jimnoneill/paper-to-field-training huggingface dataset:
Quantitative PET/MR imaging of lung cancer in the presence of artifacts in the MR-based attenuation correction maps

Background Positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging may become increasingly important for assessing tumor therapy response. A prerequisite for quantitative PET/MR imaging is reliable and repeatable MR-based attenuation correction (AC). Purpose To investigate the frequency and test–retest reproducibility of artifacts in MR-AC maps in a lung cancer patient cohort and to study the impact of artifact corrections on PET-based tumor quantification. Material and Methods Twenty-five lung cancer patients underwent single-day, test–retest, 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MR imaging. The acquired MR-AC maps were inspected for truncation, susceptibility, and tissue inversion artifacts. An anatomy-based bone template and a PET-based estimation of truncated arms were employed, while susceptibility artifacts were corrected manually. We report the frequencies of artifacts and the relative difference (RD) on standardized uptake value (SUV) based quantification in PET images reconstructed with the corrected AC maps. Results Truncation artifacts were found in all 50 acquisitions (100%), while susceptibility and tissue inversion artifacts were observed in six (12%) and 26 (52%) of the scans, respectively. The RD in lung tumor SUV was &lt; 5% from bone and truncation corrections, while up to 20% RD was introduced after susceptibility artifact correction, with large inconsistencies between test–retest scans. Conclusion The absence of bone and truncation artifacts have limited effect on the PET quantification of lung lesions. In contrast, susceptibility artifacts caused significant and inconsistent underestimations of the lung tumor SUVs, between test–retest scans. This may have clinical implications for patients undergoing serial imaging for tumor therapy response assessment.

Topic: Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications
Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
A Model for Interfacial Activity of Acidic Crude Oil/Caustic Systems for Alkaline Flooding

Abstract The interaction of the alkali in floodwater and the acids in reservoir crude results in the in-situ formation of surfactants, which are responsible for the lowering of interfacial tension (IFT) in caustic flooding. The extent to which IFT is lowered depends on the specific properties of the crude oil and the injection water. Therefore, it is important to establish the relationship between IFT and the essential chemical properties of the acidic oil and the floodwater. This paper presents such a relationship. In this discussion, the adsorption and the desorption of the active species at the interface are modeled as ionic processes using the Gouy-Chapman theory of the diffuse double layer. The interfacial potentials calculated using this model show a fair agreement with the experimentally measured trend of elcctrophoretic mobility. Also, the model rationalizes the experimentally observed effects of alkali concentration, salinity, and the oleic- to aqueous-phase ratio on IFT. We conclude that the acid number of the crude oil may not correlate directly with interfacial activity. Even in cases of low-acid-number crudes, significant interfacial activity could be obtained because of highly hydrophobic active species in the crude.

Topic: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques
Subfield: Ocean Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Immune Thrombocytopenia Associated to Low-Dose Alemtuzumab Therapy in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: A Single Retrospective Center Experience

Abstract Abstract 4598 Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common autoimmune complication in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), occurring in up to 5% of patients. The occurrence of alemtuzumab-associated ITP have been rarely reported in CLL and it has never been reported so far as a significant event complicating alemtuzumab treatment in clinical trials. Recently, a new distinctive form of secondary ITP occurring in 6 out of 215 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with alemtuzumab in a randomized, controlled phase II trial has been reported (Cuker et al, Blood 2011). We investigated the incidence of ITP in a cohort of 64 consecutive patients treated with low-dose alemtuzumab for relapsed/refractory CLL from 2003 to 2010. Subcutaneous alemtuzumab was administered at the dose of 10 mg three times a week, up to 18 weeks. ITP was documented in 12/64 patients: in 3 patients (4.7%) ITP developed before alemtuzumab treatment and no relapses of the autoimmune disorder were observed during the treatment; in 9 patients (14.8%, with an incidence of 5.7 events/100 patient-year) ITP developed after alemtuzumab treatment. Median time to ITP from initial alemtuzumab exposure was 12 months (range 1–42 months). Concomitant hemolytic anemia (Evans syndrome) was observed in one patient. At ITP onset, median platelet counts were 11×109/L (range 3–70) and anti-platelet antibodies (Capture P® Method, ImmucorGamma, Norcross GA, USA) were found in 7 of the 8 patients tested. No patients showed severe or life-threatening bleeding. Three of nine patients who developed ITP after alemtuzumab therapy, experienced CLL progression requiring chemo-immunotherapy after 3, 4 and 13 months from ITP onset, respectively. One patient achieved a partial remission of CLL with ITP resolution, while the other two died of disease progression. In the remaining six cases, ITP was not associated with disease progression and was treated with corticosteroids and/or intravenous immunoglobulins. Five patients achieved normal platelet counts, while one patient did not respond. Low-dose alemtuzumab (theoretical cumulative dose 540 mg, equal to half of the classic cumulative dose and one-third of the individual dose) is an effective, safe and well tolerated treatment for CLL, as reported by several recent studies (Cortelezzi et al, Leukemia 2009; Brit J Haematol 2011). In our cohort of CLL patients treated with alemtuzumab, the incidence of ITP was 14.8% that is almost three times higher than previously reported in CLL. These data may indicate a role of T-lymphocyte dysregulation induced by alemtuzumab in the pathogenesis of ITP. Our data also suggested the importance of monitoring platelet counts during follow-up in patients treated with low-dose alemtuzumab for both haematological and non-haematological diseases. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Topic: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Research
Subfield: Genetics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
[Cytological and biochemical indices of induced sputum in patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive bronchitis].

The aim of our research was to study the apoptotic index and the representativeness of CD95-receptor in the effector cells, in addition to estimation of the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the induced sputum supernatant observed in patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive bronchitis. These indices were evaluated in the disease dynamics and involves various treatment programs. The object of our research was induced sputum. The analysis has proven that apoptotic index of effector cell nuclei, representativeness of CD95-receptor and the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the induced sputum differed, respectively, in patients with bronchial asthma and chronical obstructive bronchitis, and depended on the period of disease and employed treatment. The induced sputum analysis results can be used for the airway inflammation activity monitoring, with regard to these diseases and to treatment efficiency monitoring.

Topic: Pediatric health and respiratory diseases
Subfield: Emergency Medical Services
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Building Authentic Partnerships for Responding to Gender-Based Violence in Universities

Abstract This chapter critically discusses the importance of coalition-building in challenging gender-based violence (GBV) in universities and for laying the groundwork to facilitate and support cultural transformation in the complex and risk-averse environment of higher education. Drawing on the example of a cross-institutional, multipartner coalition initiated by student organizations in collaboration with security, service, and academic staff in two Scottish universities, local service providers, and police, this chapter critically discusses the tensions encountered and challenges posed in creating a “whole-university” approach to preventing and responding to GBV. In so doing, it highlights the centrality of student leadership for developing an informed response and driving forward meaningful change and the importance of internal/external partnerships for prevention work, root and branch reform of university policies and practices, the provision of training and awareness-raising, and the delivery of a thorough institutionalized response to tackling GBV.

Topic: Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
Subfield: Gender Studies
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Growth hormone in Turner syndrome

Editor,—The recent interesting and valuable article by Johnston and colleagues1 describing the outcome of a trial of recombinant growth hormone (GH) and low dose oestrogen in girls with Turner syndrome (TS) concluded that low dose oestrogen before planned induction of puberty was not beneficial for adult height. However, they extend their conclusions by the cautious word that although the majority of girls might benefit from GH treatment, a “realistic appraisal” suggests “modest” benefit. Although evidence to the contrary is fully discussed in their paper, this generalisation might lead the reader to doubt the efficacy of GH in TS.

The best known of the trials of GH in TS is that of Rosenfeld and colleagues2 who followed their patients until the age of 17–18 years (near final height). Although they started this trial with a randomised untreated control arm who grew at a rate of 3.8 cm per year in contrast to girls in the treatment arms who grew more rapidly, the former were placed in a treatment arm of …

Topic: Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities
Subfield: Genetics
Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Old Mutual Building, Church Square, Pretoria, South Africa (SketchUp 3D model)

Sketchup model of Old Mutual Building, 38 Church Square, Pretoria, South Africa. Please use Sketchup software to access model. Download Sketchup from http://sketchup.google.com/download/

Topic: 3D Modeling in Geospatial Applications
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
IMPROVING SERVICE QUALITY IN IPTV NETWORKS

Technical advances in recent years allow to transfer video over IP networks with acceptable quality. One of the main difficulties in providing services over IP networks is packet loss at the moments of mass channel switching and, as a result, deterioration in the quality of transmitted information. The research objective is improving the quality of service in IPTV networks, reliability of communication area due to the use of a redundant switching field with parallel configuration in IP switches, which provides load dividing for normal operation and avoids collapsing network under peak traffic. The block diagram and operation algorithm are given, which allows to increase the processing speed of the IPTV head station. Specific feature of load distribution is described by the fact that servicing one data flow can be provided by different information fields at different stages. There has been given a formalized model of parallel block switch. Today, modern switching systems do not allow tuning by parallel methods and combining the transfer of information with system tuning.

Topic: Cybersecurity and Information Systems
Subfield: Computer Networks and Communications
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
The Myeloproliferative Disorders

Abstract: The Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, and primary myelofibrosis, are a group of clonal hematopoietic stem cell disorders with overlapping clinical and cytogenetic features and a variable tendency to evolve into acute leukemia. These diseases not only share overlapping chromosomal abnormalities but also a number of acquired somatic mutations. Recently, mutations in a putative tumor suppressor gene, ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2) on chromosome 4q24 have been identified in 12 % of patients with MPN. Additionally 4q24 chromosomal rearrangements in MPN, including TET2 deletions, have also been observed using conventional cytogenetics. The goal of this study was to investigate the frequency of genomic TET2 rearrangements in MPN using fluorescence in situ hybridization as a more sensitive method for screening and identifying genomic deletions. Among 146 MPN patients, we identified two patients (1.4%) who showed a common 4q24 deletion, including TET2. Our observations also indicated that the frequency of TET2 deletion is increased in patients with an abnormal karyotype (5%).

Topic: Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Diagnosis and Treatment
Subfield: Genetics
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Thrombolytic therapy before reconstructive vascular procedures for acute or subacute graft occlusions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of direct intra-arterial Urokinase infusions prior to anticipated adjunctive reconstructive vascular procedures in 16 patients with 24 acutely or subacutely occluded lower extremity grafts (22 femoropopliteal, 2 femorotibial). Complete thrombolysis was achieved angiographically in 18 (75%) of 24 graft occlusions. Neither age, gender, current smoking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nor coronary arterial disease were significantly associated with complete thrombolysis. The only significant factor related to complete thrombolysis was the duration of the occlusion prior to lytic treatment (p < 0.05). Adjunctive reconstructive procedures were performed for eleven of 18 cases in which complete thrombolysis was achieved. These included nine percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasties (at eight distal and one proximal anastomotic stenoses) and two bypass operations (femoropopliteal). The remaining seven cases had no adjunctive procedure. These 18 cases were examined for patency rates during nine months of follow-up. Six (54%) of 11 cases with adjunctive reconstructive vascular procedures remained patent, while one (14%) of seven cases with no adjunctive procedure remained patent (p = 0.1). Six (25%) of 24 cases resulted in incomplete thrombolysis. Vascular procedures following these cases included two bypass operations, three amputations and one sympathectomy. This study suggests that complete thrombolysis of acutely occluded grafts might have minimized subsequent reconstructive procedures. Identification of correctable lesions and adjunctive reconstructive procedures performed following complete thrombolysis may be the important factors related to long-term patency.

Topic: Peripheral Artery Disease Management
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Nanotube-mode-locked linear-cavity fiber laser delivering switchable ultrafast solitons

We propose a linear-cavity switchable fiber laser based on a single-wall carbon nanotube mode-locker for the first time to the best of our knowledge. Two chirped fiber Bragg gratings (CFBGs) in series and an optical circulator are employed as end mirrors of the linear cavity. The linear-cavity fiber laser is simple and cost-efficient. By adjusting the polarization controllers, a switchable mode-locking operation is obtained at 1551.3 and 1557.9 nm respectively, corresponding to the central wavelengths of two series-wound CFBGs. The pulse duration and spectral bandwidth of ultrafast solitons are ~4.4 ps and ~0.65 nm for the short wavelength operation at 1551.3 nm and ~3.9 ps and ~0.71 nm for the long wavelength operation at 1557.9 nm, respectively. Our experimental observations are well confirmed by the numerical results. The linear-cavity all-fiber laser reduces the cost and is very attractive for ultrafast optics.

Topic: Advanced Fiber Laser Technologies
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Digital Investment Innovation: Conceptual framework to explore Robo Advisor in Indonesia

The success of Robo Advisor is not only by intention but by the use of the technology and actual implementation by users.The rapid growth of internet penetration, online adoption of technology, and government support in Indonesia contribute to significant investor growth since 2018 with the presence of technology that makes it easier to open accounts and online transactions.Is the presence of Robo advisor technology also expected to be used and be a tool in investment decisions?This paper provides a conceptual model to extend potential variables in the usage of Robo advisor and behavior investor perspective to use Robo advisor as the decision tools to invest.We use Perceived Usefulness as the basic theory of the technology acceptance model and add Investment literacy, Trust, and Perceived Risk as variables related to investment decision variables.So that the proposed model can be used as a basis for empirical research in the future to validate the context of accepting and actual use of Robo advisors by investors in Indonesia

Topic: FinTech, Crowdfunding, Digital Finance
Subfield: Management Information Systems
Field: Business, Management and Accounting
Domain: Social Sciences
Measuring the Intracluster Light Fraction with Machine Learning

Abstract The intracluster light (ICL) is an important tracer of a galaxy cluster’s history and past interactions. However, only small samples have been studied to date due to its very low surface brightness and the heavy manual involvement required for the majority of measurement algorithms. Upcoming large imaging surveys such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) are expected to vastly expand available samples of deep cluster images. However, to process this increased amount of data, we need faster, fully automated methods to streamline the measurement process. This paper presents a machine learning model designed to automatically measure the ICL fraction in large samples of images, with no manual preprocessing required. We train the fully supervised model on a training data set of 50,000 images with injected artificial ICL profiles. We then transfer its learning onto real data by fine-tuning with a sample of 101 real clusters with their ICL fraction measured manually using the surface brightness threshold method. With this process, the model is able to effectively learn the task and then adapt its learning to real cluster images. Our model can be directly applied to Hyper Suprime-Cam images, processing up to 500 images in a matter of seconds on a single GPU, or fine-tuned for other imaging surveys such as LSST, with the fine-tuning process taking just 3 minutes. The model could also be retrained to match other ICL measurement methods. Our model and the code for training it are made available on GitHub.

Topic: Spectroscopy Techniques in Biomedical and Chemical Research
Subfield: Biophysics
Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Outcomes of video assisted thoracic surgery compared with open thoracotomy in patients with early stage lung cancer.

e20061 Background: Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) has become the recommended approach for treatment of early stage lung cancer; however, no large randomized clinical trial has been conducted to formally compare VATS to open thoracotomy (OT). The current study sought to assess differences in patients and tumor characteristics for VATS and OT. Additionally, treatment outcomes that included margin status, postoperative length of stay (LOS) and overall survival (OS) were also compared. Methods: A single institution retrospective charts review was conducted for patients diagnosed with stage I-III lung cancer and treated with VATS or OT from May 2005 - May 2015. Patients and tumor characteristics included age at diagnosis, sex, tobacco use, tumor location, stage, size and receipt of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Chis-square and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare demographic, tumor characteristics and LOS. Multiple logistic and Cox regressions were used to compute relative risk (RR) for positive margins and mortality hazards ratio along with 95 percent confidence interval limits (95%CI), respectively. Results: A total of 232 patients underwent lung resection for cancer diagnosis; VATS n = 99 and OT n = 133. Age at diagnosis, sex, tobacco use, tumor location, and size were not significantly different between the two groups. VATS was more frequently performed for stage I lung cancer compared to OT, p = 0.043. The risk of positive margin RR = 0.49 (95%CI = 0.15, 1.60) and mortality HR = 1.49 (95%CI = 0.90, 2.46) were similar between the two groups. However, the median LOS was significantly shorter (4 days) for VATS than OT (6 days), p = 0.001. Conclusions: Our results show that both short and long-term oncologic outcomes are comparable between VATS and OT. VATS results in shorter LOS and should be considered as the approach of choice for patients undergoing lung resection for cancer. [Table: see text]

Topic: Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Robust Policy Search for Robot Navigation

Complex robot navigation and control problems can be framed as policy search problems. However, interactive learning in uncertain environments can be expensive, requiring the use of data-efficient methods. Bayesian optimization is an efficient nonlinear optimization method where queries are carefully selected to gather information about the optimum location. This is achieved by a surrogate model, which encodes past information, and the acquisition function for query selection. Bayesian optimization can be very sensitive to uncertainty in the input data or prior assumptions. In this letter, we incorporate both robust optimization and statistical robustness, showing that both types of robustness are synergistic. For robust optimization we use an improved version of unscented Bayesian optimization which provides safe and repeatable policies in the presence of policy uncertainty. We also provide new theoretical insights. For statistical robustness, we use an adaptive surrogate model and we introduce the Boltzmann selection as a stochastic acquisition method to have convergence guarantees and improved performance even with surrogate modeling errors. We present results in several optimization benchmarks and robot tasks.

Topic: Advanced Bandit Algorithms Research
Subfield: Management Science and Operations Research
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
On Operationalizing the Concept of Commitment

In this study of 318 school teachers and 395 hospital employed nurses, commitment to profession or organization is operationalized as the willingness to leave each system when offered slight increases in pay, status, job freedom, and friendliness of co-workers. Contrary to previous research by Ritzer and Trice, study results lend support to the concept of "side-bets" as a structural phenomenon important in understanding individuals' commitments to organization or occupation.

Topic: Job Satisfaction and Organizational Behavior
Subfield: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
Field: Business, Management and Accounting
Domain: Social Sciences