Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks to Predict Semantic Features of Lesions in Mammograms

Preventive care recommendations for breast cancer require that women above a certain age be regularly screened by mammography [1, 2]. Computer aided interpretation of mammograms involves the extraction of features of suspicious areas in the mammograms and providing these as inputs to a clinical decision support system. While the extraction of computational features (such as geometry, contrast, intensity, texture) from a given region of the image may be easily automated, extraction of semantic features (for instance the type of lesion and its pathology) has traditionally relied on radiologists documenting their findings in structured or free format text. Deep convolutional neural networks have demonstrated the ability to outperform skilled humans in certain observational tasks [3, 4]. In our study, we investigate the feasibility of training a convolutional neural network with annotated lesion images drawn from the Digital Database for Screening Mammography (DDSM). We report our results on two label prediction tasks that influence mammogram interpretation and downstream clinical actions related to diagnosis, intervention and prognosis. Here we examine the application of a purely data driven approach to the task of predicting semantic features, using a corpus of annotated images for training our predictor. We examine the application of a purely data driven approach to the task of prediction of semantic features as a means of improving overall efficacy of screening mammograms and ultimately improving the clinical care for breast cancer patients.
Computing 3D Mesh Correspondence for Aortic Root Shape Modelling

] Aortic valve disorder is one of the common diseases affecting elderly people. To provide visual assessment and improve success of surgical treatment, a segmentation technique equipped with a reliable statistical shape model is required. This in turn requires reliable dense correspondences establishment. This paper develops a reliable 3D registration technique targeting aortic region. Given a few easily identifiable landmark correspondences, our technique obtains a much denser set of point correspondences across a set of 3D aortic sources meshes to the target mesh. We proposes to use geodesic interpolation, a new mesh based similarity metric, and a two-stage local transformation to develop a better registration technique for 3D aortic meshes. It results in better correspondences compared to existing work, shows an average Hausdorff distance of 3.65mm and point-to-mesh distance of 0.41mm. Visual comparison is also provided to assess the quality of the point correspondences.
' s personal copy Flashlight – Recording information acquisition online

A flashlight enables a person to see part of the world in the dark. As a person directs a flashlight beam to certain places in the environment, it serves as a manifestation of their attention, interest and focus. In this paper we introduce Flashlight, an open-source (free) web-based software package that can be used to collect continuous and non-obtrusive measures of users’ information acquisition behavior. Flashlight offers a cost effective and rapid way to collect data on how long and how often a participant reviews information in different areas of visual stimuli. It provides the functionality of other open source process tracing tools, like MouselabWeb, and adds the capability to present any static visual stimulus. We report the results from three different types of stimuli presented with both the Flashlight tool and a traditional eye-tracker. We found no differences measuring simple outcome data (e.g., choices in gambles or performance on algebraic tasks) between the two methods. However, due to the nature of the more complicated information acquisition, task completion takes longer with Flashlight than with an eye-tracking system. Other differences and commonalities between the two recording methods are reported and discussed. Additionally we provide detailed instructions on the installation and setup of Flashlight, the construction of stimuli, and the analysis of collected data. 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Interaction of neuronal I/O functions with STDP

Spike timing-dependent synaptic plasticity (STDP) develops neural circuits through close interaction with the firing function of single neurons. Here, we investigate the neuronal firing function dependency of STDP about a single-compartment Hodgkin–Huxley (HH) model neuron and a leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) model neuron. Computer simulation shows that the development of synaptic strength by synaptic input pairs with constant intervals depends on the firing function of the models. The more organized packet inputs also develop synaptic strength in a firing function-dependent manner, to realize specific information processing. These results suggest that in real biological systems too, STDP with the same time window will develop different neural circuits, depending on the neuronal firing functions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 38(1): 41–50, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ scj.20234
EU grant procurement in the modern European university - The role of university research management structures

The goal of this research is to find out how research management can contribute to enhancing successful grant proposals for the EU Framework Programs. During the last decades, universities have gone through a transformation from being ‘loosely coupled systems’ to more corporate systems. This transformation also had effects on research management structures. Based on a model developed by De Boer et al. (2007), four case studies are to be carried out to find out to what extent specific research management items affect the success of universities’ grant procurement in the EU Framework Programs. The case studies consist of four universities that are within the top-5% of increase in participation rates from FP5-FP7. It turns out that these universities see increased importance in lobbying strategies, clear hierarchical structures and better registration and overview of results. One can clearly recognise an increasingly performance-based and market-driven form of university governance.
The Association of Work Stress and Glycemic Status Is Partially Mediated by Autonomic Nervous System Function: Cross-Sectional Results from the Mannheim Industrial Cohort Study (MICS)

Background Work stress is associated with an increased risk of pre-diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and inflammation, as well as decreased autonomic nervous system function as measured, for example, via heart rate variability. We investigated the extent to which the association between work stress and glycemic status is mediated by vagally-mediated heart rate variability (vmHRV) and/or inflammation. Methods Cross-sectional data from the Mannheim Industrial Cohort Study (MICS) with 9,937 participants were analyzed. The root mean squared successive differences (RMSSD) from long-term heart rate monitoring during work and night time periods was used to index vmHRV. Fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin were assessed to determine glycemic status. High sensitive C-reactive protein levels were observed as a measure of systemic inflammation and the Effort-Reward-Imbalance scale was used to evaluate work stress. Mediation models were adjusted for age, sex, and occupational status, and estimations were bootstrapped (5,000 replications). Results Effort-Reward-Imbalance was significantly negatively associated with RMSSD and both glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose during both work and night time periods. Effort-Reward-Imbalance was observed to have a significant direct effect on glycosylated hemoglobin and significant indirect effects, through RMSSD, on both glycemic measures during both time periods. Introducing C-reactive protein as a further mediator to the model did not alter the indirect effects observed. C-reactive protein, as an exclusive mediator, was observed to have smaller direct and indirect effects on the glycemic measures as compared to when Effort-Reward-Imbalance was included in the model. Conclusions Our results suggest that the association between work stress and glycemic status is partially mediated through vmHRV independent of systemic inflammation as measured by C-reactive protein. We conclude that work stress may be an additional factor that promotes development of hyperglycemic-metabolic states. If supported by prospective evidence, these results may lead to new approaches for primary prevention of hyperglycemia in the workplace.
Partitioning in Oracle Database 11 g

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An Wearable Energy Expenditure Analysis System based on the 15-channel Whole-body Segment Acceleration Measurement

The measurement of the amount of energy utilized during physical activity has generated considerable interests from various groups ranging from exercise physiologists to nutritionists and fitness center workers. To date, however, the existing energy expenditure estimation methods are not so reliable and compact. In this paper, we propose a new method for accurately and easily estimating energy expenditure during physical activity with a novel algorithm. This method involves acquiring acceleration signals through a 15-channel whole-body segment acceleration measurement system and then estimating the calories expended using a newly developed algorithm. The results of 3 subjects' experiments were compared with a commercially available mask type indirect calorimeter and a 9-axis accelerometry-based calorimeter. The results demonstrate that the proposed method provides a new and reliable way to estimate human energy expenditure during physical activity
Household Language Use and Health Care Access, Unmet Need, and Family Impact Among CSHCN

OBJECTIVES: We examined the association of household language use and access to care among children with special health care needs (CSHCN). From this study we describe the demographics of children and the prevalence of selected access characteristics according to their primary household language and examine the independent effects of household language on health care access, unmet needs, and family impact while controlling for confounding variables. METHODS: Data from the 2005–2006 National Survey of Children With Special Health Care Needs, a nationally representative telephone survey of 40723 CSHCN, were analyzed. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to examine disparities and estimate adjusted odds ratios of health care access, satisfaction, and family-impact measures for CSHCN from non–English-primary-language (NEPL) versus English-primary-language (EPL) households. RESULTS: Nearly 14% of all US children live in NEPL households. NEPL CSHCN were significantly more likely to be Hispanic or other race, be poor, have less educated parents, and reside in metropolitan areas and larger households and yet were less likely to be on cash assistance from welfare. Logistic regression showed that NEPL CSHCN were twice as likely to lack access to a medical home, a usual source of care, and family-centered care. They were 4 times as likely to lack health insurance, and their family members were also more likely to lack adequate insurance. Family members of NEPL children were almost twice as likely to have to stop employment as a result of their child's condition. CONCLUSIONS: Although limited by program eligibility contingent on immigrant status and state policies, increased referrals to programs such as the State Children's Health Insurance Program and Medicaid can improve access while utilization can be improved by the availability of interpreters, community health workers, linguistically concordant providers, and outreach education efforts of NEPL parents.
Nonlinear modal analysis of mechanical systems with frictionless contact interfaces

This paper explores mechanical systems undergoing unilateral frictionless contact conditions in the framework of nonlinear modal analysis. The nonlinear eigenproblem is formulated in the frequency domain through the minimization of a Rayleigh quotient subject to non-penetration inequality constraints. An additional equality constraint is introduced for normalization purposes. The resulting constrained minimization problem is then solved using an augmented Lagrangian strategy. Two applications are proposed: a thin longitudinal rod in unilateral contact with a rigid obstacle and a turbomachinery compressor blade in contact with a rigid casing. The first application illustrates the complexity of the nonlinear modal characterization of a system experiencing unilateral contact conditions while the second demonstrates the applicability of the proposed approach to large-scale mechanical systems involving non-smooth nonlinear terms.
Individualized 3D printing navigation template for pedicle screw fixation in upper cervical spine

Purpose Pedicle screw fixation in the upper cervical spine is a difficult and high-risk procedure. The screw is difficult to place rapidly and accurately, and can lead to serious injury of spinal cord or vertebral artery. The aim of this study was to design an individualized 3D printing navigation template for pedicle screw fixation in the upper cervical spine. Methods Using CT thin slices data, we employed computer software to design the navigation template for pedicle screw fixation in the upper cervical spine (atlas and axis). The upper cervical spine models and navigation templates were produced by 3D printer with equal proportion, two sets for each case. In one set (Test group), pedicle screws fixation were guided by the navigation template; in the second set (Control group), the screws were fixed under fluoroscopy. According to the degree of pedicle cortex perforation and whether the screw needed to be refitted, the fixation effects were divided into 3 types: Type I, screw is fully located within the vertebral pedicle; Type II, degree of pedicle cortex perforation is <1 mm, but with good internal fixation stability and no need to renovate; Type III, degree of pedicle cortex perforation is >1 mm or with the poor internal fixation stability and in need of renovation. Type I and Type II were acceptable placements; Type III placements were unacceptable. Results A total of 19 upper cervical spine and 19 navigation templates were printed, and 37 pedicle screws were fixed in each group. Type I screw-placements in the test group totaled 32; Type II totaled 3; and Type III totaled 2; with an acceptable rate of 94.60%. Type I screw placements in the control group totaled 23; Type II totaled 3; and Type III totaled 11, with an acceptable rate of 70.27%. The acceptability rate in test group was higher than the rate in control group. The operation time and fluoroscopic frequency for each screw were decreased, compared with control group. Conclusion The individualized 3D printing navigation template for pedicle screw fixation is easy and safe, with a high success rate in the upper cervical spine surgery.
Molecular insights into the colonization and chromosomal diversification of Madeiran house mice

The colonization history of Madeiran house mice was investigated by analysing the complete mitochondrial (mt) D‐loop sequences of 156 mice from the island of Madeira and mainland Portugal, extending on previous studies. The numbers of mtDNA haplotypes from Madeira and mainland Portugal were substantially increased (17 and 14 new haplotypes respectively), and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the previously reported link between the Madeiran archipelago and northern Europe. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of four mtDNA lineages in mainland Portugal, of which one was particularly common and widespread (termed the ‘Portugal Main Clade’). There was no support for population bottlenecks during the formation of the six Robertsonian chromosome races on the island of Madeira, and D‐loop sequence variation was not found to be structured according to karyotype. The colonization time of the Madeiran archipelago by Mus musculus domesticus was approached using two molecular dating methods (mismatch distribution and Bayesian skyline plot). Time estimates based on D‐loop sequence variation at mainland sites (including previously published data from France and Turkey) were evaluated in the context of the zooarchaeological record of M. m. domesticus. A range of values for mutation rate (μ) and number of mouse generations per year was considered in these analyses because of the uncertainty surrounding these two parameters. The colonization of Portugal and Madeira by house mice is discussed in the context of the best‐supported parameter values. In keeping with recent studies, our results suggest that mutation rate estimates based on interspecific divergence lead to gross overestimates concerning the timing of recent within‐species events.
Clustering Via Crowdsourcing

In recent years, crowdsourcing, aka human aided computation has emerged as an effective platform for solving problems that are considered complex for machines alone. Using human is time-consuming and costly due to monetary compensations. Therefore, a crowd based algorithm must judiciously use any information computed through an automated process, and ask minimum number of questions to the crowd adaptively. One such problem which has received significant attention is {\em entity resolution}. Formally, we are given a graph $G=(V,E)$ with unknown edge set $E$ where $G$ is a union of $k$ (again unknown, but typically large $O(n^\alpha)$, for $\alpha>0$) disjoint cliques $G_i(V_i, E_i)$, $i =1, \dots, k$. The goal is to retrieve the sets $V_i$s by making minimum number of pair-wise queries $V \times V\to\{\pm1\}$ to an oracle (the crowd). When the answer to each query is correct, e.g. via resampling, then this reduces to finding connected components in a graph. On the other hand, when crowd answers may be incorrect, it corresponds to clustering over minimum number of noisy inputs. Even, with perfect answers, a simple lower and upper bound of $\Theta(nk)$ on query complexity can be shown. A major contribution of this paper is to reduce the query complexity to linear or even sublinear in $n$ when mild side information is provided by a machine, and even in presence of crowd errors which are not correctable via resampling. We develop new information theoretic lower bounds on the query complexity of clustering with side information and errors, and our upper bounds closely match with them. Our algorithms are naturally parallelizable, and also give near-optimal bounds on the number of adaptive rounds required to match the query complexity.
Two-colour photometry of the binary planetary nebula nuclei UU Sagitte and V477 Lyrae: oversized secondaries in post-common-envelope binaries

We present new V- and R-passband CCD photometry of UU Sge and V477 Lyr, the eclipsing binary nuclei of the planetary nebulae Abell 63 and Abell 46, respectively. We have performed a simultaneous analysis of VR light curves and estimated the effective temperatures for the primary and secondary stars to be 78 000 ± 3000 and 6136 ± 240 K for UU Sge, 49 500 ± 4500 and 3874 ± 350 K for V477 Lyr. We have also reanalysed the previously measured radial velocities and combined the results with those obtained from the analysis of the light curves to derive absolute parameters of the components. The secondary stars have larger radii than expected from their main-sequence counterparts at the same masses. We have determined the post-common-envelope ages and the thermal time-scales of the systems and examined the possible reasons of expanded radius of the secondary components, together with some selected post-common envelope binaries. We conclude that the secondary components of the nuclei of the planetary nebulae are still out of thermal equilibrium along with two post-common envelope systems: HS 1136+6646 and RE 1016-053. For other systems, magnetic activity has been suggested as the more plausible reason for their expanded radii. We have also estimated the common-envelope efficiency parameters of UU Sge and V477 Lyr.
Recognition of human-human interaction using CWDTW

Understanding the activities of human is a challenging task in Computer Vision. Identifying the activities of human from videos and predicting their activity class label is the key functionality of Human Activity Recognition system. In general the major issues of Human activity recognition system is to identify the activities with or without the concurrent movement of body parts, occlusion, incremental learning etc. Among these issues the major difficulty lies in detecting the activity of human performing the interactions with or without the concurrent movement of their body parts. This paper aims in resolving the aforementioned problem. Here, the frames are extracted from the videos using the conventional frame extraction techniques. A pixel-based Local Binary Similarity Pattern background subtraction algorithm is used to detect the foreground from the extracted frames. The features are extracted from the detected foreground using Histogram of oriented Gradients and pyramidal feature extraction technique. A 20-point Microsoft human kinematic model is constructed using the set of features present in the frame and supervised temporal-stochastic neighbor embedding is applied to transform a high dimensional data to a low dimensional data. K-means clustering is then applied to produce a bag of key poses. The classifier Constrained Weighted Dynamic Time Warping(CWDTW) is used for the final generation of activity class label. Experimental results show the higher recognition rate achieved for various interactions with the benchmarking datasets such as Kinect Interaction dataset and Gaming dataset.
Teachers' leadership aspirations : career decision-making among Singaporean teachers

The central research problem is the insufficient supply of teachers opting for promotion to middle-level leadership positions in Singapore secondary schools, where about 66% are filled. This shortage limits the effectiveness of school management and reduces the flow of leaders aspiring to viceprincipalship/principalship. The study generates a model by addressing two research questions: (1) What influences affect secondary school teachers’ decision-making as to whether to aspire to middle-level school leadership? (2) How do these influences affect the career aspirations of Singaporean secondary school teachers? Using the interpretivist paradigm, case study approach, and content analysis methodology, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a stratified sample of 20 participants. The investigation sought teachers’ perceptions of middle-level school leadership (compared to teaching) and their career aspirations, and identified the associative influences on their career decision-making. Such influences can be grouped into the categories of personal, socialisation and environmental influences, with each linked to two qualitatively different categories: teaching and leadership influences. Teachers’ career decision making is affected by ‘personal’ influences, resulting from innate attributes and pre-service experiences. Interactions with friends, family and significant others also give rise to ‘socialisation’ influences. ‘Environmental’ influences result from home and school environments. Teachers at different career stages (beginning teachers (0-3 years), more mature teachers (3-5 years), more senior teachers (beyond 5 years)) are more susceptible to