Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interventional Radiology Image-Guided Locoregional Therapies (LRTs) and Immunotherapy for the Treatment of HCC

Simple Summary Interventional radiology image-guided locoregional therapies for the treatment of HCC have demonstrated to be characterized by immunomodulatory effects on the tumoral microenvironment, and, possibly, systemic. Immunotherapy has gained an important role in the treatment of HCC over the last several years. Currently, there is great interest in combining locoregional therapies with immunotherapy, as this could open a new chapter in the history of HCC treatment. In this review, after describing the immune system changes caused by the tumor, we describe, for each locoregional therapy, technique and immunomodulatory effects. Then, we describe the current status of immunotherapy in HCC and report the ongoing clinical studies testing the combination treatment. Abstract Image-guided locoregional therapies (LRTs) are a crucial asset in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which has proven to be characterized by an impaired antitumor immune status. LRTs not only directly destroy tumor cells but also have an immunomodulating role, altering the tumor microenvironment with potential systemic effects. Nevertheless, the immune activation against HCC induced by LRTs is not strong enough on its own to generate a systemic significant antitumor response, and it is incapable of preventing tumor recurrence. Currently, there is great interest in the possibility of combining LRTs with immunotherapy for HCC, as this combination may result in a mutually beneficial and synergistic relationship. On the one hand, immunotherapy could amplify and prolong the antitumoral immune response of LRTs, reducing recurrence cases and improving outcome. On the other hand, LTRs counteract the typical immunosuppressive HCC microenvironment and status and could therefore enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy. Here, after reviewing the current therapeutic options for HCC, we focus on LRTs, describing for each of them the technique and data on its effect on the immune system. Then, we describe the current status of immunotherapy and finally report the recently published and ongoing clinical studies testing this combination.
Cell and Cell Free Therapies in Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common articular disease in adults and has a current prevalence of 12% in the population over 65 years old. This chronic disease causes damage to articular cartilage and synovial joints, causing pain and leading to a negative impact on patients’ function, decreasing quality of life. There are many limitations regarding OA conventional therapies—pharmacological therapy can cause gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiac adverse effects, and some of them could even be a threat to life. On the other hand, surgical options, such as microfracture, have been used for the last 20 years, but hyaline cartilage has a limited regeneration capacity. In recent years, the interest in new therapies, such as cell-based and cell-free therapies, has been considerably increasing. The purpose of this review is to describe and compare bioregenerative therapies’ efficacy for OA, with particular emphasis on the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In OA, these therapies might be an alternative and less invasive treatment than surgery, and a more effective option than conventional therapies.
Does Time to Pelvic Fixation Influence Outcomes in Trauma Patients?

Background Pelvic fractures cause significant morbidity in the trauma population. Many factors influence time to fracture fixation. No previous study has determined the optimal time window for pelvic fixation. Methods A retrospective review of trauma patients with pelvic fractures from 2016 to 2020 was performed. Patients were stratified into EARLY and LATE groups, by time to fixation within 3 days or greater than 3 days whether from admission or from completion of a life-saving procedure. Unpaired Student’s t-test and Fisher’s exact test were performed with multiple linear regression for variables with P < . 2 on univariate analysis. Results 287 patients were identified with a median fixation time of 3 days. There was no significant difference in demographics, incidence of preceding life-saving procedure, angioembolization, or mechanism of injury in the 2 groups (P > .05). Length of stay in the EARLY group was significantly reduced at 11.9 +/− . 7 days compared to 18.0 +/−1.2 days in the LATE group (P < .001). There was no significant difference in rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism (PE), acute kidney injury (AKI), pressure ulcer, or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (P > .05). There were significantly more SSIs (surgical site infections) in the LATE group. After multiple linear regression adjusting for covariates of age and ISS, the difference in hospital LOS was 5.5 days (95% CI −8.0 to −3.1, P < .001). Discussion Fixation of traumatic pelvic fractures within 3 days reduced LOS. Prospective multi-center studies will help identify additional factors to decrease time to surgery and improve patient outcomes.
The When and How of Using 2-D and 3-D Displays for Operational Tasks

3-D perspective displays are an increasingly popular choice for the depiction of real-world operational settings. Instead of depicting an environment from directly above, as conventional 2-D displays do, 3-D displays show the scene from closer to 45 degrees to the ground plane. By doing so, all three dimensions of the object or scene are visible, and integrated into a single display. Advances in computing are making 3-D displays affordable and fast enough for real-time use for operational tasks. Their naturalistic look and easy feel has led them to be very popular with users in domains such as air traffic control, flight control, and immersive training. But there are warning signs that indicate that 3-D displays do not offer a panacea. First, user preference and user performance do not always correlate well. Second, due to inherent ambiguities in imaging geometry, 3-D displays give up faithful representation of two dimensions for ambiguity (and distortion) in all three. How much of a concern these issues are remains unclear. Critical questions need answering before we should start advocating the widespread adoption of 3-D displays for operational use. When should one choose a 2-D display over a 3-D display and vise versa? How might the cognitive and perceptual demands of a task influence which display type is more useful? Should one orient to a 3-D display but then operate only on a 2-D display? How critical are the exact parameters governing the geometry of 3-D perspective views? Do 3-D displays lead to more rapid situational awareness than 2-D displays? Just how good are 3-D displays for depicting objects (their identity, attributes, and inter-relationships)? If 3-D displays are populated with realistic symbols, is it the realism or the rendering of 3-D space that enhances performance, or both? Are 3-D displays better with egocentric views but worse for exocentric views? How effective is augmentation with other depth cues at reducing line of sight ambiguity in 3-D displays? Are there trade-offs and performance costs associated with these augmentations? This symposium brings together leading experts in the field to answer these telling questions.
Impacts of Taxon-Sampling Schemes on Bayesian Molecular Dating under the Unresolved Fossilized Birth-Death Process

Evolutionary timescales can be estimated using a combination of genetic data and fossil evidence based on the molecular clock. Bayesian phylogenetic methods such as tip dating and total-evidence dating provide a powerful framework for inferring evolutionary timescales, but the most widely used priors for tree topologies and node times often assume that present-day taxa have been sampled randomly or exhaustively. In practice, taxon sampling is often carried out so as to include representatives of major lineages, such as orders or families. We examined the impacts of these diversified sampling schemes on Bayesian molecular dating under the unresolved fossilized birth-death (FBD) process, in which fossil taxa are topologically constrained but their exact placements are not inferred. We used synthetic data generated by simulation of nucleotide sequence evolution, fossil occurrences, and diversified taxon sampling. Our analyses show that increasing sampling density does not substantially improve divergence-time estimates under benign conditions. However, when the tree topologies were fixed to those used for simulation or when evolutionary rates varied among lineages, the performance of Bayesian tip dating improves with sampling density. By exploring three situations of model mismatches, we find that including all relevant fossils without pruning off those inappropriate for the FBD process can lead to underestimation of divergence times. Our reanalysis of a eutherian mammal data set confirms some of the findings from our simulation study, and reveals the complexity of diversified taxon sampling in phylogenomic data sets. In highlighting the interplay of taxon-sampling density and other factors, the results of our study have useful implications for Bayesian molecular dating in the era of phylogenomics.
Differences in Secure Messaging, Self-management, and Glycemic Control Between Rural and Urban Patients: Secondary Data Analysis

Background Rural patients with diabetes have difficulty accessing care and are at higher risk for poor diabetes management. Sustained use of patient portal features such as secure messaging (SM) can provide accessible support for diabetes self-management. Objective This study explored whether rural patients’ self-management and glycemic control was associated with the use of SM. Methods This secondary, cross-sectional, mixed methods analysis of 448 veterans with diabetes used stratified random sampling to recruit a diverse sample from the United States (rural vs urban and good vs poor glycemic control). Administrative, clinical, survey, and interview data were used to determine patients’ rurality, use of SM, diabetes self-management behaviors, and glycemic control. Moderated mediation analyses assessed these relationships. Results The sample was 51% (n=229) rural and 49% (n=219) urban. Mean participant age was 66.4 years (SD 7.7 years). More frequent SM use was associated with better diabetes self-management (P=.007), which was associated with better glycemic control (P<.001). Among rural patients, SM use was indirectly associated with better glycemic control through improved diabetes self-management (95% CI 0.004-0.927). These effects were not observed among urban veterans with diabetes (95% CI –1.039 to 0.056). Rural patients were significantly more likely than urban patients to have diabetes-related content in their secure messages (P=.01). Conclusions More frequent SM use is associated with engaging in diabetes self-management, which, in turn, is associated with better diabetes control. Among rural patients with diabetes, SM use is indirectly associated with better diabetes control. Frequent patient-team communication through SM about diabetes-related content may help rural patients with diabetes self-management, resulting in better glycemic control.
Importance of seismic design accidental torsion requirements for building collapse capacity

Seismic ground motions induce torsional responses in buildings that can be difficult to predict. To compensate for this, most modern building codes require the consideration of accidental torsion when computing design earthquake forces. This study evaluates the influence of ASCE/SEI 7 accidental torsion seismic design requirements on the performance of 230 archetypical buildings that are designed with and without accidental torsion design provisions, taking building collapse capacity as the performance metric. The test case archetypes include a broad range of heights, gravity load levels, and plan configurations. Results show that the ASCE/SEI 7 accidental torsion provisions lead to significant changes in collapse capacity for buildings that are very torsionally flexible or asymmetric. However, only inconsequential changes in collapse capacity are observed in the buildings that are both torsionally stiff and regular in plan. Therefore, the study concludes that accidental torsion provisions are not necessary for seismic design of buildings without excessive torsional flexibility or asymmetry. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Water distribution system vulnerability analysis using weighted and directed network models

The reliability and robustness against failures of networked water distribution systems are central tenets of water supply system design and operation. The ability of such networks to continue to supply water when components are damaged or fail is dependent on the connectivity of the network and the role and location of the individual components. This paper employs a set of advanced network analysis techniques to study the connectivity of water distribution systems, its relationship with system robustness, and susceptibility to damage. Water distribution systems are modeled as weighted and directed networks by using the physical and hydraulic attributes of system components. A selection of descriptive measurements is utilized to quantify the structural properties of benchmark systems at both local (component) and global (network) scales. Moreover, a novel measure of component criticality, the demand‐adjusted entropic degree, is proposed to support identification of critical nodes and their ranking according to failure impacts. The application and value of this metric is demonstrated through two case study networks in the USA and UK. Discussion focuses on the potential for gradual evolution of abstract graph‐based tools and techniques to more practical network analysis methods, where a theoretical framework for the analysis of robustness and vulnerability of water distribution networks to better support planning and management decisions is presented.
Amplitude-only vs. complex field measurements for mobile terminal antennas with a small number of measurement locations

Amplitude-only and complex field measurements for characterizing 3D radiated fields of mobile phones with a small number of measurement locations by applying field expansion methods are examined. The uncertainties of the determination of the total radiated power and the radiation pattern are compared. Examination is carried out by computer simulations for several models of mobile phones beside a head phantom. The results provide guidelines for choosing a reasonable number of measurement locations for amplitude-only and complex field characterization. The results also show that complex field measurements provide lower uncertainty of the determination of the radiation pattern of a mobile terminal antenna beside a head phantom compared to amplitude-only measurement, when the number of measurement locations is relatively small.
Precision frequency-independent variable-phase phase shifter

A frequency-independent phase shifter, that provides a precise phase shift, variable from 0 to 360°, is described. With the use of a microcontroller and feedback arrangement, the phase shift depends only on the ratio of two DC voltages. A stable, drift-free operation with good accuracy is hence obtained over the AF range.
Water sorptivity of mortars and concretes: a review

The sorptivity is an easily measured material property which characterizes the tendency of a porous material to absorb and transmit water by capillarity. Its theoretical basis in unsaturated flow theory is reviewed, together with methods of measurement suitable for cement-based materials. Available data on mortars and concretes are included. The dependence of the sorptivity on initial water content, temperature and fluid properties is also described. Other test methods (the initial surface absorption, the Figg water absorption and the Covercrete absorption tests) are discussed in terms of the sorptivity.
DOE Analysis of the Influence of Sand Size and Pouring Temperature on Porosity in LFC

Lost foam casting is a relatively new process in commercial terms and is widely used to produce defect free castings owing to its advantages like producing complex shape and acceptable surface finish. In the present research, experimental investigations in lost foam casting of aluminium-silicon cast alloy, LM6, were conducted. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different sand sizes and pouring temperatures on the porosity of thin-wall castings. A stepped pattern was used in the study and the focus of the investigations was at the thinnest 3 mm section. A full 2-level factorial design experimental technique was employed to plan the experiment and subsequently identify the significant factors which affect the casting porosity. The result shows that increasing in the pouring temperature decreases the porosity in the thin-wall section of casting. Finer sand size is more favourable than coarse size for LFC mould making process.
Mixed-format signal delivery and full-duplex operation in a WDM PON with a single shared source

Passive optical networks (PONs) have been proposed as subscriber-loop distribution systems because they require no power or processing between the central office (CO) and the optical-network units (ONUs). 1 PONs have not been universally accepted, however. Conventional PONs, although inexpensive, have restricted service upgrades.2 Wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) PONs provide tremendous upgrade potential but are considered to be too expensive.1 We recently reported a PON (RITE-Net) that uses a waveguide-grating router3 (WGR) to share a single tunable distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) laser between the CO and all ONUs and adds significant operational advantages by looping back and overmodulating a portion of the downstream light with upstream data.4
Waves of family hope: narratives of families in the context of pediatric chronic illness

Objective: to analyze narratives about the experience of hope of families in the context of pediatric chronic illness. Method: a narrative research using Family Systems Nursing as a conceptual framework. Three families of children and adolescents diagnosed with complex chronic illness participated in this study, totaling 10 participants. Data collection was developed using family photo-elicitation interviews. Family narratives were constructed and analyzed according to inductive thematic analysis with theoretical data triangulation. Results: the analytical theme - Waves of Family Hope in the Context of Pediatric Chronic Illness - is composed of four different types of hope: uncertain hope, caring hope, latent hope, and expectant hope. Movement through these hopes generates a driving energy and depends on a number of factors: support, information, searching for normality, and thoughts and comparisons. Conclusion: the results highlight the interaction and reciprocities of the members of the family unit, and the dynamics of hope, and illustrate the different types of hope and the factors that influence them. This study highlights the experience of hope as a family resource rather than just an individual resource, and supports health professionals in the planning of family care considering hope as an essential and dynamic family resource.
OP-NARE131001 1..12

The C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II is sequentially modified for recruitment of numerous accessory factors during transcription. One such factor is Spt6, which couples transcription elongation with histone chaperone activity and the regulation of H3 lysine 36 methylation. Here, we show that CTD association of Spt6 is required for Ser2 CTD phosphorylation and for the protein stability of Ctk1 (the major Ser2 CTD kinase). We also find that Spt6 associates with Ctk1, and, unexpectedly, Ctk1 and Ser2 CTD phosphorylation are required for the stability of Spt6—thus revealing a Spt6–Ctk1 feed-forward loop that robustly maintains Ser2 phosphorylation during transcription. In addition, we find that the BUR kinase and the polymerase associated factor transcription complex function upstream of the Spt6–Ctk1 loop, most likely by recruiting Spt6 to the CTD at the onset of transcription. Consistent with requirement of Spt6 in histone gene expression and nucleosome deposition, mutation or deletion of members of the Spt6–Ctk1 loop leads to global loss of histone H3 and sensitivity to hydroxyurea. In sum, these results elucidate a new control mechanism for the regulation of RNAPII CTD phosphorylation during transcription elongation that is likely to be highly conserved.
FLO11, a Developmental Gene Conferring Impressive Adaptive Plasticity to the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a remarkable ability to adapt its lifestyle to fluctuating or hostile environmental conditions. This adaptation most often involves morphological changes such as pseudofilaments, biofilm formation, or cell aggregation in the form of flocs. A prerequisite for these phenotypic changes is the ability to self-adhere and to adhere to abiotic surfaces. This ability is conferred by specialized surface proteins called flocculins, which are encoded by the FLO genes family in this yeast species. This mini-review focuses on the flocculin encoded by FLO11, which differs significantly from other flocculins in domain sequence and mode of genetic and epigenetic regulation, giving it an impressive plasticity that enables yeast cells to swiftly adapt to hostile environments or into new ecological niches. Furthermore, the common features of Flo11p with those of adhesins from pathogenic yeasts make FLO11 a good model to study the molecular mechanism underlying cell adhesion and biofilm formation, which are part of the initial step leading to fungal infections.
The Microtubule Regulator Ringmaker Functions Downstream Of Rtca And The Rna Repair/splicing Pathway To Promote Axon Regeneration

Promoting axon regeneration in the central and peripheral nervous system is of clinical importance in neural injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Both proand anti-regeneration factors are being identified. We previously reported that the Rtca mediated RNA repair/splicing pathway restricts axon regeneration by inhibiting the nonconventional splicing of Xbp1 mRNA under cellular stress. Here, we describe the application of a computational screening pipeline used to identify small-molecule inhibitors of Rtca and a paradigm to test for efficacy. However, the downstream effectors of Rtca remain unknown. Through transcriptome profiling, we show that the tubulin polymerization promoting protein (TPPP) – ringmaker/ ringer is dramatically increased in Rtca deficient Drosophila sensory neurons, which is dependent on Xbp1. Ringer is expressed in sensory neurons before and after injury, and is cell-autonomously required for axon regeneration. While loss of ringer abolishes the regeneration enhancement in Rtca mutants, its overexpression is sufficient to promote regeneration both in the peripheral and central nervous system. Ringer maintains microtubule stability/dynamics with the microtubule-associated protein – futsch/ MAP1B, which is also required for axon regeneration. Furthermore, ringer lies downstream of and is negatively regulated by the microtubule-associated deacetylase – HDAC6, which functions as a regeneration inhibitor. Taken together, our findings suggest that ringer acts as a hub for microtubule regulators that relays cellular status information, such as cellular stress, to the integrity of microtubules in order to instruct neural regeneration. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Graduate Group Cell & Molecular Biology First Advisor Yuanquan Song