Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The thyroid imaging reporting and data system on US, but not the BRAFV600E mutation in fine-needle aspirates, is associated with lateral lymph node metastasis in PTC

AbstractThe majority of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have an excellent prognosis, but some show poorer outcomes and would benefit from adjunctive prognostic tools. The B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF)V600E mutation, either based on both its presence or its quantitative measurement, and ultrasound (US) features may serve as a prognostic marker. The aim of this study was to investigate (1) the association between clinical-pathologic prognostic factors and the BRAFV600E mutation found in fine-needle aspirates, based on both its presence and its corresponding cycle threshold (Ct) value, and (2) the association between prognostic factors and suspicious US features classified by the thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) in PTC.Two-hundred fifty-eight consecutive patients with PTC > 1 cm and who underwent preoperative US-guided fine-needle aspiration were included in this retrospective study. Clinical-pathologic variables were compared between patients with and without the BRAFV600E mutation. Multivariate analyses were performed to investigate (1) the association between clinical-pathologic prognostic factors and the BRAF V600Emutation found in fine-needle aspirates, based on both its presence and corresponding Ct values, and (2) the association between prognostic factors and suspicious TIRADS US features.BRAFV600E-positive patients had a higher proportion of multiple tumors (P = 0.017). The number of suspicious US features classified by the TIRADS was an independent factor for predicting lateral lymph node metastasis, both in all 258 patients (odds ratio [OR] = 1.902, P = 0.005) and in 214 BRAFV600E-positive patients (OR = 1.686, P = 0.037). The BRAFV600E mutation status or BRAFV600ECt values were not associated with any of the clinical-pathologic prognostic factors.In conclusion, a higher number of suspicious US features classified by the TIRADS, but not the BRAFV600E mutation, are associated with lateral lymph node metastasis in patients with PTC, and can aid in the preoperative identification of patients at increased risk of lateral lymph node metastasis.
Performance of decorrelating receiver in multipath Rician fading channels

This paper focuses on the performance analysis of the decorrelating multipath combining receiver in multipath Rician faded CDMA channels. M-ary QAM scheme is employed to improve the spectral efficiency. Approximate expressions are first derived for the two performance indexes: the average symbol error rate (SER) and the average bit error rate (BER) when the receiver perfectly knows the channel information of the user of interest. To achieve desirable closed-form expressions of the SER and the BER, we exploit results in large system analysis and make assumptions of a high signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) and/or a small Rician K-factor. To measure the receiver performance in the practical scenario, we further derive expressions to approximate the average SER and BER with channel uncertainty. The pilot-symbol aided linear minimum mean-square channel estimator is considered to obtain an accurate channel estimate and to obtain an expression for the variance of the channel estimation error required for calculating the error rate. All analytical results are compared with simulation results
Current source modeling for power and timing analysis at different supply voltages

This paper presents a new current source model (CSM) that allows to model noise on supply nets originating from CMOS logic cells. It also captures the influence of dynamic supply voltage changes on power consumption and cell delay. The CSM models n/pMOS blocks separately to reduce the complexity of model components. Compared with other CSMs, only two-dimensional tables are needed. This results in low characterization times and high simulation speed. Moreover, no re-characterization is needed for different supply voltages. The model is tested in a SPICE simulator. A reduction in transient simulation time by up to 53X was observed in the results, while the error in delay and current consumption was typically less than 3 percent.
The Maximum Entropy Formalism and the Prediction of Liquid Spray Drop-Size Distribution

The efficiency of any application involving a liquid spray is known to be highly dependent on the spray characteristics, and mainly, on the drop-diameter distribution. There is therefore a crucial need of models allowing the prediction of this distribution. However, atomization processes are partially known and so far a universal model is not available. For almost thirty years, models based on the Maximum Entropy Formalism have been proposed to fulfill this task. This paper presents a review of these models emphasizing their similarities and differences, and discusses expectations of the use of this formalism to model spray drop-size distribution.
Success factors model: Case studies in the migration of legacy systems to Service Oriented Architecture

In adoption process of Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), the legacy system of a company can not be neglected. The reason is that legacy system runs important role of the business process within the company that has significant business value. However not all migration process of a legacy system to SOA has been successful. Highlighting the right factors to reach legacy system migration success in a specific company is the key value. This paper identifies factors affecting successful migration of legacy systems into SOA from business and technical perspectives in five different companies with different enterprises including bank, furniture, engineering and airline companies in Europe.
Flow instabilities of magnetic flux tubes - III. Toroidal flux tubes

Context. The stability properties of toroidal magnetic flux tubes are relevant for the storage and emergence of magnetic fields in the convective envelope of cool stars. In addition to buoyancy- and magnetic tension-driven instabilities, flux tubes are also susceptible to an instability induced by the hydrodynamic drag force. Aims. Following our investigation of the basic instability mechanism in the case of straight flux tubes, we now investigate the stability properties of magnetic flux rings. The focus lies on the influence of the specific shape and equilibrium condition on the thresholds of the friction-induced instability and on their relevance for emerging magnetic flux in solar-like stars. Methods. We substitute the hydrodynamic drag force with Stokes law of friction to investigate the linear stability properties of toroidal flux tubes in mechanical equilibrium. Analytical instability criteria are derived for axial symmetric perturbations and for flux rings in the equatorial plane by analysing the sequence of principal minors of the coefficient matrices of dispersion polynomials. The general case of non-equatorial flux rings is investigated numerically by considering flux tubes in the solar overshoot region. Results. The friction-induced instability occurs when an eigenmode reverses its direction of propagation due to advection, typically from the retrograde to the prograde direction. This reversal requires a certain relative velocity difference between plasma inside the flux tube and the environment. Since for flux tubes in mechanical equilibrium the relative velocity difference is determined by the equilibrium condition, the instability criterion depends on the location and field strength of the flux ring. The friction-induced instability sets in at lower field strengths than buoyancy- and tension-driven instabilities. Its threshold is independent of the strength of friction, but the growth rates depend on the strength of the frictional coupling between flux tube and environment. Conclusions. The friction-induced instability lowers the critical magnetic field strength beyond which flux tubes are subject to growing perturbations. Since its threshold does not depend explicitely on the friction parameter, this mechanism also applies in case of the quadratic velocity dependence of the hydrodynamic drag force. Whereas buoyancy- and tension-driven instabilities depend on the magnetic field strength alone, the dependence of hydrodynamic drag on the tube diameter gives rise to an additional dependence of growth times on the magnetic flux.
A cluster specific latent dirichlet allocation model for trajectory clustering in crowded videos

Trajectory analysis in crowded video scenes is challenging as trajectories obtained by existing tracking algorithms are often fragmented. In this paper, we propose a new approach to do trajectory inference and clustering on fragmented trajectories, by exploring a cluster specific Latent Dirichlet Allocation(CLDA) model. LDA models are widely used to learn middle level trajectory features and perform trajectory inference. However, they often require scene priors in the learning or inference process. Our cluster specific LDA model addresses this issue by using manifold based clustering as initialization and iterative statistical inference as optimization. The output middle level features of CLDA are input to a clustering algorithm to obtain trajectory clusters. Experiments on a public dataset show the effectiveness of our approach.
The Effect of Grit on Orientation to Well-Being, Well-Being and their relationship.

In a cross-sectional study, we explored the correlates of character strength of grit, defined as perseverance of effort and consistency of interest for long-term goals, with routes towards well-being, and well-being. Specifically, we examined how grit relates to distinct routes to pursue meaning in activities, serving self-realization and greater altruistic purpose; pleasure in immediately rewarding positive activities; and engagement in attention-absorbing activities. Furthermore, moderation analysis should reveal if grit moderates the relationships between routes towards well-being and well-being. The results should give a more nuanced understanding of the relationships of the presented concepts and inform future interventions aimed at increasing grit. Data was gathered through convenience sampling with a total number of 395 participants. The results illustrate that grit, all routes towards well-being, and well-being are positively correlated. Grit was found to be a significant moderator of the relationship between engagement and well-being. Therefore, individuals who pursue engagement benefit from higher levels of grit and reach greater well-being. An inverse effect was found for individuals who seek pleasure: higher levels of grit were shown to decrease general well-being. Collectively, findings indicate that grit contributes to improvements in well-being. Future interventions aimed at developing grittiness, should, however, target individuals who pursue engagement rather than pleasure or meaning.
Non-essentiality of correlation between image and depth map in free viewpoint image coding: Accurate depth map case

We show non-essentiality of using a correlation between an image and a depth map for depth-image-based rendering (DIBR), when we use an accurate depth map. For coding of DIBR, an edge preserving filter, which jointly use the image and the depth map, as a post filter is a suitable approach. The joint filter not only removes coding distortion, but also improves accuracy of the coded depth map itself. Considering the development 3D technology, the accuracy of the input depth map will be improved. If we use an accurate depth map, e.g. the ground truth, the accuracy improvement of the joint filter becomes little. To reveal the fact, we use various codecs (JPEG, JPEG2000, and H.264/AVC) and use two state-of-the-arts filters, which are the post filter set as the non-joint filter, and the weighed mode filter as the joint filter. Experimental results show that the post filters do not require the joint image, and self-sustained types of the non-joint filter have better performance.
Performance Verification of discrete Event Systems using Hybrid Model-Checking

The results generated over the past few years on the formal verification of both Discrete Event Systems (DES) and Hybrid Dynamic Systems (HDS) are quite substantial, especially as regards the controller's properties of liveness and safety. In this paper, we will study the range of possibilities offered using the model-checking techniques in order to evaluate DES performances (in terms of quality of service provided by the automated system). This task calls for proceeding with a model-based approach that couples a hybrid model of the plant with a timed discrete model of the controller. We will also show, using a basic example, that by parameterizing the hybrid process model, the model-checker may then be employed to evaluate the robustness of the discrete control to perturbations encountered by the plant.
Optimal Test Sequence Generation in State Based Testing Using Cuckoo Search

The present work describes a method for increasing software testing efficiency by identifying the optimal test sequences in the state machine diagram. The method employs a Meta-heuristic algorithm called Cuckoo Search to investigate best paths in the diagram. It tries to provide a technique for exhaustive coverage with minimal repetition which ensures all transitions coverage and all paths coverage at least once with minimal number of repetitions of states as well as transitions. The algorithm works by maximising an objective function which focuses on most error prone parts of the program so that critical portions can be tested first. State machine diagram is given as input, and Cuckoo Search is performed to generate a list of test sequences as output.
Impulse Noise Removal Based on Grey Polynomial Interpolation

In this paper, the one-dimensional grey polynomial interpolation (GPI) presented in [10] is applied to impulse noise removal. The proposed approach is motivated by the following observations. First, a median based noise removal approach can be considered as a variation of neighborhood interpolation which is based on the zero-order polynomial. Second, it is well known that the performance of first-order polynomial interpolation is generally better than that with the zero-order. Therefore, a better quality of restored image can be generally expected when a first-order polynomial interpolation is applied in the noise removal. With the noise detection approach described in [15], the proposed GPI based noise removal approach is justified by four examples where comparisons are made with the median based approach reported in [11]. The results indicate that the proposed approach generally outperforms the compared approach.
A digital topology-based method for the topological filtering of a reconstructed surface

In this paper, we use concepts from digital topology for the topological filtering of reconstructed surfaces. Given a finite set S of sample points in 3D space, we use the voronoi-based algorithm of Amenta & Bern to reconstruct a piecewise-linear approximation surface in the form of a triangular mesh with vertex set equal to S. A typical surface obtained by means of this algorithm often contains small holes that can be considered as noise. We propose a method to remove the unwanted holes that works as follows. We first embed the triangulated surface in a volumetric representation. Then, we use the 3D-hole closing algorithm of Aktouf et al. to filter the holes by their size and close the small holes that are in general irrelevant to the surface while the larger holes often represent topological features of the surface. We present some experimental results that show that this method allows to automatically and effectively search and suppress unwanted holes in a 3D surface.
French Validation of the Domestic Violence Myth Acceptance Scale (DVMAS)

The Domestic Violence Myth Acceptance Scale (DVMAS) was developed to study widely held stereotypical attitudes and beliefs, which contribute to the minimization and justification of intimate partner violence (IPV). This research aims to validate a French version of the DVMAS. In Study 1 (N = 282), we tested the structure of the DVMAS. Results revealed that the scale displayed reasonable fit indices. In Study 2 (N = 296), we assessed convergent and discriminant validity. The scale was positively correlated with belief in a just world, ambivalent sexism, and gender-specific system justification. In Study 3 (N = 156), we tested the predictive validity of the DMAS. Results showed that participants who endorsed more myths also placed more responsibility on the victim of IPV, exonerated the aggressor more, and perceived the violence as less severe. Broadly speaking, results provide evidence of reliability of the French DVMAS and domestic violence myths are commonplace and impact the representation of violence. This scale could contribute to improve certain aspects at stake in the negative judgments against victims of IPV in France.
Soil-Applied Imidacloprid Is Translocated to Nectar and Kills Nectar-Feeding Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Abstract Behavior was altered and survivorship was reduced when parasitoids, Anagyrus pseudococci (Girault) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), were fed flowers from buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum L. (Polygonaceae), treated with soil applications of imidacloprid (Marathon 1% G). Parasitoids at 1 d had significantly reduced survivorship of 38 ± 6.7% on label rate and 17 ± 4.2% on twice label rate compared with 98 ± 1.2% on untreated flowers. Parasitoids trembled 88% on label rate and 94% on twice label rate compared with 0% on untreated flowers. Residue analysis on a composite sample of 425 flowers showed that imidacloprid concentration was 6.6 ± 1.0 ppm (16 ppb/flower) in label rate, 12.3 ± 2.7 ppm (29 ppb/flower) in twice label rate, and 0 ppb in untreated flowers. The hydroxy metabolite concentration was 1.1 ppm (2.4 ppb/flower) in label rate, 1.9 ppm (4.4 ppb/flower) in twice label rate, and 0 ppm in untreated flowers. The olefin metabolite concentration was 0.2 ppm (0.5 ppb/flower) in label rate, 0.5 ppm (1.1 ppb/flower) in twice label rate, and 0 ppm in untreated flowers. Soil-applied imidacloprid used at flowering may be translocated to nectar in higher concentration compared with the imidacloprid seed treatment Gaucho. Considerable research has studied effects of Gaucho-treated canola, sunflower, and maize on behavior and mortality of Apis mellifera L. In our laboratory, we showed that translocation of imidacloprid to flowers reduced survivorship and altered behavior of pink lady beetle, Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer (Smith and Krischik 1999) and green lacewing, Chrysoperla carnea Stephens (Rogers et al. 2007).
Histopathological alterations in spleen of freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio exposed to sublethal concentration of sodium cyanide

Aquatic ecosystems in areas with intense mining activity are often subject to cyanide contamination; the present study was aimed to evaluate the harmful effects of sodium cyanide on histoarchitechtural aspect of spleen of freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio using an in vivo approach. The fishes were exposed to a sublethal concentration of 0.2 mg/L of sodium cyanide for duration of 10 and 20 days and were further allowed to undergo recovery for 14 days in a toxicant free medium. From the present investigation findings like occurrence of haemosiderin pigment, melanomacrophage centers, vacuolation and necrotic eosinophils were evident in all the fishes exposed to sodium cyanide. However, changes were more pronounced in fish subjected to 10 days of exposure, which was followed by 20 days of exposure and 14 days of recovery. The study revealed that there seemed to be the presence of homeostatic mechanism in fish that allows them to stabilize and overcome stress, which in present case is caused by sublethal concentration of sodium cyanide. Since the recovery phenomenon may be adaptive and even strategic, the present investigation also throws a light on adaptive behaviour of fish under stressful environments.
Fully Exponential Laplace Approximations to Expectations and Variances of Nonpositive Functions

Abstract Tierney and Kadane (1986) presented a simple second-order approximation for posterior expectations of positive functions. They used Laplace's method for asymptotic evaluation of integrals, in which the integrand is written as f(θ)exp(-nh(θ)) and the function h is approximated by a quadratic. The form in which they applied Laplace's method, however, was fully exponential: The integrand was written instead as exp[− nh(θ) + log f(θ)]; this allowed first-order approximations to be used in the numerator and denominator of a ratio of integrals to produce a second-order expansion for the ratio. Other second-order expansions (Hartigan 1965; Johnson 1970; Lindley 1961, 1980; Mosteller and Wallace 1964) require computation of more derivatives of the log-likelihood function. In this article we extend the fully exponential method to apply to expectations and variances of nonpositive functions. To obtain a second-order approximation to an expectation E(g(θ)), we use the fully exponential method to approximate.
Parameterization of the atmospheric boundary layer: A View from just above the inversion

tion models, in spite of some advances, the boundary layer is still not represented realistically. Figure 1 illustrates an aspect of this problem by showing the opposing response of boundary layer (low) clouds to perturbation experiments (e.g., double CO2) in current climate models. The general problem of parameterization in fluids dates back to the first modern studies of turbulence during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. By then, it was already clear that for turbulent flows such as the atmosphere, it was not feasible (or even relevant) to try and follow every parcel of f luid in its turbulent trajectories. Instead, research should concentrate on trying to understand the statistical properties of turbulent f lows. With the advent of computers came the possibility of developing numerical models for weather and climate prediction. Numerical discretizations imply a limit for the temporal/spatial scales below which the flow cannot O ne of the main components of the climate system is the atmospheric boundary layer, which mediates the interactions between the ocean/land surface and the free atmosphere. Several boundary Parameterization of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer A View from Just Above the Inversion