Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tumor M2-Pyruvate Kinase as Tumor Marker in Exocrine Pancreatic Cancer A Meta-Analysis

Objectives: Tumor M2-pyruvate kinase, a tumor-associated dimeric form of enzyme pyruvate kinase, is commonly elevated in pancreatic cancers. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate its diagnostic utility in comparison to carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) in pancreatic cancer. Methods: A literature search was conducted for entries from 1951 to 2006 using PubMed, Embase, Central, and SCI Expanded databases using M2 pyruvate kinase AND pancreatic cancer/s OR tumor/s as keywords. A total of 258 references were retrieved. Of these, 118 duplicates were removed and 132 references were excluded. All studies comparing TuM2-PK with CA19-9 in pancreatic cancer were included. Full text was obtained for 8 references of 7 included studies. Diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated from the available specificity and sensitivity for each study and were pooled to give overall DOR and 95% CI for TuM2-PK and CA19-9. Receiver operator characteristic curve was calculated to give overall specificity and sensitivity for TuM2-PK. Results: The diagnostic performance of TuM2-PK (DOR, 35; 95% CI, 19.7-62.3) was similar to those of CA19-9 (DOR, 44; 95% CI, 26.5-73.1). The overall specificity for TuM2-PK was 60% with corresponding sensitivity of 95%. Conclusion: Efficacy of TuM2-PK as a tumor marker is similar to that of CA19-9. Further trials are needed to use it alone or in combination with CA19-9 in patients with suspected pancreatic cancer.
Stochastic and Deterministic Byzantine Fault Detection for Randomized Gossip Algorithms

This paper addresses the problem of detecting Byzantine faults in linear randomized gossip algorithms, where the selection of the dynamics matrix is stochastic. A Byzantine fault is a disturbance signal injected by an attacker to corrupt the states of the nodes. We propose the use of Set-Valued Observers (SVOs) to detect if the state observations are compatible with the system dynamics for the worst case in a deterministic setting. The concept of Stochastic Set-Valued Observers (SSVOs) is also introduced to construct a set that is guaranteed to contain all possible states with, at least, a pre-specified desired probability. The proposed algorithm is stable in the sense that it requires a finite number of vertices to represent polytopic sets and it allows for the computation of the largest magnitude of the disturbance that an attacker can inject without being detected. Results are presented to reduce the computational cost of this approach and, in particular, by considering only local information and representing the remainder of the network as a disturbance. The case of a consensus algorithm is discussed leading to the conclusion that, by using the proposed SVOs, finite-time consensus is achieved in non-faulty environments. A novel algorithm is proposed that produces less conservative set-valued state estimates by having nodes exchanging local estimates. The algorithm inherits all the previous properties and also enables finite-time consensus computation regardless of the value of the horizon.
Word Sense Disambiguation using a dictionary for sense similarity measure

This paper presents a disambiguation method in which word senses are determined using a dictionary. We use a semantic proximity measure between words in the dictionary, taking into account the whole topology of the dictionary, seen as a graph on its entries. We have tested the method on the problem of disambiguation of the dictionary entries themselves, with promising results considering we do not use any prior annotated data.
Water Managers' Perceptions of the Science–Policy Interface in Phoenix, Arizona: Implications for an Emerging Boundary Organization

A potential water supply crisis has sparked concern among policymakers, water managers, and academic scientists in Phoenix, AZ. The availability of water resources is linked to population growth, increasing demand, static supply, land use change, and uncertainty. This article examines the perceptions of water managers working at the science–policy interface in Phoenix and discusses the implications of their experiences for the development of an emerging boundary organization: the Decision Center for a Desert City. Qualitative analysis of data generated through in-depth interviews with water managers uncovers two understandings of the intersection of science and policy: One perspective is a traditional, linear model with sharp conceptual distinctions between the two spheres, and the other is a recursive model recognizing fluid boundaries. Managers describe uncertainty as inescapable, but manageable. A prescriptive model for the science–policy interface for Phoenix water management is presented.
Structural and Functional Features in Human PDE5A1 Regulatory Domain That Provide for Allosteric cGMP Binding, Dimerization, and Regulation*

The cGMP-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE5) contains a catalytic domain that hydrolyzes cGMP and a regulatory (R) domain that contains two GAFs (a and b; GAF is derived from the proteins mammalian cGMP-binding PDEs, Anabaena adenylyl cyclases, and Escherichia coli (FhlA)). The R domain binds cGMP allosterically, provides for dimerization, and is phosphorylated at a site regulated by allosteric cGMP binding. Quaternary structures and cGMP-binding properties of 10 human PDE5A1 constructs containing one or both GAFs were characterized. Results reveal that: 1) high affinity homo-dimerization occurs between GAF a modules (KD < 30 nm) and between GAF b modules (KD = 1-20 pm), and the sequence between the GAFs (Thr322-Asp403) contributes to dimer stability; 2) 176 amino acids (Val156-Gln331) in GAF a are adequate for cGMP binding; 3) GAF a has higher affinity for cGMP (KD < 40 nm) than does the isolated R domain (KD = 110 nm) or holoenzyme (KD = 200 nm), suggesting that the sequence containing GAF b and its flanking amino acids autoinhibits GAF a cGMP-binding affinity in intact R domain; 4) a mutant (Met1-Glu321) containing only GAF a has high affinity, biphasic cGMP-binding kinetics consistent with structural heterogeneity of GAF a, suggesting that the presence of GAF b is not required for biphasic cGMP-dissociation kinetics observed in holoenzyme or isolated R domain; 5) significant cGMP binding by GAF b was not detected; and 6) the sequence containing GAF b and its flanking amino acids is critical for cGMP stimulation of Ser102 phosphorylation by cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases. Results yield new insights into PDE5 functions, further define boundaries that provide for allosteric cGMP binding, and identify regions that contribute to dimerization.
Biocompatibility of a Lab-on-a-Pill Sensor in Artificial Gastrointestinal Environments

In this paper, we present a radiotelemetry sensor, designed as a lab-in-a-pill, which incorporates a two-channel microfabricated sensor platform for real-time measurements of temperature and pH. These two parameters have potential application for use in remote biological sensing (for example they may be used as markers that reflect the physiological environment or as indicators for disease, within the gastrointestinal tract). We have investigated the effects of biofouling on these sensors, by exploring their response time and sensitivity in a model in vitro gastrointestinal system. The artificial gastric and intestinal solutions used represent a model both for fasting, as well as for the ingestion of food and subsequent digestion to gastrointestinal chyme. The results showed a decrease in pH sensitivity after exposure of the sensors for 3 h. The response time also increased from an initial measurement time of 10 s in pure GI juice, to ca. 25 s following the ingestion of food and 80 s in simulated chyme. These in vitro results indicate that changes in viscosity in our model gastrointestinal system had a pronounced effect on the unmodified sensor
Local inhibition of tissue factor reduces the thrombogenicity of disrupted human atherosclerotic plaques: effects of tissue factor pathway inhibitor on plaque thrombogenicity under flow conditions.

BACKGROUND Plaque disruption and subsequent thrombus formation lead to acute coronary syndromes and progression of atherosclerotic disease. Tissue factor (TF) appears to mediate plaque thrombogenicity. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is the major physiological inhibitor of TF. This study analyzes the role of TF on thrombogenicity of disrupted human atherosclerotic plaques and the therapeutic possibilities of its specific inhibition. METHODS AND RESULTS Human atherosclerotic and normal arterial segments were exposed to heparinized blood at flow conditions modeling medium-grade coronary stenosis in the Badimon perfusion chamber. The antithrombotic effects of the specific inhibition of plaque TF was assessed by reduction in the deposition of radiolabeled platelets and fibrin(ogen) and immunohistochemical analysis of perfused arteries. TF activity was inhibited by both recombinant TFPI and a polyclonal antibody against human TF. Human lipid-rich plaques were more thrombogenic than less advanced atherosclerotic plaques. Specific inhibition of TF activity reduced plaque thrombogenicity, inhibiting both platelet and fibrin(ogen) deposition (580 versus 194 plateletsx10(6)/cm2; P<0.01, and 652 versus 172x10(12) molecules of Fg/cm2; P<0.05, respectively) and thrombosis (immunohistochemistry). CONCLUSIONS This study documents the key role of TF activity in acute arterial thrombosis after atherosclerotic plaque disruption and provides evidence of the benefit of blocking plaque TF activity. Therefore the inhibition of the TF pathway opens a new therapeutic strategy in the prevention of acute coronary thrombosis after plaque disruption.
Functional Imaging of Autonomic Regulation: Methods and Key Findings

Central nervous system processing of autonomic function involves a network of regions throughout the brain which can be visualized and measured with neuroimaging techniques, notably functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The development of fMRI procedures has both confirmed and extended earlier findings from animal models, and human stroke and lesion studies. Assessments with fMRI can elucidate interactions between different central sites in regulating normal autonomic patterning, and demonstrate how disturbed systems can interact to produce aberrant regulation during autonomic challenges. Understanding autonomic dysfunction in various illnesses reveals mechanisms that potentially lead to interventions in the impairments. The objectives here are to: (1) describe the fMRI neuroimaging methodology for assessment of autonomic neural control, (2) outline the widespread, lateralized distribution of function in autonomic sites in the normal brain which includes structures from the neocortex through the medulla and cerebellum, (3) illustrate the importance of the time course of neural changes when coordinating responses, and how those patterns are impacted in conditions of sleep-disordered breathing, and (4) highlight opportunities for future research studies with emerging methodologies. Methodological considerations specific to autonomic testing include timing of challenges relative to the underlying fMRI signal, spatial resolution sufficient to identify autonomic brainstem nuclei, blood pressure, and blood oxygenation influences on the fMRI signal, and the sustained timing, often measured in minutes of challenge periods and recovery. Key findings include the lateralized nature of autonomic organization, which is reminiscent of asymmetric motor, sensory, and language pathways. Testing brain function during autonomic challenges demonstrate closely-integrated timing of responses in connected brain areas during autonomic challenges, and the involvement with brain regions mediating postural and motoric actions, including respiration, and cardiac output. The study of pathological processes associated with autonomic disruption shows susceptibilities of different brain structures to altered timing of neural function, notably in sleep disordered breathing, such as obstructive sleep apnea and congenital central hypoventilation syndrome. The cerebellum, in particular, serves coordination roles for vestibular stimuli and blood pressure changes, and shows both injury and substantially altered timing of responses to pressor challenges in sleep-disordered breathing conditions. The insights into central autonomic processing provided by neuroimaging have assisted understanding of such regulation, and may lead to new treatment options for conditions with disrupted autonomic function.
Populism and social media: how politicians spread a fragmented ideology

ABSTRACT Populism is a relevant but contested concept in political communication research. It has been well-researched in political manifestos and the mass media. The present study focuses on another part of the hybrid media system and explores how politicians in four countries (AT, CH, IT, UK) use Facebook and Twitter for populist purposes. Five key elements of populism are derived from the literature: emphasizing the sovereignty of the people, advocating for the people, attacking the elite, ostracizing others, and invoking the ‘heartland’. A qualitative text analysis reveals that populism manifests itself in a fragmented form on social media. Populist statements can be found across countries, parties, and politicians’ status levels. While a broad range of politicians advocate for the people, attacks on the economic elite are preferred by left-wing populists. Attacks on the media elite and ostracism of others, however, are predominantly conducted by right-wing speakers. Overall, the paper provides an in-depth analysis of populism on social media. It shows that social media give the populist actors the freedom to articulate their ideology and spread their messages. The paper also contributes to a refined conceptualization and measurement of populism in future studies.
The non-abelian Born-Infeld action and noncommutative gauge theory

In this paper we explicitly show the equivalence between the non-abelian Born-Infeld action, which was proposed by Tseytlin as an effective action on several D-branes, and its noncommutative counterpart for slowly varying fields. This confirms the equivalence between the two descriptions of the D-branes using an ordinary gauge theory with a constant B field background and a noncommutative gauge theory, claimed by Seiberg and Witten. We also construct the general forms of the 2n-derivative terms for non-abelian gauge fields which are consistent with the equivalence in the approximation of neglecting (2n+2)-derivative terms.
Simulating Block-Level Urban Expansion for National Wide Cities

Large-scale models are generally associated with large spatial modelling units, for example, counties or super grids (several to dozens of km 2 ). Few applied urban models can achieve a large spatial coverage with irregular spatial units due to data availability and computation load. The framework of automatic identification and characterization of blocks developed by Liu and Long (2016) makes such an ideal model possible by establishing the existing urban blocks using road networks and points of interest for very large areas (e.g., a country or a continent). In this study, we develop a mega-vector-blocks cellular automata model (MVB-CA) to simulate urban expansion at the block level for 654 Chinese cities. The existing urban blocks in 2012 were used for initiating the MVB-CA and are generated using multi-levelled road networks and ubiquitous points of interest. We then simulate block-based urban expansion of all the cities from 2012 to 2017. The national spatial development strategies of China are discussed extensively by academia and policy makers, while the baseline scenario and other simulated urban expansion scenarios have been tested and compared horizontally. As one of the first block-based urban expansion models at a national scale, its academic contributions, practical applications, and potential biases are also discussed in this paper. The developed MVB-CA using general approaches is also applicable for other counties.
Parametric failure analysis of embedded SRAMs using fast & accurate dynamic analysis

Increased die-to-die and on-die variations in scaled technologies can lead to parametric failures (Read/Write/Access) in embedded SRAMs. Conventionally, SRAM bit-cell failure analysis is based on the Static Noise Margin (SNM), a metric that leads to conservative estimate of design yield. In this paper we present a method of dynamic noise margin (DNM) estimation based on the modeling technique developed in [9] that can efficiently estimate failures in bit-cells under parameter variations. The proposed DNM estimation method is fast, and can accurately estimate the SRAM yield. Monte Carlo simulation results show that the proposed DNM closely matches the results from SPICE analysis.
The Fear of Missing out Scale: Validation of the Arabic Version and Correlation with Social Media Addiction

This study seeks to examine the psychometric properties of an Arabic version of the Fear of Missing out scale (FoMO). FoMO is defined as. "A pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent, FoMO is characterized by the desire to stay continually connected with what others are doing. " Factor analysis showed the Arabic FoMO scale to consist of two distinct factors. Reliability tests indicated that the two factors had good internal consistency. Concurrent validity analysis based on correlating FoMO with a scale measuring social media addiction yielded highly significant results supporting its suitability for use in further research. Future research should do further testing of the scale's reliability and validity in different parts of the Arabic-speaking world to uncover its strengths and weaknesses and the possible need for additional refinement.
A comprehensive approach to psychiatric diagnosis.

: The author discusses problems of the typological diagnostic system currently used in psychiatry, which focuses primarily on symptoms in classifying psychiatric disorders. He describes a comprehensive diagnostic system that would involve routine evaluation of five patient characteristics: symptoms, circumstances associated with symptoms, previous duration and course of illness, quality of personal relationships, and level of work function. He suggests that such a multivariable approach to psychiatric diagnosis can provide valuable information about the patient to clinicians, researchers, and other mental health workers.
Multi-Strategy Learning of Search Control for Partial-Order Planning

Most research in planning and learning has involved linear, state-based planners. This paper presents SCOPE, a system for learning search-control rules that improve the performance of a partial-order planner. SCOPE integrates explanation-based and inductive learning techniques to acquire control rules for a partial-order planner. Learned rules are in the form of selection heuristics that help the planner choose between competing plan refinements. Specifically, SCOPE learns domain-specific control rules for a version of the UCPOP planning algorithm. The resulting system is shown to produce significant speedup in two different planning domains.
Predicting Epidemic Tendency through Search Behavior Analysis

The possibility that influenza activity can be generally detected through search log analysis has been explored in recent years. However, previous studies have mainly focused on influenza, and little attention has been paid to other epidemics. With an analysis of web user behavior data, we consider the problem of predicting the tendency of hand-foot -and-mouth disease (HFMD), whose outbreak in 2010 resulted in a great panic in China. In addition to search queries, we consider users' interactions with search engines. Given the collected search logs, we cluster HFMD-related search queries, medical pages and news reports into the following sets: epidemic-related queries (ERQs), epidemic-related pages (ERPs) and epidemic-related news (ERNs). Furthermore, we count their own frequencies as different features, and we conduct a regression analysis with current HFMD occurrences. The experimental results show that these features exhibit good performances on both accuracy and time-lines.
Real-time Ray Tracing through the Eyes of a Game Developer

There has been and is a tremendous amount of research on the topic of ray tracing, spurred by the relatively recent advent of real-time ray tracing and the inevitable appearance of consumer hardware capable of handling this rendering algorithm. Besides researchers, the prospect of a brave new world attracts hobbyists (such as demo coders) and game developers: Ray tracing promises an elegant and fascinating alternative to z-buffer approaches, as well as more intuitive graphics and games development. This article provides a view from the inside on ray tracing in games and demos, where the emphasis is on performance and short-term practical usability. It covers the way science is applied, the unique contribution of these developers to the field and their link with the research community. The Arauna ray tracer, developed at the NHTV university of applied science, is used as an example of a ray tracer that has been specifically build with games and performance in mind. Its purpose and architecture, as well as some implementation details are presented.
‘We occasionally miss a bath but we never miss stories’: Fathers reading to their young children in the home setting

This paper reports findings from a mixed methods research project in 2011, which set out to examine the extent and nature of father and child shared home reading practices. There was a particular focus on exploring fathers’ perceptions of their role in reading with their child, aged five years old. The research was commissioned by Booktrust and conducted by the National Research and Development Centre for adult literacy and numeracy. It involved 254 fathers and the results from the study are supplemented and enhanced by analysis of data on fathers’ reading from the Millennium Cohort Study. One of the main findings from this study and the Millennium Cohort Study data is that significant numbers of fathers read to their children either every day or a few times a week. The other findings are presented under the headings of father’s own reading practices, their motivation for reading with their child/children, the place and the time reading occurs, the strategies and practices that are employed, the types of text that are read, the models or influences fathers draw on and the barriers that they believe militate against them reading with their child/children.