Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of similarity coefficient map in improving quality of magnetic resonance images of spleen

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of similarity coefficient map (SCM) in improving the quality of MR images of spleen by improving signal to noise ratio (SNR) and contrast to noise ratio (CNR), revealing fine structures buried in noise, and integrating the information of each individual image in a series together into one image. To achieve these goals, in vivo experiments were conducted based on the data sets acquired using 12-echo T2* weighted imaging. Preliminary results have demonstrated that compared with the original images, SCM images can (1) improve SNR by 14.50% to 104.44% mainly depending on the SNR in original images, (2) improve CNR by 82.95% to 103.52%, mainly depending on the choice of reference tissue, (3) reveal fine structures hidden in the original images such as tiny veins, and (4) offer a new type of contrast by integrating information of all original images. Moreover, It suggests that the higher the SNR of the reference, the higher the CNR of the resulting SCM images. In conclusion, SCM is a powerful post processing technique for a series of MR images of spleen with varying acquisition parameters. It can improve SNR and CNR, increase the amount of anatomical information by revealing previous invisible fine structures, and produce images with a new type of contrast that integrates information of all original images together.
Biomechanical studies of an artificial disc implant in the human cadaveric spine.

OBJECT The authors compared the biomechanical performance of the human cadaveric spine implanted with a metallic ball-and-cup artificial disc at L4-5 with the spine's intact state and after anterior discectomy. METHODS Seven human L2-S1 cadaveric spines were mounted on a biomechanical testing frame. Pure moments of 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, and 6.0 Nm were applied to the spine at L-2 in six degrees of motion (flexion, extension, right and left lateral bending, and right and left axial rotation). The spines were tested in the intact state as well as after anterior L4-5 discectomy. The Maverick disc was implanted in the discectomy defect, and load testing was repeated. The artificial disc created greater rigidity for the spine than was present after discectomy, and the spine performed biomechanically in a manner comparable with the intact state. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that in an in vitro setting, this model of artificial disc stabilizes the spine after discectomy, restoring motion comparable with that of the intact state.
Co Design of Augmented Reality Game-Based Learning Games with Teachers Using Co-CreaARGBL Method

Recent studies argue that Augmented Reality Game-Based Learning (ARGBL) benefit learning and teaching processes. However, creating and leveraging ARGBL experiences is not easy for teachers, since they lack the expertise and time to design and construct them. Using Co Design strategies that combine the expertise of different actors in the creation can solve this. In this paper, we introduce Co-CreARGBL method as a strategy for co designing ARGBL learning experiences involving teachers and designers as well. The method proposes a set of stages, activities and considerations. We also describe an ongoing field experience held with teachers implementing the proposed method with promising results.
Evaluation of the Antitumor Efficacy, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of the Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Depsipeptide in Childhood Cancer Models In vivo

Purpose: Histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylases (HDAC) control the acetylation state of histones and other proteins regulating transcription and protein function. Several structurally diverse HDAC inhibitors have been developed as cancer therapeutic agents and in vitro have been shown to cause differentiation, cell cycle arrest, or apoptosis. Here, we have evaluated depsipeptide, a natural tetrapeptide HDAC inhibitor, against a panel of pediatric solid tumor models in vivo and evaluated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variables with tumor sensitivity. Experimental Design: Depsipeptide was administered at the maximum tolerated dose (4.4 mg/kg administered every 7 days × 3 i.v. repeated q21d for a total of two cycles) to scid mice bearing 39 independently derived childhood tumors (9 brain tumors, 11 kidney cancers, 9 rhabdomyosarcomas, 3 neuroblastomas, and 7 osteosarcomas). Pharmacokinetic variables were determined, as were changes in histone and p53 acetylation, induction of p53 and p53 genotype, and alterations in Akt phosphorylation. Results: Of 39 tumors evaluated, three showed objective tumor regressions [two brain tumors (primitive neuroectodermal tumor and atypical teratoid malignant rhabdoid tumor) and one Wilms' tumor]. Depsipeptide inhibited growth of many tumor lines but achieved stable disease (<25% increase in volume during treatment cycle 1) in only two tumor models (anaplastic astrocytoma, two rhabdomyosarcomas, and a Wilms' tumor). Pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the population estimated AUC0-24 was 1,123 ng h/mL, similar to the exposure following 13 mg/m2 in ongoing phase I trials. Pharmacodynamic changes in histone acetylation (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4) in three depsipeptide-sensitive and three intrinsically resistant tumors followed a similar pattern; maximal increases in histone acetylation occurred at 8 hours and were elevated for up to 96 hours. In two sensitive tumor lines, IRS56 and BT27 (both wild-type p53) p53 increased in treated tumors being maximal at 8 hours and associated with induction of p21cip1, whereas p53 was stable in tumors with mutant p53. Sensitivity to depsipeptide did not correlate with p53 genotype, p53 acetylation, cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, or phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473). Conclusions: Our results show that depsipeptide inhibits its target in vivo causing increased histone acetylation; however, this does not correlate with drug sensitivity. The relatively low objective response rate [3 of 39 (8%) tumor lines showing greater than or equal to partial response and 4 (10%) stable disease] administered at dose levels that give clinically relevant drug exposures suggests that as a single agent depsipeptide may have limited clinical utility against pediatric solid tumors in a first-line setting.
Vitamin E modifies neither fructosamine nor HbA1c levels in poorly controlled diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of vitamin E on total serum protein glycation (fructosamine), hemoglobin glycation (HbA1c), and serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C, apolipoprotein A1 and apolipoprotein B. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty poorly controlled diabetic patients were randomly assigned to receive either 1200 mg/day of vitamin E or identical placebo capsules during a two month period following a double blind cross-over design with a four week wash-out period between regimens. RESULTS Seven patients were excluded from the study because of reasons not related to the medication. In the remaining 53 patients, the levels of serum glucose, fructosamine, HbA1c, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, Apo A1 and Apo B did not vary significantly with vitamin E as compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS No significant effects of vitamin E on any of the parameters evaluated were observed in poorly controlled diabetic patients.
URBAN MARKETS-LINKED CASSAVA VALUE CHAIN IN MOROGORO RURAL DISTRICT, TANZANIA

This study was conducted to examine cassava value chain to determine strategies for enhancing profitable farmers’ participation in the cassava value chain for reducing poverty in Tanzania. Data were collected from 150 farmers from three villages of Morogoro rural district. Profit and marketing margins along the cassava value chain were computed. Linear model was estimated whereby farm size, experience, total family labour, group participation, non-crop livelihood sources and food insecurity were the main determinants of profitability. Therefore farmers’ participation in profitable cassava value chain strands by strengthening coordination, using improved cassava varieties and introduction of cassava processing technologies was recommended.
Dealing with missing values in large-scale studies: microarray data imputation and beyond

High-throughput biotechnologies, such as gene expression microarrays or mass-spectrometry-based proteomic assays, suffer from frequent missing values due to various experimental reasons. Since the missing data points can hinder downstream analyses, there exists a wide variety of ways in which to deal with missing values in large-scale data sets. Nowadays, it has become routine to estimate (or impute) the missing values prior to the actual data analysis. After nearly a decade since the publication of the first missing value imputation methods for gene expression microarray data, new imputation approaches are still being developed at an increasing rate. However, what is lagging behind is a systematic and objective evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches when faced with different types of data sets and experimental questions. In this review, the present strategies for missing value imputation and the measures for evaluating their performance are described. The imputation methods are first reviewed in the context of gene expression microarray data, since most of the methods have been developed for estimating gene expression levels; then, we turn to other large-scale data sets that also suffer from the problems posed by missing values, together with pointers to possible imputation approaches in these settings. Along with a description of the basic principles behind the different imputation approaches, the review tries to provide practical guidance for the users of high-throughput technologies on how to choose the imputation tool for their data and questions, and some additional research directions for the developers of imputation methodologies.
An Accurate Measurement of the Crowd-out Effect, Income Effect, and Price Effect for Charitable Contributions

In the past, empirical research on charitable contributions has focused on two issues: estimating the income and price elasticities of contributions and estimating the extent to which government funding crowded out private contributions. The two fundamental problems in all these studies are the differences in the underlying conceptual models and the use of imperfect data for empirical analysis. This paper addresses both of these problems.
Poverty Reductionism: The Exclusion of History, Politics, and Global Factors from Mainstream Poverty Analysis

Poverty reduction efforts continue to be dominated by top-down strategies based on the notion of the rich saving the poor. This paper argues that such an approach is derived from the exclusion of history from mainstream poverty analysis undertaken by international organisations and development economists. Instead a mistaken assumption about the history of world poverty is used – that prior to the industrial revolution the world was universally poor. This assumption has three consequences for understanding causes of poverty; firstly, it enables poverty to equate to the absence of economic growth; secondly, unequal power is overlooked; and thirdly, political and global factors related to unequal power are considered insignificant. Subsequently, the role of the rich in causing poverty is ignored. These arguments are demonstrated by analysing the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers and Poverty Assessments of 20 countries. The article questions whether strategies designed by the rich, based on this partial analysis, can actually eradicate poverty, or whether they serve to reinforce the unequal power that often creates poverty.
Usage patterns based security attacks for smart devices

Smart devices are increasingly becoming part and parcel of daily life and as well as becoming the center of attraction for security attacks. This paper introduces a novel malware which exploits the usage patterns of smart devices and launches malicious attacks. A useful Android application is developed which aims to provide user-specific power saving profiles by analyzing individual usage patterns. The application collects various usage information including running applications, battery level and status, brightness level, status of wireless networks and amount of data transfer. These informations are analyzed at a remote server to generate usage patterns and personalized power saving solutions. Since the application requires access to wide range of information from the smart devices, the application is examined for potential malicious exploitation. The malicious functionalities are well hidden in the application and can be triggered by hidden commands sent as a part of the power saving profiles from the remote server. As the malware takes advantage of individual usage patterns, it is relatively difficult to detect it. Possible attacks on smart device resources have been mentioned in details. Effective countermeasures are being developed and implemented to detect and erase such malwares. Research directions for the countermeasures are still open.
Illustrating spatial policies in Europe

The visualisation of spatial policy options through maps and other cartographic illustrations can be very powerful both in the planning process and in communicating the key messages of planning strategies. However, experience from the ‘European Spatial Development Perspective’ (ESDP) shows that visualisation can also be the most difficult aspect in transnational spatial planning processes. This paper explores the potential role of policy maps in communicating spatial policy, and the progress made so far in visualising spatial policies in European spatial planning. It suggests possible reasons for the difficulties on reaching agreement on the form and content of planning policy maps at EU and transnational levels. The paper goes on to discuss theories that might assist in improving performance in the use of cartographic visualisations in European spatial planning. The article concludes by highlighting the need for further research on the communicative potential of cartographic visualisations in European spatial planning.
Genomic Characterization of the First Equine-Like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strain Detected in the United States

ABSTRACT We report here the full coding region sequences for all 11 segments of the first equine-like G3P[8] rotavirus strain detected in the United States, strain RVA/Human-wt/USA/3000390639/2015/G3P[8]. The full genotype constellation of this strain is G3-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2.
Social Commitment: A Vision for Higher Education

Concern for the future JOms all people. Hearts long for safety, health, nurturance, community and growth. Divided by national boundaries, prejudice and points of view, the human race has not done well at providing these necessities for ourselves or the generations to come. The success of the human race lies in the well-being and peace of mind of each person and community. Science and technology, power and money have contributed little toward this end. Yet, progress must be made. It is questionable whether any of our existing institutions can do much to change our situation. However, if there is one, I think it is education. Here, I will be focusing on higher education for it is the designated source for the creation of new knowledge and the perpetuation of humanitarian values. In this paper, I present a perspective on some of the dynamics that need urgent attention if higher education is to facilitate growth and enrich the human condition. I also offer suggestions about specific actions we can take now to become more effective facilitators of positive change.
Estimating the in-vivo HIV template switching and recombination rate

Background:HIV recombination has been estimated in vitro using a variety of approaches, and shows a high rate of template switching per reverse transcription event. In-vivo studies of recombination generally measure the accumulation of recombinant strains over time, and thus do not directly estimate a comparable template switching rate. Method:To examine whether the estimated in-vitro template switching rate is representative of the rate that occurs during HIV infection in vivo, we adopted a novel approach, analysing single genome sequences from early founder viruses to study the in-vivo template switching rate in the env region of HIV. Results:We estimated the in-vivo per cycle template switching rate to be between 0.5 and 1.5/1000 nt, or approximately 5–14 recombination events over the length of the HIV genome. Conclusion:The in-vivo estimated template switching rate is close to the in-vitro estimated rate found in primary T lymphocytes but not macrophages, which is consistent with the majority of HIV infection occurring in T lymphocytes.
The dimensions of 'traditional food' in reflexive modernity: Norway as a case study.

BACKGROUND This article aims to better understand the definition(s) of 'traditional' food. The authors discuss and exemplify how this rhetorical concept is used in the specialist literature and in Norwegian public debate. The authors ultimately propose a set of central dimensions of traditional food and their relevance across various discourses. RESULTS After examining the use of the concept 'tradition' in scientific publications, the authors note that it is based on two main axes: time and know-how. These are interwoven in a 'meaning' dimension in the connection between time and culture, but also in a 'place' dimension that is systematically materialised in food. In order to better describe and understand the dynamic that emerges from the interplay of innovation and tradition, the article goes through the broadest use of 'traditional food' in public discourses, in national and regional newspapers, and in consumers' attitudes. There, the concept of 'traditional food' is used for both preserving historic values and renewing sense of identity. CONCLUSION The article can be regarded as an empirical example which elaborates the understanding of tradition in reflexive modernity. It concludes that the concept of traditional food is neither fixed nor finite but is a fluid and energetic concept which, based on the tensions between four central axes, can adapt to the discourses of preservation, moderation and innovation.
Co-Curricular Leadership Education: Considering Critical Questions.

This article highlights the importance of examining the ways that leadership educators approach leadership education on college campuses. It also raises questions by which co-curricular leadership educators can re-evaluate how they prepare students for leadership that is relevant to meet the challenges of today’s world. Through these questions educators are encouraged to re-examine their practice and consider areas in which they can challenge the status quo to provide more mindful leadership education that prepares students for lifelong learning and the flexibility to tackle the challenges of an increasingly complex global society.
European Consumers' Willingness to Pay for U.S. Beef in Experimental Auction Markets

Consumers' willingness to pay for Irish, Norwegian, U.S. hormone-free, and U.S. hormone-treated beef was studied in an experimental auction market. We ran four simultaneous second-price auctions to elicit efficiently the complete distribution of willingness to pay differences among our four alternatives. Most participants preferred domestic to imported beef, and half the participants preferred Irish to U.S. hormone-free beef. Hormone-treated beef received the lowest mean bid, but 28% of the participants were indifferent or preferred U.S. hormone-treated to U.S. hormone-free beef. Copyright 2003, Oxford University Press.
Success Factors for Managing International Joint Ventures: A Review and an Integrative Framework

International joint ventures (IJV) are an important organizational mode for expanding and sustaining global business and have been of special relevance for the emerging Chinese market for decades. While IJVs offer specific economic advantages they also present serious management problems that lead to high failure rates, especially in developing countries. Because of the strategic relevance of IJVs and corresponding management challenges, research on success factors for managing IJVs in China has received broad attention, resulting in a variety of studies. However, there are no conceptual syntheses of the literature to date and further development in the field is hampered by both a lack of consolidation of what is known and identification of viable avenues for future research. We address this gap by building on existing concepts in the field, developing them further and synthesizing them into an integrative, theory-based framework of IJV success factors. We use this framework to systematically depict the results of both empirical studies related to Sino-foreign IJVs and to IJVs in general. Finally, we draw important implications from the research and propose potential paths for future study.
Former Audit Partners on the Audit Committee and Internal Control Deficiencies

ABSTRACT: This study examines the association between internal control deficiencies (ICDs) reported under Section 404 of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act (SOX, U.S. House of Representatives 2002) and the presence of former audit partners on the audit committee who are affiliated (AFAPs) and unaffiliated (UFAPs) with the firm's external auditor. We find a negative association between AFAPs and UFAPs on the audit committee and ICDs. We also find results that suggest the NYSE and NASDAQ three‐year “cooling‐off” rule applying to AFAPs may be unwarranted and deserves further empirical and regulatory attention. Further tests suggest AFAPs do not allow management to circumvent the disclosure of ICDs when conditions appear to suggest this may be so, and that AFAPs are negatively related to performance‐adjusted discretionary accruals. Collectively, we interpret these findings to suggest that AFAPs and UFAPs on the audit committee are associated with more effective monitoring of internal controls and financial reporting.
The erosion of corporatism? The rescaling of industrial relations in Germany

By the 1980s, some scholars had already claimed that corporatism, as an expression and institution of the bilateral negotiations between trade unions and employers’ associations, had come to an end. This perception is stronger nowadays than it was then. Quite often it is argued that, as a result of economic liberalisation and the paradigm shift from Keynesianism to Monetarism, industrial relations are under pressure, and that this is accompanied by a weakening of trade union power. In this article, the development of collective negotiations and the new contours of corporatism are analysed with respect to Germany. At the moment we are witnessing a decentralisation of formerly central negotiations and their differentiation in the direction of collective and/or concession bargaining at the level of the firm. At the same time, there is an important trend towards the up-scaling of industrial relations to the European Union level. The central argument of the article, therefore, is that a rescaling of industrial relations is taking place, which does not necessarily mean an end to corporatism but, rather, profoundly new qualities of corporatism. In order to develop the argument, changes in industrial and political organisation are examined.