Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Radical and Boost Dose of Intraoperative Radiotherapy with Electron and Low KV X-Ray Based on Islamic Republic Intraoperative Radiotherapy (IRIORT) Consensus and the External Beam Radiotherapy in Pure Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) in Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Radiotherapy plays an essential role in breast cancer treatment following breast conserving surgery even in good-risk patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) histology. It can be delivered by many techniques, among which is intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT). In recent years, intraoperative radiation therapy has had the same outcome compared with EBRT. Objectives: We studied whether whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) could safely be replaced by IORT and its ability to control local recurrence like EBRT in pure DCIS. Methods: We assigned 138 patients into the external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), radical, and boost groups. The patients were treated during the last 6 years in the Cancer Research Center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. A total of 57 patients received EBRT, 45 patients received the radical dose of radiotherapy by IORT (36 patients received intraoperative electron radiotherapy [IOeRT] and 9 patients received intraoperative X-ray radiotherapy [IOxRT]) according to the IRIORT consensus protocol, and 36 patients received the boost dose of radiotherapy by IORT (15 patients received IOeRT and 21 patients received IOxRT). The IORT and EBRT groups were compared. The primary endpoint was local recurrence and death and the secondary endpoint was the role of variables in local recurrence. Results: With the mean follow-up of 37 months for the IORT group and 40.1 months for the EBRT group, local recurrence occurred in 8.8% (5 patients), 13.9% (5 patients), and 2.2% (1 patient) of the patients in the EBRT, boost, and radical groups, respectively. Concerning the local recurrence, no significant difference was observed between the radical and EBRT groups (P = 0.058) and between the boost and EBRT groups (P = 0.12). Hazard ratios (HRs) of grade, hormone receptor (HR), tumor size, and age in disease-free survival were evaluated and none of these variables had a significant role in local recurrence. Conclusions: IORT is a good alternative for WBRT in DCIS patients because of its non-inferiority results in comparison with EBRT. Being careful about age, tumor size, biological markers, and margin status is of high importance when using IORT for DCIS.
Urbanization is associated with shifts in bumblebee body size, with cascading effects on pollination

Urbanization is a global phenomenon with major effects on species, the structure of community functional traits and ecological interactions. Body size is a key species trait linked to metabolism, life‐history and dispersal as well as a major determinant of ecological networks. Here, using a well‐replicated urban–rural sampling design in Central Europe, we investigate the direction of change of body size in response to urbanization in three common bumblebee species, Bombus lapidarius, Bombus pascuorum and Bombus terrestris, and potential knock‐on effects on pollination service provision. We found foragers of B. terrestris to be larger in cities and the body size of all species to be positively correlated with road density (albeit at different, species‐specific scales); these are expected consequences of habitat fragmentation resulting from urbanization. High ambient temperature at sampling was associated with both a small body size and an increase in variation of body size in all three species. At the community level, the community‐weighted mean body size and its variation increased with urbanization. Urbanization had an indirect positive effect on pollination services through its effects not only on flower visitation rate but also on community‐weighted mean body size and its variation. We discuss the eco‐evolutionary implications of the effect of urbanization on body size, and the relevance of these findings for the key ecosystem service of pollination.
TNFAIP 8 interacts with LATS 1 and promotes aggressiveness through regulation of Hippo pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Although TNFAIP8 overexpression has been implicated in several human cancers, its clinical significance and biological function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. Our study demonstrated that TNFAIP8 overexpression in primary HCC samples correlated with TNM stage, recurrence, poor prognosis and served as an independent favorable prognostic factor. We further showed that TNFAIP8 upregulated cell proliferation, migration, invasion and xenograft tumor growth of HCC cells. In addition, TNFAIP8 overexpression inhibited YAP phosphorylation, increased its nuclear localization and stabilization, leading to upregulation of cyclin proteins, CTGF and cell proliferation. We also found that TNFAIP8 could interact with LATS1 and decreased its phosphorylation. Depletion of LATS1 and YAP by siRNA blocked the biological effects of TNFAIP8. Collectively, the present study provides a novel finding that TNFAIP8 promotes HCC progression through LATS1-YAP signaling pathway. TNFAIP8 may serve as a candidate biomarker for poor prognosis and a target for
Phytoremediation of Oil-Contaminated Soils by Combining Flowering Plant Cultivation and Inoculation with Acinetobacter junii Strain M-2

Oil contamination of the soil by petroleum products has become an enormous environmental problem. In this study, we examined whether remediation of oil-contaminated soils by cultivating three flowering plants (Mimosa, Gazania, and Zinnia) could be enhanced by inoculation with Acinetobacter junii strain M-2 at different plant growth stages (at sowing, at early growth, and at mid-growth). The growth of Zinnia cultivated in oil-contaminated soils inoculated at sowing was significantly superior to that in the non-inoculated soil. Although total petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations in soils inoculated at sowing were nominally lower than those in non-inoculated soils, especially in the case of Zinnia planting, the effect did not reach statistical significance. However, dehydrogenase activity was significantly higher in the soils inoculated with A. junii strain M-2 than in non-inoculated soils for all three plant species tested. These results demonstrate that a combination of ornamental plant cultivation (particularly Zinnia) and inoculation with A. junii strain M-2 increases the efficiency of oil-contaminated soil phytoremediation.
Prostaglandin E 2 stimulates b 1-integrin expression in hepatocellular carcinoma through the EP 1 receptor / PKC / NFk B pathway

Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China, Department of Pathology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China, Institute of Pediatrics, Fourth Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China, The Center of Metabolic Disease Research, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China, Department of Periodontal, Institute of Stomatology, The Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.
Stationary and temporal structure of antibody titer distributions to human influenza A virus in southern Vietnam

Seroepidemiology aims to understand population-level exposure and immunity to infectious disease. Serological results are normally presented as binary outcomes describing the presence or absence of antibody, despite the fact that many assays measure continuous quantities. A population's antibody titers may include information on multiple serological states – naivete, recent infection, non-recent infection, childhood infection – not just seropositivity or seronegativity. In the first part of this thesis, I investigate 20,152 general-population serum samples from southern Vietnam collected between 2009 and 2013 from which I report antibody titers to the influenza virus HA1 protein using a continuous titer measurement from a protein microarray assay. I describe titer distributions to subtypes 2009 H1N1 and H3N2, and using a model selection approach for mixture distributions, I determine that 2009 H1N1 is best described by four titer subgroups while H3N2 is best described by three titer subgroups. For H1N1, my interpretation is that the two highest-titer subgroups correspond to recent and historical infection, which is consistent with pandemic attack rates. For H3N2 however, right-censoring of titers makes interpretations difficult to validate. To move beyond this stationary interpretation of titers, I developed two methods for analyzing this serum collection as a time series. First, I attempted to analyze mixture categories in individual time windows. This approach did not lead to a consistent temporal picture of titer change; results differed by site and were sensitive to assumptions in the mixture fitting. Second, I attempted to fit a hybrid-dynamical model with free incidence parameters. This inference was robust to parameter assumptions, consistent across sites, and in agreement with the incidence reported in Vietnam's influenza surveillance network. In addition, my new approach showed evidence that there was a second silent wave of the 2009 influenza pandemic that was not recorded in national surveillance, which is this thesis' main novel result.
Detection of genomic regions associated with fertility traits in Mexican Holstein females

Fertility is a key functional trait in dairy production systems, because calving determines the beginning of milk production. The objective of this study was to detect genomic regions associated with four fertility parameters: days at first service (D1S), calving interval (CI) number of services per conception (NSC) and days open (OD) to provide tools for improvement of the selection process. Phenotypes were the breeding values of D1S, CI, NSC and OD with reliabilities greater than 0.30 of Mexican Holstein females born from 2008 to 2013. After the genotype’s quality control, a total of 20,407 SNP and 3,242 animals were used to perform Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) through a single linear regression model, previously adjusting for population composition and counting for false discovery rate and Bonferroni’s correction. Quality control and GWAS were performed with SVS Golden Helix V.8. 6. Hundreds of significant SNP (<1*e-5) were associated to fertility traits in the Mexican Holstein population. Because several genomic regions were related with many traits, the 100 most significant SNPs for each trait were pooled together and the SNP associated with more than two traits were referenced in the genomic databases. Six of the nine SNP associated in this study with more than two traits, were previously reported in other populations. Three of them are related directly with fertility (The SNP ARS-BFGL-NGS101016 with calving index and calving ease, Hapmap31053-BTA-111664 with number of inseminations and non-return rate and ARS-BFGL-NGS-103755 with calf size). Another three SNP have not been linked to fertility, but instead are related with traits for which a negative relationship with it has been reported like some production traits (for example, the marker ARS-BFGL-NGS-24522, SNP is related with caseins yield, BTB-01869907 with milk, fat, protein and lactose yield and Hapmap44709-BTA-70915 with mature weight). Markers BTB-02009158, ARS-BFGL-NGS-115837 and ARS-BFGL-NGS-113691 from chromosomes 8, 14 and 22 respectively, have not been previously associated to traits or genes that explain a possible interaction with fertility. This study shows the presence of novel genomic regions associated with fertility parameters in Holstein cattle.
2 1 N ov 2 01 7 Accelerating Cross-validation with Total Variation and Its Application to Super-resolution Imaging

We develop an approximation formula for the cross-validation error (CVE) of a sparse linear regression penalized by l1-norm and total variation terms, which is based on a perturbative expansion utilizing the largeness of both the data dimensionality and the model. The developed formula allows us to reduce the necessary computational cost of the CVE evaluation significantly. The practicality of the formula is tested through application to simulated black-hole image reconstruction on the event-horizon scale with super resolution. The results demonstrate that our approximation reproduces the CVE values obtained via literally conducted cross-validation with reasonably good precision.
A Multi-Layer Perceptron Network for Perfusion Parameter Estimation in DCE-MRI Studies of the Healthy Kidney

Background: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is an imaging technique which helps in visualizing and quantifying perfusion—one of the most important indicators of an organ’s state. This paper focuses on perfusion and filtration in the kidney, whose performance directly influences versatile functions of the body. In clinical practice, kidney function is assessed by measuring glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Estimating GFR based on DCE-MRI data requires the application of an organ-specific pharmacokinetic (PK) model. However, determination of the model parameters, and thus the characterization of GFR, is sensitive to determination of the arterial input function (AIF) and the initial choice of parameter values. Methods: This paper proposes a multi-layer perceptron network for PK model parameter determination, in order to overcome the limitations of the traditional model’s optimization techniques based on non-linear least-squares curve-fitting. As a reference method, we applied the trust-region reflective algorithm to numerically optimize the model. The effectiveness of the proposed approach was tested for 20 data sets, collected for 10 healthy volunteers whose image-derived GFR scores were compared with ground-truth blood test values. Results: The achieved mean difference between the image-derived and ground-truth GFR values was 2.35 mL/min/1.73 m2, which is comparable to the result obtained for the reference estimation method (−5.80 mL/min/1.73 m2). Conclusions: Neural networks are a feasible alternative to the least-squares curve-fitting algorithm, ensuring agreement with ground-truth measurements at a comparable level. The advantages of using a neural network are twofold. Firstly, it can estimate a GFR value without the need to determine the AIF for each individual patient. Secondly, a reliable estimate can be obtained, without the need to manually set up either the initial parameter values or the constraints thereof.
Cognitive response and how it is affected by changes in temperature

ABSTRACT This study focused on ambient temperature and investigated how it affects architectural liking. In total, 180 volunteers participated in the study. Participants travelled in a virtual reality environment at three different temperatures (15°C, 22°C, 30°C). All other physical interior features (such as moisture, sound, and odour) were eliminated for the study; the main objective was to test the effect of ambient temperature on the architectural liking An EEG device was used to determine the cognitive activities of the participants during space navigation. In addition, an eye-tracking device was used in virtual reality goggles to identify the areas that participants were looking at. It was determined that the architectural preferences of the people changed depending on the temperature of the space. It is thought that this finding will inspire different disciplines dealing with architectural design and thermal comfort. This is the first study to investigate how the architectural spaces are perceived by people and whether this depends on the ambient temperature. The findings also show that each cognitive process differs in varying degrees relative to subjective thermal sensations; therefore, it may be suggested that each thermal sensation should be proposed for each cognitive process and ‘indoor temperature changed people’s cognitive perception’.
Model of Autonomous Unmanned On-Road and Aerial Vehicle Carriers For Precision Agricultural Transport 4.0 : A Literature Review

The purpose of this study is to build a model of conveyance using unmanned land vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles as transport vehicles on oil palm plantations. The method used in this study is a literature review on studies relating to unmanned vehicles, their potential and role in the future. One of the things that can be utilized from unmanned vehicles is the automation process of transporting goods from one place to another. In this study, unmanned vehicles are used to transport oil palm from plantations and bring it to the palm processing plant. The results of this study is a model that illustrates the use of unmanned vehicles for the automation of transporting oil palm on plantations. By utilizing this unmanned vehicle, it is hoped that the process of palm oil products will be faster, more accurate and precise in the process of transporting it from the plantation to the processing plant.
A Causal Role of Area hMST for Self-Motion Perception in Humans

Abstract Previous studies in the macaque monkey have provided clear causal evidence for an involvement of the medial-superior-temporal area (MST) in the perception of self-motion. These studies also revealed an overrepresentation of contraversive heading. Human imaging studies have identified a functional equivalent (hMST) of macaque area MST. Yet, causal evidence of hMST in heading perception is lacking. We employed neuronavigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to test for such a causal relationship. We expected TMS over hMST to induce increased perceptual variance (i.e., impaired precision), while leaving mean heading perception (accuracy) unaffected. We presented 8 human participants with an optic flow stimulus simulating forward self-motion across a ground plane in one of 3 directions. Participants indicated perceived heading. In 57% of the trials, TMS pulses were applied, temporally centered on self-motion onset. TMS stimulation site was either right-hemisphere hMST, identified by a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) localizer, or a control-area, just outside the fMRI localizer activation. As predicted, TMS over area hMST, but not over the control-area, increased response variance of perceived heading as compared with noTMS stimulation trials. As hypothesized, this effect was strongest for contraversive self-motion. These data provide a first causal evidence for a critical role of hMST in visually guided navigation.
High-Resolution Seismic Data Deconvolution by A0 Algorithm

Sparse spikes deconvolution is one of the oldest inverse problems, which is a stylized version of recovery in seismic imaging. The goal of sparse spike deconvolution is to recover an approximation of a given noisy measurement T = W ∗ r + W 0 . Since the convolution destroys many low and high frequencies, this requires some prior information to regularize the inverse problem. In this paper, the authors continue to study the problem of searching for positions and amplitudes of the reflection coefficients of the medium (SP&ARCM). In previous research, the authors proposed a practical algorithm for solving the inverse problem of obtaining geological information from the seismic trace, which was named A 0 . In the current paper, the authors improved the method of the A 0 algorithm and applied it to the real (non-synthetic) data. Firstly, the authors considered the matrix approach and Differential Evolution approach to the SP&ARCM problem and showed that their efficiency is limited in the case. Secondly, the authors showed that the course to improve the A 0 lays in the direction of optimization with sequential regularization. The authors presented calculations for the accuracy of the A 0 for that case and experimental results of the convergence. The authors also considered different initialization parameters of the optimization process from the point of the acceleration of the convergence. Finally, the authors carried out successful approbation of the algorithm A 0 on synthetic and real data. Further practical development of the algorithm A 0 will be aimed at increasing the robustness of its operation, as well as in application in more complex models of real seismic data. The practical value of the research is to increase the resolving power of the wave field by reducing the contribution of interference, which gives new information for seismic-geological modeling.
Exceptional avian pellet from the Paleocene of Patagonia and description of its content: a new species of calyptocephalellid (Neobatrachia) anuran

A fossil gastric pellet from the Danian ‘Banco Negro Inferior’ of the Salamanca Formation at Punta Peligro Locality (Chubut, Argentina) and its 3D preserved fossil content is studied herein. The structure of the pellet and the condition of the enclosed bones suggest that it was produced by a bird of prey, although birds of any kind are as yet unknown from osteological remains in the Banco Negro ecosystem. The content of the pellet originated from a single anuran individual, representing a new species of the genus Calyptocephalella, is described herein as C. sabrosa sp. nov. The new find highlights the broad temporal, geographical and taxonomic diversity of this frog genus in Patagonia's geological past.
FSO Receiver With High Optical Alignment Robustness Using High-Speed 2D-PDA and Space Diversity Technique

A free-space optical (FSO) receiver with high optical alignment robustness configured by a single optical lens is presented, in addition to a newly developed 2-D photodetector array (2D-PDA). A 6 × 6 square-shaped aligned arrangement matrix structure in the 2D-PDA provides a large active area for photodetection. In a 1.5-m FSO demonstration, the optical alignment tolerance on the receiver's lens is evaluated to be as large as 12 mm. The multiple-output signals from the 2D-PDA are used for the maximum ratio combining method in space diversity. The system design and alignment tolerance without a mechanical beam-tracking system are presented and the bit error rate contributed by space diversity is discussed.
Processes and Experiences of Creative Cognition in Seven Western Classical Composers

In a qualitative study, we explored the range of reflections and experiences involved in the composition of score-based music by administering a 15-item, open-ended, questionnaire to seven professional composers from Europe and North America. Adopting a grounded theory approach, we organized six different codes emerging from our data into two higher-order categories (the act of composing and establishing relationships). Our content analysis, inspired by the theoretical resources of 4E cognitive science, points to three overlapping characteristics of creative cognition in music composition: it is largely exploratory, it is grounded in bodily experience, and it emerges from the recursive dialogue of agents and their environment. More generally, such preliminary findings suggest that musical creativity may be advantageously understood as a process of constant adaptation – one in which composers enact their musical styles and identities by exploring novel interactivities hidden in their contingent and historical milieux.
Space-Time Block Coding Us Equalization and Iterative Ch Inter-Antenna Interferen

Equalization post-combining with channel estimation (EPCCE) has recently been presented for applications with space-time block coding in frequency selective fading channels. In spite of offering full diversity, EPCCE can suffer from performance degradation due to imperfect channel estimate. In this paper, we propose a new EPCCE receiver using decision feedback equalization (DFE) and iterative channel estimation based on inter-antenna interference cancellation in order to improve the channel estimate and the performance of the receiver when the number of training symbols is limited.