Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Registration of 4D Cardiac CT Sequences Under Trajectory Constraints With Multichannel Diffeomorphic Demons

We propose a framework for the nonlinear spatiotemporal registration of 4D time-series of images based on the Diffeomorphic Demons (DD) algorithm. In this framework, the 4D spatiotemporal registration is decoupled into a 4D temporal registration, defined as mapping physiological states, and a 4D spatial registration, defined as mapping trajectories of physical points. Our contribution focuses more specifically on the 4D spatial registration that should be consistent over time as opposed to 3D registration that solely aims at mapping homologous points at a given time-point. First, we estimate in each sequence the motion displacement field, which is a dense representation of the point trajectories we want to register. Then, we perform simultaneously 3D registrations of corresponding time-points with the constraints to map the same physical points over time called the trajectory constraints. Under these constraints, we show that the 4D spatial registration can be formulated as a multichannel registration of 3D images. To solve it, we propose a novel version of the Diffeomorphic Demons (DD) algorithm extended to vector-valued 3D images, the Multichannel Diffeomorphic Demons (MDD). For evaluation, this framework is applied to the registration of 4D cardiac computed tomography (CT) sequences and compared to other standard methods with real patient data and synthetic data simulated from a physiologically realistic electromechanical cardiac model. Results show that the trajectory constraints act as a temporal regularization consistent with motion whereas the multichannel registration acts as a spatial regularization. Finally, using these trajectory constraints with multichannel registration yields the best compromise between registration accuracy, temporal and spatial smoothness, and computation times. A prospective example of application is also presented with the spatiotemporal registration of 4D cardiac CT sequences of the same patient before and after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in case of atrial fibrillation (AF). The intersequence spatial transformations over a cardiac cycle allow to analyze and quantify the regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and its impact on the cardiac function.
Foundation characteristics of edible Musa triploids revealed from allelic distribution of SSR markers

Background and Aims The production of triploid banana and plantain (Musa spp.) cultivars with improved characteristics (e.g. greater disease resistance or higher yield), while still preserving the main features of current popular cultivars (e.g. taste and cooking quality), remains a major challenge for Musa breeders. In this regard, breeders require a sound knowledge of the lineage of the current sterile triploid cultivars, to select diploid parents that are able to transmit desirable traits, together with a breeding strategy ensuring final triploidization and sterility. Highly polymorphic single sequence repeats (SSRs) are valuable markers for investigating phylogenetic relationships. Methods Here, the allelic distribution of each of 22 SSR loci across 561 Musa accessions is analysed. Key Results and Conclusions We determine the closest diploid progenitors of the triploid ‘Cavendish’ and ‘Gros Michel’ subgroups, valuable information for breeding programmes. Nevertheless, in establishing the likely monoclonal origin of the main edible triploid banana subgroups (i.e. ‘Cavendish’, ‘Plantain’ and ‘Mutika-Lujugira’), we postulated that the huge phenotypic diversity observed within these subgroups did not result from gamete recombination, but rather from epigenetic regulations. This emphasizes the need to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of genome expression on a unique model in the plant kingdom. We also propose experimental standards to compare additional and independent genotyping data for reference.
Program evaluation as a decision problem

I argue for thinking of program evaluation as a decision problem. There are two steps. First, a counselor determines which program (treatment or control) each individual joins, based for example on maximizing the probability of employment or expected earnings. Second, the policymaker decides whether: to assign all individuals to treatment or to control, or to allow the counselor to choose. This framework has two advantages. Individualized assignment rules (known as profiling) can raise the average impact, improving cost effectiveness by exploiting treatment-impact heterogeneity. Second, it accounts systematically for inequality and uncertainty, and the policymaker’s attitude toward these, in the evaluation. r 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. JEL classification: C11; I38; J31
Human Elongator facilitates RNA polymerase II transcription through chromatin

A human Elongator complex was purified from HeLa cells and found to be composed of three polypeptides. Human Elongator contains histone acetyltransferase activity with specificity to histone H3 and, to a much lesser extent, to histone H4. Although many reports have suggested a role for the yeast Elongator in transcription elongation through chromatin templates, no direct evidence supporting this function exists. In the present study, we demonstrate that the human Elongator facilitates transcription by RNA polymerase II in a chromatin- and acetyl-CoA-dependent manner. The complex was found to directly interact with RNA polymerase II but failed to interact with other factors that facilitated RNA polymerase II to traverse through nucleosomes. From our results, we postulate that different mechanisms operate to ensure efficient transcription by RNA polymerase II on chromatin templates.
Machine Learning Techniques Applied to Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks: Guide and Survey

This work is a survey on the usage of machine learning techniques in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs). Its focus lies on approaches for data routing. The goal of the work is two-fold: first, to classify and evaluate the most important existing and on-going research in the area and, second, to provide a guide for researchers wanting to apply machine learning techniques. For this, it also gives short description of the most appropriate algorithms and suggests for which scenarios they can be best used.
Speech acoustic modeling from raw multichannel waveforms

Standard deep neural network-based acoustic models for automatic speech recognition (ASR) rely on hand-engineered input features, typically log-mel filterbank magnitudes. In this paper, we describe a convolutional neural network - deep neural network (CNN-DNN) acoustic model which takes raw multichannel waveforms as input, i.e. without any preceding feature extraction, and learns a similar feature representation through supervised training. By operating directly in the time domain, the network is able to take advantage of the signal's fine time structure that is discarded when computing filterbank magnitude features. This structure is especially useful when analyzing multichannel inputs, where timing differences between input channels can be used to localize a signal in space. The first convolutional layer of the proposed model naturally learns a filterbank that is selective in both frequency and direction of arrival, i.e. a bank of bandpass beamformers with an auditory-like frequency scale. When trained on data corrupted with noise coming from different spatial locations, the network learns to filter them out by steering nulls in the directions corresponding to the noise sources. Experiments on a simulated multichannel dataset show that the proposed acoustic model outperforms a DNN that uses log-mel filterbank magnitude features under noisy and reverberant conditions.
Witchcraft, Shame and Intellectual disability - Help-seeking for children with intellectual disabilities in Kampala, Uganda: a mixed methods study

This study aims to explore the influence that stigma and beliefs have on the disability-related help-seeking for children with intellectual disabilities in Kampala, Uganda. These children are regarded as one of the most neglected groups in developing countries, where access to rehabilitation services frequently is restricted starkly, and beliefs and stigma are believed to interfere in the process of seeking help. Implementing a concurrent embedded mixed methods approach using qualitative interviews and a survey questionnaire, caregivers and staff members of the Mukisa Foundation, a rehabilitation facility for children with intellectual disabilities, participated in the data collection. Findings were analysed using the Integrated Behavioral Model and a help-seeking process model. Results show that traditional beliefs, shame and harassment influence attitudes, social norms and self-efficacy with regards to help-seeking, which in turn affect the process of attending support services in a complex interplay with other factors. The influence of stigma and beliefs develops dynamically over the course of help-seeking pathways, fuelled by personal development and disappointing experiences in help-seeking. In sum, stigma and beliefs show the potential to prevent or delay effective help-seeking, which negatively affects life chances of children with intellectual disabilities and their families’ socio-economic status in society.
Immune Response of Chicken Gut to Natural Colonization by Gut Microflora and to Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis Infection

ABSTRACT In commercial poultry production, there is a lack of natural flora providers since chickens are hatched in the clean environment of a hatchery. Events occurring soon after hatching are therefore of particular importance, and that is why we were interested in the development of the gut microbial community, the immune response to natural microbial colonization, and the response to Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis infection as a function of chicken age. The complexity of chicken gut microbiota gradually increased from day 1 to day 19 of life and consisted of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. For the first 3 days of life, chicken cecum was protected by increased expression of chicken β-defensins (i.e., gallinacins 1, 2, 4, and 6), expression of which dropped from day 4 of life. On the other hand, a transient increase in interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-17 expression could be observed in chicken cecum on day 4 of life, indicating physiological inflammation and maturation of the gut immune system. In agreement, the response of chickens infected with S. Enteritidis on days 1, 4, and 16 of life shifted from Th1 (characterized mainly by induction of gamma interferon [IFN-γ] and inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS]), observed in younger chickens, to Th17, observed in 16-day-old chickens (characterized mainly by IL-17 induction). Active modification of chicken gut microbiota in the future may accelerate or potentiate the maturation of the gut immune system and increase its resistance to infection with different pathogens.
Impact of the β-1 adrenergic receptor polymorphism on tolerability and efficacy of bisoprolol therapy in Korean heart failure patients: association between β adrenergic receptor polymorphism and bisoprolol therapy in heart failure (ABBA) study

Background/Aims: We evaluated the association between coding region variants of adrenergic receptor genes and therapeutic effect in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods: One hundred patients with stable CHF (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] < 45%) were enrolled. Enrolled patients started 1.25 mg bisoprolol treatment once daily, then up-titrated to the maximally tolerable dose, at which they were treated for 1 year. Results: Genotypic analysis was carried out, but the results were blinded to the investigators throughout the study period. At position 389 of the β-1 adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB1), the observed minor Gly allele frequency (Gly389Arg + Gly389Gly) was 0.21, and no deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was observed in the genotypic distribution of Arg389Gly (p = 0.75). Heart rate was reduced from 80.8 ± 14.3 to 70.0 ± 15.0 beats per minute (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in final heart rate across genotypes. However, the Arg389Arg genotype group required significantly more bisoprolol compared to the Gly389X (Gly389Arg + Gly389Gly) group (5.26 ± 2.62 mg vs. 3.96 ± 2.05 mg, p = 0.022). There were no significant differences in LVEF changes or remodeling between two groups. Also, changes in exercise capacity and brain natriuretic peptide level were not significant. However, interestingly, there was a two-fold higher rate of readmission (21.2% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.162) and one CHF-related death in the Arg389Arg group. Conclusions: The ADRB1 Gly389X genotype showed greater response to bisoprolol than the Arg389Arg genotype, suggesting the potential of individually tailoring β-blocker therapy according to genotype.
Striking a balance: The role of value congruence in shaping employee job satisfaction and turnover intentions

ix Chapter One – Introduction. 1 Statement of the Problem. 6 Research Questions. 6 Significance of the Study . 7 Definition of Important Terms . 8 Summary of Subsequent Chapters.9 Notes . 12 Chapter Two – Review of the Literature . 13 Historical Background . 14 Theoretical Model. 25 Summary . 41 Notes . 43 Chapter Three – Methodology . 44 Research Methodology . 44
Convergence results for relational Bayesian networks

Relational Bayesian networks are an extension of the method of probabilistic model construction by Bayesian networks. They define probability distributions on finite relational structures by conditioning the probability of a ground atom r(a/sub 1/, ., a/sub n/) on first-order properties of a/sub 1/, . , a/sub n/ that have been established by previous random decisions. In this paper we investigate from a finite model theory perspective the convergence properties of the distributions defined in this manner. A subclass of relational Bayesian networks is identified that define distributions with convergence laws for first-order properties.
Do callers to NHS Direct follow the advice to attend an accident and emergency department?

Objectives: To provide an objective assessment on callers’ compliance with NHS Direct advice to attend an accident and emergency (A&E) department. Methods: A representative three week period in May 2000 was investigated. During this period there were no health scares, major health campaigns, or bank holidays that may have affected the call rate. NHS Direct callers who were advised to attend A&E were identified. Data from the four A&E departments for the same three week period and two additional days were searched and matched to NHS Direct data by surname, date of birth, and post code. This process created three groups: (1) callers triaged to A&E who attended, (2) callers triaged to A&E who did not attend, (3) callers with different triage outcome who attended A&E. The age, sex, relationship of caller, time of call, and distance to nearest A&E were compared for groups (1) and (2). Results: Just less than two third of callers triaged to A&E attended with the same presenting complaint. There were no statistically significant differences between group (1) and (2) in terms of age, sex, relationship of caller, time of call, and distance to A&E. A small number of callers (2.4%) were identified as being given other advice and attending A&E for the same presenting complaint. This group took significantly longer to attend A&E than group (1) (χ2 =139.01, df=7, p<0.001). Conclusions: Assessing levels of compliance is difficult. These findings suggest that NHS Direct may have comparatively high levels of compliance compared with other similar services. However, using the single triage outcome as the means of identifying the advice given may oversimplify the range of possible advice given. The delay in attending A&E for the group of callers who were given other advice may indicate they had tried other actions. Further larger studies are needed to assess the appropriateness of referrals through investigation of clinical outcomes.
Saturation Modeling and Stability Analysis of Synchronous Reluctance Generator

A new method of representing magnetic saturation in synchronous reluctance generator has been proposed in this paper. A linearized model of synchronous reluctance generator has been developed applying the proposed saturation model to perform the steady-state stability analysis. The effect of - and -axis saturation on the steady-state stability of a synchronous reluctance generator has been investigated using the proposed linearized machine model. Effects of different loading conditions such as active power, reactive power, and power factor on the steady-state stability have also been looked into. Moreover, the effect of - and -axis saturation on the transient stability analysis has been investigated in the case of a three-phase symmetrical ground fault at the machine terminals.
The biodisposition and metabolism of anandamide in mice.

The endogenous cannabinoid anandamide (AN) has been reported to produce pharmacological effects similar to those of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol but with a shorter duration of action. Also, AN is known to be metabolized to arachidonic acid. The purpose of this study was to examine the time course of distribution and metabolism of AN. Male mice were each administered 20 microCi 3H-AN and 50 mg/kg AN (i.v.). At 1, 5, 15 and 30 min after administration, the animals were sacrificed, and various tissues were removed, solubilized and counted to determine the distribution of 3H. Also, samples from brain, adrenal gland and plasma were extracted with ethyl acetate and analyzed by HPLC to separate 3H-labeled AN, arachidonic acid and other metabolites. AN was detectable in brain by 1 min after injection. At 1 min after injection, the rank order of radioactivity per milligram or microliter of tissue was adrenal > lung > kidney > plasma > heart > liver > diaphragm > brain > fat. Although the 1 and 5 min metabolic profiles of brain 3H showed that AN was clearly present, most AN had already been transformed to arachidonic acid and other polar metabolites, and there were almost no detectable brain levels of AN at 15 and 30 min. In plasma and adrenal gland, AN was the predominant form at 1 and 5 min. Our experiments confirm that AN quickly reaches the brain and suggest that rapid metabolism of AN plays a key role in the time course of the pharmacological activity of this naturally occurring cannabinoid receptor ligand.
How Does Requirements Quality Relate to Project Success or Failure?

Our research goal is to Jind relations between requirements quality and project success. To attain the goal, we investigated 32 projects started and completed during the period of 2003-2005 in a large business application software development division of a company in Tokyo. Data of requirements specijication quality evaluated by software quality assurance teams as well as overall project pevormance data in terms of cost and time overrun were available. Requirements specijication quality data were Jirst converted into a multiple-dimensional space, each dimension corresponding to an item of the recommended structure of software requirements specijications (SRS) deJined in IEEE Std. 830-1998. We applied various statistical analysis techniques over the SRS quality data and project outcomes. Some interesting relations between requirements quality and project success or failure were found, including: 1) a relatively small set of SRS items have strong impact on project success or failure; 2) descriptions of SRS in normal projects tend to be balanced; 3) SRS descriptions in Section 1, where purpose, overview and general context of SRS are written, are rich in normal projects and poor in overrun projects; 4) when the descriptions of SRS Section 1 are poor while those of functions and product perspective are rich, the project tends to result in a cost overrun.
Importance of extending the use of polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of venereal syphilis in a blood transfusion center in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Introduction Due to the existence of a variety of types of non-venereal syphilis caused by the related T. pallidum, regular serological testing such as Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) and Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay Technique (CMIA) are often unable to differentiate venereal syphilis from the non- venereal one, hence, the interest in the use of molecular biology testing for a confirmation diagnosis of syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. Objective The study is designed to assess the effectiveness of PCR testing and serological methods in the diagnosis of Treponema pallidum subsp pallidum among blood donors in Burkina Faso. Methodes The study included 6375 samples of volunteer blood donors from the regional blood transfusion center of Ouagadougou (CRTS/O). Among samples, 183 positive and 59 negative in RPR were analyzed to detect antibodies anti-T. pallidum subsp pallidum with a immunoassay method (CMIA) and were confirmed using the Polymerase Chain Reaction testing. Results In RPR, we obtained a prevalence rate of 2.9% (183/6375) for treponematosis. From the 183 RPR+ specimen, 108 (59%) were found CMIA+ and 11 (6%) were confirmed PCR+. While the 59 pattern RPR-; 31 (52.5%) were CMIA + including 3 (5.1%) tested PCR+. Seventy-five (75) samples RPR + /CMIA-; 2 (2.7%) were confirmed positive by PCR. All 28 samples RPR-/CMIA- were confirmed negative by PCR. Conclusion PCR testing confirmed a low distribution of T. pallidum subsp pallidum in comparison to serological methods. Cross-reactions, existence of non-venereal treponemal or immunological scars could account for the discrepancy between the results obtained.
Soft gamma repeaters outside the Local Group

We propose that the best sites to search for soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) outside the Local Group are galaxies with active massive-star formation. Different possibilities to observe SGR activity from these sites are discussed. In particular, we have searched for giant flares from the nearby galaxies (∼2–4 Mpc away) M82, M83, NGC 253 and 4945 in the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) data. No candidate giant SGR flares were found. The absence of such detections implies that the rate of giant flares with energy release in the initial spike above 0.5 × 10 44 erg is less than 1/30 yr −1 in our Galaxy. However, hyperflares similar to that of 2004 December 27 can be observed from larger distances. Nevertheless, we do not see any significant excess of short GRBs from the Virgo galaxy cluster or from the galaxies Arp 299 and NGC 3256 (both with extremely high star formation rates). This implies that the Galactic rate of hyperflares with energy release ∼10 46 erg is less than ∼10 −3 yr −1 . W ith this constraint the fraction of possible extragalactic SGR hyperflares among BATSE’s short GRBs should not exceed a few per cent. We present the list of short GRBs coincident with the galaxies mentioned above, and discuss the possibility that some of them are SGR giant flares. We propose that the best target for the observations of extragalactic SGR flares with Swift is the Virgo cluster. Ke yw ords: galaxies: starburst – gamma-rays: bursts.