Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantification of human atherosclerotic plaques using spatially enhanced cluster analysis of multicontrast‐weighted magnetic resonance images

One of the current limitations of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the lack of an objective method to classify plaque components. Here we present a cluster analysis technique that can objectively quantify and classify MR images of atherosclerotic plaques. We obtained three‐dimensional (3D) images from 12 human coronary artery specimens on a 9.4T imaging system using multicontrast‐weighted fast spin‐echo (T1‐, proton density‐, and T2‐weighted) imaging with an isotropic voxel size of 39 μ. Spatially enhanced cluster analysis (SECA) was performed on multicontrast MR images, and the resulting segmentation was evaluated against histological tracings. To visualize the overall structure of plaques, the MR images were rendered in 3D. The specimens exhibited lesions of American Heart Association (AHA) plaque classification types I‐VI. Both MR images and histological sections were independently reviewed, categorized, and compared. Overall, the classification obtained from the cluster‐analyzed MR and histopathology images showed very good agreement for all AHA types (92%, Cohen's κ = 0.89, P < 0.0001). All plaque types were identified and quantified by SECA with a high degree of correlation between cluster‐analyzed MR and manually traced histopathology data. MRI combined with SECA provides an objective method for atherosclerotic plaque component characterization and quantification. Magn Reson Med 52:515–523, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential Requirement of P2X7 Receptor and Intracellular K+ for Caspase-1 Activation Induced by Intracellular and Extracellular Bacteria*

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in host defense and inflammatory diseases. The maturation and secretion of IL-1β are mediated by caspase-1, a protease that processes pro-IL-1β into biologically active IL-1β. The activity of caspase-1 is controlled by the inflammasome, a multiprotein complex formed by NLR proteins and the adaptor ASC, that induces the activation of caspase-1. The current model proposes that changes in the intracellular concentration of K+ potentiate caspase-1 activation induced by the recognition of bacterial products. However, the roles of P2X7 receptor and intracellular K+ in IL-1β secretion induced by bacterial infection remain unknown. Here we show that, in response to Toll-like receptor agonists such as lipopolysaccharide or infection with extracellular bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, efficient caspase-1 activation is only triggered by addition of ATP, a signal that promotes caspase-1 activation through depletion of intracellular K+ caused by stimulation of the purinergic P2X7 receptor. In contrast, activation of caspase-1 that relies on cytosolic sensing of flagellin or intracellular bacteria did not require ATP stimulation or depletion of cytoplasmic K+. Consistently, caspase-1 activation induced by intracellular Salmonella or Listeria was unimpaired in macrophages deficient in P2X7 receptor. These results indicate that, unlike caspase-1 induced by Toll-like receptor agonists and ATP, activation of the inflammasome by intracellular bacteria and cytosolic flagellin proceeds normally in the absence of P2X7 receptor-mediated cytoplasmic K+ perturbations.
Congenital Absence of Pain

was then grossly distended and similarly filled by organising thrombus. The only other abnormalities were: (i) A small infarct in the upper lobe of the right lung. (2) Fatty. change in the liver. (3) Slight enlargement of the mesenteric lymph glands. Histology. Renal, ulnar and mesenteric arteriesnormal. Coronary arteries: The aneurysms were filled by organizing thbombus extensively infiltrated with polymorpho-nuclear leucocytes. The wall of the affected areas of the coronary arteries was grossly thickened, the outstanding lesion being splitting of the internal elastic lamina and extensive proliferation of fibroblasts spreading through the remains of the media and adventitia into the peri-adventitial tissue. The whole lesion was widely infiltrated by polymorpho-nuclear leucocytes and eosinophils and, to a lesser extent, plasma cells. (Fig. 2).
Software tools for micro‐analysis of programs

The paper proposes and describes several tools enabling their user to estimate the efficiency of Pascal or C‐like programs. The approach consists of generating symbolic formulas expressing the efficiency of the programs being analyzed. The formulas are applicable to a variety of compiler‐machine configurations. The actual numeric values of the variables in the symbolic formula are determined using linear programming techniques. The proposed approach reduces considerably the amount of benchmarking needed to analyze programs. Several examples are presented showing the applicability of the tools. The effort necessary to implement them is considerably reduced by the combined usage of Prolog and a symbolic formula manipulation package (Maple).
Assessment drives learning: An unavoidable truth?

The debate around which factors drive medical students' learning is ongoing and controversial. What is the influence of an assessment's weighting on the motivation of students to study the particular subject? One medical school in London is in a unique position to investigate this question. At our institution, the weighting of Anatomy within the overall scheme of assessment has changed twice in recent years, a trend of increased weighting. This enabled a comparative investigation into the effect these changes have had on the students' motivation to learn Anatomy. A five‐point Likert‐scale questionnaire survey was used to evaluate students. A section within a broad survey of Anatomy teaching and learning at our institution was dedicated to the evaluation of the amount of weighting Anatomy received within the assessment structure and the effect this had on students' motivation toward learning the subject. Increasing Anatomy's weighting within the scheme of assessment produced a dramatic increasing trend toward students' motivation to learn Anatomy. The weighting of Anatomy has a profound effect on students' motivation to learn it. Although multifactorial and complex in nature, medical students' self‐reported drive to study a subject is directly influenced by the weighting of the subject in the overall scheme of assessment. Anat Sci Educ 2:199–204, 2009. © 2009 American Association of Anatomists.
Moving from Viral Suppression to Comprehensive Patient-Centered Care

HIV clinicians today need to move from focusing on viral suppression to a chronic disease model in which comorbid conditions and risk factors are comprehensively identified and addressed to reduce rates of serious non-AIDS-related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of comorbid conditions in an Australian HIV-positive population. Of 180 patients included, there was a median CD4 count of 0.520 cells/mm3. The majority (88%) of patients were currently receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). There were high rates of failure to attend clinical appointments (30%), current smoking (42%), hypertension (16%), and dyslipidemia (17%). Significant rates of dipstick-positive proteinuria (16%) and elevated blood glucose (15%) were recorded. Risk factors were commonly not addressed by the treating clinician. There is an urgent need to systematize detection and management of high-prevalence comorbid conditions to prevent premature mortality associated with serious non-AIDS events.
Design methodology for ZCT and ZCZVT inverters

This paper proposes a unified design methodology for ZCT and ZCZVT inverters presented in literature. It is based on the intrinsic dynamic restriction of the IGBT technology under Zero Current and Zero Voltage switching conditions. This way, the same switching conditions may be ensured for IGBT modules that employ ZCT and ZCZVT auxiliary circuits. It is very important to access the real benefits of each soft-switching technique and further to reach a fair comparison among than. In this paper, simulation results from a 1kW, 40kHz inverter leg demonstrate the theoretical analysis and validate the proposed design methodology.
BIG 3 inhibits insulin granule biogenesis and insulin secretion

While molecular regulation of insulin granule exocytosis is relatively well understood, insulin granule biogenesis and maturation and its influence on glucose homeostasis are relatively unclear. Here, we identify a novel protein highly expressed in insulin-secreting cells and name it BIG3 due to its similarity to BIG/GBF of the Arf-GTP exchange factor (GEF) family. BIG3 is predominantly localized to insulinand clathrin-positive trans-Golgi network (TGN) compartments. BIG3-deficient insulin-secreting cells display increased insulin content and granule number and elevated insulin secretion upon stimulation. Moreover, BIG3 deficiency results in faster processing of proinsulin to insulin and chromogranin A to b-granin in b-cells. BIG3-knockout mice exhibit postprandial hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance. Collectively, these results demonstrate that BIG3 negatively modulates insulin granule biogenesis and insulin secretion and participates in the regulation of systemic glucose homeostasis.
A comparative infection study of pigeon and avian paramyxovirus type 1 viruses in pigeons: evaluation of clinical signs, virus shedding and seroconversion

The pathogenesis of pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (PPMV-1) isolate AV324/96 and of its recombinant derivative, rgAV324, was studied in pigeons. For comparison, the virulent chicken virus FL-Herts, which is a recombinant derivative of strain Herts/33, was also included. After inoculation by the combined intraocular, intranasal and intratracheal route, clinical signs, virus shedding and serological responses were examined. Clinical signs were observed only in the FL-Herts-infected group. All virus-inoculated pigeons had positive tracheal swabs until 5 days post infection. However, only the AV324/96-infected and rgAV324-infected birds, and not the FL-Herts-infected birds, shed virus in the cloaca. The AV324/96-infected pigeons showed higher mean antibody titres than the rgAV324-infected birds, whereas the antibody titres of the FL-Herts-infected group were rather low. The results show that the pigeon strain AV324 is not virulent for pigeons, but underlines the potential risk of poultry becoming infected by PPMV-1 shed by non-symptomatic pigeons.
Plantar Basınç Dağılımı ile Stabilite ve Koordinasyon Arasındaki İlişki: Milli Olimpik Yelken Takımı Örneği

Amac: Sporun her alani ince degerlendirme ve planlama gerektirmektedir. Literaturde denge-koordinasyon ve plantar basinc dagilimi ayri ayri incelense de aralarindaki baglantiyi ortaya koyan calismalara rastlanmamaktadir. Mevcut calismanin amaci; olimpik yelken sporcularinda, plantar basinc dagiliminin denge ve koordinasyon ile iliskisini arastirmaktir. Gerec ve Yontem: Calismaya, son 3 ay icerisinde herhangi bir ortopedik problem yasamamis 20 gonullu olimpik yelken sporcusu dahil edildi. Sporcularin plantar basinc dagilimi, Dijital Biyometri Tarama Sistemi ve Milletrix yazilimi (DIASU, Italya) kullanilarak degerlendirildi. Cihaz ile hem statik hem dinamik kosullarda ayaktaki basinc dagilimi olculdu. Denge ve koordinasyon HUBER®360 (LPG Sistemleri Valence, Fransa) rehabilitasyon cihazi kullanilarak degerlendirildi. Mevcut sistemle, denge kapasitesi, stabilite alani, hareket kabiliyeti kisitlamasi ve koordinasyon testleri uygulandi. Bireylerin plantar basinc dagiliminin denge ve koordinasyon ile iliskisini arastirmak amaciyla istatistiksel analiz olarak Spearman Korelasyon Analizi kullanildi. Bulgular: Gozler acik stabilite ile statik durus sirasindaki maksimal basinc dagilimi (p=0,005 r=-0,606) ve temas yuzdesi (p=0,019 r=-0,521) arasinda anlamli iliski bulundu. Statik durus sirasinda her iki ayaktaki ortalama basinc dagilimi ile gozler kapali stabilite arasinda anlamli iliski bulundu (sag p<0,001 r=0,725; sol p=0,013 r=0,544). Yurume sirasinda sag on ve sol arka ayaga yuk aktarimi ile koordinasyon (sag p=0,46 r=0,452; sol p=0,16 r=0,531) ve koordinasyon zamani (sag p=021 r=0,513; sol p=0,009 r=0,566) arasinda anlamli iliski bulundu. Sonuc: Yapilan calismalarda ayakta durus sirasinda postural kontrolu, her bir ayagin mekanik yuklenmesi gibi farkli mekanik kosullarin etkiledigi gosterilmistir. Bunun yaninda alt ekstremitede yuk dagiliminin farkli olmasinin koordinasyon paterninde degisiklige sebep olabilecegi dusunulmektedir. Calismamiz sonucunda yelken sporcularinin ayak basinc analizlerinin, yaptiklari spor icin onemli parametreler olan denge ve koordinasyonun etkilenimi ve gelistirilmesi acisinda onemini vurguladigimizi dusunmekteyiz.
Computer Vision and Image Understanding

This paper proposes methods for people re-identiﬁcation across non-overlapping cameras. We improve the robustness of re-identiﬁcation by using additional group features acquired from the groups of people detected by each camera. People are grouped by discriminatively classifying the spatio-temporal features of their trajectories into those of grouped people and non-grouped people. Thereafter, three group features are obtained in each group and utilized with other general features of each person (e.g., color histogram, transit time between cameras, etc.) for people re-identiﬁcation. Our experimental results have demonstrated improvements in people grouping and people re-identiﬁcation when our proposed methods have been applied to a public dataset.
Role of Maternal Provisioning in Controlling Interpopulation Variation in Hatching Size in the Marine Snail Nucella ostrina

This study examined the role of maternal provisioning in controlling interpopulation variation in hatching size in nine isolated populations of the intertidal gastropod Nucella ostrina, in which development to the early juvenile stage takes place within an egg capsule. Variation among populations was almost entirely due to the ratio of nurse eggs to embryo, which explained 65% of the variation in hatching size. Egg size was not a significant predictor of hatching size. Differences among seven of these populations in the nurse egg/embryo ratio were entirely due to the number of nurse eggs allocated per capsule; these populations allocated different numbers of nurse eggs per capsule but allocated the same number of embryos. Intriguingly, the two most wave-sheltered populations allocated significantly more nurse eggs and more embryos to each capsule than did the seven other populations, but they maintained nurse egg/embryo ratios consistent with patterns observed in the other populations. Inter- and intrapopulation variation in hatching size appears to be controlled largely by different mechanisms: within-population variation being controlled mainly by differences in allocation of embryos per capsule, whereas most among-population variation being due to differences in allocation of nurse eggs per capsule.
Inkjet-printed pixel antennas with hexagonal cells

We present a new type of pixel antennas involving hexagonal unit cells that are suitable for fabrication in low-cost inkjet-printing setups. Antennas are optimized in a rigorous simulation environment based on the multilevel fast multipole algorithm integrated into genetic algorithms. Hexagonal cells are suitable for both the optimization environment and fabrication setup. Optimizations are performed particularly to design radio-frequency-identification tags, by removing pixels from a given template to achieve the best performance, e.g., minimum reflection coefficient values and maximum reading ranges. The overall design, optimization, and fabrication procedure has a fast demand response, requiring only one day from a request to the prototype stage.
A simple method for determining critical speed as swimming fatigue threshold in competitive swimming.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the concept of the critical power could be applied to competitive swimming by using critical swimming speed (CS) as determined both in the swimming flume (CS-flume) and in the normal swimming pool (CS-pool) and whether CS could be utilized as a practical index for assessing a swimmer's endurance performance. CS defined as the swimming speed which could be theoretically maintained continuously without exhaustion was expressed as the slope of a regression line between swimming distance (D) and its duration (T) obtained at various swimming speeds. Eight highly trained swimmers were instructed to swim until onset of fatigue at four predetermined swimming speed levels in the swimming flume and at maximal effort over four different swimming distances in the swimming pool. In the results of CS-flume and CS-pool, the regression relations between D and T were expressed in the general form, D = a+b x T, with r2 being higher than 0.998 (p less than 0.01), respectively. These results both from the flume and the pool indicated extremely good linearity. Furthermore, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) during the incremental exercise test, swimming speed corresponding 4 mM of blood lactate concentration (V-OBLA) and mean velocity in the 400 m freestyle (V-400) were measured on each subject. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Goal neglect and Spearman's g: competing parts of a complex task.

In goal neglect, a person ignores some task requirement though being able to describe it. Goal neglect is closely related to general intelligence or C. Spearman's (1904) g (J. Duncan, H. Emslie, P. Williams, R. Johnson, & C. Freer, 1996). The authors tested the role of task complexity in neglect and the hypothesis that different task components in some sense compete for attention. In contrast to many kinds of attentional limits, increasing the real-time demands of one task component does not promote neglect of another. Neither does neglect depend on preparation for different possible events in a block of trials. Instead, the key factor is complexity in the whole body of knowledge specified in task instructions. The authors suggest that as novel activity is constructed, relevant facts, rules, and requirements must be organized into a "task model. " As this model increases in complexity, different task components compete for representation, and vulnerable components may be lost. Construction of effective task models is closely linked to g.
Conceptual Design and Performance Evaluation of a 35-kV/500-A Flux-Coupling-Type SFCL for Protection of a DFIG-Based Wind Farm

In this paper, a flux-coupling-type superconducting fault current limiter (SFCL) is suggested to protect a 15-MW class doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind farm. Detailed conceptual design and performance evaluation of the SFCL are conducted. From the technical requirements and operational parameters of the DFIG wind farm, a 35-kV/500-A flux-coupling-type SFCL is designed, taking into consideration: 1) the winding type, core selection, and inductance values of the coupling transformer (CT); and 2) the structural style, tape length, and quenching resistance of the superconducting coil (SC). By use of different simulation tools, the electrical and electromagnetic characteristics of the SFCL are evaluated. The results show that the maximum magnetic field of the CT is 2.4 T, and the ac loss of the SC is 0.51 W. Not only the electromagnetic properties and loss of the SFCL are acceptable, but also using the SFCL in the wind farm enables to suppress the fault current, compensate the voltage sag, and mitigate the wind power fluctuation. Thus, the robustness of the DFIG-based wind farm against the fault is enhanced, and the effectiveness of the proposed SFCL design is verified.
Synchronization of networked time-varying systems by nonlinear servomechanism design

This note considers the synchronization problem for a class of networked time-varying systems. The heterogenous subsystems are modeled as linear time-varying systems in normal form with uniform relative degree. The control object is to steer each subsystem's output towards a synchronous trajectory generated by a linear time-varying dynamical system. For each subsystem, the measurable information for feedback design is specified by a communication network in the chain form. A nonlinear servomechanism design procedure is proposed to solve the problem.
Enhancement of iontophoretic transport of diphenhydramine hydrochloride thermosensitive gel by optimization of pH, polymer concentration, electrode design, and pulse rate

The purpose of the present study was to explore the passive and electrically assisted transdermal transport of diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) by iontophoresis. For better bioavailability, better patient compliance, and enhanced delivery of DPH, an iontophoretic drug delivery system of a thermosensitive DPH gel was formulated using Lutrol F-127. The study was conducted using silver-silver chloride electrodes across hairless pig skin. The effects of pH, polymer concentration, electrode design, and pulse rate on the DPH permeation were investigated. The relationship between temperature, viscosity, and conductance of DPH was correlated using conductometry. Iontophoretic transport of DPH was found to increase with a decrease in the pH of the medium and an increase in the surface area of the electrode. Viscosity measurements and flux calculations indicated the suitability of the Lutrol gel for transdermal iontophoretic delivery of DPH. Anodal pulsed iontophoresis with disc electrode significantly increased the DPH skin permeation as compared with the passive controls.
LIVESTOCK HEALTH SUSTAINABILITY USING IOT IMAGE PROCESSING WITH CLOUD AND PREDICTIVE LEARNING

The Data analytics and Internet of things (IOT) is remodeling the health sector by enabling the expertise of the respective field to diagnose health of the subject from remote location and provide a level of automated solution with the provided data and overcome the very challenge of quick diagnose faced by the health sector. IOT technology helps in collecting information about conditions like temperature heartrate etc. Imaging processing of the captured images helps detecting and compression of the image to be stored efficiently and highlighting effected parts in the image. The Data Analytics will provide the patterns of relevant heath issues based on the factor liked Geographical presence, breed, Age, Gender etc. The Artificial Intelligence will provide first level of quick diagnose based on the patterns and history of similar treatment. This paper provides the latest available technique of the above relevant fields and applies it to the Livestock health diagnosing and proposes method of combining the all aspect of present digital information processing and analytics to provide the quick expertise diagnose for the farmer independent of the demographic, critical health condition of the Livestock which will eventually get the farmer to access the optimal economical maintenance and sustainability of his livestock.
Modélisation et simulation paramétrable d'objets déformables.Application aux traitements des cancers pulmonaires. (Deformable object model and simulation. Application to lung cancer treatment)

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Modélisation et simulation paramétrable d’objets déformables. Application aux traitements des cancers pulmonaires. Vincent Baudet