Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Voxel-based cervical spinal cord mapping of diffusion abnormalities in MS-related myelitis

Objective: To apply a novel postprocessing voxel-based analysis for diffusion tensor imaging of the cervical spinal cord in multiple sclerosis (MS) in a prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: Fourteen patients with MS who were within 4 weeks of the onset of cervical myelitis (lesion C1-3) and 11 healthy controls underwent cervical spinal cord diffusion tensor imaging. Cervical spinal cord maps of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity, radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity were registered and compared between patients and controls. Mean FA and RD values from significant thresholded clusters were regressed with clinical scores, after adjusting for cord area and age, to determine associations with physical disability. Results: Cord registrations for subjects were qualitatively assessed (scored out of 5) and those with low scores (1 or 2) were excluded from further analysis. Cord registration was considered good in 11 patients (6 females; mean age = 35.5 years) and 10 controls (6 females; mean age 44 years). Voxel-based comparisons showed patients with MS had lower FA and higher RD at C2-3 levels (left >right mainly in gray matter; p < 0.01, uncorrected). Extracted values of both FA and RD from thresholded clusters were significantly associated with greater disability measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale and Timed 25-Foot Walk Test in patients with MS. Conclusions: Mapping diffusion abnormalities within the cervical spinal cord using a novel voxel-based approach can localize clinically relevant pathology.
Transmit processing with low resolution D/A-converters

We study the transmitter optimization for the flat multi-input multi-output (MIMO) channel under nonlinear distortion from the digital-to-analog converters (DACs). Our design is based on a minimum mean square error (MMSE) approach, taking into account the effects of the transmitter nonlinearities. Our derivation does not make use of the assumption of uncorrelated white distortion (quantization) errors and considers the correlations of the quantization error with the other signals of the system. Through simulation, we compare the new optimized linear transmitter to previously proposed linear transmitter designs when operating under DACs in terms of uncoded BER.
Thermal Comfort in Offices – Natural Ventilation vs . Air Conditioning

Based on both subjective and objective data, a study was carried out in order to identify differences in the perception of thermal comfort of office workers in naturally ventilated and air-conditioned buildings. The analysis of the interviews shows that occupants of naturally ventilated office buildings are significantly more satisfied with their thermal environment than occupants in air-conditioned buildings. Several perceived parameters influence thermal comfort: lighting, draughts, temperature variations, acoustics, olfactory quality, glare and perceived control as well as for air which is perceived as stale and dry. The impact of these parameters depends on the type of ventilation and the perception of the indoor temperature (hot or cool). The closest agreement between predictions and subjective perception of thermal comfort for air-conditioned offices is achieved by Mayer’s modification of the PMV-Model. For naturally ventilated offices the ASHRAE approach shows the best match.
Future changes in intense precipitation over Canada assessed from multi‐model NARCCAP ensemble simulations

Annual maxima (AM) series of precipitation from 15 simulations of the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program (NARCCAP) have been analysed for gridpoints covering Canada and the northern part of United States. The NARCCAP Regional Climate Models' simulations have been classified into the following three groups based on the driving data used at the RCMs boundaries: (1) NCEP (6 simulations); (2) GCM‐historical (5 simulations); and (3) GCM‐future (4 simulations). Historical simulations are representative of the 1968‐2000 period while future simulations cover the 2041‐2070 period. A reference common grid has been defined to ease the comparison. Multi‐model average intensities of AM precipitation of 6‐, 12‐, 24‐, 72‐, and 120‐h for 2‐, 5‐, 10‐, and 20‐year return periods have been estimated for each simulation group. Comparison of results from NCEP and GCM‐historical groups shows good overall agreement in terms of spatial distribution of AM intensities. Comparison of GCM‐future and GCM‐historical groups clearly shows widespread increases with median relative changes across all gridpoints ranging from 12 to 18% depending on durations and return periods. Fourteen Canadian climatic regions have been used to define regional projections and average regional changes in intense precipitation have been estimated for each duration and return period. Uncertainties on these regional values, resulting from inter‐model variability, were also estimated. Results suggest that inland regions (e.g. Ontario and more specifically Southern Ontario, the Prairies, Southern Quebec) will experience the largest relative increases in AM intensities while coastal regions (e.g. Atlantic Provinces and the West Coast) will experience the smallest ones. These projections are most valuable inputs for the assessment of future impact of climate change on water infrastructures and the development of more efficient adaptation strategies. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Oxidative enzymes activity in sugarcane juice as a function of the planting system

No Brasil, o maior produtor de cana-de-acucar do mundo, o processamento industrial transforma a cana-de-acucar principalmente em etanol e/ou acucar cristal. Alguns cultivares apresentam escurecimento enzimatico no caldo extraido em niveis prejudiciais ao processo de fabricacao do acucar cristal branco. O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito do palhico como cobertura, sistemas de plantio e tratamentos com polimero hidrogel em atividades enzimaticas. O cultivar RB 86 7515 foi amostrado por oito meses, retirando-se o primeiro entreno da parte superior, que foi levado ao laboratorio e procedeu-se a determinacao das atividades da polifenoloxidase (PFO) e da peroxidase (POD). As coberturas do solo com diferentes formas de palhico, bem como os sistemas de plantio, nao promoveram alteracoes nas atividades enzimaticas das enzimas polifenoloxidase (PFO) e peroxidase (POD). A atividade da PFO foi incrementada com a utilizacao de polimero, este fato foi promovido pelo aumento de atividade da PFO no sistema de plantio em sulco. As enzimas estudadas apresentaram mudancas de atividades nos meses. A producao de acucar no final da safra (agosto a novembro) evita os periodos de maiores atividades enzimaticas.
COMBINED EXOGENOUS SURFACTANT AND INHALED NITRIC OXIDE THERAPY FOR LUNG ISCHEMIA-REPERFUSION INJURY IN MINIPIGS1

Background. The combined application of exogenous surfactant and inhaled nitric oxide was evaluated for prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury of the lung. Methods. Left lungs were selectively perfused in 18 minipigs in situ with cold preservation solution. After 90 min of warm ischemia, the lungs were reperfused and the right pulmonary artery and bronchus were ligated (control group, n=6). Exogenous surfactant was instilled via bronchoscopy during ischemia (surfactant group, n=6). In a third group, surfactant was applied, followed by administration of inhaled nitric oxide (surfactant+NO group, n=6). Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were recorded for 7 hr, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was obtained before and after reperfusion for measurement of surface tension, small aggregate/large aggregate ratio, protein and phospholipid contents, and a differential cell count. Results. Control group animals survived for 3.7±1.4 hr. In both surfactant-treated groups, five out of six animals survived the observation period (P <0.001). Dynamic compliance of the lung was decreased in control animals (P <0.001). In the surfactant+NO group, arterial PO2 was higher than in both other groups (P <0.001). BALF cell count and histology showed reduced neutrophil infiltration in surfactant+NO-treated lungs. Surface tension assessed in BALF with a pulsating bubble surfactometer was severely impaired in control animals (&ggr;min, 14.82±9.95 mN/m), but maintained in surfactant-treated (&ggr;min, 1.11±0.56 mN/m) and surfactant+NO-treated animals (&ggr;min, 3.90±2.35 mN/m, P =0.02). Conclusions. Administration of exogenous surfactant in lung reperfusion injury results in improved lung compliance. The addition of inhaled NO improves arterial oxygenation and reduces neutrophil extravasation compared with surfactant treatment alone.
Tranylcypromine Reduces Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection in Mice

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infects the majority of the human population and establishes latency by maintaining viral genomes in neurons of sensory ganglia. Latent virus can undergo reactivation to cause recurrent infection. Both primary and recurrent infections can cause devastating diseases, including encephalitis and corneal blindness. Acyclovir is used to treat patients, but virus resistance to acyclovir is frequently reported. Recent in vitro findings reveal that pretreatment of cells with tranylcypromine (TCP), a drug widely used in the clinic to treat neurological disorders, restrains HSV-1 gene transcription by inhibiting the histone-modifying enzyme lysine-specific demethylase 1. The present study was designed to examine the anti-HSV-1 efficacy of TCP in vivo because of the paucity of reports on this issue. Using the murine model, we found that TCP decreased the severity of wild-type-virus-induced encephalitis and corneal blindness, infection with the acyclovir-resistant (thymidine kinase-negative) HSV-1 mutant, and tissue viral loads. Additionally, TCP blocked in vivo viral reactivation in trigeminal ganglia. These results support the therapeutic potential of TCP for controlling HSV-1 infection.
Voltage Multiplier Cells Applied to Non-Isolated DC–DC Converters

This paper introduces the use of the voltage multiplier technique applied to the classical non-isolated dc-dc converters in order to obtain high step-up static gain, reduction of the maximum switch voltage, zero current switching turn-on. The diodes reverse recovery current problem is minimized and the voltage multiplier also operates as a regenerative clamping circuit, reducing the problems with layout and the EMI generation. These characteristics allows the operation with high static again and high efficiency, making possible to design a compact circuit for applications where the isolation is not required. The operation principle, the design procedure and practical results obtained from the implemented prototypes are presented for the single-phase and multiphase dc-dc converters. A boost converter was tested with the single-phase technique, for an application requiring an output power of 100 W, operating with 12 V input voltage and 100 V output voltage, obtaining efficiency equal to 93%. The multiphase technique was tested with a boost interleaved converter operating with an output power equal to 400 W, 24 V input voltage and 400 V output voltage, obtaining efficiency equal to 95%.
Progression of fibrosis in untreated patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND/METHODS In order to evaluate the progression of liver fibrosis associated with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, two liver biopsy specimens obtained prior to antiviral therapy from 98 patients with HCV were scored and evaluated using statistical methods appropriate for ordered categorical data. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS Greater progression of fibrosis was seen with increasing time between the biopsies. Likewise, the change in fibrosis score was significantly more pronounced in the 11 patients whose first biopsy was obtained within the first year after acquiring HCV. A multivariate logistic regression analysis of possible explanatory factors for the fibrosis outcome showed that interface hepatitis in both biopsies, the time interval between the biopsies, and age at first biopsy were associated with change in the fibrosis score. In addition we found that higher age at the time of infection was associated with development of cirrhosis, that moderate intake of alcohol was associated with fibrosis progression, and that an inflammatory response in the form of moderate interface hepatitis in the first biopsy was not necessarily associated with greater progression of fibrosis if the second biopsy showed mild interface hepatitis. However, having moderate interface hepatitis later in the course of infection as reflected by the second biopsy may be detrimental. If moderate interface hepatitis early in the course of the disease is followed by less interface hepatitis later there is less fibrosis; and if moderate interface hepatitis persists, there is more fibrosis eventually.
Genetic variation, population structure and cryptic species within the black mudfish, Neochanna diversus, an endemic galaxiid from New Zealand

To investigate the phylogenetic relationships and geographical structure among landlocked populations of the black mudfish, Neochanna diversus, mitochondrial DNA nucleotide sequence data were sampled from seven populations from the Waikato and Northland regions of New Zealand. The complete D‐loop region was sequenced from 70 individuals, with 913 bp from the tRNA‐pro end used in population and phylogenetic analysis. A tandem repeat array, which ranged in size up to 200 bp, was found in most populations at the 3′ end of the D‐loop that was not able to be aligned for analysis. Of the seven sites sampled, two from Northland exhibited significant sequence divergence from all other sites. There was also a clear distinction among remaining Northland sites and those from the Waikato. An additional 518 bp segment of the 16S region was sequenced from all sites and compared with the other New Zealand mudfish species, N. apoda, N. burrowsius and the Tasmanian mudfish Galaxias (Neochanna) cleaveri using Galaxias maculatus as an outgroup. Both D‐loop and 16S sequence data provided strong evidence for a cryptic species of mudfish present in Northland. The significant genetic structure apparent in the black mudfish appears most probably to be attributed to geological conditions during the Pliocene, where peat wetlands became apparent in the Waikato while Northland consisted of disjunct ‘islands’. Conservation and management of these populations must take into account the historical processes that have shaped these patterns of genetic diversity.
Modeling of Edge-Emitting Lasers Based on Tensile Strained Germanium Microstrips

In this paper, we present a thorough modeling of an edge-emitting laser based on strained germanium (Ge) microstrips. The full-band structure of the tensile strained Ge layer enters the calculation of optical properties. Material gain for strained Ge is used in the 2D simulation of the carrier transport and of the optical field within a cross section of the microstrips orthogonal to the optical cavity. We study optoelectronic properties of the device for two different designs. The simulation results are very promising as they show feasible ways toward Ge emitter devices with lower threshold currents and higher efficiency as published insofar.
A New Approach for Workflow Process Delta Analysis Based on SYN-NET

Many of today's information systems are driven by explicit process models. Creating a workflow design is a complicated process and typically there are discrepancies between the actual workflow processes and the processes as perceived by the management. Delta analysis aims at improving this by comparing process models obtained by process mining from event logs and predefined ones, to measure business alignment of real behaviour of an information system with the expected behaviour. Syn-net is a new workflow model based on Petri-net, with the conceptual foundation synchronizer and suggesting a three-layer perspective of workflow process. In this paper, we propose a new delta analysis approach based on the reduction rules of Syn-net, to examine the discrepancies between the discovered processes and the predefined ones.
A beta-fuzzy-near-sets approach to research for visually similar content images

In the automated search system, similarity is a key concept for solving the human task. The human process is a natural categorization, which underlies many natural abilities such as image recovery, language comprehension, decision making or pattern recognition. In this paper, the focus is on the use of similarities in image retrieval search using near sets of similarity approaches. The results showed that a general framework for Near set is compatible with these foundations, and that similarity measurements can be involved in all steps of the image research process. We therefore focus on the fuzzy logic which provides interesting tools for data mining mainly because of its ability to represent imperfect information. We then introduce a new category of a fuzzy set : the Beta function. We finally illustrate our work with examples of similarities used in the real world of image retrieval problems.
Evaluation of recA Sequences for Identification of Mycobacterium Species

ABSTRACT 16S rRNA sequence data have been used to provide a molecular basis for an accurate system for identification of members of the genusMycobacterium. Previous studies have shown thatMycobacterium species demonstrate high levels (>94%) of 16S rRNA sequence similarity and that this method cannot differentiate between all species, i.e., M. gastri and M. kansasii. In the present study, we have used the recAgene as an alternative sequencing target in order to complement 16S rRNA sequence-based genetic identification. The recA genes of 30 Mycobacterium species were amplified by PCR, sequenced, and compared with the published recA sequences of M. tuberculosis, M. smegmatis, and M. leprae available from GenBank. By recA sequencing the species showed a lower degree of interspecies similarity than they did by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, ranging from 96.2% betweenM. gastri and M. kansasii to 75.7% betweenM. aurum and M. leprae. Exceptions to this were members of the M. tuberculosis complex, which were identical. Two strains of each of 27 species were tested, and the intraspecies similarity ranged from 98.7 to 100%. In addition, we identified new Mycobacterium species that contain a protein intron in their recA genes, similar to M. tuberculosis and M. leprae. We propose thatrecA gene sequencing offers a complementary method to 16S rRNA gene sequencing for the accurate identification of theMycobacterium species.
Inorganic binding peptide‐mediated immobilization based on baculovirus surface display system

The biomolecule‐mediated assembly of novel composites has been the subject of numerous investigations during the last years, providing new insights into material science and engineering. Via molecular biology technology, we were able to introduce the genetically engineered polypeptide for inorganics (GEPI) as a molecular binder into biomolecules such as phage viruses, to assemble hybrid functional nanoarchitectures. In the present work, we introduced a novel nanocomposite comprising the Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcNPV) and nanoparticles bound to it. Our results show that a GEPI‐encoding gene was successfully introduced by recombination into a eukaryotic expression bacmid and finally displayed outside of the AcNPV after transfection into Sf9 insect cells using the Bac‐to‐Bac baculovirus expression system. The recombinant baculovirus maintained both the viral infectivity and the specific binding activity of the GEPI. The construction of the gene in the recombinant plasmid was examined by polymerase chain reaction analysis and enzymatic digestion identification, and verified by gene sequencing. Surface display of the fused peptide was revealed by Western blot analysis in dissolution studies and determined by immuno‐ gold electron microscopy. Adherence of nanoparticles to the recombinant baculovirus was visualized by transmission electron microscopy analysis. Here, we demonstrated the possibilities of combining peptide‐mediated immobilization with baculovirus surface display technology. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A Face Detection Method Based on LAB and Adaboost

Face detection has been a hotspot either in research and in commercial application. In this paper, Locally Assembled Binary (LAB) feature and Adaboost algorithm are combined to recognize human face in images. On the basis of ensuring the detection speed, the detection accuracy is improved. Integral image technology is also conducted in consideration of detection speed. The proposed method is tested on CMU and FDDB face databases. On CMU, the result of the test indicates that the true positive rate is about 85% and the false positive rate is about 1%. The true positive rate is about 72.9% on FDDB. This method is much more better than Viola-Jones method.
Stabilization of APC Residues from Waste Incineration with Ferrous Sulfate on a Semi-Industrial Scale

Abstract A stabilization method for air pollution control (APC) residues from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) involving mixing of the residue with water and FeSO4 has been demonstrated on a semi-industrial scale on three types of APC residues: a semidry (SD) APC residue, a fly ash (FA), and an FA mixed with sludge (FAS) from a wet flue gas cleaning system. The process was performed in batches of 165-175 kg residue. It generates a wastewater that is highly saline but has a low content of heavy metals such as Cd, Cr, and Pb. The stabilized and raw residues have been subject to a range of leaching tests: the batch leaching test, the pH-static leaching test, the availability test, and the column test. These tests showed that the stabilized residues have remarkably improved leaching properties, especially with respect to Pb but also with respect to Cd, Cu, and Zn. The release of Pb was reduced by a factor of 250-36,000.
Big Data Security in Healthcare: Survey on Frameworks and Algorithms

Healthcare data is increasingly being digitized today and the data collected today coming in from all modern devices, has reached a significant volume all over the world. In the US, UK and other European countries, healthcare data needs to be secured and Patient Health Records (PHR) need to be protected so that re-identification of patients cannot be done from basic information. Privacy of healthcare is an important aspect governed by Healthcare Acts (e.g. HIPAA) and hence the data needs to be secured from falling into the wrong hands or from being breached by malicious insiders. It is important to secure existing healthcare big data environments due to increasing threats of breaches and leaks from confidential data and increased adoption of cloud technologies. In this paper the current healthcare security scenario in big data environments has been summarized along with challenges faced and security issues that need attention. Some existing approaches have been described to illustrate current and standard directions to solving the issues. Since healthcare governance in the US has a strong focus on security and privacy as opposed to other countries on this day, the paper focuses on Acts and privacy practices in the US context.