Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ferroptosis: An Emerging Target for Bladder Cancer Therapy

Bladder cancer (BC), as one of the main urological cancers in the world, possesses the abilities of multiple-drug resistance and metastasis. However, there remains a significant gap in the understanding and advancement of prognosis and therapeutic strategies for BC. Ferroptosis, a novel type of iron-dependent regulated cell death, depends on lipid peroxidation, which has been proven to have a strong correlation with the development and treatment of BC. Its mechanism mainly includes three pathways, namely, lipid peroxidation, the antioxidant system, and the iron overload pathway. In this review, we reviewed the mechanism of ferroptosis, along with the related therapeutic targets and drugs for BC, as it might become a new anticancer treatment in the future.
PartSLIP++: Enhancing Low-Shot 3D Part Segmentation via Multi-View Instance Segmentation and Maximum Likelihood Estimation

Open-world 3D part segmentation is pivotal in diverse applications such as robotics and AR/VR. Traditional supervised methods often grapple with limited 3D data availability and struggle to generalize to unseen object categories. PartSLIP, a recent advancement, has made significant strides in zero- and few-shot 3D part segmentation. This is achieved by harnessing the capabilities of the 2D open-vocabulary detection module, GLIP, and introducing a heuristic method for converting and lifting multi-view 2D bounding box predictions into 3D segmentation masks. In this paper, we introduce PartSLIP++, an enhanced version designed to overcome the limitations of its predecessor. Our approach incorporates two major improvements. First, we utilize a pre-trained 2D segmentation model, SAM, to produce pixel-wise 2D segmentations, yielding more precise and accurate annotations than the 2D bounding boxes used in PartSLIP. Second, PartSLIP++ replaces the heuristic 3D conversion process with an innovative modified Expectation-Maximization algorithm. This algorithm conceptualizes 3D instance segmentation as unobserved latent variables, and then iteratively refines them through an alternating process of 2D-3D matching and optimization with gradient descent. Through extensive evaluations, we show that PartSLIP++ demonstrates better performance over PartSLIP in both low-shot 3D semantic and instance-based object part segmentation tasks. Code released at https://github.com/zyc00/PartSLIP2.
Random Bond Potts Model : the Test of the Replica Symmetry Breaking

Averaged spin-spin correlation function squared < σ(0)σ(R) > 2 is calculated for the ferromagnetic random bond Potts model. The technique being used is the renormalization group plus conformal field theory. The results are of the ǫ-expansion type fixed point calculation, ǫ being the deviation of the central charge (or the number of components) of the Potts model from the Ising model value. Calculations are done both for the replica symmetric and the replica symmetry broken fixed points. The results obtained allow for the numerical simulation tests to decide between the two different criticalities of the random bond Potts model.
A Dual-Mode Readout Circuit for SPAD Imaging Applications

CMOS single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) have recently emerged as promising components in various high-detection-rate imaging applications, including low-light imaging and light-detection and ranging (LiDAR). To reduce the dead time and enhance the timing resolution, each SPAD is equipped with a passive quenching active reset (PQAR) circuit, which includes a logic control circuit for self-restoration. Then a readout tree (RT) circuit is included to accommodate different imaging requirements. The RT circuit introduces two operating modes: single-hit mode and multi-hit mode, enabling pre-processing of the photon-induced signals to meet diverse imaging requirements. A test chip with an effective <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$1 \times 64$ </tex-math></inline-formula> pixels has been designed and fabricated. Measurement results show a reduction in the jitter of the photon-induced signal width of the PQAR circuit to 29.5 ps. Furthermore, a decrease in the dark count rate (DCR) to 0.53 cps/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\mu m^{2}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for the multi-hit mode and an improvement in the photon detection efficiency (PDE) to 9.96% for the single-hit mode has been demonstrated.
Applicability of the NGA‐West2 Site‐Effects Model for Central and Eastern North America

Abstract We examine the applicability of the Next Generation Attenuation‐West2 (NGA‐West2) site‐effects model (Seyhan and Stewart, 2014), which is a V S 30 ‐based (time‐averaged shear‐wave velocity in the upper 30 m) model, to sites in central and eastern North America (CENA), using the NGA‐East ground‐motion database. We determine residual site terms by comparing the observed CENA ground‐motion amplitudes, adjusted to B/C site condition ( V S 30 =760 m/s) using the western site‐effects model, to the corresponding predicted amplitudes of a CENA ground‐motion prediction equation for B/C site condition (Yenier and Atkinson, 2015). The CENA prediction model used the same western site model to level the database before model development. Thus, residual trends reveal inadequacies of the western site‐effects model when applied to CENA ground motions. Plotting the residual site terms versus their corresponding site fundamental frequencies ( f peak ) reveals significant f peak ‐dependent trends at all frequencies. Average residual site terms for CENA sites, after the western site amplifications have been removed, can be as large as 0.45 in log10 units (2.8 in nonlog units) around f ≈ f peak . Correlating the site terms with western site‐effects predictions reveals that at f V S 30 in a manner that is similar to the way they behave in the NGA‐West2 database. However, at higher frequencies, the correlation of site amplification with V S 30 decreases markedly in CENA. In contrast, the horizontal‐to‐vertical (H/V) component spectral ratio (as obtained from the NGA‐East ground‐motion data) is a good predictor of the observed f peak ‐dependent site terms, suggesting that H/V spectral ratio is a more reliable predictor of site amplification for the recording stations of the NGA‐East database. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of a well‐calibrated regional site‐effects model for CENA and the importance of f peak as a site indicator.
mSphere of Influence: Coordinating effective clearance of bacterial bloodstream infections

ABSTRACT Caitlyn Holmes works in the field of bacterial pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the papers “Innate Lymphocyte/Ly6Chi Monocyte Crosstalk Promotes Klebsiella pneumoniae Clearance” by Xiong et al. (H. Xiong, J. W. Keith, D. W. Samilo, R. A. Carter, et al., Cell 165:679–89, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2016.03.017) and “Dual-Track Clearance of Circulating Bacteria Balances Rapid Restoration of Blood Sterility with Induction of Adaptive Immunity” by Broadley et al. (S. P. Broadley, A. Plaumann, R. Coletti, C. Lehmann, et al., Cell Host Microbe 20:36–48, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chom.2016.05.023) impacted her research by highlighting the tangled web of immune responses that influence bacterial bloodstream infections.
ADEQUAÇÃO DOS CONTROLES DE GESTÃO ÀS CONTINGÊNCIAS AMBIENTAIS EM EMPRESA FAMILIAR DO RAMO DE PAPEL E CELULOSE

RESUMO O processo de gestao das empresas familiares e influenciado por mudancas no ambiente interno e externo, devido a situacoes contingenciais. Assim, o estudo objetiva investigar a adequacao dos controles de gestao as contingencias ambientais em empresa familiar do ramo de papel e celulose. A pesquisa caracteriza-se como descritiva, do tipo estudo de caso, com abordagem qualitativa e analise de conteudo. Os dados da pesquisa foram levantados por meio de entrevista direta com o controller da empresa e por questionario estruturado aplicado ao gerente de TI. Os resultados mostram que a adequacao dos controles de gestao as contingencias ambientais requer primeiramente mudancas de habitos e comportamentos dos empregados e gestores; desenvolvimento, adequacao e readequacao de tecnologias voltadas a administracao da informacao; treinamento e retreinamento constante dos empregados e gestores. O processo de mudancas esta acontecendo gradualmente na empresa pesquisada e os empregados e gestores vem sendo preparados para superar eventual resistencia. Conclui-se que os resultados obtidos com a adequacao dos controles de gestao as contingencias ambientais foram favoraveis ao crescimento da empresa analisada, como tambem necessarios para que consiga reagir as mudancas que o ambiente lhe impoe constantemente. Palavras-Chave : Controles de gestao; Contingencias ambientais e Empresa familiar. ABSTRACT Due to contingency situations, the management process in family companies is influenced by changes in the internal and external environment. Thus the objective of the study was to investigate the adaptation of management controls to environmental contingencies in a family run paper and cellulose company. The research is characterized as descriptive, of the case study type with a qualitative approach and analysis of content. Research data was gathered by means of direct interview with the company comptroller and by structured questionnaire given to the IT manager. Results showed that adaptation of management controls to environmental contingencies primarily require changes of habits and behaviors of the employees and managers; development, adaptation and re-adaptation of technologies related to information management and constant training and re-training of employees and managers. The process of change is happening gradually in the company researched and employees and managers have been being prepared in order to overcome eventual resistance. It was concluded that the results obtained with adaptation of management controls to environmental contingencies were favorable to the growth of the company analyzed, as well as being necessary for being able to react to changes that environment constantly imposes on the company. Keywords: controls; Environmental contingencies and Family company.
ZADÁNÍ DIPLOMOVÉ PRÁCE

In my work, I focused on exploiting quantal response opponents in big imperfect information extensive form games. I defined two new solution concepts, quantal Nash equilibrium, and quantal Stackelberg equilibrium. I analyzed properties of defined equilibria and showed that they are not interchangeable even in a zero-sum scenario. The results showed that CFR-QR, which is an algorithm that I tested, could be used to get the strategy in quantal Nash equilibrium for both normal form games and extensive form games. Obtained results indicated that in both normal form games and extensive form games, there could be multiple quantal Stackelberg equilibria with different values. I proposed a gradient descent algorithm to reach local quantal Stackelberg equilibrium in Normal form game and modified sequence form program to find quantal Stackelberg equilibrium in extensive form game. I compared both concepts in terms of how much they can exploit the quantal response adversary and how much they can be exploited by a rational opponent, and for both normal form games and extensive form games, quantal Stackelberg equilibrium is better in both aspects. Finally, I tried to apply decomposition to both algorithms, and I discussed problems that arise from a sequence program with decomposition. I proposed CFR-QR-D that can find quantal Nash equilibrium strategy, but in my tests, it converged in 99% of the games.
ZADÁNÍ DIPLOMOVÉ PRÁCE

This thesis examines the properties of reinforcement learning algorithms used in games with imperfect information. The imperfect information games are more complex than other settings in which the reinforcement learning algorithms are commonly used, and the convergence properties of reinforcement learning algorithms in imperfect information games are not understood well. We examined the theoretical properties of two single-state reinforcement learning algorithms in a self-play of matrix games and evaluated their practical performance. We also evaluated the performance of two reinforcement learning algorithms in an extensive-form game with imperfect information.
Gray Whale Distribution and Catch by Alaskan Eskimos: A Replacement for the Bowhead Whale?

The catch of gray whales, Eschrichtius robustus , by Alaskan Eskimos from 1925 to 1980 has been documented to the extent possible by a search of the literature and personal communications with knowledgeable sources. During the period 1950-1980, 47 gray whales were landed by hunters at 12 villages. During this same period, 505 bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus , were landed at nine coastal whaling villages. Alaskan Eskimos traditionally have been bowhead whalers, principally because of the predictive nature of the bowheads' migration. Gray whaling has never been an important subsistence activity. Because the bowhead population is thought to be depleted, gray whales have been suggested as a possible substitute for subsistence. The distribution of gray whales in Alaskan coastal waters is such that reliable annual whaling for this species is possible only at villages on the shores of the northern Bering Sea; it is unlikely for villages north of Bering Strait to Cape Lisburne, and more unlikely for villages north of Cape Lisburne and east of Point Barrow. Based on cultural and biological grounds, substituting gray whales for bowheads does not appear to be a reliable alternative for the residents of four to six of the nine Eskimo villages that currently participate in bowhead whaling. Key words: gray whale, Eschrichitus robustus; bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus ; Eskimos; subsistence whaling; Alaska
Compass+Ring: A Multimodal Menu to Improve Interaction Performance and Comfortability in One-handed Scenarios

In numerous applications, an excellent interface design should allow users to perform secondary tasks as naturally as possible without affecting the main task. Multimodal handheld menus are regularly the preferred user interface that meets the natural switching of primary and secondary tasks. However, existing multimodal handheld menus have some limitations under single-handed conditions, or the comfort needs improvement. To address these issues, this paper proposes a novel multimodal handheld menu: Compass+Ring. The “compass” integrates gesture, gaze, and speech into a pie menu, whereas the “ring” serves as a shortcut menu. The Compass menu improves interaction performance and comfortability in one-handed scenarios, and the Ring menu alleviates eye fatigue when both hands are free. We evaluated five handheld menus: Touch, Gaze+Pinch, Speech+Pinch, Bangles, and Compass+Ring. We first analyze the usability of these menus in three different scenarios, and then conduct a user study about these menus in geometry matching and line drawing tasks. The results show that the Bangles menu and the Compass+Ring menu are more suitable for one-handed scenarios than the other three menus, and the Compass+Ring menu is superior to the Bangles menu in terms of efficiency and hand fatigue. In addition, participants indicate that the Ring menu can reduce eye strain for the Compass menu in two-handed scenarios and increase haptic perception.
Trends in Interdiurnal Temperature Variation for the Central United States, 1945–1985

Temporal variation in the absolute value of interdiurnal variability (AIDV) of January maximum temperatures is examined for the period 1945–1985 in the central United States (90°–105°W). AIDV indicates the magnitude of day-to-day changes in the maximum temperature. Five-year running-mean AIDV values decreased significantly throughout the period. This trend was apparent for the region overall and for the 10 of the 20 study sites analyzed individually. Temporal variation in AIDV values was significantly related to mid-tropospheric flow patterns over the central United States. Meridional circulation was associated with smaller AIDV values in all sites except those in the northwestern and southeastern corners of the study area, whereas zonal flow was linked to larger interdiurnal temperature change. The analysis of selected individual years indicated that mid-tropospheric circulation patterns were more persistent with meridional flow, and surface cyclones and their associated surface fronts tracked through th.
Heterologous Expression and Characterization of a Thermostable α-L-Rhamnosidase from Thermoclostridium stercorarium subsp. thermolacticum DSM 2910 and Its Application in the Biotransformation of Rutin

An α-L-rhamnosidase gene from Thermoclostridium. stercorarium subsp. thermolacticum DSM 2910 (TstRhaA) was cloned and expressed. The maximum TstRhaA activity of the protein reached 25.2 U/ml, and the molecular mass was approximately 106.6 kDa. The protein was purified 8.0-fold by Ni-TED affinity with an overall recovery of 16.6% and a specific activity of 187.9 U/mg. TstRhaA activity was the highest at 65°C and pH 6.5. In addition, it exhibited excellent thermal stability, better pH stability, good tolerance to low concentrations of organic reagents, and high catalytic activity for p-nitrophenyl-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (pNPR). Substrate specificity studies showed that TstRhaA exhibited a high specific activity for rutin. At 60°C, pH 6.5, and 0.3 U/ml enzyme dosage, 60 g/l rutin was converted to 45.55 g/l isoquercitrin within 150 min. The molar conversion rate of rutin and the yield of isoquercitrin were 99.8% and 12.22 g/l/h, respectively. The results suggested that TstRhaA could be used for mass production of isoquercitrin.
Lift ing the Veil: France's New Crusade

France is home to the largest Muslim population in Europe, comprising six percent of the French population, making Islam the second most practiced religion in France. With an influx of Muslim immigrants, France struggles with concerns over its national identity and culture. In 2009, the French government began to consider a ban on the face veil, or burqa, in public. Critics accused France of discrimination and Islamophobia, while officials calling for such a ban defended it on constitutional grounds: secularism and a belief that the burqa represents gender discrimination. On September 14, 2010, the French Senate approved the bill to ban women from wearing the veil in public and with the approval of the Constitutional Council, the law will go into effect in the Spring of 2011. This Note calls on the European Court of Human Rights to depart from its history of deference to Member State governments regarding issues of religious expression; instead, the court should ensure that any decision to restrict religious expression in France through a burqa ban does not violate the European Convention on Human Rights. [A]s long as women are in shrouds[,] . [h]alf the nation is not alive.
A cross-sectional study

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder that affects specific groups of people. The relationship between breakfast consumption frequency and the risk of IBS is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between breakfast consumption frequency and the risk of IBS among Chinese female college students. In this cross-sectional study (n=706) conducted in October 2018, the frequency of breakfast consumption was categorized as 0 to 3 times/week, 4 to 6 times/week, or daily. IBS was diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria and was based on the presence of abdominal pain or discomfort for at least 3months during the previous 6months, with at least 2 or more of the following conditions: changes in frequency or form of stool and/or decrease in pain after defecation. We adjusted for confounding factors, including age, only child (yes or no), parents’ educational levels (senior high school or below, college, or postgraduate), parents’ marital status (married, widowed, or divorced), smoking status (smoker or nonsmoker), drinking status (drinker or nondrinker), body mass index, and depressive symptoms. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between breakfast frequency and the risk of IBS. Among 706 participants, 23.7% were the only child in their family, and the proportion of parents divorced or widowed was 18.5%. The proportion of fathers and mothers with high school education or above was 93.3% and 96.3%, respectively. The prevalence of IBS among the participants was 17.3% (122/706). Multivariate logistic regressions analysis showed that breakfast consumption frequency is negatively associated with the risk of IBS after adjusting for confounding factors. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for IBS in the breakfast frequency category of 0 to 3 times/week, 4 to 6 times/week, and daily were 1.00 (reference), 0.96 (0.58, 1.60), and 0.45 (0.26, 0.78), respectively (P= .002). Our data revealed that regular breakfast consumption is associated with a lower risk of IBS among Chinese college students. Future cohort and/or interventional studies should be conducted to further explore the association between breakfast consumption frequency and IBS. Abbreviation: IBS = irritable bowel syndrome.
A cross-sectional study

Vestibular disorders can manifest several patterns of horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) impairment, which can be detected by caloric test and video head impulse test (vHIT). Several studies have examined the patterns of caloric-vHIT response in Ménière disease (MD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the diversity of caloric-vHIT response and its related factors in unilateral MD patients. We also explore the possibility of assessing the progression of unilateral MD by using the horizontal VOR tests. Ninety-eight patients with unilateral MD were enrolled and underwent a battery of audio-vestibular evaluations, including the pure tone audiogram, caloric test, and horizontal vHIT. Some patients received the electrocochleography and glycerol test. The combined results of caloric test and horizontal vHIT were categorized qualitatively into 4 patterns: Pattern I: normal caloric and vHIT responses; Pattern II: abnormal caloric and normal vHIT responses; Pattern III: normal caloric and abnormal vHIT response; and Pattern IV: abnormal caloric and vHIT responses. The abnormal caloric results were semi-quantitatively subdivided into sub-patterns as mild, moderate, and severe abnormality. The associations between these patterns/sub-patterns and related factors were analyzed. Pattern I was found in 35 cases (35.7%), Pattern II in 57 (58.2%), and Pattern IV in 6 (6.1%). No patient had Pattern III. No significant differences were found between the patterns/sub-pattern distribution and age, electrocochleography, and glycerol test results. Disease duration was not associated with the pattern distribution, while remained a relation with sub-pattern distribution. The pattern/ sub-pattern distribution varied significantly across MD stages. The proportion of pattern II or pattern IV increased with the stage of unilateral MD. MD can manifest several patterns of horizontal VOR impairment, of which the impaired caloric response with normal vHIT is the most common pattern. With the progression of unilateral MD, the caloric-vHIT pattern tends to shift, which may reflect the deterioration of endolymphatic hydrops and vestibular hair cells impairments. Abbreviations: AAO-HNS = American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, AP = action potential, CP = canal paresis, cVEMPs= cervical VEMPs, ECochG= electrocochleography, ELH= endolymphatic hydrops, MD=Ménière’s disease, MRI = magnetic resonance imaging, oVEMPs = ocular VEMPs, PTA = pure tone average, SCC = semicircular canal, SD = standard deviation, SNHL = sensorineural hearing loss, SP = summating potential, SPVmax = maximum slow phase velocity, VEMPs = vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, vHIT = video head impulse test, VOR = vestibulo-ocular reflex.