Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual and Region of Interest–Based Inter-Rater Agreement in the Assessment of the Diffusion-Weighted Imaging– Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Mismatch

Background and Purpose— WAKE-UP is a randomized, placebo-controlled MRI-based trial of thrombolysis in wake-up stroke using the mismatch between a lesion’s visibility in diffusion-weighted imaging and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences as its main imaging inclusion criterion. Visual judgment of lesion conspicuity on FLAIR is however methodically limited by moderate inter-rater agreement. We therefore sought to improve rating homogeneity by incorporating quantitative signal intensity measurements. Methods— One hundred forty-three data sets of patients with acute ischemic stroke were visually rated by 8 raters with respect to WAKE-UP study inclusion and exclusion criteria, and inter-rater agreement was calculated. A subanalysis was performed on 45 cases to determine a threshold value of relative signal intensity (rSI) between the ischemic lesion and contralateral healthy tissue which best corresponded to a visually established verdict of FLAIR positivity. The usefulness of this threshold in improving inter-rater agreement was evaluated in an additional sample of 50 patients. Results— Inter-rater agreement for inclusion into the WAKE-UP trial was 73% with a free-marginal &kgr; of 0.46. A threshold of rSI which best correlated with the visual rating of lesions as FLAIR positive was 1.20. The addition of rSI measurements to visual evaluation did not change the inter-rater agreement. Conclusions— Introducing a semiquantitative measure for FLAIR rSI did not improve the agreement between individual raters. However, enhancing visual assessment with rSI measurements can provide reassurance to local investigators in cases of uncertainty.
Sequence Based Feature Selection using ant colony optimization

Feature selection is a process with the aim of diminishing irrelevant and redundant features from original set. Some of features which are called irrelevant not only provide no useful information to classifier but also put it in pitfalls. Some other are neutral means no conducting and no misleading. This group is called redundant features. In this paper, we introduced a new algorithm based on ant colony optimization (ACO) with the aid of statistical information from training dataset to cut down mentioned groups of features. The proposed algorithm is called Sequence Based Feature Selection (SFS) able to get target subset cardinality as an input or not. In this paper ants are applying two factors related to statistical information as heuristic desirability to remove irrelevant and redundant groups of features. These information are well-known Fisher-Score and Correlation respectively. Our algorithm utilizes a fully connected graph of nodes to model the problem and put the pheromone on nodes rather than edges. In addition it uses a dynamic desirability rather than a pre-calculated static one. In each iteration every ant comes up with a sequence of features which is passed to the next step for choosing a subsequence of it starting from beginning. The proposed algorithm has been tested against some well-known datasets and its performance compared with recently represented algorithms. The results indicates that using dynamic two factors desirability in fully connected graph is more effective in removing redundant features than Binary approaches.
The Cannabinoid Agonist WIN55,212-2 Suppresses Opioid-induced Emesis in Ferrets

Background Cannabinoid receptor agonists reverse nausea and vomiting produced by chemotherapy and radiation therapy in animals and humans but have not been tested against opioid-induced emesis. This study tests the hypothesis that cannabinoid receptor agonists will prevent opioid-induced vomiting. Methods Twelve male ferrets were used. They weighed 1.2–1.6 kg at the beginning and 1.8–2.3 kg at the end of the experiments. All drugs were injected subcutaneously. WIN55,212-2, a mixed CB1–CB2 cannabinoid receptor agonist, was administered 25 min before morphine. Retches and vomits were counted at 5-min intervals for 30 min after morphine injection. Results Retching and vomiting responses increased with increasing morphine doses up to 1.0 mg/kg, above which the responses decreased. Previous administration of naloxone prevented morphine-induced retching and vomiting. WIN55,212-2 dose-dependently reduced retching and vomiting. The ED50 was 0.05 mg/kg for retches and 0.03 mg/kg for vomits. At 0.13 mg/kg, retching decreased by 76% and vomiting by 92%. AM251, a CB1 receptor-selective antagonist, blocked the antiemetic actions of WIN55,212-2, but AM630, a CB2 receptor-selective antagonist, did not. Conclusions These results demonstrate that WIN55,212-2 prevents opioid-induced vomiting and suggest that the antiemetic activity of WIN55,212-2 occurs at CB1 receptors. This is consistent with findings that CB1 receptors are the predominant cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system and that antiemetic effects of cannabinoids appear to be centrally mediated.
A Polynomial-Time Algorithm for Finding a Bounded-Curvature Path in a Narrow Corridor

We present a polynomial-time motion planning algorithm for an idealized bicycle traversing a nonforking, twisty road that is too narrow to turn around on. The best known result in the general setting of polygonal obstacles is a reduction to the first-order theory of the reals that is computable in exponential time and space. Moreover, the path normalization and redund ancy elimination used by our algorithm apply to more general settings.
What is effective second language exposure and how does it relate to content-based instruction and language across the
 curriculum?

Second language acquisition cannot take place in the absence of exposure to input. However, despite extensive L2 instruction and/or learning content subjects in L2, many struggle to communicate adequately in their L2 in social and/or academic contexts. A clearer delineation of the concept of ‘exposure’, which requires a review of relevant language acquisition theories and findings, is needed. As such, substantial bodies of work in L2 acquisition by well-known language educators, namely Jim Cummins (‘BICS’ and ‘CALP’), Stephen Krashen (‘Comprehensible Input Hypothesis’), Michael Long (Interaction Hypothesis) and Merril Swain (Output Hypothesis) are reviewed. A review is also made of relevant neuroscience research. Two educational approaches, Content-based instruction (CBI) and Language across the curriculum (LAC), are discussed in relation to the insights obtained, with special reference to contexts influenced by Confucian heritage culture (CHC). To allow subject networking to take place, school managers/L2 policy makers need to actively revamp the curriculum.
Does Enalapril Prevent Peritoneal Fibrosis Induced by Hypertonic (3.86%) Peritoneal Dialysis Solution?

Objective Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is one of the most serious causes of failure in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (PD). Although the underlying mechanism responsible for the genesis of PF is still unknown, transforming growth factor p (TGFβ1) has been shown to be associated with PF. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors have been shown to prevent the stimulating effect of growth factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of enalapril on peritoneal function and morphology in a rat model of experimental PF. Methods Twenty-one albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups: (1) the control group (C) received 10 mL isotonic saline intraperitoneally (IP), (2) the dextrose (Dx) group 10 mL 3.86% dextrose PD solution IP, and (3) the enalapril-treated group (ENA) 10 cc 3.86% dextrose PD solution IP plus 100 mg/L enalapril in drinking water. After 4 weeks, a 1-hour peritoneal equilibration test was performed with 20 mL 2.27% dextrose PD solution. Dialysate-to-plasma urea ratio (D/P urea), glucose reabsorption (D1/D0 glucose), ultrafiltration (UF) volume, and levels of dialysate protein, TGFβ1, and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) were determined. The parietal peritoneum was evaluated histologically by light microscopy. Results Administration of enalapril resulted in preserved UF (-0.2 ± 0.7 mL vs 1.7 ± 0.3 mL, p < 0.05), protein loss (2.3 ± 0.5 g/L vs 1.6 ± 0.2 g/L, p > 0.05), and peritoneal thickness (77 ± 7 μ vs 38 ± 5 μ, p < 0.001). D/P urea increased significantly in the Dx group (p < 0.05). Both higher levels of TGFβ1 (undetectable vs 298 ± 43 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and lower levels of CA125 in dialysate effluent (0.94 ± 0.5 U/L vs 0.11 ± 0.1 U/L, p > 0.05) were determined in the Dx group. Conclusion These findings show that peritoneal morphology and function tests were dramatically deranged in the Dx group. The same properties were partially preserved in the ENA group. The production of TGFβ1 was significantly reduced but peritoneal thickness was not completely inhibited. In conclusion, by inhibiting the production of TGFβ1, enalapril can preserve peritoneal histology, peritoneal function, and remodeling of mesothelial cells.
Chemokine receptors as important regulators of pathogenesis during arboviral encephalitis

The central nervous system (CNS) is a highly complex network comprising long-lived neurons and glial cells. Accordingly, numerous mechanisms have evolved to tightly regulate the initiation of inflammatory responses within the brain. Under neuroinflammatory conditions, as in the case of viral encephalitides, the infiltration of leukocytes is often required for efficient viral clearance and recovery. The orchestration of leukocyte migration into the inflamed CNS is largely coordinated by a large family of chemotactic cytokines and their receptors. In this review, we will summarize our current understanding of how chemokines promote protection or pathogenesis during arbovirus induced encephalitis, focusing on neurotropic flaviviruses and alphaviruses. Furthermore, we will highlight the latest developments in chemokine and chemokine receptor based drugs that could have potential as therapeutics and have been shown to play a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of disease.
Parallel speculative encryption of multiple AES contexts on GPUs

This work presents a high performance heterogeneous parallel method for encryption using GPUs. Our heterogeneous design executes most of the encryption processes on the GPU and partially on CPU. Aside from the AES 16 Byte block size, our parallel AES CTR algorithm divides work in small logical data blocks. We have devised a novel latency hiding scheme that suits the parallel CTR encryption mode by speculatively encrypting and caching data blocks ahead of time on the GPU. The algorithm also allows execution of all encryption process on GPU memory. We show that, in this GPU only mode, our algorithm outperforms current published implementations on comparable hardware. Our experiments demonstrate that our latency hiding scheme combined with the logical division of work results in high throughput and low latency when delivering encrypted data to CPU memory and permits simultaneous encryption of either related data contexts or different encryption flows.
Bioinformatics of prokaryotic RNAs

The genome of most prokaryotes gives rise to surprisingly complex transcriptomes, comprising not only protein-coding mRNAs, often organized as operons, but also harbors dozens or even hundreds of highly structured small regulatory RNAs and unexpectedly large levels of anti-sense transcripts. Comprehensive surveys of prokaryotic transcriptomes and the need to characterize also their non-coding components is heavily dependent on computational methods and workflows, many of which have been developed or at least adapted specifically for the use with bacterial and archaeal data. This review provides an overview on the state-of-the-art of RNA bioinformatics focusing on applications to prokaryotes.
Konzeption, Akzeptanz und Durchführbarkeit einer modularisierten universellen Präventionsmaßnahme zur emotionalen Kompetenz für Kinder und Jugendliche an Schulen im Rahmen eines Service-Learning-Konzepts

Theoretischer Hintergrund: Betrachtet man die hohen Prävalenzahlen psychischer Störungen im Kindes- und Jugendalter und die damit verbundene Belastung und Beeinträchtigung der Betroffenen, so ist die Notwendigkeit von Prävention offensichtlich. Trotzdem fehlen häufig Ressourcen zur Durchführung von Präventionsmaßnahmen. Methode: Ziel war die Entwicklung und Implementierung so wie Evaluation eines modularisierten Präventionskonzepts zur emotionalen Kompetenz (3–5 Doppelstunden), welches im Rahmen eines Service-Learning-Konzeptes durchgeführt wurde. 1’195 Schüler im Alter von 7–16 Jahren (M = 11,5, SD = 2,42; Jungenanteil = 53%), 38 Lehrpersonen (M = 45,76 Jahre, SD = 9,49) und 188 Gruppenleiter (M = 23,38 Jahre, SD = 2,61) nahmen an der Evaluation der Präventionsmaßnahme teil. Erhoben wurden die Akzeptanz, der Wissenszuwachs und die Effektivität anhand der Evaluation von Stressbewältigungsstrategien, Emotionsregulationsstrategien und Selbstwirksamkeit im Prä-Post-Design. Ergebnisse: In der Gesamtstichprobe zeigte sich eine hohe Akzeptanz der Präventionsmaßnahme mit Weiterempfehlungsraten zwischen 82 und 93%. Es zeigte sich ein kleiner Effekt beim Anstieg der konstruktiv-palliativen Emotionsregulation (t(97) = 2,62, p = 0,025, d = 0,29). In allen weiteren Outcome-Maßen zeigten sich keine signifikanten Veränderungen. Schlussfolgerung: Insgesamt zeigt sich eine erfolgreiche Implementierung des Präventionskonzepts an den Kooperationsschulen. Die modularisierte Konzeption der Präventionsmaßnahme geht zulasten der internen Validität, wo hingegen das naturalistische Studiendesign eine Stärke darstellt.
Improved High Speed / Low Complexity Memristor-based Content Addressable Memory ( MCAM ) Cell

This paper provides new approach for nonvolatile Memristor-based Content Addressable Memory MCAM cell using memristor with CMOS processing technology in order to get high speed read/write operations within high packing density and low power dissipation. The proposed cell uses only two memristors as a memory cell and CMOS controlling circuitry which uses latching to decrease time required for writing. Moreover, less complexity has been achieved by using the same lines for read and write signals. On the other hand, proposed cell use latching to decrease write time and get nondestructive read operation. As a consequence, the proposed cell provides static power dissipation prevention and no opportunity for losing data.
Trafficking and Fusion of Neuropeptide Y-Containing Dense-Core Granules in Astrocytes

It is becoming clear that astrocytes are active participants in synaptic functioning and exhibit properties, such as the secretion of classical transmitters, previously thought to be exclusively neuronal. Whether these similarities extend to the release of neuropeptides, the other major class of transmitters, is less clear. Here we show that cortical astrocytes can synthesize both native and foreign neuropeptides and can secrete them in a stimulation-dependent manner. Reverse transcription-PCR and mass spectrometry indicate that cortical astrocytes contain neuropeptide Y (NPY), a widespread neuronal transmitter. Immunocytochemical studies reveal NPY-immunoreactive (IR) puncta that colocalize with markers of the regulated secretory pathway. These NPY-IR puncta are distinct from the synaptic-like vesicles that contain classical transmitters, and the two types of organelles are differentially distributed. After activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors and the release of calcium from intracellular stores, the NPY-IR puncta fuse with the cell membrane, and the peptide-containing dense cores are displayed. To determine whether peptide secretion subsequently occurred, exocytosis was monitored from astrocytes expressing NPY–red fluorescent protein (RFP). In live cells, after activation of glutamate receptors, the intensity of the NPY–RFP-labeled puncta declined in a step-like manner indicating a regulated release of the granular contents. Because NPY is a widespread and potent regulator of synaptic transmission, these results suggest that astrocytes could play a role in the peptidergic modulation of synaptic signaling in the CNS.
A framework for 3D virtual game using MOODLE, SLOODLE and Open Simulator: Case Study: Training of house building data collecting by National Statistical Office (NSO), Government Agency, BPS — Statistics Indonesia

Before conduct data collecting, enumerators take a course and conduct simulation in the classroom. However, learning in the classroom often doesn't make the enumerators understand perfectly. To solve this problem, we can use 3D virtual game based training as a solution. During the training, enumerators will use 3D virtual learning environment to get more experience, engagement, and expertise. For this purpose, we proposed a framework which integrates ADDIE, 3D VLE framework, and Activity Theory Model for Serious Game (ATMSG). The proposed framework will guide us to create game flowchart, sequence game diagram, and game blueprint in “Training of House Building Data Collecting in Population Census” as a case study.
Substitutional Discipline of Option and Debt : Theory and Evidence from CEO Equity Holding , Capital Structure and Executive Compensation

I develop a principal-agent model to analyze the interaction among CEO’s equity holding portfolio, firm’s capital structure and executive compensation contract. Unlike a strand of literatures in corporate finance investigating only capital structure and compensation contract, this paper asks the question whether executive’s equity option holding and firm’s financial leverage jointly affect manager’s compensation. The optimal solution of this model indicates that either high leverage or high strike price of manager’s equity holding exerts disciplinary control over manager’s behavior. This theory implies a testable hypothesis that manager with low moneyness in her equity option holding is associated with low pay-for-performance sensitivity of compensation contract, but this discipline of high-strike option becomes weaker when the firm has higher level of debt. The empirical result provides cross-sectional evidence supporting this substitutional effect between CEO’s equity option holding and firm’s capital structure in determining the profit-sharing rule in optimal executive compensation. This disciplinary effect is weaker for S&P 500 index member firms probably due to better corporate governance induced by institutional ownership.
On the Security of "an efficient and complete remote user authentication scheme"

Recently, Liaw et al. proposed a remote user authentication scheme using smart cards. Their scheme has claimed a number of features e.g. mutual authentication, no clock synchronization, no verifier table, flexible user password change, etc. We show that Liaw et al.'s scheme is completely insecure. By intercepting a valid login message in Liaw et al.'s scheme, any unregistered user or adversary can easily login to the remote system and establish a session key.
3D Interest Maps From Simultaneous Video Recordings

We consider an emerging situation where multiple cameras are filming the same event simultaneously from a diverse set of angles. The captured videos provide us with the multiple view geometry and an understanding of the 3D structure of the scene. We further extend this understanding by introducing the concept of 3D interest map in this paper. As most users naturally film what they find interesting from their respective viewpoints, the 3D structure can be annotated with the level of interest, naturally crowdsourced from the users. A 3D interest map can be understood as an extension of saliency maps in the 3D space that captures the semantics of the scene. We evaluate the idea of 3D interest maps on two real datasets, taken from the environment or the cameras that are equipped enough to have an estimation of the poses of cameras and a reasonable synchronization between them. We study two aspects of the 3D interest maps in our evaluation. First, by projecting them into 2D, we compare them to state-of-the-art saliency maps. Second, to demonstrate the usefulness of the 3D interest maps, we apply them to a video mashup system that automatically produces an edited video from one of the datasets.
Reconstruction of brain tissue surface based on three-dimensional Tl-weighted MRI images

Three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important technique for accurate localization and evaluation of brain tumors. A fast-forming technique was proposed in this study based on 3D MRI and 3D printing to generate a physical 3D model that might help improve the neurosurgery planning for brain tumors. In this paper, a brain tissue segmentation and reconstruction method is presented using the unified segmentation algorithm and 3D interpolation. Results showed that the quality of the 3D brain tissue reconstruction was acceptable and linear interpolation of the 3D model improved the visualization of the brain surface morphology. We conclude that image segmentation and reconstruction of brain tissue based on the 3D T1-weighted MRI is feasible for fast 3D prototyping and it may help neurosurgeons for the surgery planning.
NEW LOW-NOISE , LOW-VOLTAGE INSTRUMENTATION AMPLIFIER DEDICATED TO NERVE SIGNAL RECORDING

In this paper we propose a new low-noise low voltage BiCMOS instrumentation amplifier (IA) with high CMRR and exempted from resistance matching. This IA is dedicated to nerve signal recording as a part of implantable prostheses. The IA design and the simulation with the BiCMOS 0.8 μm technology are presented . The gain is programmable by using a network of resistors. The IA features a common-mode rejection ratio of more than 100 dB. The equivalent input noise is 1.4 μV rms.
Outage probability analysis of cognitive radio networks under self-coexistence constraint

Cognitive radio networks (CRNs) are envisioned to eradicate the artificial scarcity caused by today's stringent spectrum allocation policy. In this article, we develop a statistical framework to model the outage probability at any arbitrary primary/licensed user, while operating in the presence of a collocated secondary network/CRN. A system model based on stochastic geometry (utilizing the theory of a Poisson point process) is introduced to model the transmission/reception/detection uncertainty due to the random locations and topology of both primary and secondary users. The primary beacon enabled interweave spectrum sharing model is utilized for evaluating outage and interference at a typical primary receiver. It is shown that the self-coexistence constraint ignored in past studies plays a vital role in the determination of outage and interference. A statistical model for interference is developed to incorporate the self-coexistence constraint in terms of medium access probability (MAP). Our study also indicates that under the availability of multiple channels/sub-channels, outage probability also depends on the probability of picking the same channel. Optimal selection of MAP and channel selection probability is briefly discussed. Our analytical and simulation results further consolidate the argument that past studies which do not cater for the self-coexistence constraint, over-estimate the interference.