Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting IVF outcome

On 25 July 1978 at 11.47 PM Louise Brown was born as the first IVF baby ever. Since its introduction more than 5 million babies have been born worldwide using IVF. In contrast to patients’ perception, IVF does not guarantee success; almost 50% of couples that start with IVF will not achieve a pregnancy through IVF even if they undergo multiple cycles. Given this limited success, it seems logical to offer IVF only to couples with reasonable chances of success and to discontinue treatment when chances are low and do not outweigh the burden and costs associated with treatment. As doctors are not able to correctly predict these pregnancy chances, prediction models can be a useful tool. Another concern in current IVF practice is the high multiple pregnancy rates as multiple pregnancies are associated with an increase in maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality as well as costs. A more individualized embryo transfer strategy could be a solution. This PhD thesis describes the development and validation of several prediction models in IVF. The first part of this thesis focuses on couples’ prognosis with IVF. The second part of this thesis focuses on optimizing embryo transfer strategies.
The Core method for real-time requirements

The member companies of the Software Productivity Consortium develop large, mission-critical, real-time applications. For these companies, requirements are the top-priority problem in systems and software development. These requirements have driven the development of the Consortium Requirements Engineering (Core) method and its prototype CASE tools. Core is a single, coherent method for specifying real-time requirements that integrates object-oriented and forward models, integrates graphical and formal specifications, permits nonalgorithmic specifications, and provides a machine-like model. The Core requirements, component technologies, and conceptual model are discussed. Some important Core features are illustrated with an example of safety-shutdown software for a shipboard fuel-control system. <<ETX>>
Toxicity of silver nanoparticles to a fish gill cell line: Role of medium composition

Abstract In aqueous solutions, silver nanoparticle (AgNP) behavior is affected by a variety of factors which lead to altered AgNP size and toxicity. Our research aims to explore the effect of media composition on citrate-coated AgNP (cit-AgNP) behavior and toxicity to the cell line from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) gill, RTgill-W1. Three different exposure media (L15/ex, L15/ex w/o Cl and d-L15/ex) were used. These were characterized by varying ionic strength and chloride content, both of which had a dominant effect on the behaviour of cit-AgNP. Comparing the behaviour and toxicity of cit-AgNP in the different media, stronger agglomeration of cit-AgNP correlated with higher toxicity. Deposition of cit-AgNP on cells might explain the higher toxicity of agglomerated cit-AgNP compared to that of suspended cit-AgNP. The cit-AgNP concentration-response curves as a function of dissolved silver ions, and the limited prevention of toxicity by silver ligands, indicated that cit-AgNP elicited a particle-specific effect on the cells. Furthermore, the lysosomal membrane integrity was significantly more sensitive to cit-AgNP exposure than cellular metabolic activity or cell membrane integrity and showed the weakest protection by silver ligands. This revealed that cit-AgNP toxicity seems to particularly act on RTgill-W1 cell lysosomes. The newly developed low ionic strength medium, d-L15/ex, which can stabilize cit-AgNP and better mimic the freshwater environment, offers an excellent exposure solution to study cellular and molecular effects of NP to gill cells.
Universal nucleation length for slip-weakening rupture instability under nonuniform fault loading

[1] We consider the nucleation of instability on a slip-weakening fault subjected to a heterogeneous, locally peaked “loading” stress. That stress is assumed not only to gradually increase due to tectonic loading but also to retain its peaked character. The case of a linear stress versus slip law is considered in the framework of two-dimensional quasi-static elasticity for a planar fault. Slip initiates when the peak of the loading stress first reaches the strength level of the fault to start slip weakening. Then the size of the slipping region grows under increased loading stress until finally a critical nucleation length is reached, at which no further quasi-static solution exists for additional increase of the loading. That marks the onset of a dynamically controlled instability. We prove that the nucleation length is independent of the shape of the loading stress distribution. Its universal value is proportional to an elastic modulus and inversely proportional to the slip-weakening rate, and it is given by the solution to an eigenvalue problem. That is the same eigenvalue problem introduced by Campillo, Ionescu, and collaborators for dynamic slip nucleation under spatially uniform prestress on a fault segment of fixed length; the critical length that we derive is the same as in their case. To illustrate the nucleation process, and its universal feature, in specific examples, we consider cases for which the loading stress is peaked symmetrically or nonsymmetrically, and we employ a numerical approach based on a Chebyshev polynomial representation. Laboratory-derived and earthquake-inferred data are used to evaluate the nucleation size.
Face recognition with image sets using manifold density divergence

In many automatic face recognition applications, a set of a person's face images is available rather than a single image. In this paper, we describe a novel method for face recognition using image sets. We propose a flexible, semi-parametric model for learning probability densities confined to highly non-linear but intrinsically low-dimensional manifolds. The model leads to a statistical formulation of the recognition problem in terms of minimizing the divergence between densities estimated on these manifolds. The proposed method is evaluated on a large data set, acquired in realistic imaging conditions with severe illumination variation. Our algorithm is shown to match the best and outperform other state-of-the-art algorithms in the literature, achieving 94% recognition rate on average.
Twins, Tissue, and Time: An Assessment of SNPs and CNVs

With the desire to assess genetic variation across the lifespan in large-scale collaborative projects, one question is whether inference of copy number (CN) is sensitive to the source of material for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis (e.g., blood and buccal) and another question is whether CN is stable as individuals age. Here, we address these questions by applying Affymetrix 6.0 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) micro-arrays to 1,472 DNA samples from 710 individuals from the Netherlands Twin Register, including twin and non-twin individuals (372 with buccal and blood derived DNA and 388 with longitudinal data). Similar concordance for CN and genotype inference between samples from the same individual [or from the monozygotic (MZ) co-twins] was found for blood and buccal tissues. There was a small but statistically significant decrease in across-tissue concordance compared with concordance of samples from the same tissue type. No temporal effect was seen on CN variation from the 388 individuals sampled at two time points ranging from 1 to 12 years apart. The majority of our individuals were sampled at age younger than 20 years. Genotype concordance was very high (R2 > 99%) between co-twins from 43 MZ pairs. For 75 dizygotic (DZ) pairs, R2 was ≈65%. CN estimates were highly consistent between co-twins from MZ pairs for both deletions (R2 ≈ 90%) and duplications (R2 ≈ 86%). For DZ, these were similar for within-individual comparisons, but naturally lower between co-twins (R2 ≈ 50–60%). These results suggest that DNA from buccal samples perform as well as DNA from blood samples on the current generation of micro-array technologies.
Increased Absorption Rate of Diclofenac from Fast Acting Formulations Containing Its Potassium Salt

Summary Diclofenac (CAS 15307-86-5) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug largely used, mainly to relief pain of various origin. Diclofenac is present on the market as free acid, as sodium salt (CAS 15307-79-6) and as potassium salt (CAS 15307-81-0). The last salification form has shown a prompter absorption rate and a faster onset of analgesic activity than the acid form and sodium salt. This paper extensively reviews three trials carried out on healthy volunteers, where potassium salt of diclofenac present in three fast-acting formulations, namely sachets (Trial 1), tablets (Trial 2) and oral drops (Trial 3), were compared to reference tablet formulations from the market. A very fast absorption rate was encountered with the three test formulations, with the peak reached in one case 5 min and in most cases within 10–15 min after dosing. The quick absorption rate of test formulations was attributed to the special combination of the salt of diclofenac with a dynamic buffering agent, namely bicarbonate, present in the test formulations and covered by an international patent. The prompt absorption of diclofenac from the new fast-acting formulations was accompanied by the presence of only one peak, whereas the reference formula tions produced in most cases two peaks, as widely described in literature. This finding suggested the hypothesis that the absorption of test formulations should occur in a shorter tract of the gut. The faster absorption of diclofenac from the three fast-acting formulations is expected to produce a faster onset of analgesic action, which highlights these new formulations as particularly indicated to relief pain of any origin.
Tableau Methods for Formal Verification of Multi-Agent Distributed Systems

Formal verification is a key step in the development of trusted and reliable multi-agent distributed systems. This is particularly relevant when security concerns such as privacy, integrity and availability impose limitations on the operations that can be performed on sensitive data. The aim of access control is to limit what agents (humans, programs, softbots, etc.) of distributed systems can do directly or indirectly by delegating their powers and tasks. As the size of the systems and the sensitivity of data increase, the availability of automated reasoning methods becomes essential for logical analysis of access control. This paper presents a prefixed tableau method for the calculus of access control developed at the Digital System Research Center by Abadi, Lampson et. al. This calculus is particularly interesting for a number of reasons. At first it was the basis for the development and the verification of an implemented system. Second, it poses many technical challenges for classical modal tableaux: it lacks the tree-model property, has some features of the universal modality, and can introduce delegation certificates between agents “on-the-fly” not compilable into axiom schemata.
An Experimental Study on the Structure of Cosmic Dust Aggregates and Their Alignment by Motion Relative to Gas

We experimentally studied the shape of dust grains grown in a cluster-cluster type of aggregation (CCA) and derived characteristic axial ratios to describe the nonsphericity. CCAs might be described by an axial ratio ρCCA = rg, max/rg, min ≈ 2.0 in the limit of large aggregates, where rg, min and rg, max describe the minimum and maximum radius of gyration, while small aggregates show a somewhat larger value in their mean axial ratio up to ρCCA ≈ 3.0 but rapidly decrease to the limit ρCCA ≈ 2.0. The axial ratios for large aggregates are in agreement with the general findings of different authors for axial ratios of interstellar dust grains that are generally described by rods or spheroids. Beyond this kind of agreement, our approach does not necessarily require a special shape for individual dust grains but rather offers a physical process to generate nonsphericity. Although the simple shapes might be sufficient for first-order applications and are easier to handle analytically, our results offer a firm ground of special axial ratios for rods or spheroids on a more physical basis apart from any ad hoc assumptions. We also find an alignment of the aggregates during sedimentation in a gas along the drift axis leading to an axial ratio of ρCCA, align = 1.21 ± 0.02 with respect to the drift axis and an axis perpendicular to this drift. This result is directly applicable to dust grains in protoplanetary disks and planetary atmospheres.
Functional PstI/RsaI Polymorphism in CYP2E1 Is Associated with the Development, Progression and Poor Outcome of Gastric Cancer

Background Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), an ethanol-inducible enzyme, has been shown to metabolically activate various carcinogens, which is critical for the development and progression of cancers. It has demonstrated that CYP2E1 polymorphisms alter the transcriptional activity of the gene. However, studies on the association between CYP2E1 polymorphisms (PstI/RsaI or DraI) and gastric cancer have reported conflicting results. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether CYP2E1 polymorphisms is associated with the development and progression of gastric cancer and its prognosis in Chinese patients. Methods A case-control study was conducted in which CYP2E1 PstI/RsaI and DraI polymorphisms were analyzed in 510 Chinese patients with gastric cancer and 510 age- and sex- matched healthy controls by PCR-RFLP. Odds ratios were estimated by multivariate logistic regression, and the lifetime was calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. In addition, a meta-analysis was also conducted to verify the findings. Results For CYP2E1 PstI/RsaI polymorphism, C2C2 homozygotes (OR = 2.15; CI: 1.18–3.94) and C2 carriers (OR = 1.48; CI: 1.13–1.96) were associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer when compared with C1C1 homozygotes. Both C1C2 and C2C2 genotypes were associated with advanced stage, but not the grade of gastric cancer. Moreover, C2C2 genotype was identified as an independent marker of poor overall survival for gastric cancer. However, there was not any significant association between CYP2E1 DraI polymorphism and the risk of gastric cancer. In the meta-analysis, pooled data from 13 studies confirmed that the CYP2E1 PstI/RsaI polymorphism was associated with a significantly increased risk of gastric cancer. Conclusion CYP2E1 PstI/RsaI polymorphism is associated with increased risk of development, progression and poor prognosis of gastric cancer in Chinese patients. Pooled data from 13 studies, mainly in Asian countries, are in agreement with our findings.
Integrating risk factors

Background: Individuals with high levels of antibodies to the Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) have an increased risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), but this association could be confounded by genetic susceptibility. Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study including 148 women with MS (18 with blood collected before disease onset) and 296 age-matched healthy women to determine whether the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1*1501 allele (DR15) and anti-Epstein–Barr virus (anti-EBV) antibody titers are independent risk factors for MS. Results: The association between anti-EBNA-1 antibody titers and MS risk was not affected by adjustment for DR15 and was similar in DR15-positive and DR15-negative women. The relative risk of MS among DR15-positive women with elevated (>1:320) anti-EBNA-1 titers was ninefold higher than that of DR15-negative women with low (<1:80) anti-EBNA-1 titers. Conclusions: Anti-Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (anti-EBNA-1) antibody titers are a risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS), independently from the DR15 allele. Carriers of the DR15 allele with elevated anti-EBNA-1 antibody titers may have a markedly increased risk of MS. GLOSSARY: CMV = cytomegalovirus; EBV = Epstein–Barr virus; HLA = human leukocyte antigen; MS = multiple sclerosis; NHS = Nurses' Health Study; RR = relative risk.
Dynamic compressive behavior of basalt fiber reinforced concrete after exposure to elevated temperatures

This paper investigated the dynamic behavior of basalt fiber reinforced concrete (BFRC) after elevated temperatures by using a 100‐mm‐diameter split Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. Changes in weight and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) were also studied. The results indicate that the weight losses of BFRC before cooling increase with temperature, while a reduction in weight loss value is observed after water cooling. The UPV values of BFRC decrease constantly as temperature increases, and the measured velocities under the same temperature increase with fiber content as temperature exceeds 200 °C. For a given temperature, the strain rate, dynamic strength, critical strain, and impact toughness of BFRC increase with impact velocity. For a given impact velocity, the increasing temperature generally leads to an increase in strain rate and critical strain and results in a decrease in dynamic strength and impact toughness except in the case of 200 °C. At 200 °C, however, a marginal reduction, even an improvement in dynamic strength is observed, and the impact toughness initially decreases, then increases with loading rate when compared with that at room temperature. Basalt fiber is effective in improving the strength performance, deformation capacity, and energy absorption property of concrete after high temperature. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alliances, Rivalry, and Firm Performance in Enterprise Systems Software Markets: A Social Network Approach

Enterprise systems software (ESS) is a multibillion dollar industry that produces systems components to support a variety of business functions for a widerange of vertical industry segments. Even if it forms the core of an organization's information systems (IS) infrastructure, there is little prior IS research on the competitive dynamics in this industry. Whereas economic modeling has generally provided the methodological framework for studying standards-driven industries, our research employs social network methods to empirically examine ESS firm competition. Although component compatibility is critical to organizational end users, there is an absence of industry-wide ESS standards and compatibility is ensured through interfirm alliances. First, our research observes that this alliance network does not conform to the equilibrium structures predicted by economics of network evolution supporting the view that it is difficult to identify dominant standards and leaders in this industry. This state of flux combined with the multifirm multicomponent nature of the industry limits the direct applicability of extant analytical models. Instead, we propose that the relative structural position acquired by a firm in its alliance network is a reasonable proxy for its standards dominance and is an indicator of its performance. In lieu of structural measures developed mainly for interpersonal networks, we develop a measure of relative firm prominence specifically for the business software network where benefits of alliances may accrue through indirect connections even if attenuated. Panel data analyses of ESS firms that account for over 95% of the industry revenues, show that our measure provides a superior model fit to extant social network measures. Two interesting counterintuitive findings emerge from our research. First, unlike other software industries compatibility considerations can trump rivalry concerns. We employ quadratic assignment procedure to show that firms freely form alliances even with their rivals. Second, we find that smaller firms enjoy a greater value from acquiring a higher structural position as compared to larger firms.
Bias Correction and Bayesian Model Averaging for Ensemble Forecasts of Surface Wind Direction

Wind direction is an angular variable, as opposed to weather quantities such as temperature, quantitative precipitation, or wind speed, which are linear variables. Consequently, traditional model output statistics and ensemble postprocessing methods become ineffective, or do not apply at all. This paper proposes an effective bias correction technique for wind direction forecasts from numerical weather prediction models, which is based on a state-of-the-art circular‐circular regression approach. To calibrate forecast ensembles, a Bayesian model averaging scheme for directional variables is introduced, where the component distributions are von Mises densities centered at the individually bias-corrected ensemble member forecasts. These techniques are applied to 48-h forecasts of surface wind direction over the Pacific Northwest, using the University of Washington mesoscale ensemble, where they yield consistent improvements in forecast performance.
Knowledge and practice of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among traditional birth attendants in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) assist most deliveries in Nigeria. Knowing and understanding all issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT) can help them to protect themselves and others. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of PMTCT amongst TBAs in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods This was a cross-sectional survey. Multistage sampling method was used to select 108 registered TBAs in 2 local governments areas who were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire. Results All the respondents were aware of HIV but their awareness of PMTCT specifically was not as high. Only 8.3% of the respondents had good level of knowledge about HIV and PMTCT and up to 13% of them claimed to be able to cure HIV using native remedies. The practices of HIV counseling of patients and referral of patients for HIV testing were low and higher levels of knowledge positively influenced these practices significantly (p < 0.05). They were also deficient in certain measures to prevent infection of patients and themselves. Conclusion Most of the TBAs did not have adequate knowledge and practice of PMTCT illustrating the need for periodic PMTCT training for TBAs.
An Unscented Kalman filter based novel face detector and its robust system for illumination variant images using stochastic resonance

This paper is associated with the two special approaches on face detection. Firstly, we develop a novel face detector for detecting the human faces in a still image by using the unscented Kalman filter (UKF). The first approach or the face detector is developed by combining the modified skin color detector, modified Viola Jones eye detector, modified Haar cascade classifier and the UKF. The UKF is used for removing the film grain noise from the image and increasing the face detection rate. The UKF is being used for the very first time in the face detector and thus reflects the novelty of our current research. Secondly, we develop a robust system of our face detector by using our "proposed stochastic resonance (SR) technique" for image enhancement and detecting the presence of face on the illumination variant images. Our "proposed SR technique" extracts the image candidates from the dark and illumination variant images and makes the image visible and clear by applying the Gaussian white noise in an image, keeping the threshold value at constant zero. The resultant images are then summed up in a series for extracting the image candidates from the illumination variant images and make them visible. The idea of our "proposed SR technique" has been developed from the summing network process of the stochastic resonance noise. The images, once enhanced are passed to our face detector for detecting the presence of the face in an image and clarify the effectiveness of our current research.