Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cue Exposure Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorders: What Can Be Learned from Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders?

Abstract Background: Cue Exposure Therapy (CET) has shown efficacy for treating alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Exposure therapy is highly effective for treating anxiety. Both techniques involve repeated, controlled exposures to alcohol or fear-related stimuli. Objectives: We considered the mechanisms of CET for AUDs by comparing it to exposure therapy for anxiety. Method: We conducted a narrative review contrasting theoretical literature examining the mechanisms of CET versus exposure therapy for anxiety. We reviewed RCTs and acute laboratory paradigms examining CET for AUDs. We considered common areas of emerging research, including the use of d-Cycloserine (DCS) and virtual reality (VR). Results: We found evidence that exposure therapy and CET at least partially achieve their effects through extinction learning. We found evidence that CET for AUDs is effective, with comparable benefits to other effective psychosocial treatments. DCS and VR have shown some limited success for augmenting CET for AUDs, so further research is needed to determine their value. Conclusions: There are theoretical and practical similarities between exposure to fear cues and cues of addiction, especially regarding extinction learning. However, these processes are also unique, particularly regarding the differing motivational properties of fear versus reward-related stimuli. We propose that unlike exposure for anxiety, CET takes effect by increasing self-control with each unreinforced exposure. We consider reasons for CET’s limited use for AUDs, including its lower acceptability to clients and clinicians. We also note the limited evidence for CET for other substance use disorders, highlighting the need for continued investigation into its mechanisms and efficacy.
VDR polymorphisms influence immunological response in HIV-1+ individuals undergoing antiretroviral therapy

Abstract Vitamin D exerts an immuno-modulatory activity on several immune system cells through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). Herein, we verified that age and a therapeutic regimen containing protease inhibitors are associated with failures in antiretroviral therapies (ARVs). In addition, we assessed whether a VDR SNP (rs11568820: C allele and CC genotype) and GC (rs2228570-rs11568820) allelic combinations are associated with immunological failure (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest a possible role of VDR SNPs on immunological failure in HIV-1+ individuals undergoing regular ARVs.
INVERTED INTERNAL LIMITING MEMBRANE FLAP TECHNIQUES AND OUTER RETINAL LAYER STRUCTURES.

PURPOSE To examine the influence of the inverted flap (IF) internal limiting membrane (ILM) technique in macular hole (MH) closure on outer retinal layers after MH surgery. METHODS Retrospective study. Postoperative position of ILM, recovery rate of external limiting membrane and ellipsoid zone, and best-corrected visual acuity were evaluated. The Inserted group, where the IF is placed inside the hole, was compared with the Cover group, where the IF completely covers the hole. RESULTS Sixty-two eyes of 58 patients who underwent vitrectomy and ILM peeling with the IF technique for large MHs (>400 µm) with successful MH closure and a follow-up of 12 months were evaluated. In the 24 eyes of the Inserted group, there was no regeneration of external limiting membrane or ellipsoid zone after 12 months. In the 38 eyes of Cover group, external limiting membrane recovered in 55.3% of patients 1 month after surgery, and in 86.1% after 12 months. The elipsoid zone layer was present in 58% of the patients. CONCLUSION Poorer anatomical and visual results were associated with the IF technique where ILM insertion occurs compared with ILM placed over the hole. These findings suggest that insertion of the ILM in the hole might prevent outer retinal layers realignment and visual recovery in MH surgery.
From SCADE to Lego Mindstorms

The synchronous approach to designing safety critical real-time systems allows the notion of physical time to be replaced with an ordering among events. One such language of this type is Lustre which allows control to be expressed through dataflow equations. This language is used as the basis for an industryleading tool called SCADE. SCADE provides a graphical environment for expressing dataflow equations as well as the state based formalisms found in other synchronous languages such as Esterel. In addition, C code can be automatically generated from designs, and verification facilities exist for checking designs for both expected and unexpected behaviour. An implementation platform for SCADE designs would be a valuable tool to aid in the teaching of synchronous reactive systems. The implementation platform this project will assess is the Lego Mindstorms architecture, which combines the capabilities of Lego as a construction set with an embedded computer system called the RCX. When the RCX is used with the open source firmware BrickOS, it can execute programs written in C. This project will demonstrate a way of translating a SCADE design into C code that can be executed on the RCX. Furthermore, two complex robots will be built and programmed highlighting important features of SCADE and exploiting Lego Mindstorms sensory and actuatory potential.
The integrin αvβ6 drives pancreatic cancer through diverse mechanisms and represents an effective target for therapy

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a 5‐year survival rate of less than 4% and desperately needs novel effective therapeutics. Integrin αvβ6 has been linked with poor prognosis in cancer but its potential as a target in PDAC remains unclear. We report that transcriptional expression analysis revealed that high levels of β6 mRNA correlated strongly with significantly poorer survival (n = 491 cases, p = 3.17 × 10−8). In two separate cohorts, we showed that over 80% of PDACs expressed αvβ6 protein and that paired metastases retained αvβ6 expression. In vitro, integrin αvβ6 promoted PDAC cell growth, survival, migration, and invasion. Treatment of both αvβ6‐positive human PDAC xenografts and transgenic mice bearing αvβ6‐positive PDAC with the αvβ6 blocking antibody 264RAD, combined with gemcitabine, significantly reduced tumour growth (p < 0.0001) and increased survival (log‐rank test, p < 0.05). Antibody therapy was associated with suppression of tumour cell activity (suppression of pErk growth signals, increased apoptosis seen as activated caspase‐3) and suppression of the pro‐tumourigenic microenvironment (suppression of TGFβ signalling, fewer αSMA‐positive myofibroblasts, decreased blood vessel density). These data show that αvβ6 promotes PDAC growth through both tumour cell and tumour microenvironment mechanisms and represents a valuable target for PDAC therapy. © 2019 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Image Gallery: Pigmented hyphae can be identified in vivo by high and super‐high magnification dermoscopy

DEAR EDITOR, A 45-year-old male patient presented with an asymptomatic and brownish patch on his palmar region (Fig. 1a). Dermoscopy at original magnification 9 20 (Medicam 1000, Fotofinder System, Bad Birnbach, Germany) (Fig. 1b) revealed pigmented spicules that did not follow the dermatoglyphs. At original magnification 9 70, these structures better exhibited their linear and undulated shape (Fig. 1c). At original magnification 9 400, they seemed to correspond to brown elongated hyphae and two-celled spindle-shaped blastoconidia (Fig. 1d, arrow). The fungal culture on Sabouraud agar at room temperature showed slow-growing, moist and shiny black fungal colonies confirming the clinical hypothesis of tinea nigra caused by Hortaea werneckii (Fig. 1e). E . C INOTT I 1 iD S . EK INDE 1
Clinicopathologic and Racial/Ethnic Differences of Colorectal Cancer Among Adolescents and Young Adults

OBJECTIVES: Despite overall reductions in colorectal cancer burden, incidence rates continue to rise among younger patients, and causes remain unknown. We examined differences in clinicopathologic and racial/ethnic characteristics within the adolescent and young adult (AYA) population diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the United States. METHODS: Using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program data, we identified individuals diagnosed with first primary colorectal cancer between ages 15 and 39 years from 2010 to 2015. Adjusted multivariable logistic regression models were used to quantify clinicopathologic and racial/ethnic differences across age at onset subgroups (15–19, 20–24, 25–29, 30–34, and 35–39 years). RESULTS: We identified 5,350 AYA patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Of note, 28.6% of AYA cases were diagnosed with right-sided tumors (cecum to transverse colon). The proportion of right-sided colorectal cancers differed significantly by age group at diagnosis (38.3% vs 27.3% of AYAs aged 15–19 vs 35–39 years, respectively; P trend = 0.01). Proportions of cases with mucinous adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma histopathologic subtypes significantly increased with younger age at onset (P trends = 0.01 and 0.03, respectively). Differences in clinical stage were observed across AYA age groups, with stage II disease increasing with younger age (P trend = 0.01). The proportion of Hispanic AYAs was higher within younger patients, accounting for 21.0% of the AYA population aged 35–39 years up to 28.3% of 15–19-year-old individuals (P trend = 0.003). DISCUSSION: Within the AYA population, colorectal cancers differ by clinicopathologic and racial/ethnic characteristics. Further investigation of the clinical and biologic diversity of colorectal cancers that partially underlie age- and race-related differences in cancer susceptibility and outcomes is warranted.
Inhibitory effect of taspine derivative TAD1822-7 on tumor cell growth and angiogenesis via suppression of EphrinB2 and related signaling pathways

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of TAD1822-7, a synthesized taspine derivative, on cancer through its effects on tumor cell growth and angiogenesis via suppression of EphrinB2. The obtained data showed that TAD1822-7 decreased Bel-7402 cell viability and colony formation ability and suppressed cell migration. TAD1822-7 effectively inhibited blood vessel formation in an aortic ring assay to examine angiogenesis. Moreover, it also down regulated the expression of VEGFR2, VEGFR3, CD34, PLCγ, Akt, MMP2, MMP9, and CXCR4, and suppressed the expression of EphrinB2 and its PDZ protein, PICK1, in Bel-7402 cells. These results indicate that TAD1822-7 is a potential anti-angiogenic agent that can inhibit the viability and migration of Bel-7402 cells via suppression of EphrinB2 and the related signaling pathways.
CAESNet: Convolutional AutoEncoder based Semi-supervised Network for improving multiclass classification of endomicroscopic images

OBJECTIVE This article presents a novel method of semisupervised learning using convolutional autoencoders for optical endomicroscopic images. Optical endomicroscopy (OE) is a newly emerged biomedical imaging modality that can support real-time clinical decisions for the grade of dysplasia. To enable real-time decision making, computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) is essential for its high speed and objectivity. However, traditional supervised CAD requires a large amount of training data. Compared with the limited number of labeled images, we can collect a larger number of unlabeled images. To utilize these unlabeled images, we have developed a Convolutional AutoEncoder based Semi-supervised Network (CAESNet) for improving the classification performance. MATERIALS AND METHODS We applied our method to an OE dataset collected from patients undergoing endoscope-based confocal laser endomicroscopy procedures for Barrett's esophagus at Emory Hospital, which consists of 429 labeled images and 2826 unlabeled images. Our CAESNet consists of an encoder with 5 convolutional layers, a decoder with 5 transposed convolutional layers, and a classification network with 2 fully connected layers and a softmax layer. In the unsupervised stage, we first update the encoder and decoder with both labeled and unlabeled images to learn an efficient feature representation. In the supervised stage, we further update the encoder and the classification network with only labeled images for multiclass classification of the OE images. RESULTS Our proposed semisupervised method CAESNet achieves the best average performance for multiclass classification of OE images, which surpasses the performance of supervised methods including standard convolutional networks and convolutional autoencoder network. CONCLUSIONS Our semisupervised CAESNet can efficiently utilize the unlabeled OE images, which improves the diagnosis and decision making for patients with Barrett's esophagus.
iCURE (iterative course‐based undergraduate research experience): A case‐study

Several models suggest ways to expose undergraduates at minority serving institutions or institutions with limited research infrastructures to the iterative process of research. Apprentice‐based research experiences allow students to work one‐on‐one with a research mentor in the hands‐on discovery process, but with teaching being a priority for faculty at the aforementioned institutions, financial, spatial, and time limitations for research progress exist. Course‐based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) provide opportunities for a greater number of undergraduates to become familiar with the questions, techniques, and failure involved in research. However, designing projects that a group of students can complete in a semester can be challenging. Inclusive Research Education Communities are intended to promote retention in STEM courses for early college students but have limited benefit for upper‐level courses. We sought to create an iterative CURE between fall semester BIOL3900 at the University of North Texas and spring semester CHE397 at Bethel University (Saint Paul, MN) to promote collaboration between unique learning communities. The research goal was to use a tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) transient expression system as a platform to test gene functions and to engineer valuable bioproducts in plant vegetative tissues. The outcomes of this 2‐year integrative module included novel discoveries leading to publications in peer‐reviewed journals, cost benefits due to shared resources, continual movement of the project, course‐based training for future independent research projects, and improved student attitudes about research. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(5):565–572, 2019.
The role of the left atrial function in the surgical management of aortic and mitral valve disease

The right management of both mitral and aortic disease can be challenging, especially in asymptomatic patients. The current guidelines recommend valve repair or replacement when symptoms arise or when there is an evident left ventricular dysfunction. However, deciding the optimal surgical timing can be very difficult, since the line between the absence of symptoms and being minimally symptomatic, especially in the elderly, is blurred. Another relevant issue regards the second surgical criterion: operating on a patient with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction or with a dilated left ventricle might jeopardize the possibility of a fully reverse remodeling of the heart after surgery. In this scenario, the left atrium might play an important role. In particular, left atrial deformation might be a very useful tool to detect early ultrastructural alterations, and help or support guiding a patient‐tailored treatment at an early stage, optimizing the outcome in the long term.
A Glossary of Analog-to-Digital Specifications and Performance Characteristics

This glossary is a collection of the definitions of Texas Instruments' Delta-Sigma ( Δ Σ ), successive approximation register (SAR), and pipeline analog-to-digital (A/D) Converter specifications and performance characteristics. Although there is a considerable amount of detail in this document, the product data sheet for a particular product specification is the best and final reference. To download or view a specific data converter product data sheet, see the Texas Instruments web site at www.ti. com/ .
Origin of resistance to pyrethroids in the redlegged earth mite (Halotydeus destructor) in Australia: repeated local evolution and migration.

BACKGROUND Halotydeus destructor is a major pest of crops and pastures across southern parts of Australia. This invasive mite has been chemically controlled for over 50 years, but resistance to synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates is developing. Understanding processes behind the emerging resistance is important for effective management efforts. We undertook a ddRAD pool-sequencing approach to analyse genome-wide SNP variation in H. destructor population samples at two scales: local resistance across a set of fields, and regional resistance across their Australian range, along with toxicology bioassays to screen for pyrethroid resistance. RESULTS Spatial patterns of genomic variation and resistance at a local scale indicated genetic similarity among samples were more closely correlated with distance along roads and fence-lines than with straight-line geographic distance. This pattern was particularly strong in resistant samples, which were also more related than the susceptible samples, suggesting local spread of resistance within an area after it emerged. In contrast, regional data suggests resistance has repeatedly emerged within parts of Australia. Our de novo annotation of the H. destructor draft genome sequence and Bayesian analysis identified several candidate loci strongly associated with population-level resistance to pyrethroids, located in genomic regions that code for transmembrane transport and signalling proteins which have been previously linked to insecticide resistance in other arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight multiple independent evolutionary events leading to resistance in H. destructor, and demonstrate the utility and cost-effectiveness of a cross-population, genome-wide association study to reveal processes underlying adaptive evolution in a non-model invasive species. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Modified Wren Platforms

Several self motions of n-SPS and n-UPU platforms have been shown to be of Borel-Bricard type motions or in more specific cases, Schonfliess and purely translational motions. On the other hand, Jitterbug-like polyhedral linkages have similar motions. Combining the knowledge from these two fields new platforms with either fixed axis screwing or translational platforms are described. Universal or dihedral angle preserving 2R joints are used to keep the base and platform parallel. Some of these platforms are proposed to be useful in unidimensional deployment applications.
Which one closes extraction spaces faster: en masse retraction or two-step retraction? A randomized prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES To compare the time to close extraction spaces between en masse (ER) and two-step retraction (TSR). MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight patients with bimaxillary protrusion underwent treatment with extraction of four first premolars. All patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups: ER (n = 24) or TSR (n = 24). The main outcome was the time required to close spaces between ER and TSR; the closing time of spaces between females and males was a secondary outcome. The size of premolars was measured on the models and data were collected on clinical records at the following times: retraction start date (T1) and space closure completion date (T2). The total time to close the extraction spaces was calculated for each extracted premolar (T1 to T2). The Kaplan Meier method and the Log-Rank test were used to compare the groups. RESULTS The time to close extraction spaces showed significant differences between the ER and TSR groups. While ER took between 12.1 and 13.8 months, TSR took between 24.7 and 26.8 months. The TSR group showed a significant difference between sexes; male patients took 5.5 months longer than female patients for the extraction spaces to close. CONCLUSIONS TSR takes between 1.8 and 2.2 times longer than ER to close the extraction spaces and it took longer in males than females.
Whole-genome duplication and hemoglobin differentiation traits between allopatric populations of Brazilian Odontophrynus americanus species complex (Amphibia, Anura) *

Abstract Two allopatric populations of Brazilian diploid and tetraploid Odontophrynus americanus species complex, both from São Paulo state, had their blood hemoglobin biochemically analyzed. In addition, these specimens were cytogenetically characterized. Biochemical characterization of hemoglobin expression showed a distinct banding pattern between the allopatric specimens. Besides this, two distinct phenotypes, not linked to ploidy, sex, or age, were observed in adult animals of both populations. Phenotype A exhibits dark-colored body with small papillae, ogival-shaped jaw with reduced interpupillary distance and shorter hind limbs. Phenotype B shows yellowish-colored body with larger papillae, arch-shaped jaw with broader interpupillary distance and longer hind limbs. Intermediate phenotypes were also found. Considering the geographical isolation of both populations, differences in chromosomal secondary constrictions and distinct hemoglobins banding patterns, these data indicate that 2n and 4n populations represent cryptic species in the O. americanus species complex. The observed phenotypic diversity can be interpreted as population genetic variability. Eventually future data may indicate a probable beginning of speciation in these Brazilian frogs. Such inter- and intrapopulational differentiation/speciation process indicates that O. americanus species complex taxonomy deserves further evaluation by genomics and metabarcoding communities, also considering the pattern of hemoglobin expression, in South American frogs.
VISION-BASED BONE IMAGE RECOGNITION USING GEOMETRIC PROPERTIES

An effective approach for bone image analysis, including segmentation and recognition is presented in this paper. Bone segmentation is carried out by K-means clustering of the bone image, whereas the recognition phase is based on feature extraction and two-level statistical classification. The proposed approach has applications in medicine and veterinary anatomy studies, orthopedics, paleontology and archaeology. Several image features, including geometric and moment invariants (regular and Zernike), are derived for recognition. The first-level classification is used to distinguish different kinds of bone and the second-level to recognize the right animal to which the bone belongs. Two-dimensional structures, called cluster-property and cluster-features matrices, have been employed to evaluate different bone characteristics. Experimental results for the first-level recognition exhibit better performance of the geometric features compared to moment invariants and Zernike moments. On the other hand, Zernike moments showed supremacy in differential diagnosis at the second level to recognize animals. Keywords– Visual properties, bone recognition, geometric features
Scalable biclustering — the future of big data exploration?

Abstract Biclustering is a technique of discovering local similarities within data. For many years the complexity of the methods and parallelization issues limited its application to big data problems. With the development of novel scalable methods, biclustering has finally started to close this gap. In this paper we discuss the caveats of biclustering and present its current challenges and guidelines for practitioners. We also try to explain why biclustering may soon become one of the standards for big data analytics.