Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CT-Based Attenuation Correction in I-123-Ioflupane SPECT

Purpose Attenuation correction (AC) based on low-dose computed tomography (CT) could be more accurate in brain single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) than the widely used Chang method, and, therefore, has the potential to improve both semi-quantitative analysis and visual image interpretation. The present study evaluated CT-based AC for dopamine transporter SPECT with I-123-ioflupane. Materials and methods Sixty-two consecutive patients in whom I-123-ioflupane SPECT including low-dose CT had been performed were recruited retrospectively at 3 centres. For each patient, 3 different SPECT images were reconstructed: without AC, with Chang AC and with CT-based AC. Distribution volume ratio (DVR) images were obtained by scaling voxel intensities using the whole brain without striata as reference. For assessing the impact of AC on semi-quantitative analysis, specific-to-background ratios (SBR) in caudate and putamen were obtained by fully automated SPM8-based region of interest (ROI) analysis and tested for their diagnostic power using receiver-operator-characteristic (ROC) analysis. For assessing the impact of AC on visual image reading, screenshots of stereotactically normalized DVR images presented in randomized order were interpreted independently by two raters at each centre. Results CT-based AC resulted in intermediate SBRs about half way between no AC and Chang. Maximum area under the ROC curve was achieved by the putamen SBR, with negligible impact of AC (0.924, 0.935 and 0.938 for no, CT-based and Chang AC). Diagnostic accuracy of visual interpretation also did not depend on AC. Conclusions The impact of CT-based versus Chang AC on the interpretation of I-123-ioflupane SPECT is negligible. Therefore, CT-based AC cannot be recommended for routine use in clinical patient care, not least because of the additional radiation exposure.
A strategy to jointly test image quality estimators subjectively

We present an automated algorithm to design subjective tests that have a high likelihood of finding misclassification errors in many image quality estimators (QEs). In our algorithm, a collection of existing QEs collaboratively determine the best pairs of images that will test the accuracy of each individual QE.We demonstrate that the resulting subjective test provides valuable information regarding the accuracy of the cooperating QEs. The proposed strategy is particularly useful for comparing efficacy of QEs across multiple distortion types and multiple reference images.
Risk-Averse Control of Undiscounted Transient Markov Models

We use Markov risk measures to formulate a risk-averse version of the undiscounted total cost problem for a transient controlled Markov process. Using the new concept of a multikernel, we derive conditions for a system to be risk transient, that is, to have finite risk over an infinite time horizon. We derive risk-averse dynamic programming equations satisfied by the optimal policy and we describe methods for solving these equations. We illustrate the results on an optimal stopping problem and an organ transplantation problem.
Constructive exploration of spatial information by blind users

When blind people wish to walk through an area not fully known to them, they have to prepare themselves even more thoroughly than sighted pedestrians. We propose a new approach to support this preparation with the help of an interactive computer method, called constructive exploration. Using this method, the user is guided in physically constructing the spatial arrangement to be learned using building blocks. We describe two implementations of the concept, one with a graspable interface with object tracking and the other employing a force feedback device. We report on first tests of the implementations.
Classical dilations à la Hudson-Parthasarathy of Markov semigroups

We study the Classical Probability analogue of the dilations of a quantum dynamical semigroup defined in Quantum Probability via quantum stochastic differential equations. Given a homogeneous Markov chain in continuous time in a finite state space E, we introduce a second system, an environment, and a deterministic invertible time-homogeneous global evolution of the system E with this environment such that the original Markov evolution of E can be realized by a proper choice of the initial random state of the environment. We also compare this dilations with the dilations of a quantum dynamical semigroup in Quantum Probability: given a classical Markov semigroup, we extend it to a proper quantum dynamical semigroup for which we can find a Hudson-Parthasarathy dilation which is itself an extension of our classical dilation.
Network-on-chip: the intelligence is in the wire

In this paper, we describe how network-on-chip (NoC) can be the next major challenge to implement complex and function-rich applications in advanced manufacturing processes at 90 nm technology and below. Although much progress has been made in connecting the various components encompassed in communication networks for system-on-chip (SoC) designs (e.g., processor-specific bus architectures, interface adapters, etc.), until now there has not been the possibility to consider a chip-wide architectural methodology that takes into account all typical NoC design requirements. As design complexity continues to increase, a more global approach is required to effectively transport and manage both on-chip and off-chip communication traffic, optimize wire efficiency and permit designs to scale in size, complexity, and IP block usage. The system described in this work is based on an innovative switching fabric that allows designers to build an efficient and scalable architecture for NoC implementation, without disrupting the existing IP interconnect solutions currently used in the design tools and flows.
The potential for interactions between antimalarial and antiretroviral drugs

The rapid increase in access to antiretroviral therapy in developing countries has brought with it new challenges. These include the unprecedented need for lifelong treatment for an infectious disease and the pressure this will place on health services. The use of fixed dose combinations from generic manufacturers does not easily allow for individualization of dosage (e.g. with coadministered drugs for tuberculosis). Gaps in current knowledge that urgently need to be addressed are the effect of ethnicity gender and body weight upon antiretroviral drug disposition and defining interactions with other drugs including antimalarial and antituberculosis drugs and traditional medicines. Malaria is widespread across areas of the world where resources are limited and most of these areas also bear the brunt of the HIV pandemic. There are potentially many different ways in which both diseases interact at political social and public health levels as well as emerging evidence for how one disease may affect the pathogenesis and outcome of the other. At a time when access to antiretroviral drugs is increasing and new combinations of antimalarial drugs are being evaluated it is important that potential interactions between therapies for these two infections are also reviewed. (excerpt)
The meaning of physical education and sport among elite athletes with visual impairments

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the meaning that elite athletes with visual impairments ascribed to their school-based physical education (PE) and sport experiences. A convenience sample of four elite male goalball athletes with visual impairment voluntarily participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews and reflective field notes, and an interpretive phenomenological analysis was conducted for theme development. Member checking, peer debriefing, and communicative validity were utilized to ensure trustworthiness. Even though the participants’ experiences varied due to their personal and contextual characteristics, four interrelated themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) PE teachers are central to PE experiences; (b) internalized exclusion; (c) athletic identity struggle; and (d) extracurricular opportunity. These themes are discussed in relation to the existing literature. Implications with regard to the education of PE teachers and the need for school-based PE and sport programming to better serve students with visual impairments are highlighted.
Principal Experimental Study of the Acoustic behavior of Pumps

An experimental setup for acoustic and vibration analysis of single stage pumps is presented. Targets of the set up are to investigate noise generation and radiation of pumps and to analyze the influence of design parameters on it. The setup is installed in an anechoic chamber and consists of the prototype pump, an acoustical encapsulated electrical drive and a transmission shaft. The pump has a modular design in order to have the possibility to investigate the influence of the blade geometry, the shape of the tongue etc. in relation to the noise generation. The structural properties of each component of the pump and the assembled prototype were analyzed by modal analysis in front of the acoustic measurements. Sound pressure measurements in air, measurements of the wall pressure fluctuations by pressure probes in the volute, measurements of the hydro-acoustic pressure fluctuations by hydrophones in the suction and pressure pipe as well as vibration measurements of the pump housing were done synchronously for three different blade designs under various load and speed conditions.
Taxonomic Assessment of Rumen Microbiota Using Total RNA and Targeted Amplicon Sequencing Approaches

Taxonomic characterization of active gastrointestinal microbiota is essential to detect shifts in microbial communities and functions under various conditions. This study aimed to identify and quantify potentially active rumen microbiota using total RNA sequencing and to compare the outcomes of this approach with the widely used targeted RNA/DNA amplicon sequencing technique. Total RNA isolated from rumen digesta samples from five beef steers was subjected to Illumina paired-end sequencing (RNA-seq), and bacterial and archaeal amplicons of partial 16S rRNA/rDNA were subjected to 454 pyrosequencing (RNA/DNA Amplicon-seq). Taxonomic assessments of the RNA-seq, RNA Amplicon-seq, and DNA Amplicon-seq datasets were performed using a pipeline developed in house. The detected major microbial phylotypes were common among the three datasets, with seven bacterial phyla, fifteen bacterial families, and five archaeal taxa commonly identified across all datasets. There were also unique microbial taxa detected in each dataset. Elusimicrobia and Verrucomicrobia phyla; Desulfovibrionaceae, Elusimicrobiaceae, and Sphaerochaetaceae families; and Methanobrevibacter woesei were only detected in the RNA-Seq and RNA Amplicon-seq datasets, whereas Streptococcaceae was only detected in the DNA Amplicon-seq dataset. In addition, the relative abundances of four bacterial phyla, eight bacterial families and one archaeal taxon were different among the three datasets. This is the first study to compare the outcomes of rumen microbiota profiling between RNA-seq and RNA/DNA Amplicon-seq datasets. Our results illustrate the differences between these methods in characterizing microbiota both qualitatively and quantitatively for the same sample, and so caution must be exercised when comparing data.
A Survey of Domain Specific Web Search Techniques

In the world of internet where every day information is increasing exponentially, retrieving correct information from the World Wide Web has always remained a challenge. The growth in volume of data has made it more difficult to find relevant and useful information on the internet. It is always a challenge to get relevant information if it is searched over the vast internet. There are techniques to crawl the domain specific data so as to keep the throw away data as to minimum. Taking the advantage of knowing domain, priorities could be assigned to the indexes for faster search. Assistance could be given to the user to form the most effective query in the given domain. Some search techniques make use of URL structure, some look for specific words in the web pages. Number of attempts have been made to implement domain specific search namely by combining semantic web technologies with information retrieval. Making use of weighted ontology for crawling, indexing and searching has been taken into consideration by some of researchers separately. In the need to improve user experience in domain specific information retrieval, this is an attempt to review the techniques available for domain specific web crawling, indexing and searching. The aim is to focus on the areas which can be improved
Adsorption behavior of α -cypermethrin on cork and activated carbon

Studies were undertaken to determine the adsorption behavior of α -cypermethrin [R)-α -cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl(1S)-cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate, and (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (1R)-cis-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] in solutions on granules of cork and activated carbon (GAC). The adsorption studies were carried out using a batch equilibrium technique. A gas chromatograph with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD) was used to analyze α -cypermethrin after solid phase extraction with C18 disks. Physical properties including real density, pore volume, surface area and pore diameter of cork were evaluated by mercury porosimetry. Characterization of cork particles showed variations thereby indicating the highly heterogeneous structure of the material. The average surface area of cork particles was lower than that of GAC. Kinetics adsorption studies allowed the determination of the equilibrium time—24 hours for both cork (1–2 mm and 3–4 mm) and GAC. For the studied α -cypermethrin concentration range, GAC revealed to be a better sorbent. However, adsorption parameters for equilibrium concentrations, obtained through the Langmuir and Freundlich models, showed that granulated cork 1–2 mm have the maximum amount of adsorbed α-cypermethrin (qm) (303 μg/g); followed by GAC (186 μ g/g) and cork 3-4 mm (136 μg/g). The standard deviation (SD) values, demonstrate that Freundlich model better describes the α -cypermethrin adsorption phenomena on GAC, while α -cypermethrin adsorption on cork (1-2 mm and 3-4 mm) is better described by the Langmuir. In view of the adsorption results obtained in this study it appears that granulated cork may be a better and a cheaper alternative to GAC for removing α -cypermethrin from water.
Physical Activity Patterns and Factors Related to Exercise during Pregnancy: A Cross Sectional Study

Objective To assess the physical activity levels of pregnant women and to examine the characteristics associated with the practice of exercise and the activities of daily living during pregnancy. Methods For this cross-sectional study, 1,279 women were recruited within 72 hours postpartum. They were interviewed about their socio-demographic data and obstetric history and were administered self-report questionnaires about exercise and daily physical activities during pregnancy. Data on the current pregnancy, labor, delivery, and newborn outcomes were collected from participants’ medical records. To analyze factors related to the practice of exercise, we used the student t-test, X², and odds ratio (OR), with a corresponding 95% confident interval (CI), followed by a multiple logistic regression. The significance level was 5%. Results Compared to the pre-pregnancy period, the prevalence of physical activity among participants was lower throughout pregnancy (20.1%) (p = 0.01). Half of the women interrupted practicing physical exercise due to pregnancy. The lowest prevalence of exercise was observed in the first (13.6%) and third trimesters (13.4%). Less than half of women received exercise guidance during prenatal care meetings (47.4%). Walking was the most commonly reported exercise, followed by water aerobics. Factors positively associated with exercise practice were higher educational level (OR= 1.82; CI 95% 1.28–2.60), primiparity (OR=1.49; CI 95% 1.07–2.07), exercising before pregnancy (OR= 6.45; CI 95% 4.64–8.96), and exercise guidance during prenatal care (OR=2.54; CI 95% 1.80–3.57). Mildly intense exercise and domestic activities were most frequently reported among pregnant women. There were no differences in maternal and perinatal outcomes between active and sedentary pregnant women. Conclusion The findings indicate that promoting physical activity remains a priority in public health policy, and women of childbearing age, especially those planning a pregnancy, should be encouraged to adopt an exercise routine or maintain an active lifestyle during pregnancy in order to avoid sedentary- and obesity-associated risks.
Creative Thinking For Dummies

Introduction 1 Part I: Laying the Foundations: Understanding Creativity 7 Chapter 1: So What Is Creativity? 9 Chapter 2: Living in a World of Creativity 27 Chapter 3: Exploring the Creative Mindset 49 Part II: Preparing Yourself: Creating Your Creative Mindset 71 Chapter 4: Preparing to Be Creative 73 Chapter 5: Committing to Creativity 93 Part III: Getting Creative The Practical Stuff 113 Chapter 6: Changing Your Mind with Creative Thinking 115 Chapter 7: Opening Your Mind with Creative Thinking Techniques 141 Chapter 8: Closing In on the Answer: Creative Problem-Solving 169 Chapter 9: Playing Creatively 189 Part IV: Applying Creativity to Your Life 215 Chapter 10: Living the Creative Life 217 Chapter 11: Children and Creativity 239 Chapter 12: Working Creatively 257 Chapter 13: Embedding Creativity in Your Personal Life 279 Part V: The Part of Tens 301 Chapter 14: Ten Great Ways to Get Creative 303 Chapter 15: Ten Acorns That Became Oak Trees: Great Ideas that Became Reality 309 Chapter 16: Ten-Plus Essential Books 317 Chapter 17: Ten Inspirational Creative Businesses 325 Chapter 18: Ten Unusually Creative Individuals 333 Index 341
Advanced Technological Solutions for E-Health and Dementia Patient Monitoring

Computer technology has been reported to pose significant usability problems for older users. Further usability problems have been encountered with small, mobile computing devices due to their size as well as age-related declines. This chapter focuses on the usability of mobile computing devices for older people by first employing target users in a study to establish the problems to be addressed when using Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). The development of an intelligent mobile interface companion called MemorLane to support older people by adapting its presentation and multimodal output of life-cached data to address individual user preferences and physical abilities is then presented, followed by the results of a detailed user-centred evaluation with further target users. Results show that the adaptability to individual requirements and preferences leads to statistically significant improvements both in the usability of the mobile interface and in the levels of user satisfaction experienced.
Combination Therapy with Clindamycin and Rifampicin for Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Series of 116 Consecutive Patients

Background: Antibiotics are frequently used to treat hidradenitis suppurativa (HS); however, few data on their efficacy are available. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a combination of systemic clindamycin (300 mg twice daily) and rifampicin (600 mg daily) in the treatment of patients with severe HS. Methods: Patients (n = 116) who received this combination were studied retrospectively. The main outcome measure was the severity of the disease, assessed by the Sartorius score, before and after 10 weeks of treatment. Results: The Sartorius score dramatically improved at the end of treatment (median = 29, interquartile range = 14.5, vs. median = 14.5, interquartile range = 11; p < 0.001), as did other parameters of severity as well as the quality of life score. Eight patients (6.9%) stopped the treatment because of side effects. Conclusion: The combination of clindamycin and rifampicin is effective in the treatment of severe HS.
Philosophy, Feminist Literary Criticism and "The Difference"

This paper discusses the present-day philosophical rupture away from identitarian thinking, and how the former has influenced the world of the feminist literary criticism of today. Herein, we embark on a journey from its awakenings back in the 1960s. We begin our quest with Kate Millett, we will continue our discussion with Irigaray, Cixous, or Kristeva and their analysis of the difference created by gender. And, we will reflect on the influence it has made to the American movement. We use the aforementioned as the lead towards the theory of deconstruction in authors such as Felman or Spivak, and how we reach the concept of performativity of gender in line with Butler and the queer theory.
Trade-off Between GPGPU based Implementations of Multi Object Tracking Particle Filter

In this work, we present the design, analysis and implementation of a decentralized particle filter (DPF) for multiple object tracking (MOT) on a graphics processing unit (GPU). We investigate two variants of the implementation , their advantages and caveats in terms of scaling with larger particle numbers and performance on several datasets. First we compare the precision of our GPU implementation with standard CPU version. Next we compare performance of the GPU variants under different scenarios. The results show the GPU variant leads to a five fold speedup on average (in best cases the speedup reaches a factor of 18) over the CPU variant while keeping similar tracking accuracy and precision.
Minimizing power consumption in digital circuits and systems: an overview

In designing digital circuits and systems, minimizing power consumption has gained considerably in signi cance compared to the traditional cost metrics of silicon area, performance and testability. The increasing importance of low power consumption is due to the ever decreasing feature sizes of microelectronic circuits, higher clock frequencies and larger die sizes, as well as the growing number of mobile, battery-operated systems. To contain power optimization, modern design methodologies therefore allow optimizing power on all levels during the design ow, from system level down to technology level. These optimizations are either applied manually by the design engineer or automatically using CAD tools. This paper gives an overview of the state-of-the-art in minimizing power consumption on all levels of the design ow of digital circuits and systems. Zusammenfassung. Die Minimierung des Leistungsverbrauchs digitaler Schaltungen und Systeme hat in den vergangenen Jahren neben den Metriken Flache, Durchsatz und Testbarkeit eine immer gro ere Bedeutung gewonnen. Diese Entwicklung ist wesentlich auf die stetig sinkenden Strukturgro en mikroelektronischer Schaltungen bei gleichzeitig steigenden Taktfrequenzen und gro erer Chip ache sowie die wachsende Anzahl mobiler, batteriebetriebener Systeme zur uckzuf uhren. Zur Beherrschung des Leistungsverbrauchs werden daher in modernen Entwurfsmethodiken Optimierungen auf allen Ebenen des Entwurfsablaufs durchgef uhrt, angefangen auf der Systemebene bis hin zur Technologieebene. Diese werden entweder manuell durch den Entwurfsingenieur oder automatisiert mit Hilfe von CAD{Werkzeugen durchgef uhrt. Der vorliegende Artikel bietet einen  Uberblick  uber den Stand der Technik bei der Minimierung des Leistungsverbrauchs im gesamten Ablauf des Entwurfs digitaler Schaltungen und Systeme.