Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive histogram equalization: a parallel implementation

Adaptive histogram equalization (AHE) is computationally expensive, and therefore time-consuming. A parallel method implemented with commercially available hardware is discussed. The implementation and testing conducted supports the hypothesis that multiple instruction/multiple data (MIMD) parallelism will improve the performance of the AHE algorithm. A method for handling border regions has been developed and implemented. The application of a look-up table served well to reduce the number of required computations. Whereas this probably did not affect the outcome of the testing, as both the sequential and parallel versions utilized this method, it did serve as an improvement to the overall implementation. <<ETX>>
Impact of Melanin on Microbial Virulence and Clinical Resistance to Antimicrobial Compounds

Melanins are negatively charged, hydrophobic pigments of high molecular weight ([54][1], [88][2], [95][3], [139][4]) that are composed of polymerized phenolic and/or indolic compounds (Fig. [1][5]) ([45][6], [128][7]). Melanins are produced by organisms in all biological kingdoms, including a wide
Direct AMS Radiocarbon dates for the Sungir mid Upper Palaeolithic burials

The site of Sungir (alternatively Sounghir) lies east of the town of Vladimir, about 200 km northeast of Moscow. It is a large mid Upper Palaeolithic ('Eastern Gravettian' sensu lato) cultural accumulation on the left bank of the Kliazma river, of which some 1500 sq. m was excavated in several seasons between 1957 and 1964 (Bader 1965; 1967; 1978; 1998). The single burial (Grave 1/Sungir 1) was excavated in 1964. It is that ofan adult male in extended, supine position, with his head oriented to the northeast and hands placed over his pubis (Figure 1). The second grave was discovered in 1969 and contained two adolescents — one male (Sungir 2) and one (probably) female (Sungir 3) — both extended, supine and lying head to head (Figure 2). All three burials were covered in red ochre and Sungir 1 was possibly associated with fires in a manner intriguingly similar to the DVXVI male burialat Dolní Větonice, Moravia (Svoboda et al. 1996).
At what particle energy do extragalactic cosmic rays start to predominate

We have previously argued (e.g. Szabelski et al 2002 Astropart. Phys. 17 125) that the well-known 'ankle' in the cosmic ray energy spectrum, at log E (eV) ~ 18.7–19.0, marks the transition from mainly galactic sources at lower energies to mainly extragalactic above. Recently, however, there have been claims for lower transitional energies, specifically from log E (eV) ~ 17.0 (Thompson et al 2004 Proc. Catania Cosmic Ray Conf.) via 17.2–17.8 (Berezinsky et al 2004 Astropart. Phys. 21 617) to 18.0 (Hillas 2004 Proc. Leeds Cosmic Ray Conf.). In our model the ankle arises naturally from the sum of simple power law-spectra with slopes differing by Δγ ~ 1.8; from differential slope γ = −3.8 for galactic particles (near log E = 19) to γ ~ −2.0 for extragalactic sources. In the other models, on the other hand, the ankle is intrinsic to the extragalactic component alone, and arises from the shape of the rate of energy loss versus energy for the (assumed) protons interacting with the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Our detailed analysis of the world's data on the ultra-high energy spectrum shows that taken together, or separately, the resulting mean sharpness of the ankle (second derivative of the log(intensity × E3) with respect to log E) is consistent with our 'mixed' model. For explanation in terms of extragalactic particles alone, however, the ankle will be at the wrong energy—for reasonable production models and of insufficient magnitude if, as seems likely, there is still a significant fraction of heavy nuclei at the ankle energy.
Comparison of the Biodistribution and Tumor Targeting of Two 99mTc-Labeled Anti-EGFR Nanobodies in Mice, Using Pinhole SPECT/Micro-CT

Camelidae possess an unusual class of antibodies devoid of light chains. Nanobodies are intact antigen-binding fragments that are stable, easily generated against different targets, and fully functional. Their rapid clearance from the blood circulation favors their use as imaging agents. We compared the in vivo tumor uptake and biodistribution of 2 anti–epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) Nanobodies, 99mTc-7C12 and 99mTc-7D12. Methods: Nanobodies were labeled via their hexahistidine tail with 99mTc-tricarbonyl (99mTc(CO)3) generated from a kit. Mice bearing subcutaneous A431 (EGFR-positive) and R1M (EGFR-negative) xenografts were intravenously injected with 99mTc-7C12 and 99mTc-7D12 on separate days. Pinhole SPECT/micro-CT images were acquired at 1 h after administration to assess noninvasively the biodistribution and tumor targeting of the labeled compounds. Pinhole SPECT and micro-CT images from the same mouse were automatically fused on the basis of a mathematic rigid-body-transformation algorithm using six 57Co sources. Images were quantified, and tracer uptake was expressed as percentage injected activity per gram per cubic centimeter (%IA/cm3) of tissue. Ex vivo biodistribution of mice bearing A431 injected with either 99mTc-7C12 or 99mTc-7D12 was also assessed; activity in the tumor and organs was recorded and expressed as percentage injected activity per gram (%IA/g). Results: Binding of both tracers was receptor-specific. Image analysis showed high and similar tumor uptake values for both 99mTc-7C12 and 99mTc-7D12 (4.55 ± 0.24 %IA/cm3 and 4.62 ± 0.36 %IA/cm3, respectively) in A431 xenografts, whereas the uptake in the negative tumor (R1M) was low (1.16 ± 0.14 for 99mTc-7C12 and 1.49 ± 0.60 for 99mTc-7D12). 99mTc-7C12 showed significantly higher kidney uptake (63.48 ± 2.36 vs. 56.25 ± 2.46 %IA/cm3) and lower liver uptake (2.55 ± 0.26 vs. 4.88 ± 0.86 %IA/cm3) than did 99mTc-7D12. The ex vivo analysis confirmed the image quantification with high tumor-to-background ratio; however, 99mTc-7C12 showed higher tumor uptake (9.11 ± 1.12 %IA/g) than did 99mTc-7D12 (6.09 ± 0.77 %IA/g). 99mTc-7D12 demonstrated significantly higher blood activity than did 99mTc-7C12, but both showed short plasma half-lives (<10 min). Conclusion: The Nanobody fragments used here show high tumor uptake, low liver uptake, and rapid blood clearance. Nanobodies are promising probes for noninvasive radioimmunodetection of specific targets early after administration. On the basis of its favorable biodistribution, 99mTc-7C12 was selected for further studies.
Acupuncture for acute migraine attacks in adults: a systematic review protocol

Introduction Acupuncture has been used worldwide for migraine attacks. This systematic review aims to assess if acupuncture is effective and safe in relieving headache, preventing relapse and reducing migraine-associated symptoms for the treatment of acute migraine attacks in adults. Methods and analysis We will search the following seven databases from inception to February 2015: MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and four Chinese databases (Chinese Biomedical Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database and Wanfang Database). Any randomised controlled trials in English or Chinese related to acupuncture for acute migraine attacks will be included. Conference abstracts and reference lists of included manuscripts will also be searched. The study inclusion, data extraction and quality assessment will be conducted independently by two reviewers. Meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan V.5. 3.5 statistical software. Dissemination The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication and/or conference presentations. Trial registration number PROSPERO CRD42014013352.
Sur les traces de l'orge et du pavot : L'agriculture danubienne de Hesbaye sous influence, entre Rhin et Bassin parisien ?

L'etude d'un nouveau corpus de macrorestes botaniques de 7 sites du Rubane de Hesbaye a permis d'aborder un eventail de questions, devenues classiques au fil des recherches de nos predecesseurs, sur les plantes utilisees, leur association et les traitements qu'elles ont pu subir. L'examen des contextes de decouverte a, entre autres, permis de mettre en evidence un lien entre les grands ensembles de macrorestes de cereales et un type recurrent de structure cylindrique a fond plat, ainsi que la confirmation de plusieurs cas de localisation de tels rejets au nord-ouest d'une unite d'habitation ou de l'aire villageoise. La decouverte d'orge commune en contexte Rubane de Hesbaye, l'extension du pavot a l'ensemble du Groupe rheno-mosan ont ete l'occasion de rappeler les attaches meridionales de ces plantes. Jusqu'a la presente etude, ces taxons etaient peu ou pas attestes dans la region etudiee. L'examen des aires d'extension de l'orge et du pavot a l'ouest du Rhin durant le Neolithique ancien ne doit pas faire perdre de vue la dimension chronologique de leur apparition dans nos regions, soit a la fin de la sequence du Rubane regional, vers 6050 BP. Un scenario envisageant la diffusion de certaines plantes depuis le bassin de la Mediterranee occidentale vers la region rheno-mosane au travers du Bassin parisien et des groupes qui l'ont habite au Neolithique ancien est suggere, a titre d'hypothese.
Impact du grossissement de l'image sur l'exactitude des mesures verticales effectuées sur des radiographies panoramiques numériques

L'objet de cette etude est d'evaluer l’impact du grossissement de l’image sur l’exactitude des mesures verticales effectuees dans la region mandibulaire posterieure sur des radiographies panoramiques numeriques. A l’aide de trois logiciels d'imagerie, et sous trois grossissements de l’image a l’ecran, deux observateurs ont effectue des mesures de longueur d’implants dentaires inseres dans un modele en resine. L'erreur entre la valeur mesuree et la longueur reelle etait proche de zero pour tous les grossissements et logiciels. Le pourcentage de mesures egales a la longueur reelle etait le plus eleve (83.3%) avec le fort grossissement (10 :1) et en dessous de 30% avec le faible grossissement (1.9 :1). Les grossissements forts et moyens ont permis d’effectuer des mesures verticales exactes, avec les trois logiciels d'imagerie. Le faible grossissement ne devrait pas etre utilise pour les mesures verticales sur les orthopantomogrammes lors de la planification d'implants mandibulaires posterieurs.
Effective quality improvement of upscaled images by differential image scheme

In this paper, we propose a method for effectively improving the quality of any upscaled image. Our underlying idea is to calculate a differential image in the process of rescaling the given image. Once the image is upscaled, the differential image is used to adjust the quality of the resulting upscaled image. Results show that our proposed method was able to effectively improve the quality of the six upscaled images used in our experiments. For all test images, each of which was upscaled to double and quadruple their original sizes, our proposed method was able to raise the peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) by approximately 1.78 dB and 1.64 dB, respectively, on average.
Occult Carcinoma in Prophylactic Oophorectomy Specimens: Prevalence and Association With BRCA Germline Mutation Status

Prophylactic oophorectomy (PO) is an option for women at increased risk for ovarian carcinoma. In this study the value of intensive pathologic examination of PO specimens and accompanying resected tissues in the identification of occult carcinoma and any association of occult carcinoma with BRCA germline mutation status were ascertained. Specimens from 60 consecutive PO patients, who were not suspected of having any ovarian tumor at the time of surgery, were subjected to standardized, complete pathologic examination in a prospective study over an 8-year period. Extra-ovarian tissues were examined as well, but they were not subject to the same standardized protocol. Any occult carcinoma of the ovaries or fallopian tubes was noted. The BRCA status and follow-up of patients were obtained, if available. Fifty-five of the 60 PO specimens did not show any evidence of malignancy. Of the 32 patients in this group followed for >1 year, all are alive and well. The remaining five patients, all BRCA1 mutation positive, showed occult carcinoma of the ovaries and/or in situ or invasive carcinoma of a fallopian tube. One of these five patients has died of abdominal carcinomatosis; four continue to be well, but follow-up is <4 years in all cases. Occult carcinoma is present in a small proportion of BRCA-positive or unknown PO patients and may be of prognostic significance. The entire ovaries and tubes from PO patients should be submitted for histologic examination to identify malignancy.
Enhancement of free space optical communication system modulation using DDM technique

Many FSO communication systems are using a conventional technique that is OOK technique in the system. Some enhancement of technique is explained in this paper to decrease the error rate that occurs in the system. The comparison between OOK technique and DDM technique is investigated in order to compare the error rate and power received. The result shows that the performance of DDM technique generates improvement as much as 21% magnitude of BER in the system.
Effect of Dual Therapy with Botulinum Toxin A Injection and Electromyography-controlled Functional Electrical Stimulation on Active Function in the Spastic Paretic Hand.

BACKGROUND Many previous studies have demonstrated that botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections satisfactorily reduce spasticity. Nevertheless, BTX-A, with or without an adjuvant therapy, effectively improves the direct functional movement in few patients with spastic upper extremity paralysis. Therefore the present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of task-orientated therapy on spasticity and functional movement by using electromyography-triggered functional electrical stimulation (EMG-FES) after BTX-A injections. DESIGN Open-label, prospective clinical trial Method: The subjects were 15 patients with spastic paresis (12 male, 3 female; age range, 17-74 years; 14 due to stroke, 1 due to spinal cord injury) who received BTX-A injections. Before the study was started, all subjects had undergone task-orientated therapy sessions with EMG-FES for 4 months. Despite all patients showing a various extent of improved upper extremity function, upper extremity function reached a plateau because of upper extremity spasticity. After BTX-A injection, all patients underwent task-orientated therapy sessions with EMG-FES for 4 months. The outcomes were assessed with the modified Ashworth scale, the simple test for evaluating hand function, box and block test, grip and release test, finger individual movement test, and grip strength. Assessments were performed at baseline and 10 days and 4 months after BTX-A injection. RESULTS The median modified Ashworth scale score decreased from 2 at baseline to 1 at 10 days and 4 months after BTX-A injection. The finger individual movement test score increased slightly at 10 days (p=0.29) and further increased at 4 months (p<0.05). The simple test for evaluating hand function, grip and release test, box and block test, and grip strength decreased after 10 days (p<0.05, p=0.26, p<0.01, and p<0.01, respectively) but increased after 4 months (p<0.01, p<0.05, p<0.01, and p=0.18, respectively). CONCLUSION Task-orientated therapy with EMG-FES after BTX-A injection effectively reduced spasticity and improved upper limb motor function. Our results also suggest that spasticity occurs as a compensation for the force of the affected muscles and leads to misuse movements and ostensible dexterity in many patients. In addition, we hypothesize that BTX-A injection initializes the abnormal adapted movement pattern and that more active hand movements with facilitation of the paretic muscles when using EMG-FES induce an efficient muscle reeducation of the inherent physiological movement pattern that ultimately could prove useful in the activities of daily living.
OppoScan: Enabling Fast Handoff in Dense 802.11 WMNs via Opportunistic Probing with Virtual Radio

Recently with the sharing economy of WiFi, IEEE 802.11 Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) have been deployed exponentially in more places. With the booming increase of density of APs as well as mobile clients (MCs), the handoff between MCs and APs becomes more frequent than ever before. One problem of most existing network-assisted fast handoff mechanisms is that an AP needs to switch to different channel to probe MCs, thus disrupting its current communications. In this paper, we propose a fast handoff mechanism called OppoScan. OppoScan opportunistically leverages nearby MCs and APs to produce the required information of neighboring AP for handoff, thus significantly decrease the number of switching channel of APs. We have implemented the OppoScan in about 200 APs in two shopping malls and the results demonstrated the performance of the proposed scheme.
Assessing an FPGA Implemented MIMO Testbed with the Use of Channel Emulator

In this paper, a channel emulator for assessing the performance of MIMO testbed implemented in a field programmable gate array technology is described. The FPGA based MIMO system includes a signal generator, modulation/demodulation and space time coding/decoding modules. The emulator uses information about a wireless channel from computer simulations or actual measurements. In simulations, a single bounce scattering model for an indoor environment is applied. The generated data is stored in the FPGA board. The tests are performed for a 2times2 MIMO system that uses Alamouti scheme for space coding/decoding. The performed tests show proper operation of the FPGA implemented MIMO testbed. Good agreement between the results using measured and simulated channel data is obtained.
Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum has a single, circular chromosome with a size of approximately 900 kilobase pairs

The genome size and chromosome conformation of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, Nichols strain, were determined by contour-clamped homogeneous electric field electrophoresis, a pulsed-field gel electrophoresis technique. Digestion of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum DNA with the restriction endonucleases NotI and SpeI produced 12 and 26 fragments, respectively. Summation of the physical lengths of the fragments produced by NotI and SpeI cleavage yielded average sizes of 900 and 913 kbp, respectively, for the genome of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum. Contour-clamped homogeneous electric field electrophoresis of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum DNA exposed to 4 krads of gamma irradiation resolved a single band of 800 to 1,000 kbp; treatment of the DNA with 16 krads of gamma irradiation resulted in the production of smaller fragments, whereas untreated DNA did not migrate into the gels. The gamma irradiation results indicate that T. pallidum subsp. pallidum has a single, circular chromosome that was linearized at a dosage of 4 krads of gamma irradiation. The size estimate provided by restriction endonuclease digestion with NotI and SpeI shows that the genome of T. pallidum subsp. pallidum, at approximately 900 kbp, is considerably smaller than the 13,700-kbp genome size calculated from renaturation kinetics.
Involvement of the ipsilateral motor cortex in finger movements of different complexities

Functional imaging and behavioral studies suggest involvement of the ipsilateral hemisphere in hand movements, particularly of the left hand. If this is so, transient disturbance of the motor cortex (M1) with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) may affect ipsilateral motor sequences, and the effects may differ on the two sides. We studied 15 right‐handed subjects who played a simple and a complex piano sequence for 8 seconds each. Two seconds after the beginning of each sequence, rTMS was delivered to the ipsilateral or contralateral M1, or directed away from the head (control trial). Ipsilateral M1 stimulation on either side induced timing errors in both sequences, and with the complex sequence induced more timing errors in the left hand than in the right hand. Errors of the right hand with both sequences occurred in the stimulation period only, but errors of the left hand with the complex sequence occurred in both the stimulation and poststimulation periods. We conclude that the ipsilateral M1 is involved in fine finger movements. The left hemisphere plays a greater role in timing ipsilateral complex sequences than the right hemisphere and may be more involved in the processing of complex motor programs.
Atrial fibrillation

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION (AF) is the most common sustained dysrhythmia in adults. It is ironic, then, that although mechanisms and effective treatments for most other supraventricular tachyarrhythmias have been discovered, AF remains incompletely understood and poorly treated. Nonetheless, our understanding of the pathophysiology of AF has improved in the last half-century, including some groundbreaking observations made in the last 10 years. Indeed, for some patients, the potential for cure now appears to be available. Because no unifying mechanism of AF has been proven, the aim of this review is to describe some of the common and important concepts behind current mechanistic theories of AF and how they contribute to our clinical understanding of AF.
A telegeriatric service in a small rural hospital: A case study and cost analysis

Introduction Small hospitals in rural areas usually have an insufficient caseload of frail old people to justify the regular presence of a geriatrician. This study examined the costs of providing a telegeriatric service by videoconference in a rural hospital, compared to the costs of a visiting geriatrician that travels to undertake in-person consultations. Methods A cost analysis was undertaken to compare the costs of the telegeriatric service model with the costs of a visiting geriatrician service model. A recently established telegeriatric service at Warwick Hospital was used as a case study. Results In the base case model (assuming four patients per round and a round-trip travel distance of 312 kilometres), an estimated AUD$131 per patient consultation can be saved in favour of the telegeriatric service model. Key drivers of costs are the number of patients per round and the travel distance and time in the visiting geriatrician model. At a workload of four patients per round, it is less expensive to conduct a telegeriatric service than a visiting geriatrician service when the round-trip travel time exceeds 76 minutes. Discussion Even under quite conservative assumptions, a telegeriatric service offers an economically feasible approach to the delivery of specialist geriatric assessment in rural and remote settings.