Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment planning of electroporation-based medical interventions: electrochemotherapy, gene electrotransfer and irreversible electroporation

In recent years, cancer electrochemotherapy (ECT), gene electrotransfer for gene therapy and DNA vaccination (GET) and tissue ablation with irreversible electroporation (IRE) have all entered clinical practice. We present a method for a personalized treatment planning procedure for ECT, GET and IRE, based on medical image analysis, numerical modelling of electroporation and optimization with the genetic algorithm, and several visualization tools for treatment plan assessment. Each treatment plan provides the attending physician with optimal positions of electrodes in the body and electric pulse parameters for optimal electroporation of the target tissues. For the studied case of a deep-seated tumour, the optimal treatment plans for ECT and IRE require at least two electrodes to be inserted into the target tissue, thus lowering the necessary voltage for electroporation and limiting damage to the surrounding healthy tissue. In GET, it is necessary to place the electrodes outside the target tissue to prevent damage to target cells intended to express the transfected genes. The presented treatment planning procedure is a valuable tool for clinical and experimental use and evaluation of electroporation-based treatments.
From Episodes to Sagas: Understanding the News by Identifying Temporally Related Story Sequences

News interfaces are largely driven by recent information, even if many events are better interpreted in context of previous events. To address this problem, we consider the task of constructing an explicit representation of a “saga”—a long-running series of related events. We define a timeline as a concrete representation of a “saga” and we propose two unsupervised methods for timeline construction and compare their performance to hand-produced timelines using a tree edit distance measure. Preliminary results using these techniques on a weblog corpus and a supplementary news corpus are presented, showing both promise and challenges.
Seismic Structure of the Oceanic Crust Around Petit‐Spot Volcanoes in the Outer‐Rise Region of the Japan Trench

The structure of an incoming oceanic plate in a subduction zone systematically changes toward the trench because of the flexure of the plate. Changes in seismic velocity from the outer rise toward the trench are widely considered to be caused by the development of bending‐related faults. However, few studies have focused on the effects of igneous activities preceding the subduction, which lead to structural changes of the incoming plate. Here we present active‐source seismic data acquired around petit‐spot volcanoes situated in the outer‐rise region of the Japan Trench. The resultant velocity model showed low seismic velocities (Vp < 4.0 km/s) at the top of the oceanic crust under the petit‐spot volcanoes. Moreover, the velocity reduction was significantly larger than that caused only by bending‐related faults. Our results suggest that petit‐spot volcanism is a contributing factor affecting structural variation and modification of the incoming oceanic plate in this subduction zone.
Optimizing the management of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a personal view

The management of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (a-nsclc) is currently undergoing one of its rare paradigm shifts. Just as the nihilism of the 1970s gave way to the empiricism of the 1980s and 1990s, so the current decade has seen the first truly rational therapies based on informed design. In addition, molecular markers and traditional parameters can now be combined to provide a framework of knowledge that will guide the application of not just the new therapies, but also the older ones that remain effective. This framework—as important a component of the rational paradigm as the new drugs themselves are—is necessary to decide who should and, crucially, who should not receive the various components of this rapidly expanding armamentarium. Here, I have provided a historical overview of the drug treatment of a-nsclc, a mini-review of important new data, and an integrative approach that tries to ensure that patients receive the optimal treatment choice at the appropriate time. The speed at which new knowledge now arrives, coupled with the persistent high level of unmet medical need, suggests that the traditional pace of evidence-based review needs to be accelerated. Indeed, the increased scope for personalized management constitutes something of a challenge to “business as usual” evidence-based medicine. As a result, substantial investment on the part of payers, which may or may not be possible, will be required. In the meantime, some patients may wish and may be financially able to take advantage of modern developments before they have been fully digested by the public-payer system. Responsive clinicians face difficult tradeoffs as they try to balance the pros and cons of early adoption versus excessive conservatism. The present article is my personal view of how to navigate these waters, and although it is written especially for patients who like to be the captain of their own ship, there is good reason to believe that all patients will eventually be managed by similar, if not identical, means. Nonetheless, the recommendations herein should not be construed as appropriately reviewed provincial or national guidelines. Finally, if appropriate, a clinical trial should always be offered.
The synchronization of Poisson processes and queueing networks with service and synchronization nodes

This paper investigates the dynamics of a synchronization node in isolation, and of networks of service and synchronization nodes. A synchronization node consists of M infinite capacity buffers, where tokens arriving on M distinct random input flows are stored (there is one buffer for each flow). Tokens are held in the buffers until one is available from each flow. When this occurs, a token is drawn from each buffer to form a group-token, which is instantaneously released as a synchronized departure. Under independent Poisson inputs, the output of a synchronization node is shown to converge weakly (and in certain cases strongly) to a Poisson process with rate equal to the minimum rate of the input flows. Hence synchronization preserves the Poisson property, as do superposition, Bernoulli sampling and M/M/1 queueing operations. We then consider networks of synchronization and exponential server nodes with Bernoulli routeing and exogenous Poisson arrivals, extending the standard Jackson network model to include synchronization nodes. It is shown that if the synchronization skeleton of the network is acyclic (i.e. no token visits any synchronization node twice although it may visit a service node repeatedly), then the distribution of the joint queue-length process of only the service nodes is product form (under standard stability conditions) and easily computable. Moreover, the network output flows converge weakly to Poisson processes. Finally, certain results for networks with finite capacity buffers are presented, and the limiting behavior of such networks as the buffer capacities become large is studied.
Case study for stochastic systems: from pontryagin to receding horizon optimal control

The aim of this paper is to explore the implementation of receding horizon optimal control based on the Pontryagin's maximum principle for the dynamical systems represented by stochastic differential equations. A brief review of stochastic Pontryagin's maximum principle is given, and then the issues of solving forward-backward stochastic differential equations are addressed which leads to the possibility of implementing the receding horizon optimal controller for a class of stochastic systems. Numerical examples are demonstrated to show the outline of the presented design procedure.
Headache Phenotypes in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Its Short-Term Outcomes: A Retrospective Case Series Study

Background Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) presents a complex physiopathology, leading into diverse manifestations, notably variable headache phenotypes. Furthermore, its frequent overlap with migraine complicates the evaluation of treatment benefit for IIH-related headache. Our aim was to investigate if there is any relationship between demographic factors, clinical patterns of headache, treatment response, and headache short-term outcome with the headache phenotype of IIH. Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of demographic, clinical, and treatment features of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension presenting with headache and evaluation of headache outcomes in the first 12 months following treatment. Results Thirty-two patients were included (median age of onset 29.0 years (interquartile range 25.0 - 38.5), 90% females, median body mass index 32.5 kg/m2; 87.5% (n = 28) with papilledema; median cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure 36.5 cm H2O). Patients presented with migraine (n = 11, 34.4%), tension-type (n = 9, 28.1%), or a not-classifiable headache (n = 12, 37.5%). Regarding treatment and short-term follow-up (12 months), there was a failure of medical treatment in 43.8% (n = 14) and a reduction of headaches (≥ 50%) in 62.5% (n = 20) of the patients. Among headache phenotypes, there were no significant differences regarding demographics, clinical features, clinical patterns, or treatment response at baseline. Also, there were no differences regarding response to treatment or headache outcomes in 1, 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. Conclusions In our study, migraine and unclassifiable types were the most commonly reported headache phenotypes. Headache phenotype does not appear to be an essential factor in allowing clinical distinction, treatment response, or predicting the short-term headache outcome of this intriguing entity.
Research on Building Family Networks Based on Within-Document Coreference Resolution

基于单文本指代消解的人物家庭网络构建研究 顾静航 ,朱苏阳 ,钱龙华 ,朱巧明 1,2 (1. 苏州大学 自然语言处理实验室,江苏 苏州 215006; 2. 苏州大学 计算机科学与技术学院,江苏 苏州,215006) 摘要:人物家庭网络是社会关系网络中的一个重要组成部分,因此,如何高效准确地提取出人物的家庭网 络具有重要研究意义。 本文在前人工作的基础上提出一种基于单文本指代消解技术的人物家庭关系抽取方 法,以此扩大人物家庭关系抽取的范围,进而提高人物家庭网络的召回性能。 本文还提出了一种基于人物 虚拟边的家庭网络评估指标,用于更合理地评价构建出的人物家庭网络的性能。 在大规模中文语料 Gigaword 上的实验表明,本方法可以较为准确地抽取出人物的家庭关系,进而提高人物家庭网络的召回性能,从而 为社会网络分析提供基础数据。 关键词:社会关系网络;家庭网络;单文本指代消解 中图分类号:TP391 文献标识码:A
Sequence to Sequence Training of CTC-RNNs with Partial Windowing

Connectionist temporal classification (CTC) based supervised sequence training of recurrent neural networks (RNNs) has shown great success in many machine learning areas including end-to-end speech and handwritten character recognition. For the CTC training, however, it is required to unroll (or unfold) the RNN by the length of an input sequence. This unrolling requires a lot of memory and hinders a small footprint implementation of online learning or adaptation. Furthermore, the length of training sequences is usually not uniform, which makes parallel training with multiple sequences inefficient on shared memory models such as graphics processing units (GPUs). In this work, we introduce an expectation-maximization (EM) based online CTC algorithm that enables unidirectional RNNs to learn sequences that are longer than the amount of unrolling. The RNNs can also be trained to process an infinitely long input sequence without pre-segmentation or external reset. Moreover, the proposed approach allows efficient parallel training on GPUs. Our approach achieves 20.7% phoneme error rate (PER) on the very long input sequence that is generated by concatenating all 192 utterances in the TIMIT core test set. In the end-to-end speech recognition task on the Wall Street Journal corpus, a network can be trained with only 64 times of unrolling with little performance loss.
IDS Adaptation for an Efficient Detection in High-Speed Networks

Intrusion Detection Systems are essential in a network security solution. However, with the significant development of network technologies, the current IDS architecture does not support high-speed communications. Therefore, improving the performance of IDS is a major concern for researchers. In this paper, we present a model of intrusion detection based on the classification of network connections. Our approach is based on the principle of an intelligent loss. We propose a classification model based on the principle that a connection is either malicious or not. In the first case, the connection must be handled by the IDS; otherwise we can ignore it. This method reduces significantly the network flow sent to the IDS with a tolerance of an error threshold. This threshold can be adjusted by the updating process of the classification model.
Random Constraint Satisfaction a More Accurate Picture

Recently there has been a great amount of interest in Random Constraint Satisfaction Problems, both from an experimental and a theoretical point of view. Rather intriguingly, experimental results with various models for generating random CSP instances suggest a \threshold-like" behavior and some theoretical work has been done in analyzing these models when the number of variables becomes large (asymptotic). In this paper we prove that the models commonly used for generating random CSP instances do not have an asymptotic threshold. In particular, we prove that as the number of variables becomes large almost all instances they generate are trivially overconstrained. We then present a new model for random CSP and, in the spirit of random k-SAT, we derive lower and upper bounds for its parameters so that instances are \almost surely" un-derconstrained and overconstrained, respectively. Finally, for the case of one of the popular models in Artiicial Intelligence we derive sharper estimates for the probability of being overconstrained as a function of the number of variables.
Professional aphasia care trusting the patient's competence while facing existential issues.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to complement 'expert' knowledge about speech-language therapy by studying the phenomenon of professional aphasia care from the patient's perspective. BACKGROUND The methods for assisting patients with aphasia have mainly been based on speech language therapy with methods for training language. However, the effectiveness of mereley training has not been conclusively proven. In this study, it was assumed that patients with impaired use of language require professional caring interventions as a base for training. DESIGN A phenomenological approach was used to gain understanding of patients' lived experiences of professional aphasia care. METHOD Data consisted of eight in-depth interviews, four follow-up interviews, two notes from diaries and two biographies. Data were analysed according to a descriptive phenomenological method. RESULTS The essential meaning of the phenomenon was: trusting the patient's competence while facing existential issues. To enhance understanding, the essential meaning was specified in terms of the following constituents: preventing isolation, straightforwardness, provision of security, recognition of caring needs, encouraging efforts to practise language, equality and supporting maintenance of identity. CONCLUSIONS This study adds to the knowledge about speech-language therapy that professional aphasia care presupposes a secure base and a carer who recognises and trusts the patient's ability to think and communicate. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Implications for clinical practice are outlined under the following main headings, a secure caring base, encourage a fighting spirit and expressions of feelings, facilitate communication, try to understand the patient's existential situation and enable patients to recognise that their self-image derives from the painful experience of losing the world of symbols. Inside is the same person and carers should make it clear that they are aware of that.
Human and animal wastes: Implications for atmospheric N2O and NOx

More than 220 Tg N are processed annually through the global agriculture/animal/human food chain. It is suggested that aerobic denitrification, reduction of nitrite formed in the first stage of nitrification, is an important source not only of global N2O but also of NOx. A simple top‐down method indicates a globally averaged yield of 2% for N2O emitted as a consequence of human disturbances to the global nitrogen cycle. This yield can account not only for the contemporary budget of atmospheric N2O but also for trends observed over the past 1000 years. The associated microbial source of NOx is estimated assuming a NOx/N2O ratio of 3, consistent with results from a variety of laboratory and field studies. This source is significant, particularly for large developing countries such as China and India for which its contribution is comparable to that from fossil fuel.
An Image Schema Language

Abstract : This paper introduces ISL, a language for representing and manipulating image schemas. ISL supports the representation of symbolic as well as quantitative dynamic properties of objects and relationships. We have encoded a number of the image schemas commonly covered in the cognitive linguistics literature and tested them in three domains: patterns in chess, tactics in military scenarios, and behavior in a simple robot arm simulation. This paper discusses the design of the language and demonstrates its representational capabilities with examples from these domains.
Feasibility of motivational interviewing delivered by a glaucoma educator to improve medication adherence

Introduction Adherence to glaucoma treatment is poor, potentially reducing therapeutic effects. A glaucoma educator was trained to use motivational interviewing (MI), a patient-centered counseling style, to improve adherence. This study was designed to evaluate whether MI was feasible in a busy ophthalmology practice. Methods Feasibility was assessed using five criteria from the National Institutes of Health Behavior Change consortium: fidelity of intervention components to MI theory; success of the training process; delivery of MI-consistent interventions by the glaucoma educator; patient receipt of the intervention based on enrollment, attrition, and satisfaction; and patient enactment of changes in motivation and adherence over the course of the intervention. Results A treatment manual was designed by a multidisciplinary team with expertise in health psychology, public health, and ophthalmology. The glaucoma educator received 6 hours of training including role-play exercises, self-study, and individual supervision. His MI-related knowledge and skills increased following training, and he delivered exclusively MI-consistent interventions in 66% of patient encounters. 86% (12/14) of eligible patients agreed to be randomized into glaucoma educator support or a control condition. All 8 patients assigned to the glaucoma educator completed at least 2 of 6 planned contacts, and 50% (4/8) completed all 6 contacts. Patients assigned to the glaucoma educator improved over time in both motivation and adherence. Conclusion The introduction of a glaucoma educator was feasible in a busy ophthalmology practice. Patients improved their adherence while participating in the glaucoma educator program, although this study was not designed to show a causal effect. The use of a glaucoma educator to improve glaucoma patients’ medication adherence may be feasible at other ophthalmology clinics, and can be implemented with a standardized training approach. Pilot data show the intervention can be implemented with fidelity, is acceptable to patients and providers, and has the potential to improve adherence.
Recency Effects in the Inferior Parietal Lobe during Verbal Recognition Memory

The most recently encountered information is often most easily remembered in psychological tests of memory. Recent investigations of the neural basis of such “recency effects” have shown that activation in the lateral inferior parietal cortex (LIPC) tracks the recency of a probe item when subjects make recognition memory judgments. A key question regarding recency effects in the LIPC is whether they fundamentally reflect the storage (and strength) of information in memory, or whether such effects are a consequence of task difficulty or an upswing in resting state network activity. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging we show that recency effects in the LIPC are independent of the difficulty of recognition memory decisions, that they are not a by-product of an increase in resting state network activity, and that they appear to dissociate from regions known to be involved in verbal working memory maintenance. We conclude with a discussion of two alternative explanations – the memory strength and “expectancy” hypotheses, respectively – of the parietal lobe recency effect.
The MBL2 ‘LYQA Secretor’ Haplotype Is an Independent Predictor of Postoperative Myocardial Infarction in Whites Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Background— Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is an important component of innate immunity and activator of the lectin complement pathway. Within the MBL2 gene are seven 5′ “secretor” haplotypes that code for altered serum MBL levels and complement activation. However, recent evidence suggests that 3′ MBL2 haplotypes may also modify MBL function and circulating levels. Because MBL and the lectin complement pathway have been implicated in cardiovascular injury, we investigated whether MBL2 haplotypes are independently associated with an increased risk of postoperative myocardial infarction (PMI) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methods and Results— Genotyping of 18 polymorphic sites within the MBL2 gene was performed in a prospective, longitudinal multi-institutional study of 978 patients undergoing primary coronary artery bypass graft-only surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between August 2001 and May 2005. After adjustment for multiple comparisons by permutation testing, multivariate, stepwise logistic regression, including a score test, was performed controlling for patient demographics, preoperative risk factors, medications, and intraoperative variables to determine if MBL2 secretor haplotypes are independent predictors of PMI in whites undergoing primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Neither the 5′ nor 3′ MBL2 haplotypes alone were associated with an increased incidence of PMI. However, the incidence of PMI in whites (n=843) expressing the combined MBL2 5′ LYQA secretor haplotype (CGTCGG) and 3′ haplotype (CGGGT) was significantly higher than in whites not expressing the haplotype (38% versus 10%; P<0.007). Moreover, the combined MBL2 LYQA secretor haplotype was an independent predictor of PMI in whites after primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery after adjustment for other covariates (P<0.02; adjusted OR: 3.97; 95% CI: 1.30 to 12.07). The combined MBL2 LYQA secretor haplotype in whites was also an independent predictor of postoperative CKMB levels exceeding 60 ng/mL (P<0.02; adjusted OR: 4.48; 95% CI: 1.95 to 16.80). Inclusion of the combined MBL2 LYQA secretor haplotype improved prediction models for PMI based on traditional risk factors alone (C-statistic 0.715 versus 0.705). Conclusions— The combined MBL2 LYQA secretor haplotype is a novel independent predictor of PMI and may aid in preoperative risk stratification of whites undergoing primary coronary artery bypass graft surgery.