Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Malignant lymphoma of the spleen. A review of 49 cases in which the diagnosis was made at splenectomy

A group of 49 Mayo Clinic patients in whom the original diagnosis of lymphoma was made at splenectomy is reported. Systemic symptoms and pain were the commonest complaints and peripheral blood cytopenias were the major abnormal laboratory findings. The correct diagnosis was suspected in almost half of the patients prior to surgery. The 5‐year survival rate for the entire group was 31%. The survival rate of 17 patients with localized lesions that were resected was considerably better than in those with residual tumor left after surgery. Patients of various histologic types of lymphoma with a follicular pattern of distribution tended to have a better prognosis than those with diffuse infiltration. The group with lymphocytic lymphoma had a 5‐year survival rate of 60%, considerably higher than that for patients with lesions of other histologic types.
Improved wavelet-based techniques for power quality evaluation in three-phase systems

The paper deals with the analysis based on the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) of stationary regimes in three-phase power systems with significant distortions. Firstly one presents the conclusion of preliminary evaluations used to select the most appropriate analysis technique: RMS values were evaluated using different DWT-based methods, analysis of errors, of memory consumptions and respectively of runtimes was done. Afterward data gathered from the excitation of the main generator from a power plant were submitted to a complex analysis. Three DWT-based methods were selected for comparative studies: one relies on the function dwt, provided by Matlab, the other two rely on original functions implementing the so-called “D4 Wavelet Transform” (“dwm” assumes that the analysed signal is periodic, whilst “dwi” performs interpolations, being applicable to non-periodic signals as well). The superiority of dwm and dwi is sustained by smaller errors (results yielded by the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) were used as reference) and significantly smaller requirements for computational resources (memory and runtime).
Points on the curve: An analysis of methods for assessing the shape of vertebrate claws

The form of amniote claws has been extensively investigated, often with inferences about ecological association being drawn from studies of their geometry. Various methods have been used to quantify differences in the geometry of claws, but rarely have the underlying assumptions of such methods been addressed. Here, we use one set of bird claws and apply six methods (five that have been previously used, and a new one) that are tasked with comparing their shape. In doing so, we compare the (1) ability of these methods to represent the shape of the claw; (2) validity of the assumptions made about underlying claw geometry; (3) their ability to be applied unambiguously; and (4) their ability to differentiate between predetermined functional clusters. We find that of the six methods considered only the geometric morphometric approach reveals differences in the shapes of bird claws. Our comparison shows that geometry‐based methods can provide a general estimate of the degree of curvature of claw arcs, but are unable to differentiate between shapes. Of all of the geometry‐based approaches, we conclude that the adjusted version of the Zani (2000) method is the most useful because it can be applied without ambiguity, and provides a reliable estimate of claw curvature. The three landmarks that define that method (tip and base of the claw arc, plus the intersection between said claw arc and a line drawn perpendicular from the midpoint of tip and claw base) do not all bear biological significance, but relatively clearly circumscribe the length‐to‐height ratio of the claw, which relates to its curvature. Overall, our comparisons reveal that the shape of avian claws does not differ significantly between climbing and perching birds, and that the utilization of preordained functional clusters in comparative data analysis can hinder the discovery of meaningful differences in claw shape. J. Morphol. 278:150–169, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals,Inc.
Interactive Question Answering for Customer Service Representative using Information State concept

Interactive Question Answering (IQA) is a branch of Question Answering (QA) with interactivity enhancement, enabling dialogue with users. This paper explain how to build a prototype of IQA system, with its supporting aspect such as understanding user's topic, knowledge structure, and information recording in dialogue. Tree data structure is used for structuring IQA knowledge base. Information recording througout dialogue is using Information State (IS) concept, adapted from two previous model: Poesio-Traum model and Cooper-Larsson Model. IS model is adjusted based on knowledge structure and a specific needs of Customer Service Representative behaviour. An interactivity testing is conducted to test whether aspects of IQA needs is fulfilled. We have succesfully built the prototype, using IS concept.
Polynomial Time Approximation Schemes for the Euclidean Traveling Salesman Problem

In this report, we aim to understand the key ideas and major techniques used in the assigned paper "Polynomial Time Approximation Schemes for Euclidean Traveling Salesman and Other Geometric Problems" by Sanjeev Arora. We also provide a review of related literature with an emphasis on the concurrent work by Joseph S. B. Mitchell. One presentation topic is selected from Arora’s paper and the other topic is from Mitchell’s paper.
Sonazoid‐Enhanced Ultrasonography for Evaluation of the Enhancement Patterns of Focal Liver Tumors in the Late Phase by Intermittent Imaging With a High Mechanical Index

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the enhancement patterns of focal liver tumors in the late phase of Sonazoid‐enhanced ultrasonography by intermittent imaging with a high mechanical index (MI). Methods. A total of 142 patients with 208 lesions, including 109 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 61 metastases, 30 hemangiomas, and 8 focal nodular hyperplasias (FNHs), were enrolled in this prospective study. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography with intermittent scanning at 2 frames per second (MI, 0.7–1.2) was conducted in the late phase (>5 minutes after bolus intravenous injection of the perflubutane‐based contrast agent Sonazoid; Daiichi Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan). Two blinded readers classified the enhancement patterns of the lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of the dominant enhancement patterns and inter‐reader agreement were assessed. Results. A combination of diffuse enhancement with intratumoral vessels and intratumoral vessels alone yielded sensitivity of 85% (average of both readers), specificity of 88%, and a PPV of 88% for HCC. For metastasis, a combination of peripheral ringlike enhancement with peritumoral vessels and peripheral ringlike enhancement with intratumoral vessels yielded sensitivity of 79%, specificity of 95%, and a PPV of 85%. For hemangiomas, a combination of peripheral nodular enhancement with peritumoral vessels and peripheral nodular enhancement without peritumoral vessels yielded sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 99%, and a PPV of 92%. Diffuse enhancement with spoked wheel arteries yielded sensitivity of 82%, specificity of 100%, and a PPV of 87% for FNHs. Good inter‐reader agreement was achieved. Conclusions. Sonazoid‐enhanced ultrasonography using intermittent imaging with a high MI can potentially be used for evaluating the enhancement patterns of focal liver tumors in the late phase.
Memory fartitioning-based modulo scheduling for high-level synthesis

High-Level Synthesis (HLS) has been widely recognized as an efficient compilation process targeting FPGAs for algorithm evaluation and product prototyping. However, the massively parallel memory access demands and the extremely expensive cost of single-bank memory with multi-port have impeded loop pipelining performance. Thus, based on an alternative multi-bank memory architecture, a joint approach that employs memory-aware force directed scheduling and multi-cycle memory partitioning is formally proposed to achieve legitimate pipelining kernel and valid bank mapping with less resource consumption and optimal pipelining performance. The experimental results over a variety of benchmarks show that our approach can achieve the optimal pipelining performance and meanwhile reduce the number of multiple independent memory banks by 55.1% on average, compared with the state-of-the-art approaches.
MicroRNAs in the axon locally mediate the effects of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and cGMP on axonal growth

Axonal miRNAs locally regulate axonal growth by modulating local protein composition. Whether localized miRNAs in the axon mediate the inhibitory effect of Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) on the axon remains unknown. We showed that in cultured cortical neurons, axonal application of CSPGs inhibited axonal growth and altered axonal miRNA profiles, whereas elevation of axonal cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels by axonal application of sildenafil reversed the effect of CSPGs on inhibition of axonal growth and on miRNA profiles. Specifically, CSPGs elevated and reduced axonal levels of miR‐29c and integrin β1 (ITGB1) proteins, respectively, while elevation of cGMP levels overcame these CSPG effects. Gain‐of‐ and loss‐of‐function experiments demonstrated that miR‐29c in the distal axon mediates axonal growth downstream of CSPGs and cGMP by regulating axonal protein levels of ITGB1, FAK, and RhoA. Together, our data demonstrate that axonal miRNAs play an important role in mediating the inhibitory action of CSPGs on axonal growth and that miR‐29c at least partially mediates this process. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 1402–1419, 2015
GAAP, GFS and AASB 1049: Perceptions of Public Sector Stakeholders

Efforts by Australian standard‐setters to harmonise public sector financial reporting resulted in AASB 1049, which sought to bridge the divide between generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)‐based and government finance statistics (GFS)‐based financial statements. However, whether AASB 1049 has resulted in information that is considered appropriate for the public sector has not been examined. We explore this issue by comparing the requirements of AASB 1049 with the responses from a survey of public sector stakeholders on the appropriate accounting treatment and presentation of selected financial items. The analysis suggests consensus with AASB 1049 on presentation issues but less consensus on accounting treatments.
Application of machine learning to help AI to play Hearthstone

This paper presents a solution, which was developed as a part of the competition AAIA'17 Data Mining Challenge: Helping AI to Play Hearthstone. The goal of the competition was to predict the probability of AI player win in different intra-game states of Hearthstone game (online computer game with cards). This solution got the third place at the final leaderboard. The paper describes models and local validation approach, which was very useful for models development without overfitting.
1,3-Bridged p-methyloctahomotetraoxacalix[4]arene-bis-crown-3.

The title compound, 13,21,35,43-tetramethyl-3,6,9,17,25,28,31,39,46,49-decaoxaheptacyclo[21.21. 3.3(11,33). 0(2,41). 0(10,15). 0(19,24). 0(32,37)]pentaconta-1,10,12,14,19,21,23,32,34,36,41,43-dodecaene, C(44)H(52)O(10), differs from previously reported 1,3-bridged calix[4]arene[bond]bis-crown compounds in having an enlarged calixarene ring and shorter polyoxyethylene bridges. The cavity is partly filled by the bridges.
Technical Advance: A new cell preparation strategy that greatly improves the yield of vital and functional Tregs and NKT cells

Release of NAD+ during preparation of murine lymphocytes causes enzymatic ADP‐ribosylation of cell‐surface proteins on T cells, catalyzed by toxin‐related ecto‐ADP‐ribosyltransferase, ARTC2. ADP‐riboslyation activates the cytolytic P2X7 ion channel and affects, in particular, the vitality and function of Tregs and NKT cells. Here, we describe a simple method—injection of an ARTC2‐blocking nanobody—to greatly improve Treg and NKT cell vitality and to preserve their function during in vitro assays and in adoptive‐transfer experiments. Moreover, we present a method for the sorting of functional, primary NKT cells, based on coexpression of ARTC2 and NK1.1. Our results pave the way for the efficient ex vivo proliferation of Tregs and NKT cells and for new experimental and therapeutic uses of these important regulatory cells.
TECHNOLOGY SHOPS: EFFICIENT PRICING IN BUSINESS-UNIVERSITY COLLABORATIONS

Recently, business–university collaborations have become the subject of much interest. It is important to distinguish between ‘blue-sky’ research and more directly commercially applicable research. This paper provides a framework in which to think about the latter. A simple screening model is proposed to study the ways in which a university might sell its research to the private sector. It demonstrates that ‘technology shops’, where firms pay a fixed fee to join and a relatively low marginal cost for each piece of research, would increase the amount of research commercially developed and would be beneficial to all parties.
Modelling conditional moments and correlation with the continuous hidden-threshold-skew-normal distribution

A key issue in modelling conditional densities of returns of financial assets is the time-variation of conditional volatility. The classic econometric approach models volatility of returns with the generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models where the conditional mean and the conditional volatility depend only on historical prices. We propose a new family of distributions in which the conditional distribution depends on a latent continuous factor with a continuum of states. The distribution has an interpretation in terms of a mixture distribution with time-varying mixing probabilities. The distribution parameters have economic interpretations in terms of conditional volatilities and correlations of the returns with the hidden continuous state. We show empirically that this distribution outperforms its main competitor, the mixed normal conditional distribution, in terms of capturing the stylized facts known for stock returns, namely, volatility clustering, leverage effect, skewness, kurtosis and regime dependence.
Morbidity of Tokyo-area centenarians and its relationship to functional status.

BACKGROUND Research in Western countries has shown most centenarians to be survivors with multiple comorbidities. However, Japanese centenarians' morbidity and its relationship to functional status has yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to clarify the association of morbidity with the physical and cognitive function of centenarians. We examined Tokyo-area centenarians to determine their kinds of morbidity profiles and how such morbidity related to their functional status. METHODS We studied 302 centenarians living in Tokyo (101.2+/-1.8 years; 65 men, 237 women), and assessed their physical status, morbidity, and use of medication. Activities of daily living and cognitive function were also assessed using the Barthel Index and the Clinical Dementia Rating. RESULTS More than 95% of the centenarians had chronic diseases. Both the physical and cognitive functions were significantly higher in men. The present and previous illnesses most frequently included hypertension, heart disease, stroke, fractures, and cataracts. Fractures were observed significantly more frequently in women. Diabetes mellitus was uncommon. The physical and cognitive function of centenarians with a history of stroke or fracture were particularly poor, whereas those centenarians with hypertension tended to show a high level of physical and cognitive function. CONCLUSIONS Almost all centenarians had chronic diseases. Stroke and fracture were correlated with poorer function; therefore, we hypothesize that prevention of stroke and fracture might improve functional status in the oldest-old.
DNA methyltransferase inhibitors influence on the DIRAS3 and STAT3 expression and in vitro migration of ovarian and breast cancer cells.

OBJECTIVES Downregulation of DIRAS3 (DIRAS family, GTP-binding Ras-like 3) is related to ovarian and breast cancer progression. A possible mechanism that silences this gene is the promoter region DNA methylation. The potential reversibility of this epigenetic mechanism makes it more attractive candidate for new mode of cancer treatment. DIRAS3 regulates cell cycle, tumor dormancy and inhibits cancer cell growth and motility, all of which may indirectly depend on interaction with STAT3 (Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3) classified as a potential oncogene. The restoration of DIRAS3 expression could inhibit cell proliferation and invasiveness. MATERIAL AND METHODS Human ovarian carcinoma cell line (A2780) and human breast cancer cell line (MCF7) were exposed to two DNA methyltransferase inhibitors (DNMTi): decitabine (5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine) [25 μM and 12.5 μM] and RG108 [150 μM and 100 μM]. In vitro migration changes of cancer cells were examined with wound healing assay. After 7 days of DNMTi treatment cells were harvested and DNA and RNA was isolated. The methylation status of the promoter sequences of DIRAS3 and STAT3 genes was determined using methylation specific PCR (MS-PCR). Level of target genes' expression was quantified using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (QRT-PCR). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The in vitro wound healing assay showed changes in the migration rate of both adherent cell lines after DNMTi treatment compared to the untreated cells. Relative balance between methylated and unmethylated variants of DIRAS3 after MS-PCR was shifted towards unmethylated version after DNMTi treatment in A2780 cells. Statistically significant dose dependent effect of decitabine and RG108 on DIRAS3 expression in A2780 cells was observed.
Measuring New Zealand’s Productivity

This report was prepared for the Department of Labour, Reserve Bank of New Zealand and Treasury by Dr Denis Lawrence (Tasman Asia Pacific) and Professor Erwin Diewert (University of British Columbia) under contract. The authors examine New Zealand’s market sector productivity performance using two databases. One has been prepared by the authors and contains a large number of input and output variables for the period 1972 to 1998. The second database involves data provided to the authors by officials and allows estimates to be prepared for 20 individual market sectors over the period 1978 to 1998. The authors provide estimates of New Zealand’s total factor, labour and capital productivity, using an index number based methodology. They carry out many sensitivity tests relating to different input, output and functional form specifications. Labour input specifications are found to be important. The results are compared with Australian and OECD estimates and tested for structural breaks over time. Other recent New Zealand contributions to productivity literature are reviewed and statistical measurement problems are discussed. The data and techniques used are fully documented.
Comparative Genome-Wide-Association Mapping Identifies Common Loci Controlling Root System Architecture and Resistance to Aphanomyces euteiches in Pea

Combining plant genetic resistance with architectural traits that are unfavorable to disease development is a promising strategy for reducing epidemics. However, few studies have identified root system architecture (RSA) traits with the potential to limit root disease development. Pea is a major cultivated legume worldwide and has a wide level of natural genetic variability for plant architecture. The root pathogen Aphanomyces euteiches is a major limiting factor of pea crop yield. This study aimed to increase the knowledge on the diversity of loci and candidate genes controlling RSA traits in pea and identify RSA genetic loci associated with resistance to A. euteiches which could be combined with resistance QTL in breeding. A comparative genome wide association (GWA) study of plant architecture and resistance to A. euteiches was conducted at the young plant stage in a collection of 266 pea lines contrasted for both traits. The collection was genotyped using 14,157 SNP markers from recent pea genomic resources. It was phenotyped for ten root, shoot and overall plant architecture traits, as well as three disease resistance traits in controlled conditions, using image analysis. We identified a total of 75 short-size genomic intervals significantly associated with plant architecture and overlapping with 46 previously detected QTL. The major consistent intervals included plant shoot architecture or flowering genes (PsLE, PsTFL1) with putative pleiotropic effects on root architecture. A total of 11 genomic intervals were significantly associated with resistance to A. euteiches confirming several consistent previously identified major QTL. One significant SNP, mapped to the major QTL Ae-Ps7.6, was associated with both resistance and RSA traits. At this marker, the resistance-enhancing allele was associated with an increased total root projected area, in accordance with the correlation observed between resistance and larger root systems in the collection. Seven additional intervals associated with plant architecture overlapped with GWA intervals previously identified for resistance to A. euteiches. This study provides innovative results about genetic interdependency of root disease resistance and RSA inheritance. It identifies pea lines, QTL, closely-linked markers and candidate genes for marker-assisted-selection of RSA loci to reduce Aphanomyces root rot severity in future pea varieties.
Exercise Preconditioning Provides Long-Term Protection Against Early Chronic Doxorubicin Cardiotoxicity

Acute doxorubicin (DOX) cardiotoxicity can be attenuated by exercise preconditioning, but little is known of whether this cardioprotection continues beyond 10 days post-DOX administration. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of exercise preconditioning on early chronic DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Male rats were randomly assigned to sedentary, treadmill, or wheel running groups. Treadmill and wheel running animals participated in a progressive treadmill training protocol or voluntary wheel running, respectively, for 10 weeks. Following the intervention, animals were further randomized to receive either DOX (sedentary + DOX, treadmill + DOX, wheel running + DOX) or saline (sedentary + saline, treadmill + saline, wheel running + saline). All animals then remained sedentary for 4 weeks. A 22% reduction in fractional shortening was observed in left ventricles from previously sedentary animals receiving DOX when compared with sedentary + saline. This degree of decline was not observed in treadmill + DOX and wheel running + DOX. Sedentary + DOX possessed significantly depressed mitral and aortic valve blood flow velocities when compared with sedentary + saline, but these decrements were not observed in treadmill + DOX and wheel running + DOX. Ex vivo analysis revealed that left ventricular developed pressure and maximal rate of pressure development were significantly lower in sedentary + DOX when compared to sedentary + saline. Treadmill and wheel running prior to DOX treatment protected against these decrements. Exercise cardioprotection was associated with preserved myosin heavy chain but not sarcoendoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2a expression. In conclusion, 10 weeks of prior exercise protected against early chronic DOX cardiotoxicity suggesting that training status may be a determining factor in the degree of late-onset cardiotoxicity experienced by cancer patients undergoing treatment with DOX.