-98 leg 2 with a free-rising profiler. Moderate wind speed conditions prevailed during GasEx-98 leg 2 with several storms and a few periods of calm weather. Both the modeling and experimental results demonstrate that under conditions of low wind speed, the surface-generated turbulence is constrained within a relatively thin surface layer of the ocean. In the near-surface layer, appreciable temperature, salinity, and gas concentration differences are formed because of diurnal warming or precipitation effects. These results are applied to the estimation of the effect of mixed layer processes on the bulk-flux formulation for the air-sea exchange of gases.
Weather Condition Characteristics at the H. Arctowski Station (South Shetlands, Antarctica) for 2006, in Comparison With Multi-Year Research Results

Abstract The maritime Antarctic is characterised by highly variable weather conditions throughout the year, as well as over multi-year periods. The annual variability of weather conditions constitutes an important basis for biological and geographical studies, allowing for the monitoring of the functioning and changes of the geographical environment of the west coast of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica). Year-round meteorological observations (1.2006-12.2006) measured: atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, cloud cover, air temperature, relative humidity, total precipitation, snow cover, and Admiralty Bay ice cover.
Effective Use of microRNA, BRAF and Sonographic Risk Assessment in Bethesda III Thyroid Nodules Requires a Different Approach to Nodules with Features of Nuclear Atypia and Other Types of Atypia

Simple Summary Commercially available molecular tests for thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsy are expensive and usually require an additional aspiration of the nodule. Therefore, we checked whether a method free of these main disadvantages would be feasible in the case of Bethesda category III nodules. To this end, we decided to use the material remaining in the needle after preparation of the classic smear and to limit molecular diagnostics to a few well-recognized tests: BRAF V600E mutation and three microRNAs, miR-146b, miR-221 and miR-222. At the same time, we assessed the potential of the combined ultrasound and molecular evaluation of nodules and considered the distinctiveness of two main subcategories of Bethesda category III: nodules with nuclear atypia and nodules with other types of atypia (predominantly architectural). As we show, this approach facilitates clinical decision making for both of these subcategories and prevents a significant number of diagnostic thyroid surgeries. Abstract The aim of the study was to analyze the diagnostic usefulness of the combined assessment of the ultrasound risk category of the nodule (evaluated with EU-TIRADS system), the presence of BRAF V600E mutation and the expression of selected microRNAs (miR-146b, miR-221 and miR-222) in Bethesda category III thyroid nodules, separately for cases with nuclear atypia (AUS-nuclear) and cases with other types of atypia (AUS-other). We evaluated 161 nodules (66 AUS-nuclear and 95 AUS-other) with known results of postoperative histopathological examination. The rate of cancer and the rate of PTC among cancers were nearly three times higher in the AUS-nuclear than the AUS-other group. For AUS-nuclear nodules, the most effective diagnostic panel included, in addition to repeat FNA, the assessment of BRAF V600E mutation and the expression of miR-146b and miR-222 (sensitivity: 93.5%, specificity: 80.0%). For AUS-other nodules, a two-step procedure was most effective: at the first stage, forgoing surgical treatment in subjects with a benign repeat FNA outcome, and, at the second stage, the assessment of miR-222 expression and the EU-TIRADS category (sensitivity: 92.3%, specificity: 76.8%). The optimal use of molecular methods in the diagnostics of category III thyroid nodules requires a separate approach for nodules with nuclear atypia and nodules with other types of atypia.
Hedge-Algebra-Based Phase-Locked Loop for Distorted Utility Conditions

This paper presents the first application of the hedge-algebra theory in the field of grid synchronization. For this purpose, an optimized hedge-algebra controller (HAC) is developed and incorporated within the three-phase phase-locked loop (PLL) with moving average filters (MAFs) inside its feedback loop. Optimized fuzziness parameters and linguistic rule base of the HAC are obtained by a genetic algorithm using the integral of absolute error as the performance index during optimization. Calculated optimal parameter values of the HAC depend on the most frequently occurring disturbance in the electric grid. Two different PLL structures are proposed, depending on the types of disturbances occurring in the electric grid. The first structure is the conventional synchronous reference frame PLL with the nonadaptive MAF (i.e., MAF without order adjustment), but with the PI/PID controller in the phase loop replaced by the developed HAC. Such PLL structure is suitable for all analyzed disturbance types, expect for step-changes in the grid frequency. The second PLL structure introduces the adaptive MAF (i.e., MAF with order adjustment) and a new feedback signal in the output stage of the controller to achieve zero steady-state error in the case of step-changes in the grid frequency. The disturbance rejection capability of the two developed PLLs with the HAC (HAC-PLLs) is tested separately and compared experimentally with the PID- and fuzzy-controller-based PLLs.
Phaseless Array Faulty Diagnostics via Convex Optimization

In this paper, the problem of detecting defective turned-off elements in antenna arrays from nearfield phaseless measurements is addressed. The diagnostics is cast as the recovery of a real (binary) signal from amplitude-only measurements. Such problem falls into the realm of phase retrieval one. Taking inspiration from the recently introduced PhaseMax algorithm, the phase retrieval is formulated as a convex optimization. In particular, PhaseMax is adapted to the faults detection problem by removing the need to estimate a reference solution. Moreover, it is shown that the convex optimization is equivalent to a sparse minimization problem which allows to employ all the powerful tools of compressive sensing realm. Preliminary numerical results are presented to asses the achievable performance as the number of faulty elements increase. Finally, a strategy that reduces the number of measurement points by employing steering diversities is presented and checked.
Clinical Application of In Vitro Tests for COVID-19 Vaccine Delayed Hypersensitivity Diagnostics

Drug hypersensitivity reactions can be classified as immediate or delayed. While diagnostic options for immediate reactions are well developed and standardized, delayed reactions (in many cases type IV according to Gell and Coombs) are a challenge for allergy work-up. In recent years, some in vitro markers have been proposed and used for delayed reactions, such as contact dermatitis. Primary strategy: Avoidance is difficult to achieve, especially for COVID-19 vaccinations, when immunity against infection is extremely important. The aim of our study was to evaluate the application of in vitro delayed hypersensitivity tests in COVID-19 vaccines. Seven patients with a positive history of severe delayed drug allergy were enrolled. Vein blood was collected to stimulate cells with the tested vaccines (Comirnaty, Janssen, Spikevax) and excipients with the assessment of CD40L, CD69, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IFNgamma, TNFalfa, and intracellular markers: granulysin and INFgamma. In addition, basophile activation tests, patch tests, skin prick tests, and intradermal tests were performed with the tested vaccine. Finally, the decision was made to either administer a vaccine or resign. Two out of seven patients were considered positive for drug hypersensitivity in the in vitro test according to the high vaccine stimulation index measured with CD69 (6.91 and 12.18) and CD40L (5.38 and 15.91). All patch tests, BATs, and skin tests were negative. Serum interleukin measurements were inconclusive as the impact of the vaccine itself on the immunity system was high. Intracellular markers gave uncertain results due to the lack of stimulation on the positive control. CD69 and CD40L could be reliable in vitro markers for delayed hypersensitivity to COVID-19 vaccines. Patch tests, skin tests, BATs, and serum interleukins did not confirm their usefulness in our study.
The association between social support and the mental health of social workers and police officers who work with unaccompanied asylum-seeking refugee children’s forced repatriation: A Swedish experience

ABSTRACT This study aims to contribute to the knowledge of social support and its association with mental health amongst social workers and police officers in forced repatriation work of unaccompanied asylum-seeking refugee children. Nationally distributed surveys to social workers and police officers with and without experience of forced repatriation were used, measured by an abbreviated version of the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction (ISSI), and analyzed by univariate and multivariable regression models. Social workers in forced repatriation showed significantly poorer mental health than other social workers, but simultaneously relatively high access to social support. Irrespective of working with forced repatriation, police officers reported relatively high access to social support, but no difference in mental health. Furthermore, low levels of satisfaction with social interaction and close emotional support increased the odds of psychological disturbances for police officers in forced repatriation. Findings are discussed with special regard to the complexity of forced repatriation, particularly when children are the focus.
Studying the Association Between Knowledge of Professionalism and Demographic Characteristics in King Saud University Medical Students

Objectives To study the association between the level of knowledge regarding professionalism and demographic characteristics among medical students from years three to five at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods Data for this quantitative observational cross-sectional study were collected using stratified random sampling. The participants included male and female students from years three to five studying at the College of Medicine, King Saud University. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Student's t-test and a one-way ANOVA test. Results The study comprised 112 female (52%) and 103 male (48%) students who completed 215 questionnaires. The mean percentage values of correct answers by females and males were 59.99% and 59.31%, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between the mean percentage of correct answers given by males and females (p=0.684). The mean percentage of correct answers among the 3rd, 4th, and 5th-year medical students was 59.27%, 56.56%, and 62.72%, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the academic year groups (p<0.05), and the grade point average (GPA) groups showed significant differences (p<0.05). Conclusion A highly significant association was found between knowledge of professionalism and both academic level and performance among medical students. This suggests that professional perception evolves parallel to acquiring basic science and clinical knowledge.
Preliminary comparison of neuropsychological performance in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer treated with chemotherapy or targeted therapy

Purpose: This cross-sectional pilot study aimed to compare the effects of chemotherapy and targeted therapy on neuropsychological performance and psychiatric symptoms in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients and methods: A total of 113 patients with NSCLC were recruited. According to their type of cancer treatment, the patients were classified into chemotherapy (n = 40), targeted therapy (n = 33), and untreated control (n = 40) groups. All participants completed five objective tests measuring various domains of cognitive function, a subjective cognitive functioning scale (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Cognitive Function; FACT-cog), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) either within 6 months after diagnosis (for the untreated group) or about 18 months after treatment. Results: Overall, there were no significant intergroup differences in the proportions of patients with abnormal cognitive performance and psychiatric disturbances. Among the untreated NSCLC patients, 35% had impaired performance in at least one cognitive domain, and a comparable finding (30%–35%) was made for the other two treatment groups. The proportion of patients with impaired psychomotor speed was the highest (10%–15%) across various cognitive domains. Moreover, a significant proportion of NSCLC patients (15%–20%) exhibited HADS-defined anxiety and depression disorder. Finally, significant correlations were found between FACT-cog total scores and the HADS Depression subscale across all three groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 1) a substantial proportion of NSCLC patients exhibited cognitive impairments (especially regarding psychomotor speed) and psychiatric disturbances; 2) no significant differences were observed among the three patient groups for any subjective or objective measure of cognitive deficit; and 3) perceived cognitive impairment was significantly associated with depression or anxiety. Prompt treatment of psychiatric disorders to minimize their impact is therefore recommended.
Impacts of pleiotropy and migration on repeated genetic adaptation

Studies of trait-mapping and local adaptation often identify signatures of genetically repeated evolution, where different species independently evolve similar phenotypes using the same genes. Such patterns appear incongruent with current estimations of quantitative trait architecture: with hundreds or thousands or genes contributing to a trait, why would selection make repeated use of the same genes? This incongruence is particularly puzzling in light of the Fisher-Orr model, which predicts that repeated use of the same gene should decrease with increasing trait dimensionality, as alleles of large-effect are unlikely to be beneficial when there is high pleiotropy. When adaptation occurs for a single trait in spatially heterogeneous environments with migration, large-effect alleles are more strongly favoured, but it is unclear whether this result would generalize to multiple traits, especially if there are trade-offs between them. Here, we explore this question using individual-based simulations of a two-patch model with multiple quantitative traits governed by mutations with pleiotropic effects. We first confirm that repeatability is lower in spatially homogeneous environments, and then explore the effect of trait dimensionality and pleiotropy in a spatially heterogeneous environment. While repeatability decreases with increasing trait dimensionality, trade-offs in mutation effects on traits do not strongly limit the contribution of a locus of large effect to repeated adaptation, particularly under increased migration. These results suggest that evolutionary convergence will be more pronounced for local rather than global adaptation. Whereas pleiotropy limits repeatability in a single-population model, when there is local adaptation with gene flow, repeatability can be increased if some loci are able to produce alleles of large effect, even with pleiotropic trade-offs.