Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BILLIARY DRAINAGE IN OBSTRuCTIVE JAuNDICE

In patients with obstructive jaundice, when the endoscopic approach fails to achieve biliary drainage, percutaneous cannulation and combined endoscopic/percutaneous endoprosthesis insertion can simultaneously or subsequently be performed. The present study compares these two approaches. Endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ER BD) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) are the two main non-surgical treatment options for obstructive jaundice in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). ER BD is usually the first-line treatment because of its low hemorrhage risk. Some authors have reported that the successful drainage rate ranges from 72 to 100%. Mean stent patency time and mean survival range from 1,0 to 15,9 and from 2,8 to 12,3 months, respectively. PTBD is often an important second-line treatment when ER BD is impossible. With regard to materials, metallic stents offer the benefit of longer patency than plastic stents. The dominant effect of biliary drainage suggests that successful jaundice therapy could enhance anticancer treatment by increasing the life expectancy, decreasing the mortality, or both. We present an overview of the efficacy of ER BD and PTBD for obstructive jaundice in HCC patients who are not candidates for surgical resection and summarize the current indications and outcomes of reported clinical use. Traditionally, surgical techniques have been used, however, in the last 20 years the availability of both endoscopic and interventional radiological procedures has increased. Тhe technical success of the procedure depends on the experience of the interventional radiologist performing the drainage. It can be as high as nearly 100%. Clinical efficacy is usually lower but still over 90%. When endoscopic drainage alone fails, a combined percutaneous/ endoscopic procedure should only be performed if it can be carried out simultaneously.
Numerical investigation of an incompressible flow over a backward facing step using a unified fractional step, artificial compressibility and pressure projection (ESAC-PP) method

This study focuses on an incompressible and laminar flow problem behind a backward facing step by employing a recently developed Fractional-Step, Artificial Compressibility and Pressure-Projection (FSAC-PP) method. The FSAC-PP approach unifies Chorin’s fully-explicit Artificial Compressibility (AC) and semiimplicit Fractional-Step Pressure-Projection (FS-PP) methods within the framework of characteristic-based (CB) Godunov-type schemes for solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The FSAC-PP approach has been originally introduced for low and moderate Reynolds number flows in conjunction with microfluidic and wide range of multiphysics applications. In this work, we demonstrate the applicability of the novel FSAC-PP method to macro-scale separated flows at a moderate Reynolds number. The computational results obtained with the FSAC-PP approach have been compared to the AC method and experimental data to highlight its favorable accuracy and convergence properties for separated flows.
Is liquid biopsy ready for the litmus test and what has been achieved so far to deal with pre-analytical issues?

Currently, published data are scarce for many of the factors which potentially have an impact on the quantity and quality of cell-free nucleic acids. This short review summarizes the data on issues related to the pre-analytical handling of blood samples used for liquid biopsies. These include the use of a tourniquet for blood draw; the effect of the blood tube type; the impact of delayed blood processing, shipping temperature, and plasma preparation; the plasma/serum storage conditions; and the best method for the isolation of DNA from plasma. The fast pace in the development of techniques for the sensitive detection of genetic alterations in cell-free DNA obtained from different body liquids from tumor patients lead to the application of these methods in clinical studies. However, for routine clinical applications and in order to create standards for future guidelines, much more data on the biology of cell-free nucleic acids and their release mechanisms are needed.
Is support really necessary within educational games

Games can be powerful learning devices because of their interactive and multimedia capabilities, and their abilities to keep students motivated, active, deeply immersed and engaged for sustained periods of time. Yet the extent to which this translates into more effective knowledge and skill acquisition is not clear from the research reported so far. Several researchers have stressed that support tools should be added to game environments to ensure that learning takes place. In this paper we will elaborate on this issue and will report data from experiments with a simulation game called KM Quest. In these experiments the effectiveness of several (learning) support tools was investigated. The data give indications that particular types of support (like advice) limit learning while others (feedback, just-intime information) might enhance learning. Based on these data at the end of this paper it will be discussed whether (intelligent) support within educational games is necessary.
AN OPEN SCIENCE APPROACH TO GIS-BASED PALEOENVIRONMENT DATA

Abstract. Paleoenvironmental studies and according information (data) are abundantly published and available in the scientific record. However, GIS-based paleoenvironmental information and datasets are comparably rare. Here, we present an Open Science approach for creating GIS-based data and maps of paleoenvironments, and Open Access publishing them in a web based Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI), for access by the archaeology and paleoenvironment communities. We introduce an approach to gather and create GIS datasets from published non-GIS based facts and information (data), such as analogous maps, textual information or figures in scientific publications. These collected and created geo-datasets and maps are then published, including a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) to facilitate scholarly reuse and citation of the data, in a web based Open Access Research Data Management Infrastructure. The geo-datasets are additionally published in an Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards compliant SDI, and available for GIS integration via OGC Open Web Services (OWS).
A Survey of Concepts Location Enhancement for Program Comprehension and Maintenance

When correcting a fault, adding a new concept or feature, or adapting a system to conform to a new platform, software engineers must first find the relevant parts of the code that correspond to a particular change. This is termed as concept or feature location process. Several techniques have been introduced which automate some or all of the process of concept location. Those techniques rely heavily on code comprehension as it is considered a prerequisite when attempting to maintain any software system. It provides a comprehensive overview of large body work which is beneficial to researchers and practitioners. This paper presents an overview of code comprehension categorization and consequence. A systematic literature survey of concept location enhancement techniques is also presented. Moreover, the paper presents an overview of the role of concept location in program comprehension and maintenance and discusses information retrieval techniques to advance concept location.
Ga-68 DOTATATE positron emission tomography computed tomography findings in patients with neuroendocrine tumor suspicion

Results: Based on the reference standard 13 of 35 patients had NET. Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT was positive in 12 out of 13 patients and it was false negative in 1 patient. Pancreas was the commonest site of the primary tumor. Ga-68 DOTATATE was TP(true pozitive), FP (False Positive), TN (True Negative) and FN (False Negative) in, 12, 2, 20 and 1, patients respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, Pozitive Pedictive Value (PPV), Negative Pedictive Value (NPV), and accuracy of Ga-68 DOTATATE PET/CT was calculated as 85%, 95%, 92%, 90% and 91%, respectively.
Lung recruitment in ARDS patients

Lung recruitment is used to improve oxygenation and decrease the risk of ventilator induced lung injuries. Assessing the potential of recruitability is a pre-requisite for a rational recruitment strategy and setting of PEEP. Using a low flow pressure-volume loop is helpful to assess the potential of recruitability at the bedside. For patients with a high potential of recruitability, recruitment maneuvers are efficient with an appropriate setting of PEEP to maintain the lung recruited. Recruitment maneuvers use pressures from 40 to 60 cmH2O for a short period of time, either with the sustained inflation or the staircase method. PEEP setting after the maneuver is important; a decreasing PEEP trial is a useful practical method.
The HI Parkes All Sky Survey: southern observations, calibration and robust imaging

The acquisition of HI Parkes All Shy Survey (HIPASS) southern sky data commenced at the Australia Telescope National Facility's Parkes 64-m telescope in 1997 February, and was completed in 2000 March. HIPASS is the deepest HI survey yet of the sky south of declination +2 degrees, and is sensitive to emission out to 170 h(75)(-1) Mpc. The characteristic root mean square noise in the survey images is 13.3 mJy. This paper describes the survey observations, which comprise 23 020 eight-degree scans of 9-min duration, and details the techniques used to calibrate and image the data. The processing algorithms are successfully designed to be statistically robust to the presence of interference signals, and are particular to imaging point (or nearly point) sources. Specifically, a major improvement in image quality is obtained by designing a median-gridding algorithm which uses the median estimator in place of the mean estimator.
Improving Face Recognition Systems Security Using Local Binary Patterns

Face recognition systems suffer from different spoofing attacks like photograph-based and video-based spoofing attacks. This paper presents a new method to empower the face recognition systems against video-based spoofing by employing efficient scene texture analyzing. To this end, the scene of input and reference images are divided into same non-overlapped blocks and the texture pattern of each block is extracted by local binary pattern (LBP) operator. To reduce the sensitivity of LBP to noise and also to increase the reliability of the proposed method, first input image transformed to YCbCr color space and then similarity of texture pattern in Y, Cb and Cr channels are extracted independently. The majority of similarity of three channels is used as the final similarity of each block. The ratio of same blocks in the input image and reference image is used as a measure for detecting video-based spoofing attacks. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated using several scenarios. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm against video-based spoofing attacks in real environments.
STRUCTURAL PROPERTIES OF GUARANTEED CONTROL-ESTIMATION PROBLEMS FOR HIERARCHICAL SYSTEMS

The paper deals with axiomatic description of hierarchical systems, the choice of adequate statements of optimization problems under uncertainty [Kurzhanski, 2006] for such systems, the study of analogues of the basic structural properties (duality, separation) that are obtained earlier for the control and estimation problems in the operator form [Kruglikov, 1997]. The mathematical formalism is motivated by applied research, including the simulation of control of objects team motion [Kurzhanski, 2009] and processes of decision making in organizational systems, that are connected by the unity of applied mathematics. Algorithms of a priori designing routes for group objects to bypass the obstacles, that are described by a system of non-convex, disconnected sets. In this case the problems of guaranteed observation and a priori preparation of cartographic information are analogues. The optimal control problem solution depends on the particular dynamics of objects of practical interest. Examples simulating classes of systems, of obstacles and admissible routes are presented. Another realm of interest includes simulating procedures for managing the modernization of the production of high-tech engineering enterprizes. The adequacy of research in terms of hierarchical systems is provided by the multilevel structure of managed object.
Gesture Recognition by Using Depth Data: Comparison of Different Methodologies

In this chapter, the problem of gesture recognition in the context of human computer interaction is considered. Several classifiers based on different approaches such as neural network (NN), support vector machine (SVM), hidden Markov model (HMM), deep neural network (DNN), and dynamic time warping (DTW) are used to build the gesture models. The performance of each methodology is evaluated considering different users performing the gestures. This performance analysis is required as the users perform gestures in a personalized way and with different velocity. So the problems concerning the different lengths of the gesture in terms of number of frames, the variability in its representation, and the generalization ability of the classifiers have been analyzed.
Elementary and Junior High School Teachers’ Promotion of Self-Determination in Taiwan

instruction is implemented by elementary and junior high school teachers; (b)examine the frequency with which the components of self-determination are taught; and (c)investigate whether teachers’ gender, class setting, and teaching experience affect their classroom practices regarding the promotion of self-determination. The participants were 1,039 teachers recruited from elementary and junior high schools nationwide in Taiwan using a random sampling method. The Teaching Self-Determination Scale (TSDS) was used to gauge the extent to which educators teach knowledge and skills related to self-determination. Descriptive statistics, analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs) were employed to analyze data collected. Findings showed that more than half of the teachers surveyed reported having often or always provided instruction to promote students’ self-determination. The most frequently taught skills are related to Psychological Empowerment (self-advocacy skills, expecting positive outcomes), while the least frequently taught skills were primarily located in the domain of Self-Regulation (goal setting and problem solving skills). Furthermore, our findings showed that teachers’ gender, class setting, and teaching experience were factors attecting the extent to which teachers delivered instruction to promote self-determination. Female teachers exhibited higher levels of implementation with respect to self-determination instruction. Teachers in general education classrooms showed significantly higher levels of applied self-determination instruction, followed by resource room teachers and self-contained classroom teachers. Additionally, teachers with more teaching experiences more frequently employed instructional activities promoting self-determination. Suggestions and implications are provided.
An Empirical Research on Investor Biases in Financial Decision-Making, Financial Risk Tolerance and Financial Personality

In financial investment decisions to be made by individual investors, it is highly important that they should be aware of the possibility of facing with psychological biases by knowing their own personality traits and should consider their own financial risk tolerances. In this study, the relation between personal traits, psychological biases and financial risk tolerance of inverstors were tested through a questionnaire. Sample of the study were selected among individual inverstor who live in ? stanbul and operate in financial markets. The hypotheses made within the scope of the study were tested by chi-square analysis and logistic regression analysis. As a result of the hypotheses testing, it was concluded that there was a significant relation between the personality traits of investors and the psychological biases they faced and that the personality traits of investors affected their financial risk tolerances.
A detailed X-ray investigation of {\zeta} Puppis III. A spectral analysis of the whole RGS spectrum

Context. Zeta Pup is the X-ray brightest O-type star of the sky. This object was regularly observed with the RGS instrument aboard XMM-Newton for calibration purposes, leading to an unprecedented set of high-quality spectra. Aims. We have previously reduced and extracted this data set and combined it into the most detailed high-resolution X-ray spectrum of any early-type star so far. Here we present the analysis of this spectrum accounting for the presence of structures in the stellar wind. Methods. For this purpose, we use our new modeling tool that allows fitting the entire spectrum with a multi-temperature plasma. We illustrate the impact of a proper treatment of the radial dependence of the X-ray opacity of the cool wind on the best-fit radial distribution of the temperature of the X-ray plasma. Results. The best fit of the RGS spectrum of Zeta Pup is obtained assuming no porosity. Four plasma components at temperatures between 0.10 and 0.69 keV are needed to adequately represent the observed spectrum. Whilst the hardest emission is concentrated between ~3 and 4 R*, the softer emission starts already at 1.5 R* and extends to the outer regions of the wind. Conclusions. The inferred radial distribution of the plasma temperatures agrees rather well with theoretical expectations. The mass- loss rate and CNO abundances corresponding to our best-fit model also agree quite well with the results of recent studies of Zeta Pup in the UV and optical domain.
Comparative study of gonadal development of Ruditapes philippinarum (Adams and Reeve) and Ruditapes decussatus (L.) (Mollusca: Bivalvia): Influence of temperature

Laboratory experiments were used to study the influence of temperature on the reproductive behaviour of two species of clam, Ruditapes decussatus and Ruditapes philippinarum, during their adaptation to the temperature conditions of Galician coastal waters. In both species the rate of gonadal development was directly related to the increase in temperature. At 14°C the reproductive behaviour was similar, both species needing over 2 months to mature. At 18°C, the rate of gonadal development of R. philippinarum was greater than that of R. decussatus. Nevertheless, the results of this study confirm that both species have adapted perfectly to the temperature conditions of the Galician Rias, though certain differences between the reproductive behaviour of these species were detected. R. philippinarum accumulates oocytes prior to their partial or total emission, while in the case of R. decussatus gametes are liberated continuously. In the early phases of its development, the gonad of R. philippinarum is highly heterogeneous in nature, with up to 3 reproductive states being present at the same time, while in R. decussatus gonadal development is much more uniform. Another major difference concerns the phenomenon of reabsorption, common in R. philippinarum but very rare in R. decussatus. These characteristics may well result in a greater reproductive activity in R. philippinarum than in R. decussatus, and a longer reproduction period in the former. They may also represent a certain advantage for the adaptation of the foreign species (R. philippinarum) over the native species (R. decussatus) to the temperature conditions of the Galician Rias.
Spirorbinae (Polychaeta, Serpulidae) of the Hawaiian Chain Part 1, New Species

TUBEWORMS of the subfamily Spirorbinae occur throughout the world and have been recorded from the east and northeast Pacific by Bush (1904), Pixell (1912), Rioja (1942, 1962), Berkeley and Berkeley (1952), Bailey and Harris ( 1968), Hartman (1969), and Straughan (1969). No previous taxonomic study has been made on those from the Hawaiian Islands, however. Collections made by Dr. Dale Straughan around Oahu were placed at my disposal and, in early 1970, an opportunity was taken to make intertidal and subtidal collections on Oahu and . Hawaii. Snorkel and SCUBA techniques were employed for collecting. Specimens were cut from their substrata and preserved in 5 percent seawater formalin. Details of setation were studied 4 months later on specimens mounted in polyvinyl-Iactophenol and viewed with the phase microscope, using quartz-iodide illumination. Previously described species found in these collections are discussed in a joint paper on p. 150-182 (Vine, Bailey-Brock, and Straughan, 1972), in which zoogeographic comparisons are made, but the new species are dealt with here. Taxonomy of Spirorbinae has recently undergone several important advances. Bailey (1969) suggested a scheme for dividing the genus Spirorbis Daudin (1800) into several subgenera based on groups of associated characters, especially emphasizing methods of brood protection. The system adopted here is an extension of this and follows that suggested by Knight-Jones (1972), in which the subgenera recognized by Bailey are elevated to generic rank. Pillai (1970) proposed many more genera, but the divisions between these often rested on single
Combinatorial Structures to Construct Simple Games and Molecules

We connect three different topics: combinatorial structures, game theory and chemistry. In particular, we establish the bases to represent some simple games, defined as influence games, and molecules, defined from atoms, by using combinatorial structures. First, we characterize simple games as influence games using influence graphs. It let us to modeling simple games as combinatorial structures (from the viewpoint of structures or graphs). Second, we formally define molecules as combinations of atoms. It let us to modeling molecules as combinatorial structures (from the viewpoint of combinations). It is open to generate such combinatorial structures using some specific techniques as genetic algorithms, (meta-) heuristics algorithms and parallel programming, among others.
A New Approach to the Chronology of Caves 268/272/275 in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes: Combining Radiocarbon Dates and Archaeological Information within a Bayesian Statistical Framework

Abstract The construction chronology of three of the earliest Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes (Caves 268, 272, and 275) has been the subject of ongoing debate for over half a century. This chronology is a crucial topic in terms of further understanding of the establishment of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, early Buddhism in the Gansu corridor, and its relationship with Buddhism developed in the Central Plains. Building upon archaeological, art historical and radiocarbon (14C) dating studies, we integrate new 14C data with these previously published findings utilizing Bayesian statistical modeling to improve the chronological resolution of this issue. Thus, we determine that all three of these caves were constructed around AD 410–440, suggesting coeval rather than sequential construction.