Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound elastic tensor imaging: comparison with MR diffusion tensor imaging in the myocardium

We have previously proven the feasibility of ultrasound-based shear wave imaging (SWI) to non-invasively characterize myocardial fiber orientation in both in vitro porcine and in vivo ovine hearts. The SWI-estimated results were in good correlation with histology. In this study, we proposed a new and robust fiber angle estimation method through a tensor-based approach for SWI, coined together as elastic tensor imaging (ETI), and compared it with magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a current gold standard and extensively reported non-invasive imaging technique for mapping fiber architecture. Fresh porcine (n = 5) and ovine (n = 5) myocardial samples (20 × 20 × 30 mm3) were studied. ETI was firstly performed to generate shear waves and to acquire the wave events at ultrafast frame rate (8000 fps). A 2.8 MHz phased array probe (pitch = 0.28 mm), connected to a prototype ultrasound scanner, was mounted on a customized MRI-compatible rotation device, which allowed both the rotation of the probe from −90° to 90° at 5° increments and co-registration between two imaging modalities. Transmural shear wave speed at all propagation directions realized was firstly estimated. The fiber angles were determined from the shear wave speed map using the least-squares method and eigen decomposition. The test myocardial sample together with the rotation device was then placed inside a 7T MRI scanner. Diffusion was encoded in six directions. A total of 270 diffusion-weighted images (b = 1000 s mm−2, FOV = 30 mm, matrix size = 60 × 64, TR = 6 s, TE = 19 ms, 24 averages) and 45 B0 images were acquired in 14 h 30 min. The fiber structure was analyzed by the fiber-tracking module in software, MedINRIA. The fiber orientation in the overlapped myocardial region which both ETI and DTI accessed was therefore compared, thanks to the co-registered imaging system. Results from all ten samples showed good correlation (r2 = 0.81, p < 0.0001) and good agreement (3.05° bias) between ETI and DTI fiber angle estimates. The average ETI-estimated fractional anisotropy (FA) values decreased from subendocardium to subepicardium (p < 0.05, unpaired, one-tailed t-test, N = 10) by 33%, whereas the corresponding DTI-estimated FA values presented a change of −10% (p > 0.05, unpaired, one-tailed t-test, N = 10). In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the fiber orientation estimated by ETI, which assesses the shear wave speed (and thus the stiffness), was comparable to that measured by DTI, which evaluates the preferred direction of water diffusion, and have validated this concept within the myocardium. Moreover, ETI was shown capable of mapping the transmural fiber angles with as few as seven shear wave propagation directions.
Analysis of a Small Vocabulary Bangla Speech Database for Recognition

To carry out any kind of research in the field of speech signal processing, a standard database is essential. There are many databases in different languages but not in Bangla language. Therefore, in this article, it has been attempted to develop and analysis a small vocabulary Bangla database for recognition. In this database 11 Bangla digits (/ak/, /dui/, /tin/, /chaar/, /panch/, /chhoy/, /shaat/, /aat/, /noy/, /zero/, /shunno/) have been used. The developed database consisted of two sets of data such as training and testing datasets. The training dataset contains 3824 utterances of 50 speakers, and testing dataset is subdivided into four groups (clean1, clean2, clean3 and clean4) and contains 1985 utterances of 52 speakers. All recordings have been done in a quiet room but not sound proof with the A4Tech HS-60 headset microphone interfaced to an Intel Dual Core 2.0 GHz CPU. The software used to record and edit the speech file is wavepad. Finally, an HMM based recognizer is developed to evaluate the database. The word accuracy for test sets is found to be 98.05% on the average. In this recognition process Mel-LPC based front-end and as a reference recognizer HTK (Hidden Markov Model Toolkit) have been used. General Terms Bangla Speech Database Processing and Recognition.
Modeling the assembly order of multimeric heteroprotein complexes

Protein-protein interactions are the cornerstone of numerous biological processes. Although an increasing number of protein complex structures have been determined using experimental methods, relatively fewer studies have been performed to determine the assembly order of complexes. In addition to the insights into the molecular mechanisms of biological function provided by the structure of a complex, knowing the assembly order is important for understanding the process of complex formation. Assembly order is also practically useful for constructing subcomplexes as a step toward solving the entire complex experimentally, designing artificial protein complexes, and developing drugs that interrupt a critical step in the complex assembly. There are several experimental methods for determining the assembly order of complexes; however, these techniques are resource-intensive. Here, we present a computational method that predicts the assembly order of protein complexes by building the complex structure. The method, named Path-LzerD, uses a multimeric protein docking algorithm that assembles a protein complex structure from individual subunit structures and predicts assembly order by observing the simulated assembly process of the complex. Benchmarked on a dataset of complexes with experimental evidence of assembly order, Path-LZerD was successful in predicting the assembly pathway for the majority of the cases. Moreover, when compared with a simple approach that infers the assembly path from the buried surface area of subunits in the native complex, Path-LZerD has the strong advantage that it can be used for cases where the complex structure is not known. The path prediction accuracy decreased when starting from unbound monomers, particularly for larger complexes of five or more subunits, for which only a part of the assembly path was correctly identified. As the first method of its kind, Path-LZerD opens a new area of computational protein structure modeling and will be an indispensable approach for studying protein complexes.
Evaluation of a Novel Disaster Nursing Education Method

Abstract Objective A common method of disaster training is needed to improve disaster nursing education and facilitate better communication among interprofessional disaster responders. To inform the development of disaster nursing curricula, a novel disaster nursing education method consistent with Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) framework was developed to improve disaster nursing competencies in a baccalaureate nursing program. Methods In total, 89 undergraduate nursing students participated. Perceived disaster nursing knowledge, confidence, and training/response were assessed with 14 items before and after the education. Results Exploratory factor analysis showed 3 factors, knowledge, confidence, and training/response, explained 71% of variation in items. Nursing students showed large improvements in perceived disaster nursing knowledge (t=11.95, P<0.001, Cohen’s d=1.76), moderate increases in perceived confidence (t=4.54, P<0.001, d=0.67), and no change in disaster training and response (t=0.94, P=0.351, d=0.13). Conclusions Results show preliminary evidence supporting the effectiveness of disaster nursing education informed by HSEEP. This training has the potential to fill current practice gaps in disaster nursing knowledge and build confidence to use those skills in practice. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:703-710)
Using algebraic reconstruction in computed tomography

Spectral Computed Tomography (spectral CT) is a newly emerging, medical imaging modality. It extends CT by acquiring multiple datasets over different x-ray energy bins. As the x-ray absorption of materials is energy dependent, the energy bins together provide significantly more information about the composition of the subject. To exploit the full potential of spectral CT, there are many new image processing challenges for reconstruction, material decomposition, and visualization. This paper details the preliminary work completed before a spectral reconstruction algorithm may be developed. A small application called mART was created which implements a Simultaneous Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (SART). The algorithm SART will be extended for spectral reconstruction in the near future. We show that mART already produces reconstructions of superior quality to Octopus CT® which is the commercial software adopted by the MARS team. In addition, ideas for developing a spectral reconstruction algorithm are discussed.
What Is the Value of Nurse Educator Certification? A Comparison Study of Certified and Noncertified Nurse Educators

AIM The purpose of this study was to examine differences in how certified nurse educators and noncertified nurse educators valued nurse educator certification. BACKGROUND No studies have investigated the differences in perceptions of certified and noncertified nurse educators. Understanding these differences may influence how the nursing profession recognizes and promotes excellence within the academic nursing specialty. METHOD Perceived Value of Certification Tool-Nurse Educator and demographic survey were administered via a web-based survey to a national sample of nursing faculty. RESULTS Certified nurse educators valued certification with greater agreement than noncertified nurse educators. Personal accomplishment, personal satisfaction, and validation of knowledge were identified as the greatest rewards to certification. CONCLUSION Nurse educators identified with intrinsic rewards of certification. Despite overall positive perceptions of nurse educator certification, strategies focused on extrinsic rewards may be necessary to increase certification rates. Such strategies may help overcome factors preventing educators from attaining certification.
Linked Sensor Data: RESTfully serving RDF and GML

Publishing sensor observations on the Linked Data web is the first step in enabling the development of semantic web applications and mashups that can utilise sensor data. We present the design for a prototype API exposing data from the Channel Coastal Observatory in the UK. By combining REST and Linked Data principles we support both Semantic Web clients, OGC GML clients, and hybrid applications that can transpose between these, and other, representations.
Polypyrrole/Graphene Oxide Composite Electrodes for High Energy Density Supercapacitor

Polypyrrole/Graphene oxide composite material (PPy/GO) was synthesized using an in-situ chemical polymerization method. The formation of composite had been shown by the analysis of Fourier transfer of infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data. Scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy clearly showed sheet-like layered structure of graphite oxide surrounded by polypyrrole. Electrochemical properties were characterized by electrochemical station. We demonstrated the intercalation of conducting polypyrrole into the graphite sheets, and that as electrodes for supercapacitor, the PPy/GO composites (GO0.54) with PPy to GO mass ratio of 5:3 showed a competitive capacitance of 337 F g-1 at a scan rate of 2 mV s-1 than that of PPy alone. Given the electrical and electrochemical properties, we prospect that the PPy/GO composites should find applications in supercapacitors.
Effects of Salinity on Bubble Cloud Characteristics

A laboratory experiment investigates the influence of salinity on the characteristics of bubble clouds in varying saline solutions. Bubble clouds were generated with a water jet. Salinity, surface tension, and water temperature were monitored. Measured bubble cloud parameters include the number of bubbles, the void fraction, the penetration depth, and the cloud shape. The number of large (above 0.5 mm diameter) bubbles within a cloud increases by a factor of three from fresh to saline water of 20 psu (practical salinity units), and attains a maximum value for salinity of 12–25 psu. The void fraction also has maximum value in the range 12–25 psu. The results thus show that both the number of bubbles and the void fraction vary nonmonotonically with increasing salinity. The lateral shape of the bubble cloud does not change with increasing salinity; however, the lowest point of the cloud penetrates deeper as smaller bubbles are generated.
Hygrothermal performance of different wood-frame wall assemblies wetted by simulated rain infiltration

The infiltration of rainwater can result from envelope defects that allow water to infiltrate into the stud cavity behind the exterior sheathing, i.e. the back wall. Once rainwater migrates into the stud space, it cannot easily evacuate and is thus likely to accumulate, leading to potential degradation of the wood studs and exterior sheathing, depending on the temperature conditions. Therefore, studying the drying potential of wood-frame wall assemblies that have been subjected to a moisture load like rain infiltration can provide valuable information with respect to the assembly's hygrothermal performance. The primary objectives of the research project were: (1) To evaluate the wetting and drying performance of hygroscopic components in wood-frame wall assemblies wetted by rain infiltration; (2) To investigate the impact of several parameters on the hygrothermal response of the various monitored components such as the sheathing material, the type of vapor retarder, and the presence of foam insulation on the exterior side of the assembly, (3) To develop a framework for large-scale envelope testing of wall assemblies subjected to wind-driven rain infiltration. The role of the vapor retarder, the exterior insulation, an added exterior insulation, the wall height, the presence of hygroscopic cladding was studied and the effect of varying the moisture load was also investigated. The research was primarily experimental but also included some simulation work. The moisture content results from the experiments show that the sheathing material had the most significant impact on the drying response of the wall components, with the lowest and highest drying rate occurring when OSB and fiberboard sheathings were employed, respectively. Increasing the vapor permeability of the vapor retarder within the range allowed by the National Building Code of Canada increased the drying rate of the wetted components within the walls when OSB sheathing was employed. Comparison of the experimental and numerical results highlighted the difficulties in simulating a three-dimensional problem in a two-dimensional domain, the need for accurate and complete material properties, and the need to include of all relevant transport phenomena like air transport in hygrothermal envelope models to increase the accuracy of the simulation results
Multiwavelength rolled-up InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot microtube lasers

We have studied the design, fabrication and characterization of free-standing rolled-up InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot microtube ring resonators, formed by the controlled release of coherently strained InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot heterostructures from the host substrate. The dependence of the 3-dimenionally confined optical modes on the tube wall thickness and surface geometry is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. We have further demonstrated optically pumped rolled-up microtube lasers at room temperature, which exhibit emission wavelengths in the range of 1.1 - 1.3 μm and a low threshold of ~ 4 μW. The design and fabrication of electrically injected rolled-up InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot microtube devices is also described.
A Visual Interaction Cue Framework from Video Game Environments for Augmented Reality

Based on an analysis of 49 popular contemporary video games, we develop a descriptive framework of visual interaction cues in video games. These cues are used to inform players what can be interacted with, where to look, and where to go within the game world. These cues vary along three dimensions: the purpose of the cue, the visual design of the cue, and the circumstances under which the cue is shown. We demonstrate that this framework can also be used to describe interaction cues for augmented reality applications. Beyond this, we show how the framework can be used to generatively derive new design ideas for visual interaction cues in augmented reality experiences.
Security Analysis of SKINNY under Related-Tweakey Settings

In CRYPTO’16, a new family of tweakable lightweight block ciphers - SKINNY was introduced. Denoting the variants of SKINNY as SKINNY-n-t, where n represents the block size and t represents the tweakey length, the design specifies t ∈ {n, 2n, 3n}. In this work, we evaluate the security of SKINNY against differential cryptanalysis in the related-tweakey model. First, we investigate truncated related-tweakey differential trails of SKINNY and search for the longest impossible and rectangle distinguishers where there is only one active cell in the input and the output. Based on the distinguishers obtained, 19, 23 and 27 rounds of SKINNY-n-n, SKINNY-n-2n and SKINNY-n-3n can be attacked respectively. Next, actual differential trails for SKINNY under related-tweakey model are explored and optimal differential trails of SKINNY-64 within certain number of rounds are searched with an indirect searching method based on Mixed-Integer Linear Programming. The results show a trend that as the number of rounds increases, the probability of optimal differential trails is much lower than the probability derived from the lower bounds of active Sboxes in SKINNY.
Comparison of upwind and downwind operation of the NREL Phase VI Experiment

Wind tunnel data are presented comparing upwind versus downwind operation of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Phase VI wind turbine. Power was not reduced as expected with downwind operation, which may be attributed to inboard three-dimensional effects. Average flap bending loads were reduced with downwind coning and compared well with prediction. Blade fatigue loads were increased with downwind operation; however, fatigue was mitigated with an aerodynamic tower shroud (fairing). The shroud needs to remain aligned with the freestream, demonstrated by an increase in fatigue loads from a 10° error in shroud alignment. Pressure data were acquired of the tower wake at the rotor location with and without the shroud installed. The bare-tower wake data compared well with previously published work. The shroud wake data at 10° error in alignment showed velocity reduction and turbulence approaching the bare tower values. Downwind operation, with an aligning tower shroud, should be considered for future designs given the load benefits of downwind coning.
Selective Search

The traditional search solution for large collections divides the collection into subsets (shards), and processes the query against all shards in parallel (exhaustive search). The search cost and the computational requirements of this approach are often prohibitively high for organizations with few computational resources. This article investigates and extends an alternative: selective search, an approach that partitions the dataset based on document similarity to obtain topic-based shards, and searches only a few shards that are estimated to contain relevant documents for the query. We propose shard creation techniques that are scalable, efficient, self-reliant, and create topic-based shards with low variance in size, and high density of relevant documents. The experimental results demonstrate that the effectiveness of selective search is on par with that of exhaustive search, and the corresponding search costs are substantially lower with the former. Also, the majority of the queries perform as well or better with selective search. An oracle experiment that uses optimal shard ranking for a query indicates that selective search can outperform the effectiveness of exhaustive search. Comparison with a query optimization technique shows higher improvements in efficiency with selective search. The overall best efficiency is achieved when the two techniques are combined in an optimized selective search approach.
An Enduring Concept for Security Council Reform

UN Security Council reform has been lingering over the years, since it was first seriously considered in the 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This paper argues that enlarging the Security Council by adding new permanent and non-permanent members, while many of the Charter provisions vital for the maintenance of international peace and security and disarmament are not in effect, would be counterproductive. Instead, the composition of the Council should be reshuffled and expanded by giving a seat to a prominent member of the Global South, i.e. India, and replacing the seats of France and Britain with a single European representation. While there would be no increase or change in the number of permanent and non-permanent members, the result will be a dramatic increase in the numbers of people represented by the Permanent Five, which then will, in effect, comprise half of the world’s population projected for 2012. The underlying logic is that increasing the number of permanent members (P5) would make the Security Council not only less effective, but also prevent the realization of a fundamental purpose of the United Nations, i.e. the transition from an armed to an unarmed peace. By maintaining the number 5, the effective operation of the consensus principle required for the maintenance of international peace and security during the transition is ensured. It is maintained that the changes proposed in this paper may be regarded as “purely procedural” under Article 27 paragraph 2 of the Charter. It will be seen, however, that to trigger the process of the transition, UN Member states (other than the P5, who bear responsibility under the Charter to guarantee safe passage during the transition) must begin, one by one, to delegate “Security Sovereignty” to the Council.
How much longer will Africa have to depend on western nations for support of its capacity‐building efforts for biomedical research?

Advances in biomedical research techniques have resulted in the conquest of many diseases and the improvement in the health and well‐being of populations, yet sub‐Saharan Africa continues to lag behind western nations in terms of research infrastructure and capacity. The increasing numbers of links and collaborations between western institutions of higher learning and teaching hospitals and universities in sub‐Saharan Africa have undoubtedly promoted scholarly research activity on the continent. However, most of the research agenda is, understandably, dominated by western collaborators who provide the much needed funding. Given the recent exposure by events on Wall Street of the frailties of western economies, Africa urgently needs to look inwards in its quest to train biomedical researchers of repute and to secure funding for its capacity‐building needs.
Video shots annotation using random forest

With dramatically increasing of video resources, manually semantic video annotation requires extensive human power. Automatic annotation is an efficient and appropriate solution. In this paper, a tag propagation scheme using random forest is applied on video shot semantic annotation. For the content representation of each video shot, multiple keyframes are extracted using K-means clustering method. We train random forest with tag distribution information gain criterion, and estimate the probabilities of assigning tags to annotate each keyframe. The final predicted semantic tags of video shot comes from the weighted summation of probabilities of assigning tags of all keyframes. The experimental results on videos indicate that our video shot annotation based on random forest achieves good performance.