Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segmentation of Brain MRI Image - A Review

Automated brain tumor detection from MRI images is one of the most challenging task in today's modern Medical imaging research. Magnetic Resonance Images are used to produce images of soft tissue of human body. It is used to analyze the human organs without the need for surgery. Automatic detection requires brain image segmentation, which is the process of partitioning the image into distinct regions, is one of the most important and challenging aspect of computer aided clinical diagnostic tools. Noises present in the Brain MRI images are multiplicative noises and reductions of these noises are difficult task. The minute anatomical details should not be destroyed by the process of noise removal from clinical point of view. These makes accurate segmentation of brain images a challenge. However, accurate segmentation of the MRI images is very important and crucial for the exact diagnosis by computer aided clinical tools. A large variety of algorithms for segmentation of MRI images had been developed. In this paper, we present a review of the methods used in brain MRI image segmentation. The review covers imaging modalities, magnetic resonance imaging and methods for noise reduction and segmentation approaches. The paper concludes with a discussion on the upcoming trend of advanced researches in brain image segmentation.
PinchPan: Investigating Children's Collaboration in Cross-Device Interaction

Cross-device interaction provides new and interesting ways of interacting with technology as people have access to a growing number of mobile devices. In different social situations with more people, such cross-device interaction also enables different kinds of collaboration through the devices. In this paper, we explore collaboration and interaction between children during cross-device image exploration. We developed a collocated cross-device application called PinchPan that enables photo exploration and panning through pinching. We studied PinchPan with 22 children who used it in pairs to find different characters in various images. We found that the children adopted a number of different approaches for collaboration in cross-device interaction, and that panning constitutes a challenge for the image exploration.
Computerized Shimming with the Tuning Algorithm

Introduction The efficiency of automation with large numbers of individual samples and the quality of the acquired spectra depend heavily on the efficiency and quality of adjustments made to the B0 field homogeneity (shimming) after each sample change. The adjustments required depend mainly on sample properties such as bulk magnetic susceptibility of the solvent, volume, and position within the rf coil. The influence of these parameters increases as the volume is reduced and B0 is increased. Part I of this report presents some basic information and practical advice which should help to minimize the effort and increase the quality and consistency of field homogeneity adjustment for high sample throughput. In particular, the computerized shimming algorithms called Tuning, which is available with XWIN-NMR and AVANCE spectrometers will be explained in some detail. These methods were originally developed for AM and AC spectrometers with the Aspect 3000 data system (TX subroutine) so that much of the information in this article will be useful for spectroscopists who still have an “oldtimer” in the laboratory. In Part II of this article (in the next SpinReport) the Simplex iteration method and the field mapping procedure GradShim, which uses gradient echoes to actually measure the inhomogeneity of B0, will be examined in detail.
Multihuman Tracking Based on a Spatial–Temporal Appearance Match

In this paper, we focus on the improvements of appearance representation for multihuman tracking. Many previous methods extracted low-level appearance features, such as color histogram and texture, even combined with spatial information for each frame. These methods ignore the temporal distribution of features. The features of each frame may not be stable due to illumination, human pose variation, and image noise. In order to improve it, we propose a novel appearance representation called the spatial-temporal appearance model based on the statistical distribution of Gaussian mixture model (GMM). It represents the appearance of a tracklet as a whole with dynamic spatial and temporal information. The spatial information is the dynamic subregions. The temporal information is the dynamic duration time of each subregion. Each subregion is modeled as the weighted Gaussian distribution of GMM. The online expectation-maximization (online EM) algorithm is used to estimate the parameters of GMM. Then, we propose a tracklet association method using Bayesian prediction and Jensen-Shannon divergence. The Bayesian prediction is used to predict the locations of targets. The Jensen-Shannon divergence is used to compute the distance of spatial-temporal appearance distribution between two tracklets. Finally, we test our approach on four challenging datasets (TRECVID, CAVIAR, ETH, and EPFL Terrace) and achieve good results.
Discriminability measures for predicting readability of text on textured backgrounds.

Several discriminability measures were examined for their ability to predict reading search times for three levels of text contrast and a range of backgrounds (plain, a periodic texture, and four spatial-frequency-filtered textures created from the periodic texture). Search times indicate that these background variations only affect readability when the text contrast is low, and that spatial frequency content of the background affects readability. These results were not well predicted by the single variables of text contrast (Spearman rank correlation = -0.64) and background RMS contrast (0.08), but a global masking index and a spatial-frequency-selective masking index led to better predictions (-0.84 and -0.81, respectively).
Détection de clefs pour l'interconnexion et le nettoyage de jeux de données

Cet article propose une methode d'analyse de jeux de donnees du Web publies en RDF basee sur les dependances de clefs. Ce type particulier de dependances fonctionnelles, largement etudie dans la theorie des bases de donnees, permet d'evaluer si un ensemble de proprietes constitue une clef pour l'ensemble de donnees considere. Si c'est le cas, il n'y aura alors pas deux instances possedant les memes valeurs pour ces proprietes. Apres avoir donne les definitions necessaires, nous proposons un algorithme de detection des clefs minimales sur un jeu de donnees RDF. Nous utilisons ensuite cet algorithme pour detecter les clefs de plusieurs jeux de donnees publiees sur le Web et appliquons notre approche pour deux applications : (1) reduire le nombre de proprietes a comparer dans le but de detecter des ressources identiques entre deux jeux de donnees, et (2) detecter des erreurs a l'interieur d'un jeu de donnees.
A study on read-write protection of a digital document by cryptographic techniques

Sensitive information, e.g., privacy information or company secret, should be carefully managed and it is desired that only privileged users can read and edit these kinds of information. For these needs, this paper proposes cryptographic schemes for a proper use of digital document and a concrete construction for the proposed schemes. Note that the proposed schemes are called “Content Protection Schemes(CPSs)” in this paper. The proposed schemes enable a sender to decide an access control, i.e., read-write protection, on a document by public keys of recipients and a recipient can read or edit a part of the document according to the access control without any help of neither the sender nor any trusted entity. The concrete construction proposed in this paper consists of only standard cryptographic techniques. This means that the proposed construction can be easily implemented by a standard cryptographic library and that users do not need to prepare a special key set for the proposed schemes. Since the proposed schemes control the read-write protection on a digital document by private keys of recipients, they can promote proper use of digital document even if we could not manage them on a server.
Targeted delivery of antisense oligonucleotides to hepatocytes using triantennary N-acetyl galactosamine improves potency 10-fold in mice

Triantennary N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc, GN3), a high-affinity ligand for the hepatocyte-specific asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR), enhances the potency of second-generation gapmer antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) 6–10-fold in mouse liver. When combined with next-generation ASO designs comprised of short S-cEt (S-2′-O-Et-2′,4′-bridged nucleic acid) gapmer ASOs, ∼60-fold enhancement in potency relative to the parent MOE (2′-O-methoxyethyl RNA) ASO was observed. GN3-conjugated ASOs showed high affinity for mouse ASGPR, which results in enhanced ASO delivery to hepatocytes versus non-parenchymal cells. After internalization into cells, the GN3-ASO conjugate is metabolized to liberate the parent ASO in the liver. No metabolism of the GN3-ASO conjugate was detected in plasma suggesting that GN3 acts as a hepatocyte targeting prodrug that is detached from the ASO by metabolism after internalization into the liver. GalNAc conjugation also enhanced potency and duration of the effect of two ASOs targeting human apolipoprotein C-III and human transthyretin (TTR) in transgenic mice. The unconjugated ASOs are currently in late stage clinical trials for the treatment of familial chylomicronemia and TTR-mediated polyneuropathy. The ability to translate these observations in humans offers the potential to improve therapeutic index, reduce cost of therapy and support a monthly dosing schedule for therapeutic suppression of gene expression in the liver using ASOs.
Reduced Order Controllers for Spatially Distributed Systems via Proper Orthogonal Decomposition

A method for reducing controllers for systems described by partial differential equations (PDEs) is presented. This approach differs from an often used method of reducing the model and then designing the controller. The controller reduction is accomplished by projection of a large scale finite element approximation of the PDE controller onto low order bases that are computed using the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). Two methods for constructing input collections for POD, and hence low order bases, are discussed and computational results are included. The first uses the method of snapshots found in POD literature. The second is a new idea that uses an integral representation of the feedback control law. Specifically, the kernels, or functional gains, are used as data for POD. A low order controller derived by applying the POD process to functional gains avoids subjective criteria associated with implementing a time snapshot approach and performs favorably.
Rapid identification of imipenem-resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa by loop-mediated isothermal amplification based detection of OprL and OprD 2 genes

Objective: The incidence of imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (IRPA) continues increasing rapidly. Sensitive approaches for detecting IRPA infection are warranted to improve the ability to select appropriate antibiotic treatment. Methods: In this study, we optimized a rapid DNA-based diagnostic technique, the visual loopmediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique for detecting of the outer membrane lipoprotein (OprL) gene and the loop 2 of outer membrane protein (OprD2) gene. Results: The target DNA was amplified and detected by LAMP method within 60 min at an isothermal temperature of 65°C. The sensitivity of LAMP, which had a detection limit of 17.41 μg/L DNA, was 10-fold greater than that of conventional PCR. Furthermore, positive LAMP results were directly read by the naked-eye. Thus, the visual LAMP method can be suggested as a simple and rapid diagnostic assay. Finally, 62 clinical isolates including 39 P. aeruginosa and 23 negative isolates were detected for OprL and OprD2 genes by visual LAMP, which was showed to be more specific than conventional PCR. Conclusion: The LAMP method is a rapid, simple, sensitive and specific assay for the detection of OprL and OprD2 genes.
Évaluer une pratique d'orientation professionnelle pour adultes: les effets individuels du bilan de compétences

A partir des travaux theoriques et empiriques qui analysent les effets du conseil en orientation, une recherche longitudinale et quasi-experimentale a ete menee en comparant un echantillon de sujets ayant suivi un bilan de competences a un groupe controle. Cette etude porte sur des processus individuels decrits dans plusieurs theories vocationnelles : l'estime de soi, l'auto-connaissance et l'image de soi, les demarches d'engagement et le devenir des beneficiaires plusieurs mois apres l'intervention. Les resultats semblent confirmer les principales hypotheses. La taille de l'effet relevee pour l'ensemble des variables (+ 0.62) est comparable a celle observee dans les travaux nord-americains. La stabilite des effets semble acquise pour deux categories de variables sur trois malgre une legere decroissance des productions de l'image de soi. Enfin l'intensite du traitement ne semble pas confirmer totalement son statut de variable moderatrice, a l'exception de son role dans le developpement de l'auto-connaissance. La discussion porte sur les perspectives en matiere d'evaluation des pratiques d'orientation, ainsi que les considerations theoriques qui meritent d'etre developpees dans le futur.
Revisiting Exhaustivity and Specificity Using Propositional Logic and Lattice Theory

Exhaustivity and Specificity in logical Information Retrieval framework were introduced by Nie [16]. However, even with some attempts, they are still theoretical notions without a clear idea of how to be implemented. In this study, we present a new approach to deal with them. We use propositional logic and lattice theory in order to redefine the two implications and their uncertainty P(d → q) and P(q → d). We also show how to integrate the two notions into a concrete IR model for building a new effective model. Our proposal is validated against six corpora, and using two types of terms (words and concepts). The experimental results showed the validity of our viewpoint, which state: the explicit integration of Exhaustivity and Specificity into IR models will improve the retrieval performance of these models. Moreover, there should be a type of balance between the two notions.
Ecograi : méthode de conception et d'implantation de systèmes de mesure de performances pour organisations industrielles

Le developpement des systemes productiques implique de nouvelles pratiques pour la conduite des systemes avances de production. Il en est ainsi des systemes d'evaluation technico-economiques. De nouveaux outils se developpent, parmi lesquels les systemes d'indicateurs de performances. Cette contribution propose une methode de conception et d'implantation de tels outils: la methode ecograi. Apres avoir analyse l'evolution de la fonction mesure et controle de performances, dans le nouveau contexte des systemes de production, on analyse l'approche par indicateur de performances. Le cadre methodologique grai est alors utilise pour la proposition d'une methode de conception d'une structure de tableaux de bord, pour le systeme de gestion de production. Une discussion sur l'analyse de coherence d'une telle structure est conduite. Enfin, on decrit l'application de cette methode dans le cas d'une usine a hauts degres d'automatisation et d'integration
Laying Down the Yellow Brick Road: Development of a Wizard-of-Oz Interface for Collecting Human-Robot Dialogue

We describe the adaptation and refinement of a graphical user interface designed to facilitate a Wizard-of-Oz (WoZ) approach to collecting human-robot dialogue data. The data collected will be used to develop a dialogue system for robot navigation. Building on an interface previously used in the development of dialogue systems for virtual agents and video playback, we add templates with open parameters which allow the wizard to quickly produce a wide variety of utterances. Our research demonstrates that this approach to data collection is viable as an intermediate step in developing a dialogue system for physical robots in remote locations from their users - a domain in which the human and robot need to regularly verify and update a shared understanding of the physical environment. We show that our WoZ interface and the fixed set of utterances and templates therein provide for a natural pace of dialogue with good coverage of the navigation domain.
Composing simulation architectures for autonomic systems

Simulation has long played a part in testing new configurations and new functionality in a diverse range of software. Through such simulations, the boundaries of the system state are explored and the relationship of that state to other applications tested — sometimes to destruction. A critical differentiator between a simulation and a live, deployed application is that simulations are allowed to fail. As truly autonomous applications evolve, this capacity for simulation must be built in from the ground up or the benefits of experience — including the ability to tolerate failure — will be lost. This must be achieved without undermining the global correctness of visible application behaviour. We suggest an engineering approach to enable the introduction of such simulation with minimal or no recoding and we propose a composition architecture to allow for safe dynamic deployment in substantial autonomic systems. We have identified our approach as application Dreaming.
The APRAM: incorporating asynchrony into the PRAM model

The PRAM model is a machine that comprises p processors and m memory cells; each processor can access each memory cell in constant time. The PRAM has proved a popular model for parallel algorithm design. For the task of designing efficient, highly parallel algorithms is quite difficult, in general. The PRAM model provides an abstraction that strips away problems of synchronization, reliability and communication delays, thereby permitting algorithm designers to focus first and foremost on the structure of the computational problem at hand, rather than the architecture of a currently available machine. As a consequence, a considerable body of PRAM algorithms has been discovered in the past several years, and a number of powerful techniques for designing such algorithms have been identified (see, for instance, the survey articles [KR88, EG88]).
Targeting eNOS and beyond: emerging heterogeneity of the role of endothelial Rho proteins in stroke protection

Currently available modalities for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke are aimed at preserving or augmenting cerebral blood flow. Experimental evidence suggests that statins, which show 25–30% reduction of stroke incidence in clinical trials, confer stroke protection by upregulation of eNOS and increasing cerebral blood flow. The upregulation of eNOS by statins is mediated by inhibition of small GTP-binding protein RhoA. Our recent study uncovered a unique role for a Rho-family member Rac1 in stroke protection. Rac1 in endothelium does not affect cerebral blood flow. Instead, inhibition of endothelial Rac1 leads to broad upregulation of the genes relevant to neurovascular protection. Intriguingly, inhibition of endothelial Rac1 enhances neuronal cell survival through endothelium-derived neurotrophic factors, including artemin. This review discusses the emerging therapeutic opportunities to target neurovascular signaling beyond the BBB, with special emphasis on the novel role of endothelial Rac1 in stroke protection.
The solar eruption of 13 May 2005: EISCAT and MERLIN observations of a coronal radio burst

Jones, R. A. , Breen, A. R. , Fallows, R. A. , Bisi, M. M. , Thomasson, P., Wannberg, G. , Jordan, C. A. (2006). The solar eruption of 13 May 2005: EISCAT and MERLIN observations of a coronal radio burst. Annales Geophysicae, 24, 2413-2418.
Minimally Invasive Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion (MIS-DLIF): Proof of Concept and Perioperative Results

Background Minimally invasive direct lateral interbody fusion (MIS-DLIF) is a novel approach for fusions of the lumbar spine. In this proof of concept study, we describe the surgical technique and report our experience and the perioperative outcomes of the first nine patients who underwent this procedure. Study design/setting In this study we establish the safety and efficacy of this approach. MIS-DLIF was performed on 15 spinal levels in nine patients who failed to respond to conservative therapy for the treatment of a re-herniated disk, spondylolisthesis, or other severe disk disease of the lumbar spine. We recorded surgery time, blood loss, fluoroscopy time, patient-reported pain, and complications. Methods Throughout the MIS-DLIF procedure, the surgeon is aided by biplanar fluoroscopic imaging to place an interbody graft or cage into the disc space through the interpleural space. A discectomy is performed in the same minimally invasive fashion. The procedure is usually completed with posterior pedicle screw fixation. Results MIS-DLIF took 44/85 minutes, on average, for 1/2 levels, with 54/112 ml of blood loss, and 0.3/1.7 days of hospital stay. Four of nine patients did not require overnight hospitalization and were discharged two to four hours after surgery. We did not encounter any clinically significant complications. At more than ninety days post surgery, the patients reported a statistically significant reduction of 4.5 points on a 10-point sliding pain scale. Conclusions MIS-DLIF with pedicle screw fixation is a safe and clinically effective procedure for fusions of the lumbar spine. The procedure overcomes many of the limitations of the current minimally invasive approaches to the lumbar spine and is technically straightforward. MIS-DLIF has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs relative to the current standard of care and therefore warrants further investigation. We are currently expanding this study to a larger cohort and documenting long-term outcome data.