Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigation and Correction for the Partial Volume Spill in Effects in Positron Emission Tomography

Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has a wide applicability in oncology, cardiology and neurology. However, a major drawback when imaging very active regions such as the bladder and the bone is the spill in effect, leading to inaccurate quantification and obscured visualisation of nearby lesions. Therefore, this thesis aims at investigating and correcting for the spill in effect from high activity regions to the surroundings, as a function of activity in the hot region, lesion size and location, system resolution as well as application of post-filtering, using the background correction technique. This thesis involved analytical simulations for the digital XCAT2 phantom, and validation acquiring data from NEMA phantoms and patient datasets with the GE Signa PET/MR and Siemens Biograph mMR/mCT scanners. Reconstructions were done using the ordered subset expectation maximisation (OSEM) algorithm. Dedicated point spread function (OSEM+PSF) and the background correction (OSEM+PSF+BC) were incorporated into the reconstruction for spill in correction. For region of interest (ROI) analysis, a semi-automated ellipsoidal ROIs were drawn on the exact location of the lesions, and these were used to extract the standardized uptake value (SUV). The bias, recovery coefficient (RC), coefficient of variation (CoV) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were computed from the SUVs, and these were used as figures of merit to compare the performances of all the reconstruction algorithms. The thesis revealed that: (i) lesions within 15-20 mm from the hot region are predominantly affected by the spill in effect, leading to an increased bias and impaired lesion visualisation within the region; (ii) the spill in effect is further influenced by the ROI selection, increasing activity in the hot region, reduced resolution and application of post-filter; (iii) the spill in effect is more evident for the SUVmax than the SUVmean; (iv) for proximal lesions (within 2 voxels around the hot region), PSF has no major improvement over OSEM because of the spill in effect, coupled with the Gibbs effect; (v) with OSEM+PSF+BC, the spill in contribution from the hot region was removed in all cases (irrespective of ROI-selection, proximity of lesion to hot source, or application of post-filter), thereby facilitating stability in quantification and enhancing the contrast in lesions with low uptake. This thesis therefore concludes that the BC technique is effective in correcting for the spill in effect from hot regions to surrounding regions of interest. It is also robust to ROI-induced errors and post-filtering.
The experiences and responses of business graduates to employer selection mechanisms : a case study of a private business-oriented higher education provider

9 Chapter 1 Introduction . 10 Introduction . 10 Literature on the problem . 11 The study . 12 The structure of this dissertation . 13 Chapter 2 – Employment and Employability: A Key Policy Focus . 14 Policy developments.14 Key contestations around the role of higher education in employment and employability . 17 Defining employability . 17 Pedagogy of employability literature . 19 Work experience literature . 20 Conclusion . 21 Chapter 3 – Graduate Selection, Skills Identification, Signalling and Related Theories . 23 Skills identification and graduate selection . 23 Graduate perspective studies . 24 Employer and recruiter perspective studies . 25 A large scale quantitative study . 27 Selection in action studies . 28 Signalling, human capital and positional conflict theories . 30 Related theories . 32 Contribution . 33 Chapter 4 – Research Design and Methodology . 35 Introduction . 35 Overall approach . 35 Research philosophy . 36 Case studies . 38 Types of data collected . 39 Phone survey data . 39 Research interview data . 39 Data collection . 40 Data analysis . 41 Phone surveys – primarily quantitative . 41 Research interviews – primarily qualitative . 41 Integrated analysis and interpretation . 41 Ethical considerations . 42 Consent . 42 Fair reporting of Participant views . 43 The interviewers . 43 Evaluation and limitations.43 Validity . 44 Reliability . 45 Generalisability . 47 Conclusion . 48 Chapter 5 The Case . 49
On the Oil Price Uncertainty

This study focuses on oil price volatility and uncertainty over the period January 1986-December 2018, covering episodes of oil price increases and collapses. Accordingly, in line with Poon and Granger (2003), and Teräsvirta and Zhao (2011), we propose three different specifications of stochastic oil volatility: standard stochastic volatility, stochastic volatility moving average, leverage stochastic volatility models. We compute the out-of-sample forecasts for the uncertainty in oil prices using the estimates for these three stochastic oil price volatility models and we discuss its effects. Our findings show that the standard stochastic volatility model outperforms the other two models when focusing on oil price uncertainty. This finding is relevant to better forecast and understand the effects of oil price uncertainty on the real economy.
Simple Timing Signal Analysis Device-XY Mode Displays the Multichannel Shift Waveform

We designed and implemented a simple timing signal analysis device, which displayed multichannel shift waveform without overlapping from left to right on the Oscilloscope screen using X-Y mode as signal input. In order to meet the requirements of high speed sampling rate, we took microcontroller STM32F407VGT6 to collect, storage, analysis signal, and calculate the result wave though high speed DA conversion module to display on the Oscilloscope screen. we took microcontroller STM32F103RB to realize the shift clock circuit and 8-channel digital signal, and adopt the dial-code switch presents the 8-bit trigger word TW. after several test, the signal analysis device could realize the trigger time position adjust at all, time marker line be shifted manually, LED light displayed the status word corresponding to the flag line, and playback two shift cycle timing waveform and other functions simply and efficient. through numerical simulation and experimental analysis, we found that this simple device can greatly display multichannel shift waveform easily and precisely.
Stresli Durumlarda Bilişsel Kontrol ve Bilişsel Esneklik: Bir Ölçek Uyarlama Çalışması

Bu calismada, stresli durumlarda bireylerin duygular uzerinde bilissel kontrol ile degerlendirme ve basa cikma esnekligini olcme amaci tasiyan Bilissel Kontrol ve Esneklik Olcegi’nin (The Cognitive Control and Flexibility Questionnaire; Gabrys, Tabri, Anisman ve Matheson, 2018) Turkce’ye uyarlanmasi amaclanmistir. Olcegin psikometrik ozellikleri, katilimcilarinin universite ogrencileri oldugu uc farkli asama ile sinanmistir. Arastirma, olcum aracinin dilsel es degerligini sinamayi amaclayan birinci asamada 47 (%66 kadin, %34 erkek), olcum aracinin yapi gecerligini ve guvenirligini sinamayi amaclayan ikinci asamada 241 (%65 kadin, %35 erkek), olcum aracinin diger yapilarla iliskilerinin, ic tutarliliginin, madde gecerliginin ve guvenirlik degerlerinin incelenmesini amaclayan ucuncu asamada 352 (%45 kadin, %55 erkek) olmak uzere toplam 640 katilimci ile gerceklestirilmistir. Olcum aracinin ozellikleri dilsel esdegerlik, madde analizi, yapi gecerligi ve Cronbach Alpha guvenirlik sinama yontemleriyle incelenmistir. Olcegin gecerlik sinamalari icin katilimcilara Bilissel Esneklik Envanteri, Surekli Umut Olcegi ve Algilanan Stres Olcegi uygulanmistir. Yapi gecerligi icin gerceklestirilen dogrulayici faktor analizi bulgulari olcegin Duygular Uzerinde Bilissel Kontrol ile Degerlendirme ve Basa Cikma Esnekligi olmak uzere iki faktorlu yapisinin yeterli uyum degerlerine sahip oldugunu gostermistir. Ayrica beklenildigi gibi, Bilissel Kontrol ve Esneklik Olcegi, bilissel esneklik ve surekli umut ile pozitif, algilanan stres ile ise negatif yonde anlamli iliskiler gostermektedir. Ikinci ve ucuncu asama kapsaminda alt faktorler ve olcegin tumu icin hesaplanan Cronbach Alpha guvenirlik katsayilari . 85 ile . 91 arasinda degismektedir. Sonuc olarak arastirma bulgulari olcegin Turk universite ogrencilerinin stresli durumlarda duygular uzerinde bilissel kontrol ile degerlendirme ve basa cikma esnekligi duzeylerini degerlendirmede kullanilabilecek gecerli ve guvenilir bir olcum araci olduguna iliskin destek sunmaktadir.
Evidence From High‐Resolution Topography for Multiple Earthquakes on High Slip‐to‐Length Fault Scarps: The Bilila‐Mtakataka Fault, Malawi

Geomorphological features such as fault scarps and stream knickpoints are indicators of recent fault activity. Determining whether these features formed during a single earthquake or over multiple earthquakes cycles has important implications for the interpretation of the size and frequency of past events. Here, we focus on the Bilila‐Mtakataka fault, Malawi, where the 20 m high fault scarps exceed the height expected from a single earthquake rupture. We use a high‐resolution digital elevation model ( < 1 m) to identify complexity in the fault scarp and knickpoints in river profiles. Of 39 selected scarp profiles, 20 showed evidence of either multiscarps or composite scarps, and of the seven selected river and stream profiles, five showed evidence for multiple knickpoints. A near‐uniform distribution of vertical offsets on the subscarps suggests they were formed by separate earthquakes. These independent methods agree that at least two earthquakes have occurred with an average vertical offset per event of 10 and 12 m. This contrasts earlier studies which proposed that this scarp formed during a single event and demonstrates the importance of high‐resolution topographic data for understanding tectonic geomorphology. We use a one‐dimensional diffusion model of scarp degradation to demonstrate how fault splays form multiscarps and estimate the diffusion age κt of the Bilila‐Mtakataka fault scarp to be 48±25 m 2 , corresponding to 6,400±4,000 years since formation. We calculate that a continuous rupture would equate to a M W 7.8±0.3 earthquake, greater than the largest seismic event previously recorded in East Africa.
The role of developmental signaling pathways in non-small cell lung carcinoma

Darko Durovski1,2, Ornella Randazzo1,5, Godefridus J. Peters1,3 and Elisa Giovannetti1,4,∗ 1Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, VU University, Amsterdam 1081HV, The Netherlands 2Amsterdam University College, Amsterdam 1098XG, The Netherlands 3Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk 80-4161, Poland 4Cancer Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start Up Unit, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa 56017, Italy 5Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo 90123, Italy
An MINLP-Based Approach for the Design-for-Control of Resilient Water Supply Systems

The resilience of a water distribution system is defined as its ability to maintain continuous customer supply, and can be improved by increasing its redundancy in energy and/or connectivity. This can, however, negatively impact other aspects of network performance, such as leakage management. In this article, we consider the design-for-control (DfC) problem of adding new connections (from a predefined set of candidate pipes) to water supply systems to improve their resilience to failure events while minimizing the impact on leakage management under normal operating conditions. We present a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) formulation of the problem of optimal link addition for the minimization of average zone pressure (AZP), a surrogate measure of pressure dependent leakage. We implement a method based on spatial branch-and-bound to solve the problem on a case study network from the literature and an operational network part of an urban water system in the U.K. Finally, we validate the improvement in network resilience resulting from the addition of new connections by performing an a posteriori critical link analysis, using the hydraulic resilience measure of reserve capacity.
MEAN PLATELET VOLUME AND PLATELET FUNCTION ANALYSIS IN ACROMEGALIC PATIENTS BEFORE AND AFTER TREATMENT.

Objective Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet function analysis have been studied before in acromegaly, but the effect of treatment on both parameters has not been evaluated. We aimed to investigate MPV and platelet function analysis in acromegalic patients after six-months of treatment. Methods Forty patients with active acromegaly and 36 healthy subjects were included in the study. Plasma glucose and lipids, fibrinogen, GH, IGF-1 levels, MPV and platelet function analysis were measured. All patients with acromegaly were re-evaluated six months after treatment. Results Fasting blood glucose (FBG), GH, IGF-1, fibrinogen levels and MPV values were significantly higher in acromegalic group compared with the control. Platelet function was enhanced significantly (pcol-ADP: 0.002, pcolepinephrine: 0.002). After 6 months of treatment FBG, serum GH, IGF-1, fibrinogen and MPV decreased and collagen/ADP- and collagen/epinephrine-closure times (CT) were increased. Acromegalic patients that were in remission with long-acting SSA after surgery had significantly higher fibrinogen levels and MPV and decreased collagen/epinephrine-CT with respect to the controls (pfibrinogen: 0.001, pMPV: 0.026, pcol-epinephrine: 0.037). Conclusion Acromegaly was associated with increased MPV and enhanced platelet activity. Although growth hormone hypersecretion was controlled by surgery and medical treatment, these parameters did not improve - indicating a still increased risk for cardiovascular events.
Lithium-Doped Biological-Derived Hydroxyapatite Coatings Sustain In Vitro Differentiation of Human Primary Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Osteoblasts

This study is focused on the adhesion and differentiation of the human primary mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) to osteoblasts lineage on biological-derived hydroxyapatite (BHA) and lithium-doped BHA (BHA:LiP) coatings synthesized by Pulsed Laser Deposition. An optimum adhesion of the cells on the surface of BHA:LiP coatings compared to control (uncoated Ti) was demonstrated using immunofluorescence labelling of actin and vinculin, two proteins involved in the initiation of the cell adhesion process. BHA:LiP coatings were also found to favor the differentiation of the hMSC towards an osteoblastic phenotype in the presence of osteoinductive medium, as revealed by the evaluation of osteoblast-specific markers, osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase. Numerous nodules of mineralization secreted from osteoblast cells grown on the surface of BHA:LiP coatings and a 3D network-like organization of cells interconnected into the extracellular matrix were evidenced. These findings highlight the good biocompatibility of the BHA coatings and demonstrate that the use of lithium as a doping agent results in an enhanced osteointegration potential of the synthesized biomaterials, which might therefore represent viable candidates for future in vivo applications.
Modeling Bimodal Social Networks Subject to the Recommendation with the Cold Start User-Item Model

This paper describes the modeling of social networks subject to a recommendation. The Cold Start User-Item Model (CSUIM) of a bipartite graph is considered, which simulates bipartite graph growth based on several parameters. An algorithm is proposed to compute parameters of this model with desired properties. The primary desired property is that the generated graph has similar graph metrics. The next is a change in our graph growth process due to recommendations. The meaning of CSUI model parameters in the recommendation process is described. We make several simulations generating networks from the CSUI model to verify theoretical properties. Also, proposed methods are tested on real-life networks. We prove that the CSUIM model of bipartite graphs is very flexible and can be applied to many different problems. We also show that the parameters of this model can be easily obtained from an unknown bipartite graph.
Image Data Analytics to Support Engineers’ Decision-Making

Robots such as drones have been leveraged to perform structure health inspection such as bridge inspection. Big data of inspection videos can be collected by cameras mounted on drones. In this project, we develop image analysis algorithms to support bridge engineers to analyze the big video data. Bridge engineers define the region of interest initially, then the algorithm retrieves all related regions in the video, which facilitates the engineers to inspect the bridge rather than exhaustively check every frame of the video. To perform this task, we propose a Multi-scale Siamese Neural Network. The network is initially trained by one-shot learning and is fine-tuned iteratively with human in the loop. Our neural network is evaluated on three bridge inspection videos with promising performances.
Modulation of the Diurnal Cycle of Precipitation near the Southwestern Coast of Sumatra by Mixed Rossby-Gravity Waves

In this study, we investigated the impact of mixed Rossby-gravity waves (MRGWs) on the diurnal cycle of precipitation over the southwestern coastal area of Sumatra using data captured during a pilot field campaign of the Years of the Maritime Continent (YMC) project. The study focused on a 19-day period from 24 November to 12 December 2015, using data from intensive surface observations, radiosondes, and a C-band polarimetric radar (collected aboard the research vessel Mirai at 4°4′S, 101°54′E), as well as data from a global objective analysis. The results indicated a relationship between oscillations with periods of several days in the intensity of diurnal precipitation and the wind field. Wind oscillations were attributed to several westward-propagating MRGWs traversing the study site. Diurnal convection and precipitation over the land and ocean were enhanced (suppressed) when MRGW-induced offshore (onshore) wind perturbations dominated. Large-scale low-level convergence and upper-level divergence, stronger sea-breeze flow, and colder land-breeze flow were also observed with the intensification of MRGW-induced offshore wind perturbations. However, diurnal precipitation displayed a similar well-defined phase and propagation pattern over the land and ocean, coherent with the regular evolution of seaand land-breeze circulations, regardless of wind perturbations induced by MRGWs. The results suggest that local convergence induced by the land–sea contrast is mainly responsible for driving the diurnal cycle. Notwithstanding, MRGWs exert a significant impact on the amplitude of diurnal convection and precipitation by modulating the large-scale dynamic structure of the atmosphere and the intensity of local seaand land-breeze circulations.
Drivers of population change in common farmland birds in Germany

Summary Farmland bird populations in Germany are declining at a higher speed than species inhabiting other habitats. We studied potential causes for bird population changes based on data from standardised German breeding bird monitoring schemes. We related population trends to covariates describing the changes in the agricultural landscape in Germany, weather conditions during the breeding season and for some migratory species, conditions at stopover and wintering sites. Linear mixed effect models were used to analyse effect strength at species level and conclusions are drawn for the overall group of farmland bird species. The area of grassland and fallow land was shown to have the strongest positive effects and the area of maize and rapeseed the strongest negative effects on farmland bird population trends. The results obtained also indicate that despite the consistent influence of weather conditions during the breeding season, land-use changes had a stronger impact on bird populations than weather. Conditions at Sahel wintering sites did not show a consistent effect on population trends. Based on these findings the study quantitatively underpins and ranks key factors shaping farmland bird populations in Germany.
Left Ventricular Mass Index as a Diagnostic Predictor for Hypertrophy of the Left Ventricle in Hypertensive Patients

Background Patient suffering from hypertension are at increased incidence of suffering from increase in size of left ventricular mass (hypertrophy) due to associated risk factor like male sex, advanced age, males including addiction to smoking and alcohol. Measurement of left ventricular mass index helps in detecting the increase in size of left ventricular mass (hypertrophy). Objectives To evaluate increase in size of left ventricular mass (hypertrophy) in relation to ventricular mass index of left ventricle in hypertensive patients. Method A total 100 patients were grouped into 2 groups and named as Group I who served as Normal-Left ventricular mass index-N-LVMI) and Group II who served as Increased Left ventricular mass index-I-LVMI (More than 118g/m2 in males and 109 g/m2 in females. All patients were evaluated for past history and related cardiovascular parameters. About 67 patients among 100 had normal LVMI and 33 patients as per Penn's convention formula had increased LVMI. Body surface area was calculated by using formula 0.20247 x Height (m) 0.725 x Weight (Kg) 0.425 according to DuBois and DuBois formula. LVMI for males is 118gm/m2 and 109 gm/m2 in females as per normal Indian population and a value above suggests increase in size of left ventricular mass (hypertrophy). Statistics Chi-square test. Results Mean with ± standard deviation in age (in years) was 50 ± 10.3 and 58± 9.8 in patients without LVH and un patients with LVH respectively. Lateral shift of the apex was seen more in Group II (24.2%) when compared to Group I which showed 4.6%. Apical impulse was found to be 33.3% in Group II as compared to Group I. Chest X ray showed 27.2% in Group II compared to Group I which was 15% for Group I in-terms of cardiac enlargement. Patients having LVH were 51.5% in Group II as compared to 17.9% in Group I for SOKOLOV LYON INDEX and in terms of ROMHILT ESTES, Group II with 42.4% and Group II with 8.9% patients. Patient having concentric LVH as per results of 2 D ECHO patients in Group II was 78.8% compared to patients in Group I which was 11.9%. Conclusion There was a substantial and positive association that shows a strong association between LVMI and increase in size of left ventricular mass (hypertrophy) in hypertensive patients as evident from our study.
About a method of acoustic impact on high viscosity oil fields

The report describes the method of the acoustic impact on the oil reservoir. Chemical decomposition of formation water molecules occurs with the help of energy-accumulating substances. Water becomes a supplier of hydrogen and oxygen. This allows the processes of hydrogenation and synthesis of new compounds. The decomposition of water is carried out using activated aluminum. As a result of the reaction, hydrogen is released, which provides the reaction of hydrogenation of all fractions of heavy oils. Industrial tests of the new method of acoustic impact were carried out at one of the fields with high viscosity of the Embamunaigas company in 2016. Pilot tests revealed an increase in the flowability of heavy oil during the hydrogenation of its components. The increase in well productivity was recorded during the first days of testing a new method. The negative side of the tests was the colmatation of the well with the released aluminum oxide. Physical and chemical processes on the surface of the reacting components were studied. In the course of the research, the state of the phase interface was studied. The spectral composition of the responses at the phase interface was measured. The report presents the results of measurements of the spectral response of water to external influences. The test results of the new acoustic method showed the need for additional research.