Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Second-Line Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma in the Era of Predictive Biomarkers

Background: Over the past few years, significant advancements have been achieved in the front-line treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinomas (mRCCs). However, most patients will eventually encounter disease progression during this front-line treatment and require further therapeutic options. While treatment choices for mRCCs patients are determined by established risk classification models, knowledge of prognostic factors in subsequent line therapy is essential in patient care. Methods: In this retrospective, single-center study, patients diagnosed with mRCCs who experienced progression after first-line therapy were enrolled. Fifteen factors were analyzed for their prognostic impact on survival using the Kaplan–Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Poor International Metastatic RCCs Database Consortium (IMDC) and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) risk scores, NLR value > 3, clinical benefit < 3 months from a therapeutic line, and the presence of sarcomatoid differentiation were found to be poor independent prognostic factors for shortened overall survival. Conclusions: This study provided new insights into the identification of potential prognostic parameters for late-line treatment in mRCCs. The results indicated that good IMDC and MSKCC prognostic scores are effective in second-line therapy. Moreover, patients with NLR < 3, no sarcomatoid differentiation, and clinical benefit > 3 months experienced significantly longer overall survival.
Global Land Surface Modeling Including Lateral Groundwater Flow

The groundwater system is an essential part of Earth's systems. However, most current land surface models (LSMs) for climate modeling do not explicitly account for the lateral groundwater flow process. In this study, schemes describing LSM‐lateral groundwater flow module coupling, model resolution conversion, and parallel simulation were designed and implemented to incorporate a lateral groundwater flow module into the Community Land Model 4.5. The depth to less permeable bedrock also was included in the large‐scale groundwater flow modeling. Model validation was performed using multiple observations from the 20‐year continuous groundwater table depth measurements at 67 stations in 10 countries, 1.6 million worldwide time‐averaged groundwater table depth measurements, previous knowledge about the locations of major aquifer systems, and inversed terrestrial water storage anomalies derived from satellite data. The simulated results show that the groundwater table pattern is a combined reflection of climatic and topographic factors across a range of spatial scales. Lateral groundwater flow significantly modified the equilibrium water table patterns in North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, central Asia, and southern Australia, deepening the water tables by more than 6 m. The trend of deepening groundwater tables observed between 1970 and 2010, which was found to be 0.025 to 0.125 m/decade, was exacerbated by the lateral flow; however, the seasonal variability of the groundwater table depth was reduced by the buffering effect of the lateral flow.
A mixed-methods examination of clinicians’ perceived barriers to telehealth delivered applied behavior analysis

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, clinicians relied on telehealth to ensure continuity of essential healthcare services, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Identifying barriers and examining them in the context of other implementation outcomes is important to support appropriate adaptations and sustainability of telehealth-delivered ABA services. Convergent mixed methods design was utilized to identify barriers experienced by ABA clinicians (N = 388) when delivering ABA services over telehealth to autistic children and their families following the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, barriers were examined in relation to telehealth implementation outcomes and intentions for continued adoption. Findings reveal that clinicians rated providing direct services (M = 3.52, SD = 1.14) as more difficult than conducting assessments (M = 3.29, SD = 1.06), and both as more difficult than providing parent-mediated interventions [(M = 2.47, SD = 1.11), F(2, 381) = 162.26, p < 0.001]. A principal components analysis indicated a 3-factor solution of barriers related to: (1) technology (α = 0.82), (2) administrative tasks (α = 0.88), and (3) client characteristics (α = 0.88). The most frequently endorsed barriers were related to client characteristics, including increased difficulty providing telehealth services to children who elope (M = 4.37, SD = 0.81), children who exhibit challenging behaviors (M = 4.31; SD = 0.83), and children who are in the preverbal stage or use nonverbal language to communicate (M = 4.07; SD = 1.00). Fewer barriers related to client characteristics uniquely predicted implementation variables including acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility. Thematic analysis revealed challenges related to technology, caregiver involvement, child engagement, implementation of intervention strategies over telehealth, and administrative or logistical barriers. These findings highlight the need for targeted strategies that facilitate telehealth use to address specific client needs and support the implementation of telehealth services in usual care settings.
Reply to Reviewer Comments

C1: The contribution of this work, in comparison to other studies, is not clear. Using seismic data to calibrate numerical models has already been done before. If the analysis of high frequencies in seismic signals (besides, define what you mean by high frequencies) is innovative, it think it is not clear enough in the manuscript how it helps better constrain the landslide dynamics. If the main contribution of the article is using seismic data and numerical modelling to better constrain the dynamics of the Baige landslide specifically (which is perfectly okay), it should be stated more clearly.
Jujube witches’ broom phytoplasmas inhibit ZjBRC1-mediated abscisic acid metabolism to induce shoot proliferation

Abstract Jujube witches’ broom (JWB) phytoplasmas parasitize the sieve tubes of diseased phloem and cause an excessive proliferation of axillary shoots from dormant lateral buds to favour their transmission. In previous research, two JWB effectors, SJP1 and SJP2, were identified to induce lateral bud outgrowth by disrupting ZjBRC1-mediated auxin flux. However, the pathogenesis of JWB disease remains largely unknown. Here, tissue-specific transcriptional reprogramming was examined to gain insight into the genetic mechanisms acting inside jujube lateral buds under JWB phytoplasma infection. JWB phytoplasmas modulated a series of plant signalling networks involved in lateral bud development and defence, including auxin, abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid. JWB-induced bud outgrowth was accompanied by downregulation of ABA synthesis within lateral buds. ABA application rescued the bushy appearances of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing SJP1 and SJP2 in Col-0 and ZjBRC1 in the brc1-2 mutant. Furthermore, the expression of ZjBRC1 and ABA-related genes ZjHB40 and ZjNCED3 was negatively correlated with lateral main bud outgrowth in decapitated healthy jujube. Molecular evidence showed that ZjBRC1 interacted with ZjBRC2 via its N-terminus to activate ZjHB40 and ZjNCED3 expression and ABA accumulation in transgenic jujube calli. In addition, ZjBRC1 widely regulated differentially expressed genes related to ABA homeostasis and ABA signalling, especially by binding to and suppressing ABA receptors. Therefore, these results suggest that JWB phytoplasmas hijack the ZjBRC1-mediated ABA pathways to stimulate lateral bud outgrowth and expansion, providing a strategy to engineer plants resistant to JWB phytoplasma disease and regulate woody plant architecture to promote crop yield and quality.
Effect of forming gas annealing on the degradation properties of Ge-based MOS stacks

The influence of forming gas annealing on the degradation at a constant stress voltage of multi-layered germanium-based Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor capacitors (p-Ge/GeOx/Al2O3/High-K/Metal Gate) has been analyzed in terms of the C-V hysteresis and flat band voltage as a function of both negative and positive stress fields. Significant differences were found for the case of negative voltage stress between the annealed and non-annealed samples, independently of the stressing time. It was found that the hole trapping effect decreases in the case of the forming gas annealed samples, indicating strong passivation of defects with energies close to the valence band existing in the oxide-semiconductor interface during the forming gas annealing. Finally, a comparison between the degradation dynamics of Germanium and III-V (n-InGaAs) MOS stacks is presented to summarize the main challenges in the integration of reliable Ge–III-V hybrid devices.The influence of forming gas annealing on the degradation at a constant stress voltage of multi-layered germanium-based Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor capacitors (p-Ge/GeOx/Al2O3/High-K/Metal Gate) has been analyzed in terms of the C-V hysteresis and flat band voltage as a function of both negative and positive stress fields. Significant differences were found for the case of negative voltage stress between the annealed and non-annealed samples, independently of the stressing time. It was found that the hole trapping effect decreases in the case of the forming gas annealed samples, indicating strong passivation of defects with energies close to the valence band existing in the oxide-semiconductor interface during the forming gas annealing. Finally, a comparison between the degradation dynamics of Germanium and III-V (n-InGaAs) MOS stacks is presented to summarize the main challenges in the integration of reliable Ge–III-V hybrid devices.
Physical Activity Levels and Predictors during COVID-19 Lockdown among Lebanese Adults: The Impacts of Sociodemographic Factors, Type of Physical Activity and Work Location

Background: Although effective against COVID-19, national lockdowns have several deleterious behavioral and health effects, including physical inactivity. The objective of this study is to assess physical activity (PA) levels during lockdown and the predictors of PA among Lebanese adults, while comparing classical statistics to machine learning models. Methods: Data were collected using an online questionnaire, with PA being evaluated through the “International Physical Activity Questionnaire” (IPAQ)—long form. Machine learning models were applied to predict total PA ≥ 600 MET·min/week. Results: Among 795 participants, while 67.5% auto-declared a decrease in PA level during lockdown, 36.2% did not meet the minimum recommendations for PA. Multivariate analysis showed that participants who went to their workplace during lockdown had significantly higher total and job-related PA, higher walking and moderate PA, and lower sitting time. PA level and intensity increased with age, while sitting time decreased. Participants who practiced a combination of both outdoor and at-home workouts had higher total, housework and leisure-related PA, and higher moderate and vigorous-intensity PA. Machine learning models confirmed these findings as well as the importance of outdoor activity for total PA levels, with Random Forest being the highest-performing model. Conclusions: Bringing to light the levels of physical inactivity and sedentary behavior, this study highlighted the importance of outdoor activity in contributing to PA.
Subthalamic deep brain stimulation for primary dystonia: defining an optimal location using the medial subthalamic nucleus border as anatomical reference

Introduction Although the subthalamic nucleus (STN) has proven to be a safe and effective target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of primary dystonia, the rates of individual improvement vary considerably. On the premise of selecting appropriate patients, the location of the stimulation contacts in the dorsolateral sensorimotor area of the STN may be an important factor affecting therapeutic effects, but the optimal location remains unclear. This study aimed to define an optimal location using the medial subthalamic nucleus border as an anatomical reference and to explore the influence of the location of active contacts on outcomes and programming strategies in a series of patients with primary dystonia. Methods Data from 18 patients who underwent bilateral STN-DBS were retrospectively acquired and analyzed. Patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively (1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and last follow-up after neurostimulator initiation) using the Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (for cervical dystonia) and the Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (for other types). Optimal parameters and active contact locations were determined during clinical follow-up. The position of the active contacts relative to the medial STN border was determined using postoperative stereotactic MRI. Results The clinical improvement showed a significant negative correlation with the y-axis position (anterior–posterior; A+, P−). The more posterior the electrode contacts were positioned in the dorsolateral sensorimotor area of the STN, the better the therapeutic effects. Cluster analysis of the improvement rates delineated optimal and sub-optimal groups. The optimal contact coordinates from the optimal group were 2.56 mm lateral, 0.15 mm anterior, and 1.34 mm superior relative to the medial STN border. Conclusion STN-DBS was effective for primary dystonia, but outcomes were dependent on the active contact location. Bilateral stimulation contacts located behind or adjacent to Bejjani’s line were most likely to produce ideal therapeutic effects. These findings may help guide STN-DBS preoperative planning, stimulation programming, and prognosis for optimal therapeutic efficacy in primary dystonia.
The Effectiveness and Effects of Collaboration among Teachers in German Schools

Teacher collaboration (TC) has been deemed as a factor which can positively impact the school community. In this dissertation, the influence from different forms of TC on student achievement (SA) is investigated through three publications which analyzed specific aspects regarding TC in Germany. Secondary analyses of the German datasets of the Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) from 2012 (publications A and B) and 2015 (publication C) were carried out as follows: publication (A) analyzed the frequency of three different forms of TC namely instruction, project, and organization related and their differences for school type and gender of the teachers, publication (B) their relationship with student achievement, and publication (C) by analyzing two forms namely exchange and coordination of teaching, and professional collaboration their role as mediator between principal leadership and student achievement. Publication (A) showed that overall TC is weak, and that significant differences among all three forms of collaboration proposed by PISA in 2012 exist for school type, whereas teacher gender showed significant differences only in the organizational form which encompasses elements regarding student performance. Results from Publication (B) provided an indication that while the association of all three forms of TC with SA were non-significant, the organizational form was the only one yielding a positive direction. Publication (C) provided additional indications that the exchange form of collaboration which is the form requiring less effort is not related to SA, as it yielded negative and significant correlations to it, which was also the case for the indirect relationship between IL and SA. The findings of the studies illustrate the underlying complexity of teacher collaboration when studied as a construct with several forms, its differentiated role for student achievement and the difficulty to measure the relationships of teacher collaboration with other variables. Implications, limitations, and directions for further research and practice are presented in detail at the end of this dissertation.
AdamsFormer for Spatial Action Localization in the Future

All experiments are conducted on Nvidia A100 GPU with PyTorch [9] framework. We use a 2D backbone pretrained on PASCAL VOC [8], and a 3D backbone pretrained on Kinetics [6] dataset. We freeze both backbones for all our experiments. For training, we use Adam [7] optimizer with an initial learning rate of 0.0001 and decrease it with a factor of 0.5 at {2, 3, 4, 5} epochs for UCF101-24 dataset and {3, 4, 5, 6} for JHMDB-21 dataset. Weight decay is set to 0.0005 for the generalization. We set the channel dimension D as 512 for all our experiments. For backbone, we use ResNet 18 [5] for 3D-CNN, and DarkNet [10] for 2D-CNN unless otherwise stated. We stack eight transformer encoder layers for the ODE function (L = 8). Multistep order (N ) is set to 4 for UCF101-24 and 2 for JHMDB21 unless specified. For the loss function for training, we set γ = 2 and λ = 0.1.
Supplementary: iSPA-Net: Iterative Semantic Pose Alignment Network

Overview We select a single 3D template modelMc for each class of object c ∈ C from ShapeNet dataset [1]. Using a modified version of the rendering pipeline presented by [4], we render the selected template model Mc at various viewpoints to create samples of image I2(θ2,φ2,ψ2). Note that, our reliance on synthetic data is minimal. We use only 8K renders of a single 3D template model. This is in sharp contrast to works such as [3, 4], which use millions of synthetic images in their training pipeline.
ReVISE: Self-Supervised Speech Resynthesis with Visual Input for Universal and Generalized Speech Regeneration

Prior works on improving speech quality with visual input typically study each type of auditory distortion separately (e.g., separation, inpainting, video-to-speech) and present tailored algorithms. This paper proposes to unify these subjects and study Generalized Speech Regeneration, where the goal is not to reconstruct the exact reference clean signal, but to focus on improving certain aspects of speech while not necessarily preserving the rest such as voice. In particular, this paper concerns intelligibility, quality, and video synchronization. We cast the problem as audio-visual speech resynthesis, which is composed of two steps: pseudo audio-visual speech recognition (P-AVSR) and pseudo text-to-speech synthesis (P-TTS). P-AVSR and P-TTS are connected by discrete units derived from a self-supervised speech model. Moreover, we utilize self-supervised audio-visual speech model to initialize P-AVSR. The proposed model is coined ReVISE. ReVISE is the first high-quality model for in-the-wild video-to-speech synthesis and achieves superior performance on all LRS3 audio-visual regeneration tasks with a single model. To demonstrates its applicability in the real world, ReVISE is also evaluated on EasyCom, an audio-visual benchmark collected under challenging acoustic conditions with only 1.6 hours of training data. Similarly, ReVISE greatly suppresses noise and improves quality. Project page: https://wnhsu.github. io/ReVISE/.
in Support for Donald Trump Christian Nationalism in Support for Donald Trump

This literature review aims to understand Donald Trump’s contradictory and overwhelming support from Christians and especially white evangelicals, considering his public display of non-religious behaviors. Further, this literature review explores the association between Christianity and the Republican party throughout America’s political history, drawing on instances such as Proposition 187 and Donald Trump’s travel ban to display that white evangelicals are motivated to support Trump because of their fear of becoming a minority. These ideas are related to Christian nationalistic ideologies, reflecting that a main supporter of Donald Trump is Christian Nationalism. From a sociological understanding, this literature review analyzes how fear is capable of uniting people under views that are discriminatory and nationalistic. It also provides insight into how certain groups are able to stay intertwined throughout history, through the combination of leaders and those who are willing to follow out of fear and reassurance.
Índices de tolerância ao calor de vacas leiteiras no período chuvoso e seco no Ceará

O estudo avaliou a tolerância ao calor de um rebanho de femeas leiteiras mesticas (Bos taurus x Bos indicus) criadas em regiao litorânea do estado do Ceara. Foram avaliados os parâmetros ambientais para o calculo do indice de temperatura e umidade (ITU) e a temperatura retal (TR) para o calculo do indice de tolerância ao calor (ITC) durante o periodo chuvoso e seco do ano. Observou-se que os valores da TR encontravam-se dentro da normalidade quando se avaliou os dados medios em ambos os periodos. Os valores medios de temperatura ambiente (TA) estavam superiores a zona de conforto termico para animais taurinos, com resultados bem proximos do limite maximo para mesticos e zebuinos quando se analisou os dados de maxima no turno da tarde do periodo seco. Os valores de umidade relativa do ar (UR) mostraram um comportamento inverso a temperatura ambiente, observando-se sempre os maiores valores no periodo chuvoso, bem como no turno da manha quando comparado com o turno da tarde, em ambos os periodos. Os valores encontrados para o ITU mostraram condicoes de ambiente que passaram de criticos para emergenciais quando nao se avaliaram somente os dados medios. Ambos os indices de tolerância ao calor mostraram uma menor tolerância ao calor dos animais no periodo seco do ano. Conclui-se que os animais sofrem com o calor em ambos os periodos, sendo o periodo seco menos favoravel, em que foram verificados valores mais elevados de TR, TA, ITU e menores de ITC.
LIFT on Keck: evaluation of performance and experiments towards an on-sky validation

Wavefront sensing in the near infrared has become an attractive option with the advent of new low-noise infrared detectors, such as the SAPHIRA (Selex) APD array. The performance improvements obtained with the H2RGbased Keck I near-infrared tip-tilt sensor is motivating the implementation of a near-infrared low-order sensor for Keck II. The recently proposed focal plane sensor algorithm LIFT could fulfill this role. We show here an analysis of performance, demonstrating that LIFT would provide a significant gain ( 1 magnitude) over the current tip/tilt sensor at low flux, as well as the first experimental validation of LIFT on Keck with a calibration source.