Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An adaptive displacement estimation algorithm for improved reconstruction of thermal strain

Thermal strain imaging (TSI) can be used to differentiate between lipid and water-based tissues in atherosclerotic arteries. However, detecting small lipid pools in vivo requires accurate and robust displacement estimation over a wide range of displacement magnitudes. Phase-shift estimators such as Loupas' estimator and time-shift estimators such as normalized cross-correlation (NXcorr) are commonly used to track tissue displacements. However, Loupas' estimator is limited by phase-wrapping and NXcorr performs poorly when the SNR is low. In this paper, we present an adaptive displacement estimation algorithm that combines both Loupas' estimator and NXcorr. We evaluated this algorithm using computer simulations and an ex vivo human tissue sample. Using 1-D simulation studies, we showed that when the displacement magnitude induced by thermal strain was >λ/8 and the electronic system SNR was >25.5 dB, the NXcorr displacement estimate was less biased than the estimate found using Loupas' estimator. On the other hand, when the displacement magnitude was ≤λ/4 and the electronic system SNR was ≤25.5 dB, Loupas' estimator had less variance than NXcorr. We used these findings to design an adaptive displacement estimation algorithm. Computer simulations of TSI showed that the adaptive displacement estimator was less biased than either Loupas' estimator or NXcorr. Strain reconstructed from the adaptive displacement estimates improved the strain SNR by 43.7 to 350% and the spatial accuracy by 1.2 to 23.0% (P <; 0.001). An ex vivo human tissue study provided results that were comparable to computer simulations. The results of this study showed that a novel displacement estimation algorithm, which combines two different displacement estimators, yielded improved displacement estimation and resulted in improved strain reconstruction.
Digital atlas of the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) brain: A high‐resolution photo atlas

We describe a set of new comprehensive, high‐quality, high‐resolution digital images of histological sections from the brain of male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) and make them publicly available through an interactive website (http://zebrafinch.brainarchitecture.org/). These images provide a basis for the production of a dimensionally accurate and detailed digital nonstereotaxic atlas. Nissl‐ and myelin‐stained brain sections are provided in the transverse, sagittal, and horizontal planes, with the transverse plane approximating the more traditional Frankfurt plane. In addition, a separate set of brain sections in this same plane is stained for tyrosine hydroxylase, revealing the distribution of catecholaminergic neurons (dopaminergic, noradrenergic, and adrenergic) in the songbird brain. For a subset of sagittal sections we also prepared a corresponding set of drawings, defining and annotating various nuclei, fields, and fiber tracts that are visible under Nissl and myelin staining. This atlas of the zebra finch brain is expected to become an important tool for birdsong research and comparative studies of brain organization and evolution. J. Comp. Neurol. 521:3702–3715, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PANORAMA-BASED CAMERA CALIBRATION

This paper presents a method to calibrate a camera from panoramas. Camera calibration using panoramas has two main advantages: on the one hand it requires neither ground control points or calibration patterns and on the other hand the estimation of intrinsic and distortion parameters is of higher quality due to the loop constraint and to a decorrelation of tied parameters due to the fixed perspective center. The paper is organised as follow. The first part presents the acquisition process and our mathematical estimation framework. The second part explores with simulated data sets the impact of noisy measures, of geometry of acquisition and of unmodelled parallaxes on the calibration results. A comparison with a traditional calibration method (i.e by using a 3D target network) is then studied. The final section presents results in a real case and compares the results obtained with our panorama approach against the classical calibration. The results are very promising.
An Empirical Validation of Malicious Insider Characteristics

Abstract Malicious insiders continue to pose a great threat to organizations. With their knowledge and access to organizational resources, malicious insiders could launch attacks more easily that result in more damaging impacts compared to outsiders. However, empirical research about malicious insiders is rare due to the unavailability of data. With few exceptions, many studies focus on a small number of cases. In order to identify common characteristics of a large number of malicious insiders, this study employs text mining to analyze 133 real-world cases of offenders from military units, intelligence agencies, and business organizations with data available to the public. Contributions of this study reside in two aspects: first, we use public data from documented malicious insider cases, implying a potentially valuable data source for future studies in this domain; second, we validate malicious insider characteristics identified in previous research, thereby establishing a foundation for more comprehensive research in the future.
Cellular Scaling Rules for the Brains of an Extended Number of Primate Species

What are the rules relating the size of the brain and its structures to the number of cells that compose them and their average sizes? We have shown previously that the cerebral cortex, cerebellum and the remaining brain structures increase in size as a linear function of their numbers of neurons and non-neuronal cells across 6 species of primates. Here we describe that the cellular composition of the same brain structures of 5 other primate species, as well as humans, conform to the scaling rules identified previously, and that the updated power functions for the extended sample are similar to those determined earlier. Accounting for phylogenetic relatedness in the combined dataset does not affect the scaling slopes that apply to the cerebral cortex and cerebellum, but alters the slope for the remaining brain structures to a value that is similar to that observed in rodents, which raises the possibility that the neuronal scaling rules for these structures are shared among rodents and primates. The conformity of the new set of primate species to the previous rules strongly suggests that the cellular scaling rules we have identified apply to primates in general, including humans, and not only to particular subgroups of primate species. In contrast, the allometric rules relating body and brain size are highly sensitive to the particular species sampled, suggesting that brain size is neither determined by body size nor together with it, but is rather only loosely correlated with body size.
Generation and Characterization of Multicellular Heterospheroids Formed by Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

A three-dimensional culture system for primary human mononuclear cells was developed, which reproducibly resulted in the formation of multicellular heterospheroids. Immunohistological characterization demonstrated not only the three-dimensional tissue-like aggregation of primary monocytes, B cells and T cells, but also the presence of macrophages and proliferating cells, indicating that a differentiation of monocytes to macrophages and an activation of cells were induced. Because of the phenotypical resemblance to granulomas the influence of an in vitro infection with mycobacteria on spheroid formation and morphology was analyzed. In comparison to control incubations, the formation of multinucleated giant cells and necrotic areas containing large numbers of mycobacteria could be observed, which resembled histological hallmarks of in situ tuberculoid granulomas. These characteristics have not been described for in vitro models of granuloma formation before and thus this new culture technique may prove to be a useful tool for analyzing aspects relevant to immunopathological processes in chronically inflamed tissues.
Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction Based on Modified Ferum Oxides for Enrichment, Preconcentration, and Isolation of Pesticides and Selected Pollutants

Recently, a simple, rapid, high-efficiency, selective, and sensitive method for isolation, preconcentration, and enrichment of analytes has been developed. This new method of sample handling is based on ferum oxides as magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and has been used for magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of various analytes from various matrices. This review focuses on the applications of modified ferum oxides, especially modified Fe3O4 MNPs, as MSPE adsorbent for pesticide isolation from various matrices. Further perspectives on MSPE based on modified Fe3O4 for inorganic metal ions, organic compounds, and biological species from water samples are also presented. Ferum(III) oxide MNPs (Fe2O3) are also highlighted.
Role of TLR-2 in the Activation of Nuclear Factor κB by Oxidative Stress in Cardiac Myocytes*

Growing evidence from patients with heart failure and from experimental animal models implicates effectors of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of this syndrome. The expression of the innate immunity signaling protein, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), is increased in cardiac myocytes in situ and in failing myocardium, but the mechanism by which TLRs may be activated in the failing heart remains unclear. We report that TLR2, which is expressed in cardiac myocytes, participates in the response of these cells to oxidative stress, a major contributor to the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction. Hydrogen peroxide increased nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) activation in Chinese hamster ovary fibroblasts that overexpress TLR2 but not in normal or TLR4-overexpressing Chinese hamster ovary cells, an effect that was abrogated by an α-TLR2 antibody. In neonatal rat ventricular myocytes, the α-TLR2 antibody inhibited hydrogen peroxide-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Inhibition of TLR2 had no effect on tumor necrosis factor α-induced NF-κB or AP-1 activation, on the DNA binding of the basal transcription factor Oct-1, or on hydrogen peroxide-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase. Importantly, oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity was enhanced by blocking TLR2. Given the importance of cytotoxicity and apoptosis to the pathology of the ischemic heart, an anti-apoptotic effect of TLR2 in cardiac myocytes exposed to elevated levels of ROS may limit further cardiac dysfunction.
Real-time core body temperature estimation from heart rate for first responders wearing different levels of personal protective equipment

First responders often wear personal protective equipment (PPE) for protection from on-the-job hazards. While PPE ensembles offer individuals protection, they limit one's ability to thermoregulate, and can place the wearer in danger of heat exhaustion and higher cardiac stress. Automatically monitoring thermal–work strain is one means to manage these risks, but measuring core body temperature (Tc) has proved problematic. An algorithm that estimates Tc from sequential measures of heart rate (HR) was compared to the observed Tc from 27 US soldiers participating in three different chemical/biological training events (45–90 min duration) while wearing PPE. Hotter participants (higher Tc) averaged (HRs) of 140 bpm and reached Tc around 39°C. Overall the algorithm had a small bias (0.02°C) and root mean square error (0.21°C). Limits of agreement (LoA ± 0.48°C) were similar to comparisons of Tc measured by oesophageal and rectal probes. The algorithm shows promise for use in real-time monitoring of encapsulated first responders. Practitioner Summary: An algorithm to estimate core temperature (Tc) from non-invasive measures of HR was validated. Three independent studies (n = 27) compared the estimated Tc to the observed Tc in humans participating in chemical/biological hazard training. The algorithm's bias and variance to observed data were similar to that found from comparisons of oesophageal and rectal measurements.
Nutritional status of patients hospitalized in pediatric clinic.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of children at the moment of their hospitalization and to investigate whether there is a relation between the diagnosis and nutritional status. METHODS Patients hospitalized in the Children's Clinic of Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty (excluding emergency, newborn intensive care and newborn special care units) between December 2003 and August 2004 were included in the study. All patients' height, weight, weight for height head circumference, arm circumference, triceps skin-fold thickness, and Z results of the height and weight were measured and, in accordance with the anthropometric measurements at the moment of hospitalization, each patient's nutritional status was evaluated. The average of the values was compared to diagnosis. RESULTS 223 (42.2%) of a total of 528 patients were female. Patients' ages varied from one month to 23 years (5.8+/-5.3). The evaluated average height and weight Z scores of the patients were -0.6+/-1.9 and -0.7+/-1.5. Evaluation of height for age showed that in 27% of cases there was chronic malnutrition. Evaluation of weight for age and weight for height showed that in 52.4% and 40.9% of the cases, respectively, there was acute malnutrition. In 45.7% of the cases the body mass index was below -2 standard deviations. The evaluation of patients' diagnoses revealed 83 cases (15.7%) diagnosed as acute or chronic respiratory system disease. Malnutrition was most common among patients suffering from diseases from the following groups: chronic kidney insufficiency, genetic diseases, immune insufficiency and cystic fibrosis. CONCLUSION Malnutrition among hospitalized children and especially those with chronic diseases is worth attention. Evaluation of the nutritional status and nutritional support are elements of the diagnostic and treatment process. In particular, closer observation and nutritional support are required in the cases of patients diagnosed with chronic kidney insufficiency, immune insufficiency, neurological diseases, and cystic fibrosis.
Volunteer-based distributed traffic data collection system

An architecture for a traffic data collection system is proposed, which can collect data without having access to a backbone network. Contrary to other monitoring systems it relies on volunteers to install a program on their own computers, which will capture incoming and outgoing packets, group them into flows and send the flow data to a central server. Data can be used for studying and characterising internet traffic and for testing traffic models by regenerating real traffic. The architecture is designed to have efficient and light usage of resources on both client and server sides.Worst case performance estimates indicate that this is obtained. Tests conducted by volunteers using an implemented prototype confirm the feasibility of the system.
Research of electrically excited synchronous motor vector control system based on full-order closed-loop air gap flux estimator

The accurate observer and effective control of the air gap flux for electrically excited synchronous motor has significant sense to the performance improvement of vector control system. In this paper, a full-order closed-loop air gap flux estimator suitable for full speed range was put forward and analyzed in detail, it pointed out that the estimator was composed of two estimator models, i.e. current model and voltage model, and they switched smoothly because of their properties of filters. Both the simulation and experiment results demonstrated that the proposed electrically excited synchronous motor vector control system based on full-order closed-loop air gap flux estimator has excellent control property, and it has pretty high value in theories and application.
Pilot and feasibility studies: application in music therapy research.

BACKGROUND Pilot studies are an important step in the research process and are used to examine research methods and procedures before a larger trial is attempted. Pilot studies provide the researcher an opportunity to determine feasibility of study procedures and generate initial data in previously unstudied areas. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the design characteristics of a pilot study, including generation of research questions, corresponding methods for analysis, and reporting of outcomes. METHODS This article reviews core characteristics of pilot research, addresses misconceptions and misuse of the term pilot, and provides practical guidelines for the design and reporting of pilot studies. CONCLUSIONS Pilot research offers a unique opportunity for researchers to test study procedures before conducting a larger study. The well-designed pilot study can advance future research by increasing the likelihood of a successful and informative study.
Effect of serum phosphate on parathyroid hormone secretion during hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND Recent studies have demonstrated that a high concentration of phosphate directly stimulates parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. High serum levels of phosphate are usually observed in patients with end-stage renal disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether serum phosphate concentration had an acute effect on PTH secretion in hemodialysis patients. The levels of serum phosphate were manipulated during the hemodialysis session by using a phosphate free dialysate or a dialysate with a high content of phosphate. METHODS Ten stable hemodialysis patients with PTH values above 300 pg/ml were included in the study. A PTH-calcium curve was obtained during both high phosphate and phosphate free hemodialysis. RESULTS The serum phosphate concentration remained high (2.17 +/- 0.18 mM) throughout the high phosphate hemodialysis and decreased progressively to normal levels (1.02 +/- 0.06 mM) during the phosphate free hemodialysis. The serum PTH levels at maximal inhibition by hypercalcemia (minimal PTH) were greater during the high phosphate than the phosphate free hemodialysis (413 +/- 79 vs. 318 +/- 76 pg/ml, P < 0.003). In all patients the values of minimum PTH were greater during the high phosphorus than the phosphorus free hemodialysis. The values of maximally stimulated PTH during hypocalcemia and the set point of the PTH-calcium curve were similar during the high phosphate and the phosphate free hemodialysis. CONCLUSION The maintenance of high serum phosphorus levels during hemodialysis prevented, in part, the inhibition of PTH secretion by calcium, which strongly suggests that in hemodialysis patients high serum phosphate contributes directly to the elevation of PTH levels despite normal or high serum calcium concentration.
A multistate outbreak of sporotrichosis associated with sphagnum moss.

In the spring of 1988, the largest documented US outbreak of cutaneous sporotrichosis to date occurred, with 84 cases among persons from 15 states who were exposed to Wisconsin-grown sphagnum moss used in packing evergreen tree seedlings. In New York State, 13 cases occurred among 109 forestry workers. All 13 cases occurred among 76 workers who had handled evergreen seedlings and moss (attack rate = 17%). For those exposed to evergreens and moss, the risk of infection increased as worktime exposure to moss increased (attack rates: less than 10 hours, 8%; 10-19 hours, 12%; greater than 19 hours, 33%). While environmental samples of moss from the Wisconsin supplier were negative, Sporothrix schenckii was cultured from multiple samples of the sphagnum moss obtained from one of six Pennsylvania tree nurseries, representing the nursery that was identified as the source for 79 (94%) of the moss-associated cases. Differences in tree-handling procedures at this nursery--including the use of 1- to 3-year-old moss to pack seedlings, use of a pond water source to wet the moss, use of an organic polymer gel on the seedling root system, and underground storage and longer storage of moss-packed seedlings before shipping--suggested possible explanations for the association. Efforts to prevent sporotrichosis among persons handling evergreen seedlings should include the use of alternate types of packing material (e.g., cedar wood chips or shredded paper) and protective clothing such as gloves and long-sleeved shirts.
Psychometric Testing of the Decisional Conflict Scale: Genetic Testing Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Background:Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome is attributed mostly to mutations in the Breast Cancer 1 and Breast Cancer 2 genes (BRCA1/2). Mutation carriers of BRCA1/2 genes have significantly higher risk for developing breast cancer compared with the general population (55%-85% vs. 12%) and for developing ovarian cancer (20%-60% vs. 1.5%). The availability of genetic testing enables mutation carriers to make informed decisions about managing their cancer risk (e.g., risk-reducing surgery). However, uptake of testing for HBOC among high-risk individuals is low, indicating the need to better understand and measure the decisional conflict associated with this process. Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the modified Decisional Conflict Scale for use in decisions associated with genetic testing for HBOC. Methods:This cross-sectional cohort study, recruited women who pursued genetic testing for HBOC in two genetic risk assessment clinics affiliated with a large comprehensive cancer center and one of their female relatives who did not pursue testing. The final sample consisted of 342 women who completed all 16 items of the Decisional Conflict Scale. The psychometric properties of the scale were assessed using tests of reliability and validity, including face, content, construct, contrast, convergent, divergent, and predictive validity. Results:Factor analysis using principal axis factoring with oblimin rotation elicited a three-factor structure: (a) Lack of Knowledge About the Decision (&agr; = .97), (b) Lack of Autonomy in Decision Making (&agr; = .94), and (c) Lack of Confidence in Decision Making (&agr; = .87). These factors explained 82% of the variance in decisional conflict about genetic testing. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was . 96. Discussion:The instrument is an important tool for researchers and healthcare providers working with women at risk for HBOC who are deciding whether genetic testing is the right choice for them.
Effects of Dietary Amino Acids on Brain Amino Acids and Transmitter Amines in Rats with a Portacaval Shunt

The etiologic relationship between disturbances in metabolism of amino acids and amines and hepatic coma was investigated by examining the effects of diets containing various mixtures of amino acids on brain amine metabolism in rats with a portacaval shunt, using a method for simultaneous analysis of amino acids and amines. Rats with a portacaval shunt were fed on four different amino acid compositions with increased amounts of various amino acids suspected to be etiologically related to hepatic coma, such as methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. The animals were killed 4 weeks after operation. During the experimental period, these animals did not become comatose, but exhibited various behavioral abnormalities. Marked increase in the plasma and brain levels of the augmented amino acids, especially methionine and tyrosine, were observed in rats with a portacaval shunt. Brain noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin levels were significantly decreased when the brain tyrosine level was increased. These results indicate that in rats with a portacaval shunt the dietary levels of amino acids greatly influence the brain levels of both amino acids and transmitter amines.