Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leveraging Context Patterns for Medical Entity Classification

The ability of patients to understand health-related text is important for optimal health outcomes. A system that can automatically annotate medical entities could help patients better understand health-related text. Such a system would also accelerate manual data annotation for this low-resource domain as well as assist in downstream medical NLP tasks such as finding textual similarity, identifying conflicting medical advice, and aspect-based sentiment analysis. In this work, we investigate a state-of-the-art entity set expansion model, BootstrapNet, for the task of medical entity classification on a new dataset of medical advice text. We also propose EP SBERT, a simple model that utilizes Sentence-BERT embeddings of entities and context patterns to more effectively capture the semantics of the entities. Our experiments show that EP SBERT significantly outperforms a random classifier baseline, outperforms the more complex BootstrapNet by 5.2 F1 points, and achieves a 5-fold cross validated weighted F1 score of 0.835. Further experiments show that EP SBERT achieves a weighted F1 score of 0.870 when we remove a peripheral class whose inclusion is nonessential to the problem formulation, and a weighted F1 score of 0.949 when using top-2 evaluation. This makes us confident that EP SBERT can be useful when building human-in-the-loop data annotation tools. Finally, we perform an extensive error analysis of EP SBERT, identifying two core challenges and future work. Our code will be made available at https://github.com/garrettjohnston99/EP-SBERT.
Vanishing and nonvanishing in local theta correspondence

We consider the questions of vanishing and nonvanishing in local theta correspondence and discuss two recent results which help to answer the questions. The first one is concerned with the existence of models of smooth representations and the second one with the "classical limit" of $(\g, K)$-modules, and both depend on certain correspondence of nilpotent orbits arising from a double fiberation of moment maps.
Two-stage Method for the Reconstruction of a Low-Rank Matrix

Recovering the low-rank matrix through limited observations is a popular problem in communication, image processing and signal processing. The state of art research is mainly focused on the reconstruction techniques by utilizing the affine map which satisfies the restrict isometry property (RIP). However, the reconstruction under certain priori information is not investigated deeply. The priori information means that certain priori knowledge of the low-rank matrix is known in advance. By utilizing the priori information, such as row or column subspace information of low-rank matrix, the improvement of reconstruction accuracy will be expected. In this paper, we investigate the designing of the affine map and reconstruction algorithm by fully utilizing the subspace information. In addition, we derive the optimal representation of the low-rank matrix in order to achieve the minimal mean square error (MSE). Moreover, for the cases when the priori information can not be obtained in advance, we propose a two- stage algorithm to recover the low-rank matrix. Specifically, in the first stage, we estimate the column subspace of a low-rank matrix. In the second stage, we use the estimated subspace information from the first stage to complete the low-rank matrix reconstruction. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm achieves robust performance with much lower computational complexity than existing one-stage based reconstruction algorithms.
Influenza vaccination from the perspective of health care workers at university hospitals

Background The influenza vaccination rate of healthcare workers (HWs) in Poland is low. Before implementing methods for promoting influenza vaccination, it is crucial to identify attitudes towards vaccination. We aimed to examine the knowledge and attitudes towards influenza vaccination of HWs at university hospitals. Moreover, we evaluated the incentives for getting influenza vaccination among HWs. Methods From September 2020 to October 2020, we surveyed HWs in one children’s hospital and two adults’ hospitals in Warsaw (Poland). We included only fully and correctly completed surveys into final analysis. Results A total of 950 questionnaires (85% women, 45% <40 years old, 33% physicians and 48% nurses, 56% working in a children’s hospital) were evaluated. Of all HWs, 25% declared they were vaccinated and 54% planned to get vaccinated in the next season. We have analyzed attitudes towards influenza vaccination and motivations to get vaccinated. Conclusions Among HWs in academic hospitals, males, people <40 years old, physicians and those working in children’s hospital are more likely to get vaccinated and their attitudes towards influenza vaccination are more positive. Of those less likely to get vaccinated, people >40 years old and nurses could be effectively persuaded by free and on-site influenza vaccination. Moreover, free access to vaccination is the strongest motivator for vaccination among all HWs. The attitudes towards mandatory influenza vaccination differ sharply among HWs–while physicians are ready to accept it, nurses are not. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04569019.
Engineered exosomes reprogram Gli1+ cells in vivo to prevent calcification of vascular grafts and autologous pathological vessels

Calcification of autologous pathological vessels and tissue engineering blood vessels (TEBVs) is a thorny problem in clinic. However, there is no effective and noninvasive treatment that is available against the calcification of TEBVs and autologous pathological vessels. Gli1+ cells are progenitors of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and can differentiate into osteoblast-like cells, leading to vascular calcification. Our results showed that the spatiotemporal distribution of Gli1+ cells in TEBVs was positively correlated with the degree of TEBV calcification. An anticalcification approach was designed consisting of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells delivering lncRNA-ANCR to construct the engineered exosome-Ancr/E7-EXO. The results showed that Ancr/E7-EXO effectively targeted Gli1+ cells, promoting rapid SMC reconstruction and markedly inhibiting Gli1+ cell differentiation into osteoblast-like cells. Moreover, Ancr/E7-EXO significantly inhibited vascular calcification caused by chronic kidney disease. Therefore, Ancr/E7-EXO reprogrammed Gli1+ cells to prevent calcification of vascular graft and autologous pathological vessel, providing unique insights for an effective anticalcification.
Effects of Thoracic Spine Self-mobilization on Patients with Low Back Pain and Lumbar Hypermobility: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the effects of thoracic spine self-mobilization on patients with low back pain (LBP) and lumbar hypermobility. Methods: Twenty-four patients (15 men, 9 women) with LBP were randomly allocated to a thoracic spine self-mobilization group or sham group. The thoracic spine self-mobilization group performed thoracic spine active flexion and extension activities using two tennis balls fixed with athletic tape. Outcome measures were collected pre-intervention and after 4 weeks and included the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, the Oswestry Disability Index, lumbar rotation angle measured using MRI taken in the lateral position with 45° of trunk rotation, thoracolumbar rotation range of motion (ROM) in the sitting position, and stiffness of the erector spinae muscles. The effects of the intervention were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by multiple comparisons. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The results of the two-way repeated measures ANOVA indicated that the main effect of the group was significant (P<0.05) for VAS, the sum of the lumbar rotation angle, and the thoracolumbar rotation ROM. A significant group-by-time interaction was found for the sum of lumbar rotation angles. The results of the multiple comparison tests for VAS, sum of the lumbar rotation angle from L1 to S1, and thoracolumbar rotation ROM were significantly different after 4 weeks. Conclusions: This study revealed a decrease in lumbar segmentation after thoracic spine mobilization. Thoracic spine mobilization may be effective in patients with LBP and hypermobility.
Caspase-mediated LPS sensing and pyroptosis signaling in Hydra

Inflammatory caspases sensing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to drive gasdermin (GSDM)–mediated pyroptosis is an important immune response mechanism for anti-infection defense in mammals. In this work, we resolved an LPS-induced and GSDM-gated pyroptosis signaling cascade in Cnidarians. Initially, we identified a functional GSDM protein, HyGSDME, in Hydra, executing cytosolic LPS-induced pyroptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. Further, we identified a proinflammatory caspase, HyCaspA, capable of sensing cytosolic LPS by an uncharacterized N-terminal domain relying on its unique hydrophobic property, thereby triggering its oligomerization and self-activation. Subsequently, the LPS-activated HyCaspA cleaved an apoptotic caspase, HyCARD2, to trigger HyGSDME-gated pyroptosis. Last, HyGSDME exhibited an enriched distribution on the ectodermal layer of Hydra polyps, exerting a canonical immune defense function against surface-invading bacteria. Collectively, our work resolved an ancient pyroptosis signaling cascade in Hydra, suggesting that inflammatory caspases sensing cytosolic LPS to initiate GSDM-gated pyroptosis are a conserved immune defense mechanism from Cnidarians to mammals.
Mo dular PCA and Probabilistic Similarity Measure for Robust Face Recognition

This paper addresses a probabilistic approach to develop a robust face recognition system to partial variations such as occlusions. Based on the statistical feature extraction methods, we take the modular PCA method which nds eigenspace not for the set of whole images but for the sets of local image patches. Through the local feature extraction approach, we try to overcome the drawback of wholistic appearance-based conventional PCA, and consequently expect to improve robustness to local variations. The obtained local features are then applied to dene two probabilistic models for facial images: one for modeling distribution of features observed in usual facial images, and the other for modeling distribution of environmental variations observed in face image from one subject. The probabilistic model for general facial images are used to evaluate the importance of each local patch. The probabilistic model for the environmental variations is used to evaluate the similarity between two local features. By combining two probabilistic models, we nally dene a distance measure between
Improvement of indirect immunofluorescence technique to detect antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and its impact on test positivity rate

The indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) technique for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) detection is subject to substantial differences across laboratories. This study aimed to assess the impact of improvements in the IIF-ANCA technique on the positivity rate of ANCA tests. A cross-sectional study was performed with serum samples from patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), and ulcerative colitis (UC). A paired analysis was performed for IIF-ANCA results using the traditional method and a modified protocol after a series of specific adjustments in the technique based on the protocol of IIF-ANCA test performed at a nation-wide private laboratory in Brazil. ANCA specificity was assessed by ELISA for anti-proteinase 3 (PR3) and anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies. Sixty-one patients were evaluated. The positivity rate of IIF-ANCA tests at disease presentation performed at the University reference laboratory was 32.3% in AAV, AIH, and UC patients, whereas the positivity rates of IIF-ANCA and ELISA tests in other laboratories were 75.0 and 72.7%, respectively. After modifications in the IIF-ANCA technique, there was a significant increase in the positivity rate (14.8 vs 34.3%; P=0.0002) and in median titers [1/40 (1/30-1/160) vs 1/80 (1/40-1/80); P=0.0003] in AAV, AIH, and UC patients. UC had the highest increment in positive results from 5.3 to 36.8%. There was poor agreement between MPO- or PR3-ANCA and both IIF-ANCA techniques. In conclusion, modifications in the IIF-ANCA protocol led to a significant improvement in its positivity rate and titers.
Optimal decisions on price and inventory for a newsboy-type retailer with identifiable information and discount promotion

Consider a retailer selling a seasonal item, new items are stocked at the beginning of sale season and no inventory replenishment is permitted. Assuming the initial price is exogenous and the information about demand becomes more accurate as the sales season progresses, the retailer is allowed to make an in-season price adjustment after conducting a review. After the review time, if the price is adjusted to be lower than the initial price, demand increases more quickly with price decreasing which reflects the promotional effect of discount. Given the initial inventory, an optimal price adjusting model is proposed to maximize the retailer’s revenue. Taking decisions on inventory into account, the proposed model is extended to maximize the retailer’s profit rather than revenue. Numerical examples are also illustrated to test the proposed model. The results show that the optimal in-season price mainly depends on the proportion of the remaining demand, the price sensitivity, and the effect of sales promotion. An important managerial implication is that the retailer should gather the demand information about the price and raise the in-season price as soon as possible to gain more revenue when the price elasticity is small enough. Otherwise, when the price elasticity is larger, the retailer should maintain or decrease the price to gain more revenue.
Modeling Planar Fluxgate Structures

Planar fluxgate structures have been the focus of multiple experimental studies. However, theoretical treatises are still limited to the classical models that describe 3D structures. In this paper we derive an effective fluxgate equation for planar systems, dealing with strong stray fields and direct coupling, and show the stability and applicability of the Vacquier implementation. To support the theoretical model, FEM simulations are performed that also provide means of layouting planar fluxgates by pure magnetostatic simulation.
Development of a prognostic signature based on anoikis-related genes in hepatocellular carcinoma with the utilization of LASSO-cox method

To develop a signature based on anoikis-related genes (ARGs) for predicting the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved. In this study, bioinformatic algorithms were applied to integrate and analyze 777 HCC RNA-seq samples from the cancer genome atlas and international cancer genome consortium repositories. A prognostic signature was developed via the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-cox regression method. To evaluate the accuracy of the signature in predicting events, multi-type technical means, such as Kaplan–Meier plots, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, nomogram construction, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression studies were performed. We investigated the underlying molecular biological mechanisms and immune mechanisms of the signature using gene set enrichment analysis and the CIBERSORT R package, respectively. Meanwhile, immunohistochemical staining acquired from the human protein atlas was used to confirm the differential expression levels of hub genes involved in the prognostic signature. We developed an HCC prognostic signature with a collection of 5 ARGs, and the prognostic value was successfully assessed and verified in both the test and validation cohorts. The risk scores calculated by the prognostic signature were proved to be an independent negative prognostic factor for overall survival. A set of nomograms based on risk scores was established and found to be effective in predicting OS. Further investigation of the underlying molecular biological mechanisms and immune mechanisms indicated that the signature may be relevant to metabolic dysregulation and infiltration of gamma delta T cells in the tumor. The survival prognosis of HCC patients can be predicted by the anoikis-related prognostic signature, and it serves as a valuable reference for individualized HCC therapy.
Comparative Assessment of Reimbursement Recommendations by NICE and HAS for Oncology New Medicines Indicated for the Treatment of Solid Tumors from 2015 to 2021

Objectives This study aimed to compare reimbursement recommendations by the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the French National Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé; HAS) for oncology new medicines indicated for the treatment of solid tumors. Methods Public assessment reports published on NICE and HAS Web sites between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2021, describing appraisals for public reimbursement for oncology new medicines indicated for the treatment of solid tumors were searched and systematically reviewed. Biosimilars and generic drugs were excluded from the analysis. Results Overall, 119 public assessment reports published by NICE and 134 by HAS were identified, with 101 interventions assessed by both agencies. Of 101, 38 (38%) interventions received similar recommendations, 38 (38%) were recommended for different populations, and 25 (25%) were endorsed by one agency but rejected by the other. The main reason NICE would not recommend a drug was due to lack of cost-effectiveness, whereas HAS would primarily reject a drug on the grounds of insufficient clinical evidence. Conclusion The major divergence between agencies is the key criterion used for reimbursement recommendations. NICE mainly considers cost-effectiveness, whereas HAS primarily focuses on the clinical value of interventions. This contributes to the variability in reimbursement recommendations and leads to differential access to oncology new medicines indicated for the treatment of solid tumors among patients in France, and England and Wales. Highlights Both the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the National Authority for Health (Haute Autorité de Santé; HAS) have established formal health technology assessment (HTA) processes and offer universal public health care coverage. However, both agencies diverge in the weight given to different elements of evidence during HTA evaluations. NICE uses cost-effectiveness as key criterion for recommendations on drug reimbursement, while HAS mostly limits its assessment to clinical value. For oncology new medicines indicated for treating solid tumors between 2015 and 2021, recommendations differed 62% of the time between NICE and HAS, primarily due to the distinct key decision-making criteria each HTA agency uses. For 4 interventions not endorsed by NICE, HAS saw these drugs as providing a substantial enhancement in clinical value over existing treatments, potentially providing an edge in price negotiations. Conversely, NICE deemed these drugs as not delivering adequate value for money in comparison with current therapies. A key difference between the 2 agencies is HAS’s insistence on methodological rigor in efficacy results, compared with NICE’s more flexible approach, considering descriptive efficacy results in cost-effectiveness modeling.
Application effect of gastrointestinal bundle nursing on the protection of gastrointestinal function in patients with gastric cancer

Evidence-based nursing practice was used to formulate the enhanced recovery surgery bundle nursing strategy and apply it to patients with gastric cancer, to explore its safety, effectiveness and feasibility in perioperative gastrointestinal function protection in patients with gastric cancer. Selected the clinical medical records of 100 gastric cancer patients treated in our hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 as the research objects, and divided them into the control group and the observation group with 50 cases in each group according to the random number table. Among them, the control group was given routine nursing measures for nursing intervention, and the observation group was given gastrointestinal enhanced recovery surgery cluster nursing on the basis of the control group. The differences in stress response, gastrointestinal function protection, negative emotions and pain scores of gastric cancer patients before and after nursing were compared between the 2 groups. The postoperative bowel sounds recovery time, first anal exhaust, and first defecation time in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < .05). Before nursing, there was no significant difference in the scores of stress response changes between the 2 groups (P > .05). After nursing, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), norepinephrine (NE), and epinephrine (E2) in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). The pain scores of the 2 groups were significantly improved at different time points, and the observation group was significantly less than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < .05). Gastrointestinal enhanced recovery surgery bundle nursing can effectively improve the gastrointestinal function of patients with gastric cancer, improve the emotional response and stress response of patients, and has certain reference value for the nursing of patients with gastric cancer.
Children's Oncology Group's 2023 blueprint for research: Cellular therapy and stem cell transplantation

Since the publication of the last Cellular Therapy and Stem Cell Transplant blueprint in 2013, Children's Oncology Group cellular therapy‐based trials advanced the field and created new standards of care across a wide spectrum of pediatric cancer diagnoses. Key findings include that tandem autologous transplant improved survival for patients with neuroblastoma and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid brain tumors, one umbilical cord blood (UCB) donor was safer than two UCB donors, killer immunoglobulin receptor (KIR) mismatched donors did not improve survival for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia when in vivo T‐cell depletion is used, and the depth of remission as measured by next‐generation sequencing‐based minimal residual disease assessment pretransplant was the best predictor of relapse for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Plans for the next decade include optimizing donor selection for transplants for acute leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome, using novel engineered cellular therapies to target a wide array of malignancies, and developing better treatments for cellular therapy toxicities such as viral infections and graft‐vs‐host disease.
On the existence of global attractors in principal bundles

ABSTRACT This article discusses necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of global attractors for transformation semigroups on principal bundles. Since the global attractor is a compact set, the discussion involves the compactness of the fibres. A compact structure group is a necessary condition for the existence of the global attractor. In specific situations, the global attractor exists if the structure group is compact.
Physicist who makes cash from chaos

In the 28 years since he earned his BS degree in physics from Stanford University in California, J Doyne Farmer has moved through a succession of careers. As a precocious graduate student he led a team that consistently beat the odds at the casinos of Las Vegas. As a scientist he founded a leading research centre at Los Alamos. As an entrepreneur he helped to create a company that beats the odds in financial markets. And now, back in academic life, he is studying what makes financial markets tick and also trying to bridge the gap between evolutionary theory and finance.