Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A specific absorption rate prediction concept for parallel transmission MR

The specific absorption rate (SAR) is a limiting factor in high‐field MR. SAR estimation is typically performed by numerical simulations using generic human body models. However, SAR concepts for single‐channel radiofrequency transmission cannot be directly applied to multichannel systems. In this study, a novel and comprehensive SAR prediction concept for parallel radiofrequency transmission MRI is presented, based on precalculated magnetic and electric fields obtained from electromagnetic simulations of numerical body models. The application of so‐called Q‐matrices and further computational optimizations allow for a real‐time estimation of the SAR prior to scanning. This SAR estimation method was fully integrated into an eight‐channel whole body MRI system, and it facilitated the selection of different body models and body positions. Experimental validation of the global SAR in phantoms demonstrated a good qualitative and quantitative agreement with the predictions. An initial in vivo validation showed good qualitative agreement between simulated and measured amplitude of (excitation) radiofrequency field. The feasibility and practicability of this SAR prediction concept was shown paving the way for safe parallel radiofrequency transmission in high‐field MR. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dietary pattern analysis: a new direction in nutritional epidemiology

&NA; Recently, dietary pattern analysis has emerged as an alternative and complementary approach to examining the relationship between diet and the risk of chronic diseases. Instead of looking at individual nutrients or foods, pattern analysis examines the effects of overall diet. Conceptually, dietary patterns represent a broader picture of food and nutrient consumption, and may thus be more predictive of disease risk than individual foods or nutrients. Several studies have suggested that dietary patterns derived from factor or cluster analysis predict disease risk or mortality. In addition, there is growing interest in using dietary quality indices to evaluate whether adherence to a certain dietary pattern (e.g. Mediterranean pattern) or current dietary guidelines lowers the risk of disease. In this review, we describe the rationale for studying dietary patterns, and discuss quantitative methods for analysing dietary patterns and their reproducibility and validity, and the available evidence regarding the relationship between major dietary patterns and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Measurement of dopamine release with continuous infusion of [11C]raclopride: optimization and signal-to-noise considerations.

UNLABELLED PET studies with [11C]raclopride provide an indirect measure of changes in synaptic dopamine. Previously, we used the bolus-plus-infusion (B/I) method to assess dopamine response from the percentage change in binding potential (deltaBP) before and after administration of amphetamine. The goal of this work is to optimize the measurement of changes in neurotransmitter with the B/I method by choosing the optimal timing for pre- and poststimulus scanning. METHODS Two sources of variability in deltaBP were considered: within-subject and between-subject noise. A noise model based on a phantom study and human data was used to evaluate the within-subject noise. For between-subject noise, simulated time--activity curves were generated from measured [11C]raclopride input functions. Optimal timing to measure deltaBP was determined and applied to human data. RESULTS According to the simulation study, the optimal scan times for pre-and poststimulus scans were 39-50 and 58-100 min, respectively. The optimal timing resulted in a 28% noise reduction compared with the original timing. By applying the optimal timing to human studies, the statistical significance of the difference in deltaBP between patients with schizophrenia and healthy volunteers increased from P = 0.038 to 0.012. CONCLUSION Careful assessment of the sources of noise in receptor imaging studies can increase the sensitivity of the B/I method for the detection of biologic signals.
Taenia solium Infection in Peru: A Collaboration between Peace Corps Volunteers and Researchers in a Community Based Study

Background Neurocysticercosis is a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in most of the world, and it occurs when Taenia solium larval cysts infect the central nervous system. T. solium tapeworm infection is endemic in much of Peru, but there are scarce data on the prevalence in many rural highland communities where it is likely to be hyper-endemic. Peace Corps Volunteers live and work in these communities; however, to our knowledge, they have not been used to facilitate public health research. Materials and Methods We utilized Peace Corps Volunteers to estimate the prevalence of T. solium tapeworm infection in seven rural communities in northern Peru. A convenience non-random sampling frame was used. Peace Corps Volunteers facilitated the collection of stool samples (N = 2,328), which were analyzed by sedimentation and microscopy. Niclosamide treatment and purgation preceded species identification, which was done by PCR-REA. Results Taenia sp. egg-positive stool samples were found in three of the seven communities we surveyed. The overall prevalence of Taenia sp. egg positivity was 2.1% (49/2,328) (95% CI = 1.6–2.8%) with prevalence up to 4.3% (42/977) (95% CI = 3.1–5.8%) by community. All 34 of the specimens tested by PCR-REA were T. solium. The overall prevalence of T. solium tapeworm infection was 1.5% (34/2,328) (95% CI = 1.0–2.0%). Prevalence up to 2.9% (28/977) (95% CI = 1.9–4.1%) by community was observed. Conclusion/Significance This study recorded high T. solium tapeworm prevalence, and identified hyper-endemic rural communities. It demonstrates that synergy between researchers and Peace Corps Volunteers can be an effective means to conducting large-scale, community-based studies in remote areas of Peru.
Large-Scale Co-Expression Approach to Dissect Secondary Cell Wall Formation Across Plant Species

Plant cell walls are complex composites largely consisting of carbohydrate-based polymers, and are generally divided into primary and secondary walls based on content and characteristics. Cellulose microfibrils constitute a major component of both primary and secondary cell walls and are synthesized at the plasma membrane by cellulose synthase (CESA) complexes. Several studies in Arabidopsis have demonstrated the power of co-expression analyses to identify new genes associated with secondary wall cellulose biosynthesis. However, across-species comparative co-expression analyses remain largely unexplored. Here, we compared co-expressed gene vicinity networks of primary and secondary wall CESAsin Arabidopsis, barley, rice, poplar, soybean, Medicago, and wheat, and identified gene families that are consistently co-regulated with cellulose biosynthesis. In addition to the expected polysaccharide acting enzymes, we also found many gene families associated with cytoskeleton, signaling, transcriptional regulation, oxidation, and protein degradation. Based on these analyses, we selected and biochemically analyzed T-DNA insertion lines corresponding to approximately twenty genes from gene families that re-occur in the co-expressed gene vicinity networks of secondary wall CESAs across the seven species. We developed a statistical pipeline using principal component analysis and optimal clustering based on silhouette width to analyze sugar profiles. One of the mutants, corresponding to a pinoresinol reductase gene, displayed disturbed xylem morphology and held lower levels of lignin molecules. We propose that this type of large-scale co-expression approach, coupled with statistical analysis of the cell wall contents, will be useful to facilitate rapid knowledge transfer across plant species.
Feasibility and outcome of epicardial pulmonary vein isolation for lone atrial fibrillation using minimal invasive surgery and high intensity focused ultrasound.

AIMS Transvenous pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is the cornerstone of non-pharmacological rhythm control therapy in symptomatic atrial fibrillation (AF). Success and complications rates are, however, still not optimal. New techniques and energy sources are therefore being developed. METHODS AND RESULTS Fifteen patients with lone AF refractory for antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) underwent PVI by minimal invasive epicardial off-pump monolateral right-sided video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) using the UltraCinch with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Primary endpoint was successful ablation defined as absence of AF or atrial flutter/tachycardia after 6 months assessed by complaints, 12 lead electrocardiogram, and 96 h Holter monitoring. Secondary endpoints were ablation success at the end of follow-up irrespective of AADs use or re-ablation and complications related to the procedure. Mean age was 47 +/- 10 years and 14 (93%) were male. Eleven (73%) had paroxysmal, and 4 (27%) patients had persistent AF. Median AF history was 5 (1-12) years. At 6 months, six (40%) patients had sinus rhythm after one epicardial PVI (four on AADs). After 1.3 +/- 0.6 years, four (27%) patients had sinus rhythm after one epicardial PVI (two on AADs) and in six (40%) patients endocardial radiofrequency re-ablation was performed, which was successful in three patients (20%). Two patients (13%) were planned for re-ablation. Three others (20%) refused re-ablation. Two major complications occurred (one late tamponade and one bleeding during surgery, necessitating sternotomy). CONCLUSION Epicardial PVI using monolateral right-sided VATS with the UltraCinch delivering HIFU is feasible, but is associated with substantial complications. Furthermore, the success rate was low. More research is therefore warranted to assess optimal ablation techniques and energy sources to perform PVI.
Performance Analysis of the Binary Exponential Backoff Algorithm for IEEE 802.11 Based Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

In an IEEE 802.11 based mobile ad hoc network (MANET), a network node accesses a common wireless channel through the distributed coordinate function (DCF), which is provided at the medium access control (MAC) layer of the IEEE 802.11 standard. The binary exponential backoff (BEB) algorithm, which uses slotted contention windows, plays an important role in the DCF. This paper develops a mathematical model for analyzing the performance of the BEB algorithm, which takes into account the packet loss probability of a wireless link. Based on the developed mathematical model, we derive the backoff probability distribution of a node, the average number of backoffs of a node, the average size of a contention window, and the average packet delay. Moreover, we attempt to find the optimal value of the initial contention window size, to which a node resets its contention window size after a successful transmission, in order to avoid the oscillation of the contention window size and thus maximize the utilization of the wireless channel.
A query description model based on basic semantic unit composite petri-nets for soccer video analysis

Digital video networks are making available increasing amounts of sports video data. The volume of material on offer means that sports fans often rely on prepared summaries of game highlights to follow the progress of their favourite teams. A significant application area for automated video analysis technology is the generation of personalized highlights of sports events. One of the most popular sports around world is soccer. A soccer game is composed of a range of significant events, such as goal scoring, fouls, and substitutions. Automatically detecting these events in a soccer video can enable users to interactively design their own highlights programmes. From an analysis of broadcast soccer video, we propose a query description model based on Basic Semantic Unit Composite Petri-Nets (BSUCPN) to automatically detect significant events within soccer video. Firstly we define a Basic Semantic Unit (BSU) set for soccer videos based on identifiable feature elements within a soccer video, Secondly we design Composite Petri-Net (CPN) models for semantic queries and use these to describe BSUCPNs for semantic events in soccer videos. A particular strength of this approach is that users are able to design their own semantic event queries based on BSUCPNs to search interactively within soccer videos. Experimental results based on recorded soccer broadcasts are used to illustrate the potential of this approach
Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapies for Parkinson’s Disease: Progress, Controversies and Lessons for the Future

dentification of MSCs in the bone marrow. It is now recognized that MSCs possess the in vitro characteristics of stem cells with the abilities to proliferate, symmetrically divide, and produce multi-lineage mesodermal derivatives, making MSCs attractive candidates for use in potential cellular therapies. Furthermore, MSCs can be relatively easily isolated and expanded in culture with low tumorigenicity and teratoma formation, and have been reported to display immunomodulatory properties that may be advantageous in clinical transplantation. Discovery of the ability of MSCs to differentiate into cells of non-mesodermal tissues, particularly neural cells, has also raised the possibility of utilizing MSCs in regenerative and reparative therapies for neurological disorders. However, a number of hurdles re - main to be resolved, including conflicting findings concerning the capacity of MSCs to suppress immune responses and contribute to multiple tissue lineages, highlighting the need for a greater understanding of mechanisms under - lying the observed phenomena. In this review we will discuss: (1) recent advances in our understanding of MSC plasticity/transdifferentiation and immunomodulatory properties; (2) evidence for cell-based therapies, in particular MSC-based therapies for Parkinson’s disease; and (3) current challenges and potential strategies for the utilization of MSCs in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
CurationSpace: Cross-Device Content Curation Using Instrumental Interaction

For digital content curation of historical artefacts, curators collaboratively collect, analyze and edit documents, images, and other digital resources in order to display and share new representations of that information to an audience. Despite their increasing reliance on digital documents and tools, current technologies provide little support for these specific collaborative content curation activities. We introduce CurationSpace -- a novel cross-device system to provide more expressive tools for curating and composing digital historical artefacts. Based on the concept of Instrumental Interaction, CurationSpace allows users to interact with digital curation artefacts on shared interactive surfaces using personal smartwatches as selectors for instruments or modifiers (applied to either the whole curation space, individual documents, or fragments). We introduce a range of novel interaction techniques that allow individuals or groups of curators to more easily create, navigate and share resources during content curation. We report insights from our user study about people's use of instruments and modifiers for curation activities.
A Flexible Auto Camera Calibration Technique using Vehicle Tracking

A statistical and computer vision approach using tracked moving vehicle shapes for auto-calibrating traffic surveillance cameras is presented. Various methods have been designed to estimate scene vanishing point and invertible transformation between real world and image coordinates. Results are validated against traditional methods in different traffic locations yield accurate results with much more flexibility and reliability. Given only the prior knowledge about the dimensions of typical vehicle class traveling at a particular traffic scene, it is sufficient for our approach to completely generate all information about the camera being used
Genome Sequence of Sphingomonas sp. Strain PAMC 26621, an Arctic-Lichen-Associated Bacterium Isolated from a Cetraria sp

ABSTRACT The lichen-associated bacterial strain Sphingomonas sp. PAMC 26621 was isolated from an Arctic lichen Cetraria sp. on Svalbard Islands. Here we report the draft genome sequence of this strain, which could provide novel insights into the molecular principles of lichen-microbe interactions.
PoliDroid-AS : A Privacy Policy Alignment Plugin for Android Studio

Mobile applications frequently access personal information to meet user or business requirements. Developers are, in turn, often required to align their code with a privacy policy or to create the privacy requirements to specify the collection and use of personal information. However, it is challenging for a regular programmer to create code complying with a privacy policy. To aid app developers in such tasks, we have created PoliDroidAS, an Android Studio plugin for the detection of code-policy misalignments and the generation of privacy specifications. Keywords-mobile; privacy; Android;
An N-terminally acetylated Arf-like GTPase is localised to lysosomes and affects their motility

Small GTPases of the Arf and Rab families play key roles in the function of subcellular organelles. Each GTPase is usually found on only one compartment and, hence, they confer organelle specificity to many intracellular processes. However, there has so far been little evidence for specific GTPases present on lysosomes. Here, we report that two closely related human Arf-like GTPases, Arl8a and Arl8b (also known as Arl10b/c and Gie1/2), localise to lysosomes in mammalian cells, with the single homologue in Drosophila cells having a similar location. Conventionally, membrane binding of Arf and Arl proteins is mediated by both an N-terminal myristoyl group and an N-terminal amphipathic helix that is inserted into the lipid bilayer upon activation of the GTPase. Arl8a and Arl8b do not have N-terminal myristoylation sites, and we find that Arl8b is instead N-terminally acetylated, and an acetylated methionine is necessary for its lysosomal localization. Overexpression of Arl8a or Arl8b results in a microtubule-dependent redistribution of lysosomes towards the cell periphery. Live cell imaging shows that lysosomes move more frequently both toward and away from the cell periphery, suggesting a role for Arl8a and Arl8b as positive regulators of lysosomal transport.
A non-charge-sheet based analytical model of undoped symmetric double-gate MOSFETs using SPP approach

A non-charge-sheet based analytical model of undoped symmetric double-gate MOSFETs is developed in this paper using the SPP (surface potential plus) approach. The essential difference of the present theory compared with the previous lies in that the Poisson equation is solved in the term of the electron concentration rather than the term of the surface potential. This solution formulates the electrical field surface potential in inversion charge terms rather than the surface potential. Thus, a non-charge-sheet-based analytical solution of inversion charge is obtained directly, replacing the solution of transcendent equation groups of the surface potential. The obtained inversion charge relation then serves to develop a non-charge-sheet-based analytical theory for undoped symmetric double-gate MOSFETs from the Pao-Sah current formulation. The formulated model has an analytic form that does not need to solve for the transcendent equation as in the conventional surface potentials or Pao-Sah formulation. The validity of the model has also been demonstrated by extensive comparison with AMD double-gate MOSFET data.
Real-Time and Object-Oriented Issues for an Inspection Workstation Application

Abstract We describe a real-time component-basedsystem for an inspection application. We chose theinspection application and the accompanying task(or scenario) so that we might fully exercise andtest our theories about real-time complex systems,system architectures, design methodologies, andsoftware tools. We will describe the application,give a history and description of our systemarchitecture and design methodology, describe thereal-time software tools we used, and concludewith a discussion of real-time and object-orientedissues we faced. 1 The Inspection Application Our inspection workstation consists of acoordinate measuring machine (CMM), an analog3D contact probe, a charge-coupled device (CCD)camera with frame grabber, and control computers.The CMM is Cartesian in the sense that axismotion and axis position sensing are along thethree orthogonal axes. The contact probe andcamera are mounted on the CMM arm. Thesoftware controller sends velocity commands toeach of the three axis motors every 5 ms and itreads each of three axis positions every 2 ms. Theaxis velocity commands are converted to voltagesby a digital-to-analog converter. The voltagesdrive the motors. Figure 1 shows the CMM arm,the part to be measured, the camera mounted onthe arm, and the analog contact probe. Theapplication is more fully described in [Messina 99]. The application performs the followingscenario. The operator specifies the features thatneed to be verified by measurement. An inspectionplan is generated automatically from thecomputer-aided design (CAD) solid model of thepart. The plan is translated into dimensionalmeasurement interface standard (DMIS
Platoon-based electric vehicles charging with renewable energy supply: A queuing analytical model

Due to the ever-increasing use of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy sources, the charging station with renewable energy supply is made as one promising energy solution. Moreover, grouping vehicles into platoons could greatly improve road capacity and reduce energy consumption. These tendencies urgently demand a theoretical performance analysis framework of the EV platoons charging at renewable energy supplied stations. In this paper, we present such a framework based on a queuing network model. In this model, the fluctuation of the renewable energy, the uncertainty of the EV platoons arrival, the variation of the charging price, and the serving capacity limitation of the charging station are taken into account. The steady-state distribution of the queuing system have been presented based on the equilibrium equations. Then, various performance metrics of the charging system together with the charging gain of EVs have been proposed. The queuing network model, validated by the simulation results, can be used in the planning of practical charging stations and the charging scheduling of EV platoons.
Very short-term solar forecasting using multi-agent system based on Extreme Learning Machines and data clustering

This paper proposes a new multi-agent system to solve very short-term solar forecasting problems. The system organizes the training data into clusters using Part and Select Algorithm. These clusters are used to generate different forecasting models, where each one is performed by a different agent. Finally, another agent is responsible for deciding which model will be applied at each forecasting situation. Results present improvements in forecasting accuracy and training performance if compared to other forecasting methods. A discussion of how to use this architecture for the implementation of a more comprehensive model is also addressed.
Chemical composition of hydrothermal ores from Mid-Okinawa Trough and Suiyo Seamount determined by neutron activation analysis

Neutron activation analysis of 13 hydrothermal ore samples (70 subsamples) collected from the Mid-Okinawa Trough and Suiyo Seamount revealed higher contents of precious metal such as Au and Ag, and those of As, Sb, Ga, and Hg than those from mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems. In addition, the Mid-Okinawa Trough samples were richer in Ag and Sb than those from the Suiyo Seamount. The geochemical differences among these hydrothermal ore deposits are regarded as reflecting both differences in the chemical composition of the hosted magma of hydrothermal system and the abundance of sediments that is reacted with hydrothermal fluids.