Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast Statistical Iterative Reconstruction for MVCT in TomoTherapy

Statistical iterative reconstruction is expected to improve the image quality of megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT). However, one of the challenges of iterative reconstruction is its large computational cost. The purpose of this work is to develop a fast iterative reconstruction algorithm by combining several iterative techniques and by optimizing reconstruction parameters. Megavolt projection data was acquired from a TomoTherapy system and reconstructed using our statistical iterative reconstruction. Total variation was used as the regularization term and the weight of the regularization term was determined by evaluating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and visual assessment of spatial resolution using Gammex and Cheese phantoms. Gradient decent with an adaptive convergence parameter, ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM), and CPU/GPU parallelization were applied in order to accelerate the present reconstruction algorithm. The SNR and CNR of the iterative reconstruction were several times better than that of filtered back projection (FBP). The GPU parallelization code combined with the OSEM algorithm reconstructed an image several hundred times faster than a CPU calculation. With 500 iterations, which provided good convergence, our method produced a 512$\times$512 pixel image within a few seconds. The image quality of the present algorithm was much better than that of FBP for patient data. An image from the iterative reconstruction in TomoTherapy can be obtained within few seconds by fine-tuning the parameters. The iterative reconstruction with GPU was fast enough for clinical use, and largely improve the MVCT images.
SUCCESS OF SHORT- VERSUS LONG- DENTAL IMPLANTS IN THE BICUSPID AREA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

The placement and restoration of endosseous dental implants have become routine dental procedures that offer high success rates when suitable planning and protocols are followed. Anatomical considerations may exist, in the posterior region of both mandible and maxilla, that pose limitations, such as the position of the inferior alveolar nerve and the sinus cavity. Methods to increase vertical height of the posterior mandible or maxilla, such as autogenous bone augmentation, inferior alveolar nerve repositioning and sinus lifting, have shown high levels of morbidity. For patients with inadequate vertical height of the posterior maxilla and mandible, placement of short-length dental implants can be considered. Prospective clinical trials have found excellent success rates for endosseous root-form dental implants of standard lengths, with success rates and survival rates of up to 98% across numerous studies (Buser 1997; Mangano 2010). Many studies have shown higher failure rates for shorter-length implants; recent reports have shown success rates comparable to longer-length implants (Misch 2006; Renouard 2006). The purpose of this research is to determine the success rate of short implants placed in premolar regions, using statistical analyses of a retrospective review of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Electronic Health Record [EHR].
The solution structure of the amino-terminal domain of human DNA polymerase ε subunit B is homologous to C-domains of AAA+ proteins

DNA polymerases α, δ and ε are large multisubunit complexes that replicate the bulk of the DNA in the eukaryotic cell. In addition to the homologous catalytic subunits, these enzymes possess structurally related B subunits, characterized by a carboxyterminal calcineurin-like and an aminoproximal oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding-fold domain. The B subunits also share homology with the exonuclease subunit of archaeal DNA polymerases D. Here, we describe a novel domain specific to the N-terminus of the B subunit of eukaryotic DNA polymerases ε. The N-terminal domain of human DNA polymerases ε (Dpoe2NT) expressed in Escherichia coli was characterized. Circular dichroism studies demonstrated that Dpoe2NT forms a stable, predominantly α-helical structure. The solution structure of Dpoe2NT revealed a domain that consists of a left-handed superhelical bundle. Four helices are arranged in two hairpins and the connecting loops contain short β-strand segments that form a short parallel sheet. DALI searches demonstrated a striking structural similarity of the Dpoe2NT with the α-helical subdomains of ATPase associated with various cellular activity (AAA+) proteins (the C-domain). Like C-domains, Dpoe2NT is rich in charged amino acids. The biased distribution of the charged residues is reflected by a polarization and a considerable dipole moment across the Dpoe2NT. Dpoe2NT represents the first C-domain fold not associated with an AAA+ protein.
On Generalized Spatial Modulation Aided Millimeter Wave MIMO: Spectral Efficiency Analysis and Hybrid Precoder Design

The concept of generalized spatial modulation (GenSM) aided millimeter wave (mm-wave) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) has recently attracted substantial research interest, as it benefits from the large bandwidth of mm-wave MIMO, while maintaining a reduced number of radio frequency (RF) chains. However, due to the lack of precoding design, the preceding GenSM-aided mm-wave MIMO schemes suffered from severe performance loss. Inspired by the reduced-RF-chain structure making implementation cost low while maintaining the benefit of GenSM, in this paper, we incorporate the technique of hybrid precoding into GenSM-aided mm-wave MIMO, where a hybrid digital and analog precoding regime is proposed to enhance the system’s achievable rate. Moreover, a closed-form expression is proposed to provide an accurate approximation to the spectral efficiency (SE) achieved by the proposed scheme. The proposed expression is further simplified in the region of high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). By exploiting the proposed SE expressions as low-complexity cost functions, two algorithms, i.e. the gradient ascent algorithm and the high-SNR approximation algorithm, are exploited to optimize the hybrid precoders in terms of SE maximization. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to substantiate the superior SE performance achieved by the proposed scheme over other GenSM-aided mm-wave MIMO schemes as well as the state-of-the-art mm-wave MIMO systems.
9.8 An energy-efficient 3.7nV/√Hz bridge-readout IC with a stable bridge offset compensation scheme

Wheatstone bridge sensors are often used in precision instrumentation and measurement systems, e.g., for μK-resolution temperature sensing in wafer steppers [1] and mPa-resolution differential pressure sensing in precision air gauges [2]. Since they output small differential signals superimposed on a large common-mode (CM) voltage, typical bridge readout ICs (ROICs) consist of an instrumentation amplifier (IA) followed by an ADC [1]. This paper describes a low-noise energy-efficient ROIC, which achieves a 3.7nV/√Hz input-referred noise PSD and a power efficiency factor (PEF) of 44.1. The latter represents a 5× improvement on the state of the art [3].
Vaccinia virus RNA polymerase associated with nuclei of infected HeLa cells

Though vaccinia virus DNA and RNA replication take place predominantly in the cytoplasm of an infected cell, virus formation requires the presence of a functional nucleus in a yet undefined manner. When the nuclei from cells infected for 3 h are isolated and purified, they are found to synthesize five times more RNA in vitro than do corresponding nuclei from noninfected cells. Fifty percent of the RNA synthesized in vitro by nuclei from infected cells is vaccinia specific, and this vaccinia RNA synthesis is resistant to alpha-amanitin concentrations up to 100 micrograms/ml. Furthermore, when the RNA polymerase activities of these nuclei are separated on DEAE-Sephadex columns, 56% of the total nuclear enzyme activity is found to be the vaccinia-specific RNA polymerase known to be alpha-amanitin resistant. The nucleus associated vaccinia RNA polymerase represents 18% of the total cellular vaccinia RNA polymerase. This synthesis of vaccinia RNA in the nucleus may explain the nuclear requirement for vaccinia virus maturation.
Routine collection of patient-reported outcomes in an HIV clinic setting: the first 100 patients.

BACKGROUND Information from patient-reported outcomes (PROs) can enhance patient-provider communication and facilitate clinical research. However, there are barriers to collecting PROs within a clinic. Recent technological advances may help overcome these barriers. We examined the feasibility of using a web-based application on tablet PCs with touch screens to collect PROs in a busy, multi-provider, outpatient HIV clinical care setting. METHODS Patients presenting for routine care were asked to complete a touch-screen-based assessment containing 62 to 111 items depending on patient responses. The assessment included instruments measuring body morphology abnormalities, depression, symptom burden, medication adherence, drug/alcohol/tobacco use, and health-related quality of life. RESULTS Of 136 patients approached to participate in the study, 106 patients (78%) completed the assessment, 6 (4%) started but did not complete it, and 24 (18%) refused. Of those who completed the assessment, the mean age was 48 years, and 29% reported a history of injection drug use. The median time to complete the assessment was 12 minutes. The prevalence of lipoatrophy was 51%, the prevalence of lipohypertrophy was 69%, and the prevalence of moderate or severe depression was 51%. We found that 25% of those receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy noted missing a dose of their antiretroviral medications in the prior 4 days. CONCLUSIONS Collection of PROs using touch-screen-based, internet technology was feasible in a busy HIV clinic. We found a high prevalence of body morphology abnormalities, depression, and poor adherence. Touch-screen-based collection of PROs is a promising tool to facilitate research and clinical care.
The half-life of human placental lactogen in non-immune and immune rhesus monkeys.

to produce an initial plasma concentration ten times the maximal levels found in pregnant women, was injected intravenously into adult non-pregnant female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The disappearance curves in non-immune animals can be best explained by a double exponential function: the half-life of HPL in these animals was approximately 10 min in the first phase and approximately 50 min in the second phase. Circulating HPL could not be demonstrated in the serum of monkeys immunized previously with HPL.
Genes Unite Executive Functions in Childhood

Individual differences in children’s executive functions (EFs) are relevant for a wide range of normal and atypical psychological outcomes across the life span, but the origins of variation in children’s EFs are not well understood. We used data from a racially and socioeconomically diverse sample of 505 third- through eighth-grade twins and triplets from the Texas Twin Project to estimate genetic and environmental influences on a Common EF factor and on variance unique to four core EF domains: inhibition, switching, working memory, and updating. As has been previously demonstrated in young adults, the Common EF factor was 100% heritable, which indicates that correlations among the four EF domains are entirely attributable to shared genetic etiology. Nonshared environmental influences were evident for variance unique to individual domains. General EF may thus serve as an early life marker of genetic propensity for a range of functions and pathologies later in life.
Effect of Pterocarpus marsupium in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic state in rats: comparison with glibenclamide.

SUMMARY Pterocarpus marsupium (Family: Leguminoceae) is widely used in ‘Ayurveda’ as ‘Rasayana’ for the management of various metabolic disorders including hyperglycemia. Treatment of diabetic rats with Pterocarpus marsupium methanol extract (PMMtE, 300 mg/kg b.w./day) for 7 and 14 days showed normalization of streptozotocin-distressed serum glucose. At longer duration, PMMtE exerted a protective effect by correcting glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ), serum protein, insulin, alkaline and acid phosphatase (ALP and ACP), and albumin levels. Furthermore, tissue biochemical parameters viz. protein and glycogen altered towards normal in comparison to diabetic group. These results suggest oral administration of Pterocarpus marsupium may have the ability to improve streptozotocin-induced chronic diabetic stress.
Microalbuminuria and plasma aldosterone levels in nondiabetic treatment-naïve patients with hypertension

Objectives: Identification of factors that contribute to urinary albumin losses in hypertensive nephropathy is crucial for prevention of renal deterioration. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of low-grade albuminuria with plasma aldosterone levels in treatment-naïve hypertensive patients free of additional comorbidities that might affect renal function. Methods: In 242 newly diagnosed patients with uncomplicated primary hypertension, we obtained duplicate 24-h urine collections for measurement of urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) and measured plasma aldosterone levels. Patients with diabetes, overt proteinuria (>300 mg/day), glomerular filtration rate less than 30 ml/min per 1.73 m2, and previous renal diseases were excluded. Results: Increasing UACR was associated with significantly and progressively higher blood pressure (BP), HDL-cholesterol, and plasma aldosterone levels, and with lower glomerular filtration. Microalbuminuria (30–300 mg/day) was detected in 41 (17%) of 242 hypertensive patients, and these patients had significantly higher BP and plasma aldosterone levels (178 ± 113 vs. 128 ± 84 pg/ml; P = 0.001), and lower glomerular filtration than patients without microalbuminuria. UACR was directly and independently correlated with BP and plasma aldosterone levels. In a logistic regression model, presence of microalbuminuria was associated with plasma aldosterone levels independently of glomerular filtration and demographic, anthropometric, and metabolic variables. Conclusion: In nondiabetic, treatment-naïve patients with hypertension, low-grade albuminuria is independently associated with elevated plasma aldosterone. These findings suggest a contribution of aldosterone to the early glomerular changes occurring in hypertensive nephropathy.
A Genetic Based Approach to Management and Stocking of Muskellunge

Fish stocking has long been used as a management tool among fisheries biologists and continues to be met with popular public opinion. Despite perceived simplicity, the full effects of stocking remain cryptic for many fish populations. Stocking has frequently been used to maintain or establish successful muskellunge ( Esox masquinongy ) populations. Coupled with other management practices the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MNDNR) has established Minnesota as a premier muskellunge fishery. From 1958 to 2012 the MNDNR stocked three strains of muskellunge in Big Mantrap Lake, MN. The first from Shoepack Lake, MN (hereafter Shoepack-strain) was used until the realization that fish were not attaining sizes sought after by anglers. The MNDNR then made a statewide switch to a source from Wisconsin before developing a source from Leech Lake, MN (hereafter Leech-strain). Using 13 microsatellite markers, genetic contributions of each source population were estimated from samples taken between 1984 and 2013 in Big Mantrap Lake. Analysis of current and past genetic makeup of Big Mantrap Lake demonstrated a successful dilution of the Shoepack-strain from 96% in 1984 to 11% in 2013 as the Leech-strain made up 85% of the genetic makeup in the most recent sample. This study reinforces the use of genetic information as a management tool in evaluating ancestry of stocked fish. These findings will help the MNDNR make management decisions related to size structure and genetic makeup of muskellunge populations.
The Oxford Dictionary of Architecture

‘a valuable piece of scholarship, and the definitive reference work on architecture and landscape design’ – Hannah Malone, Architectural History Over 5,000 entries Beautifully illustrated and written in a clear and concise style, this dictionary covers every period of Western architectural history. The text is complemented by over 250 beautiful and meticulous line drawings, labelled cross-sections, and diagrams. This updated edition adds more than 40 completely new entries, including many new biographies of notable architects, and essential updates to several existing entries.
Biological invasions: Much progress plus several controversies

La biologia de les invasions ha permes avancar en la comprensio de les invasions i de la capacitat per gestionar-les. La recerca recent s'ha centrat sobretot en les invasions que afecten ecosistemes sencers. La genetica molecular ha revelat la generalitzacio relativa d'hibridacions entre especies introduides i natives, i entre poblacions geneticament diferents introduides en una mateixa regio. Les controversies sobre els resultats de la biologia de les invasions i de la seva gestio son: I) L'afirmacio que la majoria d'invasions causen poc impacte, encara que hagin estat poc estudiades. II) L'argument que les invasions poden augmentar la biodiversitat local, sense reconeixer que disminueixen la biodiversitat global. III) L'afirmacio que la biologia de les invasions es una forma de xenofobia, restant importancia al fet que la lluita contra les especies invasores esta motivada pels seus impactes negatius. IV) La creenca que hi ha poc que puguem fer per prevenir o controlar les invasions, fent cas omis de l'exit dels projectes d'eradicacio i gestio i de nous enfocaments prometedors. V) Les objeccions dels defensors dels drets dels animals a la gestio dels vertebrats, particularment mamifers, sent aquest un problema que no es resoldra facilment.
Biologia Plantarum Xx (x): Xxx-xxx, 20xx the Identification of Almond Gigantea Gene and Its Expression under Cold Stress, Variable Photoperiod, and Seasonal Dormancy

Seasonal growth is characteristic for many tree species including almond. Varying conditions during the season are responsible for growth cessation, bud set, dormancy entry, cold hardening, and bud burst. Here we report the characterization of an almond homologue of the Arabidopsis GIGANTEA (AtGI) gene (designated as PdGI, GenBank accession No. KJ502316). We propose a role for this gene in the transition to dormancy and cold acclimation. The complementary DNA (cDNA) sequence of PdGI was 4 322 bp long and contained an open reading frame of 3 512 bp. The deduced amino acid sequence of PdGI shares 76 % identity with AtGI. The expression of PdGI at ambient day/night temperatures of 22/20 ºC was differentially regulated under 16-h or 12-h photoperiod, increasing during the day and decreasing after dusk. However, this diurnal regulation was disrupted when plants were transferred to cold (12 ºC) conditions. In addition, we have assessed the expression of PdGI and putative almond homologues of the downstream target genes CONSTANS (PdCO-like) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (PdFT-like) in flower buds and shoots from adult trees during bud break period in autumn and early winter. Our results show a clear increase in transcript abundance towards anthesis, suggesting a role of these genes in flower development.
Universal Space-Frequency Block Coding for MIMO-OFDM Systems

In this paper, we propose a universal design of rate-Mt full-diversity space-frequency (SF) block codes over MIMO frequency-selective fading channels for any number of transmit antennas. The full-diversity can be proved to be the product of the number of transmit antennas Mt, receiver antennas Mr and channel taps L. The performance of the proposed SF codes are simulated and compared with some existing SF codes. The full-diversity of the proposed rateMt SF block codes is further validated from the simulated cases
Haemodynamic Response Function (HRF) model selection in fMRI using Kalman filtering

This paper proposes a Kalman-based multiple-model approach for the selection of a biophysical model describing the Haemodynamic Response Function (HRF) measured in BOLD-fMRI data. It is shown, both theoretically and through simulation, that the proposed method is able to successfully distinguish the correct HRF model among a set of physiologically plausible alternatives. Moreover, the feasibility of the technique is demonstrated by its application to an empirical dataset. In summary, the results obtained clearly indicate that the proposed methodology is potentially well-suited to be used in the modeling of BOLD-fMRI data.
Fluxo salivar, pH e capacidade tampão da saliva de crianças com linfoma de Hodgkin tratadas com radioterapia : estudo prospectivo

A saliva e um importante fator de protecao contra doencas bucais devido a propriedades como clearence promovido pelo fluxo salivar e manutencao do pH em niveis aceitaveis pela capacidade tampao. Entretanto, inumeros fatores podem afetar a producao de saliva, podendo resultar em hipossalivacao e no sintoma de boca seca, a xerostomia. Estudos mostram que uma das causas da hipossalivacao e a radioterapia envolvendo a regiao de cabeca e pescoco, utilizada no tratamento de câncer. Dentre as neoplasias em criancas que incluem em seus protocolos de tratamento a radioterapia na regiao cervical, destacamos o Linfoma de Hodgkin, o qual frequentemente acomete cadeias ganglionares cervicais. Sendo assim, o primeiro objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar se a radioterapia causa algum efeito sobre o fluxo, o pH e a capacidade tampao da saliva de criancas com Linfoma de Hodgkin. O segundo objetivo foi avaliar se existe correlacao entre as caracteristicas salivares descritas acima e parâmetros que exprimem a qualidade de vida antes, durante e apos o tratamento radioterapico. Para tanto, foi realizada a coleta de saliva estimulada e nao estimulada e aplicacao do questionario HN e estas alteracoes tiveram impacto negativo na qualidade de vida, em relacao a intensidade de boca seca e sensacao de dor na cavidade bucal da criancas avaliadas. Abstract
The challenges of indoor environments and specification on some alternative positioning systems

This paper gives an overview of the current and near future positioning capabilities for indoor environments with focus on the research activities in that field at the Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry at the ETH Zurich. Object of study are those novel indoor-position systems that have the potential to achieve cm-level accuracy or better which is seen as a requirement for most geodetic applications. The focus is given on four alternative positioning systems where the GeomETH group at the ETH Zurich has made some experiences. These systems are iGPS, which is a system based on a rotating infrared laser fan, the Locata system that uses GNSS similar signals on pseudolites, the Cricket ultra-sound system and a photogrammetric laser beam positioning systems (CLIPS) that is currently under development. As a result it can be noted that there are several unconventional positioning systems on their way that may compensate for the deficiencies of GNSS or total stations.
A Novel First Arriving Path Detection Algorithm Using Multipath Interference Cancellation in Indoor Environments

We propose a first arriving path (FAP) detection algorithm using multipath interference cancellation techniques for indoor positioning systems. In indoor environments, the FAP is very often less significant in magnitude as compared with later arriving paths (LAPs) and therefore the received signal component of FAP is severely interfered by those of LAPs. As a result, it is difficult to identify the FAP in the presence of strong LAPs in indoor environments. In the proposed algorithm, we reconstruct the interference of LAPs based on channel estimation and data detection results. The interference of LAPs is subsequently reconstructed and cancelled from the received signals to improve the accuracy of FAP detection. Simulation results are provided to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm.