Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DIFFUSION MR IMAGE SEGMENTATION : TOWARDS GLOBAL BRAIN CONNECTIVITY ANALYSIS

The exploration of the human connectome, a term denoting the global structural connectivity of the brain, is accessible to MRI at millimeter and centimeter scales. In this paper, we propose a methodology to map the connectome by constructing normalized whole-brain structural connection matrices derived from diffusion spectrum MRI tractography. Using a template-based approach, we propose a robust method that allows a) the selection of identical cortical regions of interest in different subjects with identification of the associated fiber tracts, b) a straightforward construction and interpretation of anatomically organized whole-brain connection matrices, and c) a statistical inter-subject comparison of brain connectivity.
Changes in physical activity and cardiovascular mortality in older adults

Sara Higueras-Fresnillo, Pilar Guallar-Castillón, Verónica Cabanas-Sanchez, José R. Banegas, Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo, David Martinez-Gomez Department of Physical Education, Sport, and Human Movement, Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid/IdiPAZ, CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Spain IMDEA-Food Institute. CEI UAM+CSIC, Madrid, Spain
Analysis of Euglena gracilis Plastid-Targeted Proteins Reveals Different Classes of Transit Sequences

ABSTRACT The plastid of Euglena gracilis was acquired secondarily through an endosymbiotic event with a eukaryotic green alga, and as a result, it is surrounded by a third membrane. This membrane complexity raises the question of how the plastid proteins are targeted to and imported into the organelle. To further explore plastid protein targeting in Euglena, we screened a total of 9,461 expressed sequence tag (EST) clusters (derived from 19,013 individual ESTs) for full-length proteins that are plastid localized to characterize their targeting sequences and to infer potential modes of translocation. Of the 117 proteins identified as being potentially plastid localized whose N-terminal targeting sequences could be inferred, 83 were unique and could be classified into two major groups. Class I proteins have tripartite targeting sequences, comprising (in order) an N-terminal signal sequence, a plastid transit peptide domain, and a predicted stop-transfer sequence. Within this class of proteins are the lumen-targeted proteins (class IB), which have an additional hydrophobic domain similar to a signal sequence and required for further targeting across the thylakoid membrane. Class II proteins lack the putative stop-transfer sequence and possess only a signal sequence at the N terminus, followed by what, in amino acid composition, resembles a plastid transit peptide. Unexpectedly, a few unrelated plastid-targeted proteins exhibit highly similar transit sequences, implying either a recent swapping of these domains or a conserved function. This work represents the most comprehensive description to date of transit peptides in Euglena and hints at the complex routes of plastid targeting that must exist in this organism.
5th international workshop on Traceability in Emerging Forms of Software Engineering (TEFSE 2009)

Traceability of Emerging Forms of Software Engineering (TEFSE) 2009 will bring together researchers and practitioners to examine the challenges of recovering and maintaining traceability for the myriad forms of software engineering, from user needs to models to source code. In the 2007 instalment, TEFSE focused on the grand challenges of traceability. The 2009 instalment will focus on these and other emerging challenges in traceability.
Query processing Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks

Sensors have a function to gather environmental data in sensor networks. They operate by limited, small-size battery depending on applications. Thus there are several kinds of research efforts to make better use of local energy. In this paper, we propose multi-attribute query processing algorithm (Section Bit based scheme (SB)). In the initial setup, routing path is determined based on parent-child relationship by two phases and some partial information (section bits) about the sensing data of their descendant nodes are delivered to the parent in second phase (parent selection phase); that is, an attribute is divided into the same, small size, N sections and one bit is used to each section. By using a small volume of local information, it is possible to protect nodes from propagating messages who does not become the help during query processing. Finally, we measure energy efficiency by counting the number of messages. Experimental results show the improved energy efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Innovative Differential Protection of Power Transformers Using Low Energy Current Sensors

Traditional differential protection systems are applied on large power transformers using current transformers (CTs). However, because of high secondary currents (often exceeding 100 kARMS), differential protection systems for electric arc furnace transformers have not been applied in the past due to the lack of commercially available CTs. This paper will present differential protection systems that have been in use for many years using Rogowski coil current sensors. These protection systems use high-precision printed circuit board Rogowski coil current sensors. This paper reviews the characteristics, designs, and application of these Rogowski coil sensors for advanced protection, control, and metering systems with new multifunction relays. This paper compares performance characteristics of new solutions based on Rogowski coil sensors with the conventional differential protection systems based on CTs, demonstrating that the new systems do not have the limitations of conventional technology. Operating experience from several site applications is included.
Cardiac effects of amiloride and of enalapril in the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Objectives To compare the effects of the sodium–hydrogen exchange blocker, amiloride, with those of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril, on cardiac structure and function and intracardiomyocyte calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and pH (pHi), in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Methods Experiments were performed in SHRs treated for 4 weeks with amiloride 7.5 mg/kg per day, enalapril 6.0 mg/kg per day or vehicle, and in Sprague–Dawley rats (SDRs). After haemodynamic measurements were taken, the heart was removed and weighed and hydroxyproline (a marker of collagen content) was assayed. In separate rats, ventricular myocytes were isolated, their size determined, and [Ca2+]i and pHi examined using fluo-3 acetoxymethyl ester and 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein tetrakis acetoxymethyl ester fluorescence, respectively. Results Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was increased, and the maximal rates of increase and of decrease in pressure with time in the left ventricle were decreased in SHRs compared with SDRs. Myocytes were larger and hydroxyproline was increased in the left ventricle, but not in the right ventricle of SHRs compared with SDRs. Amiloride and enalapril decreased systolic blood pressure in SHRs similarly, and improved diastolic function in these rats, enalapril more than amiloride. Both agents decreased left ventricular myocyte size to similar extents; however, whereas enalapril decreased the left ventricular hydroxyproline content, amiloride did not. Left ventricular myocytes from SHRs exhibited greater [Ca2+]i and pHi than those from SDRs; enalapril decreased [Ca2+]i more than amiloride, but amiloride decreased pHi more than enalapril. Conclusions In SHRs, enalapril prevents left ventricular hypertrophy, collagen deposition, diastolic dysfunction, and increases in [Ca2+]i more effectively than does amiloride. In contrast, the latter prevents the increase in pHi more effectively than enalapril, despite similar reductions in blood pressure. These findings suggest that their effects do not depend solely on blood pressure reduction.
Policy Dimensions of Analytics in Higher Education

he current higher education landscape is replete with demands for improving accountability, increasing efficiency, and controlling costs. At the same time, information technologies make it easier to collect and analyze information to measure outcomes or to assist in decision making. Consequently, there is a higher demand for better information and also a never-before-available supply of data. This corresponding increase in both supply and demand creates the perfect storm for higher education to move into a new era of analytics. However, in a recent discussion session about the legal issues and campus policy dimensions for analytics, one participant joked: “This is where analytics efforts on campus come to die! ” Although legal and policy dimensions do present considerable challenges, they should not be simply dismissed as obstacles with no solutions. Therefore, it is helpful to frame the policy context of analytics to include the policy drivers that are generating demand and the campus policy choices that should be guiding campus practice. Policy Dimensions of
Income inequality and the prevalence of mental illness: a preliminary international analysis

The World Health Organisation’s world mental health survey initiative has recently provided comparable cross-national estimates of the prevalence of any, and serious, mental illness.1 In an exploratory study, we estimated the relations of two important economic factors—living standards and income inequality—to mental illness in developed countries. Prevalence of mental illness in the WMH survey initiative is derived from face to face interviews using the WMH version of the WHO composite international diagnostic interview (WMH-CIDI), a fully structured, lay administered psychiatric diagnostic interview. Data …
Cooperative sensing in mobile sensor networks based on distributed consensus

Mobile sensor networks (MSNs) have wide applications such as military target detection and tracking, detection of toxic chemicals in contaminated environments, and search and rescues after disasters, etc. In many applications, a core problem is to conduct cooperative scalar field mapping (or searching) over a large area of interest. Centralized solutions to the scalar field mapping may not fit for large mobile sensor network due to the single-point-of-failure problem and the limited scalability. In this paper, autonomous mobile sensor networks are deployed to map a scalar field in a cooperative and distributed fashion. We develop a cooperative sensor fusion algorithm based on distributed consensus filters. In this algorithm each agent receives measurements from its neighboring agents within its communication range, and iteratively updates the estimate of the unknown scalar field and an associated confidence map. A motion planning algorithm is used to obtain a path for complete coverage of the field of interest. A distributed flocking control algorithm is adopted to drive the center of the mobile sensor network to track the desired paths. Computer simulations are conducted to validate the proposed algorithms. We evaluate the mapping performance by comparing it with a centralized mapping algorithm. Such a cooperative sensing approach can be used in many military surveillance applications where targets may be small and elusive.
Adaptive DOA Tracking Approaches for Time-Space System in CDMA Mobile Environments

It was previously shown that the number of array elements must exceed the number of sources for multiple target direction of arrival (DOA) tracking. This is clearly not practical for code-division multiple access (CDMA) communications since the number of mobile users is very large. To overcome the restriction, adaptive angle tracking approaches employing the code-matched filters and parallel Kalman/H ∞ algorithms are presented in this paper. The proposed approaches are applied to the base station of a mobile communication system. Different from Kalman prediction algorithm which minimize the squared tracking error, the adaptive Has filtering algorithm is a worst case optimization. It minimizes the effect of the worst disturbances (including modeling error of direction matrix models and array structure imperfection, process noise, and measurement noise). Hence, the difficult problem of tracking the crossing mobiles can be successfully handled by using the code-matched filters. Computer simulation is provided for illustrating the effectiveness of the adaptive angle tracking approaches.
Severe exacerbation and pneumonia in COPD patients treated with fixed combinations of inhaled corticosteroid and long-acting beta2 agonist

Background It remains unclear whether severe exacerbation and pneumonia of COPD differs between patients treated with budesonide/formoterol and those treated with fluticasone/salmeterol. Therefore, we conducted a comparative study of those who used budesonide/formoterol and those treated with fluticasone/salmeterol for COPD. Methods Subjects in this population-based cohort study comprised patients with COPD who were treated with a fixed combination of budesonide/formoterol or fluticasone/salmeterol. All patients were recruited from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. The outcomes including severe exacerbations, pneumonia, and pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) were measured. Results During the study period, 11,519 COPD patients receiving fluticasone/salmeterol and 7,437 patients receiving budesonide/formoterol were enrolled in the study. Pairwise matching (1:1) of fluticasone/salmeterol and budesonide/formoterol populations resulted in to two similar subgroups comprising each 7,295 patients. Patients receiving fluticasone/salmeterol had higher annual rate and higher risk of severe exacerbation than patients receiving budesonide/formoterol (1.2219/year vs 1.1237/year, adjusted rate ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.07–1.10). In addition, patients receiving fluticasone/salmeterol had higher incidence rate and higher risk of pneumonia than patients receiving budesonide/formoterol (12.11 per 100 person-years vs 10.65 per 100 person-years, adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08–1.20). Finally, patients receiving fluticasone/salmeterol had higher incidence rate and higher risk of pneumonia requiring MV than patients receiving budesonide/formoterol (3.94 per 100 person-years vs 3.47 per 100 person-years, aHR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05–1.24). A similar trend was seen before and after propensity score matching analysis, intention-to-treat, and as-treated analysis with and without competing risk. Conclusions Based on this retrospective observational study, long-term treatment with fixed combination budesonide/formoterol was associated with fewer severe exacerbations, pneumonia, and pneumonia requiring MV than fluticasone/salmeterol in COPD patients.
ATL9, a RING Zinc Finger Protein with E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Activity Implicated in Chitin- and NADPH Oxidase-Mediated Defense Responses

Pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are signals detected by plants that activate basal defenses. One of these PAMPs is chitin, a carbohydrate present in the cell walls of fungi and in insect exoskeletons. Previous work has shown that chitin treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana induced defense-related genes in the absence of a pathogen and that the response was independent of the salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene (ET) signaling pathways. One of these genes is ATL9 ( = ATL2G), which encodes a RING zinc-finger like protein. In the current work we demonstrate that ATL9 has E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. The expression pattern of ATL9 is positively correlated with basal defense responses against Golovinomyces cichoracearum, a biotrophic fungal pathogen. The basal levels of expression and the induction of ATL9 by chitin, in wild type plants, depends on the activity of NADPH oxidases suggesting that chitin-mediated defense response is NADPH oxidase dependent. Although ATL9 expression is not induced by treatment with known defense hormones (SA, JA or ET), full expression in response to chitin is compromised slightly in mutants where ET- or SA-dependent signaling is suppressed. Microarray analysis of the atl9 mutant revealed candidate genes that appear to act downstream of ATL9 in chitin-mediated defenses. These results hint at the complexity of chitin-mediated signaling and the potential interplay between elicitor-mediated signaling, signaling via known defense pathways and the oxidative burst.
The effects of a team-based continuous quality improvement intervention on the management of primary care: a randomised controlled trial.

AIM To study the effects of a team-based model for continuous quality improvement (CQI) on primary care practice management. DESIGN OF STUDY Randomised controlled trial. SETTING Twenty-six intervention and 23 control primary care practices in the Netherlands. METHOD Practices interested in taking part in the CQI project were, after assessment of their practice organisation, randomly assigned to the intervention or control groups. During a total of five meetings, a facilitator helped the teams in the intervention group select suitable topics for quality improvement and follow a structured approach to achieve improvement objectives. Checklists completed by an outreach visitor, questionnaires for the GPs, staff and patients were used to assemble data on the number and quality of improvement activities undertaken and on practice management prior to the start of the intervention and 1 year later. RESULTS Pre-test and post-test data were compared for the 26 intervention and 23 control practices. A significant intervention effect was found for the number of improvement objectives actually defined (93 versus 54, P<0.001) and successfully completed (80 versus 69% of the projects, P<0.001). The intervention group also improved on more aspects of practice management, as measured by our practice visit method, than the control group but none of these differences proved statistically significant. CONCLUSION The intervention exerted a significant effect on the number and quality of improvement projects undertaken and self-defined objectives met. Failure of the effects of the intervention on the other dimensions of practice management to achieve significance may be due to the topics selected for some of the improvement projects being only partly covered by the assessment instrument.
Isolation and Characterization of the Promoter Region of the Rat Vasopressin V1b Receptor Gene

Regulation of pituitary vasopressin V1b receptors plays a critical role in regulating pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion during adaptation to stress. The objective of this study was to isolate the promoter regulatory region of the V1b receptor gene to better understand the molecular mechanisms involved in V1b receptor regulation. Screening of a rat genomic library using probes directed to the coding region and to the 5′UTR of the rat V1b receptor resulted in the isolation of several clones containing the 5′upstream regions of the V1b receptor cDNA. Sequencing of an 11.2 Kb fragment revealed 8.2 Kb upsteam of the reported cDNA sequence, which contains a putative promoter regulatory region. The 3′ end of the clone contained 1472 base pairs corresponding to the recognized cDNA sequence, followed by 1506 bp of unknown sequence located at the end of the sixth transmembrane domain, probably corresponding to an intron, characteristic of these family of receptors. An additional 161 bp intron was found in the 5′UTR, similar to that described in the rat oxytocin receptor gene. 5′RACE and RNase protection analysis mapped two major putative transcription start points at −830 and −861 bp from the starting methionine. Analysis of the putative promoter region showed no indication of a proximal TATA box, but the presence of a CACA box, a GAGA box, several AP‐1 and AP‐2 sites and a cluster of Sp1 sites upstream of the AP‐2 sites. A luciferase construct containing a 2.1‐kb of putative promoter, and part of the 5′UTR including the first intron, showed promoter activity when transfected into COS‐7, CHO and PC12 cell lines but not in AtT‐20 cells. A similar construct without the intron and distal 5′UTR sequence has no promoter activity in the same cell lines. In summary, the V1b receptor gene contains at least 3 exons and 2 introns. The 5′flanking sequence contains several potential sites for transcriptional regulation, and induced luciferace activity only in constructs containing intron 1, suggesting that the latter is important for receptor gene activation. The data provide bases for future analysis of the regulatory elements controlling V1b receptor transcription.
Transferring topical knowledge from auxiliary long texts for short text clustering

With the rapid growth of social Web applications such as Twitter and online advertisements, the task of understanding short texts is becoming more and more important. Most traditional text mining techniques are designed to handle long text documents. For short text messages, many of the existing techniques are not effective due to the sparseness of text representations. To understand short messages, we observe that it is often possible to find topically related long texts, which can be utilized as the auxiliary data when mining the target short texts data. In this article, we present a novel approach to cluster short text messages via transfer learning from auxiliary long text data. We show that while some previous work exists that enhance short text clustering with related long texts, most of them ignore the semantic and topical inconsistencies between the target and auxiliary data and hurt the clustering performance. To accommodate the possible inconsistency between source and target data, we propose a novel topic model - Dual Latent Dirichlet Allocation (DLDA) model, which jointly learns two sets of topics on short and long texts and couples the topic parameters to cope with the potential inconsistency between data sets. We demonstrate through large-scale clustering experiments on both advertisements and Twitter data that we can obtain superior performance over several state-of-art techniques for clustering short text documents.
TRUCK DETECTION FROM AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS

: This paper presents a method for extraction and recognition of trucks from aerial photographs. A new method, mean shift image segmentation, is employed to extract truck shadow and boundary information. After a conversion of the boundaries into vector data, an enclosing minimum area rectangle is fit to each boundary. These rectangles are input as candidates into a designed Hopfield Neural Network. Trucks in the photographs are then recognized by comparison with predefined truck models.