Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postprocessing technique to correct for background gradients in image‐based R*2 measurements

Background static magnetic field gradients are a source of signal loss in gradient‐echo imaging, as they typically result from discontinuity in the magnetic susceptibility at air‐tissue boundaries. Moreover, these induced gradients severely compromise the measurement of R*2, the effective transverse relaxation rate, which is of interest in many biomedical applications of MRI. Since the slice thickness is usually larger than the in‐plane pixel dimensions, gradients parallel to the slice‐select direction are of particular concern. In this work, a post‐processing technique is introduced which attempts to correct the signal on the assumption that the background gradients are approximately linear across the voxel and the signal decay in the absence of these gradients is exponential. In this case, the time‐domain signal is weighted by a sinc function characterized by the amplitude Gb of the background gradient, which is typically not known a priori. The algorithm searches for the estimate of Gb which yields the optimum fit of the corrected experimental data to an exponential. It is shown to be effective as long as this gradient is below a critical threshold. Evaluation in a phantom and in the human brain at 1.5 and 4 T demonstrates that this method can restore R2* in spite of the apparent rate constant exceeding the true value by up to 100%. Contrary to prospective correction techniques, the approach presented in this study does not prolong scan time. Magn Reson Med 44:358–366, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urgensi Implementasi Dakwah Melalui Optimalisasi Potensi Ekonomi Umat

As one of the most important aspects of human life, economy has a significant role to the spirit of Muslim's religiousity. This is driven by the fad that economy is on osped supporting happiness and interesting life and it is also considered o highly valuable aspect in Islam. This paper focuses on da'wa (Islamic preaching) and the economic condition of Muslims. The discussion on da'wa and economy will be more important because in the present time - where human problems are very complex and complicated, especially on economy side - doing da'wa conventionally does not give enough religious enlightenment to ummah. Oo'wo needs more creative methods and relevant approaches to achieve the best result. In this case, economy will be studied as on approach to da'wa.
Closed-Set Speaker Identification Based on a Single Word Utterance : An Evaluation of Alternative Approaches

The problem of closed-set speaker identification based on a single spoken word from a limited vocabulary is relevant to several current and futuristic interactive multimedia applications. In this paper, we evaluate the effectiveness of several potential solutions using an isolated word speech corpus. In addition to evaluating the text-dependent and text-constrained variants of the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) based speaker identification system, we also propose and evaluate a method that seeks to improve the speaker identification performance by efficiently segmenting words into sub-word units and grouping similar sub-words together. For the task of identifying a speaker among 16 speakers uttering any word from a 20-word vocabulary, the text-dependent speaker identification method achieved a speaker identification rate of over 99%. However, this is conditional upon the test word being correctly identified by a speech recognition module. While the text-constrained speaker recognition system produced a speaker identification rate of over 96% for the 20-word vocabulary, better results were obtained when the vocabulary size was reduced. The best result achieved by the proposed method based on sub-word grouping has been found to be almost identical to that of the text-constrained speaker identification method.
Novas abordagens em aprendizado de máquina para a geração de regras, classes desbalanceadas e ordenação de casos

Resumo Algoritmos de aprendizado de maquina sao uma alternativa muito interessante para muitos problemas em mineracao de dados. Entretanto, a maioria das pesquisas em aprendizado de maquina trata problemas bem definidos (como gerar um modelo de classficacao), com conjuntos de dados pequenos, bem comportados e relativamente bem preparados para a tarefa. Alem disso, os objetivos da tarefa de aprendizado estao bem definidos, tal como maximizar a taxa de acerto dos modelos de classificacao. Mineracao de dados, no entanto, apontou diversas novas direcoes para pesquisas em aprendizado de maquina. Nesta Tese de Doutoramento, exploramos essa interacao entre aprendizado de maquina e mineracao de dados e propomos novas solucoes para alguns problemas que surgiram a partir da aplicacao de algoritmos de aprendizado em problemas reais de mineracao de dados.
Assertions about past and future: Communication in a high-performance distributed system Highways

Highways is a distributed-programming system, we are building, with high-performance as a major goal. The suite of send primitives implemented in Highways, called Global-Flush Primitives, have three no-table aspects. (1) Global-Flush Primitives permit one to make an assertion about messages sent in the past of sending m, in the future of sending m, about both or neither. (2) The past and the future of an event is defined using the relation "happened before. " (3) A message can be sent to any subgroup of processes specified as a parameter. <<ETX>>
The effects of feeding suet-enriched chow on site-specific differences in the composition of triacylglycerol fatty acids in adipose tissue and its interactions in vitro with lymphoid cells

The effects of diet on the composition and properties of adipose tissue in relation to lymph nodes were studied in adult guinea-pigs. The proportions of monoenoic triacylglycerol fatty acids were constant in all sites in adipose tissue of similarly fed guinea-pigs, but were substantially greater in samples from guinea-pigs fed on suet-enriched chow. Triacylglycerols in adipose tissue from near nodes contained significantly fewer saturated fatty acids, and significantly more 18:2n−6 and 18:3n−3 than those in samples from sites remote from nodes within the same depot. Depots that interact most strongly with lymphoid cells in vitro had the largest and most consistent within-depot differences. The gradients of triacylgiycerol fatty acid composition with distance from lymph nodes in two small intermuscular depots were similar in guinea-pigs fed on plain or suet-enriched chow. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that adipose tissue around lymph nodes is specialized for local interactions with the lymphoid cells therein, and help to explain the variability of serial or duplicate measurements of adipose tissue composition. When cultured alone, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated lymph node lymphoid cells from suet-fed guinea-pigs incorporated as much labelled thymidine as the controls. Adipose tissue explants from suet-fed guinea-pigs inhibited lymphocyte proliferation much less than those of the controls, although the site-specific differences were similar. The pattern of site-specific differences in glycerol released from explants incubated alone was generally similar for both dietary groups, but except in the popliteal depot, the increases following co-culturing with lymphoid cells were smaller for samples from suet-fed guinea-pigs. These experiments show that minor changes in the fatty acid composition of the diet can substantially alter the interactions between adipose tissue and lymphoid cells.
Les logiques multimodales

Mise en evidence de l'importance des principes d'interaction qui permettent d'exprimer les proprietes liant les differents concepts modaux du langage. La dualite entre operateurs modaux et relations binaires est etudiee en utilisant la semantique de kripke. Pour une classe relativement generale d'axiomes multimodaux, un resultat de correspondance de ceux-ci avec des equations relationnelles, ainsi qu'un theoreme general de completude pour les systemes multimodaux construits a partir de ces axiomes, sont proposes
PDB-REPRDB: a database of representative protein chains from the Protein Data Bank (PDB)

PDB-REPRDB is a database of representative protein chains from the Protein Data Bank (PDB). The previous version of PDB-REPRDB provided 48 representative sets, whose similarity criteria were predetermined, on the WWW. The current version is designed so that the user may obtain a quick selection of representative chains from PDB. The selection of representative chains can be dynamically configured according to the user's requirement. The WWW interface provides a large degree of freedom in setting parameters, such as cut-off scores of sequence and structural similarity. One can obtain a representative list and classification data of protein chains from the system. The current database includes 20 457 protein chains from PDB entries (August 6, 2000). The system for PDB-REPRDB is available at the Parallel Protein Information Analysis system (PAPIA) WWW server (http://www.rwcp.or.jp/papia/).
The controversy dialogue leading towards Jesus’ severe response in Matthew 23

Scholars have described Matthew 23 as the ‘unloveliest’ chapter and ‘bleakest spot’ in the Gospel. It might seem that this chapter does not fit into the overall structure and plot of the Gospel, and that it is a clumsy redactional addition being untypical of the Matthean Jesus. This article recognises the severe nature of this chapter but argues that it does fit into the developing tension between the Jewish leaders and Jesus within the Gospel. It is demonstrated how it forms part of a narrative where Jesus is involved in constant and intensifying controversy dialogue with these leaders. The leaders constantly challenge Jesus with increasing intensity which eventually led towards Jesus’s climactic response in this chapter.
Crossing the bridge: large animal models in translational transplantation research

Summary: Many methods for reducing the immunosuppressive requirements of allotransplantation have been proposed based on a growing understanding of physiological and allospecific immunity. As these regimens are developed for clinical application, they require validation in models that are reasonably predictive of their performance in humans. This article provides an overview of the large animal models commonly used to test immunomodulatory organ transplant protocols. The rationale for the use of large animals and the effects of common immunosuppressants in the dog, pig, and non‐human primate are reviewed. Promising methods for the induction of allospecific tolerance are surveyed with references to early human trials where appropriate.
Phellinopsis lonicericola and P. tibetica spp. nov. (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota), from Tibet, with a key to worldwide species

ABSTRACT Phellinopsis (Hymenochaetaceae) was recently segregated from Phellinus. Phellinopsis differs from other genera segregated from Phellinus in a combination of hymenial setae, if present, mostly originating from tramal hyphae and hyaline basidiospores becoming pale yellowish with age. In this study, two new species of Phellinopsis, P. lonicericola and P. tibetica, from Tibet in southwestern China were described and illustrated. Morphological data and sequences of the nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region (internal transcribed spacer [ITS] barcode) support the recognition of these taxa as distinct. They are morphologically compared with other species of Phellinopsis. Notably, P. lonicericola was often found on Lonicera together with Sanghuangporus alpinus, which was originally described from the same locality. In addition, Phellinopsis helwingiae, known from a single collection from Sichuan Province in midwestern China, is reported from Tibet. Eight accepted species of Phellinopsis worldwide, each forming a terminal lineage, grouped together as a strongly supported clade distinct from the clade representing Phellinus. A key to the eight species of Phellinopsis is provided.
Fucoidan Prevents High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obesity in Animals by Suppression of Fat Accumulation

This study examines the antiobesity effects of fucoidan in an animal model of diet‐induced obesity. Mice were fed a standard diet or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 5 weeks. After that, the mice were divided into four experimental groups, with 10 mice per group, including a standard diet group, HFD group, HFD containing 1% fucoidan (HFD + FUCO 1%) group and HFD containing 2% fucoidan (HFD + FUCO 2%) group. The fucoidan supplementation group had significantly decreased body‐weight gain, food efficiency ratio and relative liver and epididymal fat mass compared with the HFD group. The mice supplemented with fucoidan showed significantly reduced triglyceride, total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein levels in the plasma. Liver steatosis induced by the HFD improved in the fucoidan‐supplemented group. Furthermore, fucoidan affected the down‐regulation expression patterns of epididymal adipose tissue genes such as peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ, adipose‐specific fatty acid binding protein and acetyl CoA carboxylase. Therefore, fucoidan may be considered for use in improving obesity. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic mean variance asset allocation: Tests for robustness

We consider a portfolio consisting of a risk-free bond and an equity index which follows a jump diffusion process. Parameters for the inflation-adjusted return of the stock index and the risk-free bond are determined by examining 89 years of data. The optimal dynamic asset allocation strategy for a long-term pre-commitment mean variance (MV) investor is determined by numerically solving a Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman partial integro-differential equation. The MV strategy is mathematically equivalent to minimizing the quadratic shortfall of the target terminal wealth. We incorporate realistic constraints on the strategy: discrete rebalancing (yearly), maximum leverage, and no trading if insolvent. Extensive synthetic market tests and resampled backtests of historical data indicate that the multi-period MV strategy achieves approximately the same expected terminal wealth as a constant weight strategy, but with much smaller variance and probability of shortfall.
A randomized comparison of manual versus mechanical thrombus removal in primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the treatment of ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (TREAT‐MI)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and long‐term clinical outcome of manual thrombus aspiration with the Export catheter (Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN) versus mechanical thrombus cutting/aspiration with the X‐sizer system (eV3, White Bear Lake, MN) in primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI). Background: In PPCI for acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), markers of myocardial reperfusion are improved with adjunctive thrombectomy. Previous studies of different devices showed a variability in performance, suitability, and short‐term clinical outcome. In current literature, no direct comparison is available. Methods: We prospectively randomized 201 patients admitted for PPCI for STEMI to either the Export catheter or the X‐sizer prior to stent deployment. Technical success in advancing to and across the lesion, improvement of flow, reduction of thrombus, and the effect on ST‐segment resolution were examined. The primary endpoint of the follow‐up study was the combined endpoint of cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction (MI), or target‐vessel revascularization (TVR) at 3 years. Results: Although the Export catheter was more successfully deployed, other procedural parameters were similar with a trend toward better ST‐segment resolution (56.6% vs. 44%; P = 0.06) as compared to the X‐sizer system. The occurrence of the primary clinical endpoint at 3 years was 22.2% and 18.6%, respectively (HR 1.20; 95% CI 0.65–2.22; P = 0.35). Conclusion: Despite shorter procedural times, better lesion crossing, and fewer complications, both surrogate endpoints as well as 3‐year clinical follow‐up were similar with the use of the Export catheter as compared to the X‐sizer system. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of Carbohydrate Heterogeneity in Function of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: Studies Derived from in Vitro and in Vivo Models1

Abstract Carbohydrates attached to the protein core of glycoprotein hormones influence a number of intracellular and extracellular processes. As with other members of the glycoprotein hormone family, FSH is produced and released as an array of isoforms that differ from each other in the structure of their oligosaccharide attachments. In this review, we discuss how carbohydrate heterogeneity can impact on FSH action in different in vitro and in vivo systems. We present evidence for diverse effects of distinct charge isoforms at the target cell level, including differential and unique effects on various end responses, and discuss how the use of multiple cell-type assays has allowed identification of some specific effects of FSH isoforms on different cell populations and follicle compartments as well as oocyte maturation. Finally, we discuss recent information on the ability of naturally occurring and laboratory manufactured FSH isoforms to evoke particular effects on granulosa cell function and ovarian follicular maturation in vivo. Such studies have provided evidence that the type(s) of FSH signal delivered may in fact regulate distinct biological outcomes irrespective or in addition to outcomes dictated solely by clearance rate differences.
Identification of PSF as a protein kinase Cα‐binding protein in the cell nucleus

Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms are present in the cell nucleus in diverse cell lines and tissues. Since little is known about proteins interacting with PKC inside the cell nucleus, we used Neuro‐2a neuroblastoma cells, in which PKCα is present in the nucleus, to screen for nuclear binding partners for PKC. Applying overlay assays, we detected several nuclear proteins which bind to PKCα. Specificity of binding was shown by its dependence on PKC activation by phorbol ester, calcium, and phosphatidylserine. The PKC‐binding proteins were partially purified and analyzed by microsequencing and mass spectrometry. Four proteins could be identified: PTB‐associated splicing factor (PSF), p68 RNA helicase, and the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) proteins A3 and L. In the case of PSF, binding to PKC could also be demonstrated in a GST‐pull‐down assay using GST‐PKCα, expressed in insect cells. Phosphorylation experiments revealed that PSF is a weak in vitro substrate for PKCα. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 394–402, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A clinicopathologic study of 12 neuroendocrine tumors arising in the thymus.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine whether the new classification system for thymic carcinoid tumors/neuroendocrine carcinomas provides prognostic data, and to study the presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic factors of these rare tumors. DESIGN Retrospective analysis. SETTING Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK. RESULTS Eight men and four women with a median age of 58 years. Complete excision was possible in nine patients. Postoperative staging revealed two stage I tumors, two stage II tumors, three stage III tumors, one stage IVA tumor, and four stage IVB tumors. All tumors demonstrated the histopathologic features of neuroendocrine tumors, which were confirmed by positive immunohistochemical staining for chromogranin A in 11 of 12 tumors and for CD56 in 12 of 12 tumors, and the presence of dense core granules on ultrastructural analysis in 9 of 9 tumors. All 12 tumors did not stain positively for somatostatin receptors. Three tumors were grade 1, six cases were grade 2, and three cases were grade 3. Follow-up was available in all patients. One patient died 1 month postoperatively. Distant metastasis developed in nine patients (82%). Local recurrence was evident in six patients, of whom five had not received postoperative radiotherapy. Seven patients died of distant metastasis (22 to 83 months after surgery). Two are alive and disease-free (at 67 and 81 months), and two are alive with disease (at 60 and 86 months) CONCLUSIONS Neither grading as neuroendocrine carcinomas nor any individual histologic parameter showed a significant association with prognosis. Initial aggressive treatment, including complete surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy, appears to offer the best hope for prolonged survival. Adjuvant chemotherapy also should be considered, since the incidence of distant relapse is high.
Development of bacterial biofilms in dairy processing lines

Summary Adherence of bacteria to various milk contact sites was examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. New gaskets, endcaps, vacuum breaker plugs and pipeline inserts were installed in different areas in lines carrying either raw or pasteurized milk, and a routine schedule of cleaning-in-place and sanitizing was followed. Removed cleaned and sanitized gaskets were processed for scanning or transmission electron microscopy. Adherent bacteria were observed on the sides of gaskets removed from both pasteurized and raw milk lines. Some areas of Buna-n gaskets were colonized with a confluent layer of bacterial cells surrounded by an extensive amorphous matrix, while other areas of Buna-n gaskets showed a diffuse adherence over large areas of the surface. Most of the bacteria attached to polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE or Teflon™) gaskets were found in crevices created by insertion of the gasket into the pipeline. Examination of stainless steel endcaps, pipeline inserts, and PTFE vacuum breaker plugs did not reveal the presence of adherent bacteria. The results of this study indicate that biofilms developed on the sides of gaskets in spite of cleaning-in-place procedures. These biofilms may be a source of post-pasteurization contamination.
AREAS IN FLEXIBLE MANUFACTURING-ASSEMBLY CELL

Present development of automation leads to useful grouping of manufacturing machines with automated material and information flows. Through it the directing is realized by computer techniques (computer). One of possibility is the flexible manufacturing – assembly cell connected with automatized directing system with transport – shelf storage system that is realised in our Institute of Manufacturing System and Applied Mechanics.
Two-Dimensional Magnetic Recording Using a Rotated Head Array and LDPC Code Decoding

This paper examines the improvement in performance of rotated and normally oriented heads by using the quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check (QC-LDPC) code in a two-dimensional magnetic recording (TDMR) system. This paper indicates that the significant improvement in performance in the rotated head compared to the normally oriented head can be attributed to the larger amplitude of its dibit response and the reduced overlap between conditional probability density functions. Simulation also indicates that maximum areal densities of 9.85 T/in2 and 6.64 T/in2 can be reached by the rotated head array (RHA) and normally oriented head array (NHA) at optimum bit aspect ratios of 0.67 and 3.5 for 5.5 nm Voronoi grains, respectively. After decoding, the performance of the NHA is about 8.5 dB worse than the RHA. With an oversampled signal, 2-D linear minimum mean-squared error (LMMSE) equalizer and LDPC codes, a user bit density near 10 Tbits/in2 is feasible for a rotated head array.