Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment outcome with mTOR inhibitors for metastatic renal cell carcinoma with nonclear and sarcomatoid histologies.

BACKGROUND The clinical trials that reported benefit of the rapalogs temsirolimus and everolimus in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were primarily conducted in patients with clear-cell histology (ccRCC). We assessed outcome with these mammalian target of rapamicin (mTOR) inhibitors in two subsets of kidney cancer: sarcomatoid variant ccRCC and nonclear-cell RCC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Baseline clinical features, information on prior treatment, and histologic subtypes were collected for patients previously treated with rapalogs for metastatic RCC of either nonclear phenotype or ccRCC with sarcomatoid features. Outcome was assessed centrally by a dedicated research radiologist for determination of tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS Eighty-five patients received temsirolimus (n = 59) or everolimus (n = 26). Nonclear-cell phenotypes included papillary (n = 14), chromophobe (n = 9), collecting duct (n = 4), translocation-associated (n = 3), and unclassified (n = 32) RCC. Twenty-three patients had clear-cell histology with sarcomatoid features. The response rate in assessable patients (n = 82) was 7% (all partial responses); 49% of patients achieved stable disease, and 44% had progressive disease as their best response. Tumor shrinkage was observed in 26 patients (32%). Median PFS and OS were 2.9 and 8.7 months, respectively. Nine patients (11%) were treated for ≥1 year, including cases of papillary (n = 3), chromophobe (n = 2), unclassified (n = 3) RCC, and ccRCC with sarcomatoid features (n = 1). No tumor shrinkages were observed for patients with collecting duct or translocation-associated RCC. CONCLUSIONS A subset of patients with nonclear-cell and sarcomatoid variant ccRCC subtypes benefit from mTOR inhibitors, but most have poor outcome. Histologic subtype does not appear to be helpful in selecting patients for rapalog therapy. Future efforts should include the identification of predictive tissue biomarkers.
Ecological and evolutionary implications of genomic structural variations

Large genomic segments spanning millions of nucleotides commonly differ between any two genomes, including between monozygotic twins (Bruder et al., 2008). These structural variations (SVs) include deletions, insertions, duplications, inversions, and translocations. SVs have been associated with human genetic diseases (Weischenfeldt et al., 2013), but can also facilitate adaptation (Iskow et al., 2012) and speciation (Noor et al., 2001; Rieseberg, 2001). In this research topic, the contributed articles offer insights into the ecological and evolutionary implications of genomic SVs, emphasizing the advances, limitations, and importance of studying the evolution of structural polymorphisms in model and non-model organisms.
TWEAK/Fn14 Axis-Targeted Therapeutics: Moving Basic Science Discoveries to the Clinic

The TNF superfamily member TWEAK (TNFSF12) is a multifunctional cytokine implicated in physiological tissue regeneration and wound repair. TWEAK is initially synthesized as a membrane-anchored protein, but furin cleavage within the stalk region can generate a secreted TWEAK isoform. Both TWEAK isoforms bind to a small cell surface receptor named Fn14 (TNFRSF12A) and this interaction stimulates various cellular responses, including proliferation and migration. Fn14, like other members of the TNF receptor superfamily, is not a ligand-activated protein kinase. Instead, TWEAK:Fn14 engagement promotes Fn14 association with members of the TNFR associated factor family of adapter proteins, which triggers activation of various signaling pathways, including the classical and alternative NF-κB pathways. Numerous studies have revealed that Fn14 gene expression is significantly elevated in injured tissues and in most solid tumor types. Also, sustained Fn14 signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia, chronic inflammatory diseases, and cancer. Accordingly, several groups are developing TWEAK- or Fn14-targeted agents for possible therapeutic use in patients. These agents include monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins, and immunotoxins. In this article, we provide an overview of some of the TWEAK/Fn14 axis-targeted agents currently in pre-clinical animal studies or in human clinical trials and discuss two other potential approaches to target this intriguing signaling node.
A novel scheme for sweat-pore extraction & performance evaluation on multi-core

This paper presents a novel scheme for the detection and extraction of sweat pores (categorized as one of the fingerprint level 3 micro features). The proposed scheme seamlessly fuses two distinct methods into a novel model capable of obtaining good results from fingerprint images captured through optical live-scan devices with resolutions ranging from basic 500 dpi (despite the common belief that images obtained at this resolution are not of high enough quality) to 2000ppi. The performance of the presented model is then evaluated over multiple cores, spanning from single core to quad cores. The proposed scheme is successfully tested on publicly available fingerprint datasets, which were scanned with Cross Match Verifier 300 scanner at 500 dpi (pores are quite visible in these samples), as well as on 144 images at 2000ppi resolution. The experimental results clearly show a significant performance gain of 50.91% (32-bit platform) and 79.11% (64-bit platform) for parallelized approach over sequential approach. The performance gain is surely to increase further with few more code optimizations and with increase in the dataset size.
The Economic Gradient Method

The economic gradient method is designed to provide guidance for the analysis and recommendation of change when information is available only over so narrow a range as to preclude a credible calculation of the global optimum. Using as data the gradients of the relevant functions evaluated at the current point of operation, the procedure calculates the direction of change from the status quo that yields the greatest feasible local rate of increase in the objective function of the decision maker. The calculation should be viewed as a benchmark because proposed movements of practical size must be assessed for feasibility. Under structural assumptions (standard for second-order conditions), the procedure can also be used to obtain an upper bound on the gain from effecting any particular (nonlocal) set of feasible changes in the decision variables. In Section I, we present the economic gradient method in a general form. We specialize the formulae in Section II to apply to pricing under a budget constraint with aggregate consumer welfare as the objective function. ' Pilot empirical applications to U.S. Postal Service and long distance telephone rates are summarized in Sections III and IV.
Hierarchical requantization of depth data for 3D visual communications

Depth data is recognized as an important information in 3D visual communications. Whereas the representation, coding and transmitting of depth data is still an open problem, the depth data quality strongly also depend of its bit precision, i.e. how many bits are used to represent the depth signal. This paper addresses the efficient requantization of a n-bit depth data to a lower m-bit representation, in order to be compliant with classical video encoder input. The proposed depth mapping method to a lower m-bit precision is carried out through a binary space partition wherein the construction is based on histogram analysis. The resulting constrained optimization problem can be solved in O(2m) time. Experimental results show that this new depth requantization strategy leads to a smaller quantization error and hence better synthesis novel views by Depth Image Based Rendering (DIBR).
Overview of automotive sensors

An up-to-date review paper on automotive sensors is presented. Attention is focused on sensors used in production automotive systems. The primary sensor technologies in use today are reviewed and are classified according to their three major areas of automotive systems application-powertrain, chassis, and body. This subject is extensive. As described in this paper, for use in automotive systems, there are six types of rotational motion sensors, four types of pressure sensors, five types of position sensors, and three types of temperature sensors. Additionally, two types of mass air flow sensors, five types of exhaust gas oxygen sensors, one type of engine knock sensor, four types of linear acceleration sensors, four types of angular-rate sensors, four types of occupant comfort/convenience sensors, two types of near-distance obstacle detection sensors, four types of far-distance obstacle detection sensors, and and ten types of emerging, state-of the-art, sensor technologies are identified.
SECOND BEST CONGESTION PRICING: THE CASE OF AN UNTOLLED ALTERNATIVE. IN: URBAN TRANSPORT

This paper deals with second-best one-route congestion pricing in case of an untolled alternative. Using a two-link network simulation model, the effects of various demand and cost parameters on the relative efficiency of one route tolling are analyzed. The idea that existence of costs of congestion charging may be a reason for one-route tolling to be more "overall efficient" than two-route tolling is investigated. Finally, the efficiency of revenue maximizing one-route and two-route tolling is discussed.
A Sub 1V CMOS LNA dedicated to 802.11b/g applications with self-test & high reliability capabilities

A low noise amplifier designed in a 0.13 mum CMOS technology, which has self-test and high reliability capabilities, is presented. Such a LNA could be used in the design of front-end of critical nodes in wireless local area networks to ensure the data transmission. The test of the LNA is based on a built-in self test methodology that permits to monitor its behavior and its reliability is ensured by the use of redundancies. The LNA works under a 0.9 V supply voltage and the test chip has characteristics suitable for 802.11 b/g applications. Parametric faults are injected and detected that demonstrate the efficiency of the BIST circuitry. Switching on each redundant block has proven that the LNA keeps its performances.
The Escherichia coli OxyS regulatory RNA represses fhlA translation by blocking ribosome binding

OxyS is a small untranslated RNA which is induced in response to oxidative stress in Escherichia coli. This novel RNA acts as a global regulator to activate or repress the expression of as many as 40 genes, including the fhlA‐encoded transcriptional activator and the rpoS‐encoded σs subunit of RNA polymerase. Deletion analysis of OxyS showed that different domains of the small RNA are required for the regulation of fhlA and rpoS. We examined the mechanism of OxyS repression of fhlA and found that the OxyS RNA inhibits fhlA translation by pairing with a short sequence overlapping the Shine–Dalgarno sequence, thereby blocking ribosome binding/translation.
Evaluation of a Transient Noise Reduction Algorithm in Cochlear Implant Users

Dealing with environmental noises presents a major issue for cochlear implant (CI) users. Hence, digital noise reduction (DNR) schemes have become important features of CI systems. Many noises like for example clinking glasses or slamming doors, have impulsive onsets and decay quickly. Common DNR algorithms cannot handle this type of noise in an appropriate way. In this study, we investigated the effect of an algorithm specially designed for such noises with 12 CI users (age range: 45 to 75 years). Speech scores in noise and quiet as well as subjective ratings of speech clarity, comfort and overall preference were measured. The main finding was a significant improvement of up to 1.7 dB of the speech reception threshold in noise as well as increased speech clarity. Speech in quiet was not negatively affected by the algorithm. The study revealed that the tested algorithm has the potential to improve CI listening. However, further research is needed regarding the effectiveness and suitability of the algorithm in daily use.
Comparative pharmacokinetic study of two mycophenolate mofetil formulations in stable kidney transplant recipients

We compared steady‐state pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) – Myfenax® (Teva) and CellCept® (Roche) – in stable kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). This was an international, multi‐centre, randomized, open‐label, two‐treatment, two‐sequence crossover study with a 3‐month follow‐up. We included KTRs at least 12 months post‐transplantation with stable renal graft function for at least 3 months. The maintenance treatment consisted of MMF in combination with tacrolimus with or without steroids. At the end of the two treatment periods, 6‐h or 12‐h PK studies of mycophenolic acid (MPA) were performed. A total of 43 patients (mean age: 50.7 ± 13.5 years; 19 females, 24 males) were randomized. Estimates of test to reference ratios (90% CIs) were 0.959 (0.899; 1.023) h*μg/ml for AUC(0–tau) and 0.873 (0.787; 0.968) μg/ml for Cmax. Estimates for AUC(0–6h) were 0.923 (0.865; 0.984) h*μg/ml and 0.985 (0.877; 1.106) μg/ml for Cmin. Thus, AUC(0–tau), AUC(0–6h), and Cmin of MPA were within the predefined margins. Cmax was somewhat outside of these margins in this set of patients. The numbers and types of adverse events were not different between the two treatments. The steady‐state pharmacokinetics of MPA as well as adverse events are comparable for Myfenax® and CellCept® in tacrolimus‐treated stable KTRs. (EudraCT‐No.: 2009‐010562‐31; ClinicalTrials.Gov number: NCT00991510)
Magnetic microparticle-polydimethylsiloxane composite for reversible microchannel bonding

Abstract In this study, an iron oxide magnetic microparticles and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (MMPs-PDMS) composite material was employed to demonstrate a simple high-strength reversible magnetic bonding method. This paper presents the casting of opaque-view (where optical inspection through the microchannels was impossible) and clear-view (where optical inspection through the microchannel was possible) MMPs-PDMS. The influence of the microchannel geometries on the casting of the opaque-view casting was limited, which is similar to standard PDMS casting. Clear-view casting performance was highly associated with the microchannel geometries. The effects of the microchannel layout and the gap between the PDMS cover layer and the micromold substrate were thoroughly investigated. Compared with the native PDMS bonding strength of 31 kPa, the MMPs-PDMS magnetic bonding experiments showed that the thin PDMS film with an MMPs-PDMS layer effectively reduced the surface roughness and enhanced MMPs-PDMS reversible magnetic bonding strength. A thin PDMS film-coated opaque-view MMPs-PDMS device exhibited the greatest bonding strength of 110 kPa, and a clear-view MMPs-PDMS device with a thin PDMS film attained a magnetic bonding strength of 81 kPa.
Modeling Epidemic Data Diffusion for Wireless Mobile Networks

We propose an analytical model for data diffusion time/delay in a wireless mobile network using a novel peer-to-peer spatial-demand based information dissemination technique. The demand-based technique for data dissemination is beneficial for mobile network since this fully distributed and scalable network system utilizes only local urge for data and provides faster delivery of information. However, due to mobility and chaotic wireless network, it is difficult to predict the object diffusion time/delay among all the interested nodes in a mobile network. Therefore, the development of an analytical model to anticipate the expected time of data distribution among the nodes in a mobile system is an important area of research. In response to this problem, we first find the probabilities of transmitting object from one node to multiple nodes using the epidemic model of disease spreading. Utilizing these transition probabilities, we construct an analytical model based on Markov chain to calculate the expected delay of information diffusion. In addition, we adopt the mobility and scheduling impact on data transition probabilities in our analytical model. Extensive event-based simulations demonstrate that our analytical model provide near perfect estimation of data diffusion time/delay in wireless mobile networks.
Running Title : 2 Balancing out dwelling and moving : optimal sensorimotor 3 synchronization 4 5 Abbreviated title : To dwell and to move : Variability Optimization 6 7

24 Sensorimotor synchronization is a fundamental skill involved in the performance of many 25 artistic activities (e.g., music, dance). After a century of research, the manner in which the 26 nervous system produces synchronized movements remains poorly understood. Typical 27 rhythmic movements involve a motion and motionless phase (dwell). The dwell phase 28 represents a sizeable fraction of the rhythm period, and scales with it. The rationale for this 29 organization remains unexplained, and is the object of this study. Twelve participants, 4 30 drummers (D) and 8 non-drummers (ND), performed tapping movements paced at 0.5-2.5 Hz 31 by a metronome. The participants organized their tapping behavior into dwell and movement 32 phases according to two strategies: 1. Eight participants (1 D, 7 ND) maintained an almost 33 constant ratio of movement time (MT) and dwell time (DT) irrespective of the metronome 34 period; 2. Four participants increased the proportion of DT as the period increased. The 35 temporal variability of both the dwell and movement phases were consistent with Weber’s 36 law, i.e. their variability increased with their durations, and the longest phase exhibited 37 always the smallest variability. We developed an optimal statistical model that formalized the 38 distribution of time into dwell and movement intervals as a function of their temporal 39 variability. The model accurately predicted the participants’ dwell and movement durations 40 irrespective of their strategy and musical skill, strongly suggesting that the distribution of DT 41 and MT results from an optimization process, dependent on each participant’s skill to predict 42 time during rest and movement. 43 44
Endogenous Opioid Peptides Contribute to Antinociceptive Potency of Intrathecal [Dmt1]DALDA

[Dmt1]DALDA (H-Dmt-d-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH2; Dmt = 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine) is a dermorphin analog that shows high affinity and selectivity for the μ opioid receptor. The intrathecal potency of [Dmt1]DALDA far exceeded its affinity at μ receptors and suggests that other mechanisms must be involved in its action in the spinal cord. The affinity and selectivity of [Dmt1]DALDA was determined using cell membranes expressing cloned human μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors. Competitive displacement binding with [3H][Dmt1]DALDA, [3H]DPDPE (H-Tyr-d-Pen-Gly-Phe-d-Pen), and [3H]U69,593 [(5α,7α,8β)-(+)-N-methyl-N-(7-[1-pyrrolidinyl]-1-oxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-benzeneacetamide] revealed K i of 156 ± 26 pM for μ opioid receptor (MOR), 1.67 ± 0.04 μM for δ opioid receptor (DOR), and K i of 4.4 ± 1.7 nM for κ opioid receptor (KOR), respectively. [Dmt1]DALDA increased guanosine 5′-O-(3-[35S]thiotriphosphate) binding in MOR, DOR, and KOR membranes, with EC50 being 17 (8.8–33) nM, 2 (1.2–3.2) μM, and 124 (15–1000) nM, respectively. Intrathecal [Dmt1]DALDA inhibited the tail-flick response in mice with ED50 = 1.22 (0.59–2.34) pmol. Intrathecal administration of an antiserum against dynorphin A(1-17) or [Met5]enkephalin significantly attenuated the response to i.t. [Dmt1]DALDA, resulting in ED50 of 6.2 (3.6–12.6) pmol and 6.6 (3.5–19.6) pmol, respectively. Neither antisera had any effect on the response to i.t. morphine. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) [Dmt1]DALDA was not affected by previous i.c. v. administration of anti-Dyn or anti-ME. Pretreatment with norbinaltorphimine or naltriben also attenuated the antinociceptive response to i.t. , but not i.c. v. , [Dmt1]DALDA. These data suggest that i.t. [Dmt1]DALDA causes the release of dynorphin and [Met5]enkephalin-like substances that act at κ and δ receptors, respectively, to contribute to the extraordinary potency of [Dmt1]DALDA.
Bureaucratic motivations : an examination of motivations in the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Environment Agency for England and Wales

Bureaucratic Motivations: An examination of Motivations in the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Environment Agency for England and Wales Robert Kieran McMahon Nuffield College University of Oxford September 1999 This thesis examines the motivations of bureaucrats in two government agencies: the Environmental Protection Agency in the US, and the Environment Agency for England and Wales. The model employed in this work is a Trifocal Model which utilises Rational Choice, Institutional and Cultural approaches in answering the thesis question. The aim of this work is two-fold: one aim is to explain motivations in two agencies; the second aim is to suggest why the existing literature in the field of bureaucracy often fails to capture the diversity of bureaucratic motivations. The claim is that the adherence to one particular paradigmatic approach prevents scholars from attaining a comprehensive understanding of motivations. This work focuses on two elements of the Trifocal Approach, namely institutional and cultural explanations. Rational Choice explanations are given a limited explanatory role in this work, in large part because of the restricted usefulness of an approach which takes the preferences of agents as given. This thesis uses a scientific approach to the analysis of qualitative data, allowing other researchers to make use of, and indeed to question, the findings presented below. The argument in this thesis suggests why scholars must pay more attention to what those people within bureaucracies tell us about themselves and their motivations. To take the preferences of agents as givens is to ignore much of what is most important about the study of politics that is, where preferences come from, and how they shape the political behaviour we observe in bureaucracies. This thesis will show that public sector reforms are often flawed, often failing to consider the interplay of cultural and institutional effects, and how these effects have a bearing on the motivations of staff in organisations undergoing reform. Furthermore, cultural and institutional factors must be considered whenever one considers the question what is it that motivates bureaucrats.
Evaluating the impact of k-anonymization on the inference of interaction networks

We address the publication of a large academic information dataset while ensuring privacy. We evaluate anonymization techniques achieving the intended protection, while retaining the utility of the anonymized data. The published data can help to infer behaviors and study interaction patterns in an academic population. These could subsequently be used to improve the planning of campus life, such as defining cafeteria opening hours or assessing student performance. Moreover, the nature of academic data is such that many implicit social interaction networks can be derived from available datasets, either anonymized or not, raising the need for researching how anonymity can be assessed in this setting. Hence we quantify the impact of anonymization techniques over data utility and the impact of anonymization on behavioural patterns analysis.