Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Improved Quality Guided Phase Unwrapping Method and its Applications to MRI

An improved method of quality guided phase unwrapping (QGPU) is proposed in this work. It extracts the quality map via a median flltered phase derivative variance (MFPDV) that applies a two-dimensional median fllter on the phase derivative variance (PDV) map, in order to reduce the efiect of noise in the background area. In addition, we employed the Indexed Interwoven Linked List (I2L2) structure to store the orderly adjoin list more e-ciently and the Two Section Guided Strategy (TSGS) to reduce comparison frequency. The experiments demonstrate that the normalized L1 norm of MFPDV of a brain MR image is only 0.0827, less than that of PDV method at 0.0923. Besides, the computation time of QGPU with I2L2 technique is only 30% of that with sequence structure, and the computation time of QGPU with TSGS is only 65% of that without TSGS. In total, the proposed MFPDV upwrap phase images better than conventional PDV map, and I2L2 and TSGS are e-cient strategies to reduce computation time.
Cell – Associated Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant diseases worldwide with limited therapeutic options. Accumulating evidences suggest that immunotherapy could be a promising option for treating HCC. T cell-associated immunotherapy lights up the hope for the improvement of complementary approach to conventional HCC treatments, which needs further research to consummate the clinical consequences. The present work reviewed several T cells associated cellular immunotherapies for HCC, including immune checkpoint blockade, gene–engineered T cells, bispecific T cell engagers, and so on. We also analyzed how these immunotherapies can mediate tumor cell eradication and evaluated their superiority or insufficiency.
Survey of patrolling algorithms for surveillance UGVs

Keywords Further bibliographic information Language ISSN Pages Price Survey of patrolling algorithms for surveillance UGVs This survey centers around the Cooperative Task Assignment and Path Planning problem, denoted C– TAPP. A vast amount of applications from the surveillance and security field can be formulated as C–TAPP problems. The purpose of this survey is to give a comprehensive description of current research relevant to the C–TAPP problem, as well as forming a basis for future research. Initially, to set the stage for the subsequent discussions, two motivating examples taken from the domain of surveillance and security is presented and a more formal definition of the C–TAPP problem is given. Following that, a broad sampling of the research that is currently ongoing in this field is provided. Key features that are present in the overwhelming majority of the papers encountered in this survey are listed. Also, some important research aspects that have been largely untreated in the literature, are mentioned. A representative group of existing commercial systems are presented and their capabilities and shortcomings are discussed. In the last part of this survey, reviews of some individual papers can be found.
The Area of Ground Glass Opacities of the Lungs as a Predictive Factor in Acute Paraquat Intoxication

Even though plasma paraquat (PQ) levels have known to be an informative predictor, many patients succumb at low PQ levels in acute PQ intoxication. This study was designed to see whether the high resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) of the lungs would be a predictive measure in acute PQ intoxication. HRCT of the lungs was obtained from 119 patients with acute PQ intoxication on 7 days after PQ ingestion. The areas with ground glass opacities (GGOs) were evaluated at five levels with the area measurement tool of the picture archiving and communication systems. Among 119 patients, 102 survived and 17 died. The plasma PQ levels were significantly higher in the non-survivors than in the survivors (2.6±4.0 µg/mL vs. 0.2±0.4 µg/mL, P=0.02). The area with GGOs was 2.0±6.4% in the survivors and 73.0± 29.9% in the non-survivors (P<0.001). No patients survived when the area with GGOs was more than 40% but all of the patients survived when the area affected by GGOs was less than 20%. In conclusion, the area of GGOs is a useful predictor of survival in acute PQ intoxication, especially in patients with low plasma PQ levels.
Developmental Environment Effects on Sexual Selection in Male and Female Drosophila melanogaster

The developmental environment can potentially alter the adult social environment and influence traits targeted by sexual selection such as body size. In this study, we manipulated larval density in male and female Drosophila melanogaster, which results in distinct adult size phenotypes–high (low) densities for small (large) adults–and measured sexual selection in experimental groups consisting of adult males and females from high, low, or a mixture of low and high larval densities. Overall, large adult females (those reared at low larval density) had more matings, more mates and produced more offspring than small females (those reared at high larval density). The number of offspring produced by females was positively associated with their number of mates (i.e. there was a positive female Bateman gradient) in social groups where female size was experimentally varied, likely due to the covariance between female productivity and mating rate. For males, we found evidence that the larval environment affected the relative importance of sexual selection via mate number (Bateman gradients), mate productivity, paternity share, and their covariances. Mate number and mate productivity were significantly reduced for small males in social environments where males were of mixed sizes, versus social environments where all males were small, suggesting that social heterogeneity altered selection on this subset of males. Males are commonly assumed to benefit from mating with large females, but in contrast to expectations we found that in groups where both the male and female size varied, males did not gain more offspring per mating with large females. Collectively, our results indicate sex-specific effects of the developmental environment on the operation of sexual selection, via both the phenotype of individuals, and the phenotype of their competitors and mates.
BcSAK1, a Stress-Activated Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase, Is Involved in Vegetative Differentiation and Pathogenicity in Botrytis cinerea

ABSTRACT The gene bcsak1, encoding a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) of Botrytis cinerea, was cloned and characterized. The protein has high homology to the yeast Hog1 and to corresponding MAPKs from filamentous fungi, but it shows unique functional features. The protein is phosphorylated under osmotic stress, specific fungicides, and oxidative stress mediated by H2O2 and menadione. Northern blot analyses indicate that only a subset of typical oxidative stress response genes is regulated by BcSAK1. In contrast to most other fungal systems, Δbcsak1 mutants are significantly impaired in vegetative and pathogenic development: they are blocked in conidia formation, show increased sclerotial development, and are unable to penetrate unwounded plant tissue. These data indicate that in B. cinerea the stress-activated MAPK cascade is involved in essential differentiation programs.
The forgiveness process in primary and secondary victims of violent and sexual offences

Abstract It is possible that the physical and mental health of crime victims might be improved by forgiving those who have offended against them. To date, no research has been undertaken to examine the processes that influence victims' forgiveness. The goal of this project was to examine the forgiveness process in primary and secondary victims of violent and sexual crimes. In Study 1, qualitative data were collected by interviewing 21 people who had been affected by sexual or other violent crime. Data analysis identified five themes that were common to both primary and secondary victims, namely benefit of forgiveness, self‐forgiveness, perspective taking, offender behaviour, and time. An empowerment theme was unique to primary victims, and a principal victim theme was unique to secondary victims. To further explore these qualitative findings, a quantitative survey of 60 primary and secondary victims was conducted. Results confirmed that primary victims are pragmatic forgivers who are internally focused and forgive because that will benefit their healing. Conversely, secondary victims did not think forgiveness benefited, or would impact on, their own or the primary victim's recovery process. Neither group saw forgiveness as a moral issue, nor thought that forgiveness should influence whether an offender should face court.
Expanding wave solutions of the Einstein equations that induce an anomalous acceleration into the Standard Model of Cosmology

We derive a system of three coupled equations that implicitly defines a continuous one-parameter family of expanding wave solutions of the Einstein equations, such that the Friedmann universe associated with the pure radiation phase of the Standard Model of Cosmology is embedded as a single point in this family. By approximating solutions near the center to leading order in the Hubble length, the family reduces to an explicit one-parameter family of expanding spacetimes, given in closed form, that represents a perturbation of the Standard Model. By introducing a comoving coordinate system, we calculate the correction to the Hubble constant as well as the exact leading order quadratic correction to the redshift vs. luminosity relation for an observer at the center. The correction to redshift vs. luminosity entails an adjustable free parameter that introduces an anomalous acceleration. We conclude (by continuity) that corrections to the redshift vs. luminosity relation observed after the radiation phase of the Big Bang can be accounted for, at the leading order quadratic level, by adjustment of this free parameter. The next order correction is then a prediction. Since nonlinearities alone could actuate dissipation and decay in the conservation laws associated with the highly nonlinear radiation phase and since noninteracting expanding waves represent possible time-asymptotic wave patterns that could result, we propose to further investigate the possibility that these corrections to the Standard Model might be the source of the anomalous acceleration of the galaxies, an explanation not requiring the cosmological constant or dark energy.
Central Projection of Pain Arising from Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) in Human Subjects

Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is a subacute pain state arising 24–48 hours after a bout of unaccustomed eccentric muscle contractions. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to examine the patterns of cortical activation arising during DOMS-related pain in the quadriceps muscle of healthy volunteers evoked by either voluntary contraction or physical stimulation. The painful movement or physical stimulation of the DOMS-affected thigh disclosed widespread activation in the primary somatosensory and motor (S1, M1) cortices, stretching far beyond the corresponding areas somatotopically related to contraction or physical stimulation of the thigh; activation also included a large area within the cingulate cortex encompassing posteroanterior regions and the cingulate motor area. Pain-related activations were also found in premotor (M2) areas, bilateral in the insular cortex and the thalamic nuclei. In contrast, movement of a DOMS-affected limb led also to activation in the ipsilateral anterior cerebellum, while DOMS-related pain evoked by physical stimulation devoid of limb movement did not.
An inhomogeneous fractal cosmological model

We present a cosmological model in which the metric allows for an inhomogeneous Universe with no intrinsic symmetries (Stephani models), providing the ideal features to describe a fractal distribution of matter. Constraints on the metric functions are derived using the expansion and redshift relations and allowing for scaling number counts, as expected in a fractal set. The main characteristics of such a cosmological model are discussed.
L’emploi, le chômage et les conditions d’activité dans les principales agglomérations de sept Etats membres de l’UEMOA Principaux résultats de la phase 1 de l’enquête 1-2-3 de 2001-2002

(english) Given that the chief objective of development policies is to reduce poverty and that work is practically the only source of income for the poor, it is paradoxical that no system has yet been introduced in Africa to monitor the labour market. The labour force survey, the first phase of the 1-2-3 survey, carried out simultaneously in 2001-2002 in the economic capitals of seven WAEMU countries (Abidjan, Bamako, Cotonou, Dakar, Lome, Niamey, Ouagadougou), aimed to fill this gap. For the first time, it provides a detailed picture of the main characteristics of employment and unemployment in the seven cities, based on surveys using exactly the same methodology and thereby enabling precise comparisons of the different capitals. This study, which presents the principal results of the survey, helps highlight the major structural characteristics of the urban labour markets in the region, and the specific national features. By identifying their main shortcomings (early labour force participation for children, distortion between young people's expectations and real recruitment prospects, discrimination against women, inefficiency of placement services for the unemployed, generalisation of under-employment, the place of the informal sector, etc.), the study opens up new possibilities for defining policies designed to improve the way labour markets work. _________________________________ (francais) A l’heure ou le principal objectif des politiques de developpement est la reduction de la pauvrete et alors que le travail est la source quasi-exclusive de revenu des pauvres, il etait paradoxal qu’aucun dispositif de suivi du marche du travail n’est encore ete mis en place en Afrique. L’enquete emploi, premiere phase de l’enquete 1-2-3, menee simultanement en 2001-2002 dans les capitales economiques de sept pays de l’UEMOA (Abidjan, Bamako, Cotonou, Dakar, Lome, Niamey, Ouagadougou), vise a combler cette lacune. Elle fournit pour la premiere fois une image detaillee des principales caracteristiques de l’activite et du chomage dans ces sept villes a partir d’enquetes menees selon une methodologie identique, ce qui autorise des comparaisons precises entre ces differentes villes. Cette etude, qui presente les principaux resultats de l’enquete, permet de mettre en evidence les grandes caracteristiques structurelles des marches du travail urbains de la region, ainsi que des specificites nationales. En identifiant leurs principales defaillances (mise au travail precoce des enfants, desajustements entre les attentes des jeunes et les perspectives reelles d’embauche, discrimination a l’encontre des femmes, inefficacite des services de placement des chomeurs, generalisation du sous-emploi, place du secteur informel, etc.), l’analyse ouvre des pistes pour la definition de politiques visant a ameliorer le fonctionnement des marches du travail.
Evolutionary genomics of grape (Vitis vinifera ssp. vinifera) domestication

Significance We generated genomic data to estimate the population history of grapes, the most economically important horticultural crop in the world. Domesticated grapes experienced a protracted, 22,000-y population decline prior to domestication; we hypothesize that this decline reflects low-intensity cultivation by humans prior to domestication. Domestication altered the mating system of grapes. The sex determination region is detectable as a region of heightened genetic divergence between wild and cultivated accessions. Based on gene expression analyses, we propose candidate genes that alter sex determination. Finally, grapes contain more deleterious mutations in heterozygous states than do their wild ancestors. The accumulation of deleterious mutations is due in part to clonal propagation, which shelters deleterious recessive mutations. We gathered genomic data from grapes (Vitis vinifera ssp. vinifera), a clonally propagated perennial crop, to address three ongoing mysteries about plant domestication. The first is the duration of domestication; archaeological evidence suggests that domestication occurs over millennia, but genetic evidence indicates that it can occur rapidly. We estimated that our wild and cultivated grape samples diverged ∼22,000 years ago and that the cultivated lineage experienced a steady decline in population size (Ne) thereafter. The long decline may reflect low-intensity management by humans before domestication. The second mystery is the identification of genes that contribute to domestication phenotypes. In cultivated grapes, we identified candidate-selected genes that function in sugar metabolism, flower development, and stress responses. In contrast, candidate-selected genes in the wild sample were limited to abiotic and biotic stress responses. A genomic region of high divergence corresponded to the sex determination region and included a candidate male sterility factor and additional genes with sex-specific expression. The third mystery concerns the cost of domestication. Annual crops accumulate putatively deleterious variants, in part due to strong domestication bottlenecks. The domestication of perennial crops differs from that of annuals in several ways, including the intensity of bottlenecks, and it is not yet clear if they accumulate deleterious variants. We found that grape accessions contained 5.2% more deleterious variants than wild individuals, and these were more often in a heterozygous state. Using forward simulations, we confirm that clonal propagation leads to the accumulation of recessive deleterious mutations but without decreasing fitness.
Consultation, Follow-up, and Implementation of Behavior Management Interventions in General Education

Abstract This study examined general education teachers' implementation of behavior management interventions following consultation. Interventions were implemented for 8 elementary school students referred for consultation and intervention due to disruptive behavior in the classroom. Initial implementation varied across teachers, but became unstable or exhibited a downward trend in the absence of follow-up. Brief meetings that reviewed the intervention materials were associated with improved implementation for 1 teacher, marginal improvement for 2 others, and were ineffective for the fourth. Performance feedback resulted in high stable implementation. As follow-up meetings were provided less often, implementation remained generally high, but was somewhat less stable. Implementation for two subsequent referrals was at a higher level than the initial referrals. Teachers rated the consultants positively and students' behavior as changing in the desired direction. Observations prior to and after intervention supported teacher ratings. The implications of these findings for consultation and intervention implementation are discussed.
A bio-impedance measurement system for portable monitoring of heart rate and pulse wave velocity using small body area

Continuous monitoring of cardiovascular system can prevent death and disabilities due to heart failure. In this paper, a bio-impedance measurement system that operates on a small local area of the forearm is presented for portable and continuous monitoring of the heart rate and pulse wave velocity (PWV). The impedance variation caused by the heart pump is measured by analog circuitries that consist of amplifiers, mixers and filters. The overall gain, CMRR, and input impedance of the implemented system using discrete components are 80dB, 72dB and 477kΩ at 100kHz, respectively, which results in a system sensitivity of 21V/Ω. Experimental results show that the heart rate and PWV can be measured by using only 1.5cm × 7cm area of the body. The measured heart rate is in the range of 65∼110 beats/min, and PWV is in 6.51±2.39 (m/s), which fits well with a reference device and normal physiological range. The optimum location for small electrodes in terms of signal quality is also investigated, and the results show that the location at the lower forearm along the radial artery has the best signal quality.
An efficient length- and rate-preserving concatenation of polar and repetition codes

We improve the method in \cite{Seidl:10} for increasing the finite-lengh performance of polar codes by protecting specific, less reliable symbols with simple outer repetition codes. Decoding of the scheme integrates easily in the known successive decoding algorithms for polar codes. Overall rate and block length remain unchanged, the decoding complexity is at most doubled. A comparison to related methods for performance improvement of polar codes is drawn.
Content and Context: Professional Learning Communities in Mathematics

Abstract:This is a case study of a mathematics professional learning community. It illustrates the experience of eight Grade 2 teachers as they collaborate to improve their students'understanding of mathematics. In this inquiry, I worked as a participant-observer with the teachers over the course of five months as a witness to their expanding understanding of mathematics and learning. The case study describes two manifestations: the experiences of the teachers as they develop their knowledge of the mathematical learning of young children; and secondly, the teachers' growth as a professional learning community committed to improving the mathematical understanding of their students and of themselves.Collectively, the findings from this study extend other conversations on bothprofessional learning communities and the development of teachers' knowledge aboutmathematical learning (often called pedagogical content knowledge). This work shows that opportunities for professional learning that are self-directed, context and content specific, within a milieu that is collegial and supportive, enable teachers to bridge the elusive gap between theory and practice.The specific questions addressed are as follows:1. How does participation in a professional learning community affect teachers‘iii pedagogical content knowledge and their understanding of students‘ learning ofmathematics? 2. How do primary teachers develop an effective mathematics professional learning community? In mathematics, professional development often focuses on the creation of effectivelesson design. This study differed in some key ways. Although good lesson design wasvalued and employed, the stimulus for teacher learning was the observation of thestudents as they struggled with new complex concepts. From these observations, theteachers became astute at recognizing particular consistencies and inconsistencies in the mathematical learning of the one hundred plus students they each observed within this project. Together, as a professional learning community, the teachers became adept at using external resources such as research and other resource materials to search the reasons and solutions for students‘ difficulty with mathematical concepts. Teachers' cognitive dissonance as they tried new instructional approaches and shared successes andfailures with their colleagues provided the foundation for their growth in pedagogicalcontent knowledge.
Counterblast: A Copernican Correction for Community Sentences?

In this article, the author discusses the emergence and development of desistance research, which aims to examine the social and personal processes by which persistent offenders desist from crime, and argues that its implications for practice are far-reaching. The article looks at the main perspectives in desistance research, the main themes identified in desistance studies in the last 20 or 30 years, and reactions to desistance research. The author concludes that reconfiguration would offer the best prospects of progressive development of community sentences, and that a desistance perspective is one which poses questions about what reintegration in communities actually means, and what might permit and obstruct it.