Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segmentation of brain MRI by adaptive mean shift

A new automatic segmentation method for MRI images of the brain is presented, based on the adaptive mean-shift algorithm. Existing parametric methods utilize the intensity information for the segmentation task. When spatial information is introduced, parametric models may fail due to the non-convex nature of the brain tissue anatomy. A natural integration of intensity and spatial features is enabled in the non-parametric mean-shift formalism. The proposed method is validated on both simulated and real datasets
Use of Shared-Mobility Services to Accomplish Emergency Evacuation in Urban Areas via Reduction in Intermediate Trips—Case Study in Xi’an, China

Under no-notice evacuation scenarios with limited time horizons, the effectiveness of evacuation can be negatively impacted by intermediate trips that are made by family members and the identification of vulnerable populations. The emergence of shared-mobility companies, such as Uber and DiDi, can be considered as a potential means to address above-mentioned concerns. The proposed study explores the utility of shared-mobility services under emergency-evacuation scenarios and makes recommendations to relevant bodies that are based on the obtained and they are discussed herein. The study investigates attitudes of the public, experts, and drivers towards the use of shared-mobility resources during emergency evacuations based on a stated preference survey. Results of questionnaires, driver interviews, and face-to-face expert interviews have been analyzed to validate the feasibility and identify potential problems of leveraging shared-mobility services during evacuation response, especially in metropolitan areas wherein such services are already ubiquitous. Numerical simulations have been performed to quantify potential improvements in the total trip distance and number of evacuees after incorporating the use of shared mobility into emergency-response operations. However, despite the observed improvement in emergency efficiency, certain realistic roadblocks must be overcome. Realization of the proposed objective heavily depends on actionable policy recommendations, provided herein as a reference for the government, emergency management agencies, and shared-mobility companies.
Combating depression in Huntington's disease: effective antidepressive treatment with venlafaxine XR

Patients with Huntington's disease (HD) often suffer from psychiatric symptoms including affective disorder, psychosis, irritability, and apathy, which may be present in all stages of the disease. However – despite the obvious likelihood that these symptoms may be reduced by antidepressive treatments – to date, the effectiveness of such treatments in HD has only ever been examined in case studies. Twenty-six HD patients (17 men), with a diagnosis of major depression, were studied. The symptoms of HD and depression were systematically measured using the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression both at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment with venlafaxine XR. After 4 weeks of venlafaxine XR treatment, the symptoms of depression in HD patients decreased significantly relative to baseline. However, approximately one in five patients developed significant venlafaxine-related side effects (nausea and irritability). Venlafaxine XR is highly effective in the treatment of depression in HD, although it may produce unpleasant side effects. Further studies are required to establish the most suitable treatment for depression in HD.
Regional differences in olfactory epithelial homeostasis in the adult mouse

The olfactory sensory neurons in the nasal cavity of the adult mouse are organized into a few regions that differ in their molecular properties, as several classes of genes show regional expression. Most renowned is the fact that expression of each of hundreds of different odorant receptor genes is limited to one such region, or zone, of the olfactory neuroepithelial sheet. Zone differences are in place at birth, as exemplified here by the expression of neuronal progenitor marker Foxg1. We herein describe that an adult pattern showing regional differences in neurogenesis develops during the first few weeks of postnatal life which, e.g., is reflected in the temporal and regional regulation of the neuronal progenitor marker Ascl1. The most dorsomedial zone shows significantly fewer cells in S‐phase in the adult but not in newborn mice by two different measures. Moreover, we show that there are regional differences in the relative differentiation, cell survival, and thickness of the olfactory epithelium. These findings are compatible with the view that zones are inherently distinct and that such differences contribute to generate regional differences in cellular homeostasis that in turn may modulate the capacity of a region to adjust to extrinsic influence. J. Comp. Neurol. 513:375–384, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carbon Monoxide Inhibits TLR-Induced Dendritic Cell Immunogenicity1

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) exerts its functions via the catabolism of heme into carbon monoxide (CO), Fe2+, and biliverdin, as well as by depletion of free heme. We have recently described that overexpression of HO-1 is associated with the tolerogenic capacity to dendritic cells (DCs) stimulated by LPS. In this study, we demonstrate that treatment of human monocyte-derived DCs with CO blocks TLR3 and 4-induced phenotypic maturation, secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, and alloreactive T cell proliferation, while preserving IL-10 production. Treatment of DCs with biliverdin, bilirubin, and deferoxamine or replenishing intracellular heme stores had no effect on DC maturation. HO-1 and CO inhibited LPS-induced activation of the IFN regulatory factor 3 pathway and their effects were independent of p38, ERK, and JNK MAPK. HO-1 and CO treatment also inhibited mouse DC maturation in vitro and mouse DC immunogenic properties in vivo, as shown by adoptive cell transfer in a transgenic model of induced diabetes. Thus, for the first time, our data show that CO treatment inhibits DC immunogenicity induced by TLR ligands and that blockade of IFN regulatory factor 3 is associated with this effect.
Teachers' Perceptions of How the Use of Peer Evaluation Could Improve Their Teaching Practice.

Title of Dissertation: TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF HOW THE USE OF PEER EVALUATION COULD IMPROVE THEIR TEACHING PRACTICE Dale Patrick Farrell, Doctor of Education 2017 Dissertation Directed by: Patricia M. Richardson, Ph.D. Department of Education As the method, instrument, and reliability of teacher and principal evaluations has come under extreme scrutiny since the Education Reform Act of 2010, school systems across the nation have examined and refined the evaluation process for teachers and principals. Studies have shown the integration of peer evaluation as a model of teacher evaluations can have a positive impact on the teachers and their performance that participate in peer evaluation as well as the potential for an increase in the academic achievement of students. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers’ overall perceptions of peer evaluation and of how the use of peer evaluation could improve their teaching practice. The goals of this study were to determine the level of sharing of instructional practices among their peers currently, and whether or not they perceived an increase in the amount of time spent sharing of best practices would occur as a result of incorporating peer evaluation into the current model of a formative evaluation. Further, teachers were asked to identify potential benefits as well as any potential challenges they see as a result of implementing peer evaluations. This study used an online survey to gather data from participants. This study was conducted in a suburban school district in Maryland. A total of 34 teachers participated in the survey questionnaire. One elementary, one middle, and one high school were selected to participate in the survey. Data were collected through an online survey conducted in September 2017. This study provides some evidence that teachers do welcome the possible integration of peer evaluation and perceive that peer evaluation may result in an increase in the amount of time spent sharing instructional strategies among other teachers. The findings also reported potential benefits such as increased sharing of best practices of instructional strategies, more timely and relevant feedback, and reduced feelings of isolation could potentially occur as a result of incorporating peer evaluation in the current model of formative evaluations. This study further identified potential challenges such as lack of time to complete peer evaluations, personal bias, and a perceived feeling of needing to add yet another task to the busy professional day of a teacher. TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF HOW THE USE OF PEER EVALUATION COULD IMPROVE THEIR TEACHING PRACTICE by Dale Patrick Farrell Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education 2017 Advisory Committee: Professor Patricia Richardson, Chair Professor Margaret McLaughlin, Vice Chair Professor Helene Cohen Professor Debra Neubert Professor Wayne Slater, Dean’s Representative © Copyright by Dale Patrick Farrell 2017
The Role of Trust in Sustainable Management of Land, Fish, and Wildlife Populations in the Arctic

Sustainable resource management depends on support from the public and local stakeholders. Fish, wildlife, and land management in remote areas face the challenge of working across vast areas, often with limited resources, to monitor land use or the status of the fish-and-wildlife populations. Resource managers depend on local residents, often Indigenous, to gain information about environmental changes and harvest trends. Developing mutual trust is thus important for the transfer of knowledge and sustainable use of land resources. We interviewed residents of eight communities in Arctic Alaska and Canada and analyzed their trust in resource governance organizations using mixed-methods. Trust was much greater among Alaska (72%) and Nunavut (62%) residents than Churchill (23%). Trust was highest for organizations that dealt with fish and wildlife issues, had no legal enforcement rights, and were associated with Indigenous peoples. Local organizations were trusted more than non-local in Alaska and Nunavut, but the opposite was true in Churchill. Association tests and modeling indicated that characteristics of organizations were significantly related to trust, whereas education was among the few individual-level characteristics that mattered for trust. Familiarity, communication, and education are crucial to improve, maintain, or foster trust for more effective management of natural resources in such remote communities.
Sweat electrolyte concentrations obtained from within occlusive coverings are falsely high because sweat itself leaches skin electrolytes.

d. b. dill's ([12][1]) 1930s observations of humans working in desert heat made him skeptical of the high sweat chloride concentrations reported in the literature. At fault, he surmised, might be methods of sweat collection that “restricted opportunity for evaporation” (p. 763). For this reason
High levels of RAD51 perturb DNA replication elongation and cause unscheduled origin firing due to impaired CHK1 activation

In response to replication stress ATR signaling through CHK1 controls the intra-S checkpoint and is required for the maintenance of genomic integrity. Homologous recombination (HR) comprises a series of interrelated pathways that function in the repair of DNA double strand breaks and interstrand crosslinks. In addition, HR, with its key player RAD51, provides critical support for the recovery of stalled forks during replication. High levels of RAD51 are regularly found in various cancers, yet little is known about the effect of the increased RAD51 expression on intra-S checkpoint signaling. Here, we describe a role for RAD51 in driving genomic instability caused by impaired replication and intra-S mediated CHK1 signaling by studying an inducible RAD51 overexpression model as well as 10 breast cancer cell lines. We demonstrate that an excess of RAD51 decreases I-Sce-I mediated HR despite formation of more RAD51 foci. Cells with high RAD51 levels display reduced elongation rates and excessive dormant origin firing during undisturbed growth and after damage, likely caused by impaired CHK1 activation. In consequence, the inability of cells with a surplus of RAD51 to properly repair complex DNA damage and to resolve replication stress leads to higher genomic instability and thus drives tumorigenesis.
Governance in India: A Gender Perspective

Empowerment of any section of a society is a myth until they are conferred equality before law. Empowerment is the power through which collective action is possible and the power to change fundamental inequalities. Status of women in governance is the degree of equality enjoyed by women in sharing power as well as decision-making. Notions of democracy, governance and state are often not gender neutral constructs but result of both historical factors and experiences. The concerns and problems of women transcend national boundaries. Political participation and representation of women has important implications for governance in any country. In this regard there have been several initiatives undertaken in different countries across the world. Apart from providing Constitutional safeguards, several policies, plans and programmes have been implemented for empowerment of women. Affirmative action for providing reservation for women to actively participate in governance has been provided. The present article is an allempt to trace the conceptual evolution of the position of women, efforts made at International level to empower women, political participation and representation of women at global level, initiatives towards women empowerment in India, reasons for low participation of women in politics. The article also traces the larger debate of need for a fair share for women in political participation.
Risk Factors for Vitamin D Deficiency and Relationship with Cardiac Biomarkers, Inflammation and Immune Restoration in HIV-Infected Youth

Background Vitamin D deficiency is common in HIV-infected individuals. In adults, traditional and HIV-related factors play a role in vitamin D status, and deficiency appears to impair immune restoration and exacerbate HIV complications, like cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study sought to determine factors contributing to vitamin D status in HIV-infected youth and investigate the relationship with CVD risk, inflammation and immune restoration. Methods HIV-infected subjects (1-25 years old) were enrolled prospectively along with healthy controls that were group-matched by age, sex and race. HIV data were collected for the HIV-infected group, while traditional risk factors, including vitamin D intake, sun exposure, skin pigmentation, physical activity level and body mass index (BMI) were collected for both groups. Fasting lipids, plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), and inflammation markers were measured. Results In total, 200 HIV-infected subjects and 50 controls were enrolled. HIV group had 53% male, 95% Black and a mean age of 17.2 ±4.6 years. There was no difference in 25(OH)D between groups; 77% of HIV+ and 74% of controls had 25(OH)D<20 ng/ml. Only Fitzpatrick skin type was independently associated with 25(OH)D. No HIV variables were associated with 25(OH)D, even when HIV sub-populations were examined. Inflammation, CVD risk factors and immune restoration were not independently associated with 25(OH)D. Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency is common among HIV-infected youth. However, HIV factors, CVD risk, inflammation and immune restoration do not appear to have the same relationship with vitamin D as has been shown in adults. Supplementation trials are needed to determine if increasing 25(OH)D concentrations could better elucidate these relationships.
HISC/R: An Efficient Hypersparse-Matrix Storage Format for Scalable Graph Processing

The need to analyze increasingly larger graph datasets has driven the exploration of new methods and unique system architectures for graph processing. One such method moves away from the typical edge- and vertex-centric approaches and describes graph algorithms using linear-algebra operations, bringing the added benefits of predictable data-access patterns and ease of implementation. The performance of this approach is limited by the sparse nature of graph adjacency matrices, which leads to inefficient use of memory bandwidth, and reduced scalability in distributed systems. In order to maximize the scalability and performance of these linear-algebra systems, we require new sparse-matrix storage formats capable of maximizing memory throughput and minimizing latency, while maintaining low storage overhead. In this paper, we present an overview of a novel sparse-matrix storage format called Hashed-Index Sparse-Column/Row (HISC/R) which guarantees constant-time row or column access complexity at low storage overhead, while also supporting online non-zero element insertions and deletions. We evaluate the performance of HISC/R using randomly generated Kronecker graphs, demonstrating a 19% reduction in memory footprint, and 40% reduction in memory reads, for sparse matrix/matrix multiplication compared to competing formats.
An Adaptive ΣΔ modulator for multi-standard hand-held wireless devices

This paper describes the design and experimental characterization of a 130-nm CMOS cascade SigmaDelta modulator intended for multi-standard wireless telecom systems. Both architectural-and circuital-level reconfiguration strategies are incorporated in the chip in order to adapt its performance to different standard specifications with optimized power dissipation. Measurements show a correct operation for GSM/Blue-tooth/WCDMA standards, featuring a dynamic range of 86.7/81.0/63.3dB and a peak signal-to-(noise+distortion) ratio of 74.0/68.4/52.8 dB within 200kHz/1MHz/4MHz, respectively. The power consumption is 25.2/25.0/44.5 mW, of which 11.0/10.5/24.8 are due to the analog part of the circuit+1.
Histamine-Induced Activation of Human Lung Macrophages

Background: Histamine plays a central role in the pathogenesis of allergic and inflammatory diseases by modulating vascular and airway responses. Increasing evidence suggests that histamine also regulates the function of inflammatory and immune cells. Macrophages are primarily involved in inflammatory diseases of the lung. We explored the ability of low concentrations of histamine to induce the release of proinflammatory mediators from human lung macrophages. Methods: Macrophages purified (>95%) from lung parenchyma by Percoll density gradients and adherence to polystyrene dishes were incubated (37°C, 2–24 h) with histamine (10–9–10–6M). At the end of incubation, the release of β-glucuronidase and IL-6 was determined. Results: Histamine induced a concentration-dependent release of β-glucuronidase and IL-6 with a maximum release after 2 and 6 h of incubation, respectively. Exocytosis induced by histamine was noncytotoxic and was Ca2+- and temperature-dependent. The effect of histamine was inhibited by the H1 receptor antagonist fexofenadine but not by the H2 antagonist ranitidine. Conclusions: These data indicate that histamine is an effective stimulus for exocytosis and cytokine production from human lung macrophages. These effects are inhibited by pharmacological concentrations of fexofenadine. Our results suggest that histamine may contribute to the long-term evolution of lung inflammation and tissue remodelling in allergic diseases by modulating the production of proinflammatory and immunoregulatory mediators by macrophages.
UHF Power Transmission for Passive Sensor Transponders

The importance of wireless sensors in medical systems, automotive applications, and environmental monitoring is growing continuously. A sensor node converts physical values such as pressure, temperature, or mechanical stress to digital values. The wireless interface connects it to a base station or a network for further data processing. Most of these products are required to be light, cheap, long lived, and maintenance free. Remote powering of transponder tags is a key technology to meet these demands, because it obviates the need for a battery. Near field systems usually operate in the low frequency range, typically between the 133 kHz (LF) and the 13.56 MHz (HF) ISM bands. While LF and HF systems operate in the magnetic near field via inductive coupling between two coils, UHF systems use electromagnetic waves in the far field of the base station. The range of the available inductive systems is typically limited to less than one meter, which motivates the use of far field energy transmission at ultra high frequencies. This chapter presents the design of a passive long range transponder with temperature sensor. The system is shown in figure 1.
Impact of Hypertension on Medical Economics: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study of National Health Insurance in Shiga, Japan

Hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases may lead to an increase in medical costs for patients. We attempted to clarify the relationship between hypertension and long-term medical costs by a cohort study utilizing existing data as well as baseline blood pressures and medical costs over a 10-year period. The participants included 4,191 Japanese National Health Insurance beneficiaries aged 40–69 years, living in one area, who were not taking anti-hypertensive medication and did not have a history of major cardiovascular disease. They were classified into four categories according to their blood pressure. We evaluated the mean medical costs per month, cumulative hospitalization, and all-cause mortality for each blood pressure category. Hypertension-related medical costs attributable to hypertensive individuals, as compared to normotensive individuals, were estimated. There was a positively graded correlation between blood pressure and personal total medical costs, especially for men. The odds ratio for cumulative hospitalization and hazard ratio for all-cause mortality in severe hypertensive men were also higher than those in normotensive men. However, the hypertension-related medical costs for mild to moderate hypertensives were higher than those for severe hypertensives. The hypertension-related medical costs for all hypertensives accounted for 23.7% of the total medical costs for the Japanese population. In conclusion, high blood pressure was a useful predictor for excess medical costs; moreover, concomitant hypertension, regardless of the grade, increased the medical costs of Japanese National Health Insurance beneficiaries.
Single-Agent On-line Path Planning in Continuous, Unpredictable and Highly Dynamic Environments

This document is a thesis on the subject of single-agent on-line path planning in continuous,unpredictable and highly dynamic environments. The problem is finding and traversing a collision-free path for a holonomic robot, without kinodynamic restrictions, moving in an environment with several unpredictably moving obstacles or adversaries. The availability of perfect information of the environment at all times is assumed. Several static and dynamic variants of the Rapidly Exploring Random Trees (RRT) algorithm are explored, as well as an evolutionary algorithm for planning in dynamic environments called the Evolutionary Planner/Navigator. A combination of both kinds of algorithms is proposed to overcome shortcomings in both, and then a combination of a RRT variant for initial planning and informed local search for navigation, plus a simple greedy heuristic for optimization. We show that this combination of simple techniques provides better responses to highly dynamic environments than the RRT extensions.