Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multi-resolution super learner for voxel-wise classification of prostate cancer using multi-parametric MRI

Multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) is a critical tool in prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis and management. To further advance the use of mpMRI in patient care, computer aided diagnostic methods are under continuous development for supporting/supplanting standard radiological interpretation. While voxel-wise PCa classification models are the gold standard, few if any approaches have incorporated the inherent structure of the mpMRI data, such as spatial heterogeneity and between-voxel correlation, into PCa classification. We propose a machine learning-based method to fill in this gap. Our method uses an ensemble learning approach to capture regional heterogeneity in the data, where classifiers are developed at multiple resolutions and combined using the super learner algorithm, and further account for between-voxel correlation through a Gaussian kernel smoother. It allows any type of classifier to be the base learner and can be extended to further classify PCa sub-categories. We introduce the algorithms for binary PCa classification, as well as for classifying the ordinal clinical significance of PCa for which a weighted likelihood approach is implemented to improve the detection of less prevalent cancer categories. The proposed method has shown important advantages over conventional modeling and machine learning approaches in simulations and application to our motivating patient data.
Pion-nucleon scattering to O(p4) in heavy baryon SU(3) chiral perturbation theory

We calculate the T -matrices of pion-nucleon (πN) scattering to the fourth order in heavy baryon SU(3) chiral perturbation theory. The baryon mass in the chiral limit M0 and the low-energy constants are determined by fitting to phase shifts of πN . By using these constants, we obtain a excellent description of Sand P -wave phase shifts below 200 MeV pion laboratory momentum. The scattering lengths and the scattering volumes are also predicted, which turn out to be in good agreement with those of other approaches and the available experimental data. Based on the various phase shifts and threshold parameters, the convergence of the chiral expansion is analyzed in detail. A good convergence in πN scattering is obtained at this order. In addition, we extend the fit to 250 MeV pion laboratory momentum, and obtain a good description of Sand P -wave phase shifts. PACS numbers: 13.75. Jz,12.39. Fe,12.38. Bx
Approximating Sparse Quadratic Programs

Given a matrix $A \in \mathbb{R}^{n\times n}$, we consider the problem of maximizing $x^TAx$ subject to the constraint $x \in \{-1,1\}^n$. This problem, called MaxQP by Charikar and Wirth [FOCS'04], generalizes MaxCut and has natural applications in data clustering and in the study of disordered magnetic phases of matter. Charikar and Wirth showed that the problem admits an $\Omega(1/\lg n)$ approximation via semidefinite programming, and Alon, Makarychev, Makarychev, and Naor [STOC'05] showed that the same approach yields an $\Omega(1)$ approximation when $A$ corresponds to a graph of bounded chromatic number. Both these results rely on solving the semidefinite relaxation of MaxQP, whose currently best running time is $\tilde{O}(n^{1.5}\cdot \min\{N,n^{1.5}\})$, where $N$ is the number of nonzero entries in $A$ and $\tilde{O}$ ignores polylogarithmic factors. In this sequel, we abandon the semidefinite approach and design purely combinatorial approximation algorithms for special cases of MaxQP where $A$ is sparse (i.e., has $O(n)$ nonzero entries). Our algorithms are superior to the semidefinite approach in terms of running time, yet are still competitive in terms of their approximation guarantees. More specifically, we show that: - UnitMaxQP, where $A \in \{-1,0,1\}^{n\times n}$, admits an $(1/3d)$-approximation in $O(n^{1.5})$ time, when the corresponding graph has no isolated vertices and at most $dn$ edges. - MaxQP admits an $\Omega(1/\lg a_{\max})$-approximation in $O(n^{1.5} \lg a_{\max})$ time, where $a_{\max}$ is the maximum absolute value in $A$, when the corresponding graph is $d$-degenerate. - UnitMaxQP admits a $(1-\varepsilon)$-approximation in $O(n^2)$ time when the corresponding graph is $H$-minor free. - MaxQP admits a $(1-\varepsilon)$-approximation in $O(n)$ time when the corresponding graph and each of its minors have bounded local treewidth.
A Learning-Driven Framework with Spatial Optimization For Surgical Suture Thread Reconstruction and Autonomous Grasping Under Multiple Topologies and Environmental Noises

Surgical knot tying is one of the most fundamental and important procedures in surgery, and a high-quality knot can significantly benefit the postoperative recovery of the patient. However, a longtime operation may easily cause fatigue to surgeons, especially during the tedious wound closure task. In this paper, we present a vision-based method to automate the suture thread grasping, which is a sub-task in surgical knot tying and an intermediate step between the stitching and looping manipulations. To achieve this goal, the acquisition of a suture’s three-dimensional (3D) information is critical. Towards this objective, we adopt a transfer-learning strategy first to fine-tune a pre-trained model by learning the information from large legacy surgical data and images obtained by the onsite equipment. Thus, a robust suture segmentation can be achieved regardless of inherent environment noises. We further leverage a searching strategy with termination policies for a suture’s sequence inference based on the analysis of multiple topologies. Exact results of the pixel-level sequence along a suture can be obtained, and they can be further applied for a 3D shape reconstruction using our optimized shortest path approach. The grasping point considering the suturing criterion can be ultimately acquired. Experiments regarding the suture 2D segmentation and ordering sequence inference under environmental noises were extensively evaluated. Results related to the automated grasping operation were demonstrated by simulations in V-REP and by robot experiments using Universal Robot (UR) together with the da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK) adopting our learning-driven framework.
Entanglement-Assisted Quantum Communication Beating the Quantum Singleton Bound

Brun, Devetak, and Hsieh [Science 314, 436 (2006)] demonstrated that preshared entanglement between the sender and receiver enables quantum communication protocols that have better parameters than schemes without the assistance of entanglement. Subsequently, the same authors derived a version of the so-called quantum Singleton bound that relates the parameters of the entanglement-assisted quantum-error-correcting codes proposed by them. We present an entanglement-assisted quantum communication scheme with parameters violating this bound in certain ranges. For a fixed transmission rate, our scheme allows one to correct a larger fraction of errors.
Association of Genetic Polymorphisms in GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 Genes with Vesicoureteral Reflux Susceptibility in the Children of Southeast Iran

Background: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) disease is the most common type of urinary tract anomalies in children. Genetic risk factors may be associated with the etiology of VUR. The role of the Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) as multifunctional enzymes is cellular oxidative stress handling. This is the first study aimed at evaluating the relative risk of GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 polymorphisms in VUR susceptibility in children and provides new important insights into the genetics of affected children. Methods: The study was done in 2013 in Sistan and Baluchestan University, eastern Iran. Genotyping of three GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1 genes were determined using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay in 216 reactions for 72 VUR children and 312 reactions for 104 healthy controls. Results: The presence of GSTT1 deletion was associated with high risk of VUR in children, whereas GSTP1 and GSTM1 genotypes did not show the same effect. Furthermore, the combination of GSTT1/GSTM1 and GSTT1/ GSTP1 genotypes showed a significant influence on lower risk of VUR in children. Conclusion: Deletion of GSTT1 functional gene is a genetic risk factor causing VUR in children. Interestingly, the combination of GSTM1 and GSTP1 null genotypes with GSTT1 has shown a protective role against risk of GSTT1 deletion.
Media-driven Comovement: Evidence from China

In this paper, using news reports and stock trading data from China, we document that stocks covered by the same media platform tend to comove together and refer to it as media-driven comovement. This finding remains significant both by conducting time series regressions of individual stock returns on co-coverage portfolio returns and by calculating the Pearson correlations among stocks that are co-covered by the same media platform. This is a novel type of comovement since it cannot be fully explained by common factors (e.g., additions to market indices) that lead to comovement but accords well with the investment habitat view. Besides, we find no statistically significant relationship between the frequency of co-coverage and the magnitude of comovement. To better illustrate the economic significance of this media-driven comovement, we construct a trading strategy which earns a monthly return of 115 basis point.
PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF LOW CURRENT FLASH SINTERING IN ZIRCONIA NANOPARTICLE COMPACT

Flash sintering is a newly developed technique to quickly densify conductive ceramics in the presence of an electric field. At a critical combination of field and temperature, densification takes place in a few seconds. In this paper, the feasibility of the densification in flash sintering with low current was investigated in the newly developed compact consisted of zirconia nanoparticles. Homogeneous microstructure with densely packing of nano-particles was successfully obtained by gel-casting of nano-suspension. The grain size and relative density of the sample flash sintered at 30 mA/mm were 40.9 nm and 86.8%, respectively. The sample densified with limited grain growth in low current flash sintering. Although the full densification was not achieved in the present study, the effectiveness of the nanoparticle compact to reduce the current for the densification during flash sintering was shown by comparing the results reported in flash sintering with the coarser microstructure.
Vicugna habitat use and interactions with domestic ungulates in Jujuy, Northwest Argentina

Abstract Worldwide vicugna numbers are slowly recovering after the implementation of conservation measures in several areas of the Andean Puna. Amongst some communities, vicugnas are sustainably managed through captures, shearing, and release schemes. In this study, we explored habitat use and interactions between vicugnas and domestic livestock in Jujuy, Northwest Argentina. We measured the habitat selectivity of vicugna by evaluating the relationship between the availability and its use of vegetation. We estimated the extent and overlap of habitat niche, as well as the foraging effort of vicugnas on the basis of their individual behaviour. Vicugnas and domestic livestock were highly selective in their use of land. They also had similar foraging preferences, grazing rather on the mixed steppe grasses and grasslands that offered greater grass cover. The distribution of vicugna in relation to domestic animals differed according to species and density. With mean density of llamas, vicugnas showed mixed herds but with any other livestock and greater densities, they were segregated. In mixed grazing, when vicugnas engaged with llamas, no behavioural interaction or competition was observed. The presence of herders with dogs was the main stress factor for vicugnas. Here we discuss the importance of a multi-specific management approach.
Natural variation in UV-B protection amongst Arabidopsis thaliana accessions.

Pronounced altitudinal and latitudinal UV-B gradients exist across the earth. Therefore, we hypothesised thatplants from different geographic origins differ in the regulation and/or magnitude of UV-protection. EightArabidopsis accessions with different geographic origins (altitude between 32 and 3016 m) were raised underPhotosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR), PAR + UV-A or PAR + UV-A + UV-B radiation for 10 days, afterwhich UV-B protection of photosynthesis was assessed by measuring the consequences of exposure to a pulseof acute UV-B. We found significant variation in UV-B protection among accessions exposed to PAR or PAR +UV-A. Yet, all accessions raised under PAR + UV-A + UV-B were well protected. Thus, differences betweenaccessions are not about UV-B protection per se, but rather about regulation of UV-B protection which variesfrom constitutive to inducible by UV-A and/or UV-B. Particularly striking are differential UV-A responses,whereby some high altitude accessions lack UV-A regulated accumulation of UV-absorbing pigments, but showa strong UV-A induced m
Internal Control Material Weakness and Managerial Manipulation of Operational Decisions

This study examines the relation between the disclosure of internal control material weakness (ICMW) under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) and managerial manipulation of operational activities (real earnings management). We use abnormal cash flow from operations (ABCFO), abnormal discretionary expenses (ABDISEXP), and abnormal production cost (ABPROD) as the measures of real earnings management. Using a sample of 1824 manufacturing firms over the period 2004-2011, we run regressions of abnormal cash flow from operations, abnormal production cost and abnormal discretionary expenses on ICMW and other independent variables. The disclosure of ICMW is documented to be negatively related to abnormal cash flow from operations. A positive relation is also reported between ICMW and abnormal production cost. Our results imply that manufacturing firms with weak internal controls predominantly use overproduction and excessive price discounts to manipulate real activities to achieve earnings targets.
STATIC AND FATIGUE PROPERTIES OF 3D PRINTED CONTINUOUS CARBON FIBER NYLON COMPOSITES

CFRPs provide excellent mechanical properties and tailor-made designs for several applications. Using continuous fiber fabrication (CFF) 3D printing technology, 3D printed constructs with mechanical properties higher than common 3D printed components can be printed. However, challenges remain such as the standardization of processes and characterization techniques to ensure the production of 3D printed CFRPs with good consolidation of reinforcement fibers into the polymer matrix and controlled fiber orientation. In this work, 3D printed carbon fiber nylon mechanical properties are investigated through static tensile and fatigue tests in order to assess the performance of such structures. Also, the mechanical properties of 3D printed PLA and nylonareexaminedfor comparison. As expected, the results areshown that the pure nylon specimens had plastic deformation behaviour (as it was also for PLA) in contrast to carbon fiber reinforced nylon, which had almost elastic deformation behaviour. The modulus and strength were significantly increased. The fatigue results (R=0) showed that the carbon fibres are relatively insensitive to such a loading regime.
FACILE ORGANIC-INORGANIC HYBRID SORBENTS FOR EXTRACTION OF POLLUTANTS FROM AQUEOUS SAMPLES – A REVIEW

Rapid and efficiency extraction of pollutants from aqueous samples has been an important issue in analytical sciences. Solid phase extraction using sorbents is a well-known separation method and recognized as an efficient and economical method for removal of pollutants from water. In the past few years, there has been growing interest on extractions using organic-inorganic hybrid materials. Formed by incorporating inorganic species into organic matrix, these materials offer some advantages such as high selectivity, permeability, and mechanical and chemical stabilities. This present article discusses recent significant advances in analytical solid-phase extraction employing organic-inorganic composite and nanocomposite sorbents for the extraction of organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous samples. Classifications and synthesis methods of organic-inorganic hybrid sorbents are described. The physicochemical characteristics, extraction properties and analytical performances of selected sorbents are discussed, including morphology and surface characteristics, types of functional groups, interaction mechanism, selectivity and sensitivity, accuracy, and regeneration abilities. Organic-inorganic hybrid sorbents in combination with extraction techniques are highly promising as an emerging research field for sample preparation of complex samples such as food, biomedical and environmental matrices with analytes at trace levels.
Invasion of Fallopia genus plants in urban environment.

Biological invasions are one of the main problems of contemporary ecology. When considering invasive species a special attention should be paid to Asian weeds of Fallopia genus (knotweeds): Fallopia japonica, Fallopia sachalinensis, and their hybrid - Fallopia × bohemica, which is the most troublesome species among the Fallopia complex. The aim of this research was to determine distribution of three Fallopia taxa in urban environments using the example of the one of the largest Polish cities, Wroclaw, and preferences of the exam- ined species regarding their inhabiting different habitats in urban ecosystems. The presence of knotweeds was confirmed in over 23.0% of urban areas. The most commonly recorded species was Fallopia japonica, while Fallopia sachalinensis (a donor of pollen for female clones of Fallopia japonica) was rare. Despite this fact, their highly invasive hybrid occurs in approximately 6.8% of urban areas and accounts for 21.6% of the total number of all knotweed clones. It suggests that expansion of Fallopia × bohemica in the city advances, in most cases, in a vegetative way (as a result of rhizome regeneration). The highest number of knotweed sites was recorded in ruderal and greenfield sites, including, among others, illegal waste dumps, heaps, rubble, and debris fields. The investigation has shown that in urban conditions knotweeds are able to spread on soil with various pH ranges and nutrient content. Also, the higher content of heavy metals does not limit the expansion of Fallopia weeds - on the contrary, it can even enhance their competitiveness in relation to other plant species, which avoid toxic concentrations of heavy metals.
Personality traits, dieting self-efficacy and health behaviors in emerging adult women: implications for health promotion and education

Background: The purpose of this study was to explore the associations between personality traits and dieting self-efficacy as well as health behaviors among emerging adult women. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the sample consisted of 161 participants in age from 19 to 25 years, who were administered the NEO-Five-Factor Inventory, the Health BehaviorsInventory (HBI), and the Dieting Self-Efficacy Scale (DIET-SE). Results: Our findings indicated that personality traits explained both health behaviors and dieting self-efficacy (F = 6.21, df = 5,155, P<0.001, F = 6.42, df = 5,155, P<0.001, respectively). Neuroticism (B = -0.45, P<0.01) and agreeableness (B = 0.39, P<0.01) were investigated as significant predictors of females’ health behaviors, whereas extraversion (B = -0.40, P<0.001),agreeableness (B = 0.20, P<0.05), and conscientiousness (B = 0.33, P<0.01) were related to dieting self-efficacy. In addition, the results suggested the mediational effect of dieting self efficacy in the relationship between personality traits (i.e., consciousness and agreeableness)and general health behaviors. Conclusion: The role of personality traits for dieting self-efficacy as well as physical health among emerging adult women was confirmed. As dieting self-efficacy turned out to be a mediation factor, the findings may be used in psychoeducation for patients.
Influence of surface materials on the volume production of negative ions in a radio-frequency driven hydrogen plasma

Negative atomic hydrogen ion (H−) densities were measured in a pulsed low-pressure E-mode inductively-coupled radio-frequency (rf) driven plasma in hydrogen by means of laser photodetachment and a Langmuir probe. This investigation focuses on the influence of different metallic surface materials on the volume production of H− ions. The H− density was measured above a thin disc of either tungsten, stainless steel, copper, aluminium, or molybdenum placed onto the lower grounded electrode of the plasma device as a function of gas pressure and applied rf power. For copper, aluminium, and molybdenum the H− density was found to be quite insensitive to pressure and rf power, with values ranging between 3.6 × 1014 to 5.8 × 1014 m−3. For stainless steel and tungsten, the H− dependency was found to be complex, apart from the case of a similar linear increase from 2.9 × 1014 to 1.1 × 1015 m−3 with rf power at a pressure of 25 Pa. Two-photon absorption laser induced fluorescence was used to measure the atomic hydrogen densities and phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy was used to investigate whether the plasma dynamics were surface dependent. An explanation for the observed differences between the two sets of investigated materials is given in terms of surface reaction mechanisms for the creation of vibrationally excited hydrogen molecules.
Prethermalization and thermalization in entanglement dynamics

We investigate the crossover of the entanglement entropy toward its thermal value in nearly integrable systems. We employ equations-of-motion techniques to study the entanglement dynamics in a lattice model of weakly interacting spinless fermions after a quantum quench. For weak enough interactions we observe a two-step relaxation of the entanglement entropies of finite subsystems. Initially, the entropies follow a nearly integrable evolution, approaching the value predicted by the generalized Gibbs ensemble (GGE) of the unperturbed model. Then, they start a slow drift toward the thermal stationary value described by a standard Gibbs ensemble (GE). While the initial relaxation to the GGE is independent of the interaction, the slow drift from GGE to GE values happens on timescales proportional to the inverse interaction squared. For asymptotically large times and subsystem sizes the dynamics of the entropies can be predicted using a modified quasiparticle picture that keeps track of the evolution of the fermionic occupations caused by the integrability breaking. This picture gives a quantitative description of the results as long as the integrability-breaking timescale is much larger than the one associated with the (quasi)saturation to the GGE. In the opposite limit, the quasiparticle picture still provides the correct late-time behavior, but it underestimates the initial slope of the entanglement entropy.
HOW CAN AGRICULTURE RESEARCH MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN COUNTRIES EMERGING FROM CONFLICT?

SUMMARY Conflict is the most common cause of food insecurity. Foreign aid to countries emerging from conflict often allows a funded but brief window for the confirmation-testing and diffusion of agricultural innovation in affected areas. This paper asks the question: what lessons has agricultural research learned through its involvement in this process in countries emerging from conflict? Drawing on experience from Afghanistan and other countries, this paper documents some cases in which it has been possible to inject an element of simple hypothesis testing, often in farmer-managed trials, into post-conflict plans leading to useful lessons. Agricultural researchers need to be cognizant of this approach so that the practice becomes more widely used and lessons recorded for future use.