Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A rare giant sarcoma of the chest wall: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma or, as formerly called, malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a type of sarcoma which originates from fibroblast and histiocytic cells. It is the most common type of sarcoma among all soft tissue sarcomas in adults. Its most common site is the lower limb, followed by the upper limb and the retroperitoneum. It is rarely encountered on chest wall. In the differential diagnosis of masses on chest wall, it is important to consider undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma in surgical planning. In this article, we report a male case with a giant undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma located above the right scapula.
High-Sensitivity GPS - an Availability, Reliability and Accuracy Test

SUMMARY High-Sensitivity GPS receivers shall deliver positions in shadowed areas as well as inside buildings due to their sensitivity with respect to GPS signals with a power ratio below -150 dBm. The paper shows a comparison for three high-sensitivity GPS receivers used in static mode regarding availability, reliability and accuracy in areas with free horizon, in shadowed areas as well as indoor. The investigations show that the availability rate indicates more than 90 % for shadowed areas. Inside buildings with low attenuation and in rooms with windows the availability ranges between more than 70 % and 18 % depending on the receicer type. For free horizon conditions the reproducability standard deviation shows values between 3.75 m and 7.33 m. Inside buildings the respective standard deviation is degraded to more than 80 m. More inside the building, e.g. in a windowless room or a cellar, no GPS signals are received. Additionally kinematic measurements were carried through too. Here the availability reaches values of around 97 % for the track including shadowed areas and even tunnels. The reproducability standard deviation indicates values between 4.92 m and 12.22 m. Obviously the kinematic results are more accurate than static results, due to a filter for the positions using a movement model. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG High-Sensitivity GPS-Empfanger sollen sowohl in abgeschatteten Bereichen als auch innerhalb von Gebauden Positionen liefern, da sie GPS Signale mit einem Leistungsverhaltnis kleiner als -150 dBm verarbeiten konnen. In diesem Beitrag werden drei High-Sensitivity Empfanger hinsichtlich Verfugbarkeit, Zuverlassigkeit und Genauigkeit fur die Umgebungen: freier Horizont, starke Abschattungen und innerhalb von Gebauden verglichen. Die Untersuchungen zeigen Verfugbarkeitsraten von mehr als 90 % fur abgeschattete Bereiche. Innerhalb der Gebaude mit geringer Signaldampfung und in Raumen mit Fenstern werden in Abhangigkeit vom Empfangertyp Verfugbarkeitsraten zwischen 70 % und 18 % erreicht.
The Jack and Jill Adaptive Working Memory Task: Construction, Calibration and Validation

Visuospatial working memory (VSWM) is essential to human cognitive abilities and is associated with important life outcomes such as academic performance. Recently, a number of reliable measures of VSWM have been developed to help understand psychological processes and for practical use in education. We sought to extend this work using Item Response Theory (IRT) and Computerised Adaptive Testing (CAT) frameworks to construct, calibrate and validate a new adaptive, computerised, and open-source VSWM test. We aimed to overcome the limitations of previous instruments and provide researchers with a valid and freely available VSWM measurement tool. The Jack and Jill (JaJ) VSWM task was constructed using explanatory item response modelling of data from a sample of the general adult population (Study 1, N = 244) in the UK and US. Subsequently, a static version of the task was tested for validity and reliability using a sample of adults from the UK and Australia (Study 2, N = 148) and a sample of Russian adolescents (Study 3, N = 263). Finally, the adaptive version of the JaJ task was implemented on the basis of the underlying IRT model and evaluated with another sample of Russian adolescents (Study 4, N = 239). JaJ showed sufficient internal consistency and concurrent validity as indicated by significant and substantial correlations with established measures of working memory, spatial ability, non-verbal intelligence, and academic achievement. The findings suggest that JaJ is an efficient and reliable measure of VSWM from adolescent to adult age.
Insecticidal, Antimalarial, and Antileishmanial Effects of Royal Jelly and Its Three Main Fatty Acids, trans-10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic Acid, 10-Hydroxydecanoic Acid, and Sebacic Acid

Natural products and their derivatives as an inexpensive, accessible, and useful alternative medicine are broadly applied for the treatment of a wide range of diseases and infectious ones. The present study was designed to evaluate the insecticidal, antimalarial, antileishmanial, and cytotoxic effects of royal jelly and its three main fatty acids (trans-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-H2DA), 10-hydroxydecanoic acid (10-HDAA), sebacic acid (1,10-decanedioic acid)). Insecticidal activity of RJ and 10-H2DA, 10-HDAA, and sebacic acid was performed against healthy 4th instar larvae at 25 ± 2°C. Antiplasmodial and antileishmanial effects of RJ and 10-H2DA, 10-HDAA, and sebacic acid were also performed against chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1-strain and Leishmania major amastigotes according to the Malstat method and macrophage model, respectively. In addition, the level of nitric oxide (NO) production in J774-A1 macrophages cells, plasma membrane permeability, and caspase-3-like activity and cytotoxicity effects of RJ and 10-H2DA, 10-HDAA, and sebacic acid against human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK239T cells) were evaluated. Considering the insecticidal activity, the results showed that the lethal concentration 50% value for RJ, 10-H2DA, 10-HDAA, and sebacic acid was 24.6, 31.4, 37.8, and 44.7 μg/mL μg/mL, respectively. RJ, 10-H2DA, 10-HDAA, and sebacic acid showed potent (P < 0.0001) antileishmanial effects with IC50 values ranging from 2.4 to 8.4 μg/mL. Various concentrations of RJ, 10-H2DA, 10-HDAA, and sebacic acid significantly (P < 0.05) increased the production of NO, plasma membrane permeability, and caspase-3-like activity level as a dose-dependent response. Considering the cytotoxicity, SIs > 10 of these compounds exhibited their specificity to parasites and safety against human HEK239T normal cells. The results of the present investigation revealed the promising insecticidal, antimalarial, and antileishmanial effects of RJ and its three main fatty acids (10-H2DA, 10-HDAA, and sebacic acid). However, more studies are required to confirm the mechanisms of action mode of these compounds as well as their efficacy in animal models and clinical settings.
Exposure to valproic acid is associated with less pulmonary infiltrates and improvements in diverse clinical outcomes and laboratory parameters in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

Background Valproic acid (VPA) has shown beneficial effects in vitro against SARS-CoV-2 infection, but no study has analyzed its efficacy in the clinical setting. Methods This multicenter, retrospective study included 165 adult patients receiving VPA at the time of admission to hospital, and 330 controls matched for sex, age and date of admission. A number of clinical, outcome and laboratory parameters were recorded to evaluate differences between the two groups. Four major clinical endpoints were considered: development of lung infiltrates, in-hospital respiratory worsening, ICU admissions and death. Results VPA-treated patients had higher lymphocyte (P<0.0001) and monocyte (P = 0.0002) counts, and lower levels of diverse inflammatory parameters, including a composite biochemical severity score (P = 0.016). VPA patients had shorter duration of symptoms (P<0.0001), were more commonly asymptomatic (P = 0.016), and developed less commonly lung infiltrates (65.8%/88.2%, P<0.0001), respiratory worsening (20.6%/30.6%, P = 0.019) and ICU admissions (6.1%/13.0%, P = 0.018). There was no difference in survival (84.8%/88.8%, P = 0.2), although death was more commonly related to non-COVID-19 causes in the VPA group (36.0%/10.8%, P = 0.017). The cumulative hazard for developing adverse clinical endpoints was higher in controls than in the VPA group for infiltrates (P<0.0001), respiratory worsening (P<0.0001), and ICU admissions (P = 0.001), but not for death (0.6). Multivariate analysis revealed that VPA treatment was independently protective for the development of the first three clinical endpoints (P = 0.0002, P = 0.03, and P = 0.025, respectively), but not for death (P = 0.2). Conclusions VPA-treated patients seem to develop less serious COVID-19 than control patients, according to diverse clinical endpoints and laboratory markers.
How minimizing conflicts could lead to polarization on social media: An agent-based model investigation

Social media represent an important source of news for many users. They are, however, affected by misinformation and they might be playing a role in the growth of political polarization. In this paper, we create an agent based model to investigate how policing content and backlash on social media (i.e. conflict) can lead to an increase in polarization for both users and news sources. Our model is an advancement over previously proposed models because it allows us to study the polarization of both users and news sources, the evolution of the audience connections between users and sources, and it makes more realistic assumptions about the starting conditions of the system. We find that the tendency of users and sources to avoid policing, backlash and conflict in general can increase polarization online. Specifically polarization comes from the ease of sharing political posts, intolerance for opposing points of view causing backlash and policing, and volatility in changing one’s opinion when faced with new information. On the other hand, it seems that the integrity of a news source in trying to resist the backlash and policing has little effect.
Nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as affected by NPK fertilization

Nutrient use efficiency is crucial for increasing crop yield and quality while reducing fertilizer inputs and minimizing environmental damage. The experiments were carried out in silty clay loam soil of Lalitpur, Nepal, to examine how different amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) influenced crop performance and nutrient efficiency indices in wheat during 2019/20 and 2020/21. The field experiment comprised three factorial randomized complete block designs that were replicated three times. N levels (100, 125, 150 N kg ha-1), P levels (25, 50, 75 P2O5 kg ha-1), and K levels (25, 50, 75 K2O kg ha-1) were three factors evaluated, with a total of 27 treatment combinations. Grain yields were significantly increased by N and K levels and were optimum @ 125 kg N ha-1 and @ 50 kg K2O ha-1 with grain yields of 6.33 t ha-1 and 6.30 t ha-1, respectively. Nutrient levels influenced statistically partial factor productivity, internal efficiency, partial nutrient budget, recovery efficiency, agronomic efficiency, and physiological efficiency of NPK for wheat. Nutrient efficiency was found to be higher at lower doses of their respective nutrients. Higher P and K fertilizer rates enhanced wheat N efficiencies, and the case was relevant for P and K efficiencies as well. Wheat was more responsive to N and K fertilizer, and a lower rate of P application reduced N and K fertilizer efficiency. This study recommends to use N @ 125 kg ha-1, P2O5 @ 25 kg ha-1 and K2O @ 50 kg ha-1 as an optimum rate for efficient nutrient management in wheat in mid-hills of Nepal.
Interaction of sex and cannabis in adult in vivo brain imaging studies: A systematic review

Cannabis has been shown to cause structural and functional neurocognitive changes in heavy users. Cannabis use initiation aligns with brain development trajectories; therefore, it is imperative that the potential neurological implications of cannabis use are understood. Males and females reach neurodevelopmental milestones at different rates making it necessary to consider biological sex in all cannabis and brain-based research. Through use of a systamatic review in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we aimed to understand the interaction between biological sex and cannabis use on brain-based markers. In total, 18 articles containing a sex-based analysis of cannabis users were identified. While the majority of studies (n = 11) reported no sex by cannabis use interactions on brain-based markers, those that reported findings (n = 8) suggest females may be more susceptible to cannabis’ neurotoxic effects. Unfortunately, a large portion of the literature was excluded due to no sex-based analysis. In addition, studies that reported no sex differences often contained a reduced number of females which may result in some studies being underpowered for sex-based analyses, making it difficult to draw firm conclusions. Suggestions to improve cannabis and sex-based reseach are proposed.
A diffusion tensor-based method facilitating volumetric assessment of fiber orientations in skeletal muscle

Background The purpose of this study was to develop a DTI-based method to quantitatively assess fiber angles and changes therein in leg muscles in order to facilitate longitudinal studies on muscle fiber architectural adaptations in healthy subjects. Methods The upper legs of five volunteers were scanned twice on the same day. The right lower legs of five volunteers were scanned twice with the ankle in three positions, i.e. -15° dorsiflexion, 0° neutral position, and 30° plantarflexion. The MRI protocols consisted of a noise scan, a 3-point mDixon scan and a DTI scan. Fiber-angle color maps were generated for four muscles in the upper legs and two muscles in the lower leg. Voxel-wise fiber angles (θ) were calculated from the angle between the principal eigenvector of the diffusion tensor and a reference line defined between the origo and insertion points of each muscle. Bland-Altman analysis, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV%), minimal detectable change (MDC), standard error (SE) and Friedman test were used for assessing the feasibility of this method and in order to have an indication of the repeatability and the sensitivity. Results Bland-Altman analysis showed good repeatability (CV%<10 and 0.7≤ICC≤0.9) with exception of the Tibialis Anterior (TA) muscle in dorsiflexion position(CV%: 12.2) and the Semitendinosus (ST) muscle (left leg) (CV%: 11.4). The best repeatability metrics were found for the SOL muscle in neutral position (CV%: 2.6). Changes in average θ in TA and SOL with ankle positions were observed in accordance with expected agonist and antagonist functions of both muscles. For example, for the anterior left compartment the change in fiber angle Δθ with respect to the neutral position Δθ = -1.6° ± 0.8° and 2.2° ± 2.8° (p = 0.008), for dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, respectively. Conclusion Our method facilitates fast inspection and quantification of muscle fiber angles in the lower and upper leg muscles in rest and detection of changes in lower-leg muscle fiber angles with varying ankle angles.
Loot box engagement: A scoping review of primary studies on prevalence and association with problematic gaming and gambling

Background Loot boxes are an increasingly common type of random microtransaction in videogames. There is some concern about their expansion and entailed risks, especially among adolescents. The actual prevalence of engagement with loot boxes among child and adult population is uncertain, and there is still controversy over the nature of their relationship with problematic gaming and gambling. Objectives The aims of this scoping review are to summarize the characteristics and findings of published primary empirical studies about the prevalence of engagement with loot boxes and/or their relationship with problematic gaming and gambling, taking in account the type of sample, time frame and measured variables. Methods This study follows the Joanna Briggs Institute’s “Guidance for conducting systematic scoping reviews” and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Three academic databases provided 299 articles. Results Sixteen primary empirical studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. All studies used cross-sectional designs, and most used convenience samples. Twelve study samples were comprised exclusively of gamers, and two were comprised of gamers and/or gamblers. Only six studies included adolescents. The annual prevalence rate of loot box purchases was higher for adult gamers than for adolescents (22.7%–44.2% and 20%–33.9%, respectively), but in studies with general population samples, the opposite was true (24.9% for players aged 13–14 versus 7.8% for adults). In general, the studies suggested a significant positive relationship between engagement with loot boxes and problematic gaming and gambling, but this may be related to the type of engagement (open/purchase/sell), and the characteristics of the study participants (male/female, adolescents/adults, gamers/gamers-gamblers/general population). Conclusions This scoping review summarizes the results of recent empirical studies on engagement with loot boxes and discusses how methodological issues may affect their results and interpretation. Recommendations for future research are also provided.
Relationship between economic liberalization and intellectual property protection with regional innovation in China. A case study of Chinese provinces

International openness can affect regional innovation through more export opportunities, enhanced import competition and the spillover effects of foreign direct investment. Many studies have been conducted based on different countries for capturing the determinants of regional innovation, but very little literature is available with contradictory findings for the case of China. Based on 19 years’ panel data of 31 Chinese provinces, this paper analyzes the impact of international openness on regional innovation measured by the number of patent grants. The positive effects of overall trade and a higher proportion of exports and imports to GDP are significant and robust across different model specifications, indicating that an increase in international openness can promote regional innovating activities in China. The causal relationship of all the variables depicted by path analysis matches the results of the system GMM model. Higher intellectual property protection provides each region with the opportunity to obtain economic benefits from innovation and then make a higher investment in R&D activities. Besides, the lag effect of regional innovation capability can also explain a large part of local innovating activities. In our subsample regressions, the positive effect of trade openness on innovation is majorly manifested in developed areas like eastern provinces.
Mechanism of Rutting Formation in Long and Steep Climbing Sections of Asphalt Pavement

Road condition surveys show that the long and steep climbing section of asphalt pavement is one of the regions with the most significant rutting that seriously affects the road performance. And rutting is more serious for steeper longitudinal slope. In this paper, the changing rule of shear stress and its distribution characteristics in pavement are analyzed on conditions of different longitudinal slope and different horizontal attachment coefficients by a finite element method. The results show that the maximum shear stress is less subjected to the component of gravity when the longitudinal gradient changes. Due to the existence of longitudinal gradient, the changes of the adhesion between tires and road affect the shear stress significantly. The peak maximum shear stress gradually moves to the surface with increasing the horizontal force coefficient. The research results presents guides on how to prevent and control distresses for asphalt pavements on a long and steep slope.
Follow My Eye: Using Gaze to Supervise Computer-Aided Diagnosis

When deep neural network (DNN) was first introduced to the medical image analysis community, researchers were impressed by its performance. However, it is evident now that a large number of manually labeled data is often a must to train a properly functioning DNN. This demand for supervision data and labels is a major bottleneck in current medical image analysis, since collecting a large number of annotations from experienced experts can be time-consuming and expensive. In this paper, we demonstrate that the eye movement of radiologists reading medical images can be a new form of supervision to train the DNN-based computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system. Particularly, we record the tracks of the radiologists’ gaze when they are reading images. The gaze information is processed and then used to supervise the DNN’s attention via an Attention Consistency module. To the best of our knowledge, the above pipeline is among the earliest efforts to leverage expert eye movement for deep-learning-based CAD. We have conducted extensive experiments on knee X-ray images for osteoarthritis assessment. The results show that our method can achieve considerable improvement in diagnosis performance, with the help of gaze supervision.
Asymptotic Tracking Control of Variable-Speed Wind Turbines

Abstract This paper presents a variable speed control strategy for wind turbines in order to capture maximum wind power in region 2. Wind turbines are modeled as two-mass drive-train system with generator torque control. Based on the obtained wind turbine models, variable speed control schemes are investigated for region 2. We designed nonlinear tracking controllers to achieve asymptotic tracking control for given rotor speed reference signals so as to yield maximum wind power capture for both state feedback control and output feedback control. The proposed schemes are shown to be able to achieve smooth and asymptotic tracking and illustrated by the given simulation results.