Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ramucirumab as second-line treatment for patients with metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma

Ramucirumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the extracellular domain of the VEGF receptor 2. It prevents ligand binding to VEGF receptor 2 and receptor-mediated pathway activation in endothelial cells. After promising Phase I trial results in a variety of tumor types, two pivotal placebo-controlled Phase III trials conducted in patients with pretreated metastatic esophagogastric adenocarcinoma demonstrated significant clinical activity regarding the prolongation of overall survival both as monotherapy (REGARD study) and in combination with paclitaxel (RAINBOW study). Currently, ramucirumab is being investigated in the first-line treatment of esophagogastric adenocarcinoma in combination with capecitabine and cisplatin in a Phase III trial (RAINFALL).
Two-dimensional analysis of the edge effect field and losses in high-frequency transformer foils

In design of high-frequency magnetic devices, various approaches have been used to provide calculation tools that are able to predict winding losses, including skin effect and proximity effect, in their two-dimensional (2-D) aspects. Up to now, these approaches have been mainly focused on giving quantitative results for specific cases. Because the final purpose of designers is not to perform single calculations, but to obtain optimal designs, we have looked for a complementary approach providing more general 2-D guidelines and understanding of the phenomena. In this paper, we examine the case of a foil winding undergoing edge effect, a typical situation where classical one-dimensional theories underestimate the real losses. Using a 2-D closed-form formula we developed in a previous work and the associated database of 400 2-D numerical models, we systematically analyze the dependence of the 2-D field and the corresponding extra losses with the geometrical design variables describing the dimension and position of the winding.
Collision detection for virtual machine tools and virtual robot arms using the Shared Triangles Extended Octrees method

The performance of virtual machine tools and virtual robot arms relies on the use of efficient and precise collision detection methods. This study proposes an octree-based collision detection method, called the ‘shared triangles extended octrees’, applied on virtual machine tools and virtual robot arms. The proposed scheme combines the high computational efficiency of the octree test and the high numerical accuracy of an analytical surface boundaries intersection test. In the proposed algorithm, the overlapping voxels between neighbouring geometries in the virtual mechanisms are identified using octrees, and the intersections of the triangles within these voxels are then checked. It works efficiently, with rapid generation of deformed geometry by shared triangles without using decomposition. The proposed collision detection scheme is implemented on virtual machine tools and the virtual robot arms in a virtual manufacturing cell. The virtual machine tools and virtual robot arms are composed of component trees, which describe the kinematic relation between components. The necessity to check for collisions between each component is indicated by a Boolean matrix. The pairs of components selected by the Boolean matrix are checked using the proposed shared triangles extended octree method. The proposed collision detection method is an efficient tool for verifying the manipulation of CNC machine tools and robot arms and is of great help to CAD/CAM engineers and manufacturing engineers and operators of machine tools and robot arms.
Controlled synthesis of Bi2O3/TiO2 catalysts with mixed alcohols for the photocatalytic oxidation of HCHO

ABSTRACT Bi2O3/TiO2 photocatalysts were prepared by a hydrothermal method. The photocatalysts were applied to the catalytic oxidation of indoor formaldehyde vapors under irradiation by an light-emitting diode energy-saving lamp. The characterization methods including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, X-ay diffraction, UV-vis spectra, scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis were used to investigate the crystalline structure, morphology, specific surface area and porosity. The effects of the preparation conditions, including the type of alcohols, molar ratio and calcination temperature, on the morphology, structure and crystalline phase of the catalyst were also investigated. The results reveal that the morphology could be controlled by using different types of alcohols, especially mixed alcohols. The morphology played a key role in determining the photodegradation efficiency of formaldehyde. According to the experimental results, the Bi2O3/TiO2 catalysts with amorphous particles showed the highest activity. The presence of anatase TiO2 and Bi4(TiO4)3 with a heterojunction structure was the main reason for the high activity, and they were beneficial for increasing the separation of the photogenerated electrons and holes and decreasing their recombination through electron transformations.
Shoot Branching and Leaf Dissection in Tomato Are Regulated by Homologous Gene Modules[W]

This work shows that axillary meristem initiation and leaflet initiation in tomato share common regulators that act in boundary establishment, including the NAM/CUC ortholog Goblet and the MYB domain transcription factors Blind and Potato leaf, which are orthologs of the Arabidopsis branching regulator RAX1. Aerial plant architecture is predominantly determined by shoot branching and leaf morphology, which are governed by apparently unrelated developmental processes, axillary meristem formation, and leaf dissection. Here, we show that in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), these processes share essential functions in boundary establishment. Potato leaf (C), a key regulator of leaf dissection, was identified to be the closest paralog of the shoot branching regulator Blind (Bl). Comparative genomics revealed that these two R2R3 MYB genes are orthologs of the Arabidopsis thaliana branching regulator REGULATOR OF AXILLARY MERISTEMS1 (RAX1). Expression studies and complementation analyses indicate that these genes have undergone sub- or neofunctionalization due to promoter differentiation. C acts in a pathway independent of other identified leaf dissection regulators. Furthermore, the known leaf complexity regulator Goblet (Gob) is crucial for axillary meristem initiation and acts in parallel to C and Bl. Finally, RNA in situ hybridization revealed that the branching regulator Lateral suppressor (Ls) is also expressed in leaves. All four boundary genes, C, Bl, Gob, and Ls, may act by suppressing growth, as indicated by gain-of-function plants. Thus, leaf architecture and shoot architecture rely on a conserved mechanism of boundary formation preceding the initiation of leaflets and axillary meristems.
Decoupling of amniote gastrulation and streak formation reveals a morphogenetic unity in vertebrate mesoderm induction

Mesoderm is formed during gastrulation. This process takes place at the blastopore in lower vertebrates and in the primitive streak (streak) in amniotes. The evolutionary relationship between the blastopore and the streak is unresolved, and the morphogenetic and molecular changes leading to this shift in mesoderm formation during early amniote evolution are not well understood. Using the chick model, we present evidence that the streak is dispensable for mesoderm formation in amniotes. An anamniote-like circumblastoporal mode of gastrulation can be induced in chick and three other amniote species. The induction requires cooperative activation of the FGF and Wnt pathways, and the induced mesoderm field retains anamniote-like dorsoventral patterning. We propose that the amniote streak is homologous to the blastopore in lower vertebrates and evolved from the latter in two distinct steps: an initial pan-amniote posterior restriction of mesoderm-inducing signals; and a subsequent lineage-specific morphogenetic modification of the pre-ingression epiblast.
Effects of reminiscence interventions on psychosocial outcomes: A meta-analysis

Objectives: This study integrated results from controlled trials of reminiscence interventions. Methods: Meta-analysis was used to aggregate results from 128 studies on 9 outcome variables. Results: Compared to non-specific changes in control-group members, moderate improvements were observed at posttest with regard to ego-integrity (g = 0.64) and depression (g = 0.57 standard deviation units). Small effects were found on purpose in life (g = 0.48), death preparation (g = 0.40), mastery (g = 0.40), mental health symptoms (g = 0.33), positive well-being (g = 0.33), social integration (g = 0.31), and cognitive performance (g = 0.24). Most effects were maintained at follow-up. We observed larger improvements of depressive symptoms in depressed individuals (g = 1.09) and persons with chronic physical disease (g = 0.94) than in other individuals, and in those receiving life-review therapy (g = 1.28) rather than life-review or simple reminiscence. Moderating effects of the control condition were also detected. Conclusions: Reminiscence interventions affect a broad range of outcomes, and therapeutic as well as preventive effects are similar to those observed in other frequently used interventions.
Flexible latching-type tactile display system actuated by combination of electromagnetic and pneumatic forces

In this paper, we have proposed and fabricated a new flexible latching-type tactile display system, which is actuated by combination of electromagnetic and pneumatic forces for large displacement and high tactile force. The proposed tactile display system is implemented on a flexible PDMS structure and can be easily attached on any curved body to transfer reliable tactile information to human. From the proto-type, the actuation displacement has been measured to be 700 μm and the generated force to be 100 mN. With an air pressure 19.5 kPa, the status of tactile actuator can be controlled with an applied current of 10 mA. Also, we have successfully implemented 2 × 2 tactile display array controlled with an applied current and it can be used to transfer different combination of tactile information to human.
Maximizing console surgeon independence during robot-assisted renal surgery by using the Fourth Arm and TilePro.

PURPOSE We describe multiple uses of the fourth robotic arm and TilePro on the da Vinci S surgical system to maximize console surgeon independence from the assistant during robot-assisted renal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prospectively evaluated the use of the fourth robotic arm and TilePro on the da Vinci S during robot-assisted radical nephrectomy (RRN) and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RPN). The fourth robotic arm was used to provide kidney retraction, place the renal hilum on stretch, control vascular structures, apply and remove bulldog clamps during partial nephrectomy, and secure renal capsular stitches. TilePro was used to project intraoperative ultrasonography and preoperative CT images onto the console screen. RESULTS From January 2006 to June 2008, 90 robot-assisted kidney procedures were performed, of which the fourth robotic arm was used in 46 cases (RRN, 18; RPN, 24; nephroureterectomy, 4). The fourth robotic arm facilitated consistent kidney retraction for dissection of the renal hilum and mobilization of the kidney. The robotic Hem-o-Lok clip applier effectively controlled renal hilar vessels during eight RPN cases and secured renal capsular stitches during two RPN cases. Bulldog clamps were successfully applied to the renal artery during RPN using the fourth arm in two cases. TilePro was used during 22 RPN cases to project intraoperative ultrasonographic images and preoperative CT images onto the console screen as a picture-on-picture image to guide tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS Robotic instruments used with the fourth robotic arm may give the console surgeon greater independence from the assistant during robot-assisted kidney surgery by facilitating steps such as kidney retraction, hilar dissection, and vascular control. The TilePro feature of the da Vinci S can be used to project intraoperative ultrasonography and preoperative imaging onto the console screen, potentially guiding tumor localization and resection during RPN without the need to leave the console to view external images.
Aging of the innate immune response in Drosophila melanogaster

Increased activation of the innate immune system is a common feature of aging animals, including mammals and Drosophila melanogaster. With age, D. melanogaster progressively express higher levels of many antimicrobial peptides. It is unknown, however, whether this pattern reflects age‐dependent changes in the function of the immune system itself or arises simply because aged adults have greater cumulative exposure to pathogens. Here we demonstrate that aged D. melanogaster transcribe more antimicrobial diptericin when experimentally exposed to septic bacterial infections. This strong net response in older females is the result of persistent diptericin transcription upon septic exposure, whereas young females rapidly terminate this induction. In contrast to their response to septic exposure, when exposed to killed bacteria aged females have less capacity to induce diptericin. Because this functional capacity of innate immunity declines with age, we conclude that female Drosophila undergo immune senescence. Furthermore, we show that fecundity is reduced by induction of innate immunity via the immune deficiency pathway. Consequently, maximum reproduction will occur when the immune response is tightly controlled in young females, even if this increases infection risk at later ages.
An open framework for translating portable applications into operating system‐specific wireless sensor networks applications

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are distributed systems integrated by tiny devices, called sensor nodes, with capabilities to monitor the environment and forward their measurements to a special node, the sink, where the results can be collected and further processed. The trend in WSN is moving towards heterogeneous networks that will contain different sensor nodes running different instances of custom operating systems. Given the growing demand of new hardware platforms and operating systems specifically designed for sensor nodes, the applications programming for sensor nodes is becoming a challenging process that needs to be alleviated. Currently, application programming for sensor nodes is a complex, ad hoc, and error‐prone process where the portability among different platforms has been sacrificed. In this paper, we propose an open framework aimed to achieve application portability in heterogeneous sensor networks. Our approach provides the programming abstractions needed to support the application development process for sensor nodes. We have implemented an open framework that provides a set of tools on top of the most popular WSN operating systems to translate portable applications to the native operating system in an automatic, simple, and transparent way for developers. We have also evaluated the applications thus generated in terms of productivity and overhead, by comparing their footprint to those originally developed in each specific operating system. The results show that the overhead is minimal—4% in the worst case—and in some cases, it was even possible to reduce the footprint by using code optimizations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of hepatitis B virus mRNA expression in a hepatitis B surface antigen transgenic mouse model by IFN-gamma-secreting T cells after DNA-based immunization.

The immunotherapeutic effect of DNA-mediated immunization against chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been evaluated in transgenic mice expressing the sequences that code for the envelope proteins of HBV in the liver. In this model of HBV chronic carriers, a single i.m. injection of plasmid DNA encoding HBV envelope proteins is sufficient to generate specific immune responses leading to the clearance of the transgene expression product and the control of HBV mRNA. The relative contributions of the T cell subpopulations induced by DNA immunization were examined using adoptive transfer experiments. It was shown that either CD8+ or CD4+ T lymphocytes from immunocompetent DNA-immunized animals were sufficient to control viral gene expression in the livers of the recipient transgenic mice. This effect was mediated by a cytokine-dependent mechanism common to both T cell subpopulations; this mechanism did not require cell lysis, but did involve the production of IFN-gamma by the activated T cells.
Green apple recognition method based on the combination of texture and shape features

Automated harvesting requires accurate recognition of fruit in a tree canopy in uncontrolled environments. However, occlusion, variable illumination, variable appearance and texture make this task a complex challenge. Therefore, an accurate recognition algorithm needs to be studied which involves the detection of green apples within scenes of green leaves, shadow patterns, branches and other objects found in natural tree canopies. In this paper, the method is proposed which combines texture features, shape features and color features to solve the problem of segmenting the target and background of apple picking robot in complex background. The gray-scale difference statistical method is utilized to get the texture feature vector of the image. According to the texture feature vector, the support vector machine (SVM) is used to segment the image preliminar, and then the shape and color features are combined to achieve precise segmentation. Experiments show that the algorithm of this paper is superior to other algorithms in recognition rate and running speed. In addition, it has better segmentation effect for fruit with slight background occlusion.
Association of maternal weight with FADS and ELOVL genetic variants and fatty acid levels- The PREOBE follow-up

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) and elongase (ELOVL) enzymes affect long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA) production. We aimed to determine if these SNPs are associated with body mass index (BMI) or affect fatty acids (FAs) in pregnant women. Participants (n = 180) from the PREOBE cohort were grouped according to pre-pregnancy BMI: normal-weight (BMI = 18.5–24.9, n = 88) and overweight/obese (BMI≥25, n = 92). Plasma samples were analyzed at 24 weeks of gestation to measure FA levels in the phospholipid fraction. Selected SNPs were genotyped (7 in FADS1, 5 in FADS2, 3 in ELOVL2 and 2 in ELOVL5). Minor allele carriers of rs174545, rs174546, rs174548 and rs174553 (FADS1), and rs1535 and rs174583 (FADS2) were nominally associated with an increased risk of having a BMI≥25. Only for the normal-weight group, minor allele carriers of rs174537, rs174545, rs174546, and rs174553 (FADS1) were negatively associated with AA:DGLA index. Normal-weight women who were minor allele carriers of FADS SNPs had lower levels of AA, AA:DGLA and AA:LA indexes, and higher levels of DGLA, compared to major homozygotes. Among minor allele carriers of FADS2 and ELOVL2 SNPs, overweight/obese women showed higher DHA:EPA index than the normal-weight group; however, they did not present higher DHA concentrations than the normal-weight women. In conclusion, minor allele carriers of FADS SNPs have an increased risk of obesity. Maternal weight changes the effect of genotype on FA levels. Only in the normal-weight group, minor allele carriers of FADS SNPs displayed reduced enzymatic activity and FA levels. This suggests that women with a BMI≥25 are less affected by FADS genetic variants in this regard. In the presence of FADS2 and ELOVL2 SNPs, overweight/obese women showed higher n-3 LC-PUFA production indexes than women with normal weight, but this was not enough to obtain a higher n-3 LC-PUFA concentration.
Postpartum Uterine Infections in Cows and Factors Affecting it– A Review

80 to 100% of cows will have bacterial contamination within the uterus after parturition. Cows with abnormal vaginal discharge are more likely to have an increased an ovulatory period or extended postpartum luteal phases. Cows diagnosed with endometritis have 20% lower conception rates and the average interval from calving to conception is 30 days longer. Decrease in reproductive performance is seen even after cows are successfully treated for endometritis. Sub-clinical endometritis can persist after outward signs resolve which result in an increase in number of days open and more services per conception (Sheldon et al., 2009).
Comparison of the effects of 2-deoxyglucose and immobilization on plasma levels of catecholamines and corticosterone in awake rats.

In rats, both forced immobilization and 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) administration evoke increases in sympatho-adrenal medullary release of catecholamines and adrenal cortical secretion of corticosterone. To examine the specificity and mediation by the central nervous system of these responses, plasma levels of epinephrine (from the adrenal medulla), norepinephrine (from sympathetic nerves), and corticosterone were determined during immobilization and after ip or intracerebroventricular administration of 2DG. After 2DG, plasma levels of epinephrine reached a peak within 15 min, while those of corticosterone were maximal at about 1 h. There was a clear relationship between dose of 2DG and the increases in epinephrine and corticosterone, but plasma levels of norepinephrine were increased only at the highest dose (1000 mg/kg) of 2DG. Severing the splanchnic nerve prevented the elevation in levels of epinephrine but did not alter the increase in corticosterone. The dose of 2DG (500 mg/kg) which elicited the same cor.
Longevity of restorations in posterior teeth and reasons for failure.

PURPOSE This article compiles a survey on the longevity of restorations in stress-bearing posterior cavities and assesses possible reasons for failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS The dental literature predominantly of the last decade was reviewed for longitudinal, controlled clinical studies and retrospective cross-sectional studies of posterior restorations. Only studies investigating the clinical performance of restorations in permanent teeth were included. Longevity and annual failure rates of amalgam, direct composite restorations, glass ionomers and derivative products, composite and ceramic inlays, and cast gold restorations were determined for Class I and II cavities. RESULTS Annual failure rates in posterior stress-bearing restorations are: 0% to 7% for amalgam restorations, 0% to 9% for direct composites, 1.4% to 14.4% for glass ionomers and derivatives, 0% to 11.8% for composite inlays, 0% to 7.5% for ceramic restorations, 0% to 4.4% for CAD/CAM ceramic restorations, and 0% to 5.9% for cast gold inlays and onlays. CONCLUSION Longevity of dental restorations is dependent upon many different factors that are related to materials, the patient, and the dentist. The principal reasons for failure were secondary caries, fracture, marginal deficiencies, wear, and postoperative sensitivity. A distinction must be made between factors causing early failures and those that are responsible for restoration loss after several years of service.