Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bio-effects of ultrasound contrast agents in daily clinical practice: fact or fiction?

Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs), delivered as peripheral venous injections, have been developed to enhance the ultrasound image quality. The current application, recognized by the FDA and European Medecines Agency (EMEA) is the enhancement of the left ventricular endocardial border or left ventricular opacification (LVO). These microbubbles with a diameter and an intravascular velocity similar to red blood cells travel through the myocardial capillaries and enable us to visualize myocardial perfusion during myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). 1 These agents are also used to quantitate myocardial perfusion most of the time, especially for research purposes.2,3 Like all other contrast agents used in medicine, adverse events can also occur with UCAs.4 Allergic reactions though important are inherent to the use of contrast agents. Their existence, although sometimes very serious (anaphylactoid reactions), imply that the use of UCAs in clinical practice can only be supported if the additional diagnostic information is clinically relevant enough for patient management. The UCAs can only be used by experienced hands and in an environment where facilities for emergency care are immediately available. Above all the previously mentioned ‘acceptable’ adverse events for a contrast agent, two major observations have questioned the safety of UCAs. First, the concomitant use of contrast agents and ultrasound leads to bio-effects demonstrated in experimental studies. Secondly, post-marketing analysis of 157 838 studies of Sonovue® brought to light 19 cases of severe non-fatal (0.012%) (strong relationship with UCAs) (18 of 19 were anaphylactoid or vasovagal reactions) and three cases of fatal adverse events (0.002%) (causal relationship uncertain). 5 For the first time, Vancraeynest et al . 6 showed that MCE can cause sub-clinical release of bio-markers in humans. This observation could be the missing link between the demonstrated in vitro bio-effects of UCAs and some of the clinically reported adverse … *Corresponding author. Tel: +32 2 476 32 52; fax: +32 2 477 68 40. E-mail address : guy.vancamp{at}uzbrussel.be
Industrial Structure, the State, and Ideology

This article explores labor transnationalism in the Brazilian auto sector. It argues that industrial structure, state institutions and practices, and labor ideologies affect the form and frequency of labor transnationalism. In Brazil in the 1980s, labor transnationalism was mostly limited to information exchange and occasional economic support, and political pressure in the form of letters of solidarity from foreign unionists. By the 1990s, when Brazil opened itself to world trade in the auto sector by dramatically lowering tariffs and domestic content requirements, labor began to pursue new strategies. Yet while facing similar challenges in the same industry and at times within the same corporation, unions of opposing political tendencies pursued different strategies. Conservative unions responded to economic globalization by deepening their ties with the government and the business sector, while left-oriented unions increasingly made use of new forms of transnational actions. By the early 2000s, in Ford and Volkswagen, solutions to labor conflicts were achieved after Brazilian auto unionists traveled to the headquarters of the auto firms in Detroit and Wolfsburg and negotiated directly with corporate headquarters.
A ns-3 based simulator of TCP/IP Wireless Underground Networks

Wireless Underground Networks (WUNs) include communications links between buried nodes and between buried and aboveground nodes. WUNs have many applications, such as border surveillance, agriculture monitoring, and infrastructure monitoring. Recent studies have shown that they are feasible and have deployment advantages over wired networks. Yet, so far WUNs evaluations have been done using testbeds only, and a tool enabling simulations on TCP/IP WUNs is lacking. We propose a simulator of TCP/IP wireless underground networks based on ns-3. The simulator was validated against experimental results for 433 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands. The results show its accuracy for most of the communications scenarios.
Recovering badly exposed objects from digital photos using internet images

In this paper we consider the problem of clipped-pixel recovery over an entire badly exposed image region, using two correctly exposed images of the scene that may be captured under different conditions. The first reference image is used to recover texture; feature points are extracted along the boundaries of both the source and reference regions, while a warping function deforms the reference region to fit inside the source. The second reference is used to recover color by replacing the mean and variance of the texture reference image with those of the color reference. A user study conducted with both modified and original images demonstrates the benefits of our method. The results show that a majority of the enhanced images look natural and are preferred to the originals.
Media use, perceived parental media guidance and supportive parent-child communication in fifth and sixth graders

This study explores the potential social functions of the media, outside the primary media exposure content. We assessed children's perceptions and examined the impact of media use (TV and VCR, computer and computer games, books and comics ), type of parental media guidance (use of the media as babysitters and restrictive, evaluative, unfocused guidance) and gender on supportive parent-child communication in the family. Questionnaires were conducted among 519 fifth and sixth graders. The results showed that the impact of media use on supportive parent-child communication was rather small; the type of parental media guidance, however, did have a clear impact, yet differences were found in regard to the type of medium and the gender-composition of the parent-child dyad. In general, evaluative and unfocused guidance seemed to be the most effective in stimulating parent-child communication. The results underscore the importance of parental guidance of children's perceptions and of gender differences.
Male peer support and woman abuse: An expansion of Dekeseredy's model

Although all‐male friendship networks may have an important effect in motivating some men to physically, sexually, and psychologically harm female intimates, particularly in dating relationships, the study of the dynamics of these groups is still limited. DeKeseredy's early model has some of the best explanatory value, but it fails to address a number of factors, including macrolevel forces, the role of alcohol abuse, membership in formal social groups such as fraternities, and the absence of deterrent factors on many campuses. This paper attempts to build a stronger theoretical model by adding these factors to DeKeseredy's base. Further, it argues that an important next step, in addition to strong multivari‐ate analysis, is ethnographic study to look at the work of men's peer groups in promoting a discourse and dramaturgy of everyday student life that legitimates the use of various forms of violence against women.
UDP-6-glucose dehydrogenase in hormonally responsive breast cancers

Survival for metastatic breast cancer is low and thus, continued efforts to treat and prevent metastatic progression are critical. Estrogen is shown to promote aggressive phenotypes in multiple cancer models irrespective of estrogen receptor (ER) status. Similarly, UDP-Glucose 6-dehydrogenase (UGDH) a ubiquitously expressed enzyme involved in extracellular matrix precursors, as well as hormone processing increases migratory and invasive properties in cancer models. While the role of UGDH in cellular migration is defined, how it intersects with and impacts hormone signaling pathways associated with tumor progression in metastatic breast cancer has not been explored. Here we demonstrate that UGDH knockdown blunts estrogen-induced tumorigenic phenotypes (migration and colony formation) in ER+ and ER- breast cancer in vitro. Knockdown of UGDH also inhibits extravasation of ER- breast cancer ex vivo, primary tumor growth and animal survival in vivo in both ER+ and ER- breast cancer. We also use single cell RNA-sequencing to demonstrate that our findings translate to a human breast cancer clinical specimen. Our findings support the role of estrogen and UGDH in breast cancer progression provide a foundation for future studies to evaluate the role of UGDH in therapeutic resistance to improve outcomes and survival for breast cancer patients.
Improved Reordering for Shallow-n Grammar based Hierarchical Phrase-based Translation

Shallow-n grammars (de Gispert et al., 2010) were introduced to reduce over-generation in the Hiero translation model (Chiang, 2005) resulting in much faster decoding and restricting reordering to a desired level for specific language pairs. However, Shallow-n grammars require parameters which cannot be directly optimized using minimum error-rate tuning by the decoder. This paper introduces some novel improvements to the translation model for Shallow-n grammars. We introduce two rules: a BITG-style reordering glue rule and a simpler monotonic concatenation rule. We use separate features for the new rules in our log-linear model allowing the decoder to directly optimize the feature weights. We show this formulation of Shallow-n hierarchical phrase-based translation is comparable in translation quality to full Hiero-style decoding (without shallow rules) while at the same time being considerably faster.
EXIT-chart properties of the highest-rate LDPC code with desired convergence behavior

We consider uniparametric LDPC decoding schemes, i.e., the class of decoding algorithms for which an extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) chart analysis of the decoder is exact. We treat the general case of code design for a desired convergence behavior and provide necessary conditions and sufficient conditions that the EXIT chart of the maximum rate low-density parity-check code must satisfy. Our results generalize some of the existing results for the binary erasure channel: our results apply to all uniparametric decoding schemes and they apply to any desired convergence behavior.
The preference for self-correction in the organization of repair in conversation

An "organization of repair' operates in conversation, addressed to recurrent problems in speaking, hearing, and understanding. Several features of that organization are introduced to explicate the mechanism which produces a strong empirical skewing in which self-repair predominates over other-repair, and to show the operation of a preference for self-repair in the organization of repair. Several consequences of the preference for self-repair for conversational interaction are sketched. * 1. SELF- AND OTHER-CORRECTION. Among linguists and others who have at all concerned themselves with the phenomenon of'correction' (or, as we shall refer to it, 'repair'; cf. below, ? 2.1), a distinction is commonly drawn between 'selfcorrection' and 'other-correction', i.e. correction by the speaker of that which is being corrected vs. correction by some 'other'. l Sociologists take an interest in such a distinction; its terms-'self' and 'other'-have long been understood as central to the study of social organization and social interaction.2 For our concerns in this paper, 'self' and 'other' are two classes of participants in interactive social
Dual pathway spindle assembly increases both the speed and the fidelity of mitosis

Summary Roughly half of all animal somatic cell spindles assemble by the classical prophase pathway, in which the centrosomes separate ahead of nuclear envelope breakdown (NEBD). The remainder assemble by the prometaphase pathway, in which the centrosomes separate following NEBD. Why cells use dual pathway spindle assembly is unclear. Here, by examining the timing of NEBD relative to the onset of Eg5-mEGFP loading to centrosomes, we show that a time window of 9.2 ± 2.9 min is available for Eg5-driven prophase centrosome separation ahead of NEBD, and that those cells that succeed in separating their centrosomes within this window subsequently show >3-fold fewer chromosome segregation errors and a somewhat faster mitosis. A longer time window would allow more cells to complete prophase centrosome separation and further reduce segregation errors, but at the expense of a slower mitosis. Our data reveal dual pathway mitosis in a new light, as a substantive strategy that increases both the speed and the fidelity of mitosis.
Review on different control strategies of LLC series resonant converters

In this paper, different control strategies for both variable-frequency and constant-frequency operations of LLC resonant converters are reviewed. LLC resonant converter provides no-load regulation unlike to a conventional series resonant converter. The main advantages of this converter are its higher power density and efficiency within the wide input and output load range. Considering high power factor for the LLC resonant tank, the output voltage ripple can be reduced. Generally all kinds of resonant converters are operated at high frequencies ranging from kHz to MHZ which results in the reduction in converter efficiency due to increased turn-off and gate charge losses. The review indicates that Pulse- Density-Modulation (PDM) control strategy is advantageous over the other strategies. In PDM control, the switching frequency is made equal to resonant frequency and also skipping gate pulses are made proportional to the load variations. Thus the controller provides a good selectivity of frequency over wider line and load variations.
Modelling QoS Performance of IEEE 802.11 DCF under Practical Channel Fading Conditions

We consider the impacts of channel fading on the quality of service (QoS) performance of the IEEE 802.11 system. Traditional 2-D Markov chain models, while suitable for throughput analysis, are unable to capture the QoS performance due to the lack of a proper queueing model. We present a 3-D Markov chain queueing model that incorporates channel fading effects and solve the Markov chain efficiently with our Collapsed Transition onto Basis approach. In doing so, we are able to investigate important QoS measures, packet delay and loss, as well as throughput, for a 802.11 system under practical channel fading conditions. The analytical results are validated by extensive simulations. Our 3-D model offers new insights in channel fading effects on system capacity and QoS performance. We demonstrate that our 3-D model can also be used to provides guidelines for traffic control.
Resources Required for Global Tuberculosis Control

We estimate that to achieve the World Health Organization's tuberculosis control targets, the 22 high-burden countries (HBCs) that collectively account for approximately 80% of the world's tuberculosis cases require about $1 billion per year during the period 2001 to 2005. A further $0.2 billion per year is needed for low and lower-middle income countries outside the 22 HBCs. There is a resource gap of up to around $300 million per year. Substantial progress in tuberculosis control could be achieved with increased investment that is large in the context of existing spending, but small in the wider context of global health expenditure.
High Mobility Group A Proteins as Tumor Markers

Almost 30 years ago, overexpression of HMGA proteins was associated with malignant phenotype of rat thyroid cells transformed with murine retroviruses. Thereafter, several studies have analyzed HMGA expression in a wide range of human neoplasias. Here, we summarize all these results that, in the large majority of the cases, confirm the association of HMGA overexpression with high malignant phenotype as outlined by chemoresistance, spreading of metastases, and a global poor survival. Even though HMGA proteins’ overexpression indicates a poor prognosis in almost all malignancies, their detection may be particularly useful in determining the prognosis of breast, lung, and colon carcinomas, suggesting for the treatment a more aggressive therapy. In particular, the expression of HMGA2 in lung carcinomas is frequently associated with the presence of metastases. Moreover, recent data revealed that often the cause for the high HMGA proteins levels detected in human malignancies is a deregulated expression of non-coding RNA. Therefore, the HMGA proteins represent tumor markers whose detection can be a valid tool for the diagnosis and prognosis of neoplastic diseases.
University of Glasgow at the NTCIR-9 Intent task: Experiments with Terrier on Subtopic Mining and Document Ranking

We describe our participation in the subtopic mining and document ranking subtasks of the NTCIR-9 Intent task, for both Chinese and Japanese languages. In the subtopic mining subtask, we experiment with a novel data-driven approach for ranking reformulations of an ambiguous query. In the document ranking subtask, we deploy our state-ofthe-art xQuAD framework for search result diversification.
Perspectives on ATM switch architecture and the influence of traffic pattern assumptions on switch design

Switch designs and the uniform distribution traffic pattern that has been the basis of much switch design analysis are discussed. In particular it is shown that head of line blocking is not the major cause of switch and link underutilization. Switch fabric and buffer system input bandwidth tradeoffs are described. For client server applications it is shown that having the majority of switch buffers on the input side of a switch reduces overall switch buffering.
Aspects of Spirituality in Dementia Care

Clinicians dealing with persons with dementia are usually unable to maintain communication with the individual beyond the available psychometric tests that only give a crude evaluation of the person's capacity to express thoughts and feelings. Evidence from the elderly with terminal illness and functional psychiatric illness shows that the individual tends to `journey' back to reassuring and positive experiences and that religious matters are of paramount importance in dealing with terminal illness and death. Normal communication channels are precluded for individuals with dementia, as they gradually lose the ability to use understandable speech. The clinician may partly circumvent loss of communication by gathering a holistic and comprehensive view of the person's spiritual background at the very outset and by incorporating this holistic view into the care plan.
Lightdrum—Portable Light Stage for Accurate BTF Measurement on Site

We propose a miniaturised light stage for measuring the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) and the bidirectional texture function (BTF) of surfaces on site in real world application scenarios. The main principle of our lightweight BTF acquisition gantry is a compact hemispherical skeleton with cameras along the meridian and with light emitting diode (LED) modules shining light onto a sample surface. The proposed device is portable and achieves a high speed of measurement while maintaining high degree of accuracy. While the positions of the LEDs are fixed on the hemisphere, the cameras allow us to cover the range of the zenith angle from 0∘ to 75∘ and by rotating the cameras along the axis of the hemisphere we can cover all possible camera directions. This allows us to take measurements with almost the same quality as existing stationary BTF gantries. Two degrees of freedom can be set arbitrarily for measurements and the other two degrees of freedom are fixed, which provides a tradeoff between accuracy of measurements and practical applicability. Assuming that a measured sample is locally flat and spatially accessible, we can set the correct perpendicular direction against the measured sample by means of an auto-collimator prior to measuring. Further, we have designed and used a marker sticker method to allow for the easy rectification and alignment of acquired images during data processing. We show the results of our approach by images rendered for 36 measured material samples.
An empirical investigation of software reuse benefits in a large telecom product

Background. This article describes a case study on the benefits of software reuse in a large telecom product. The reused components were developed in-house and shared in a product-family approach. Methods. Quantitative data mined from company repositories are combined with other quantitative data and qualitative observations. Results. We observed significantly lower fault density and less modified code between successive releases of the reused components. Reuse and standardization of software architecture and processes allowed easier transfer of development when organizational changes happened. Conclusions. The study adds to the evidence of quality benefits of large-scale reuse programs and explores organizational motivations and outcomes.
Guest Editorial: Interdisciplinary Science in Interbehavioral Perspective

As the disciplinary sciences develop there is a growing interest in interdisciplinary science. This is particularly so in certain areas of the sciences where the objects of investigation are of interest to workers in multiple scientific domains. This commentary considers the nature of science from an interbehavioral perspective. In doing so, the nature and goals of both disciplinary and interdisciplinary sciences are considered.
Adaptation Limits Diversification of Experimental Bacterial Populations

Adaptation to a specific niche theoretically constrains a population's ability to subsequently diversify into other niches. We tested this theory using the bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens, which diversifies into niche specialists when propagated in laboratory microcosms. Numerically dominant genotypes were allowed to diversify in isolation. As predicted, populations increased in fitness through time but showed a greatly decreased ability to diversify. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that niche generalists and reductions in intrinsic evolvability were not responsible for our data. These results show that niche specialization may come with a cost of reduced potential to diversify.
Translational optical imaging.

OBJECTIVE Optical imaging is experiencing significant technologic advances. Simultaneously, an array of specific optical imaging agents has brought new capabilities to biomedical research and is edging toward clinical use. We review progress in the translation of macroscopic optical imaging-including fluorescence-guided surgery and endoscopy, intravascular fluorescence imaging, diffuse fluorescence and optical tomography, and multispectral optoacoustics (photoacoustics)-for applications ranging from tumor resection and assessment of atherosclerotic plaques to dermatologic and breast examinations. CONCLUSION Optical imaging could play a major role in the move from imaging of structure and morphology to the visualization of the individual biologic processes underlying disease and could, therefore, contribute to more accurate diagnostics and improved treatment efficacy.
Most College Students Are Women: Implications for Teaching, Learning, and Policy (review)

is important to ask whether support for democracy is the “only” role of the humanities. I cannot believe that it is or that Nussbaum thinks it is. Rather, a good liberal arts education—one that produces graduates able to think for themselves, to understand their very diverse world, and to make decisions based on understanding the “other”—is its own best justification. It is, in fact, the only true “education” rather than specific training in skill sets. It is important to all aspects of our entire society, including the economy. Moreover, it is vitally important to sustain this model of education in the face of budgetary exigency for our own sake as well as for that of the world. Martha Nussbaum is to be congratulated for issuing her manifesto, even though she does not go far enough in her criticism of the serious lack of support for the humanities in higher education in the United States.