Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Significance of COX-2 Immunohistochemical Expression in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of the Literature

Background Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is believed to be an important enzyme in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Correlations between the expression of COX-2 with tumor growth and distant metastasis have become an issue; thus, attention has been paid to COX-2 as a prognostic factor. Various studies examined the relationship between COX-2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) overexpression with the clinical outcome in patients with colorectal cancer, but yielded conflicting results. The prognostic significance of COX-2 overexpression in colorectal cancer remains controversial. Methods Electronic databases updated to October 2012 were searched to find relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with eligible studies which quantitatively evaluated the relationship between COX-2 overexpression and survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Survival data were aggregated and quantitatively analyzed. Results We performed a meta-analysis of 23 studies (n = 4567 patients) that evaluated the correlation between COX-2 overexpression detected by IHC and survival in patients with colorectal cancer. Combined hazard ratios suggested that COX-2 overexpression had an unfavorable impact on overall survival (OS) (HR [hazard ratio] = 1.193, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.02 ∼ 1.37), but not disease free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.25, 95% CI: 0.99 ∼ 1.50) in patients with colorectal cancer. Conclusions Cox-2 overexpression in colorectal cancer detected by IHC appears to have slightly worse overall survival. However, the prognostic value of COX-2 on survival in colorectal cancer still needs further large-scale prospective trials to be clarified.
Cochlear Linear Predictive Coding: Interfacing an Analogue Cochlear Model with a Conventional Speech Recognition System

Conventional speech recognition systems require as input a sequence of acoustic vectors coding the relevant features of the speech signal. On the other hand the biological cochlea (inner ear) processes the speech signal to extract a neural coding suited for the higher levels of the brain. The background idea of this article is to interface an analogue electronic model of the cochlea with a statistical classifier based on HMM. Combined with an analogue gradient descent circuit, such an artificial cochlea can be used to extract the Linear Predictive Coding (LPC) of the speech signal in continuous time. We thus propose an analogue VLSI circuit implementing a so-called 'Cochlear LPC' (CLPC). Speech recognition results obtained using a computer model of the CLPC circuit combined with an HMM classifier are presented, which compare favourably with those obtained from a standard LPC/HMM system. The advantages of the CLPC, such as its optimal time-frequency resolution and dynamics properties, as well as the continuous time processing in general are discussed. Finally, we briefly outline alternative pre-processing options based on the artificial cochlea which are expected to increase the functional compatibility with a statistical classifier.
Improving social and behavioural functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder: a videogame skills based feasibility trial

This thesis assessed the feasibility of using specifically designed video-games to improve functioning in children with autism spectrum disorder. The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the use of Whiz Kid Games (a freely accessible, online, video-game based intervention) for improving both social and behavioural functioning in children aged 6-12 who have been diagnosed with autism.
Auditory Stroop Using Spatial Stimuli

In his seminal article, John Ridley Stroop conducted three experiments that were the first to demonstrate stimulus interference [1]. In two classic experiments, Stroop first compared reading a list of words printed in black with reading the same list of words printed in incongruent colors. He found that there was little difference in reading time for the two lists. He then compared the naming of colors for a list of solid color squares with the naming of colors for a list of words printed in incongruent colors. Stroop noted that participants took much longer to complete the color reading in the second task than they had taken to name the colors of the squares in Experiment 2. This delay had not appeared in the first experiment. Such interference was explained by the automation of reading, where the mind automatically determines the semantic meaning of the word (it reads the word “red” and thinks of the color “red”), and then must intentionally check itself and identify the color of the word (the ink is a color other than red), a Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of spatial auditory stimuli when the semantic meaning of the spoken word is incongruent with the location of the sound. Based on previous auditory Stroop research we predict that individuals will respond to incongruent stimuli with reduced accuracy and prolonged reaction times.
User Modelling in a Dialog System

In people’s home the amount of on-line available digital content such as video, music, or pictures is rapidly increasing. First home server products are available. Efficient selection of content will be a problem for users. We developed a flexible multimodal dialog system to overcome this. A keycomponent is the user model, which learns very fast from user behaviour. All information like key-words are determined automatically and scored according to their relevance. No manual setting is required.
A shelf interpolator model distributed control system

This paper describes a way to control a school shelf interpolator model. The control system is based on a hierarchical distributed architecture, widely used in variety of industries, to control and monitor distributed equipment. The main goal is to describe single levels of the system hierarchy and communication bindings between them to show basic principles and main advantages of using a distributed control system in operation of controlling a technological process.
Changes in Mitochondrial Status Associated with Altered Ca2+ Homeostasis in Aged Cerebellar Granule Neurons in Brain Slices

In the present work, we investigated the relationship between mitochondrial function and Ca2+ homeostasis in brain slices obtained from mice that aged normally. In acute preparations, the cerebellar neurons had similar values for intracellular free Ca2+([Ca2+]i) regardless of their age (range, 6 weeks to 24 months). However, compared with the young slices, the aged neurons (20–24 months) showed an enhanced rate of [Ca2+]i increases as a function of the time the slices were maintained in vitro. When slices were stimulated (KCl depolarization), there were significant differences in the patterns of [Ca2+]isignal displayed by the young and old cerebellar granule neurons. More importantly, the aged neurons showed a significant delay in their capacity to recover the resting [Ca2+]i. The relationship between [Ca2+]i and mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed by recording both parameters simultaneously, using fura-2 and rhodamine-123. In both young and aged neurons, the cytosolic [Ca2+]i signal was associated with a mitochondrial depolarization response. In the aged neurons, the mitochondria had a significantly longer repolarization response, and quantitative analysis showed a direct correlation between the delays in mitochondrial repolarization and [Ca2+]i recovery, indicating the causal relationship between the two parameters. Thus, the present results show that the reported changes in Ca2+homeostasis associated with aging, which manifest principally in a decreased capacity of maintaining a stable resting [Ca2+]i or recovering the resting [Ca2+]i values after stimulation, are primarily attributable to a metabolic dysfunction in which the mitochondrial impairment plays an important role.
Programming Support for Speculative Execution with Software Transactional Memory

In this paper, we identify the practical issues that deter the adoption of software transactional memory (STM) for speculation in real applications. These issues include dealing with excessive instrumentation added by naive identification of potential shared accesses, functions that may be called from both transactional and non-transactional contexts, and calls to functions for which the source is unavailable. We address these challenges and provide an approach for developing speculatively-executed code in C/C++ that offers superior programmability and performance. Our contributions consist of a set of programming constructs for writing speculatively-executed code and a compiler that translates code annotated with these constructs into speculatively-executable code that uses STM runtime libraries. Our approach uses annotations that simply mark the boundaries of the code that is to be executed speculatively and supports calling precompiled (e.g., C standard library) and irreversible (e.g., I/O operations and system calls) functions from within transactions. We employ a series of important optimizations for reducing the overhead of speculative execution, including: placement of read/write barriers only for accesses that actually can cause a data race; elimination of redundant read/write barriers by caching shared variables; and eliminating unnecessary search in the write buffer. We evaluate the programmability of our constructs and the performance of our compiler implementation using eight STAMP benchmarks and two real applications-the Velvet genomic assembler and the ITI decision tree constructor. Compared to Intel's STM compiler, our approach requires 91% fewer constructs to be inserted by the programmer, yet it achieves 20.8% better performance.
Curiosity protects against interpersonal aggression: cross-sectional, daily process, and behavioral evidence.

OBJECTIVE Curiosity is the propensity to recognize and seek out new information and experience, including an intrinsic interest in learning and developing one's knowledge. With few exceptions, researchers have often ignored the social consequences of being curious. METHOD In four studies using cross-sectional (N = 64), daily diary (Ns = 150 and 110, respectively), and behavioral experimental (N= 132) designs, we tested the hypothesis that individual differences in curiosity are linked to less aggression, even when people are provoked. RESULTS We showed that both trait and daily curiosity were linked to less aggressive responses toward romantic relationship partners and people who caused psychological hurt. In time-lagged analyses, daily curiosity predicted less aggression from one day to the next, with no evidence for the reverse direction. Studies 3 and 4 showed that the inverse association between curiosity and aggression was strongest in close relationships and in fledgling (as opposed to long-lasting) romantic relationships. That is, highly curious people showed evidence of greater context sensitivity. Intensity of hurt feelings and other personality and relationship variables failed to account for these effects. CONCLUSIONS Curiosity is a neglected mechanism of resilience in understanding aggression.
IMPLEMENTATION OF OPEN INQUIRY AND GUIDED INQUIRY LEARNING MODELS TOWARD THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS COLLABORATIVE ATTITUDE

Abstract The aim of this study is to find out enhancement difference of collaborative attitude of students using Open Inquiry learning model and Guided Inquiry in Temperature and Alteration theme. Sample of study are 56 students grade VII students of Junior High School in Palembang City. This study use quasi experiment method. Data collection technique is by attitude scale. Data analysis technique use IBM SPSS Statistics 22 program. The result of study analysis show that collaborative attitude in Open Inquiry class is 84.5% with good category and in Guided Inquiry class is 85.0% with good category. Based on result of difference test, it can be concluded that there is no difference in collaborative attitude of students who use Open Inquiry learning model and Guided Inquiry learning model. Keywords: Open Inquiry, Guided Inquiry, Collaborative Attitude, Temperature and Alteration.
Performance and fairness comparison of extensions to dynamic window coupling for Multipath TCP

With the onset of multiple wireless technologies, the end-host devices of today are multi-homed. This has led to research in the simultaneous use of multiple paths between the multi-homed end devices. New multipath transport protocols such as Multipath TCP and Concurrent Multipath Transfer SCTP need to be fair to the existing transport protocols like TCP and SCTP in a congested network. One way of being fair is to couple the congestion control mechanisms of the protocol over its multiple utilized paths. This paper illustrates and compares the solutions that have been proposed to ascertain that Multipath TCP can yield an improved performance while being fair to standard TCP. In addition, this paper highlights improvements to one of the proposed solution - Dynamic Window Coupling. It is shown that the new solution performs best in most of the different scenarios of bottlenecks in a network with a higher preference given to being friendlier to TCP.
High-Throughput Screening Platform Identi fi es Small Molecules That Prevent Sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum – Infected Erythrocytes

Justin Gullingsrud, Neta Milman, Tracy Saveria, Olga Chesnokov, Kathryn Williamson, Anand Srivastava, Benoit Gamain, Patrick E. Duffy, and Andrew V. Oleinikov Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington; Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton; Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland; Inserm UMR 1134, Université Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, UMR S1134, and Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France
Multiple-Regime Binary Autocorrelation Models for Social Networks

The rise of socially targeted marketing suggests that decisions made by consumers can be predicted not only from their personal tastes and characteristics, but also from the decisions of people who are close to them in their networks. One obstacle to consider is that there may be several different measures for “closeness” that are appropriate, either through different types of friendships or different functions of distance on one kind of friendship. Another is that these decisions are likely to be binary in nature and more difficult to model with conventional approaches, both conceptually and computationally. To that end, we present a hierarchical, multiple network-regime auto-probit model (m-NAP) for this class of data and propose two algorithms for fitting it, based on Expectation-Maximization (E-M) and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). We investigate the behaviors of the parameter estimates on various sensitivity conditions, such as the impact of the prior distribution and the nature of the structure of the network, and demonstrate on several examples of correlated binary data in networks.
Uplink performance of massive MIMO subject to delayed CSIT and anticipated channel prediction

We consider a realistic cellular multi-user uplink channel with an excess of base station (BS) antennas, where the number of BS antennas and the number of users per cell increase at the same rate. Specifically, we investigate the negative impact of delayed channel state information at the transmitter (CSIT), when a minimum-mean-square-error (MMSE) detector is applied. Nevertheless, channel prediction is used for overcoming delayed CSIT degradation. We provide the asymptotic signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios (SINRs) that demonstrate not only their dependence on delayed and predicted CSIT, but also the outperformance of MMSE against maximal ratio combiner (MRC). The deterministic nature of the results renders them easily computed, while simulations show their accuracy even for practical system dimensions.
Classifier-assisted constrained evolutionary optimization for automated geometry selection of orthodontic retraction spring

In orthodontics, retraction springs made of metallic wires are often used to move a tooth with respect to another by the virtue of the spring back effect. Specially selected form of spring may result in accurate force and moment required to move the tooth towards direction that suits a particular patient. In current practice, the geometry remains to be selected manually by orthodontists and no substantial automation of such process has been proposed to date. In this paper, we experiment with the automated geometry selection of the orthodontic retraction spring using constrained evolutionary optimization. Particularly, a Classifier-assisted Constrained Memetic Algorithm (CCMA) is designed for the purpose. The main feature of CCMA lies in the ability to identify appropriate spring structures that should undergo further refinement using a classifier system to perform the inference. Comparison to the baseline canonical Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Memetic Algorithm (MA) further highlights the efficacy of the proposed approach. In addition, to also assert the robustness of the CCMA for general complex design, further studies on commonly used constrained benchmark problems and existing constrained evolutionary optimization methods are also reported in the paper.
Prognostic Inflammation Score in Surgical Patients with Colorectal Cancer

Several inflammatory markers have been investigated as prognostic parameters in a variety of cancer population with mostly favorable results. This study aimed to verify the significance of common inflammatory markers as prognostic variables and assess whether a selective combination of them as prognostic inflammation score (PIS) could further improve their prognostic values in surgical patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 265 patients who had undergone curative resection of CRC were reviewed retrospectively. Preoperative levels of inflammatory markers such as serum C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), white blood cell count (WBC), and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were assessed by uni- and multivariate survival analysis with disease-free (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). PIS was constructed with a selective combination of inflammatory markers which were independently significant. On univariate analysis, CRP, ESR, and NLR were significantly associated with DFS and DSS. On multivariate analysis, CRP and NLR were independently significant prognostic variables for DSS and DFS respectively (P=0.013, P=0.021). When PIS was constructed with combination of CRP and NLR, it was independently and significantly associated with both DFS and DSS (P=0.006, P=0.010). Furthermore, PIS was superior to CRP for DSS (HR=15.679 vs. HR=5.183), and NLR for DFS in terms of prognosticating power (HR=4.894 vs. HR=2.687). When PIS is constructed with combination of CRP and NLR, it is a potentially significant prognostic variable associated with poor survival regardless pathologic prognostic variables in patients with CRC after curative resection.
From SARS to MERS: crystallographic studies on coronaviral proteases enable antiviral drug design

This review focuses on the important contributions that macromolecular crystallography has made over the past 12 years to elucidating structures and mechanisms of the essential proteases of coronaviruses, the main protease (Mpro) and the papain‐like protease (PLpro). The role of X‐ray crystallography in structure‐assisted drug discovery against these targets is discussed. Aspects dealt with in this review include the emergence of the SARS coronavirus in 2002–2003 and of the MERS coronavirus 10 years later and the origins of these viruses. The crystal structure of the free SARS coronavirus Mpro and its dependence on pH is discussed, as are efforts to design inhibitors on the basis of these structures. The mechanism of maturation of the enzyme from the viral polyprotein is still a matter of debate. The crystal structure of the SARS coronavirus PLpro and its complex with ubiquitin is also discussed, as is its orthologue from MERS coronavirus. Efforts at predictive structure‐based inhibitor development for bat coronavirus Mpros to increase the preparedness against zoonotic transmission to man are described as well. The paper closes with a brief discussion of structure‐based discovery of antivirals in an academic setting.
Stigma, self-perception and social comparisons in young people with an intellectual disability

Whether individuals who have a diagnosis of intellectual disability (ID) perceive and experience stigma has been a matter of some debate. In this paper, we consider the role of the level of ID and gender on perception of stigma in individuals with ID who attend a segregated special secondary school and whether reports of stigma impact self-perception and social comparison with others. Each participant (N = 54) completed self-report measures in a cross-sectional survey design. The degree of ID and gender were found to influence experience of stigma and respondents’ social comparison with others. Category of ID (borderline, mild, moderate) was also associated with differences in self-perception of physical appearance and perception of global self-worth. Social comparisons were also negatively related to experience of stigma. Discussion focuses on the heterogeneity of those affected by ID and how this impacts on their experience of stigma.
desigN for healthy BehaVior desigN iNterVeNtioNs aNd stages of ChaNge

designers have increasingly used the capacity of design to influence human behavior and consequently to address the challenges that our society faces. one of these challenges is the rise of ‘lifestyle diseases’, such as obesity and diabetes. a change towards a more healthy lifestyle could in many cases prevent or diminish such diseases, which would reduce demands and costs in care. moreover, it could lead to a higher level of wellbeing for many people. in response to this challenge, designers and computer scientists have created interventions that help people adopt a healthier lifestyle. We argue that designers need to consider the different stages that people go through to durably change their behavior. in this paper, we discuss how design interventions aimed at adopting a healthier lifestyle correspond to different stages in the transtheoretical model of health Behavior Change. furthermore, we discuss how designers could design for stages of change.
Driver assistance system for backward maneuvers in passive multi-trailer vehicles

Drivers of vehicles with one or several passive trailers, like truck-and-trailer or articulated luggage carriers, have difficulties in backward maneuvers due to jackknife and lack of visibility. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) can be helpful to improve both safety and driver comfort in these complex operations. In this paper, we propose an ADAS that adopts our curvature limitation method for backward multi-trailer vehicles, where the last trailer is considered a virtual tractor and steering limits are established to avoid jackknife and inter-unit collisions. In the proposed solution, when the driver puts the vehicle in reverse, the steering wheel and pedals can be used as if the vehicle was driven from the back of the last trailer with visual feedback from a camera. This system can be implemented in drive-by-wire vehicles, where the steering-wheel feedback force can be customized for the curvature limitation of a given combination of one or several trailers. The system has been tested to tele-operate a mobile robot with two off-axle trailers.