Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On determinantal representation for the generalized inverse A  (2)T,S and its applications

In this paper, first we establish a determinantal representation for the group inverse Ag of a square matrix A. Based on this, a determinantal representation for the generalized inverse A (2)T,S is presented. As an application, we give a determinantal formula for the unique solution of the general restricted linear system: Ax=b(x ∈ T, b ∈ AT and dim(AT)=dim(T)), which reduces to the common Cramer rule if A is non‐singular. These results extend our earlier work. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient Hand Segmentation and Fingertip Detection Using Color Features of Skin and Fingernail

In this paper, we design a new color space YUskinVskin from YUV color space, based on the principle of skin color with respect to the change of color temperature. Compared with previous work, this color space proved to be the optimal color space for hand segmentation with linear thresholds. We also propose a novel fingertip detection method based on the concomitance between finger and fingernail. The two techniques together improve the performance of hand contour and fingertip extraction in hand gesture recognition. key words: hand segmentation, color space, color temperature, fingertip detection, fingernail
Expanding the Mutation Spectrum Affecting αIIbβ3 Integrin in Glanzmann Thrombasthenia: Screening of the ITGA2B and ITGB3 Genes in a Large International Cohort

We report the largest international study on Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT), an inherited bleeding disorder where defects of the ITGA2B and ITGB3 genes cause quantitative or qualitative defects of the αIIbβ3 integrin, a key mediator of platelet aggregation. Sequencing of the coding regions and splice sites of both genes in members of 76 affected families identified 78 genetic variants (55 novel) suspected to cause GT. Four large deletions or duplications were found by quantitative real‐time PCR. Families with mutations in either gene were indistinguishable in terms of bleeding severity that varied even among siblings. Families were grouped into type I and the rarer type II or variant forms with residual αIIbβ3 expression. Variant forms helped identify genes encoding proteins mediating integrin activation. Splicing defects and stop codons were common for both ITGA2B and ITGB3 and essentially led to a reduced or absent αIIbβ3 expression; included was a heterozygous c.1440‐13_c.1440‐1del in intron 14 of ITGA2B causing exon skipping in seven unrelated families. Molecular modeling revealed how many missense mutations induced subtle changes in αIIb and β3 domain structure across both subunits, thereby interfering with integrin maturation and/or function. Our study extends knowledge of GT and the pathophysiology of an integrin.
Percutaneous ethanol injection treatment in benign thyroid lesions: role and efficacy.

GOAL To establish the role of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) treatment in benign thyroid lesions by evaluating: (1) the long-term efficacy and side effects of the treatment, (2) the factors predictive of efficacy of PEI, and (3) the cost effectiveness of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-eight recurrent cystic nodules, 95 autonomously functioning nodules (AFTN), and 17 hyperfunctioning nodules causing thyrotoxicosis (toxic nodules) were treated by PEI from 1990 to 1996 in our center. Ultrasound (US) and color flow doppler (CFD) examinations were carried out before and after each treatment. In patients with AFTN, serum thyrotropin (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) levels were tested before and after PEI. All patients were independently reexamined by two external reviewers after a minimum follow-up of 5 years (median, 6.9 years). RESULTS The median number of treatments was 2.0 (range, 1.0-4.0) for cystic nodules, 4 (range, 2.0-6.0) for AFTN, and 5 (range, 3.0-7.0) for toxic nodules. At the 5-year evaluation cystic nodules showed a volume reduction greater than 75% versus baseline in 86.2% of cases and an improvement of local symptoms in 91.4% of cases. AFTN presented serum TSH within normal limits in 60.0% of patients. Toxic nodules showed a detectable serum TSH and normal FT3 and FT4 values in 35.3% of cases. Two cases of transient dysphonia were observed. In cystic lesions no significant correlation was found between the baseline and the final volume (r2 = 0.17) and no significant predictor of treatment efficacy was found. However, unilocularity was associated with a lower number of treatments than multilocularity (median, 2.0 vs. 3.0). Independent predictors of clinical efficacy in both AFTN and toxic nodules were a baseline volume less than 5.0 mL and a fluid component greater than 30% (odds ratio [OR] = 6.1 and 3.3, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Most recurrent cystic lesions of the thyroid can be cured by PEI, which should become the first line of treatment. The majority of AFTN and toxic nodules with volume less than 5.0 mL presented a marked volume decrease and normal serum TSH levels when treated by PEI, which seems a valid alternative to clinical follow-up alone in patients refusing 131I. PEI is not indicated in large or toxic nodules, for which 131I is the treatment of choice.
The effects of business environments on corporate strategies and performance of construction organisations

The study examines the moderating effects of business environment in the relationship between strategies used by construction organisations and examines how these can be used in attaining competitive advantage, and improved corporate performance. The grounds for the examination stems from arguments by researchers that efficient and effective business strategy is an essential tool employed by organisations to direct their business endeavours to the ever changing business environment and record continuous improved performance. The study involves a meta-study of extant literature on construction business environments and business strategies in-use. From this approach, a conceptual framework is proposed for relating business environment and corporate strategies used by construction organisations to their corporate performance that could serve as the basis for further studies in construction organisation strategic planning. Preliminary results of a pilot survey to examine the moderating effects of environmental dimensions on strategies and organisational performance are provided in support of the concept developed. The results reveal that organisations adopt differentiation strategies to ensure survival in a complex business environment. It thus concluded that dimensions of business environment have moderating effects on organisational strategies and performance.
Characteristics of suspended solids affect bifenthrin toxicity to the calanoid copepods Eurytemora affinis and Pseudodiaptomus forbesi

Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid pesticide that is highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates. The dissolved concentration is generally thought to be the best predictor of acute toxicity. However, for the filter‐feeding calanoid copepods Eurytemora affinis and Pseudodiaptomus forbesi, ingestion of pesticide‐bound particles could prove to be another route of exposure. The present study investigated bifenthrin toxicity to E. affinis and P. forbesi in the presence of suspended solids from municipal wastewater effluent and surface water of the San Francisco (CA, USA) Estuary. Suspended solids mitigated the toxicity of total bifenthrin to E. affinis and P. forbesi, but mortality was higher than what would be predicted from dissolved concentrations alone. The results indicate that the toxicity and bioavailability of particle‐associated bifenthrin was significantly correlated with counts of 0.5‐µm to 2‐µm particle sizes. Potential explanations could include direct ingestion of bifenthrin‐bound particles, changes in food consumption and feeding behavior, and physical contact with small particles. The complex interactions between pesticides and particles of different types and sizes demonstrate a need for future ecotoxicological studies to investigate the role of particle sizes on aquatic organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:2302–2309. © 2015 SETAC
Large‐Sample Norms for Contrast Sensitivity

ABSTRACT A portable microprocessor‐controlled instrument automatically measured the static and dynamic contrast sensitivity functions (CSF's) of 265 observers for a normal population at the Dayton Air Fair and Air Force Museum. Repeat measures for six observers taken 6 months later show small, nonsystematic differences from original measurements. Median values of contrast sensitivity as well as regions encompassing 75 of 90% of our sample are shown.
Data Acquisition in Cast Iron Foundries by Image Analysis

The project IDA Intelligent Data Acquisition is an interdisciplinary project in the fields of applied informatics and mechanical engineering. Its purpose is to collect process relevant information in industrial foundry processes like iron casting with handmade and mechanically made molds. Currently a lot of data sets are collected by hand. But these contain inaccuracies and errors and are not available digitally for further analysis. As a result it is not possible to evaluate them automatically. In particular it is not possible to conclude from a defect cast part to the whole set of its production parameters. We develop several procedures to collect these data sets and prepare them for computation in data analysis algorithms. The acquisition of digitally available data in IDA is done mostly by optical sensors. In this paper we describe our approach especially regarding marking and recognition of relevant objects. Furthermore we show first results in environments close to reality.
Angiotensin II stimulation of Na-H antiporter activity is cAMP independent in OKP cells.

Angiotensin II has been reported to stimulate the proximal tubule Na-H antiporter by inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, and possibly by an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-independent mechanism. We examined the effect of angiotensin II on Na-H antiporter activity (JNa-H) in opossum kidney (OKP) cells, a proximal tubule-like cell line, whose Na-H antiporter resembles that of the proximal tubule apical membrane. We found that angiotensin II regulates JNa-H in a concentration-dependent manner similar to the proximal tubule, with angiotensin II concentrations < 10(-8) M stimulating and > 10(-8) M inhibiting JNa-H. The stimulatory effect of angiotensin II was blocked by 10(-8) M losartan and was pertussis toxin sensitive, suggesting mediation through an angiotensin II (AT1) receptor coupled to a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. Acute treatment with 10(-4) M 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP) inhibited JNa-H by 30% and blocked angiotensin II-induced stimulation. However, angiotensin II (10(-12)-10(-6) M) did not inhibit basal, dopamine-stimulated, or forskolin-stimulated cAMP production measured in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). In addition, angiotensin II had no effect on cAMP levels measured in the absence of IBMX. We conclude that angiotensin II at physiological concentrations stimulates JNa-H in OKP cells via a cAMP-independent mechanism mediated by an AT1 receptor and a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein.
Relationship between microvessel count and post-hepatectomy survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM To elucidate the relationship between the microvessel count (MVC) by CD34 analyzed by immunohistochemical method and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent hepatectomy based on our preliminary study. METHODS We examined relationships between MVC and clinicopathological factors in 128 HCC patients. The modified Japan Integrated Staging score (mJIS) was applied to examine subsets of HCC patients. RESULTS Median MVC was 178/mm(2), which was used as a cut-off value. MVC was not significantly associated with any clinicopathologic factors or postoperative recurrent rate. Lower MVC was associated with poor disease-free and overall survivals by univariate analysis (P = 0.039 and P = 0.087, respectively) and lower MVC represented an independent poor prognostic factor in disease-free survival by Cox's multivariate analysis (risk ratio, 1.64; P = 0.024), in addition to tumor size, vascular invasion, macroscopic finding and hepatic dysfunction. Significant differences in disease-free and overall survivals by MVC were observed in HCC patients with mJIS 2 (P = 0.046 and P = 0.0014, respectively), but not in those with other scores. CONCLUSION Tumor MVC appears to offer a useful prognostic marker of HCC patient survival, particularly in HCC patients with mJIS 2.
Detection of security protocols with XOR by improving Scyther

Scyther is an effective tool for security protocol analysis, however it cannot support such protocols with XOR operation mainly due to the decryption unifier(DU) problem. Many security protocols fundamentally depend on the algebraic properties of XOR operators. In this paper, we improve the procedure of DU by making Scyther have the ability of XOR operation in state extension. Meanwhile, and use constraint solving method to compute the attacking XOR terms by generating the type constraints, domain constraints and equation constraints. Based on this method, we successfully detect an attack of NSPK-XOR protocol.
Novel TBX5 Mutations in Patients with Holt-Oram Syndrome

Holt-Oram syndrome (MIM #142900) is an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by radial ray deformities of the upper limb associated with cardiac septation and/or conduction defects. The disorder is caused by mutations in the transcription factor TBX5. Several studies report a rather low detection rate (range, 22-35%) of TBX5 mutations in patients with a clinical suspicion of Holt-Oram syndrome. The low detection rate is attributed to clinical misdiagnosis and genetic heterogeneity. However, a detection rate up to 74% has been reported when strict inclusion criteria for Holt-Oram syndrome are applied before genetic testing. We performed mutational analysis in a cohort of 27 unrelated patients referred with a clinical diagnosis of Holt-Oram syndrome. Seven TBX5 mutations were detected by direct sequencing. The detection rate of TBX5 mutations in this co hort of patients was 25.9% but increased to 54% when the strict phenotypical criteria were applied. No mutations were found in patients who did not meet these strict phenotypical criteria. Interestingly, we were unable to identify a TBX5 mutation in six of 13 patients who did meet the strict criteria. This study confirms TBX5 genetic testing should be reserved for patients who fulfill the strict phenotypic criteria for Holt-Oram syndrome. Level of Evidence: Level II, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Severe Asthma: The Evolution of Patient-directed Management

Severe asthma has been increasingly recognized as a heterogenous disease with varied clinical characteristics and pathophysiological processes. Patients with severe asthma suffer significant impairment in their daily life and impose a substantial burden on health care resources. The recent work of consortia groups has led to an improved definition of severe asthma as well as better characterization of the patients with severe disease. Different approaches, including unbiased cluster analyses, have been utilized to identify severe asthma phenotypes (subgroups) defined by their clinical characteristics and immune processes. Recognition of severe asthma phenotypes has assisted the development of targeted therapies by identifying patients more likely to respond to the specific agent. In this article, we discuss the evolution of our understanding of severe asthma and review the currently available therapies and promising drugs in development. In addition, we examine the role of bronchoscopy in severe asthma and the emerging evidence regarding bronchial thermoplasty.
Apolipoprotein E and functional recovery from brain injury following postacute rehabilitation

Objective: APOE ε4 has been associated with late-onset familial and sporadic AD and delayed recovery from head injury. The authors examined the relationship between functional recovery of patients with head injury and the APOE alleles. Methods: Thirty-one patients with head injury who had completed the Acute Neurorehabilitation Program at Helen Hayes Hospital were evaluated for presence of APOE ε4 and assessed for recovery based on Functional Independence Measures (FIM). Results: Analysis of covariance (using coma days as the covariate to control for differences in initial severity of injury between subjects with and without APOE ε4) revealed a significant difference for both total FIM and motor FIM scores between the subjects with and without APOE ε4. Specifically, there were lower scores for total FIM (df = 30; F = 3.341; p = 0.05) and motor FIM (df = 30; F = 4.189; p = 0.026) in APOE ε4 carriers. No difference was found for the cognitive portion of the FIM. Conclusions: The data suggest that the presence of the lipoprotein APOE ε4 adversely affects rehabilitation outcome for traumatic brain injury survivors. –1539
Biological imaging using nanoparticles of small organic molecules with fluorescence emission at wavelengths longer than 1000 nm.

Embedded in a polymer: A hydrophobic organic molecule that fluoresces in the near-infrared II (NIR-II) region was made water-soluble and biocompatible by its embedment in a polymer nanoparticle, which was then coated with hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) chains. The resulting nanoparticles exhibit bright fluorescence in the NIR-II window and high photostability in aqueous media and were used for in vivo imaging in mice.
Body composition in appropriate and in small for gestational age infants

The body composition of 70 appropriate for gestational age newborn infants whose gestational age ranged from 32 to 41 weeks was determined by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry during the first 48 h of life. The evolution of the bone mineral content, fat and lean mass was well correlated with gestational age (r= 0.66, r= 0.66 and r= 0.82. respectively) but even more closely with birthweight (r= 0.85, r= 0.91 and r= 0.97. respectively). The body composition of 20 symmetric small for gestational age infants (mean gestational age ± SD = 38.1 ± 1.2 weeks: mean birthweight ± SD = 2117 ± 183 g) was also studied. The total body fat, the lean mass and the bone mineral content of small for gestational age infants were decreased significantly in comparison with those of appropriate for gestational age infants with the same gestational age (p≤ 0.05, p≤ 0.0001 and p≤ 0.05) but was not significantly different from those observed in appropriate for gestational age infants of the same birthweight.
Outcome of treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer with and without central airway obstruction.

OBJECTIVE In patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with chemotherapy, we compared survival in patients with treated central airway obstruction to those who did not have central airway obstruction. METHODS One hundred forty-four patients with advanced and inoperable NSCLC were included. These consisted of 52 consecutive patients treated with therapeutic bronchoscopy plus chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy (group A) and 92 consecutive patients who did not have central airway obstruction treated with chemotherapy alone (group B). Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin or carboplatin, and one third-generation chemotherapy agent. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the survival of patients with and without central airway obstruction (p = 0.395). There was no influence of the histologic subtype on survival in both groups combined and also in each group separately. Median survival in patients belonging to group A was 8.4 months and those in group B was 8.2 months; 3-, 6-, and 12-month survival rates in patients in group A were 90%, 71%, and 40%, respectively, and those in group B were 82%, 63%, and 34%. CONCLUSION Patients having advanced NSCLC with locally treated malignant central airway obstruction in combination with chemotherapy do not have a worse survival compared to those with advanced NSCLC without central airway obstruction. Therapeutic bronchoscopy should be offered to patients with NSCLC and central airway obstruction.
A control system architecture for control of non-affine in control, open-loop unstable underactuated systems

In this paper, a control system architecture for control of non-affine in control, open-loop unstable underactuated system is discussed. Passivization of the unactuated (internal) system dynamics achieved through perturbation of trajectories of the actuated states, which are calculated through adaptive dynamic inversion technique, based on Tikhonov's theorem. Performance of the controller is shown through simulation of two open-loop unstable and locally uncontrollable example problems.
Attitude angle aided IMMCKF algorithm

To effectively solve the tracking problem of nonlinear maneuvering target, interacting multiple model cubature Kalman filter (immckf) algorithm brings cubature Kalman filter (ckf) into the interacting multiple model (imm) algorithm. This paper brings the attitude angle information into the immckf algorithm, and identifies the target maneuver mode through the fuzzy association between the attitude angle and the current motion mode of target; then the association result is used to fuse with the model probability of imm to enhance its model resolving power. A simulation of maneuvering target tracking shows that the attitude angle aided immckf (aa-immckf) algorithm can effectively improve the tracking accuracy and stability of the original immckf algorithm.
Semi-spherical Radiofrequency Bipolar Device – A New Technique for Liver Resection

The incidence of colorectal carcinoma is still growing in the Czech Republic and also all around the world. With success of oncological treatment is also growing a number of potential patients with liver metastases, who can profit from surgical therapy. The aim of this study was to confirm on porcine models that this method by using new surgical device is effective and safe for patients who have to undergo liver resection. The primary hypothesis of the study was to evaluate whether this new device is able to consistently produce homogeneous and predictable areas of coagulation necrosis without the Pringle maneuver of vascular inflow occlusion. The secondary hypothesis of the study was to compare the standard linear radiofrequency device and a new semi-spherical bipolar device for liver ablation and resection in a hepatic porcine model. Twelve pigs were randomly divided into two groups. Each pig underwent liver resection from both liver lobes in the marginal, thinner part of liver parenchyma. The pigs in first group were operated with standard using device and in the second group we used new developed semi-spherical device. We followed blood count in 0th, 14th and 30th day from operation. 14th day from resection pigs underwent diagnostic laparoscopy to evaluate of their state, and 30th day after operation were all pigs euthanized and subjected to histopathological examination. Histopathological evaluation of thermal changes at the resection margin showed strong thermal alteration in both groups. Statistical analysis of collected dates did not prove any significant (p < 0.05) differences between standard using device and our new surgical tool. We proved safety of new designed semi-spherical surgical. This device can offer the possibility of shortening the ablation time and operating time, which is benefit for patients undergoing the liver resection.