Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Multiorgan Segmentation Model for CT Volumes via Full Convolution-Deconvolution Network

We propose a model with two-stage process for abdominal segmentation on CT volumes. First, in order to capture the details of organs, a full convolution-deconvolution network (FCN-DecNet) is constructed with multiple new unpooling, deconvolutional, and fusion layers. Then, we optimize the coarse segmentation results of FCN-DecNet by multiscale weights probabilistic atlas (MS-PA), which uses spatial and intensity characteristic of atlases. Our coarse-fine model takes advantage of intersubject variability, spatial location, and gray information of CT volumes to minimize the error of segmentation. Finally, using our model, we extract liver, spleen, and kidney with Dice index of 90.1 ± 1%, 89.0 ± 1.6%, and 89.0 ± 1.3%, respectively.
Tourisme sexuel : “clone maudit du tourisme” ou pléonasme ? . De la sexualité dans le tourisme en général et dans le tourisme gay en particulier

Le tourisme sexuel a ete aborde dans le cadre de recherches anthropologiques ou sociologiques, mais peu d’etudes geographiques ont questionne les relations entre le tourisme et la sexualite. Cependant, dans sa definition classique restrictive limitee a la prostitution, le tourisme sexuel ne recouvre qu’une partie de la question du sexe dans le tourisme : au-dela de ce phenomene aux contours flous, les themes des sexualites et du tourisme peuvent se trouver enrichis par un questionnement croise. La prise en compte de l’orientation et des comportements sexuels des touristes peut permettre de preciser leurs motivations et attentes par rapport au lieu touristique, et donc le sens qu’ils donnent a leur experience touristique. Plusieurs types de lieu touristique sont organises autour de la rencontre de l’autre, permettant egalement la decouverte de soi. Le tourisme gay en est un exemple : pour les gays, l’espace-temps touristique, permettant la rupture avec les contraintes de l’univers quotidien, est essentiel dans la construction de leur identite.
The distribution of alloantigenic specificities of native H-2 products.

Studies on radiolabeled, detergent-solubilized H-2 alloantigens of two different genotypes with indirect immunoprecipitation show that at least two different antigen molecules can be isolated from cells of each genotype. These H-2 alloantigen molecules may bear the antigenic sites for one, two or more specificities. The findings are consistent with recent views that the H-2 genetic region includes two genes, each of which directs the synthesis of a different H-2 alloantigen molecule.
The role of pneumolysin in pneumococcal pneumonia and meningitis

Diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae include pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis. All these are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The pneumococcus can colonize the nasopharynx, and this can be a prelude to bronchopneumonia and invasion of the vasculature space. Proliferation in the blood can result in a breach of the blood–brain barrier and entry into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) where the bacteria cause inflammation of the meningeal membranes resulting in meningitis. The infected host may develop septicaemia and/or meningitis secondary to bronchopneumonia. Also septicaemia is a common precursor of meningitis. The mechanisms surrounding the sequence of infection are unknown, but will be dependent on the properties of both the host and bacterium. Treatment of these diseases with antibiotics leads to clearance of the bacteria from the infected tissues, but the bacteriolytic nature of antibiotics leads to an acute release of bacterial toxins and thus after antibiotic therapy the patients can be left with organ‐specific deficits. One of the main toxins released from pneumococci is the membrane pore forming toxin pneumolysin. Here we review the extensive studies on the role of pneumolysin in the pathogenesis of pneumococcal diseases.
Langues de soi, langues voisines : Représentations entrecroisées

L'univers des representations des langues romanes que les sujets ont construit est decele a partir de recueils de donnees realises parallelement par des equipes participant au programme Galatea. L'analyse consiste a croiser les representations qui circulent sur sept langues romanes differentes, dans trois zones de langues voisines. Les traits constants et variables qui identifient chacune d'entre elles et ordonnent le « paysage linguistique roman » permettent, en fin de parcours, d'indiquer quelques pistes ou detours pour l'enseignement des langues voisines.
Is the devil in the detail? Evidence for S-S learning after unconditional stimulus revaluation in human evaluative conditioning under a broader set of experimental conditions

ABSTRACT Whether valence change during evaluative conditioning is mediated by a link between the conditional stimulus (CS) and the unconditional stimulus (US; S-S learning) or between the CS and the unconditional response (S-R learning) is a matter of continued debate. Changing the valence of the US after conditioning, known as US revaluation, can be used to dissociate these accounts. Changes in CS valence after US revaluation provide evidence for S-S learning but if CS valence does not change, evidence for S-R learning is found. Support for S-S learning has been provided by most past revaluation studies, but typically the CS and US have been from the same stimulus category, the task instructions have suggested that judgements of the CS should be based on the US, and USs have been mildly valenced stimuli. These factors may bias the results in favour of S-S learning. We examined whether S-R learning would be evident when CSs and USs were taken from different categories, the task instructions were removed, and more salient USs were used. US revaluation was found to influence explicit US evaluations and explicit and implicit CS evaluations, supporting an S-S learning account and suggesting that past results are stable across procedural changes.
Oxidative stress produced by angiotensin too. Implications for hypertension and vascular injury.

Since the landmark study on renovascular hypertension by Goldblatt et al in 1934,1 it has become clear that the RAS plays a major role in hypertension and other cardiovascular disorders. Although the mechanism for RAS-induced hypertension is generally attributed to vasoconstrictor effects of angiotensin II and the salt- and water-retaining effects of aldosterone, a study by Bech Laursen et al in this issue of Circulation 2 suggests an additional mechanism. The study by Bech Laursen et al, coupled with their previous findings,3 suggests that angiotensin II–induced hypertension in rats is associated with a large increase in vascular production of superoxide radical, which is accompanied by impairment of EDNO-dependent vasodilation. This was not observed in rats made equally hypertensive by norepinephrine infusion. The authors also observed that chronic infusion of liposome-encapsulated SOD increased conduit vessel SOD activity by 30%. This rather modest increase in SOD activity was nevertheless associated with normalization of superoxide release in the aorta from rats made hypertensive by angiotensin II, with restoration of normal EDNO-dependent vasorelaxation. In addition, the authors showed that the development of hypertension in response to long-term infusion of angiotensin II was significantly inhibited by coadministration of liposome-encapsulated SOD, whereas the same treatment had no effect on hypertension induced by infusion of norepinephrine. Furthermore, rats with angiotensin II–induced hypertension that …
Getting around in google cardboard – exploring navigation preferences with low-cost mobile VR

In recent years there has been a paradigm shift in the uptake and use of Virtual Reality (VR). Advances in graphics rendering, and the introduction of low-cost VR headsets has brought VR into the reach of ordinary consumers. Google Cardboard VR viewers cost just a few dollars and work with most smart phones, enabling mobile VR to truly enter the domain of the everyday. However, these headsets are currently generally used for passive entertainment or viewing 360 degree media, and are not ideally suited to active exploration of a virtual space. In this paper we present our preliminary evaluation of three approaches to travel and navigation.
A new DCT based scalable distributed fraud detection architecture

In the past few years we have experienced a constant increase in the number of fraud cases in electronic transactions. This emphasizes the necessity for an efficient, yet accurate online fraud detection system. The architecture of most current online transaction systems such as electronic banking is distributed in nature. Considering the extremely large number of transactions that is carried out by such distrusted systems, one of the most important and vital characteristics of an efficient fraud detection framework in such an environment, is scalability. In this paper, we propose a scalable distributed fraud detection architecture. The proposed architecture has a hierarchical structure to increase its scalability. The proposed architecture has been evaluated in terms of accuracy and scalability using synthetically generated data as well as benchmarks for network intrusion detection (KDD99). Results indicate that the proposed method has an order of O(1) for the required amount of processing, storage and bandwidth resources in each node, compared to conventional client-server architectures that demonstrate a linear relationship for server with these resources.
Soluble amyloid precursor protein 770 is a novel biomarker candidate for acute coronary syndrome

Most Alzheimer disease patients show deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide in blood vessels as well as the brain parenchyma. We previously found that vascular endothelial cells express amyloid β precursor protein (APP) 770, a different APP isoform from neuronal APP695, and that they produce amyloid β peptide. We analyzed the glycosylation of APP770 and found that O‐glycosylated sAPP770 is preferentially processed by proteases for Aβ production. Because the soluble APP cleavage product sAPP is considered to be a possible marker for Alzheimer disease diagnosis, sAPP, consisting of a mixture of these variants, has been widely measured. We hypothesized that measurement of the endothelial APP770 cleavage product in patients separately from that of neuronal APP695 would enable us to discriminate between endothelial and neurological dysfunctions. Our recent findings, showing that the level of plasma sAPP770 is significantly higher in patients with acute coronary syndrome, raise the possibility that sAPP770 could be an indicator of endothelial dysfunction. In this review, we first describe the expression, glycosylation, and processing of APP770, and then discuss sAPP770 as a novel biomarker candidate of acute coronary syndrome.
A unitary basis for different Hairy‐wing mutations of Drosophila melanogaster.

Hairy‐wing (Hw) mutations are caused by modifications of the achaete‐scute complex (AS‐C) which promote development of extra sensory organs on the cuticle of Drosophila melanogaster. We show that the extreme Hw49c allele contains an inversion with a breakpoint within the AS‐C, while the weak Hw685 allele is associated with a terminal deletion of the X chromosome which removes the achaete region of the AS‐C. In both cases, foreign DNA in contact with the breakpoints presumably enhances expression of AS‐C genes. Overexpression of achaete (T5) or scute alpha (T4) genes was previously found in Hw mutants associated with insertions of transposable elements (Hw1, HwBS and HwUa, Campuzano et al., 1986). In situ hybridizations to Hw49c and Hw1 larval sections show that the overexpression causes an abnormally generalized distribution of T4 and/or T5 transcripts in imaginal discs. Such distribution correlates with development of extra sensory organs in ectopic positions. We also show that in Hw685 a moderate overexpression of the T4 gene largely replaces the absence of the T5 gene in the development of the notum chaetae pattern. We propose that overexpression of T4/T5 genes in normal or ectopic positions is at the basis of the Hw effect.
Hydration status assessment among elite youth amateur boxers.

BACKGROUND Weight cutting is a common practice in amateur boxing with the purpose of taking advantage of rivals competing in weight divisions below the athlete's normal weight. Dehydration is a common weight-manipulating technique in boxing, and is known as a serious health-threatening behavior. In this study, we investigated field hydration status differences between the weight class categories in elite junior boxers. METHODS The sample of subjects included 21 male junior boxers from Croatia, Germany and Hungary (all national team members). The field assessment was conducted prior to competition. Subjects were divided into three weight class categories: Lightweight (Lw), Middleweight (Mw), and Heavyweight (Hw). The sample variables included urine specific gravity (USG) measured via a refractometer and total body fluid content (BFC) measured via Bioelectric Impedance Analysis (BIA). Data were collected on two occasions, i.e. at national team competitions that took place in preparation for the World Junior Championships. RESULTS The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between Lw 1.027±0.004 and Hw 1.019±0.005 (F=8.81, P<0.001) and Mw 1.028±0.003 and Hw (F=7.16, P<0.01) in USG. BIA findings showed conflicting results in relation to the USG findings. The results show a significant difference between Lw 67.84% BFC and Hw 65.14% BFC (P<0.01). These conflicting results, the lack of correlation between the two methods and the discrepancy in the Bland-Altman plot indicate that techniques for non-invasive field assessments of hydration have certain limitations. It seems that refractometry is more sensitive and accurate diagnostic tool to detect body fluid shifts then BIA when applied on athletes involved in chronical weight cycling protocols. CONCLUSIONS Nevertheless, our data suggest that Lw and Mw class athletes seem to be more prone in reaching consequent dehydration state that literature frequently cites as hypohydration.
Sparse extended information filter for feather-based SLAM

This paper presents an approach to binocular vision simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) based on sparse extended information filter (SEIF) algorithm, which is deduced by the sparsification treatment to EIF algorithm. SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform) method is used to extract the Natural landmarks, The minimal connected dominating set(CDS) approach is used in data association which solve the problem that the scale of data association increase with the map grows in process of SLAM. the system has been implemented and tested on a mobile robot. This method used in vision-SLAM shows that the computational complexity of the SEIF algorithm is a constant, which is independent of environment features. That means SEIF has a high value of application in large-scale environment with a large number of features.
Bacteroides fragilis enterotoxin induces c-Myc expression and cellular proliferation.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis that secrete a zinc-dependent metalloprotease toxin termed the B. fragilis toxin (BFT) have been associated with acute diarrheal disease. BFT rapidly cleaves the extracellular domain of E-cadherin, leading to the complete degradation of the E-cadherin protein. E-cadherin is the primary intercellular adhesion protein of the zonula adherens, and its cytoplasmic domain associates with the nuclear signaling protein beta-catenin. The goal of this study was to examine if BFT triggers beta-catenin nuclear signaling in intestinal epithelial cells. METHODS Cell biologic and biochemical techniques were combined to address beta-catenin nuclear signaling stimulated by BFT. RESULTS Loss of membrane-associated E-cadherin after BFT treatment of human colonic epithelial cells (HT29/C1 clone) triggers beta-catenin nuclear localization within 3 hours. Subsequently, c-myc transcription and translation are induced and persistent cellular proliferation ensues, mediated in part by beta-catenin/T-cell factor-dependent transcriptional activation. Cellular proliferation is stimulated by as little as 5 x 10(-10) mol/L BFT. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, BFT is the first bacterial toxin reported to activate T-cell factor-dependent beta-catenin nuclear signaling in intestinal epithelial cells. These results suggest that genetic evolution of this common colonic commensal has rendered an organism with the potential to contribute to oncogenic transformation in the colon.
Nonpersistent Inequality in Educational Attainment: Evidence from Eight European Countries1

In their widely cited study, Shavit and Blossfeld report stability of socioeconomic inequalities in educational attainment over much of the 20th century in 11 out of 13 countries. This article outlines reasons why one might expect to find declining class inequalities in educational attainment, and, using a large data set, the authors analyze educational inequality among cohorts born in the first two‐thirds of the 20th century in eight European countries. They find, as expected, a widespread decline in educational inequality between students coming from different social origins. Their results are robust to other possible choices of method and variables, and the authors offer some explanations of why their findings contradict Shavit and Blossfeld’s conclusions.
Allostatic Load and Clinical Risk as Related to Sense of Coherence in Middle-Aged Women

Objective: To investigate how physiologic dysregulation, in terms of allostatic load and clinical risk, respectively, relates to sense of coherence (SOC) in women with no previously diagnosed pathology. Methods: At baseline, 200 43-year-old women took part in a standardized medical health examination and completed a 3-item measure of SOC, which they completed again 6 years later. According to data from the medical examination, two different measures of physiologic dysregulation were calculated: a) a measure of allostatic load based on empirically derived cut points and b) a measure of clinical risk based on clinically significant cut points. Results: In line with the initial hypotheses, allostatic load was found to predict future SOC, whereas clinical risk did not. In addition to baseline SOC and nicotine consumption, allostatic load was strongly associated with a weak SOC at the follow-up. Conclusions: The better predictive value of allostatic load to clinical risk indicates that focusing solely on clinical risk obscures patterns of physiologic dysregulation that influence future SOC. ANOVA = analysis of variance; HbA1c = glycosylated hemoglobin; HDL = high-density lipoproteins; PEF = peak expiratory flow; SOC = sense of coherence; TC = total cholesterol; WHR = waist/hip ratio.
Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp.coryniformis Strain Si3 Produces a Broad-Spectrum Proteinaceous Antifungal Compound

ABSTRACT The antifungal activity spectrum of Lactobacillus coryniformis subsp. coryniformis strain Si3 was investigated. The strain had strong inhibitory activity in dual-culture agar plate assays against the molds Aspergillus fumigatus,A. nidulans, Penicillium roqueforti,Mucor hiemalis, Talaromyces flavus,Fusarium poae, F. graminearum, F. culmorum, and F. sporotrichoides. A weaker activity was observed against the yeasts Debaryomyces hansenii,Kluyveromyces marxianus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The yeasts Rhodotorula glutinis,Sporobolomyces roseus, and Pichia anomala were not inhibited. In liquid culture the antifungal activity paralleled growth, with maximum mold inhibition early in the stationary growth phase, but with a rapid decline in antifungal activity after 48 h. The addition of ethanol to the growth medium prevented the decline and gave an increased antifungal activity. The activity was stable during heat treatment and was retained even after autoclaving at 121°C for 15 min. Maximum activity was observed at pH values of between 3.0 and 4.5, but it decreased rapidly when pH was adjusted to a level between 4.5 and 6.0 and was lost at higher pH values. The antifungal activity was fully regained after readjustment of the pH to the initial value (pH 3.6). The activity was irreversibly lost after treatment with proteolytic enzymes (proteinase K, trypsin, and pepsin). The antifungal activity was partially purified using ion-exchange chromatography and (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, followed by gel filtration chromatography. The active compound(s) was estimated to have a molecular mass of approximately 3 kDa. This is the first report of the production of a proteinaceous antifungal compound(s) from L. coryniformis subsp.coryniformis.
An Isoinertial Technique to Assess Individual Lifting Capability

Musculoskeletal overexertion injuries, particularly of the low back, are a major problem in industries in which material handling is done by workers. As increasing numbers of injuries indicate, techniques to select persons suitable for material handling need to be improved. After discussing human body functions strained in manual lifting, this paper assesses techniques used to measure the reactions of such body-response variables. Based on this evaluation, a new dynamic testing technique has been developed and used in experiments with 39 subjects. The new isoinertial test has proven to be easily applied and reliable in its results.
Arabic Dialect History and Historical Linguistic Mythology

Studies of spoken Arabic have been dominated by descriptions of individual dialects, dialect atlases and corpus-based sociolinguistic studies. There have been few attempts to apply principles of historical linguistics systematically to this relatively rich data base. 1 Earlier studies such as Cowan (1960) or Kaye (1972) stand out as the exception.2 Since these two studies appeared a great deal of progress has been made in Arabic dialectology (e.g., Behnstedt 1985, 1997, Behnstedt and Woidich 1985, many studies of individual dialects). However, the descriptive advances remain basically unintegrated into a larger study of Arabic linguistics.3 There are two prominent pitfalls in relating dialects to the history of the Arabic language. First, to return to Kaye's study cited above, reconstructions based on dialectal forms eventually have to be melded into the total object, Arabic, and for this their compatibility with the oldest citations of Arabic need to be checked. With regard to 'jiim', already in the late eighth century various pronunciations are attested in the phonetic description of Arabic (Sibawaih II: 452). Sibawaih gives two "acceptable" variants of 'jiim' and two variants that are not good (laa tustahsanu) either in koranic recitation or in poetry.4 Any discussion of a single proto-form has to consider this situation. It may be asked, for instance, whether Kaye's proposed change of *3 > d3 in Aleppo Arabic (1972: 54), doesn't in fact reflect the use of a variant already existing before Arabic speakers arrived in Aleppo. In general the problem of Arabic reconstruction must always confront the question of whether dialect forms of the diaspora are due to post-diaspora innovation, or are reflective of pre-existing diversity on the Arabian peninsula. A second problem in many dialect studies revolves around linguistic