Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Robust Snake Implementation; A Dual Active Contour

A conventional active contour formulation suffers difficulty in appropriate choice of an initial contour and values of parameters. Recent approaches have aimed to resolve these problems but can compromise other performance aspects. To relieve the problem in initialization, we use a dual active contour, which is combined with a local shape model to improve the parameterization. One contour expands from inside the target feature, the other contracts from the outside. The two contours are interlinked to provide a balanced technique with an ability to reject "weak" local energy minima.
User Acceptance of the Next Generation Digital Signage: A Perspective of Perceived Value

The next generation digital signage (NGDS) has become extremely important as a new innovative information system that provides interactive information to users by capturing contextual information through the utilization of the state-of-the-art technologies. NGDS gets wide popularity from millions of people due to its advanced information services that fit in with the individual’s digitizing life style. Despite the increasing importance, however, there is a significant gap of our understanding on the user acceptance of NGDS. Motivated thus, this paper aims to develop a research model to explore the factors influencing the user acceptance of NGDS from the perspective of perceived value. The four dimensions of perceived value are proposed as key antecedents: utilitarian value, hedonic value, social value, and epistemic value. In particular, our interest is on their impacts on users’ satisfaction, continuance intention, and positive word-of-mouth (WOM). The pilot study results indicate that utilitarian value increases satisfaction, continuance intention, and positive WOM. Moreover, hedonic value increases satisfaction and positive WOM, while social value increases positive WOM only. Also, epistemic value increases satisfaction and positive WOM. This research is expected to advance the theoretical understanding on the user acceptance of NGDS and offer organizations useful insights to manage their NGDS.
Granger Causality, Exogeneity, Cointegration, and Economic Policy Analysis

Policy analysis had long been a main interest of Clive Granger’s. Here, we present a framework for economic policy analysis that provides a novel integration of several fundamental concepts at the heart of Granger’s contributions to time-series analysis. We work with a dynamic structural system analyzed by White and Lu (2010) with well defined causal meaning; under suitable conditional exogeneity restrictions, Granger causality coincides with this structural notion. The system contains target and control subsystems, with possibly integrated or cointegrated behavior. We ensure the invariance of the target subsystem to policy interventions using an explicitly causal partial equilibrium recursivity condition. Policy effectiveness is ensured by another explicit causality condition. These properties only involve the data generating process; models play a subsidiary role. Our framework thus complements that of Ericsson et al. (1998) (EHM) by providing conditions for policy analysis alternative to weak, strong, and superexogeneity. This makes possible policy analysis for systems that may fail EHM’s conditions. It also facilitates analysis of the cointegrating properties of systems subject to policymaker control. We discuss a variety of practical procedures useful for analyzing such systems and illustrate with an application to a simple model of the US macroeconomy.
Quantitative determination of water‐ and lipid‐soluble antioxidants in neoplastic and non‐neoplastic human breast tissue

Ascorbic acid, cysteine, glutathione and uric acid were determined by reverse‐phase high‐pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 46 breast tissue samples [neoplastic (C) and non‐neoplastic (N) from the same patient]. Cholesterol, α‐tocopherol and γ‐tocopherol were quantified in 64 similar samples by extraction into heptane followed by direct‐phase HPLC. DNA was measured in all samples and the percentages of epithelium, fat and connective tissue were estimated in sections adjacent to the sample. Results confirm previous findings that ascorbic acid and glutathione, expressed as μmol/g DNA, were greatly increased in the epithelium of neoplastic tissue. Similar increases in cysteine could be accounted for by the presence of inflammatory cells. Although values of α‐ and γ‐tocopherol correlated with the percentage of fat in both types of tissue, these compounds were also present in the epithelium. Because of the varying amounts of fat in the samples, no significant difference could be found between N and C values. Cholesterol correlated with fat in N and epithelium in C. Consideration of 10 cases with equal amounts of fat in C and N tissue suggests that cholesterol is reduced in C in the epithelial cells.
Multicolor 3D meta-holography by broadband plasmonic modulation

High-quality multicolor 2D and 3D meta-holography is realized based on broadband plasmonic modulation. As nanofabrication technology progresses, the emerging metasurface has offered unique opportunities for holography, such as an increased data capacity and the realization of polarization-sensitive functionality. Multicolor three-dimensional (3D) meta-hologram imaging is one of the most pursued applications for meta-hologram not yet realized. How to reduce the cross-talk among different colors in broad bandwidth designs is a critical question. On the basis of the off-axis illumination method, we develop a novel way to overcome the cross-talk limitation and achieve multicolor meta-holography with a single type of plasmonic pixel. With this method, the usable data capacity can also be improved. It not only leads to a remarkable image quality, with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) five times better than that of the previous meta-hologram designs, but also paves the way to new meta-hologram devices, which mark an advance in the field of meta-holography. For example, a seven-color meta-hologram can be fabricated with a color gamut 1.39 times larger than that of the red, green, and blue (RGB) design. For the first time, a full-color meta-holographic image in the 3D space is also experimentally demonstrated. Our approach to expanding the information capacity of the meta-hologram is unique, which extends broad applications in data storage, security, and authentication.
Changes in lectin binding to bovine sperm during heparin‐induced capacitation

Changes in the plasma membrane of bovine sperm during heparin‐induced capacitation were detected by the binding of fluorescent labeled lectins to unfixed sperm. Of the seven lectins evaluated, only binding of wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) changed with capacitation. Sperm were classified into one of 5 patterns (p1–p5) based on staining with WGA, presence or absence of propidium iodide (PI) staining (dead or alive), and acrosomal integrity (acrosome intact or reacted). The major changes associated with capacitation occurred in p1 and p2. Sperm in p1 exhibited diffuse WGA binding over the anterior sperm head, were alive, and had intact acrosomes. In p2, sperm were also acrosome intact and alive, but lacked WGA binding. When sperm were incubated under capacitating conditions with heparin, there was a decrease over time in the percentage of sperm classified in p1 (p < 0.05) and an increase in the percentage of sperm in p2 (p < 0.05). When capacitation by heparin was delayed by the inclusion of glucose in the culture medium, the same heparin‐dependent changes in the percentage of sperm in p1 and p2 were delayed (p < 0.05). When capacitation by heparin was inhibited by including protamine in the culture medium, the percentage of sperm in p1 or p2 was not different from sperm incubated without heparin. Heparin‐induced capacitation was associated with a loss of WGA binding to the bovine sperm head. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cathode processes in free burning and stabilized by axial magnetic field vacuum arcs

Collective behavior of the cathode spots (CS) has been investigated in free burning and stabilized by axial magnetic field (AMF) vacuum arcs. Experiments carried out proved previously discovered phenomenon of CS group formation to be a general phenomenon for a short high-current vacuum arc. Application of the AMF with low intensity decreases velocity of expansion of the current channel, and provides homogeneous distribution of the CS on the cathode surface. In the short arc application, AMF hinders formation of the spots group and consequently reduces thermal stress applied to the electrodes. Further increase of the AMF leads to decrease of diameter of area occupied by CS. Correlation between arc voltage and CS dynamics is found. A qualitative model of CS dynamics is suggested.
The single pill triple combination of aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of hypertension

Introduction: Hypertension is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and uncontrolled hypertension remains common despite the availability of several classes of effective antihypertensive medications. Combination therapy with antihypertensive agents of complementary actions has been advocated in the management of hypertension to maximize efficacy and minimize side effects. Areas covered: This review summarizes the current data on the triple combination therapy of aliskiren with amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide, and discusses the clinical use of single pill triple combination of aliskiren, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide in the treatment of hypertension and associated cardiovascular conditions. Expert opinion: Combination therapy with antihypertensive agents of complementary actions is more effective than monotherapy in the management of hypertension. Combining an agent in renin–angiotensin blockade with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) and a thiazide diuretic has plausibility in maximizing blood pressure reduction and minimizing side effects. The combination of aliskiren with amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide has shown effective blood pressure lowering and noteworthy tolerability. The single pill triple combination of aliskiren, amlodipine, and hydrochlorothiazide offers five different formulations of escalating dosages of the three agents, allowing dosing flexibility. The decreased pill burden and simplified treatment options with the single pill triple combination provide an opportunity to improve blood pressure control through improved adherence and reduced treatment inertia.
Spontaneous laryngeal reinnervation following chronic recurrent laryngeal nerve injury

To enhance understanding of spontaneous laryngeal muscle reinnervation following severe recurrent laryngeal nerve injury by testing the hypotheses that 1) nerve fibers responsible for thyroarytenoid muscle reinnervation can originate from multiple sources and 2) superior laryngeal nerve is a source of reinnervation.
Quantifying the effects of elevated CO2 on water budgets by combining FACE data with an ecohydrological model

Response of leaf area index (LAI) is the key determinant for predicting impacts of the elevated CO2 (eCO2) on water budgets. Importance of the changes in functional attributes of vegetation associated with eCO2 for predicting responses of LAI has rarely been addressed. In this study, the WAter Vegetation Energy and Solute (WAVES) model was applied to simulate ecohydrological effects of the eCO2 at two free‐air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experimental sites with contrasting vegetation. One was carried out by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory on the forest (ORNL FACE). The other one was conducted by the University of Minnesota on the grass (BioCON FACE). Results demonstrated that changes in functional attributes of vegetation (including reduction in specific leaf area, changes in carbon assimilation and allocation characteristics) and availability of nutrients are important for reproducing the responses of LAI, transpiration and soil moisture at both sites. Predicted LAI increased slightly at both sites because of fertilization effects of the eCO2. Simulated transpiration decreased 10·5% at ORNL site and 13·8% at BioCON site because of reduction in the stomatal conductance. Predicted evaporation from interception and soil surface increased slightly (<1·0 mm year−1) at both sites because of increased LAI and litter production, and increased soil moisture resulted from reduced transpiration. All components of run‐off were predicted to increase because of significant decrease in transpiration. Simulated mean annual evapotranspiration decreased about 8·7% and 10·8%, and mean annual run‐off increased about 11·1% (59·3 mm year−1) and 9·5% (37·6 mm year−1) at the ORNL and BioCON FACE sites, respectively. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relative Contributions of the Atrial Systole‐Ventricular Systole Interval and of Patterns of Ventricular Activation to Ventricular Function during Electrical Pacing of the Dog Heart

In areflexic canine right heart bypass preparations, little difference in ventricular function was observed as a result of atrial pacing, sequential atrioventricular pacing, or atrial-His bundle pacing at an appropriate atrial systole-ventricular systole (As-Vs) interval. Ventricular function was depressed during ventricular pacing and during atrioventricular pacing with an inappropriate As-Vs interval. In areflexic isovolumic left ventricle preparations, ventricular function was depressed during ventricular pacing compared to atrial pacing, and changes in the As-Vs interval during atrioventricular pacing were accompanied by changes in ventricular function only in association with changing patterns of ventricular activation. In animals with heart block under conditions of right heart bypass, wherein changes in the pattern of ventricular activation were precluded during atrioventricular pacing, ventricular function deteriorated pari passu with shortening of the As-Vs interval. These data indicate that both the temporal relation between atrial and ventricular contraction and the pattern of ventricular activation importantly influence ventricular function during cardiac pacing. The marked changes in ventricular function observed as a function of the As-Vs interval, for any given pattern of electrical activation, suggest that the As-Vs interval is the more important determinant of ventricular function during cardiac pacing.
Pharmacogenomic Diversity among Brazilians: Influence of Ancestry, Self-Reported Color, and Geographical Origin

By virtue of being the product of the genetic admixture of three ancestral roots: Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians, the present-day Brazilian population displays very high levels of genomic diversity, which have important pharmacogenetic/-genomic (PGx) implications. Recognition of this fact has prompted the creation of the Brazilian Pharmacogenomics Network (Refargen), a nationwide consortium of research groups, with the mission to provide leadership in PGx research and education in Brazil, with a population heath impact. Here, we present original data and review published results from a Refargen comprehensive study of the distribution of PGx polymorphisms in a representative cohort of the Brazilian people, comprising 1,034 healthy, unrelated adults, self-identified as white, brown, or black, according to the Color categories adopted by the Brazilian Census. Multinomial log-linear regression analysis was applied to infer the statistical association between allele, genotype, and haplotype distributions among Brazilians (response variables) and self-reported Color, geographical region, and biogeographical ancestry (explanatory variables), whereas Wright’s FST statistics was used to assess the extent of PGx divergence among different strata of the Brazilian population. Major PGx implications of these findings are: first, extrapolation of data from relatively well-defined ethnic groups is clearly not applicable to the majority of Brazilians; second, the frequency distribution of polymorphisms in several pharmacogenes of clinical relevance (e.g., ABCB1, CYP3A5, CYP2C9, VKORC) varies continuously among Brazilians and is not captured by race/Color self-identification; third, the intrinsic heterogeneity of the Brazilian population must be acknowledged in the design and interpretation of PGx studies in order to avoid spurious conclusions based on improper matching of study cohorts.
A Developmental Investigation of Prospective Memory: Effects of Interruption

The effects of interrupting an event-based prospective memory (PM) task and its associated ongoing task were compared for two groups of children: 8- to 9-year-olds (n = 35) and 12- to 13-year-olds (n = 28). Additionally, PM performance was examined as a function of attainment on a battery of tests of executive functioning (viz., Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Letter Number Sequencing Test, Stroop Color and Word Test, and Trail Making Test). A significant main effect of age indicated that the older children correctly carried out intended actions more often than the younger children. Consistent with the prefrontal model of PM, interruption had no impact on PM accuracy in the older group but produced reliable decrements to the accuracy of the younger group. Whereas IQ showed no association with PM performance, reliable relations between PM skills and aspects of their executive functioning were found.
Essential Oil from Bush Mint, Hyptis suaveolens, is as Effective as DEET for Personal Protection against Mosquito Bites

Concern about the deleterious effects associated with synthetic chemicals has revived interest to explore plants as a source of natural insecticides for mosquito control. Ethnobotanical studies conducted in Kenya on plant species including bush mint, Hyptis suaveolens Poit. , showed that many of them repel mosquitoes effectively when burned overnight in rooms. Recent field works conducted with H. suaveolens essential oil have demonstrated the potential of this essential oil as mosquito repellent. The present work is a comparative study on the persistence of 30% DEET and 10% H. suaveolens essential oil for personal protection against mosquitoes in field conditions. Twenty volunteers who have given their informed consent have been involved for each of the products and control (no treatment). Results showed that the mean number of mosquitoes that landed on treated volunteers 6 hours post-application was 0.50 and 0.45 for 10% H. suaveolens essential oil and DEET respectively, against 6 mosquitoes for the control people. Statistical analysis revealed that there is no significant difference between 10% H. suaveolens essential oil and DEET indicating that both products are similarly effective. The possibility to use H. suaveolens essential oil as integrated malaria vector management has been discussed.
Human Myopathy with Giant Abnormal Mitochondria

The study of children with symmetrical nonprogressive muscle weakness and hypotonia has previously led to the discovery of two new disorders of striated muscle. A third myopathy in a child with hypotonia and proximal weakness is reported. Cytochemical and electron-microscopic studies reveal large, bizarre, interfibrillary and subsarcolemmal mitochondria in muscle obtained by biopsy. Smooth muscle of the vascular wall did not show such abnormalities nor did leucocytes or intramuscular nerves with cytochemical techniques. The basal metabolic rate of the patient was within normal limits.
Prediction of Osteopathic Medical School Performance on the Basis of MCAT Score, GPA, Sex, Undergraduate Major, and Undergraduate Institution

Abstract Context: The relationships of students' preadmission academic variables, sex, undergraduate major, and undergraduate institution to academic performance in medical school have not been thoroughly examined. Objectives: To determine the ability of students' preadmission academic variables to predict osteopathic medical school performance and whether students' sex, undergraduate major, or undergraduate institution influence osteopathic medical school performance. Methods: The study followed students who graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury between 2003 and 2006. Student preadmission data were Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs), sex, undergraduate major, and undergraduate institutional selectivity. Medical school performance variables were GPAs, clinical performance (ie, clinical subject examinations and clerkship evaluations), and scores on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 and Level 2-Clinical Evaluation (CE). Data were analyzed with Pearson product moment correlation coefficients and multivariate linear regression analyses. Differences between student groups were compared with the independent-samples, 2-tailed t test. Results: A total of 737 students were included. All preadmission academic variables, except nonscience undergraduate GPA, were statistically significant predictors of performance on COMLEX-USA Level 1, and all preadmission academic variables were statistically significant predictors of performance on COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE. The MCAT score for biological sciences had the highest correlation among all variables with COMLEX-USA Level 1 performance (Pearson r=0.304; P<.001) and Level 2-CE performance (Pearson r=0.272; P<.001). All preadmission variables were moderately correlated with the mean clinical subject examination scores. The mean clerkship evaluation score was moderately correlated with mean clinical examination results (Pearson r=0.267; P<.001) and COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE performance (Pearson r=0.301; P<.001). Clinical subject examination scores were highly correlated with COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores (Pearson r=0.817; P<.001). No statistically significant difference in medical school performance was found between students with science and nonscience undergraduate majors, nor was undergraduate institutional selectivity a factor influencing performance. Conclusion: Students' preadmission academic variables were predictive of osteopathic medical school performance, including GPAs, clinical performance, and COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE results. Clinical performance was predictive of COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE performance.
Purely sonochemical route for oriented zinc oxide nanowire growth on arbitrary substrate

We report a simple sonochemical method for the seeding and synthesis of Zinc Oxide nanowire arrays that can be formed on a number of substrates that are stable in alcohol and aqueous solution. Vertically aligned ZnO NWs were synthesized from a single solution at room-ambient via ultrasonic excitation. Prior to the NW growth, a ZnO seed layer was deposited using the same system with a different solution. The optimal conditions to produce a high density of oriented wires along with their optical characteristics are presented for ZnO NWs with a significantly high growth rate compared with traditional growth techniques such as evaporation, chemical vapor deposition and sputtering. Our method promises a mass-manufacturable process for fast and inexpensive ZnO NW production for practical low cost electronics, photonics and energy conversion applications.