Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modified NEMA NU-2 performance evaluation methods for a brain-dedicated PET system with a hemispherical detector arrangement

Brain PET imaging has important roles in neurology, neuro-oncology and molecular imaging research. We have developed a helmet-type PET prototype and have shown that the proposed hemispherical geometry had high potential for realizing high-sensitivity and low-cost brain imaging. However, there is no standard performance evaluation method for helmet-type PET, which would be a bottleneck to its commercialization. Therefore, we investigated appropriate performance evaluation methods for a helmet-type PET based on the NEMA NU 2-2018 standards. For those measurement methods that are not applicable to the helmet-type PET, we changed them while keeping the basic concept of the original NEMA standards. We measured spatial resolution, sensitivity, scatter fraction, count rate characteristics, accuracy of corrections for count losses and randoms, and image quality. We partially changed the measurement methods by making brain-size phantoms and by optimizing the length or the position of radioactive sources. The spatial resolution was 2.8 mm at 1-cm offset position by the filtered back-projection method. Sensitivities measured by the NEMA original setup and the proposed setup were 13.4 and 57.1 kcps/MBq. The respective values measured with our developed brain-size scatter phantom and with the conventional whole-body-size scatter phantom were: scatter fractions of 35% and 35%; peak NECRs of 25.1 kcps at 3.2 kBq/ml and 19.8 kcps at 2.6 kBq/ml ; and maximum absolute biases of 5.5% and 16.0%. The image quality was evaluated with the developed brain-size phantom, and good image quality was obtained. The helmet-type PET prototype showed high-sensitivity even with the small number of 54 detectors. The spatial resolution was better than 4.0 mm over the field-of-view. In conclusion, we proposed the performance evaluation methods for a brain-dedicated PET system with a hemispherical geometry. The proposed method could facilitate evaluation of performance characteristics of brain-dedicated PET scanners and optimization of its scanning and reconstruction parameters.
The Economics of Higher Purpose : Eight Counterintuitive Steps for Creating a Purpose-Driven Organization Ed. 1

Two distinguished scholars offer eight steps to help organizations discover and embrace an authentic higher purpose—something that will dramatically improve every aspect of any enterprise, including the bottom line. What does a lofty notion like purpose have to do with business basics like the bottom line? Robert E. Quinn and Anjan J. Thakor say pretty much everything. Leaders and managers are taught that employees are self-interested and work resistant, so they create systems of control to combat these expectations. Workers resent these systems, and performance suffers. To address the performance issues, managers double down on the coercion, creating a vicious cycle and a self-fulfilling prophecy. But there is a better way. Quinn and Thakor show that when an authentic higher purpose permeates business strategy and decision-making, the cycle is broken. Employers and employees see themselves as working together toward an inspiring goal, not just trying to hit quarterly targets. They fully engage, become proactive contributors, and, ironically, easily exceed those quarterly targets. Based on their widely acclaimed Harvard Business Review article, Quinn and Thakor offer eight sometimes surprising steps for shifting from a transaction-oriented mind-set focused on constraints to a purpose-oriented mind-set focused on possibility. This iconoclastic book will help any organization discover its authentic purpose and weave it into the fabric of everything it does, leading to unprecedented levels of personal satisfaction, service and product innovation, and economic growth.
The Effect of Group Counseling Intervention on the Performance of Rural Students on the Georgia High School Graduation Tests

With an increase in high-stakes testing, educators continue to search for the best methodologies for assisting students in maximizing academic achievement and successful completion of graduation requirements including mandatory tests for high school graduation. At the time of this study, students graduating from Georgia high schools were required to pass five academic subject area tests in order to receive a high school diploma. The Georgia High School Graduation Tests (GHSGT) tested English language arts, math, science, and social studies while the Georgia High School Writing Test (GHSWT) assessed writing. Psychometric theory, social cognitive theory, and cognitive behavioral theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. Students from a rural high school in Georgia comprised the sample. This quantitative study employed a posttest-only control group design with randomization. Students who had failed at least one of the GHSGT were randomly placed into control and treatment groups. Students in the treatment group participated in an 8-session group guidance program, Student Success Skills. Control and treatment groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests for math, social studies, and English language arts due to abnormal data and small sample sizes. The results of this study found no significant difference between the groups’ test scores.
A user guide to environmental protistology: primers, metabarcoding, sequencing, and analyses

Protists – all eukaryotes besides fungi, animals, and plants - represent a major part of the taxonomic and functional diversity of eukaryotic life on the planet and drive many ecosystem processes. However, knowledge of protist communities and their diversity lags behind that of most other groups of organisms, largely due to methodological constraints. While protist communities differ markedly between habitats and biomes, they can be studied in very similar ways. Here we provide a guide to current molecular approaches used for studying protist diversity, with a particular focus on amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing (metabarcoding). We highlight that the choice of suitable primers artificially alters community profiles observed in metabarcoding studies. While there are no true ‘universal’ primers to target all protist taxa as a whole, we identify some primer combinations with a wide taxonomic coverage and provide detailed information on their properties. Although environmental protistan ecological research will probably shift towards PCR-free metagenomics or/and transcriptomic approaches in a near future, metabarcoding will remain the method of choice for in-depth community analyses and taxon inventories in biodiversity surveys and ecological studies, due its great cost-efficiency, sensitivity, and throughput. In this paper we provide a guide for scientists from a broad range of disciplines to implement protists in their ecological analyses.
The Serodiagnosis of Visceral Leishmaniasis.

A case of visceral leishmaniasis in a young American Peace Corps volunteer is reported. Both clinical and epidemiologic evidence strongly supported the diagnosis; however, hepatic and splenic aspirates for the causative organism were negative. The diagnosis was eventually confirmed through serology, employing indirect immunofluorescence and complement fixation testing of serum. The patient clinically responded dramatically to sodium stibogluconate, the drug of choice for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. This case is significant because it alerts the physician to an unusual cause of fever of unknown origin in residents of the Western nations and demonstrates the potential usefulness of serology in diagnosing visceral leishmaniasis when the infecting organism cannot be isolated.
Mandibular Ramus and Gonial Angle Measurements as Predictors of Sex and Age in an Egyptian Population Sample: A Digital Panoramic Study

Objective: The determination of sex and age is necessary in forensic practice and medico legal purposes. Mandible may play a vital role in sex estimation as it is the most dimorphic bone of skull that often recovered intact. In this respect, the availability of plentiful antemortem orthopantomograms may be of great value in studying and developing population specific standards for accurate sex and age estimation. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to assess the usefulness of various mandibular ramus linear and gonial angle measurements on digital panoramic images as indicators for sex and age in an Egyptian population sample. Methods: 191 panoramic images (105 males and 86 females) of Egyptian patients aged (6-70) years old were selected. Five mandibular ramus linear measurements (upper ramus breadth, lower ramus breadth, projective height,condylar ramus height and coronoid ramus height) and gonial angle measurements were performed bilaterally resulting in a total of 382 rami being assessed. Stepwise discriminant and regression analyses were performed to determine the most significant predictors of sex and age respectively. Results: Males showed statistically significant higher mean linear ramus measurements and lower mean gonial angle values than females. Condylar and coronoid ramus heights were the most significant predictors for sex and age respectively. The discriminate function equation was: (D= 14.698 - 1.895 Condylar ramus height) with an accuracy of 81% in males and 77.9% in females and an overall accuracy of 79.6%. The regression equation for age estimation in the whole studied sample was: (Age= - 32.306 + 8.481 Coronoid ramus height) that yields no significance on comparing actual and estimated ages. Conclusion: In the selected Egyptian population sample, the mandibular ramus showed a high sexual dimorphism and proved to be beneficial in sex and age estimation; while, the gonial angle could assist in sex estimation only.
Modeling Ice Melting with Selective Absorption of Radiation

Numerical simulation of the melting of an ice layer on a vertical substrate heated by long-wave radiation in a single-phase formulation of the Stefan problem is carried out. A simple model for taking into consider a thin film of water on the irradiated surface is proposed. Ice is presented as selectively absorbing material with two absorption bands. Calculations shows satisfactory agreement with the experiment.
The mediating effects of cost estimates reliability on BIM adoption: SEM model analysis

This paper presents the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) analysis to evaluate the mediating effects of cost estimates reliability towards the Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology adoption. Using results from a survey by questionnaire, SEM analysis employing SPSS-AMOS application is to assess the relationships amongst the studied constructs (Improved Information, Perceived Benefits, BIM Adoption and Cost Estimates Reliability) by testing three hypotheses. The SEM model was established with its validation through the assessment on its uni-dimensionality, validity, reliability, and fitness index, prior to the hypotheses testing. There are two effects possibly involved in the constructs’ relationships, namely direct and indirect effects, in which were examined using Sobel Mediation Test. The results showed that from all mediating relationships developed amongst the constructs, only Cost Estimates Reliability construct demonstrates its role as partial mediator in the direct relationship between Improved Information and BIM adoption constructs. Whilst the other two hypotheses failed the test, indicating no mediation is possible in between the related constructs relationships. The analysis confirmed that the BIM capabilities could provide better mechanism in understanding project information to establish more reliable cost estimates. It could then improve the estimators’ skills and knowledge throughout the whole cost estimating process, hence potentially motivating them towards adopting the BIM technology.
Arginase and arginine in diagnostics of patients with colorectal cancer and patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases

tywności arginazy i stężenia L-argininy w surowicy chorych na raka jelita grubego i z przerzutami tego nowotworu do wątroby oraz określenie przydatności diagnostycznej badanych parametrów. Materiał i metody: Badania prowadzono na krwi pobranej od pacjentów przed operacją. Aktywność arginazy i stężenie L-argininy oznaczano spektrofotometrycznie. Wyniki: Aktywność arginazy w grupie chorych na raka jelita grubego była ponad 3-krotnie wyższa niż u zdrowych dawców krwi, a w grupie z przerzutami 6-krotnie wyższa. Podwyższonej aktywności arginazy towarzyszył 2-krotny wzrost stężenia L-argininy w obu badanych grupach chorych. Oba parametry wykazywały bardzo wysoką czułość wynoszącą w grupie chorych na raka pierwotnego 83% i 90% odpowiednio dla arginazy i L-argininy, a w grupie z przerzutami 81% dla arginazy i 96% dla L-argininy. Wnioski: Zarówno oznaczanie aktywności arginazy, jak i stężenia L-argininy w surowicy chorych na raka jelita grubego i z jego przerzutami do wątroby może być pomocne w diagnostyce tych schorzeń. Równoczesne oznaczanie obu parametrów zwiększa wartość diagnostyczną arginazy, gdyż może być pomocne w różnicowaniu tych nowotworów z procesami nienowotworowymi. Oznaczanie tylko stężenia L-argininy nie wpływa na różnicowanie zmiany pierwotnej od przerzutowej.
Accuracy of the prediction of Ironman performance : relationship to training history, muscle pain and relative perception of effort during, and recovery after the race

Introduction: The aim of this study was to establish how accurately triathletes could predict their performance and how this relates to training, muscle pain and RPE as well as recovery after the race. Methods: Subjects consisted of volunteers (n = 117) from all the participants (n = 948) in the 2006 Ironman Triathlon (South Africa). Training history and other applicable information were obtained from a questionnaire which the triathletes completed at registration. Final total Ironman times and the split times were obtained from the Ironman website after the race and triathletes were divided into three groups, FASTER (n = 16), SLOWER (n = 85) and ACCURATE (n = 16) (defined by being within 1% of their predicted time). Results: FASTER trained less days per week than SLOWER or ACCURATE for the 15 weeks before the race (5.4 ± 0.9 vs. 5.9 ± 0.8 and 6.1 ± 0.6 days; FASTER vs. SLOWER and ACCURATE respectively). The FASTER group ran less distance and time per week than the ACCURATE group (P < 0.02). At station 2 (cycling leg, approximately 27 % total duration), FASTER had lower pain than SLOWER and ACCURATE. At Station 4 (cycling leg, approximately 61% total duration) FASTER had a lower RPE score than ACCURATE and SLOWER. There were no differences in pain scores between groups immediately after the race and up to 7 weeks later. Conclusion: The RPE increased linearly with race duration. The triathletes who trained less days and hours in the 15 weeks prior to the race performed better and perceived their effort as less, compared to the triathletes who trained more days and hours during this period. There are three possible interpretations of these data: The “less trained” group (i) trained at higher intensities than the “higher trained” group, (ii) did more multi-block training, or (iii) trained optimally and did not
Robust adaptive backstepping tracking control of stochastic nonlinear systems with unknown input saturation: A command filter approach

This paper studies the problem of adaptive observer‐based radial basis function neural network tracking control for a class of strict‐feedback stochastic nonlinear systems comprising an unknown input saturation, uncertainties, and unknown disturbances. To handle the issue of a non‐smooth saturation input signal, a smooth function is chosen to approximate the saturation function and the state observer is used to estimate unmeasured states. By the so‐called command filter method in the controller design procedure, the implementation complexity is reduced in the proposed backstepping method. Moreover, a radial basis function neural network is deployed to reconstruct the unknown nonlinear functions. In addition, the gains of all radial basis function neural networks are updated through one updating law leading to a minimal learning parameter which is independent of the number of neural nodes and the order of the system. Comparing with the existing results, the proposed approach can stabilize a constrained stochastic system more effectively and with less computational burden. Finally, a practical example shows the performance of the proposed controller design.
Prevalence and Eligibility for Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection among Prison Inmates and Female Sex Workers in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Hepatitis B is a growing worldwide public health issue today. The pathologies are responsible for considerable increase in healthcare expenses despite the widely recognized public health authority to keep then under control. Facts and figures have hitherto been misconstrued as regards Eligibility for treatment of chronic hepatitis B in most hospitals in Nigeria. This Cross-sectional study therefore is to evaluate the prevalence and determine the proportion of the female sex workers and prison inmates eligible for treatment of chronic hepatitis B in Calabar. Methods: Preliminary screening was done with a highly specific and sensitive HBsAg strip. Reactive samples were analyzed for hepatitis B markers using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA) kits. Chemistry and hematology analyzers were employed in carrying out LFT and FBC. Results: The overall prevalence of HBV was 5.72%. The prevalence rate of 8.16% and 4.70% were recorded for the female sex workers and prison inmates respectively. A significant proportion of the inmates were chronically living with the virus and are eligible for treatment going by the APRI scores. Infections were significantly associated with the use of unsterilized equipment for tattooing and injection drug use. Conclusion: The low observed intraprison and interbrothels prevalence of HBV underscore the need to vaccinate the inmates and sex workers population.
Antibacterial Effects of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Medicinal Plants Against Pathogenic Strains

Background: Medicinal plants have been known since ancient times, as an anti-microbial spectrum against microorganisms. The production of secondary plant metabolites creates an important source of bactericide and various pharmaceutical drugs. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Mentha spicata and Rosmarinus officinalis was evaluated against resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Antimicrobial effects of plants were investigated using a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, at the standard bacterium laboratory of the Veterinary Department, University of Islamic Azad, Tehran, Iran. Results: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged from 6.25 to 100.0 ppm, while Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranged from 12.5 to 200 ppm. The ethanol extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra had the lowest MIC (6.25 ppm), while the ethanol extract of Rosmarinus officinalis and Mentha spicata had the highest MIC (100 ppm), respectively. The MBC of the ethanolic extract of G. glabra, with the highest bacteria strains, was valuable against the lowest (12.5 PPM). The MBC of the ethanolic extract of G. glabra was valuable against the lowest bacteria strains. Conclusions: Our findings showed good antibacterial activity for G. glabra extract that can be utilized as a treatment for infections, caused by P. aeruginosa, E. coli and S. aureus.
Toward a document‐centered ontological theory for information architecture in corporations

The beginning of the 21st century attested to the first movements toward information architecture (IA), originating from the field of library and information science (LIS). IA is acknowledged as an important meta‐discipline concerned with the design, implementation, and maintenance of digital information spaces. Despite the relevance of IA, there is little research about the subject within LIS, and still less if one considers initiatives for creating a theory for IA. In this article, we provide a theory for IA and describe the resources needed to create it through ontological models. We also choose the “document” as the key entity for such theory, contemplating kinds of documents that not only serve to register information, but also create claims and obligations in society. To achieve our goals, we provide a background for subtheories from LIS and from Applied Ontology. As a result, we present some basic theory for IA in the form of a formal framework to represent corporations in which IA activities take place, acknowledging that our approach is de facto a subset of IA we call the enterprise information architecture (EAI) approach. By doing this, we highlight the effects that documents cause within corporations in the scope of EIA.
Antistress activity of ethanolic extract of Emblica officinalis fruits in stress induced biochemical and physiological perturbations

Emblica officinalis is a plant with diverse ethnical medicinal uses. The plant has been explored for diverse pharmacological actions, here it is planned to screen fruit extract for Adaptogenic activity. Ethanolic extract of fruits of Emblica officinalis was investigated on acute anoxia stress tolerance test in Swiss mice. Further wistar rats were subjected to chronic cold restraint stress to gauge the antistress potential of the extract. Stimulation of hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis in stressful condition alters plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and BUN. There is also alteration in blood cell counts. Pretreatment with extract significantly ameliorated the stress-induced variations in these biochemical levels and blood cell counts in both acute and chronic stress models. The extract treated animals showed increase in anoxia tolerance time in anoxia stress model. Treatment groups also reverted back increase in liver, adrenal gland weights and atrophy of spleen caused by cold chronic stress stress model. The results indicate that ethanolic extract of Emblica officinalis has significant Adaptogenic activity against variety of biochemical and physiological perturbations.
Learning to Reason with Data: How Did We Get Here and What Do We Know?

We introduce students to good literature in their early years. We do not reserve great literature until they are older—on the contrary, we encourage them to read it or we read it to them. Similarly, we can give young students experience with real mathematical processes rather than save the good mathematics for later. Through collecting and analyzing real data, students encounter the uncertainty and intrigue of real mathematics. (Russell & Corwin, 1989, p. 1)