Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic Localization of Deep Stimulation Electrodes Using Trajectory-Based segmentation Approach

In patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD), Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) neurosurgery is the best alternative to medical treatment. This surgery produces a Volume of Tissue Activated (VTA) whose correct location in the brain depends on the precise position of the DBS electrodes. In this paper, we automatically locate DBS electrodes using a threshold-based medical imaging segmentation methodology, by determining the optimal value of this threshold adaptively. We propose a method for automatic segmentation of the DBS electrodes, which adjusts itself to the intensity and rotation parameters of each CT scan. This method includes the CT image registered with a delimited anatomical atlas, which allows the creation of a Region of Interest (ROI) fully adjustable to the anatomy of each patient. The proposed method allows the localization of DBS electrodes in Computed Tomography (CT) images, with an accuracy of 0.2 mm.
FLOW VORTEX STRUCTURE CONTROL PAST A BODY BY CHANGING ITS SHAPE AND ANGULAR POSITION

The paper is devoted to numerical analysis of stratified flow vortex structure around a plate under action of the unperturbed incoming free stream at a moderate Reynolds number for various geometrical modifications of the leading and trailing edges of the plate. The study is based on high-accuracy schemes and fine-resolution 2D numerical simulation of the system of equations for multicomponent inhomogeneous fluid mechanics in the frame of the OpenFOAM tools with open source, which enables computing flows of both stratified and homogeneous viscous fluids in a single formulation. Unsteady patterns of vorticity and pressure fields are analysed at various degrees of corner rounding at the leading edge of the plate and its trailing edge sharpening with a special focus on evaluation of temporal-spatial scales and intensity of the leading-edge vortices and vortex street in the wake flow. Transformation of the flow vortex structure is shown, when step-by-step modifying a rectangular plate with sharp corners into a more streamline-shaped one with rounded leading edge and tapered trailing one, up to the most appropriate NACA wing profile which is examined in details at various angles of attack.
Expansion and mechanistic insights into de novo DEAF1 variants in DEAF1-associated neurodevelopmental disorders

De novo deleterious and heritable biallelic mutations in the DNA binding domain (DBD) of the transcription factor deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor 1 (DEAF1) result in a phenotypic spectrum of disorders termed DEAF1 -associated neurodevelopmental disorders (DAND). RNA-sequencing using hippocampal RNA from mice with conditional deletion of Deaf1 in the central nervous system indicate that loss of Deaf1 activity results in the altered expression of genes involved in neuronal function, dendritic spine maintenance, development, and activity, with reduced dendritic spines in hippocampal regions. Since DEAF1 is not a dosage-sensitive gene, we assessed the dominant negative activity of previously identified de novo variants and a heritable recessive DEAF1 variant on selected DEAF1-regulated genes in 2 different cell models. While no altered gene expression was observed in cells over-expressing the recessive heritable variant, the gene expression profiles of cells over-expressing de novo variants resulted in similar gene expression changes as observed in CRISPR-Cas9-mediated DEAF1 -deleted cells. Altered expression of DEAF1-regulated genes was rescued by exogenous expression of WT-DEAF1 but not by de novo variants in cells lacking endogenous DEAF1. De novo heterozygous variants within the DBD of DEAF1 were identified in 10 individuals with a phenotypic spectrum including autism spectrum disorder, developmental delays, sleep disturbance, high pain tolerance, and mild dysmorphic features. Functional assays demonstrate these variants alter DEAF1 transcriptional activity. Taken together, this study expands the clinical phenotypic spectrum of individuals with DAND, furthers our understanding of potential roles of DEAF1 on neuronal function, and demonstrates dominant negative activity of identified de novo variants.
Deformation tracking and diffeomorphic matching in medical imaging

This thesis focuses on deformation tracking and diffeomorphic matching in 2D or 3D medical imaging. We have developed and implemented novel algorithmic approaches to track both the myocardial motion in 2D IntraCardiac Echocardiography images and the Mitral Valve deformation in 3D ultrasound images. We studied the myocardial deformation through the registration of IntraCardiac Echocardiography images, by utilizing the statistical properties of the speckle noise. Within a framework of parametric elastic registration, the deformation was estimated by optimizing the energy function computed by applying the maximum likelihood approach to the speckle noise model. And, the optimization procedure is accelerated by applying the multiresolution method and local masking, which also improve the robustness of our algorithm. Numerical results are verified perfectly by the medical data from Texas Medical Center. We then consider optimal matching of submanifolds such as curves and surfaces by a variational approach based on Hilbert spaces of diffeomorphic transformations. In an abstract setting, the optimal matching is formulated as a minimization problem, in which the objective functional consists of two parts measuring the elastic energy of the dynamically deformed surfaces and the quality of the matching. The performance of our diffeomorphic tracking in medical 3D-image movies is illustrated by numerical results for the dynamic modeling of the human mitral valve annulus by computer analysis of 3D-echocardiographic image sequences.
Security Dilemmas in Russia and Eurasia

The new states in Eurasia confront an array of difficulties in managing the legacy of the collapse of the Soviet Union and in forging new security policy identities. Some of these states still emphasize the need for integration with Russia; others insist on greater diversification and the need for broader multilateral security ties, or even the formation of regional blocs which exclude Russia. To explore the dynamics between these trends, this book focuses on the security policy thinking of Russia, the Ukraine, and the Central Asian and Caucasian states on their military and military-economic capabilities. It also addresses the larger framework of their international security relations and considers potential implications for the rest of Europe.
Distance Estimation by Fusing Radar and Monocular Camera with Kalman Filter

The major contribution of this paper is to propose a low-cost accurate distance estimation approach. It can potentially be used in driver modelling, accident avoidance and autonomous driving. Based on MATLAB and Python, sensory data from a Continental radar and a monocular dashcam were fused using a Kalman filter. Both sensors were mounted on a Volkswagen Sharan, performing repeated driving on a same route. The established system consists of three components, radar data processing, camera data processing and data fusion using Kalman filter. For radar data processing, raw radar measurements were directly collected from a data logger and analyzed using a Python program. Valid data were extracted and time stamped for further use. Meanwhile, a Nextbase monocular dashcam was used to record corresponding traffic scenarios. In order to measure headway distance from these videos, object depicting the leading vehicle was first located in each frame. Afterwards, the corresponding vanishing point was also detected and used to automatically compute the camera posture, which is to minimize the interference caused by camera vibration. The headway distance can hence be obtained by assuming the leading and host vehicles were in the same ground plane. After both sensory data were obtained, they were synthesized and fused using Kalman filter, to generate a better estimation of headway distance. The performances of both sensors were assessed individually and the correlation between their measurements was evaluated by replotting radar measurements on the video stream. The results of individual sensors and Kalman filter were compared to investigate the optimization performance of the data fusion approach. This is a general guidance of headway distance estimation with a low cost radar and a monocular camera. With described general procedures, this paper can allow researchers to easily fuse radar and camera measurements to obtain optimized headway distance estimation. This paper can facilitate the development of a more realistic robotic driver that can mimic human driver behaviors.
DISTINGUISHING THE ROLES OF NATURAL AND ANTHROPOGENICALLY FORCED DECADAL CLIMATE VARIABILITY Implications for Prediction

Abstract Given that over the course of the next 10–30 years the magnitude of natural decadal variations may rival that of anthropogenically forced climate change on regional scales, it is envisioned that initialized decadal predictions will provide important information for climate-related management and adaptation decisions. Such predictions are presently one of the grand challenges for the climate community. This requires identifying those physical phenomena—and their model equivalents—that may provide additional predictability on decadal time scales, including an assessment of the physical processes through which anthropogenic forcing may interact with or project upon natural variability. Such a physical framework is necessary to provide a consistent assessment (and insight into potential improvement) of the decadal prediction experiments planned to be assessed as part of the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report.
MR 2902602 “ Multi-level Monte Carlo for continuous time Markov chains , with applications in biochemical kinetics

Review This work is concerned with computational methods for continuous time Markov chains. The setting is the one pertaining to mesoscopic chemical kinetics, where the so-called “random time change” or “operational time” representation in terms of unit-rate Poisson processes is employed. The paper proposes a multilevel Monte Carlo (MLMC) method based on the forward Euler method for continuous time Markov chains (traditionally called the “tau-leap method”). In the setting of continuous stochastic processes, MLMC is a general methodology for determining expectation values of functionals of the stochastic process, provided that time can be discretized. In essence, the idea is to use a combination of coarser time discretizations to gain in efficiency by performing more work at a coarser level where sampling is computationally fast. In the current paper an exact simulation is used at the finest level so as to avoid the discretization error. An unbiased estimate is therefore produced. Perhaps the most important contribution lies in the two algorithms (Algorithm 2 and 3) which shows how two trajectories, differently discretized but obtained from the same Poisson process, can be simulated in a consistent fashion.
Water, Technology and Development: Upgrading Egypt's Irrigation System

Part 1 Irrigation in Egypt - the traditional and the new system: the agricultural sector of Egypt three problems faced by the agricultural sector the irrigaiton improvement project the traditional Egyptian irrigaiton system the IIP improvements. Part 2 The improvement of irrigation system performance - a review of the literature: the irrigaiton management tradition the reasons for system improvement the performance of public irrigaiton systems major determinants of the improvement of irrigaiton system performance approaches to the improvement of irrigation system performance conclusion - the characteristics and problems of the research field. Part 3 Towards an analytic framework: the theoretical framework basic assumption and concepts hypotheses what can the study contribute? Part 4 Methodology: sources the design of the field survey the validity of the field survey evidence of internal validity in the field survey conclusion - internal and external validity. Part 5 Three filed survey areas: the Herz-Numaniya command area Beni Ibeid command area the Qiman el Arus command area. Part 6 Improving farmers' water control: the survey findings bivariate analyses combining evidence. Part 7 Saving scarce land resources: findings savings in land discussion. Part 8 Increasing farm income: a framework for analysis presentation of findings combining evidence. Part 9 The impact of the DSC package a demand-driven spread of the DSC package? can the findings be generalized?
Specific gait changes in prodromal hereditary spastic paraplegia type 4 - The preSPG4 study

Background: In hereditary spastic paraplegia type 4 (SPG4), subclinical gait changes might occur years before patients realize gait disturbances. The prodromal phase of neurodegenerative disease is of particular interest to halt disease progression by future interventions before impairment has manifested. Objectives: Identification of specific movement abnormalities before manifestation of gait impairment and quantification of disease progression in the prodromal phase. Methods: 70 subjects participated in gait assessment, including 30 prodromal SPAST mutation carriers, 17 patients with mild-to-moderate manifest SPG4, and 23 healthy controls. Gait was assessed by an infrared-camera-based motion capture system to analyze features like range of motion and continuous angle trajectories. Those features were correlated with disease severity as assessed by the Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale (SPRS) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a fluid biomarker indicating neurodegeneration. Results: Compared to healthy controls, we found an altered gait pattern in prodromal mutation carriers during the swing phase in segmental angles of the lower leg (p<0.05) and foot (p<0.01), and in heel ground clearance (p<0.01). Furthermore, ranges of motion of segmental angles were reduced for foot (p<0.001) and lower leg (p<0.01). These changes occurred in prodromal mutation carriers without quantified leg spasticity in clinical examination. Gait features correlated with NfL levels and SPRS score. Conclusion: Gait analysis can quantify changes in prodromal and mild-to-moderate manifest SPG4 patients. Thus, gait features constitute promising motor biomarkers characterizing the subclinical progression of spastic gait and might help to evaluate interventions in early disease stages.
A preliminary list of canarian Staphylinidae (Coleoptera)

Se presenta un listado preliminar de los estafilinidos (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) de las Islas Canarias. El numero total de especies citadas es de 283, de las que 112 son endemicas de este archipielago. Se aportan 26 nuevas citas para algunas islas (8 de La Gomera, 6 de Tenerife, 4 de Gran Canaria, 3 de La Palma, 3 de El Hierro y 2 de Fuerteventura) siendo 3 de ellas nuevas para la fauna de Canarias (Oxypoda sericea de Gran Canaia y Omalium excavatum y Aleochara lanuginosa de Tenerife).
Release of VAMP5-positive extracellular vesicles from specialized domains of retinal Müller cells in vivo

Cell-cell interactions in the central nervous system (CNS) are based on the release of molecules mediating signal exchange and providing structural and trophic support through vesicular exocytosis and the formation of extracellular vesicles (EVs). The specific mechanisms employed by each cell type in the brain are incompletely understood. Here, we explored the means of communication used by Müller cells, a type of glial cells in the retina, which forms part of the CNS. Using immunohistochemical, electron microscopic, and molecular analyses, we provide evidence for the release of distinct EVs from highly specialized domains of Müller cells in retinae from adult mice in vivo . We identify VAMP5 as a Müller cell-specific SNARE component that is part of EVs and responsive to ischemia, and we reveal differences between the secretomes of affinity-purified Müller cells and neurons in vitro . Our findings suggest EV-based communication as an important mediator of cellular interactions in the retina. suggested that these cells vesicular release of but the full range of their intercellular communication capacity is unknown. Our findings suggest that Müller cells release EVs from their endfeet facing the vitreous body and their microvilli surrounding photoreceptor segments. We show that Müller cell-derived EVs have a characteristic protein composition that differs substantially from those secreted by neurons.
Transmission line grounding arrangement that overcomes the effective length issue

Obtaining a low value for the transmission line grounding impedance is an important issue when dealing with backflashover performance. Usually, for high resistivity soils, increasing the grounding grid dimensions does not lead to low impedance due to the effective length issue. In this work, a special arrangement of ground electrodes is proposed in order to overcome the effective length problem in high resistivity soil. The transient voltage response of this low impedance ground arrangement is determined numerically using parametric modeling approach. Additionally, comparisons of numerical simulations results and measurements from a reduced model study are presented for validation purpose. Regarding the calculation, the grounding arrangement behavior is analyzed considering the frequency dependence of ground electrical parameters.
Perceiving a negatively connoted stimulus imply enhanced performances: the case of a moving object

Most studies on verticality’s embodiment showed that up positions were related to positive emotions whereas down positions were related to negative ones (Meier & Robinson, 2004). Research on motion perception found that a parabolic motion both induced animation attribution (Tremoulet & Feldman, 2000) and implied negative feelings (Chafi, Schiaratura, & Rusinek, 2012; Podevin, 2009; Podevin, Chafi, Rusinek, & Békaert, 2012). We hypothesized that seeing a parabolic downward motion will increase both the memorization for words and the execution’s speed of a serial subtraction compared to a parabolic upward motion. Results showed that the downward motion had enhancing effects both on the serial subtraction and on the number of recalled words, independently of their valence. These findings are interpreted as marking processes related to an adaptive behavior in response to a negative stimulus.
Analyse numérique/Analyse fonctionnelle Image numérique, GMRES et polynômes de Faber

Numerical range, GMRES and Faber polynomials. We ﬁrst show that (cid:1) F n (A) (cid:1) (cid:1) 2, where A is a linear continuous operator acting in a Hilbert space, and F n is the Faber polynomial of degree n corresponding to the numerical range of A . Then we deduce several new error bounds based on the numerical range for GMRES, an iterative method for solving non-Hermitian systems of linear equations. To cite this article: B. Beckermann, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 340 (2005).  2005 Académie des sciences. Publié par Elsevier SAS. Tous droits réservés.
Predicting body mass in Ruminantia using postcranial measurements

Size plays an important role in mammalian ecology. Accurate prediction of body mass is therefore critical for inferring aspects of ecology in extinct mammals. The unique digestive physiology of extant ruminant artiodactyls, in particular, is suggested to place constraints on their body mass depending on the type of food resources available. Therefore, reliable body mass estimates could provide insight into the habitat preferences of extinct ruminants. While most regression equations proposed thus far have used craniodental predictors, which for ungulates may produce misleading estimates based on indirect relationships between tooth dimensions and size, postcranial bones support the body and may be more accurate predictors of body mass. Here, I use phylogenetically informed bivariate and multiple regression techniques to establish predictive equations for body mass in 101 species of extant ruminant artiodactyls based on 56 postcranial measurements. Within limb elements, stepwise multiple regression models were typically preferred, though bivariate models often received comparable support based on Akaike's information criterion scores. The globally preferred model for predicting mass is a model including both proximal and distal width of the humerus, though several models from the radioulna received comparable support. In general, widths of long bones were good predictors, while lengths and midshaft circumferences were not. Finally, I show that where the best elements for prediction are unavailable for fossil taxa, selection of the model with lowest percent prediction error for the lowest level clade to which the fossil can be assigned could be a productive and novel way forward for predicting mass and subsequently aspects of ecology in fossil mammals.
Synergizing algorithmic design, photoclick chemistry and multi-material volumetric printing for accelerating complex shape engineering

Accelerating the designing and manufacturing of complex shapes has been a driving factor of modern industrialization. This has led to numerous advances in computational design and modeling and novel additive manufacturing (AM) techniques that can create complex shapes for bespoke applications. By combining a new coding-based design approach with high-throughput volumetric printing, we envision a new approach to transform the way we design and fabricate complex shapes. Here, we demonstrate an algorithmic voxel-based approach, which can rapidly generate and analyze porous structures, auxetic meshes and cylinders, or perfusable constructs. We use this design scheme in conjunction with new approaches for multi-material volumetric printing based on thiol-ene photoclick chemistry to rapidly fabricate complex heterogeneous structures. Collectively, the new design and fabrication technique we demonstrate can be used across a wide-spectrum of products such as actuators, biomedical implants and grafts, or tissue and disease models. Teaser A new scheme of rapidly designing and printing complex multi-material structures for implant and tissue graft applications.
Unconventional monetary policies

Unconventional monetary policies in the United States (2007- 2010) in the light of the Japanese experience (1999-2006). Were the Fed’s unconventional monetary policies effective during the 2007-2010 crisis? Have the ECB unconventional monetary policies lowered market borrowing costs for banks and governments? Disaster Risk in a New Keynesian Model.
Dual-Band Circular Polarized Flexible Implantable Antenna Using Reactive Impedance Substrate

This communication presents a compact wideband implantable loop antenna with circular polarization (CP) characteristics at 920 MHz industrial scientific and medical (ISM) (902–928 MHz) band and 2.45 GHz ISM band (2.40–2.48 GHz). To widen the impedance bandwidth (IBW) and improve the axial ratio (AR) behavior of the antenna, a reactive impedance substrate (RIS) is exploited. Meandering each arm of the loop makes the antenna compact in size, while the generation of surface wave by the RIS and open-ended configuration of the antenna collectively renders circular polarized wave. The performance of the antenna is analyzed using a single-layer skin model and other existing phantom models. The key feature of the proposed antenna is its dual-band CP behavior, which persists even at the flexion deformation of the human skin. An IBW of 123% with a 3 dB AR bandwidth of 15% and 8.7% is obtained at the planar state of the skin implantable antenna. To validate the simulated results, in vitro measurements were experimentally performed. Also, to find the maximum transmission range of the antenna for biotelemetry communication, the link margin has been analyzed. Finally, to use the antenna inside the biomedical device, the effect of microelectronic components is investigated.