Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distributed Radiotherapy Simulation with the Webcom Workflow System

Accurate radiotherapy plans are a vital tool in combating cancer. The verification of such plans is a computationally intensive task, and providing clinical experts with access to sufficient resources to conduct plan verification simulations in a suitable and timely manner is a genuine challenge. In this paper we present a new approach to the problem, incorporating the Monte Carlo method for treatment verification. A fully integrated radiotherapy treatment verification workflow built on the BEAM simulation package has been developed within the scope of this work. The Monte Carlo approach is recognized as being superior to the standard clinical techniques available. To be useful in clinical practice, accurate results must be generated within a short time frame. Consequently, turnaround times must be predictable, and results must be of a consistently high standard. These requirements are the key challenges that drive this work. The development of this application is being conducted within the context of the Webcom project. Webcom is an interpreter for a graph-oriented model of computing, implemented as a distributed virtual machine. This platform has been used to construct a workflow tool suite and a novel methodology for dynamic resource federation. These components are applied to the execution of Monte Carlo radiotherapy simulation application on heterogeneous dynamically coordinated resources. The Webcom-based model of workflow management facilitates the execution of resource intensive workflows and provides a basis for the development of scalable services in the heterogeneous environments formed through the dynamic aggregation of mixed autonomous resources. We discuss the motivation behind the project and present the methodology, describe the software design of the current implementation, and demonstrates the utility of the system via experiments conducted in a real and deeply heterogeneous testbed environment.
Recent advances on cellular therapies and immune modulators for graft-versus-host disease

The efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is counterbalanced by the occurrence of life-threatening immune-mediated complications, such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a multistep disease which is reportedly fatal to approximately 15% of transplant recipients. It is now established that T-cell–dendritic cell interactions, T-cell activation, release of proinflammatory cytokines and T-cell trafficking partake in GVHD pathogenesis. This article will focus on the most recent strategies aimed at preventing/treating GVHD by manipulating components of the innate and adaptive immune response from both the donor and the host.
Effects of Pre-Treatments on Bioactivity of High-Purity Titanium

Titanium and its alloys are frequently employed in medical and dental clinics due to their good tissue compatibility, including commercially available pure Ti, Ti6A4V, or Ti-15Zr-4Ta-4Nb. Yet, they may behave very differently when in contact with our plasma because of their own chemical composition. The present study was designed to compare the in vitro behavior of highly pure Ti (>99.99%; hpTi) with those of the above titanium specimens when they were subjected to heating in air (HT), H2O2 and heating (CHT), and heating in air after forming grooves on the surface (GT). Since one of the measures of material-tissue compatibility has been in vitro apatite formation in artificial plasma, like simulated body fluid (SBF) of the Kokubo recipe, the apatite deposition in SBF on their surface and in their grooves were examined in terms of the X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersion X-ray analysis. The results showed that hpTi was as active in in vitro apatite deposition as the other reference titanium samples mentioned above. Moreover, GT specimens of hpTi induced apatite deposition on the platform of the grooves as well as in the grooves. Therefore, hpTi was concluded to have better activity, and to be clinically applicable.
A low-profile, wideband, vertically-polarized antenna with directional radiation patterns in the azimuth plane

A low-profile, wideband, vertically-polarized antenna with directional radiation characteristics in the azimuth plane is proposed. The antenna is composed of four half-loops with the shape of bent diamond arms that are fed at the center and short circuited to the ground plane at their ends. Two of the loops are fed in phase and the other two are fed out of phase. Then, these two antenna arrays are fed using a proper feed network to obtain a cardioid-shaped radiation pattern over a very large bandwidth (6:1). The antenna has electrical dimensions of 0. 77λmin × 0. 77λmin × 0. 09λmin at its lowest frequency of operation.
Checksum-based loss differentiation

In a wireless environment the common transport protocol assumption that all packet losses are due to congestion no longer holds true. If the transport protocols react identically to both congestion and non-congestion related losses, performance will degrade. To avoid this performance problem, transport protocols must be able to differentiate between losses that are due to congestion and losses that are due to wireless link errors. Suitable congestion avoidance behavior can then be applied as appropriate. This paper overviews previous work on loss differentiation, and proposes a checksum-based scheme. The proposed scheme reuses the checksums already available at various layers in the receiver end-host protocol stack. It is an end-to-end solution for the case where the lossy link is the last hop. Header decoding, data integrity and other issues related to the implementation of our checksum-based scheme are also discussed.
Role of protein kinase C in arginine vasopressin‐stimulated ERK and p70S6 kinase phosphorylation

We previously showed in rat renal glomerular mesangial cells, that arginine vasopressin (AVP)‐stimulated cell proliferation was mediated by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF‐R) transactivation, and activation (phosphorylation) of ERK1/2 and p70S6 kinase (Ghosh et al. [2001]: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 280:F972–F979]. In this paper, we extend these observations and show that different protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms play different roles in mediating AVP‐stimulated ERK1/2 and p70S6 kinase phosphorylation and cell proliferation. AVP treatment for 0–60 min stimulated the serine/threonine phosphorylation of PKC isoforms α, δ, ε, and ζ. The activation of PKC was dependent on EGF‐R and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) activation. In addition, inhibition of conventional and novel PKC isoforms by chronic (24 h) exposure to phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) inhibited AVP‐induced activation of ERK and p70S6 kinase as well as EGF‐R phosphorylation. Rottlerin, a specific inhibitor of PKCδ, inhibited both ERK and p70S6 kinase phosphorylation and cell proliferation. In contrast, a PKCε translocation inhibitor decreased ERK1/2 activation without affecting p70S6 kinase or cell proliferation, while a dominant negative PKCζ (K281W) cDNA delayed p70S6 kinase activation without affecting ERK1/2. On the other hand, Gö6976, an inhibitor of conventional PKC isoforms, did not affect p70S6 kinase, but stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation without affecting cell proliferation. Our results indicate that PKCδ plays an important role in AVP‐stimulated ERK and p70S6 kinase activation and cell proliferation. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cationic Liposomes Carrying siRNA: Impact of Lipid Composition on Physicochemical Properties, Cytotoxicity and Endosomal Escape

In recent year, cationic liposomes have gained a lot of attention for siRNA delivery. Despite this, intracellular barriers as endosomal escape and cytosolic delivery of siRNA still represent a challeng, as well as the cytotoxicity due to cationic lipids. To address these issues, we developed four liposomal formulations, composed of two different cationic lipids (DOTAP and DC-Cholesterol) and different ratio of co-lipids (cholesterol and DOPE). The objective is to dissect these impacts on siRNA efficacy and cytotoxicity. Liposomes were complexed to siRNA at six different N/P molar ratios, physico-chemical properties were characterized, and consequently, N/P 2.5, 5 and 10 were selected for in vitro experiments. We have shown that cytotoxicity is influenced by the N/P ratio, the concentration of cationic lipid, as well as the nature of the cationic lipid. For instance, cell viability decreased by 70% with liposomes composed of DOTAP/Cholesterol/DOPE 1/0.75/0.5 at a N/P ratio 10, whereas the same formulation at a N/P ratio of 2.5 was safe. Interestingly, we have observed differences in terms of mRNA knock-down efficiency, whereas the transfection rate was quite similar for each formulation. Liposomes containing 50% of DOPE induced a mRNA silencing of around 80%. This study allowed us to highlight crucial parameters in order to develop lipoplexes which are safe, and which induce an efficient intracytoplasmic release of siRNA.
A Novel Modulatory Mechanism of Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling through Decorin and LRP-1*

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that signals to the nucleus through cell surface transmembrane receptors with serine/threonine kinase activity and cytoplasmic effectors, including Smad proteins. Here we describe two novel modulators of this pathway, lipoprotein-receptor related protein (LRP-1) and decorin. Decorin null (Dcn null) myoblasts showed a diminished TGF-β response that is restored by decorin re-expression. Importantly, this reactivation occurs without changes in the binding to TGF-β receptors, Smad protein phosphorylation, or Smad-4 nuclear translocation. In wild type myoblasts, inhibition of decorin binding to LRP-1 and depletion of LRP-1 inhibited TGF-β response to levels similar to those observed in Dcn null myoblasts. Re-expression of decorin in Dcn null myoblasts cannot restore TGF-β response if the Smad pathway or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity is inhibited, suggesting that this LRP-1-decorin modulatory pathway requires activation of the Smad pathway by TGF-β and involves phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity. This work unveils a new regulatory mechanism for TGF-β signaling by decorin and LRP-1.
Modeling the adoption of E-business amongst SMEs in Terengganu

This article examines the factors that determine the e-business adoption amongst small and medium enterprises and its causal effects using a theoretical model based on the Innovation Diffusion Theory. The research model consists of five exogenous latent constructs, namely relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability and observability. Data relating to the constructs were collected from 337 small and medium sized enterprises located in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia and subjected to Structural Equation Modelling analysis. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed to examine the reliability, construct validity, convergent validity and goodness of fit of individual construct and measurement models. The hypothesized structural model fits the data well. Results indicate that the significant factor that leads to the adoption of e-business is compatibility. Finally, implications and suggestions of these findings are discussed.
Dynamic Hippocampal and Prefrontal Contributions to Memory Processes and Representations Blur the Boundaries of Traditional Cognitive Domains

The hippocampus has long been known to be a critical component of the memory system involved in the formation and use of long-term declarative memory. However, recent findings have revealed that the reach of hippocampal contributions extends to a variety of domains and tasks that require the flexible use of cognitive and social behavior, including domains traditionally linked to prefrontal cortex (PFC), such as decision-making. In addition, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has gained traction as a necessary part of the memory system. These findings challenge the conventional characterizations of hippocampus and PFC as being circumscribed to traditional cognitive domains. Here, we emphasize that the ability to parsimoniously account for the breadth of hippocampal and PFC contributions to behavior, in terms of memory function and beyond, requires theoretical advances in our understanding of their characteristic processing features and mental representations. Notably, several literatures exist that touch upon this issue, but have remained disjointed because of methodological differences that necessarily limit the scope of inquiry, as well as the somewhat artificial boundaries that have been historically imposed between domains of cognition. In particular, this article focuses on the contribution of relational memory theory as an example of a framework that describes both the representations and processes supported by the hippocampus, and further elucidates the role of the hippocampal–PFC network to a variety of behaviors.
A Reconstruction Algorithm of Magnetoacoustic Tomography With Magnetic Induction for an Acoustically Inhomogeneous Tissue

Magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI) is a noninvasive electrical conductivity imaging approach that measures ultrasound wave induced by magnetic stimulation, for reconstructing the distribution of electrical impedance in a biological tissue. Existing reconstruction algorithms for MAT-MI are based on the assumption that the acoustic properties in the tissue are homogeneous. However, the tissue in most parts of human body has heterogeneous acoustic properties, which leads to potential distortion and blurring of small buried objects in the impedance images. In this study, we proposed a new algorithm for MAT-MI to image the impedance distribution in tissues with inhomogeneous acoustic speed distributions. With a computer head model constructed from MR images of a human subject, a series of numerical simulation experiments were conducted. The present results indicate that the inhomogeneous acoustic properties of tissues in terms of speed variation can be incorporated in MAT-MI imaging.
Kariyer Hedefi Geribildirim Ölçeği’nin (KHGÖ) Türkçeye Uyarlanması: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışması

Bu calismada Kariyer Hedefi Geribildirim Olceginin (KHGO) Turkceye uyarlanmasi amaclanmistir. Arastirma, iki farkli universite ve bes farkli lisede ogrenim goren toplam 1.068 ogrenci uzerinde yapilmistir. Olcegin yapi gecerligini test etmek icin yapilan dogrulayici faktor analizi sonucunda, Turkceye uyarlanan olcegin alti boyutlu ve 24 maddeden olusan ozgun formunun dogrulandigi gorulmustur. Olcegin Cronbach Alpha ic tutarlik katsayisi universite ogrencilerine ait veri grubunda . 88, lise ogrencilerine ait veri grubunda . 85 olarak bulunmustur. Olcegin test-tekrar test korelasyon katsayisi universite ogrencilerine ait veri grubunda . 77, lise ogrencilerine ait veri grubunda ise . 73 olarak hesaplanmistir. KHGO’nun uygulanan Ingilizce ve Turkce formlari arasindaki korelasyonun pozitif ve yuksek duzeyde iliskili oldugu gorulmustur. Olcegin madde-toplam korelasyonlari universite ogrencilerinde . 36 ile . 62, lise ogrencilerinde ise . 31 ile . 56 arasinda degistigi bulunmustur. Olcegin uyum gecerligi icin yapilan analizlerde KHGO’nun Kariyer Stresi Olcegi ile pozitif ve yuksek duzeyde, Genel Oz-Yeterlik Olcegi ile negatif ve orta duzeyde iliskilere sahip oldugu belirlenmistir. Arastirma bulgulari, KHGO’nun alti faktorlu orijinal yapisinin dogrulandigina ve kariyer hedeflerine iliskin geribildirimleri degerlendirmede gecerli ve guvenilir bir olcum araci olarak kullanilabilecegine iliskin onemli kanitlar saglamaktadir.
Repair of Bone Allograft Fracture Using Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2

Long-term clinical data have shown that reconstruction using bone allografts provide adequate function after extensive tumor surgery. Complications such as nonunion of allograft-host interface, infection, and allograft fracture often require major revision surgeries. Allograft fractures usually do not induce the same repair process that is seen in normal fracture healing. The authors did an experimental study to test whether bone morphogenetic protein-2 can induce and achieve osseous repair in an allograft osteotomy model. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 was applied at femoral intercalary allograft osteotomy sites in 20 rats. Forty additional rats served as controls (carrier alone and sham). Specimens in all groups were examined histologically and radiographically at 4 and 8 weeks. Specimens in the control groups showed only fibrosis by 8 weeks. In contrast, none of 10 specimens in the experimental group showed radiographic union at 8 weeks. New bone formation and integration with underlying allografts were seen in the experimental group as early as 4 weeks. These data suggest that fracture repair in the allograft bone can be triggered by a biologic regulator that is expressed during normal fracture healing.
Munich Personal RePEc Archive ANALYSING Inflation in Nigeria : A Fractionally Integrated ARFIMA-GARCH Modelling Approach

The study looked into the stochastic properties of CPI-inflation rate for Nigeria from 1995Q1 to 2016Q4. The study employed an autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average and a general autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARFIMA-GARCH) methodology as well as ADF/KPSS to investigate the long-memory properties of CPI-Inflation for Nigeria. The study found that CPI-inflation in Nigeria is shock dissipating at a geometric rate (fast mean reverting ability). The ARFIMA-GARCH process showed that CPI inflation in Nigeria is a heteroskedastic fractionally integrated process with quick mean reverting ability. The study therefore concludes that shocks to CPI-inflation in Nigeria such as sudden hikes in prices of energy products will not cause a permanent change in general price level but will eventually return to its mean state, and therefore having an implication for the Inflation-Unemployment tradeoff of the Philips curve.
Every Woman Has a Story to Tell: Experiential Reflections on Leadership in Higher Education

This study explores and shares key professional development advice related to career paths, challenges faced, and lessons learned from senior women leaders at a public, urban, research university. Interviews were conducted as part the NASPA Alice Manicur Symposium, a national student affairs leadership development program for women. Findings identified two themes at the personal and institutional levels. Sub-themes included strategies for career advancement in higher education, such as accepting opportunities, being visible, understanding the business of higher education, and obtaining a terminal degree. Aspiring women should be ready to navigate institutional challenges, often outside of their control, such as bureaucracy and politics, budgetary constraints, forces impacting student affairs, and institutional change. Participants shared perspectives on addressing institutional change including assessing needs and affect, exploring perceptions of change, gaining buy-in, and leveraging the change. Because emerging women leaders in higher education are often overwhelmed and confused in the realm of career assessment, findings from this study address the problem. The needle can move for women in higher education leadership positions if women identify themselves as aspiring leaders, create time for career assessment reflection, and take action to implement strategies for advancement endorsed by successful senior women.
Research Note: Macroeconomic Impacts of the Tourism Industry and the Contemporaneous Feedback Effect — An Australian Case Study

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate methods for analysing the dynamic impact of the tourism sector on key drivers of economic growth for destinations in Australia, while allowing for simultaneity of economic variables. The tourism sector is captured through the proxy of ‘tourism receipts’. In addition, investment and productivity growth are selected as sources of economic growth, in accordance with post-Keynesian growth theory. The paper uses time series quarterly data, covering the period 1995:Q1–2011:Q4, and employs time series estimation techniques, including structural vector autoregressive modelling and impulse response analysis, to describe the macroeconomic responses to sudden shocks in the tourism sector. The results indicate that the growth benefits of an increase in tourist expenditure are positive and statistically significant. Moreover, as suggested by the analysis of impulse response functions, a positive shock to tourist expenditure provides positive, substantial and rather long-lived implications regarding productivity and investment decisions.
Comprehensive Genetic Analysis of Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma Predicts Prognosis Independent of Histology

Context Follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) is classified into minimally invasive (miFTC), encapsulated angioinvasive (eaFTC), and widely invasive (wiFTC) subtypes, according to the 2017 World Health Organization guidelines. The genetic signatures of these subtypes may be crucial for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment but have not been described. Objective Identify and describe the genetic underpinnings of subtypes of FTC. Methods Thirty-nine tumors, comprising 12 miFTCs, 17 eaFTCs, and 10 wiFTCs, were whole-exome sequenced and analyzed. Somatic mutations, constitutional sequence variants, somatic copy number alterations, and mutational signatures were described. Clinicopathologic parameters and mutational profiles were assessed for associations with patient outcomes. Results Total mutation burden was consistent across FTC subtypes, with a median of 10 (range 1 to 44) nonsynonymous somatic mutations per tumor. Overall, 20.5% of specimens had a mutation in the RAS subfamily (HRAS, KRAS, or NRAS), with no notable difference between subtypes. Mutations in TSHR, DICER1, EIF1AX, KDM5C, NF1, PTEN, and TP53 were also noted to be recurrent across the cohort. Clonality analysis demonstrated more subclones in wiFTC. Survival analysis demonstrated worse disease-specific survival in the eaFTC and wiFTC cohorts, with no recurrences or deaths for patients with miFTC. Mutation burden was associated with worse prognosis, independent of histopathological classification. Conclusions Though the number and variety of somatic variants are similar in the different histopathological subtypes of FTC in our study, mutational burden was an independent predictor of mortality and recurrence.
Establishment of a Quality Test for Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Inoculum

Commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal inocula are widely used in agriculture, landscaping, horticulture, and forestry. However, the quality of the majority of these inocula has not been assessed. Quality control is vital, both for the manufacturers and users, to understand the effects of the inocula and whether they correspond to those described by the manufacturers. It is important to carry out tests under conditions similar to those used in practice. In this study, a quality test of one commercial arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum was designed to investigate (1) the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi present, and (2) the efficacy of the inoculum. The small-scale experiment used three plants: tomato, onion and marigold. Only one morphotype of AMF spore has been observed, many empty brownish “balls” were mixed with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores. The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species found was not the species described by the manufacturer, and its concentration was much lower than that stated. The inoculum failed to form mycorrhizae in two of three soils types. No significant growth has been obtained after the application of the inoculum. The performance of the inoculum contradicted that described by the manufacturer; no effect on growth of the three plants was found. The reasons for this are discussed, and suggestions for the manufacturer are given. © 2018 Friends Science Publishers