Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computerized Brain Tissue Classification of Magnetic Resonance Images: A New Approach to the Problem of Partial Volume Artifact

Due to the finite spatial resolution of digital magnetic resonance images of the brain, and the complexity of anatomical interfaces between brain regions of different tissue type, it is inevitable that some voxels will represent a mixture of two or three different tissue types. Outright assignment of such "bipartial" or "tripartial" voxels to one class or another is more problematic and less reliable than assignment of "full-volume" voxels, wholly representative of a single tissue type. We have developed a computerized system for brain tissue classification of dual echo MR data, which uses a polychotomous logistic model for discriminant analysis, combined with a Bayes allocation rule incorporating differential prior probabilities, and spatial connectivity tests, to assign each voxel in the image to one of four possible classes: gray matter, white matter, cerebrospinal fluid, or unclassified. The system supports automated volumetric analysis of segmented images, has low operational overheads, and compares favorably with previous multivariate or "multispectral" approaches to brain MR image segmentation in terms of both validity (bootstrap misclassification rate = 3.3%) and interoperator reliability (intra-class correlation coefficients for all three tissue classes > 0.9). We argue that these improvements in performance stem from better methodological management of the related problems of non-Normality of MR signal intensity values and partial volume artifact.
Sperm morphology, motility, and concentration in fertile and infertile men.

BACKGROUND Although semen analysis is routinely used to evaluate the male partner in infertile couples, sperm measurements that discriminate between fertile and infertile men are not well defined. METHODS We evaluated two semen specimens from each of the male partners in 765 infertile couples and 696 fertile couples at nine sites. The female partners in the infertile couples had normal results on fertility evaluation. The sperm concentration and motility were determined at the sites; semen smears were stained at the sites and shipped to a central laboratory for an assessment of morphologic features of sperm with the use of strict criteria. We used classification-and-regression-tree analysis to estimate threshold values for subfertility and fertility with respect to the sperm concentration, motility, and morphology. We also used an analysis of receiver-operating-characteristic curves to assess the relative value of these sperm measurements in discriminating between fertile and infertile men. RESULTS The subfertile ranges were a sperm concentration of less than 13.5 x 10(6) per milliliter, less than 32 percent of sperm with motility, and less than 9 percent with normal morphologic features. The fertile ranges were a concentration of more than 48.0 x 10(6) per milliliter, greater than 63 percent motility, and greater than 12 percent normal morphologic features. Values between these ranges indicated indeterminate fertility. There was extensive overlap between the fertile and the infertile men within both the subfertile and the fertile ranges for all three measurements. Although each of the sperm measurements helped to distinguish between fertile and infertile men, none was a powerful discriminator. The percentage of sperm with normal morphologic features had the greatest discriminatory power. CONCLUSIONS Threshold values for sperm concentration, motility, and morphology can be used to classify men as subfertile, of indeterminate fertility, or fertile. None of the measures, however, are diagnostic of infertility.
Neurofilament proteins are co-expressed with desmin in heart conduction system myocytes

We have recently shown that specialized myocytes of the rabbit heart express a cytoskeletal protein similar to the M subunit of neurofilaments (NF). Since this result was obtained using a single anti-NF-M monoclonal antibody, we tested on conduction myocytes a panel of five anti-NF antibodies, specific for each of the three NF subunits and for phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated epitopes. Two antibodies, one specific for the L subunit and one for phosphorylated M subunit of NF, reacted with specialized myocytes in immunohistochemistry. In immunoblots on conduction tissue homogenates the two antibodies recognized two polypeptides with electrophoretic mobility and solubility properties identical to those of NF-L and NF-M in the sciatic nerve. The subcellular distribution of NF immunoreactivity in specialized myocytes was very similar to desmin localization; namely, it was distributed on large filamentous bundles and on fine filaments localized transversely at the level of the Z line. At the ultrastructural level, immunoreactive filaments were localized in the intermyofibrillar space and connected myofibrils with mitochondria. Co-expression of NF proteins and desmin was also observed in vitro in a minor population of cardiac myocytes cultured from embryonic rabbit heart. In most cases NF immunoreactivity co-localized with desmin, especially where filaments were well organized, but in some cells anti-NF and anti-desmin antibodies labelled different filamentous structures. These results indicate that NF proteins are structural components of the cytoskeleton of specialized myocytes and show a subcellular distribution very similar to desmin. Such a composition of intermediate filaments indicates that in these cardiac cells muscle differentiation is compatible with the expression of neuronal proteins.
Hamiltonicity and Generalised Total Colourings of Planar Graphs

Abstract The total generalised colourings considered in this paper are colourings of graphs such that the vertices and edges of the graph which receive the same colour induce subgraphs from two prescribed hereditary graph properties while incident elements receive different colours. The associated total chromatic number is the least number of colours with which this is possible. We study such colourings for sets of planar graphs and determine, in particular, upper bounds for these chromatic numbers for proper colourings of the vertices while the monochromatic edge sets are allowed to be forests. We also prove that if an even planar triangulation has a Hamilton cycle H for which there is no cycle among the edges inside H, then such a graph needs at most four colours for a total colouring as described above. The paper is concluded with some conjectures and open problems.
The relationship between biomechanical variables and driving performance during the golf swing

Abstract Swing kinematic and ground reaction force data from 308 golfers were analysed to identify the variables important to driving ball velocity. Regression models were applied at four selected events in the swing. The models accounted for 44–74% of variance in ball velocity. Based on the regression analyses, upper torso–pelvis separation (the X-Factor), delayed release (i.e. the initiation of movement) of the arms and wrists, trunk forward and lateral tilting, and weight-shifting during the swing were significantly related to ball velocity. Our results also verify several general coaching ideas that were considered important to increased ball velocity. The results of this study may serve as both skill and strength training guidelines for golfers.
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the mouse esophagus: focus on intraganglionic laminar endings (IGLEs)

IGLEs represent the only low‐threshold vagal mechanosensory terminals in the tunica muscularis of the esophagus. Previously, close relationships of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) immunopositive IGLEs and cholinergic varicosities suggestive for direct contacts were described in almost all mouse esophageal myenteric ganglia. Possible cholinergic influence on IGLEs requires specific acetylcholine receptors. In particular, the occurrence and location of neuronal muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) in the esophagus were not yet characterized.
QAPPA : A Framework for Navigating Quality-Energy Tradeoffs with Arbitrary Quantization

Quantization naturally exposes knobs in hardware to trade fidelity for efficiency: the more bits that are used to represent the data, the higher the storage and computation overheads. With the emergence of approximate computing research, we set out to answer the following question: how effective is quantization in trading off quality for efficiency, and how does it compare with other approximation techniques? This paper makes the case for quantization as a general approximation technique that exposes fine quality vs. energy tradeoffs and provides practical error guarantees. We assume arbitrary quantization levels, and focus on the hardware subsystems that are affected by quantization: memory and computation. We present QAPPA (Quantization Autotuner for Precision Programmable Accelerators), an autotuner for C/C++ programs that automatically tunes the precision of each arithmetic and memory operation to meet user defined application level quality guarantees. QAPPA integrates energy models of quantization scaling mechanisms to produce bandwidth and energy savings estimates for custom accelerator designs. We use the analysis produced by QAPPA to compare the effectiveness of arbitrary quantization against voltage overscaling and neural approximation. Our analysis shows that when using the right quantization scaling mechanisms in hardware, quantization provides significant energy efficiency benefits over voltage overscaling and comparable energy efficiency gains over neural approximation. Additionally, quantization offers more predictable error degradation and fully tunable error bounds.
Treatment of hepatitis B with lamivudine and tenofovir in HIV/HBV‐coinfected patients: factors associated with response

Summary. As therapy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection evolves, optimizing hepatitis B virus (HBV) treatment and identifying factors that impact its response in the HIV/HBV‐coinfected population is critical. We identified retrospectively 45 HBV/HIV‐coinfected patients with detectable HBV DNA by the Bayer VERSANT® HBV 3.0 bDNA assay (limit of quantification 2000 copies/mL) at baseline and/or year 1 of therapy. Patients were divided into three groups based on the active HBV agent in their antiretroviral regimen: group 1 (n = 15) received lamivudine; group 2 (n = 10), lamivudine plus tenofovir and group 3 (n = 20), lamivudine followed by lamivudine plus tenofovir. HBV genotypes and resistance profiles were determined by the Bayer Trugene® HBV 1.0 assay. More patients in group 2 achieved HBV DNA suppression below 2000 copies/mL (80%), loss of HBe antigen (HBeAg) (40%) and loss of HBeAg and gain of anti‐HBe (20%) than did patients in group 1 or 3. More patients with HBV genotype A, achieved HBV DNA suppression <2000 copies/mL than did patients with non‐A genotypes [74% (26/35) vs 20% (2/10)], respectively (P = 0.003). Risk for virological nonresponse was significant in those with non‐A genotypes [odds ratio (OR) 11.1; 95% CI: 2.0–50], previous HIV therapy (OR 6.5; 95% CI: 1.2–35) and <90% compliance (OR 3.7; 95% CI: 0.99–14.3). Simultaneous therapy with lamivudine/tenofovir suppresses HBV DNA more effectively than lamivudine or tenofovir added to lamivudine. More patients infected with HBV genotype A responded than the non‐A patients, regardless of therapeutic regimen, compliance or prior HIV therapy.
Angiotensin, the hormone to be blocked by antithypertensive drugs, and perhaps why they don't work.

I was very interested to read the recent review by Derosa et al. [1] in the journal Current Vascular Pharmacology (2009; 7(2): 120-136) entitled “Irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide association in the treatment of hypertension”. There are many drugs available today to block the reninangiotensin system and often they are associated with di-uretic treatment. Although they all work they do not appear to be as effective as would have been thought given the results from the animal trials that went into the development of both groups of drugs. This may be one of the reasons why some companies are directing their recent research towards blocking renin itself and even angiotensinogen. But perhaps the problem does not lie with the drugs themselves but with the reaction of the patient to the different drugs!
Occult Node Metastasis in Early Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma was the most common malignancy in oral cavity, the management of clinically negative neck nodes (N0) remains controversial. From 2005 to 2012, patients with cT1-2N0 tongue SCC were included in this study, On univariate and multivariate analysis of RFS, tobacco, tumor stage, neck stage and differentiation were significantly associated with recurrences. On univariate analysis of DSS, tobacco and differentiation were associated with recurrence, but on multivariate analysis, tumor differentiation was the only significant factor with disease-caused death. Neck occult metastasis was not common in early tongue cancer, tumor differentiation was the most important prognostic factor.
Link Estimation and Rate Control for Optimized Video Streaming on Overlay Networks

A set of applications such as IP-TV, Internet video broadcasting, corporate telecast or E-learning require simultaneous transmission of video streaming over the Internet. However, conventional solutions for Internet streaming services have exhibited several disadvantages such as server overload and congestion in the immediate network nodes, especially in case of large number of clients. These solutions are also failed to provide QoS-guarantees for streaming services across a heterogeneous Internet. In this article, we propose a novel overlay architecture that is designed for multimedia streaming transmission on the Internet. Basic facility for overlay multicast has been introduced, which can relay a single content to multiple users with consideration of bandwidth available on the overlay links. Also, we deploy a link estimation algorithm to analyze the overlay link condition, which is exposed to congestion and interference. Based on the link estimation algorithm, we developed a rate adaptation algorithm to adapt the transmission rate to the downstream available bandwidth. Our real implementation shows that the new proposed algorithms greatly improve the perceived quality of service at the client, while better utilize network resources.
Here comes the future.

Here Comes the Future: 10 Game-Changers That Will Transform the World in 2016 ! “The! future! is! here. It! just! isn’t! evenly! distributed. ”! In! 1983,! the! scienceCfiction! author,! William! Gibson! penned! those! prophetic! words. They! remain! apropos! for! 2016! because! ten! existing! technologies! (listed! below)! are! poised! to! change! the! game! in! virtually! every! business! sector! in! the! coming! year. #1:$Blockchain$$DoubleCentry! bookkeeping! and! limited! liability! partnerships! don’t! sound! like! “gameCchangers”! today,! but! when! they! were! introduced! centuries! ago! they! fueled! commerce,! trade,! and! global! economic! growth! in! tremendous! ways. The! same! will! be! true! of! Blockchain—a! distributed,! digital! ledger! that! is! best! known! as! the! platform! upon! which! Bitcoin! was! created. The! technology! has! the! ability! to! do! more! than! just! disrupt! how! money! is! distributed,! it! has! the! potential! to! decentralize! the! Internet! by! making! it! easier! and! more! affordable! to! verify! products,! contracts! and! even! transactions! among! individuals. In! a! recent! edition! of! The! Economist,! Blockchain! was! labeled! a! “trust! machine”! And! Santander,! the! Spanish! bank,! has! estimated! Blockchain! could! save! the! banking! industry! $20! billion! by! 2022–! which! is! just! a! small! sample! of! Blockchain’s! vast! potential.
Explaining patterns of infection in free‐living populations using laboratory immune experiments

The host response to different helminth species can vary and have different consequences for helminth persistence. Often these differences are generated by changes in the dynamics and intensity of the immune components against parasites with distinct life history strategies. We examined the immune response of rabbits to primary infections of the gastrointestinal nematodes Trichostrongylus retortaeformis and Graphidium strigosum under controlled conditions for 120 days post‐challenge. Results showed that rabbits developed a robust and effective immune response against T. retortaeformis and abundance quickly decreased in the duodenum and was completely cleared in the remaining sections of the small intestine within 4 months. Infected individuals exhibited an initial strong inflammatory response (IFN‐γ), IL‐4 expression also increased and was coupled to a rapid serum and mucus IgG and IgA and eosinophilia. Strong IL‐4, serum IgA and IgG responses and eosinophilia were also observed against G. strigosum. However, parasite abundance remained consistently high throughout the infection, and this was associated with relatively low mucus antibodies. These findings suggest that immunity plays a key role in affecting the abundance of these nematodes, and different immune mechanisms are involved in regulating the dynamics of each infection and their long‐term persistence in free‐living host populations.
Exploring Adoption and Use of Agile Methods: A Comparative Case Study

In this paper we describe the adoption of agile methods in two organizations. A participant observation method was used to gather in-depth data on the introduction and initial use of agile methods at a bank and a global law firm. An agile usage model, built on theories of innovation diffusion, information systems development, and agile methods, is used to explain post-adoption use of the agile methods in the two organizations. Both organizations had identified problems in meeting business needs with existing waterfall-type methods, and the agile practices and tools introduced at the organizations were similar. Yet the organizations achieved very different results. Compatibility, sociological factors, and top management support were associated with greater agile method use and more positive outcomes.
Phage display selection of peptides that affect prostate carcinoma cells attachment and invasion

Prostate cancer‐specific proteins must be identified to serve as diagnostic and prognostic markers. Cell surface proteins are especially important, because they have potential utility as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Identification of ligands for these proteins will allow use of these ligands as diagnostic and therapeutic tools and permit the investigation of receptor function. We performed a search for peptide ligands to prostate cancer cell‐specific receptors.
Metal-protein attenuation with iodochlorhydroxyquin (clioquinol) targeting Abeta amyloid deposition and toxicity in Alzheimer disease: a pilot phase 2 clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Alzheimer disease (AD) may be caused by the toxic accumulation of beta-amyloid (Abeta). OBJECTIVE To test this theory, we developed a clinical intervention using clioquinol, a metal-protein-attenuating compound (MPAC) that inhibits zinc and copper ions from binding to Abeta, thereby promoting Abeta dissolution and diminishing its toxic properties. METHODS A pilot phase 2 clinical trial in patients with moderately severe Alzheimer disease. RESULTS Thirty-six subjects were randomized. The effect of treatment was significant in the more severely affected group (baseline cognitive subscale score of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale, >/=25), due to a substantial worsening of scores in those taking placebo compared with minimal deterioration for the clioquinol group. Plasma Abeta42 levels declined in the clioquinol group and increased in the placebo group. Plasma zinc levels rose in the clioquinol-treated group. The drug was well tolerated. CONCLUSION Subject to the usual caveats inherent in studies with small sample size, this pilot phase 2 study supports further investigation of this novel treatment strategy using a metal-protein-attenuating compound.
Teaching internal medicine in the community

Background: Teaching Internal Medicine is mainly hospital-based. Chronic diseases are treated mostly in community-based ambulatory care. This study describes our experience during the first year of teaching Internal Medicine in the community, with a focus on chronic disease management. Methods: This was an observational study describing the content of clinical exposure and the feedback from students after a two-week clerkship in community health centers. Results: Over a period of three months, 54 students spent two weeks in health centers singly or in pairs. The disciplines covered were: Endocrinology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology and Geriatrics. In their feedback, the students most frequently noted knowledge acquired in the management of diabetes, infectious diseases and cardiology. The teaching content was determined by the case-mix of patients. The spectrum of conditions was wide. Students who were used to more structured hospital-based study found it difficult to cope with this mode of learning by discovery. Discussion: Future research should concentrate on the transition between the different modes of learning as students move from the hospital to the community setting.
Risk Assessment—Risk Perception: Who Shall Decide?

Since the Chernobyl disaster, the people of the world have become concerned with environmental pollution and its effect on their health and safety. This article addresses a fundamental question arising from that concern, namely, how safe is safe enough and who should make this decision? The controversy arising from this question is between the private stakeholders and the technicians who assess risk, control information and influence public policy and both the public's perception of risk and their desire to participate directly in public policy decisions affecting their health and safety. This article proposes a solution to this controversy that is relevant to all people, since all people are stakeholders in a fair and balanced solution.
'Von großen Böcken und einer Menge Staub' - Zur maschinellen Verarbeitung modifizierter Idiome mit semantisch-autonomen Komponenten

In the following we deal with a special type of phrasal idiom, called gurative-compositional idiom. Idioms of this class have semantically autonomous components that shows a certain degree of independence. We propose an adequate manner of formal semantic representation of their idiomatic meaning: we map the referents of the semantically autonomous components into the formal representation. The advantage of our approach will be shown by the means of Discourse Representation Theory (DRT). Furthermore we show an implemented mechanism based on-calculus and DRT, which allows to process sentences in which a combination of both literal and gurative language use occurs.