Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in 18F-FDG-PET/CT tumor metabolism are not consistent with pathologic complete response in hormone-positive breast cancer.

PURPOSE Current evaluation of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) shows that it could achieve pathological complete response (pCR). The purpose of this study was to assess the consistency of maximum uptake values (SUVmax) changes and pCR in hormone-positive locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). METHODS Ninety hormone-positive LABC patients treated at Marmara University Medical Oncology Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey, between 2009 and 2015 were retrospectively studied. All eligible patients (n=5) received NAC (4-8 cycles) and were evaluated for pCR. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FFDG- PET/CT) scan was performed before and after the completion of NAC. The relative changes of SUVmax both in the primary tumor and the axilla were assessed for consistency with pCR. RESULTS The patient median age was 46 years (range 26- 76). The patients 13.7% achieved pCR. Values of >50% (n=40) and <50% (n=11) SUVmax changes were not associated with pCR (15% and 18% respectively) (p=1.00). Patients with >75% SUVmax changes could achieve pCR of 20%. Interestingly, most patients with complete metabolic response did not achieve pCR (81%). The difference of the Ki67 levels before and after NAC, tumor localization, HER- 2 positivity, menopausal status, grade of differentiation, lymphovascular and perineural invasion were not associated with pCR. CONCLUSION SUVmax changes in later cycles of NAC as commonly practised in oncology clinics were not consistent with pCR (p=1.0). Complete metabolic response may not be associated with pCR in hormone-positive LABC. However, almost 80% of patients had >50% decrease in SUVmax and may still have a chance for conservative surgery and less postoperative morbidity. Therefore, 18F-FDG-PET/CT may still have a role to evaluate the tumor response with a need of larger studies and analysis for cost-effectiveness.
Physiological fluctuations show frequency-specific networks in fNIRS signals during resting state

Physiological fluctuations are commonly present in functional studies of hemodynamic response such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). However, the effects of these signals in neural mechanisms are not fully understood. Thus, the aim of this study is to propose that frequency-specific networks exist in the somatosensory region within the frequency range of physiological fluctuations. We used a wavelet coherence approach to identify functional connectivity between cortical regions. Based on the spectral response, four frequency bands were identified: cardiac (0.8–1.5 Hz), respiration (0.16–0.6 Hz), low frequency oscillations (LFO) (0.04–0.15 Hz), and very low frequency oscillations (VLFO) (0.0130.04 Hz). Eight cortical networks were revealed after ipsilateral and contralateral analysis to evaluate connectivity in each frequency band. The ANOVA analysis proved the adequacy of the connectivity map for all frequencies bands. Finally, these findings suggest possible frequency-specific organizations within the frequency bands of physiological fluctuations in the resting human brain.
Normal and abnormal development of visual functions in children

The human visual system goes through substantial changes during the first few months of postnatal life. The development of visual functions and structures occurs at different times and different rates. It has been a generally held belief that the development of visual functions and their critical period come to an end early in life. Most of the developmental data confirm this theory, although the findings sometimes are contradictory. Thus, our knowledge concerning visual development does not seem to be complete. The determination of exact timing of the different visual functions is relevant in children since a proved extended maturational timeframe can promote the trial of enhancement of visual abilities at a later age, up to puberty or beyond. There have already been suggestions for an extended developmental time span for some of the visual functions. Here we review the most relevant data with reference to the normal development of the eye, visual functions and visual pathways found in the literature and provide further evidence for the maturation and plasticity of visual functions after the age of 5 years. Acta Biol Szeged 45(1-4):23-42 (2001)
Law of Success or Failure in the High Tech Driven Market - 'Revenge of Success' in the Biotech, Nanotech, and ICT Industry

In the case of product change, it is well known that incremental product innovation is well managed by the cooperation between marketing knowledge and technology knowledge (von Hippel, 1988, 2005, 2009; Clerk and Fujimoto, 1991). If knowing marketing needs and technology seeds is enough to develop the new product, the market leader with research capability could hold the best position to become a successor in the field. The reality is different from this assumption; the successor is very often replaced (Christensen, 1997). There is a lot of discussion on success factors in product innovation: which is the determinant for success in product innovation, technology-push or market-pull? According to technology-driven theory, the importance of technological innovation is highlighted for product innovation (Rosenberg, 1976; Freeman, 1982; OECD, 1984; Dosi. 1982, 1984, 2010a, 2010b). In contrast, market-driven product innovation has highlighted the importance of market needs or customer needs (Rothwell et al., 1974; von Hippel 1979, 1980, 2005, 2009, de Jong & von Hippel, 2009). These discussions have not led to any sufficient conclusion. With respect to new product development (NPD), the aforementioned opposing theories have highlighted the importance of technology knowledge and market knowledge. Although the applicability of the theory depends on the respective product, it is absolutely obvious that the product is an embodiment of market knowledge and technology knowledge. In the case of novel technology emerging, technology seemed to serve as a major driving factor to introduce the relevant new product into a market. It is also well recognized that market knowledge can stimulate successful NPD. It seems to be obvious that market knowledge assists the accumulation of technology knowledge. Apparently, both technology knowledge and market knowledge are able to serve as the key factors that enhance successful NPD. If so, the market leader can keep its leading position in the market for the next generation of new products and hence the market leader cannot be easily taken over by the newcomer, even if the new product creates a new market. For continuous NPD, this assumption is true. The concurrent engineering system is thought to be the best way to launch the next product into the market (Hammer & Champy, 1993). For the automobile industry and the electricity industry, many authors have demonstrated the advantage of the collaboration between
Topography of descending projections from the inferior colliculus to auditory brainstem nuclei in the rat

We examined the organization of descending projections from the inferior colliculus (IC) to auditory brainstem nuclei and to pontine and reticular nuclei in the rat by employing the anterograde axonal tracer Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L). Small PHA‐L injections into cytologically defined subnuclei of the IC revealed that each subnucleus has a unique pattern of efferent projections.
Evaluation of IL10, IL19 and IL20 gene polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis B infection outcome

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a serious global health problem despite the availability of a highly effective vaccine. Approximately 5% of HBV‐infected adults develop chronic hepatitis B, which may result in liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Variants of interleukin‐10 (IL10) have been previously associated with chronic hepatitis B infection and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP; n = 42) from the IL10, IL19 and IL20 gene regions were examined for an association with HBV infection outcome, either chronic or recovered, in a nested case–control study of African Americans and European Americans. Among African Americans, three nominally statistically significant SNP associations in IL10, two in IL20, and one haplotype association were observed with different HBV infection outcomes (P = 0.005–0.04). A SNP (rs1518108) in IL20 deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in African Americans, with a large excess of heterozygotes in chronic HBV‐infected cases (P = 0.0006), which suggests a strong genetic effect. Among European Americans, a nominally statistically significant SNP association in IL20 and an IL20 haplotype were associated with HBV recovery (P = 0.01–0.04). These results suggest that IL10 and IL20 gene variants influence HBV infection outcome and encourage the pursuit of further studies of these cytokines in HBV pathogenesis.
The Influence of Family—Work Role Experience and Mastery on Psychological Health of Chinese Employed Mothers

Four-hundred-and-thirty-five Chinese married nurses with children were surveyed on their family—work role experience, sense of mastery, and psychological distress. Hierarchical regression analyses showed spillover effects of role experience on psychological health as well as asymmetrical permeability of family and work boundaries. The hypothesis that mastery acted as a moderator between role experience and psychological health was supported. In general, a higher level of mastery augmented positive but mitigated negative influence of role experience on psychological functioning. Findings provide useful information to practitioners and policy makers on issues related to family—work stress and women’s health in contemporary Chinese society.
Capacitative calcium entry: from concept to molecules

Summary: Rapid to moderately rapid changes in intracellular Ca2+ concentration, or Ca2+ signals, control a variety of critical cellular functions in the immune system. These signals are comprised of Ca2+ release from intracellular stores coordinated with Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane. The most common mechanisms by which these two modes of signaling occur is through inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3)‐induced release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and store‐operated Ca2+ entry across the plasma membrane. The latter process was postulated over 20 years ago, and in just the past few years, the key molecular players have been discovered: STIM proteins serve as sensors of Ca2+ within the ER which communicate with and activate plasma membrane store‐operated channels composed of Orai subunits. The process of store‐operated Ca2+ entry provides support for oscillating Ca2+ signals from the ER and also provides direct activator Ca2+ that signals to a variety of downstream effectors.
The patients' perspective on fertility care: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Patient-centered reproductive medicine (PCRM) is important for quality of care, and this is increasingly being recognized. However, its scientific basis is unclear. The main research questions addressed in this review are: 'How has the patients' perspective on fertility care been examined (method and quality)? ' and 'What is the perspective of patients in developed countries on fertility care? '. METHODS A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted and inclusion criteria with respect to eligibility and quality were applied. The methodology of the studies was critically appraised; the findings of the studies were synthesized and organized according to: patients' value clarification and assessment of service quality and dimensions of patient-centeredness. Additionally data on patient preferences and determinants of patients' perspective on care were collected. RESULTS In 51 selected studies, patients' perspective on fertility care was examined with (few or many item) questionnaires and/or qualitative interviews. Significant methodological problems were observed. Fertility patients attached importance to seven out of eight dimensions of patient-centeredness (Picker institute) and two new dimensions 'fertility clinic staff' and 'skills' were developed. Overall, fertility patients want to be treated like human beings with a need for: medical skills, respect, coordination, accessibility, information, comfort, support, partner involvement and a good attitude of and relationship with fertility clinic staff. Patients' preferences between procedures and demographic, medical and psychological determinants of their perspective were defined. CONCLUSIONS Fertility patients have 'human needs' besides their need for medical care. Evidence on PCRM is available but significant methodological limitations call for the development and validation of a European questionnaire.
Exercise as an add-on strategy for the treatment of major depressive disorder: a systematic review

Antidepressants are currently the treatment of choice for major depressive disorder (MDD). Nevertheless, a high percentage of patients do not respond to a first-line antidepressant drug, and combination treatments and augmentation strategies increase the risk of side effects. Moreover, a significant proportion of patients are treatment-resistant. In the last 30 years, a number of studies have sought to establish whether exercise could be regarded as an alternative to antidepressants, but so far no specific analysis has examined the efficacy of exercise as an adjunctive treatment in combination with antidepressants. We carried out a systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness of exercise as an adjunctive treatment with antidepressants on depression. A search of relevant papers was carried out in PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and Scopus with the following keywords: “exercise,” “physical activity,” “physical fitness,” “depressive disorder,” “depression,” “depressive symptoms,” “add-on,” “augmentation,” “adjunction,” and “combined therapy. ” Twenty-two full-text articles were retrieved by the search. Among the 13 papers that fulfilled our inclusion criteria, we found methodological weaknesses in the majority. However, the included studies showed a strong effectiveness of exercise combined with antidepressants. Further analyses and higher quality studies are needed; nevertheless, as we have focused on a particular intervention (exercise in adjunction to antidepressants) that better reflects clinical practice, we can hypothesize that this strategy could be appropriately and safely translated into real-world practice.
Geographic structure in a widespread plant–mycorrhizal interaction: pines and false truffles

Mutualistic interactions are likely to exhibit a strong geographic mosaic in their coevolutionary dynamics, but the structure of geographic variation in these interactions is much more poorly characterized than in host–parasite interactions. We used a cross‐inoculation experiment to characterize the scales and patterns at which geographic structure has evolved in an interaction between three pine species and one ectomycorrhizal fungus species along the west coast of North America. We found substantial and contrasting patterns of geographic interaction structure for the plants and fungi. The fungi exhibited a clinal pattern of local adaptation to their host plants across the geographic range of three coastal pines. In contrast, plant growth parameters were unaffected by fungal variation, but varied among plant populations and species. Both plant and fungal performance measures varied strongly with latitude. This set of results indicates that in such widespread species interactions, interacting species may evolve asymmetrically in a geographic mosaic because of differing evolutionary responses to clinally varying biotic and abiotic factors.
Social Networks as Sites of e-Participation in Local Government

This paper proposes that electronic social network sites (SNS) make visible forms of participatory behaviour to which local governments must respond. Groups and individuals ‐ publics ‐ operating in diverse ways for diverse purposes, propagate and respond to communication by local governments via SNS and, in doing so, practice electronic e-participation. In addition to alternate channels of communication, SNS can facilitate alternate forms of participatory behaviour online, but there is little alignment between public perceptions of these emerging practices and local government behaviours in the same space. The publics seeking to engage with local governments on SNS, expect that their participation should be both sought and valued, but local governments are active on social networks for different purposes, primarily information sharing. A study of the main social network channels of five local governments, in and around the Illawarra region of New South Wales, reveals that local governments are neither aware of this shift in public e-participation expectations, nor equipped to understand them. In particular, certain forms of e-participatory behaviour are not recognised by the local governments as genuine forms of participation. Nonetheless, there are some promising signs that local governments are making efforts to acknowledge and respond to publics and individuals on SNS, pointing to opportunities for more active engagement between publics and councils.
EQUITY ANALYSIS OF THE HOUSTON QUICKRIDE PROJECT

This paper examines the equity considerations involved with the QuickRide program along the Katy Freeway in Houston, Texas. The QuickRide program allows two-person carpools to utilize the Katy Freeway HOV lane during peak periods for a $2 fee. Survey data gathered on QuickRide enrollees, along with 1998 QuickRide usage data, was analyzed for potential equity issues that might exist with the QuickRide program. QuickRide usage did not vary significantly by respondent income, occupation, age, or household size. Additionally, the difference between respondents stated and actual use of QuickRide did not vary significantly by respondent income, occupation, age, or household size. However, QuickRide enrollees were found to have significantly higher incomes and to be significantly younger than drivers on the Katy Freeway main lanes. Therefore, although income was not an indicator of the amount of QuickRide use amongst enrollees, it was a significant indicator as to whether or not an individual enrolled in the program. This result raises some equity concerns over the ability or interest of low-income individuals to enroll in the program. However, it was also found that no drivers were made worse off due to the program. Additionally, once enrolled, the QuickRide program is a benefit to most travelers, as long as the occupants of the vehicle value their travel time at a rate exceeding $3/hour each.
Architectures and methodologies for future deployment of multi-site Zettabyte-Exascale data handling platforms

Several scientific fields, including Astrophysics, Astroparticle Physics, Cosmology, Nuclear and Particle Physics, and Research with Photons, are estimating that by the 2020 decade they will require data handling systems with data volumes approaching the Zettabyte distributed amongst as many as 1018 individually addressable data objects (Zettabyte-Exascale systems). It may be convenient or necessary to deploy such systems using multiple physical sites. This paper describes the findings of a working group composed of experts from several
Automatic 3D Segmentation of MRI Brain Images Based on Fuzzy Connectedness

An automatic 3D segmentation based on fuzzy connectedness (FQ) is proposed for MRI brain images. The main contribution of the present paper includes two parts: the accurate extraction of brain tissues and the automatic selection of the seed of FC. The brain tissues are extracted through obtaining approximate region of brain tissues via improved region growing, choosing the optimal threshold value to separate the background and brain tissues, eroding to disconnect duramater from the region of brain tissues, and blurring brain tissues with a smoothing linear filter to obtain the template of brain tissues. For automatic selection of the seed, according to the largest gray probability density of white matter and grey matter respectively corresponding to different gray-scale values, approximate regions of white matter and grey matter are estimated; in such approximate regions, the probability density of the volume data and the intensity uniformity are utilized to select the seed automatically. This method requires no user interaction, and is fully automatic and robust. The experimental results show that the proposed method can accurately select seeds and get accurate segmentation results.
An improved front end design for bioelectrical signal acquisition

An improved front-end processing circuit for bioelectrical signal acquisition is proposed for high common mode rejection ratio. The proposed circuit consists of three parts, bias voltage divider, ADC process unit and virtual driven-right-leg circuit. Through partial public DC bias circuit and virtual right leg drive circuit, common mode rejection ratio of the circuit can be improved effectively, as well as the engineering simplification for wearable device development, one electrocardiogram watch is developed, which verifies the the feasibility of the proposed circuit for bioelectrical signal acquisition.
Changing university governance and management in the UK and elsewhere under market conditions: Issues of quality assurance and accountability

This paper considers university governance and management in the UK in the context of neoliberal, public sector reforms. It is argued that the current pressure to reform university governance in the UK is related to this new style of relationship of the State and the University. The shift is shown in the terms of higher education funding and the government’s regulatory mechanisms to audit university performance to ensure public accountability. The paper notes distinctive features of the recent changes in the legal and regulatory framework of university governance. The analysis concludes with some critical and comparative comments on the prevailing impact of managerial university governance in the UK. JEL Classification: I220, M190.
Sustainable citizenship as a key to sustainability: Establishing a common ground on technology use in New Zealand's dairy sector

ii Acknowledgements . iii List of Tables . viii Prologue . 1 Chapter One . 3 Sustainability, the Environment and Citizenship: An Introduction 3 A Review of Scholarly Literature . 4 Research Objectives . 5 Research questions . 6 Thesis Outline . 7 Chapter Two . 11 Sustainability and Citizenship . 11 Linking Citizenship and the Environment . 13 The Foundation of Environmental Citizenship Literature . 14 Environmental, Ecological and Green Citizenship . 16 Ecological citizenship as „willingness to act‟ . 16 Defying boundaries of time and space . 18 Altruism and Stewardship . 19 Combining obligations within the public and the private sphere . 19 Economic Citizenship Approaches: CSR and Sustainability . 20 Ecological modernisation . 21 Further aspects of social sustainability . 23 The Burden of the Individual as Citizen . 24 Indicators of Sustainable Citizenship . 26 Acknowledgement of responsibilities on private and public level.26