Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust segmentation of blood vessels from angiographic images of the human heart

Although a variety of edge detection algorithms are available, they do not always lead to acceptable results in extracting various features in an image. In this paper, an algorithm for detecting blood vessels in angiographic images of human heart is presented. The gray-level profile of the cross section of a blood vessel is approximated by a Gaussian shaped curve. Blood vessels usually have poor local contrast and the existing edge detection algorithms do not give better results. Now the proposed algorithm using morphology works well for extracting blood vessels which are linear in nature in angiographic images. Results on various medical data from a normal heart and from a set of abnormalities are presented and show that this algorithm can be used as a robust segmentation tool.
Vertical transmission of Escherichia coli carrying plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC) through the broiler production pyramid.

OBJECTIVES In Sweden the prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae with transferable resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs) is low. However, in broilers ESC-resistant Escherichia coli is common, with a clear dominance of blaCMY-2. Antimicrobials are rarely used in broiler production in Sweden and cephalosporins are never used. Introduction through imported breeding stock and subsequent vertical transmission of the bacteria through the production pyramid could be one explanation for this high prevalence. METHODS To test this hypothesis, paper linings from imported flocks of grandparent animals were screened for the presence of ESC-resistant E. coli and a positive flock, together with its progeny, was followed longitudinally through the production pyramid using boot swabs. The relationship of isolated ESC-resistant E. coli was investigated using multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). RESULTS ESC-resistant E. coli carrying blaCMY-2 was isolated from six out of eight imported flocks of grandparent animals. One clone of E. coli carrying blaCMY-2 occurred in all levels of the production pyramid and in flocks of imported grandparent animals. CONCLUSIONS E. coli carrying blaCMY-2 is frequently present among grandparent animals imported to Sweden for breeding purposes. The occurrence of one clone in all levels of the production pyramid indicates that its introduction through imported breeding stock and vertical transmission through the production pyramid could be one explanation for the high proportion of Swedish broilers colonized with ESC-resistant E. coli.
A Rational and Manageable Value-Added Model for Teacher Preparation Programs

Educators struggle with “value-added” teacher evaluation models based on high-stakes student assessments. Despite validity and reliability threats, these models evaluate university-based teacher preparation programs (TPPs), and play a role in state and professional accreditation. This study reports a more rational value-added evaluation model linking student performance to teacher candidates’ lessons during Practicum and Student Teaching. Results indicate that K-12 students showed learning gains on these lessons, with mixed findings on comparisons of part-time to full-time internships, academic and functional lessons, and candidates’ grade point averages (GPAs). Results indicated that teacher candidates’ lessons are a viable value-added model (VAM) alternative for TPPs.
The VIMOS-VLT deep survey - galaxy luminosity function per morphological type up to z = 1.2

We have computed the evolution of the rest-frame B-band luminosity function (LF) for bulge and disk-dominated galaxies since z=1.2. We use a sample of 605 spectroscopic redshifts with I_{AB} 0.9 and bright galaxies showing a strongly decreasing LF slope \alpha=+0.55 \pm 0.21, and 32% of blue (B-I)_{AB}<0.9 and more compact galaxies which populate the LF faint-end. We observe that red bulge-dominated galaxies are already well in place at z~1, but the volume density of this population is increasing by a factor 2.7 between z~1 and z~0.6. It may be related to the building-up of massive elliptical galaxies in the hierarchical scenario. In addition, we observe that the blue bulge-dominated population is dimming by 0.7 magnitude between z~1 and z~0.6. Galaxies in this faint and more compact population could possibly be the progenitors of the local dwarf spheroidal galaxies.
Nonlocal microplane model for fracture, damage, and size effect in structures

A generalized microplane model, which was previously developed to describe tensile cracking and nonlinear triaxial response of brittle-plastic materials in compression and shear, is implemented in a finite element code. To limit localization instabilities due to strain softening and the consequent spurious mesh-sensitivity, the recently proposed concept of nonlocal continuum with local strain (nonlocal damage) is adopted and combined with the microplane model. An effective numerical algorithm permitting large loading steps is developed by applying the idea of exponential algorithms previously used for creep. Problems due to nonsymmetry of the tangential stiffness matrix are avoided by using the initial elastic stiffness matrix in the incremental force-displacement relations. Numerical results demonstrate that the microplane model, which previously has allowed an excellent description of the test data on nonlinear triaxial behavior of concrete as well as unidirectional and multidirectional crack or crack shear, is endowed (in its nonlocal generalization) with the capability of also modeling tensile fracture. The model yields the correct transitional size effect observed in concrete and agrees with the recently proposed size effect law. The formulation is applicable to brittle-plastic materials in general.
A Global Snapshot of Computer Science Education in K-12 Schools

In two special issues of the ACM journal "Transactions on Computing Education" (TOCE), 14 extensive case studies about the various situations of Computer Science Education (CSE) in K-12 schools in 12 countries (respectively states) were collected. During the work at the ITiCSE 2015, we have performed a deductive qualitative text analysis on these case studies in order to extract the most useful information. As a category system, we applied some selected categories of the Darmstadt Model that was developed by the working group "Computer Science/Informatics in Secondary Schools" at the ITiCSE 2011. Based on the coding results, we summarized information about the different fields of Computing Education at schools, the intended goals and competencies, the taught content, the applied programming languages and tools and the different forms of assessment and teacher education. Despite the limitations of the analyzed articles, representing just snapshots of complex situations from the specific viewpoint of the respective authors, we were able to collect some interesting results.
The efficacy of the model of goal directed behavior in explaining Islamic bank saving

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to test the efficacy of model of goal-directed behavior (MGB) to explain and predict savings at Islamic bank behavior. The importance of understanding consumer intention to develop good strategy to accelerate consumer saving at Islamic bank is inevitable. One of the most popular theories explaining behavioral intention was the MGB. Although it has been validated and tested in a variety of contexts, this theory has never been applied in behavior related to Islamic banks. Design/methodology/approach The present study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data obtained from 31 in-depth interviews were used to develop behavioral beliefs components and a control beliefs component, while quantitative data obtained from a survey of 316 respondents were used to test the model. Structural equation modeling was the main data analysis technique. Findings The result shows that MGB has good indicators of fit, which implies that it can be used to explain and predict intention to save at Islamic bank. This research also reveals several behavioral and control beliefs that positively contribute to intention. Originality/value This paper contributes to behavior prediction literature by exploring the possibility of the application of the MGB in the Islamic bank context. It also gives a deeper understanding of the Indonesian Islamic bank consumer market that has great potential for development in the future.
Fiscal Austerity and Reputation∗

This paper investigates whether government reputation in financial markets explains the implementation of fiscal austerity during a recession, as opposed to a countercyclical response. In a model with endogenous default risk we show that, if 1) the value of the government’s discount rate is private information, 2) a recession takes place, 3) the initial public debt is high enough, a benevolent government has an incentive to deviate from the optimal countercyclical policy followed under full information. In this case, the government implements fiscal austerity, reducing spending and increasing taxation. The rationale for austerity is different depending on the depth of the recession. In mild recessions, the government restrains its fiscal policy to send a credible signal to financial markets. It maintains its reputation and lowers its borrowing costs. In deep recessions, signalling through austerity becomes impossible. Although a separating equilibrium no longer exists, the government must nevertheless tighten fiscal policy substantially, lest financial markets mistake it as being less creditworthy than it is. Overall, conditional on the economy’s being in recession, the government follows a procyclical fiscal policy. Conditional on the economy’s being in expansion, the government follows a standard countercyclical behaviour. An empirical assessment of the fiscal behavior of newly elected governments, for which we argue reputation is more important, confirms the results. Jel Classification: E62, F34, D82
SIRTA, a ground-based atmospheric observatory for cloud and aerosol research

Ground-based remote sensing observatories have a crucial role to play in providing data to improve our understanding of atmospheric processes, to test the performance of atmospheric models, and to develop new methods for future space-borne observations. Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, a French research institute in environmental sciences, created the Site Instrumental de Recherche par Teledetection Atmospherique (SIRTA), an atmospheric observatory with these goals in mind. Today SIRTA, located 20km south of Paris, operates a suite a state-of-the-art active and passive remote sensing instruments dedicated to routine monitoring of cloud and aerosol properties, and key atmospheric parameters. Detailed description of the state of the atmospheric column is progressively archived and made accessible to the scientific community. This paper describes the SIRTA infrastructure and database, and provides an overview of the scientific research associated with the observatory. Researchers using SIRTA data conduct research on atmospheric processes involving complex interactions between clouds, aerosols and radiative and dynamic processes in the atmospheric column. Atmospheric modellers working with SIRTA observations develop new methods to test their models and innovative analyses to improve parametric representations of sub-grid processes that must be accounted for in the model. SIRTA provides the means to develop data interpretation tools for future active remote sensing missions in space (e.g. CloudSat and CALIPSO). SIRTA observation and research activities take place in networks of atmospheric observatories that allow scientists to access consistent data sets from diverse regions on the globe.
Computer-aided thyroid nodule detection in ultrasound images

Nodular thyroid disease is a frequent occurrence in clinical practice and it is associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer and hyperfunction. In this paper we propose a novel method for computer-aided detection of thyroid nodules in ultrasound (US) images. The proposed method is based on a level-set image segmentation approach that takes into account the inhomogeneity of the US images. This novel method was experimentally evaluated using US images acquired from 35 patients. The results show that the proposed method achieves more accurate delineation of the thyroid nodules in the US images and faster convergence than other relevant methods.
Feelings of doing good for myself or others: Discussing effects of self-conscious emotions on sustainable consumption

Chi-Cheng Luan. Ph.D., Purdue University, May 2016. Feelings of Doing Good for Myself or Others: Discussing Effects of Self-Conscious Emotions on Sustainable Consumption. Major Professor: Christopher Kowal. Consumers have increasing interests in sustainable products, but the actual purchase rate is relatively low. To find the reasons of this gap, previous studies focus primarily on cognitive factors of behavioral change based on the theory of planned behavior. Little research, however, discusses such a sustainable consumption issue from emotional aspects. Thus, this research proposed that self-conscious emotions play an essential role of sustainable consumption behavior, and such emotions are driven from private and public self-consciousness. Study 1 examined participants’ general evaluations toward two emotions and sustainable consumption behaviors. The results showed that empathic concern had a significantly positive effect on socially responsible consumption, whereas personal distress did not. As the antecedent of self-conscious emotions, private and public self-consciousness both were positively association with empathic concern, but only public self-consciousness had a significantly positive impact on personal distress. Study 2 examined three emotions regarding a shopping scenario. The results indicated that empathy had a significant influence on willingness to pay more for the sustainable product, but pride and guilt did not. Additionally, only private self-consciousness
Phylogenetic and morphological relationships between nonvolant small mammals reveal assembly processes at different spatial scales

The relative roles of historical processes, environmental filtering, and ecological interactions in the organization of species assemblages vary depending on the spatial scale. We evaluated the phylogenetic and morphological relationships between species and individuals (i.e., inter- and intraspecific variability) of Neotropical nonvolant small mammals coexisting in grassland-forest ecotones, in landscapes and in regions, that is, three different scales. We used a phylogenetic tree to infer evolutionary relationships, and morphological traits as indicators of performance and niche similarities between species and individuals. Subsequently, we applied phylogenetic and morphologic indexes of diversity and distance between species to evaluate small mammal assemblage structures on the three scales. The results indicated a repulsion pattern near forest edges, showing that phylogenetically similar species coexisted less often than expected by chance. The strategies for niche differentiation might explain the phylogenetic repulsion observed at the edge. Phylogenetic and morphological clustering in the grassland and at the forest interior indicated the coexistence of closely related and ecologically similar species and individuals. Coexistence patterns were similar whether species-trait values or individual values were used. At the landscape and regional scales, assemblages showed a predominant pattern of phylogenetic and morphological clustering. Environmental filters influenced the coexistence patterns at three scales, showing the importance of phylogenetically conserved ecological tolerances in enabling taxa co-occurrence. Evidence of phylogenetic repulsion in one region indicated that other processes beyond environmental filtering are important for community assembly at broad scales. Finally, ecological interactions and environmental filtering seemed important at the local scale, while environmental filtering and historical colonization seemed important for community assembly at broader scales.
Lipophilic but not hydrophilic statins selectively induce cell death in gynaecological cancers expressing high levels of HMGCoA reductase

Recent reports have suggested that statins induce cell death in certain epithelial cancers and that patients taking statins to reduce cholesterol levels possess lower cancer incidence. However, little is known about the mechanisms of action of different statins or the effects of these statins in gynaecological malignancies. The apoptotic potential of two lipophilic statins (lovastatin and simvastatin) and one hydrophilic statin (pravastatin) was assessed in cancer cell lines (ovarian, endometrial and cervical) and primary cultured cancerous and normal tissues. Cell viability was studied by MTS assays and apoptosis was confirmed by Western blotting of PARP and flow cytometry. The expressions of key apoptotic cascade proteins were analysed. Our results demonstrate that both lovastatin and simvastatin, but not pravastatin, selectively induced cell death in dose‐ and time‐dependent manner in ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers. Little or no toxicity was observed with any statin on normal cells. Lipophilic statins induced activation of caspase‐8 and ‐9; BID cleavage, cytochrome C release and PARP cleavage. Statin‐sensitive cancers expressed high levels of HMG‐CoA reductase compared with resistant cultures. The effect of lipophilic statins was dependent on inhibition of enzymatic activity of HMG‐CoA reductase since mevalonate pre‐incubation almost completely abrogated the apoptotic effect. Moreover, the apoptotic effect involved the inhibition of synthesis of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate rather than farnesyl pyrophosphate. In conclusion, lipophilic but not hydrophilic statins induce cell death through activation of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic cascades in cancerous cells from the human female genital tract, which express high levels of HMG‐CoA reductase. These results promote further investigation in the use of lipophilic statins as anticancer agents in gynaecological malignancies.
A triplet integer programming model for the Euclidean 3-matching problem

Let P be a set of 3k points in the Euclidean plane. A 3-matching is a partition of P into k subsets of 3 points each, called triplets. The cost of each triplet {a, b, c} is given by min{|ab| + |bc|, |bc| + |ca|, |ca| + |ab|}, and the cost of the 3-matching is the sum of the costs of its triplets. The problem of finding a minimum cost Euclidean 3-matching is known to be NP-hard. Two integer programming formulations for this problem were introduced by Johnsson, Magyar, and Nevalainen. First, we prove that the linear programming relaxations of these two models are equivalent. Second, we introduce a new triplet integer programming model. Third, we compare the linear programming relaxations of these three models.
Preface: Social Anthropology, Business Studies, and Cultural Issues

This issue of ISMO concerns "culture. " It is only fair to say that this could mean virtually anything. The following discussion makes some attempt to specify the range of interests and ideas that emerge from the articles. It may be useful, and I hope not too self-indulgent, to begin with some autobiography to explain my own position and give some background to my comments. I began learning in the field of social anthropology in Oxford in 1970, guided by Edwin Ardener, whom many (including myself) consider one of the outstanding intellects in British postwar social anthropology (see, for example, Chapman, 1989; Hastrup, 1989). Social anthropology in Oxford at the time was in the full flush of a theoretical revolution that has often been summarized as a shift from the study of "function" to the study of "meaning" (Ardener, 1971a; Pocock, 1961). Social anthropology in Great Britain had been institutionalized in the period between the wars under two major figures Bronislaw Malinowksi and A.R. Radcliffe-Brown. These two were not, in their own view, in the same theoretical camp, but they are perceived, in retrospect, as sharing some important characteristics of the period. In particular, both conceived of their subject as a "science of society. " Radcliffe-Brown, in 1957 (late in his career), published a collection of essays from previous decades and called it A Natural Science of Society. Malinowski, in 1944, published a theoretical manifesto called A Scientific Theory of Culture. There is neither space nor need to go into the detail of the arguments, but the message was clear enough societies were to be studied objectively, as if they were biological species or bits of the physical world; they were to be observed, classified, and detailed in such a way that a closed and determinate science would be developed a science that, bit by bit, would
Exploring Mobile Payment Adoption in China

With the development of the integration between mobile communication and Internet technology, China is expected to have a large number of M-payment users due to its population size with a large number of mobile users. However, the number of M-payment users in China is still low and currently there are limited in-depth studies exploring the adoption of M-payment in China. This study aims to explore reasons for individuals to use M-payment in China through a qualitative study. The research results indicated that M-payment adoption was influenced by various reasons related to system quality, service quality, usefulness, social influence, trust, among others. The study findings indicate that the influence of system quality and service quality on individual’s decision to use in China appear to be the most important. A particular individual lifestyle, need and promotion offered by service providers have also been identified as important reasons for using M-payment in China. The outcomes of this study enhance the current knowledge about the M-payment adoption particularly in China. They can also be used by service providers to devise appropriate strategies to encourage wider adoption of M-payment.
The effects of school-based parental involvement on academic achievement at the child and elementary school level: A longitudinal study

ABSTRACT Policymakers view parental involvement (PI) as a crucial component of school reform efforts, but evidence of its effect on student achievement is equivocal. Using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Cohort dataset, we examined the long-term impact on student- and school-level achievement of three types of school-based PI: PI to help an individual's own child (private-good PI), PI to improve the school (public-good PI), and PI through peer networking. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses indicated that all three types raised student-level achievement in mathematics but only private-good PI was associated with reading achievement. Public-good PI and parent networking boosted school-level achievement. Public- and private-good PI were more strongly associated with student-level mathematics achievement for high socioeconomic status (SES) students; aggregated private-good PI was more strongly related to school-level achievement in low-SES schools. These results provide empirical evidence about the effectiveness of school-based PI, but also suggest a need for schools to explore more effective ways to leverage the social capital of low-SES families.