Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative fluoroestradiol positron emission tomography imaging predicts response to endocrine treatment in breast cancer.

PURPOSE In breast cancer, [(18)F]fluoroestradiol (FES) positron emission tomography (PET) correlates with estrogen receptors (ER) expression and predicts response to tamoxifen. We tested the ability of FES-PET imaging to predict response to salvage hormonal treatment in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer patients, predominantly treated with aromatase inhibitors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Initial FES uptake measurements in 47 patients with ER-positive tumors were correlated with subsequent tumor response to 6 months of hormonal treatment. Most patients had bone dominant disease and prior tamoxifen exposure. Response was compared to initial FES-PET uptake, measured qualitatively and quantitatively using standardized uptake value (SUV) and estradiol-binding flux. RESULTS Eleven of 47 patients (23%) had an objective response. While no patients with absent FES uptake had a response to treatment, the association between qualitative FES-PET results and response was not significant (P = .14). However, quantitative FES uptake and response were significantly associated; zero of 15 patients with initial SUV less than 1.5 responded to hormonal therapy, compared with 11 of 32 patients (34%) with SUV higher than 1.5 (P < .01). In the subset of patients whose tumors did not overexpress HER2/neu, 11 of 24 patients (46%) with SUV higher than 1.5 responded. CONCLUSION Quantitative FES-PET can predict response to hormonal therapy and may help guide treatment selection. Treatment selection using quantitative FES-PET in our patient series would have increased the rate of response from 23% to 34% overall, and from 29% to 46% in the subset of patients lacking HER2/neu overexpression. A multi-institutional collaborative trial would permit definitive assessment of the value of FES-PET for therapeutic decision making.
Optimal energy management of hybrid electric vehicles including battery aging

The paper presents a methodology to account for battery aging in the energy management strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle. An optimal control problem is formulated to minimize fuel consumption as well as battery aging, using recently developed methods for battery lifetime modeling. The approach relies on the concept of severity factor map, a tool used to quantify the aging effects of a battery due to its different on-vehicle operating conditions. The optimal control problem is solved using Pontryagin's Minimum Principle, showing with simulations the effect of the new control approach compared to the standard energy management strategies.
Design and Implementation of a Prospective Adult Congenital Heart Disease Biobank

Background: Adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) comprise a growing, increasingly complex population. The Boston Adult Congenital Heart Disease Biobank is a program for the collection and storage of biospecimens to provide a sustainable resource for scientific biomarker investigation in ACHD. Methods: We describe a protocol to collect, process, and store biospecimens for ACHD or associated diagnoses developed based on existing literature and consultation with cardiovascular biomarker epidemiologists. The protocol involves collecting urine and ∼48.5 mL of blood. A subset of the blood and urine undergoes immediate clinically relevant testing. The remaining biospecimens are processed soon after collection and stored at −80°C as aliquots of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and lithium heparin plasma, serum, red cell and buffy coat pellet, and urine supernatant. Including tubes with diverse anticoagulant and clot accelerator contents will enable flexible downstream use. Demographic and clinical data are entered into a database; data on biospecimen collection, processing, and storage are managed by an enterprise laboratory information management system. Results: Since implementation in 2012, we have enrolled more than 650 unique participants (aged 18-80 years, 53.3% women); the Biobank contains over 11,000 biospecimen aliquots. The most common primary CHD diagnoses are single ventricle status-post Fontan procedure (18.8%), repaired tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary stenosis or atresia (17.6%), and left-sided obstructive lesions (17.5%). Conclusions: We describe the design and implementation of biospecimen collection, handling, and storage protocols with multiple levels of quality assurance. These protocols are feasible and reflect the size and goals of the Boston ACHD Biobank.
Definitions of child and adolescent overweight and obesity

Childhood obesity is a rapidly growing public health problem in developing countries. World Health Organization estimated that in 2010, of 43 million overweight/obese children worldwide, about 35 million of them were living in developing countries. In this chapter we will present case studies on what is happening in Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and China, the developing countries in the Southeast and East Asia that are undergoing rapid socioeconomic development and urbanisation. We will also explore the possibilities of what the governments and communities can do to address the emerging childhood obesity epidemic in these countries.
Metric Learning and Manifolds: Preserving the Intrinsic Geometry

A variety of algorithms exist for performing non-linear dimension reduction, but these algorithms do not preserve the original geometry of the data except in special cases. In general, in the low-dimensional representations obtained, distances are distorted, as well as angles, areas, etc. This paper proposes a generic method to estimate the distortion incurred at each point of an embedding, and subsequently to (cid:16)correct(cid:17) distances and other intrinsic geometric quantities back to their original values (up to sampling noise). Our approach is based on augmenting the output of an embedding algorithm with geometric information embodied in the Riemannian metric of the manifold. The Riemannian metric allows one to compute geometric quantities (such as angle, length, or volume) for any coordinate system or embedding of the manifold. In this work, we provide an algorithm for estimating the Riemannian metric from data, consider its consistency, and demonstrate the uses of our approach in a variety of examples.
Innerbetriebliche Standortplanung - Das Konzept der Slicing Trees bei der Optimierung von Layoutstrukturen

Probleme der Layout- bzw. innerbetrieblichen Standortplanung gehoren mathematisch zu den schwierigsten Problemen der kombinatorischen Optimierung. Daniel Scholz bietet einen Uberblick zum aktuellen Forschungsstand der Layout- bzw. innerbetrieblichen Standortplanung, d.h. der kostenminimalen Gestaltung von Produktionslayouts. Er stellt aktuelle Losungskonzepte dar und beschreibt ihre Anwendung an einem Praxisbeispiel. Im Zentrum der Betrachtung steht das Konzept der Slicing Trees zur Speicherung von Layoutstrukturen. Darauf aufbauend werden exakte Losungsverfahren sowie Metaheuristiken entworfen und bis zur praktischen Anwendbarkeit weiterentwickelt.
TOPS DIFFERENTIAL SAR INTERFEROMETRY WITH TERRASAR-X

In this paper we investigate the possibility to exploit TOPS data to measure ground displacement movements by means of Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR). Several critical points (i.e. coregistration) have to be faced during the data processing since, due to the TOPS signal characteristics, the interferometric chain is very sensitive to small implementation errors. The obtained results will be compared with the ones conventionally retrieved when applying DInSAR on stripmap data. Finally, the potential of DInSAR measurements, when combining TOPS and stripmap data by means of point-like scatterers, will be also analyzed. The work presented in this study was funded under ESA-ESTEC contract number 22243/09/NL/JA.
A new voltage regulator module with integrating coupled magnetic

Multiphase interleaving synchronous buck converter is widely adopted for voltage regulator module (VRM), which requires strictly steady and dynamic performances to power microprocessor. In this paper, a new non-isolated multiphase VRM with integrating coupled magnetic is introduced to improve steady and dynamic performances. Firstly, a integrating coupled magnetic is modelled by gyrator-capacitor approach. Then all these magnetic components can be coupled into one single ferrite core shape to reduce the magnetic size. By proper designing the air gap and coupling coefficient of integrating coupled-inductor, this new technique can greatly improve the performances of VRM with faster transient response and lower output ripple current. The Matlab simulation and 1.5 V/40 A prototype experimental results of two-phase VRM show that integrating coupled inductor can improve steady and dynamic performances.
Small bowel malrotation in distal 15q duplication: evidence for a rare association.

Genetic Counseling Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Correspondence to Howard M. Saal, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, ML4006, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA E-mail: howard.saal@cchmc.org
Regrowth Evaluation of Coliform Bacteria Injured by Low Chlorine Doses Using Selective and Nonselective Media

Abstract In this study, the repairing capacity of coliform bacteria injured by chlorine is determined. Chlorine doses from 0.014 to 0.070 mg L−1 were used in according to frequency (up to 38%) of chlorine concentrations detected in a drinking water distribution network, adopted as case study. m-Endo (selective) and m-T7 (nonselective) cultivation media are used. Bacterial regrowth was detected up to 0.035 mg L−1 of chlorine for 4 h of incubation. The coliform bacteria were not able to regrowth when the dose of chlorine increased to 0.07 mg L−1. Bacterial regrowth increased by increasing C:N ratio from 1:40 to 11:40. m-T7 (nonselective) medium allowed to detect bacterial regrowth also for lower incubation periods. Chlorine doses higher than 0.2 mg L−1 dose at water source with a low total organic carbon (TOC) content are recommended to control bacterial regrowth in the distribution network.
Réflexions sur l'acte compositionnel

Este texto pretende mostrar que la idea de modelo y de formalizacion es parte de lo que llamamos el oficio de compositor, y prensenta una vision del acto compositivo que esperamos que pueda ayudarnos a comprender mejor el lugar del ordenador en esta nueva disciplina que es la Composicion Asistida por Ordenador.
Virus, provirus et cancer

RESUME. — Nous nous proposons de retracer l'histoire du concept de prophage et de montrer son extension a celle du concept d'episome et de provirus. Cette histoire se confond avec celle de la lysogenie, c'est-a-dire celle des relations d'un virus — a l'un de ses stades — a son hote. Nous insistons sur les relations entre la notion d'infection et celle d'heredite, sur la decouverte de la phase non- infectieuse du virus. Andre Lwoff est l'auteur du concept de prophage. Nous suivons les recherches, les decouvertes et les interpretations de Francois Jacob, d'Elie Wollman, de William Hayes et de Joshua Lederberg. La premiere partie s'arrete au seuil de l'operon, c'est-a-dire du modele de regulation. Elle est couronnee par le concept ďepisome. Dans une seconde partie, nous etudions comment le modele du prophage a ete utilise dans les recherches sur le cancer jusqu'en 1970 et un peu au-dela.
Customer sampling in a smart grid pilot

Smart grid pilot projects require a representative subset of the total population to draw relevant conclusions from test results. However, customers willing to participate in such projects are not always representative to the whole population. Standard random sampling gives some problems because not all results can be scaled. Defining sub-populations or strata to random samples from is theoretically sound, but the definition of sub-populations is quite expensive. The paper presents a customer sampling technique based on quota. The domains for the quota are defined by machine learning algorithms and the quota themselves are based on realistic data. Sampling is done by an optimization algorithm, which eliminates the common `human error'-factor in quota sampling. The approach is a cost efficient and convenient way of sampling that is able to balance the representativeness of the electricity consumption patterns for the population against sampling accuracy. The method has been applied and validated on a large customer data set.
Patient-by-Treatment Context Interaction in Chronic Disease: A Conceptual Framework for the Study of Patient Adherence

Objective Previous reviews have concluded that there is little or no evidence supporting a predictable association between patient characteristics and regimen adherence in chronic illness. The primary objective of this article is to propose an alternative conceptual framework for the interpretation and design of adherence research. Methods The author’s research involving adherence among patients with end-stage renal disease is reviewed and used to illustrate the patient-by-context interactive framework. Results Adherence is most favorable when the patient’s characteristic or preferred style of coping with illness and treatment-related experiences is congruent with the contextual features or demands of the particular type of medical intervention the patient is undergoing. Among patients with end-stage renal disease, a more vigilant or active style of coping is associated with more favorable adherence only for patients undergoing home-based dialysis treatment modalities that are highly patient directed. Among patients receiving hospital-based, provider-controlled treatment, a less vigilant or more passive coping style is associated with more favorable dialysis regimen adherence. Conclusions The patient-by-context interactive perspective can provide a useful framework for the interpretation and design of adherence research.
SENSITIVITY OF A REACTIVE-TRACER BASED ESTIMATE OF THERMAL BREAKTHROUGH IN AN EGS TO PROPERTIES OF THE RESERVOIR AND TRACER

Reactive tracers have long been considered a possible means of measuring thermal drawdown in a geothermal system, before significant cooling occurs at the extraction well. Here, we examine the sensitivity of the proposed method to reservoir cooling and demonstrate that while the sensitivity of the method as generally proposed is low, it may be practical under certain conditions. Our analyses suggest that modifications to that method, where practical, could provide much greater sensitivity. In particular, if the reaction can be quenched before maximum temperature is reached, the sensitivity is greatly enhanced. Push-pull tracer tests conducted at the injection well demonstrate similar advantages. Other alternatives, such as combinations of tracers, and tracers with parallel or chain decay behavior may offer similar advantages.
Does investor ownership of nursing homes compromise the quality of care?

OBJECTIVES Two thirds of nursing homes are investor owned. This study examined whether investor ownership affects quality. METHODS We analyzed 1998 data from state inspections of 13,693 nursing facilities. We used a multivariate model and controlled for case mix, facility characteristics, and location. RESULTS Investor-owned facilities averaged 5.89 deficiencies per home, 46.5% higher than nonprofit facilities and 43.0% higher than public facilities. In multivariate analysis, investor ownership predicted 0.679 additional deficiencies per home; chain ownership predicted an additional 0.633 deficiencies. Nurse staffing was lower at investor-owned nursing homes. CONCLUSIONS Investor-owned nursing homes provide worse care and less nursing care than do not-for-profit or public homes.
Development of astrocytes in the vertebrate eye

Astrocytes represent the earliest glial population in the embryonic optic nerve, contributing critically to retinal angiogenesis and formation of brain‐retinal‐barrier. Despite of many developmental and clinical implications of astrocytes, answers to some of the most fundamental questions of this unique type of glial cells remain elusive. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge about the origination, proliferation, and differentiation of astrocytes, their journey from the optic nerve toward the neuroretina, and their involvement in physiological and pathological development of the visual system. Developmental Dynamics 243:1501–1510, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Etude et réalisation de dispositifs optiques à large couverture spectrale pour la détection multi-gaz à distance

Les travaux de these presentes dans ce manuscrit ont pour objectifs l'etude et la mise en oeuvre de nouvelles techniques actives de spectroscopie d'absorption infrarouge pour la detection multi-gaz a distance. Pour cette application, nous avons etudie le potentiel de deux sources laser innovantes : un Oscillateur Parametrique Optique Doublement Resonnant (DROPO), emettant un rayonnement monochromatique accordable entre 3,3µm et 3,7µm et un laser fibre Supercontinuum, emettant un spectre continu s'etendant de 1µm jusquau-dela de 3,8µm. Apres avoir modelise les signaux ainsi que le bruit, nous avons calcule les performances theoriques d'estimation de concentration a l'aide des Bornes de Cramer-Rao (BCR). Puis, nous avons developpe des estimateurs de concentrations multi-gaz adaptes aux caracteristiques des signaux DROPO et Supercontinuum. Ces estimateurs ont ete appliques a des signaux experimentaux dans le but de valider le calcul des previsions de performances. Dans le cas de la spectroscopie par DROPO, des mesures simultanees des concentrations en vapeur d'eau et en methane, integrees sur un trajet de 30m dans l'atmosphere ont ete realisees (apres diffusion sur une cible non cooperative). Dans le cas de la spectroscopie Supercontinuum, nous avons realise un premier montage base sur une source proche infrarouge et un analyseur de spectre commerciaux afin de valider le traitement du signal ainsi que la prediction de performances. Nous avons realise des mesures simultanees de la quantite de methane presente dans une cellule et la concentration atmospherique en vapeur d'eau integree sur une distance de plus de 10m (par reflexion sur une cible cooperative). L'estimation est non biaisee et l'ecart type calcule sur un grand nombre d'estimations est inferieur a 1, 5 fois les BCR. Pour les experiences de spectroscopie realisees autour de 3,3µm, nous avons adapte, implemente et calibre un spectrographe permettant d'acquerir en quelques secondes une centaine de spectres sur un domaine spectral de200nm, avec une resolution inferieure au nanometre. Un estimateur du maximum de vraisemblance a fourni une estimation peu biaisee (3%) avec un ecart type egal a 2, 5 fois la BCR. Nous avons ainsi montre experimentalement la faisabilite de mesures rapides et precises par spectroscopie Supercontinuum infrarouge.
Diseño e Implementación de Antena de Cuadro para Radio Onda Media

El presente articulo es fruto del trabajo teorico-experimental realizado en el INICTEL, para el desarrollo de antenas de cuadro. En este trabajo se presentan la base teorica, el diseno, la fabricacion, y las pruebas realizadas para implementar una antena de lazo con funcionamiento comprobado en la banda de frecuencias de 430 kHz a 2000 kHz. con especificaciones comparables a las antenas de tipo comercial cuyos costos estan en el orden de US $ 2000.
Tailored finite point method based on exponential bases for convection-diffusion-reaction equation

In this paper, we propose a class of new tailored ﬁnite point methods (TFPM) for the numerical solution of a type of convection-diﬀusion-reaction problems in two dimensions. Our ﬁnite point method has been tailored based on the local exponential basis functions. Furthermore, our TFPM sat-isﬁes the discrete maximum principle automatically. We also study the error estimates of our TFPM. We prove that our TFPM can achieve good accuracy even when the mesh size h (cid:2) ε for some cases without any prior knowledge of the boundary layers. Our numerical examples show the eﬃciency and reliability of our method.
Novel Transcriptional Regulatory Signals in the Adeno-Associated Virus Terminal Repeat A/D Junction Element

ABSTRACT Adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 2 vectors transfer stable, long-term gene expression to diverse cell types in vivo. Many gene therapy applications require the control of long-term transgene expression, and AAV vectors, similar to other gene transfer systems, are being evaluated for delivery of regulated gene expression cassettes. Previously, we (R. P. Haberman, T. J. McCown, and R. J. Samulski, Gene Ther. 5:1604–1611, 1998) demonstrated the use of the tetracycline-responsive system for long-term regulated expression in rat brains. In that study, we also observed residual expression in the “off” state both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that the human cytomegalovirus (CMV) major immediate-early minimal promoter or other cis-acting elements (AAV terminal repeats [TR]) were contributing to this activity. In the present study, we identify that the AAV TR, minus the tetracycline-responsive minimal CMV promoter, will initiate mRNA expression from vector templates. Using deletion analysis and specific PCR-derived TR reporter gene templates, we mapped this activity to a 37-nucleotide stretch in theA/D elements of the TR. Although the mRNA derived from the TR is generated from a non-TATA box element, the use of mutant templates failed to identify function of canonical initiator sequences as previously described. Finally, we demonstrated the presence of green fluorescent protein expression both in vitro and in vivo in brain by using recombinant virus carrying only the TR element. Since the AAV terminal repeat is a necessary component of all recombinant AAV vectors, this TR transcriptional activity may interfere with all regulated expression cassettes and may be a problem in the development of novel TR split gene vectors currently being considered for genes too large to be packaged.
S/O-nanodispersion electrospun fiber mesh effective for sustained release of healthy plasmid DNA with the structural and functional integrity

Localized and sustained delivery of the therapeutic genes using a solid carrier matrix is a potential approach to develop highly curative treatments. Electrospun nanofiber mesh of biodegradable polymer has been applied extensively as a carrier for localized and sustained delivery of drugs, proteins, and DNA, but it remains difficult to release sufficient amounts of DNA while maintaining structural and functional integrity. To realize the stable sustained release of the healthy plasmid DNA (pDNA) from electrospun fiber mesh, a novel method was examined for loading pDNA into the fibers based on solid-in-oil (S/O) nanodispersion of pDNA in organic solvent for electrospinning polymer solution: S/O nanodispersion electrospinning. A prepared pDNA-loaded fiber mesh made of biodegradable polymer showed sustained release of pDNA without burst release. From luciferase activity-based in vitro transcription–translation assay, pDNA released from meshes of the S/O nanodispersion retained about 60% luciferase activity of control pDNA, whereas pDNA released from the meshes of simple mixing showed only about 5% activity, indicating that S/O nanodispersion electrospinning is effective for loading pDNA into electrospun fiber meshes while maintaining their healthy functions. Effectiveness of S/O nanodispersion electrospinning was verified for fabricating a sustained release carrier matrix for high molecular weight bioactives, including therapeutic genes.