Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
INTERPRETING GEOTHERMAL PROCESSES AND FLUID SOURCES FROM FLUID INCLUSION ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AND CO 2 / N 2 RATIOS

The distribution of organic species is explored using data acquired from a new dual quadrupole system that routinely measures eighteen gaseous species. The process of condensation and its affect on gas distribution is modeled, and a new discrimination diagram based on total gaseous species and the CO2/N2 ratio is introduced. We conclude that organic species concentrations indicate source; that pyrolysis of organic material produces significant aromatic compounds; that Fischer-Tropsch reactions produce organic species dominated by methane; CO2/N2 vs. total gas plots are useful for illustrating boiling and condensation processes; and Cerro Prieto gas concentration are consistent with the gaseous species being modified by input of magmatic volatiles.
An azimuth of arrival detector based on a compact complementary antenna system

In this paper we propose a compact positioning system based on two pattern complementary antennas printed on the same substrate. The system is capable to discriminate the azimuth component of an impinging signal working with one RSS-based technique. The unique features of the ellipse and superellipse geometry, applied to a effective design tool proposed by the authors, makes possible the design of both directive and omnidirectional radiators. The complementarity is a perfect requisite for a MUSIC-based angle of arrival detector.
High-pressure liquid chromatographic methods for determining arabinosyladenine-5'-monophosphate, arabinosyladenine, and arabinosylhypoxanthine in plasma and urine

New high-pressure liquid chromatographic methods for determining concentrations of arabinosyladenine (Ara-A), its 5'-monophosphate (Ara-AMP), and arabinosylhypoxanthine (Ara-H) in plasma and urine are presented. A fluorescence detector is used for Ara-A and Ara-AMP, which are first converted to highly fluorescent derivatives with chloroacetaldehyde. This increases sensitivity greatly over previous methods. The sensitivities of the methods (in micrograms per milliliter) are as follows: in plasma, Ara-AMP, 0.002; Ara-A, 0.0015; and Ara-H, 0.35; and in urine, 9 times these values, respectively. Drug concentration data are also presented, which were obtained after doses of Ara-AMP were given intramuscularly to two patients treated with this drug for severe herpes zoster. One patient was given 13 mg of Ara-AMP per kg of body weight once daily, and the other was given 6.5 mg/kg twice daily. Peak Ara-AMP and Ara-A levels in plasma occurred within 1 h after the doses, and neither exceeded 2 micrograms/ml. Ara-AMP and Ara-A concentrations in plasma fell to less than 0.01 micrograms/ml in both patients by 4 to 6 h after the doses. Peak Ara-H concentrations in plasma occurred within 1 to 2 h after doses and were 21 micrograms/ml in patient 1 and 2. The highest concentration of Ara-AMP in urine was 0.09 micrograms/ml. The highest Ara-A concentration in urine was 62 micrograms/ml, and the highest Ara-H concentration in urine was 1,080 micrograms/ml. An interfering substance of unknown nature, cochromatographing with Ara-H, was encountered sporadically in urine samples. An algorithm based on differential spectrophotometry to identify and correct for this problem is described. Estimates of the renal clearances of Ara-AMP, Ara-A, and Ara-H are also given.
Recombinant human tissue plasminogen activator protects the basal lamina in experimental focal cerebral ischemia

Summary While recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is successfully used in human ischemic stroke, it may also cause hemorrhagic complications. Animal experiments have shown that hemorrhages are related to microvascular basal lamina damage. We investigated the effects of different doses of rt-PA on the brain microvasculature. Experimental cerebral ischemia in rats was induced for 3 h and followed by 24 h reperfusion (suture model). Each group of rats (n = 6) received either treatment (0.9, 9, or 18 mg rt-PA/kg body weight) or saline (control group) at the end of ischemia. The loss of microvascular basal lamina antigen collagen type IV was measured by Western blot of the ischemic and non-ischemic basal ganglia and cortex. Compared with the contralateral non-ischemic area, collagen type IV was significantly reduced in the ischemic area: (basal ganglia/cortex) 43% +/- 9% / 64% +/- 4 %. Low/moderate doses of rt-PA had a protective effect: 0.9 mg 79% +/- 3% / 89% +/-6%, 9 mg 72% +/- 9%/ 81% +/- 12% (p < 0.05). Higher doses of rt-PA (18 mg) had a similar effect as seen in untreated controls: 57% +/- 11% / 59% +/- 9% (p < 0.05, Anova). MMP-9 and MMP-2, measured by gelatine zymography, steadily increased over higher doses of rt-PA: MMP-9 (basal ganglia/cortex): control 115% +/- 4% / 123% +/- 3% compared with 18 mg rt-PA 146% +/- 5%/ 162% +/- 6% (p < 0.05) and MMP-2: control 109% +/-4%/ 116% +/- 5% and 18 mg rt-PA 222% +/- 15%/ 252% +/- 2% (p < 0.05). Low to moderate doses of rt-PA protect the microvascular basal lamina, whereas high doses of rt-PA have the opposite effect, probably due to increased coactivation of MMP-2 and MMP-9.
A two-stage classifier using SVM and RANSAC for face recognition

A novel face recognition scheme based on two-stage classifier, which includes methods of support vector machine (SVM), and random sample consensus (RANSAC), is proposed in this paper. The whole decision process is undertaken by cascade stages. The first stage with OAO-SVM (one-against-one) method picks out two classes with the least variations to the testing images. From the selected two classes, the second stage with "RANSAC" method is used for a fine match with testing images. A fine class with greatest geometric similarity to testing images is thus produced at second stage. This two-stage face recognition system has been tested on Olivetti Research Laboratory (ORL) databases, and the experimental results give evidence that the proposed approach is superior to the previous approaches based on the single classifier and multi-parallel classifier in recognition accuracy.
Racial differences in the recognition of cognitive dysfunction in older persons

We assessed the influence of race and education on informants’ reports of cognitive decline in 252 community-residing older persons who were receiving services from senior health agencies. An expert consensus panel made diagnoses of normal cognition, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), and dementia based on clinical evaluations and standardized neuropsychological testing (using both population and race-adjusted norms). Informants were interviewed using the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Informants of black participants with CIND reported less cognitive decline (lower IQCODE scores) than informants of white CIND participants [3.03 (0.61) vs. 3.23 (0.41); t (117)=2.12, P⩽0.036] even though there were no significant differences in the participants’ functional and neuropsychological impairments. An analysis of covariance which controlled for informant education indicated that this difference in IQCODE scores was attributable to the fact that black informants had fewer years of education than white informants. There was no statistically significant difference in IQCODE scores for black and white participants with dementia [4.0 (0.7) vs. 4.3 (0.7); t (67)=1.37, P=0.177]. We conclude that racially determined differences in perceptions of early cognitive decline and education may influence informant ratings of older persons. These differences may contribute to disparities in the detection and treatment of cognitive disorders in older black persons.
Obama, Katrina, and the Persistence of Racial Inequality

New benchmark estimates of Black-White income ratios for 1870, 1900, and 1940 are combined with standard post-World War census data. The resulting time series reveals that the pace of racial income convergence has generally been steady but slow, quickening only during the 1940s and the modern Civil Rights era. I explore the interpretation of the time series with a model of intergenerational transmission of inequality in which racial differences in causal factors that determine income are very large just after the Civil War and which erode slowly across subsequent generations. “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color line. ” —W. E. B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk
Predictive Smooth Variable Structure Filter for Attitude Synchronization Estimation During Satellite Formation Flying

In this paper, a novel predictive smooth variable structure filter (PSVSF) is presented for attitude synchronization during satellite formation flying (SFF). The strategy is proposed based on variable structure control concept and applies to any nonlinear system with modeling errors. Because the modeling errors in the PSVSF are not restricted to Gaussian noise only, the technique can deal with various kinds of uncertainties, parameter variations, or noises. It also has low computational burden; therefore, it is more general than other nonlinear estimation methods. Sufficient conditions to analyze the stability and characteristics of the PSVSF are presented. Simulations are performed to demonstrate the accuracy, robustness, and stability of the proposed PSVSF for the attitude synchronization estimation of the SFF system.
KLrtD: Kernel level rootkit detection

Kernel rootkits pose a significant threat to computer systems as they run at the highest privilege level of operating system and have unrestricted access to the resources of their victims. Majority of current efforts in kernel rootkit defense focus on the detection of kernel rootkits. Various untrusted extensions, it remains a challenging problem to comprehensively preserve the integrity of OS kernels in a practical and generic way. In this regard, we propose a detection method named WHKrD that blocks and detects data kernel rootkit attacks by monitoring kernel data access using virtual machine monitor (VMM). WHKrD in inference mode, observe the execution of the kernel during an inference phase and extract white list rules on kernel data structures. In the following, integrity checker phase uses these rules as specifications of data structure integrity and any violation of rules indicates an infection. We have implemented a prototype of our system using the xen VMM. Our experiments show that it successfully detects data kernel rootkits, demonstrating its effectiveness and practicality.
Subject-Independent P300 BCI Using Ensemble Classifier, Dynamic Stopping and Adaptive Learning

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are used to assist people, especially those with verbal or physical disabilities, communicate with the computer to indicate their selections, control a device or answer questions only by their mere thoughts. Due to the noisy nature of brain signals, the required time for each experimental session must be lengthened to reach satisfactory accuracy. This is the trade-off between the speed and the precision of a BCI system. In this paper, we propose a unified method which is the integration of ensemble classifier, dynamic stopping, and adaptive learning. We are able to both increase the accuracy, as well as to reduce the spelling time of the P300-Speller. Another merit of our study is that it does not require the training phase for any new subject, hence eliminates the extensively time-consuming process for learning purposes. Experimental results show that we achieve the averaged bit rate boost up of 182% on 15 subjects. Our best achieved accuracy is 95.95% by using 7.49 flashing iterations and our best achieved bit rate is 40.87 bits/min with 83.99% accuracy and 3.64 iterations. To the best of our knowledge, these results outperformed most of the related P300-based BCI studies.
Financial Challenges of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises(Smes) In Nigeria: The Relevance of Accounting Information

The relevance of SME-sub sector in Nigeriaâs economy has necessitated the need for empirical investigations into the nature of its financial challenges. This paper evaluates the extent accounting information can be used to ameliorate the financial challenges of SMEs in Nigeria. It explored both theoretical and empirical literatures as bases for the study. It made use of questionnaire for collecting data from a sample of SMEs in Nigeria. Tables and graphs describe the responses for better understanding. By the technique of Ordinary Least Square (OLS), the researchers analysed the group logit (GLOGIT) model specified in the paper. Our analyses reveal that SMEs in Nigeria have poor accounting system. It was also found that SMEsâ access to finance depends largely on the quality of accounting information they can generate which is determined by their accounting practices. The paper recommends that SMEs should access the services of the accountant to be able to establish dependable accounting system which is characterised by generally accepted accounting practices (GAAPs). Quality accounting information will enhance SMEsâ financial management as well as accessibility of finances.
A Four-Gene Signature from NCI-60 Cell Line for Survival Prediction in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: Metastasis is the main cause of mortality in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Genes that can discriminate the invasion ability of cancer cells may become useful candidates for clinical outcome prediction. We identify invasion-associated genes through computational and laboratorial approach that supported this idea in NSCLC. Experimental Design: We first conducted invasion assay to characterize the invasion abilities of NCI-60 lung cancer cell lines. We then systematically exploited NCI-60 microarray databases to identify invasion-associated genes that showed differential expression between the high and the low invasion cell line groups. Furthermore, using the microarray data of Duke lung cancer cohort (GSE 3141), invasion-associated genes with good survival prediction potentials were obtained. Finally, we validated the findings by conducting quantitative PCR assay on an in-house collected patient group (n = 69) and by using microarray data from two public western cohorts (n = 257 and 186). Results: The invasion-associated four-gene signature (ANKRD49, LPHN1, RABAC1, and EGLN2) had significant prediction in three validation cohorts (P = 0.0184, 0.002, and 0.017, log-rank test). Moreover, we showed that four-gene signature was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 2.354, 1.480, and 1.670; P = 0.028, 0.014, and 0.033), independent of other clinical covariates, such as age, gender, and stage. Conclusion: The invasion-associated four-gene signature derived from NCI-60 lung cancer cell lines had good survival prediction power for NSCLC patients. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(23):7309–15)
Robust recursive watermarking technique in discrete wavelet transform

Presently, data sharing and information searching is easier to perform on the internet and has resulted in the digital contents becoming widely available and easily accessible. However, many users abuse these contents through piracy and forgery practices, thus there is a need for copyright protection which can be achieved with digital watermarking. A robust digital watermark should be able to withstand intentional and unintentional attacks but the various available techniques for watermarking have yet to attain the best defence performance against these attacks. This study proposed an alternative watermarking technique referred as Recursive Watermarking Technique (RWT) on digital image content where multiple watermarks are embedded in the host image. In this technique, multisegmentation was carried out. Embedding and extracting of watermark was performed in the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) domain, after the image segmentation process. Besides that, reconstruction image stage was carried out to get the most robust watermark. These multiple watermarking processes in RWT have the capability to minimize the effect of the attacks. The robustness of RWT against attacks was tested against motion blur, Gaussian noise (1%, 5% and 10%), salt and pepper noise (0.02), cropped image, JPEG compression, intensity adjustment, sharpen and mosaic tile attacks. The results showed that RWT has a higher NC value which is equal to 1. At the same time, Gaussian blur, salt and pepper noise (0.05 and 0.1), and histogram equalization attacks gained an NC value of 0.99. These results imply that RWT is able to withstand the attacks successfully and performs better than the other known techniques.
Importance of promoter methylation of GATA4 and TP53 genes in endometrioid carcinoma of endometrium

Abstract Background: Epigenetic changes are considered to be a frequent event during tumor development. Various methylation changes have been identified and show promise as potential cancer biomarkers. The aim of this study was to investigate promoter methylation of GATA4 and TP53 genes in endometrioid carcinoma of endometrium. Methods: To search for promoter methylation of GATA4 and TP53 genes we used methylation-specific PCR (MSP) to compare the methylation status of 54 patients with endometrioid carcinoma of endometrium and 18 patients with normal endometrial tissue. Results: In our study MSP revealed GATA4 promoter methylation in 44 of 54 in the carcinoma group (81.5%), and in none of the control group. No methylation was observed in TP53 gene. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study showed that there is significantly higher methylation in GATA4 gene in the endometrial cancer group compared with samples of non-neoplastic endometrium. The finding suggests the importance of hypermethylation of this gene in endometrial carcinogenesis and could have implications for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for endometrial cancer based on epigenetic changes.
Loco regional failure pattern after lumpectomy and breast irradiation in 4185 patients with T1 and T2 breast cancer. Implications for nodal irradiation

The aim of this study is to determinate incidence and risk factors for loco regional failure (LRR) (breast, supraclavicular, axillary and internal mammary nodes) and indications for nodal irradiation. From January 1980 to December 2001, 4185 patients with T1–T2 breast cancer were treated with conservative surgery and whole breast radiotherapy without nodal irradiation at the University of Florence. The median age was 55 years (range 19–86). All patients were followed for a median of eight years (range 3 months to 20 years). Multivariate analysis showed as independent prognostic factors for isolated nodal relapse (NR) the presence of more than three positive lymph nodes (PAN) (p = 0.001), angiolymphatic invasion (p = 0.002) and pT2 (p = 0.02). However, only 4.8% of patients with more than three PAN developed NR as the only site of recurrence. Having one to three PAN was not associated with an increased risk of NR. We believe that it is not necessary to prescribe nodal irradiation to patients with negative or one to three PAN. Regarding patients with more than three PAN, the number of isolated NR is also small to routinely justify a node irradiation.
Adaptive Target Birth Intensity for PHD and CPHD Filters

The standard formulation of the probability hypothesis density (PHD) and cardinalised PHD (CPHD) filters assumes that the target birth intensity is known a priori. In situations where the targets can appear anywhere in the surveillance volume this is clearly inefficient, since the target birth intensity needs to cover the entire state space. This paper presents a new extension of the PHD and CPHD filters, which distinguishes between the persistent and the newborn targets. This extension enables us to adaptively design the target birth intensity at each scan using the received measurements. Sequential Monte-Carlo (SMC) implementations of the resulting PHD and CPHD filters are presented and their performance studied numerically. The proposed measurement-driven birth intensity improves the estimation accuracy of both the number of targets and their spatial distribution.
Ketone bodies attenuate excitotoxic cell injury in the rat hippocampal slice under conditions of reduced glucose availability

Abstract Calorie restriction and the ketogenic diet have been successfully used in models of neuroprotection. However, there are limitations in clinical application of these diets and attention has turned to understanding their mechanism of action. Ketone bodies are produced in both diets and maybe involved in their ability to attenuate neuronal injury. This study seeks to assess the effects of ketone bodies on neuronal transmission and their efficacy in reducing the impact of known excitotoxins. We made use of extracellular recordings from rat hippocampal slices and demonstrate that ketone bodies had no effect on neuronal transmission or induction of long-term potentiation (LTP). Perfusion of slices with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA, 15 μM) produced neuronal depression suggestive of cell injury (antidromic recording also demonstrated similar depression), such that recovery of population spike potentials after 60 minutes was 27% in normal (10 mM) glucose but only 7% during reduced (2·5 mM) glucose availability. Experiments in ketone bodies demonstrated improved recovery (31%) but only under conditions of low glucose. Similarly, there was enhanced recovery of slices treated with kainic acid (KA, 30 μM) in reduced glucose media (13–27%), but no difference in normal glucose. These findings suggest that ketone bodies do not alter neuronal function but can alter the response to excitotoxins when energy supplies are impaired, probably by acting as an alternative energy substrate.
A HAIG-SIMONS-TIEBOUT COMPREHENSIVE INCOME TAX

This paper argues that if we wish to have a comprehensive income tax, and if the Tiebout model is a reasonable approximation of the structure of local government, then the implicit income from the local public capital stock must be included in the tax base. In a pure Tiebout world, there are no important differences between publicly owned capital (e.g., streets, parks, schools) and privately owned capital (e.g., owner-occupied housing). Therefore the imputed income from the street in front of a family's home must be included in the base of a comprehensive income tax, just as the implicit income from the home itself must be included.