Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Locally focused mri

Conventional magnetic resonance images are reconstructed by Fourier transformation and have uniform spatial resolution across the entire field of view (FOV). This paper describes a way of creating MR images that have higher spatial resolution in some areas than in others. High resolution imaging can be confined to just those areas where it is necessary to resolve strong edges without truncation artifact. Such locally focused images can be acquired in less scan time than that required to image the entire FOV with uniformly high resolution. Images are reconstructed from a subset of the usual phase‐encoded signals required to create a uniformly well‐resolved image. The measured signals are usually nonuniformly scattered in k‐space. Functional and interventional imaging may benefit from this technique, which makes it possible to acquire a rapid series of dynamical images that have high resolution in areas of expected change and lower resolution elsewhere. Spectroscopic images may be improved by using high resolution in the neighborhood of sharp edges (e.g., scalp lipids) that might otherwise cause truncation artifacts.
Optimization of feature selection method for high dimensional data using fisher score and minimum spanning tree

For classification of High Dimensional data, feature selection is the most important step for obtaining optimal result with respect to processing power required and time taken. Feature selection is a method by which the most relevant feature is selected from a set of features containing redundant and irrelevant features thereby reducing the load on the classification algorithm. This paper proposes an implementation of this method in a two tier structure. In the first step, a high ranking feature is selected using the well-known filter based algorithm - Fisher Score. This algorithm selects the relevant feature from the feature set based on a preset threshold. The second step generates a cluster of redundant features utilizing MST (Minimum Spanning Tree) algorithm, which are then filtered out to preserve the most relevant features out of each cluster. This increases the classification accuracy as well as running time and hence the computation cost. The efficacy of the presented approach was validated by comparing the same with other well-known feature selection algorithms: Fisher Score, CFS and ConsSF with respect to three classifiers: IB1, C4.5, and Naïve Bayes. The presented approach achieved higher Classification accuracy and lower run time.
Identifying activity boundaries for activity recognition in smart environments

Activity recognition in smart environments is an important technology for assisted living and e-health. Recently there are growing interests in applying machine learning algorithms to activity recognition tasks. In this paper, we combine support vector machine (SVM) and association rule learning to improve the performance of activity recognition based on streaming sensor data in smart homes. The proposed approach allows us to accurately identify the activity boundaries, hence reducing activity recognition errors in the system.
Effect of inhaled formoterol and budesonide on exacerbations of asthma. Formoterol and Corticosteroids Establishing Therapy (FACET) International Study Group.

BACKGROUND The role of long-acting, inhaled beta2-agonists in treating asthma is uncertain. In a double-blind study, we evaluated the effects of adding inhaled formoterol to both lower and higher doses of the inhaled glucocorticoid budesonide. METHODS After a four-week run-in period of treatment with budesonide (800 microg twice daily), 852 patients being treated with glucocorticoids were randomly assigned to one of four treatments given twice daily by means of a dry-powder inhaler (Turbuhaler): 100 microg of budesonide plus placebo, 100 microg of budesonide plus 12 microg of formoterol, 400 microg of budesonide plus placebo, or 400 microg of budesonide plus 12 microg of formoterol. Terbutaline was permitted as needed. Treatment continued for one year; we compared the frequency of exacerbations of asthma, symptoms, and lung function in the four groups. A severe exacerbation was defined by the need for oral glucocorticoids or a decrease in the peak flow to more than 30 percent below the base-line value on two consecutive days. RESULTS The rates of severe and mild exacerbations were reduced by 26 percent and 40 percent, respectively, when formoterol was added to the lower dose of budesonide. The higher dose of budesonide alone reduced the rates of severe and mild exacerbations by 49 percent and 37 percent, respectively. Patients treated with formoterol and the higher dose of budesonide had the greatest reductions -- 63 percent and 62 percent, respectively. Symptoms of asthma and lung function improved with both formoterol and the higher dose of budesonide, but the improvements with formoterol were greater. CONCLUSIONS In patients who have persistent symptoms of asthma despite treatment with inhaled glucocorticoids, the addition of formoterol to budesonide therapy or the use of a higher dose of budesonide may be beneficial. The addition of formoterol to budesonide therapy improves symptoms and lung function without lessening the control of asthma.
Differential expression of pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators induced by nitrogen dioxide and ozone in primary human bronchial epithelial cells

Abstract Context: NO2 and O3 are ubiquitous air toxicants capable of inducing lung damage to the respiratory epithelium. Due to their oxidizing capabilities, these pollutants have been proposed to target specific biological pathways, but few publications have compared the pathways activated. Objective: This work will test the premise that NO2 and O3 induce toxicity by activating similar cellular pathways. Methods: Primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs, n = 3 donors) were exposed for 2 h at an air-liquid interface to 3 ppm NO2, 0.75 ppm O3, or filtered air and harvested 1 h post-exposure. To give an overview of pathways that may be influenced by each exposure, gene expression was measured using PCR arrays for toxicity and oxidative stress. Based on the results, genes were selected to quantify whether expression changes were changed in a dose- and time-response manner using NO2 (1, 2, 3, or 5 ppm), O3 (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, or 1.00 ppm), or filtered air and harvesting 0, 1, 4 and 24 h post-exposure. Results: Using the arrays, genes related to oxidative stress were highly induced with NO2 while expression of pro-inflammatory and vascular function genes was found subsequent to O3. NO2 elicited the greatest HMOX1 response, whereas O3 more greatly induced IL-6, IL-8 and PTGS2 expression. Additionally, O3 elicited a greater response 1 h post-exposure and NO2 produced a maximal response after 4 h. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that these two oxidant gases stimulate differing mechanistic responses in vitro and these responses occur at dissimilar times.
Unexplained Physical Complaints

‘Hypochondria’, ‘hypochondriasis’, and ‘somatisation’ are terms long used to characterise individuals who display unrelenting somatic symptoms that cannot be medically explained. A psychiatric aetiology for such phenomena is often assumed on the basis of potential psychological gain, the presence of ‘stressors’, the co-existence of unexplained somatic symptom and symptoms of depression or anxiety, or merely the absence of a medical explanation.
Influence of niobium pentoxide addition on the properties of glass ionomer cements

Abstract Objective: To determine the influence of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) addition on the physical and chemical properties of glass ionomer cements (GICs). Materials and methods: Five, 10 or 20 wt. % of Nb2O5 were incorporated into commercial GICs (Maxxion R, Vitro Molar, Vitro Fil R) and one group of each GIC remained without Nb2O5 (control groups). The GICs were evaluated by Knoop hardness, compressive strength, acid erosion, particle size and radiopacity. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's test. Results: The addition of 10% and 20% reduced the microhardness of two GICs (p < .05). Compressive strength showed no difference among groups (p > .05). Nb2O5 did not influence Maxxion R and Vitro Fil R regarding the acid erosion test (p > .05). Vitro Molar increased its acid erosion with 10% of Nb2O5 (p < .05). Maxxion R presented 15.78 μm, while Vitro Molar and Vitro Fil R showed 5.14 μm and 6.18 μm, respectively. As the Nb2O5 concentration increased, the radiopacity increased for all groups. Vitro Molar and Vitro Fil R did not present significant difference to at least 1 mm aluminum (p > .05). Conclusion: The addition of 5 wt. % Nb2O5 did not affect the tested physical and chemical properties of the GICs and improved the radiopacity of one of the cements. These materials are therefore suitable for further testing of biomimetic remineralization properties.
Actin Interacting Protein1 and Actin Depolymerizing Factor Drive Rapid Actin Dynamics in Physcomitrella patens[W]

This study evaluates the effect of two actin binding proteins (AIP1 and ADF) on F-actin dynamics in moss. Whereas AIP1 enhances F-actin turnover, ADF is required for it. The remodeling of actin networks is required for a variety of cellular processes in eukaryotes. In plants, several actin binding proteins have been implicated in remodeling cortical actin filaments (F-actin). However, the extent to which these proteins support F-actin dynamics in planta has not been tested. Using reverse genetics, complementation analyses, and cell biological approaches, we assessed the in vivo function of two actin turnover proteins: actin interacting protein1 (AIP1) and actin depolymerizing factor (ADF). We report that AIP1 is a single-copy gene in the moss Physcomitrella patens. AIP1 knockout plants are viable but have reduced expansion of tip-growing cells. AIP1 is diffusely cytosolic and functions in a common genetic pathway with ADF to promote tip growth. Specifically, ADF can partially compensate for loss of AIP1, and AIP1 requires ADF for function. Consistent with a role in actin remodeling, AIP1 knockout lines accumulate F-actin bundles, have fewer dynamic ends, and have reduced severing frequency. Importantly, we demonstrate that AIP1 promotes and ADF is essential for cortical F-actin dynamics.
Performance reconnaissance of stormwater proprietary best management practices

This paper presents a study to investigate the relative pollutant removal effectiveness of three proprietary end-of-pipe Best Management Practices (BMPs), namely, Baysaver, CDS, and Stormceptor. In this study, controlled conditions were used in order to provide documentation for the performance of the BMPs. For that purpose, a prototype facility was constructed at the University of Central Florida. For each BMP, five tests were conducted with five different flow rates: 1.6, 1.28, 0.96, 0.64, and 0.32 cfs. The monitored pollutants were sediments, nutrients, metals, and litters such as organic leaves, soda cans, plastic bottles, and cigarette butts and boxes. The results showed that some of the pollutants decreased in concentration while others increased between the influent and the effluent of the units. TSS load reductions for Baysaver, CDS and Stormceptor were 62.2%, 71.2%, and 83%, respectively. The performances of the studied BMPs for the pollutants were different. All the studied BMPs had good performance in removing the large sediment particles and litter. However, CDS had lower average inflow velocities in all tests than Baysaver and Stormceptor, causing sediment accumulation in the CDS inlet pipe. This study also showed that there was an increase in the total nitrogen concentration in Stormceptor while the nitrate/nitrite concentration increased in Baysaver and CDS. Other factors that should be considered in BMP evaluation are also presented in this paper.
Negotiating Respect: Patterns of Presentation among Black Women

traditions of black women in particular. However, a fairly large body of information about such sex-specific expressive capacities can be found in the autobiographical writings of black women themselves and in social scientific descriptions, a literature that tells us something about the content, if not always the devices and techniques, of black female presentations. To get at this material from a folkloristic perspective, it is necessary to analyze more conversational traditions than folklorists are generally committed to studying. Presentational devices are not unique to black women or characteristic of them but are common to all segments of the black community and as such they need to be studied to gain a fuller knowledge of what is unique to the female repertoire of presentational strategies and styles. This essay will attempt to unite the concerns of role theory and commonsense social structure as pursued by symbolic interactionists with the more usual perspectives of a performance-centered theory of folkloristics.
Analysis and design of a novel compact UWB antenna

A novel compact planar circular slot UWB antenna with rectangular patch is proposed. The antenna is similar in configuration to a conventional planar circular slot microstrip antenna, but there is a rectangular patch in the middle of the circular slot. By this way, the antenna can achieve ultra-wideband characteristic and very small size, In the experiment results, the impedance bandwidth of the antenna covers a frequency range between 2.4 GHz to 12 GHz, which means the ratio impedance bandwidth reachs 5:1. Moreover, the physical size of the antenna is only 35 mm times 35 mm . Having ultra-wideband characteristic and compact and planar structure, the antenna is suitable for UWB communications.
MolyPoly: immersive gesture controlled chemistry teaching system

Currently, first-year chemistry students at the University of Tasmania learn about three-dimensional molecular structures using a combination of lectures, tutorials, and practical hands-on experience with molecular chemistry kits. We have developed a basic 3D molecule construction simulation, called MolyPoly, to help students grasp the concepts of chemistry easily through immersion and natural interaction with 3D molecules. It was designed to augment the teaching of organic chemistry with enhanced natural interaction and 3D visualization techniques. This paper presents the results of a pilot study conducted with the aforementioned chemistry class. Participating students were split into two groups; MolyPoly and traditional. The results demonstrated that the two groups have achieved similar learning outcomes at the end of the four (4) class sessions.
A New Anatomic Variation: Coexistence of Both Dandy–Walker Variant and Ophthalmic Artery Originating From Contralateral Internal Carotid Artery

AbstractThe authors report on 1 patient of variant origin of right ophthalmic artery (OA) from ophthalmic segment of the left internal carotid artery. A 41-year-old man was performed magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography. Cerebral MR imaging revealed a Dandy–Walker variant. In MR angiography the authors observed this unusual variant of origin of OA and a complete occlusion of right internal carotid artery. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first patient who has coincidence of both Dandy–Walker variant and origin of OA from contralateral internal carotid artery. Careful observation of MR angiography images with maximum intensity projection is very important for detecting rare vascular variations.
Continuum Formulation for Non-Equilibrium Shock Structure Calculation

Are extensions to continuum formulations for solving fluid dynamic prob- lems in the transition-to-rarefied regimes viable alternatives to particle methods? It is well known that for increasingly rarefied flowfields, the predictions from continuum formulation, such as the Navier-Stokes equations lose accuracy. These inaccuracies are attributed primarily to the linear approximations of the stress and heat flux terms in the Navier-Stokes equations. The inclusion of higher-order terms, such as Burnett or high- order moment equations, could improve the predictive capabilities of such continuum formulations, but there has been limited success in the shock structure calculations, es- pecially for the high Mach number case. Here, after reformulating the viscosity and heat conduction coefficients appropriate for the rarefied flow regime, we will show that the Navier-Stokes-type continuum formulation may still be properly used. The equations with generalization of the dissipative coefficients based onthe closed solution of the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (BGK) model of the Boltzmann equation, are solved using the gas-kinetic numerical scheme. This paper concentrates on the non-equilibrium shock structure calculations for both monatomic and diatomic gases. The Landau-Teller-Jeans relaxation model for the rotational energy is used to evaluate the quantitative difference between the translational and rotational temperatures inside the shock layer. Variations of shear stress, heat flux, temperatures, and densities in the internal structure of the shock waves are compared with, (a) existing theoretical solutions of the Boltzmann so- lution, (b) existing numerical predictions of the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method, and (c) available experimental measurements. The present continuum formu- lation for calculating the shock structures for monatomic and diatomic gases in the Mach number range of 1.2 to 12.9 is found to be satisfactory.
Variations among complement fixation antigens prepared from the 6BC ornithosis agent or from Herellea-like bacteria.

Previous reports (12,13,14) described the nature of the crossreaction between a specific Herellea-like bacterium (HL) and antiornithosis antibodies in turkey serums in the complement-fixation test. The high correlation between the positive reactions indicated use of the safe, readily available bacterial antigen as an aid in the diagnosis of ornithosis in turkey flocks. However, reciprocal absorption tests showed that the common antigenic component (s) in the reaction were not identical, and that the antigenic capacity varied with individual serums. In addition, the activity of the common antibody component (s) varied with different animal species. Various strains of Bacterium anitratum biochemically related to the HL bacterium have been isolated from mammalian and avian species (1,3,5,7,8,16). A flock infected with B. anitratum would pose a problem if the bacterial antigen were used in the diagnostic test for ornithosis. This paper describes the antigenicities of different batches of the HL and ornithosis antigens using antiserums from individuals of several animal species and an agglutination test which distinguishes between infections caused by ornithosis and those caused by the HL bacterium.
Haploinsufficiency of hTERT Leads to Telomere Dysfunction and Radiosensitivity in Human Cancer Cells

One of the most consistent differences between cancer cells and normal somatic cells is the expression of telomerase, an enzyme that is important for maintenance of chromsome ends, or telomeres. It is believed that telomerase expression allows cancer cells to maintain their telomeres after many cell divisions and thereby avoid replicative senescence. We have tested this hypothesis by targeting the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the telomerase holoenzyme, hTERT, in a human cancer cell line. Heterozygous disruption of hTERT led to a reduction in telomerase activity, telomere shortening, activation of DNA damage signaling and the appearance of a subpopulation of cells that displayed features of senescence. Targeted cells were radiosensitive, as compared with parental controls that had two intact hTERT alleles, and expressed a classical marker of senescence after irradiation. These results suggest that telomerase inhibitors might be useful in the sensitization of cancer cells to DNA damaging agents.
Analyse zellulärer Immunreaktionen nach Gabe von Aprotinin bei Patienten mit Herzoperationen

Aprotinin wird sowohl in systemischer Applikationsform als auch lokal als Bestandteil von Fibrinklebern zur perioperativen Blutungsverringerung angewendet. Als Fremdantigen kann es das Immunsystem sensibilisieren und bei Reexposition anaphylaktische Nebenwirkungen verursachen. Die vorliegende Arbeit sollte die zellulare Immunreaktion bei Patienten untersuchen, die Aprotinin erstund einmalig in systemischer, lokaler oder kombinierter Applikationsform erhielten. Es wurde die Proliferation der aus peripherem Patientenblut gewonnenen Lymphozyten mit dem Antigen Aprotinin im Lymphozytenproliferationstest (LTT) bestimmt, und zwar vor Exposition sowie eine, vier und zwolf Wochen nach Exposition. Desweiteren wurden die Zytokine IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-5, IL10, IL-12, γ-IFN und GM-CSF in den Uberstanden der Lymphozytenkulturen und in den Patientenseren mittels ELISA sowie die Expression der Zytokin mRNA in den Lymphozyten mittels PCR bestimmt. Die Lymphozytenproliferation zeigte unabhangig vom Applikationsmodus in allen drei Gruppen beginnend 4 Wochen nach Exposition eine Sensibilisierung des Immunsystems. Die Zytokinspiegel in Uberstanden in Aprotininstimulierten Lymphozyten nach einund erstmaliger Gabe veranderten sich in den drei Gruppen im Verlauf nicht signifikant, IL-6 und IL-10 wurden allerdings auffallig haufig produziert. Eine eindeutige Zuordnung der Immunantwort zu Typ1bzw. Typ2-Reaktion lies sich nicht nachweisen. In Einzelfallen scheint Aprotinin aber Typ2-Reaktionen (IL-5) zu stimulieren. Die Zytokine in den Patientenseren zeigten keine wesentlichen Veranderungen. Diese Daten zeigen, das Aprotinin immunkompetente Zellen und insbesondere TH1/Typ1bzw. TH2/Typ2-Reaktionen in der Gesamtheit nicht signifikant beeinflust, aber in Einzelfallen eine TH2-Antwort induzieren kann. Dazu wurde passen, das zwar gelegentlich Nebenwirkungsreaktionen in Form von anaphylaktischen Reaktionen auftreten, diese jedoch im Hinblick auf die haufige Applikation von Aprotinin doch sehr selten sind. Dennoch sollte, wie bereits von anderen Autoren gefordert, eine eventuelle fruhere Aprotiningabe sorgfaltig evaluiert werden. Eine mogliche Reexposition sollte nur unter strenger Indikationsstellung und unter Anaphylaxieprophylaxe erfolgen.
Dichotomous Anatomical Properties of Adult Striatal Medium Spiny Neurons

Principal medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs) of the striatum have long been thought to be homogeneous in their somatodendritic morphology and physiology. Recent work using transgenic mice, in which the two major classes of MSN are labeled, has challenged this assumption. To explore the basis for this difference, D1 and D2 receptor-expressing MSNs (D1 and D2 MSNs) in brain slices from adult transgenic mice were characterized electrophysiologically and anatomically. These studies revealed that D1 MSNs were less excitable than D2 MSNs over a broad range of developmental time points. Although M1 muscarinic receptor signaling was a factor, it was not sufficient to explain the dichotomy between D1 and D2 MSNs. Reconstructions of biocytin-filled MSNs revealed that the physiological divergence was paralleled by a divergence in total dendritic area. Experimentally grounded simulations suggested that the dichotomy in MSN dendritic area was a major contributor to the dichotomy in electrophysiological properties. Thus, rather than being an intrinsically homogenous population, striatal MSNs have dichotomous somatodendritic properties that mirror differences in their network connections and biochemistry.
Genome‐Wide Association Study for Nine Plant Architecture Traits in Sorghum

The 101 SNPs were associated with at least one of nine plant architecture traits KS3 gene was associated with variation in seed number GA2ox5 gene included in a significant region on chromosome 9 controlling plant height Novel genomic regions were associated with stem circumference and internode number Novel genomic regions were associated with tiller number, panicle exsertion, and length