Novel thin film polymer foaming technique for low and ultra low-k dielectrics

The results presented show a novel route for the preparation of thin ultra-low-k polymer films based on commercial and "non-exotic" (non-expensive) polyimide by a foaming technique. Dependent on the glass transition temperature of the polyimide mechanically and thermally stable (> 300 °C) films having porosities of ca. 40 % and k-values below 2.0 are formed. A further reduction into the ultra low k region may be accomplished by tailoring the shape of the pores from spherical into disc-like void

Proceed with caution: on the use of computational linguistics in threat assessment

Large-scale linguistic analyses are increasingly applied to the study of extremism, terrorism, and other threats of violence. At the same time, practitioners working in the field of counterterrorism and security are confronted with large-scale linguistic data, and may benefit from computational methods. This article highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with applying computational linguistics in the domain of threat assessment. Four current issues are identified, namely (1) the data problem, (2) the utopia of predicting violence, (3) the base rate fallacy, and (4) the danger of closed-sourced tools. These challenges are translated into a checklist of questions that should be asked by policymakers and practitioners who (intend to) make use of tools that leverage computational linguistics for threat assessment. The ‘VISOR-P’ checklist can be used to evaluate such tools through their Validity, Indicators, Scientific Quality, Openness, Relevance and Performance. Finally, some suggestions are outlined for the furtherance of the computational linguistic threat assessment field

Sarcoidosis of the parotid glands in Heerfordt’s syndrome

Case Repor

Shedding Light on Terrorist and Extremist Content Removal

Social media and tech companies face the challenge of identifying and removing terrorist and extremist content from their platforms. This paper presents the findings of a series of interviews with Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT) partner companies and law enforcement Internet Referral Units (IRUs). It offers a unique view on current practices and challenges regarding content removal, focusing particularly on human-based and automated approaches and the integration of the two

An investigation of data-driven player positional roles within the Australian Football League Women's competition using technical skill match-play data

Understanding player positional roles are important for match-play tactics, player recruitment, talent identification, and development by providing a greater understanding of what each positional role constitutes. Currently, no analysis of competition technical skill data exists by player position in the Australian Football League Women's (AFLW) competition. The primary aim of the research was to use data-driven techniques to observe what positions and roles characterise AFLW match-play using detailed technical skill action data of players. A secondary aim was to comment on the application of clustering methods to achieve more interpretable, reflective positional clustering. A two-stage, unsupervised clustering approach was applied to meet these aims. Data cleaning resulted in 165 variables across 1296 player seasons in the 2019–2022 AFLW seasons which was used for clustering. First-stage clustering found four positions following a common convention (forwards, midfielders, defenders, and rucks). Second-stage clustering found roles within positions, resulting in a further 13 clusters with three forwards, three midfielders, four defenders, and three ruck positional roles. Key variables across all positions and roles included the field location of actions, number of contested possessions, clearances, interceptions, hitouts, inside 50s, and rebound 50s. Unsupervised clustering allowed the discovery of new roles rather than being constrained to pre-defined existing classifications of previous literature. This research assists coaches and practitioners by identifying key game actions players need to perform in match-play by position, which can assist in player recruitment, player development, and identifying appropriate match-play styles and tactics, while also defining new roles and suggestions of how to best use available data

RAB25 expression is epigenetically downregulated in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastasis

Oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OOSCC) have a low survival rate, mainly due to metastasis to the regional lymph nodes. For optimal treatment of these metastases, a neck dissection is required; however, inaccurate detection methods results in under- and over-treatment. New DNA prognostic methylation biomarkers might improve lymph node metastases detection. To identify epigenetically regulated genes associated with lymph node metastases, genome-wide methylation analysis was performed on 6 OOSCC with (pN+) and 6 OOSCC without (pN0) lymph node metastases and combined with a gene expression signature predictive for pN+ status in OOSCC. Selected genes were validated using an independent OOSCC cohort by immunohistochemistry and pyrosequencing, and on data retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas. A two-step statistical selection of differentially methylated sequences revealed 14 genes with increased methylation status and mRNA downregulation in pN+ OOSCC. RAB25, a known tumor suppressor gene, was the highest-ranking gene in the discovery set. In the validation sets, both RAB25 mRNA (P = 0.015) and protein levels (P = 0.012) were lower in pN+ OOSCC. RAB25 mRNA levels were negatively correlated with RAB25 methylation levels (P < 0.001) but RAB25 protein expression was not. Our data revealed that promoter methylation is a mechanism resulting in downregulation of RAB25 expression in pN+ OOSCC and decreased expression is associated with lymph node metastasis. Detection of RAB25 methylation might contribute to lymph node metastasis diagnosis and serve as a potential new therapeutic target in OOSCC

The relation between hypoxia and proliferation biomarkers with radiosensitivity in locally advanced laryngeal cancer

Purpose: Treatment decision-making in advanced-stage laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is difficult due to the high recurrence rates and the desire to preserve laryngeal functions. New predictive markers for radiosensitivity are needed to facilitate treatment choices. In early stage glottic LSCC treated with primary radiotherapy, expression of hypoxia (HIF-1α and CA-IX) and proliferation (Ki-67) tumour markers showed prognostic value for local control. The objective of this study is to examine the prognostic value of tumour markers for hypoxia and proliferation on locoregional recurrent disease and disease-specific mortality in a well-defined cohort of patients with locally advanced LSCC treated with primary, curatively intended radiotherapy.Methods: In pre-treatment biopsy tissues from a homogeneous cohort of 61 patients with advanced stage (T3–T4, M0) LSCC primarily treated with radiotherapy, expression of HIF-1α, CA-IX and Ki-67 was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. Demographic data (age and sex) and clinical data (T- and N-status) were retrospectively collected from the medical records. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the relation between marker expression, demographic and clinical data, and locoregional recurrence and disease-specific mortality.Results: Patients with high expression of HIF-1α developed significantly more often a locoregional recurrence (39%) compared to patients with a low expression (21%) (p = 0.002). The expression of CA-IX and Ki-67 showed no association with locoregional recurrent disease. HIF-1α, CA-IX and Ki-67 were not significantly related to disease-specific mortality. Clinical N-status was an independent predictor of recurrent disease (p &lt; 0.001) and disease-specific mortality (p = 0.003). Age, sex and T-status were not related to locoregional recurrent disease or disease-specific mortality.Conclusion: HIF-1α overexpression and the presence of regional lymph node metastases at diagnosis were independent predictors of locoregional recurrent disease after primary treatment with curatively intended radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced LSCC.</p