Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Establishment of Immortalized Human Hepatocytes by Introduction of HPV16 E6/E7 and hTERT as Cell Sources for Liver Cell-Based Therapy

For future cell-based therapies for liver diseases, the shortage of cell sources must be resolved. Immortalized human hepatocytes are expected to be among the new sources. In addition to telomerase activation by the introduction of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), inactivation of the p16/RB pathway and/or p53 by E6/E7 of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) has been shown to be useful for efficient immortalization of several human cell types. Here we report the immortalization of human hepatocytes by the introduction of HPV16 E6/E7 and hTERT. Human adult hepatocytes were lentivirally transduced with HPV16 E6/E7 and hTERT. Two human immortalized hepatocyte cell lines were established and were named HHE6E7T-1 and HHE6E7T-2. Those cells proliferated in culture beyond 200 population doublings (PDs). Albumin synthesis and expression of liver-enriched genes were confirmed, but gradually decreased as passages progressed. Karyotype analysis showed that HHE6E7T-1 cells remained near diploid but that HHE6E7T-2 cells showed severe aneuploidy at 150 PDs. Subcutaneous injection of these cells into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice did not induce tumor development. Intrasplenic transplantation of dedifferentiated HHE6E7T-1 cells over 200 PDs significantly improved the survival of acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure SCID mice. In conclusion, we successfully established immortalized human hepatocytes that retain the characteristics of differentiated hepatocytes. We also showed the reduction of hepatocyte-specific functions in long-term culture. However, the results of intrasplenic transplantation to SCID mice with acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure showed the possibility of HHE6E7T-1 serving as a cell source for hepatocyte transplantation.
A new Monte Carlo-based treatment plan optimization approach for intensity modulated radiation therapy

Intensity-modulated radiation treatment (IMRT) plan optimization needs beamlet dose distributions. Pencil-beam or superposition/convolution type algorithms are typically used because of their high computational speed. However, inaccurate beamlet dose distributions may mislead the optimization process and hinder the resulting plan quality. To solve this problem, the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation method has been used to compute all beamlet doses prior to the optimization step. The conventional approach samples the same number of particles from each beamlet. Yet this is not the optimal use of MC in this problem. In fact, there are beamlets that have very small intensities after solving the plan optimization problem. For those beamlets, it may be possible to use fewer particles in dose calculations to increase efficiency. Based on this idea, we have developed a new MC-based IMRT plan optimization framework that iteratively performs MC dose calculation and plan optimization. At each dose calculation step, the particle numbers for beamlets were adjusted based on the beamlet intensities obtained through solving the plan optimization problem in the last iteration step. We modified a GPU-based MC dose engine to allow simultaneous computations of a large number of beamlet doses. To test the accuracy of our modified dose engine, we compared the dose from a broad beam and the summed beamlet doses in this beam in an inhomogeneous phantom. Agreement within 1% for the maximum difference and 0.55% for the average difference was observed. We then validated the proposed MC-based optimization schemes in one lung IMRT case. It was found that the conventional scheme required 106 particles from each beamlet to achieve an optimization result that was 3% difference in fluence map and 1% difference in dose from the ground truth. In contrast, the proposed scheme achieved the same level of accuracy with on average 1.2 × 105 particles per beamlet. Correspondingly, the computation time including both MC dose calculations and plan optimizations was reduced by a factor of 4.4, from 494 to 113 s, using only one GPU card.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis using Logic-based Fuzzy Neural Networks

Fuzzy neural network methods have been successfully used to diagnose many diseases. This paper uses logic-based fuzzy neural networks to diagnose breast cancer. Logic-based fuzzy neural networks can select reduced size of input subspace by selecting useful inputs. For the optimization of the input subspace and the structure of the logic-based fuzzy neural networks, genetic algorithms and gradient decent method are used. Wisconsin breast cancer diagnosis problem is considered to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Intercellular communication within the anterior pituitary influencing the secretion of hypophysial hormones.

I. Introduction THE study of paracrine and autocrine interactions within the anterior pituitary—cell to cell interactions which influence the secretion of other hormones with extrapituitary physiological actions—has been the focus of expanding research efforts in the last 3–4 yr. It is undeniable that many earlier investigations have aimed to delineate paracrine interactions. In this regard the efforts of Carl Denef (1) and numerous investigators who have studied the pituitary angiotensin II system (see, for example, Ref. 2) cannot be overstated. Nevertheless, the numbers of studies and breadth of investigation have clearly increased recently. Indeed, the prompting of this review is due in no small measure to the simple observation of the increasing number of papers, relevant to paracrine interactions in the anterior pituitary, presented at the Annual Meeting of The Endocrine Society over the past 3 yr. Why has this occurred? One simple explanation is that the adaptation of novel methodology to the study .
Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis that meets modified McDonald criteria for dissemination in space is associated with a high probability of conversion to multiple sclerosis in Taiwanese patients

Background: Patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) may relapse and some may ultimately convert to multiple sclerosis (MS); however, no criteria that can predict MS conversion are available to date. Our aim was to describe the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of patients with an initial ADEM attack and evaluate which MRI criteria can predict conversion to MS.
Optimal management of life insurance household portfolios in the long run

LinkBuilder@unibg.it(opens in a new window)| Export | Download | Add to List | More. Pacific Journal of Optimization Volume 7, Issue 2, May 2011, Pages 197-219 Optimal management of life insurance household portfolios in the long run (Article) Consigli, G.a , Iaquinta, G.a , Moriggia, V.a , Di Tria, M.b a Department of Mathematics, Statistics, Informatics and Applications, University of Bergamo, via dei Caniana 2, 24127 Bergamo, Italy b Tria Allianz Investment Management, corso Italia 23, 20122 Milan, Italy View references (44) Abstract Financial innovation has induced in recent years a remarkable diversification of contract payoffs across financial and insurance secondary markets. An aggressive policy by financial intermediaries and institutional investors in search of sustainable operating profits is behind the observed market evolution. A growing proportion of hybrid asset classes, carrying financial and insurance features, can be found as a result in households' investment portfolios. This article explores the effects of such trend on households' allocation strategies from the perspective of individual optimal asset-liability management. A multistage stochastic programming problem with investment opportunities including mutual and pension funds as well as unit-linked contracts and annuities is formulated and solved. The introduction of intermediate investment and consumption objectives with inflation-adjusted living costs leads to the definition of a realistic household long-term financial planning problem whose key elements are summarised with reference to a real-world case problem.
8-Channel wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) with zero BER

To meet an ever increasing demand on bandwidth and speed, wavelength-division-multiplexing (WDM) has become a promising networking choice in optical communication. High speed applications such as video conferencing, data browsing, video-on-demand, etc. has become very convenient and fast because of the use of optical networks. Besides optical interconnects, which play a vital role in networking, channels are also an important factor which multiplies the speed and applications. BER is a parameter which effects the performance of the overall system, hence, it should be minimized to a greater extent. This paper demonstrates the working of WDM using simulation software optisystem with an ideal case of zero BER.
Deafness in TRβ Mutants Is Caused by Malformation of the Tectorial Membrane

Thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ) dysfunction leads to deafness in humans and mice. Deafness in TRβ−/− mutant mice has been attributed to TRβ-mediated control of voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channel expression in inner hair cells (IHCs). However, normal hearing in young constitutive BKα−/− mutants contradicts this hypothesis. Here, we show that mice with hair cell-specific deletion of TRβ after postnatal day 11 (P11) have a delay in BKα expression but normal hearing, indicating that the origin of hearing loss in TRβ−/− mutant mice manifested before P11. Analyzing the phenotype of IHCs in constitutive TRβ−/− mice, we found normal Ca2+ current amplitudes, exocytosis, and shape of compound action potential waveforms. In contrast, reduced distortion product otoacoustic emissions and cochlear microphonics associated with an abnormal structure of the tectorial membrane and enhanced tectorin levels suggest that disturbed mechanical performance is the primary cause of deafness resulting from TRβ deficiency.
Analyse automatique de film - Des séquences d'images aux séquences d'actions. (Computational Film Analysis - From image sequences to action sequences)

Je presente mes activites de recherche en indexation video et en reconnaissance d'actions, et je propose un programme de recherche permettant d'aborder ensemble ces deux questions au cours des prochaines annees. Je decris d'abord une serie de travaux realises dans le cadre du groupe MPEG et des projets DIVAN a l'INA (1998-2000), puis VIBES a l'INRIA (2001-2004), et qui visent a aborder l'indexation video a travers la reconnaissance des styles et conventions de la prise de vues et du montage. Cette premiere partie est illustree par deux applications - le decoupage d'un journal televise en sujets, et l'indexation d'un film de cinema par son script. Je presente ensuite des travaux realises a l'INRIA en 2005-2008 au sein de l'equipe MOVI. Je montre comment nous avons utilise l'infrastructure GRIMAGE pour (1) apprendre des modeles statistiques 3D d'un petit repertoire d'actions humaines permettant de les reconnaitre lorsqu'elles sont executees par d'autres acteurs, sous d'autres points de vue ; (2) decouper une sequence d'images 3D en actions primitives reconnaissables; et (3) reconnaitre ces memes actions selon le point de vue d'une seule camera. Enfin, je propose quelques pistes pour etendre les resultats precedents afin d'aborder simultanement les deux problemes de la reconnaissance des actions et des styles de mise en scene dans les films. Je presente les avantages et les difficultes d'une approche unifiee de ces deux problemes, ainsi que des applications possibles dans les domaines de la fiction interactive, du jeu video et du machinima.
A GCD Method for Blind Channel Identification,

Abstract Using the second-order statistics (SOS) for the estimation of impulse responses of multiple FIR channels driven by an unknown input has become a topic of great interest since Tong-Xu-Kailath proposed a SOS-based matrix pair (MP) method in 1991. The MP method exploits a pair of covariance matrices of the channel output vectors to identify the channel impulse responses. In this paper, we show that one of the two covariance matrices contains all the information about the channel impulse responses, and this information can be retrieved by a simple application of a notion called the greatest common divisor (GCD). The GCD method is shown to be much more robust to noise than the MP method.
Rate of EGFR mutation testing for patients with nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer with implementation of reflex testing by pathologists.

BACKGROUND Testing for mutation of the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene is a standard of care for patients with advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer (nsclc). To improve timely access to EGFR results, a few centres implemented reflex testing, defined as a request for EGFR testing by the pathologist at the time of a nonsquamous nsclc diagnosis. We evaluated the impact of reflex testing on EGFR testing rates. METHODS A retrospective observational review of the Web-based AstraZeneca Canada EGFR Database from 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2014 found centres within Ontario that had requested EGFR testing through the database and that had implemented reflex testing (with at least 2 years' worth of data, including the pre- and post-implementation period). RESULTS The 7 included centres had requested EGFR tests for 2214 patients. The proportion of pathologists requesting EGFR tests increased after implementation of reflex testing (53% vs. 4%); conversely, the proportion of medical oncologists requesting tests decreased (46% vs. 95%, p < 0.001). After implementation of reflex testing, the mean number of patients having EGFR testing per centre per month increased significantly [12.6 vs. 4.9 (range: 4.5-14.9), p < 0.001]. Before reflex testing, EGFR testing rates showed a significant monthly increase over time (1.37 more tests per month; 95% confidence interval: 1.19 to 1.55 tests; p < 0.001). That trend could not account for the observed increase with reflex testing, because an immediate increase in EGFR test requests was observed with the introduction of reflex testing (p = 0.003), and the overall trend was sustained throughout the post-reflex testing period (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Reflex EGFR testing for patients with nonsquamous nsclc was successfully implemented at multiple centres and was associated with an increase in EGFR testing.
Measurement of body surface area involvement in atopic eczema: an impossible task?

Estimation of the area of skin involvement is an important part of atopic eczema severity scoring systems. We examine the variation seen when six dermatologically trained observers assessed disease extent in six patients with atopic eczema using the rule of nines. The median scores ranged from 4.8% to 37.2%. The level of agreement for the classification of scores into quintile categories was 55%, with a chance‐corrected agreement (kappa statistic) of 0.09, representing very poor interobserver agreement. To measure the effects of health care intervention accurately, reliable methods of assessment should be used. Scoring methods in which reliability cannot be demonstrated may be misleading and should be interpreted with caution.
Correlation of electrical and contractile activities of the cricopharyngeus muscle in the cat.

We correlated the electrical and contractile activities of the cricopharyngeus (CP) to better understand the function of the CP and the upper esophageal sphincter (UES). In 40 decerebrate cats, we recorded resting and active tension of the CP and CP force and electromyographic (EMG) activity simultaneously during electrical stimulation of the pharyngoesophageal (PE) nerve, esophageal distension, or swallowing. In six intact cats, the change in diameter of the UES during food swallows was determined in two planes using videofluoroscopy. We found that resting tension of the CP developed quickly with stretch, and the strain-energy function, y = 6.5e3. 4(z-1), fit (r = 0.94 +/- 0.06) this relationship. Active tension peaked at 1.68 +/- 0.03 times resting length, which is greater than the maximum distension during swallowing. Activation and relaxation of the CP occurred in approximately 50 and 120 ms, respectively. PE nerve stimulation bilaterally caused a force equal to approximately 90% of the summed force generated by separate stimulation of each PE nerve. The magnitude of the EMG response of the contralateral CP was approximately 18% of the ipsilateral response to unilateral PE nerve stimulation. We conclude that the CP exhibits tension throughout its physiological range of stretch. The CP functions more like a bilateral than a single contiguous muscle, and more like cardiac than striated muscle with regard to its passive elastic properties.
A Study of the Acceptance of Wearable Technology for Consumers －An Analytical Network Process Perspective

Wearable technology is one of popular emerging trends in 2014 Consumers Electronic Shows, which can be applied in many devices or gadgets and added some functions to create innovative and diverse services or goods for making people’s life quality better. However, SPOT, a prototype of smartwatch, was introduced by Microsoft in 2004, but it has not been popular because of lacking appealing and replaceable contents. Now, the wearable technology is noticed again. Will it be successfully attract consumers to accept it or not? Traditionally, many studies of predicting a new technology being accepted usually utilized Unified Theory of Adoption and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model which was proposed by Venkatesh, Morris, Davis and Davis in 2003 and viewed as a better robust model than the others with similar purposes. Besides, the original contents of UTAUT, Analytical Network Process (ANP) can further examine the detailed priorities of factors inside the dimensions or clusters. These detailed results are benefit of the firm which tries to understand the acceptance of wearable technology in the market in the future. Therefore, in this paper we exploit some key influential factors of the using intention and actual using behavior of customers on wearable technology in Taiwan by applying ANP under the structure of UTAUT.
Chlamydia trachomatis and ectopic pregnancy: retrospective analysis of salpingectomy specimens, endometrial biopsies, and cervical smears.

AIMS--To examine the role of Chlamydia trachomatis in ectopic pregnancy by detection of DNA in archival salpingectomy specimens, and in their preceding cervical specimens and endometrial biopsies, by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS--Archival paraffin embedded salpingectomy tissues (n = 48) from 37 women with ectopic pregnancy were examined for the presence of C trachomatis plasmid and omp1 DNA by PCR. In addition, preceding cervical specimens (n = 58) stored either as cervical cell suspensions or as archival cervical smears, and preceding endometrial biopsies (n = 18), taken 0-5.8 years before the ectopic pregnancy, were examined by PCR for the presence of C trachomatis. RESULTS--C trachomatis DNA was detected in only one of the 48 salpingectomy specimens from 37 women. However, in six of the 37 women, C trachomatis DNA was detected in the genital specimens (cervix and/or endometrial) taken before salpingectomy. C trachomatis infections were mostly found in endometrial or cervical specimens taken more than three years before ectopic pregnancy. No chlamydial DNA was found in endometrial or cervical specimens taken at the same time of the ectopic pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS--Although no C trachomatis DNA was found in salpingectomy specimens, several women with ectopic pregnancy had C trachomatis infections in endometrial and cervical specimens in the past. This suggests that at least in these cases the ectopic pregnancy is a late post-inflammatory complication of an ascending C trachomatis infection resulting in a scarred fallopian tube.
The black hole candidate XTE J1752-223 towards and in quiescence: optical and simultaneous X-ray-radio observations

We present optical, X-ray and radio observations of the black hole transient (BHT) XTE J1752−223 towards and in quiescence. Optical photometry shows that the quiescent magnitude of XTE J1752−223 is fainter than 24.4 mag in the iband. A comparison with measurements of the source during its 2009-2010 outburst shows that the outburst amplitude is more than 8 mag in the iband. Known X-ray properties of the source combined with the faintness of the quiescence optical counterpart and the large outburst optical amplitude point towards a short orbital-period system (Porb 6.8 h) with an M type (or later) mass donor, at a distance of 3.5 d 8 kpc. Simultaneous X-ray and radio data were collected with Chandra and the Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA), allowing constraints to be placed on the quies- cent X-ray and radio flux of XTE J1752−223. Furthermore, using data covering the final stage of the outburst decay, we investigated the low-luminosity end of the X-ray-radio correlation for this source and compared it with other BHTs. We found that XTE J1752−223 adds to the number of outliers with respect to the 'standard' X-ray-radio luminosity relation. Furthermore, XTE J1752−223 is the second source, after the BHT H1743−322, that shows a transition from the region of the outliers towards the 'standard' correlation at low luminosity. Finally, we re- port on a faint, variable X-ray source we discovered with Chandra at an angular distance of ∼2.9 arcsec to XTE J1752−223 and at a position angle consistent with that of the radio jets previously observed from the BHT. We discuss the possibility that we detected X-ray emission associated with a jet from XTE J1752−223.
The Fathering of Violent Men

The study presented in this research note aims to expand our understanding of the experience of fathering for men who are violent toward their partners. The naturalistic qualitative methodology applied was shaped by phenomenological, feminist, and interpretative interactionist influences. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 abusive men identified through domestic violence intervention centers. The findings describe the drama of fathering for abusive men, centered on an inner dialogue between an experienced constriction and a yearning for a closer, deeper connection with their children. The discussion focuses on the meaning of fathering for abusive men, and possible applications for intervention are proposed.
Chitosan for MEMS - Demonstration of Micromechanical and Optical Biosensors

This paper presents the biological functionalization of MEMS sensors by using the polysaccharide chitosan. Chitosan is a unique polymer due to its abundance of primary amine groups and its ability to be electrodeposited with spatial and temporal control. Biomolecules such as DNA and proteins can be attached to chitosan films by standard coupling chemistries. This biofunctionalization approach was demonstrated for two different MEMS devices: a microcantilever and an optical sensor. The devices were coated with chitosan and probe DNA and were used for detecting the hybridization with target DNA. Here, we describe the design, fabrication procedure, and testing results for both of these biosensors.