Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of personalized three-dimensional (3D) printed pelvicalyceal system models on patient information in percutaneous nephrolithotripsy surgery: a pilot study

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the impact of personalized three dimensional (3D) printed pelvicalyceal system models on patient information before percutaneous nephrolithotripsy surgery. Material and Methods Patients with unilateral complex renal stones with indicatation of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy surgery were selected. Usable data of patients were obtained from CT scans as Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) format. Mimics software version 16.0 (Materialise, Belgium) was used for segmentation and extraction of pelvicalyceal systems. DICOM format were converted to Stereolithography file format. Finally, fused deposition modeling was used to create plasticine 3D models of pelvicalyceal systems. A questionnaire was designed for patients to assess personalized 3D models effect on patient’s understanding their conditions before percutaneous nephrolithotripsy surgery (PCNL). The day before surgery, each patient was seen by a urologist to deliver information about surgery. Questionnaire forms were asked to patients complete before and after presentation of 3D models and the results of the questions were compared. Results Five patient’s anatomically accurate models of the human renal collecting system were successfully generated. After the 3D printed model presentation, patients demonstrated an improvement in their understanding of basic kidney anatomy by 60% (p=0.017), kidney stone position by 50% (p=0.02), the planned surgical procedure by 60% (p=0.017), and understanding the complications related to the surgery by 64% (p=0.015). In addition, overall satisfaction of conservation improvement was 50% (p=0.02). Conclusion Generating kidney models of PCSs using 3D printing technology is feasible, and understandings of the disease and the surgical procedure from patients were well appreciated with this novel technology.
Dynamics of Functional Genes and Bacterial Community during Bioremediation of Diesel-Contaminated Soil Amended with Compost

Compost is widely used as an organic additive to improve the bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil. In this study, the effects of compost amendment on the remediation performance, functional genes, and bacterial community are evaluated during the bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soils with various ratios of compost (0–20%, w/w). The study reveals that the diesel removal efficiency, soil enzyme (dehydrogenase and urease) activity, soil CH4 oxidation potential, and soil N2O reduction potential have a positive correlation with the compost amendment (p < 0.05). The ratios of denitrifying genes (nosZI, cnorB and qnorB) to 16S rRNA genes each show a positive correlation with compost amendment, whereas the ratio of the CH4-oxidizing gene (pmoA) to the 16S rRNA genes shows a negative correlation. Interestingly, the genera Acidibacter, Blastochloris, Erythrobacter, Hyphomicrobium, Marinobacter, Parvibaculum, Pseudoxanthomonas, and Terrimonas are strongly associated with diesel degradation, and have a strong positive correlation with soil CH4 oxidation potential. Meanwhile, the genera Atopostipes, Bacillus, Halomonas, Oblitimonas, Pusillimonas, Truepera, and Wenahouziangella are found to be strongly associated with soil N2O reduction potential. These results provide useful data for developing technologies that improve diesel removal efficiency while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions in the bioremediation process of diesel-contaminated soil.
Auditor Networks and Tax A voidance : Evidence from private firms

This study examines the relation between individual auditor expertise and tax avoidance among private firms. We employ unique data from Italian private firms where individual auditors are cross-appointed over multiple audit engagements. By interacting over multiple engagements, auditors form ties and integrate a professional network that can be a conduit of knowledge spillover and expertise. We use network measures of centrality aggregating multiple auditors’ ties and document that firms engaging better-connected auditors exhibit comparatively lower effective tax rates. We also examine two alternative determinants of tax avoidance proposed by prior studies, auditor industry specialization and contagion of tax strategies through ties to lowtax firms. The results indicate that in our setting auditor network centrality is more important in determining clients’ levels of tax avoidance than auditor industry specialization or contagion of tax strategies. Overall, our findings suggest that individual auditors can effectively gather and spread information about tax savings strategies within their professional network.
Field equations for Lovelock gravity: An alternative route

We present an alternative derivation of the gravitational field equations for Lovelock gravity starting from the Newton's law, which is closer in spirit to the thermodynamic description of gravity. As a warm up exercise, we have explicitly demonstrated that projecting the Riemann curvature tensor appropriately and taking a cue from Poisson's equation, the Einstein's equations immediately follow. The above derivation naturally generalizes to Lovelock gravity theories where an appropriate curvature tensor satisfying the symmetries as well as the Bianchi derivative properties of the Riemann tensor has to be used. Interestingly, in the above derivation, the thermodynamic route to gravitational field equations, suited for null hypersurfaces, emerge quiet naturally.
Functional Neuroimaging in Migraine: Chances and Challenges

Functional neuroimaging studies are an indispensable tool in headache research and have greatly contributed to our understanding of migraine pathophysiology. The past two decades have identified the brainstem as the target region of interest in migraine pathophysiology: Recent evidence suggests that certain areas of the central nervous system and especially the brainstem periodically change activity during different stages of the migraine cycle. Additionally, the number of resting‐state functional MRI studies in migraine has increased greatly in recent years. Three future trends in migraine neuroimaging can be identified: brainstem optimized functional imaging, longitudinal approaches tracking biological changes through the migraine cycle, and optimized resting‐state fMRI. Consequently, we face a lot of difficulties regarding image noise and artifacts, organizational details, and data interpretation. Optimized neuroimaging studies and new approaches will continue to greatly contribute to our pathophysiological understanding of migraine.
Using Baits to Deliver Pharmaceuticals to Feral Swine in Southern Texas

Abstract Few studies have evaluated oral delivery systems of pharmaceuticals (e.g., vaccines, fertility control agents, and toxicants) to feral swine (Sus scrofa) in the United States. Our objective was to assess, through a field trial, the percentage of feral swine and nontarget animals that remove and consume baits intended to transport pharmaceuticals to feral swine in southern Texas, USA. We hand-placed 1,178 iophenoxic acid (IA)–marked baits distributed over 1,721 ha (68 baits/km2) in April 2005 and monitored species-specific bait removal and consumption using track stations, automated camera systems, and serum IA values from captured animals. Ninety percent of baits were removed after 72 hours. For baits for which we determined the species that “definitely” or “likely” removed bait using track stations and cameras, 51% were taken by raccoons (Procyon lotor), 22% were taken by feral swine, and 20% were taken by collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu). We found elevated serum IA values in 74% of trapped feral swine, 89% of raccoons, and 43% of opossums (Didelphis virginiana). Our oral delivery system was successful in marking a substantial proportion of feral swine. However, our observed removal rates suggest that the majority of the baits were taken by nontarget species and, therefore, unsuitable for most pharmaceutical applications in their current form.
Sex‐specific life history responses to nymphal diet quality and immune status in a field cricket

Individual fitness is expected to benefit from earlier maturation at a larger body size and higher body condition. However, poor nutritional quality or high prevalence of disease make this difficult because individuals either cannot acquire sufficient resources or must divert resources to other fitness‐related traits such as immunity. Under such conditions, individuals are expected to mature later at a smaller body size and in poorer body condition. Moreover, the juvenile environment can also produce longer‐term effects on adult fitness by causing shifts in resource allocation strategies that could alter investment in immune function and affect adult lifespan. We manipulated diet quality and immune status of juvenile Texas field crickets, Gryllus texensis, to investigate how poor developmental conditions affect sex‐specific investment in fitness‐related traits. As predicted, a poor juvenile diet was related to smaller mass and body size at eclosion in both sexes. However, our results also reveal sexually dimorphic responses to different facets of the rearing environment: female life history decisions are affected more by diet quality, whereas males are affected more by immune status. We suggest that females respond to decreased nutritional income because this threatens their ability to achieve a large adult body size, whereas male fitness is more dependent on reaching adulthood and so they invest in immunity and survival to eclosion.
Aaargh! I just loooove flicker noise [Open Column]

The author discusses his love-hate relationship with flicker noise and the fact that there is still a lot we don't know about it and might want to find out. For one, it is still not agreed what the best mathematical model is, and he has not yet found a mathematical model that both includes the non-stationarity of 1/f noise and is also useful for designers. On the to-do list are also better ways to calculate and simulate it; things like auto-zeroing, correlated double sampling and other switched circuits are really cumbersome to analyze and to simulate in IC design tools (if it can be done at all). We also should creatively use Klumperink's and Bloom's switching ideas to reduce the effect of flicker noise in many different ways. The fourth missing element is teaching; flicker noise is so omni-present and important, but he has yet to find a university graduate who knows more about it than that it's there (and in most cases not even this). These are all things that could be contributed by the members of the IEEE CAS society.
Comparison of the Luminex xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel with In-House Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests for Diagnosis of Respiratory Virus Infections

ABSTRACT Detection of respiratory viruses using sensitive real-time nucleic acid amplification tests (NATs) is invaluable for patient and outbreak management. However, the wide range of potential respiratory virus pathogens makes testing using individual real-time NATs expensive and laborious. The objective of this study was to compare the detection of respiratory virus targets using the Luminex xTAG respiratory viral panel (RVP) assay with individual real-time NATs used at the Provincial Laboratory of Public Health, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The study included 1,530 specimens submitted for diagnosis of respiratory infections from December 2006 to May 2007. Direct-fluorescent-antigen-positive nasopharyngeal samples were excluded from this study. A total of 690 and 643 positives were detected by RVP and in-house NATs, respectively. Kappa correlation between in-house NATs and RVP for all targets ranged from 0.721 to 1.000. The majority of specimens missed by in-house NATs (96.7%) were positive for picornaviruses. Samples missed by RVP were mainly positive for adenovirus (51.7%) or respiratory syncytial virus (27.5%) by in-house NATs and in general had low viral loads. RVP allows for multiplex detection of 20 (and differentiation between 19) respiratory virus targets with considerable time and cost savings compared with alternative NATs. Although this first version of the RVP assay has lower sensitivity than in-house NATs for detection of adenovirus, it has good sensitivity for other targets. The identification of picornaviruses and coronaviruses and concurrent typing of influenza A virus by RVP, which are not currently included in our diagnostic testing algorithm, will improve our diagnosis of respiratory tract infections.
The J-Curve at Industry Level: Evidence from Malaysia-China Trade

To investigate the response of real depreciation of ringgit on trade balance of Malaysia, researchers either employed trade data between Malaysia and the rest of the world or between Malaysia and each of her trading partners. Nevertheless, these studies did not provide a conclusive evidence of the effects of currency depreciation on the trade balance, particularly in the case of Malaysia with China. This paper considers 53 industries and investigates the short-run (J-curve pattern) and the long-run effects of the real depreciation of ringgit/yuan on the trade balance of each industry. We use quarterly data over the period of 1993Q1- 2009Q4. The results from bounds testing approach and error-correction modelling indicate that whilst depreciation of ringgit has short-run significant effects on the trade balance in majority of the industries, the short-run effects translate into the favorable long-run effects only in 11 of the 53 industries. The results also reveal that J-Curve phenomenon exists only in 10 industries.
Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Hypnosis: Cognitive and Clinical Perspectives

Abstract The authors propose that hypnosis and mindfulness-based approaches can be used in tandem to create adaptive response sets and to deautomatize maladaptive response sets. They summarize recent research on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based approaches in clinical and nonclinical contexts and propose that the cognitive underpinnings of mindfulness approaches can be conceptualized in terms of the metacognitive basis of mindful attention, Toneatto’s elucidation of the Buddhist perspective on cognition, and Kirsch and Lynn’s response-set theory. They also suggest that mindfulness can serve as a template for generating an array of suggestions that provides cognitive strategies to contend with problems in living and to ameliorate stress and negative affect more generally. Many of the ideas the authors advance are speculative and are intended to spur additional research and clinical work. This article is based on a paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, November, 2002, Boston, MA. We thank Albrecht Inhoff for his helpful comments regarding an earlier version of this manuscript.
The representation of the visual field on the cerebral cortex in monkeys

On the basis of his extensive and elegant anatomical investigations on the visual cortex, Poliak (1932) suggested that a mathematical projection of the retina on the cerebral cortex must exist. Talbot & Marshall (1941) used physiological methods to map the central part of the visual field on to the posterolateral surface ofthe cortex in the monkey. They devised an index of cortical representation expressed as the increment of the angle, measured radially from the centre of gaze, which is represented on each millimetre of cortex. We have confirmed their observations and have extended the mapping to the buried visual cortex in the horizontal and vertical calcarine fissures. We have preferred to use the reciprocal of their index and to call it the cortical magnification, M. When this is measured along radii and at right angles to them, it provides the empirical quantitative relation which Polyak wanted. It also defines the shape and size of the visual receptive field. We have made such a surface, folded it and compared it with the calcarine cortex of the monkey. A preliminary account of this work has been published (Daniel & Whitteridge, 1959).
Analytics of biometric data from wearable devices to support teaching and learning activities

This paper introduces the preliminary results of a piece of research whose main purpose is to take advantage of data collected from wearable devices to support learning processes. This goal is approached through the application of learning analytic techniques. The innovation point is the use of data collected from wearables, that will be used in conjunction with data collected from other sources (e.g. Learning Management Systems, Student Information Systems). The paper reviews the results achieved during the last year about the relationships among biometric data collected from wearables and relevant features described in the educational literature. In this way sleep and stress have been identified as interesting areas that could be informed from data collected in wearables and processed by applying machine learning techniques. Our preliminary results show some initial promising results that need further validation, also these results show an interesting opportunity to support awareness and intervention functionalities.
Structural characterization by nuclear magnetic resonance of the impact of phosphorylation in the proline‐rich region of the disordered Tau protein

Phosphorylation of the neuronal Tau protein is implicated in both the regulation of its physiological function of microtubule stabilization and its pathological propensity to aggregate into the fibers that characterize Alzheimer's diseased neurons. However, how specific phosphorylation events influence both aspects of Tau biology remains largely unknown. In this study, we address the structural impact of phosphorylation of the Tau protein by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy on a functional fragment of Tau (Tau[Ser208–Ser324] = TauF4). TauF4 was phosphorylated by the proline‐directed CDK2/CycA3 kinase on Thr231 (generating the AT180 epitope), Ser235, and equally on Thr212 and Thr217 in the Proline‐rich region (Tau[Ser208‐Gln244] or PRR). These modifications strongly decrease the capacity of TauF4 to polymerize tubulin into microtubules. While all the NMR parameters are consistent with a globally disordered Tau protein fragment, local clusters of structuration can be defined. The most salient result of our NMR analysis is that phosphorylation in the PRR stabilizes a short α‐helix that runs from pSer235 till the very beginning of the microtubule‐binding region (Tau[Thr245‐Ser324] or MTBR of TauF4). Phosphorylation of Thr231/Ser235 creates a N‐cap with helix stabilizing role while phosphorylation of Thr212/Thr217 does not induce modification of the local transient secondary structure, showing that the stabilizing effect is sequence specific. Using paramagnetic relaxation experiments, we additionally show a transient interaction between the PRR and the MTBR, observed in both TauF4 and phospho‐TauF4. Proteins 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self Similarity Analysis and Modeling of VoIP Traffic under Wireless Heterogeneous Network Environment

Self similar behavior of the aggregate traffic is a well known issue in the networking area. In this paper, we first study the self similarity of the empirically aggregated VoIP traffic in a heterogeneous wireless network testbed environment and then model it using Fractional Gaussian Noise (fGn). The heterogeneity of the environment is provided by exploiting different wireless technologies in backbone and access networks. The backbone of the testbed is IEEE 802.16d WiMAX whereas the access network is IEEE 802.11b WiFi mesh architecture. We evaluate the self similarity in terms of throughput and packet inter-arrival time using empirically captured VoIP calls generated by softphones in the laboratory. We prove the collected data’s self similar characteristics with stochastic analysis using autocorrelation functions. We implement three well-known time domain estimators to obtain Hurst values for both metrics. We also suggest the Fractional Gaussian Noise (fGn) Model for the empirically aggregated VoIP data. The self similarity analysis and modeling performed in this work will motivate new design issues on the quality of service frameworks and resources allocation mechanisms such as buffers in wireless heterogeneous networks.
Harmful algal blooms in the Eastern North Atlantic Ocean

Applying a mathematical model to the period 1982–2016, in PNAS Gobler et al. (1) propose that ocean warming has expanded the niche for harmful algal blooms (HABs) of the species Dinophysis acuminata and Alexandrium fundyense , which can generate shellfish toxicity and pose risks to human health. The authors’ model predicts an increase in the growth rate and in the duration of the bloom season for these species, with a “hot spot” being the North Eastern Atlantic (NEA) and North Sea (NS) waters surrounding the United Kingdom. Using ships of opportunity, the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) has surveyed offshore phytoplankton populations (including Dinophysis , but not Alexandrium ) in this region since 1958 (2). We used Dinophysis spp. data to evaluate the model’s predictions, as species data … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: paul.dees{at}sams.ac. uk. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Sleep estimation using BodyMedia's SenseWear™ armband in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the validity of the BodyMedia's SenseWear™ Armband (BSA) device in estimating total sleep time (TST) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: Simultaneous overnight recordings of in-laboratory polysomnography (PSG) and BSA were performed on (1) 107 OSA patients (mean age of 45.2 ± 14.3 years, mean apnea hypopnea index of 43 ± 35.7/hr and (2) 30 controls matched with OSA patients for age and body mass index. An agreement analysis between the PSG and BSA scoring results was performed using the Bland and Altman method. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in OSA patients between BSA and PSG with regard to TST, total wake time, and sleep efficiency. There was also no significant difference in the controls between BSA and PSG with regard to TST, total wake time, and sleep efficiency. Bland Altman plots showed strong agreement between TST, wake time, and sleep efficiency for both OSA and the controls. The intraclass correlation coefficients revealed perfect agreement between BSA and PSG in different levels of OSA severity and both genders. CONCLUSION: The current data suggest that BSA is a reliable method for determining sleep in patients with OSA when compared against the gold standard test (PSG). BSA can be a useful tool in determining sleep in patients with OSA and can be combined with portable sleep studies to determine TST.
North-Holland Robust control design for systems with structured parameter uncertainty

In a recent paper a unification of the H 2 (LQG) and H~ control-design problems was obtained in terms of modified algebraic Riccati equations. In the present paper these results are extended to guarantee robust H 2 and Hoo performance in the presence of structured real-valued parameter variations (AA, AB, AC) in the state space model. For design flexibility the paper considers two distinct types of uncertainty bounds for both fulland reduced-order dynamic compensation. An important special case of these results generates H2/Hoo controller designs with guaranteed gain margins.