Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung cancer associated with cystic airspaces.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to determine the frequency of lung cancers associated with a discrete cystic airspace and to characterize the morphologic and pathologic features of the cancer and the cystic airspace. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed all diagnosed cases of lung cancer resulting from baseline screening (n=595) and annual screening (n=111) in the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program to identify those abutting or in the wall of a cystic airspace. We also reviewed the pathologic specimens. RESULTS A total of 26 lung cancers were identified abutting or in the wall of a cystic airspace. Of these, 13 were identified at baseline (13/595, 2%) and 13 at annual screening (13/111, 12%), which was significant (p<0.0001). The median circumferential portion of wall involved was less for the annual cancers than for the baseline ones, but this difference did not reach significance (90° vs 240°, p=0.07). The diagnosis was adenocarcinoma in all but three cases. Histologic analysis showed that the cystic space was a bulla, a fibrous walled cyst without a defined lining, or a pleural bleb and that in all but one case, the tumor was eccentric relative to the airspace and the wall of the airspace was unevenly thickened. CONCLUSION At annual repeat CT screening, the finding of an isolated cystic airspace with increased wall thickness should raise the suspicion of lung cancer.
Classification croisée pour l’analyse de bases de données de grandes dimensions de pharmacovigilance

Cette these regroupe des contributions methodologiques a l'analyse statistique des bases de donnees de pharmacovigilance. Les difficultes de modelisation de ces donnees resident dans le fait qu'elles produisent des matrices souvent creuses et de grandes dimensions. La premiere partie des travaux de cette these porte sur la classification croisee du tableau de contingence de pharmacovigilance a l’aide du modele des blocs latents de Poisson normalise. L'objectif de la classification est d'une part de fournir aux pharmacologues des zones interessantes plus reduites a explorer de maniere plus precise, et d'autre part de constituer une information a priori utilisable lors de l'analyse des donnees individuelles de pharmacovigilance. Dans ce cadre, nous detaillons une procedure d'estimation partiellement bayesienne des parametres du modele et des criteres de selection de modeles afin de choisir le modele le plus adapte aux donnees etudiees. Les donnees etant de grandes dimensions, nous proposons egalement une procedure pour explorer de maniere non exhaustive mais pertinente, l'espace des modeles en coclustering. Enfin, pour mesurer la performance des algorithmes, nous developpons un indice de classification croisee calculable en pratique pour un nombre de classes eleve. Les developpements de ces outils statistiques ne sont pas specifiques a la pharmacovigilance et peuvent etre utile a toute analyse en classification croisee. La seconde partie des travaux de cette these porte sur l'analyse statistique des donnees individuelles, plus nombreuses mais egalement plus riches en information. L'objectif est d'etablir des classes d'individus selon leur profil medicamenteux et des sous-groupes d'effets et de medicaments possiblement en interaction, palliant ainsi le phenomene de coprescription et de masquage que peuvent presenter les methodes existantes sur le tableau de contingence. De plus, l'interaction entre plusieurs effets indesirables y est prise en compte. Nous proposons alors le modele des blocs latents multiple qui fournit une classification croisee simultanee des lignes et des colonnes de deux tableaux de donnees binaires en leur imposant le meme classement en ligne. Nous discutons des hypotheses inherentes a ce nouveau modele et nous enoncons des conditions suffisantes de son identifiabilite. Ensuite, nous presentons une procedure d'estimation de ses parametres et developpons des criteres de selection de modeles associes. De plus, un modele de simulation numerique des donnees individuelles de pharmacovigilance est propose et permet de confronter les methodes entre elles et d'etudier leurs limites. Enfin, la methodologie proposee pour traiter les donnees individuelles de pharmacovigilance est explicitee et appliquee a un echantillon de la base francaise de pharmacovigilance entre 2002 et 2010.
Chondroitin 6‐sulphate synthesis is up‐regulated in injured CNS, induced by injury‐related cytokines and enhanced in axon‐growth inhibitory glia

Chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPGs) are up‐regulated in the CNS after injury and inhibit axon regeneration mainly through their glycosaminoglycan (CS‐GAG) chains. We have analysed the mRNA levels of the CS‐GAG synthesizing enzymes and measured the CS‐GAG disaccharide composition by chromatography and immunocytochemistry. Chondroitin 6‐sulfotransferase 1 (C6ST1) is up‐regulated in most glial types around cortical injuries, and its sulphated product CS‐C is also selectively up‐regulated. Treatment with TGFα and TGFβ, which are released after brain injury, promotes the expression of C6ST1 and the synthesis of 6‐sulphated CS‐GAGs in primary astrocytes. Oligodendrocytes, oligodendrocyte precursors and meningeal cells are all inhibitory to axon regeneration, and all express high levels of CS‐GAG, including high levels of 6‐sulphated GAG. In axon growth‐inhibitory Neu7 astrocytes C6ST1 and 6‐sulphated GAGs are expressed at high levels, whereas in permissive A7 astrocytes they are not detectable. These results suggest that the up‐regulation of CSPG after CNS injury is associated with a specific sulphation pattern on CS‐GAGs, mediating the inhibitory properties of proteoglycans on axonal regeneration.
Partial feedback linearization of underactuated mechanical systems

In this paper we discuss the partial feedback linearization control of underactuated mechanical systems. We consider an n degree of freedom system having m actuated, or active, degrees of freedom and l=n-m unactuated, or passive, degrees of freedom. It is known that the portion of the dynamics corresponding to the active degrees of freedom may be linearized by nonlinear feedback. In this paper we show, alternatively, that the portion of the dynamics corresponding to the passive degrees of freedom may be linearized by nonlinear feedback under a condition that we call strong inertial coupling. We derive and analyze the resulting zero dynamics which are crucial to an understanding of the response of the overall system. Simulation results are presented showing the performance of two link underactuated robots under partial feedback linearization control. <<ETX>>
Fuzzy entropy clustering

The well-known generalisation of hard c-means (HCM) clustering is fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering where a weight exponent on each fuzzy membership is introduced as the degree of fuzziness. An alternative generalisation of HCM clustering is proposed in this paper. This is called fuzzy entropy (FE) clustering where a weight factor of the fuzzy entropy function is introduced as the degree of fuzzy entropy. The weight factor is similar to the weight exponent and has a physical interpretation. The noise clustering approach, the fuzzy covariance matrix and the fuzzy mixture weight are also proposed. Moreover, we can show Gaussian mixture clustering is regarded as a special case of FE clustering. Some illustrative examples are performed on the Butterfly and Iris data.
Prediction of the real-time video streaming performance based on the peer connection statistics

The aim of the investigation presented in this paper was to design a video stream performance predictor, which could be used for adaptive video streaming applications. The neural networks based predictors were analyzed in this paper. An experimental investigation was performed in order to test the once trained predictors on a real WebRTC statistical data, recorded in dynamically changing mobile data throughput conditions.
A new optimization methodology of the linear generator for wave energy conversion systems

The implementation of a conventional genetic algorithm (GA) to maximize the output electrical power or minimize cost and weight from the linear generator (LG) suffers from the fact that, it takes huge time to find solution for optimization because, it analyzes all possible permutations and combinations of pole teeth size, teeth gap, depth of teeth, pitch, stator teeth size, air-gap, stator and translator thickness mainly. Moreover, it is very difficult to include some of the parameters like shape of translator and stator of LG in the scope of the conventional GA, adaptive GA or knowledge based GA. This paper presents a novel methodology including human intervened GA for the design, analysis, and graphical optimization of an LG which is basically a direct drive system based oceanic wave energy converter to maximize output power. These parameters are then graphically optimized within functional volumetric and electromagnetic constraints to achieve improved design solutions. The proposed method includes comprehensive geometric dimensions, magnetic and electrical parameters using finite element modeling of an LG for which parameters are determined using commercial ANSYS/Ansoft software.
The effect of medicated thread moxibustion combined with electro acupuncture treatment on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) of patients with vascular cognitive impairment of none dementia

Objective: To observe the effect of medicated thread moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture treatment on cognitive function of patients with vascular cognitive impairment of non-dementia and provide scientific clinical and practical basis for medicated thread moxibustion therapy. Methods: 75 patients with vascular cognitive impairment of none dementia who met the inclusion criteria were divided into medicated thread moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture group and control group, each consisting of 25 cases. 75 patients herein were treated with the basic treatment of neurology. In addition, medicated thread moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture group received acupuncture and medicated thread moxibustion therapy. The treatment was conducted every other day, three times a week for a total of 8 weeks. Before treatment and at the end of 8 weeks, the impact on each patient’s neuropsychology was evaluated with the Montreal Cognitive Function Assessment Scale (MoCA). Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, MoCA scores of both the medicated thread moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture group and the electroacupuncture group were significantly higher compared with the control group (P<0.01). Also, compared with the electroacupuncture group, MoCA scores of t medicated thread moxibustion medicated thread moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture group were significantly increased (P<0.01). Conclusion: The medicated thread moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture and electroacupuncture therapy can improve and enhance overall cognitive abilities of the patients with vascular cognitive impairment of non-dementia. The medicated thread moxibustion combined with electroacupuncture therapy was superior to the electroacupuncture therapy in improving patients’ attention. Similarly, both groups could reasonably improve visual space and executive function as well as abstract thinking ability. Both electroacupuncture as well as drug suture moxibustion with electroacupuncture are effective in treating VCI, and should be widely applied clinically.
Conceptualizing, Implementing, and Monitoring a Structural Health Promotion Intervention in an Organizational Setting

This article presents a framework for developing and carrying out an implementation monitoring plan of a complex structural intervention in an organizational setting and describes seven steps for analyzing and reporting results for fidelity and completeness of implementation. This process is illustrated using the Environmental Interventions in Children’s Homes (ENRICH) Wellness Project. ENRICH aimed to promote physical activity and healthful nutrition behaviors among children residing in children’s group homes by working collaboratively with organizational staff. A comprehensive implementation monitoring plan was developed based on the particulars of the setting, context, and the program framework and used multiple data sources, criteria for evidence of implementation, and data triangulation to examine evidence for organizational implementation. Eleven of 17 organizations (65%) met the criteria for nutrition implementation whereas 9 of 17 (53%) met the criteria for physical activity implementation. Implementation data can be used descriptively, as described here, and may also be used in future outcome analyses to better understand project outcomes. The framework and evaluation approach are applicable to complex interventions in other organizational settings.
Feature selection and resampling in class imbalance learning: Which comes first? An empirical study in the biological domain

Class imbalance exists in many applications of bioinformatics and biomedicine, while dimension reduction in the feature space is often needed when building prediction models on a dataset. When the above two issues need to be considered simultaneously for skewed/imbalanced datasets, practitioners and researchers in machine learning may raise the following question: should feature selection be conducted before or after the resampling methods for combating the skewness of a dataset? While feature selection and class imbalance learning have been widely studied in the literature, little study has jointly investigated them. This paper presents a first empirical study on the performance of the two opposing pipelines for binary imbalance learning, i.e., first feature selection then resampling, or first resampling then feature selection. We carry out the study on 35 publicly available datasets belonging to the biological field, using 9 feature selection methods, 6 resampling approaches for class imbalance learning, and 3 well-known classifiers. Our experiments reveal that, there is no constant winner between the two pipelines, practitioners should test both pipelines in order to derive the best classification model for imbalance learning, in particular, the resampling before feature selection pipeline should not be neglected; but we also show that, the feature selection before resampling pipeline outperforms the other in more cases than not.
On-line reference management for discrete-time servo systems under state and control constraints

This paper proposes a method of discrete time servo systems design and on-line management of reference signals so as not to violate state and control constraints. The stabilizing and reference shaping controllers are designed off-line by solving LMI optimization problems that takes into account both LQR characterization and state and control constraints. Our managed reference is a piecewise constant signal which is determined online. The better performance of the proposed approach for cases that the initial state is disturbed is demonstrated through an example.
Effects of Levetiracetam on Nocturnal Sleep and Daytime Vigilance in Healthy Volunteers

Summary: Purpose: Individuals with epilepsy commonly report daytime sleepiness, attributed to sleep disruption (frequent arousals, awakenings, and stage shifts) induced by ictal and interictal activity or antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) or both. To study the effect of levetiracetam (LEV) on sleep, at full doses but without the interference of epilepsy, we investigated the sleep architecture and daytime vigilance in healthy adults after 3 weeks of treatment.
Soluble form of FGFR2 with S252W partially prevents craniosynostosis of the apert mouse model

Background: Apert syndrome (AS) is characterized by craniosynostosis, midfacial hypoplasia, and bony syndactyly. It is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease caused by point mutations (S252W or P253R) in fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 2. These mutations cause activation of FGFR2 depending on ligand binding. Recently, an AS mouse model, Fgfr2+/S252W, showed phenotypes similar to those of AS patients. We previously reported that the soluble form of FGFR2S252W (sFGFR2IIIcS252W) efficiently inhibits enhanced osteoblastic differentiation caused by FGFR2 activation in AS in vitro, presumably because FGFs binding to FGFRs is interrupted. In this study, we developed Fgfr2+/S252W (Ap) mice expressing the sFGFR2IIIcS252W protein, and we investigated the effects of sFGFR2IIIcS252W on AS‐like phenotypes. Results: In Ap mice, the coronal suture (CS) was fused prematurely at P1. In addition, the mice exhibited a widened interfrontal suture (IFS) with ectopic bone and thickened cartilage formation. In Fgfr2+/S252W sFGFR2IIIcS252W (Ap/Sol) mice, the CS was similar to that of wild‐type mice. Ap/Sol mice did not show any ectopic bone or cartilage formation in the IFS, but showed a wider IFS than that of the wild‐type mice. Conclusions: sFGFR2IIIcS252W may partially prevent craniosynostosis in the Apert mouse model by affecting the CS and IFS in vivo. Developmental Dynamics 243:560–567, 2014. © 2013 The Authors Developmental Dynamics published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Anatomists.
Incentives and the Design of Charitable Fundraisers: Lessons from a field experiment∗

There has been little systematic study of the mechanisms (and their incentives) typically used to raise money for charity. One of the most common mechanisms is the simple raffle in which participants purchase as many chances to win a prize as they like at a constant price. We conduct a field experiment in which participants are randomly assigned to one of four raffle treatments to examine the effectiveness of alternative incentive schemes designed to encourage either participation or “volume. ” Our results confirm the importance of incentives in that we find significant revenue gains are available on both margins. Our experiment, and others like it, illustrates the power of field experiments to inform fundraising choices.
A pair of enantiomeric 5-oxabicyclic[4.3.0]lactam derivatives and one new polyketide from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium griseofulvum

Abstract A pair of enantiomeric 4-oxabicyclic[4.3. 0]lactam derivatives, (+)- and (−)-penicilactam A (1), and one new polyketide derivative penicitrinone F (2) were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Penicillium griseofulvum GT-10. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses combined with the calculated ECD spectra. Penicitrinone F (2) had moderate inhibitory activity towards Bacillus subtilis with a MIC value of 6.3 μM.
A novel compact UHF wideband antenna for near field electrical characterization of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete

A novel, electrically small, UHF (350 MHz–750 MHz) microstrip slot antenna is presented. The antenna is designed for the characterization of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete (SFRC) segments. The antenna consists on a three layer structure headed by the slot ground plane, followed by the feeding microstrip in the central layer with some resistive loading for bandwidth enhancement purposes; finally on the bottom layer a strip line reflector is positioned to provide a unidirectional radiation pattern, required for harsh environments. The whole design has been optimized in front of SFRC for maximum impedance bandwidth. Input impedance and radiation pattern are studied both theoretically and experimentally, and some laboratory measurements have been done on real SFRC specimens. Satisfactory results for the fiber density of SFRC are presented.
Effect of follicular wave synchronization on superovulatory response of Girolando embryo donors

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the follicular wave synchronization method on the superovulatory response of Girolando embryo donors. Seven cows and five heifers were divided into three treatments according to the method of the follicular wave synchronization prior to superovulation. The donors were superovulated with eight FSH decreasing doses, adding 133 mg per animal. The superovulatory response was evaluated using an ultrasound device to quantify the number of corpora lutea. The number and quality of recovered structures were also evaluated. Animal category (cow or heifer) and genetic group influenced the superovulatory response, in which heifers showed a greater response (100% in all treatments) compared with cows, which showed 85.7%, 57.1% and 57.1% superovulatory response for standing estrus, GnRH and P4 + BE groups, respectively. The genetic group also showed influence on superovulatory response, in which the 3/8 animals had an average of 10.3 corpora lutea per donor compared with the 3/4 animals, which showed 4.9. The follicular wave synchronization treatments did not show differences in superovulatory response, recovered structures and viable structures. The treatment of follicular wave synchronization with GnRH or with P4 + BE can be used in Girolando donors with the same efficiency as the standing estrus group, and 3/8 Girolando heifers respond better to the superovulatory treatment.
T Cells Induce Extended Class II MHC Compartments in Dendritic Cells in a Toll-Like Receptor-Dependent Manner 1

Interaction of Ag-loaded dendritic cells with Ag-specific CD4 T cells induces the formation of long tubular class II MHC-positive compartments that polarize toward the T cell. We show involvement of a Toll-like receptor-mediated signal in this unusual form of intracellular class II MHC trafficking. First, wild-type dendritic cells loaded with LPS-free Ag failed to show formation of class II-positive tubules upon Ag-specific T cell engagement, but did so upon supplementation of the Ag with low concentrations of LPS. Second, Ag-loaded myeloid differentiation factor 88 -deficient dendritic cells failed to form these tubules upon interaction with T cells, regardless of the presence of LPS. Finally, inclusion of a cell-permeable peptide that blocks TNFR-associated factor 6 function, downstream of myeloid differentiation factor 88, blocked T cell-dependent tubulation. A Toll-like receptor-dependent signal is thus required to allow Ag-loaded dendritic cells to respond to T cell contact by formation of extended endosomal compartments. This activation does not result in massive translocation of class II MHC molecules to the cell surface.
Balanced active frequency multipliers in D and G bands using 250nm InP DHBT technology

A wideband balanced active frequency doubler at Dband (110–170 GHz) and a frequency tripler at G-band (140–220 GHz) is presented. The circuits are implemented in a 250nm InP DHBT technology with ft/fmax 350/600 GHz respectively. The experimental results of the frequency doubler exhibit an output power of 4.2 dBm with 3-dB output bandwidth from 120 to 158 GHz corresponding to 27.3 % relative bandwidth. The power efficiency is 11.9 % at 124 GHz output and 5 dBm input power. The doubler chip consumes a dc-power of 19 mW and the chip dimension is 0.45 × 0.4 mm2. The tripler chip can provide output power of 3.8 dBm and has 3-dB output bandwidth of 27 GHz from 162–189 GHz. The balanced topology and band pass filter were utilized in tripler circuit for harmonic suppression. The fundamental- and second-harmonic suppressions are better than 20 dBc and 28 dBc, respectively. The dc power consumption is 26 mW. The chip surface is 0.9 × 0.4 mm2.
Aprendizagem de Máquina Aplicada a Investimentos Imobiliários

Este trabalho apresenta estrategias utilizadas para classificar um imovel em subvalorizado ou supervalorizado para a devida recomendacao deste para compra como forma de investimento. Foi realizado um levantamento de dados de 150 apartamentos na regiao do bairro Agua Verde, em Curitiba, PR, contando com 10 variaveis independentes e uma variavel dependente. Foram utilizados os modelos de Regressao Logistica e de Maquinas de Vetores Suporte com margens flexiveis abordada com e sem o uso de funcoes kernel. Os resultados foram comparados dentro desta problematica e entao determinado o melhor classificador, resultando em um modelo de facil aplicacao para o utilizador.