Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segmentation of Cerebral Small Vessel Diseases-White Matter Hyperintensities Based on a Deep Learning System

Objective: Reliable quantification of white matter hyperintensities (WHMs) resulting from cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVD) is essential for understanding their clinical impact. We aim to develop and clinically validate a deep learning system for automatic segmentation of CSVD-WMH from fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging using large multicenter data. Method: A FLAIR imaging dataset of 1,156 patients diagnosed with CSVD associated WMH (median age, 54 years; 653 males) obtained between September 2018 and September 2019 from Beijing Tiantan Hospital was retrospectively analyzed in this study. Locations of CSVD-WMH on the FLAIR scans were manually marked by two experienced neurologists. Using the manually labeled data of 996 patients (development set), a U-shaped novel 2D convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture was trained for automatic segmentation of CSVD-WMH. The segmentation performance of the network was evaluated with per pixel and lesion level dice scores using an independent internal test set (n = 160) and a multi-center external test set (n = 90, three medical centers). The clinical suitability of the segmentation results, classified as acceptable, acceptable with minor revision, acceptable with major revision, and not acceptable, was analyzed by three independent neuroradiologists. The inter-neuroradiologists agreement rate was assessed by the Kendall-W test. Results: On the internal and external test sets, the proposed CNN architecture achieved per pixel and lesion level dice scores of 0.72 (external test set), and they were significantly better than the state-of-the-art deep learning architectures proposed for WMH segmentation. In the clinical evaluation, neuroradiologists observed the segmentation results for 95% of the patients were acceptable or acceptable with a minor revision. Conclusions: A deep learning system can be used for automated, objective, and clinically meaningful segmentation of CSVD-WMH with high accuracy.
Modelling coaching practice: the role of instruction and demonstration

In this paper, we review the empirical literature pertaining to the effectiveness of instructions and movement demonstrations. Initially, we examine existing theories and approaches that try to explain the process of skill acquisition so as to determine implications of these theories for instructional provision. This is followed by an evaluation of studies in the motor learning literature in which pre-practice information has been manipulated. Explicit learning strategies are contrasted to implicit and discovery learning methods, and current explanations for instructional effects are discussed in terms of such mechanisms as effects-related attentional focus and movement variability. In the final sections, we review data from our own laboratory where pre-practice information has been manipulated during the learning of a novel bimanual coordination task. From these studies, proposals are made to try and explain how pre-practice information works to effect the process of skill acquisition, including the selection and execution of a response and the processing of associated feedback. An important role is given to the existing skills of the learner in understanding the instructions and performing the desired movement. Finally, we suggest some practical implications of this empirical evidence for the teaching of motor skills.
The influence of contraceptive costs on the demand for children.

An explanation is given for how the costs of fertility regulation can affect demand for children. The model under discussion initially is the Easterlin Synthesis Framework (ESF) which is critiqued and found to inadequately conceptualize or define the cost of regulation. An alternative model is proposed: the Interactive Demand Cost Framework (IDCF) which elaborates costs of fertility regulation. Contrasts are made between both models as pertinent to policy and programs. The advantage of using IDCF even though it is more complex is its greater ability to provide interpretations of historical events and greater usefulness in program planning. The reasoning of Demeny and others that people have children because they desire them and wider contraceptive availability will not change anything does not account for the evidence that latent demand precedes contraceptive availability. Sexual gratification is not accounted for. The cost of prevention may be greater than the perceived advantage in not taking action to prevent births and does not mean that couples are deliberately choosing or prefer large families. The costs are subjective and method specific and unlike the ESF the range of methods available will affect the perceived cost and thus the adoption rate. Method availability cannot affect demand for children logically or based on evidence that demand for children accompanies widespread use of birth control. Family planning programs do affect preferences and fertility outcomes. Another conclusion is that children as a supply are misspecified in a natural fertility paradigm. There is no evidence that couples "purchase" children or reallocate resources to improve survival changes. Transition model proponents have plausibly explained that development is a change from a biological to an economic regime or from nonplanning to planning such that contraceptive knowledge provides a tool to make people planners. New options are generated and costs reduced for sexual gratification. ESF states that fertility decline is due to modernization but does not help the program planner relate the method mix offered to clients preferences and problems of motivation.
An X10-Based Distributed Streaming Graph Database Engine

Streaming graph data mining has become a significant issue in high performance graph mining due to the increasing appearance of graph data sets as streams. In this paper we propose Acacia-Stream which is a scalable distributed streaming graph database engine developed with X10 programming language. Graph streams are partitioned using a streaming graph partitioner algorithm in Acacia-Stream and streaming graph processing queries are run on the graph streams. The partitioned data sets are persisted on secondary storage across X10 places. We investigate on the use of three different streaming graph partitioner algorithms called hash, Linear Deterministic Greedy, and Fennel algorithms and report their performance. Furthermore, to demonstrate Acacia-Stream's streaming graph processing capabilities we implement streaming triangle counting with Acacia-Stream. We present performance results gathered from Acacia-Stream with different large scale streaming data sets in both horizontal and vertical scalability experiments. Furthermore, we compare streaming graph loading performance of Acacia-Stream with Neo4j and Oracle's PGX graph database servers. From these experiments we observed that Acacia-Stream's Fennel partitioner based graph uploader can upload a 948MB rmat22 graph in 1283.42 seconds which is 38% faster than PGX graph database server and 12.8 times faster than Neo4j database server. Acacia-Stream's Streaming Partitioner's batch size adjustments based optimizations reduced the time used by the network communications almost by half.
Epidemiology of Hepatitis C: Geographic Differences and Temporal Trends

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection appears to be endemic in most parts of the world, with an estimated overall prevalence of 3%. However, there is considerable geographic and temporal variation in the incidence and prevalence of HCV infection. Using age-specific prevalence data, at least three distinct transmission patterns can be identified. In countries with the first pattern (e.g., United States, Australia), most infections are found among persons 30-49 years old, indicating that the risk for HCV infection was greatest in the relatively recent past (10-30 years ago) and primarily affected young adults. In countries with the second pattern (e.g., Japan, Italy), most infections are found among older persons, consistent with the risk for HCV infection having been greatest in the distant past. In countries with the third pattern (e.g., Egypt), high rates of infection are observed in all age groups, indicating an ongoing high risk for acquiring HCV infection. In countries with the first pattern, injection drug use has been the predominant risk factor for HCV infection, whereas in those with the second or third patterns, unsafe injections and contaminated equipment used in healthcare-related procedures appear to have played a predominant role in transmission. Much of the variability between regions can be explained by the frequency and extent to which different risk factors have contributed to the transmission of HCV. Because different strategies are required to interrupt different patterns of HCV transmission, determining the epidemiology of HCV infection in areas where that information has not yet been assessed is critical for developing appropriate prevention programs.
Tissue plasminogen activator messenger RNA levels increase in cultured human endothelial cells exposed to laminar shear stress

Fluid shear stress can stimulate secretion of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) by cultured human endothelial cells, while plasminogen activator inhibitor type‐1 secretion remains unstimulated. To determine whether hemodynamically induced changes in tPA messenger RNA (mRNA) levels also occur, primary cultures from the same harvst of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells were either maintained in stationary culture or exposed to arterial levels of shear stress (25 dynes/cm2) for 24 hours. Total cellular RNA was isolated from the shear stressed and stationary cultures and the relative levels of tPA mRNA and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA were determined using a coupled reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction method. As indicated by the amount of amplification product, tPA mRNA levels were many fold higher (> 10) in endothelial cells subjected to shear stress for 24 hours than in stationary controls. In contrast, mRNA levels for GAPDH were similar in control and shear stressed cells. The constancy of the measured GAPDH signal indicated that the tPA response was a selective effect of fluid shear stress. When a similar polymerase chain reaction method was used, the mRNA levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were found not to vary in comparison to GAPDH mRNA after 24 hours of shear stress. These results indicate that enhancement of the fibrinolytic potential of endothelial cells in response to hemodynamic forces could involve transcriptional events.
Wideband Antenna Arrays with Reconfigurable Beamforming and Beamshaping

The paper gives an overview of research results from FOI on dual polarized phased array antennas and integrated beamforming components for wideband and wide-angle beamforming. The electromagnetic design and experimental evaluation of two antenna arrays in the 2-6 and 6-18 GHz bands, with 2 x 7 x 8 elements each, is described. The electromagnetic performance has been simulated using commercial and in-house developed codes. Experimental evaluation show that the arrays have reflection levels below -10 dB and good radiation properties in a frequency range of up to 1:3 and scan angles of up to 60deg. A concept with wideband reconfigurable beamforming with frequency tapered aperture areas is also presented. Two objectives are to enable adaptation of beamwidths to different requirements, and to enable a frequency independent beamwidth over a wide frequency range. Components for wideband beamforming with MMIC true-time delays and reconfigurable active power distribution working in the 2-18 GHz range are also presented.
Mechanism of Dimerization of Bicoid mRNA

Dimerization of bcd mRNA was shown to be important for the formation of ribonucleoprotein particles and their localization in Drosophila embryo. The cis-element responsible for dimerization is localized in a stem-loop domain (domain III) containing two essential complementary 6-nucleotide sequences in a hairpin loop (LIIIb) and an interior loop (LIIIa). Such an RNA element can potentially generate single or double “hand-by-arm” interactions leading to open and closed complexes, respectively. The former retains the possibility of forming multimers, whereas the latter does not. We showed previously that dimerization proceeds through a two-step mechanism, which includes a transition from the reversible initiation complex into a very stable one. Here we have addressed the nature of the initial interactions and the mechanism of transition. We engineered a series of different RNA fragments with the capacity to form defined open dimers, multimers, or closed dimers. We compared their thermodynamic and kinetic behavior and mapped nucleotides involved in intermolecular interactions by enzymatic and chemical footprinting experiments and chemical modification interference. Our results indicate that the initiation step leads to a reversible open dimer, involving a more limited number of intermolecular base pairs than expected. The two loops play distinct roles in this process, and the structure of loop IIIb is more constrained than that of loop IIIa. Thus, loop IIIa appears to be the driving element of the recognition process. The initial open dimer is then converted into a stable closed dimer, possibly through a kinetically controlled mechanism.
Use of Pro Re Nata Medications in Acute Inpatient Care

Objectives: Available evidence suggests that the use of ‘as needed’ (PRN; from the Latin pro re nata: for an occasion that has arisen) medications has remained a standard aspect of treatment in acute inpatient mental health units over a number of years despite lack of evidence from controlled clinical trials. The practice is one in which doctors and nurses are interdependent; that is, while doctors prescribe the medications, professional nurses are the ones who make the clinical decisions to administer them. The aim of the present study was to provide a detailed description of the circumstances surrounding the use of PRN medications across four inpatient units in Sydney. Methods: The medical records of all patients admitted for >24h during a 2month period were retrospectively audited for details regarding prescriptions and administrations of PRN medications. Results: A total of 420 records were reviewed, producing a total of 3868 PRN medication administrations. Ninety-seven per cent of all patients were prescribed PRN medications and 93.8% were prescribed regular medications. The most frequently prescribed medications were second-generation antipsychotics for regular use along with benzodiazepine for PRN use. Nearly 84% of patients received at least one PRN medication during their admission, while patients diagnosed with personality disorder received more PRNs per day. The most common reason for PRN administration was patient agitation. The results indicated poor documentation in the prescription and documentation of PRN administrations. Also, the findings show that a small subset of the patients (5%) received >30% of all PRN medications. Conclusion: PRN medication use has endured as standard practice and the results of the present study are consistent with the reported frequency of use increasing slightly over the years. The combination of second-generation antipsychotics as regular medications and benzodiazepines for PRN medication is consistent with recommended treatment guidelines. The small subset of patients who were overrepresented in the PRN administrations is noteworthy.
“Other people’s initiatives”: exploring mediation and appropriation of place as barriers to community-based climate change adaptation

ABSTRACT Adaptation planning at the community level takes on various forms. It generally involves a process of defining climate impacts, vulnerabilities, and actions that can build community resilience. Typically, these processes rely on climate experts and policy-makers to define what is at risk, and therefore what is worthy of investment and protection. Emerging approaches to community-based adaptation-planning advocate for stronger community control over these processes. Drawing on a place-based approach to adaptation, this paper examines place meaning as a co-constructed process. It explores how this process shapes opportunities for community-based climate action in Churchill, Canada. Results indicate that community members acknowledge many competing threats to their sense of place, and suggest that this competition may reduce the perceived need to prioritise climate action to protect connections to place. Results also reveal a concern among community members that local place identity has been appropriated for economic gain, which may further reduce the drive to act in protection of an already exploited sense of place. Overall, findings support calls to adopt place-based perspectives to enhance the capacity of adaptation planning to understand local needs, values, and levers for action.
Establishment of a Functionally Active Collagen-Binding Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Fusion Protein In Situ

Objective—Tissue regeneration requires both growth factor and extracellular matrix such as collagen, serving as a scaffold for cell growth. We established FNCBD-VEGF121, consisting of the fibronectin collagen-binding domain (FNCBD) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) 121, and investigated its properties. Methods and Results—FNCBD-VEGF121 specifically bound to gelatin and type I, II, III, IV, and V collagen. This collagen-bound FNCBD-VEGF121 captured soluble VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2)/Fc chimeric protein. Cell growth-promoting activity of FNCBD-VEGF121 was almost identical to that of VEGF121. The VEGF fusion protein significantly enhanced the expression of VEGFR-2 (71.6±0.8%) on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from umbilical cord blood. Expectably, the collagen-bound VEGF fusion protein not only promoted the growth of endothelial cells (ECs) but also induced the expression of VEGFR-2 (63.7±0.8%) on non-adherent cells expanded from bone marrow CD34+ cells. Moreover, the VEGF fusion protein enhanced sprout formation of ECs in a matrigel model. In vivo experiments revealed that FNCBD-VEGF121 had local effects but not systemic effect on EPC mobilization. Conclusions—These results suggest that FNCBD-VEGF121 stably maintains an optimally high and local concentration of VEGF with collagen matrix and stimulates both ECs and EPCs in situ, supplying a vascular regeneration niche.
Purification and Characterization of CobT, the Nicotinate-mononucleotide:5,6-Dimethylbenzimidazole Phosphoribosyltransferase Enzyme from Salmonella typhimurium LT2*

We report the purification and biochemical characterization of the cobalamin biosynthetic enzyme nicotinate-mononucleotide:5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole phosphoribosyltransferase (CobT) from Salmonella typhimurium. cobT was overexpressed and the protein purified to approximately 97% homogeneity. NH2-terminal sequence analysis confirmed that the protein encoded by cobT was purified. Homogeneous CobT catalyzed the synthesis ofN 1-(5-phospho-α-D-ribosyl)-5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole. The identity of high performance liquid chromatography-purified product was confirmed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. CobT activity was optimal at 45 °C and pH 10.0. The apparentK m for nicotinate mononucleotide was 680 μm; the apparent K m for 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole was less than 10 μm. CobT used nicotinamide mononucleotide as a ribose phosphate donor. CobT phosphoribosylated alternative base substrates including benzimidazole, 4,5-dimethyl-1,2-phenylenediamine, imidazole, histidine, adenine, and guanine in vitro. The resulting ribotides were incorporated into cobamides that were differentially utilized by methionine synthase (EC 2.1.1.13), ethanolamine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.7), and 1,2-propanediol dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.28) in vivo. The lack of base substrate specificity by CobT may explain the inability to isolate mutants blocked in the synthesis of 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole in this bacterium.
CS22, a Novel Human EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli Adhesin, Is Related to CS15

ABSTRACT Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) expresses a broad spectrum of O:H antigens. Serogroup O20 is one of the most prevalent among the ETEC strains lacking any of the defined colonization factors (CFs), in Argentina. An O20:H− strain, ARG-3, adhered to Caco-2 cells and exhibited a thermoregulated 15.7-kDa protein band upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). An antiserum against this protein inhibited ARG-3 adhesion to Caco-2 cells and bound to very thin fibrilla-like structures on the bacterial surface. A 15.7-kDa protein-defective mutant failed to adhere to Caco-2 cells and lacked immunogold-labeled surface structures. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the structural subunit showed 95% homology to that of CS15 of ETEC (former antigen 8786) and 65% homology with fimbria SEF14 of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. Nevertheless, the molecular size of ARG-3 adhesin was different from that of CS15, as revealed by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry. Both proteins are immunologically related, yet not identical, since an antiserum against the 15.7-kDa protein reacted solely with ARG-3 after absorption with bacteria bearing CS15. Moreover, only under low stringency conditions could DNA from strain ARG-3 be amplified by PCR using primers derived from thenfaA sequence of CS15. Thus, from the DNA sequence obtained from the ARG-3 PCR product, it could be deduced that the subunit protein differed in 30 residues from that of CS15. ARG-3 adhesin was found in 60% of the O20:H- CF-negative ETEC strains from Argentina; however, it appeared restricted to this serotype. We propose the designation CS22 for the herein identified nonfimbrial adhesin of human ETEC.
Virtual Sink Algorithm for Receiver Based Forwarding in Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we propose a virtual sink (VS) algorithm to controllably allow the packet duplication in receiver based forwarding technique, which can trade packet delivery ratio with energy saving or vice versa. Through simulations, we show that our VS algorithm is highly useful in applying the simplified RBF approach for wireless sensor networks.
Cost efficiency in Bangladesh banking: does financial reform matter?

ABSTRACT This article estimates the cost efficiency of the commercial banks of Bangladesh in the context of financial reform. Employing the single-stage stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) model, the study uses a unique balanced panel data set comprising bank-level annual data from the dominant commercial banks in Bangladesh for the period 1983–2012. The results show that bank cost has fallen due to financial deregulation. Our results from the data envelopment analysis do not vary significantly that we obtained from the SFA. In addition, the presence of politically linked directors on the bank board has an adverse effect on efficiency. These findings suggest that further reforms aiming at removing all sorts of political influence should continue to ensure competitive environment in order to achieve cost efficiency in the financial sector of the country.