Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review of Short-Term Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Thoracoscopic Surgery for Lung Cancer after Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy

Simple Summary Non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) can be treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or a combination before undergoing surgical resection. However, uncertainty remains regarding the overall outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgical (MIS) resection of the lung, following systemic treatment. As such, we studied the existing data on outcomes of this patient population via a comprehensive dive into the literature and performed a meta-analysis. Our findings indicate that MIS can be safely performed following systemic treatment in patients with NSCLC. Notably, MIS resection offers added benefits including significantly higher lymph node yield compared to open surgery. We also address the various complication rates of both open and MIS surgical approaches, underscoring the importance of surgeon preparedness to convert MIS approaches to open surgeries in precarious circumstances. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the safety and efficacy of MIS resection post-systemic treatment for patients with NSCLC, offering potential improvements in patient outcomes and guidance to surgical decision making. Abstract Background: Minimally invasive surgeries for non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) such as video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries (VATSs) and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries (RATSs) have become standard of care for patients needing surgical resection in early stages. The role for neoadjuvant systemic therapy has increased with patients receiving neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy. However, there has been some equipoise over the intraoperative and overall outcomes for these patients. Here, we review the current data regarding outcomes of patients undergoing minimally invasive thoracic surgical resection after systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or both. Methods: A systematic literature review of randomized controlled trials and observational studies presenting data on patients with NSCLC that underwent neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by minimally invasive surgery was performed assessing complications, conversion rates, and lymph node yield. Results: Our search strategy and review of references resulted in 239 publications to screen with 88 full texts assessed and 21 studies included in our final review. VATS had a statistically significant higher lymph node yield in five studies. The reported conversion rates ranged from 0 to 54%. Dense adhesions, bleeding, and difficult anatomy were the most common reported reasons for conversion to open surgeries. The most common complications between both groups were prolonged air leak, arrythmia, and pneumonia. VATS was found to have significantly fewer complications in three papers. Conclusions: The current literature supports VATS as safe and feasible for patients with NSCLC after neoadjuvant systemic treatment. Surgeons should remain prepared to convert to open surgeries in those patients with dense adhesions and bleeding risk.
Isolation of acid soluble collagen from daggertooth pike conger (Muraenesox cinereus) and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity

The study was conducted to isolate acid soluble collagen (ASC) from daggertooth pike conger eel and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the isolated protein. Conger eels were collected from Kochi harbour. The proximate composition of eel skin consisted of 68.73 per cent of moisture on a wet basis with a crude protein, crude fat and total ash of 30.24 per cent, 12.17 per cent and 2.16 per cent respectively on a dry matter basis. Conger eel skin collagen was isolated by treating with 0.5 M acetic acid after pretreatment with 0.1 N NaOH and 10 per cent butanol. Salting out and precipitation of ASC was carried out by adding NaCl to a final concentration of 2.3 M. Precipitated ASC was then dialysed against 0.1 M acetic acid for 24h and then in distilled water until neutral pH was obtained. The yield of ASC was 12.78 per cent on a wet basis and 31.95 per cent on a dry basis. The antimicrobial activity of ASC was determined by the agar diffusion method. ASC showed antimicrobial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus.
Bacterial persistence in Legionella pneumophila clinical isolates from patients with recurring legionellosis

Bacterial persisters are a transient subpopulation of non-growing, antibiotic-tolerant cells. There is increasing evidence that bacterial persisters play an important role in treatment failure leading to recurring infections and promoting the development of antibiotic resistance. Current research reveals that recurring legionellosis is often the result of relapse rather than reinfection and suggests that the mechanism of bacterial persistence may play a role. The development of single-cell techniques such as the Timerbac system allows us to identify potential persister cells and investigate their physiology. Here, we tested the persister forming capacity of 7 pairs of Legionella pneumophila (Lp) clinical isolates, with isolate pairs corresponding to two episodes of legionellosis in the same patient. We distinguished non-growing subpopulations from their replicating counterparts during infection in an amoeba model. Imaging flow cytometry allowed us to identify single non-growing bacteria within amoeba cells 17 h post-infection, thus corresponding to this subpopulation of potential persister cells. Interestingly the magnitude of this subpopulation varies between the 7 pairs of Lp clinical isolates. Biphasic killing kinetics using ofloxacin stress confirmed the persister development capacity of ST1 clinical isolates, highlighting enhanced persister formation during the host cell infection. Thus, persister formation appears to be strain or ST (sequence type) dependent. Genome sequence analysis was carried out between ST1 clinical isolates and ST1 Paris. No genetic microevolution (SNP) linked to possible increase of persistence capacity was revealed among all the clones tested, even in clones issued from two persistence cycle experiments, confirming the transient reversible phenotypic status of persistence. Treatment failure in legionellosis is a serious issue as infections have a 5-10% mortality rate, and investigations into persistence in a clinical context and the mechanisms involved may allow us to combat this issue.
Re-identification of Colletotrichum acutatum Species Complex in Korea and Their Host Plants

Colletotrichum acutatum species complex is one of the most important groups in the genus Colletotrichum with a high species diversity and a wide range of host plants. C. acutatum and related species have been collected from different plants and locations in Korea and deposited into the Korean Agricultural Culture Collection (KACC), National Institute of Agricultural Sciences since the 1990s. These fungal isolates were previously identified based mainly on morphological characteristics, and a limitation of molecular data was provided. To confirm the identification of species, 64 C. acutatum species complex isolates in KACC were used in this study for DNA sequence analyses of six loci: nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacers (ITS), beta-tubulin 2 (TUB2), histone-3 (HIS3), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), chitin synthase 1 (CHS-1), and actin (ACT). The molecular analysis revealed that they were identified in six different species of C. fioriniae (24 isolates), C. nymphaeae (21 isolates), C. scovillei (12 isolates), C. chrysanthemi (three isolates), C. lupini (two isolates), and C. godetiae (one isolate), and a novel species candidate. We compared the hosts of KACC isolates with “The List of Plant Diseases in Korea”, previous reports in Korea and global reports and found that 23 combinations between hosts and pathogens could be newly reported in Korea after pathogenicity tests, and 12 of these have not been recorded in the world.
Growth and yield enhancement of carrot through integration of NPK and organic manures

A pot experiment was conducted at Horticulture Experimental Area, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan to investigate the combined effects of NPK and organic manures on growth and yield of carrot, for two consecutive years. The experiment was laid out in CRD with six treatments and four replications. Five different organic manures such as poultry manure (PM), sewage sludge (SS), farmyard manure (FYM), press mud (PrM) and goat manure (GM) were applied in combination with NPK, each at recommended levels for two successive years. A fertilizer check (control) was also included as treatment where no fertilizer and manure were used. The study revealed significant improvements in almost all growth and yield attributes by combined application of NPK and organic manures. Among different combinations, NPK + PM surpassed all other treatments by giving maximum leaves per plant (8.73 and 8.13), leaf length (38.17 and 36.77cm), root length (29.30 and 24.83cm), root diameter (3.10 and 3.27cm), root weight per plant (142.40 and 142.00g), total biomass per plant (169.33 and 166.67g) and root yield (56.67 and 56.83 t/ha), during both the experimental years. Similarly, NPK combination with green manure and sewage sludge also produced better results pertaining to carrot growth and production for two consecutive years. It was also observed during the study that control treatment showed poorest findings and placed at lowest levels.
Inequality for Gorenstein minimal 3-folds of general type

• In 1977, Yau ([21]) proved that the optimal inequality (−1)ncn−2 1 · c2 ≥ (−1)n n 2(n+1)c n 1 holds for all canonically polarized nonsingular varieties of dimension n. In [10] and [20], the same inequality is proved for more general cases.1 • In 1977, Miyaoka ([14]) proved that the inequality c1 ≤ 3c2 holds for all nonsingular projective surfaces of general type. In 1985, Miyaoka ([15]) proved that 3c2 − c1 is pseudo-effective for all nonsingular minimal projective varieties of general type.
Modulation of terahertz-spectrum generation from an air plasma by tunable three-color laser pulses

We theoretically demonstrate that the terahertz-spectrum generation in three-color laser-gas interactions can be effectively manipulated by tuning the laser wavelengths. We show that by positive and negative detuning of one of the color laser wavelengths in the three-color laser pulse, the terahertz spectral range can be greatly expanded, and in particular, the high spectral frequency components emerge. However, the total terahertz energy is maintained at a relatively high level and can even significantly increase. Moreover, we also show that the middle and high spectral frequency components of the terahertz spectrum can be effectively tuned by modulating the relative wavelength of the three-color laser pulses. Finally, our analysis shows that the ionization events play an important role in the intense and shaped terahertz generation.
Vitamin D Levels in Children During Winter and the Relationship Between Sunscreen and Sun Protection Behaviors

Introduction Sunlight is the major source of vitamin D, thus, the use of sunscreens could result in vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. Objectives Our study aimed to assess serum vitamin D levels in healthy children aged 0–18 years in the winter season and determine the association between sunscreen use and sun protection behaviors on vitamin D status. Methods The demographic data, clothing style, skin type, history of sunburn, history of visiting seaside towns in summer, sun protection behaviors including sunscreen use, wearing sunglasses and hats, and further detailed information about sunscreen use were recorded. Vitamin D status was assessed by measuring blood levels of total 25(OH)D during winter. Results Three hundred seventy-six children (172 boys and 204 girls) with a mean age of 128.38±56.39 months were enrolled. The mean serum level of 25(OH)D was 15.32±8.64 ng/mL. The mean values of vitamin D were associated with age, sex, traditional clothing style, having a sunburn history, and sunscreen use (P < 0.05). Adolescents and girls had vitamin D deficiency and inadequacy more than younger children and boys (P < 0.05). Sunscreen use in the adequacy group was lower than in the inadequacy and deficiency groups (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between vitamin D status according to the sunscreen details (sun protection factor, product source, season, and body areas) (P > 0.05). Conclusions Sunscreen use appears to reduce vitamin D levels measured in winter. Children, especially girls and adolescents, should be exposed to sufficient sunlight to maintain normal serum vitamin D levels. Vitamin D supplementation should be given to children, especially during winter.
Cognitive Spectrum Scheduling Method for Internet of Vehicles Based on DNN and MCTS

The application of Internet of Vehicles technology has led to an increase in the demand for vehicle scheduling, but the available computational resources and spectrum in current wireless networks are limited and scarce. Therefore, in order to improve the efficiency of vehicle scheduling, a cognitive spectrum scheduling method based on Deep Neural Network and Monte Carlo Tree Search for vehicle networking has been proposed. It evaluates the priority of MCTS and provides spectrum resource scheduling solutions, and uses DNN for offline training to obtain an environment model. In the simulation experiment for this method, the CUR of the proposed method increased by a maximum of 19.3% compared to other methods used for comparison. Its ALC is 20.4% higher than other methods. Its convergence time is lower than all methods used for comparison, with a maximum difference of 59.3%. The mean MAE of the proposed method is 0.793, and the mean RMSE is 0.628. The results of MAE and RMSE demonstrate that the proposed method in the experiment exhibits the lowest errors, both in training and testing processes. The proposed method provides a certain technical foundation for the cognitive spectrum scheduling of the Internet of Vehicles.
Schedulability analysis by exhaustive state space construction: translating CCSL to transition-based Generalized Buchi Automata

In previous work we defined a language (CCSL) made to express real-time temporal scheduling constraints. It uses the notion of partially independent logical clocks (or time threads), of which seemingly physical discrete time is a special case, hence the name Clock Constraint Specification Language. Constraints can represent (asynchronous) causality and precedence relations, or (synchronous) simultaneity ones. A solution to a set of such constraints is called a schedule, as it brings back all the clocks down to a single, totally ordered discrete time (and thus allows to timing events a schedule slot). In the current paper we study the formal semantics of CCSL, by translation into specific automata recognizing infinite sequences of clock steps. We consider the appropriate acceptance criteria for omega-languages (transition-based generalized Buchi), and motivate this choice. We also study how the automata can be minimized, by removing useless states (which is more than the usual check for emptiness of the whole language in classical model-checking approaches). We feel our work builds a definite link between the scheduling and the formal semantic model-checking communities.
Expression and Regulatory Mechanisms of MicroRNA in Cholesteatoma: A Systematic Review

Cholesteatoma is a temporal bone disease characterized by dysfunctions of keratinocytes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionary conserved noncoding RNAs that regulate mRNA expression. They can be packaged into exosomes and transported to target cells that can be used in the future therapy of cholesteatoma. This study aimed to collect knowledge on the role of miRNAs and exosomal miRNAs in cholesteatoma and was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews. Four databases were screened: Pubmed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library. The last search was run on the 6th of June 2023. We included full-text original studies written in English, which examined miRNAs in cholesteatoma. The risk of bias was assessed using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) Risk of Bias Rating Tool, modified for the needs of this review. We identified 118 records and included 18 articles. Analyses revealed the downregulation of exosomal miR-17 as well as miR-10a-5p, miR-125b, miR-142-5p, miR34a, miR-203a, and miR-152-5p and the overexpression of exosomal miR-106b-5p as well as miR-1297, miR-26a-5p, miR-199a, miR-508-3p, miR-21-3p, miR-584-5p, and miR-16-1-3p in cholesteatoma. The role of differentially expressed miRNAs in cholesteatoma, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, the cell cycle, differentiation, bone resorption, and the remodeling process, was confirmed, making them a potential therapeutic target in this disease.
A Framework for Labeling Images through Object Detection and Segmentation Using Preprocessing and ReNet Architecture

: In a Segmentation-based approach, an image is segmented and its various regions are classiﬁed, unlike classifying the individual pixels. This papers uses the ReNet architecture to extract the features of an object in an image. This ReNet architecture replaces each convolutional layer(CNN) with four RNNs that also brings together lower-layer features from different directions. After the extraction of feature the image is over segmented into superpixels ﬁrst and then it is classiﬁed into individual superpixels. The dependencies to the nearby superpixel labels shall be explored and exploited by Conditional Random Field statistical approach. Though the time to segment and label the images is somewhat higher, the pixel accuracy is more when this technique is implemented in the two datasets SIFT Flow and Stanford Background Dataset.
Vortex-free laser beam with an orbital angular momentum

We show that if one cylindrical lens is placed in the Gaussian beam waist and another cylindrical lens is placed at some distance from the first one and rotated by some angle, then the laser beam after the second lens has an orbital angular momentum (OAM). An explicit analytical expression for the OAM of such a beam is obtained. Depending on the inter-lens distance, the OAM can be positive, negative, or zero. Such a laser beam has no isolated intensity nulls with a singular phase and it is not an optical vortex, but has an OAM. By choosing the radius of the beam waist of the source Gaussian beam, the focal lengths of the lenses and the distance between them, it is possible to generate a vortex-free laser beam equivalent to an optical vortex with a topological charge of several hundreds.
IMPROVING THE MATHEMATICAL CREATIVE THINKING ABILITY AND SOFT SKILLS STUDENTS THROUGH VIDEOSCRIBE MULTIMEDIA TEACHING MATERIALS

This research is motivated by the increasing need for creative thinking and soft skills in all fields of work today. To be successful at work requires the creative thinking ability and soft skills. This study aims to determine the increase in Mathematical Creative Thinking Ability and Soft skills of Bogor chemical analysis vocational high school students (SMAKBO) through Multimedia Sparkol Videoscribe Teaching Materials. This study used a quasi-experimental method. The population in this study were all grade XI students at SMAKBO. The number of research samples is 60 students. The research was conducted from September to December 2019. The design used in this study was a pretest-posttest control group design. The instruments used in this study were teaching materials using the Sparkol videoscribe application, lesson plans, pretest and posttest, and soft skills questionnaire with a Likert scale. The test uses the essay type because it is used to measure high-level abilities. This study uses two different classes. The first class is the experimental group using Sparkol videoscribe learning media, while the second class is the control group using PPT. The statistical analysis used to test the hypothesis of this study were the t-test and Mann-Whitney test. The results show the students who obtained the Sparkol videoscribe learning media have significantly better mathematical creative thinking ability and soft skills compared to students who obtained PPT media. It can be concluded that the Sparkol videoscribe media are well used in learning to improve students' creative thinking ability and soft skills.
An Analysis of Interviewer Travel and Field Outcomes in Two Field Surveys

Abstract In this article, we investigate the relationship between interviewer travel behavior and field outcomes, such as contact rates, response rates, and contact attempts in two studies, the National Survey of Family Growth and the Health and Retirement Study. Using call record paradata that have been aggregated to interviewer-day levels, we examine two important cost drivers as measures of interviewer travel behavior: the distance that interviewers travel to segments and the number of segments visited on an interviewer-day. We explore several predictors of these measures of travel - the geographic size of the sampled areas, measures of urbanicity, and other sample and interviewer characteristics. We also explore the relationship between travel and field outcomes, such as the number of contact attempts made and response rates.We find that the number of segments that are visited on each interviewer-day has a strong association with field outcomes, but the number of miles travelled does not. These findings suggest that survey organizations should routinely monitor the number of segments that interviewers visit, and that more direct measurement of interviewer travel behavior is needed.
Effect of Physical Parameters and Training Load on Patellar Tendon Stiffness in Professional Athletes

Background: Injuries of the patellar tendon commonly occur as a result of mechanical loading of the tendon during physical activity. Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an established technique for assessing tendon stiffness, and has good interindividual reliability. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of physical parameters and different sports on patellar tendon stiffness in professional athletes using SWE. Methods: Standardized patellar tendon SWE was performed in a relaxed supine position with a small roll under the knee (20° flexion) in 60 healthy professional athletes (30 female, 30 male). Multiple linear regression was performed for patellar tendon stiffness including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and type of sport. Results: Patellar tendon stiffness showed no significant difference between female (3.320 m/s) and male (3.416 m/s) professional athletes. Mean age (female: 20.53 years; male: 19.80 years) and BMI (female: 23.24 kg/m2; male: 23.52 kg/m2) were comparable. Female professional athletes with oral contraceptive (OC) intake showed higher patellar tendon stiffness than athletes without OC intake (3.723 versus 3.017; p = 0.053), but not significantly. Conclusion: In professional athletes, there are no significant differences in patellar tendon stiffness according to gender, age, BMI and type of sport (handball, volleyball, soccer, sprint, hammer throw). Oral contraceptives may not have an impact on patellar tendon stiffness in female athletes. Further studies are necessary.