Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic matching of solid shapes in arbitrary dimension

Determining the similarity between objects is a fundamental problem in computer vision and pattern recognition, but also in other fields of computer science. This thesis concentrates on the matching problem, which has received a lot of attention in Computational Geometry. Given a class of shapes S, a set of transformations T , mapping shapes onto shapes, and a distance measure d on S, the matching problem with respect to S, T , and d is defined as follows: Given two shapes A, B ∈ S, compute a transformation t∗ ∈ T that minimizes d(t∗(A), B). We consider solid shapes, i.e., full-dimensional shapes, in arbitrary dimension and assume that they are given by an oracle that generates uniformly distributed random points from the shapes. This is a very rich class of shapes that contains the class of finite unions of simplices as a subclass. We study matching under translations and rigid motions (translation and rotation). Throughout this work, the volume of the symmetric difference is used as distance measure for the matching problem. Maximizing the volume of the overlap is equivalent to minimizing the volume of the symmetric difference under translations and rigid motions. We study a probabilistic approach to the shape matching problem. The main idea is quite simple. Given two shapes A and B, repeat the following random experiment very often: Select random point samples of appropriate size from each shape and compute a transformation that maps the point sample of one shape to the sample of the other shape. Store this transformation. In each step, we extend the collection of random transformations by one. Clusters in the transformation space indicate transformations that map large parts of the shapes onto each other. We determine a densest cluster and output its center. This thesis describes probabilistic algorithms for matching solid shapes in arbitrary dimension under translations and rigid motions. The algorithms are a priori heuristics. The main focus is on analyzing them and on proving that they maximize the volume of overlap approximately by solving the following instance of the matching problem. Given two solid shapes A and B, an error tolerance e ∈ (0, 1), and an allowed probability of failure p ∈ (0, 1), the problem is to compute a transformation t∗ such that with probability at least 1−p, we have |t∗(A)∩B| ≥ |t(A)∩B|−e|A| for all transformations t, in particular for transformations maximizing the volume of overlap. Therein | · | denotes the volume. The approach is mainly of theoretical interest. Still, the algorithms are so simple that they can easily be implemented, which we show by giving experimental results of a test implementation for 2-dimensional shapes.
Keratoconus and normal-tension glaucoma: a study of the possible association with abnormal biomechanical properties as measured by corneal hysteresis (An AOS Thesis).

PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that keratoconus and pellucid patients who have glaucoma or are suspected of having glaucoma have lower corneal hysteresis (CH) and/or corneal resistance factor (CRF) measurements compared to controls. METHODS A prospective study at a tertiary eye center of keratoconus and pellucid patients with glaucoma or suspected of having glaucoma, and age-matched keratoconus and pellucid controls, was performed. After informed consent was obtained, corneal topography, ocular response analyzer measurements, pachymetry, intraocular pressure, A-scan measurements, Humphrey visual fields (VFs), and disc photos were done. Analyses compared cases to controls on primary (CH and CRF) and secondary variables. Disc photos and VFs were rated in a masked fashion. RESULTS The mean CH (8.2, SD=1.6, vs 8.3, SD=1.5) and CRF (7.3, SD=2.0, vs 6.9, SD=2.1) were low and did not differ significantly between 20 study patients (29 eyes) and 40 control patients (61 eyes), respectively. CH had a negative, significant correlation with maximum corneal curvature by topography (P < .002) and positive, significant correlation with central corneal thickness (P < .003). The mean cup-disc ratio was larger among cases than controls (0.54, SD=0.20, vs 0.38, SD=0.20; P = .003). VFs were suggestive of glaucoma more often among the study eyes than controls (11 of 29, 37.9%, vs 8 of 60, 13.3%; P =.019). CONCLUSIONS CH was low in study and control patients and was correlated with severity of keratoconus/pellucid, but not with glaucoma/suspected glaucoma or control status. Evidence of glaucoma was more common in study eyes than controls, but was present in both.
Strategies for Dynamic Load Balancing on Highly Parallel Computers

Dynamic load balancing strategies for minimizing the execution time of single applications running in parallel on multicomputer systems are discussed. Dynamic load balancing (DLB) is essential for the efficient use of highly parallel systems when solving non-uniform problems with unpredictable load estimates. With the evolution of more highly parallel systems, centralized DLB approaches which make use of a high degree of knowledge become less feasible due to the load balancing communication overhead. Five DLB strategies are presented which illustrate the tradeoff between 1) knowledge - the accuracy of each balancing decision, and 2) overhead - the amount of added processing and communication incurred by the balancing process. All five strategies have been implemented on an Inter iPSC/2 hypercube. >
Occupational Exposure to Aspergillus by Swine and Poultry Farm Workers in Portugal

Aspergillus is among a growing list of allergens that aggravate asthmatic responses. Significant pulmonary pathology is associated with Aspergillus-induced allergic and asthmatic lung disease. Environments with high levels of exposure to fungi are found in animal production facilities such as for swine and poultry, and farmers working with these are at increased risk for occupational respiratory diseases. Seven Portuguese poultry and seven swine farms were analyzed in order to estimate the prevalence, amount, and distribution of Aspergillus species, as well as to determine the presence of clinical symptoms associated with asthma and other allergy diseases in these highly contaminated settings. From the collected fungal isolates (699), an average incidence of 22% Aspergillus was detected in poultry farms, while the prevalence at swine farms was 14%. The most frequently isolated Aspergillus species were A. versicolor, A. flavus, and A. fumigatus. In poultry farms, A. flavus presented the highest level of airborne spores (>2000 CFU/m3), whereas in swine farms the highest was A. versicolor, with an incidence fourfold greater higher than the other mentioned species. Eighty workers in these settings were analyzed, ranging in age from 17 to 93 yr. The potentially hazardous exposure of poultry workers to mold allergens using sensitization markers was evaluated. Although no significant positive association was found between fungal contamination and sensitization to fungal antigens, a high incidence of respiratory symptoms in professionals without asthma was observed, namely, wheezing associated with dyspnea (23.8%) and dyspnea after strenuous activities (12.3%), suggesting underdiagnosed respiratory disturbances. Further, 32.5% of all exposed workers noted an improvement of respiratory ability during resting and holidays. From all the analyzed workers, seven were previously diagnosed with asthma and four reported the first attack after the age of 40 yr, which may be associated with their occupational exposure. Some of the fungi, namely, the Aspergillus species detected in this study, are known to induce hypersensitivity reactions in humans. This study confirmed the presence and distribution of Aspergillus in Portuguese poultry and swine farms, suggesting a possible occupational health problem and raising the need for preventive and protective measures to apply to avoid exposure in both occupational settings.
Fatty acid composition of phospholipids from subcellular particles of rat liver.

The object of this work was to determine the fatty acid composition of the different phospholipids present in the mitochondria and microsomes of rat liver. Cl6ment, Haimovici & Le Breton (1955) obtained data for the polyenoic acids of the neutral fat and of the total phospholipids, by spectrophotometry after alkali-isomerization, and Cl6ment, Cl6ment & Le Breton (1956) gave further data on the nature of the lipids. It appeared of interest to obtain more detailed information by preliminary fractionation of the lipids, and analysis of their fatty acids by gas chromatography. Part of this work has been briefly reported (Macfarlane, Gray & Wheeldon, 1960).
Use of evidence-based therapy for the secondary prevention of acute coronary syndromes in Malaysian practice.

RATIONALE Despite the availability of various prevention guidelines on acute coronary syndrome (ACS), secondary prevention practice utilizing aspirin, beta-blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and statins still can be sub-optimal. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To review and document the utilization of pharmacotherapy for the secondary prevention of ACS in patients discharged from a Malaysian hospital. METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Penang, Malaysia. Patients with a primary diagnosis of ACS were identified from medical records over a 4-month period. A range of clinical data was extracted from medical records, including medical history, clinical presentation and pharmacotherapy both on admission and at discharge. This audit focused on the use of four guideline-recommended therapies: aspirin ± clopidogrel, beta-blockers, statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). RESULTS Data pertaining to a total of 380 ACS patients was extracted and reviewed, the mean age of the study population was 57.49 years and 73.9% of population was males. Patients with unstable angina accounted for 56.6% of the admissions whereas 23.4% and 20% of the patients were admitted for ST-elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation infarct respectively. 95.7% of the patients received antiplatelets comprising of at least aspirin, and 82% received aspirin plus clopidogrel. Furthermore, 80.3% of the patients received a beta-blocker at discharge, 95% a statin and 69.7% received either an ACEI or ARB. Compared with patients who presented with myocardial infarction (with or without ST-segment elevation), those presenting with unstable angina were less likely to receive the combination of aspirin plus clopidogrel or an ACEI/ARB at discharge. Patients over 65 years of age were also less likely to receive a beta-blocker at discharge, compared with younger patients. CONCLUSIONS There is a good adherence to evidence-based guidelines for the secondary prevention of ACS in this local setting. However, there is some potential underutilization in the older population and patients presenting with unstable angina.
Decision tree models for data mining in hit discovery

Introduction: Decision tree induction (DTI) is a powerful means of modeling data without much prior preparation. Models are readable by humans, robust and easily applied in real-world applications, features that are mutually exclusive in other commonly used machine learning paradigms. While DTI is widely used in disciplines ranging from economics to medicine, they are an intriguing option in pharmaceutical research, especially when dealing with large data stores. Areas covered: This review covers the automated technologies available for creating decision trees and other rules efficiently, even from large datasets such as chemical libraries. The authors discuss the need for properly documented and validated models. Lastly, the authors cover several case studies in hit discovery, drug metabolism and toxicology, and drug surveillance, and compare them with other established techniques. Expert opinion: DTI is a competitive and easy-to-use tool in basic research as well as in hit and drug discovery. Its strengths lie in its ability to handle all sorts of different data formats, the visual nature of the models, and the small computational effort needed for implementation in real-world systems. Limitations include lack of robustness and over-fitted models for certain types of data. As with any modeling technique, proper validation and quality measures are of utmost importance.
Extensive HLA class I allele promiscuity among viral CTL epitopes

Promiscuous binding of T helper epitopes to MHC class II molecules has been well established, but few examples of promiscuous class I‐restricted epitopes exist. To address the extent of promiscuity of HLA class I peptides, responses to 242 well‐defined viral epitopes were tested in 100 subjects regardless of the individuals’ HLA type. Surprisingly, half of all detected responses were seen in the absence of the originally reported restricting HLA class I allele, and only 3% of epitopes were recognized exclusively in the presence of their original allele. Functional assays confirmed the frequent recognition of HLA class I‐restricted T cell epitopes on several alternative alleles across HLA class I supertypes and encoded on different class I loci. These data have significant implications for the understanding of MHC class I‐restricted antigen presentation and vaccine development.
Predictive-model-based MIMO motion control of an unstable 6-DoF hexapod stage for overlay measurements

Correct functionality of semiconductor devices depends on the overlay performance between device layers. Future smaller device features consequently require more accurate overlay metrology tools. In this paper we present a large dynamic range AFM overlay tool to directly measure marker-to-feature distances, and focus on the controller design of the large stroke 6-DoF hexapod motion stage which is at the heart of this tool. The stage is open-loop unstable due to magnetic gravity compensation, which calls for an initial model-based MIMO controller design, which is based on a finite-element modal analysis, geometric decoupling and SISO loopshaping. This controller is successfully validated in experiments; further controller improvements after closed-loop system identification yield a closed-loop position error of just 1 nm RMS.
Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis vs ADEM: FLAIR MRI and neuropathology findings

Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHL) is characterized by an acute, rapidly progressive, monophasic, fulminant inflammatory hemorrhagic demyelination of white matter, usually postinfectious and associated with death or severe morbidity within a few days.1-3⇓⇓ We report MRI and neuropathology in a case of AHL. A 19-year-old white man was admitted with acute onset of fever, headache, and progressive lethargy. He had developed mild upper respiratory symptoms and cough 2 weeks earlier. Examination showed lethargy and meningismus, but he was arousable and oriented to person, place, and time. Brainstem responses were intact. Serum white blood count was 17.9 cells/uL. Head CT (not shown) revealed a left parietal hypodensity with mild mass effect. He was started on levofloxacin, ceftriaxone, and dexamethasone treatment. Brain MRI (figure, A) was performed while the patient was able to communicate and brainstem function was intact. Six hours later, he had a cardiopulmonary arrest and required resuscitation, intubation, and mechanical ventilation, after which he lost all brainstem function. He was treated with mannitol and hyperventilation, yet he was declared brain dead 12 hours after resuscitation and pronounced dead another 3 hours later. Blood cultures were negative. Nasopharyngeal cultures and serum …
Regional Profiles and Precipitation Retrievals and Analysis Using FY-3C MWHTS

The 89 and 150 GHz channels operated in window are sensitive to precipitation and humidity. The 183 GHz humidity-sensitive channels and 118 GHz temperature-sensitive channels of the Microwave Humidity and Temperature Sounder (MWHTS) on the Chinese Feng Yun 3C MWHTS (FY-3C MWHTS) polar-orbit meteorological satellite responds in part to precipitation. Combining 118 and 183 GHz channels, the paper develops a passive sub-millimeter atmospheric profile and precipitation retrievals algorithm for MWHTS onboard the FY-3C (Feng Yun-3C) satellite. The retrieval algorithm employs a number of back propagation neural network estimators trained and evaluated using the validated global reference physical model NCEP/WRF/ARTS and works for land and seawater with latitude between -40 to 40 degree. NCEP data per 6 hours were downloaded to run the Weather Research and Forecast model WRF, and to derive the typical precipitation data for the whole world. The Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator ARTS is feasible for performing simulations of atmospheric radiative transfer. The results show that the profile retrievals using BP-NN algorithm has the best correlation with those from radiosonde, which is less than 18% and 1 K of root mean square error, respectively. For precipitation rate retrievals, a much better agreement is reached with rain gauge and ECMWF datasets, the RMS is between 0.80 to 30.24 mm/h for sea surface and 0.789 to 33.11 mm/h for land surface according to the classification by precipitation type. Also, the analysis of retrievals located in Tibetan plateau is provided as an example to justify the robustness and performance of retrieving model.
Resolution of Mass Effect and Compression Symptoms following Endoluminal Flow Diversion for the Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Alleviation of aneurysm induced mass effect has been difficult with both conventional endovascular and surgical techniques. Our aim was to study the efficacy of endovascular flow modification on aneurysm-induced mass effect and compression syndrome, as demonstrated by cross-sectional imaging studies and clinical follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty aneurysms larger than 10 mm were treated by flow diversion alone and previously had undergone pre- and posttreatment cross-sectional imaging. Pretreatment MR imaging or contrast CT, follow-up angiography at 6 months, and follow-up MR imaging studies between 6 and 18 months were retrospectively analyzed. The neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic statuses of all patients were recorded before treatment and at the time of follow-up cross-sectional imaging. RESULTS: At 6 months, 28 aneurysms were completely occluded, 1 had a neck remnant, and 1 had residual filling on angiography. Between 6 and 18 months, 3 aneurysms decreased in size and 27 completely collapsed as demonstrated on MR imaging. Before treatment, 6 patients had vision loss, 10 had double vision due to a third or sixth nerve palsy or both, and 1 had hemiparesis due to brain stem compression. On MR imaging follow-up, vision loss had either improved or resolved in all except 1 patient, double vision had resolved completely (7/10) or partially (3/10), and the patient with brain stem compression became asymptomatic. There was no bleeding observed in this series. One parent artery thrombosis resulted in a major infarct. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular flow diversion is a highly effective technique for resolving radiologic mass effect and clinical compression syndromes.
Predicting smoking cessation and major depression in nicotine-dependent smokers.

OBJECTIVES This study examined the relationship of nicotine dependence with smoking cessation and major depression, using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition (DSM-III-R). METHODS In an epidemiologic study of young adults that used the FTND and the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule, 238 daily smokers were assessed with respect to nicotine dependence. Cessation (abstinence for 1 year or more) was assessed 2 years later. RESULTS FTND-defined nicotine dependence predicted cessation, with non-dependent smokers 4 times more likely to quit. DSM-III-R-defined nicotine dependence also predicted cessation, but much more weakly. Number of cigarettes per day was the best predictor of cessation. FTND-defined dependence was unrelated to major depression, whereas DSM-III-R-defined dependence signaled a 3-fold risk for major depression. The association of DSM-III-R-defined nicotine dependence with major depression might be driven by the behavioral rather than the physiologic symptoms of dependence. CONCLUSIONS The more a measure of dependence is based exclusively on level of daily smoking, the greater is its ability to predict cessation. The number of DSM-III-R behavioral symptoms might be an indicator of severity of dependence or of personality traits, which in turn might be associated with major depression.
Identification of the peroxisomal targeting signal for cottonseed catalase.

Catalase is a ubiquitous peroxisomal matrix enzyme, yet the molecular targeting signal(s) for sorting it in plant cells has not been defined. The most common peroxisome targeting signal (PTS) is a C-terminal tripeptide composed of a conserved SKL motif (type 1 PTS). The PTS for cottonseed catalase (Ccat) was elucidated in this study from immunofluorescence microscopic analyses of tobacco BY-2 suspension cells serving as an in vivo import system. To distinguish biolistically introduced Ccat from endogenous tobacco catalase, Ccat was hemagglutinin (HA)epitope-tagged at its N-terminus. Bombardment with HA-Ccat resulted in the import of Ccat into glyoxysomes, the specialized type of peroxisome in BY-2 cells. The C-terminal tripeptide of Ccat, PSI, is necessary for import. Evidence for this were mislocalizations to the cytosol of PSI-truncated Ccat and AGV-substituted (for PSI) Ccat. PSI-COOH, however, was not sufficient to re-route chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) from the cytosol to glyoxysomes, whereas the Ccat tetrapeptide RPSI-COOH was sufficient. Surprisingly, substitution of K (common at the fourth position in other plant catalases) for the R (CAT-KPSI) decreased import efficiency. However, substitution of K did not affect import, when additional upstream residues in Ccat were included (e.g. CAT-NVKPSI). Other evidence for the importance of upstream residues comprised abolishment of Ccat import due to substitutions with non-conserved residues (e.g. -AGVNVRPSI for -SRLNVRPSI). These data indicate that Ccat is sorted to plant peroxisomes by a degenerate type 1 PTS (PSI-COOH) whose residues are functionally dependent on a strict context of adjacent C-terminal amino acid residues.
Development and Initial Validation of a Cognitive-Based Work-Nonwork Conflict Scale

Current research related to work and life outside work specifies three types of work-nonwork conflict: time, strain, and behavior-based. Overlooked in these models is a cognitive-based type of conflict whereby individuals experience work-nonwork conflict from cognitive preoccupation with work. Four studies on six different groups (N = 549) were undertaken to develop and validate an initial measure of this construct. Structural equation modeling confirmed a two-factor, nine-item scale. Hypotheses regarding cognitive-based conflict's relationship with life satisfaction, work involvement, work-nonwork conflict, and work hours were supported. The relationship with knowledge work was partially supported in that only the cognitive dimension of cognitive-based conflict was related to extent of knowledge work. Hypotheses regarding cognitive-based conflict's relationship with family demands were rejected in that the cognitive dimension correlated positively rather than negatively with number of dependent children and perceived family demands. The study provides encouraging preliminary evidence of scale validity.