Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Narrow band imaging for colonoscopic surveillance in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer

Background: Colonoscopic surveillance for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) reduces death rates, but early interval cancers still occur, probably due to missed small, aggressive adenomas. Narrow band imaging (NBI), a novel endoscopic technology, highlights superficial mucosal capillaries and improves contrast for adenomas. This study examined whether a second pass with NBI in the proximal colon helped detect additional adenomas in patients with HNPCC. Methods: 62 patients from HNPCC families (Amsterdam II or genetic criteria) attending for colonoscopic surveillance were examined twice from caecum to sigmoid–descending junction, first with high definition white light and then a second pass with NBI in a back-to-back fashion. All polyps detected were removed for histopathological analysis. Results: At least one adenoma in the proximal colon was detected during the initial white light pass in 17/62 (27%). NBI detected additional adenomas in 17/62 (27%). 26/62 (42%) patients had at least one adenoma detected after both white light and NBI; absolute difference 15% (95% CI 4–25%), p = 0.004 versus white light alone. The total number of adenomas increased from 25 before NBI to 46 after NBI examination, p<0.001. The proportion of flat adenomas detected in the NBI pass, 9/21 (45%), was higher than in the white light pass, 3/25 (12%), p = 0.03. Including white light examination of the sigmoid and rectum, overall 28/62 (45%) patients had at least one adenoma detected. Conclusions: Use of NBI in the proximal colon for patients undergoing HNPCC surveillance appears to improve adenoma detection, particularly those with a flat morphology. NBI could help reduce interval cancer rates. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT00313755.
Cloud information content analysis of multi-angular measurements in the oxygen A-band: application to 3MI and MSPI

Abstract. Information content analyses on cloud top altitude (CTOP) and geometrical thickness (CGT) from multi-angular A-band measurements in the case of monolayer homogeneous clouds are conducted. In the framework of future multi-angular radiometer development, we compared the potential performances of the 3MI (Multi-viewing, Multi-channel and Multi-polarization Imaging) instrument developed by EUMETSAT, which is an extension of POLDER/PARASOL instrument and MSPI (Multiangle SpectroPolarimetric Imager) developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Quantitative information content estimates were realized for thin, moderately opaque and opaque clouds for different surface albedo and viewing geometry configurations. Analyses show that retrieval of CTOP is possible with a high accuracy in most of the cases investigated. Retrieval of CGT is also possible for optically thick clouds above a black surface, at least when CGT > 1–2 km and for thin clouds for CGT > 2–3 km. However, for intermediate optical thicknesses (COT ≃ 4), we show that the retrieval of CGT is not simultaneously possible with CTOP. A comparison between 3MI and MSPI shows a higher information content for MSPI's measurements, traceable to a thinner filter inside the oxygen A-band, yielding higher signal-to-noise ratio for absorption estimation. Cases of cloud scenes above bright surfaces are more complex but it is shown that the retrieval of CTOP remains possible in almost all situations while the information content on CGT appears to be insufficient in many cases, particularly for COT
ACOUSTIC EMISSION RESPONSE OF DRY SOILS

An investigation into the acoustic emission response of a series of axially stressed dry soil samples is presented in this study. The correlation between acoustic emissions and strain is noted and strongly suggests that acoustic emission monitoring of soil masses may lead to a nondestructive field evaluation technique. Preliminary insight into the fundamental mechanism of acoustic emissions in dry soils is presented. It is seen that granular soils yield higher accumulated emission counts than fine-grained soils. The summary curves which are presented show this clearly defined trend and can be regarded as laboratory calibration curves for the soils which were tested.
Two-Phase Differential Evolution for the Multiobjective Optimization of Time–Cost Tradeoffs in Resource-Constrained Construction Projects

Concurrent minimization of project time and project cost is an important issue in construction planning and management. Tradeoff optimization between these two variables is necessary to maximize overall construction project benefit. This paper presents a two-phase differential evolution (DE) model to resolve these problems. This model is able to effectively consider both time-cost effects and resource constraints. First, we introduce a novel multiple-objective algorithm, the chaotic initialized multiple objective differential evolution with adaptive-mutation strategy-based time-cost tradeoff, to determine the execution mode that best optimizes the time-cost balance. Subsequently, we introduce a DE-based resource-constrained method to generate a feasible schedule. A real construction case study is then used to illustrate the application of the proposed algorithm. Performance comparisons done with the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm, multiple objective particle swarm optimization, and multiple objective differential evolution further verify the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Modeling Genre with the Music Genome Project: Comparing Human-Labeled Attributes and Audio Features

Genre provides one of the most convenient categorizations of music, but it is often regarded as a poorly defined or largely subjective musical construct. In this work, we provide evidence that musical genres can to a large extent be objectively modeled via a combination of musical attributes. We employ a data-driven approach utilizing a subset of 48 hand-labeled musical attributes comprising instrumentation, timbre, and rhythm across more than one million examples from Pandorar Internet Radio’s Music Genome Projectr. A set of audio features motivated by timbre and rhythm are then implemented to model genre both directly and through audio-driven models derived from the hand-labeled musical attributes. In most cases, machine learning models built directly from hand-labeled attributes outperform models based on audio features. Among the audio-based models, those that combine audio features and learned musical attributes perform better than those derived from audio features alone.
Automatic Web Page Categorization by Link and Context Analysis

Assistance in retrieving documents on the World Wide Web is provided either by search engines, through keyword-based queries, or by catalogues, which organize documents into hierarchical collections. Maintaining catalogues manually is becoming increasingly difficult, due to the sheer amount of material on the Web; it is thus becoming necessary to resort to techniques for the automatic classification of documents. Automatic classification is traditionally performed by extracting the information for representing a document (“indexing”) from the document itself. The paper describes the novel technique of categorization by context, which instead extracts useful information for classifying a document from the context where a URL referring to it appears. We present the results of experimenting with Theseus, a classifier that exploits this technique.
Joint Base Station Clustering and Beamformer Design for Partial Coordinated Transmission in Heterogeneous Networks

We consider the interference management problem in a multicell MIMO heterogeneous network. Within each cell there is a large number of distributed micro/pico base stations (BSs) that can be potentially coordinated for joint transmission. To reduce coordination overhead, we consider user-centric BS clustering so that each user is served by only a small number of (potentially overlapping) BSs. Thus, given the channel state information, our objective is to jointly design the BS clustering and the linear beamformers for all BSs in the network. In this paper, we formulate this problem from a {sparse optimization} perspective, and propose an efficient algorithm that is based on iteratively solving a sequence of group LASSO problems. A novel feature of the proposed algorithm is that it performs BS clustering and beamformer design jointly rather than separately as is done in the existing approaches for partial coordinated transmission. Moreover, the cluster size can be controlled by adjusting a single penalty parameter in the nonsmooth regularized utility function. The convergence of the proposed algorithm (to a stationary solution) is guaranteed, and its effectiveness is demonstrated via extensive simulation.
Observations and prediction of recovered quality of desalinated seawater in the strategic ASR project in Liwa, Abu Dhabi

To be able to overcome water shortages, Abu Dhabi Emirate started an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project with desalinated seawater (DSW) as source water near Liwa. It is the largest DSW-ASR project in the world (stored volume ~10 Mm3/year), and should recover potable water for direct use. DSW is infiltrated into a desert dune sand aquifer using “sand-covered gravel-bed” recharge basins. In this study, we evaluate the hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical stratification of the (sub)oxic target aquifer, and water quality changes of DSW during trial infiltration runs. We predict water quality changes of DSW after 824 d of infiltration, during 90 d of intensive recovery (67% recovered) without storage (scenario A), as well as after 10 years of storage (scenario B, with significant bubble drift). Monitoring of preceding trials revealed a lack of redox reactions; little carbonate dissolution and Ca/Na exchange; much SiO2 dissolution; a strong mobilization of natural AsO43−, B, Ba, F, CrO42−, Mo, Sr and V from the (sub)oxic aquifer; and immobilization of PO4, Al, Cu, Fe and Ni from DSW. The Easy-Leacher model was applied in forward and reverse mode including lateral bubble drift, to predict water quality of the recovered water. We show that hydrogeochemical modeling of a complex ASR-system can be relatively easy and straightforward, if aquifer reactivity is low and redox reactions can be ignored. The pilot observations and modeling results demonstrate that in scenario A recovered water quality still complies with Abu Dhabi’s drinking water standards (even up to 85% recovery). For scenario B, however, the recovery efficiency declines to 60% after which various drinking water standards are exceeded, especially the one for chromium.
Bird’s‐eye view on gastric cancer research of the past 25 years

Abstract This paper provides a bird’s‐eye view of our 25‐year research work on gastric cancer, including both exploration of pathogenesis and preclinical or clinical applications of diagnosis and treatment. Although there have been achievements and reasons for applause, there are, nonetheless, more failings and teachings. Some problems that we experienced 25 years ago are still problems we have to face today. We are absolutely not singing the same old tune. Looking back makes us wiser and our way smoother. Although it is a long and arduous way to further study gastric cancer, we are willing to devote ourselves to it.
Millimeter resolution distributed dynamic strain measurements using optical frequency domain reflectometry

We describe the use of swept wavelength interferometry for millimeter resolution dynamic fiber optic strain measurements on a cyclically loaded aluminum coupon using single mode fiber. The interrogation method is based on measuring the phase along the optical fiber and correlating the change in the phase derivative to strain via calibration. This technique enabled data acquisition at 150 Hz at a 1mm spatial resolution. A maximum spatial and strain range of 8 ms and ±7,500 με, respectively, can be obtained. Measurements of the strain profile near a notch on the coupon demonstrate the utility of the high spatial resolution made possible with this technique.
A Stream algorithm for crowd simulation to improve crowd coordination at all densities.

Crowd simulation is becoming an essential part of computer sciences. In the last decades the research field has taken a flight. Current state-of-the-art micro simulation algorithms for crowd simulation are able to deliver very convincing results. Recently, vision-based algorithms have been developed that are based on the field of vision of individual agents. These algorithms allow agents to interact realistically at low to medium densities, but have trouble coordinating movement at high density. A concurrent development are flow algorithms. These algorithms are able to solve high density scenarios due to an inherent high level of coordination, but lack individuality of agents. Up till now, however, no algorithm exists that can handle both low densities as well as extremely high densities realistically. In this thesis we will define an algorithm that can handle the entire density spectrum. Agents are individual entities with personal goals and settings. The algorithm will incorporate the implicit, local coordination present in real-life crowds. We will show that coordination is essential in high density areas. Information is implicitly stored in a crowd’s movement. We introduce the concept of streams to extract this information. The implicit global coordination of streams improves crowd flow and supports lane formation in extreme densities. We will implement this theory to achieve an algorithm that can handle all different densities. To allow for both individual as well as coordinated behaviour we will introduce the concept of incentive. An agent’s incentive deterimines if it will display more individualistic behaviour or be group-oriented. This allows agents to display individualistic behaviour as long as possible, while still cooperating if necessary. Experiments show that the streams algorithm together with our incentive-based interpolation scheme are a valuable addition to current micro collision-avoidance algorithms. Our algorithm is able to handle higher densities correctly, whilst maintaining behaviour at low densities. The inherent coordination at high densities is missing in all current algorithms. Even at lower densities the streams algorithm contributes to quicker and clearer lane formation. Our algorithm is able to function properly at all densities. This project has been made possible by a collaboration between Utrecht University and INCONTROL Simulation Software. All algorithms have been implemented in Pedestrian Dynamics, which is a pedestrian flow simulator by INCONTROL.
Converter control of PMSG wind turbine system for inertia-free stand-alone microgrid

This paper proposes the new converter control of the permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) wind turbine system in the inertia-free stand-alone (IFSA) microgrid with the only converter-based-generators (CBGs). Instead of applying the conventional real and reactive power controller, the more robust controller is required in the IFSA microgrid because it is subject to a weak system such that its frequency is determined by the switching control of CBGs. The proposed controller has the grid-side converter, which controls to keep the voltage magnitude and phase angle of the point of common coupling (PCC) in a stable mode. It balances the real power between output power of wind turbine system and the load demand. Also, the machine-side converter controls rotor speed and pitch angle, which proposed to balance the active power flow, thus maintaining the converter DC-link voltage. The electromagnetic transients program (EMTP) based simulation results are given to verify the effectiveness of proposed controller in the IFSA microgrid. Also, its effectiveness is verified with the experimental test by the real-time digital simulator (RTDS).
On Securing Communication from Profilers

A profiling adversary is an adversary which aims to classify messages into pre-defined profiles and thus gain useful information regarding the sender or receiver of such messages. Usual chosen-plaintext secure encryption schemes are capable of securing information from profilers, but these schemes provide more security than required for this purpose. In this paper we study the requirements for an encryption algorithm to be secure only against profilers and finally give a precise notion of security for such schemes. We also present a full protocol for secure (against profiling adversaries) communication, which neither requires a key exchange nor a public key infrastructure. Our protocol guarantees security against non-human profilers and is constructed using CAPTCHAs and secret sharing schemes.
Segmentation of magnetic resonance images in presence of severe intensity inhomogeneities

In high-field whole body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), images usually suffer from intensity inhomogeneities. The BC-FAT (bias correction by fitting of adipose tissue intensity) algorithm can compensate for this; however, it is limited to images containing only one object, e.g. the torso. In this paper, we present a method, which extends the BC-FAT algorithm to images containing multiple objects and thus to cross-sectional images of the whole body. This is achieved by an algorithm for the robust and fully automated object detection in MR images using the Hough transform and a modified k-means clustering. We also present a two-scale approach for active contours in order to eliminate the need of object size dependent parametrization for BC-FAT.
Superpixel-based depth map estimation using defocus blur

Depth from defocus (DFD) technique calculates the blur amount in images considering that the depth and defocus blur are related to each other. Existing blur estimation methods generally compute the blur at edge locations and solve an optimization problem to propagate the blur from edges to all image pixels. Solving the pixel-based optimization problem is time-consuming and it is the performance bottleneck of current approaches. Moreover, the generated depth maps are not consistent in textured areas and the blur estimation may be incorrect in the regions with soft shadows. We address these problems by proposing a superpixel-based blur estimation method. Experimental results show that our superpixel-based method is faster than pixel-based blur estimation and can improve depth data on textured regions and soft shadows.
Vitamin C supplementation in pregnancy.

BACKGROUND Vitamin C supplementation may help reduce the risk of pregnancy complications like pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction and maternal anaemia. There is a need to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vitamin C supplementation in pregnancy. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of vitamin C supplementation, alone or in combination with other separate supplements, on pregnancy outcomes, adverse events, side-effects and use of health resources. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group Trials Register (23 June 2004), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2004), MEDLINE, Current Contents and EMBASE. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials evaluating vitamin C supplementation in pregnant women. Interventions using a multivitamin supplement containing vitamin C or where the primary supplement was iron were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two authors independently assessed trials for inclusion, extracted data and assessed trial quality. MAIN RESULTS Five trials, involving 766 women, are included in this review. No difference was seen between women supplemented with vitamin C alone or combined with other supplements compared with placebo for the risk of stillbirth (relative risk (RR) 0.87, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.41 to 1.87, three trials, 539 women), perinatal death (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.61 to 2.18, two trials, 238 women), birthweight (weighted mean difference (WMD) -139.00 g, 95% CI -517.68 to 239.68, one trial, 100 women) or intrauterine growth restriction (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.04, two trials, 383 women). Women supplemented with vitamin C alone or combined with other supplements were at increased risk of giving birth preterm (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.82, three trials, 583 women). Significant heterogeneity was found for neonatal death and pre-eclampsia. No difference was seen between women supplemented with vitamin C combined with other supplements for the risk of neonatal death (RR 1.73, 95% CI 0.25 to 12.12, two trials, 221 women), using a random-effects model. For pre-eclampsia, women supplemented with vitamin C combined with other supplements were at decreased risk when using a fixed-effect model (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.75, four trials, 710 women); however, this difference could not be demonstrated when using a random-effects model (RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.20, four trials, 710 women). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The data are too few to say if vitamin C supplementation, alone or combined with other supplements, is beneficial during pregnancy. Preterm birth may have been increased with vitamin C supplementation.
Streaming news image summarization

Automatic summarization of streaming news images is critical for efficient news browsing. Although image duplicates are redundant for news reading, the number of duplicates of a news image is a good indicator for its importance. We describe the architecture used in a news aggregation system for online streaming news image summarization. Given a sequence of images for a news topic, we first cluster image duplicates based on a two-stage feature matching process, followed by representative image selection inside each cluster. Images with a high importance score are ranked chronologically to generate a timeline summarization. Our timeline summarization is not limited to a fixed size but enables users to zoom in to see more images with more details based on their interests. Experiments on real-world news data demonstrate that the timelines produced by our method can generate accurate and dynamic timeline summarizations.
Numerical Simulation of Fracture Process of Concrete Dam due to Freezing and Thawing with Finite Element Method

Freezing and thawing damage is one of the major problems of concrete dams in cold climate. Cracking and splitting are the most common results of freezing and thawing deterioration in concrete dam. The cracking problem owing to freezing and thawing was investigated by making sue of finite element methods. The interpretation of the mechanism of failure was also given. In order to compute the thermal stress fields of concrete dam caused by freezing and thawing, the temperature changes versus seasons is determined according to measured data. The temperature fields of concrete dam versus seasons are simulated by using finite element method. Basing on the computational results of the temperature fields of concrete dam, the thermal stress fields are calculated numerically. The researches show that the first principal stress of concrete dam at downstream surface can exceed the tensile strength of concrete material. The numerical simulation results of fractured regions of concrete dam agreed with practical observed data.