Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Theoretical bounds on strain estimation in elastography

Elastography is a technique for the estimation of tissue elasticity that is based on the estimation of strain. Tissue strain can be estimated by finite difference computations of echo time-delay. Echo time-delays are obtained by cross-correlation processing of pre- and post-compression echo signals. Errors in strain estimation can be expressed in terms of the errors in time delay estimation for given echo-signal characteristics. The smallest time delay estimation error is given by the Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB), which can be achieved when operating under the small error condition. Based on the CRLB, we obtain an expression for the lower bound for the strain estimation error (LBSE). The LBSE equation is derived under the assumption that the post-compression echo signal can be reconstructed to the original shape of the echo signal before compression. The theoretical bound given by the LBSE may or may not be achievable in practice, depending on the compliance with the requirements for echo signal reconstruction. In an example, the obtained LBSE shows that there is potential for significant reduction of the current level of noise in elastograms. <<ETX>>
Effect of arterial infusion of bleomycin on esophageal carcinoma--an evaluation by nuclear cytophotometry.

In order to determine the histological changes after a single infusion of bleomycin (BLM) into the aortic esophageal artery (BLM A.I.), resected specimens from 58 patients with esophageal carcinoma (27 cases with BLM A.I., 14 untreated cases, 13 cases with radiation therapy and four cases with combined therapy of radiation and BLM) were examined and evaluated by Feulgen microspectrometry for nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content. The histological changes following the BLM A.I. were characterized by degeneration and necrosis at the front of the invading carcinoma tissue accompanied by inflammatory cell infiltration with foreign body giant cells and fibrosis. In comparison with untreated cases, BLM-treated cases showed an increase in nuclear DNA content and a wide dispersion of the DNA values especially at the perinecrotic area and at the front of advancing carcinoma nests. Therefore, a histological effect of the BLM A.I. was shown by the measurement of the nuclear DNA content of carcinoma cells.
Compact Disc Monopole Antennas for Current and Future Ultrawideband (UWB) Applications

Circular disc monopole antennas are investigated for current and future ultrawideband (UWB) applications. The studied antennas are compact and of small size (25 mm × 35 mm × 0.83 mm) with a 50-Ω feed line and offer a very simple geometry suitable for low cost fabrication and straightforward printed circuit board integration. More specifically, the impedance matching of the classic printed circular disc UWB monopole is improved by introducing transitions between the microstrip feed line and the printed disc. Two particular designs are examined using a dual and single microstrip transition. By using this simple antenna matching technique, respective impedance bandwidths (|Sn | <; -10 dB) from 2.5 to 11.7 GHz and 3.5 to 31.9 GHz are obtained. Results are also compared to a classic UWB monopole with no such matching network transitions. Measured and simulated reflection coefficient curves are provided along with beam patterns, gain and group delay values as a function of frequency. The transient behavior of the studied antennas is also examined in the time domain.
Short note: Strict unwraps make worker/wrapper fusion totally correct

Abstract The worker/wrapper transformation is a general way of changing the type of a recursive definition, usually applied with an eye to increasing algorithmic efficiency. This note identifies an infelicity in the program transformations presented by Gill & Hutton (The worker/wrapper transformation, J. Funct. Program., vol. 19, 2009, pp. 227–251) and proposes a new totally correct worker/wrapper fusion rule.
Quantitative mass spectrometry for colorectal cancer proteomics

This review documents the uses of quantitative MS applied to colorectal cancer (CRC) proteomics for biomarker discovery and molecular pathway profiling. Investigators are adopting various labeling and label‐free MS approaches to quantitate differential protein levels in cells, tumors, and plasma/serum. We comprehensively review recent uses of this technology to examine mouse models of CRC, CRC cell lines, their secretomes and subcellular fractions, CRC tumors, CRC patient plasma/serum, and stool samples. For biomarker discovery these approaches are uncovering proteins with potential diagnostic and prognostic utility, while in vitro cell culture experiments are characterizing proteomic and phosphoproteomic responses to disrupted signaling pathways due to mutations or to inhibition of drugable enzymes.
Ethanol production from a membrane purified hemicellulosic hydrolysate derived from sugar maple by Pichia stipitis NRRL Y-7124

In an effort to devise inexpensive and sustainable production of ethanol fuel, experiments were conducted to establish conditions for Pichia stipitis NRRL Y-7124 to ferment a membrane treated wood hydrolysate derived from sugar maple to produce ethanol. The degree of aeration required to effectively utilize xylose, produce ethanol, and minimize xylitol formation as well as the optimal hydrolysate concentration were the conditions examined. P. stipitis produced the highest concentrations of ethanol in shake flasks at 150 rpm (14.3 g/L in 71 h), and 50% hydrolysate maximized ethanol yield (12.4 g/L in 51.5 h). In the 50% hydrolysate cultures, P. stipitis produced ethanol at a rate of 0.24 g/L×h with a yield of 0.41 g ethanol/g wood-derived carbohydrate.
Vinorelbine as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced cervical carcinoma.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of vinorelbine (VNB) as single-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced cervical carcinoma (ACC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between December 1993 and October 1995, 43 untreated patients with stages IIB to IVA squamous cell cervical cancer were entered onto this study. Forty-two patients are assessable for response and 43 for toxicity. The median age was 46 years (range, 28 to 65). Distribution by stages (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO]) was as follows: IIB, 18 patients; IIIA, one; IIIB, 19; and IVA, five. Therapy consisted of VNB 30 mg/m2 by 20-minute intravenous (IV) infusion repeated weekly for 12 injections and followed by radical surgery if feasible or definitive radiotherapy. Both staging and response assessment were performed by a multidisciplinary team. RESULTS One patient was considered not assessable for response. A total of 493 cycles of therapy were administered and objective remissions were observed in 19 of 42 patients (45%; 95% confidence interval, 30% to 60%). Two patients (5%) had a complete response (CR) and 17 (40%) a partial response (PR); no change (NC) was observed in 16 (38%) and progressive disease (PD) in seven (17%). Six of 19 patients (32%) who achieved objective responses (ORs) underwent surgery. The median time to failure and median survival time have not been reached yet. There were no therapy-related deaths. The dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression. Leukopenia occurred in 35 patients (81%) and was grade 3 or 4 in seven (17%). Twelve patients (28%) developed peripheral neuropathy, while myalgias occurred in 10 (23%). Constipation was observed in nine patients (21%), one with a prolonged ileum. Phlebitis was recorded in 18 patients (41%). In contrast, emesis and mucositis were rarely observed. No patient developed alopecia grade 3. By the end of the twelfth course of treatment, the average received dose-intensity was 85.4% of that projected. CONCLUSION VNB is an active drug against ACC with moderate toxicity. Its activity is among the highest reported for single agents. Further evaluation in association with other agents is clearly justified.
Biological Effectiveness of Methionine Hydroxy-analogue Calcium Salt in Relation to DL-Methionine in Broiler Chickens

Two feeding trials were conducted to assess the relative bioavailability (RBV) of methionine hydroxy analogue calcium salt (MHA-Ca) in comparison to DL-methionine (DL-Met). Male Ross 308 (1-38 days) and Cobb 500 chickens (1-42 days) were used in studies 1 and 2, respectively. Experimental diets based on wheat and soybean meal or sorghum and soybean meal were fed during three phases. In both experiments graded levels of DL-Met and MHA-Ca were supplemented to Met+Cys deficient basal diets. Additionally, in experiment 1, increasing levels of a DL-Met preparation diluted with corn starch to 65% purity (DL-Met65) were supplemented. Birds were kept in floor pens and feed and water were available ad libitum. Body weights and feed consumption were recorded at the beginning and end of the experimental periods and weight gain and feed efficacy were computed subsequently. At the end of the experiments, a number of birds were slaughtered for carcass evaluation (dressing percentage, breast meat yield). Dose response data were analysed by both ANOVA and nonlinear common plateau asymptotic regression. In both experiments birds responded significantly to increasing levels of either methionine source. However, RBV of MHA-Ca compared to DL-Met was markedly (in many cases significantly) below 84%, the value which would have been expected from MHA-Ca's chemical characteristics. Excluding some extremely low RBV figures of trial 2, RBV of MHA-Ca averaged to about 63% in relation to DL-Met. In addition, supplementation of DL-Met65 allowed confirmation of nonlinear common plateau asymptotic regression to be suitable to
Automating a student class attendance register using radio frequency identification in South Africa

The class attendance register can be a key factor in improving the quality of teaching. We have automated the class attendance register using radio frequency identification technology in combination with internet hotspot. Information from a student's ID card is electronically collected automatically from either a bag or pocket when the student enters the classroom and then entered into a register.
The Fictionalization of Lessons Learned

In this paper, the discusses their mission which is a part of an innovative research effort to create prototype leadership development applications for US Army officers in partnership with the Hollywood film industry and researchers at the University of Southern California's Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT). In short, they're creating a new genre of Army training films, and exploring their role in interactive technologies for case-method teaching, which is the formal use of stories in classroom instruction.
The WH11 gene of Candida albicans is regulated in two distinct developmental programs through the same transcription activation sequences

Candida albicans strain WO-1 undergoes two developmental programs, the bud-hypha transition and high-frequency phenotypic switching in the form of the white-opaque transition. The WH11 gene is expressed in the white budding phase but is inactive in the white hyphal phase and in the opaque budding phase. WH11 expression, therefore, is regulated in the two developmental programs. Through fusions between deletion derivatives of the WH11 promoter and the newly developed Renilla reniformis luciferase, the WH11 promoter has been characterized in the two developmental programs. Three transcription activation sequences, two strong and one weak, are necessary for the full expression of WH11 in the white budding phase, but no negative regulatory sequences were revealed as playing a role in either the white hyphal phase or the opaque budding phase. These results suggest that regulation is solely through activation in the white budding phase and the same mechanism, therefore, is involved in regulating the differential expression of WH11 in the alternative white and opaque phases of switching and the budding and hyphal phases of dimorphism.
Skeleton Driven Laplacian Volumetric Deformation

This paper proposes a novel mesh animation technique which combines the flexible interactive control of skeleton based animation rigs with volumetric mesh deformation to avoid mesh collapse and self-intersection under folding and twisting motion. Our solution combines the industry standard Linear Skin Blending with a mesh based volumetric deformation approach. Linear Skin Blending is used to attach and efficiently animate a small number of points with a skeletal control rig. These points provide constraints for a Laplacian mesh deformation scheme which solves for the mesh which satisfies the constraints and gives minimum volume deformation of a tetrahedralization of the mesh vertices. This approach allows rigging and animation of high-resolution captured surface meshes from multiple view video or 3D scans. Interactive skeleton driven animation is achieved for meshes of several thousand vertices without the known drawbacks of Linear Skin Blending, mesh collapse around joints and the ’candy wrapper effect’.
Boulesteix : A note on between-group PCA

In the context of binary classification with continuous predictors, we proove two properties concerning the connections between Partial Least Squares (PLS) dimension reduction and between-group PCA, and between linear discriminant analysis and between-group PCA. Such methods are of great interest for the analysis of high-dimensional data with continuous predictors, such as microarray gene expression data.
Involvement of NADPH oxidase in up-regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and heat shock factor-1 in mouse embryo fibroblasts induced by oxidized LDL and in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Abstract The present study demonstrated that oxidized LDL (oLDL) increased the generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the abundances of NADPH oxidase (NOX)4, NOX2, p22-phox and lectin-like oLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) in wild-type or heat shock factor-1 (HSF1)-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF). LOX-1 antibody inhibited LDL or oLDL-induced expression of NOX components in MEF. Abundance of HSF1 or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) was increased by oLDL in wild-type, but not in HSF1-deficient MEF. Diphenyleneiodonium or siRNA for NOX or p22-phox inhibited oLDL-induced increases of HSF1, PAI-1 and H2O2 in MEF. Increased NOX4, NOX2, LOX1, HSF1 and PAI-1 were detected in aortae and hearts of apolipoprotein E-knockout (apoE-KO) mice compared to controls, which were associated with increased serum cholesterol or plasma PAI-1. The results suggest that NOX is required for oLDL-induced HSF1 or PAI-1 expression in MEF, which was supported by the up-regulation of NOX, LOX-1, HSF1 and PAI-1 in apoE-KO mice.
Finite-difference time-domain analysis of ultrasound backscattering in cancellous bone

Numerical analysis of ultrasound backscattering in cancellous bone was performed by using three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations with numerical models reconstructed from microcomputed tomographic images of bovine bone. In the simulations, two cancellous bone models with different thicknesses were used. In each model, an artificial absorbing boundary was set at the back surface opposite to the front surface toward which an ultrasound pulse wave was transmitted from a concave transmitter/receiver in water. From the difference between the simulated waveforms for the two bone models, the reflected wave from the front surface could be canceled, and only the backscattered waves inside the bone could be extracted. For the ultrasound transmission parallel to the main orientation of the trabecular network, the backscattered waves from various bone depths were analyzed. The peak-to-peak amplitudes of the backscattered waves from the deep bone depths were moderately correlated with porosity [R2 = 0.43-0.54 (P <; 0.001)]. The backscattered waves from the deeper bone depth could be more clearly separated into the fast and slow waves, and the backscattered wave amplitude could be regarded as the slow wave amplitude.
Mitochondrial DNA Variation in Karkar Islanders

We analyzed 375 base pairs (bp) of the first hypervariable region (HVS‐I) of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region and intergenic COII/tRNALys 9‐bp deletion from 47 Karkar Islanders (north coast of Papua New Guinea) belonging to the Waskia Papuan language group. To address questions concerning the origin and evolution of this population we compared the Karkar mtDNA haplotypes and haplogroups to those of neighbouring East Asians and Oceanic populations. The results of the phylogeographic analysis show grouping in three different clusters of the Karkar Islander mtDNA lineages: one group of lineages derives from the first Pleistocene settlers of New Guinea‐Island Melanesia, a second set derives from more recent arrivals of Austronesian speaking populations, and the third contains lineages specific to the Karkar Islanders, but still rooted to Austronesian and New Guinea‐Island Melanesia populations. Our results suggest (i) the absence of a strong association between language and mtDNA variation and, (ii) reveal that the mtDNA haplogroups F1a1, M7b1 and E1a, which probably originated in Island Southeast Asia and may be considered signatures of Austronesian population movements, are preserved in the Karkar Islanders but absent in other New Guinea‐Island Melanesian populations. These findings indicate that the Karkar Papuan speakers retained a certain degree of their own genetic uniqueness and a high genetic diversity. We present a hypothesis based on archaeological, linguistic and environmental datasets to argue for a succession of (partial) depopulation and repopulation and expansion events, under conditions of structured interaction, which may explain the variability expressed in the Karkar mtDNA.
Effects of uranium concentration on microbial community structure and functional potential

Located in the Northern Territory of Australia, Ranger uranium mine is directly adjacent to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park, with rehabilitation targets needed to ensure the site can be incorporated into the park following the mine's closure in 2026. This study aimed to understand the impact of uranium concentration on microbial communities, in order to identify and describe potential breakpoints in microbial ecosystem services. This is the first study to report in situ deployment of uranium-spiked sediments along a concentration gradient (0-4000 mg U kg-1 ), with the study design maximising the advantages of both field surveys and laboratory manipulative studies. Changes to microbial communities were characterised through the use of amplicon and shotgun metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Significant changes to taxonomic and functional community assembly occurred at a concentration of 1500 mg U kg-1 sediment and above. At uranium concentrations of ≥ 1500 mg U kg-1 , genes associated with methanogenic consortia and processes increased in relative abundance, while numerous significant changes were also seen in the relative abundances of genes involved in nitrogen cycling. Such alterations in carbon and nitrogen cycling pathways suggest that taxonomic and functional changes to microbial communities may result in changes in ecosystem processes and resilience.
An Analysis of Recent Work on Clustering Algorithms

This paper des ribes four re ent papers on lustering, ea h of whi h approa hes the lustering problem from a di erent perspe tive and with di erent goals. It analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of ea h approa h and des ribes how a user ould ould de ide whi h algorithm to use for a given lustering appli ation. Finally, it on ludes with ideas that ould make the sele tion and use of lustering algorithms for data analysis less diÆ ult.
Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5-using envelopes predominate in dual/mixed-tropic HIV from the plasma of drug-naive individuals

Objective:HIV-1 utilizes CD4 and either chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 5 (CCR5) or chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) to gain entry into host cells. Small molecule CCR5 antagonists are currently being developed for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. Because HIV-1 may also use CXCR4 for entry, the use of CCR5 entry inhibitors is controversial for patients harboring CCR5-using and CXCR4-using (dual/mixed-tropic) viruses. The goal of the present study was to determine the proportion of CCR5-tropic and CXCR4-tropic viruses in dual/mixed-tropic virus isolates from drug-naïve patients and the phenotypic and genotypic relationships of viruses that use CCR5 or CXCR4 or both. Design:Fourteen antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected patients were identified as having population coreceptor tropism readout of dual/mixed-tropic viruses. Intrapatient comparisons of coreceptor tropism and genotype of env clones were conducted on plasma virus from each patient. Methods:Population HIV-1 envelope tropism and susceptibility to the CCR5 entry inhibitor, aplaviroc, were performed using the Monogram Biosciences Trofile Assay. Twelve env clones from each patient were analyzed for coreceptor tropism, aplaviroc sensitivity, genotype, and intrapatient phylogenetic relationships. Results:Viral populations from antiretroviral-naive patients with dual/mixed-tropic virus are composed primarily of CCR5-tropic env clones mixed with those that use both coreceptors (R5X4-tropic) and, occasionally, CXCR4-tropic env clones. Interestingly, the efficiency of CXCR4 use by R5X4-tropic env clones varied with their genetic relationships to CCR5-tropic env clones from the same patient. Conclusion:These data show that the majority of viruses in these dual/mixed-tropic populations use CCR5 and suggest that antiretroviral-naive patients may benefit from combination therapy that includes CCR5 entry inhibitors.
A Comparative Study between Clustering Methods in Educational Data Mining

This paper aims to describe the analysis of data from the Moodle's database of a beginner class in Distance Education of a Federal University using distinct educational data mining clustering methods. We carried out clustering using hierarchical and non-hierarchical methods in different groups of students, according to their interaction and performance characteristics. In the analysis, it was possible to perceive the groups obtained, a similarity between the results of each method used, confirming the acquired knowledge from the clustering and demonstrating that the choice of method in this study had little influence on the knowledge obtained from interactions and students performance on the course.
An upstream uncD sequence modulates translation of Escherichia coli uncC

The effect of upstream uncD sequences on expression of the Escherichia coli uncC gene, encoding the epsilon subunit of F1-ATPase, was studied. uncC expression was reduced severalfold in plasmid constructs bearing, in addition to uncC, a region of uncD located between 85 and 119 bases upstream from the uncC initiation codon. This reduction was independent of in-frame translation of the uncD sequences. An mRNA stem-loop structure in which sequences located within the inhibitory region of uncD base pair with the uncDC intercistronic region is suggested to function in modulating uncC expression.
A library of problem-solving components based on the integration of the search paradigm with task and method ontologies

In this paper we investigate the reuse of tasks and problem-solving methods and we propose a model of how to organize a library of reusable components for knowledge-based systems. In our approach, we first describe a class of problems by means of atask ontology. Then we instantiate a generic model of problem solving assearchin terms of the concepts in the task ontology, to derive a task-specific, but method-independent,problem-solving model. Individual problem-solving methods can then be (re-)constructed from the generic problem-solving model through a process ofontology/method specializationandconfiguration. The resulting library of reusable components enjoys a clear theoretical basis and has been tested successfully on a number of applications. In the paper, we illustrate the approach in the area ofparametric design.