Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitative ultrasonic tissue characterization can identify high-risk atherosclerotic alteration in human carotid arteries.

BACKGROUND Recently, ultrasonic tissue characterization of the composition of plaques has been performed in a quantitative fashion on the basis of integrated backscatter (IBS) analysis, but most of those studies have used high-frequency ultrasound to obtain microscopic images. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed B-mode measurement and IBS signal analysis with acoustic densitometry with a 7.5-MHz linear-array transducer in freshly excised human aortas (n=58) (normal, atheromatous, and fibrous tissue) obtained at autopsy. Atheromatous and fibrous tissue had a similar intima-media thickness (IMT), but the IBS value in atheromatous specimens was lower than that in fibrous specimens. We further applied this method to human carotid ultrasonography. The subjects were young (80 regions), middle aged with 1 or no coronary risk factors (low risk) (120 regions), middle aged with >/=2 coronary risk factors (high risk) (240 regions), or elderly (80 regions) or were patients with myocardial infarction (MI) with multivessel disease (90 regions). The IMT was similar in middle-aged, elderly, and MI subjects. In contrast, the IBS value was significantly higher in elderly subjects and lower in high-risk middle-aged and MI subjects compared with that in low-risk middle-aged subjects. The percent of regions diagnosed as atheromatous (IBS less than mean minus 2-SD value of IBS in young subjects) was 11% in low-risk middle-aged subjects, 29% in high-risk middle-aged subjects, and 63% in the MI group. CONCLUSIONS In conjunction with conventional B-mode imaging, IBS analysis with carotid ultrasonography appeared to provide prognostic information to identify a high-risk group with systemic atherosclerosis, which could lead to coronary heart disease in individuals with early-stage disease.
Wedge Splitting Test of Foam Concrete Specimens: Calibration Curves

In the present paper, the well-known wedge splitting test is applied on specimens made from foam concrete. In the case of this material the whole test specimens cannot be made from foam concrete but the rectangular groove, needed for the load transmission pieces, has to be made of stiffer material (typically marble). K-calibration (B1) and T-stress (B2) calibration curves for such specimens are introduced. The objective was to compare and discuss the calibration curves for the homogeneous case, the case with marble parts and the case with marble parts considering the glued marble/foam concrete interface
The evolution of the dystroglycan complex, a major mediator of muscle integrity

ABSTRACT Basement membrane (BM) extracellular matrices are crucial for the coordination of different tissue layers. A matrix adhesion receptor that is important for BM function and stability in many mammalian tissues is the dystroglycan (DG) complex. This comprises the non-covalently-associated extracellular α-DG, that interacts with laminin in the BM, and the transmembrane β-DG, that interacts principally with dystrophin to connect to the actin cytoskeleton. Mutations in dystrophin, DG, or several enzymes that glycosylate α-DG underlie severe forms of human muscular dystrophy. Nonwithstanding the pathophysiological importance of the DG complex and its fundamental interest as a non-integrin system of cell-ECM adhesion, the evolution of DG and its interacting proteins is not understood. We analysed the phylogenetic distribution of DG, its proximal binding partners and key processing enzymes in extant metazoan and relevant outgroups. We identify that DG originated after the divergence of ctenophores from porifera and eumetazoa. The C-terminal half of the DG core protein is highly-conserved, yet the N-terminal region, that includes the laminin-binding region, has undergone major lineage-specific divergences. Phylogenetic analysis based on the C-terminal IG2_MAT_NU region identified three distinct clades corresponding to deuterostomes, arthropods, and mollusks/early-diverging metazoans. Whereas the glycosyltransferases that modify α-DG are also present in choanoflagellates, the DG-binding proteins dystrophin and laminin originated at the base of the metazoa, and DG-associated sarcoglycan is restricted to cnidarians and bilaterians. These findings implicate extensive functional diversification of DG within invertebrate lineages and identify the laminin-DG-dystrophin axis as a conserved adhesion system that evolved subsequent to integrin-ECM adhesion, likely to enhance the functional complexity of cell-BM interactions in early metazoans.
Mapping the Protein Phosphatase-2B Anchoring Site on AKAP79

Compartmentalization of protein kinases and phosphatases with substrates is a means to increase the efficacy of signal transduction events. The A-kinaseanchoring protein, AKAP79, is a multivalent anchoring protein that maintains the cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C, and protein phosphatase-2B (PP2B/calcineurin) at the postsynaptic membrane of excitatory synapses where it is recruited into complexes withN-methyl-d-aspartic acid or α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)-subtype glutamate receptors. We have used cellular targeting of AKAP79 truncation and deletion mutants as an assay to map the PP2B-binding site on AKAP79. We demonstrate that residues 315–360 are necessary and sufficient for AKAP79-PP2B anchoring in cells. Multiple determinants contained within this region bind directly to the A subunit of PP2B and inhibit phosphatase activity. Peptides spanning the 315–360 region of AKAP79 can antagonize PP2B anchoring in vitro and targeting in transfected cells. Electrophysiological experiments further emphasize this point by demonstrating that a peptide encompassing residues 330–357 of AKAP79 attenuates PP2B-dependent down-regulation of GluR1 receptor currents when perfused into HEK293 cells. We propose that the structural features of this AKAP79-PP2B-binding domain may share similarities with other proteins that serve to coordinate PP2B localization and activity.
Hamiltonian closures for fluid models with four moments by dimensional analysis

Fluid reductions of the Vlasov–Ampère equations that preserve the Hamiltonian structure of the parent kinetic model are investigated. Hamiltonian closures using the first four moments of the Vlasov distribution are obtained, and all closures provided by a dimensional analysis procedure for satisfying the Jacobi identity are found. Two Hamiltonian models emerge, for which the explicit closures are given, along with their Poisson brackets and Casimir invariants.
Introduction to pain

Hubert van Griensven, Jenny Strong and Anita Unruh, 'Introduction to Pain', in Hubert van Griensven, Jenny Strong and Anita Unruh Eds., Pain: A Textbook for Health Professionals (Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2013), ISBN: 978 0 7020 3478 7
NT Agonist Regulates Expression of Nuclear High-affinity Neurotensin Receptors

Neurotensin (NT) exerts multiple functions in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Its actions are mainly mediated by a high-affinity G-protein-coupled receptor, the NT-1 receptor. In this study we demonstrated a nuclear NT binding site in different cellular models. We first noted that a large percentage of NT-1 receptor cell body immunoreactivity was located in the nuclear soma and nuclear envelope of rat substantia nigra, a brain area rich in NT-containing axon terminals. The NT-1 receptor was also visualized in purified nuclei from CHO cells stably transfected with NT-1 receptor coupled to the enhanced green fluorescence protein by immunocytochemistry. We observed that both the nuclear envelope and the nuclear soma were labeled, and the labeling intensity significantly increased after NT agonist treatment. These results suggested that NT-1 receptors, present in both the nuclear soma and the nuclear envelope, can be modulated by the ligand. Lastly, [125I]-NT binding experiments performed on isolated nuclei from a human lung cancer cell line endogenously expressing NT-1 receptor and NT, LNM35, revealed the existence of nuclear Gpp(NHp)-sensitive binding sites. These binding sites markedly decreased when cells were chronically treated with an NT-1 receptor antagonist, SR 48692. Taken together, these data suggest that the agonist regulates the expression of nuclear NT-1 receptors.
Skull recognition based on Embedded Hidden Markov models

Skull recognition system based on embedded hidden Markov model (EHMM) has been developed. The coefficients of two dimensional discrete cosine transform (2DDCT) are used to construct an efficient set of observation vectors. Different from previous systems that were only capable of operating on frontal skull images, the EHMM method presented here, making use of the information of skull shape and holistic structure, reflects the relation of adjacent organs and reduces the sensitivity to the skull deflection. Experiments are carried out on a database of 480 different skull images, which consists of 12 different head orientations, performed by 40 individuals. The recognition accuracy is 93.3%, which proves that this method is robust against the variation of skull orientation.
A framework for forensic face recognition based on recognition performance calibrated for the quality of image pairs

Recently, it has been shown that performance of a face recognition system depends on the quality of both face images participating in the recognition process: the reference and the test image. In the context of forensic face recognition, this observation has two implications: a) the quality of the trace (extracted from CCTV footage) constrains the performance achievable using a particular face recognition system; b) the quality of the suspect reference set (to which the trace is matched against) can be judiciously chosen to approach optimal recognition performance under such a constraint. Motivated by these recent findings, we propose a framework for forensic face recognition that is based on calibrating the recognition performance for the quality of pairs of images. The application of this framework to several mock-up forensic cases, created entirely from the MultiPIE dataset, shows that optimal recognition performance, under such a constraint, can be achieved by matching the quality (pose, illumination, and, imaging device) of the reference set to that of the trace. This improvement in recognition performance helps reduce the rate of misleading interpretation of the evidence.
Combining intensity, edge and shape information for 2D and 3D segmentation of cell nuclei in tissue sections

We present a region‐based segmentation method in which seeds representing both object and background pixels are created by combining morphological filtering of both the original image and the gradient magnitude of the image. The seeds are then used as starting points for watershed segmentation of the gradient magnitude image. The fully automatic seeding is done in a generous fashion, so that at least one seed will be set in each foreground object. If more than one seed is placed in a single object, the watershed segmentation will lead to an initial over‐segmentation, i.e. a boundary is created where there is no strong edge. Thus, the result of the initial segmentation is further refined by merging based on the gradient magnitude along the boundary separating neighbouring objects. This step also makes it easy to remove objects with poor contrast. As a final step, clusters of nuclei are separated, based on the shape of the cluster. The number of input parameters to the full segmentation procedure is only five. These parameters can be set manually using a test image and thereafter be used on a large number of images created under similar imaging conditions. This automated system was verified by comparison with manual counts from the same image fields. About 90% correct segmentation was achieved for two‐ as well as three‐dimensional images.
SERS as a Foundation for Nanoscale, Optically Detected Biological Labels

Au and Ag nanoparticles have optical properties that have made them useful as tags in a wide variety of measurement schemes. This Progress Report discusses several different schemes in which Au and Ag nanoparticles have been used as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tags for the measurement of biomolecules. As an example application, results using glass‐coated nanotags (Nanoplex Biotags) in a lateral flow immunoassay kit are presented.
Separate CT-reconstruction for 3D wavelet based noise reduction using correlation analysis

The projection data measured in computed tomography (CT) and, consequently, the volumes reconstructed from these data contain noise. For a reliable diagnosis and subsequent image processing, like segmentation, the ratio between relevant tissue contrasts and the noise amplitude must be sufficiently large. We propose a novel 3D wavelet based method for structure- preserving noise reduction in CT. By separate reconstructions from disjoint subsets of projections, two volumes can be computed, which only differ with respect to noise. Two disjoint subsets of projections can be directly acquired using a dual- source CT-scanner. Otherwise, the two volumes can be generated by reconstructing even and odd numbered projections separately. Correlation analysis between the approximation coefficients of the two input datasets, combined with an orientation and position dependent noise estimation are used for differentiating between structure and noise at each level of the wavelet decomposition. The proposed method adapts itself to the locally varying noise power and allows an anisotropic denoising. The quantitative and qualitative evaluation on phantom and clinical data showed that noise reduction rates up to 60% can be achieved without noticeable loss of resolution.
An Integrated Classification-Tree Methodology for Test Case Generation

This paper describes an integrated methodology for the construction of test cases from functional specifications using the classification-tree method. It is an integration of our extensions to the classification-hierarchy table, the classification tree construction algorithm, and the classification tree restructuring technique. Based on the methodology, a prototype system ADDICT, which stands for AutomateD test Data generation system using the Integrated Classification-Tree method, has been built.
Phosphoglycerate kinase and triosephosphate isomerase from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima form a covalent bifunctional enzyme complex.

Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima has been purified to homogeneity. A second larger enzyme with PGK activity and identical N‐terminal sequence was also found. Surprisingly, this enzyme displayed triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) activity. No other TIM is detectable in T. maritima crude extracts. As shown by ultracentrifugal analysis, PGK is a 43 kDa monomer, whereas the bifunctional PGK‐TIM fusion protein is a homotetramer of 240‐285 kDa. SDS‐PAGE indicated a subunit size of 70 kDa for the fusion protein. Both enzymes show high thermostability. Measurements of the catalytic properties revealed no extraordinary results. pH optima, Km values and activation energies were found to be in the range observed for other PGKs and TIMs investigated so far. The corresponding pgk and tpi genes are part of the apparent gap operon of T. maritima. This gene segment contains two overlapping reading frames, where the 43 kDa PGK is encoded by the upstream open reading frame, the pgk gene. On the other hand, the 70 kDa PGK‐TIM fusion protein is encoded jointly by the pgk gene and the overlapping downstream open reading frame of the tpi gene. A programmed frameshift may be responsible for this fusion. A comparison of the amino acid sequence of both the PGK and the TIM parts of the fusion protein with those of known PGKs and TIMs reveals high similarity to the corresponding enzymes from different procaryotic and eucaryotic organisms.
ERP adoption cost factors in SMEs

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have limited budgets, resources, and great sensitivity to costs. When SMEs take the first step into implementing an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, they need to think about many things, foremost the cost of adoption. Most ERP implementations fail due to inaccurate and optimistic budget and schedule estimations, as well as, anticipating indirect costs beforehand is problematic. With the deficiency of a clear model of cost factors for ERP adoptions, ERP adoptions face a high risk of failure Failures could be caused by several factors, but the scope of this research is focused on studying the factors that escalate costs. This could aid SMEs in visualizing the different expected costs, and would consequently assist in better future cost management and estimations. There has been plenty of research in ERP; however, a clear gap in ERP cost management and estimation exists. This paper focuses on identifying direct and indirect cost factors that influence total costs in the ERP adoption process. The paper presents a cost list that has been developed through literature and an ERP expert panel. Furthermore, this study validated the costs list through interviews with different stakeholders within ERP adoption projects in Egypt. Keywords: ERP; cost estimation; cost factors; SMEs.
A reduced complexity coded OFDM system with MIMO antennas for broadband wireless communications

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has been recently receiving significant attention because of its spectrum efficiency and ability in providing reliable wideband wireless data access. Multiple transmit and/or multiple receive (MIMO) antennas can be employed with OFDM to better trade off frequency efficiency and power efficiency. In this paper, we study a coded OFDM (COFDM) system with MIMO antennas for high-rate wireless data transmission. To take advantage of the inherent space diversity, we propose a symbol-based space combining technique, which can be implemented using only one fast Fourier transform (FFT) block and the same weighting coefficients for the whole OFDM symbol. Thus, in contrast to conventional sub-carrier based space combining, the system complexity is significantly reduced while almost the same diversity order is achieved. Furthermore, it is shown that the proposed technique is not sensitive to channel variations when used in reciprocal channels such as that in a time division duplexing (TDD) scenario.
A Novel Approach for Single Side Wet Chemical Polishing of Crystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Single side etching processes, e.g. parasitic emitter etch and single side etching, are steps used in the fabrication of high efficiency solar cell concepts. For cost reduction the combination of process steps is preferable. Because chemical treatments produce reactive gases that are able to damage structures like the front side emitter, single side polishing needs to be done before the emitter diffusion. Due to this fact and ineffective exhausting systems, the combination of the emitter etch and the single side polishing step have not been achieved yet. Another factor influencing the etching is the shading of the etched surface due to the transport system or gas bubbles sticking between the wafer surface and the etching solution. With a newly developed single side etching tool the shading and the emitter damage has been reduced due to a novel transport system, a fluid flow concept and a high-performance exhaust system. Damage to the front side of the wafer due to reactive gasses produced during the etch process was investigated and the performance of the new exhaust system was tested. With etching mixtures containing different amounts of HF, HNO3 and H2SO4 when combined with the improved exhaust system, it was possible to limit the emitter damage while raising the etching rate. The fluid flow system in combination with the new transport system led to a homogeneous surface without shading effects. In addition the mechanism of fluid wraparound to the front side of the wafer was investigated.
Low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma: case report and immunohistochemical study

A case is presented of low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma involving the arm of a 52‐year‐olcl man. Low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is a recently described neoplasm of the deep and subcutaneous soft tissue which demonstrates a spectrum of histologic images. The current case demonstrated the typical patterns of intermixed, sweeping bands of fibrous and myxoid tissue, homogeneous foci of fibrous and myxoid tissue, focal areas of storiforming, and concentric perivascular cuffs of slender spindle cells, all lacking the nuclear anaplasia, mitotic activity, and necrosis generally associated with sarcomas. Immunohistochemical analysis performed on paraffin‐embedded sections demonstrated strong labeling of the tumor cells by anti‐CD34 antibody, moderate labeling for vimientin, and rare, focal positivity for muscle‐specific actin. Tumor cells were negative for markers of epithelial, muscular, neural, histiocytic, melanocytic, and vascular differentiation. The constellation of histopathologic features described in this arid previous reports is characteristic of low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. Based on this case, it appears that the immunohistochemical features of low‐grade fibromyxoid sarcoma can help to exclude many cutaneous and deep soft tissue tumors from the differential diagnosis. The findings support the interpretation that the neoplasm is essentially fibroblastic in nature.
Cooperative distributed object classification for multiple robots with audio features

This paper explains the methodology for an object classification system using audio features for the purpose of integrating the audio classifier into a real time visual object tracking system in order to more accurately track and describe objects of interest. Four objects are classified by the sounds they produce using Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC). These features are classified using a Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) approach along with a k Nearest Neighbor (kNN) classifier. In particular, this paper improves upon the best method of a survey [2] that uses MFCC and DTW. In this paper we propose a method that builds on using only MFCC and DTW. We suggest that once the costs from MFCC and DTW are computed they be used as feature vectors to be classified by another classification method. The results show a 24% improvement over using only MFCC with DTW. These results prove the usefulness of the joint classification system which can be integrated into a multiple robot system.
Exome sequencing identifies NFS1 deficiency in a novel Fe-S cluster disease, infantile mitochondrial complex II/III deficiency

Iron‐sulfur (Fe‐S) clusters are a class of highly conserved and ubiquitous prosthetic groups with unique chemical properties that allow the proteins that contain them, Fe‐S proteins, to assist in various key biochemical pathways. Mutations in Fe‐S proteins often disrupt Fe‐S cluster assembly leading to a spectrum of severe disorders such as Friedreich's ataxia or iron‐sulfur cluster assembly enzyme (ISCU) myopathy. Herein, we describe infantile mitochondrial complex II/III deficiency, a novel autosomal recessive mitochondrial disease characterized by lactic acidemia, hypotonia, respiratory chain complex II and III deficiency, multisystem organ failure and abnormal mitochondria. Through autozygosity mapping, exome sequencing, in silico analyses, population studies and functional tests, we identified c.215G>A, p.Arg72Gln in NFS1 as the likely causative mutation. We describe the first disease in man likely caused by deficiency in NFS1, a cysteine desulfurase that is implicated in respiratory chain function and iron maintenance by initiating Fe‐S cluster biosynthesis. Our results further demonstrate the importance of sufficient NFS1 expression in human physiology.