Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ki-67 index as a prognostic factor of subsequent lapatinib-based therapy in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer with resistance to trastuzumab

Prognostic factor analysis has been conducted to determine whether the parameters of clinical data and biomarkers would predict differential progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) from lapatinib-based therapy in patients with primary or acquired resistance to trastuzumab. Treatment with lapatinib plus capecitabine for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) with primary or acquired resistance to trastuzumab was analyzed retrospectively. Tumor biomarkers, which came from the biopsies before the starting of lapatinib therapy, were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Prognostic factors related to PFS or OS of the lapatinib therapy were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. Ki-67 index and liver metastases were the significant prognostic factors for predicting PFS of subsequent lapatinib therapy in the univariate analysis and the multivariate analysis. The risk for disease progression in patients who had a Ki-67 index < 40% was 59% less than that in patients had Ki-67 ≥ 40 (HR = 0.41, 95% CI, 0.23–0.74, P = 0.003). TTP of prior trastuzumab therapy, liver metastases, and the number of metastatic sites were three independent prognostic factors of subsequent lapatinib therapy. Ki-67 index was the significant prognostic factors for predicting PFS of the subsequent second line targeted therapy in patients with trastuzumab resistance.
The XMOS Architecture and XS1 Chips

The XMOS architecture scales from real-time systems with a single multithreaded processor to systems with thousands of processors. Concurrent processing, communications, and I/O are supported by the instruction set of the XCORE processors and by the message-routing techniques and protocols in the XMOS interconnect. The event-driven architecture supports energy-efficient multicore and multichip systems in which cores are active only when needed.
Disturbance observer based sensor-less vector control drive for PMSM using EKF

In the recent years many researchers have focused on the sensor-less PMSM drive technology, wherein, estimators are used to estimate rotor position and speed using line current measurement. EKF is a powerful tool for such an application. However, implementation of EKF based sensor-less control needs measurement of torque for faithful mathematical model [1], which hinders practical application of the scheme. In this paper, a scheme with load torque estimation using Non Linear Disturbance Observer (NLDO) [2] in cascade with EKF to eliminate load torque sensor is proposed. With this, the proposed sensor-less scheme eliminates position sensor as well as a torque sensor.
Nonclassicality in phase-number uncertainty relations

We show that there are nonclassical states with lesser joint fluctuations of phase and number than any classical state. This is rather paradoxical since one would expect classical coherent states to be always of minimum uncertainty. The same result is obtained when we replace phase by a phase-dependent field quadrature. Number and phase uncertainties are assessed using variance and Holevo relation.
Mitochondrial DNA and Y‐Chromosome Variation in the Caucasus

We have analyzed mtDNA HVI sequences and Y chromosome haplogroups based on 11 binary markers in 371 individuals, from 11 populations in the Caucasus and the neighbouring countries of Turkey and Iran. Y chromosome haplogroup diversity in the Caucasus was almost as high as in Central Asia and the Near East, and significantly higher than in Europe. More than 27% of the variance in Y‐haplogroups can be attributed to differences between populations, whereas mtDNA showed much lower heterogeneity between populations (less then 5%), suggesting a strong influence of patrilocal social structure. Several groups from the highland region of the Caucasus exhibited low diversity and high differentiation for either or both genetic systems, reflecting enhanced genetic drift in these small, isolated populations. Overall, the Caucasus groups showed greater similarity with West Asian than with European groups for both genetic systems, although this similarity was much more pronounced for the Y chromosome than for mtDNA, suggesting that male‐mediated migrations from West Asia have influenced the genetic structure of Caucasus populations.
Konjunkturtest im Fokus: Lagerbestand und Reichweite der Aufträge in der Industrie

Bei dem ifo Konjunkturtest Verarbeitendes Gewerbe werden auch Aspekte der Lagerhaltung und des Auftragsbestands abgefragt. Der Artikel wirft einen Blick auf diese Variablen und den Zusammenhang zwischen diesen. Es zeigt sich, dass auf oberster aggregierter Ebene das Fertigwarenlager und der Auftragsbestand negativ korreliert sind. Eine eindeutige Tendenz zur Just-in-time-Produktion ist zu erkennen, und die Rohstoff-, Vormaterial- und Fertigwarenbestande haben seit den 1980er Jahren kontinuierlich abgenommen.
The golden ratio in facial symmetry.

Symmetry is believed to be a hallmark of appealing faces. However, this does not imply that the most aesthetically pleasing proportions are necessary those that arise from the simple division of the face into thirds or fifths. Based on the etymology of the word symmetry, as well as on specific examples and theories of beauty, we conclude that φ-value, a ratio also known as the golden ratio or the divine proportion, can also characterize symmetrical forms. Therefore, we propose the utilization of this ratio in facial aesthetics.
YZU-NLP at EmoInt-2017: Determining Emotion Intensity Using a Bi-directional LSTM-CNN Model

The EmoInt-2017 task aims to determine a continuous numerical value representing the intensity to which an emotion is expressed in a tweet. Compared to classification tasks that identify 1 among n emotions for a tweet, the present task can provide more fine-grained (real-valued) sentiment analysis. This paper presents a system that uses a bi-directional LSTM-CNN model to complete the competition task. Combining bi-directional LSTM and CNN, the prediction process considers both global information in a tweet and local important information. The proposed method ranked sixth among twenty-one teams in terms of Pearson Correlation Coefficient.
Prostate stem cells and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Pharmacological approaches are available to medically‐managed patients with symptomatic BPH before surgical intervention is required. These include daily treatment with alpha‐blockers and 5‐alpha‐reductase inhibitors alone or in combination. These medical approaches have two major problems. First, treatments are chronic and must be taken daily. Second, there are significant financial costs and quality of life issues for such chronic treatments. Is it possible to develop effective acute therapy for symptomatic BPH without the long‐term androgen deprivation‐induced side effects? Two seminal but rarely cited studies of Walsh [Peters, Walsh: N Engl J Med 317:599–604, 1987] and Coffey et al. [Sufrin et al.: Invest Urol 13:418–423, 1976], combined with the growing understanding of the stem cell organization of the prostate stromal (S) and epithelial (E) compartments and their reciprocal paracrine and autocrine interactions provides the rationale for an acute approach.
Interactions between germ cells and Sertoli cells in the testis.

The "nurse cell" function of Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis was originally tacitly assumed on the basis of the anatomical relationships between cells in the testis. In mammals, from very early in prenatal development to the onset of meiosis and to the ultimate production of spermatozoa, the relationship between the germinal cells and the Sertoli cells is important and apparently obligatory. The experimental evidence supports the notion that the primary endocrine regulation of spermatogenesis via FSH and testosterone is manifested through actions on the Sertoli cells. Although diverse strategies are used by Sertoli cells to support germ cell development, one of the most important roles of Sertoli cells is the regulation of the intratubular and intercellular environment adluminal to the tight junctional complexes. The meiotic and post-meiotic germ cells are sequestered by Sertoli-Sertoli junctional complexes in an adluminal compartment that is isolated from the serum or lymph. As a result of this sequestering activity, the secretion products of the Sertoli cells and the meiotic germ cells determine the composition of this local environment that can influence meiosis as well as spermatid and spermatocyte development. Evidence is accumulating that paracrine and autocrine factors from Sertoli and germ cells are important in the functioning of both cell types. While it is important to know what Sertoli cells and germ cells make, it is equally important to know when they make it. Distinct but well-defined groups of germ cells interact with Sertoli cells in a cyclic pattern. These recurring groups of germ cells define the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium during which sperm are produced in an asynchronous fashion. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Functional Degenerin-containing Chimeras Identify Residues Essential for Amiloride-sensitive Na Channel Function (*)

The highly selective, amiloride-sensitive Na channel is formed of three homologous subunits termed α, β, and . The three subunits exhibit similarities with Caenorhabditis elegans proteins called degenerins involved in sensory touch transduction and, when mutated, in neurodegeneration. Swelling of neurons observed in neurodegeneration suggests an involvement of ion transport, but the channel function of degenerins has not yet been demonstrated. We used chimeras to study the functional relationship between the epithelial sodium channel and the degenerin Mec-4. Exchange of the hydrophobic domains of the Na channel α subunit by those of Mec-4 results in a functional ion channel with changed pharmacology for amiloride and benzamil and changed selectivity, conductance, gating, and voltage dependence. All of these differences were also obtained by exchanging Ser-589 and Ser-593 in the second transmembrane region by the corresponding residues of Mec-4, suggesting that these two residues are essential for the ionic pore function of the channel.
Mooren's Ulcer following Extracapsular Cataract Extraction

Purpose Prior cataract surgery is a recognized risk factor for the development of Mooren's ulcer, but the demographic and clinical features of a large cohort of such patients have not been described. Methods The authors performed a retrospective review of demographic and clinical data from 14 eyes in 13 patients who developed Mooren's ulcer following extracapsular cataract extraction at Aravind Eye Hospital in Madurai, South India. Results Eight (62%) of the 13 patients were men and 5 (39%) were women. The median age in our population was 65 years, with a range of 45 to 85 years. The median number of months from surgery to the onset of Mooren's ulcer was 19, with a range of 4 to 156 months. Of the 14 eyes with prior cataract surgery, the location of the ulcer was at or contiguous with the wound in 10 eyes (71%), which was 2.5 times more likely than other circumlimbal locations, and only one patient (8%) had bilateral disease. Conclusions Mooren's ulcer may occur following extracapsular cataract extraction and when it does it is most likely to be unilateral and contiguous with the wound. These findings support the notion that exposure of normally concealed corneal antigens may contribute to the pathogenesis of Mooren's ulcer in some patients.
Estimation of relative fitnesses from relative risk data and the predicted future of haemoglobin alleles S and C

Epidemiological studies of genetic differences in disease susceptibility often estimate the relative risks (RR) of different genotypes. Here I provide an approach to calculate the relative fitnesses of different genotypes based on RR data so that population genetic approaches may be utilized with these data. Using recent RR data on human haemoglobin β genotypes from Burkina Faso, this approach is used to predict changes in the frequency of the haemoglobin sickle‐cell S and C alleles. Overall, it generally appears that allele C will quickly replace the S allele in malarial environments. Explicit population genetic predictions suggest that this replacement may occur within the next 50 generations in Burkina Faso.
Low latency and high accuracy archtectures of cordic algorithm for cosine calculation on FPGA

Digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms exhibit an increasing need for the efficient implementation of trigonometric functions, coordinate transformations or rotations of complex valued phasors. Popular application examples are algorithms used in digital communication technology and in adaptive signal processing. The trigonometric functions like cosine and sine form the building block of certain transforms like DFT, DCT, and FFT.
Broadening of the red blood cell distribution width is associated with increased severity of illness in patients with sepsis

Background: Sepsis is a pro-inflammatory state caused by systemic infection. As sepsis progresses, multiple organ systems become affected with subsequent increase in mortality. Elevated red cell distribution width (RDW) has been seen with changes of other inflammatory markers and thus could potentially serve as a means of assessing sepsis severity. In this study, we examine the association of RDW with APACHE II score and in-hospital mortality. Meterials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving a cohort of patients with sepsis. The study period spanned 2 years with a cohort of 349 patients. Data were collected to determine if RDW is associated with APACHE II scores and in-hospital mortality in this cohort. Results: RDW correlated weakly (rs = 0.27), but significantly (P < 0.0001) with APACHE II scores; coefficient of determination (r2 = 0.09). The odds ratios for the association of RDW with APACHE II were calculated over the RDW range 12-20% at a dichotomized level of APACHE II, i.e., <15 and ≥15. At a RDW ≥16%, multivariate analysis including all potential confounders indicated that RDW was independently associated with an APACHE II score of ≥15. Similarly, mortality was associated with RDW ≥16%. Conclusion: A prognostic biomarker for sepsis in the form of a routine blood test may be of considerable clinical utility. The results of our study suggest that RDW may have value in differentiating between more severe and less severe cases of sepsis. Future studies with larger samples are needed to confirm these findings.
Computing a shortest k-link path in a polygon

The authors consider the problem of finding a shortest polygonal path from s to t within a simple polygon P, subject to the restriction that the path have at most k links (edges). They give an algorithm to compute a k-link path with length at most (1 + epsilon ) times the length of a shortest k-link path, for any error tolerance epsilon >0. The algorithm runs in time O(n/sup 3/k/sup 3/ log (Hk/ epsilon /sup 1/k/)), where N is the largest integer coordinate among the n vertices of P. They also study the more general problem of approximating shortest k-link paths in polygons with holes. In this case, they give an algorithm that returns a path with at most 2k links and length at most that of a shortest k-link path; the running time is O(kE/sup 2/), where E is the number of edges in the visibility graph. Finally, they study the bicriteria path problem in which the two criteria are link length and 'total turn' (the integral of mod Delta theta mod along a path). They obtain in an exact polynomial-time algorithm for polygons with holes. <<ETX>>
Comparison of glaucomatous visual field defects using standard full threshold and Swedish interactive threshold algorithms.

OBJECTIVES To compare the severity, size, and depth of glaucomatous visual field defects using standard full threshold (FT), Swedish interactive threshold algorithm (SITA) standard (SS), and SITA fast (SF) algorithms of the Humphrey perimeter. METHODS A prospective observational case series of 77 patients with glaucoma performed FT, SS, and SF 30-2 white-on-white testing programs on the same day on 2 occasions for 1 month. The severity of defects was compared using the mean deviation, pattern standard deviation, Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study, and Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish severity scores. The sizes of defects were compared using the total number of abnormal points on the pattern deviation plot that fit standard criteria for glaucomatous visual field defects. The depths of the defects were compared using the sum of the threshold values for points identified in the pattern deviation plot as fitting criteria for glaucomatous defects. RESULTS The mean deviations were slightly better using the SS (-9.6 +/- 7.1 dB) or the SF (-9.1 +/- 6.7 dB) algorithm compared with the FT algorithm (-10.3 +/- 7.1 dB) (P<.005). There were no significant differences in pattern standard deviations between SS (8.6 +/- 4.0, P =.08) and SF (8.1 +/- 3.6, P =.19) compared with FT (8.3 +/- 3.3), although the pattern standard deviation was higher in SS fields compared with SF fields (P<.001). Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study scores were slightly better when the SS (7.5 +/- 5.6) or SF (7.2 +/- 5.4) algorithm was used compared with the FT algorithm (8.6 +/- 5.4) (P<.001). The sizes of glaucomatous defects were slightly larger using the SS (20.9 +/- 10.7) algorithm compared with the FT algorithm (19.2 +/- 10.9) (P =.004) but not the SF algorithm (20.0 +/- 10.6) (P =.11). The depth of defects measured by the SS (220.4 +/- 108.0 dB) and SF (219.8 +/- 101.3 dB) algorithms was significantly shallower compared with that measured by the FT algorithm (152.3 +/- 79.1 dB) (P<.001). There were no significant differences in Hodapp-Anderson-Parrish severity scores among algorithms (P =.12). CONCLUSIONS Glaucomatous defects are measured significantly shallower using the new SITA algorithms but are approximately the same size and severity compared with FT measurements. Care should be taken when using threshold values to compare glaucomatous defects in a patient when converting from FT to SITA algorithms.
Myocardial efficiency during levosimendan infusion in congestive heart failure

Levosimendan, a novel calcium‐dependent calcium sensitizer of the myocardial contractile proteins, also enhances diastolic relaxation and induces peripheral vasodilation by opening potassium channels. To assess the combined energetical effects of levosimendan infusion in vivo, we performed positron emission tomography in patients with decompensated chronic heart failure.
Control of mobile manipulators following a moving surface

A control algorithm for mobile manipulators is presented. The task for the mobile manipulator is to follow a moving surface. The control algorithm is developed based on the concept of a preferred operating region. The nonholonomically constrained mobile platform is controlled to bring the end point of the manipulator into the preferred operating region. The manipulator is force-controlled to keep in contact with the moving surface. The control algorithm is tested on an experimental mobile manipulator built from a TRC LABMATE mobile platform and a PUMA 250 robot manipulator. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the control algorithm. <<ETX>>
Collagen-Coated Poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/Hydroxyapatite Scaffold Incorporated with DGEA Peptide for Synergistic Repair of Skull Defect

The treatment of large-area bone defects remains a challenge; however, various strategies have been developed to improve the performances of scaffolds in bone tissue engineering. In this study, poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/hydroxyapatite (PLGA/HA) scaffold was coated with Asp-Gly-Glu-Ala (DGEA)-incorporated collagen for the repair of rat skull defect. Our results indicated that the mechanical strength and hydrophilicity of the PLGA/HA scaffold were clearly improved and conducive to cell adhesion and proliferation. The collagen-coated scaffold with DGEA significantly promoted the repair of skull defect. These findings indicated that a combination of collagen coating and DGEA improved scaffold properties for bone regeneration, thereby providing a new potential strategy for scaffold design.
Targeted radionuclide therapy of melanoma: Anti‐tumoural efficacy studies of a new 131I labelled potential agent

In recent years, there has been dramatic worldwide increase in incidence of malignant melanoma. Although localised disease is often curable by surgical excision, metastatic melanoma is inherently resistant to most treatments. In this context, targeted radionuclide therapy could be an efficient alternative. After pharmacomodulation study, we selected a quinoxaline derivative molecule (ICF01012) for its high, specific and long‐lasting uptake in melanoma with rapid clearance from nontarget organs providing suitable dosimetry parameters for targeted radiotherapy. Aim of this study was to investigate, in vivo, efficacy of [131I]ICF01012 on nonmetastatic B16F0, metastatic B16Bl6 or human M4Beu melanoma tumours. First, colocalisation of ICF01012 with melanin by SIMS imaging was observed. Second, we showed that treatment drastically inhibited growth of B16F0, B16Bl6 and M4beu tumours whereas [131I]NaI or unlabelled ICF01012 treatment was without significant effect. Histological analysis and measure of PCNA proliferation marker expression showed that residual B16 tumour cellsexhibit a significant loss of aggressiveness after treatment. This effect is associated with a lengthening of the treated‐mice survival time. Moreover, with B16Bl6 model, 55% of the untreated mice had lung metastases whereas no metastasis was counted on treated group. Our data demonstrated a strong anti‐tumoural effect of [131I]ICF01012 for radionuclide therapy on murine and human in vivo pigmented melanoma models, whatever their dissemination profiles and their melanin content be. Further studies will attempt to optimise therapy protocol by increasing the balance between the anti‐tumoural effect and the safety on nontarget organs. © 2009 UICC
Insights on the role of hox genes in the emergence of the pentadactyl ground state

Tetrapods are characterized by the presence of digits at the distal end of their limbs, which have emerged during the transition from fins to limbs. While variations in digit number are observed in extant tetrapods, most have five digits per limb and divergence from this pentadactyl ground state is always a reduction in digit number. Paleontological data revealed that stem‐group tetrapods were polydactylous indicating that the evolution from fish fin to modern tetrapod limbs involved two major transitions; the emergence of digits and the shift from polydactyly to pentadactyly. The absence of living polydactyl tetrapod species is a major limitation in assessing the foundation of the pentadactyl constraint. Nonetheless, several genes having the capacity of modulating digit number have been identified and studying their functional and regulatory phylogeny will likely be critical in our comprehension of the emergence of the pentadactyl state. In this review, we provide an overview of the data obtained from mouse genetics that uncovered the role of Hox genes in controlling digit number and discuss regulatory changes that could have been implicated in the emergence of the pentadactyl ground state.