Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of real time 3D echocardiography in evaluating the left ventricle

Evaluation of left ventricular (LV) size and function are by far the most common reasons for performing echocardiography in the adult patient. Important diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment decisions rest upon LV morphology analysis; the widespread bedside availability, cost, and non-invasive nature of echocardiography has meant that this technique has become the method of choice in most situations for performing this analysis. However, both M mode and two dimensional (2D) echocardiography make important geometric assumptions about the LV which leads to inaccuracies in measurements. There is also poor inter- and intra-observer variability which limits the use of the technique in follow up of patients and also in scientific studies. Many echocardiographic departments perform “eyeball” analysis of global and regional LV function and provide visual estimates of ejection fraction because existing quantification methods (from M mode and 2D Echo) are both time consuming and difficult to perform. In an era when so many important and often costly decisions are made upon these data it is incumbent upon departments that accurate and reproducible echo quantification methods are utilised—especially since the “gold standard” technique of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is not so widely available, is more costly, cannot be used on those with implanted pacemakers or defibrillators, and is disliked by many patients. Three dimensional (3D) echocardiography has been available for several years using time consuming and difficult reconstruction techniques (often utilising transoesophageal studies). However, recent advances in computer processing and transducer construction techniques have meant that real time transthoracic 3D echocardiography is now available from major ultrasound system manufacturers. Software programs to analyse 3D datasets of the LV are also now readily available; this combination of new instrumentation and software has been shown to provide highly accurate (compared to CMR) analysis of LV morphology and function, such that this methodology is likely to …
The Joint Analysis of Survival Times and Response Rates in Clinical Trials on the Treatment of Cancer

A method is outlined which allows to analyse survival and response data from a clinical trial on the treatment of cancer when the question of interest is whether the somehow defined response to the treatment has an influence on patients’ survival times. This can be done by making use of Cox’s proportional hazards model for survival data together with time-dependent covariates. This allows an appropriate classification of non-respondors and responders by considering the time of diagnosis of response during follow-up. The resulting test can be viewed as a time-dependent logrank test. An example from a clinical trial on gastrointestinal cancer is considered.
Combined 2 D-3 D Categorization and Classification for Multimodal Perception Systems November 17 , 2011

This article describes an object perception system for autonomous robots performing everyday manipulation tasks in kitchen environments. The perception system gains its strengths by exploiting that the robots are to perform the same kinds of tasks with the same objects over and over again. It does so by learning the object representations necessary for the recognition and reconstruction in the context of pick and place tasks. The system employs a library of specialized perception routines that solve different, well-defined perceptual sub-tasks and can be combined into composite perceptual activities including the construction of an object model database, multi-modal object classification, and object model reconstruction for grasping. We evaluate the effectiveness of our methods, and give examples of application scenarios using our personal robotic assistants acting in a human living environment.
Blind identification of IIR systems based on special SIMO model

Based on oversampling the system output, this paper presents a deterministic approach to blind identification of fast changing infinite-impulse-response (IIR) systems. The contributions of this paper are: 1) we prove that oversampling the output of a single-input-single-output (SISO) IIR system is equal to transforming the SISO IIR system into a single-input-multiple-output (SIMO) IIR model with all subsystems have the same autoregressive (AR) coefficients. Based on this model, a new identification algorithm is proposed, which can give the least-squares approach; 2) we show that in the SIMO model, the number of subsystems can be varied and will affect the identification performance. We also discuss how to choose a proper subsystem number to guarantee the best performance; 3) we deduce the sufficient and necessary conditions for the system to be identifiable associated with the proposed algorithm. Since the proposed approach only needs a small quantity of data samples, it can be used for fast changing IIR systems. Computer simulations give some illustrative examples.
Electromagnetic fields for propagation and confinement of high current heavy ion beam towards conformal thin film deposition

Uniform thin layers of heavy elements such as niobium (Nb) have been found to possess superior superconductivity characteristics in applications like radio frequency cavity resonators. The experimental process to realize conformal coating with reproducible characteristics especially on non-planar, cavity resonators rests on the generation of high-current beam of Nb ions. Here, the fundamental principles that govern the motion of such ions in an electromagnetic (e-m) field are investigated. An electric quadrupole is designed via modelling so as to generate desired e-m fields that support parallel propagation as well as confinement of the Nb ions to a desired beam size and shape in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions. The simulation study presented here considers the case of Nb ions whose currents are of the order of 5 A, that traverse a length of 130 cm and have a cross-section radius of 3.75 cm. The trajectories for Nb ions are simulated, and the effect of external fields on the trajectory of ions is evaluated using appropriate performance metrics.
Face-to-Face Interface in Software Development: Empirical Evidence from a Geographically Dispersed High-Tech Laboratory

The study investigates the power and potentials of face to face (F-2-F) conversation as a medium of knowledge exchange among software engineers in the context of a high-tech laboratory of a Fortune 100 corporation. This research is based on a qualitative case study design. A number of reasons underlying the preference for F-2-F interaction to transfer knowledge are identified. The analysis also provides evidence that software engineers also face difficulties in using F-2-F conversation as a medium of knowledge exchange. Such findings may be useful to managers and practitioners as the paper proposes an integrated approach where an organization can use both F-2-F and computer-mediated mechanisms simultaneously in a balanced manner.
Interconnect Open Defect Diagnosis with Physical Information

Circuit behavior in the presence of interconnect open defects is affected by four major factors: the capacitances between the floating node and its neighboring nodes, the capacitances inside down-stream gates, initial trapped charge, and the threshold voltages of down-stream gates. Current interconnect open diagnosis methods either ignore all of these factors or consider a subset of them only. Thus the diagnosis results from current procedures may not be as accurate as possible. In this paper, we present an interconnect open defect diagnosis method taking all these factors into account. Experiments conducted on benchmark circuits demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve a very high diagnosis accuracy and resolution
The Effects of Temporal Modulation on the Orientation Channels of the Human Visual System

The orientation specificity of spatial adaptation was quantified by using an equivalent-contrast transformation. The half-width at half-amplitude of the adaptation effect was 6·5° when the sinusoidal gratings were stationary, but was increased to 11° when the gratings drifted laterally. Another type of temporal modulation, flashing the gratings on and off repetitively, also increased the half-width, but only at low spatial frequencies where these stimuli actually appeared to be flickering back and forth at threshold. At higher spatial frequencies the flashing stimuli appeared to be stationary at threshold and the half-width was as small as that for truly stationary gratings. It is suggested that there are two types of channel in the visual system: they differ in their orientation specificities, in their temporal properties, and in their roles in the analysis of a spatiotemporal stimulus.
Cysteine-String Protein's Neuroprotective Role

Abstract Cysteine-string protein (CSP), a member of the DnaJ/Hsp40 family of cochaperones, is critical for maintaining neurotransmitter release and preventing neurodegeneration. CSP likely forms a chaperone complex on synaptic vesicles together with the 70-kDa heat shock cognate (Hsc70) and the small glutamine-rich tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR)-containing protein (SGT) that may control or protect the assembly and activity of SNARE proteins and various other protein substrates. Here, the author summarizes studies that elucidated CSP's neuroprotective role.
Development of ultra-micromanipulator system under stereo SEM observation

The authors discuss the specifications for constructing an ultra-micromanipulator system, and develop such a system under 3-D SEM observation using a joy-stick mechanism, with which an operator can deal with things smaller than 1 /spl mu/m. It is called a nanorobot system. Some experimental results giving knowledge about the difference between nanometer world and the macroscopic world are reported.
Barriers for integrating personalized medicine into clinical practice: A qualitative analysis

Personalized medicine—tailoring interventions based on individual's genetic information—will likely change routine clinical practice in the future. Yet, how practitioners plan to apply genetic information to inform medical decision making remains unclear. We aimed to investigate physician's perception about the future role of personalized medicine, and to identify the factors that influence their decision in using genetic testing in their practice. We conducted three semi‐structured focus groups in three health regions (Fraser, Vancouver coastal, and Interior) in British Columbia, Canada. In the focus groups, participants discussed four topics on personalized medicine: (i) physicians' general understanding, (ii) advantages and disadvantages, (iii) potential impact and role in future clinical practice, and (iv) perceived barriers to integrating personalized medicine into clinical practice. Approximately 36% (n = 9) of physicians self‐reported that they were not familiar with the concept of personalized medicine. After introducing the concept, the majority of physicians (68%, n = 19 of 28) were interested in incorporating personalized medicine in their practice, provided they have access to the necessary knowledge and tools. Participants mostly believed that genetic developments will directly affect their practice in the future. The key concerns highlighted were physician's access to clinical guidelines and training opportunities for the use of genetic testing and data interpretation. Despite the challenges that personalized medicine can create, in general, physicians in the focus groups expressed strong interest in using genetic information in their practice if they have access to the necessary knowledge and tools. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human uterine luminal fluid proteins associated with secretory phase endometrium: progesterone-induced products?

Molecular sieve chromatography over Sephadex G-200 columns of human uterine washings from patients in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle revealed the presence of a protein peak that was absent from serum and, with one exception, was not found in similarly treated washes of proliferative endometria. Ten of 11 secretory washes contained this material, whereas it could not be demonstrated in seven of eight of the proliferative washes and each of two washes of inactive endometria. None of the nine sera obtained simultaneously (4 proliferative, 4 secretory, and 1 inactive) contained this protein peak. This secretory-phase-specific material was shown to contain one major and several minor bands of stained protein on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate. The major protein fraction could also be stained with the periodic acid-Schiff reagent, suggesting its glycoprotein nature. The possibility that these proteins are secreted into the lumen of the uterus as a direct result of progesterone action on this tissue is currently under investigation.
Interleukin-1 beta targeted therapy for type 2 diabetes

Since having been cloned in 1984, IL-1β has been the subject of over 22,000 citations in Pubmed, among them over 800 reviews. This is because of its numerous effects. IL-1β is a regulator of the body's inflammatory response and is produced after infection, injury, and antigenic challenge. It plays a role in various diseases, including autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases and type 1 diabetes, as well as in diseases associated with metabolic syndrome such as atherosclerosis, chronic heart failure and type 2 diabetes. Macrophage are the primary source of IL-1, but epidermal, epithelial, lymphoid and vascular tissues also synthesize IL-1. IL-1β production and secretion have also been reported from pancreatic islets. Insulin-producing β-cells within pancreatic islets are specifically prone to IL-β-induced destruction and loss of function. Macrophage-derived IL-1β production in insulin-sensitive organs, leads to progression of inflammation and induction of insulin resistance in obesity. We summarize the mechanisms involved in inflammation and specifically the IL-1β signals that lead to the progression of insulin resistance and diabetes. We highlight recent clinical studies and experiments in animals and isolated islets using IL-1β as a potential target for the therapy of type 2 diabetes.
"One more lie: the 'Monday effect' in Spain's retail petrol market"

Empirical evidence drawn from the economic literature points to a low level of competition in the retail petrol market. Similar evidence can be found for the Spanish market. In fact, both Spain’s antitrust authority (Comision Nacional de la Competencia) and its energy regulator (Comision Nacional de la Energia) have recently initiated disciplinary proceedings against the majors on the grounds of suspected price manipulation in the retail petrol market. They are accused of cutting retail prices on Mondays so as to distort the rank position of Spain in European Union statistics in a practice that has received the name of the ‘Monday effect’. Here, we analyze this effect by constructing a database that includes daily retail prices for all petrol stations in Spain in the period 2009-2012, and a more detailed database for the city of Barcelona in 2013. Our estimations confirm that: i) in 2011 and 2012 prices fell on Mondays at retailers branded by majors; ii) prices were unchanged at stations in our two control groups; iii) prices were also seen to fall when a more detailed analysis was conducted, and this price cut was also found in 2013. In short, one more indicator of collusion in this sector and … one more lie.
The dialysis exercise: a learning simulation for medical students

The dialysis exercise is a small group decisionmaking clinical simulation which has been completely successful as an educational technique. The success of the exercise stems from its ability to engage students cognitively and affectively while teaching problem solving skills. This complete learning package is presented, together with comments on our experience, for use in other settings.
Allele‐Sharing Statistics Using Information on Family History

When conducting genetic studies for complex traits, large samples are commonly required to detect new genetic factors. A possible strategy to decrease the sample size is to reduce heterogeneity using available information. In this paper we propose a new class of model‐free linkage analysis statistics which takes into account the information given by the ungenotyped affected relatives (positive family history). This information is included into the scoring function of classical allele‐sharing statistics. We studied pedigrees of affected sibling pairs with one ungenotyped affected relative. We show that, for rare allele common complex diseases, the proposed method increases the expected power to detect linkage. Allele‐sharing methods were applied to the symptomatic osteoarthritis GARP study where taking into account the family‐history increased considerably the evidence of linkage in the region of the DIO2 susceptibility locus.
Author ' s personal copy A theory for large deformation and damage of interpenetrating polymer networks

Elastomers and gels can be formed by interpenetrating two polymer networks on a molecular scale. This paper develops a theory to characterize the large deformation and damage of interpenetrating polymer networks. The theory integrates an interpenetrating network model with the network alteration theory. The interpenetration of one network stretches polymer chains in the other network and reduces its chain density, significantly affecting the initial modulus, stiffening and damage properties of the resultant elastomers and gels. Double-network hydrogels, a special type of interpenetrating polymer network, have demonstrated intriguing mechanical properties including high fracture toughness, Mullins effects, and necking instability. These properties have been qualitatively attributed to the damage of polymer networks. Using the theory, we quantitatively illustrate how the interplay between polymer-chain stiffening and damage-induced softening can cause the Mullins effect and necking instability. The theory is further implemented into a finite-element model to simulate the initiation and propagation of necking instability in double-network hydrogels. The theoretical and numerical results are compared with experimental data from multiple cyclic compressive and tensile tests. & 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A Fine Model for Evaluating Actual Output Performance of Crystalline Silicon Solar Modules

Textured crystalline silicon solar cells, planar crystalline silicon solar cells, textured glass, planar glass are commonly fabricated for crystalline silicon solar modules, thus, there are four kinds of crystalline silicon solar modules. The photovoltaic electricity outputs of the four kinds of modules with the same peak power measured under standard test conditions are different under true sunshine conditions; it is believed that the reflection losses of the four kinds of modules are different due to the different materials used in modules. Using the actual optical performance of a four-layer encapsulation, a simulation was made on the reflection losses and energy outputs of the four kinds of solar modules. The computer simulation shows that the module encapsulated by textured crystalline silicon solar cells and textured glass has more energy output than others in actual uses, even if they have equal electrical characteristics under standard test conditions, the result of simulation agrees approximately with the measured values. Performing energy production analysis for the four kinds of modules with the same peak power as a function of angle of incidence provides insight into economic analysis of photovoltaic systems and performance estimation of a photovoltaic roof within a fixed flat plate array
Limits of Solutions of p-Laplace Equations as p Goes to Infinity and Related Variational Problems

We show that the convergence, as $p\to\infty$, of the solution $u_p$ of the Dirichlet problem for $-\Delta_p u(x)=f(x)$ in a bounded domain $\Omega\subset{\hbox{\bf R}}^n$ with zero-Dirichlet boundary condition and with continuous f in the following cases: (i) one-dimensional case, radial cases; (ii) the case of no balanced family; and (iii) two cases with vanishing integral. We also give some properties of the maximizers for the functional $\int_\Omega f(x)v(x)\d x$ in the space of functions $v\in C(\overline\Omega)\cap W^{1,\infty}(\Omega)$ satisfying $v|_{\partial\Omega}=0$ and $\|Dv\|_{L^\infty(\Omega)}\leq 1$.
Re-adding damping to the distribution network: Harmonics and voltage dips

Improvement of the power quality in the utility grid can be obtained by connecting damping power-electronic devices. Regarding the increased presence of converter-based distributed generation units in the power system, an active front end for distributed generation units is extended with a mitigating function. The effects of this mitigating function on harmonic voltage distortion and voltage dips will be elaborated for low-voltage distribution feeders.
Calibration mechanism for RSS based localization method in wireless sensor networks

Received signal strength (RSS) has been attractive for localization in wireless sensor network (WSN) for simplicity and cost. It is one of the simplest methods for ranging. However, in wireless communication channel, especially in indoor communication, the received signal is much fluctuated by multipath fading and shadowing problem. These causes make RSS measurement incur more errors and consequentially much faults in ranging. It results in low precision for location detection process. To be one of the methods to improve the limitation of RSS method, in this paper we propose using direction calibration to obtain better performance. Sequentially, a multilateration is the next step for carrying out the location of nodes. We also propose to use weighted least squares (WLS) method to solve the overdetermined problem in lateration with weighting matrix composed of reliability factors in conjunction with conventional RSS weighting. Our scheme has much improvement shown by simulation results.
Reliability of lower extremity isokinetic strength testing in adults with stroke

Objective: To evaluate the reliability of isokinetic strength testing of knee flexion and extension at 60 degrees per second, and ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion at 30 degrees per second in adults with stroke. Design: Test–retest using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Setting: Human performance laboratory. Subjects: Ten adults post stroke with a mean age of 64 years (five males) and 10 adults without neurological injury with a mean age of 69 years (three males) who served as controls. Main outcome measures: Peak torque and average torque. Results: The reliability of strength of the less-affected lower extremity was high with values ranging from 0.75 to 0.97. Knee extension, ankle plantar flexion and the peak torque of dorsiflexion were reliable for the affected limb, ranging from 0.80 to 0.90. In contrast, affected knee flexion was not reliable with values of 0.48 and 0.44 for peak torque and average peak torque respectively. Conclusions: Isokinetic knee and ankle strength of the less-affected limb are reliable. Isokinetic strength of the affected lower extremity is also reliable with the noted exception of knee flexion.