Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using wavelets on denoising infrared medical images

This work presents the conclusions of an experimental study that intends to find the best procedure for reducing the noise of medium resolution infrared images. The goal is to find a good scheme for an image database suitable for use in developing a system to aid breast disease diagnostics. In particular, to use infrared images in the screening and postoperative follow-up in the UFF university hospital, and to combine this with other types of image based diagnoses. Seven wavelet types (Biorthogonal, Coiflets, Daubechies, Haar, Meyer, Reverse Biorthogonal and Symmlets) with various vanishing moments (such as Symmlets, where this number goes from 2 to 28, Daubechies from 1 to 45 and Coiflets 1 to 5) comprising a total of 108 different variations of wavelet functions are compared in a denoising scheme to explore their difference with respect to image quality. Three groups of Additive White Gaussian Noise levels (σ = 5, 25 and 50) are used to evaluate the relations among the approaches to threshold the wavelet coefficient (hard or soft), and the image quality after transformation-denoising-storage-decompression. Levels of decomposition are investigated in a new thresholding scheme, where the decision about the coefficient to be eliminated considers all variation, aiming for the best quality of reconstruction. Eight images of the same type and resolution are used in order to find the mean, median, range and standard deviation of the 432 combinations for each level of noise. Moreover, three evaluators (Normalized Cross-Correlation, Signal to Noise Ratio and Root Mean Squared Error) are considered for recommendation of the best possible combination of parameters.
Computation saving in a SRP-PHAT sound source locator variant

The well-known Steered Response Power-Phase Transform (SRP-PHAT) speech source locator enjoys robustness and renders accurate results in high reverberation and medium noise situations. However, it suffers from high computation burden, which debars it from many applications. Various arrangements have been developed during the recent years to lessen the calculations and facilitate its implementation. In this paper, a new hybrid scheme is suggested and compared its performance and costs with several well-known contestant algorithms. The simulation results confirm that the algorithm performance is highly promising and noticeable.
Realistically evaluating small scale SFD programmes professionalisation and praxis

Within the last decade a lack of evidence discourse (Nichols et al, 2010) has emerged raising issues around limited Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E) practice and capacity of Sport For Development (SFD) programmes to elicit change. Critics (Coalter, 2013; Harris and Adams, 2016) have argued that a deeper understanding of what works for whom and why (Pawson and Tilley, 1997) is required when evaluating SFD interventions. This thesis explored practitioner involvement in M and E, and drew upon a realist participatory M and E framework (delivered in two phases), developed to train student sport development practitioners (SSDPs) to make sense of how and why their SFD interventions worked. The framework was evaluated at each phase, utilizing Realist Evaluation (RE) to ascertain if, how, and why the framework worked for SSDPs. The evaluation at phase one (involving interviews, blogs, and questionnaires) led to a series of context mechanism and outcome (CMO) configurations explaining how and why the framework worked for SSDPs. This led to refinements of the framework at phase two embedding Schula et al’s (2016) collaborative principles of evaluation. Evaluation of phase two embedded Q factor analysis (Watts and Stenner, 2012), interviews and reflective blogs. Findings emerged surrounding the value of RE for SSDPs. Schula et al’s (2016) principles enabled practical and transformational characteristics to unfold for SSDPs within the framework. Four sub groups of practitioners emerged depicting how the framework worked. These sub groups were made up of ‘travelling far in M and E competency’, ‘polished problem solvers’, ‘passive passengers’, and ‘proficient yet skeptical practitioners’. These were underpinned by holistic narratives demonstrating subjective views about the framework. A new compilation of CMO configurations informing refinements to the framework followed. In conclusion, participatory approaches of M and E can work with practitioners and should be embedded to enable application of RE.
Base-specific binding of copper(II) to Z-DNA. The 1.3-A single crystal structure of d(m5CGUAm5CG) in the presence of CuCl2.

The single crystal structure of d(m5CGUAm5CG) soaked with copper(II) chloride was solved to atomic (1.3 A) resolution to study the base specificity of copper binding to double-stranded DNA. In the present copper(II) chloride-soaked structure, four crystallographically unique copper(II) complexes were observed bound to five of the six purine bases in the hexamer duplex. Covalent copper(II) binding occurred at N-7 of all four guanine bases and at one of the two adenine bases in the DNA duplex. Copper binding was not observed at the position (Ade4) located in an open solvent channel, whereas the second adenine site (Ade10) shared a complex with a guanine residue (Gua12) of a neighboring symmetry-related hexamer. The coordination geometries and distribution of these copper(II) complexes at the guanine bases in the crystal were comparable to the analogous sites in the isomorphous copper(II) chloride-soaked d(CGCGCG) crystal (Kagawa, T., Geierstanger, B. H., Wang, A. H.-J., and Ho, P.S. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 20175-20184). Thus, the decreased copper(II) binding affinity for Ade4 was not an artifact of crystal packing, but is intrinsic to the chemical properties of this purine base in duplex DNA. This suggests that the adenine bases in dilute solutions of Z-DNA and more generally other duplex DNA conformations are not susceptible to copper(II) modification. Thus, preferential copper(II) binding at guanine bases over adenine bases in double-stranded DNA may explain the observed specificity of copper(II)-induced oxidative DNA damage near guanine residues (Yamamoto, K., and Kawanishi, S. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 15435-15440; Sagripanti, J.-L. , and Kraemer, K. H. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 1729-1734). The sharing of a single copper(II) complex by Ade10 and Gua12 of an adjacent hexamer suggests that additional and perhaps specific DNA-DNA interactions, as may be found in the densely packed environment of the nuclear matrix in the cell, may render N-7 of adenine bases prone to copper(II) modification.
The Caenorhabditis elegans ekl (Enhancer of ksr-1 Lethality) Genes Include Putative Components of a Germline Small RNA Pathway

A canonical Ras–ERK signaling pathway specifies the fate of the excretory duct cell during Caenorhabditis elegans embryogenesis. The paralogs ksr-1 and ksr-2 encode scaffolding proteins that facilitate signaling through this pathway and that act redundantly to promote the excretory duct fate. In a genomewide RNAi screen for genes that, like ksr-2, are required in combination with ksr-1 for the excretory duct cell fate, we identified 16 “ekl” (enhancer of ksr-1 lethality) genes that are largely maternally required and that have molecular identities suggesting roles in transcriptional or post-transcriptional gene regulation. These include the Argonaute gene csr-1 and a specific subset of other genes implicated in endogenous small RNA processes, orthologs of multiple components of the NuA4/Tip60 histone acetyltransferase and CCR4/NOT deadenylase complexes, and conserved enzymes involved in ubiquitination and deubiquitination. The identification of four small RNA regulators (csr-1, drh-3, ego-1, and ekl-1) that share the Ekl phenotype suggests that these genes define a functional pathway required for the production and/or function of particular germline small RNA(s). These small RNAs and the other ekl genes likely control the expression of one or more regulators of Ras–ERK signaling that function at or near the level of kinase suppressor of Ras (KSR).
A Theory of Visual Control of Braking Based on Information about Time-to-Collision

A theory is presented of how a driver might visually control his braking. A mathematical analysis of the changing optic array at the driver's eye indicates that the simplest type of visual information, which would be sufficient for controlling braking and would also be likely to be easily picked up by the driver, is information about time-to-collision, rather than information about distance, speed, or acceleration/deceleration. It is shown how the driver could, in principle, use visual information about time-to-collision in registering when he is on a collision course, in judging when to start braking, and in controlling his ongoing braking. Implications of the theory for safe speeds and safe following distances are discussed, taking into account visual angular velocity detection thresholds, and some suggestions are made as to how safety on the roads might be improved.
High frequency of rapid immunological progression in African infants infected in the era of perinatal HIV prophylaxis

Objectives:To determine the natural history of HIV infection following peripartum single-dose nevirapine (sd-NVP) prophylaxis in a resource-limited country, and to assess implications for antiretroviral therapy (ART) roll-out programmes. Methods:Infants of HIV-infected mothers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were tested on days 1 and 28 to detect intrauterine (IU) and intrapartum (IP) infection. Infant follow-up included monthly viral load and CD4 cell measurement. ART was initiated at infant CD4 cell% ≤ 20%. Results:In 740 infants born to 719 HIV-infected women, mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) was 10.3% (69% IU, 31% IP). Median viral load was higher in mothers of infants infected IP than IU (279 000 versus 86 600 copies/ml; P = 0.039) and lower in mothers of uninfected infants (median 26 750 copies/ml; P < 0.001). Peak viraemia was higher in infants infected IP than IU (5 160 000 versus 984 000 copies/ml; P < 0.001). Median viral load at birth in IU-infected infants (155 000 copies/ml) fell 1.4 log to 6510 copies/ml by day 5 and was beneath the detection limit using dried blood spot analysis in 38% of infants. CD4 cell% declined rapidly, to ≤ 20% in 70% and ≤ 25% in 85% [current World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for initiating ART] of infants by 6 months. Conclusions:MTCT was reduced by sd-NVP through an effect on IP transmission. Where MTCT occurred despite NVP, two-thirds of transmissions arose IU; IP-infected babies were born to mothers with very high viral load. Disease progression was particularly rapid, 85% infants meeting WHO criteria for ART within 6 months. These findings argue for more effective MTCT-prevention programmes in resource-limited countries.
Posttranslational Modifications of the 5′-AMP-activated Protein Kinase β1 Subunit*

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) consists of catalytic α and noncatalytic β and γ subunits and is responsible for acting as a metabolic sensor for AMP levels. There are multiple genes for each subunit and the rat liver AMPK α1 and α2 catalytic subunits are associated with β1 and γ1 noncatalytic subunits. We find that the isolated γ1 subunit is N-terminally acetylated with no other posttranslational modification. The isolated β1 subunit is N-terminally myristoylated. Transfection of COS cells with AMPK subunit cDNAs containing a nonmyristoylatable β1 reduces, but does not eliminate, membrane binding of AMPK heterotrimer. The isolated β1subunit is partially phosphorylated at three sites, Ser24/25, Ser182, and Ser108. The Ser24/25 and Ser108 sites are substoichiometrically phosphorylated and can be autophosphorylatedin vitro. The Ser-Pro site in the sequence LSSS182PPGP is stoichiometrically phosphorylated, and no additional phosphate is incorporated into this site with autophosphorylation. Based on labeling studies in transfected cells, we conclude that α1 Thr172 is a major, although not exclusive, site of both basal and stimulated α1phosphorylation by an upstream AMPK kinase.
Effect of Withania somnifera root extract on haloperidol‐induced catalepsy in albino mice

The objective of the study was to evaluate the anticataleptic effect of Withania somnifera (WS) extract, on haloperidol‐induced catalepsy in albino mice. Catalepsy was induced with haloperidol (1 mg/kg) i.p. in five groups of male albino mice (n = 6). Three groups received Withania somnifera extract (1.7, 4.25, 8.5 mg/kg) respectively, one group received scopolamine (1 mg/kg) and one group received the vehicle (1% gum acacia) orally, 30 min prior to haloperidol administration. Catalepsy was measured by using standard bar test at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 240 min. This constituted the acute study. For the chronic study, the drugs were administered for 6 more days. Catalepsy was again measured on day 7. Animals were then sacrificed by cervical dislocation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was estimated in the brain. In this study, Withania somnifera extract treated groups showed a dose dependent reduction in cataleptic scores, both in the acute and chronic study. The SOD activity in brain was also found to be lowered in the WS (4.25 mg, 8.5 mg/kg) treated groups. In conclusion, Withania somnifera was found to be more efficacious than scopolamine in reversing haloperidol induced catalepsy. A clear correlation between the SOD levels and cataleptic scores was observed. We believe that the antioxidant properties of this drug could have contributed to the anticataleptic effect. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Half-mode Substrate-Integrated Filter With Tunable Center Frequency and Reconfigurable Bandwidth

This letter presents a half-mode substrate integrated cavity bandpass filter with both continuous center frequency and 3 dB bandwidth tuning capabilities. The filter adopts a superposed two layers PCB with lumped varactors loading the central resonator to tune the center frequency. The first-invented semicircular metal sheet on the center rod not only reduces the filter size given a certain resonant frequency significantly by increasing the capacitance between the semicircular metal and the upper ground metal but also facilitates fine frequency tuning by using appropriate varactor Ctune. Surface mount varactors between two resonators change the inter-resonator coupling to adjust the 3 dB BW. Another varactor on the feed line can be used to adjust the external coupling. This filter demonstrates a BW range of 75-130 MHz around 1.5 GHz, a 3 dB BW range of 46-130 MHz around 1.3 GHz and a 3 dB BW range of 55-90 MHz around 1.11 GHz with 10 dB minimum return loss. Insertion loss ranging from 2.262 dB to 7 dB have been obtained.
The Spot-Forward Relationship in the Atlantic Salmon Market

Abstract This review investigates the market performance of salmon forward contracts. It studies whether the forward price is an unbiased estimator of the spot price and whether the forward market generates price discovery information. The focus is on the Fish Pool market for the period from 2006 to 2017 and relates to forward contracts with maturities up to 60 months. The main finding is that there is strong cointegration up to a period of seven months. After this window, there is marginally significant cointegration up to a period of 12 months and the cointegration relationship disappears for contracts with maturities longer than 12 months, pointing to the inefficiency of these forward markets. The results from error-correction models and Granger causality tests suggest that the salmon forward market does not fulfill the expected price discovery role and that the spot market drives the forward market. These findings suggest the salmon forward market is still immature and cast doubt on the viability of longer-term salmon forward contracts.
Prevalence and risk behaviours for HIV infection among inmates of a provincial prison in Quebec City

Objective:To assess HIV prevalence and related risk factors among inmates at the Quebec Detention Centre (QDC). Design:Cross-sectional prevalence study. Methods:Inmates incarcerated at the QDC in September 1994 were asked to participate in an anonymous survey concerning HIV infection. Volunteers answered a questionnaire and provided a saliva sample during a meeting with an interviewer. Results:The overall participation rate was 95% (618 out of 651). HIV prevalence was 2% (11 out of 499) in men. All HIV-infected men were injecting drug users (IDU) with an HIV prevalence of 9% (11 out of 129) in this group. HIV prevalence was 14% (9/63) among male IDU admitting previous needle-sharing and 3% (two out of 66) among the other IDU (odds ratio, 5.3; P = 0.028). Twelve male inmates admitted injecting drugs during imprisonment, of whom 11 shared needles and three were HIV-positive. HIV prevalence in men reporting sexual intercourse with men prior to incarceration was 10% (five out of 52). Nine of the 119 women were HIV-infected (8%), seven of whom were IDU (prevalence of 16% in female IDU). One of the two non-IDU had sexual contacts with male IDU, and the other with men who had sex with men. Tattooing was not associated with HIV infection in either men or women. Conclusions:Prisoners constitute a group at high risk of HIV infection mainly because of the high proportion of them who are IDU. Imprisonment offers a good opportunity to provide education and preventive programs to this specific group that might otherwise be difficult to reach.
Fast Retransmission for Concurrent Multipath Transfer (CMT) over Vehicular Networks

In vehicular networks, a vehicle can connect to a nearby Rode Side Unit (RSU) covered by a relay gateway using IEEE 802.11p. When a vehicle communicates with a server, the link between the vehicle and RSU is a wireless link, while the link between the gateway and the server is a wired link. In most cases, packets are lost in the wireless link, not in the wired link. In this paper, we propose fast retransmission made by the Relay Gateway for Concurrent Multipath Transfer (RG-CMT) in vehicular networks. When packets are lost due to error loss or handoff loss in the wireless link, RG-CMT is able to fast retransmit lost packets from the relay gateway to the vehicle. Comparing to fast retransmission made by the server, retransmission made by the relay gateway saves transmission time and bandwidth. The simulation results show that RG-CMT can recover from handoff faster than CMT, and improve the throughput of CMT by 41% when the packet loss rate over the IEEE 802.11p link is 10%.
Structural equation models to analyze activity participation, trip generation, and mode choice of low-income commuters

Abstract Low-income commuters have distinct activity-travel characteristics from non-low-income commuters. This study examines low-income commuters’ activity-travel pattern for a better understanding the mechanism of activity participation and travel behaviour based on the travel survey data collected in Nanjing, China. Structural equations modelling (SEM) methodology was adopted to estimate the complex relationships among socio-demographics, accessibility, activity participation, trip generation and mode choice. Results show that strong relationships do exist among socio-demographics, activity engagement and travel behavior. Specifically, we can understand travel behaviour better by including activity participation endogenously in the model. Furthermore, it allows us to better forecast how increasing any one type of activity will affect demand for other activities, as well as trip generation and mode choice. Lastly, the results reveal the effects of accessibility variables on activity participation and travel behaviour in which population density measure has more ubiquitous effects. Findings in this study might provide insightful policy implications for improving the travel environment of the low-income commuters.
Development and Validation of a Cervical Cancer Screening Self-Efficacy Scale for Low-Income Mexican American Women

Although self-efficacy, a construct from social cognitive theory, has been shown to influence other screening behaviors, few measures currently exist for measuring Papanicolaou test self-efficacy. This article describes the development and psychometric testing of such a measure for Mexican American women. Data from two separate samples of Mexican American women ages ≥50 years, obtained as part of a study to develop and evaluate a breast and cervical cancer screening educational program, were used in the current study. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a single-factor solution and all item loadings were >0.73. Confirmatory analysis confirmed a single-factor structure with all standardized loadings >0.40 as hypothesized. The eight-item self-efficacy scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.95). As hypothesized, self-efficacy was correlated with knowledge, prior experience, and screening intention. Logistic regression supported the theoretical relationship that women with higher self-efficacy were more likely to have had a recent Papanicolaou test. Findings showed a significant increase in self-efficacy following the intervention, indicating that the measure has good sensitivity to change over time. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(3):866–75)
Genetic polymorphisms of the HCR gene and a genomic segment in close proximity to HLA‐C are associated with patients with psoriasis in Taiwan

Background Although psoriasis vulgaris (PV) is strongly associated with HLA‐Cw*0602, it has been proposed that the association of Cw*0602 is due to linkage disequilibrium and that other nearby genes are involved in PV susceptibility. The α‐helix coiled‐coil rod homologue (HCR) gene, located 110 kb telomeric to the HLA‐C locus, is presumed to be one of the PV candidate genes. Recently, a 10‐kb genomic segment, centromeric to HLA‐C, defined by two new single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) n.7*A and n.9*C, was found to have a stronger association with psoriasis than the HCR gene. Until now, no study of the association of the HCR gene, SNPs n.7, and n.9 has been conducted on Chinese patients with psoriasis.
Position Error Bound and Localization Accuracy Outage in Dense Cluttered Environments

For most outdoor applications, systems such as global positioning system (GPS) provide users with accurate location estimates. However, similar range-only localization techniques in dense cluttered environments typically lack accuracy and reliability due, notably, to dense multipath, line-of-sight (LOS) blockage and excess propagation delays through materials. In particular, range measurements between a receiver and a transmitter are often positively biased. Furthermore, the quality of the range measurement degrades with distance, and the geometric configuration of the beacons also affects the localization accuracy. The position error bound (PEB) is a practical measure of the localization accuracy of such system at a single location. The PEB quantifies the impact of different ranging estimation errors due to beacons distance and biases on the best positioning accuracy. In most practical systems, however, localization must be provided throughout an area, not only at a single point. We introduce the concept of localization accuracy outage, which extends the PEB to multiple locations, so that it quantifies the localization accuracy throughout an area. We illustrate this through several numerical examples, and show that, just as with the single location case, the information from NLOS beacons can be valuable in scenarios with multiple locations, especially in dense cluttered environments
Exploring the human tear fluid: Discovery of new biomarkers in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is the first cause of progressive neurological disability among young adults living in Western countries. Its diagnosis is mostly based on clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, and in some cases cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, but no definitive diagnostic test exists. We proposed here that the exploration of tears from multiple sclerosis patients could lead to the discovery of new biomarkers.