Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Method of Video Shot-Boundary Detection based on Grey Modeling for Histogram Sequence

Video Shot-Boundary Detection is important for video analysis, segmentation and retrieval. The detection results of Shot-Boundary are not only relation with two nearest frames of shot cuts, but also their several neighboring frames. Video stream is multistream time sequence. Grey model based on set sequence (SGM) is proposed to analyze and process multi-stream time sequences constructed with sampled histograms in this paper. Consequently, a novel Shot-Boundary Detection method is put forward based on SGM and color histogram, which includes the following steps: (1) When a new video frame coming into the detection system, the image is transformed into intensity image under HSI color model; (2) Histogram of the video frame can be obtained. Then, taking samples for the histogram and constructing set sequence with proximate sampled histograms is implemented; (3) SGM is introduced to simulate the sampled histogram sequence in this detection method. Moreover, absolute mean error (AME) and regulative AME (RAME) with thresholds are applied to make a detection judgment. Finally, the experiments illuminate that the proposed method is an effective Shot-Boundary Detection method, and it is superior to method of Histogram disparity significantly, especially when it is used to detect cuts with some complex video scenes.
Prevalence of Phantom Breast Pain and Sensation Among Postmastectomy Patients Suffering from Breast Cancer: A Prospective Study

With the advent of newer treatment modalities, survival rate among breast cancer patients has improved substantially over the last few years. Hence, the concern has also shifted to the impact of treatment, side effects, and the morbidities arising from disease management. Among them is the development of phantom breast pain (PBP) and sensation (PBS) after mastectomy.
Prevalence of esophageal cancer risk factors among Turkmen and non-Turkmen ethnic groups in a high incidence area in Iran.

BACKGROUND Golestan Province in north-eastern Iran has one of the highest incidence rates for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) worldwide. Earlier studies have reported higher incidence rates in the areas of Golestan which are mainly inhabited by individuals of the Turkmen ethnic group. However, it is not clear whether in those areas the incidence among Turkmens is higher in comparison to non-Turkmens. Some previous studies have suggested that environmental factors might play a more essential role in ESCC carcinogenesis in Golestan than a genetic background. If environmental factors instead of a genetic background are the major risk factors, therefore the prevalence of known environmental risk factors would not significantly differ among ESCC cases of different ethnic groups. To investigate the role of environmental factors versus genetic background by using the above concept, we have compared the prevalence of known risk factors for ESCC among Turkmen and non-Turkmen ESCC cases. METHODS Study participants were histopathologically proven ESCC cases from Golestan Province. They were recruited in the study from December 2003 to June 2007. The prevalence of the most important known risk factors for ESCC in Turkmen and non-Turkmen ESCC cases was compared using Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS Of 300 ESCC cases recruited in the study, 171 (57.0%) and 129 (43.0%) cases were Turkmen and non-Turkmen, respectively. In the majority of the investigated risk factors which included tobacco, nass, and opium use, hot and extremely hot tea consumption, as well as decreased levels of education; there was no significant difference between Turkmen and non-Turkmen ESCC cases in the prevalence of exposure. CONCLUSION Our findings support the suggestion that a substantial difference between Turkmens and non-Turkmens in terms of genetic susceptibility to ESCC is unlikely. Nevertheless, the moderate effect of genetic factors cannot be ruled out. Further studies to investigate potential environmental and genetic risk factors of ESCC in Golestan and the interaction between environmental and genetic factors are warranted.
Primary Pleomorphic Adenoma of Minor Salivary Gland in the Parapharyngeal Space

Parapharyngeal space (PPS) lesions account for only 0.5% head and neck tumors and the majority of the minor salivary gland tumors are malignant. We report a case of pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary gland in PPS as this is of a very rare occurrence. High index of suspicion and an adequate clearance of the tumor with a cuff of surrounding dispensable normal tissues are the key to successful treatment of such tumors.
Confusing Selective Feeding with Differential Digestion in Bacterivorous Nanoflagellates

Abstract Food selectivity and the mechanisms of food selection were analyzed by video microscopy for three species (Spumella, Ochromonas, Cafeteria) of interception-feeding heterotrophic nanoflagellates. The fate of individual prey particles, either live bacteria and/or inert particles, was recorded during the different stages of the particle-flagellate-interaction, which included capture, ingestion, digestion, and egestion. The experiments revealed species-specific differences and new insights into the underlying mechanisms of particle selection by bacterivorous flagellates. When beads and bacteria were offered simultaneously, both particles were ingested unselectively at similar rates. However, the chrysomonads Spumella and Ochromonas egested the inert beads after a vacuole passage time of only 2–3 min, which resulted in an increasing proportion of bacteria in the food vacuoles. Vacuole passage time for starved flagellates was significantly longer compared to that of exponential-phase flagellates for Spumella and Ochromonas. The bicosoecid Cafeteria stored all ingested particles, beads as well as bacteria, in food vacuoles for more then 30 min. Therefore “selective digestion” is one main mechanism responsible for differential processing of prey particles. This selection mechanism may explain some discrepancies of former experiments using inert particles as bacterial surrogates for measuring bacterivory.
Lung carcinoma with metastasis to testicular seminoma

Tumor‐to‐tumor metastases are uncommon. The most frequent donor tumors are the lung, whereas renal cell carcinoma is by far the most common recipient. in this report the authors describe a lung tumor that metastasized to a testicular seminoma. This is the first reported case of tumor‐to‐tumor metastases in which seminoma of the testis is the recipient. The authors performed mucin and immunohistochemical studies on this case and on ten cases of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors containing embryonal carcinoma and endodermal sinus tumor for comparison. Mucin positivity as well as immunoreactivity for epithelial membrane and carcinoembryonic antigens were confined to metastatic adenocarcinoma in this case, whereas Ki‐1 and alpha‐fetoprotein immunostaining were restricted to the ten control cases of germ cell tumors. Although the majority of second malignant components found in a seminoma are other nonseminomatous germ cell components, the rare possibility exists that a second malignant component is a metastasis from elsewhere in the body.
Gene set analysis: A step‐by‐step guide

To maximize the potential of genome‐wide association studies, many researchers are performing secondary analyses to identify sets of genes jointly associated with the trait of interest. Although methods for gene‐set analyses (GSA), also called pathway analyses, have been around for more than a decade, the field is still evolving. There are numerous algorithms available for testing the cumulative effect of multiple SNPs, yet no real consensus in the field about the best way to perform a GSA. This paper provides an overview of the factors that can affect the results of a GSA, the lessons learned from past studies, and suggestions for how to make analysis choices that are most appropriate for different types of data. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An immune reconstitution syndrome-like illness associated with Cryptococcus neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND We describe an immune reconstitution syndrome (IRS)-like entity in the course of evolution of Cryptococcus neoformans infection in organ transplant recipients. METHODS The study population comprised a cohort of 83 consecutive organ transplant recipients with cryptococcosis who were observed for a median of 2 years in an international, multicenter study. RESULTS In 4 (4.8%) of the 83 patients, an IRS-like entity was observed a median of 5.5 weeks after the initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy. Worsening of clinical manifestations was documented, despite cultures being negative for C. neoformans. These patients were significantly more likely to have received tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone as the regimen of immunosuppressive therapy than were all other patients (P = .007). The proposed basis of this phenomenon is reversal of a predominantly Th2 response at the onset of infection to a Th1 proinflammatory response as a result of receipt of effective antifungal therapy and a reduction in or cessation of immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that an IRS-like entity occurs in organ transplant recipients with C. neoformans infection. Furthermore, this entity may be misconstrued as a failure of therapy. Immunomodulatory agents may have a role as adjunctive therapy in such cases.
Wearable textile sensor sock for gait analysis

The ability to measure foot plantar pressure and gait characteristics during a prolonged period of daily life activities has many important applications in people with gait disorders. This paper presents the development of a wearable textile sensor sock incorporating these measurements, offering the potential to detect major events during the stance phase of the gait cycle. The sensors are constructed from conductive thread and are connected to a data logger with a Secure Digital card to allow prolonged recording. Validation of the temporal parameters measured with the textile sensor sock compared to F-scan insole (Tekscan, Inc.) showed 1.6% and 3.8% differences in stride and stance duration, respectively. Test-retest reliability study showed highly repeatable measurements (r = 0.96) in 3 days apart. These results demonstrate the potential for using textile-based sensor sock in future applications providing active gait assistance to people with gait disorders.
Diagnosis of essential hypertension in humans by the determination of plasma renal cortexin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

BACKGROUND More than 90% of all hypertensive persons are reported to have essential hypertension (EH), a particular form of elevated blood pressure, for which no diagnostic test is currently available. The level of plasma renal (R) cortexin (PRC), a hypotensive protein produced in the kidney cortex cells, was reported to be reduced from 218 nM in the plasma of normotensive persons (NP) to 0 nM in the plasma of patients with EH. The feasibility of using the determination of PRC by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as a diagnostic test for EH was investigated. METHODS The PRC was determined by ELISA using electrophoretically pure cortexin as the antigen. A total of 344 persons (male and female) with EH, with or without diabetes mellitus (DM), and receiving or not receiving any anti-hypertensive and/or anti-diabetic medication at presentation, as well as an equal number of age- and gender-matched NP participated in the study. RESULTS All persons with EH, with or without co-existing DM, were found to have 0 nM PRC, regardless of whether they were receiving anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic drugs, including those who had been taking these medications over an extended period of time (3 months). CONCLUSIONS The determination of PRC as a marker protein by ELISA, a rapid method that can be carried out in any diagnostic laboratory, was shown to be suitable for the diagnosis of EH, even in those subjects who had co-existing DM and were receiving both anti-hypertensive and anti-diabetic medication.
Novel hysteresis controller based on a rotating coordinate system with direct d and q constraint

With increasing decentralized power supply within the grids and a constantly growing number of active front end inverters (AFE) being connected to the grid there is a high demand on reactive power feeding to the grid. Actual Control processes, especially hysteresis controller, do not allow a direct active and reactive control without special transformations [1]. Especially the well-known space vector hysteresis control based on α-and β-Coordinates does not allow a divergent hysteresis for the active and reactive component. Furthermore there are further disadvantages in comparison to the new controller being evaluated. With the use of a Permanent magnet excited Synchronous machine (PMSM) this d-q-controller offers a precise control and a reduction of power loss within the inverter. This by the way means a lower temperature rise within the inverter. This Paper describes the functionality of the new floating d-qhysteresis controller and shows a comparison with the mentioned α-and β-control-structure.
Combination of Low‐Dose Bupivacaine and Opioids Provides Satisfactory Analgesia with Less Intraoperative Hypotension for Spinal Anesthesia in Cesarean Section

SUMMARY Aims: This meta‐analysis was undertaken to compare the three most common drug regimens of bupivacaine in spinal anesthesia for cesarean section: high‐dose bupivacaine (≥10 mg, HB), low‐dose bupivacaine (<10 mg, LB) and combination of low‐dose bupivacaine and opioids (LBO). Methods: Databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched (updated on October 30, 2011). Primary endpoints were the incidence of intraoperative hypotension and analgesia efficacy. Pooled risk ratio (RR) or standard mean difference and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. A RR <1 indicates that LB or LBO regimen is associated with less intraoperative complications and better anesthesia or analgesia efficacy. Results: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials including 605 parturients were analyzed. Results of this meta‐analysis showed that compared with HB regimen, LB regimen decreased the incidence of intraoperative hypotension (RR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.42–0.96) with less satisfactory analgesia (fixed model, RR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.14–1.98). LBO regimen significantly reduced the incidence of intraoperative hypotension (RR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.33–0.82) with reliable analgesia efficacy (RR = 2.56, 95% CI: 0.77–8.48). Conclusion: Compared with conventional HB regimen and LB regimen, LBO regimen not only reduced intraoperative hypotension but also provided reliable analgesia. Therefore, LBO regimen should be considered as the preferred drug combination for spinal anesthesia in cesarean section.
Chemistry of aerogels and their applications.

In the present review, aerogels designate dried gels with a very high relative pore volume. These are versatile materials that are synthesized in a first step by low-temperature traditional sol-gel chemistry. However, while in the final step most wet gels are often dried by evaporation to produce so-called xerogels, aerogels are dried by other techniques, essentially supercritical drying. As a result, the dry samples keep the very unusual porous texture which they had in the wet stage. In general these dry solids have very low apparent densities, large specific surface areas, and in most cases they exhibit amorphous structures when examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods. In addition, they are metastable from the point of view of their thermodynamic properties. Consequently, they often undertake a structural evolution by chemical transformation, when aged in a liquid medium and/or heat treated. As aerogels combine the properties of being highly divided solids with their metastable character, they can develop very attractive physical and chemical properties not achievable by other means of low temperature soft chemical synthesis. In other words, they form a new class of solids showing sophisticated potentialities for a range of applications. These applications as well as chemical and physical aspects of these materials were regularly detailed and discussed in a series of symposia on aerogels,1-5 the last of them being held in Albuquerque in 2000.6 Reviews were also regularly published, either on both xerogels and aerogels7 or more focused on the applications of aerogels.8-13 The particularly interesting properties of aerogels arise from the extraordinary flexibility of the solgel processing, coupled with original drying techniques. The wet chemistry is not basically different for making xerogels and aerogels. As this common basis has been extensively detailed in recent books,14 it does not need to be reviewed. Compared to traditional xerogels, the originality of aerogels comes from * To whom all correspondence should be addressed. † Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse. ‡ Laboratoire d’Application de la Chimie à l’Environnement. 4243 Chem. Rev. 2002, 102, 4243−4265
An open-source framework for heterogeneous MPSoC generation

The design of a Multiprocessor System-on-Chip (MPSoC) is a complex task, including steps as application development, platform configuration, code generation, task mapping onto the platform and debugging. An integrated environment covering most of these steps is a gap in the literature. The present work first details an MPSoC architecture, which supports the execution of distributed applications, including an operating system enabling multitask execution at each processing element. The MPSoC is heterogeneous, due to the support to different processor architectures. Then, a framework able to cover the design steps previously mentioned is presented. The framework enables the design space exploration for applications to be executed in the MPSoC, varying for example the number and type of processors, the memory size, the task mapping. Results demonstrate the correct operation for different MPSoC configurations, generated from the proposed framework. Such open-source framework enables the research community to investigate new subjects related to MPSoC and Network on Chip (NoC) design, as well as evaluate distributed applications in a multiprocessor environment.
Structure and expression of Tg737, a putative tumor suppressor gene, in human hepatocellular carcinomas

Deletions of the Tg737 gene, whose product is involved in liver oval cell proliferation, differentiation, and ploidy control, have been recently shown in chemically induced rat liver tumors and in a limited series of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, Tg737 has been proposed as a candidate new liver‐specific tumor suppressor gene. To investigate this important issue, we analyzed the structure and expression pattern of the Tg737 gene in a group of 23 tumorous and adjacent nontumorous liver tissues, by combining polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern and Northern blot–based analyses. We failed to identify deletions or gross alterations of the Tg737 gene by both PCR and Southern blot analyses. Northern blots showed comparable accumulation of normal Tg737 transcripts in both tumorous and nontumorous tissues. Collectively, therefore, our results do not support the hypothesis of frequent Tg737 genetic alterations in human HCC.
Clinical usefulness of FDG-PET in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing surgical resection

Backgrounds/Aims Diagnosis and staging of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is critical because of the variety of treatment methods and prognosis. [18F]fludeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG-PET/CT) has been suggested as a diagnostic modality in HCC. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of FDG-PET for staging of HCC after surgical resection and histological confirmation. Methods We retrospectively collected data of 56 patients that underwent FDG-PET before surgical resection for HCC March 2011–May 2017, all of whom were suitable for resection by conventional HCC staging. Results of the maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were compared with histological confirmation. Results A larger tumor size was related with higher SUVmax (≥4.9). The serum alpha-feto protein was associated with SUVmax. Recurrence rate was higher in patients with higher SUVmax and patients with lower SUVmax had a better survival rate. Conclusions The SUVmax correlates well with tumor size and factors associated with biological behavior of HCC such as alpha-feto protein, and it could be a beneficial modality in providing prognostic information for HCC.
WebToTeach: an interactive focused programming exercise system

In this paper, we describe a web-based interactive programming exercise system, aimed in part at addressing the retention crisis in computer science education. The system is based on automatic program-checking software. It is designed to be easy for students and faculty to use, to support a wide variety of programming exercises, and to encourage sharing of exercises among faculty. The system is immediately available to anyone with web access with no arrangements needed. Special features such as roster maintenance can be arranged with a minimum of effort.
Paroxysmal episodic central thermoregulatory failure

Abstract—A 51-year-old man presenting with paroxysmal attacks of unilateral sweating for 1 year was studied. Clinical and laboratory findings made the diagnosis of Shapiro or Harlequin syndrome unlikely. The onset of the sweating “crisis” was immediately followed by a progressive decrease in rectal and skin temperature, lasting for about 2 hours. This indicated that hypothermia was related to an abnormal downward shift of the thermoregulatory set point and a delayed effect of mechanisms blocking heat dissipation.
Air Pollution and Markers of Coagulation, Inflammation, and Endothelial Function: Associations and Epigene-environment Interactions in an Elderly Cohort

Background: Previous studies suggest that air pollution is related to thrombosis, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction. Mechanisms and sources of susceptibility are still unclear. One possibility is that these associations can be modified by DNA methylation states. Methods: We conducted a cohort study with repeated measurements of fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in 704 elderly men participating in the Veterans Administration Normative Aging Study (2000–2009). We investigated short- and intermediate-term air pollution effects on these blood markers, and epigene-environment interactions by DNA methylation of Alu, LINE-1, tissue factor (F3), Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2), and ICAM-1. Results: We found effects of particle number, black carbon, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) on fibrinogen. Ozone was a predictor of C-reactive protein and ICAM-1. Particle number, black carbon, NO2, CO, PM2.5, and sulfates were associated with ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. An interquartile range increase in 24-hour exposure for NO2 was associated with a 1.7% (95% confidence interval = 0.2%–3.3%) increase in fibrinogen for ozone; a 10.8% (2.2%–20.0%) increase in C-reactive protein for particle number; a 5.9% (3.6%–8.3%) increase in ICAM-1; and for PM2.5, a 3.7% (1.7%–5.8%) increase in VCAM-1. The air pollution effect was stronger among subjects having higher Alu, lower LINE-1, tissue factor, or TLR-2 methylation status. Conclusion: We observed associations of traffic-related pollutants on fibrinogen, and both traffic and secondary particles on C-reactive protein, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1. There was effect modification by DNA methylation status, indicating that epigenetic states can convey susceptibility to air pollution.