Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A High-Throughput Proteomic Approach Provides Distinct Signatures for Thyroid Cancer Behavior

Purpose: Well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC) is the most frequent form of endocrine neoplasia. One of the main challenges in the management of this disease is distinguishing low-risk patients who can be treated by surgical resection of the lesion from those with a high likelihood of recurrence who need a more extensive approach, including total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation. Experimental Design: A tissue microarray (TMA) comprising 410 cases of WDTC was constructed with risk estimates for the following features: extrathyroidal extension, lymph node metastases, and vascular invasion. The variables examined were morphologic classification, candidate genetic, and proteomic biomarkers. Results: BRAF (Raf kinase type B) mutant carriers showed increased risk of developing invasion compared with wild-type (WT) cases. However, when classified morphologically, classic papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) showed much higher risk estimates for invasive features compared with follicular variant PTCs (FVPTC); within these morphologic subgroups, BRAF mutational status did not provide independent risk estimates. Staining intensities for membranous galectin-3 (Gal3), HBME-1, and CK19 and nuclear Gal3 were statistically validated as markers of aggressive behavior. Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) was overexpressed in lesions with invasive behavior. The utility of these biomarkers remained statistically significant in the FVPTC. In contrast, a different set of biomarkers proved effective in classic PTC where upregulation of cyclin D1, loss of p27, and overexpression of ERβ were associated with invasive behavior. Conclusion: Different proteomic signatures validate the distinction of classic and FVPTC and provide a practical clinical mechanism to predict the thyroid cancer behavior and stratify patients for clinical management. Clin Cancer Res; 17(8); 2385–94. ©2011 AACR.
Modelling stretch blow moulding of polymer containers using level set methods

Stretch blow moulding is a widely used technique e.g. for the production of PET bottles. In a stretch blow moulding process a hot preform of polymer is simultaneously stretched and blown into a mould shape. The process takes place at a fast rate and is characterised by large deformations and temperature gradients. In this paper a computer simulation model for stretch blow moulding is presented. The model is based on finite element methods and uses a level set method to track the interfaces between air, polymer and stretch rod. The PET behaviour is modelled as a non-newtonian, isothermal fluid flow, based on a viscoplastic material model. An application presented is the stretch blow moulding of a realistic PET water bottle. The model is validated by verifying volume conservation.
DEB: Definite Error Bounded Tangent Estimator for Digital Curves

We propose a simple and fast method for tangent estimation of digital curves. This geometric-based method uses a small local region for tangent estimation and has a definite upper bound error for continuous as well as digital conics, i.e., circles, ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas. Explicit expressions of the upper bounds for continuous and digitized curves are derived, which can also be applied to nonconic curves. Our approach is benchmarked against 72 contemporary tangent estimation methods and demonstrates good performance for conic, nonconic, and noisy curves. In addition, we demonstrate a good multigrid and isotropic performance and low computational complexity of O(1) and better performance than most methods in terms of maximum and average errors in tangent computation for a large variety of digital curves.
An evaluation framework for higher education ERP systems

A Higher Education ERP system can be used as a solution to integrate and increase the efficiency of the Romanian university processes. This paper examines the application of ERP software in Romanian Universities. We made an SWOT analysis for implementing an ERP system in Romanian Universities. Also, we proposed a comparison framework of ERP solutions for higher education management using as starting point the requirements of a Romanian University. The framework was applied to four of the top Higher Education management solutions. The process of evaluating an ERP system for use in higher education requires that a university compare the existing ERP software available to their current processes and see which ERP solution will best fit the existing procedures.
An Algorithm for Finding Noun Phrase Correspondences in Bilingual Corpora

The paper describes an algorithm that employs English and French text taggers to associate noun phrases in an aligned bilingual corpus. The taggers provide part-of-speech categories which are used by finite-state recognizers to extract simple noun phrases for both languages. Noun phrases are then mapped to each other using an iterative re-estimation algorithm that bears similarities to the Baum-Welch algorithm which is used for training the taggers. The algorithm provides an alternative to other approaches for finding word correspondences, with the advantage that linguistic structure is incorporated. Improvements to the basic algorithm are described, which enable context to be accounted for when constructing the noun phrase mappings.
Zippered polygon meshes from range images

Range imaging offers an inexpensive and accurate means for digitizing the shape of three-dimensional objects. Because most objects self occlude, no single range image suffices to describe the entire object. We present a method for combining a collection of range images into a single polygonal mesh that completely describes an object to the extent that it is visible from the outside. The steps in our method are: 1) align the meshes with each other using a modified iterated closest-point algorithm, 2) zipper together adjacent meshes to form a continuous surface that correctly captures the topology of the object, and 3) compute local weighted averages of surface positions on all meshes to form a consensus surface geometry. Our system differs from previous approaches in that it is incremental; scans are acquired and combined one at a time. This approach allows us to acquire and combine large numbers of scans with minimal storage overhead. Our largest models contain up to 360,000 triangles. All the steps needed to digitize an object that requires up to 10 range scans can be performed using our system with five minutes of user interaction and a few hours of compute time. We show two models created using our method with range data from a commercial rangefinder that employs laser stripe technology.
Privacy Preservation for Context Sensing on Smartphone

The proliferation of sensor-equipped smartphones has enabled an increasing number of context-aware applications that provide personalized services based on users' contexts. However, most of these applications aggressively collect users' sensing data without providing clear statements on the usage and disclosure strategies of such sensitive information, which raises severe privacy concerns and leads to some initial investigation on privacy preservation mechanisms design. While most prior studies have assumed static adversary models, we investigate the context dynamics and call attention to the existence of intelligent adversaries. In this paper, we identify the context privacy problem with consideration of the context dynamics and malicious adversaries with capabilities of adjusting their attacking strategies. Then, we formulate the interactive competition between users and adversaries as a competitive Markov decision process (MDP), in which the users attempt to preserve the context-based service quality and their context privacy in the long-term defense against the strategic adversaries with the opposite interests. In addition, we propose an efficient minimax learning algorithm to obtain the optimal policy of the users and prove that the algorithm quickly converges to the unique Nash equilibrium point. Our evaluations on real smartphone context traces of 94 users demonstrate that the proposed algorithm largely improves the convergence speed by three orders of magnitude compared with traditional algorithm and the optimal policy obtained by our minimax learning algorithm outperforms the baseline algorithms.
Partial Matching Strategy for Phrase-based Statistical Machine Translation

This paper presents a partial matching strategy for phrase-based statistical machine translation (PBSMT). Source phrases which do not appear in the training corpus can be translated by word substitution according to partially matched phrases. The advantage of this method is that it can alleviate the data sparseness problem if the amount of bilingual corpus is limited. We incorporate our approach into the state-of-the-art PBSMT system Moses and achieve statistically significant improvements on both small and large corpora.
Evaluating the usability and users' acceptance of a kitchen assistant robot in household environment

The main characteristics of service robots are their human-centered working environment and their non-expert users. Therefore, service robots need to exhibit human robot interaction that lets users feel comfortable in order for them to accept these robots at home. In this research, we propose a concept of a kitchen assistant robot supporting people in completing stressful cooking tasks. The stressful cooking tasks in this study are also verified to gain the understanding of the applicability of service robots in a wider sense. For the proposed concept a prototype of the kitchen assistant robot is constructed which consists of a robot arm and a control device Myo gesture armband. 18 university students experienced the prototype by completing the stressful tasks and gave feedback by answering questionnaires. This study investigates the usability and users' acceptance of the kitchen assistant robot.
Facial Expression Recognition Based on Gabor Wavelet Phase Features

Gabor wavelet transform usually extracts features using Gabor amplitude features, because the Gabor amplitude reflects the energy spectrum of the image, but the phase information contains rich texture information. This paper proposes a facial expression recognition algorithm using Gabor wavelet phase features. First, facial positioning on the human face, extracting facial sub-graphs, and normalizing the expression features of the sub-graphs. Then, using a multi-orientation and multi-frequency set of 2D Gabor wavelet to transform expression, and combining of Gabor coefficient after the transformation so that it can extract the phase characteristics. With K - nearest neighbor classifier to classify, the experimental results that conducted on the JAFFE database demonstrates its efficiency and validity.
F-Scan: A DFT Method for Functional Scan at RTL

Due to the difficulty of test pattern generation for sequential circuits, several design-for-testability (DFT) approaches have been proposed. An improvement to these current approaches is needed to cater to the requirements of today's more complicated chips. This paper introduces a new DFT method applicable to high-level description of circuits, which optimally utilizes existing functional elements and paths for test. This technique, called F-scan, effectively reduces the hardware overhead due to test without compromising fault coverage. Test application time is also kept at the minimum. The comparison of F-scan with the performance of gate-level full scan design is shown through the experimental results.
The Cortical Topography of Tonal Structures Underlying Western Music

Western tonal music relies on a formal geometric structure that determines distance relationships within a harmonic or tonal space. In functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments, we identified an area in the rostromedial prefrontal cortex that tracks activation in tonal space. Different voxels in this area exhibited selectivity for different keys. Within the same set of consistently activated voxels, the topography of tonality selectivity rearranged itself across scanning sessions. The tonality structure was thus maintained as a dynamic topography in cortical areas known to be at a nexus of cognitive, affective, and mnemonic processing.
Smooth-muscle regeneration after electrosurgical endopyelotomy in a porcine model as confirmed by electron microscopy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Endopyelotomy is the preferred treatment for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction because of its short operating time, limited morbidity, fast recovery, and reasonable efficacy. We used tissue and immunohistochemistry staining and electron microscopy to look at the muscle regeneration following an endopyelotomy incision in a porcine model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Bilateral electrosurgical endopyelotomy was performed in six domestic pigs with placement of 7F 20-cm Percuflex double-J stents for up to 4 weeks, and urinary tracts were harvested at 3 or 5 months. Specimen evaluation included tissue staining with hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Verhoeff's iodine and Van Gieson solution; histochemical staining for smooth-muscle actin, desmin and myosin staining, and electron microscopy. Each specimen was assigned a "healing" score of 0 (normal) 1 (slight changes), 2 (mild changes), or 3 (severe changes). The fibrosis score was based on six factors: muscle layer fibrosis, lamina propria fibrosis, amount of granulation tissue present, new deposits of collagen, fibrosis in the periureteral fat, and presence of myofibroblasts. The muscles were characterized with immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. RESULTS At both 3 and 5 months, the urothelium was healed, and the lamina propria was healed with focal loss. By 3 months, smooth-muscle bundles bridged the defect, and by 5 months, the whole defect was covered. Smooth muscle cells were evident by electron microscopy by 3 months, and actin and myosin could be detected by immunohistochemistry. Desmin-positive cells accounted for 50% of the population at 3 months and 40% at 5 months. The regenerated smooth-muscle bundles were oriented in different directions and intermingled with fibrous tissue. They could be distinguished easily from normal ureter under the microscope. CONCLUSION Verifiable, functional smooth-muscle bundles bridge the endopyelotomy defect by 3 months, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry staining and electron microscopy.
Variance detection for non-coherent impulse radio UWB receivers

In this paper, a novel detection algorithm based on variance detection (VD) is proposed for non-coherent impulse radio (IR) ultra-wideband (UWB) receivers. In the VD-based detection algorithm, after the received IR UWB signals are squared, their variance instead of their mean is measure to recover information bits. Computer simulations show that as compared to the conventional energy detection (ED) based receiver, the newly proposed VD-based receiver can achieve a much better bit-error-rate performance under both AWGN and multipath channels. Furthermore, unlike the conventional ED-based receiver, which is vulnerable to narrowband interference (NBI), the VD-based receiver has an inherent ability to mitigate the destructive effects caused by strong NBI.
Querying Temporal Databases Using Controlled Natural Language

Recent years have shown a surge in interest in temporal database systems, which allow users to store time-dependent information. We present a novel controlled natural language interface to temporal databases, based on translating natural language questions into SQL/Temporal, a temporal database query language. The syntactic analysis is done using the Type-Logical Grammar framework, highlighting its utility not only as a theoretical framework but also as a practical tool. The semantic analysis is done using a novel theory of the semantics of temporal questions, focusing on the role of temporal preposition phrases rather than the more traditional focus on tense and aspect. Our translation method is considerably simpler than previous attempts in this direction. We present a prototype software implementation.
Whistles and clicks from white-beaked dolphins, Lagenorhynchus albirostris, recorded in Faxaflói Bay, Iceland

Vocalizations from free-ranging white-beaked dolphins, Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Gray, 1846), were recorded in Icelandic waters. They use a variety of whistles with frequencies up to 35 kHz when socializing. Whistles could be classified into 21 dierent categories based on duration and frequency contours. Their click sounds resemble those reported from bottlenose dolphins, Tursiops truncatus, recorded in open waters. Clicks have a peak frequency at about 115 kHz and some clicks had another lower amplitude peak at about 250 kHz. Click intervals varied between 2.8 ms to 56.2 ms in 23 click sequences analysed. Duration of a click was between 10 to 29 Is. Clicks from three sequences were analysed in detail for acoustical properties: click interval, duration, peak frequency, centre frequency (about 90 kHz), 3-dB bandwidth (about 50 kHz), rms bandwidth (about 30 kHz), and 90% energy bandwidth (about 70 kHz).
Voltage-clamp analysis of sodium channels in wild-type and mutant Drosophila neurons

In this study we describe a preparation in which we examined directly, using tight-seal whole-cell recording, sodium currents from embryonic Drosophila neurons maintained in culture. Sodium currents were expressed in approximately 65% of the neurons prepared from wild-type Drosophila embryos when examined at room temperature, 24 hr after plating. While current density was low, other features of the sodium current in wild-type neurons, including the voltage sensitivity, steady- state inactivation, macroscopic time course, and TTX sensitivity were similar to those found in other excitable cells. Physiological and biochemical evidence has led to the suggestion that mutations in the nap, seizure, and tip-E loci of Drosophila may affect voltage-dependent sodium channels. There was no significant difference in the percentage of neurons expressing sodium currents in cultures prepared from embryos with mutations at the nap, sei or tip-E loci compared with wild-type cultures. Sodium currents recorded from napts appeared similar in all of the properties examined to those in wild-type cells. However, neuronal sodium current density was 40–60% lower in cultures prepared from both tip-E and seits1 embryos. The voltage dependence and gating properties of these sodium channels, as well as the TTX sensitivity, appear similar to wild type. These results indicate that both the tip-E and sei loci are important in regulation of sodium current density in embryonic neurons.
Analysis of the LNS implementation of the fast affine projection algorithms

It has been shown that a 32-bit logarithmic arithmetic unit can operate faster than, and maintain the accuracy of, a 32-bit floating point unit. It uses the logarithmic number system (LNS), in which a real number is represented as a fixed- point logarithm. In this paper we investigate the implementation of three fast affine projection (FAP) algorithms using LNS. We propose a simplified Conjugate Gradient FAP (SCGFAP) algorithm. We show that the 32-bit or 20-bit LNS implementation of the CGFAP and the SCGFAP algorithm are superior to those of
Heat Transfer Control During Quenching

The aim of this article is to discuss the measures to control the dynamic of heat extraction by changing some parameters during quenching. This is possible for workpieces of not too small a cross-section size, because transformation of the microstructure proceeds gradually from the surface to the core only when a particular point attains the temperature A 1. Differences between calculation of the temperature dependent heat transfer coefficient (HTC) for laboratory specimens and for real workpieces, taking into account the damping effect, the time lag, and the thermocouple response time, have been discussed. High Pressure Gas Quenching (HPGQ) in vacuum furnaces is especially prone to changing some parameters during quenching. To increase its quenching intensity, in order to attain high enough hardness in the core, the gas pressure and/or its flow velocity can be increased. When this measure is combined with the transient spraying of liquid nitrogen, a new Controllable Heat Extraction (CHE) Technology can be developed. Moreover, if the furnace is provided with a necessary control system and software program, fully automatic control of the heat extraction during quenching, which guarantees repeatable hardness results, is possible.
Methods for measuring myeloperoxidase activity toward assessing inhibitor efficacy in living systems

Myeloperoxidase aids in clearance of microbes by generation of peroxidase‐mediated oxidants that kill leukocyte‐engulfed pathogens. In this review, we will examine 1) strategies for in vitro evaluation of myeloperoxidase function and its inhibition, 2) ways to monitor generation of certain oxidant species during inflammation, and 3) how these methods can be used to approximate the total polymorphonuclear neutrophil chemotaxis following insult. Several optical imaging probes are designed to target reactive oxygen and nitrogen species during polymorphonuclear neutrophil inflammatory burst following injury. Here, we review the following 1) the broad effect of myeloperoxidase on normal physiology, 2) the difference between myeloperoxidase and other peroxidases, 3) the current optical probes available for use as surrogates for direct measures of myeloperoxidase‐derived oxidants, and 4) the range of preclinical options for imaging myeloperoxidase accumulation at sites of inflammation in mice. We also stress the advantages and drawbacks of each of these methods, the pharmacokinetic considerations that may limit probe use to strictly cell cultures for some reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, rather than in vivo utility as indicators of myeloperoxidase function. Taken together, our review should shed light on the fundamental rational behind these techniques for measuring myeloperoxidase activity and polymorphonuclear neutrophil response after injury toward developing safe myeloperoxidase inhibitors as potential therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
A variable ultra-luminous X-ray source in the colliding galaxy NGC 7714

We studied the colliding galaxy NGC 7714 with two XMM-Newton observations, six months apart. The galaxy contains two bright X-ray sources: we show that they have different physical nature. The off-nuclear source is an accreting compact object, one of the brightest ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) found to date. It showed spectral and luminosity changes between the two observations, from a low/soft to a high/hard state; in the high state, it reached Lx ≈ 6 × 10 40 erg s −1 . Its lightcurve in the high state suggests variability on a ≈2 h timescale. Its peculiar location, where the tidal bridge between NGC 7714 and NGC 7715 joins the outer stellar ring of NGC 7714, makes it an interesting example of the connection between gas flows in colliding galaxies and ULX formation. The nuclear source (Lx ≈ 10 41 erg s −1 ) coincides with a starburst region, and is the combination of thin thermal plasma emission and a point-source contribution (with a power-law spectrum). Variability in the power-law component between the two observations hints at the presence of a single, bright point source (Lx > 3 × 10 40 erg s −1 ): either a hidden AGN or another ULX.