Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantitation of localized (31)P magnetic resonance spectra based on the reciprocity principle.

There is a need for absolute quantitation methods in (31)P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, because none of the phosphorous-containing metabolites is necessarily constant in pathology. Here, a method for absolute quantitation of in vivo (31)P MR spectra that provides reproducible metabolite contents in institutional or standard units is described. It relies on the reciprocity principle, i.e., the proportionality between the B(1) field map and the map of reception strength for a coil with identical relative current distributions in receive and transmit mode. Cerebral tissue contents of (31)P metabolites were determined in a predominantly white matter-containing location in healthy subjects. The results are in good agreement with the literature and the interexamination coefficient of variance is better than that in most previous studies. A gender difference found for some of the (31)P metabolites may be explained by different voxel composition.
Research on dimension coupling of piezoelectric three-component force unit based on sensor assembly error

In the process of manufacturing and operation of mechanical equipment, accurate measurement of vector force provides an important basis for real-time control of working conditions and process adjustment to ensure the performance. Piezoelectric three-component force unit can be used to measure three-axis force with the characteristics of high frequency and stiffness, great dynamic response, and resistance to harsh conditions. Piezoelectric dynamometer consisting of four three-component force units can measure six-axis force/torque, which is widely used in vector force measurement. However, because of the limitation of manufacturing capability and assembly process, dimension coupling caused by assembly error of three-component force unit restricts improvement of test accuracy for itself and piezoelectric dynamometer. To reduce dimension coupling caused by displacement and angle assembly error, this article establishes a theoretical model of assembly error of three-component force unit. To achieve that the dimension coupling of three-component force unit is less than 3%, stiffness of relevant components is obtained by simulation analysis and experiment, and assembly tolerance range of three-component force unit is proposed. Four three-component force units are assembled to meet assembly tolerance range, and the calibration experiment is performed. The results show that the maximum of dimension coupling is less than 2.5%, which verifies the rationality of assembly tolerance range and further proves the reliability of the theoretical model. The theoretical model of assembly error clarifies the assembly accuracy of three-component force unit to ensure its test accuracy, which can further improve test accuracy of dynamometer. This article will also provide theoretical reference basis for this kind of sensors.
Bicyclic Substituted Hydroxyphenylmethanone Type Inhibitors of 17 β‐Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (17 β‐HSD1): The Role of the Bicyclic Moiety

An attractive target that has still to be explored for the treatment of estrogen‐dependent diseases, such as breast cancer and endometriosis, is the enzyme responsible for the last step in the biosynthesis of estradiol (E2): 17β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β‐HSD1). It catalyzes the reduction of the weakly active estrone (E1) into E2, which is the most potent estrogen in humans. Inhibition of 17β‐HSD1 lowers intracellular E2 concentrations and thus presents a therapeutic target for estrogen‐dependent pathologies. Recently, we reported a new class of highly active and selective 17β‐HSD1 inhibitors: bicyclic substituted hydroxyphenylmethanones. Here, further structural variations on the bicyclic moiety are described, especially focusing on the exchange of its hydroxy function. Twenty‐nine novel inhibitors were synthesized and evaluated for 17β‐HSD1 inhibition in a cell‐free and cellular assay, for selectivity toward 17βHSD2 and estrogen receptors (ER) alpha and beta, as well as for metabolic stability. The best compound exhibited IC50 values of 12 nM (cell‐free assay) and 78 nM (cellular assay), high selectivity for 17β‐HSD1, and reasonable metabolic stability. A molecular docking study provided insight into the protein–ligand interactions of this compound with 17β‐HSD1.
Continuous Summarization of Streaming Spatio-Textual Posts

In this paper, we address the problem of continuously maintaining a concise, diversified summary of the contents of a sliding window over a stream of geotagged posts. Selecting posts to include in the summary takes into account both the criteria of coverage and diversity, and the summary is updated dynamically when the window slides. Our proposed strategy provides a trade-off between information quality and performance. An experimental evaluation of our method is presented using two real-world datasets containing spatio-textual posts from Twitter and Flickr.
AN APPROACH TO NONRIGID US-MRI REGISTRATION OF PELVIC ORGANS FOR ENDOMETRIOSIS DIAGNOSIS

In the field of multimodal medical image registration, the main elements that researchers focus on are the transformation, the similarity metric and the optimization algorithm. There is no state-of-art registration method for pelvic organs when endometriosis is taken into consideration. This paper proposes a chain of practical implementations for the aforementioned key elements of the image registration framework so that pelvic organs and endometrial cysts are registered between ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For this purpose, the Free-Form Deformation (FFD) was taken into consideration as spatial transformation, in conjunction with mutual information as similarity measure and gradient descent as optimization strategy. A multi-scale image registration algorithm is implemented to increase the speed of convergence. Registration results show that our approach is feasible for multimodal medical image registration of pelvic organs.
The use of an interactive software program for quantitative characterization of microcalcifications on digitized film-screen mammograms.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Mammography is relatively nonspecific for the early detection of breast cancer. This study evaluates the accuracy of mammographic interpretation using quantitative features characterizing microcalcifications, which are extracted by a computerized system. METHODS A computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system enabling digitization of film-screen mammograms and automatic feature extraction was developed. A classification scheme (discriminant analysis) based on these features was constructed and trained on 217 cases with known pathology. The diagnostic performance of the classification scheme was tested against the radiologist's conventional interpretation on 45 additional cases of microcalcifications, each analyzed independently by four radiologists. RESULTS The sensitivity of the CAD system analysis (95.7%) was significantly better than that of conventional interpretation (84.8%). The positive predictive value of interpretation increased significantly, as did the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSIONS This classification scheme for microcalcifications, based on quantitative features characterizing the lesion, significantly improved the accuracy of mammographic interpretation.
Impact of Multiorgan Fusion Imaging and Interactive 3-Dimensional Visualization for Intraventricular Neuroendoscopic Surgery

BACKGROUND: Imaging technologies have evolved to meet the demand for improved presurgical simulations, particularly with the introduction of endoscopic surgery in the neurosurgical field. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a 3-dimensional interactive visualization method with a computer graphics model, which was created using hybrid rendering and multimodal fusion methods for neuroendoscopic surgery, and to assess whether the 2-dimensional interactive visualization method could effectively represent the microsurgical anatomical information necessary for endoscopic surgery compared with conventional 3-dimensional computer graphics models. METHODS: Ten patients scheduled for neuroendoscopic surgery for intraventricular lesions were included in the study. For the 3-dimensional interactive visualization method, a hybrid model of volume and surface rendering was created from magnetic resonance images combined with computed tomography and positron emission tomography. Preoperative radiographic images were fused with the normalized mutual information method. Visibility of anatomic structures was compared between the multifusion models and nonfusion models created from only heavy-T2-weighted images that rely solely on the surface rendering method. RESULTS: The average visibility score of the multifusion models was 97.5% (range, 95.6% to 100%), which was significantly higher than that for nonfusion models (35.9% to 64.1%; P = .002). The multifusion model represents an improved visualization method for preoperative virtual simulation for neuroendoscopic intraventricular surgery. CONCLUSION: Our 3-dimensional imaging method is superior to conventional methods and will greatly improve the safety and effectiveness of neuroendoscopic surgical procedures for complex intraventricular lesions.
Biorthogonal filterbanks and energy preservation property in image compression

The energy preservation property is among the most widely used properties of orthogonal transforms in image compression because the reconstruction error can be computed as the sum of the subband distortions. Thus, this is a key point in the use of efficient bit allocation techniques such as rate-distortion algorithms. Therefore, we study the nonorthogonality of biorthogonal filterbanks with reference to energy preservation from both theoretical and applicative points of view. We calculate the Riesz bounds as energy preservation bounds for filterbanks and discrete wavelet transforms, and then connect these results with the Riesz bounds of the related continuous wavelet transform. The simultaneous use of biorthogonal filterbanks and rate-distortion algorithms is then discussed as the issue of estimating the reconstruction error as an additive function of the subband distortion. We propose a weighted sum of the subband distortions as an estimate, whose accuracy is calculated by a wide range of experiments. This accuracy is shown to be correlated to the Riesz bounds of the filterbanks. We conclude that from this point of view, most of the usual biorthogonal filterbanks may be considered as nearly orthogonal.
Method optimization for fecal sample collection and fecal DNA extraction.

BACKGROUND This is the third in a series of publications presenting formal method validation for biospecimen processing in the context of accreditation in laboratories and biobanks. We report here optimization of a stool processing protocol validated for fitness-for-purpose in terms of downstream DNA-based analyses. METHODS Stool collection was initially optimized in terms of sample input quantity and supernatant volume using canine stool. Three DNA extraction methods (PerkinElmer MSM I®, Norgen Biotek All-In-One®, MoBio PowerMag®) and six collection container types were evaluated with human stool in terms of DNA quantity and quality, DNA yield, and its reproducibility by spectrophotometry, spectrofluorometry, and quantitative PCR, DNA purity, SPUD assay, and 16S rRNA gene sequence-based taxonomic signatures. RESULTS The optimal MSM I protocol involves a 0.2 g stool sample and 1000 μL supernatant. The MSM I extraction was superior in terms of DNA quantity and quality when compared to the other two methods tested. Optimal results were obtained with plain Sarstedt tubes (without stabilizer, requiring immediate freezing and storage at -20°C or -80°C) and Genotek tubes (with stabilizer and RT storage) in terms of DNA yields (total, human, bacterial, and double-stranded) according to spectrophotometry and spectrofluorometry, with low yield variability and good DNA purity. No inhibitors were identified at 25 ng/μL. The protocol was reproducible in terms of DNA yield among different stool aliquots. CONCLUSIONS We validated a stool collection method suitable for downstream DNA metagenomic analysis. DNA extraction with the MSM I method using Genotek tubes was considered optimal, with simple logistics in terms of collection and shipment and offers the possibility of automation. Laboratories and biobanks should ensure protocol conditions are systematically recorded in the scope of accreditation.
Robot-assisted motor training: Assistance decreases exploration during reinforcement learning

Reinforcement learning (RL) is a form of motor learning that robotic therapy devices could potentially manipulate to promote neurorehabilitation. We developed a system that requires trainees to use RL to learn a predefined target movement. The system provides higher rewards for movements that are more similar to the target movement. We also developed a novel algorithm that rewards trainees of different abilities with comparable reward sizes. This algorithm measures a trainee's performance relative to their best performance, rather than relative to an absolute target performance, to determine reward. We hypothesized this algorithm would permit subjects who cannot normally achieve high reward levels to do so while still learning. In an experiment with 21 unimpaired human subjects, we found that all subjects quickly learned to make a first target movement with and without the reward equalization. However, artificially increasing reward decreased the subjects' tendency to engage in exploration and therefore slowed learning, particularly when we changed the target movement. An anti-slacking watchdog algorithm further slowed learning. These results suggest that robotic algorithms that assist trainees in achieving rewards or in preventing slacking might, over time, discourage the exploration needed for reinforcement learning.
Automated multi-sensor color video fusion for nighttime video surveillance

In this paper, we present an automated color transfer based video fusion method to attain real-time color night vision capability for night-time video surveillance. We utilize simple RGB Color transfer technique to fused pseudo colored video frames without conversion to any uncorrelated color space. We investigated that final color fusion results greatly depend on the selection of target color Image. Therefore, rather than using any arbitrary target color image based on mere general visual anticipation, we have automated target color image selection using structural similarity and color saturation. We further apply color enhancement to improve final appearance of color fused images. Subjective and objective quality evaluations greatly indicate the effectiveness of our color video fusion method for nighttime video surveillance applications.
Local mechanisms in sex specific morphogenesis

Sex determination in mammals occurs on three levels. Segregation of sex chromosomes determines the chromosomal sex. Sry on the Y chromosome induces formation of a testis which in turn regulates via AMH and testosterone the development of the genital tract and the external phenotype. Recently a number of new factors have been described, which affect sexual development but have not yet found a place in the above canonical scheme of sex determination. For the purpose of this review, the factors are aligned according to their quality as transcription factors, steroid hormones, or growth factors. In this web of regulatory factors, the classical sex determining factors have evolved as master mechanisms while others function as slaves, or were totally suppressed. In this context, androgens acquired a dominant role in mammalian development. Androgens determine the morphogenesis of the genital tract. The effects of androgens are mediated by local cellular interactions. In the cranial section of the Wolffian duct the androgen receptor appears in the epithelium and mediates maintenance of the duct via an epithelial factor. In the caudal section of the duct the androgen receptor is expressed in the embryonic mesenchyme. Vesicular glands are induced via a morphogenetically active mesenchymal condensation, while the epithelial buds are primarily AR androgen receptor negative. The dominant role of androgens and formation of a vagina evolved together at the transition to eutherian mammals. Under this aspect, the role of androgens in the development of the vagina is analyzed.
Physical impact of sheep grazing on arid Karoo subshrub/grass rangeland, South Africa

Grazing levels and rotational schemes need to be tailored to each individual farm or pasture, and more studies are needed on the resilience of rangelands and on separating the effects of grazing and climate. The direct short-term impact of three rates of stocking (4, 8 and 16 Small Stock Units-SSU/ha) was quantified in terms of composition and cover of arid Nama Karoo vegetation (subshrub/grass). Mature Merino wethers grazed in one hectare plots during May in 1995 and 1996 (the plots were not subjected to grazing at any other time). The basal cover of the Karoo bushes (shrubs) showed a decrease at the highest stocking rate only, with the species Phymaspermum parvifolium the most sensitive to intensive grazing. An increase in stocking rate caused a significant decrease in both canopy cover and canopy-spread cover. The canopy cover of palatable Karoo bushes such as Felicia muricata, Salsola calluna and Walafrida geniculata decreased most. Light stocking (4 SSU/ha) was apparently the least detrimental to the vegetation composition and cover. Regardless of stocking rate, an 11-month resting period was possibly sufficient for all the vegetation parameters concerned to be fully restored after grazing took place. The rangeland rapidly reacted to rainfall as the ephemeral cover increased temporarily. The higher the stocking rate was, the greater the increase in ephemerals occurring. The ecological sustainability of the Nama Karoo ecosystem, utilised by high stocking densities, is questioned. Keywords: Basal cover; canopy cover; canopy-spread cover; ephemerals; Karoo bushes; stocking rate
Rapamycin combined with donor immature dendritic cells promotes liver allograft survival in association with CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell expansion

Aim: To determine whether donor immature dendritic cells (imDCs) combined with a short postoperative course of rapamycin (Rapa) has the ability to expand the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and prolong liver allograft survival.
Fermentative and oxidative transformation of ferulate by a facultatively anaerobic bacterium isolated from sewage sludge

A facultatively anaerobic, gram-negative, non-sporeforming, motile rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from methanogenic consortia degrading 3-methoxy-4-hydroxycinnamate (ferulate). Consortia were originally enriched from a laboratory anaerobic digester fed sewage sludge. In the absence of exogenous electron acceptors and with the addition of 0.1% yeast extract, the isolated bacterium transformed ferulate under strictly anaerobic conditions (N2-CO2 gas phase). Ferulate (1.55 mM) was demethoxylated and dehydroxylated with subsequent reduction of the side chain, resulting in production of phenylpropinate and phenylacetate. Under aerobic conditions, the substrate was completely degraded, with transient appearance of caffeate as the first aromatic intermediate and beta-ketoadipate as an aliphatic intermediate. The pure culture has been tentatively assigned to the genus Enterobacter with the type strain DG-6 (ATCC 35929). Tentative pathways for both fermentative and oxidative degradation of ferulate are now proposed.
Study of a high efficiency optical MEMS transducer for the generation of narrowband laser ultrasound

In this paper we demonstrate an optically powered ultrasonic t ransducer. It has a high efficiency and was designed and fabricated using MEMS (microelectromechanical system) techniques. It can generate narrowband ultrasound from broadband laser excitation. It is a simple two-mask-level MEMS device with a micro-disc seated on a micro-stem. As a laser pulse is incident on the disc centre, the disc is excited into a 'flapping' motion because of the thermomechanical interaction between the absorbing and non-absorbing parts of the disc. This flapping motion is dominated by one of the resonances of the disc, coupling a narrowband longitudinal bulk wave propagating along the axis of the micro-stem into the sample. Experiments with these transducers have shown that narrowband ultrasonic waves with a high SNR (signal to noise ratio) were generated successfully. The device is simple to excite optically and generates higher amplitudes than by normal thermoelastic generation. No physical contact is required to excite the transducer, making it suitable for remote non-contact ultrasonic applications.
An Efficient Extraction of Vocal Portion from Music Accompaniment Using Trend

Speech and music are the most basic means of human communication. As technology advances and increasingly sophisticated tools become available to extract human speech from a noisy background. But the task of extracting a singing voice from a musical background, composed of many musical instruments is a challenging one as both the signals have very high coherence and correlation. Separating singing voice from music accompaniment is very useful in many applications, such as lyrics recognition and alignment, singer identification, and music information retrieval. This paper describes, a trend estimation algorithm to detect the pitch ranges of a singing voice in each time frame. The detected trend substantially reduces the difficulty of singing pitch detection by removing a large number of wrong pitch candidates either produced by musical instruments or the overtones of the singing voice. Qualitative results show that the system performs the separation task successfully.
Ethics and Information Technology

The versatility and adaptability of information technology (IT) offer many potential benefits to society, its organisations and its citizens, but there are also associated risks. The social and ethical implications of this technology warrant special attention and have resulted in the creation of information ethics as a discrete area of study. The overall goal of information ethics is to integrate IT and human values in such a way that IT advances and protects human values rather than doing damage to them.
Can a Social Safety Net Affect Farmers’ Crop Portfolios? A Study of the Productive Safety Net Programme in Ethiopia

In this paper, we examine whether a minimum level of ensured consumption from a social safety net has the potential of breaking the vicious circle of risk avoidance and low return in African agriculture. We study how the implementation of a social safety net programme in Ethiopia has affected the value, risk and composition of farmers’ crop portfolios. The effects of programme participation on the value and risk of the crop portfolio are examined in a Just-Pope production function, and the effects of programme participation on composition of the crop portfolio are tested in a set of acreage response models. The empirical analysis is based on unique household panel data that allow us to control for unobserved heterogeneity. No significant effect on the value and risk of the crop portfolio could be found. However, the programme seems to have brought about some changes in the land allocated to different crops. The greatest effect is towards increased cultivation of perennials, which are high-value, high-risk crops in this part of Ethiopia.
Multimodal read-aloud ebooks for language learning

In this show and tell description paper we present the read-aloud electronic books (eBooks) we create at Sinkronigo.com. Read-aloud eBooks incorporate both audio and text into a single epub3-compliant eBook, which can be read in any compatible eBook reader, where the user can listen to the audio narration while the words are highlighted as spoken. Read-aloud eBooks are a perfect companion for people with reading difﬁculties and for those learning a new language.