Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automated radiological analysis of spinal MRI

This thesis addresses the problem of analysing clinical MRI using modern computer vision methods for a variety of clinical and research-related tasks. We use automated machine learning algorithms to develop a spinal MRI analysis framework for a number of tasks such as vertebrae detection, labelling; disc and vertebrae segmentation, and radiological grading, and we validate the framework on a large, heterogeneous dataset of 300 symptomatic back pain patients from multiple clinical sites and scanners. Our framework has a number of back pain research and other spine-related clinical applications and could hopefully find application in a clinical workflow in the future. Our framework has five steps -- detection, labelling, segmentation, support regions and features, and machine learning for radiological measurements. The framework works in full 3D and has currently been implemented on sagittal T2 slices. We use Deformable Part Models along with a chain model to detect and label vertebrae, and a powerful graph cuts based method for vertebrae and disc segmentation. The labelled detections and segmentations are used to place support regions for feature extraction, which are mapped into a number of radiological measurements -- namely Pfirrmann grade, disc space narrowing, and herniation/bulge. The radiological ground truth was provided by a clinical radiologist with 25 years experience. We demonstrate a high performance in the measurement in each. The measurements are performed using support vector machines and support vector regressors learned on training data. We next investigate the problem of what is the best method of obtaining support regions. We first used pixel intensity features to predict the Pfirrmann grade, narrowing and bulge/herniation, with vertebrae segmentation to localise their support regions. Since segmentation of spine images, especially intervertebral discs is an unsolved problem and algorithms are prone to failure, we then ask the question, to segment or not to segment. To answer the question, we compare results on Pfirrmann grade prediction with three different points on the no segmentation to full disc segmentation involving no segmentation, vertebrae segmentation, or disc segmentation and find that vertebrae segmentation suffices. We finally show preliminary results in distinguishing between different radiological conditions related to the posterior side of the disc more finely than before in literature, taking information from both sagittal and axial slices to attempt to distinguish between herniated and bulged discs.
Determinants of the existence of unauthorized copies . A dynamic analysis with panel data

The present paper focuses on the study of the economics of copying, a subdiscipline of copyright economics, with the aim of analysing two of the most decisive factors of piracy: GDP per capita and the protection level of the IPR. There are two innovative features in the analysis: first, the study sample of 105 countries for the period 2006-2013; secondly, the econometric strategy, which will apply dynamic panel data techniques. According to the estimations, the software piracy rate depends positively on the percentage of piracy in the previous period; at the same time, software piracy presents a link in an inverted U shape respect to GDP per capita and the protection of IPR. These results represent an advance in the design of effective policies with regard to copyright; these policies should not be uniform for all countries.
Nano zero valent iron (nZVI) remediation: A COMSOL modelling approach

Remediation using nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) is a promising in situ technology that can convert toxic groundwater contaminants into environment-friendly compounds. Despite its promising characteristics, field scale implementation of nZVI technology has faced major challenges due to poor subsurface mobility, limited longevity and well clogging, all leading to a smaller travel distance. A greater travel distance is preferable since it can reduce the total time of remediation and provide a cost-effective solution. There are several factors that may affect nZVI travel distance such as rapid aggregation, settling, straining, unwanted oxidation, nZVI injection method, pore water velocity, lag phase (time duration when injection of nZVI is stopped), viscosity of solution, concentration of solution and heterogeneity of subsurface. Although various studies have been performed to investigate the effect of some of these parameters, no studies have investigated the role that soil heterogeneity plays on the efficiency of nZVI technology. Such a study may bridge the gap in fundamental understanding of nZVI transport in groundwater and help in overcoming the implementation challenges at the field scale. To examine the possible effects of soil heterogeneity on nZVI transport, a three-dimensional model has been developed using COMSOL, by modifying the colloid filtration theory (CFT) and verified with a previous field validated model. RÉSUMÉ La réhabilitation à l'aide de nanoparticules de fer zérovalentes (nZVI) est une technologie in situ prometteuse qui peut convertir les contaminants toxiques des eaux souterraines en composés respectueux de l'environnement. Malgré ses caractéristiques prometteuses, la mise en œuvre à grande échelle de la technologie du NZVI a été confrontée à des défis majeurs en raison de la faible mobilité souterraine, de la longévité limitée et du colmatage du puits, conduisant à une plus faible distance. Une plus grande distance de déplacement est préférable car elle peut réduire le temps total d'assainissement et fournir une solution rentable. Plusieurs facteurs peuvent affecter la distance de déplacement du NZVI: agrégation rapide, décantation, déformation, oxydation non désirée, méthode d'injection de nZVI, vitesse de l'eau interstitielle, phase de latence (durée d'arrêt de l'injection de nZVI), viscosité de la solution et l'hétérogénéité de la subsurface. Bien que diverses études aient été effectuées pour étudier l'effet de certains de ces paramètres, aucune étude n'a examiné le rôle de l'hétérogénéité du sol sur l'efficacité de la technologie du zona. Une telle étude peut combler le fossé dans la compréhension fondamentale du transport de NZVI dans les eaux souterraines et aider à surmonter les défis de mise en œuvre à l'échelle du terrain. Pour examiner les effets de l'hétérogénéité du sol sur le transport du NZVI, un modèle tridimensionnel a été développé en utilisant COMSOL, en modifiant la théorie de la filtration colloïdale (CFT) et vérifié avec un modèle antérieur validé sur le terrain.
Implementation of all digital phase locked loop

The paper presents an all-digital phase locked loop (PLL). PLL is a closed-loop control system that is used for the purpose of synchronization of phase and frequency with that of an incoming signal. The most versatile application of PLL is for clock generation and clock recovery in microprocessor and communication systems. Nowadays, due to higher integration of digital designs, digital PLL are preferred. The present work focuses on the design of ADPLL using tool from Xilinx. Code for ADPLL is written in Verilog and compiled using NCVerilog.
Sorting out cholesterol metabolism

The architecture and localization of the endo-lysosomal system are highly dependent on the WASH complex, a pentameric protein complex which promotes the formation of branched actin patches on endosomes. These actin deposits form endosomal subdomains and are requisite for the maintainance of the endo-lysosomal structure. The endo-lysosomal system is indispensable for intracellular cholesterol transport. Cholesterol is transported from the endo-lysosomal systems to other organelles, such as the plasma membrane, the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. This process is facilitated mainly via membrane contact sites, disruption of which disturbs cellular cholesterol homeostasis. Here, we have studied how perturbation of the endo-lysosomal network by WASH depletion affects hepatic cholesterol homeostasis, by quantifying pathways of cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. We show that WASH depletion results in impaired transactivation of liver X receptor (LXR) target genes. Nevertheless, we found no alterations in cholesterol and bile acid excretion, or in hepatic cholesterol synthesis and lipogenesis. Overall, our data suggest that under the conditions studied the perturbed lysosomal architecture and localization upon WASH ablation do not result in abnormal hepatic cholesterol and bile acid metabolism.
GLYCEMIC INDEX AND GLYCEMIC LOAD

M aintaining adequate carbohydrate (CHO) stores is essential for those engaging in regular exercise. Advances in sports nutrition have provided coaches with a wealth of information regarding the recommended timing and amount of CHO to be ingested before, during, and after exercise. However, debate still occurs among exercise and health professionals as to which type of CHO will provide the greatest performance benefit to athletes at both the recreational and elite levels. Once a sufficient amount of CHO is ingested before, during, and after exercise, does the CHO source really matter? Do certain types of CHOs affect performance and recovery in different ways? Can different types of CHO be recommended for different training goals? For example, will more efficient ‘‘fat oxidation’’ be achieved during an endurance workout after the consumption of specific CHOs? Recent studies on the glycemic index (GI) have helped answer these questions and provide nutritional guidelines for exercise (1,14,20).
Removing Reﬂection with Ghosting Effect from a Single Image

—Removing the undesired reﬂections of images taken through glass is an important problem in digital photography and many other vision applications. The so-called ghosting effect, i.e., pattern repetitiveness in reﬂection, is an effective cue used by existing techniques to remove reﬂection from images. Existing methods take a two-stage approach that ﬁrst estimates the parameters of ghosting effect and then models reﬂection removal as a two-layer separation problem: reﬂection layer and latent image layer. This paper aimed at addressing one main challenge in such an approach, i.e., how to distinguish the repetitive patterns on the later image layer and the ghosting patterns on the reﬂection layer. Based on the observation that the number of repeats of natural image patterns is often different from that of ghosting patterns, we proposed a wavelet transform based regularization method. Together with a novel weighting scheme, the proposed method is capable of accurately separating two layers, and experimental results jusiﬁed its advantages over existing ones on both synthetic and real data set.
Identity masking effectiveness and gesture recognition: Effects of eye enhancement in seeing through the mask

Face identity masking algorithms developed in recent years aim to protect the privacy of people in video recordings. These algorithms are designed to interfere with identification, while preserving information about facial actions. An important challenge is to preserve subtle actions in the eye region, while obscuring the salient identity cues from the eyes. We evaluated the effectiveness of identity-masking algorithms based on Canny filters, applied with and without eye enhancement, for interfering with identification and preserving facial actions. In Experiments 1 and 2, we tested human participants' ability to match the facial identity of a driver in a low resolution video to a high resolution facial image. Results showed that both masking methods impaired identification, and that eye enhancement did not alter the effectiveness of the Canny filter mask. In Experiment 3, we tested action preservation and found that neither method interfered significantly with driver action perception. We conclude that relatively simple, filter-based masking algorithms, which are suitable for application to low quality video, can be used in privacy protection without compromising action perception.
Effects of Ischemia and Hypercarbic Acidosis

The time courses of changes in pHI and cytosolic calcium were compared in isolated perfused rabbit hearts with the use of the calcium-sensitive fluorescent indicator indo-1 and the pH indicator 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). Cell-permeant forms of these indicators were loaded into myocytes by arterial infusion or by direct infusion into the extravascular space. Indo-1 fluorescence was recorded from the epicardial surface of the left ventricle at an excitation wavelength of 360 nm and emission wavelengths of 400 and 550 nm. BCECF fluorescence was recorded at an excitation wavelength of 490 nm and an emission wavelength of 530 nm. Calibration procedures were developed for each indicator that allowed [Ca2"], and pHi to be quantified during ischemia. Global ischemia decreased contractility and caused a rapid increase in both the systolic and end-diastolic levels of the calcium transients. Ninety seconds of ischemia increased peak systolic [Ca2"]i from 609±29 to 1,341±+159 nM, while end-diastolic [Ca2"]I increased from 315+±25 to 553+52 nM. The observed increase in diastolic [Ca21]1 was shown not to arise from indo-1-loaded endothelial cells. The initial increase in [Ca21]i was followed by a gradual decline and then a secondary rise occurring between 5 and 15 minutes of ischemia. In contrast, ischemia caused a monotonic decrease in pH; from a baseline of 7.03+0.06 to 6.83±0.02 after 2 minutes, 6.32±0.1 after 10 minutes, and 6.11±0.04 after 15 minutes. Perfusion of hearts with acidified (hypercarbic) saline increased the systolic and diastolic levels of the calcium transients, but only when pH; fell below a threshold value, which was more acidic than values achieved during the first 2 minutes of ischemia (6.83+±0.03). Lesser degrees of acidification caused a decrease in contractility but did not affect the calcium transients. Effects of pHi on the calcium transients were not due to altered calcium sensitivity of indo-1. These results suggest that cytosolic acidification may contribute to the increase in [Ca2`]; during the first 15 minutes of global ischemia, but the [Ca2`J, increase during the first 2 minutes is mediated by other factors. (Circulation Research 1991;69:1525-1537)
Laparoscopic Total Colectomy for Acute Colitis: A Case-Control Study

INTRODUCTION There are no previous comparative studies of total abdominal colectomy by laparoscopic methods in ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease patients requiring urgent colectomy. This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic colectomy in these patients compared with those undergoing conventional urgent colectomy. METHODS Patients undergoing laparoscopic total colectomy for acute colitis were identified in a prospective registry. All patients underwent a total colectomy with creation of an end ileostomy and buried mucous fistula. No patient had fulminant disease (tachycardia, fever, marked leukocytosis, peritonitis), but all were failing to respond to medical treatment. Patients undergoing conventional total colectomy were matched for age, gender, body mass index, diagnosis, disease severity, and operative period. Median values (range) are listed. RESULTS From 1997 to 1999, there were 19 laparoscopic and 29 matched conventional patients. There were no inadvertent colotomies or conversions in the laparoscopic group. Although there was no difference in operative blood loss in the laparoscopic group (100 (range, 50–700) ml) when compared with the conventional group (150 (range, 50–500) ml), the operative times were significantly longer in the laparoscopic group (210 (range, 150–270) vs. 120 (range, 60–180) minutes, P < 0.001). Bowel function returned more quickly in the laparoscopic group (1 (range, 1–3) vs. 2 (range, 1–4) days;P = 0.003) and the length of stay was shorter (4 (range, 3–13) vs. 6 (range, 4–24) days;P = 0.04). Complications occurred in three (16 percent) laparoscopic patients (2 wound infection and 1 ileus) and in seven (24 percent) conventional patients (3 wound infection, 3 deep venous thrombosis, 1 upper gastrointestinal bleed). CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic total colectomy is feasible and safe in patients with acute nonfulminant colitis and may lead to a faster recovery than conventional resection. Marcello PW, Milsom JW, Wong SK, Brady K, Goormastic M, Fazio VW. Laparoscopic total colectomy for acute colitis: a case-control study. Dis Colon Rectum 2001;44:1441–1445.
Ef®cacy and safety of famciclovir for treating mucocutaneous herpes simplex infection in HIV-infected individuals

Results: Equivalence was de®ned prospectively and famciclovir was equivalent to acyclovir in preventing new lesion formation: new lesions occurred in 16.7% and 13.3% of patients, respectively [difference, 3.4%; 95% con®dence interval (CI), ÿ4. 8±11.5]. The groups were comparable in time to complete healing (median 7 days for both groups; hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.79±1.29; P  0.95), cessation of viral shedding (median of 2 days [hazard ratio  0.93; 95% C.I. 0.68, 1.27; p  0.64]), and loss of lesion-associated symptoms (median 4 days; hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.75± 1.30; P  0.93). Similar numbers in each group withdrew because of treatment failure. There were no differences between groups in the incidence of adverse events.
QUANTIFIED IMPACT OF GEOMEMBRANE WRINKLES ON LEAKAGE THROUGH COMPOSITE LINERS

Equations show that geomembrane wrinkle size depends on the following parameters: the coefficient of thermal expansion of the geomembrane; the geomembrane temperature difference between installation and wrinkle formation; the geomembrane bending modulus; the geomembrane mass per unit area (linked to the geomembrane thickness); and the interface friction angle between the geomembrane and the underlying material. Other equations show that the rate of leakage through composite liners depends on the following parameters: the quality of contact between the geomembrane and the underlying low-permeability material (which is related to wrinkles); the size and number of geomembrane holes; the hydraulic head on top of the geomembrane; and the thickness and hydraulic conductivity of the material underlying the geomembrane. In this paper, equations for wrinkle size and leakage rate are combined. Numerical examples lead to interesting conclusions on the importance of the parameters mentioned above.
Wilk operating on 1000 patients with a perioperative stroke risk of 2 . 3 %

Recent findings The predominant controversies that dominate the correct surgical management of carotid atherosclerotic disease are: Notwithstanding the results of the Carotid Revascularisation Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial, does carotid artery stenting produce equivalent outcomes to surgical carotid endarterectomy? Should recent developments in best medical management of these lesions and changing socioeconomic factors restrict the indication for surgical intervention for asymptomatic lesions? What is the ideal time frame for carotid interventions in symptomatic patients?
Parviz Kamangar Humanities in Surgery Lectureship: Ethical Issues in Innovative Colorectal Surgery

When physicians and surgeons investigate new drugs or devices, they must adhere to stringent regulatory standards governing human experimentation. Although these standards and regulations are not perfect, they serve to protect the interests of patients and research subjects. By contrast, few standards or regulations exist for innovative procedures, including new surgical techniques. Surgeons apply the term “innovative surgery” to describe practices ranging from minor technical modifications in standard procedures to nonvalidated investigational approaches indistinguishable from human research. By focusing on recent innovations in surgery, including colorectal surgery, this article proposes an ethical model of surgical innovation that protects patients while maintaining professional self-regulation of surgical advances. [
Effect of Five Temperature Levels on Mycelial Growth and Sporulation of Botrytis fabae, Agent of Chocolate Spot on Faba Bean (Vicia faba L. Subsp. Major)

Botrytis fabae is a major fungus parasite of faba bean causes Chocolate spot disease. Two controlled condition experiments were conducted to study five temperature levels effect on mycelial growth and sporulation of B. fabae, 5 days after incubation. The results showed maximum average of mycelial growth was 84 mm on 5 days and sporulation was 24 × 10 conidia ml and mycelial growth was increasing by 18 mm day , 3 1 1 were recorded at 22°C. The least values of these parameters were obtained from 26°C. Such parameters were linearly increased with temperature to maximum and declined progressively in both reaction evaluation tests. The two evaluation tests indicated that the optimum temperature for mycelial growth and sporulation of B. fabae was at 22°C.
A cross-sectional study on assessment of prevalence of Internet addiction and its correlates among professional college students

Background: There has been a growing social concern about the excessive use of Internet in recent times. The exponential growth of the Internet has caused a huge impact on interpersonal communication and behaviour. Methods: This crosssectional study was designed to assess the prevalence and determinants of Internet addiction among professional college students. Study was conducted after obtaining approval from Institutional Ethics Committee and permission from the concerned colleges. Total participants were 934 students from four different colleges in Bagalkot city. Participants were given a specially designed proforma and Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT), an instrument to categorise the subjects based on severity. Results: This study of college students had total 934 subjects with age groups between 15 and 30 years (mean±SD=20.10±1.86 years), with female and male population representing 55.2% and 44.8% respectively. The prevalence of severe Internet addiction was found to be 0.6%, and 18.8% having moderate addiction. Nearly, 47.4% of the subjects with moderate addiction were using Internet for more than ten hours per day. Conclusion: Internet addiction needs to be considered as a serious issue among college students. It is the need of the hour to create awareness of this entity to the vulnerable population.
Experimental Investigation of Discrimination of Mothers in the Labor Market

The aim of this thesis is to determine the degree of discrimination of mothers in the Czech labor market during employee selection. We conduct an Internet field experiment which allows us to study the effect of the different lengths of parental leave on the probability of being invited for a job interview. We test three years long parental leave, a typical length in the Czech environment, against two years long parental leave as the shortest usual length, using a mother long after parental leave as our third control group. We found a slight preference for the three years parental leave, but we cannot confirm the hypothesis of three years leave being significantly preferred to two years leave at conventional confidence levels. The most significant is the result where resume of high-quality was sent. The results about the role of social norms from a survey among hiring specialists indicate that from two opposing effects – losing knowledge and working experience the longer a mother is on parental leave, versus losing flexibility at work the younger her child is – none is of higher concern if comparing three years leave and two years leave. JEL Classification C81, C93, J71, J13, M51