Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic Targets in Diffuse Midline Gliomas—An Emerging Landscape

Simple Summary Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) remain one of the most devastating childhood brain tumour types, for which there is currently no known cure. In this review we provide a summary of the existing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of this disease, highlighting current analyses and novel treatment propositions. Together, the accumulation of these data will aid in the understanding and development of more effective therapeutic options for the treatment of DMGs. Abstract Diffuse midline gliomas (DMGs) are invariably fatal pediatric brain tumours that are inherently resistant to conventional therapy. In recent years our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of DMG tumorigenicity has resulted in the identification of novel targets and the development of a range of potential therapies, with multiple agents now being progressed to clinical translation to test their therapeutic efficacy. Here, we provide an overview of the current therapies aimed at epigenetic and mutational drivers, cellular pathway aberrations and tumor microenvironment mechanisms in DMGs in order to aid therapy development and facilitate a holistic approach to patient treatment.
Modeling and verification of reconfigurable discrete event control systems

Most modern technological systems rely on complicated control technologies, computer technologies, and networked communication technologies. Their dynamic behavior is intricate due to the concurrence and conflict of various signals. Such complex systems are studied as discrete event control systems (DECSs), while the detailed continuous variable processes are abstracted. Dynamic reconfigurable systems are the trend of all future technological systems, such as flight control systems, vehicle electronic systems, and manufacturing systems. In order to meet control requirements continuously, such a dynamic reconfigurable system is able to actively adjust its configuration at runtime by modifying ist components, connections among components and data, while changes are detected in the internal/external execution environment. Model based design methodologies attract wide attention since they can detect system defect earlier, increase system reliability, and decrease time and cost on system development. An accurate, compact, and easy formal model to be analyzed is the first step of model based design methods. Formal verification is an expected effective method to completely check if a designed system meets all requirements and to improve the system design scheme. Considering the potential benefits of Timed Net Condition/Event Systems (TNCESs) in modeling and analyzing reconfigurable systems, this dissertation deals with formal modeling and verification of reconfigurable discrete event control systems (RDECSs) based on them. Die meisten modernen technologischen Systeme benotigen aufwandige Steuerungs-, Rechner- und Kommunikationstechnologien. Aufgrund von Nebenlaufigkeit und Konflikten ergibt sich ein kompliziertes dynamisches Verhalten. Derartige komplexe Systeme werden dadurch untersucht, dass man sie als ereignisdiskrete Steuerungssysteme (Discrete Event Control Systems, DECSs) betrachtet und dabei die detaillierten unterlagerten kontinuierlichen Prozesse abstrahiert. Um die Anforderungen an die Steuerung durchgangig erfullen zu konnen adaptieren sich dynamische rekonfigurierbare Systeme zur Laufzeit durch Modifikation ihrer Komponenten, deren Verbindungen untereinander und der gespeicherten Daten, sobald Anderungen in der internen oder externen Umgebung festgestellt werden. Beispiele fur dynamische Rekonfigurierbare Systeme finden sich in der Luftfahrt, im Automobilbereich aber auch in Fertigungssystemen. Modellbasierte Entwicklungsmethoden erfreuen sich zunehmender Beliebtheit, da sie es erlauben Fehler fruher im Entwicklungsprozess aufzudecken und damit zu hoherer Systemverfugbarkeit bei verkurzter Entwicklungszeit fuhren. Ein formales Modell des Systems bildet hierbei den ersten wichtigen Schritt. Durch formale Verifikation kann dieses Modell effektiv und vollstandig uberpruft und ggf. verbessert werden. Eine geeignete Modellform hierfur sind Timed Net Condition/Event Systems (TNCESs). Die vorliegende Dissertation befasst sich mit der Anwendung von TNCES zur Modellierung und Verifikation rekonfigurierbarer ereignisdiskreter Steuerungssysteme (RDECSs).
Computer-aided optimization of adjacent channel power in nonlinear communications amplifiers

Researchers have developed several efficient methods, suitable for modulated signal excitations, for nonlinear simulation of communications amplifiers; however, few have addressed their application to circuit optimization. To bridge the gap, we introduce a rigorous numerical procedure for automated design of nonlinear amplifiers subject to adjacent channel power, gain, efficiency and similar specifications. It is based on a gradient optimizer with an Envelope solver in the inner loop, and an efficient method for analytical evaluation of parameter-space gradients. This novel approach is illustrated on a common design task-the adjustment of bias levels and terminal impedances for optimal nonlinear performance.
CONCRETE SUBJECTED TO HIGH RATES OF LOADING IN COMPRESSION

Synopsis Compression tests on concrete specimens have been carried out at very high rates of loading with a specially constructed drop-harnmer apparatus which enabled load-time and strain-time curves to be determined. The effects of varying the length and platen restraint of the specimen, mix proportions, maximum aggregate size, age at test and type of cement have all been investigated and compared with results for both static tests and earlier tests at high rates of loading.
Does a University’s Enslavement History Play a Role in Black Student–White Faculty Interactions? A Structural Equation Model

Drawing upon Hartman’s (1997) notion of the afterlife of slavery and Critical Race Quantitative Inquiry, this study examines whether Black college students’ emotional responses to their institution’s history of slavery plays a role in contemporary interactions with white faculty. Using structural equation modeling techniques on a sample of 92 Black students from a southern U.S. institution historically involved in slavery, findings highlight the significance of background characteristics, students’ emotional responses to their institution’s slavery history, and experiences with racial microaggressions during college in predicting negative interactions with white faculty. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed.
Second language reading and self-efficacy in bilingual and musical instruction. A study of reading ability

ABSTRACT The connections between music and language are still to be clarified in educational terms; despite the great deal of literature on the common mechanisms underlying their working in learning, memory, and some other related factors, there is not robust research on their combined potential. Educational bilingualism and musical instruction have been shown to facilitate reading in a foreign language. Our study intends to throw light on their potential for reading in a second language and the relationship they keep to self-efficacy, a key factor in such a complex realm as learning a foreign language. The silent reading of 252 Spanish secondary school students was examined to show if bilingual instruction, music training, and self-efficacy influenced second language silent reading fluency (L2 SRF). Our ANOVA analysis shows bilingual instruction having the strongest influence of the three groups analysed, followed by the music training and the standard group. Self-efficacy was also included in the MANOVA model as a covariate and was shown to have an influence on L2 SRF. The study also revealed a significant influence of bilingual and musical instruction on self-efficacy, which may partially account for their effect on L2 SRF.
Faculty Versus Resident Self-Assessment Using Pathology Milestones: How Aligned Are We?

Competent physicians must be able to self-assess skill level; however, previous studies suggest that medical trainees may not accurately self-assess. We utilized Pathology Milestones (PM) data to determine whether there were discrepancies in self- versus Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) ratings by sex, program year (PGY), time of evaluation, and question category (Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Systems-Based Practice [SBP], Practice-Based Learning and Improvement [PBL], Professionalism [PRO], and Interpersonal and Communication Skills) and Residency In-Service Examination (RISE) score. We completed retrospective analyses of PM evaluation scores from 2016 to 2019 (n = 23 residents) 2 times per year. Discrepancies in evaluation scores were calculated by subtracting CCC scores from resident self-evaluation scores. There was no significant difference in discrepancy scores between male versus female residents (P = .94). Discrepancy scores among all PGYs were significantly different (P < .0001), with PGY1 tending to overrate the most, followed by PGY2. PGY3 and PGY4 underrated themselves on average compared to CCC ratings, with PGY4 having significantly lower self-ratings than CCC compared to any other PGY. In January, residents underscored themselves and in July residents overscored themselves compared to CCC (P < .0001 for both). Question types resulted in variable discrepancy scores, with SBP significantly lower than and PRO significantly higher than all other categories (P < .05 for both). Increases in RISE score correlated to increases in self- and CCC-scoring. These discrepancies can help trainees improve self-assessment. Discrepancies indicate potential areas for amelioration, such as curriculum adjustments or Milestone’s verbiage.
Specification of Uniform Color Tolerances for Textiles

Work on methods of specifying uniform color tolerances for various materials has been going on at the National Bureau of Standards for several years. This paper describes the progress of this work, particularly as it relates to textile materials which offer special complications of their own. A formula for the purpose of expressing the size of color differences is derived for observing conditions characteristic of the color inspection of textiles. This formula is based upon the standard observer recommended in 1931 by the International Commission on Illumination and upon a co-ordinate system (the uniform-chromaticity-scale system) intended to give , equal spacing for equally perceptible chromaticity differences. An instrument designed particularly for the measurement of small chromaticity differences is described, together with its calibration in terms of the uniform-chromaticity-scale system. The chromaticity differences between 15 representative pairs of dyed woolen textiles supplied by the duPont Technical Laboratory have been measured by means of this instrumecnt ; lightness differences for the 15 pairs were evaluated by measurements of luminous apparent reflectance with a photoelectric reflectometer, and the color-difference formula has been applied to combine the chromaticity and lightness differences to form computed values of the color difference. These computed differences are compared with those obtained at the duPont Technical Laboratory by direct visual estimate and with differences similarly obtained at the National Bureau of Standards. Results by the formula have also been compared with two other proposals (Nutting, Nickerson) for evaluation of color differences between textile samples. It is concluded that the present formula agrees with direct visual estimate for the samples tested except for certain deep reds and blues. Some of these deviations are irregular, and possible reasons for the failure of the formula to apply to these samples are discussed. A majority of them are regular, however, and suggest how the formula can be improved to make it sufficiently accurate for practical and convenient specification of color tolerances for these colors also.
A moment method solution for TM/sub z/ and TE/sub z/ waves illuminating two-dimensional objects above a lossy half space

A moment method (MM) solution for analyzing the electromagnetic shielding and scattering properties of two-dimensional (2-D) objects over a lossy half space is presented. The materials of the objects can be metal, dielectric, or magnetic. Also, the lossy half space is included to simulate the effects of the earth ground or any flat homogeneous lossy surface. An MM based on a volume formulation and a special Green's function in the spectral domain is developed. Both TM/sub z/ and TE/sub z/ waves incident upon 2-D metal or lossy material structures are demonstrated for the shielding effects of those bodies in the presence of the lossy ground. Besides, the echo widths of a composite object either in free space or above the lossy half space are determined by using the MM. Some of the results are compared with those by other methods, and good agreements are obtained. The MM solution can be used to study the shielding and scattering problems for cylindrical structures located over a lossy ground.
Weeds Enhance Pollinator Diversity and Fruit Yield in Mango

Simple Summary There is an urgent pollinator decline crisis across the globe, with fewer pollinators and yet increasing agricultural reliance on them to produce food and fiber crops for growing populations. Habitat loss and chemical eradication of unwanted plants has limited the floral resources for pollinators, and in farms with only one crop, there are limited resources solely during the flowering season. Weeds, or unwanted vegetation, are often the only remaining floral resource for pollinators, yet they are compulsively removed using chemicals. This article examines how weedy floral resources affect pollinators in a mango farm, Mangifera indica, a pollinator-dependent crop in South Florida, and how fruit yield is affected by either leaving weeds or removing them. Abstract Agriculture is dependent on insect pollination, yet in areas of intensive production agriculture, there is often a decline in plant and insect diversity. As native habitats and plants are replaced, often only the weeds or unwanted vegetation persist. This study compared insect diversity on mango, Mangifera indica, a tropical fruit tree dependent on insect pollination, when weeds were present in cultivation versus when they were removed mechanically. The pollinating insects on both weeds and mango trees were examined as well as fruit set and yield in both the weed-free and weedy treatment in South Florida. There were significantly more pollinators and key pollinator families on the weedy mango trees, as well as significantly greater fruit yield in the weedy treatment compared to the weed-free treatment. Utilizing weeds, especially native species, as insectary plants can help ensure sufficient pollination of mango and increase biodiversity across crop monocropping systems.
Posterior fossa volume in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a magnetic resonance imaging–based study

Background The etiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is uncertain. Studies suggest the fundamental cause of the Chiari 1 malformation, a congenitally hypoplastic posterior fossa, may explain the genesis of IIH in some patients. Purpose To assess the hypothesis that linear and volumetric measurements of the posterior fossa (PF) can be used as predictors of IIH. Material and Methods A retrospective analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies on 27 patients with IIH and 14 matched controls was performed. A volumetric sagittal magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence was used to derive 10 linear cephalometric measurements. Total intracranial and bony posterior fossa volumes (PFVs) were derived by manual segmentation. The ratio of PFV to total intracranial volume was calculated. Results In total, 41 participants were included, all women. Participants with IIH had higher median body mass index (BMI). No significant differences in linear cephalometric measurements, total intracranial volumes, and PFVs between the groups were identified. Linear measurements were not predictive of volumetric measurements. However, on multivariate logistic regression analysis, the likelihood of IIH decreased significantly per unit increase in relative PFV (odds ratio [OR]=3.66 × 10−50; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.39 × 10−108 to 1.22 × 10−5; P = 0.04). Conversely, the likelihood of IIH increased per unit BMI increase (OR=1.19; 95% CI=1.04–1.47; P = 0.02). Conclusion MRI-based volumetric measurements imply that PF alterations may be partly responsible for the development of IIH and Chiari 1 malformations. Symptoms of IIH may arise due to an interplay between these and metabolic, hormonal, or other factors.
Freighter operators' choice of airport: a three‐stage process

With increasing levels of congestion at the major cargo hubs and further restrictions on noise and night‐time flying, freighter operators' airport choice is a complex and important issue. The aim is to identify the factors that affect the airport choice of freighter operators through a review of the published literature. The literature reviewed includes work relating to passenger hub location, airport quality and airline network configuration, and other works relating to airport choice to paint a full picture of the current research in this area. The literature shows that freighter operators initially choose a shortlist of possible airports based on geography and then investigate any restrictions in place, such as capacity caps or noise limits that might block operations from that airport. Only when these hurdles have been cleared do freighter operators consider attributes of airport quality such as charges and terminal facilities, as well as other influences such as freight forwarder presence and airport marketing. Of particular prominence is the impact of legislation on airport choice.
Growth and Productivity of Rue (Ruta graveolens) under Different Foliar Fertilizers Application

An exp eriment was carried out during t he t wo successive seas ons (2004/2005 and 2005/2006), to investigate t he effect of dry yeast and A scobin f oliar fertilizers on growth c haracters and che mical constituents of Ruta gr aveolens plants. The results reveal ed t hat the two f oliar applications increased plant height, number of branches, fresh and dry weight of leaves, stem, root and f lowers. Chemical constituents inc luded essential oils, coumarin and rutin content p ercentage. T he identified terpenic constituents of essential oil fra ctioned were 28 and 30 known co mponents for l eaves and flowers respectively. 2-undecanone represent ed the m ajor const ituent for es sential oil. The m aximum percentage of 2-undecanone was obtained a s a result of applying dry yeast at level of 2500ppm.
The association between coffee and caffeine consumption and renal function: insight from individual-level data, Mendelian randomization, and meta-analysis

Introduction The reported relationship between coffee intake and renal function is poorly understood. By applying two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) and systematic review and meta-analysis we investigated the association of caffeine and coffee intake with prevalent CKD and markers of renal function. Material and methods For the individual data analysis we analyzed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) data on renal function markers and caffeine intake. MR was implemented by using summary-level data from the largest ever genome-wide association studies (GWAS) conducted on coffee intake (N = 91,462) and kidney function (N = 133,413). The inverse variance weighted method (IVW), weighted median-based method, MR-Egger, MR-RAPS, and MR-PRESSO were applied. Random effects models and generic inverse variance methods were used to synthesize quantitative and pooled data for the meta-analysis, followed by a leave-one-out method for sensitivity analysis. Results Finally, we included the data of 18,436 participants; 6.9% had prevalent CKD (based on eGFR). Caffeine intake for the general population was 131.1 ±1.1 mg. The percentage of participants with CKD, by caffeine quartile, was 16.6% in the first (lowest) quartile, 13.9% in the second, 12.2% in the third and 11.0% in the top quartile (p < 0.001). After adjustment, for increasing quartiles for caffeine consumption, mean urine albumin, albumin-creatinine ratio and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) did not change significantly (p > 0.234). In fully adjusted logistic regression models, there was no significant difference in chances of CKD prevalence (p-trend = 0.745). In the same line, the results of MR showed no impact of coffee intake on CKD (IVW: β = –0.0191, SE = 0.069, p = 0.781) or on eGFR (overall = IVW: β = –0.0005, SE = 0.005, p = 0.926) either in diabetic (IVW: β = –0.006, SE = 0.009, p = 0.478) or non-diabetic patients (IVW: β = –6.772, SE = 0.006, p = 0.991). Results from the meta-analysis indicated that coffee consumption was not significantly associated with CKD (OR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.71–1.02, p = 0.090, n = 6 studies, I 2 = 0.32). These findings were robust in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions Implementing different strategies, we detected no significant association between coffee consumption and renal function or risk of CKD.
The Constructibility Review Process: A Constructor's Perspective

Constructibility can be defined as the integration of construction expertise into the planning and design of a project so that the constructors have the maximum opportunity to deliver a quality project on time and at the agreed upon cost without jeopardizing safety. The author of this paper was involved in the development of a constructibility review process aimed at improving the quality of contract documents. The author found that the constructibility process should be initiated at the earliest conceptual stage of the project to be effective. The need for a construction expert is underscored. Their responsibilities would be to study the scope of the project, examine the proposed location, estimate the duration for design and construction, and review preliminary plans for potential advantages and disadvantages in design alternatives. For the transportation field, the author states that the incorporation of constructibility reviews into the highway design process will have a major beneficial impact on the construction of transportation facilities.
Microbial community response of the full‐scale MBR system for mixed leachates treatment

In practice, mature landfill leachate and incineration (young) leachate are mixed to improve the biodegradability and enhance biological treatment performance. However, the ratio of mature‐to‐young leachates greatly influences MBR treatment efficiency and microbial community structure. This study investigated the treatment efficiency and microbial community structure of full‐scale MBR systems operated under two mix ratios, mature leachate: young leachate = 7:3 (v/v, denoted as LL) and 3:7 (v/v, denoted as IL). LL group showed lower Cl− and COD concentrations but a higher aromatic organic content comparing to IL group, and the COD and UV254 removals for LL were significantly lower than those for IL by MBR treatment. Microbial community structures were similar in both groups at phylum level, with dominant phyla being Proteobacteria (23.8%–32.3%), Bacteroidetes (15.25%–20.7%), Chloroflexi (10.5%–23.1%), and Patescibacteria (9.9%–13.2%). However, the richness and diversity of LL group were lower, and differences were observed at lower taxonomy levels. Results indicated that salinity mainly changed the structure of microbial community, resulting in greater abundance of salt‐tolerant microbials, while refractory organics affected microbial community structure, and also led to decreased diversity and metabolic activity. Therefore, in mixed leachates biological treatment, a higher young leachate ratio is recommended for better organics removal performance.