Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of local treatment on overall survival of patients with metastatic prostate cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Context Currently, standard treatment of metastatic prostatic cancer (MPCa) is androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT). Recent studies suggested that local treatment of MPCa is related to increase of survival of those patients, as observed in other tumors. Objective To evaluate the impact of local treatment on overall survival and cancer specific survival in 3 and 5 years in patients with MPCa. Materials and Methods Systematic review and meta-analysis of population studies published at PubMed, Scielo, Lilacs, Cochrane and EMBASE databases until June 2016. Several large cohorts and Post-Roc studies were included, that evaluated patients with MPCa submitted to local treatment (LT) using radiotherapy (RDT), surgery (RP) or brachytherapy (BCT) or not submitted to local treatment (NLT). Results 34.338 patients were analyzed in six included papers, 31.653 submitted to NLT and 2.685 to LT. Overall survival in three years was significantly higher in patients submitted to LT versus NLT (64.2% vs. 44.5%; RD 0.19, 95% CI, 0.17-0.21; p<0.00001; I2=0%), as well as in five years (51.9% vs. 23.6%; RD 0.30, 95% CI, 0.11-0.49; p<0.00001; I2=97%). Sensitive analysis according to type of local treatment showed that surgery (78.2% and 45.0%; RD 0.31, 95% CI, 0.26-0.35; p<0.00001; I2=50%) and radiotherapy (60.4% and 44.5%; RD 0.17, 95% CI, 0.12-0.22; p<0.00001; I2=67%) presented better outcomes. Conclusion LT using RDT, RP or BCT seems to significantly improve overall survival and cancer-specific survival of patients with metastatic prostatic cancer. Prospective and randomized studies must be performed in order to confirm our results.
Identification of Trinucleotide Repeat–Containing Genes in Human Pancreatic Islets

In the search for diabetes genes, the combined approaches of positional cloning with random markers and subsequent evaluation of candidate genes mapping to areas of interest will be increasingly used. For islet candidate genes of unknown function, expressed trinucleotide (triplet) repeats represent a unique subset. It is unlikely that abnormal expansion of expressed islet triplet repeats would be a major cause of diabetes, yet the triplet repeats are frequently polymorphic and can thus be used to map the genes in the human genome. In this study, a human islet cDNA library was screened with (CGG)7 and (CAG)7, and 23 triplet repeats were isolated. Sequencing revealed four known and six novel islet genes containing 4–15 triplet repeats. The four known cDNAs included ferritin, the major iron-binding protein in cells; HSGSA2R, a full-length clone of the α-subunit of the G-regulatory protein; HUMSATB1A, a DNA-binding protein expressed predominantly in thymus; and HUMPPA-PRO, a ribosomal protein. The triplet repeats in ferritin and HUMPPAPRO were found to be monomorphic. Characterization of the six unique novel expressed islet triplet cDNAs revealed that they were 0.6–1.5 kb in size, contained 4–15 triplet repeats, and were expressed in islets and all other tissues examined. Four of the novel clones, CGG-isl 10, CGG-isl 11, CAG-isl 6, and CAG-isl 7, were mapped to human chromosomes 19, 16, 12, and 3, respectively, via somatic cell hybrids. One islet cDNA, CAG-isl 7, contained a repeat that was highly polymorphic, with 14 alleles (4–18 triplets) in African-Americans (heterozygosity = 0.86) and 6 alleles (heterozygosity = 0.77) in whites. Northern analysis indicated that the mRNA was abundant in pancreatic islets. A putative full-length clone contained an open reading frame encoding 213 amino acids with a variable number of alanines (4–18) within the COOH-terminal. The gene was uniquely mapped with odds > 1,000:1 on chromosome 3p in Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humain pedigrees. There were no differences in CAG-isl 7 allele frequencies between African-American patients with NIDDM (n = 108) and control subjects (n = 116), nor was expansion above 18 repeats noted. Linkage analysis in 14 nonglucokinase maturity-onset diabetes of the young pedigrees showed a cumulative logarithm of odds score of –33.19 at θ = 0.00. Abnormal expansion was not observed in 20 IDDM patients with one NIDDM parent. While these data suggest no major role for CAG-isl 7 in diabetes, at least four of the six novel islet triplet genes are coexpressed in pancreatic islets and neural tissue, and these genes can now be considered as candidates for diabetes and/or neuropsychiatric diseases.
Physical Performance of an Intraoperative Beta Probe Dedicated to Glioma Radioguided Surgery

The precise delineation and excision of brain tumor extent allows to improve survival outcome and quality of life of surgically treated patients. In order to refine the resection of gliomas, we are developing a novel intraoperative probe specifically dedicated to the localization of residual tumor after the bulk has been excised. The probe, built around clear and plastic scintillating fibers, was designed to detect positrons emitted from radiolabeled brain tissue in order to discriminate more specifically neoplastic from normal tissues. The probe was also built to be directly coupled to the excision tool leading to simultaneous detection and removal of tumor. We report here performances of the first radio-isotopic configuration of the intraoperative probe which consists of a detection head composed of eight detection elements held around the excision tool in a closed packed annular arrangement. This head is coupled to an optic fiber bundle that exports the scintillating light to a multi-channel photomultiplier tube. The gamma ray background generated by the annihilation of beta+ in tissues is eliminated by a real-time subtraction method. The detector exhibits a beta sensitivity of 139 cps/kBq and a gamma ray rejection efficiency of 99.5%. The ability of the probe to detect residual lesions was evaluated with a realistic brain phantom representing the surgical cavity and the boundaries of the tumor. We showed that lesions as small as 5 mm in diameter can be detected for tumor to normal tissue uptake ratios of fluorinated tracers greater than 3.5. This ratio is achieved with radiopharmaceuticals like 18F-FET or 18F-choline. These promising results suggest that the features of our system are compatible with in situ localization of residual radiolabeled tumors.
PLineD: Vision-based power lines detection for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

It is commonly accepted that one of the most important factors for assuring the high performance of an electrical network is the surveillance and the respective preventive maintenance. From a long time ago that TSOs and DSOs incorporate in their maintenance plans the surveillance of the grid, where is included the aerial power lines inspection. Those inspections started by human patrol, including structure climbing when needed and later were substituted by helicopters with powerful sensors and specialised technicians. More recently the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) technology has been used, taking advantage of its numerous advantages. This paper addresses the problem of improving the real-time perception capabilities of UAVs for endowing them with capabilities for safe and robust autonomous and semi-autonomous operations. It presents a new vision based power line detection algorithm denoted by PLineD, able to improve the detection robustness even in the presence of image with background noise. The algorithm is tested in real outdoor images of a dataset with multiple backgrounds and weather conditions. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach is effective and able to implemented in real-time image processing pipeline.
A Mixed Dependence Between the Exchange Rate and International Crude Oil Returns: An Application of Dynamic Mixture Copula

ABSTRACT In this study, the dynamic dependence between the international crude oil return and the exchange rate return for Taiwan is examined. Two mixture copulas (symmetric Joe–Clayton, SJC, and mixture of Gumbel and survival Gumbel, GSG) and two dynamic dependences (a Markov-switching type and an AR-like type) are considered in order to study whether the dynamic dependence is mixed and asymmetric. The empirical results show that the Markov-switching GSG copula performs the best when compared to other specifications investigated in this article. The relationship is positive and symmetric during periods of volatile crude oil prices, while it is independent during periods of stable crude oil prices.
Incidence and spectrum of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in Chinese migrants to British Columbia

The incidence and spectrum of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) differ between the Chinese and Caucasian populations. Using population‐based registries, we studied the pattern of NHL in Chinese migrants to British Columbia (BC). The records of all NHL cases of Chinese descent diagnosed between 1980 and 1997 were retrieved. Age‐standardized incidences were calculated by 5‐year intervals in terms of age and calendar years and the relative rates were compared between the migrant, Hong Kong and BC populations. The histological distribution of NHL was compared with 4500 consecutive NHL cases diagnosed in the two populations. A total of 211 cases of migrant NHL were identified, with an age‐standardized incidence rate of 7·11 per 100 000 per year, compared with the Hong Kong and BC rates of 7·91 [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) = 0·86, P = 0·01] and 11·88 (SIR = 0·56, P < 0·01). The standardized rates of follicular lymphoma remained low, but the incidence of gastric and nasal natural killer/T lymphomas in migrants were lower than expected. Genetic factors appeared to be stronger than environmental factors in governing the overall incidence of NHL in Chinese. However, certain subtypes of lymphoma may show decreased rates in migrants because of environmental factors.
Perhaps more Consideration of Pavlovian-Operant interaction May Improve the Clinical Efficacy of Behaviorally Based Drug Treatment Programs

Drug abuse remains costly. Drug-related cues can evoke cue-reactivity and craving, contributing to relapse. The Pavlovian extinction-based cue-exposure therapy (CET) has not been very successful in treating drug abuse. A functional operant analysis of complex rituals involved in CET is outlined and reinterpreted as an operant heterogeneous chain maintained by observing responses, conditioned reinforcers, and discriminative stimuli. It is further noted that operant functions are not predicated on Pavlovian processes but can be influenced by them in contributing to relapse; several empirical studies from the animal and human literature highlight this view. Cue-reactivity evoked by Pavlovian processes is conceptualized as an operant establishing/motivating operation. CET may be more effective in incorporating an operant-based approach that takes into account the complexity of Pavlovian-operant interaction. Extinction of the operant chain coupled with the shaping of alternative behaviors is proposed as an integrated therapy. It is proposed that operant-based drug abuse treatments (contingency management, voucher programs, and the therapeutic work environment) might consider incorporating cue-reactivity, as establishing/motivating operations, to increase long-term success—a hybrid approach based on Pavlovian-operant interaction
A 1.5V 10-b 30-MS/s CMOS Pipelined Analog-to-Digital Converter

A 10-b 30-MS/s low power CMOS pipelined analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is described. A low-voltage technique is proposed for pipelined analog-to-digital converter that avoids the use of on-chip clock voltage doubler, multithreshold voltage process, bootstrapped switch, or switched-opamp technique. At the front-end, a low-voltage S/H circuit with cross-coupled input sampling switch is employed to eliminate the input signal feedthrough and enhance the dynamic performance of the pipelined ADC. The cross-coupled configuration of multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) also provides an effective common-mode feedback to overcome the problem of common-mode accumulation. This design achieves DNL and INL of 0.38LSB and 0.46LSB respectively, while SNDR is 58.5dB and SFDR is 66.1dB at an input frequency of 12MHz. Operating at 30MS/S sampling rate under a single 1.5V power supply, the power consumption is 36.8mW in a 0.35 mum CMOS process. Simulations have been performed to demonstrate the feasibility of this new technique.
A 60-GHz Wideband Circularly Polarized Aperture-Coupled Magneto-Electric Dipole Antenna Array

A novel circularly polarized (CP) aperture-coupled magneto-electric (ME) dipole antenna is proposed. The CP MEdipole antenna fed by a transverse slot etched on the broad wall of a section of shorted-end substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) is convenient to integrate into substrates. An impedance bandwidth of wider than 28.8%, a wide 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of 25.9%, and gain of 7.7 ± 1.4 dBic over the operating band are achieved. Additionally, since the CP radiation is generated by the combination of two orthogonal ME-dipole modes, the antenna element has stable unidirectional radiation patterns that are almost identical in two principle planes throughout the operating band, which is desirable to array applications. By employing the proposed CP ME-dipole as radiating elements, an 8 x 8 high-gain wideband planar antenna array is proposed for 60-GHz millimeter-wave applications. A fabrication procedure of using conductive adhesive films to bond all print circuit board (PCB) layers together is successfully implemented to realize the array design with a three-layered geometry, which has advantages of low costs and possibility of large-scale manufacture. The measured impedance bandwidth of the fabricated prototype is 18.2% for |S11| <; -10 dB. Because of the wide AR bandwidth of the new antenna element, a wide AR bandwidth of 16.5% can be achieved by this array without the use of sequential feed. Gain up to 26.1 dBic and good radiation efficiency of around 70% are also obtained due to the use of a full-corporate SIW feed network with low insertion loss at millimeter-wave frequencies.
The Proto-Oncogene c-myc Is a Direct Target Gene of Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen 2

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects and transforms primary B lymphocytes in vitro. Viral infection initiates the cell cycle entry of the resting B lymphocytes. The maintenance of proliferation in the infected cells is strictly dependent on functional EBNA2. We have recently developed a conditional immortalization system for EBV by rendering the function of EBNA2, and thus proliferation of the immortalized cells, dependent on estrogen. This cellular system was used to identify early events preceding induction of proliferation. We show that LMP1 and c-myc are directly activated by EBNA2, indicating that all cellular factors essential for induction of these genes by EBNA2 are present in the resting cells. In contrast, induction of the cell cycle regulators cyclin D2 and cdk4 are secondary events, which require de novo protein synthesis.
Model predictive slip control for electric vehicle with four in-wheel motors

In order to solve the problem that the electric vehicle wheels may lock up when braking or spin out when accelerating on low-friction coefficient [low-μ] roads, this paper presented a nonlinear model predictive controller for slip control of electric vehicle equipped with four in-wheel motors. The advantage of the proposed nonlinear model predictive control based (NMPC) slip controller is that it can act not only as an anti-lock braking system (ABS) by preventing the tires from locking up when braking, but also as a traction control system (TCS) by preventing the tires from spinning out when accelerating. Besides, the proposed slip controller is also capable of assisting the hydraulic brake system of the vehicle by automatically distributing the braking torque between the wheels using the available braking torque of the in-wheel motors. In this regard, the proposed NMPC slip controller guarantees the optimal traction or braking torque on each wheel on low-μ road condition by individually controlling the slip ratio of each tire within the stable zone with a much faster response time, while considering actuator limitations and wheel slip constraints and performance metrics. The performance of the proposed controller is confirmed by running the electric vehicle model with four individually driven in-wheel motors built in AMESim, through several test maneuvers in the co-simulation environment of AMESim and Simulink.
Real Exchange Rate Misalignment in the Euro Area: Is the Current Development Helpful?

We use the behavioral equilibirum exchange rate (BEER) approach to examine the extent of real exchange rate misalignment in the euro area over the period 1980-2014. In a panel data setting, we find significant links between real exchange rates, relative productivity, trade balance and terms of trade. All else equal, a 2 percent increase in the trade surplus as a ratio to GDP translates to a 1 percent real depreciation. A real productivity gain by 5 percent is associated with, ceteris paribus, 1 percent real appreciation. Finally, an increase in terms of trade by 2.5 percent leads to 1 percent real appreciation, all else equal. We also show the extent of overvaluation in peripheral countries of the euro area has been increasing since mid-2000s. This trend stopped in the latter part of the studied period as inflationary differentials in these countries became negative. We discuss implications of such reversal and conclude the current situation might be helpful when restoring competitiveness in the euro area periphery.
Neuromorphic engineering: neuromimetic computation for understanding the brain

Neuromorphic engineering attempts to understand the computational properties of neural processing systems by building electronic circuits and systems that emulate the principles of computation in the neural systems. The electronic systems that are developed in this process can serve both engineering and life sciences in various ways ranging from low-power brain-like computing embedded systems to neural-based control, brain machine interfaces, and neuroprosthesis. To realize such systems, various approaches and strategies with their own advantages and limitations, may be adopted. Here, we provide a summary of our recent article published in the proceedings of the IEEE [1], where we have discussed and reviewed the various approaches to the design and implementation of neuromorphic learning systems, and pointed out challenges and opportunities in these systems.
Jointly Optimal Routing and Resource Allocation in Hybrid Satellite/Terrestrial Networks

In the future hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks, efficient routing at network layer and allocation of resources at link layer will have to be performed in order to satisfy traffic requests and minimizing at the same time the cost of the allocated bandwidth among the heterogeneous network components. This simultaneous routing and resource allocation (SRRA) problem can be specified in the framework of network utility maximization (NUM) theory, according to which each layer of the communication network corresponds to a decomposed subproblem of a global optimization problem, and the interfaces among layers are represented as functions of the optimization variables coordinating the subproblems. These sets of variables are associated by specific restrictions. Since the solution of the SRRA problem directly requires coordination among possibly all sources, thus it is impractical in real networks, we propose a decentralized and distributed solution which is based on the Lagrange dual decomposition method and allows defining a bandwidth-related pricing strategy
C-reactive protein polymorphisms influence serum CRP-levels independent of disease activity in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are frequently used to determine disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but these levels may not reflect disease activity. We therefore investigated the influence of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CRP gene on CRP levels in AS patients. Additionally, the relation between CRP levels and BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) was examined. METHODS This exploratory cross-sectional study included 189 Dutch AS patients. CRP SNPs rs2794521, rs3091244, rs1800947 and rs876538 were genotyped and haplotypes constructed. Linear regression analysis was used for the association between SNPs and CRP levels, with correction for confounders non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use, body mass index, smoking, age, gender and disease activity (BASDAI). RESULTS Only 52% of AS patients with a high disease activity (BASDAI ≥4) showed a high CRP level (≥10mg/L), whereas the others did not. In AS patients, CRP levels changed with different genotypes, with genotype CA of tri-allelic (C>T>A) SNP rs3091244 showing higher CRP levels in comparison with genotype CC (CA: 18.6 mg/L vs. CC: 8.3 mg/L; p=0.02). Carriers of haplotype 5 (tagged by allele A of rs3091244) had a higher risk to express a CRP ≥10 mg/L (OR=2.9, 95%CI 1.0-8.3; p=0.05) when compared with non-carriers. CONCLUSIONS In AS, patients with high disease activity often do not show corresponding high CRP levels. We found that CRP levels vary with different CRP genotype in AS patients. Carrying distinct genetic variants might play a role in certain AS patients who show low CRP levels despite high disease activity (as well as high CRP levels with low disease activity). This observation may be important for the interpretation of disease activity scores that incorporate CRP levels, like the ASDAS.
Rapidity and efficacy of ultrasonographic sliding lung sign and auscultation in confirming endotracheal intubation in overweight and obese patients

Background and Aims: Obese individuals are predisposed to difficult airway and intubation. They usually yield confusing or misleading auscultatory findings. We aimed to assess the rapidity and efficacy of ultrasonographic (USG) sliding lung sign for confirming endotracheal intubation in normal as well as overweight and obese surgical patients. Methods: This prospective, observational study was performed in forty surgical patients. Twenty patients with body mass index (BMI) <25 were recruited to Group A, whereas twenty patients with BMI ≥25 constituted Group B. Following induction and intubation, appearance of end-tidal carbon dioxide waveform was used to confirm endotracheal intubation. Presence of breath sounds bilaterally was sought by auscultation, and time taken for auscultatory confirmation was noted. The USG confirmation of air entry to the lung field as indicated by lung sliding was sought, and the time taken was noted. Chi-square test, independent t-test and paired t-test were used as applicable. Results: Auscultatory confirmation was more rapid in Group A as compared to Group B (9.34 ± 2.43 s vs. 14.35 ± 5.53 s, P = 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in USG confirmation time in both the groups (8.57 ± 2.05 s vs. 8.61 ± 1.66 s). Four patients in Group B had doubtful breath sounds against none in Group A. There was no doubtful lung slide with USG in both groups. One case of endobronchial intubation in Group B was diagnosed with USG which was doubtful by auscultation. Conclusion: Ultrasound directed confirmation of endotracheal tube placement in overweight and obese patients is superior in speed and accuracy in comparison to the standard auscultatory method.