Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticle‐based targeted cancer strategies for non‐invasive prostate cancer intervention

Prostate cancer is screened by testing circulating levels of the prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) biomarker, monitoring changes over time, or a digital rectal exam. Abnormal results often lead to prostate biopsy. Prostate cancer positive patients are stratified into very low‐risk, low‐risk, intermediate‐risk, and high‐risk, based on clinical classification parameters, to assess therapy options. However, there remains a gap in our knowledge and a compelling need for improved risk stratification to inform clinical decisions and reduce both over‐diagnosis and over‐treatment. Further, current strategies for clinical intervention do not distinguish clinically aggressive prostate cancer from indolent disease. This mini‐review takes advantage of a large number of functionally characterized microRNAs (miRNA), epigenetic regulators of prostate cancer, that define prostate cancer cell activity, tumor stage, and circulate as biomarkers to monitor disease progression. Nanoparticles provide an effective platform for targeted delivery of miRNA inhibitors or mimics specifically to prostate tumor cells to inhibit cancer progression. Several prostate–specific transmembrane proteins expressed at elevated levels in prostate tumors are under investigation for targeting therapeutic agents to prostate cancer cells. Given that prostate cancer progresses slowly, circulating miRNAs can be monitored to identify tumor progression in indolent disease, allowing identification of miRNAs for nanoparticle intervention before the crucial point of transition to aggressive disease. Here, we describe clinically significant and non‐invasive intervention nanoparticle strategies being used in clinical trials for drug and nucleic acid delivery. The advantages of mesoporous silica‐based nanoparticles and a number of candidate miRNAs for inhibition of prostate cancer are discussed.
On Bounds of Spectral Efficiency of Optimally Beamformed NLOS Millimeter Wave Links

Beamforming is an indispensable feature for millimeter wave (mmWave) wireless communications in order to compensate for the severe path loss incurred due to high-frequency operation. In this paper, we introduce a novel framework to evaluate the spectral efficiency (SE) of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) mmWave links with optimal analog beamforming. Optimality here implies the joint selection of antenna beams at the transmitter and receiver, which simultaneously maximize the received power. We develop a mathematical framework based on the extended Saleh–Valenzuela channel model to embody the impact of optimal analog beamforming into the performance metrics for NLOS mmWave links. Practical mmWave channels are characterized by sparsity in terms of number of multipath components; we exploit this feature to derive upper and lower bounds on SE of beamformed directional links. Simulation results reveal that the proposed approach is fairly accurate to model beamformed links in most practical operating scenarios. We also study the impact of overhead due to antenna beam training on the throughput (TP) of a link and obtain an approximate solution for optimal antenna half-power beamwidth that maximizes TP.
Segmented wave analysis of surface plasmon resonance on curved surface

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) has been heavily used as biosensors and studied dominantly on a flat surface. Recently, flexible sensor platforms have emerged, for example, as wearable devices. Here, we report investigation of SPR characteristics on a curved film structure. A rigorous 3D computational model requires extremely heavy calculation time and resources. Therefore, we adopted segmentation analysis in which curved surface is divided into an array of flat segments. Such analysis allows fast and efficient calculation. The results indicate that increased curvature produces broader SPR due to wider momentum-matching. The segmentation analysis is expected to play a critical role for diverse optical elements on curved surface.
Action Sets: Weakly Supervised Action Segmentation Without Ordering Constraints

Action detection and temporal segmentation of actions in videos are topics of increasing interest. While fully supervised systems have gained much attention lately, full annotation of each action within the video is costly and impractical for large amounts of video data. Thus, weakly supervised action detection and temporal segmentation methods are of great importance. While most works in this area assume an ordered sequence of occurring actions to be given, our approach only uses a set of actions. Such action sets provide much less supervision since neither action ordering nor the number of action occurrences are known. In exchange, they can be easily obtained, for instance, from meta-tags, while ordered sequences still require human annotation. We introduce a system that automatically learns to temporally segment and label actions in a video, where the only supervision that is used are action sets. An evaluation on three datasets shows that our method still achieves good results although the amount of supervision is significantly smaller than for other related methods.
An Allowance Optimal Distribution Method Based on Improved Iterative Closest Point Algorithm

To deal with the problem about allowance optimal distribution, a method based on improved iterative closest point algorithm was put forward. The method consists of the following parts. Firstly, Measure the blank using a 3D laser scanner. And then apply the improved iterative algorithm to the measured model and the ideal CAD model to optimize the allocation distribution. In the improved algorithm, a coarse registration based on the principal component analysis algorithm was carried out to improve the speed and accuracy of the fine registration. And the iterative closet point algorithm was applied for the fine registration, where a KD-Tree topology of point cloud data was established to improve the speed of searching the nearest point. At the end of the paper, an example has been developed with the window feature of a cabin to verify the improved algorithm. The results show the proposed method is effective and feasible.
AlPcS4-PDT for gastric cancer therapy using gold nanorod, cationic liposome, and Pluronic® F127 nanomicellar drug carriers

Purpose As a promising photodynamic therapy (PDT) agent, Al(III) phthalocyanine chloride tetrasulfonic acid (AlPcS4) provides deep penetration into tissue, high quantum yields, good photostability, and low photobleaching. However, its low delivery efficiency and high binding affinity to serum albumin cause its low penetration into cancer cells, further limiting its PDT effect on gastric cancer. In order to improve AlPcS4/PDT effect, the AlPcS4 delivery sys tems with different drug carriers were synthesized and investigated. Materials and methods Gold nanorods, cationic liposomes, and Pluronic® F127 nanomicellars were used to formulate the AlPcS4 delivery systems. The anticancer effect was evaluated by CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay. The delivery efficiency of AlPcS4 and the binding affinity to serum proteins were determined by fluorescence intensity assay. The apoptosis and necrosis ability, reactive oxygen species and singlet oxygen generation, mitochondrial transmembrane potential and ([Ca2+]i) concentration were further measured to evaluate the mechanism of cell death. Results The series of synthesized AlPcS4 delivery systems with different drug carriers improve the limited PDT effect in varying degrees. In contrast, AlPcS4 complex with gold nanorods has significant anticancer effects because gold nanorods are not only suitable for AlPcS4 delivery, but also exhibit enhanced singlet oxygen generation effect and photothermal effect to induce cell death directly. Moreover, AlPcS4 complex with cationic liposomes shows the potent inhibition effect because of its optimal AlPcS4 delivery efficiency and ability to block serum albumin. In addition, AlPcS4 complex with Pluronic F127 exhibits inferior PDT effect but presents lower cytotoxicity, slower dissociation rate, and longer retention time of incorporated drugs; thus, F127–AlPcS4 is used for prolonged gastric cancer therapy. Conclusion The described AlPcS4 drug delivery systems provide promising agents for gastric cancer therapy.
Constructive friction? Exploring patterns between Educational Research and The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

While educational research (EdR) and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) are overlapping fields there remains considerable friction between the two. Shulman, (2011, p. 5), recounts a situation when an EdR colleague accused him “of contributing to the bastardization of the field by encouraging faculty members who were never trained to conduct educational or social science research to engage in studies of teaching and learning in their fields. ”. Miller-Young & Yeo (2015) argue that defining SoTL as a field independent of education has created unnecessary tensions as there are more similarities than differences. However, they also maintain that SoTL scholars could benefit from a better understanding of EdR theories and methods. So what underpins differences between each of these fields and how might they be explained? What patterns can be identified in the conceptualisation of SoTL and EdR? This study explores empirical, interview-based viewpoints from new and experienced SoTL-ers and educational researchers respectively. Participants were purposefully selected, drawn from attendees at two conferences in 2015: Euro-SOTL and EARLI. In analysing the material some aspects have come forward as central: community membership, research rigour, purpose and focus of inquiry, and intended recipients of inquiry results. Some dimensions therefore stand out as crucial in identifying patterns within and between the two communities: what and who determines the value of the contribution to the field and why it is valuable. This presentation offers theoretical explanations for the differences between the communities and the degree to which these communities may hold differing values. This review is intended to deepen understanding about the relative attributes of either community in order to advance understanding and further develop fruitful and constructive inter-relationships. (Less)
Spike-Timing of Orbitofrontal Neurons Is Synchronized With Breathing

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) has been implicated in a multiplicity of complex brain functions, including representations of expected outcome properties, post-decision confidence, momentary food-reward values, complex flavors and odors. As breathing rhythm has an influence on odor processing at primary olfactory areas, we tested the hypothesis that it may also influence neuronal activity in the OFC, a prefrontal area involved also in higher order processing of odors. We recorded spike timing of orbitofrontal neurons as well as local field potentials (LFPs) in awake, head-fixed mice, together with the breathing rhythm. We observed that a large majority of orbitofrontal neurons showed robust phase-coupling to breathing during immobility and running. The phase coupling of action potentials to breathing was significantly stronger in orbitofrontal neurons compared to cells in the medial prefrontal cortex. The characteristic synchronization of orbitofrontal neurons with breathing might provide a temporal framework for multi-variable processing of olfactory, gustatory and reward-value relationships.
The effect of particle design on cellular internalization pathways

The interaction of particles with cells is known to be strongly influenced by particle size, but little is known about the interdependent role that size, shape, and surface chemistry have on cellular internalization and intracellular trafficking. We report on the internalization of specially designed, monodisperse hydrogel particles into HeLa cells as a function of size, shape, and surface charge. We employ a top-down particle fabrication technique called PRINT that is able to generate uniform populations of organic micro- and nanoparticles with complete control of size, shape, and surface chemistry. Evidence of particle internalization was obtained by using conventional biological techniques and transmission electron microscopy. These findings suggest that HeLa cells readily internalize nonspherical particles with dimensions as large as 3 μm by using several different mechanisms of endocytosis. Moreover, it was found that rod-like particles enjoy an appreciable advantage when it comes to internalization rates, reminiscent of the advantage that many rod-like bacteria have for internalization in nonphagocytic cells.
Development and Applications of the HYDRUS and STANMOD Software Packages and Related Codes

Mathematical models have become indispensable tools for studying vadose zone flow and transport processes. We reviewed the history of development, the main processes involved, and selected applications of HYDRUS and related models and software packages developed collaboratively by several groups in the United States, the Czech Republic, Israel, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Our main focus was on modeling tools developed jointly by the U.S. Salinity Laboratory of the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, and the University of California, Riverside. This collaboration during the past three decades has resulted in the development of a large number of numerical [e.g., SWMS_2D, HYDRUS‐1D, HYDRUS‐2D, HYDRUS (2D/3D), and HP1] as well as analytical (e.g., CXTFIT and STANMOD) computer tools for analyzing water flow and solute transport processes in soils and groundwater. The research also produced additional programs and databases (e.g., RETC, Rosetta, and UNSODA) for quantifying unsaturated soil hydraulic properties. All of the modeling tools, with the exception of HYDRUS‐2D and HYDRUS (2D/3D), are in the public domain and can be downloaded freely from several websites.
Métamorphose : la manipulation libre et simplifiée de visualisations

A transmogriﬁer is a novel interface that enables quick, on-the-ﬂy graphic transformations. A region of a graphic can be speciﬁed by a shape and transformed into a destination shape with real-time, visual feedback. Both origin and destination shapes can be circles, quadrilaterals or arbitrary shapes de-ﬁned through touch. Transmogriﬁers are ﬂexible, fast and simple to create and invite use in casual InfoVis scenarios, opening the door to alternative ways of exploring and displaying existing visualizations (e.g., rectifying routes or rivers in maps), and enabling free-form prototyping of new visualizations (e.g., lenses).
In Situ and Satellite Observation of CDOM and Chlorophyll-a Dynamics in Small Water Surface Reservoirs in the Brazilian Semiarid Region

We analyzed chlorophyll-a and Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) dynamics from field measurements and assessed the potential of multispectral satellite data for retrieving water-quality parameters in three small surface reservoirs in the Brazilian semiarid region. More specifically, this work is comprised of: (i) analysis of Chl-a and trophic dynamics; (ii) characterization of CDOM; (iii) estimation of Chl-a and CDOM from OLI/Landsat-8 and RapidEye imagery. The monitoring lasted 20 months within a multi-year drought, which contributed to water-quality deterioration. Chl-a and trophic state analysis showed a highly eutrophic status for the perennial reservoir during the entire study period, while the non-perennial reservoirs ranged from oligotrophic to eutrophic, with changes associated with the first events of the rainy season. CDOM characterization suggests that the perennial reservoir is mostly influenced by autochthonous sources, while allochthonous sources dominate the non-perennial ones. Spectral-group classification assigned the perennial reservoir as a CDOM-moderate and highly eutrophic reservoir, whereas the non-perennial ones were assigned as CDOM-rich and oligotrophic-dystrophic reservoirs. The remote sensing initiative was partially successful: the Chl-a was best modelled using RapidEye for the perennial one; whereas CDOM performed best with Landsat-8 for non-perennial reservoirs. This investigation showed potential for retrieving water quality parameters in dry areas with small reservoirs.
A Novel 3D joint space quantification method in patients with osteoarthritis in the knee

Introduction: In patients with knee osteoarthritis, cartilage loss causes a joint space width (JSW) decrease between the femur and tibia, which can be measured to quantify the disease progression or the effects of treatments like high tibial osteotomy (HTO) and knee joint distraction (KJD). This is currently done using radiographs, but possible alternatives to give insight in the JSW distribution throughout the joint are CT and MRI, 3D imaging techniques for which a measuring method must be developed and validated. Since CT and MRI images are taken non-weight-bearing with an extended leg, as opposed to weight-bearing, semi-flexed radiographs, the effects of weight-bearing and flexion on the knee joint space should be investigated. Materials & Methods: Forty patients treated for knee OA (20 KJD, 20 HTO) were included. Radiographic outcomes and clinical characteristics were evaluated and CT and MRI scans were performed at baseline, one-year, and two-year follow-up. The JSW was measured on the radiographs and a 3D measurement method was developed to quantify the joint space in CT and MRI images. This semi-automatic method segments bone and generates heat maps and histograms to provide more insight in the joint space distribution. The JSW measurements were compared between imaging techniques and two-year changes were compared with clinical parameters. In an additional MRI study, four different MRI scans were performed on healthy volunteers: a weight-bearing scan with extended and flexed leg and a non-weight-bearing scan with extended and flexed leg. Qualitative inspection of heat maps was performed to gain insight in JSW distribution changes. Results: Correlations between radiographic and CT JSW were significant and strong while correlations of two-year JSW changes were not. Radiographic measurements agreed with two-year clinical parameter change better than CT measurements did. The MRI study showed a shift of smaller joint space distances to the posterior side when flexing and more small distances when weight-bearing. Discussion & Conclusion: The developed semi-automatic 3D JSW measurement method can quantify the 3D joint with minimal user input and visualize the joint space distribution throughout the joint. The weak two-year change correlation of CT JSW measurements with radiographs and clinical parameters cannot be directly explained from the available data, but joint space changes observed in the MRI study with healthy volunteers indicate that differences in weight-bearing and knee flexion between the imaging methods could be the key to explaining the found differences. Therefore, additional MRI research with OA patients is necessary.
Development and validation of a Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire.

PURPOSE The effect of physical activity during pregnancy on maternal and fetal health remains controversial and studies have yet to identify the optimal dose of physical activity associated with favorable pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a pregnancy physical activity questionnaire (PPAQ). METHODS To ascertain the type, duration, and frequency of physical activities performed by pregnant women, three 24-h physical activity recalls were administered to 235 ethnically diverse prenatal care patients at a large tertiary care facility in western Massachusetts. The relative contribution of each activity to between-person variance in energy expenditure was used to establish the list of activities for the PPAQ. The PPAQ is self-administered and asks respondents to report the time spent participating in 32 activities including household/caregiving, occupational, sports/exercise, transportation, and inactivity. To validate the PPAQ, 54 pregnant women completed the PPAQ and then wore a Manufacturing Technology, Inc. actigraph for the following 7 d. At the end of the 7-d period, the PPAQ was repeated. RESULTS Intraclass correlation coefficients used to measure reproducibility of the PPAQ were 0.78 for total activity, 0.82 for moderate activity, 0.81 for vigorous activity, and ranged from 0.83 for sports/exercise to 0.93 for occupational activity. Spearman correlations between the PPAQ and three published cut points used to classify actigraph data ranged from 0.08 to 0.43 for total activity, 0.25 to 0.34 for vigorous activity, 0.20 to 0.49 for moderate activity, and -0.08 to 0.22 for light-intensity activity. Correlations were higher for sports/exercise and occupational activities as compared to household/caregiving activities. CONCLUSIONS household/caregiving activities. CONCLUSIONS The PPAQ is a reliable instrument of physical activities during pregnancy.
Low-deterministic security for low-nondeterministic programs

We present a new algorithm, together with a full soundness proof, which guarantees probabilistic noninterference (PN) for concurrent programs. The algorithm follows the “low-deterministic security” (LSOD) approach, but for the first time allows general low-nondeterminism as long as PN is not violated. The algorithm is based on the earlier observation by Giffhorn and Snelting that low-nondeterminism is secure as long as it is not influenced by high events [1]. It uses a new system of classification flow equations in multi-threaded programs, together with inter-thread / interprocedural dominators. Compared to LSOD and even [1], precision is boosted and false alarms are minimized. We explain details of the new algorithm and its soundness proof. The algorithm is integrated into the JOANA software security tool, and can handle full Java with arbitrary threads. We apply JOANA to a multi-threaded e-voting system, and show how the algorithm eliminates false alarms. We thus demonstrate that low-deterministic security is a highly precise and practically mature software security analysis method.