Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Partitioning Algorithm for a Gaussian Inverse Wishart PHD Filter for Extended Target Tracking

Use of the Gaussian inverse Wishart PHD (GIW-PHD) filter has demonstrated promise as an approach to track an unknown number of extended targets. However, the partitioning approaches used in the GIW-PHD filter, such as distance partition with sub-partition (DP-SP), prediction partition (PP) and expectation maximization partition (EMP), fails to provided accurate partition results when targets are spaced closely together and performing maneuvers. In order to improve the performance of a GIW-PHD filter, this paper presents a cooperation partitioning (CP) algorithm to solve the partitioning issue when targets are spaced closely together. In the GIW-PHD filter, the DP-SP is insensitive to target maneuvers but sensitive to the differences in target sizes, while EMP is the opposite. The proposed CP algorithm is a fusion approach of DP-SP and EMP, which employs EMP as a sub-partition approach after DP. Therefore, the CP algorithm will be sensitive to neither target maneuvers nor differences in target sizes. The simulation results show that the use of the proposed CP algorithm will improve the performance of the GIW-PHD filter when targets are spaced closely together.
Short implants as an alternative to crestal sinus lift: a 3-year multicentre randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of short (5 or 6 mm long) dental implants vs 10 mm or longer implants placed in crestally lifted sinuses. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty partially edentulous patients with 5 to 7 mm of residual crestal height and at least 7 mm thickness below the maxillary sinuses as measured on computed tomography scans were randomised according to a parallel group design to receive either one to two 5 or 6 mm long implants (10 patients) or 10 mm long implants (10 patients) after crestal sinus lifting and grafting with anorganic bovine bone. Implants were left to heal submerged for 4 months and were loaded with reinforced acrylic provisional prostheses, replaced, after 4 months, by definitive provisionally cemented or screw-retained metal-ceramic or metal-composite prostheses. Outcome measures were: prosthesis and implant failures, any complications, radiographic peri-implant marginal bone level changes, and patient's satisfaction assessed by blinded assessors, when possible. All patients were followed up to 3 years after loading. RESULTS Two patients from the augmented group dropped out after the 1-year follow-up. No implant or prosthesis failure occurred. One short implant patient was affected by two complications vs one complication in the long implant group. There was no difference for patients experiencing complications between the two groups (difference in proportions = -0.03 %; 95%CI: -0.32 to 0.27; P = 1.000). Short implants lost 0.89 ± 0.25 mm and long implants lost 1.08 ± 0.29 mm of peri-implant marginal bone 3 years after loading, the difference between the two groups being not statistically significant (difference = -0.19 mm; 95%CI: -0.46 to 0.09; P = 0.165). All patients were fully or partially satisfied with function and fully satisfied with aesthetics. CONCLUSIONS Both techniques achieved excellent results and no differences were observed between prostheses supported by one to two 5 or 6 mm long implants vs 10 mm long in posterior atrophic maxillae up to 3 years after loading; therefore it is up to clinicians to decide which procedure to use, although longer follow-ups with larger patient populations are needed to better understand if one of these procedures could be more effective in the long-term. Conflict of interest statement: this study was partially supported by Zimmer Biomet. However, data property belonged to the authors, and by no means did the manufacturer interfere with the conduct of the trial or the publication of its results.
Symptom severity and its effect on health-related quality of life over time in patients with pulmonary hypertension: a multisite longitudinal cohort study

Introduction The aim of this cohort study was to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptomatology in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and explore factors that influence its evolution over time. Methods A prospective longitudinal multisite cohort study. Participants were recruited from specialist UK PH centres and completed a questionnaire pack at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months to assess HRQoL (emPHasis-10), dyspnoea, fatigue, sleep, anxiety and depression. Results 185 patients entered the study at baseline and 126 (68%) completed month 18. At baseline, patients had significant impairment of HRQoL, anxiety, depression, dyspnoea and severe fatigue. No significant changes, apart from a reduction in the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety score (P=0.04), were observed over 18 months. Depression and dyspnoea were predictors of HRQoL (P=0.002 and P=0.03, respectively). Oxygen use was also associated with diminished HRQoL and increased symptom severity. Conclusion Patients with PH experience high levels of symptom severity and the negative impact on HRQoL was unchanged over time. The use of oxygen therapy, in particular, was associated with a significant impact on HRQoL. Further study of factors impacting HRQoL and interventions that target a combination of physiological and psychosocial consequences of living with PH are needed.
Contribution of the Microenvironmental Niche to Glioblastoma Heterogeneity

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive cancer of the brain. The dismal prognosis is largely attributed to the heterogeneous nature of the tumor, which in addition to intrinsic molecular and genetic changes is also influenced by the microenvironmental niche in which the glioma cells reside. The cancer stem cells (CSCs) hypothesis suggests that all cancers arise from CSCs that possess the ability to self-renew and initiate tumor formation. CSCs reside in specialized niches where interaction with the microenvironment regulates their stem cell behavior. The reciprocal interaction between glioma stem cells (GSCs) and cells from the microenvironment, such as endothelial cells, immune cells, and other parenchymal cells, may also promote angiogenesis, invasion, proliferation, and stemness of the GSCs and be likely to have an underappreciated role in their responsiveness to therapy. This crosstalk may also promote molecular transition of GSCs. Hence the inherent plasticity of GSCs can be seen as an adaptive response, changing according to the signaling cue from the niche. Given the association of GSCs with tumor recurrence and treatment sensitivity, understanding this bidirectional crosstalk between GSCs and its niche may provide a framework to identify more effective therapeutic targets and improve treatment outcome.
Intrusion Detection using Ensemble Learning on Combined Features

Network intrusions may illicitly retrieve data/information, or prevent legitimate access. Reliable detection of network intrusions is an important problem, misclassification of an intrusion is an issue by the resultant overall reduction of accuracy of detection. A variety of potential methods exist to develop an improved system to perform classification more accurately. Feature selection is one area that may be utilized to successfully improve performance by initially identifying sets and subsets of features that are relevant and non-redundant. Within this paper explicit pairings of features have been investigated in order to determine if the presence of pairings has a positive effect on classification, potentially increasing the accuracy of detecting intrusions correctly. In particular, classification using the ensemble algorithm, StackingC, with F-Measure performance and derived Information Gain Ratio, as well as their subsequent correlation as a combined measure, are presented.
iMOD LEACH: improved MODified LEACH Protocol for Wireless Sensor Networks

Increased use of Wireless sensor Networks (WSNs) in variety of applications has enabled the designers to create autonomous sensors, which can be deployed randomly, without human supervision, for the purpose of sensing and communicating valuable data. Many energy-efficient routing protocols are designed for WSNs based on clustering structure. In this paper, we have proposed iMODLEACH protocol which is an extension to the MODLEACH protocol. Simulation results indicate that iMODLEACH outperforms MODLEACH in terms of network life-time and packets transferred to base station. The mathematical analysis helps to select such values of these parameters which can suit a particular wireless sensor network application. INDEX TERMS— Wireless Sensor Networks, Routing Protocols, Clustering, Base Station, Cluster Head.
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte–Associated Antigen 4 Plays an Essential Role in the Function of Cd25+Cd4+ Regulatory Cells That Control Intestinal Inflammation

It is now clear that functionally specialized regulatory T (Treg) cells exist as part of the normal immune repertoire, preventing the development of pathogenic responses to both self- and intestinal antigens. Here, we report that the Treg cells that control intestinal inflammation express the same phenotype (CD25+CD45RBlowCD4+) as those that control autoimmunity. Previous studies have failed to identify how CD25+ Treg cells function in vivo. Our studies reveal that the immune-suppressive function of these cells in vivo is dependent on signaling via the negative regulator of T cell activation cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), as well as secretion of the immune-suppressive cytokine transforming growth factor β. Strikingly, constitutive expression of CTLA-4 among CD4+ cells was restricted primarily to Treg cells, suggesting that CTLA-4 expression by these cells is involved in their immune-suppressive function. These findings raise the possibility that Treg cell function contributes to the immune suppression characteristic of CTLA-4 signaling. Identification of costimulatory molecules involved in the function of Treg cells may facilitate further characterization of these cells and development of new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Correct machine learning on protein sequences: a peer-reviewing perspective

Machine learning methods are becoming increasingly popular to predict protein features from sequences. Machine learning in bioinformatics can be powerful but carries also the risk of introducing unexpected biases, which may lead to an overestimation of the performance. This article espouses a set of guidelines to allow both peer reviewers and authors to avoid common machine learning pitfalls. Understanding biology is necessary to produce useful data sets, which have to be large and diverse. Separating the training and test process is imperative to avoid over-selling method performance, which is also dependent on several hidden parameters. A novel predictor has always to be compared with several existing methods, including simple baseline strategies. Using the presented guidelines will help nonspecialists to appreciate the critical issues in machine learning.
Use of stent-assisted coil embolization for the treatment of wide-necked aneurysms: A systematic review

Background: The use of stent-assisted coiling (SAC) has been shown to be a treatment option for complex aneurysms. We reviewed systematically the immediate and mid-term angiographic results following treatment of wide-necked aneurysms with self-expanding stents and coils, as well as the peri- and postprocedural rate of complications. Methods: A computerized database search was conducted from 01/2000 to 04/2011 using appropriate indexed terms on Pubmed. Inclusion criteria were: (1) homogeneous populations of ≥10 patients with wide-necked aneurysms; (2) use of a self-expandable neurovascular stent and coils for aneurysm treatment; (3) immediate and follow-up angiographic results; and (4) periprocedural and delayed thrombotic complications. Results: Seventeen studies were included, containing retrospectively collected data on 656 patients/702 aneurysms. The target aneurysm was located on the anterior circulation in 78.4% of patients. The immediate rate of complete occlusion was 46.3%, (19.3-98.1%). The intra- and postprocedural rate of intrastent thrombosis or thromboembolic event was 4.6% and 4.3%, respectively. Complete occlusion was documented in 71.9% at last angiographic follow-up. The rate of recanalization was 13.2% of aneurysms (0-28.8%). Delayed in-stent stenosis occurred in 5.3% cases (0-20.6%). Conclusion: SAC has been considered a treatment option for selected wide-necked aneurysms in some institutions. The use of intracranial stents should take into consideration the risk of ischemic complications, recanalization, delayed in-stent stenosis; and the currently unknown lifetime risks for stenosis, vascular injury, device failure, and aneurysm recurrence related to intracranial stenting. There is an evident need for a prospective multicenter registry for all treated patients with SAC.
Road surface traffic sign detection with hybrid region proposal and fast R-CNN

Detection of traffic signs plays an important role in autonomous driving, traffic surveillance and traffic safety. Previous research in Traffic Sign Detection (TSD) generally focused on traffic signs which are over the roads, the traffic signs on road surface have not been discussed. In this paper, we propose a road surface traffic sign detection system by applying convolutional neural network (CNN). The proposed system consists of two main stages: 1) a hybrid region proposal method to hypothesize the traffic sign locations by taking into account complementary information of color and edge; 2) feature extraction, classification, bounding box regression and non-maximum suppression by Fast R-CNN. Extensive experiments have been conducted using our field-captured dataset, demonstrating outstanding performance with regard to high recall and precision rate. The overall average precision (AP) is about 85.58%.
Cytotoxic Long-chain Alkene and Terpene Isolated from the Methanol Extract of the Air-dried Leaves of Pipturus arborescens C.B. Rob

A long-chain alkene (1-hexacosene) and a terpene were obtained from the bioactive methanol extract of the air-dried leaves of Pipturus arborescens (Link) C.B. Rob (“Handalamay”) collected from Poblacion, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte. The compounds were isolated through extraction with ethanol, sequential partitioning with water-chloroform and hexane-90% methanol followed by fractionation and purification with repeated gravity column chromatography using gradient mixtures of hexane: ethyl acetate (1:1 ratio). The structures of the isolates were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data: 1 H-and 13 C-NMR, 1 H- 13 C Heteronuclear Multiquantum Correlation (HMQC), 1 H- 13 C Heteronuclear Multibond Correlation (HMBC), 1 H- 1 H Homonuclear Correlation Spectroscopy (COSY), Infra-Red Spectroscopy (IR), Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VIS) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). The isolated compounds were shown to possess moderate cytotoxic activity against the brine shrimp Artemia salina (Leach).
Genome-Wide Association Study in a Lebanese Cohort Confirms PHACTR1 as a Major Determinant of Coronary Artery Stenosis

The manifestation of coronary artery disease (CAD) follows a well-choreographed series of events that includes damage of arterial endothelial cells and deposition of lipids in the sub-endothelial layers. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of multiple populations with distinctive genetic and lifestyle backgrounds are a crucial step in understanding global CAD pathophysiology. In this study, we report a GWAS on the genetic basis of arterial stenosis as measured by cardiac catheterization in a Lebanese population. The locus of the phosphatase and actin regulator 1 gene (PHACTR1) showed association with coronary stenosis in a discovery experiment with genome wide data in 1,949 individuals (rs9349379, OR = 1.37, p = 1.57×10−5). The association was replicated in an additional 2,547 individuals (OR = 1.31, p = 8.85×10−6), leading to genome-wide significant association in a combined analysis (OR = 1.34, p = 8.02×10−10). Results from this GWAS support a central role of PHACTR1 in CAD susceptibility irrespective of lifestyle and ethnic divergences. This association provides a plausible component for understanding molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of stenosis in cardiac vessels and a potential drug target against CAD.
Splitting rigid formations

Consider a network of sensors able to move in 2-dimensional space. We may aim to impose distance constraints between certain sensors to ensure every pair of sensors maintain their distance from one another under any continuous movement. This property is known as rigidity. Rigidity may be required to ensure that no sensor will move out of range of any other sensor during movement. However, there arise situations which require us to decompose a rigid formation into two or more rigid sub-formations, perhaps to avoid an obstacle, to pursue different missions, or to allow merging of part of the original formation with another formation. The paper demonstrates that it is not always possible to decompose a rigid formation into rigid sub-formations without adding new distance constraints. The paper also discusses how to decompose a formation into connected but not necessarily rigid sub-formations (to which edges could be added to ensure rigidity of the sub-formations). We show it is always possible to decompose a rigid formation into two connected sub-formations, one of which has arbitrary order, without the addition of any new distance constraints, and we present an algorithm to do this. Although the sub-formations may not be rigid, the connectedness property ensures that no agent or group of agents can deviate too far away from the rest of the agents in the same connected component, and any agent can communicate with any other agent (perhaps via intermediate agents) in the same sub-formation. This will allow rigidity to be recovered within each connected sub-formation by applying existing algorithms.
Visual Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Event Predictions: Investigating the Spread Dynamics of Invasive Species

Invasive species are a major cause of ecological damage and commercial losses. A current problem spreading in North America and Europe is the vinegar fly Drosophila suzukii. Unlike other Drosophila, it infests non-rotting and healthy fruits and is therefore of concern to fruitgrowers, such as vintners. Consequently, large amounts of data about infestations have been collected in recent years. However, there is a lack of interactive methods to investigate this data. We employ ensemble-based classification to predict areas susceptible to infestation by D.suzukii and bring them into a spatio-temporal context using maps and glyph-based visualizations. Following the information-seeking mantra, we provide a visual analysis system Drosophigatorfor spatio-temporal event prediction, enabling the investigation of the spread dynamics of invasive species. We demonstrate the usefulness of this approach in two use cases.
Periodontal Disease and Cardiovascular Disease.

It is our central hypothesis that periodontal diseases, which are chronic Gramnegative infections, represent a previously unrecognized risk factor for atherosclerosis and thromboembolic events. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between periodontal disease severity and risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. We hypothesize that this association may be due to an underlying inflammatory response trait, which places an individual at high risk for developing both periodontal disease and atherosclerosis. We further suggest that periodontal disease, once established, provides a biological burden of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) and inflammatory cytokines (especially TxA2 , IL-1β, PGE2 , and TNF-α) which serve to initiate and exacerbate atherogenesis' and thromboembolic events. A cohort study was conducted using combined data from the Normative Aging Study and the Dental Longitudinal Study sponsored by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Mean bone loss scores and worst probing pocket depth scores per tooth were measured on 1,147 men during 1968 to 1971. Information gathered during follow-up examinations showed that 207 men developed coronary heart disease (CHD), 59 died of CHD, and 40 had strokes. Incidence odds ratios adjusted for established cardiovascular risk factors were 1.5, 1.9, and 2.8 for bone loss and total CHD, fatal CHD, and stroke, respectively. Levels of bone loss and cumulative incidence of total CHD and fatal CHD indicated a biologic gradient between severity of exposure and occurrence of disease. J Periodontol 1996;67:1123-1137.
Aerobic endurance performance does not determine the professional career of elite youth soccer players.

BACKGROUND Physical characteristics have been widely analyzed in order to understand why some soccer players are more successful than others. Therefore, the aims of this study were: 1) to describe the evolution of aerobic endurance performance across 18 years in a Spanish elite soccer academy; 2) to know if the playing position could affect physical testing performance; and 3) to look into the alleged impact of this factor on the professional career of soccer players. METHODS We considered 162 players belonging to the reserve team of an elite Spanish soccer club from 1994 to 2012. The percentage of players that played in the reserve team for at least five matches in Third Division (2nd B) and later promoted to the Spanish First or Second Division was 32%. The participants were classified in three six-year periods and according to their highest competitive level attained until the 2014/2015 season and their regular tactical position. All the players performed a four-stage submaximal intermittent running test with the running speeds 12 km/h (10 min), 13 km/h (10 min), 14 km/h (10 min), and 15 km/h (5 min) in order to assess the individual velocities associated with a [La]b of 3 mmol/L (i.e., V3). RESULTS No differences (P>0.05) in aerobic fitness were found between the three six-year periods groups (P>0.05), between the tactical positions nor among the competitive levels attained. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that aerobic endurance performance (i.e., V3) is not a pertinent trait when identifying players from different seasons, tactical positions and competitive levels.
Toward a noninvasive estimate of interstitial fluid pressure by dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI in a rat model of cerebral tumor

This study demonstrates a DCE‐MRI estimate of tumor interstitial fluid pressure (TIFP) and hydraulic conductivity in a rat model of glioblastoma, with validation against an invasive wick‐in‐needle (WIN) technique. An elevated TIFP is considered a mark of aggressiveness, and a decreased TIFP a predictor of response to therapy.