Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sequence tolerant segmentation system of brain MRI

An automatic human brain segmentation system for magnetic resonance images is presented. It has two main parts: a fuzzy clustering algorithm and a set of cluster combination rules. Images are segmented into ten classes by the unsupervised fuzzy c-means clustering algorithm. Then a knowledge-based system labels the clusters into the tissues of interest: cerebrospinal fluid, gray matter and white matter. This approach can process MRI data that comes from different scanners with different sequences and head coils, using several different spin-echo images (with different echo times) and different slice thickness. The system adapts without manual intervention. Segmented synthetic image data from the brainWeb simulated normal brain database resulted in a one voxel away accuracy of 90%. The results from real data from various magnetic resonance imagers were compared with a radiologist's segmentation and found to generally agree within 10%, the typical range of inter-rater radiologist agreement.
CXCR4 Tropic HIV-1 gp120 Inhibition of SDF-1α-Induced Chemotaxis Requires Lck and is Associated with Cofilin Phosphorylation

Objective: HIV gp120 is a pleiotropic protein present in the plasma and tissues of HIV-infected patients, which affects a variety of homeostatic functions. In this report, we examine the mechanism of how gp120 blocks CD4 T cells from migrating towards SDF-1α. Methods: In vitro treatment of primary CD4 T cells with CXCR4 tropic gp120, SDF, and measurement of chemotaxis and cell signaling. Results: gp120 signaling through CD4 receptor and Lck are required for its ability to inhibit chemotaxis induced by SDF, as demonstrated by CD4 receptor decoys, Lck inhibitors, as well as cells deficient in Lck, in which Lck expression is restored. Blocking Lck abrogates the ability of CXCR4 tropic gp120 to antagonize SDF-1α-induced chemotaxis. This inhibition is associated with cofilin phosphorylation, thereby providing a potential mechanism. Conclusion: We conclude that the ability of gp120 to inhibit SDF-1α-induced chemotaxis is mediated by the CD4 receptor and Lck signaling, potentially by promoting cofilin phosphorylation.
Size‐dependent species richness: trends within plant communities and across latitude

We examine how species richness and species-specific plant density (number of species and number of individuals per species, respectively) vary within community size frequency distributions and across latitude. Communities from Asia, Africa, Europe, and North, Central and South America were studied (60� 4¢N‐41� 4¢S latitude) using the Gentry data base. Log‐log linear stem size (diameter) frequency distributions were constructed for each community and the species richness and species-specific plant density within each size class were determined for each frequency distribution. Species richness in the smallest stem size class correlated with the Y-intercepts (b-values) of the regression curves describing each log‐log linear size distributions. Two extreme community types were identified (designated as type A and type B). Type A communities had steep size distributions (i.e. large b-values), log‐log linear species-richness size distributions, low species-specific plant density distributions, and a small size class (2‐4 cm) containing the majority of all species but rarely conspecifics of the dominant tree species. Type B communities had shallow size distributions (i.e. small b-values), more or less uniform (and low) size class species- richness and species-specific density distributions and size-dominant species resident in the smallest size class. Type A communities were absent in the higher latitudes but increased in number towards the equator, i.e. in the smallest size class, species richness increased (and species-specific density decreased) towards the tropics. Based on our survey of type A and type B communities (and their intermediates), species richness evinces size-dependent and latitudinal trends, i.e. species richness increased with decreasing body size and most species increasingly reside in the smallest plant size class towards the tropics. Across all latitudes, a trade-off exists between the number of species and the number of individuals per species residing in the smaller size classes.
NON-LINEAR ROUGH HEAT EQUATION

This article is devoted to define and solve an evolution equation of the form dyt = ∆yt dt + dXt(yt), where ∆ stands for the Laplace operator on a space of the form L(R), and X is a finite dimensional noisy nonlinearity whose typical form is given by Xt(φ) = ∑N i=1 x i tfi(φ), where each x = (x , . . . , x) is a γ-Hölder function generating a rough path and each fi is a smooth enough function defined on L(R). The generalization of the usual rough path theory allowing to cope with such kind of system is carefully constructed.
A User Centered Evolutionary Scheduling Framework

The need for supporting CSCW applications with heterogeneous and varying user requirements call for adaptive and reconfigurable schedulers accommodating a mixture of real-time, proportional share, fixed priority and other policies, thus overcoming frustrating processor bottlenecks. In this paper we try to overcome this anomaly by proposing an evolutionary strategy for a Meta Hierarchical Scheduler (MHS) in which a user is actively involved in the design cycle of a scheduler. Our framework analyzes user requirements by formulating an abstract model for an optimum scheduler with the help of an evolutionary algorithm that satisfies the needs. Finally a C source code for this MHS is generated using a code generator for the Linux kernel. Our experimental framework demonstrates that our MHS enhances through the evolutionary approach, the user satisfaction level by a factor of two as compared to the satisfaction level achieved by the standard Linux scheduler. Keywords—Adaptable Schedulers, Hierarchical Scheduling, Evolutionary Schedulers, Linux Scheduler, Context-
Social inclusion and social protection in the EU : interactions between law and policy

Issues of social inclusion and social protection were brought to the fore of political and academic discussions once again by the Treaty of Lisbon. The fight against social exclusion, the promotion of social justice and protection, as well as social cohesion are confirmed to be among the aims of the Union (Article 3 TEU). Moreover, requirements linked to the guarantee of adequate social protection and the fight against social exclusion should be considered both at the levels of design and implementation of EU policies and activities (Article 9 TFEU). The interaction between legal instruments and policy coordination in the field of social inclusion and social protection constitutes the theme of this book. The contributions essentially inquire whether there is any interaction at all, or if the two realms of law and policy of the EU function in parallel. If there is any sort of interchange between the two, in what areas is it taking place, and what does it result into? Legal and political scholars were invited to address these questions and analyse the involvement of the European Union in promoting social inclusion and protection. The book opens with two introductory chapters on the political and legal contexts, and then focuses on the specific cases of health care, pension systems, and means of combating poverty. Each subject matter has been addressed in a complementary fashion through the lenses of juridical and political sciences, which lends the book a cross-disciplinary approach.
Selectingthe Optimum Specimen for AssessingSlightAlbuminuria , and a Strategyfor Clinical Investigation : Novel Uses of Data on BiologicalVariation

To investigate the optimum specimen for quantifying low, but abnormal, concentrations of albumin in urine, we assessed the analytical and biological components of variation in first morning, random untimed, and 24-h urine specimens from 11 apparently healthy individuals. The results were expressed in terms of albumin concentration, albumin/creatinine ratio, and albumin excretion rate. Analytical methods generally can meet the analytical goal of CV ‘18%. For reasons detailed herein, we prefer measurement of the albumin concentration in the first morning specimen. Expressing results as an albumin/creatinine ratio has little advantage. Albumin concentrations in first morning urines from 16 diabetic subjects showed larger intra-individual variation than for nondiabetic subjects but clearly fell into two groups: those with consistently normal albumin concentrations in urine and those with abnormal concentrations in some specimens. The intrinsic biological variation of the latter group means that the ideal 100% nosological specificity cannot be achieved with any cutoff point without inclusion of a large proportion of the former. Qualitative testing with a latex-agglutination technique also demonstrates this problem. Use of data on biological variation allows development of an appropriate clinical strategy to investigate diabetic patients.
An active set approach to the elastic-net and its applications in mass spectrometry

This paper uses the framework of a Mass Spectrometry application to introduce a new method of peak picking as well as two active set methods for the minimization of the elastic-net-functional. The application of peak picking is essential in mass spectrometry and is often based on mean spectra. In contrast our procedure uses a set of spectra obtained from a basis learning method. Our procedure utilizes the well known l1-minimization and corresponding active set algorithms but comprises ill conditioned operators such that regularization is required. We show, that the elastic-net gives a natural justification for Tikhonov-Philipsregularization in the used algorithms. Therefore we introduce adaptions of known active set algorithms for l1-minimization to the elastic net. Furthermore, we emphasize the differences of the algorithms for `1 and the elastic-net in numerical examples.
Detection of directed information flow in biosignals

Abstract Several analysis techniques have been developed for time series to detect interactions in multidimensional dynamic systems. When analyzing biosignals generated by unknown dynamic systems, awareness of the different concepts upon which these analysis techniques are based, as well as the particular aspects the methods focus on, is a basic requirement for drawing reliable conclusions. For this purpose, we compare four different techniques for linear time series analysis. In general, these techniques detect the presence of interactions, as well as the directions of information flow, in a multidimensional system. We review the different conceptual properties of partial coherence, a Granger causality index, directed transfer function, and partial directed coherence. The performance of these tools is demonstrated by application to linear dynamic systems.
Long Memory Characteristics of the Distribution of Treasury Security Yields, Returns, and Volatility

The distributions of Treasury security yields, returns, and volatility play critical roles in finance theory, and there are many papers that characterize features of these distributions. Our aim is to extend earlier work on short-term dependence of these by documenting and measuring long-range dependence in debt markets. Our long-memory tests focus on the R/S statistic and a statistic for fractional differencing. We estimate the degree of fractional differencing using semiparametric Gaussian and averaged periodogram estimators and a log periodogram estimator. To help select the optimal spectral bandwidth, we apply various automatic bandwidth results. We apply these tests and estimators to the U.S. Treasury security markets and focus on instances where long memory is for understanding important financial economics issues. We sample weekly holding-period returns on seven Treasury bills and bonds for the 7/62U5/96 period and check our results with comparable maturity Treasury bills drawn from the CRSP bond file. Our findings can be grouped into three categories. First, we show that one-week and one-month gross holding-period returns on Treasury Bills display strong evidence of long memory, whereas Treasury Bond holding-period returns do not. Bill returns give results different from those reported for equity markets. Lo shows the equity market reflects significant short-term dependence that biases estimates of long memory; once short-term dependence is eliminated, long-memory evidence disappears. We use Lo's methods but find strong evidence of long memory in Treasury Bill returns. We find short-term dependence produces biased tests for long memory, but LoIs bias correction eliminates evidence of long memory only for long-maturity Treasury bonds. We find excess returns on bills and bonds show no evidence of long memory, suggesting it to be less relevant to empirical asset pricing studies. Second, short- and long-maturity bond yields strongly appear to be long-memory processes. Comte and Renault show this implies term-structure and bond-pricing models must accommodate long memory in the short-term yield. We show the implications of long memory in the short-rate process for empirical bond pricing. We also show that the term premium clearly displays long-memory properties. What remains unclear is whether this contributes term premium's ability to predict excess returns in conditional asset-pricing models. Third, gross and excess holding-period returns, yields, and yield spreads all display long memory in volatility. This is important because our results imply that GARCH-type conditional volatility models and certain stochastic volatility models are mis-specified. This undermines hypothesis testing in asset-pricing settings where the GARCH-type models are used to calculate robust standard errors.
Spontaneous Emergence of Self-replicating, Competing Cube Species in Physical Cube Automata

We propose and implement a new variant of cellular automata incorporating physical rules, based largely on the nonuniform cellular automata type first investigated by Sipper [10]. The new automata rules are designed to be realizable in an actual electromechanical robotic module called a " molecube, " which was built by us [6][14] and shown empirically to have self-replicating ability. The spontaneous and continuous emergence of simple self-replication is demonstrated using this automata platform. In addition, qualitative differences are observed between global state mutation and reproductive mutation.
University of Canterbury Honours project Identifying and Responding to Disengagement in a Constraint-Based Intelligent Tutoring System

Numerous studies have shown the effectiveness of Intelligent Tutoring Systems in improving learning. However, there are still students who do not engage with problem solving and therefore miss opportunities for learning. In my project, I am investigating whether it is possible to predict when the student would abandon a problem, thus allowing the system to try to motivate the student to persevere. I will discuss the approach taken to generate a predictor, including identifying the features from log data and the selection of the learning algorithm to produce a predictor. To demonstrate the accuracy of the generated decision tree predictor, we conduct an experiment deploying this predictor in a study with SQL-Tutor.
Proopiomelanocortin, a polypeptide precursor with multiple functions: from physiology to pathological conditions.

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is the polypeptide precursor of ACTH. First discovered in anterior pituitary corticotroph cells, it has more recently been revealed to have many other physiological aspects. The fine molecular mechanisms of ACTH biosynthesis show that ACTH is but one piece of a puzzle which contains many other peptides. Present in various tIssues, among which are pituitary, hypothalamus, central nervous system and skin, POMC undergoes extensive post-translational processing. This processing is tIssue-specific and generates, depending on the case, various sets of peptides involved in completely diverse biological functions. POMC expressed in corticotroph cells of the pituitary is necessary for adrenal function. Recent developments have shown that POMC-expressing neurons in the brain play a major role in the control of pain and energy homeostasis. Local production of POMC-derived peptides in skin may influence melanogenesis. A still unknown function in the placenta is likely.POMC has become a paradigmatic polypeptide precursor model illustrating the variable roles of a single gene and its various products in different localities.
Direct intramuscular injection of plasmid DNA encoding angiopoietin-1 but not angiopoietin-2 augments revascularization in the rabbit ischemic hindlimb.

BACKGROUND Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) have recently been identified as ligands for the endothelial cell-specific Tie2 receptor. Little is known regarding the impact of these Tie2 ligands on postnatal neovascularization. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that gene transfer of plasmid DNA encoding Ang1 and Ang2 could modulate collateral vessel development in a rabbit model of hindlimb ischemia. METHODS AND RESULTS pAng1* (n=15), pJFE control (no Ang1* insert) (n=9), pAng2 (n=9), pcDNA3 control (no Ang2 insert) (n=10), or saline (n=5) was injected intramuscularly into the rabbit ischemic hindlimb. Collateral vessel development and limb perfusion were assessed before and 30 days after treatment. Calf blood pressure ratio (ischemic to normal hindlimb) was increased 30 days after Ang1* gene transfer versus controls (Ang1*, 0.90+/-0.02; pJFE, 0.76+/-0.05; saline, 0.77+/-0. 03; P<0.05). Angiographic score was higher (P<0.05) in the pAng1* group (0.63+/-0.02) than in the pJFE (0.51+/-0.03) or saline (0. 52+/-0.02) group. Maximal (postpapaverine) blood flow in the ischemic limb was higher (P<0.05) after pAng1* (67.8+/-4.9 mL/min) than pJFE (51.2+/-4.4 mL/min) or saline (52.9+/-4.9 mL/min). Capillary density and capillary/muscle fiber ratio (242+/-12/mm2 and 0.89+/-0.06, respectively) were higher (P<0.01) with pAng1* than pJFE (172+/-11/mm2 and 0.64+/-0.05) or saline (166+/-10/mm2 and 0. 67+/-0.05). Neovascularization was not enhanced with pAng2. CONCLUSIONS Ang1 but not Ang2 gene transfer produces anatomic and physiological evidence of enhanced collateral vessel formation. Ang1 may modulate neovascularization in adult animals and thus represents a feasible therapeutic strategy for patients with tissue ischemia. The role of Ang2 in postnatal neovascularization remains to be clarified.
Syncopation creates the sensation of groove in synthesized music examples

In order to better understand the musical properties which elicit an increased sensation of wanting to move when listening to music—groove—we investigate the effect of adding syncopation to simple piano melodies, under the hypothesis that syncopation is correlated to groove. Across two experiments we examine listeners' experience of groove to synthesized musical stimuli covering a range of syncopation levels and densities of musical events, according to formal rules implemented by a computer algorithm that shifts musical events from strong to weak metrical positions. Results indicate that moderate levels of syncopation lead to significantly higher groove ratings than melodies without any syncopation or with maximum possible syncopation. A comparison between the various transformations and the way they were rated shows that there is no simple relation between syncopation magnitude and groove.
Proactive searching period determination on singular radio mobile devices

Mobile devices with a singular radio cannot avoid the connection-off period when they move around in different transmission ranges of neighboring devices. In order to minimize the connection-off duration on singular radio mobile devices, we propose the Proactive Searching-Period Determination (PSPD) algorithm, which determines an optimal period for information exchange among neighboring nodes in the presence of mobile nodes. In order to verify the effectiveness of the PSPD, we carried out a simulation study with ns-2. The simulation results shows that the proposed algorithm correctly determines an optimal period and minimizes the connection-off duration for mobile nodes.
Impact of information systems outsourcing: a study of Indian banking sector

In recent years information system (IS) outsourcing is increasingly being explored as an option to get the better output from the IS infrastructure. However the results of IS outsourcing are mixed. This paper has tried to assess the impact of IS outsourcing in short, medium and long term. The study also has compared the impact of IS outsourcing according to the different degree of outsourcing. The study shows that there is significant improvement in short-term impact in terms of efficiency, service level and cost savings with the increase in degree of IS outsourcing. However, in long-term, impact of outsourcing may not be favourable at high degree of outsourcing.
Heritage Role Playing - History as an Interactive Digital Game

Creating virtual heritage environments that intend to be both engaging and educational is a challenging process. Digital archaeological reconstruction has been concerned with exact replication of facts rather than with understanding, for the latter raises the annoying dilemma of how to present scientific uncertainty. A computer model almost invariably implies certitude, and archaeologists are still not sure how to convey the murky battle of historical interpretation. Yet games are quite happy to allow users to "muddy" historical settings. And while the bulk of computer game design may be justly considered a-cultural or even anti-cultural, the underlying techniques of engaging interactively with the audience offer new ways of increasing the popularity and immersive learning of virtual environments. However there are some serious issues in heritage projects adopting a game-style approach. Would using interactive game techniques and technologies create a more engaging user experience? If we can animate the past in this way, will the entertainment factor help or impede learning, and how will we know how effective the interactivity is? And would our results help bridge the gap between the industry (be it virtual exhibitions or interactive game design) and academia?
The Making of the Middle-Class in Africa: Evidence from DHS Data

Abstract This article examines the size and profile of the middle class in Africa using alternative definitions based on pooled unit record data from the Demographic and Health Survey for 37 African countries covering the period 1990–2011. Results suggest that size of the middle class has grown modestly in many countries in the 2000 decade as compared with the 1990s. The article approached the making of the middle class in Africa from institutional and policy perspectives. Quality of institutions, ethnic fractionalisation and education play a significant role in determining the rise of the middle class.
Voice-activated system to remotely control industrial and building automation systems using cloud computing

In this paper an automation system for controlling industrial and building plant using voice commands, spoken in natural language, will be described. This system uses cloud computing services to process spoken sentences and to identify the user's desired request, i.e. it converts voice commands in electronic commands. It also presents a software and hardware architecture that allows the system to be connected to several different Automation Plants, enabling this voice control feature for a larger number of devices without requiring the development of a new control system. Thus, the proposed structure is presented and later it is shown the first prototype that uses this system.