Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parameter estimation of spectral components of a signal: comparison of techniques

This paper deals with a comparison among different methods for the spectral analysis of signals. Methods of both parametric and non-parametric classes are considered. After a brief outline of the considered methods, the results of numerical tests, aiming to completely characterize them under a metrological point of view and for the estimation of their execution times, are reported. The comparison is intended to help designers involved in the realization of real-time spectral measurement systems in the choice of the most suitable algorithm for a specified applications.
Intelligent Screening Systems for Cervical Cancer

Advent of medical image digitalization leads to image processing and computer-aided diagnosis systems in numerous clinical applications. These technologies could be used to automatically diagnose patient or serve as second opinion to pathologists. This paper briefly reviews cervical screening techniques, advantages, and disadvantages. The digital data of the screening techniques are used as data for the computer screening system as replaced in the expert analysis. Four stages of the computer system are enhancement, features extraction, feature selection, and classification reviewed in detail. The computer system based on cytology data and electromagnetic spectra data achieved better accuracy than other data.
Managing flexible care with a context aware system for ageing-in-place

This paper describes the Care4Balance (C4B) system for better facilitating communication and task coordination between formal and informal caregivers, and older adults as care receivers. Field-tests with older adults (n=3) and user studies (n=9) were conducted to evaluate the system and the perceived usefulness of the system. A review of related work and the study findings show that (1) the perceived benefit for the older target group was very low. The main motivation for using the system was triggered by the perceived benefit for their closest informal caregivers; (2) Informal caregivers do not regularly seek help for themselves, and (3) Introducing a C4B-like system is more than solving hardware and usability issues. The study suggests that more flexibility in the organizational structure of formal care (in The Netherlands and beyond) is needed.
Isoflurane Protects Against Human Endothelial Cell Apoptosis by Inducing Sphingosine Kinase-1 via ERK MAPK

Endothelial dysfunction is a major clinical problem affecting virtually every patient requiring critical care. Volatile anesthetics are frequently used during the perioperative period and protect the heart and kidney against ischemia and reperfusion injury. We aimed to determine whether isoflurane, the most commonly used volatile anesthetic in the USA, protects against endothelial apoptosis and necrosis and the mechanisms involved in this protection. Human endothelial EA.hy926 cells were pretreated with isoflurane or carrier gas (95% room air + 5% CO2) then subjected to apoptosis with tumor necrosis factor-α or to necrosis with hydrogen peroxide. DNA laddering and in situ Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase Biotin-dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) staining determined EA.hy926 cell apoptosis and percent LDH released determined necrosis. We also determined whether isoflurane modulates the expression and activity of sphingosine kinase-1 (SK1) and induces the phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK MAPK) as both enzymes are known to protect against cell death. Isoflurane pretreatment significantly decreased apoptosis in EA.hy926 cells as evidenced by reduced TUNEL staining and DNA laddering without affecting necrosis. Mechanistically, isoflurane induces the phosphorylation of ERK MAPK and increased SK1 expression and activity in EA.hy926 cells. Finally, selective blockade of SK1 (with SKI-II) or S1P1 receptor (with W146) abolished the anti-apoptotic effects of isoflurane. Taken together, we demonstrate that isoflurane, in addition to its potent analgesic and anesthetic properties, protects against endothelial apoptosis most likely via SK1 and ERK MAPK activation. Our findings have significant clinical implication for protection of endothelial cells during the perioperative period and patients requiring critical care.
The Regional Construction of Identity and Scale in Wisconsin's Holyland

Through an examination of a regional construct, this study reveals the relationships between the processes that shape the construction of identity and scale. This paper examines the political, social, cultural, and institutional forces that were most significant in the construction of identity and scale in a region known as the Holyland in east central Wisconsin. This study provides a glimpse into how particular geographic scales are constructed and how identity is significant at various scales. To understand how and why certain scales gain or lose importance, I consider the evolving network of power structures and social relations for this case study. An examination of community life can reveal the ways in which a regional consciousness and identity emerged over time. The people and institutions in Wisconsin's Holyland played a significant role in shaping its identity. Social, cultural, and political forces served to crystallize the region's identity during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. These forces occurred at a variety of scales and ultimately contributed to the regional construction of scale of the Holyland. Regional geographies such as this provide ample opportunities for exploring the relationships between place and identity as well as the construction of scale.
The Cross-Sectional Determinants of Secessionism in Advanced Democracies

This article analyzes the “risk factors” of secessionism at the substate, regional level. It seeks to answer the question, What regions are more likely to support more successful secessionist parties? Using new data in cross-sectional regression analysis, the author finds that secessionism involves unique factors not common to other kinds of ethnic conflict. Specifically, in addition to “identity” variables such as regional language and history of independence, the following variables explain secessionist strength: lack of irredentist potential, relative affluence, geographical noncontiguity, population, and multiparty political system. These factors generally serve as activators of ethnic identity rather than a substitute for the same, although there are important cases of nonethnic secessionism.
Contribution of CD 4 + T cells to the early mechanisms of ischemia-reperfusion injury in a mouse model of acute renal failure

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is the major cause of acute renal failure in native and transplanted kidneys. Mononuclear leukocytes have been reported in renal tissue as part of the innate and adaptive responses triggered by IR. We investigated the participation of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of renal IR injury. Male mice (C57BL/6, 8 to 12 weeks old) were submitted to 45 min of ischemia by renal pedicle clamping followed by reperfusion. We evaluated the role of CD4+ T cells using a monoclonal depleting antibody against CD4 (GK1.5, 50 μ, ip), and class II-major histocompatibility complex molecule knockout mice. Both CD4-depleted groups showed a marked improvement in renal function compared to the ischemic group, despite the fact that GK1.5 mAb treatment promoted a profound CD4 depletion (to less than 5% compared to normal controls) only within the first 24 h after IR. CD4-depleted groups presented a significant improvement in 5-day survival (84 vs 80 vs 39%; antibody treated, knockout mice and non-depleted groups, respectively) and also a significant reduction in the tubular necrosis area with an early tubular regeneration pattern. The peak of CD4positive cell infiltration occurred on day 2, coinciding with the high expression of ßC mRNA and increased urea levels. CD4 depletion did not alter the CD11b infiltrate or the IFN-γ and granzyme-B mRNA expression in renal tissue. These data indicate that a CD4+ subset of T lymphocytes may be implicated as key mediators of very early inflammatory responses after renal IR injury and that targeting CD4+ T lymphocytes may yield novel therapies. Correspondence
A novel mutation in CRYAB associated with autosomal dominant congenital nuclear cataract in a Chinese family

Purpose To identify the genetic defects associated with autosomal dominant congenital nuclear cataract in a Chinese family. Methods Clinical data were collected, and the phenotypes of the affected members in this family were recorded by slit-lamp photography. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood. Mutations were screened in cataract-associated candidate genes through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses and sequencing. Structural models of the wild-type and mutant αB-crystallin were generated and analyzed by SWISS-MODEL. Results Mutation screening identified only one heterozygous G→A transition at nucleotide 32 in the first exon of αB-crystallin (CRYAB), resulting in an amino acid change from arginine to histidine at codon 11 (R11H). This mutation segregated in all available affected family members but was not observed in any of the unaffected persons of the family. The putative mutation disrupted a restriction site for the enzyme, Fnu4HI, in the affected family members. The disruption, however, was not found in any of the randomly selected ophthalmologically normal individuals or in 40 unrelated senile cataract patients. Computer-assisted prediction suggested that this mutation affected the biochemical properties as well as the structure of αB-crystallin. Conclusions These results supported the idea that the novel R11H mutation was responsible for the autosomal dominant nuclear congenital cataract in this pedigree.
Increased Furfural Tolerance Due to Overexpression of NADH-Dependent Oxidoreductase FucO in Escherichia coli Strains Engineered for the Production of Ethanol and Lactate

ABSTRACT Furfural is an important fermentation inhibitor in hemicellulose sugar syrups derived from woody biomass. The metabolism of furfural by NADPH-dependent oxidoreductases, such as YqhD (low Km for NADPH), is proposed to inhibit the growth and fermentation of xylose in Escherichia coli by competing with biosynthesis for NADPH. The discovery that the NADH-dependent propanediol oxidoreductase (FucO) can reduce furfural provided a new approach to improve furfural tolerance. Strains that produced ethanol or lactate efficiently as primary products from xylose were developed. These strains included chromosomal mutations in yqhD expression that permitted the fermentation of xylose broths containing up to 10 mM furfural. Expression of fucO from plasmids was shown to increase furfural tolerance by 50% and to permit the fermentation of 15 mM furfural. Product yields with 15 mM furfural were equivalent to those of control strains without added furfural (85% to 90% of the theoretical maximum). These two defined genetic traits can be readily transferred to enteric biocatalysts designed to produce other products. A similar strategy that minimizes the depletion of NADPH pools by native detoxification enzymes may be generally useful for other inhibitory compounds in lignocellulosic sugar streams and with other organisms.
Final Version Why Do the Rich Save So Much ?

This paper considers several alternative explanations for the fact that households with higher levels of lifetime income (‘the rich’) have higher lifetime saving rates (Dynan, Skinner, and Zeldes (1996); Lillard and Karoly (1997)). The paper argues that the saving behavior of the richest households cannot be explained by models in which the only purpose of wealth accumulation is to finance future consumption, either their own or that of heirs. The paper concludes that the simplest model that explains the relevant facts is one in which either consumers regard the accumulation of wealth as an end in itself, or unspent wealth yields a flow of services (such as power or social status) which have the same practical effect on behavior as if wealth were intrinsically desirable.
Positive Orientation Across Three Cultures

Positive orientation is a new construct posed at the core of positive evaluations about oneself, life, and the future. Previous findings attested to its associations with health, well-being, and achievement. In the present study, the authors traced standard measures of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and dispositional optimism to a common factor attesting to a similar factorial structure in Japan, Germany, and Italy. Partial invariance at both metric and scalar levels further corroborates generality of positive orientation across these 3 countries.
Breakthrough Technologies Optical Coherence Microscopy . A Technology for Rapid , in Vivo , Non-Destructive Visualization of Plants and Plant Cells 1 [ w ]

We describe the development and utilization of a new imaging technology for plant biology, optical coherence microscopy (OCM), which allows true in vivo visualization of plants and plant cells. This novel technology allows the direct, in situ (e.g. plants in soil), three-dimensional visualization of cells and events in shoot tissues without causing damage. With OCM we can image cells or groups of cells that are up to 1 mm deep in living tissues, resolving structures less than 5 mm in size, with a typical collection time of 5 to 6 min. OCM measures the inherent light-scattering properties of biological tissues and cells. These optical properties vary and provide endogenous developmental markers. Singly scattered photons from small (e.g. 5 3 5 3 10 mm) volume elements (voxels) are collected, assembled, and quantitatively false-colored to form a threedimensional image. These images can be cropped or sliced in any plane. Adjusting the colors and opacities assigned to voxels allows us to enhance different features within the tissues and cells. We show that light-scattering properties are the greatest in regions of the Arabidopsis shoot undergoing developmental processes. In large cells, high light scattering is produced from nuclei, intermediate light scatter is produced from cytoplasm, and little if any light scattering originates from the vacuole and cell wall. OCM allows the rapid, repetitive, non-destructive collection of quantitative data about inherent properties of cells, so it provides a means of continuously monitoring plants and plant cells during development and in response to exogenous stimuli.
The role of decompressive craniectomy in diffuse traumatic brain injury.

Project. Patient recruitment was a combination of invited patients from the MD Anderson registry, as well as unsolicited participants from the Collaborative Ependymoma Research Network website. In total, 59 of 136 invited patients (43%) participated from the local registry, and 59 of 105 (56%) unsolicited patients who visited the website participated from remote sites. 44% of patients harbored brain tumors, 51% harbored spine tumors, and 5% had tumors in both locations. All grades of ependymoma were included, though the majority was reported as grade 2 tumors (59%). Median time from diagnosis was 50 months for brain tumors and 74 months for spine tumors. The vast majority of patients had previously undergone either total or subtotal resection, and 54% had received no adjuvant therapy at the time of the survey. Complication rates as reported by these patients were significant. Overall, 38% of patients reported postoperative weakness, 20% reported paralysis, and 32% reported that their physical condition was worse than it had been preoperatively (Table). Recurrence was reasonably common, reported in 31% of brain patients and 27% of spine patients. Finally, patients were being primarily managed by a wide variety of physicians, ranging from neurosurgeons (44%) and neuro-oncologists (30%) to family physicians (18%). Most were not being treated at major academic centers. The authors are to be commended for compiling this data from such a large group of patients. Like any research based on patient surveys, this study is subject to multiple sources of bias. However, the conclusions of the study regarding patient outcomes and lack of standardization of care for ependymomas underscores the need for more centralized management of these patients. In addition, this study joins many others from multiple disciplines in advocating the value of patient-reported outcome assessment in clinical research.
Self-Management by an Owner of a Small Business

Two self-management methods, self-time logging and data plotting, as well as feedback concerning lost potential customers-were investigated alone or in combination to decrease tardiness in the owner/operator of a small business. Results showed decreases in tardiness for all methods, however, lost potential customer recording, when combined with data plotting, produced the largest decrease. Minimal organizational time and money were expended and follow-up data revealed sustained punctuality by the owner/operator.
What You See is What You Get. Autism spectrum disorder: Outcome in adolescence and perception of & responses to social stimuli

markdownabstract__Abstract__ The present thesis aims to contribute to the autism literature by examining the behavioural outcome and underlying mechanisms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The results of two lines of investigation are described. The first line of investigation (part 1) was performed with the aim to provide information about the outcome in adolescence of clinically referred individuals with symptoms of ASD in childhood using a seven-year follow up study. The second line of investigation (part 2) was performed with the aim to get a better understanding of the mechanisms that may underlie problems in social functioning in individuals with ASD, by evaluating perception of and responses to social stimuli in individuals with ASD and typically developing controls during a lab session. In this introduction, firstly, background information will be provided on the conceptualisation of autism and ASD, the outcome in adolescence of children with ASD, and the perception of and responses to social stimuli in individuals with ASD. Based on this background information, the research questions of the current thesis will be provided. Lastly, the samples included in the studies in the current thesis will be described, and the outline of this thesis will be given.
Variations of HRV analysis in different approaches

The analysis of normal-to-normal (NN) intervals acquired from a continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) record is a standard method to evaluate the variations in heart rate. For the advantage of responding to the pumping action of the heart, photoplethysmography (PPG) has also been used extensively in the analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). However, there is little literature available on the variation between the HRV analysis derived from ECG and PPG. In the research described here, experiments of recording short-term (les 5 minutes) ECG and PPG signals simultaneously from healthy subjects (male, N=10) under control were carried out to investigate the possibility of such variation. Automatic computer analysis is provided for the analysis of correlation coefficient and the LF/HF ratio by autoregressive (AR) spectral analysis for evenly resampled sequences. The identical results are highly expected. However, the correlation coefficient between RRI (R-R interval from ECG) and PPI (peak-to-peak interval from PPG) is 0.86plusmn0. 15, which should be unity for perfectly matched patterns. In additions, the relative LF/HF ratios are 2.49plusmn1. 13 (for ECG) and 2.73plusmn0. 82 (for PPG) respectively. Though there is no statistical difference, the worst likelihood ratio (LR) reaches the deviation of 19.04%. From the experimental results, it can be appreciated that there is indeed variation for HRV analysis in two different approaches even for healthy subjects under well-controlled conditions. For abnormal subjects in clinical applications, such variation may be expected to become more apparent. Though the variation is minor, it is suggested to obey the standard measure of HRV proposed by Task Force for consistent conclusions.
Factored Facade Acquisition using Symmetric Line Arrangements

We introduce a novel framework for image‐based 3D reconstruction of urban buildings based on symmetry priors. Starting from image‐level edges, we generate a sparse and approximate set of consistent 3D lines. These lines are then used to simultaneously detect symmetric line arrangements while refining the estimated 3D model. Operating both on 2D image data and intermediate 3D feature representations, we perform iterative feature consolidation and effective outlier pruning, thus eliminating reconstruction artifacts arising from ambiguous or wrong stereo matches. We exploit non‐local coherence of symmetric elements to generate precise model reconstructions, even in the presence of a significant amount of outlier image‐edges arising from reflections, shadows, outlier objects, etc. We evaluate our algorithm on several challenging test scenarios, both synthetic and real. Beyond reconstruction, the extracted symmetry patterns are useful towards interactive and intuitive model manipulations.
Ray Contribution Masks for Structure Adaptive Sinogram Filtering

The patient dose in computed tomography (CT) imaging is linked to measurement noise. Various noise-reduction techniques have been developed that adapt structure preserving filters like anisotropic diffusion or bilateral filters to CT noise properties. We introduce a structure adaptive sinogram (SAS) filter that incorporates the specific properties of the CT measurement process. It uses a point-based forward projector to generate a local structure representation called ray contribution mask (RCM). The similarities between neighboring RCMs are used in an enhanced variant of the bilateral filtering concept, where the photometric similarity is replaced with the structural similarity. We evaluate the performance in four different scenarios: The robustness against reconstruction artifacts is demonstrated by a scan of a high-resolution-phantom. Without changing the modulation transfer function (MTF) nor introducing artifacts, the SAS filter reduces the noise level by 13.6%. The image sharpness and noise reduction capabilities are visually assessed on in vivo patient scans and quantitatively evaluated on a simulated phantom. Unlike a standard bilateral filter, the SAS filter preserves edge information and high-frequency components of organ textures well. It shows a homogeneous noise reduction behavior throughout the whole frequency range. The last scenario uses a simulated edge phantom to estimate the filter MTF for various contrasts: the noise reduction for the simple edge phantom exceeds 80%. For low contrasts at 55 Hounsfield units (HU), the mid-frequency range is slightly attenuated, at higher contrasts of approximately 100 HU and above, the MTF is fully preserved.