Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical fusion of features and classifier decisions for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis

Pattern classification methods have been widely investigated for analysis of brain images to assist the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its early stage such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). By considering the nature of pathological changes, a large number of features related to both local brain regions and interbrain regions can be extracted for classification. However, it is challenging to design a single global classifier to integrate all these features for effective classification, due to the issue of small sample size. To this end, we propose a hierarchical ensemble classification method to combine multilevel classifiers by gradually integrating a large number of features from both local brain regions and interbrain regions. Thus, the large‐scale classification problem can be divided into a set of small‐scale and easier‐to‐solve problems in a bottom‐up and local‐to‐global fashion, for more accurate classification. To demonstrate its performance, we use the spatially normalized grey matter (GM) of each MR brain image as imaging features. Specifically, we first partition the whole brain image into a number of local brain regions and, for each brain region, we build two low‐level classifiers to transform local imaging features and the inter‐region correlations into high‐level features. Then, we generate multiple high‐level classifiers, with each evaluating the high‐level features from the respective brain regions. Finally, we combine the outputs of all high‐level classifiers for making a final classification. Our method has been evaluated using the baseline MR images of 652 subjects (including 198 AD patients, 225 MCI patients, and 229 normal controls (NC)) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database. The experimental results show that our classification method can achieve the accuracies of 92.0% and 85.3% for classifications of AD versus NC and MCI versus NC, respectively, demonstrating very promising classification performance compared to the state‐of‐the‐art classification methods. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1305–1319, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Implementation and Validation of a Multicast Routing Protocol in an Ad Hoc Network Testbed

— We present our experiences in implementing and validating the Multicast Routing protocol with Dynamic Core (MRDC) in a real wireless ad hoc network testbed. The testbed consists of portable PCs and PDAs to reduce hardware cost and facilitate mobility test. The architecture of MRDC has been designed and introduced into the user space of Linux operating system without modifying the kernel. MRDC creates and maintains a group shared tree for each multicast session on demand. Besides the routing functionality, we designed a forwarding module in this implementation to forward all kinds of multicast datagram including MBone traffic. Integrating a simplified IGMP and a multicast tree information collector into the implementation, we evaluated the bandwidth utilization of MRDC in a stationary network scenario and the correctness of MRDC in both topology dynamic and membership dynamic scenarios in testbed experiments.
Additive and multiplicative effect of academic facultyâ€™s bi-directional conflict and enrichment on satisfaction with work family balance

This study explores how work to family conflict, family to work conflict, work to family enrihcment and family to work enrichmetn influence facultyâ€™s global balance measured as satisfaction with work family balance (SWFB). In addition the multiplicative interactive effect of work to fmaily conflict with enrichment and family to work conflict and enrichment were also tested. Results revealed that work to family conflict and enrichment, their interaction and family to work enrichment were significantly related to SWFB. Work to family conflict was most potent predictor of outcome variable but there is a need for managers to improve facultyâ€™s percepteion of work interfering with family. Both directions of enrichment had high levels but their importance was moderate while family to work conflict was very low in importance requiring minimal managerial interventions. Multi group analysis revealed no significant difference between male and female faculty.
Physiological sex steroid replacement in premature ovarian failure: randomized crossover trial of effect on uterine volume, endometrial thickness and blood flow, compared with a standard regimen.

BACKGROUND Premature ovarian failure (POF) is currently managed by non-physiological sex steroid regimens which are inadequate at optimizing uterine characteristics. Previous short-term studies have demonstrated some benefits of a sex steroid replacement (SSR) regimen devised to replicate the physiological cycle. This study aimed to directly compare the effects of longer-term administration of physiological SSR (pSSR) and standard SSR (sSSR) regimens on the uterine volume, blood flow and endometrial thickness (ET) in women with POF. METHODS In a controlled crossover trial, 34 women with POF were randomized to receive 12 months of 4-week cycles of transdermal estradiol and vaginal progesterone (pSSR) followed by 12 months of 4-week cycles of oral ethinylestradiol and norethisterone (sSSR), or vice versa. Each treatment period was preceded by a 2-month washout period. At 0, 3, 6 and 12 months of each treatment period, transvaginal ultrasound examined the uterine volume and ET, as primary end-points, and uterine artery resistance (UARI) and pulsatility indices (UAPI), as secondary end-points. Serum estradiol, progesterone and gonadotrophins were also measured. RESULTS Of the 29 women eligible for the uterine analysis, 17 completed the entire study protocol, but 25 women contributed data to statistical analysis of treatment effect. There was a greater estimated mean ET with the use of pSSR (4.8 mm) compared to that with standard therapy (3.0 mm), with an estimated difference of 1.8 mm [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.7 to 2.8, P=0.002]. The estimated mean uterine volume was also greater during physiological treatment (24.8 cm(3)) than during standard treatment (20.6 cm(3)), but the estimated difference of 4.2 cm(3) (95% CI -0.4 to 8.7) was not statitsically significant, P=0.070. The small differences between the two treatments in the mean UARI and mean UAPI were not statistically significant. The estimated treatment differences were fairly constant across the treatment periods, suggesting that prolonged treatment does not increase response. CONCLUSIONS pSSR has a greater beneficial effect upon ET in women with POF in comparison with standard therapy. A similar trend was seen for uterine volume. Further studies are required to optimize treatment and to assess pregnancy rate and outcome. Trial Registration www.ClinicalTrials. gov, NCR00732693.
Living Autologous Heart Valves Engineered From Human Prenatally Harvested Progenitors

Background— Heart valve tissue engineering is a promising strategy to overcome the lack of autologous growing replacements, particularly for the repair of congenital malformations. Here, we present a novel concept using human prenatal progenitor cells as new and exclusive cell source to generate autologous implants ready for use at birth. Methods and Results— Human fetal mesenchymal progenitors were isolated from routinely sampled prenatal chorionic villus specimens and expanded in vitro. A portion was cryopreserved. After phenotyping and genotyping, cells were seeded onto synthetic biodegradable leaflet scaffolds (n=12) and conditioned in a bioreactor. After 21 days, leaflets were endothelialized with umbilical cord blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells and conditioned for additional 7 days. Resulting tissues were analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, biochemistry (amounts of extracellular matrix, DNA), mechanical testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and were compared with native neonatal heart valve leaflets. Fresh and cryopreserved cells showed comparable myofibroblast-like phenotypes. Genotyping confirmed their fetal origin. Neo-tissues exhibited organization, cell phenotypes, extracellular matrix production, and DNA content comparable to their native counterparts. Leaflet surfaces were covered with functional endothelia. SEM showed cellular distribution throughout the polymer and smooth surfaces. Mechanical profiles approximated those of native heart valves. Conclusions— Prenatal fetal progenitors obtained from routine chorionic villus sampling were successfully used as an exclusive, new cell source for the engineering of living heart valve leaflets. This concept may enable autologous replacements with growth potential ready for use at birth. Combined with the use of cell banking technology, this approach may be applied also for postnatal applications.
Theoretical and Empirical Analysis of a Parallel Boosting Algorithm

Many real-world problems involve massive amounts of data. Under these circumstances learning algorithms often become prohibitively expensive, making scalability a pressing issue to be addressed. A common approach is to perform sampling to reduce the size of the dataset and enable efficient learning. Alternatively, one customizes learning algorithms to achieve scalability. In either case, the key challenge is to obtain algorithmic efficiency without compromising the quality of the results. In this paper we discuss a meta-learning algorithm (PSBML) which combines features of parallel algorithms with concepts from ensemble and boosting methodologies to achieve the desired scalability property. We present both theoretical and empirical analyses which show that PSBML preserves a critical property of boosting, specifically, convergence to a distribution centered around the margin. We then present additional empirical analyses showing that this meta-level algorithm provides a general and effective framework that can be used in combination with a variety of learning classifiers. We perform extensive experiments to investigate the tradeoff achieved between scalability and accuracy, and robustness to noise, on both synthetic and real-world data. These empirical results corroborate our theoretical analysis, and demonstrate the potential of PSBML in achieving scalability without sacrificing accuracy.
Small RNAs derived from the 5′ end of tRNA can inhibit protein translation in human cells

Recently, it has been shown that tRNA molecules can be processed into small RNAs that are derived from both the 5′ and 3′ termini. To date, the function of these tRNA fragments (tRFs) derived from the 5′ end of tRNA has not been investigated in depth. We present evidence that conserved residues in tRNA, present in all 5′ tRFs, can inhibit the process of protein translation without the need for complementary target sites in the mRNA. These results implicate 5′ tRFs in a new mechanism of gene regulation by small RNAs in human cells.
Human Capital Formation, Life Expectancy, and the Process of Development.

We provide a unified theory of the transition in income, life expectancy, education, and population size from a nondeveloped environment to sustained growth. Individuals optimally trade off the time cost of education with its lifetime returns. Initially, low longevity implies a prohibitive cost for human capital formation for most individuals. A positive feedback loop between human capital and increasing longevity, triggered by endogenous skill-biased technological progress, eventually provides sufficient returns for widespread education. The transition is not based on scale effects and induces population growth despite unchanged fertility. A simulation illustrates that the dynamics fit historical data patterns. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)
Use of library resources, study habit and science achievement of junior secondary school students

This study investigated combined and relative influences of use of library resources and study habit on science achievement of the junior secondary school students in Ogun State, Nigeria. Three hundred and sixty (360) students randomly selected from twelve secondary schools in Ogun State participated in the study. Three instruments were designed and used for data collection. Use of library resources and study habit combined together to significantly influence science achievement (R Square = 0.061, p<0.05). There is no significant difference between male and female students’ use of library resources, study habit and science achievement. The school counsellors should train students on effective study techniques in order to foster science achievement.
Expression of Specific Tubulin Isotypes Increases during Regeneration of Injured CNS Neurons, But Not after the Application of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

Axonal regrowth after injury is accompanied by changes in the expression of tubulin, but the contributions of substrate molecules and neurotrophic factors in regulating these changes in vivoare not known. Adult rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were examined after intraorbital axotomy, after application of a peripheral nerve (PN) graft to stimulate regeneration, and after axotomy and treatment with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). After these treatments we used in situ hybridization to study mRNA levels for βI, βII, βIII, βIVa, and Tα1 tubulin isotypes. Levels of mRNA for all isotypes were downregulated after intraorbital axotomy. During regrowth of injured RGC axons, mRNA levels for βII, βIII, and Tα1 isotypes were upregulated specifically and dramatically, suggesting that elevated expression of these isotypes is correlated specifically with axonal regrowth. A corresponding increase in βIII protein levels was detected by immunocytochemistry. The βI and βIVa mRNAs were not increased during regeneration. BDNF did not elicit a specific increase in the mRNA levels for the βIII and Tα1 isotypes and had only a small effect on mRNA levels for the βII isotype. Therefore, despite the ability of BDNF to support the survival of injured RGCs and to enhance neurite outgrowth of retinal neurons in vitro, the in vivoapplication of BDNF alone is unable to induce the program of changes in growth-associated tubulins that accompany regeneration of RGC axons into PN grafts. We speculate that, in addition to BDNF, cooperative signaling with substrate molecules is required to allow RGCs to regenerate and exhibit tubulin isotype switching.
Pump up the Volume? Examining The Relationship Between Number of Online Reviews and Sales: Is More Necessarily Better?

We study the relationship between volume of online product reviews and sales. We find that volume has a positive significant effect on sales of products whose valence (average rating) is perc eived positively by consumers, while volume has a negative significant effect on sales of products whose valence is perceived negatively. Thus, p ooling all products together in one regression model may not correctly capture the relationship between volume and sales, as the two opposing effects might cancel each other. In addition , we show that online reviews have a cross effect on sales of competing products: t he demand for a product increases with its perceived quality, but decreases with the perceived qua lity of competing products. Finally, we show that consumers substitute the use of volume and valence when evaluating online review data: if the valence metric does not provide sufficient information to differentiate competing products, consumers would use the volume metric.
Choice, interoperability, and conformance in interaction protocols and service choreographies

Many real-world applications of multiagent systems require independently designed (heterogeneous) and operated (autonomous) agents to interoperate. We consider agents who offer business services and collaborate in interesting business service engagements. We formalize notions of interoperability and conformance, which appropriately support agent heterogeneity and autonomy. With respect to autonomy, our approach considers the choices that each agent has, and how their choices are coordinated so that at any time one agent leads and its counterpart follows, but with initiative fluidly shifting among the participants. With respect to heterogeneity, we characterize the variations in the agents' designs, and show how an agent may conform to a specification or substitute for another agent. Our approach addresses a challenging problem with multi-party interactions that existing approaches cannot solve. Further, we introduce a set of edit operations by which to modify an agent design so as to ensure its conformance with others.
A Novel Fuzzy Classifier using Fuzzy LVQ to Recognize Online Persian Handwriting

Fuzzy logic is a powerful tool to represent imprecise and irregular patterns. This paper presents a novel fuzzy approach for recognizing online Persian (Farsi) handwriting. In this approach, a fuzzy classifier is introduced that uses a combination of the fuzzy LVQ learning model and the expert knowledge. This method applies an FLVQ network to distinguish between the similar tokens that appear at the end of the strokes. For other tokens, fuzzy linguistic terms are used to describe their features. The purposed method was run on a database of Persian isolated handwritten characters and achieved a high recognition rate compared to other available approaches
Who Gets Lost, and What Difference Does It Make? Mixed Modes, Nonresponse Follow-up Surveys and the Estimation of Turnout

This article assesses whether—and to what extent—turnout bias in postelection surveys is reduced by adding a short nonresponse follow-up (NRFU) survey to a mixed-mode survey. Specifically, we examine how the NRFU survey influences response propensities across demographic groups and political factors and whether this affects data quality. We use a rich dataset on validated voter turnout data, collected across two different ballots. In addition to the main survey that comprises computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) and web respondents, both studies include a short follow-up mail survey for nonrespondents. The results demonstrate that collecting extra information from additional respondents on so-called “central” questions is worth the effort. In both studies, the NRFU survey substantially increases representativeness with respect to sociodemographic and participation variables. In particular, voters and politically active citizens are more accurately represented in the NRFU survey. This tends to result in better estimates of turnout determinants in the final (combined) sample than is seen from CATI/web respondents only. Moreover, the increase in response rate and the decrease in nonresponse bias comes at almost no price in terms of measurement errors. Vote overreporting is only slightly higher in the mail follow-up survey than in the main CATI/web survey.
Modeling and simulation of self-similar variable bit rate compressed video: a unified approach

Variable bit rate (VBR) compressed video is expected to become one of the major loading factors in high-speed packet networks such as ATM-based B-ISDN. However, recent measurements based on long empirical traces (complete movies) revealed that VBR video traffic possesses self-similar (or fractal) characteristics, meaning that the dependence in the traffic stream lasts much longer than traditional models can capture.In this paper, we present a unified approach which, in addition to accurately modeling the marginal distribution of empirical video records, also models directly both the short and the long-term empirical autocorrelation structures. We also present simulation results using synthetic data and compare with results based on empirical video traces.Furthermore, we extend the application of efficient estimation techniques based on importance sampling that we had used before only for simple fractal processes. We use importance sampling techniques to efficiently estimate low probabilities of packet losses that occur when a multiplexer is fed with synthetic traffic from our self-similar VBR video model.
Processing and modeling genome-wide expression data using singular value decomposition

We describe the use of singular value decomposition in transforming genome-wide expression data from genes x arrays space to reduced diagonalized eigengenes x eigenarrays space, where the eigengenes (or eigenarrays) are unique orthonormal superpositions of the genes (or arrays). Normalizing the data by filtering out the eigengenes (and eigenarrays) that are inferred to represent additive or multiplicative noise, experimental artifacts, or even irrelevant biological processes enables meaningful comparison of the expression of different genes across different arrays in different experiments. Sorting the data according to the eigengenes and eigenarrays gives a global picture of the dynamics of gene expression, in which individual genes and arrays appear to be classified into groups of similar regulation and function, or similar cellular state and biological phenotype, respectively. After normalization and sorting, the significant eigengenes and eigenarrays can be associated with observed genome-wide effects of regulators, or with measured samples, in which these regulators are overactive or underactive, respectively.
Lies in Conversation: An Examination of Deception Using Automated Linguistic Analysis

The present study investigated changes in both the sender’s and the receiver’s linguistic style across truthful and deceptive dyadic communication. A computer-based analysis of 242 transcripts revealed that senders used more words overall, increased references to others, and used more sense-based descriptions (e.g., seeing, touching) when lying as compared to telling the truth. Receivers naive to the deception manipulation produced more words and sense terms, and asked more questions with shorter sentences when they were being lied to than when they were being told the truth. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for linguistic style matching.
A Study of Total Quality Management and Supply Chain Management Practices

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a set of total quality management (TQM) and supply chain management (SCM) practices through an extensive literature review and to identify the relationships among them by comparing the identified TQM and SCM practices. Design/methodology/approach - An extensive overview of the practices of TQM and SCM is carried out using published research papers and some major TQM and SCM practices were extracted. These identified practices are then compared to explore the relationship between them for better understanding and application. Findings - The results reveal six major TQM and SCM practices from as many as 50 TQM practices and 40 SCM practices. The paper further compares these practices and found that management support and commitment, customer focus, and supplier partnership are the most common practices found in both TQM and SCM literature, and have the strongest impact in the integration of TQM and SCM across organizations. Research limitations/implications - This paper focuses only on the literature review of previously published studies, further empirical study can be undertaken using these six identified practices which may allow the validation and generalization of results. Practical implications - The result of this paper will help in providing greater understanding of identified TQM and SCM practices that will lead to successful implementation of TQM and SCM strategies to improve customer service levels and, hence, business performance. Originality/value - Much of the literature on TQM practices and SCM practices are available, but as far as the authors know there is no study undertaken to integrate TQM and SCM practices. This is the first kind of study that compares TQM and SCM practices taken together and can be thus, treated as filling a gap in the extant literature.