Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimization of Non-Local Means filtration for Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) is a medical imaging technique used to visualize the internals of an object from a set of X-ray images. The X-ray images are taken with a cone shaped X-ray beam at many angles around the object being visualized. The images are then back projected through a volume forming a 3D representation of the object. Non-local means (NLM) denoising was applied to the X-ray images before they were used in the back projection algorithm. NLM was implemented for the graphics card and runs in real time while the X-ray images are taken. Compared to current denoising methods the result was less noisy and had higher sharpness. It was found that using NLM on the X-ray images led to streak artifacts and smearing of fine details in the reconstructed volume. Many versions of NLM were tested to reduce these effects, including variance reduction, total variation and using adjacent images in the scan. The different versions however gave very similar results. The state-of-the-art denoising algorithm BM3D was also tested for reference and the results were very similar to NLM. NLM denoising in the reconstructed volume as a post-processing step was also tested which showed improved results over denoising the projection images. Denoising in 3D led to less artifacts and better preservation of details. The runtime for the 3D-denoising is only a few seconds on the graphics card, making it useful in practice. 3D-NLM denoising offers the possibility of lowering the radiation dose to the patient since the noise can be reduced while keeping edges and details intact. The noise can be reduced such that a low dose scan is comparable to a high dose scan denoised with current CBCT denoising methods. A comparison of spatial resolution and preservation of details indicates that the dose could be lowered by as much as half without significantly lowering the image quality.
Performance Improvement of Vehicular Ad Hoc Network Environment by Cooperation between SDN/OpenFlow Controller and IEEE 802.11p

Vehicular communication has recently become an active research issue in both academic and industry. Vehicular Network, by nature, could possess potential problems in connectivity, intelligence, scalability and flexibility. Networking technology nowadays is moving toward to Software-Defined Networking (SDN) concept where the network is mainly separated into two planes; control plane and data plane. OpenFlow is the most popular open interface for SDN southbound API. In this paper, we proposed the SDN application over Vehicular ad hoc Network (VANET) environment. We believe that the emerging SDN technology and IEEE 802.11p can be used to increase the efficiency and to bridge the gaps in VANET application. We hope to exploit the benefit of SDN by adopting POX/OpenFlow controller to process and perform message routing. A centralized controller is the key player to enable communication between vehicles and roadside unit (RSU). We evaluated the proposed work based on three simulation indicators, such as packet delivery ratio, throughput and packet delay time.
A measurement framework of alert characteristics for false positive mitigation models

Automated static analysis tools can be used to identify potential source code anomalies early in the software process that could lead to field failures. However, only a small portion of static analysis alerts may be important to the developer (actionable). The remainder are false positives (unactionable). Static analysis tools may generate an overwhelming number of alerts, the majority of which are likely to be unactionable. False positive mitigation techniques utilize information about static analysis alerts, called alert characteristics, to predict actionable and unactionable alerts. This paper presents a measurement framework for generating static analysis alert characteristics for false positive mitigation models.
An Adaptive Image Inpainting Method Based on Continued Fractions Interpolation

In view of the drawback of most image inpainting algorithms by which texture was not prominent, an adaptive inpainting algorithm based on continued fractions was proposed in this paper. In order to restore every damaged point, the information of known pixel points around the damaged point was used to interpolate the intensity of the damaged point. The proposed method included two steps; firstly, Thiele’s rational interpolation combined with the mask image was used to interpolate adaptively the intensities of damaged points to get an initial repaired image, and then Newton-Thiele’s rational interpolation was used to refine the initial repaired image to get a final result. In order to show the superiority of the proposed algorithm, plenty of experiments were tested on damaged images. Subjective evaluation and objective evaluation were used to evaluate the quality of repaired images, and the objective evaluation was comparison of Peak Signal to Noise Ratios (PSNRs). The experimental results showed that the proposed algorithm had better visual effect and higher Peak Signal to Noise Ratio compared with the state-of-the-art methods.
New Morphological Evidence for the Phylogeny of Artiodactyla, Cetacea, and Mesonychidae

Abstract Parsimony-based analyses of a data set including 68 taxa coded for 186 morphological characters corroborate monophyly of Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates), Suiformes (hippos, pigs, peccaries), Neoselenodontia (camels, deer, cows), and Acreodi (whales, dolphins, porpoises, mesonychids). Additional findings include a sister-group relationship between Cainotheriidae and Cameloidea (Camelidae + Oromerycidae), Elomeryx as the sister group to all other suiform artiodactyls, Protoceratidae as the basal branch of Neoselenodontia, and paraphyly of Mesonychidae. The molecule-based groups Whippomorpha (whales, dolphins, hippos), Cetruminantia (whales, deer, cows), and Artiofabula (whales, cows, pigs) are contradicted by these data and occur together in trees that are at least 25 steps longer than the most parsimonious ones. In terms of tree length, the molecule-based topology is contradicted by morphological data with and without extinct taxa, and unlike previous, morphology-based analyses, the exclusion of Cetacea from the clade of living artiodactyls is not dependent on the inclusion of extinct taxa. Artiodactyla is diagnosed in all most parsimonious trees by several characters, including a short mastoid process of the petrosal, absence of an alisphenoid canal, and presence of an entocingulum on P4. Some previously suggested artiodactyl synapomorphies, such as an enlarged facial exposure of the lacrimal and absence of contact between the frontal and alisphenoid, are shown to be synapomorphies of more exclusive clades within Artiodactyla.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Diabetes

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A combination of plasma DAO and citrulline levels as a potential marker for acute mesenteric ischemia.

Introduction There is no valid and reliable diagnostic test for early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI). The aim of this study was to measure the plasma levels of diamine oxidase (DAO) and citrulline in AMI to gain insight into its early diagnosis. Material and methods A total of 21 Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups, that is, control group, short-term ischemia group, and prolonged ischemia group. The superior mesenteric artery was occluded for 15 min in the short-term ischemia group and for 12 h in the prolonged ischemia group. Twelve hours later, the experiment was terminated and plasma DAO and citrulline levels were measured. Intestinal tissue was evaluated for the histopathological changes. Results Compared to the control group, the short-term and prolonged ischemia groups showed significant increases in the plasma levels of DAO, whereas the plasma citrulline levels decreased significantly. Prolonged ischemia caused a larger increase in the plasma DAO levels and a larger decrease in the plasma citrulline levels compared to the short-term ischemia (p=0.011 and p=0.021, respectively). Intestinal damage was shown to develop more in the prolonged ischemia group (p=0.001). Conclusion In the early period of AMI, the plasma DAO levels increase while citrulline levels decrease, and the extent of these changes depends on the duration of ischemia.
THE IMPACT OF THE GREEN LEARNING ON THE STUDENTS PERFORMANCE

Students are the future of any country, and there are many information technology tools employed for improving the knowledge of students. The Green Education as new information technology tools highlights the importance of green information technology tools in improving current systems. This case study aims to investigate a novel ideas for future strategic planning that could help and add new values in developing country. Such initiative tends to prepare and develop students to meet future challenges. The study selects a University’s database which contains information about instructional learning. The study filters the database based on the instructors’ information on non-electronic teaching style (papers,communication) and instructors who included Green instructional system in their curriculum to highlight the pros of using green education . Data mining and statistical methods have been used as scientific tools to implement the experiments and justify the proposed idea. We believe this green education approach will surely lead to a more competitive debate, enhance the confidence level in educational systems in many countries and improve its overall capability.
Epidemiologie et controle de la theileriose bovine a Theileria parva en Afrique : une revue de la litterature

RÉSUMÉ : Theileria parva, agent pathogene de l'East Coast fever est largement repandu en Afrique centrale, orientale et du Sud. Sa distribution est etroitement liee a celle de son principal vecteur Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, une tique dure (Ixodidae) a trois hates. Le contrale de l'infection depend des moyens de lutte utilises et adaptes aux conditions locales qui influencent considerablement ('incidence de l'infection et determinent le niveau des interactions entre l'hate et son vecteur. Les signes cliniques des formes aigue et chronique sont presentes dans ce travail. Les differents etats epiderniologiques de la maladie et les differentes methodes de contrale (traitement curatif, lutte contre les vecteurs et immunisation des animaux susceptibles) y sont egalement decrits en detail.
A Rare Medicinal Herb Zizyphus xylopyrus ( Retz . )

in the present scenario, demand for the herbal products is growing exponentially through out the world and various pharmaceutical sectors are currently conducting extensive research on plant materials for their potential medicinal value. this inclination seems to be a result of people all over the world looking for various alternative system of medicine. The research of blending traditional knowledge with modern experimental methodology for testing the efficacy and safety of herbal drugs is increasing. Keeping this point of view the present work has been presented to explore the efficacy and medicinal values of a rare medicinal plant known as Zizyphus xylopyrus (retz.) willd (ZX). the available literatures on this plant though very less, divulges that it contains many phytoconstituents like, Flavonoids, tannins, Saponins, Terpenoids, etc. which when pharmacologically tested proved to be medicinally significant. In vast research, all these phytochemicals has shown their variety of medicinal values, more potent compared to available allopathic medicines in some cases. apart from that, ZX has shown its promising effect even in the central Nervous System. Though much of scientific work has not been done on this plant, so in this context it needs to be heeded in all the medicinal and pharmaceutical concerns.
Concentration of three branched-chain fatty acids in adipose tissue does not affect meat sensory traits in crossbred and purebred German "Merinolandschaf" lambs

Abstract. Intense sheep odour and flavour in lamb is often associated with lower consumer acceptance. Branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) are suggested as possible reasons. Therefore, muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue samples of 98 lamb chops were analysed for three BCFAs (4-methyloctanoic, 4-ethyloctanoic and 4-methylnonanoic fatty acid). Samples were derived from a previous study, in which lambs were raised and fattened under intensive conditions and tested for sensory quality. BCFA contents of fat extracts from muscle tissue were very low and quantification was not possible. In subcutaneous adipose tissue different concentrations of BCFA and differences between crosses were detected. The sex of lambs had a significant influence. The BCFA correlations were significant, while correlations between BCFA of adipose tissue and sensory traits were not significant. Therefore, it seems likely that BCFA concentrations were too low and/or other substances are involved in causing the lamb flavour detected through sensory analysis.
POLLUTING PRODUCTION - ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND ALTERNATIVES A General Model of Production Externalities

With the determination of principal parameters of producing and pollution abatement technologies, this paper quantifies abatement and external costs at the social optimum and analyses the dynamic relationship between technological development and the above-mentioned costs. With the partial analysis of parameters, the paper presents the impacts on the level of pollution and external costs of extensive and intensive environmental protection, market demand change and product fees, and not environmental protection oriented technological development. Parametrical cost calculation makes the drawing up of two useful rules of thumb possible in connection with the rate of government in-terventions. Also, the paradox of technological development aiming at intensive environmental protection will become apparent.
Geochemistry of Cu, Zn and Fe in the Tambo River, Australia I. Oxidation of Fe(II)-rich water entering the river

The behaviour of Fe, Cu and Zn was studied during the laboratory oxidation of an acidic (pH 5.8) sample of naturally contaminated water from the Tambo River (Victoria, Australia). Changes in the concentrations of the dissolved, colloidal and particulate fractions of these metals were followed over 288 h. The initial concentrations of dissolved Cu (18.5 mg L–1) and Zn (22.6 mg L–1) were ~15-fold greater than that of the dissolved Fe (1.13 mg L–1). Dissolved Fe was completely removed from solution in 60 h, with removal following the well established first order oxidation kinetics for Fe(II). A relatively small amount of the dissolved Cu (18%) and dissolved Zn (14%) was removed from the solution, although the removal mechanisms appear to be different. A ‘co-precipitation-surface precipitation’ mechanism is proposed to explain the behaviour of the Cu and Zn, with Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) co-precipitating to form colloidal Fe(OH)3-Cu(OH)2-Zn(OH)2 particles following the initial oxidation of Fe(II) to Fe(III).
Geochemical evidence in the northeast Lau Basin for subduction of the Cook‐Austral volcanic chain in the Tonga Trench

Lau Basin basalts host an array of geochemical signatures that suggest incorporation of enriched mantle source material often associated with intraplate hotspots, but the origin of these signatures remain uncertain. Geochemical signatures associated with mantle material entrained from the nearby Samoan hotspot are present in northwest Lau Basin lavas, and subducted seamounts from the Louisville hotspot track may contribute geochemical signatures to the Tonga Arc. However, lavas in the northeast Lau Basin (NELB) have unique enriched geochemical signatures that cannot be related to these hotspots, but can be attributed to the subduction of seamounts associated with the Cook‐Austral volcanic lineament. Here we present geochemical data on a new suite of NELB lavas—ranging in 40Ar/39Ar age from 1.3 Ma to 0.365 ka—that have extreme signatures of geochemical enrichment, including lavas with the highest 206Pb/204Pb (19.580) and among the lowest 143Nd/144Nd (0.512697) encountered in the Lau Basin to date. These signatures are linked to the canonical EM1 (enriched mantle 1) and HIMU (high‐μ = 238U/204Pb) mantle end‐members, respectively. Using a plate reconstruction model, we show that older portions of the traces of two of the Cook‐Austral hotspots that contributed volcanism to the Cook‐Austral volcanic lineament—the Rarotonga and Rurutu hotspots—were potentially subducted in the Tonga Trench beneath the NELB. The geochemical signatures of the Rarotonga, Rurutu, and Samoan hotspots provide a compelling match to the extreme geochemical components observed in the new NELB lavas.
Entrepreneurial Orientation as a Universal Remedy for the Receding Productivity in Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises: A Theoretical Perspective.

SMEs in Malaysia continue to play a vital role and contribute significantly in the country’s economic development agenda. However, the valuable and proficient contributions of the enterprises unachievable lead by some challenges faced by the enterprises and the dynamic nature of a highly global economy. The aim of this paper is that entrepreneurial orientation is the universal remedy to this receding productivity. Therefore, the paper provides deeper understanding of the cross-functional activities in the behavior-embedded nature of entrepreneurial orientation construct with the dimensions namely; innovation, pro-activeness, competitiveness, risk taking, competitive aggressiveness and autonomy.
Measuring suppliers’ willingness to collaborate with ZGT in CSR and NPD projects based on Buyer-supplier knowledge factors

In a well-designed and thoroughly studied product market companies try to maintain themselves by gaining a competitive advantage on other companies. Since the product market has become familiar for a lot of companies these companies try to find new ways to maintain or increase their competitive advantage. One way to do this is via the factor market. Companies are searching for suppliers and to start buyer-supplier relationships. By doing this companies can exchange, besides of products and/or services, know-how and knowledge about for instance processes. Ziekenhuis Groep Twente (ZGT) is one of the companies that wants to focus on the factor market. But, their focus is not on gaining a competitive advantage. ZGT’s focus is on New Product Development (NPD) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). NPD is important for ZGT since often the medical equipment bought by ZGT has a lot of functions, but misses some functions which would help ZGT improve their operational effectiveness and/or efficiency. By engaging in buyer-supplier relationships ZGT hopes to start a collaboration in either NPD projects or CSR projects. The focus of these NPD projects is to discuss the functions of medical equipment with its suppliers. By doing this ZGT hopes to increase their relationship with its suppliers and increase the usability of medical equipment for ZGT’s doctors. The second type of projects ZGT is interested in are focussed on CSR. CSR has a still increasing importance for companies and often is used as a benchmark. ZGT is aware of this importance and wants to invest in this type of buyer-supplier relationships to increase their CSR operations. This thesis tries to identify whether suppliers of ZGT are interested to collaborate with ZGT in these kind of projects. It tries to identify this based on several variables. One of these variables is Buyer-supplier knowledge, which is a new concept in literature. The concept of Buyer-supplier knowledge is built on the two indicators Trust and Dependency. This has been done since the expectation is that the more a supplier trusts or is dependent of ZGT the more prepared a supplier is to collaborate with ZGT. Besides this new concept the variables Customer attractiveness and Supplier satisfaction were included and tested. Competitiveness was added as a control variable. The research as outlined adds to existing empirical research because of the model in which it has been tested. Most variables have been tested individually in the current literature, but not combined into one concept and linked to the willingness of suppliers to collaborate.
On droplet parameter determination at dry-out

It is common experience, that accurate measurements of droplet sizes and velocities in superheated steam are difficult to achieve. An experimental method to determine droplet sizes in superheated steam was developed and studied in recent years, and is presented in this paper. The experimental detection device used is based on two thermocouples (diameters are, for example, 0,026 and 0,10 mm) that intrude the droplet flow. The couples are heated by the superheated steam and are cooled down slightly each time a droplet evaporates on it. Cooling curves characteristics are analyzed to obtain information concerning droplet size and, sometimes, droplet velocity. In high-quality, vertical flows near dry-out, additional information concerning droplet parameters can be inferred from a computation model that takes into account the measured outer wall temperature profiles in axial direction. These profiles show a steep increase downstream of the point of dry-out. The model employs several well-established correlations, and results are discussed. Progress made in the experimental testing program is reported.
3D Skin Texture Analysis: A Neural Network and Photometric Stereo Perspective

Cancerous skin lesions often exhibit irregular and non-axisymmetric morphologies and 3D textures, which are difficult to detect using existing techniques. Consequently, this paper describes the employment of a novel technique incorporating Multilayer perceptron (MLP) Neural Network (NN) and photometric stereo (PS) techniques for the analysis of complex lesions. The analyses of surface normal data (tilt and slant angles), for measurement of the degree of 3D skin surface disruption can provide potentially useful indicators for melanoma. Here this was achieved by replacing the axisymmetric 3D hemispherical profile with NN models of irregular lesion morphologies. PS was used to recover surface data and a NN was used to model the underlying forms of complex morphologies and irregular 3D textures. Initially, application of the method to three types of lesion resulted in an average difference (in slant angle) between the NN output and the actual surface normal of: 1.02, 2.11 and 2.86 degrees for axisymmetric, irregular and complex lesions, respectively. The proposed method performance was significantly better when compared to other methods. The experimental study performed shows the effectiveness of the proposed method, with ROC area under the curve of 84% to 88%.