Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From voxel to curvature

A theoretical link is established between the 3D edge detection and the local surface approximation using uncertainty. As a practical application of the theory, a method is presented for computing typical curvature features from 3D medical images. The authors determine the uncertainties inherent in edge (and surface) detection and 2D and 3D images by quantitatively analyzing the uncertainty in edge position, orientation, and magnitude produced by the multidimensional (2D and 3D) versions of the Monga-Deriche-Canny recursive separable edge-detector. The uncertainty is shown to depend on edge orientation, e.g. the position uncertainty may vary with a ratio larger than 2.8 in the 2D case, and 3.5 in the 3D case. These uncertainties are then used to compute local geometric models (quadric surface patches) of the surface, which are suitable for reliably estimating local surface characteristics, for example, Gaussian and mean curvature. The authors demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods compared to previous techniques. <<ETX>>
Proton pump inhibitors and risk of dementia.

BACKGROUND Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of the most commonly prescribed medications. Recent studies have raised a concern over increased risk of dementia among PPIs users but the results of those studies were inconsistent. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize all available data. METHODS A literature search was performed in MEDLINE and EMBASE database from inception to April 2016. Observational studies that reported risk of dementia among PPIs users compared with non-users were included. Point estimates were extracted from individual studies and pooled risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. RESULTS Four studies were included in the analysis. Pooled RR of dementia among PPIs users compared with non-users was 1.08 (95% CI, 0.82-1.43). Sensitivity analysis including only cohort studies demonstrated a higher risk with pooled RR of 1.44 (95% CI, 1.36-1.52). CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated an increased risk of dementia among PPIs users. Whether this association is causal requires further investigations.
Construction of specific erythromycin resistance mutations in the temperate lactococcal bacteriophage TP901-1 and their use in studies of phage biology

A method for the construction and isolation of specifically designed mutations of the temperate lactococcal phage TP901-1 has been developed. Two different erm-labeled mutants were isolated. One was shown to be defective in lysogenization and excision. The other, showing normal lysogenization, was used for host range studies.
Multitargeted combination effects of a triherbal formulation containing ELP against osteoporosis: in vitro evidence

An anti‐osteoporotic herbal formula ELP containing Epimedii Herba (E), Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (L) and Psoraleae Fructus (P) was studied to investigate the herb–herb interaction (or the possible synergistic effect) among each component and to identify the principal herbs in different modes of action.
Performance Analysis of R/KADEMLIA, Pastry and Bamboo Using Recursive Routing in Mobile Networks

We are experiencing a revolution in the wireless technology and mobile phone networks as they are becoming increasingly ubiquitous. On the other hand, there is another trend, gaining extreme popularity over the traditional wired Internet: Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networking. Specifically, Distributed Hash Table (DHT) based Structured P2P overlay networks are capable to facilitate information storage and retrieval among a potentially very large number of users without the use of central server components. Providing such P2P services in mobile networks will allow a user to harness the potential of P2P services while on the move. However, due to technical issues in mobile phone networks and limited resources available on the handsets, designing such a system is a challenging issue. While the research of P2P overlays in wired networks is plenty, there is a limited study on the suitability of different existing P2P overlays for mobile networks. This article investigates the performance and efficiency of a number of structured P2P overlays that use recursive approach for routing strategy: R/Kademlia, Pastry and Bamboo and finds their suitability for use on mobile networks. The simulation result shows that among the three overlays, Bamboo exhibits a marginally better performance in comparison to the others with a 98% to 99% routing efficiency and a lower bandwidth consumption in high churn environment. Hence, Bamboo protocol is a good choice to be used over Kademlia and Pastry in mobile networks.
Risk Factors for Falls in Elderly Adults: Not Only Pharmacological Effects

To the Editor: We are grateful to Dr. Strandberg and colleagues for their interest in our article that prompted them to analyze more baseline data of the associations between cytomegalovirus (CMV) serology, functional performance, comorbidity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in their cohort with a mean age of 80. We agree that the apparent lack of association between functional impairment and frailty and CMV serology in our Belfrail cohort with a mean age of 84 may be the result of selection (survival), with many of the participants representing a specific phenotype that is less susceptible to the long-term deleterious effects of CMV. Consistent with our hypothesis, we would indeed expect similar findings in other equally old populations. To the contrary, in the cohort of Strandberg and colleagues, higher baseline CMV titers were associated with more functional impairment, comparable with findings in younger populations, but their cohort represents a select population of home-dwelling older persons with a history of stable cardiovascular disease. The findings of two recent meta-analyses strongly suggest that CMV infection is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. There are several plausible mechanisms by which CMV might play a role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. CMV is able to establish persistent infection in endothelial cells and to cause vascular damage. CMV is also associated with chronic systemic low-grade inflammation, which may also contribute to endothelial damage and the atherosclerotic process. For these reasons, CMV may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. In light of this, it seems likely that, in many of the individuals in Strandberg and colleagues’ cohort, CMV was involved in the development of their cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is possible that, in their study, individuals susceptible to the detrimental long-term effects of CMV, but only to the extent that it did not prevent them from reaching an advanced age, are overrepresented. In our opinion, the contrasting findings between Strandberg and colleagues’ and ours are illustrative of the heterogeneity of the CMV-seropositive older adult population. Further research is required to better understand this heterogeneity.
Distance measurements in spin-labeled lysozyme.

The single His-15 of hen egg lysozyme reacts with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-(bromoacetamido)piperidinyl-1-oxy or 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-3-(bromoacetamido)pyrrolidinyl-1-oxy to give a spin-labeled enzyme [Wien, R. W. , Morrisett, J. D. , & McConnell, H. M. (1972) Biochemistry 11, 3707-3716]. High-field 1H NMR spectra (300 and 500 MHz) of these species in 2H2O contain protein peaks selectively broadened by dipolar coupling to the unpaired electron spin. While usually difficult to discern in the spectrum itself, broadened resonances are revealed in difference spectra obtained by subtracting the original spectrum from one taken after reduction of the nitroxide radical with ascorbate. The heights of difference spectra peaks are related in a simple way to r-6, where r is the label to proton distance. These distances were used to solve for the location of the electron spin by using algorithms from distance geometry. The spin was found to lie in a hydrophobic groove between Phe-3 and Asp-87. These results demonstrate the feasibility of spin-labeling for accurate distance measurements in proteins through the use of distance geometry.
Protection Motivation and Risk Communication

The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of protection motivation theory (PMT) in the context of mass media reports about a hazard. Content elements of a hazard's severity, likelihood of occurring, and the effectiveness of preventive actions were systematically varied in a news story about a fabricated risk: exposure to fluorescent lighting lowering academic performance. Results of this experiment (N = 206) suggest that providing information about the severity of a hazard's consequences produces greater information seeking. In addition, information about levels of risk, severity, and efficacy combined jointly to produce greater rates of willingness to take actions designed to avoid the hazard. Results are seen as providing general support for PMT and are discussed within the broader framework of information seeking and heuristic and systematic information processing.
Production and Characterization of Protective Human Antibodies against Shiga Toxin 1

ABSTRACT Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious complication which is predominantly associated in children with infection by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). By using HuMAb-Mouse (Medarex) animals, human monoclonal antibodies (Hu-MAbs) were developed against Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) for passive immunotherapy of HUS. Ten stable hybridomas comprised of fully human heavy- and light-chain immunoglobulin elements and secreting Stx1-specific Hu-MAbs (seven immunoglobulin M(κ) [IgM(κ)] elements [one specific for the A subunit and six specific for the B subunit] and three IgG1(κ) elements specific for subunit B) were isolated. Two IgM(κ) Hu-MAbs (2D9 and 15G9) and three IgG1(κ) Hu-MAbs (5A4, 10F4, and 15G2), all specific for subunit B, demonstrated marked neutralization of Stx1 in vitro and significant prolongation of survival in a murine model of Stx1 toxicosis.
Challenges in testing context aware software systems

Context aware software systems (CASS) are becoming pervasive in our lives. Nevertheless, it is not clear whether traditional (nocontext aware) software testing techniques are adequate for testing CASS. Therefore, a quasi systematic literature review was used to identify 11 relevant sources that mentioned 15 problems and 4 proposed solutions, which were analyzed and classified into 3 groups of challenges and strategies for dealing with CASS testing. Additionally, some recommendations for testing such software applications with the currently available testing technologies are presented. However, we argue that new context aware testing techniques need to be developed in order to assure the quality of CASS.
Association of subjective memory complaints with subsequent cognitive decline in community-dwelling elderly individuals with baseline cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE The validity of subjective memory complaints has been questioned by clinical studies that have shown little relationship between memory complaints and objective memory performance. These studies often have been cross-sectional in design, have excluded individuals with cognitive impairment, or have lacked a comparison group. The authors conducted a study that attempted to avoid these limitations. METHOD Memory complaints of 364 nondemented, community-dwelling elderly individuals were recorded as present or absent at the baseline evaluation. After 1 year, 169 subjects were reevaluated. Standardized neurologic and neuropsychological evaluations were used at each assessment to classify subjects as normal or cognitively impaired. RESULTS At baseline, 31% of the normal subjects and 47% of those with cognitive impairment had memory complaints. Subjects with memory complaints had higher Hamilton depression scale scores than subjects without memory complaints but equivalent scores on a measure of total recall. At follow-up, multivariate analyses showed that subjects with baseline memory complaints had significantly greater decline in memory and cognition than subjects without memory complaints. Secondary analyses showed this effect to be confined to subjects with baseline cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS Memory complaints may lack validity in subjects with normal cognition, but in nondemented individuals with cognitive impairment, memory complaints may predict subsequent cognitive decline.
The association of cigarette smoking with alveolar bone loss in postmenopausal females.

BACKGROUND, AIMS The purpose of this 2-year longitudinal clinical study was to determine the impact of smoking on alveolar bone height and density changes in postmenopausal females. METHODS 59 postmenopausal women completed this study, including 38 non-smokers and 21 smokers. All subjects had a history of periodontitis, participated in 3- to 4-month periodontal maintenance programs and were within 5 years of menopause at the study outset. 4 vertical bite-wing radiographs of posterior sextants were taken at baseline and 2-year visits. Radiographs were evaluated using computer-assisted densitometric image analysis (CADIA); changes in interproximal alveolar bone density and changes in alveolar bone height were determined. Relative clinical attachment levels (RCAL) and presence/absence of plaque and bleeding on probing were recorded. RESULTS Smokers exhibited a higher frequency of alveolar bone height loss (p<0.05) and crestal (p<0.03) and subcrestal (p<0.02) density loss relative to non-smokers. Smokers exhibited a trend (p<0.08) toward a higher frequency of > or =2.0 mm RCAL loss over the 2-year period. Plaque and bleeding on probing did not differ between smokers and non-smokers. A significant interaction, determined by repeated measures ANOVA, was noted between systemic bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and smoking on alveolar bone density change (p<0.05). Only non-smoking patients with normal BMD realized a mean net gain in alveolar bone density; osteoporotic/osteopenic subjects (n=25) and smokers lost alveolar bone density. CONCLUSION Postmenopausal female smokers were more likely to lose alveolar bone height and density than non-smokers with a similar periodontitis, plaque and gingival bleeding experience. In addition, both smoking and osteoporosis/osteopenia provided a negative influence on alveolar bone.
Analysis of a Typical Chinese High School Biology Textbook Using the AAAS Textbook Standards

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a typical Chinese high school biology textbook using the textbook standards of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The data were composed of three chapters selected from the textbook. Each chapter was analyzed and rated using the AAAS textbook standards. Pearson correlations between the chapter ratings and the AAAS textbook standards were calculated. Results showed that the chapters meet most of the AAAS standards. This paper discussed the weaknesses and strengths of the textbook chapters based on the criteria. In general, the Chinese textbook was found satisfactory; however, there is still room for improvement. The study provides valuable insights and suggestions for improving the textbook.
Social capital expectation and usage of social media: the moderating role of social capital susceptibility

ABSTRACT This study aims to identify the motivations of social media users who click ‘like’ to the post of their friends. We posit that this behaviour is not solely based on an instant feeling or reaction to a post, but a more complicated action that involves calculation and expectation of the future social media use. We first apply social capital theories to identify the types of expectations, and then differentiate these expectations based on the communication styles of social media where private and public relationships coexist. From these, we develop a social capital expectation matrix in the context of social media. In the research model, we discuss how these social capital expectations motivate people to use social media, including the moderating effects of social capital susceptibilities, based on expectancy theory of motivation. To validate our model, data collected from 291 social media users are analysed. This result confirms that people click likes to share their interests and display their network to others. Conversely, the relational dimensions of social capital including capital recompense and social inclusion exerted significant interaction effects only when they were considered along with capital susceptibilities.
Performance of a silicon monochromator under high heat load.

The performance of a cryogenically cooled double-crystal silicon monochromator was studied under high-heat-load conditions with total absorbed powers and power densities ranging from 8 to 780 W and from 8 to 240 W mm(-2), respectively. When the temperature of the first crystal is maintained close to the temperature of zero thermal expansion of silicon, the monochromator shows nearly ideal performance with a thermal slope error of 0.6 µrad. By tuning the size of the first slit, the regime of the ideal performance can be maintained over a wide range of heat loads, i.e. from power densities of 110 W mm(-2) (at total absorbed power of 510 W) to 240 W mm(-2) (at total absorbed power of 240 W).
Fake-Website Detection Tools : Identifying Elements that Promote Individuals ’ Use and Enhance Their Performance 1 . Introduction

By successfully exploiting human vulnerabilities, fake websites have emerged as a major source of online fraud. Fake websites continue to inflict exorbitant monetary losses and also have significant ramifications for online security. We explore the process by which salient performance-related elements could increase the reliance on protective tools and, thus, reduce the success rate of fake websites. We develop the theory of detection tool impact (DTI) for this investigation by borrowing and contextualizing the protection motivation theory. Based on the DTI theory, we conceptualize a model to investigate how salient performance and cost-related elements of detection tools could influence users’ perceptions of the tools and threats, efficacy in dealing with threats, and reliance on such tools. The research method was a controlled lab experiment with a novel and extensive experimental design and protocol in two distinct domains: online pharmacies and banks. We found that the detector accuracy and speed, reflecting in response efficacy as perceived by users, form the pivotal coping mechanism in dealing with security threats and are major conduits for transforming salient performancerelated elements into increased reliance on the detector. Furthermore, reported reliance on the detector showed a significant impact on the users’ performance in terms of self-protection. Therefore, users’ perceived response efficacy should be used as a critical metric to evaluate the design, assess the performance, and promote the use of fake-website detectors. We also found that cost of detector error had profound impacts on threat perceptions. We discuss the significant theoretical and empirical implications of the findings.
Diagnostic value of sonography in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic value of sonography in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS We conducted a prospective study of 110 wrists in 74 consecutive patients with suspected CTS who had been referred to a tertiary care center. We determined the largest cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel. Because of the lack of a universally accepted reference standard, we first examined the association of sonography with nerve conduction. Then, we compared sonography with a reference standard based on the combination of nerve conduction studies and signs and symptoms. Sonography and reference standard tests were performed independently and interpreted under blinded conditions. Based on a fitted receiver operating characteristic curve, we estimated likelihood ratios (LRs) and posttest probabilities for different cutoffs. RESULTS There was a high concordance between sonography and nerve conduction. Based on the combined reference standard, a cutoff of 10 mm(2) resulted in approximately equal sensitivity and specificity, but only moderate LRs. A cutoff of <8 mm(2) had satisfactory power to rule out CTS: the fitted-negative LR was 0.13. Conversely, a cutoff of > or =12 mm(2) had excellent power to rule in CTS, with a fitted-positive LR of 19.9. For nerves > or =12 mm(2) and a pretest probability of 70% expected in patients with suspected CTS in tertiary care, we found a posttest probability of CTS of 98%. CONCLUSION Depending on setting and purpose, different cutoff values for the largest cross-sectional area may be used to accurately rule in or rule out CTS. Using sonography as a first-line test may cost-effectively reduce the number of nerve conduction studies in patients with suspected CTS. A large-scale, randomized controlled trial is required to determine the effects of sonography on clinical outcomes, the number of nerve conduction studies performed, and the total cost.
Turbulence budgets in oblique shockwave / turbulent boundary layer interactions

In high-speed aerodynamics, shockwave/turbulent boundary layer interactions (STBLIs) can be responsible for design-limiting thermal and pressure loads (Dolling 2001). Additionally, when experienced in the inlet/isolator systems of ramjets and scramjets, separation and flow unsteadiness caused by STBLI can lead to additional blockage effects which may affect operability margins to engine unstart (Wagner et al. 2009). It is unclear, however, how accurately STBLIs, which have been shown experimentally to experience low-frequency unsteadiness (Dolling & Murphey 1983), can be captured with Reynoldsaveraged Navier-Stokes (RANS) computations (Settles et al. 1979; Zheltovodov 2004). It is therefore the objective of the present work to explore the physics of oblique STBLI with high-fidelity large-eddy simulation (LES) and to present accurate descriptions of the turbulence budgets for a variety of interactions with different shock strengths and Reynolds numbers. It is our hope that this information can then be used to better inform reduced-order models such as RANS for predictions of STBLI phenomena. Previous work by our group (Morgan et al. 2011a) has presented and established confidence in our LES database of oblique STBLI simulations by comparison with direct numerical simulation (DNS) by Pirozzoli & Bernardini (2011) and experimental particle image velocimetry (PIV) by Piponniau et al. (2009). In the present work, we build upon our previous results by compiling turbulence budgets for seven different shock strengths (achieved by varying the shock-generating wedge angle between 6.5◦ and 9.5◦) with baseline results at two different Reynolds numbers (Reθ = 1500, 2300). In section 2, we begin by presenting a brief discussion of the mathematical formulation, numerical schemes, and flow conditions used in the present study. In section 2.3, the cause and effect of numerical dissipation in our numerics is investigated in some detail, and in section 2.4, we validate our baseline budget by comparison with DNS results by Pirozzoli & Bernardini (2011). Then, in section 3, we present the turbulence budgets extracted from our oblique STBLI database with parametric variation. Finally, in section 4, conclusions are drawn and recommendations are made regarding the direction of future research.