Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Medical Image Fusion Using Integrated Guided Nonlinear Anisotropic Filtering with Image Statistics

: An image that is highly informative is produced by unifying the information from couple of or numerous source images which is referred as image fusion. It has been employing in most of the applications in the medical field like detecting of tumours, treating Alzheimer’s, surgery of brain with the assistance of computer and some other clinical diagnosis. Successful diagnosis of specific diseases necessitates the enhancement in the exactness of fusion algorithms. For examining the body of human, the images obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) plays a vital role. Channelizing the maximum info from the source images to the fused image with understate loss of info that must mitigate the presence of artifacts in the fused outcome is the basic idea of any fusion methodology. In this context, a novel medical image fusion approach is implemented, that utilizes integrated guided and nonlinear anisotropic (IGNLA) filtering with image statistics. This approach upholds the info of texture in the fused images more efficaciously. In addition, proposed medical image fusion is extended for color images and applied to MR-Gad, MR-T2 and SPECT-Tc images. Extensive simulation results of proposed medical image fusion are compared with traditional and recent image fusion algorithms and disclose the superiority of proposed approach with respect to image quality metrics.
Baseline values of DCE-CT of liver in patients with colorectal cancer

Poster: "ECR 2017 / B-0195 / Baseline values of DCE-CT of liver in patients with colorectal cancer" by: "A. Bevilacqua1, S. Malavasi1, M. Ronot2, J.-L. Daire2, B. Van Beers2, V. Vilgrain2; 1Bologna/IT, 2Clichy/FR"
Recent methods for diagnosis of nontuberculous mycobacteria infections: Relevance in clinical practice

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are ever more important in recent years for leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Clinical appearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) complex and NTM is same, but the treatment regimen is always different. NTM is challenging for both diagnostic and therapeutic with reason that it mimic pathological, microbiological, immunological, and radiological findings of TB. Newer molecular diagnostic methods allow for a better identification of NTM infections in patients not responding to antitubercular treatment and falsely categorized as drug-resistant TB. This article will explore the recent methods for the diagnosis and identification of NTM infections in clinical practice. In the future, the molecular-based diagnosis will significantly reduce the turnaround time of the diagnosis and thereby improving patient outcome.
Monitoring Athlete Load: Data Collection Methods and Practical Recommendations

ABSTRACTCOLLECTING DATA ABOUT ATHLETE LOAD ENABLES SUPPORT STAFF TO MAKE APPROPRIATE CHANGES TO AN ATHLETE OR TEAM'S TRAINING DOSE. THROUGH THIS CAREFUL MANIPULATION, ATHLETE INJURY AND ILLNESS OCCURRENCE CAN BE REDUCED. FURTHERMORE, ATHLETES CAN BE SAFELY RETURNED TO PLAY AFTER INJURY. THERE ARE SE
The Tung Tree (Vernicia Fordii) Genome Provides A Resource for Understanding Genome Evolution and Oil Improvement

Tung tree (Vernicia fordii) is an economically important woody oil plant that produces tung oil containing a high proportion of eleostearic acid (∼80%). Here we report a high-quality, chromosome-scale tung tree genome sequence of 1.12 Gb with 28,422 predicted genes and over 73% repeat sequences. Tung tree genome was assembled by combining Illumina short reads, PacBio single-molecule real-time long reads and Hi-C sequencing data. Insertion time analysis revealed that the repeat-driven tung tree genome expansion might be due to long standing long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposon bursts and lack of efficient DNA deletion mechanisms. An electronic fluorescent pictographic (eFP) browser was generated based on genomic and RNA-seq data from 17 various tissues and developmental stages. We identified 88 nucleotide-binding site (NBS)-encoding resistance genes, of which 17 genes may help the tung tree resist the Fusarium wilt shortly after infection. A total of 651 oil-related genes were identified and 88 of them were predicted to be directly involved in tung oil biosynthesis. The fewer phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPC) genes, and synergistic effects between transcription factors and oil biosynthesis-related genes may contribute to high oil content in tung seeds. The tung tree genome should provide valuable resources for molecular breeding and genetic improvement.
A Proposed Model for Stock Price Prediction Based on Financial News

In this paper we will propose a model and needed steps that one should undertake in order to try and predict potential stock price fluctuation solely based on financial news from relevant sources. The paper will start with providing background information on the problem and text mining in general, furthermore supporting the idea with relevant research papers needed to focus on the problem we are researching. Our model relies on existing text-mining techniques used for sentiment analysis, combined with historical data from relevant news sources as well as stock data.
An exploratory study of the pathways into homelessness among of foreign-born and Canadian-born families: a timeline mapping approach

ABSTRACT Despite the growing number of foreign-born homeless families in Canada, few studies have investigated their experiences prior to becoming homeless. To address this gap, this study explored the pathways into homelessness for foreign-born families and compared these pathways to those of Canadian-born families. Timeline mapping and in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 foreign-born and 13 Canadian-born homeless families residing in emergency family shelters. Findings showed that there was greater diversity in the homeless pathways of foreign-born families than Canadian-born families. Foreign-born families discussed the impact their immigration experiences had on their financial and housing instability and how social isolation, traumatic experiences, and the difficult emotions associated with fleeing an unsafe country made life before homelessness even more challenging. Canadian-born families spoke about their experiences with poverty, homelessness, and housing instability – all of which started during childhood. They navigated these challenges while dealing with the loss of relationships, health issues, family separation, and violence. Despite these differences, both groups reported similar service experiences and structural and systemic barriers to stable housing.
Comparative Study of Discrete PI and PR Controls for Single-Phase UPS Inverter

This paper presents a comparative study of discrete proportional integral (PI) and proportional resonant (PR) current control for single-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS) inverters. There is an increasing requirement for current and voltage-controlled UPS inverters with very low or zero steady-state error, improved transient response and lower total harmonic distortion (THD). The most promising type of current regulator for single-phase inverters is PR control because it can introduce an infinite gain at a selected resonance frequency such as the fundamental frequency to eliminate the steady-state error, which cannot be achieved by well-known proportional integral (PI) control. Note that PI control has limitations in terms of the steady-state magnitude and phase errors. In addition, PI control also has limited harmonic rejection capability, unlike the PR control, also can compensate for low-order harmonics. Imperfections in the current and voltage control scheme results in higher harmonic distortion of the output current and voltage. In this paper, performance of PR control parameters (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K_{p}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K_{i}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\omega _{c}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) and filter parameters (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$L_{f}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$C_{f}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) are optimally tuned to obtain a very low THD current with reduced output voltage ripple and steady-state error. The analysis, design and implementation of both PI and PR current control in single-phase UPS inverter applications through simulations and experiments are also presented in this paper. The performance of both of these control schemes are analyzed in terms of steady-state response, transient response, and level of current harmonics.
Varhaisessa kotoutumisen vaiheessa olevien pakolaistaustaisten aikuisten elämänlaatua selittävät tekijät

Pakolaisten vastaanotto ja kotouttaminen Suomessa pohjautuu Suomen lainsäädännön lisäksi EU:n lainsäädäntöön sekä Suomea koskeviin kansainvälisiin ihmisoikeusja muihin sopimuksiin (TEM 2019). Suomessa aiemmin toteutetuissa maahanmuuttajiin kohdistuneissa tutkimuksissa (esim. Castaneda ym. 2012; Snellman ym. 2014, Castaneda ym. 2015a; Castaneda ym. 2017; ks. myös Castaneda ym. 2018) on korostettu, että maahanmuuttajien – ja erityisesti pakolaisten – terveyteen ja hyvinvointiin sekä osallisuuden kokemuksiin on kiinnitettävä entistä systemaattisempaa huomiota. Näistä tekijöistä rakentuu myös onnistunut kotoutuminen (TEM 2019). Tässä tutkimuksessa puhutaan yhteisnimityksellä pakolaistaustaisista henkilöistä, joilla tarkoitetaan oleskeluluvan saaneita turvapaikanhakijoita ja kiintiöpakolaisia. Tutkimusaineisto koostuu pelkästään varhaisessa kotoutumisen vaiheessa
Antimicrobial activity of selected spices against Pectobacterium carotovorum isolated from some vegetables in Sri Lanka

Pectobacterium carotovorum is the most common causative organism of bacterial soft rot which gives rise to great economic losses. It is important to implement disease control measures and management strategies on this bacterium in order to prevent further crop loss. Among the various management strategies, using the antibacterial nature of spices offer promising solutions to pesticidal hazards and also to increasing cost of plant protection operations. Although there are many reports on the antibacterial nature of spices on various pathogens, its effect on P. carotovorum is limited. Objectives of this study were to determine the antimicrobial activity of selected spices and then to ascertain the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of those spices against P. carotovorum. Among the nine tested spices, four were active against P. caratovorum. As depicted by agar well diffusion assay, the highest inhibitory effect on P. carotovorum was shown by the aqueous and ethanol extracts of Allium sativum while the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cinnamomum verum gave the smallest zones of inhibition. Garcinia cowa and Tamarindus indica displayed moderate antibacterial activity. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in inhibition zones between aqueous and ethanol extract of a particular spice. MIC of the spices, which inhibited the growth of P. carotovorum was 0.5 g/ml within the test range. Positive extracts can be used as a cost effective and eco-friendly preventive strategy to minimize the effects of P. carotovorum. Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of these extracts under field conditions is necessary before a cost-effective formulation is developed.
Crowdsourcing Data Science: A Qualitative Analysis of Organizations' Usage of Kaggle Competitions

In light of the ongoing digitization, companies accumulate data, which they want to transform into value. However, data scientists are rare and organizations are struggling to acquire talents. At the same time, individuals who are interested in machine learning are participating in competitions on data science internet platforms. To investigate if companies can tackle their data science challenges by hosting data science competitions on internet platforms, we conducted ten interviews with data scientists. While there are various perceived benefits, such as discussing with participants and learning new, state of the art approaches, these competitions can only cover a fraction of tasks that typically occur during data science projects. We identified 12 factors within three categories that influence an organization’s perceived success when hosting a data science competition.
Task-Enabling CEOs: Implications for an Effective Implementation of New Technology

This article addresses the question of the conditions under which chief executive officer (CEO) leadership may enhance the effectiveness of new technological implementation (NTI) and the mechanisms by which they may do so. Using a structured questionnaire collected from multiple source informants in 89 small- and medium-sized firms (89 CEOs, 65 implementation managers, and 305 employees), we consider a specific leadership style, labeled task-enabling leadership, and examine how task-enabling CEOs can facilitate the NTI process. The findings of multilevel structural equation modeling analysis indicate that CEO task-enabling leadership creates socio-psychological conditions of safety and availability which in turn enhance NTI effectiveness, and that this indirect effect of task-enabling leadership on NTI effectiveness, via socio-psychological conditions, is significant when the implemented technology is radical.
Video Surveillance on Mobile Edge Networks—A Reinforcement-Learning-Based Approach

Video surveillance systems or Internet of Multimedia Things are playing a more and more important role in our daily life. To obtain useful surveillance information timely and accurately, not only image recognition algorithms but also computing and communication resources can be bottlenecks of the whole system. In this article, taking face recognition application as an example, we study how to build video surveillance systems by utilizing mobile edge computing (MEC), one of the 5G’s key technologies. Specifically, to achieve high recognition accuracy and low recognition time, we design image recognition algorithms for both the camera sensor and MEC server, and utilize the action-value methods to train actions of the system by jointly optimizing offloading decision and image compression parameters. The experimental results show the advantages of the proposed system for enabling communication environment-adaptive, efficient, and intelligent video surveillance.
Dynamics and Control in Spiking Neural Networks

OF THE DISSERTATION Dynamics and Control in Spiking Neural Networks by Fuqiang Huang Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Science and Mathematics Washington University in St. Louis, December 2019 Research Advisor: Professor ShiNung Ching In the brain, neurons (brain cells) produce electrical impulses, or spikes, that are thought to be the substrate of information processing and computation. Through enigmatic processes, these spikes are ultimately decoded into perceptions and actions. The nature of this encoding and decoding is one of the most pervasive questions in theoretical neuroscience. In other words, what are the specific functions enacted by neural circuits, through their biophysics and dynamics? This thesis examines the dynamics of neural networks from the perspective of control theory and engineering. The pivotal concept is that of the normative synthesis of neural circuits, wherein neural dynamics are built from fundamental mathematical objectives. Emergent properties of the synthesized circuits thus constitute a hypothesis regarding how actual networks in the brain might be achieving the functions in question. Several sub-problems are considered. First, we propose an optimization problem to find the dynamics of neural networks that can generate spike trains over a period of time to drive a linear dynamic system along a prescribed trajectory, a canonical problem in control engineering. It turns out that this problem can be solved by a recurrent spiking network with integrate-and-fire dynamics. The network amounts to an efficient, event-based controller in which xi each neuron (node) contributes spikes only when doing so is advantageous to the overall cost. We then turn our attention to another classical control problem: state transfer. We introduce a distributed spiking network with multiple layers that enacts a minimum energy control policy for this problem. We then generalize this approach to enact a classical linear quadratic regulator (LQR) control policy with Kalman filter, thus building networks that achieve another highly prevalent control-theoretic construct. While the above results are restricted to linear systems, we also show how an offline nonlinear control policy can be distributed onto a spiking neural network. Finally, we study the idea of iterative learning control, an adaptive control method, and show how this can be integrated into a spiking network through the introduction of a slow time-scale. It turns out that for each of the above synthesis problems, the networks display emergent properties that are compatible with known features of motor cortical networks. Hence, our results show that classical control architectures, including, planning, feedback control, estimation, and learning, could indeed be enacted by a single recurrent spiking network with biophysically plausible dynamics. Further, from an engineering perspective, these network realizations provide a way to achieve distributed control over networks, which may confer robustness properties above and beyond traditional centralized control designs.
Changes in cytokine levels after prolonged and repeated moderate intensity exercise in middle‐aged men and women

Previous studies have shown that exercise‐induced changes in cytokine profiles depend on exercise duration and intensity. Studies are generally limited to a single day, and insight into the time course during multiple days of exercise is lacking. Therefore, this study assessed cytokine responses during multiple days of moderate intensity exercise in men and women. Fifty males (58.9 ± 9.9 years) and fifty females (50.9 ± 11.2 years) were monitored on 4 consecutive days at which they walked on average ~9 h/d at a self‐determined pace. Blood samples were collected 1 or 2 days prior to the start of the exercise (baseline) and every walking day immediately post‐exercise. Blood samples were analyzed for IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α concentrations. All cytokine concentrations increased from baseline to post‐exercise at day 1 (P < .001). Thereafter, concentrations decreased from day 1 to day 2 (P < .01), remaining rather stable during the next days. IL‐1β and TNF‐α were higher in men at baseline and during all days. In conclusion, exercise‐induced cytokine increases attenuated on subsequent days, although daily workload remained constant. Men and women showed different baseline levels but similar exercise responses. These results suggest that individuals adapt rapidly to this type of repeated exercise.
Features of microclonal reproduction of species of the genus Aristolochia L. in various nutrient environments

The paper presents a comparative analysis of the development of microshoots in primary explants of the species belonging to the genus Aristolochia, using various nutrient media. This allows selecting the most optimal methods for mass production of the sterile regenerated plant cultures in a shorter time for further introduction, reintroduction, and creation of industrial plantations.
Molecular Doping of PCPDT–BT Copolymers: Comparison of Molecular Complexes with and without Integer Charge Transfer

Molecular doping in conjugated polymers is a crucial process for their application in organic photovoltaics and optoelectronics. In the present work we theoretically investigate p-type molecu- lar doping in a series of (poly[2,6-(4,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b”]dithiophene)-alt- 4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PCPDT-BT) conjugated oligomers with different lengths and three widely-used dopants with different electron affinities, namely F4TCNQ, F6TCNNQ, and CN6-CP. We study in detail the molecular geometry of possible oligomer-dopant complexes and its influence on the doping mechanisms and electronic system properties. We find that the mechanisms of dop- ing and charge transfer observed sensitively depend on the specific geometry of the oligomer-dopant complexes. For a given complex different geometries may exist, some of which show transfer of an entire electron from the oligomer chain onto the dopant molecule resulting in an integer-charge transfer complex, leaving the system in a ground state with broken spin symmetry. In other ge- ometries merely hybridization of oligomer and dopant frontier orbitals occurs with partial charge transfer but spin-symmetric ground state. Considering the resulting electronic density of states both cases may well contribute to an increased electrical conductivity of corresponding film samples while the underlying physical mechanisms are entirely different.
Prophets praying for, or preying on people’s faith: A reflection on prophetic ministry in the South African context

In mainline churches, the ministry of prophecy or the prophetic ministry involves the proclamation of the gospel. This, in turn, is related to the every-believer ministry. However, there is now a resurgence of the prophetic ministry as a special office as evidenced by the establishment of neo-prophetic churches. This article argues that neo-prophetic churches are tapping into people’s longing for the fresh divine word to speak directly into their personal situations. The article also probes whether neo-prophets in the prophetic activities are not also preying on people’s faith.
Micro‐Doppler effect removal in ISAR imaging based on Radon‐Laplace method

In inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging, the high-resolution images can be obtained by using Range-Doppler algorithm. However, the rotational parts of the complex moving targets induce micro-Doppler (m-D) effects which influence the quality of ISAR imaging. In this Letter, a novel method of Radon-Laplace based on the Radon transform (RT) and the Laplace operator is proposed to reduce the m-D effect in ISAR imaging. For this method, the RT and Laplace operator are used to extract the rigid body parts in the short-time Fourier transform domain. Then, the rigid body parts can be got through a corresponding filter on the basis of the extraction results. The simulation and measured data results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Dose and Frequency of PGF2α Administration to Lactating Dairy Cows Exposed to Presynchronization and Either Five- or Seven-day Ovsynch Protocols: Ovulation, Luteolysis, and Pregnancy Rates

Summary Lactating Holstein cows in one herd were milked three times daily and enrolled in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design with eight treatments before first postpartum artificial insemination (AI). These treatments were employed to test ovulatory, progesterone, and luteolytic outcomes to three main effects: (1) two GnRH-PGF 2α presynchronization programs (PG-3-G vs. Double Ovsynch); (2) 5-vs. 7-day Ovsynch-duration programs; and (3) two doses (25 mg on consecutive days) or one dose (50 mg) of PGF 2α administered before timed AI. Results from this experiment demonstrate no differences in the presynchronization treatments of PG-3-G vs. Double Ovsynch; both are effective in initiating estrous cycles during warm-hot vs. cool-cold seasons. Although ovulatory responses were similar after the first GnRH administration, Double Ovsynch cows tended to have greater ovulation responses after the second GnRH administration. The single large, one-time administered 50-mg dose was effective in causing luteolysis in the 7-day program but slightly less effective in the 5-day program. Thus, when using the shorter 5-day program, the two 25-mg PGF 2α doses administered 24 hours apart are recommended. Insufficient numbers of cows were treated to make conclusions about pregnancy outcomes in this one-herd study. Pregnancy rates, however, were reduced in 5-day Ovsynch program when the single large 50-mg dose of PGF 2α was employed.