Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postoperative nomogram for survival of patients with retroperitoneal sarcoma treated with curative intent.

BACKGROUND Current American Joint Committee on Cancer retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) staging is not representative of patients with RPS specifically and has limited discriminative power. Our objective was to develop a RPS disease-specific nomogram capable of stratifying patients based on probability of overall survival (OS) after resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 1118 RPS patients were evaluated at our institution (1996-2006). Patients with resectable, nonmetastatic disease were selected (n = 343) and baseline, treatment and outcome variables were retrieved. A nomogram was created and its performance was evaluated by calculating its discrimination (concordance index) and calibration and by subsequent internal validation. RESULTS Median follow-up and OS were 50 and 59 months, respectively. Independent predictors of OS were included in the nomogram: age (> or = 65), tumor size (> or = 15 cm), type of presentation (primary versus recurrent), multifocality, completeness of resection and histology. The concordance index was 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71-0.75] and the calibration was excellent, with all observed outcomes within the 95% CI of each predicted survival probability. CONCLUSIONS A RPS-specific postoperative nomogram was developed. It improves RPS staging by allowing a more dynamic and robust disease-specific risk stratification. This prognostic tool can help in patient counseling and for selection of high-risk patients that may benefit from adjuvant therapies or inclusion into clinical trials.
1 Dto-3 D transition of phonon heat conduction in polyethylene using molecular dynamics simulations

Experiments have demonstrated that the mechanical stretching of bulk polyethylene can increase its thermal conductivity by more than two orders of magnitude, from 0.35 W/mK to over 40W/mK, which is comparable to steel. This strong effect is believed to arise from the increased alignment of the constituent polymer chains, which are thought to have very high thermal conductivity. Although it is well established that bulk polymers have low thermal conductivity, these experiments suggest that cheap, high thermal conductivity polymer materials can be engineered. This type of advancement may provide a much cheaper alternative to the conventional metal-based heat transfer materials that are used today. In order to quantify upper limits on the thermal conductivity of polyethylene, we examine the underlying phonon (lattice wave) transport using molecular dynamics simulations. We first show that the thermal conductivity of individual polyethylene chains is high, and can actually diverge (approach infinity) in some cases. We then discuss how the high thermal conductivity of individual chains is reduced by the presence of additional chains, through van der Waals chain-chain interactions. These intermolecular interactions give rise to both a 2D planar lattice structure and a 3D bulk lattice structure, which allows for the observation of an interesting 1D-to-3D transition in phonon transport. For most crystalline nanostructures, the thermal conductivity decreases with decreasing crystal size from an enhanced boundary scattering of phonons. In the case of polyethylene, however, the intermolecular chain-chain interactions increase phonon-phonon scattering along each chain and actually result in the opposite trend, where the thermal conductivity increases with decreasing crystal size. The results provide important fundamental insight into phonon-phonon interactions and will also aid in the design and structural optimization of high thermal conductivity polymers. Thesis Supervisor: Gang Chen Title: Warren and Towneley Rohsenow Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Equivalent Electrical Circuits of Thermoelectric Generators under Different Operating Conditions

Energy harvesting has become a promising and alternative solution to conventional energy generation patterns to overcome the problem of supplying autonomous electrical systems. More particularly, thermal energy harvesting technologies have drawn a major interest in both research and industry. Thermoelectric Generators (TEGs) can be used in two different operating conditions, under constant temperature gradient or constant heat flow. The commonly used TEG electrical model, based on a voltage source in series with an electrical resistance, shows its limitations especially under constant heat flow conditions. Here, the analytical electrical modeling, taking into consideration the internal and contact thermal resistances of a TEG under constant temperature gradient and constant heat flow conditions, is first given. To give further insight into the electrical behavior of a TEG module in different operating conditions, we propose a new and original way of emulating the above analytical expressions with usual electronics components (voltage source, resistors, diode), whose values are determined with the TEG’s parameters. Note that such a TEG emulation is particularly suited when designing the electronic circuitry commonly associated to the TEG, to realize both Maximum Power Point Tracking and output voltage regulation. First, the proposed equivalent electrical circuits are validated through simulation with a SPICE environment in static operating conditions using only one value of either temperature gradient or heat flow. Then, they are also analyzed in dynamic operating conditions where both temperature gradient and heat flow are considered as time-varying functions.
Dopamine Hypothesis is linked with Neural Stem Cell (NSC) Dysfunction Hypothesis by D-Cell Hypothesis (Trace Amine Hypothesis) in Etiology of Schizophrenia

Mesolimbic dopamine (DA) hyperactivity is a well-known pathophysiological hypothesis of schizophrenia. The author intended to show a new hypothesis to clarify the molecular basis of mesolimbic DA hyperactivity of schizophrenia. The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent-required histochemical methods were used to show D-neuron (trace amine (TA) neuron) decrease in the nucleus accumbens (Acc) of postmortem brains with schizophrenia. Briefly, the striatal D-neuron decrease in schizophrenia and consequent TAAR1 (TA-associated receptor, type 1) stimulation decrease onto terminals of midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neurons induces mesolimbic DA hyperactivity of schizophrenia. Dysfunction of subventricular neural stem cells (NSC), located partially overlapping Acc is the cause of D-neuron decrease in Acc. DA hyperactivity, which inhibits NSC proliferation, causes disease progression of schizophrenia. The highlight is the rational that the “D-cell hypothesis (TA hypothesis) of schizophrenia” is a pivotal theory to link NSC dysfunction hypothesis to DA hypothesis. From a therapeutic direction, (1) TAAR1 agonists, (2) DA D2 antagonists, and (3) neurotropic substances have potential to normalize mesolimbic DA hyperactivity. To further develop novel therapeutic strategies, metabolisms of TAAR1ligands, and NSC- and D-neuron-pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric illnesses remain to be explored.
Gaussian processes with monotonicity information

A method for using monotonicity information in multivariate Gaussian process regression and classification is proposed. Monotonicity information is introduced with virtual derivative observations, and the resulting posterior is approximated with expectation propagation. Behaviour of the method is illustrated with artificial regression examples, and the method is used in a real world health care classification problem to include monotonicity information with respect to one of the covariates.
Chapter 22. Tactile Communication of Speech Tactile Communication of Speech Project Staff Perceptual Studies of the Integration of Auditory and Tactile Stimulation

The long-term goal of this research is to develop tactual aids for persons who are profoundly deaf or deaf-blind to serve as a substitute for hearing in the reception of speech and environmental sounds. This research can contribute to improved speech reception and production, language competence, and environmental-sound recognition in such individuals. This research is also relevant to the development of improved tactual and haptic displays for a broad class of applications (including virtual-environment and teleoperator systems in addition to sensory aids).
Identifications of quality parameters in paper-making industry

Paper basis weight, moisture and ash are the important specifications of paper quality. The reason of the difficulties to be controlled well lies on that a lot of factors have influences on them. The work focuses on the multivariable and closed-loop identification of paper-making industrial processes, which is used in model predictive control strategy. The brief arts and crafts of the ordinary fourdrinier are first described in this paper. The motivations and advantages for closed-loop system identification are also given. After analysis of the intractable points of paper basis weight, moisture and ash control, a plant is identified both from open-loop and closed-loop data. The model obtained from the open-loop data is used as reference to evaluate a closed-loop system identification approach. Through different noise-to-signal ratios, the paper gives a conclusion that pre-filtration can improve the precision of closed-loop identification model. Proposition of a novel criterion to evaluate the identification model is another conclusion.
Chinese affect circumplex: I. Structure of recalled momentary affect

The structure of momentary affect among Cantonese-speaking Chinese was explored by developing questionnaire scales in four response formats. Scales can be scored for dimensions defined by Feldman Barrett and Russell; Thayer; Larsen and Diener; and Watson and Tellegen. In a study of recalled affect (N = 487), the newly translated scales were found to support all but Watson and Tellegen’s structural model originating from English. Results cross-validated well in a second sample (N = 402). Affect dimensions were interrelated as found with English-speaking Canadians and they could be integrated into a two-dimensional bipolar space.
Accumulation of PDGF B and cell-binding forms of PDGF A in the extracellular matrix

PDGF is a powerful mitogen initially identified within platelets, but also shown to be produced by a wide variety of cell types. PDGF is encoded on two separate genes. These give rise to three polypeptides, PDGF B and two forms of PDGF A (SA and LA), resulting from alternative splicing of the PDGF A gene primary transcript. We report that in CHO cells transfected with PDGF gene constructs and producing moderate levels of PDGF homodimers, much of the PDGF LA and B produced, but little if any SA, is found in the matrix laid down beneath the cells. Immunoreactive PDGF in cells, and in matrix below expressing cells, was visualized by laser confocal microscopy. Western blotting of protein in matrix extracts, cell extracts, and secreted into the growth medium was used to demonstrate that the range of PDGF A polypeptides seen in the matrix was overlapping with those reported previously to be cell associated in cell types such as NIH3T3 and COS 7. This suggests that attachment to matrix or cell surface may be alternative fates for these polypeptides, with fate dependent on the characteristics of the producing cells. Immunoreactive PDGF A and B could be partially released by incubation of matrix material with heparin but not with other glycosaminoglycans. Digestion of matrix with chondroitin ABC lyase but not heparitinase or collagenase displaced some PDGF from its attachment sites. The results indicate attachment of PDGF to matrix proteoglycans, at least partly through the glycosaminoglycan moieties, and perhaps to additional components. The significance of matrix deposition for PDGF action is discussed.
Trust as belief or behavior?

Abstract Despite its proposed importance for economic performance, there seems to be little agreement on what trust really is. In economics, trust is generally viewed as a belief regarding the action that is to be expected from others. This contrasts with the view that trust is a way of acting. In his influential book on the nature of explanation in the social sciences, Jon Elster argues that trusting is to act with few precautions. I argue that it is possible to reconcile these seemingly conflicting views about trust. I develop a simple model of trust where both beliefs and precautions play an important role – and where Elster’s understanding of trust can be viewed as a special case.
Analog flat filter design

This paper proposes a systematic approach for the design of a general class of analog infinite-impulse-response (IIR) filters, which includes all well-known classical analog filters as a special case. All specifications including the conventional ones and also filter flatness degrees are explicitly incorporated into design process. Several numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency and flexibility of the proposed method.
Towards acquisition of a thematic Persian corpus from the Tebyan Portal: TebCorp

The TebCorp collection is a large thematic modern Persian text collection which consists of 500 MB of text from Tebyan Portal. TebCorp contains more than 93,000 articles in 1097 topics and includes more than 44 million total words and about 550,000 distinct words which is suitable for information retrieval researches. In this paper we tried to exploit Tebyan portal - containing vast amount of prominent Persian articles - as a linguistic resource to build a multipurpose thematic corpus for Persian. We will present particular details on building this corpus including information retrieval and collection assessment. We will then conclude by giving practical information about this corpus.
THE ENVIRONMENTS OF LOW- AND HIGH-LUMINOSITY RADIO GALAXIES AT MODERATE REDSHIFTS

In the local universe, high-power radio galaxies live in lower-density environments than low-luminosity radio galaxies. If this trend continued to higher redshifts, powerful radio galaxies would serve as efficient probes of moderate redshift groups and poor clusters. Photometric studies of radio galaxies at 0.3 ≲ z ≲ 0.5 suggest that the radio luminosity–environment correlation disappears at moderate redshifts, though this could be the result of foreground/background contamination affecting the photometric measures of environment. We have obtained multi-object spectroscopy of in the fields of 14 lower luminosity (L1.4 GHz < 4 × 1024 W Hz−1) and higher luminosity (L1.4 GHz > 1.2 × 1025 W Hz−1) radio galaxies at z ≈ 0.3 to spectroscopically investigate the link between the environment and the radio luminosity of radio galaxies at moderate redshifts. Our results support the photometric analyses; there does not appear to be a correlation between the luminosity of a radio galaxy and its environment at moderate redshifts. Hence, radio galaxies are not efficient signposts for group environments at moderate redshifts.
Pre-Service Teachers’ Perspectives on Learning to Teach Social Studies in a Technology-Rich Pedagogy Course

Preparing new teachers for teaching with technology is a multi-faceted process. The study reported in this chapter examined the impact that immersion in two technology-enriched, pre-service social studies pedagogy courses had on the way beginning teachers approached technology use in their teaching of social studies. The study took place over two years and tracked education students through their social studies pedagogy course experiences and their practice teaching as part of their teacher preparation program then into their first year of teaching. The findings identified that the pre-service pedagogy courses did assist in increasing the education students’ understanding of a variety of ways to approach the use of various technology tools as well as their willingness to use them in their teaching. However, the results also point to the importance of pre-service teachers’ developing a positive attitude and a willingness to take risks with technology; of all instructors being prepared to infuse technology use in their classes in ways that fit with what is current in the schools; and of schools and mentor teachers encouraging, supporting, and modeling best practice with technology.
PROYECTO DE ESTUDIO: SALUD Y SOBRECARGA PERCIBIDA, EN PERSONAS CUIDADORAS INFORMALES DE UNA ZONA RURAL DE LAS BREÑAS

“An informal caregiver is the person who, being family or not, provides most of the daily care and support to a person who suffers any degree of disability or dependence and needs help to develop the daily activities, without being part of the formal caregiving systems or perceive an financial remuneration for it”. The aim of this investigation project is to demonstrate the need to complement the assessment of the informal caregiver with an estimated scale of the quality of life. It is about a descriptive, observational and transversal investigation. The population under study will be the total of the informal caregivers contained in the administrative records of the Primary Care Program (AP) Drago of the basic zone of Las Breñas. For the assessment of the informal caregiver valuation instruments will be used like the Functional Patterns of Marjory Gordon, through the Drago Program of Primary Attention. Through an interview, the sociodemographic data as well as the characteristics of the informal cares provided (dedicated time, personal relationship with the dependent person and the support that the caregiver receives) will be recorded. Also, they will be given two self-administered questionnaires: the overload scale of Zarit (CBI) to evaluate the caregivers’ charge of the dependant persons and to evaluate the perceived quality of life of these, the questionnaire SF-36 will be used.
Thoracic Injuries in earthquake-related versus non-earthquake-related trauma patients: differentiation via Multi-detector Computed Tomography

PURPOSE: Massive earthquakes are harmful to humankind. This study of a historical cohort aimed to investigate the difference between earthquake-related crush thoracic traumas and thoracic traumas unrelated to earthquakes using a multi-detector Computed Tomography (CT). METHODS: We retrospectively compared an earthquake-exposed cohort of 215 thoracic trauma crush victims of the Sichuan earthquake to a cohort of 215 non-earthquake-related thoracic trauma patients, focusing on the lesions and coexisting injuries to the thoracic cage and the pulmonary parenchyma and pleura using a multi-detector CT. RESULTS: The incidence of rib fracture was elevated in the earthquake-exposed cohort (143 vs. 66 patients in the non-earthquake-exposed cohort, Risk Ratio (RR) = 2.2; p<0.001). Among these patients, those with more than 3 fractured ribs (106/143 vs. 41/66 patients, RR = 1.2; p<0.05) or flail chest (45/143 vs. 11/66 patients, RR = 1.9; p<0.05) were more frequently seen in the earthquake cohort. Earthquake-related crush injuries more frequently resulted in bilateral rib fractures (66/143 vs. 18/66 patients, RR = 1.7; p<0.01). Additionally, the incidence of non-rib fracture was higher in the earthquake cohort (85 vs. 60 patients, RR = 1.4; p<0.01). Pulmonary parenchymal and pleural injuries were more frequently seen in earthquake-related crush injuries (117 vs. 80 patients, RR = 1.5 for parenchymal and 146 vs. 74 patients, RR = 2.0 for pleural injuries; p<0.001). Non-rib fractures, pulmonary parenchymal and pleural injuries had significant positive correlation with rib fractures in these two cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic crush traumas resulting from the earthquake were life threatening with a high incidence of bony thoracic fractures. The ribs were frequently involved in bilateral and severe types of fractures, which were accompanied by non-rib fractures, pulmonary parenchymal and pleural injuries.
Longitudinal study of dust and airborne endotoxin in the home.

To characterize the seasonal variability of endotoxin levels, we measured endotoxin in dust from the bed, bedroom floor, and kitchen floor in 20 homes, and in air from the bedroom in 15 of the homes. All homes were located in the greater Boston, Massachusetts, area and were sampled each month from April 1995 to June 1996. Outdoor air was collected at two locations. We found greater within-home than between-home variance for bedroom floor, kitchen floor, and airborne endotoxin. However, the reverse was true for bed dust endotoxin. Thus, studies using single measurements of dust endotoxin are most likely to reliably distinguish between homes if bed dust is sampled. Dust endotoxin levels were not significantly associated with airborne endotoxin. Airborne endotoxin was significantly (p = 0. 04) and positively associated with absolute humidity in a mixed-effect model adjusting for a random home effect and fixed effect of sampling month and home characteristics. This finding implies that indoor humidity may be an important factor controlling endotoxin exposure. We found a significant (p < 0.05) seasonal effect in kitchen floor dust (spring > fall) and bedroom airborne endotoxin (spring > winter), but not in the other indoor samples. We found significant seasonal pattern in outdoor airborne endotoxin (summer > winter).
Face Recognition based on Accelerated Joint Boosting and Illumination Normalized Local Gabor Binary Pattern Histogram Sequence

Determining what features are optimal for face representation is quite a challenge in Face Recognition. Joint Boosting is a strong algorithm to select important features from feature pool. And, it outperforms other feature selection methods. But it takes quite a long time to train on a large training set. In this paper, an Accelerated Joint Boosting is proposed to resolve the time wasting problem. The contributions of this paper are: (1) We propose an Accelerated Joint Boosting method for feature selection in Face Recognition. (2) An efficient preprocessing chain for Illumination Normalization which is called 'PP' and Histogram Sequence of Local Gabor Binary Pattern (LGBPHS) are combined for robust Face Recognition, and it gets remarkable performance in Face Recognition Grand Challenge version 2.0 experiment 4 (FRGC) [7J.
A Non-spectral Estimate of the Cayley Diameter of Sl 2 (f P )

It is well known that SL2(Fp) is generated by ( 1 1 0 1 ) and ( 1 0 1 1 ) . It is a much deeper theorem [4] that the Cayley diameter of this group with respect to these generators is O(log p). The proof depends on uniformly bounding the eigenvalues of the Laplacian on L0(X(p)) away from zero. This argument is, of course, very far from constructive. (For certain other sets of generators, A. Lubotzky, R. Phillips, and P. Sarnak gave a non-spectral, but still non-constructive, argument for the logarithmic growth of the Cayley diameter of SL2(Fp) [5]. ) Lubotzky asked [4] whether one can efficiently find short word representations of general elements of SL2(Fp). In this note we give an elementary, constructive proof that every element has a word representation of length O(log p log log p). The argument gives a probabilistic algorithm with average running time polynomial in log p for finding a word representing a given element. More precisely, we prove
Lateral Driving Assistance Using Optical Flow and Scene Analysis

This paper presents a novel algorithm of image-based motion detection for lateral driving assistance. We propose a feature-based motion detection algorithm, which combines optical-flow estimation and road plane segmentation using FOE concept. The developed algorithm can segment moving objects from a changing background efficiently. Both cars and motorcycles on the lateral side of a driving vehicle can be detected. We have realized the system in a stand-alone image processing platform, which can operate independently on a vehicle using a CMOS image sensor and embedded processor. Experimental results show that the proposed methods are effective to segment moving vehicles from a moving background for lateral safety assistance.