Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Imaging to Differentiate Pulmonary Carcinoids

TO THE EDITOR: We read with great interest the article by Kayani et al. (1). They evaluated 11 cases of typical carcinoids, 2 of atypical carcinoids, 1 of small cell neuroendocrine tumor, 1 of large cell neuroendocrine tumor, 2 of diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine hyperplasia, and 1 of adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation using 18F-FDG PET/CT and 68GaDOTATATE PET/CT. They reported that, compared with typical carcinoids, atypical and other less differentiated carcinoids revealed significantly higher uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT scans (P 5 0.005) and significantly lower uptake on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scans (P 5 0.002). We observed an interesting finding by evaluating the ratios of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT to SUVmax on 18F-FDG PET/CT scans. The ratios range from 1.2 to 19.5 in typical carcinoids (median SUVmax, 7.3) but from 0.1 to 1.1 in other less differentiated carcinoids (median SUVmax, 0.16). This difference in the ratios of typical versus atypical and other less differentiated carcinoids is statistically significant. The P value is 0.002 (Mann–Whitney test for nonparametric data, 2-tailed). Thus, the ratio of SUVmax on 68GaDOTATOC PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT may also be of help in predicting the histopathologic variety of the carcinoid tumor and may have an equally high accuracy. A larger study is indicated to validate this observation and to objectively determine a cutoff value for the possible differentiation.
Individuality in gut microbiota composition is a complex polygenic trait shaped by multiple environmental and host genetic factors

In vertebrates, including humans, individuals harbor gut microbial communities whose species composition and relative proportions of dominant microbial groups are tremendously varied. Although external and stochastic factors clearly contribute to the individuality of the microbiota, the fundamental principles dictating how environmental factors and host genetic factors combine to shape this complex ecosystem are largely unknown and require systematic study. Here we examined factors that affect microbiota composition in a large (n = 645) mouse advanced intercross line originating from a cross between C57BL/6J and an ICR-derived outbred line (HR). Quantitative pyrosequencing of the microbiota defined a core measurable microbiota (CMM) of 64 conserved taxonomic groups that varied quantitatively across most animals in the population. Although some of this variation can be explained by litter and cohort effects, individual host genotype had a measurable contribution. Testing of the CMM abundances for cosegregation with 530 fully informative SNP markers identified 18 host quantitative trait loci (QTL) that show significant or suggestive genome-wide linkage with relative abundances of specific microbial taxa. These QTL affect microbiota composition in three ways; some loci control individual microbial species, some control groups of related taxa, and some have putative pleiotropic effects on groups of distantly related organisms. These data provide clear evidence for the importance of host genetic control in shaping individual microbiome diversity in mammals, a key step toward understanding the factors that govern the assemblages of gut microbiota associated with complex diseases.
Variational and Optimization Methods in Meteorology : A Review by

Recent advances in variational and optimization methods applied to increasingly complex numerical weather prediction models with larger numbers of degrees of freedom mandate to take a perspective view of past and recent developments in this field, and present a view of the state of art in the field. Variational methods attempt to achieve a best fit between data and model subject to some ‘a priori’ criteria – in view of resolving the undeterminancy problem between the size of the model and the respective number of data required for its satisfactory solution. This review paper presents in a synthesized way the combined views of the authors as to the state of the art of variational and optimization methods in meteorology. Issues discussed include topics of variational analysis, variational initialization, optimal control techniques, variational methods applied for numerical purposes and constrained adjustment, and finally how some of the variational and optimization methods discussed in the review relate to each other.
Model-based analysis of hand posture

Researchers have successfully recognized specific fingers of the hand by silhouette images and distinguished a small set of hand signs by contour features of images. However, the silhouette or contour features recovered from the images do not provide sufficient information to generate a 3D hand posture with the fingers positioned properly. This failure led to our study, which developed a new method employing a hand model that can automatically analyze 3D hand postures using static stereo images. Guided by internal constraints and external forces, the model is automatically fitted to the hand image. Our method differs from previous methods in that it captures 27 interacting hand parameters, including finger joint angles, enabling suitable reconstruction of 3D hand posture. >
Transforming growth factor β1 inhibition protects from noise-induced hearing loss

Excessive exposure to noise damages the principal cochlear structures leading to hearing impairment. Inflammatory and immune responses are central mechanisms in cochlear defensive response to noise but, if unregulated, they contribute to inner ear damage and hearing loss. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a key regulator of both responses and high levels of this factor have been associated with cochlear injury in hearing loss animal models. To evaluate the potential of targeting TGF-β as a therapeutic strategy for preventing or ameliorating noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), we studied the auditory function, cochlear morphology, gene expression and oxidative stress markers in mice exposed to noise and treated with TGF-β1 peptidic inhibitors P17 and P144, just before or immediately after noise insult. Our results indicate that systemic administration of both peptides significantly improved both the evolution of hearing thresholds and the degenerative changes induced by noise-exposure in lateral wall structures. Moreover, treatments ameliorated the inflammatory state and redox balance. These therapeutic effects were dose-dependent and more effective if the TGF-β1 inhibitors were administered prior to inducing the injury. In conclusion, inhibition of TGF-β1 actions with antagonistic peptides represents a new, promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention and repair of noise-induced cochlear damage.
Model checking implicit-invocation systems

While implicit invocation (publish-subscribe) systems have good engineering properties, they are difficult to reason about and to test. Model checking such systems is an attractive alternative. However, it is not clear what kinds of state models are best suited for this. We propose a structural approach, which factors the model checking problem into two parts: behavior specific to a particular implicit invocation system, and reusable run-time infrastructure that handles event-based communication and delivery policies. The reusable portion is itself structured so that alternative run-time mechanisms may be experimented with.
Measurement of Insight in Patients With Bipolar Disorder: Are Self-Rated Scales Developed for Patients With Schizophrenia Applicable?

Our aim was to study if the Birchwood Insight Scale has acceptable psychometric properties when used for patients with bipolar disorders. Patients with schizophrenia (n = 101), bipolar I (n = 57), and bipolar II disorder (n = 37) completed the self-report scale. The items form 3 subscales, awareness of illness, relabeling of symptoms, and need for treatment. The total scale had good internal consistency for patients with schizophrenia, fairly good for bipolar I, but poor for bipolar II disorder. On subscale level the internal consistency was mostly marginal to poor for all patient groups. The level of insight was similar in schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. The psychometric properties for the insight scale were poorer in bipolar disorders than in schizophrenia, and the scale did not work for patients with bipolar II disorder. This suggests a cautious use of the scale across different diagnostic groups.
The Influence Of Changing Environment For Path Dependence In Hierarchical Organizations

The following paper aims at describing how path dependent hierarchical organizations are affected by a changing environment. The results of the latest research in this field (Petermann et al. 2012) analyzed path dependency of norms and institutions in different kinds of hierarchical organizations and the impact of leadership within this process. The results were produces for stable environments only. Agent based simulation was applied as research method. In order to examine how this process evolves when the organizational environment in changing the model M1 (Petermann et al. 2012) will be enhanced. The goal is to simulate the impact of external influences to the norms emerging within the organization. The research described is not yet completed so this paper characterizes first thoughts and possible simulation approaches to tackle the problem at hand.
Recubrimiento anticorrosivo tipo ormosil empleando DBTL como catalizador de policondensación

Resumen— Three different Organic Modified Ceramics (ORMOSILs) base of TEOS/PDMS were studied as anticorrosive coatings. The ORMOSILs were synthesized using DBTL as polycondensation catalysts; it is an organometallic tin compound which has been little used in the sol- gel process. PDMS content in the coatings were varied from 15% to 40 % by weight; infrared spectroscopy indicated the chemical bonding between the polymer and the silica fragments formed by the TEOS. Moreover, optical microscopy showed that the ceramic coatings were deposited homogeneously on the metal substrate (aluminum). Galvanic corrosion tests indicate excessive wear on the metal surface; while ceramic coating avoided the corrosion.
Physics and Chemistry of Crystalline Lithium Niobate

Part 1 Physico-chemical properties of Lithium metaniobate: phase diagram for the Li2O-Nb2O5 system crystal structure of lithium metaniobate crystal-chemical features of metaniobates of alkali metals phase formation in LN crystals. Part 2 Methods of obtaining single crystals of lithium niobate: peculiarities of growth of LN single crystals synthesis of the charge and preparation of the melt choice of the optimum conditions for growth growth conditions for LN crystals of a constant radius high-temperature annealing and formation of single domains in crystals the Stepanov technique electric phenomena arising in crystallization of LN. Part 3 Defect structure of single crystal lithium niobate: morphology and macrodefects point defects in LN formation of F-centres in LN crystals twinning in LN crystals. Part 4 The domain structure of lithium niobate crystals: ferroelectric domains in lithium metaniobate selective etching of LN crystals growth domain structure formation of a stationary domain structure depolarization mechanisms of lithium metaniobate crystals the influence of temperature gradients on domain formation in the process of crystal growth and annealing the effect of annealing on the near-surface domain structure the regular domain structure in LN crystals. Part 5 Electrical properties of lithium metaniobate: electric conductivity dielectric properties thermal diffusion in lithium niobate crystals relaxation phenomena in lithium niobate crystals electric fields in lithium niobate crystals electret effect and relaxation polarization of lithium niobate thermionic emission of lithium niobate single crystals effective ion charges and spontaneous electric moment of lithium niobate. Part 6 Optical and electro-optical properties of lithium metaniobate single crystals: optical properties of lithium metaniobate electro-optical effect in dielectric crystals phenomenological theory of the electro-optical effect establishment of electro-optic coefficients specific features of lithium niobate crystals applications in electro-optical devices. Part 7 Nonlinear optical properties of lithium niobate: elements of nonlinear optics methods used to establish nonlinear coefficients relationship of birefrigence and phase-matching temperature to lithium niobate crystal composition criteria for nonlinear-optical quality of crystals establishment of SHG in lithium niobate crystals with periodic laminar ferroelectric domains. Part 8 Photoelectrical and photorefractive properties: model representation of the photorefractive effect occurrence of optical distortion in lithium niobate crystals exposed to cw laser radiation occurrence of optical distortion in lithium niobate exposed to pulsed laser radiation. (Part contents)
24.3 A high-linearity CMOS receiver achieving +44dBm IIP3 and +13dBm B1dB for SAW-less LTE radio

LTE-advanced wireless receivers require high-linearity up-front filtering to prevent corruption of the in-band signals by strong out-of-band (OOB) signals and self-interference from the transmitter. SAW duplexer filters are generally used for this purpose, but supporting the plethora of existing and new bands becomes troublesome with separate filters for each band. In this paper we explore the possibility of combining an isolator with on-chip filtering. However, even with 15dB isolation, the on-chip filter needs to deal with up to +10dBm TX leakage and −15dBm OOB blocking, which requires an extremely high IIP3 around +50dBm and IIP2 around +90dBm. Recently inductorless tunable N-path-filter-based receivers achieved >10dBm compression point and good IIP3 of 20 to 30dBm. In order to further improve the receiver linearity to approach the extremely high IIP3 requirement for a SAW-less receiver, a high-linearity N-path bandpass/notch filter topology and receiver architecture are proposed in this paper.
Investigating Ad Transparency Mechanisms in Social Media: A Case Study of Facebooks Explanations

—Targeted advertising has been subject to many privacy complaints from both users and policy makers. Despite this attention, users still have little understanding of what data the advertising platforms have about them and why they are shown particular ads. To address such concerns, Facebook recently introduced two transparency mechanisms: a “Why am I seeing this? ” button that provides users with an explanation of why they were shown a particular ad (ad explanations), and an Ad Preferences Page that provides users with a list of attributes Facebook has inferred about them and how (data explanations). In this paper, we investigate the level of transparency provided by these two mechanisms. We ﬁrst deﬁne a number of key properties of explanations and then evaluate empirically whether Facebook’s explanations satisfy them. For our experiments, we develop a browser extension that collects the ads users receive every time they browse Facebook, their respective explanations, and the attributes listed on the Ad Preferences Page; we then use controlled experiments where we create our own ad campaigns and target the users that installed our extension. Our results show that ad explanations are often incomplete and sometimes mis-leading while data explanations are often incomplete and vague . Taken together, our ﬁndings have signiﬁcant implications for users, policy makers, and regulators as social media advertising services mature.
Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials

Comprehensive, up-to-date coverage of the properties, behavior, and technology of concrete Fully revised to include the latest advances in concrete technology, Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials provides complete details on the microstructure-property relationship approach to provide scientific explanation for the strength and durability of concrete. This in-depth resource discusses the microstructure and properties of hardened concrete; concrete-making materials and concrete processing; and current developments in concrete technology, mechanics, and nondestructive testing methods. New to this Edition Inclusion of recently built/ongoing construction projects worldwide Information on shrinkage-reducing admixtures Coverage of the latest advances in concrete technology-self-consolidating concrete; nanotechnology of concrete; shotcrete; expansive cement; and concrete for nuclear radiation Details on modeling of ice formation and alkali-aggregate reaction in concrete 1,000 PowerPoint slides and videos that illustrate topics presented in the book
Lexical Mediation between Sight and Sound in Speechreading

In two experiments, we investigated whether simultaneous speech reading can influence the detection of speech in envelope-matched noise. Subjects attempted to detect the presence of a disyllabic utterance in noise while watching a speaker articulate a matching or a non-matching utterance. Speech detection was not facilitated by an audio-visual match, which suggests that listeners relied on low-level auditory cues whose perception was immune to cross-modal top-down influences. However, when the stimuli were words (Experiment 1), there was a (predicted) relative shift in bias, suggesting that the masking noise itself was perceived as more speechlike when its envelope corresponded to the visual information. This bias shift was absent, however, with non-word materials (Experiment 2). These results, which resemble earlier findings obtained with orthographic visual input, indicate that the mapping from sight to sound is lexically mediated even when, as in the case of the articulatory-phonetic correspondence, the cross-modal relationship is non-arbitrary.
Neglect of a Neglected Disease in Italy: The Challenge of Access-to-Care for Chagas Disease in Bergamo Area

Objectives Chagas disease (CD) represents a growing problem in Europe; Italy is one of the most affected countries but there is no national framework for CD and access-to-care is challenging. In 2012 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) started an intervention in Bergamo province, where many people of Latin American origin (PLAO) are resident. A new model-of-care for CD, initiated by Centre for Tropical Diseases of Sacro Cuore Hospital, Negrar (CTD), the NGO OIKOS and the Bolivian community since 2009 in the same area, was endorsed. Hereby, we aim to describe the prevalence of CD and the treatment management outcomes among PLAO screened from 1st June 2012 to 30th June 2013. Methods Retrospective cohort study using routine program data. Screening sessions were done in Bergamo at OIKOS outpatient service and serological confirmation, staging and treatment for CD was offered at the CTD. MSF provided health education on CD, awareness generation prior to screening days, pre-test and post-test counselling through cultural mediators of Latin American origin. Results Of 1305 PLAO screened, 223(17%) had CD. Among 210 patients eligible for treatment, 102(49%) were lost-to-follow-up before treatment. The median delay from diagnosis to treatment was 4 months (range 0.7–16.6 months). Among 108 started on treatment, 63(58%) completed treatment, 36(33%) interrupted treatment, (33 for drug side-effects, two for patients decision and one due to pregnancy), 6(6%) were lost-to-follow-up and 3(3%) were on treatment at study censuring. Conclusion In this first study focusing on process of care for CD in Italy, less than 30% of patients completed treatment with drop-outs along the cascade of care. There is an urgent need to involve affected communities and local regional health authorities to take part to this model-of-care, adapting it to the local epidemiology. The Italian health authorities should take steps in advocating for a change in the current paradigm.
Study on Friction Coefficient between Carbon/Epoxy Composites and a Monocrystalline Diamond under Different Temperatures

The main source of heat generation during machining of carbon/epoxy composites is the friction among cutting tool, chip and workpiece. The friction coefficient between carbon/epoxy composites and a monocrystalline diamond under different temperatures was investigated. The results show that the friction coefficient between diamond and carbon/epoxy composites changes with the variation of temperature due to the change of properties of epoxy resin. The friction coefficient increases with the increasing temperature. However, when the temperature of workpiece was higher than the glass transition temperature of epoxy resin, the friction coefficient decreased.
Anonymity : Formalisation of Privacy – k-anonymity

Microdata is the basis of statistical studies. If microdata is released, it can leak sensitive information about the participants, even if identifiers like name or social security number are removed. A proper anonymization for statistical microdata is essential. K-anonymity has been intensively discussed as a measure for anonymity in statistical data. Quasi identifiers are attributes that might be used to identify single participating entities in a study. Linking different tables can leak sensitive information. Therefore k-anonymity requires that each combination of values for the quasi identifiers appears at least k times in the data. When subsequent data is released certain limitations have to be followed for the complete data to adhere to k-anonymity. In this paper, we depict the anonymity level of k-anonymity. We show, how l-diversity and t-closeness provide a stronger level of anonymity as k-anonymity. As microdata has to be anonymized, free toolboxes are available in the internet to provide k-anonymity, l-diversity and t-closeness. We present the Cornell Anonymization Toolkit and the UTD Anonymization Toolbox. Together with Kern, we analyzed geodata gathered from android devices due to its anonymity level. Therefore, we transferred the data into an sqlite database for easier data manipulation. We used SQL-queries to show how this data is not anonymous. We provide a value generalization hierarchy based on the attributes model, device, version and network. Using the UTD Anonymization Toolbox, we transferred the data into a k-anonymous state. For different values of k there are different possibilities of generalizations. We show parts of a 3-anonymous version of the input data in this paper.
Development of wind power stabilization system using BESS and STATCOM

The intermittent nature of renewable energy resources gives difficulty in power system operation and generation control. This paper proposes a wind power stabilization system using long-term and short-term energy storage devices and a static synchronous compensator. The proposed system can effectively stabilize the output fluctuations of wind turbines by controlling the active and reactive power at point of common coupling. This system is installed on Jeju Smart Grid Test-Bed. It has been operating connected to the 22.9kV distribution system. The operation results show that proposed system effectively performs the smoothing and constant power control functions.