Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
WRAPPER BASED FEATURE SELECTION FOR CT IMAGE

Diagnostic imaging is invaluable. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), digital mammography, Computed Tomography (CT), and others ensure effective noninvasive mapping of a subject’s anatomy, and increased normal and diseased anatomy knowledge for medical research in addition to being a critical component in diagnosis and treatment. In this work various feature selection algorithms are investigated and a Swarm Intelligence Algorithm based on Bacterial Foraging is proposed. Features are extracted using wavelet and GrayLevel Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM). The obtained features are fused using Median Absolute Deviation (MAD) after normalization and the feature selection techniques investigated. Results obtained show the improved performance of Bacterial Foraging based feature selection for different classifiers.
The quantified self: What counts in the neoliberal workplace

Implementation of quantified self technologies in workplaces relies on the ontological premise of Cartesian dualism with mind dominant over body. Contributing to debates in new materialism, we demonstrate that workers are now being asked to measure our own productivity and health and well-being in art-houses and warehouses alike in both the global north and south. Workers experience intensified precarity, austerity, intense competition for jobs and anxieties about the replacement of labour-power with robots and other machines as well as, ourselves replaceable, other humans. Workers have internalised the imperative to perform, a subjectification process as we become observing entrepreneurial subjects and observed, objectified labouring bodies. Thinking through the implications of the use of wearable technologies in workplaces, this article shows that these technologies introduce a heightened Taylorist influence on precarious working bodies within neoliberal workplaces.
Adaptive tracking control of underactuated quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles via backstepping

This paper considers about the control problem for an underactuated quadrotor UAV system with model parameter uncertainty. Backstepping based techniques are utilized to design a nonlinear adaptive controller which can compensate for the mass uncertainty of the vehicle. Lyapunov based stability analysis shows that the proposed control design yields asymptotic tracking for the UAV's motion in x, y, z direction and the yaw rotation, while keep the stability of the closed loop dynamics of the quadrotor UAV. Numerical simulation results are provided to show the good tracking performance of proposed control laws.
Sociotechnical transformation of the livestock market in Tanzania : appropriation of mobile phones by the Maasai and Wasukuma pastoralists

ix Acknowledgements . xi List of figures . xxi List of tables . xxiii Abbreviations . xxv Chapter 1 Introduction and story of the thesis . 1 1.1. Aims of the study . 1 1.2. Background to the study . 3 1.3. Motivation . 7 1.4. Thesis structure . 9 Chapter 2 – Research Strategy and processes of data collection and data analysis . 13 2.
On the Fibrinolytic System in Aged Rats, and Its Reactivity to Endotoxin and Cytokines

Summary Aged rats are more susceptible to endotoxin-induced effects, including microthrombosis and platelet aggregation, than are young rats. To investigate whether changes in the fibrinolytic system might be involved, we investigated the fibrinolytic activity in plasma euglobulin fractions and tissues (lung and heart) of young (6-months old) and aged (24-months old) rats under baseline conditions and after challenge with endotoxin. Aged rats had lower plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and of urokinase-type PA (u-PA) activity. PA inhibitor (PAI) activity was higher in the plasma of aged rats, as was t-PA activity in lung and heart. Rats were treated with either a low dose (1 μg/kg) or a high dose (10 mg/kg) of endotoxin. Both treatments induced a transient phase of increased blood fibrinolytic activity, as evidenced by higher levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity and decreased levels of PA inhibitor (PAI) activity. Over time, the fibrinolytic activity decreased, probably due to increased levels of PA inhibitor. Both the early increase in t-PA activity, and the subsequent increase in PAI activity, were more pronounced in the aged rats, as compared with the younger rats, after the high dose of endotoxin. The aged rats also responded to an injection of interleukin-1β or tumor necrosis factor-α with a larger increase of PAI activity than did the younger rats. Together the data suggest that, compared to young rats, aged rats have a decreased base-line plasma fibrinolytic activity, while their fibrinolytic system is more responsive to challenge by endotoxin and cytokines.
Highly reliable memory-based Physical Unclonable Function using Spin-Transfer Torque MRAM

In recent years, Physical Unclonable Function (PUF) based on the inimitable and unpredictable disorder of physical devices has emerged to address security issues related to cryptographic key generation. In this paper, a novel memory-based PUF based on Spin-Transfer Torque (STT) Magnetic RAM, named as STT-PUF, is proposed as a key generation primitive for embedded computing systems. By comparing the resistances of STT-MRAM memory cells which are initialized to the same state, response bits can be generated by exploiting the inherent random mismatches between them. To enhance the robustness of response bits regeneration, an Automatic Write-Back (AWB) technique is proposed without compromising the resilience of STT-PUF against possible attacks. Simulations show that the proposed STT-PUF is able to produce raw response bits with uniqueness of 50.1% and entropy of 0.985 bit per cell. The worst-case Bit-Error Rate (BER) under varying operating conditions is 6.6 × 10-6.
Fibrous Dysplasia of the Temporal Bone: Systematic Review of Management and Hearing Outcomes

Objectives The management options for otologic symptoms (i.e., hearing loss, otorrhea) in patients with fibrous dysplasia of the temporal bone (FDTB) include either observation or otologic surgery. The objective of this review is to describe the hearing outcomes in patients with FDTB to compare surgical intervention and conservative management to determine an evidence-based approach to patient management. Data sources Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1995–April 5, 2013), MEDLINE (January 1948–April 5, 2013), EMBASE (January 1974–April 5, 2013), conference proceedings, and the reference lists of articles. Study selection Studies describing interventions or no intervention in patients with FDTB were included. Studies failing to report hearing outcomes were excluded. Data extraction Two authors independently reviewed titles and abstracts, read full-text articles, assessed quality, and extracted data. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Data synthesis Seventy-two studies involving 215 patients were included. Thirty-one studies (n = 49 patients), including three case series and 28 case reports, had sufficient information for analysis of hearing outcomes (Level 4 evidence). The surgical intervention showing the best hearing outcomes was canaloplasty, with improvement in 84% of patients (n = 16 patients) and stable hearing thresholds in 18% (n = 3 patients). Conclusion The literature lacks consistent reporting of hearing outcomes after otologic surgery in FDTB. Level 4 evidence suggests that an improvement in hearing thresholds is achievable in most patients when the disease involves the external ear canal. A management algorithm is proposed using the available evidence.
Carcass and Meat Quality in Goat

Goat is a worldwide spread species with different specialities and aptitudes, among the meat production. Its consumption varies widely depending on the region of the world considered. However, a common factor is the presence of few studies in comparison with ovine, especially those that characterize the quality of its products (related to carcass and meat). Generation, availability, and diffusion of characteristics of the species and its production, generated from scientific studies, could help breeders and society on their education and raising global awareness of its importance, conservation, and productive possibilities. Goat has its own specific characteristics related to quality with a presumed good acceptability of its products by consumers. On the current chapter, the effects of the main factors that modify carcass and meat quality in goat are compiled. Both, intrinsic factors (breed or breed type, age, weight at slaughter or gender) and some extrinsic factors (as production system, type of suckling, and aging) are discussed.
Some results on linear equality constrained state filtering

This paper addresses the linear equality constrained state filtering for linear dynamic systems from different perspectives. First, by integrating constraint information into the state equation to ensure that the estimates naturally satisfy the constraints, the constrained filtering problem can be transformed into an unconstrained one. Second, according to a linear transformation of the state vector and the linear relationship between different new state components, a reduced-order Kalman filter is developed. Third, adding a projection step after the one-step state prediction in the Kalman filtering algorithm, we present a state prediction projection method. These approaches are mutually equivalent, and the existing null space method proves to be a special case of them. Most of current methods and the proposed approaches can be summed up in a unified framework and boil down to three forms of the projection method. Finally, a vehicle tracking example is provided to compare the performance of the discussed constrained filters.
The physiological motor patterns produced by neurons in the nucleus retroambiguus in the rat and their modulation by vagal, peripheral chemosensory, and nociceptive stimulation

The nucleus retroambiguus (NRA) is a neuronal cell group in the medullary ventrolateral tegmentum, rostrocaudally between the obex and the first cervical spinal segment. NRA neurons are premotor interneurons with direct projections to the motoneurons of soft palate, pharynx, and larynx in the nucleus ambiguus in the lateral medulla as well as to the motoneurons in the spinal cord innervating diaphragm, abdominal, and pelvic floor muscles and the lumbosacral motoneurons generating sexual posture. These NRA premotor interneurons receive very strong projections from the periaqueductal gray (PAG) in the context of basic survival mechanisms as fight, flight, freezing, sound production, and sexual behavior. In the present study in rat we investigated the physiological motor patterns generated by NRA neurons, as the result of vagal, peripheral chemosensory, and nociceptive stimulation. The results show that the NRA contains phasic respiratory modulated neurons, as well as nonphasic tonically modulated neurons. Stimulation in the various rostrocaudal levels of the NRA generates site‐specific laryngeal, respiratory, abdominal, and pelvic floor motor activities. Vagal and peripheral chemosensory stimulation induces both excitatory and inhibitory modulation of phasic NRA‐neurons, while peripheral chemosensory and nociceptive stimulation causes excitation and inhibition of nonphasic NRA‐neurons. These results are in agreement with the concept that the NRA represents a multifunctional group of neurons involved in the output of the emotional motor system, such as vomiting, vocalization, mating, and changes in respiration.
In vitro translation of poliovirus RNA: utilization of internal initiation sites in reticulocyte lysate

The translation of poliovirus RNA in rabbit reticulocyte lysate was examined. Translation of poliovirus RNA in this cell-free system resulted in an electrophoretic profile of poliovirus-specific proteins distinct from that observed in vivo or after translation in poliovirus-infected HeLa cell extract. A group of proteins derived from the P3 region of the polyprotein was identified by immunoprecipitation, time course, and N-formyl-[35S]methionine labeling studies to be the product of the initiation of protein synthesis at an internal site(s) located within the 3'-proximal RNA sequences. Utilization of this internal initiation site(s) on poliovirus RNA was abolished when reticulocyte lysate was supplemented with poliovirus-infected HeLa cell extract. Authentic P1-1a was also synthesized in reticulocyte lysate, indicating that correct 5'-proximal initiation of translation occurs in that system. We conclude that the deficiency of a component(s) of the reticulocyte lysate necessary for 5'-proximal initiation of poliovirus protein synthesis resulted in the ability of ribosomes to initiate translation on internal sequences. This aberrant initiation could be corrected by factors present in the HeLa cell extract. Apparently, under certain conditions, ribosomes are capable of recognizing internal sequences as authentic initiation sites.
Glucosylceramide modulates membrane traffic along the endocytic pathway Published, JLR Papers in Press, August 16, 2002. DOI 10.1194/jlr.M200232-JLR200

Glycosphingolipids are endocytosed and targeted to the Golgi apparatus, but are mistargeted to lysosomes in numerous sphingolipidoses. Substrate reduction therapy utilizes imino sugars to inhibit glucosylceramide synthase and potentially abrogate the effects of storage. Gaucher disease is a hereditary deficiency in glucocerebrosidase leading to glucosylceramide accumulation; however, Gaucher fibroblasts exhibited normal Golgi transport of lactosylceramide. To better understand the effects of glycosphingolipid accumulation on intracellular trafficking and the use of imino sugar inhibitors, we studied sphingolipid endocytosis in fibroblast and macrophage models for Gaucher disease. Treatment of fibroblasts or RAW macrophages with conduritol B epoxide, an inhibitor of lysosomal glucocerebrosidase, resulted in a change in the endocytic targeting of lactosylceramide from the Golgi to the lysosomes. Co-treatment of macrophages with conduritol B-epoxide and 12–25 μM N-butyldeoxygalactonojirimycin, an inhibitor of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, prevented the mistargeting of lactosylceramide to the lysosomes and restored trafficking to the Golgi. Surprisingly, higher doses (>25 μM) of NB-DGJ induced targeting of lactosylceramide to the lysosomes, even in the absence of conduritol B-epoxide. These data demonstrate that both increases and decreases in glucosylceramide levels can dramatically alter the endocytic targeting of lactosylceramide and suggest a role for glucosylceramide in regulation of membrane transport.
A comparison of the Rome and Manning criteria for case identification in epidemiological investigations of irritable bowel syndrome

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome using different standard definitions (Rome and Manning criteria) and to determine the degree of agreement between these definitions.METHODS:A population-based, cross-sectional survey study was conducted by mailing a valid, reliable questionnaire to an age- and gender-stratified random sample of residents of Olmsted County, MN, aged 30–69 yr. The threshold for a positive diagnosis of irritable bowel was varied from two to four of the six Manning criteria and from two to three of the five defecation disorders in the Rome criteria. Unadjusted as well as age- and gender-adjusted prevalence rates were calculated for each of the five definitions of IBS. Percent agreement and κ statistics were calculated to assess agreement between the definitions.RESULTS:Questionnaires were returned by 643 of 892 eligible subjects (72% response rate). The age- and gender-adjusted prevalence of IBS varied from 20.4% using a threshold of two symptoms in the Manning criteria to 8.5% using a threshold of three defecation disorders in the Rome criteria. The percent agreement for each comparison of Manning and Rome definitions was always >90%. The κ values ranged from 0.55 to 0.78, with the best agreement occurring between a threshold of three symptoms of Manning and two defecation disorders in Rome.CONCLUSIONS:The prevalence of IBS varied substantially depending on the specific definition of IBS used. The range of prevalence estimates in Olmsted County was similar to other published figures when IBS definition was accounted for. These findings are useful in interpreting epidemiological and clinical studies of IBS.
CT imaging of non traumatic aortic emergencies: acute aortic syndrome and beyond

Poster: "ECR 2016 / C-1286 / CT imaging of non traumatic aortic emergencies: acute aortic syndrome and beyond" by: "R. Gautam1, O. GOMEZ1, V. R. Tatco2; 1MANILA/PH, 2Quezon City/PH"
Modeling and analysis of hybrid energy storage systems used in Electric vehicles

This paper deals with the design and modelling aspects of hybrid energy storage system (HESS) used in Electric vehicles. Modelling of HESS includes modelling of battery, Ultra-capacitor and the vehicle load modelling for Light electric vehicle used in the work. A detailed analysis for vehicle load is carried out to find out capacity of motor, battery and ultra-capacitor in both acceleration and in regenerative braking. This paper also discusses different types of converters used in HESS for electric vehicle application along with its suitability to the light electric vehicles. The HESS in this work uses a bidirectional dc/dc converter along with battery and ultra-capacitor. A simple power sharing algorithm based on heuristic approach is presented to ensure the different modes of operation of electric vehicles. From the performance analysis at different speeds and at different gradients it is concluded that HESS reduces the size of the battery, weight of the system. Due to this the range of the vehicle can be improved in a single charge.
Worker-Trainers as Evaluators: A Case Study of a Union-Based Health and Safety Education Program

The United Automobile Workers uses worker-trainers to deliver health and safety education training to its members. The union has experimented with worker-trainers participating in program evaluation. Worker-trainers participated in the design and conduct of a telephone survey of training impact, and of an on-site survey of trainee perceptions of a large-scale program. Worker evaluators were able to analyze data and give a highly successful presentation of results to trainees at the large-scale program. The incorporation of workers as evaluators is a key step toward the goal of worker empowerment. The involvement of program participants in their program’s evaluation can enhance the quality and usefulness of work-site health and safety programs in general.
Human SLAM, Indoor Localisation of Devices and Users

The indoor localisation problem is more complex than just finding whereabouts of users. Finding positions of users relative to the devices of a smart space is even more important. Unfortunately, configuring such systems manually is a tedious process, requires expert knowledge, and is sensitive to changes in the environment. Moreover, many existing solutions do not take user privacy into account. We propose a new system, called Simultaneous Localisation and Configuration (SLAC), to address the problem of locating devices and users relative to those devices, and combine this problem into a single estimation problem. The SLAC algorithm, based on FastSLAM, is able to locate devices using the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of devices and motion data from users. Simulations have been used to show the performance in a controlled environment and the effect of the amount of RSSI updates on the localisation error. Live tests in non-trivial environments showed that we can achieve room level accuracy and that the localisation can be performed in real time. This is all done locally, i.e. running on a user's device, with respect for privacy and without using any prior information of the environment or device locations. Although promising, more work is required to increase accuracy in larger environments and to make the algorithm more robust for environment noise caused by walls and other objects. Existing techniques, e.g. map fusing, can alleviate these problems.
Toward new minimally invasive surgical robotic system

This paper present a new laparoscopic surgical setup (minimally invasive surgery, MIS) with spherical serial surgical robot. The robot was developed at the PPRIME Institute in the ROBIOSS team from Poitiers University. Based on laparoscopic surgery, specification for workspace and constraints are outlined and the architecture selected for the surgical robots is presented and discussed. Analytical models of the inverse and forward kinematics are provided together with a detailed analysis of mobility and constraints. The proposed approach is based on motion capture of an expert gestures during which an anastomosis technique has to be performed. The evaluation of the workspace is based on the use of the Vicon Nexus motion capture system. The medical gestures were analyzed in term of position and velocities; the result has been used in the definition of the kinematics specifications of the proposed manipulator. The effective workspace size is determined through an experimental study on a simulator. The spherical serial robot (3R-T) has been selected because of its characteristics meeting the constraint requirements. The robot and its environment are described.
Subunit Assembly of N-Methyl-d-aspartate Receptors Analyzed by Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer*

N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play major roles in synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as excitotoxicity. NMDA receptors are thought to be tetrameric complexes mainly composed of NMDA receptor (NR)1 and NR2 subunits. The NR1 subunits are required for the formation of functional NMDA receptor channels, whereas the NR2 subunits modify channel properties. Biochemical and functional studies indicate that subunits making up NMDA receptors are organized into a dimer of dimers, and the N termini of the subunits are major determinants for receptor assembling. Here we used a biophysical approach, fluorescence resonance energy transfer, to analyze the assembly of intact, functional NMDA receptors in living cells. The results showed that NR1, NR2A, and NR2B subunits could form homodimers when they were expressed alone in HEK293 cells. Subunit homodimers were also found existing in heteromeric NMDA receptors formed between NR1 and NR2 subunits. These findings are consistent with functional NMDA receptors being arranged as a dimer of dimers. In addition, our data indicated that the conformation of NR1 subunit homodimers was affected by the partner NR2 subunits during the formation of heteromeric receptor complexes, which might underlie the mechanism by which NR2 subunits modify NMDA receptor function.
QUAC: Quality-Aware Contract-Based Incentive Mechanisms for Crowdsensing

Crowdsensing is a sensing method which involves participants from general public to collect sensed data from their mobile devices, and also contribute and utilize a common database. To ensure a crowdsensing system to operate properly, there must be certain effective and efficient incentive mechanism to attract users and stimulate them to submit sensing data with high quality. Intuitively, the agreement on the qualities and payments in crowdsensing systems can be best modeled as a contract. However, none of existing incentive mechanisms consider data quality through effective contract design. In this paper, we design two quality-aware contract-based incentive mechanisms for crowdsensing, named QUAC-F and QUAC-I, under full information model and incomplete information model, respectively, which differ in the level of users' information known to the system. Both QUAC-F and QUAC-I are guaranteed to maximize the platform utility while satisfying individual rationality and incentive compatibility. We evaluate the performance of our designed mechanisms based on a real dataset.