Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Compression fractures detection on CT

The presence of a vertebral compression fracture is highly indicative of osteoporosis and represents the single most robust predictor for development of a second osteoporotic fracture in the spine or elsewhere. Less than one third of vertebral compression fractures are diagnosed clinically. We present an automated method for detecting spine compression fractures in Computed Tomography (CT) scans. The algorithm is composed of three processes. First, the spinal column is segmented and sagittal patches are extracted. The patches are then binary classified using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). Finally a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) is utilized to predict whether a vertebral fracture is present in the series of patches.
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) Inhibition during Mid-Gestation Impairs Trophoblast Invasion and Spiral Artery Remodelling during Pregnancy in Mice

The placenta forms the interface between the maternal and fetal circulation and is critical for the establishment of a healthy pregnancy. Trophoblast cell proliferation, migration and invasion into the endometrium are fundamental events in the initiation of placentation. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) has been shown to promote trophoblast invasion in vitro, however its precise role in trophoblast invasion in vivo is unknown. We hypothesized that LIF would be required for normal trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling in mice. Both LIF and its receptor (LIFRα) co-localized with cytokeratin-positive invasive endovascular extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) in mouse implantation sites during mid-gestation. Temporally blocking LIF action during specific periods of placental development via administration of our unique LIFRα antagonist, PEGLA, resulted in abnormal trophoblast invasion and impaired spiral artery remodeling compared to PEG control. PEGLA-treated mouse decidual vessels were characterized by retention of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), while PEG control decidual vessels were remodelled by cytokeratin-positive trophoblasts. LIF blockade did not alter F4/80-positive decidual macrophage numbers between treatment groups, but resulted in down-regulation of decidual transcript levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), which are important immune cell activation factors that promote spiral artery remodeling during pregnancy. Our data suggest that LIF plays an important role in trophoblast invasion in vivo and may facilitate trophoblast-decidual-immune cell cross talk to enable adequate spiral artery remodeling.
Direct application access to Grid storage

This paper describes the ideas behind and the implementation of a thin user‐level layer to be installed on Grid resources. The layer fits in the minimum intrusion Grid design by imposing as few requirements on the resource as possible and communicates with the server using only trusted and widely used protocols. The model offers transparent, on‐demand remote file access. By catching all application operations on files, these operations are directed towards the remote copy on the server, thus eliminating the need for transferring the complete file. This implementation is targeted at the minimum intrusion Grid project, which strives for minimum intrusion on the resource executing a job. ‘Minimum intrusion’ implies that a client need not install any dedicated Grid software. Hence, the proposed model is forced to use a user‐level layer that automatically overrides the native I/O calls. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ka-Band SISL-to-AFSIW Transitions With Fabrication Tolerance Characteristics

In this paper, the interconnection/transition between two popular printed circuit board (PCB) technologies, i.e., the substrate integrated suspended line (SISL) and the air-filled substrate integrated waveguide (AFSIW), is studied and designed. To obtain a smooth wave propagation and mode transition between quasi-TEM to TE10, a novel compact transition structure is proposed and investigated. In addition, the fabrication tolerance is investigated through the multilayer misalignment analysis. To experimentally validate the circuit, two Ka-band back-to-back transitions, also known as the single-layer and double-layer structures, are designed for potential multifunction applications with enhanced power handling capability and fabricated only using the low-cost FR-4 substrate. The measurements show an operation bandwidth of 26.5–40 GHz/26.5–39 GHz, the insertion loss of 0.4–1.03 dB/0.5–1.27 dB, and the return loss of better than 13 dB/12 dB of the two back-to-back transitions.
Indexing Techniques for Temporal Text Containment Queries

Many information management systems maintain multiple time stamped versions of documents. The archives of web pages, version control systems, wikis and backup mechanisms are examples of such systems. For such temporally versioned document collections, a search using keywords along the temporal dimension is valuable. This paper studies the temporal dimension of keyword search in the context of text document collections. The inverted index, which is an integral part of keyword based IR technique, requires several extensions for it to support keyword search over temporal document collections. We propose a number of techniques that explore such extensions. Several experimental results are also presented to compare the proposed solutions.
Developing Equitable Primary Health Care in Conflict-Affected Settings: Expert Perspectives From the Frontlines

Health systems are frequently among the casualties of conflict. Within these settings, increased knowledge is needed on how to rebuild and strengthen health infrastructure resilience, such as primary health care (PHC) systems, in context-specific ways that promote health equity. Therefore, this study aimed to explore perspectives of experts with experience working on frontlines of social crises to contribute to understandings of pathways toward equitable PHC in conflict-affected settings. Semistructured qualitative interviews with 18 expert participants were completed. Through engaging elements of grounded theory situational analysis, three themes emerged iteratively, including (a) Building Blocks, (b) Intermediating Factors, and (c) a Roadmap. These emergent themes contribute to conceptual frameworks explaining key contextually specific priorities, challenges, and facilitating factors for developing resilient health infrastructures under social crises. Findings inform policy and practical guidelines that address complexities of conflict conditions and underscore the importance of PHC development toward promoting health as a human right.
Repolarization Abnormalities in Survivors of Out-of-Hospital Ventricular Fibrillation

SUMMARYSurvivors of out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) are at high risk for recurrent VF, probably reflecting continued myocardial electrical instability. In this study 12-lead ECGs of 125 VF survivors with coronary heart disease were examined and compared to those of 98 ambulatory post-MI patients. The study was part of an effort to define clinical identifiers of patients likely to develop sudden cardiac death. Ventricular fibrillation survivors more commonly had premature ventricular complexes (PVCs): 30% versus 13% (P < 0.01). In addition, ECGs of VF survivors showed a significantly greater prevalence of ST-segment depression (46% versus 10%), T wave flattening (52% versus 26%), and QT, prolongation (35% versus 18%). It is proposed that these repolarization abnormalities represent asynchronous repolarization, which together with frequent PVCs, may set the stage for re-entrant ventricular dysrhythmias and ultimately VF. It is also possible that repolarization abnormalities together with premature ventricular contractions might serve as markers of patients with coronary heart disease who are at increased risk for sudden cardiac death.
Changing physician behaviour

Changing physician behaviour has become an important focus of medicine over the past two decades.1-3 The rapid expansion of medical knowledge and concerns about quality of care, have led to the birth of both the practice guideline movement4 5 and evidence based medicine.6 7More recently, medical informatics and patient participation in care have matured as distinct clinical and research entities.8-11 Great Britain has recognised the importance of improving the quality of health care with the creation of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and the Commission for Health Improvement.2 Ultimately, each of these developments hopes to influence physician behaviour and affect how physicians make decisions on behalf of patients. Rather than a traditional review of a medical topic, we have chosen to focus on a few selected issues that are critical if we are to understand how to change physician behaviour. This paper has four parts. Firstly, we briefly review issues related to quality of care to set a context for the need to change physician decision making as a key step to improvements in quality. Secondly, we present a contemporary view of how physicians make decisions. Thirdly, we summarise what is known about changing physician behaviour. Finally, we conclude with our own views about the topic. Our focus is on ambulatory care rather than inpatient services, although many of our comments are relevant to decision making in either environment. Our understanding of the dimensions of quality of paediatric care has grown substantially in recent years.12 13 There are individual, institutional, and regional variations in diagnostic testing, hospitalisation rates, therapeutic interventions, and outcomes.3 For example, data from the United States indicate that the care of some children with asthma is not consistent with the guidelines from the National Institutes of Health. Approximately …
Regenerative Needs Following Alveolar Ridge Preservation Procedures in Compromised and Noncompromised Extraction Sockets: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Study.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the necessity for additional regenerative procedures following healing of compromised and noncompromised extraction sockets with alveolar ridge preservation procedures through the use of virtual implant imaging software. MATERIALS AND METHODS The cohort was comprised of 87 consecutive patients subjected to a single maxillary tooth extraction with an alveolar ridge preservation procedure for subsequent implant placement. Patients were divided into two main groups based on the integrity of the buccal bone plate following teeth extraction. Patients in the compromised socket (CS) group (n = 52) had partial or complete buccal bone plate loss, and patients in the noncompromised socket (NCS) group (n = 35) exhibited no bone loss of their socket walls following tooth extraction. Following 4 to 6 months of healing, all patients had a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) study. Root-formed implants were placed virtually in an ideal prosthetic position. The number of implants per group and location (anterior, premolar, molar) exhibiting exposed buccal implant surface was calculated. RESULTS In the CS group, 5 out of 19 anterior implants (26.3%), 4 out of 14 premolar implants (28.5%), and 7 out of 19 molar implants (36.8%) had exposed buccal surfaces. In the NCS group, 4 out of 9 anterior implants (44.4%), 2 out of 9 premolar implants (22.2%), and 4 out of 17 molar implants (23.5%) had exposed buccal surfaces. There were no statistically significant differences for intragroup and intergroup comparisons (χ² test, P > .05). CONCLUSION This study failed to find statistically significant differences in the frequency of implants with exposed buccal surfaces placed virtually, following treatment of compromised and noncompromised sockets. A high proportion (22% to 44%) of sites had implants that potentially needed additional regenerative procedures.
Risk of cancer from occupational exposure to ionising radiation: retrospective cohort study of workers in France, the United Kingdom, and the United States (INWORKS)

Study question Is protracted exposure to low doses of ionising radiation associated with an increased risk of solid cancer? Methods In this cohort study, 308 297 workers in the nuclear industry from France, the United Kingdom, and the United States with detailed monitoring data for external exposure to ionising radiation were linked to death registries. Excess relative rate per Gy of radiation dose for mortality from cancer was estimated. Follow-up encompassed 8.2 million person years. Of 66 632 known deaths by the end of follow-up, 17 957 were due to solid cancers. Study answer and limitations Results suggest a linear increase in the rate of cancer with increasing radiation exposure. The average cumulative colon dose estimated among exposed workers was 20.9 mGy (median 4.1 mGy). The estimated rate of mortality from all cancers excluding leukaemia increased with cumulative dose by 48% per Gy (90% confidence interval 20% to 79%), lagged by 10 years. Similar associations were seen for mortality from all solid cancers (47% (18% to 79%)), and within each country. The estimated association over the dose range of 0-100 mGy was similar in magnitude to that obtained over the entire dose range but less precise. Smoking and occupational asbestos exposure are potential confounders; however, exclusion of deaths from lung cancer and pleural cancer did not affect the estimated association. Despite substantial efforts to characterise the performance of the radiation dosimeters used, the possibility of measurement error remains. What this study adds The study provides a direct estimate of the association between protracted low dose exposure to ionising radiation and solid cancer mortality. Although high dose rate exposures are thought to be more dangerous than low dose rate exposures, the risk per unit of radiation dose for cancer among radiation workers was similar to estimates derived from studies of Japanese atomic bomb survivors. Quantifying the cancer risks associated with protracted radiation exposures can help strengthen the foundation for radiation protection standards. Funding, competing interests, data sharing Support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan; Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire; AREVA; Electricité de France; US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; US Department of Energy; and Public Health England. Data are maintained and kept at the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
Red Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy in Rats

The protective action against oxidative stress of red cabbage (Brassica oleracea) extract was investigated. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats using streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight). Throughout the experimental period (60 days), diabetic rats exhibited many symptoms including loss of body weight, hyperglycemia, polyuria, polydipsia, renal enlargement and renal dysfunction. Significant increase in malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation marker, was observed in diabetic kidney. This was accompanied by a significant increase in reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity and a decrease in catalase activity and in the total antioxidant capacity of the kidneys. Daily oral ingestion (1 g/kg body weight) of B. oleracea extract for 60 days reversed the adverse effect of diabetes in rats. B. oleracea extract lowered blood glucose levels and restored renal function and body weight loss. In addition, B. oleracea extract attenuated the adverse effect of diabetes on malondialdehyde, glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity as well as catalase activity and total antioxidant capacity of diabetic kidneys. In conclusion, the antioxidant and antihyperglycemic properties of B. oleracea extract may offer a potential therapeutic source for the treatment of diabetes.
Noisy K Best-Paths for Approximate Dynamic Programming with Application to Portfolio Optimization

We describe a general method to transform a non-Markovian sequential decision problem into a supervised learning problem using a K-best-paths algorithm. We consider an application in financial portfolio management where we can train a controller to directly optimize a Sharpe Ratio (or other risk-averse non-additive) utility function. We illustrate the approach by demonstrating experimental results using a kernel-based controller architecture that would not normally be considered in traditional reinforcement learning or approximate dynamic programming. We further show that using a non-additive criterion (incremental Sharpe Ratio) yields a noisy K-best-paths extraction problem, that can give substantially improved performance.
An Analysis for New Institutionality in Science, Technology and Innovation in Colombia Using a Structural Vector Autoregression Model

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyze the strengths and the institutionality of the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation (MSTI) in increasing investments in research and development as well as promoting the generation of knowledge. Design/Methodology/Approach: We use structural vector autoregression (SVAR) and structural vector error correction (SVEC) to examine the effects of institutionality in science, technology and innovation in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MSTI) using three variables (i.e., investments in activities of science, technology and innovation (STIA), investments in research and development (RD using law 1951 of 2019, the country created this ministry. It is important to analyse the implications and key elements that allow the ministry to operate and achieve better investments to promote research, innovation, and the application of new technologies.
Assessment of genetic variation in accessions of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) and its crosses by seed protein electrophoresis

Seed storage proteins of seventeen accessions and seven crosses of sesame were analysed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis with a view to assessvariation. A total of 19 protein polypeptide bands were detected with relative migration of 0.13 to 0.87. The maximum number of protein bands (12) was recorded in EVAx69B-882 and the minimum (6) in 69B-882xPACH, 69B-882xEVA, CK21xPACHcrosses and E-8 accession. Band number 1 and 13 were exclusive to 65-8B while 5 to 69B882xC-K21. Each genotype was distinct from the other, but certain bands were shared by several genotypes. Principal component analysis of protein data revealed the first three principal components accounting for 57.08% of the total variability. The dendrogram generated from cluster analysis grouped the accessions and the crossesinto four distinct clusters. This study reveals moderate genetic variability among the genotypes from various sources and suggests possibilities for improvementthrough breeding.
Improved spill code generation for software pipelined loops

Software pipelining is a loop scheduling technique that extractsparallelism out of loops by overlapping the execution of severalconsecutive iterations. Due to the overlapping of iterations, schedules impose high register requirements during their execution. A schedule is valid if it requires at most the number of registers available in the target architecture. If not, its register requirementshave to be reduced either by decreasing the iteration overlapping or by spilling registers to memory. In this paper we describe a set of heuristics to increase the quality of register-constrained modulo schedules. The heuristics decide between the two previous alternatives and define criteria for effectively selecting spilling candidates. The heuristics proposed for reducing the register pressure can be applied to any software pipelining technique. The proposals are evaluated using a register-conscious software pipeliner on a workbench composed of a large set of loops from the Perfect Club benchmark and a set of processor configurations. Proposals in this paper are compared against a previous proposal already described in the literature. For one of these processor configurations and the set of loops that do not fit in the available registers (32), a speed-up of 1.68 and a reduction of the memory traffic by a factor of 0.57 are achieved with an affordable increase in compilation time. For all the loops, this represents a speed-up of 1.38 and a reduction of the memory traffic by a factor of 0.7.
Improved krill group-based region growing algorithm for image segmentation

ABSTRACT Traditional image segment algorithms have some demerits: edge blur, discontinuous edge is susceptible to peripheral irrelevant information, Poor noise resistance. Therefore, we propose an improved krill group-based region growing algorithm for image segmentation in this paper. First, texture feature of the image is extracted by using Gabor filter. Then, we modify the krill group by the way that the population particle dynamics is divided into two categories: worse fitness value of particle and better fitness value of particle. The inertial weight of worse fitness value of particle is reset to zero, so as to eliminate the adverse effect of inertial weight on the current iteration of the algorithm. The inertial weight of better fitness value particle remains unchanged. The step size scaling factor in the algorithm is treated with non-linear declination to further improve the global exploring ability of the algorithm. Finally, the improved kill group optimisation is used to search for the optimal solution, and the segmentation results are finally obtained. The experimental results show that the proposed image segmentation model can not only improve the segmentation accuracy and reduce the number of iterations but also suppress the background. The contour positioning of the object area is effective.
A Contamination Aware Droplet Routing Algorithm for the Synthesis of Digital Microfluidic Biochips

Recent advances of digital microfluidic biochips (DMFBs) have revolutionized the traditional laboratory procedures. By providing the droplet-based system, DMFB can perform real-time biological analysis and safety-critical biomedical applications. However, different droplets being transported and manipulated on the DMFB may introduce the contamination problem caused by liquid residue between different biomolecules. To overcome this problem, a wash droplet is introduced to clean the contaminations on the surface of the microfluidic array. However, current scheduling of wash droplet does not restrict the extra used cells and execution time of bioassay, thereby degrading the reliability and fault-tolerance significantly. In this paper, we propose a contamination aware droplet routing algorithm for DMFBs. To reduce the routing complexity and the used cells, we first construct preferred routing tracks by analyzing the global moving vector of droplets to guide the droplet routing. To cope with contaminations within one subproblem, we first apply a k -shortest path routing technique to minimize the contaminated spots. Then, to take advantage of multiple wash droplets, we adopt a minimum cost circulation (MCC) algorithm for optimal wash-droplet routing to simultaneously minimize used cells and the cleaning time. Since the droplet routing problem consists of several subproblems, a look-ahead prediction technique is further used to determine the contaminations between successive subproblems. After that, we can simultaneously clean both contaminations within one subproblem and those between successive subproblems by using the MCC-based algorithm to reduce the execution time and the used cells significantly. Based on four widely used bioassays, our algorithm reduces the used cells and the execution time significantly compared with the state-of-the-art algorithm.