Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automated measurement of brain dimensions

This paper describes a technique for automating the measurement of brain width and angle at the level of the bi-parietal diameter, by processing an axial computed tomography (CT) brain scan image. The development of this algorithm derives from the wish to normalise patient data according to skull size and shape, for the purpose of comparing new patient data with that from past cases. This algorithm uses image processing techniques to find the inner edge of the cavity of the skull. The width and length of the brain are measured as inner dimensions of this bone periphery. The main challenges facing this work are the structural symmetry of the brain and the angle of rotation commonly encountered when working with axial CT images. Both of these must be takes into account prior to measuring the brain width and length. The algorithm was designed and tested to operate on a database containing CT brain scans from 530 patients. The results indicate that the algorithm has a 90.56% success rate.
Cooperation mode selection for maximizing throughput in wireless networks

Many works have been conducted on cooperation communication in wireless networks for recent years. Two main cooperative modes amplify-and-forward (AF) and decode-and-forward (DF) are proposed in literatures. In this paper, we present a novel cooperation mode selection method, Maximum Throughput Cooperation Mode (MTCM). MTCM selects optimal communication modes, including direct transmission, AF and DF to maximize the system throughput. In MTCM, the transmission errors are taken into consideration. The simulations are performed to validate the theoretical results.
L'inhibition de la voie Phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT induit un signal apoptotique via la redistribution du récepteur de mort CD95 dans les radeaux lipidiques

Le CD95 appartient a la famille du TNF-R. Il est capable de declencher un signal apoptotique et joue un role preponderant dans le maintien de l’homeostasie du systeme immunitaire et dans l’elimination de cellules infectees ou transformees. Suite a la fixation de son ligand le CD95L ou d’un anticorps agoniste, le CD95 recrute la proteine FADD, qui a son tour agrege les caspases initiatrices (i.e., caspase -8 et -10). Le complexe forme par le CD95, FADD et les caspases -8/10 est appele DISC, pour Deah Inducing Signaling Complex. Une fois le DISC forme, l’agregation des caspases initiatrices entraine leur activation, et la mort de la cellule par apoptose. Ce signal medie par CD95, peut etre module par la distribution ou l’exclusion du recepteur vis a vis des microdomaines membranaires ou radeaux lipidiques. Ces domaines de la membrane plasmique sont des structures membranaires enrichies en sphingolipides et cholesterol. La relocalisation de CD95 dans ces radeaux lipidiques permet d’amplifier le signal de mort. L’activation de la voie phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, est connue pour sa capacite a proteger les cellules tumorales du signal apoptotique medie par CD95, et a induire des mouvements lateraux de CD95 a la membrane. Nos travaux montrent que l’inhibition de la voie PI3K/Akt induit i) la relocalisation du CD95 dans les microdomaines et ii) l’induction du signal apoptotique CD95 independamment de la presence du ligand CD95L. Ainsi, nous mettons en evidence que la voie PI3K/Akt est capable d’augmenter le seuil d’activation du signal CD95 en agissant en amont de la formation du DISC ou de l’interaction CD95/CD95L, en maintenant le recepteur exclu des microdomaines.
Health-related quality-of-life of children with speech and language difficulties: A review of the literature

Abstract A review of the literature has been undertaken to examine health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) of children and adolescents with speech and language difficulties (SaLD), with a particular focus on evidence regarding the domains of HRQoL most affected by SaLD. Twelve electronic databases were searched for articles on this topic published from 1966 to January 2011. Seven studies suitable for inclusion were identified. These papers were reviewed in relation to their participants, sample size, study design, and outcome measures, which differed considerably across studies. From the studies reviewed, there is emerging evidence that HRQoL can be compromised for children and adolescents with SaLD relative to their peers, and some consensus that the social domain of HRQoL is most impacted. Overall, the review highlights a paucity of research in this area and recommendations are made as to how research may advance. Most importantly, studies examining the effect of child and family factors in mediating or moderating the relationship between SaLD and HRQoL are required. This knowledge will support the identification of children with SaLD at risk of poorer HRQoL outcomes and inform intervention strategies through the identification of relevant risk and protective factors.
Smart Cities – The Future of World

With the flourishing and advancing part of IoT and Cloud Computing, smart cities are becoming an emerging standard, having ubiquitous sensing, high level wireless network infrastructure, consisting of intelligent information processing and control systems. Smart city systems can monitor the real world and real time, and are able to provide smart services and solutions to local residents and travellers in terms of entertainment, healthcare, energy and transportation. But security and privacy concerns are still there as Smart city systems collect a wide range of sensitive data which is directly proportional to the privacy of people. Here in this paper, we have firstly introduced about the key ideas for upcoming enhancements for smart cities and their data management strategies. After that we have discussed many security and privacy challenges while applying for these applications in real world. Mainly, here in we have pointed out some technologies and key ideas which can be researched and implemented in the coming future.
Lean Government Concept and Design Over Service Administration in Indonesian ID Card

Bureaucracy in Indonesia have problematic in public services performance due to lack of apparatus resources quality. Here, the solution to solve the problem cannot fixed. By using the lean thinking concept, we can improve this problem to fix it. This concept namely lean government to find best solution whether the application of Lean Government concept with Lean Consumption Map (LCM) and DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control). This method can be applied in public services, especially in the Indonesian ID Card service process over Department of Population and Civil Registration of South Tangerang, West Java, Indonesia. In this study, we use qualitative research methods to obtained the data based on survey, observations, interview, analysis of documents and records or reports from Department of Population and Civil Registration, South Tangerang, West Java, Indonesia. The result showed, Value to Waste Ratio increased from 9.1% to 43% while in the provider side from 7.2% to 46%. This study shows that the Lean thinking methodology can be embraced by public services to create an efficient and effective process in reducing the service process time.
Cost of treatment: The single biggest obstacle to HIV/AIDS treatment adherence in lower-middle class patients in Mumbai, India

Background: This study analyzes the social, economic and behavioral factors most frequently associated with adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) in urban India. Materials and Methods: Data was collected in a metropolitan teaching hospital in Mumbai using a cross-sectional survey design. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 152 patients. The semistructured survey included both open and closed ended questions on socio-demographic, economic and behavioral factors. Factors affecting treatment adherence were analyzed. Results: The median age of patients was 40.5 years, 73% were males and all were heterosexual. Patients had been given ART from six months to five years (median is equal to 3.5). Ninety per cent lived at home and commuted to the clinic by bus or train. Behaviorally, 37% were sexually active, but only 55% used condoms. In assessing adherence, income, education, knowledge of their drugs, transportation, side effects, cost of treatment, distance from clinic and personal clinic satisfaction were analyzed. We found that 75% of patients reported cost of HAART to be the single greatest obstacle to adherence (p less than 0.01). Additionally, those claiming knowledge of their drugs were 2.3 times more likely to be adherent (p less than 0.03), while those who abused drugs or alcohol were 53% less likely to be adherent (p less than 0.03). There was no correlation with other factors. Conclusions: Our study population was representative of the lower middle class of India. It found that an educated, employed group considered the cost of treatment to be a significant obstacle for successful therapy. Additionally, it showed a significant increase in adherence when patients had knowledge of their HAART medications. Therefore, reducing the cost of medication as well as teaching about antiretroviral medications are both likely to improve adherence.
Role of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and In Vivo Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in the Differential Diagnosis of Ring-Enhancing Intracranial Cystic Mass Lesions

Objectives: Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (PMRS) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) were compared to determine which technique is more effective in the differential diagnosis of cystic intraparenchymal ring-enhancing lesions with variable perifocal edema. Methods: Fifty-two patients (abscesses [n = 29], tumor cysts [n = 20], and benign cysts [n = 3]) formed the basis for comparative evaluation in this study. The criteria for abscess diagnosis were apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values less than 0.9 ± 1.3 × 10−3 mm2/s and presence of lactate cytosolic amino acids (AAs) with/without succinate, acetate, alanine, and glycine on PMRS. Criteria for nonabscess cyst identification were ADC values of 1.7–3.8 × 10−3 mm2/s and presence of lactate and choline on PMRS. On the basis of these criteria, patients were categorized into abscess (n = 29) and nonabscess (n = 23) groups. Sensitivity and specificity of PMRS and DWI with respect to the final diagnosis were calculated based on the efficacy of these techniques. Results: Apparent diffusion coefficient values in 21 patients with abscesses were observed within the range of defined criteria, whereas in 8 patients, ADC values were beyond the range of defined criteria. Lactate and AAs with or without other metabolites were observed in 25 of 29 cases of abscesses on PMRS. In the nonabscess group, ADC values of cystic lesions in all patients were consistent with respect to the defined criteria. Only lactate was seen in 14 of 23 patients, whereas both lactate and choline were visible in 6 patients. In 3 patients with neurocysticercosis, AAs (n = 2), lactate (n = 3), acetate (n = 1), succinate (n = 3), choline (n = 2), and alanine (n = 3) were seen. The sensitivity of DWI and PMRS for differentiation of brain abscess from nonbrain abscess was 0.72 and 0.96, respectively, whereas the specificity was 1 for both techniques. Conclusion: Demonstration of restricted diffusion on DWI with reduced ADC is highly suggestive of brain abscess; however, in the absence of restriction, PMRS is mandatory to distinguish brain abscesses from cystic tumors.
Norwalk virus: How infectious is it?

Noroviruses are major agents of viral gastroenteritis worldwide. The infectivity of Norwalk virus, the prototype norovirus, has been studied in susceptible human volunteers. A new variant of the hit theory model of microbial infection was developed to estimate the variation in Norwalk virus infectivity, as well as the degree of virus aggregation, consistent with independent (electron microscopic) observations. Explicit modeling of viral aggregation allows us to express virus infectivity per single infectious unit (particle). Comparison of a primary and a secondary inoculum showed that passage through a human host does not change Norwalk virus infectivity. We estimate the average probability of infection for a single Norwalk virus particle to be close to 0.5, exceeding that reported for any other virus studied to date. Infected subjects had a dose‐dependent probability of becoming ill, ranging from 0.1 (at a dose of 103 NV genomes) to 0.7 (at 108 virus genomes). A norovirus dose response model is important for understanding its transmission and essential for development of a quantitative risk model. Norwalk virus is a valuable model system to study virulence because genetic factors are known for both complete and partial protection; the latter can be quantitatively described as heterogeneity in dose response models. J. Med. Virol. 80:1468–1476, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Male heterozygosity predicts territory size, song structure and reproductive success in a cooperatively breeding bird

Recent studies of non–social animals have shown that sexually selected traits signal at least one measure of genetic quality: heterozygosity. To determine whether similar cues reveal group quality in more complex social systems, we examined the relationship between territory size, song structure and heterozygosity in the subdesert mesite (Monias benschi), a group–living bird endemic to Madagascar. Using nine polymorphic microsatellite loci, we found that heterozygosity predicted both the size of territories and the structure of songs used to defend them: more heterozygous groups had larger territories, and more heterozygous males used longer, lower–pitched trills in their songs. Heterozygosity was linked to territory size and song structure in males, but not in females, implying that these traits are sexually selected by female choice and/or male–male competition. To our knowledge, this study provides the first direct evidence in any animal that territory size is related to genetic diversity. We also found a positive association between seasonal reproductive success and heterozygosity, suggesting that this heritable characteristic is a reliable indicator of group quality and fitness. Given that heterozygosity predicts song structure in males, and can therefore be determined by listening to acoustic cues, we identify a mechanism by which social animals may assess rival groups, prospective partners and group mates, information of potential importance in guiding decisions related to conflict, breeding and dispersal.
Induced fit activation mechanism of the exceptionally specific serine protease, complement factor D.

We have investigated the mechanism by which the complement protease, Factor D, achieves its high specificity for the cleavage of Factor B in complex with C3(H2O). Kinetic experiments showed that Factor B and C3(H2O) associate with a KD of >/=2.5 microM and that Factor D acts on this complex with a second-order rate constant of kcat/KM >/= 2 x 10(6) M-1 s-1, close to the rate of a diffusion-controlled reaction for proteins of this size. In contrast, Factor D, which is a member of the trypsin family of serine proteases, was 10(3)-10(4)-fold less active than trypsin toward both thioester and p-nitroanilide substrates containing an arginine at P1. Furthermore, peptides spanning the Factor B cleavage site were not detectably cleaved by Factor D (kcat/KM </= 0.5 M-1 s-1). These results imply that contacts between Factor D and the C3(H2O)B complex, outside the vicinity of the cleavage site in Factor B, generate >/=9 kcal/mol of binding energy to stabilize the transition state for reaction. In support of this, we demonstrate that chemical modification of Factor D at a single lysine residue that is distant from the active site abolishes the activity of the enzyme toward Factor B while not affecting activity toward small synthetic substrates. We propose that Factor D may exemplify a special case of the induced fit mechanism in which the requirement for conformational activation of the enzyme results in a substantial increase in substrate specificity.
Nanophotonics technology for advanced quantum dot/photonic crystal device and metal/semiconductor plasmonic device

Nano-photonic structures/materials such as surface plasmon and negative-index material as well as quantum dots (QD) and photonic crystals (PCs) are discussed from potentials for new photonic devices and technologies. PC slab waveguides and QDs were developed for key photonic devices such as ultra-small and ultrafast symmetrical Mach-Zehnder (SMZ)-type all-optical switch (PC-SMZ) and an optical flip-flop device (PC-FF). We have studied energy-saving light/matter interaction in a PC waveguide with emphasis on virtual-excitation-based nonlinear effects such as optical Kerr effect. We have also demonstrated a new RGB color filter on Al film with sub-wavelength holes in a large area with a high precision and optical beam-steering device with a wide steering angle.
Neural network acoustic models for the DARPA RATS program

We present a comparison of acoustic modeling techniques for the DARPA RATS program in the context of spoken term detection (STD) on speech data with severe channel distortions. Our main ﬁndings are that both Multi-Layer Perceptrons (MLPs) and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) outperform Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs) on a very difﬁcult LVCSR task. We discuss pre-training, feature sets and training procedures, as well as weight sharing and shift invariance to increase robustness against channel distortions. We obtained about 20% error rate reduction over our state-of-the-art GMM system. Ad-ditionally, we found that CNNs work very well for spoken term detection, as a result of better lattice oracle rates compared to GMMs and MLPs.
Online Word-of-Mouth Reviews

During the past two decades, B2C e-commerce has been developed rapidly and more and more consumers are accustomed to online shopping. In practice, some specific Internet platforms such as consumer review sites, online discussion forums, electronic bulletin board systems, blogs, and social network sites have significant impacts on a consumer’s purchase decision. On these Internet platforms, information about a product such as its price, characteristics, and quality, spreads more quickly and widely. This online word-of-mouth (WOM) appraisal of the product eventually attracts more consumers to be concerned with this information before their purchase decisions. To take advantage of online WOM, many firms have launched different marketing or service programs on Internet platforms mentioned above as a new marketing tool (Dellarocas, 2003). For instance, since 2009, Ford has made heavy use of online social media to build awareness and buzz for their new vehicle by conducting the “Ford Fiesta Movement” campaign. The company engaged with the online community by inviting 100 young people to live with the car for six months and to report on their experiences on a variety of social media, including Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and YouTube. Each of these “agents” completed monthly special missions based on a theme which were designed to be fun experiences. The campaign was a great success in terms of overall marketing cost, creating hype and keeping the vehicle in the eyes of the public. Owing to its huge influence on consumers and firms, online WOM has also received increasing attention from researchers. For instance, Phelps et al. (2004) and Park and Lee (2009) explained the reasons why online WOM is more influential than traditional WOM; Cheung and Lee (2012) investigated the factors that drive consumers to spread WOM in online consumer opinion platforms; Lee and Lee (2009) analyzed the consequences of online WOM; and Lee et al. (2008) and East et al. (2008) divided the online WOM into positive and negative effects, and explored their influence on consumers’ judgment and purchase behavior. While most previous literature focused on a single aspect of online WOM, there are few studies presenting an overview on this research issue. In this chapter, to facilitate researchers entering this area quickly, we review previous studies on online WOM. We divide previous literature into the following three streams and discuss them in detail, including
Effect of training on the activity of five muscle enzymes studied on elite cross-country skiers.

This study examines the effect of training intensity on the activity of enzymes in m. vastus lateralis. Elite junior cross-country skiers of both sexes trained 12-15 h weeks-1 for 5 months at either moderate (60-70% of VO2max, MIG) or high training intensity (80-90% of the VO2max, close to the lactate threshold; HIG). Muscle biopsies for enzyme analyses and fibre typing were taken before and after the training period. Histochemical analyses on single fibres were done for three enzymes (succinate dehydrogenase [SDH], hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase [HBDH], glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase [GPDH]), while the activity of citrate synthase [CS] and phosphofructokinase [PFK] was measured on whole biopsies. The activity of GPDH was low in ST fibres and high in FT fibres. The activity of SDH and HBDH was high in both ST and FTa fibres but low in the FTb fibres. The HIG increased their performance more than the MIG did during the training period as judged from scores on a 20-min run test. The SDH activity rose by 6% for the HIG (P < 0.02). No effects of training were found in the activities of CS, HBDH or GPDH, neither in the two training groups nor for the two genders (P > or = 0.16). The PFK activity fell by 10% for the HIG (P=0.02), while no change was found for the MIG. For GPDH, CS and SDH the women's activity was approximately 20% less than the value for the men (P < 0.03). For PFK and HBDH there was no sex difference (P > or = 0.27). There were positive correlations between the activity of three of the enzymes (CS, SDH and GPDH) and the performance parameters (VO2max, cross-country skiing and running performance; r > or = 0.6, P < 0.01). No correlations were found between the PFK or HBDH activities and the performance parameters (r < or = 0.16, P > 0.05). This study suggests that intensities near the lactate threshold affect biochemical and physiological parameters examined in this study as well as the performance of elite skiers, and that the rate-limiting enzymes may be more sensitive to training than non-rate-limiting enzymes.
Construção do pensamento espacial crítico: o papel da leitura e da escrita no ensino da geografia.

El articulo indica los elementos considerados fundamentales para el proceso de construccion del conocimiento geografico en la escuela. Con este fin, se hace uso en la primera parte de la construccion de conceptos en Vygotski como una dimension teorica capaz de orientar los procesos de aprendizaje en la ensenanza de la geografia, lo que resultaria en la construccion de un pensamiento espacial por parte del estudiante. La segunda parte se refiere al papel de la lectura y la escrita como actividades escolares potenciales al proceso de construccion de los conceptos de la geografia. Palabras clave: ensenanza de la geografia, construccion de conceptos, pensamiento espacial.
Gaze Behavior of Young and Older Adults During Stair Walking

The authors quantitatively described gaze behavior of young (n = 10) and older (n = 10) adults during stair negotiation, which is information that is crucial for understanding the underlying visuomotor control of stair walking and the effects of aging on this control. Both age groups spent the majority of time looking at central aspects of the stairs approximately 3 steps ahead. Older adults showed less variability in the extent to which they looked ahead (p < .05), and all participants fixated the stairs for briefer periods during descent as opposed to ascent (p < .001). Older adults fixated stairs significantly longer than did young adults before stepping onto the stairs (p < .05). The authors conclude that adults need central visual information describing future stepping locations and that there are age-related differences in visual sampling that reflect changes in the visuomotor control processes subserving locomotion.