Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Synergistic Modulation of Cellular Contractility by Mixed Extracellular Matrices

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to provide various physicochemical cues in directing cell behavior including composition, topography, and dimensionality. Physical remodeling of the ECM has been documented in a variety of cancers. In breast cancer, the increased deposition of matrix proteins, their crosslinking, and alignment create a stiffer microenvironment that activates cell contractility and promotes cancer invasion. In this paper, we sought to study the collective influence of ECM composition and density on the contractile mechanics of human MDA-MB-231 cells making use of the recently established trypsin deadhesion assay. Using collagen and fibronectin-coated surfaces of varying density, we show that cell contractility is tuned in a density-dependent manner, with faster deadhesion on fibronectin-coated surfaces compared to collagen-coated surfaces under identical coating densities. The deadhesion responses are significantly delayed when cells are treated with the myosin inhibitor blebbistatin. By combining collagen and fibronectin at two different densities, we show that mixed ligand surfaces synergistically modulate cell contractility. Finally, we show that on fibroblast-derived 3D matrices that closely mimic in vivo matrices, cells are strongly polarized and exhibit faster deadhesion compared to the mixed ligand surfaces. Together, our results demonstrate that ECM composition, density, and 3D organization collectively regulate cell contractility.
Salvage regimens with autologous transplantation for relapsed large B-cell lymphoma in the rituximab era.

PURPOSE Salvage chemotherapy followed by high-dose therapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard treatment for relapsed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Salvage regimens have never been compared; their efficacy in the rituximab era is unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with CD20(+) DLBCL in first relapse or who were refractory after first-line therapy were randomly assigned to either rituximab, ifosfamide, etoposide, and carboplatin (R-ICE) or rituximab, dexamethasone, high-dose cytarabine, and cisplatin (R-DHAP). Responding patients received high-dose chemotherapy and ASCT. RESULTS The median age of the 396 patients enrolled (R-ICE, n = 202; R-DHAP, n = 194) was 55 years. Similar response rates were observed after three cycles of R-ICE (63.5%; 95% CI, 56% to 70%) and R-DHAP (62.8%; 95 CI, 55% to 69%). Factors affecting response rates (P < .001) were refractory disease/relapse less than versus more than 12 months after diagnosis (46% v 88%, respectively), International Prognostic Index (IPI) of more than 1 versus 0 to 1 (52% v 71%, respectively), and prior rituximab treatment versus no prior rituximab (51% v 83%, respectively). There was no significant difference between R-ICE and R-DHAP for 3-year event-free survival (EFS) or overall survival. Three-year EFS was affected by prior rituximab treatment versus no rituximab (21% v 47%, respectively), relapse less than versus more than 12 months after diagnosis (20% v 45%, respectively), and IPI of 2 to 3 versus 0 to 1 (18% v 40%, respectively). In the Cox model, these parameters were significant (P < .001). CONCLUSION In patients who experience relapse more than 12 months after diagnosis, prior rituximab treatment does not affect EFS. Patients with early relapses after rituximab-containing first-line therapy have a poor prognosis, with no difference between the effects of R-ICE and R-DHAP.
An Adaptive Combined Classifier System for Invariant Face Recognition

Abstract Khuwaja, G. A. , An Adaptive Combined Classifier System for Invariant Face Recognition, Digital Signal Processing12 (2002) 21–46 In classification tasks it may be wise to combine observations from different sources. In this paper, to obtain classification systems with both good generalization performance and efficiency in space and time, a learning vector quantization learning method based on combinations of weak classifiers is proposed. The weak classifiers are generated using automatic elimination of redundant hidden layer neurons of the network on both the entire face images and the extracted features: forehead, right eye, left eye, nose, mouth, and chin. The neuron elimination is based on the killing of blind neurons, which are redundant. The classifiers are then combined through majority voting on the decisions available from input classifiers. It is demonstrated that the proposed system is capable of achieving better classification results with both good generalization performance and a fast training time on a variety of test problems using a large and variable database. The selection of stable and representative sets of features that efficiently discriminate between faces in a huge database is discussed.
The Language Product Evaluation Tool

The Language Product Evaluation Tool (LPET) offers a framework for evaluating a range of language products, including full translations and various types of summaries. The result of a collaborative effort between researchers and practitioners working in a US government setting, the LPET serves as a practical tool aimed at establishing translation standards; facilitating the quality review process and the delivery of consistent, systematic feedback; providing information for planning development activities for translators; and providing aggregated data describing individual and organizational capability and performance. We begin this paper by describing the development of the LPET and its major features. We then highlight findings from operational testing with quality reviewers and describe validity testing that is in progress. We end by presenting a sample view of aggregated LPET data of the type that might be useful at the managerial or organizational level.
Human immunodeficiency virus infection as risk factor for mother‐to‐child hepatitis C virus transmission; Persistence of anti–hepatitis C virus in children is associated with the mother's anti–hepatitis C virus immunoblotting pattern

To determine the rate of vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV), we prospectively studied 45 babies born to anti‐HCV–positive women with or without con‐comitant infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We performed a second‐generation recombinant immunoblotting assay, alanine transaminase (ALT) evaluation, and HCV‐RNA testing on sera from 27 infants of HCV+, HIV– mothers and 18 babies of HCV+, HIV+ women, at birth and thereafter. After birth, HCV antibodies progressively disappeared within 12 months in all children but one, whose mother was HCV+, HIV+; this child was the only one who showed detectable levels of HCV‐RNA and abnormal ALT values throughout the follow‐up (range, 12 to 27 months). Viremia was persistently negative, and ALT levels were continuously normal in the remaining infants, showing that “seronegative” infection with HCV was absent in both groups. Clearance of passively acquired anti‐HCV antibodies was found to be slower among babies born to HIV+ mothers (22.3% vs. 3.8% at 12 months, P = .03) and children whose mothers showed three of four anti‐HCV reactivities by immunoblotting maintained anti‐HCV for longer periods compared with babies born to mothers with one or two anti‐HCV reactivities (P = .0001). Seventeen of 27 babies born to HCV+, HIV– mothers were breast‐fed, and none of them was infected, confirming the apparent safety for HCV of breast milk. In summary, according to our study, vertical transmission of HCV is an infrequent event, and the presence of HIV in the mother is not an important co‐factor for transmission of HCV infection. (HEPATOLOGY 1995;21:328–332.)
Unimodal primary sensory cortices are directly connected by long-range horizontal projections in the rat sensory cortex

Research based on functional imaging and neuronal recordings in the barrel cortex subdivision of primary somatosensory cortex (SI) of the adult rat has revealed novel aspects of structure-function relationships in this cortex. Specifically, it has demonstrated that single whisker stimulation evokes subthreshold neuronal activity that spreads symmetrically within gray matter from the appropriate barrel area, crosses cytoarchitectural borders of SI and reaches deeply into other unimodal primary cortices such as primary auditory (AI) and primary visual (VI). It was further demonstrated that this spread is supported by a spatially matching underlying diffuse network of border-crossing, long-range projections that could also reach deeply into AI and VI. Here we seek to determine whether such a network of border-crossing, long-range projections is unique to barrel cortex or characterizes also other primary, unimodal sensory cortices and therefore could directly connect them. Using anterograde (BDA) and retrograde (CTb) tract-tracing techniques, we demonstrate that such diffuse horizontal networks directly and mutually connect VI, AI and SI. These findings suggest that diffuse, border-crossing axonal projections connecting directly primary cortices are an important organizational motif common to all major primary sensory cortices in the rat. Potential implications of these findings for topics including cortical structure-function relationships, multisensory integration, functional imaging, and cortical parcellation are discussed.
Interactions between species and the structure of helminth communities

The role of interspecific interactions in the structure of gastrointestinal helminth communities has been at the core of most research in parasite community ecology, yet there is no consensus regarding their general importance. There have been two different approaches to the study of species interactions in helminths. The first one consists of measuring the responses of helminth species in concomitant infections, preferably in laboratory experiments. Any change in numbers of parasite individuals or in their use of niche space, compared with what is observed in single infections, provides solid evidence that the species are interacting. The second approach can only provide indirect, circumstantial evidence. It consists in contrasting observed patterns either in the distribution of species richness of infracommunities from wild hosts, in their species composition, or in pairwise associations between helminth species among infracommunities, with the random patterns predicted by appropriate null models. In many cases, observed patterns do not depart from predicted ones; when they do, alternative explanations are usually as plausible as invoking the effect of interactions among helminth species. The present evidence suggests that the role of species interactions in helminth community structure is often negligible, but that it must always be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Deriving Partial Correctness Logics From Evolving Algebras

This extended abstract gives an introduction into the development of partial correctness logics for programming languages speci ed by evolving algebras. A partial correctness logic is a programming logic that allows to prove program properties of the form: \whenever program point P is reached during execution, assertion A is true". We derive a basic axiom (schema) from an evolving algebra and use this axiom to obtain more convenient logics. This work aims to develop the foundations for programming environments that support formal reasoning about programs. One of the major problems with this challenge is the systematic design of programming logics for realistic programming languages. Experiences e.g. with Hoare logic have shown that it can be di cult to design consistent programming logics even for simple languages from scratch (cf. [O'D81]). Using evolving algebras as semantical basis has two advantages:
Prognostic Significance of Substaging according to the Depth of Lamina Propria Invasion in Primary T1 Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

Purpose To evaluate the prognostic significance of the depth of lamina propria invasion in primary T1 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 183 patients with primary T1 TCC of the bladder who had undergone transurethral resection (TUR) at our institution. Substaging was defined according to the depth of lamina propria invasion as follows: T1a, superficial invasion of lamina propria; T1b, invasion into the muscularis mucosa (MM); T1c, invasion beyond the MM but not to the muscularis propria. The prognostic significance of various clinicopathological variables for recurrence and progression was analyzed. Results Of the 183 patients, substaging was T1a in 119, T1b in 57, and T1c in 7 patients. The recurrence rate was 32.8% for T1a and 40.6% for T1b/c, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. The progression rate was significantly different between the two groups: 5.8% in T1a and 21.9% in T1b/c (p=0.003). The cancer-specific mortality rate was also significantly different: 4.2% in T1a and 14.0% in T1b/c (p=0.036). In the univariate analysis, microscopic tumor architecture was the only significant prognostic factor for recurrence. In the univariate and multivariate analysis concerning progression, depth of lamina propria invasion and concomitant carcinoma in situ were significant prognostic factors. Conclusions Substaging according to the depth of lamina propria invasion in primary T1 TCC of the bladder was an independent prognostic factor for progression. This suggests that substaging would be helpful for guiding decisions about adjuvant therapies and follow-up strategies.
Is It Really English for Everyone

cial processes are integrally related to the language competence and incompetence labeling of children, and thus to the issues of who fits into the mainstream, who is labeled unfit or incompetent, and who ultimately fails to be competent with language. Lurking behind such labels as reading disability and learning disability are powerful social dynamics that need to be examined and dealt with if we wish to take our democratic ideals seriously and provide equality of educational opportunity in our language arts programs. Longitudinal classroom studies by Rist (1970) and McDermott (1974) have documented what they have termed a "caste" system in our nation's schools which essentially operates to reproduce the social class system. They describe a self-fulfilling prophesy which begins with teacher expectations about who will succeed and fail, is kept in motion through the politics of everyday life in the classroom, and ends with the perpetuation of lower and minority group status in the school and community vis-a-vis the white middle-class majority. Lower status children, they say, often end up in the lowest reading groups and remain there for their school careers. More recently research on differential education has extended to the field of special education with a focus on the sorting and labeling processes which again appear to perpetuate the cultural status quo. Hobbs (1975) describes special education as a sorting process for regular education, and Sarason and Doris (1979) view incompetence as actually produced by the school system. In their discussion of "iatrogenic retardation" they imply what McDermott found in his research:
Heat shock protein 70 protects PC12 cells against ischemia-hypoxia/reoxygenation by maintaining intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) maintains Ca2+ homeostasis in PC12 cells, which may protect against apoptosis; however, the mechanisms of neuroprotection are unclear. Therefore, in this study, we examined Ca2+ levels in PC12 cells transfected with an exogenous lentiviral HSP70 gene expression construct, and we subsequently subjected the cells to ischemia-hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. HSP70 overexpression increased neuronal viability and ATPase activity, and it decreased cellular reactive oxygen species levels and intracellular Ca2+ concentration after hypoxia/reoxygenation. HSP70 overexpression enhanced the protein and mRNA expression levels of sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA), but it decreased the protein and mRNA levels of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), thereby leading to decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentration after ischemia-hypoxia/reoxygenation. These results suggest that exogenous HSP70 protects against ischemia-hypoxia/reoxygenation injury, at least in part, by maintaining cellular Ca2+ homeostasis, by upregulating SERCA expression and by downregulating IP3R expression.
Optimization of High Performance Computing Cluster based on Intel MIC

This paper focuses on theoretical analysis, computational test and optimization of High Performance Computing Cluster (HPCC). Also known as Data Analytics Supercomputer (DAS), HPCC is built on Intel Many Integrated Core (MIC) for High Performance Linpack (HPL) test. Initially, a platform is configured by 5 nodes with an Intel® Xeon Phi™ Coprocessor 31S1P per node to analyze power consumption as well as parallel level of Intel MIC accelerator. Compiling with Message Passing Interface (MPI) library and Math Kernel Library (MKL), the “Make” file is modified and debugged by adjusting parameters in hpccinf.txt. According to multiple Infiniband nodes evaluation, the libhpl library of Intel is employed and value of NB is set to be 960 for a single node with one MIC while debugging. Moreover, this paper optimized the algorithm on Double Precision General Matrix Multiplication (DGEMM) test and PTRANS to acquire efficient, precise and truncated working time duration. From HPL and Gridding Program experimental results, it's clear that the theoretical analysis and experiments were performed successfully.
Role of telerehabilitation in patients following total knee arthroplasty: Evidence from a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Introduction Increased physical activity and functional ability are the goals of total knee replacement surgery. Therefore, adequate rehabilitation is required for the recovery of patients after discharge from hospital following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This systematic literature review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of home telerehabilitation in patients who underwent TKA. Methods Studies published in the English language between 2000 and 2014 were retrieved from Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane databases using relevant search strategies. Two researchers independently reviewed the studies as per the Cochrane methodology for systematic literature review. We considered telerehabilitation sessions as those that were conducted by experienced physiotherapists, using videoconferencing to patients’ homes via an internet connection. The outcomes assessed included: knee movement (knee extension and flexion); quadriceps muscle strength; functional assessment (the timed up-and-go test); and assessment of pain, stiffness, and functional capacity using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and visual analogue scale for pain. Results In total, 160 potentially relevant studies were screened. Following the screening of studies as abstracts and full-text publications, six primary publications (four randomized controlled trials, one non-randomized controlled trial, and one single-arm trial) were included in the review. Patients experienced high levels of satisfaction with the use of telerehabilitation alone. There was no significant difference in change in active knee extension and flexion in the home telerehabilitation group as compared to the control group (mean difference (MD) −0.52, 95% CI −1.39 to 0.35, p = 0.24 and MD 1.14, 95% CI −0.61 to 2.89, p = 0.20, respectively). The patients in the home telerehabilitation group showed improvement in physical activity and functional status similar to patients in the conventional therapy group. Discussion The evidence from this systematic literature review demonstrated that telerehabilitation is a practical alternative to conventional face-to-face rehabilitation therapy in patients who underwent TKA.
Clinical Relevance of Transforming Growth Factor-β1, Interleukin-6 and Haptoglobin for Prediction of Obesity Complications in Prepubertal Egyptian Children

BACKGROUND: The rate of obesity is increasing throughout the world. Obesity in adults’ research is characterized by chronic inflammation, associated with type 2 Diabetes and cardiovascular risk. The degree to which these changes occur in childhood obesity is not fully defined. AIM: This study was designed to explore the relation between circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and obesity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross sectional case control study was carried out in 50 randomly selected pre-pubertal overweight and obese children compared with fifty apparently healthy children of matched age and sex. Serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1, interleukin-6, and haptoglobin were quantified by ELISA technique. RESULTS: ANOVA test followed by Post Hoc test showed highly significant increase in the serum levels of the transforming growth factor-β1, interleukin-6 and haptoglobin among obese children compared to overweight and healthy children respectively. The body weight, BMI and BMI z-score were significantly positively correlated with serum levels of the three pro-inflammatory cytokines. Serum levels of interleukin-6, and haptoglobin were found to be strong predictors of complications in severe obesity by linear regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. High levels of interleukin-6 and haptoglobin are considered to be early biomarkers of inflammation associated with severe obesity with subsequent cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes risk.
Assessment of Corneal Biomechanical Properties in Normal Tension Glaucoma and Comparison With Open-angle Glaucoma, Ocular Hypertension, and Normal Eyes

Purpose:To assess the biomechanical properties of corneas in patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) and to compare them with those of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), ocular hypertension (OHT), and normal controls (N). Methods:Corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldmann intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal compensated IOP (IOPcc) were obtained using an ocular response analyzer for 28 eyes in 14 patients with NTG, 75 eyes in 38 patients with chronic POAG, 53 eyes of 27 patients with OHT, and 44 eyes of 22 N controls. IOP using Goldmann applanation tonometry (IOPGA) and ultrasonic central corneal thickness (CCT) were also measured for each eye. Analysis of variance test was used for statistical analysis. Results:CH was significantly lower in the NTG group (9.88±2.02 mm Hg) compared with the N group (11.05±1.53 mm Hg; P<0.01). CRF was significantly lower in the NTG group (9.5±1.89 mm Hg) compared with the POAG group (11.15±2.35 mm Hg; P<0.01) and to the N group (11.00±1.75 mm Hg; P<0.01). CCT was not considered significantly different between the 4 groups. However, IOPcc was found to be significantly lower in NTG group compared with the POAG group and OHT group (P<0.001). Conclusion:NTG was associated with significantly lower CRF than chronic POAG and N patients. CH and CRF could be a useful tool in early diagnosis of NTG.
Vam10p defines a Sec18p-independent step of priming that allows yeast vacuole tethering

YOR068c, termed VAM10 (altered vacuole morphology), lies within the VPS5 gene on the opposite DNA strand. VAM10 deletion causes vacuole fragmentation in vivo. The in vitro fusion of purified yeast vacuoles is stimulated by recombinant Vam10p and blocked by antibody to Vam10p. Vam10p acts early in the priming stage of fusion, independent of Sec18p. After priming, recombinant Vam10p will not stimulate fusion and anti-Vam10p antibodies will not inhibit; Vam10p provides a functional marker for this Sec18p-independent priming step. Pure Vam10p restores normal, Ypt7p-dependent tethering to vacuoles from a vam10Δ strain.