Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A medical image segmentation method based on multi-dimensional statistical features

Medical image segmentation has important auxiliary significance for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Most of existing medical image segmentation solutions adopt convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Althought these existing solutions can achieve good image segmentation performance, CNNs focus on local information and ignore global image information. Since Transformer can encode the whole image, it has good global modeling ability and is effective for the extraction of global information. Therefore, this paper proposes a hybrid feature extraction network, into which CNNs and Transformer are integrated to utilize their advantages in feature extraction. To enhance low-dimensional texture features, this paper also proposes a multi-dimensional statistical feature extraction module to fully fuse the features extracted by CNNs and Transformer and enhance the segmentation performance of medical images. The experimental results confirm that the proposed method achieves better results in brain tumor segmentation and ventricle segmentation than state-of-the-art solutions.
Construction of a prognostic signature for serous ovarian cancer based on lactate metabolism-related genes

Background The key biochemical feature of malignant tumor is the conversion of energy metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, which provides sufficient capacity and raw materials for tumor cell rapid growth. Our study aims to construct a prognostic signature for ovarian cancer based on lactate metabolism-related genes (LMRGs). Methods Data of ovarian cancer and non-diseased ovarian data were downloaded from TCGA and the GTEx database, respectively. LMRGs were obtained from GeneCards and MSigDB databases, and the differentially expressed LMRGs were identified using limma and DESeq2 R packages. Cox regression analysis and LASSO were performed to determine the LMRGs associated with OS and develop the prognostic signature. Then, clinical significance of the prognostic signature in ovarian cancer was assessed. Results A total of 485 differentially expressed LMRGs in ovarian tissue were selected for subsequent analysis, of which 324 were up-regulated and 161 were down regulated. We found that 22 LMRGs were most significantly associated with OS by using the univariate regression analysis. The prognostic scoring model was consisted of 12 LMRGs (SLCO1B3, ERBB4, SLC28A1, PDSS1, BDH1, AIFM1, TSFM, PPARGC1A, HGF, FGFR1, ABCC8, TH). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated that poorer overall survival (OS) in the high-risk group patients (P<0.0001). This prognostic signature could be an independent prognostic indicator after adjusting to other clinical factors. The calibration curves of nomogram for the signature at 1, 2, and 3 years and the ROC curve demonstrated good agreement between the predicted and observed survival rates of ovarian cancer patients. Furthermore, the high-risk group patients have much lower expression level of immune checkpoint-TDO2 compared with the low-risk group (P=0.024). Conclusions We established a prognostic signature based on LMRGs for ovarian cancer, and highlighted emerging evidence indicating that this prognostic signature is a promising approach for predicting ovarian cancer prognosis and guiding clinical therapy.
Environmental variability and fishing effects on artisanal flatfish fisheries along the Portuguese coast

Assessing the effects of fishing activity and environmental variability on fishing species might help to understand their fluctuations and to manage them accordingly. However, despite the increasing number of studies linking fisheries and environmental data, few had a multi-species approach considering flatfish species and different age groups. Therefore, this study aims to determine the effects of environmental and fishing related variables on commercial flatfish species across different regions of the Portuguese coast. For that, sea surface temperature, North Atlantic Oscillation, upwelling index, wind components, river discharges and fishing effort were related to landings per unit effort (LPUE) of five commercial flatfish species (Pleuronectes platessa, Dicologlossa cuneata, Microchirus spp., Solea lascaris, and Solea solea) fished by the artisanal fleet along different regions of Portuguese coast (Northwestern coast, Southwestern coast, and Southern coast), using a multi-model statistical approach from 1989 to 2009. The fishing effort had the same effect along the life cycle and was negatively related with LPUE trends for most of the species. Regarding to environmental variability, during early phases (larval to juvenile – age-group-0) the factors that affected the recruitment, in addition to being related to the physiological needs (e.g., sea surface temperature) of individuals that will trigger growth and survival, were related to larval transport and dispersion from offshore spawning areas to coastal nursery habitats beyond (e.g., wind components and upwelling). For juvenile and young-adult phases (age-groups I and II), the effects of environmental variability appeared to be linked to physiological needs important for growth and maturation (e.g., temperature). Concluding, different effects were observed depending on the region, species, and life-cycle phase. Therefore, these environmental-fishing relationships should be used when managing local fishing resources.
Game evolution and simulation analysis of power battery recycling in China under conflicting supply and demand of critical metals

A great demand for lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other critical metals by power batteries has been increasing with the explosive development of the new energy industry, which further exacerbated the contradiction between the supply and demand of critical metals. In addition, two key factors, including an imbalance of government reward and punishment and a low degree of cooperation between manufacturers and recycling enterprises, have hindered the recovery and utilization of critical metals in power battery with the expansion of the power battery recycling market. A three-party evolutionary game model, including power battery manufacturers, third-party recycling enterprises, and the government, was constructed in this study to analyze the evolutionary stability of the strategy selection of each participant. Also, the influence of each factor on the three-party strategy selection and verifying the reliability of the results through simulation were also discussed. The results show that 1) both government incentives and punishments are beneficial for promoting cooperation between power battery manufacturers and recycling enterprises. The cost of cooperation will be the key factor affecting power battery recycling. 2) Increasing the probability of cooperation is an effective way to ensure the increase in income of both parties after cooperation. Further suggestions, including the establishment of a dynamic reward and punishment mechanism by the government and strengthening the cooperation to cope with the continued tight supply of critical metals by the manufacturers and recyclers, were also put forward in this research.
Single-cell RNA sequencing combined with whole exome sequencing reveals the landscape of the immune pathogenic response to chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis with STAT1 GOF mutation

Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC) is characterized by recurrent or persistent infections with Candida of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes (e.g., mouth, esophagus, and vagina). Compared with that of other infectious diseases, the immune pathogenic mechanism of CMC is still poorly understood. We identified a signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 gain-of-function (c.Y289C) mutation in a CMC patient. Single-cell transcriptional profiling on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from this patient revealed decreases in immature B cells and monocytes. Further analysis revealed several differentially expressed genes related to immune regulation, including RGS1, TNFAIP3, S100A8/A9, and CTSS. In our review of the literature on signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 gain-of-function (c.Y289C) mutations, we identified seven cases in total. The median age of onset for CMC (n=4, data lacking for three cases) was 10.5 years (range: birth to 11 years), with an average onset age of 8 years. There were no reports linking tumors to the c.Y289C mutation, and the incidence of pre-existing clinical disease in patients with the c.Y289C mutation was similar to previous data.
Everolimus pharmacokinetics and exposure-response relationship in Japanese patients with advanced breast cancer

Background: Everolimus is one of the key drugs for the treatment of advanced breast cancer. The optimal target concentration range for everolimus therapy in patients with breast cancer has not yet been established. This study aimed to characterize everolimus pharmacokinetics (PK) and determine the relationship between blood concentration and efficacy as well as adverse events in patients with breast cancer. Methods: This was a prospective, observational PK study. Patients receiving everolimus between November 2015 and November 2018 at our hospital were enrolled in this study. The whole blood samples for the everolimus assay were collected at least two weeks after initiation of treatment or the last everolimus dose change. PK parameters were estimated using Bayesian analysis. Statistical differences in everolimus trough concentrations between patient cohorts were assessed using the Mann–Whitney test. Progression-free survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test. Results: Eighteen patients were enrolled in the study. The median follow-up period was 35 months. The most frequently observed adverse event was stomatitis (all grade 94%). There was high inter-individual variation in PK parameters such as clearance [range: 5.1–21.3 L/h/70 kg and co-efficient of variation (CV): 38.5%] and volume of distribution of the central compartment (range: 9.9–103.6 L/70 kg and CV: 57.8%). The trough concentrations at dose-limiting toxicities were significantly higher than trough concentrations in the absence of these toxicities (p = 0.0058). Progression-free survival was significantly longer in the 10–20 ng/ml group than in the other groups (p = 0.0078). Conclusion: This study characterized the everolimus PK parameters in Japanese patients with breast cancer. High everolimus exposure was found to be associated with poor tolerability. Based on our data, trough concentrations in the range of 10–20 ng/ml may be associated with prolonged progression-free survival. Thus, determining the blood concentration of everolimus and subsequent dose adjustments will potentially reduce side effects and enhance the therapeutic effect in Japanese patients with advanced breast cancer.
The Cahn-Hilliard Equation as a Gradient Flow

Some evolution equations can be interpreted as gradient flows. Mathematically this is subtle as the flow depends on the choice of a functional and an inner product (different functionals or inner products give rise to different dynamics). The Cahn-Hilliard equation is a simple model for the process of phase separation of a binary alloy at a fixed temperature. This equation was first derived using physical principles but can also be obtained as a specific gradient flow of a free energy. Having these two viewpoints is quite common in physics and often one prefers to work with the variational formulation. For example, a variational formulation allows one to obtain many possible evolutionary models for the system. For a gradient flow, the basic idea is to start with an energy functional (F) defined on a Hilbert space. One then writes out the gradient flow associated with the functional and the Hilbert space: The above becomes an evolution equation which will be dependent on the Hilbert space. Whether it is a good model for the dynamics of the system is another question as it is not based upon any dynamic physical law (eg. a force balance law). In this thesis we will examine the above ideas focusing on the Cahn-Hilliard equation. We will develop the necessary tools from functional analysis and PDE theory.
Differentiation of glioblastoma tissues using spontaneous Raman scattering with dimensionality reduction and data classification

The neurosurgery of intracranial tumors is often complicated by the difficulty of distinguishing tumor center, infiltration area, and normal tissue. The current standard for intraoperative navigation is fluorescent diagnostics with a fluorescent agent. This approach can be further enhanced by measuring the Raman spectrum of the tissue, which would provide additional information on its composition even in the absence of fluorescence. However, for the Raman spectra to be immediately helpful for a neurosurgeon, they must be additionally processed. In this work, we analyzed the Raman spectra of human brain glioblastoma multiforme tissue samples obtained during the surgery and investigated several approaches to dimensionality reduction and data classificatin to distinguish different types of tissues. In our study two approaches to Raman spectra dimensionality reduction were approbated and as a result we formulated new technique combining both of them: feature filtering based on the selection of those shifts which correspond to the biochemical components providing the statistically significant differences between groups of examined tissues (center of glioblastoma multiforme, tissues from infiltration area and normally appeared white matter) and principal component analysis. We applied the support vector machine to classify tissues after dimensionality reduction of registered Raman spectra. The accuracy of the classification of malignant tissues (tumor edge and center) and normal ones using the principal component analysis alone was 83% with sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 44%. With a combined technique of dimensionality reduction we obtained 83% accuracy with 77% sensitivity and 92% specificity of tumor tissues classification.
Characterization of extended-spectrum cephalosporins and fluoroquinolone resistance of a Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson isolate from ready-to-eat pork product in China

Salmonella is a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide and is a common concern in food safety. Salmonella enterica displaying resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) and fluoroquinolone (FQs) has been deemed a high-priority pathogen by the World Health Organization. Co-resistance to ESCs and FQs has been reported in S. enterica serovar Thompson (S. Thompson). However, the genetic context of ESCs and FQs resistance genes in S. Thompson lacks sufficient characterization. In this study, we characterized a multi-drug resistant (MDR) S. Thompson isolate recovered from a retail ready-to-eat (RTE) pork product in China. Short- and long-read sequencing (HiSeq and MinION) of the genome identified the presence of blaCMY−2, qnrS1, and qepA8, along with 11 additional acquired antimicrobial resistance genes, residing on a 152,940 bp IncA/C plasmid. Specifically, the blaCMY−2, qnrS1, and qepA8 genes were located in insertion sequences (ISs) and integron mediated mobile genetic structure, sugE-blc-blaCMY−2-ISEc9, IS26-orf6-qnrS1-orf5-ISKpn19, and intl1-qepA8-orf10-IS91-orf1-dfrA12-orf11-aadA2-qacEΔ1-sul1, respectively. Each gene was identified in various bacteria species, indicating their high transfer ability. The plasmid was found to be transferable to Escherichia coli J53 by conjugation and resulted in the acquiring of multiple resistances in the transconjugants. The plasmid is closely related to plasmids from two human S. Thompson strains isolated in different regions and years in China. Moreover, core-genome Multi Locus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) and phylogenetic analysis based on global 1,868 S. Saintpaul isolates showed that the S. Thompson isolate was highly epidemiologically linked to a human isolate in China. Our findings suggest that Chinese RTE pork products are a possible source of human pathogenic ESCs and FQs co-resistant S. Thompson. Furthermore, the results underline the important role of conjugative plasmids in acquiring and transmission of ESCs and FQs resistance in S. Thompson isolates, which need continuous investigation.
Drag Coefficient Estimation of Pile Type Structures by Numerical Water Basin Experiments

A possibility of the drag coefficient estimation in numerical water basins was discussed where the numerical solution were calculated by the 3-dimensional hydro-dynamical model (FLOW-) with the RNG turbulence model. On the known cases of the drag coefficients for a rectangle, the numerical drag coefficients got and the wind tunnel values were . For a cylinder, the numerical values were calculated as in the range of 0.5
Kinetic Interjoint Coordination in Lower Limbs during Gait in Patients with Hemiparesis

The coordination of joint moments in the same limb—otherwise known as kinetic interjoint coordination—during gait in patients with hemiparesis remains unclear. This study clarifies the characteristics of kinetic interjoint coordination in the lower limbs using a principal component analysis (PCA). Using a three-dimensional motion analysis system and force plates, the kinematic and kinetic data from 29 patients with hemiparesis and 12 healthy controls were measured when they walked along a 7 m walkway. The spatiotemporal principal components (PCs) of the hip, knee, and ankle joint moments were calculated using a PCA and the motor modules during gait were identified. We adopted a case–control study design to clarify the kinetic interjoint coordination characteristics during gait in patients with hemiplegia. As the results of comparisons between the patients and controls showed, the peak timing of the first PC, which had high loadings of hip and ankle joint moments on the paretic side, was significantly earlier than that on the other sides. The loading of the knee joint moment for the first PC on the paretic side was significantly lower than that on the non-paretic side (p < 0.05), which was highly variable with negative and positive values. The results demonstrated that the first motor module comprising hip and ankle joint moments on the paretic side during gait in patients with hemiparesis may be merged with knee joint flexion or the extension moment, and may have an atypical temporal component. The index of kinetic interjoint coordination would be a useful tool for robotic-based systems for effective rehabilitation, which would significantly contribute to the acceleration of collaborative research in the fields of engineering and rehabilitation medicine.
Network Meddling Detection Using Machine Learning Empowered with Blockchain Technology

The study presents a framework to analyze and detect meddling in real-time network data and identify numerous meddling patterns that may be harmful to various communication means, academic institutes, and other industries. The major challenge was to develop a non-faulty framework to detect meddling (to overcome the traditional ways). With the development of machine learning technology, detecting and stopping the meddling process in the early stages is much easier. In this study, the proposed framework uses numerous data collection and processing techniques and machine learning techniques to train the meddling data and detect anomalies. The proposed framework uses support vector machine (SVM) and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) machine learning algorithms to detect the meddling in a network entangled with blockchain technology to ensure the privacy and protection of models as well as communication data. SVM achieves the highest training detection accuracy (DA) and misclassification rate (MCR) of 99.59% and 0.41%, respectively, and SVM achieves the highest-testing DA and MCR of 99.05% and 0.95%, respectively. The presented framework portrays the best meddling detection results, which are very helpful for various communication and transaction processes.
A Case of Primary Synovial Sarcoma of the Posterior Mediastinum with Aortic Wall Infiltration with Complete Imaging Pathway and Histological Diagnosis

Primary synovial mediastinal sarcomas are aggressive tumors with a very rare incidence. The few cases reported in the literature presented poor and incomplete imaging. In this report, we describe the case of a 72-year-old male patient hospitalized for dyspnoea and chest tightness. For these reasons, he underwent chest X-ray, contrast-enhanced CT, MRI, and PET, which revealed a large mass around the aortic walls. The patient underwent a CT-guided biopsy and the sub-sequent histopathological evaluation indicated features consistent with a soft tissue sarcoma and positive staining for vimentin. Infiltration of aorta walls was confirmed by an MRI study with cine-MRI sequences. The patient was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, showing partial response. Unfortunately, during the following attempted surgical removal of the mediastinal mass, the patient deceased as a result of an aorta rupture. Our experience could help in diagnostic confidence and differential diagnosis, especially with benign tumors such as neurogenic tumors.
Engaging Dispositional Forgiveness: A Structure for Consistent Forgiveness Praxis

Although forgiveness is hard work, it enables individuals who have gone through unfairness and harm outgrow the pain of resentment and hostility to a condition of wellness and health. Still, it is possible that authentic forgiveness, regardless of significant violations may, as a matter of choice occur when the injured have hitherto achieved proficiency with the forgiveness praxis by practicing consistently. This manuscript suggests a brief dispositional forgiveness praxis that permits individuals to achieve experience in forgiving trivial faults on a consistent basis. Even though other forgiveness practices are in existence, this praxis is distinctive in that it draws from a philosophically and scientifically firm appreciation of the forgiveness procedures and is supposed to build up ones’ capacity to forgive in the circumstances of more difficult wounding and unfairness that may occur ahead. Individual persons engage in this praxis by meditating upon smaller instances of wrongdoing from their everyday life and wade through six steps, each informed by inquiry in forgiveness counseling and self-understanding; to move from anger to empathy. A case study is provided to demonstrate one personal experience in engaging in one of consistent forgiveness praxis in the repercussions of a small wrongdoing.
Aquae Calidae MusLib - to Connect 20 Centuries of History

The following article presents the first steps towards the digitalization of the museum collection with artefacts, found over a period of 65 years in the archaeological site Aquae Calidae in the district Burgas Mineral Baths. The text includes representation of the data model and platform structure, which will offer further look into the process of digitizing movable cultural heritage and the compatibility with Bulgarian legislation.
Spectral Methods in MATLAB

Preface 1. Differentiation matrices 2. Unbounded grids: the semidiscrete Fourier transform 3. Periodic grids: the DFT and FFT 4. Smoothness and spectral accuracy 5. Polynomial interpolation and clustered grids 6. Chebyshev differentiation matrices 7. Boundary value problems 8. Chebyshev series and the FFT 9. Eigenvalues and pseudospectra 10. Time-stepping and stability regions 11. Polar coordinates 12. Integrals and quadrature formulas 13. More about boundary conditions 14. Fourth-order problems Afterword Bibliography Index.