Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic analysis of medial temporal lobe atrophy from structural MRIs for the early assessment of Alzheimer disease.

The purpose of this study is to develop a software for the extraction of the hippocampus and surrounding medial temporal lobe (MTL) regions from T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images with no interactive input from the user, to introduce a novel statistical indicator, computed on the intensities in the automatically extracted MTL regions, which measures atrophy, and to evaluate the accuracy of the newly developed intensity-based measure of MTL atrophy to (a) distinguish between patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and elderly controls by using established criteria for patients with AD and aMCI as the reference standard and (b) infer about the clinical outcome of aMCI patients. For the development of the software, the study included 61 patients with mild AD (17 men, 44 women; mean age±standard deviation (SD), 75.8years±7.8; Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, 24.1±3.1), 42 patients with aMCI (11 men, 31 women; mean age±SD, 75.2years±4.9; MMSE score, 27.9±1.9), and 30 elderly healthy controls (10 men, 20 women; mean age±SD, 74.7years±5.2; MMSE score, 29.1±0.8). For the evaluation of the statistical indicator, 150 patients with mild AD (62 men, 88 women; mean age±SD, 76.3years±5.8; MMSE score, 23.2±4.1), 247 patients with aMCI (143 men, 104 women; mean age±SD, 75.3years±6.7; MMSE score, 27.0±1.8), and 135 elderly healthy controls (61 men, 74 women; mean age±SD, 76.4years±6.1). Fifty aMCI patients were evaluated every 6 months over a 3 year period to assess conversion to AD. For each participant, two subimages of the MTL regions were automatically extracted from T1-weighted MR images with high spatial resolution. An intensity-based MTL atrophy measure was found to separate control, MCI, and AD cohorts. Group differences wereassessed by using two-sample t test. Individual classification was analyzed by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Compared to controls, significant differences in the intensity-based MTL atrophy measure were detected in both groups of patients (AD vs controls, 0.28±0.03 vs 0.34±0.03, P<0.001; aMCI vs controls, 0.31±0.03 vs 0.34±0.03, P<0.001). Moreover, the subgroup of aMCI converters was significantly different from controls (0.27±0.034 vs 0.34±0.03, P<0.001). Regarding the ROC curve for intergroup discrimination, the area under the curve was 0.863 for AD patients vs controls, 0.746 for all aMCI patients vs controls, and 0.880 for aMCI converters vs controls. With specificity set at 85%, the sensitivity was 74% for AD vs controls, 45% for aMCI vs controls, and 83% for aMCI converters vs controls. The automated analysis of MTL atrophy in the segmented volume is applied to the early assessment of AD, leading to the discrimination of aMCI converters with an average 3 year follow-up. This procedure can provide additional useful information in the early diagnosis of AD.
ROBIN: Activity based robot management system

This paper examines the design and implementation of a system to support firefighting exercises based on tools and ideas of pervasive computing. Through this development a range of technologies and conceptual tools were used, such as sensors, wireless communication, and the programming framework uMove; as well as context-awareness, situation management, and activity detection. In this development, the notion of implicit human-computer interaction was of particular relevance. The use of a programming framework for interaction through motion was central, and this implementation is one of its proofs of concept, as it presented opportunities to improve it and recommendations to adapt it for future applications.
Support vector machine and wavelet neural network hybrid: application to bankruptcy prediction in banks

This paper presents a novel soft computing system, SVWNN, to predict failure of banks. First, support vectors that are critical in classification are extracted from support vector machine (SVM). Then, these support vectors along with their corresponding actual output labels are used to train the wavelet neural network (WNN). Further, Garson's algorithm for feature selection is adapted using WNN. Thus, the new hybrid, WNN-SVWNN, accomplishes horizontal and vertical reduction in the dataset as support vectors reduce the pattern space dimension and the WNN-based feature selection reduces the feature space dimension. The effectiveness of these hybrids is demonstrated on the datasets of US, Turkish, UK and Spanish banks. SVWNN outperformed SVM and WNN on all datasets except Spanish banks. However, when feature selection is considered, WNN-SVM outperformed WNN-WNN and WNN-SVWNN on Spanish and Turkish banks, while WNN-SVWNN outscored others on UK banks. Ten-fold cross-validation was performed throughout the study.
≫1 Tbps·km transmission over MMF (Invited)

We have demonstrated the transmission of 100-Gb/s signal (10 times 10 Gb/s) over 12.2 km of multimode fiber using the mode-field matched center-launching technique. The performance of this technique is robust against the mechanical perturbations such as the lateral offset between fiber connectors, fiber bending, and fiber shaking.
Evaluation of Indoor Environment Based on Rough Sets Theory for One University Library in Xi'an

Presents evaluation method of indoor environment based on Rough Sets theory for one university library. According to subjective survey results from questionnaire about thermal environment, visual environment, aural environment, air quality environment and spatial environment of the university library, the decision tables are established for knowledge reduction, significances of eleven condition attributes on evaluation index of indoor environment are calculated and compared by using attribute reduction algorithm with discernibility matrices for the four room environment of the library, and the total indoor environment of the library is evaluated by determining each index total weights of the library indoor environment. By comparing the index total weights, the three factors of dissatisfaction with contaminated air, poor lighting and bad spatial allocation plan are the most important contributors to overall dissatisfaction evaluation, while the other three factors of dissatisfaction with draft, temperature, and cleanness are least important which may be reduced firstly to simplify evaluation system of the library.
The Fps/Fes protein-tyrosine kinase promotes angiogenesis in transgenic mice

The fps/fes proto-oncogene encodes a cytoplasmic protein-tyrosine kinase known to be highly expressed in hematopoietic cells. To investigate fps/fes biological function, an activating mutation was introduced into the human fps/fes gene which directs amino-terminal myristylation of the Fps/Fes protein. This mutant, myristylated protein induced transformation of Rat-2 fibroblasts. The mutant fps/fes allele was incorporated into the mouse germ line and was found to be appropriately expressed in transgenic mice, in a tissue-specific pattern indistinguishable from that of the endogenous mouse gene. These mice displayed widespread hypervascularity, progressing to multifocal hemangiomas. High levels of both the transgenic human and endogenous murine fps/fes transcripts were detected in vascular tumors by using RNase protection, and fps/fes transcripts were localized to endothelial cells of both the vascular tumors and normal blood vessels by in situ RNA hybridization. Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cultures were also shown to express fps/fes transcripts and the Fps/Fes tyrosine kinase. These results indicate that fps/fes expression is intrinsic to cells of the vascular endothelial lineage and suggest a direct role of the Fps/Fes protein-tyrosine kinase in the regulation of angiogenesis.
Production and optimisation of rosmarinic acid by Satureja hortensis L. callus cultures

In this study, production and optimisation of rosmarinic acid, a phenolic acid and an economically important metabolite, was investigated in the callus cultures established from the mature seeds of Satureja hortensis L. (summer savory) plant. Gamborg's B5 basal medium, supplemented with indol butyric acid (IBA) (1.00 mg L−1), N6-benzyl aminopurine (6-BA) (1.00 mg L−1) and sucrose (2.5%, w/v), was employed for the establishment and maintenance of the callus cultures. Applications were individually prepared by preparing the media containing different IBA/6-BA combinations and sucrose concentrations. All of the applications were carried out in the continuous dark. In the applications, where the effects of IBA/6-BA combinations on the growth and rosmarinic acid accumulation were assayed (1–15 applications), the highest biomass yield was obtained from the medium supplemented with 1.00 mg L−1 IBA and 5.00 mg L−1 6-BA. In the case of the rosmarinic acid accumulation, an opposite relationship was determined between the growth and rosmarinic acid production. While the highest biomass yield was obtained from the medium containing 1.00 mg L−1 IBA and 5.00 mg L−1 6-BA, the highest rosmarinic acid accumulation was obtained from the medium supported with 1.00 mg L−1 IBA and 1.00 mg L−1 6-BA. In the applications where the effects of sucrose concentrations on the growth and rosmarinic acid accumulation were examined, the highest biomass yield was obtained from the medium which is supplemented with 5.0% (w/v) sucrose. In this category, the highest rosmarinic acid accumulation was obtained from the medium which is supported with 3.0% (w/v) sucrose. According to the experiments carried out with the wild S. hortensis, it is found to have 25.02 ± 1.21 mg g−1 rosmarinic acid. No differentiation was observed in any callus during the course of this study.
Prevalence of Angelman syndrome and Prader–Willi syndrome in Estonian children: Sister syndromes not equally represented

In 2000–2004, we performed a focused search for individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS) and Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) aiming to establish the prevalence data for the individuals born between 1984 and 2004 in Estonia. All persons with probable AS or PWS (n = 184) were studied using the DNA methylation test. Individuals with abnormal methylation were all further tested by chromosomal and FISH analysis, and if necessary for uniparental disomy and UBE3A gene mutation. Nineteen cases with abnormal methylation test result were identified. Seven of them had AS, including six (85.7%) due to 15q11‐13 deletion and one paternal UPD15. Twelve subjects had PWS: 4 (33%) 15q11‐13 deletions, 6 (50%) maternal UPD15, 1 unbalanced chromosome 14;15 translocation resulting in a chromosome 15pter‐q13 deletion, and 1 Robertsonian 15q;15q translocation. The minimum livebirth prevalence in 1984–2004 for AS was 1:52,181 (95% CI 1:25,326–1:1,29,785) and for PWS 1:30,439 (95% CI 1:17,425–1:58,908). The livebirth prevalence of AS and PWS increased within this period, but the change was statistically significant only for PWS (P = 0.032), from expected 1:88,495 (95% CI 1:24,390–1:3,22,580) to expected 1:12,547 (95% CI 1:540–1:29,154). Six individuals with AS and 11 with PWS were alive on the prevalence day (January 1, 2005), indicating the point prevalence proportion of 1:56,112 (95% CI 1:25,780–1:1,52,899) and 1:30,606 (95% CI 1:17,105–1:61,311), respectively. Our results showing the birth prevalence of AS 1.7 times less than PWS challenge the opinion that both syndromes are equally represented, and are in line with the view that mutations in sperm and oocytes occur at different frequencies. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrolytic-capacitor-less high-power LED driver

Conventional topologies for high-power LED drivers with high power factors require large capacitances to mitigate the output current ripples. Electrolytic capacitors are commonly used because they are the only capacitors with sufficient energy density to accommodate high power applications. However, the short life span of electrolytic capacitors significantly reduces the life span of the entire LED lighting fixture, which is undesirable. This paper proposes a single-stage high-power LED driver using ripple compensation concept to minimize the output capacitance requirement, enabling the use of long-life film capacitors. Compared to existing technologies, the proposed circuit achieves zero ripple current through LED lamps and achieves a high power factor and high efficiency. A 100W (150V/0.7A) LED driver prototype was built which demonstrates that the proposed method can achieve the same LED current with only 44μF film capacitors, compared to the 4700μF electrolytic capacitors required in conventional single-stage LED drivers. Meanwhile, the proposed prototype has achieved a peak power efficiency of 92%, benefiting from active clamp technology.
EFFECT OF NIGELLA SATIVA EXTRACT ON RENAL FUNCTIONS IN AMPHOTERICIN B INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN MICE

Introduction: Amphotericin B is considered as one of the most effective antifungal drugs presently used to treat systemic fungal infections; however, nephrotoxicity remains the major side effect. The current study is therefore, designed to determine Amphotericin B induced nephrotoxicity and its prevention by administration of Nigella sativa (NS) extract in albino mice. Materials and Methods: Thirty two albino mice, 6 – 8 weeks of age, 30 ± 5 gm body wt, were randomized into four groups of eight mice each. Group A (control) was injected 3.7 ml/kg of 5% dextrose solution intraperitoneally daily for 7 days. Group B was treated with Amphotericin B (18.5 mg/kg dissolved in 3.7ml of 5% dextrose solution) intraperitoneally daily for 7 days. Group C received Amphotericin B (18.5 mg/kg dissolved in 3.7ml of 5% dextrose solution) intraperitoneally along with Extract of Nigella sativa (500 mg/kg) orally daily for 7 days. Group D received Amphotericin B (18.5 mg/kg dissolved in 3.7 ml of 5% dextrose solution) intraperitoneally for initial 7 days; after completing the injection regimen, extract of Nigella sativa 500 mg/kg was given orally daily for next 7 days. At the end of the experiment, cardiac puncture was performed to draw blood from each animal for renal function tests. Results and Conclusions: Nigella sativa when co-administered with Amphotericin B significantly contained serum urea and serum creatinine levels (p < 0.001) implying thereby that Amphotericin B induced nephrotoxicity was significantly reduced. However, when Nigella sativa extract was given after Amphotericin B, the toxic effects of the drug persisted unabated thus indicating that Nigella sativa protects but do not ameliorates the toxic effects of the drug.
Identification of a minimal binding element within the T7 RNA polymerase promoter.

The T7 RNA polymerase promoter has been proposed to contain two domains: the binding region upstream of position -5 is recognized through apparently traditional duplex contacts, while the catalytic domain downstream of position -5 is bound in a melted configuration. This model is tested by following polymerase binding to a series of synthetic oligonucleotides representing truncations of the consensus promoter sequence. The increase in the fluorescence anisotropy of a rhodamine dye linked to the upstream end of the promoter provides a very sensitive measure of enzyme binding in simple thermodynamic titrations, and allows the determination of both increases and decreases in the dissociation constant. The best fit value of Kd=4.0 nM for the native promoter is in good agreement with previous fluorescence and steady state measurements. Deletion of the downstream DNA up to position -1 or to position -5 leads to a fivefold increase in binding, while further sequential single-base deletions upstream result in 20 and 500-fold decreases in binding. These results indicate that the (duplex) region of the promoter upstream of and including position -5 is both necessary and sufficient for tight binding, and represents the core binding element of the promoter. We propose a model in which part of the upstream binding energy is used by T7 RNA polymerase to melt the downstream initiation region of the promoter. We also show that the presence of magnesium is necessary for optimal binding, but not for specific enzyme-promoter complex formation, and we propose that magnesium is not required for melting of the promoter.
Modified Augmented Renal Clearance score predicts rapid piperacillin and tazobactam clearance in critically ill surgery and trauma patients

BACKGROUND Recent evidence suggests that current antimicrobial dosing may be inadequate for some critically ill patients. A major contributor in patients with unimpaired renal function may be Augmented Renal Clearance (ARC), wherein urinary creatinine clearance exceeds that predicted by serum creatinine concentration. We used pharmacokinetic data to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a recently proposed ARC score. METHODS Pharmacokinetic data from trauma/surgical intensive care unit patients receiving piperacillin/tazobactam were evaluated. We combined intermediate scores (4–6 points) into a single low score (⩽6) group and compared pharmacokinetic parameters against the high (≥7) ARC score group. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using median clearance and volume of distribution, area under the antibiotic time-concentration curve (AUC), and achievement of free concentrations greater than a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 16 &mgr;g/mL for at least 50% of the dose interval (fT > MIC ≥ 50%). Alternative dosing strategies were explored in silico. RESULTS The ARC score was 100% sensitive and 71.4% specific for detecting increased clearance, increased volume of distribution, decreased AUC, and fT > MIC < 50% at an MIC of 16 &mgr;g/mL. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.86 for each, reflecting a high degree of diagnostic accuracy for the ARC score. Serum creatinine less than 0.6 mg/dL had comparable specificity (71.4%) but was less sensitive (66.7%) and accurate (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.69) for detecting higher clearance rates. Monte Carlo pharmacokinetic simulations demonstrated increased time at therapeutic drug levels with extended infusion dosing at a drug cost savings of up to 66.7% over multiple intermittent dosing regimens. CONCLUSION Given its ability to predict antimicrobial clearance above population medians, which could compromise therapy, the ARC score should be considered as a means to identify patients at risk for subtherapeutic antibiotic levels. Adequately powered studies should prospectively confirm the utility of the ARC score and the role of antimicrobial therapeutic drug monitoring in such patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic tests, level III.
Full Four-port Modeling and Characterization of On-chip Spiral Transformers for RFICs

Transformers integrated onto silicon substrates are characterized using a four-port network analyzer. S-parameters measured up to 20 GHz are used to study the trade-off between the device dimensions and the electrical performance of typical n:n transformers. A second order four-port compact model for integrated transformers is proposed. The evaluation of this model on devices in both standard four-port and two-port differential-to-differential configurations show a magnitude accuracy better than 8 % and a phase error less than 5 degrees in the frequency range from 300 MHz to 3 GHz.
Karyological leaf squashes in grasses, aided by pectinase digestion at 45C.

Longitudinal sections of rapidly growing leaf shoots were soaked for 2–4 hr in 0.002 M 8-hydroxyquinoline at 25 C, blotted, and fixed in 3:4:1 ethanol, chloroform, acetic acid. A 30 min maceration at 45 C in a pectinase solution (Pectinal 59–L; Rohm and Haas) softened the material for staining and squashing. Excess pectinase was removed and 1% aceto-carmine stain was applied. After locating and gently tapping the cover clip to disperse the cells, heavy pressure was applied with a No. 9 rubber stopper and the heel of the hand. By the use of this procedure, karyotypes could be constructed in several genera of forage grasses. The karyotype of Paspalum notatum Flugge is illustrated.
Detection of repetitive telomeric DNA on chromosomes in the cat by primed in situ labelling (PRINS)

Abstract We describe a rapid method for detection of telomeric DNA on chromosomes in the cat. Oligonucleotides were annealed to complementary sequences in fixed metaphase chromosomes of the cat and extended using Taq-DNA polymerase. Digoxygenin-11-dUTP was incorporated as a label for detection of the newly synthesized product. This method represents a quick and reliable alternative to conventional fluorescence in situ hybridization.
The evaluation of nociceptive intensity by using free radicals direct measurement by EPR method in the tail of anaesthetized rats.

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to demonstrate the ability to measure free radicals and singlet oxygen, using EPR methods, in the tail of anaesthetized rats. The advantage of this method lies in the potential for continuous evaluation of free radicals and singlet oxygen during nociceptive processes. METHODS Electron paramagnetic (spin) resonance (EPR/ESR) was used. DMPO and PBN as spin traps and thermal mechanical pulp (TMP) as a spin detector of singlet oxygen were used. Thirty-one adult male (Wistar) rats were used for the experiments. They were housed according to principles of good laboratory practice. The animals were stimulated for 10 minutes on 5 consecutive days by using clamps on the hind limbs. During the EPR measurement they were anaesthetized with a mixture of ketamine and xylazine. Hydroxyl and nitroxide free radicals, as well as singlet oxygen were measured. RESULTS After nociceptive stimulation, free hydroxyl radicals were increased as well as free nitroxide radicals. Singlet oxygen was also increased after nociceptive stimulation. Antioxidants significantly decreased the increase in hydroxyl radicals after nociceptive stimulation. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirmed an increase in free radicals and singlet oxygen after nociceptive stimulation and a reduced increase after application of antioxidants. Direct EPR methods were first used in the tail of anaesthetized rats and represent an extremely useful tool for the evaluation of pain intensity in living animals.
Role of parathyroid hormone therapy in reversing radiation‐induced nonunion and normalization of radiomorphometrics in a murine mandibular model of distraction osteogenesis

The use of mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) for tissue replacement after oncologic resection or for defects caused by osteoradionecrosis has been described but, in fact, has seen limited clinical utility. Previous laboratory work has shown that radiation (XRT) causes decreased union formation, decreased cellularity, and decreased mineral density in an animal model of MDO. Our global hypothesis is that radiation‐induced bone damage is partly driven by the pathologic depletion of both the number and function of osteogenic cells. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration–approved anabolic hormonal therapy that has demonstrated efficacy for increasing bone mineral density for the treatment of osteoporosis. We postulate that intermittent systemic administration of PTH will serve as an anabolic stimulant to cellular function that will act to reverse radiation‐induced damage and enhance bone regeneration in a murine mandibular model of DO.
On the use of matrices in certain population mathematics.

Leslie’s work, rather than that of his predecessors Bernardelli and Lewis, is most commonly cited in the widespread literature using matrices, largely for the reason that Leslie worked out the mathematics and the application with great thoroughness. Some of his elaboration was designed to save arithmetic—for example his transformation of the projection matrix into an equivalent form with unity in the subdiagonal positions. Such devices, like a considerable part of classical numerical analysis, are unnecessary in a computer era.