Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Historical, clinical, and dermoscopic characteristics of thin nodular melanoma.

BACKGROUND Nodular melanoma (NM), representing 15% to 30% of all melanomas, constitutes nearly half of all melanomas thicker than 2 mm. Nodular melanoma frequently lacks clinical features seen in other melanoma subtypes and has a faster growth rate. We reviewed a series of cases of NM that was less than 1.3 mm thick to identify historical, clinical, and dermoscopic factors that may facilitate earlier diagnosis of NM, with the hope of reducing its associated morbidity and mortality. OBSERVATIONS The thin NM lesions we analyzed had a rather subtle clinical appearance, often lacking the ABCD (asymmetry, border irregularity, color variegation, and diameter greater than 6 mm) criteria. On dermoscopy, most lesions had a homogeneous disorganized asymmetric pattern or a featureless pattern with atypical vessels. Although many dermoscopic features seen in other melanoma subtypes were frequently absent, some features such as a blue-white veil, structureless areas, and atypical vascular structures were often identified. CONCLUSIONS The often unremarkable clinical presentation of NM necessitates physicians and patients to be wary of new or changing lesions. Dermoscopy may help increase suspicion in early NM because dermoscopic features are typically more suggestive of malignancy than clinical ones. We hope that secondary prevention efforts combined with prompt dermatologic consultations will allow for the timely diagnosis and management of NM.
Chronic heart failure: opportunities for a bridge between China and the United States.

Death by heart failure (HF) is a terrible long agony that does not spare celebrities. Poets who wrote about broken hearts, from Samuel Taylor Coleridge to Robert Frost, Edgar Allan Poe, and Pablo Neruda, and Hollywood stars who played on the stage or created characters experiencing heartache from Barbara Stanwyck to Bing Crosby, Alfred Hitchcock, and Elizabeth Taylor died of chronic heart disease. The beautiful description of the sadness of love by Tagore,1 perhaps the greatest writer in modern Indian literature, evokes the dramatic experience of patients with advanced HF and pulmonary edema: Rabindranath Tagore was a poet, philosopher, artist, playwright, composer, and novelist. Tagore was India’s first Nobel laureate; he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. In the past 3 decades, HF has reached endemic proportion in the industrialized world, with 5.1 million patients affected by this syndrome in the United States alone where there is an annual incidence of 670 000 new cases, almost equally distributed between men and women.2 Data from Europe are similarly striking,3 and Asia is experiencing a dramatic increase in the critical risk factors for HF, projecting a worrisome perspective of the social, economical, and medical impact that this disease will have in this continent in the forthcoming future. The unexpected enormous economic growth in China, unmatched by any other country in Asia, has resulted in an increase in life expectancy and in major changes in the lifestyle of the population.4 However, Westernized customs come with a price and cardiovascular disease has now become the leading cause of death in China.4 Currently, 230 million Chinese experience cardiovascular disease; 200 million have hypertension, 7 million have a history of a previous cerebral ischemic event, and …
MANAGING REQUIREMENTS IN MARKET-DRIVEN SOFTWARE PROJECT: AGILE METHODS VIEW

Time-to-market and insufficient initial requirements are two significant challenges that make managing requirements for market-driven software projects different from custom-made software projects. These challenges can be resolved by using agile software development methodologies for market-driven software development as agile methods put emphasis on a dynamic approach for requirement engineering which works closely with an iterative release cycle. In this study, dynamic requirement engineering approach of Agile methods was used for the successful implementation of market-driven complex software project.
Characterization of VP 22 in Herpes Simplex Virus-Infected Cells

We examine biochemical characteristics of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) tegument protein VP22 by gel filtration, glycerol sedimentation, and chemical cross-linking experiments and use time course radiolabeling and immunoprecipitation assays to analyze its synthesis and interaction with other infected-cell proteins. VP22 was expressed as a delayed early protein with optimal synthesis requiring DNA replication. In immunoprecipitation assays, VP22 was found in association with several additional proteins including VP16 and a kinase activity likely to be that of UL13. Furthermore, in sizing chromatography experiments, VP22 was present in several higher-order complexes in infected cells. From gel filtration analysis the major form of VP22 migrated with a molecular mass of approximately 160 kDa, consistent with its presence as a tetramer, or a dimer complexed with other proteins, with a fraction of the protein migrating at larger molecular mass. In vitrosynthesized VP22 sedimented in a size range consistent with a mixture of tetramers and dimers. Short Nor C-terminal deletions resulted in migration almost exclusively as dimers, indicating that VP22, in the absence of additional virus-encoded proteins, could form higher-order assemblies, most likely tetramers, but that both N-and C-terminal determinants were required for stabilizing such assemblies. Consistent with this we found that isolated proteins encompassing either the N-terminal or C-terminal region of VP22 sedimented as dimers, and that the purified C-terminal domain could be cross-linked into dimeric structures. These results are discussed with regard to possible virus and host interactions involved in VP22 recruitment into virus particles.
Activity-based topic discovery

A topic model capable of assigning word pairs to associated topics is developed to explore people's activities. Considering that the form of word pairs led by verbs is a more effective way to express people's activities than separate words, we incorporate the word-connection model into the smoothed Latent Dirichlet Allocation LDA to ensure that the words are well paired and assigned to the associated topics. To quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the proposed model, two datasets were built using Twitter posts as data sources: the wish-related and the geographical information-related datasets. The experiment results using the wish-related dataset indicate that the relatedness of words plays a key role in forming reasonable pairs, and the proposed model, word-pair generative Latent Dirichlet Allocation wpLDA, performs well in clustering. Results obtained using the geographical information-related dataset demonstrate that the proposed model works well for discovering people's activities, in which the activities are understandably represented with an intuitive character.
Survival factors in 186 patients younger than 40 years old with colorectal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND We sought to determine the clinical factors and tumor characteristics associated with the reported poor prognosis in young patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review was performed of 186 patients younger than 40 years of age who were treated for primary colorectal adenocarcinoma. The median age was 34.3 years, and the median follow-up period was 9.4 years. Clinical and tumor histopathologic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS Regional lymph node metastases, distant metastases, or both, were seen at first examination in 65.6 percent of young patients. Histopathologic indicators of more aggressive tumor biology were present at a significantly higher frequency in young patients compared with patients older than 40 years (p < 0.001). Poorly differentiated tumor grade was present in 41.0 percent, signet-ring cell tumors were found in 11.1 percent, and infiltrating tumor leading edges were present in 69.0 percent of young patients. Among young patients with stage II disease, vascular invasion was a significant negative prognostic variable (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We have demonstrated an increased incidence of three biological indicators of aggressive and potentially metastatic tumor biology in 186 young patients with carcinoma of the colon and rectum: signet-ring cell carcinoma, infiltrating tumor edges, and aggressive histologic grade in the primary adenocarcinoma. The increased incidence of these three histologic measures of more aggressive carcinoma of the colon and rectum in part accounts for the higher rate of advanced disease at presentation in patients younger than 40.
Polysensitization as a challenge for the allergist: the suggestions provided by the Polysensitization Impact on Allergen Immunotherapy studies

Introduction: Polysensitization, that is, sensitization to more than one allergen family, is a common feature of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and significantly impairs their quality of life (QoL). Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only causal treatment for AR. However, the polysensitization phenomenon may represent a crucial obstacle as far as it concerns the choice of the allergen extract to be used for immunotherapy. Areas covered: A series of real-life based multi-center studies, named POLISMAIL (Polysensitization Impact on Allergen Immunotherapy), have been designed with the aim of evaluating the behavior of allergists in managing polysensitized AR patients. The effect of immunotherapy treatment in these patients was also evaluated. A single allergen extract was used in two-thirds of patients, whereas a mix of two allergens was chosen in the remaining. The severity grade of AR and the QoL were significantly improved by immunotherapy. Both outcomes confirmed that immunotherapy with one or two allergen extracts achieves a significant improvement in polysensitized patients. Expert opinion: In conclusion, POLISMAIL studies demonstrate that polysensitization should not represent a counter-indication for prescribing immunotherapy. The choice of limiting sublingual immunotherapy to one to two allergen extracts, preferably separated and at high dosages, is sufficient and effective in improving symptoms and QoL.
Discrete Minimal Energy on Flat Tori and Four-Point Maximal Polarization on S^2

Let $Lambda$ be a lattice in $R^d$ with positive co-volume. Among $Lambda$-periodic $N$-point configurations, we consider the minimal renormalized Riesz $s$-energy $mathcal{E}_{s,Lambda}(N)$. While the dominant term in the asymptotic expansion of $mathcal{E}_{s,Lambda}(N)$ as $N$ goes to infinity in the long range case that $0 0$ they are of the form $C_{s,d}|Lambda|^{-s/d}N^{1+s/d}$ and $-frac{2}{d}Nlog N+left(C_{log,d}-2zeta'_{Lambda}(0) ight)N$ where we show that the constant $C_{s,d}$ is independent of the lattice $Lambda$. We also solve the $4$-point maximal polarization problem on $S^2$. We prove that the vertices of a regular tetrahedron on $S^2$ maximize the minimum of discrete potentials on $S^2$ whenever the potential is of the form $sumlimits_{k=1}^{4}f(|x-x_k|^2)$, where $f:[0,4] ightarrow[0,infty]$ is non-increasing and strictly convex with $f(0)=limlimits_{x o 0^+}f(x)$.
Successful Pregnancy Outcome in Women With Bad Obstetric History and Recurrent Fetal Loss Due to Thrombophilia: Effect of Unfractionated Heparin and Low—Molecular Weight Heparin

Acquired and inherited thrombophilias are known to be associated with unfavorable pregnancy outcome including recurrent fetal loss. There are differences of opinion whether these patients need to be treated with aspirin, unfractionated heparin, low—molecular weight heparin, corticosteroids, or intravenous immunoglobulins. In all, 25 consecutive patients with a history of fetal loss and 7 patients who presented in early pregnancy with deep-vein thrombosis were treated, and their pregnancy outcome was noted. All the women were positive either for a solitary or for a combination of acquired and heritable thrombophilia markers. In all, 23 patients were treated with unfractionated heparin and 9 with low—molecular weight heparin. In all, 16 out of 23 patients (69.6%) treated with unfractionated heparin and 9 out of 9 (100%) treated with low—molecular weight heparin had successful pregnancy outcome. There was a complete resolution of thrombus in all the cases. None of the patients had any adverse reactions such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, thrombosis, or fracture. Both unfractionated heparin and low—molecular weight heparin were effective in cases of bad obstetric history and recurrent pregnancy loss due to thrombophilia. However, low—molecular weight heparin was found to be more effective than unfractionated heparin along with other advantages of not requiring laboratory monitoring and easy administration. None of the patients in either group had to interrupt the therapy for any adverse treatment-related complications.
Telehealth on heart failure: results of the Recap project

Telehealth has become a very important tool that allows the monitoring of heart failure patients in a home environment. However, little is known about the effect that such monitoring systems have on patients’ compliance, evolution and self-care behaviour. In particular, the effect that the selected user interface has on these factors is unknown. This study aims to investigate this, and to determine some practicalities that must be considered when designing and implementing a telehealth programme for heart failure. To achieve this, daily measurements of blood pressure, pulse, SpO2 and weight were collected from 534 patients suffering from heart failure. In addition, they were asked to fill in the European heart failure self-care behaviour scale questionnaire and the EQ-5D quality of life questionnaire, before and after the monitoring period. Two telehealth systems were used, the Motiva platform provided by Philips and the standalone unit provided by Docobo, the Doc@Home system. Significant differences were found between both systems concerning the compliance and adherence of patients. Moreover, a general, positive effect of telehealth was identified due to the fact that patients showed an increased self-awareness when managing their condition. These findings are supported by behavioural changes and a better understanding of heart failure from the patients’ perspective.
Sex differences in the photoperiodic regulation of RF‐Amide related peptide (RFRP) and its receptor GPR147 in the syrian hamster

RF‐(Arg‐Phe) related peptides (RFRP‐1 and ‐3) are considered to play a role in the seasonal regulation of reproduction; however, the effect of the peptides depends on species and gender. This study aimed at comparing the RFRP system in male and female Syrian hamsters over long and short photoperiods to investigate the neuroanatomical basis of these differential effects. The neuroanatomical distribution of RFRP neurons and fibers, revealed using an antiserum recognizing RFRP‐1 and ‐3, as well as GPR147 mRNA, are similar in male and female Syrian hamsters. RFRP neurons are mainly found in the medial hypothalamus, whereas RFRP projections and GPR147 mRNA are observed in the preoptic area, anteroventral–periventricular nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, ventromedial hypothalamus, habenular nucleus, and arcuate nucleus. The number of RFRP neurons is higher in females than in males, and in both sexes, the number of RFRP neurons is reduced in short photoperiods. GPR147 mRNA levels are higher in females than in males and are downregulated in short photoperiods, particularly in females. Interestingly, the number of RFRP‐positive fibers in the anteroventral–periventricular nucleus is higher only in females adjusted to a short photoperiod. Our results suggest that the RFRP system, which is strongly regulated by photoperiod in both male and female Syrian hamsters, is particularly important in females, with a distinct role in the anteroventral–periventricular nucleus, possibly in the regulation of the preovulatory luteinizing hormone surge via kisspeptin neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:1825–1838, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accuracy of Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Tractography for Surgery of Gliomas Near the Pyramidal Tract: A Significant Correlation Between Subcortical Electrical Stimulation and Postoperative Tractography

BACKGROUND: Diffusion tensor (DT) imaging-based fiber tracking is a noninvasive magnetic resonance technique that can delineate the course of white matter fibers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of this DT imaging-based fiber tracking for surgery in patients with gliomas near the pyramidal tract (PT). METHODS: Subjects comprised 32 patients with gliomas near the PT. DT imaging-based fiber tracks of the PT were generated before and within 3 days after surgery in all patients. A tractography-integrated navigation system was used during the operation. Cortical and subcortical motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) were also monitored during resection to maximize the preservation of motor function. The threshold intensity for subcortical MEPs was examined by searching the stimulus points and changing the stimulus intensity. Minimum distance between the resection border and the illustrated PT was measured on postoperative tractography. RESULTS: In all subjects, DT imaging-based tractography of the PT was successfully performed, preoperatively demonstrating the relationship between tumors and the PT. With the use of the tractography-integrated navigation system and intraoperative MEPs, motor function was preserved postoperatively in all patients. A significant correlation was seen between threshold intensity for subcortical MEPs and the distance between the resection border and PT on postoperative DT imaging. CONCLUSION: DT imaging-based fiber tracking is a reliable and accurate method for mapping the course of subcortical PTs. Fiber tracking and intraoperative MEPs were useful for preserving motor function in patients with gliomas near the PT.
POWER-ADAPTIVE MICROARCHITECTURE AND COMPILER DESIGN FOR MOBILE COMPUTING

This project considered various sources of power consumption in general purpose high-performance and embedded processors and developed techniques for lowering the power consumption without significant sacrifice in performance. We have designed low power data caches and low power external data buses that can be used for both superscalar and embedded processors. For superscalar processors we have designed low complexity memory disambiguation mechanism, power efficient instruction issue mechanism, and load/store reuse techniques. For embedded processors we have developed techniques that allow us to achieve performance while operating on compacted code and data. The various techniques that were developed have been implemented as part of gcc compiler and the FAST simulation system. Experimentation was carried out to demonstrate the utility of the techniques
An electrical-balance duplexer for in-band full-duplex with <-85dBm in-band distortion at +10dBm TX-power

When using electrical-balance duplexers (EBDs) to provide RF self-interference cancellation for in-band full-duplex, in-band distortion produced by nonlinear CMOS switches in the duplexer cause distortion that limits the headroom for additional self-interference cancellation in subsequent cancellation schemes in the transceiver. A prototype EBD is fabricated in 0. 18μm SOI CMOS to investigate the dynamic range limitations of a transceiver architecture for next-generation wireless systems that supports in-band full-duplex and legacy FDD. Measurements show -85dBm in-band distortion at +10dBm TX input power, enough for short-range links at 10MHz BW.
Old protocols, as do old habits, die hard

Old things, especially objects that were among the first of their kind to be produced, have a certain charm. When one drives past a shiny, restored 1920s car on the highway, the first thought is of a beautiful piece of machinery-they don’t make them like that any more. Lost in the admiration, and obscured by the polish on the surface, is the reality that this beautiful machine has to be hand cranked to get started, can’t reach highway speeds to get us where we want to go in the least amount of time, and provides a rough, unshockabsorbed ride. We admire the prototype, but we travel in modem cars. In genetic toxicity testing, we not only admire the prototypical procedures, but we often cling to them despite knowledge or information that there are more efficient ways to achieve our purposes. Two examples, an in vitro test and an in vivo test, illustrate this phenomenon.
Efficient solar powered wireless sensor solution

In this paper, two different solutions for efficient solar powered sensor networks are presented and compared. Some fundamental considerations on the interaction of the solar cell, the storage capacitors, the DC/DC converters and the wireless radio transmitter are reviewed. The challenges for implementing a direct DC/DC conversion for powering wireless sensor networks are addressed. The realised circuit guaranteed an autonomous start up and a continuous operation of the entire wireless radio transmitter network from an illumination level of above 400 lx. Alternatively, with improved energy storage capability and best possible harvesting of solar power, a two-step DC/DC conversion system was realised. The key component of the supply scheme is a custom designed, low power ASIC which controls the solar cell at the MPP (maximum power point) to guarantee the most efficient use of the available solar power. The realised low power ASIC consumed only 800 nA of DC current to fulfil its control task.
An efficient approach for dynamic PCA filter selection in PCANet for image classification

Character recognition is capturing incremental interests due to the revoked interests in text recognition. Optical character recognition converts handwritten images into machine encoded text. For character recognition, feature extraction and its representation are important issues, which has been pursued in recent years. Principal Component Analysis Network (PCANet) is a very simple deep learning network for image classification designed by cascading PCA filters same as convolution filters in convolution neural network. PCANet uses very basic data processing components: cascaded principal component analysis (PCA), binary hashing and block wise histograms. In this paper, we apply gradient descent to learn the number of filters used in the various stages of PCANet. The proposed method achieves promising performance on the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology database (MNIST) dataset and on the Devanagari handwritten character dataset (achieving an accuracy of 98.946% and 84.09% respectively), demonstrating the effectiveness of learning the number of convolution filters in PCANet using gradient descend in character recognition.
Agile framework for globally distributed development environment (the DAD model)

Fast pace development and quick iterations has changed the dimensions of web application development. Competition to launch their products first in the market has made clients so demanding. As compared to other traditional process models of Software Engineering Agile model in this context has proved its worth. Face to face communication between client and developers sitting at one place, quick iterations/builds has almost finished the requirement of proper structured documentation. Enormous growth in global IT industry has created offshore clients and development resources for many software companies. Many global clients and organizations are out sourcing their projects for better work on cheap rates with high demands. Agile model has certain limitations when development environment is globally distributed and as in most cases client is offshore. Existing agile principles do not support distributed development environment architecture. This paper focuses on the problems that arise when client is offshore and proposes an agile model for distributed development environment.