Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Fast GLM Approach for Retinal Vascular Segmentation and Denoising

Precise retinal vessels localization is an important and challenging task. Segmentation of retinal blood vessels becomes more difficult in abnormal images with the presence of diseases like hypertension, diabetes, stroke and other vascular disorders. In this work, a new fast framework for automatic retinal blood vessels extraction and denoising has been proposed. Green channel due to its prominent vessel structure is used as an input to morphological filters to eradicate low frequency noise or geometrical entities, e.g. , macula, optic disk and other abnormalities. The Generalized Linear Model (GLM) regression is used for non-uniform contrast enhancement followed by Frangi filter for vasculature based enhancement. Masking operation has performed to extract Region of Interest (ROI) for application of moment-preserving thresholding to separate vessel and background pixels. Finally, postprocessing steps are applied to eliminate unconnected pixels and to obtain final binary image. This technique has been validated on the DRIVE and the STARE databases and contested with other competing techniques. Experimental results indicate that the proposed vessel extraction framework outperforms many recent existing methods published in literature.
Short-circuit protection in DC ship grids based on MMC with full-bridge modules

DC grids offer highly efficient distribution of electric energy, eliminating components and optimizing the use of cables. Efficient generation, however, is still based on AC generators. Power-electronic devices link generators and grid and customize energy flow to the loads. Efficient distribution with low losses demands high voltage, e.g. in the range of 10 kV for ship-size grids. Such voltages challenge power electronics as well as protective devices: Short-circuit protection with fast auto-reclosing in a context where fuses are not applicable has to be solved. This paper proposes modular multilevel converters (MMC) with full-bride (4QC) modules and demonstrates fault mitigation in controlled MMC operation by measurement results. The associated control separates asset characteristic defining the steady-state and transient behaviour and converter-near control operating in the subtransient and transient regime. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated by selected measurement results.
A retrospective analysis of forty-six cases of herpes simplex encephalitis seen in Glasgow between 1962 and 1985.

The clinical features, investigative profiles and outcome of 46 patients with biopsy or autopsy-proven herpes simplex encephalitis admitted to the Institute of Neurological Sciences, Glasgow between 1962 and 1985 were analysed retrospectively. The protean presenting symptoms and signs included a history of a prodromal influenza-like illness (48 per cent), rapid onset of headache, clouding of consciousness and confusion (52 per cent), meningism (65 per cent), raised intracranial pressure (33 per cent), deep coma (35 per cent), mutism or aphasia (46 per cent), focal neurological signs (89 per cent), and seizures (61 per cent). When seizures occurred they were almost always focal. The electroencephalogram was the most useful diagnostic test being abnormal in all cases, the majority showing focal changes in one or other hemisphere. Of the neuroradiological procedures employed, computerized tomographic and isotope brain scanning most frequently demonstrated localizing abnormalities in one or both temporal and/or frontal lobes. Midline shift was seen in half the cases. The cerebrospinal fluid was abnormal in every case but was not diagnostic. Cerebral biopsy of one temporal lobe was performed in 40 cases and a positive diagnosis of acute necrotizing encephalitis was made in 37 of these. Herpes simplex virus was isolated from the brains of 29 of the 40 cases in which the procedure was attempted, but immunofluorescence assays for antigens to herpes simplex virus were only positive in 11 out of 25 cases. Serological assays showed a greater than four-fold rise in the anti-herpes simplex virus antibody titre in 13 out of 22 patients tested. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Medical Therapeutic Yoga for multiple sclerosis: examining self-efficacy for physical activity, motivation for physical activity, and quality of life outcomes

Abstract Purpose Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease that results in deficits in physical and cognitive function, and often fosters low levels of self-efficacy for physical activity, motivation for physical activity, and quality of life [1]. Drug therapies, physical therapy rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications such as increased physical activity are standard protocol for symptom management, yet persons with MS tend to be physically inactive [2,3]. Additionally, single-modality interventions do not inherently address the challenges faced concurrently by individuals with MS [4,5]. Methods This project examined the effects of a 5-week holistic biopsychosocial Medical Therapeutic Yoga program on physical activity behavior outcomes in individuals diagnosed with MS. A mixed-methods approach was used to examine self-efficacy for physical activity, motivation for physical activity, and quality of life outcomes in 15 participants. Results Quantitative measures demonstrated increased self-efficacy (t(14) = −2.23, p = 0.042), and emotional quality of life (t(14) = −2.66, p = 0.019). Responses to an open-ended written questionnaire and follow-up interviews indicated overall positive response to the program including increases in self-efficacy for physical activity, motivation for physical activity, and quality of life. These results may help future holistic programming for individuals with MS incorporate behavioral interventions with therapeutic rehabilitation to increase physical activity adherence. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease impacting physical and cognitive functioning that may be managed with a combination of drug therapies, rehabilitation, and physical activity. Individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis tend to be physically inactive and physical inactivity is a challenge for optimal disease management. Medical Therapeutic Yoga offers an interdisciplinary biopsychosocial framework to simultaneously address the behavioral challenges and physical impairments facing individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Health care providers should consider developing programs that use a biopsychosocial framework to aid in developing long-term adherence in health behaviors such as physical activity participation.
INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT A Course Introducing the Principles of Pharmaceutical Care

learner. Assessment. The students successfully applied the information learned in this course to the practice of pharmaceutical care. The 3 components of the course that appeared to be the most challenging were identifying drug-therapy problems, creating compound goals, and creating a care plan. Conclusion. This course was effective in meeting ability-based outcomes. The assessment data helped the instructors determine what changes should be made to increase the course’s success when it is offered again.
Does Initial Performance Variability Predict Dual-Task Optimization with Practice in Younger and Older Adults?

Background/Study Context: The variability associated with reaction time (RT) is sometimes considered as a proxy for inefficient neural processing, particularly in old age and complex situations relying upon executive control functions. Here, it is examined whether the amount of variability exhibited early in practice can predict the amount of improvement with later practice in dual-task performance, and whether the predictive power of variability varies between younger and older adults. Methods: To investigate the relationship between variability and practice-related improvement, RT mean and variability data are used, obtained from an experiment in which younger and older adults performed two tasks in single-task and dual-task conditions across seven practice sessions. These RT and variability data were related to the single-task and dual-task practice benefits. These benefits were computed as follows: dual-task/single-task RTs at the beginning of practice minus dual-task/single-task RTs at the end of practice. Results: In both age groups, dual-task processing was speeded up with practice and variability associated with the means was reduced. Most important, independent of mean RTs, variability allowed predicting dual-task practice benefit in both age groups under specific conditions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the relationship between performance variability and executive control functions under some specific conditions. Implications of these results for models of practiced dual tasks are discussed.
Seed husking time and maximal bite force in finches

SUMMARY Many studies on the efficiency of feeding in finches concentrate on husking time in relation to average seed size and bird size. Large species are capable of eating larger seeds and are able to husk large seeds faster than smaller species. It is generally assumed that husking time is related to bite force. However, there are very few studies that investigate the relationship between husking time, seed hardness and bite force directly. In our experiments we measured the seed husking time and the maximal bite force of two taxa of seed cracking birds. Husking time is related to maximal bite force in a highly non-linear way and differs between estrildids and fringillids. Fringillids with the same bite force as estrildids take less time to crack seeds, but only when the strength of the seed coat is close to their maximal bite force. For seeds that are relatively soft the difference in husking time becomes very small. A preliminary jaw motion analysis provides evidence that this difference in husking time between estrildids and fringillids is paralleled by a difference in husking technique. This difference in technique does not affect bite force as such, but decreases the chance of failed cracking attempts. The selective advantage of a small increase in maximal bite force may be related more to the decrease in husking time for seeds with hardness below the maximal bite force, than to the increase in range of seed hardness that the bird is able to crack.
Styrene metabolism by cDNA-expressed human hepatic and pulmonary cytochromes P450.

The rate of formation of styrene glycol from styrene was compared in human, rat, and mouse liver microsomes. At a low styrene concentration (0.085 mM), the rates decreased in the order, mouse (2.43 +/- 0.29 nmol/(mg of protein.min)) > rat (1.07 +/- 0.20) > human (0.73 +/- 0.45); at a high concentration (1.85 mM), the order was rat (4.21 +/- 0.72) > mouse (2.72 +/- 0.11) > human (1.91 +/- 0.84). Kinetic analysis indicated the presence of at least two forms of styrene-metabolizing cytochrome P450s with different Km values in human liver microsomes. Styrene was also metabolized in human lung microsomes: the rate of styrene glycol formation was higher in the lung microsomes from smokers than in those from current nonsmokers. The P450 forms responsible for transforming styrene to styrene glycol were determined by analyzing cDNA-expressed individual P450 forms produced in cultured hepatoma G2 cells by recombinant vaccinia viruses. Of the 12 human P450 forms studied, CYP2B6 and CYP2E1 existing in human liver and/or lungs and CYP2F1 in human lungs were the most active in the forming of styrene glycol, followed by CYP1A2 and CYP2C8. Human CYP3A3, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP4B1 also catalyzed the metabolism but were much less active. CYP2A6, CYP2C9, and CYP2D6 had only a little detectable activity. CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2E1, and CYP3A4/3A3 were expressed in human liver microsomes, and CYP2C8 was expressed in human lung microsomes, although the expression of CYP2F1 and CYP4B1 could not be investigated. These data indicate that several human hepatic and/or pulmonary P450 forms are capable of metabolizing styrene, albeit at different rates.
El desarrollo morfosintáctico en niños con retraso de lenguaje: evaluación e intervención en el contexto escolar

La investigacion forma parte de una linea de investigacion sobre evaluacion e intervencion en escolares con retraso del lenguaje, en edades comprendidas entre los cuatro y seis anos. Se aborda el estudio de la dimension morfosintactica del lenguaje oral con quince ninos y ninas de dos centros escolares diferentes (en razon de su ubicacion rural o urbana) de la isla de Tenerife. En una primera parte se revisa y plantea, desde el punto de vista teorico, el estado de conocimiento acerca del lenguaje infantil, adquisicion y desarrollo de la gramatica, retraso del lenguaje, asi como evaluacion e intervencion en las dificultades morfosintacticas. En una segunda parte se aporta un modelo original de evaluacion y de analisis gramatical de las producciones infantiles, a partir de la obtencion de una muestra de lenguaje, asi como un programa de intervencion encaminado a subsanar las dificultades detectadas. Los analisis realizados tratan de valorar la eficacia del programa, contemplando la influencia de las variables independientes de sexo, zona y edad. Los resultados revelan mejores rendimientos en muchas de las variables dependientes y nula influencia de las variables independientes como factor de variacion en los sujetos.
Subjective symptoms in idiopathic hypersomnia: beyond excessive sleepiness

Patients with idiopathic hypersomnia never feel fully alert despite a normal or long sleep night. The spectrum of the symptoms is insufficiently studied. We interviewed 62 consecutive patients with idiopathic hypersomnia (with a mean sleep latency lower than 8 min or a sleep time longer than 11 h) and 50 healthy controls using a questionnaire on sleep, awakening, sleepiness, alertness and cognitive, psychological and functional problems during daily life conditions. Patients slept 3 h more on weekends, holidays and in the sleep unit than on working days. In the morning, the patients needed somebody to wake them, or to be stressed, while routine, light, alarm clocks and motivation were inefficient. Three‐quarters of the patients did not feel refreshed after short naps. During the daytime, their alertness was modulated by the same external conditions as controls, but they felt more sedated in darkness, in a quiet environment, when listening to music or conversation. Being hyperactive helped them more than controls to resist sleepiness. They were more frequently evening‐type and more alert in the evening than in the morning. The patients were able to focus only for 1 h (versus 4 h in the controls). They complained of attention and memory deficit. Half of them had problems regulating their body temperature and were near‐sighted. Mental fatigability, dependence on other people for awakening them, and a reduced benefit from usually alerting conditions (except being hyperactive or stressed) seem to be more specific of the daily problems of patients with idiopathic hypersomnia than daytime sleepiness.
Emergence of coagulase-negative staphylococci as a cause of native valve endocarditis.

BACKGROUND Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are an infrequent cause of native valve endocarditis (NVE), and our understanding of NVE caused by CoNS is incomplete. METHOD The International Collaboration on Endocarditis-Prospective Cohort Study includes patients with endocarditis from 61 centers in 28 countries. Patients with definite cases of NVE caused by CoNS who were enrolled during the period June 2000-August 2006 were compared with patients with definite cases of NVE caused by Staphylococcus aureus and patients with NVE caused by viridans group streptococci. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with death in patients with NVE caused by CoNS. RESULTS Of 1635 patients with definite NVE and no history of injection drug use, 128 (7.8%) had NVE due to CoNS. Health care-associated infection occurred in 63 patients (49%) with NVE caused by CoNS. Comorbidities, long-term intravascular catheter use, and history of recent invasive procedures were similar among patients with NVE caused by CoNS and among patients with NVE caused by S. aureus. Surgical treatment for endocarditis occurred more frequently in patients with NVE due to CoNS (76 patients [60%]) than in patients with NVE due to S. aureus (150 [33%]; P=.01) or in patients with NVE due to viridans group streptococci (149 [44%]; P=.01). Despite the high rate of surgical procedures among patients with NVE due to CoNS, the mortality rates among patients with NVE due to CoNS and among patients with NVE due to S. aureus were similar (32 patients [25%] and 124 patients [27%], respectively; P=.44); the mortality rate among patients with NVE due to CoNS was higher than that among patients with NVE due to viridans group streptococci (24 [7.0%]; P=.01). Persistent bacteremia (odds ratio, 2.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-6.51), congestive heart failure (odds ratio, 3.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-7.12), and chronic illness (odds ratio, 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-6.06) were independently associated with death in patients with NVE due to CoNS (c index, 0.73). CONCLUSIONS CoNS have emerged as an important cause of NVE in both community and health care settings. Despite high rates of surgical therapy, NVE caused by CoNS is associated with poor outcomes.
Measurement of thoracic bone mineral density with quantitative CT.

PURPOSE To create standard thoracic bone mineral density (BMD) values for patients undergoing cardiac computed tomography (CT) by using thoracic quantitative CT and to compare these BMDs (in a subpopulation) with those obtained by using lumbar spine quantitative CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS The institutional review board approved this HIPAA-compliant study. A total of 9585 asymptomatic subjects (mean age, 56 years; age range, 30-90 years) who underwent coronary artery calcium scanning, including 4131 women, were examined. Patients with vertebral deformities or fractures were excluded. Six hundred forty-four subjects (322 of whom were female) also underwent lumbar quantitative CT. The mean thoracic vertebral BMDs for both sexes were reported separately in a subgroup of subjects aged 30 years and in 29 age-based subgroups in 2-year intervals from ages 30 to 90 years. The formulas used to calculate the female T score (T(f)) and the male T score (T(m)) on the basis of thoracic quantitative CT measurements were as follows: T(f) = (BMD(im) - 222)/36, and T(m) = (BMD(im) - 215)/33, where BMD(im) is the individual mean BMD. Comparisons between thoracic quantitative CT and lumbar quantitative CT measurements, as well as analyses of intraobserver, interobserver, and interscan variability, were performed. RESULTS The young-subgroup mean BMD was 221.9 mg/mL ± 36.2 (standard deviation) for the female subjects and 215.2 mg/mL ± 33.2 for the male subjects. The mean thoracic BMDs for the female and male subjects were found to be 20.7% higher and 17.0% higher, respectively, than the values measured with lumbar quantitative CT (P < .001 for both comparisons). A significant positive association between the thoracic and lumbar quantitative CT measurements (r > 0.85, P < .001) was found. Intraobserver, interobserver, and interscan variabilities in thoracic quantitative CT measurements were 2.5%, 2.6%, and 2.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION There was a significant association between the mean thoracic and lumbar BMDs. Therefore, standard derived measurements (young-subgroup BMD ± standard deviation) based on these data can be used with thoracic CT images to estimate the bone mineral status.
La réponse des forêts tropicales humides aux variations climatiques : évolution de la structure et de la dynamique des peuplements forestiers guyanais

L'importance des forets tropicales dans le cycle du carbone a l'echelle planetaire est majeure, tant en terme de stock qu’en terme de flux de CO2. Plusieurs etudes mettent en evidence des changements au sein des forets tropicales au cours des 20 dernieres annees, notamment des changements de la dynamique forestiere et une augmentation de la biomasse aerienne. Les determinants de ces variations sont aujourd’hui discutes et nous proposons ici d’apporter une contribution a ce debat. Les donnees utilisees dans ce travail proviennent du dispositif de suivi forestier a long terme de Paracou, Guyane Francaise, mis en place en 1984 et qui recouvre plus de 120 ha de foret tropicale humide. Les donnees meteorologiques proviennent de la tour a flux du dispositif, Guyaflux. Les mesures de diametre proviennent de la base Guyafor pour les donnees annuelles et bisannuelles, et des mesures de 260 arbres a proximite de la tour a flux pour les mesures diametriques intra-annuelles.Cette these se divise en deux grandes parties. La premiere concerne l’analyse de la biomasse du dispositif de suivi forestier de Paracou en Guyane et l’implication des changements de structure de cette foret sur le bilan de carbone. Cette partie est constituee de deux points. (i) Quelles echelles temporelles et spatiales sont pertinentes pour analyser les composantes de structure (biomasse, aire basale et nombre de tiges) et de dynamique (croissance, recrutement et mortalite) des forets tropicales afin de minimiser les effets d’echantillonnage ? Nous avons etabli une methodologie permettant de relier les intervalles de temps et la surface de mesure aux coefficients de variation de chacune des variables de structure et de dynamique de la foret. (ii) Quels processus demographiques sont preponderants dans l’explication des variations de biomasse et comment se redistribue la biomasse accumulee dans le systeme ? L’augmentation de la biomasse observee sur le dispositif de Paracou serait liee a la rarete des evenements de mortalite des gros arbres qui portent une part tres importante de la biomasse.La deuxieme partie de la these concerne l’analyse de l’effet du climat a moyen terme, inter et intra-annuel, et les effets directs du climat dans les changements de dynamique de la foret. Cette partie se divise en 3 points. (i) Comment quantifier le stress hydrique en foret tropicale humide ? Nous avons realise un modele journalier de reserve en eau du sol pour les arbres en foret tropicale. (ii) Quelles variables sont explicatives de la croissance des arbres en foret guyanaise ? Nous avons montre que l’eau dans le sol est le facteur le plus explicatif du determinisme climatique parmi un panel de variables climatiques. (iii) Quels traits fonctionnels sont predicteurs de la reponse des arbres aux variations climatique ? Nous avons determine que des traits specifiques, densite du bois et la hauteur maximale, ainsi que le diametre de l'arbre au moment de la mesure, modulent la croissance des arbres en reponse au climat.
VORGABEN AN DIE VERKEHRSPLANUNG - ANFORDERUNGEN AN DEN MENSCHEN AUS DER SICHT DER OEKOLOGISCHEN PSYCHOLOGIE

Der Verkehrsplaner muss mit den Anforderungen an die Verkehrsteilnehmer sowie mit deren Belastungen und Beanspruchungen rechnen. Er muesste die psychologischen Voraussetzungen beruecksichtigen, die Erreichung positiver Ziele ermoeglichen, erleichtern und foerdern sowie das Erreichen von Schutzzielen gewaehrleisten, kontrollierbar und erlebbar machen. Oekologisch orientierte Verkehrsplanung sieht den Strassenverkehr nicht isoliert, sondern sieht die Vernetzung der Komponenten innerhalb des Strassenverkehrs ebenso wie die Vernetzung von individuellem und oeffentlichen Verkehr als auch die Vernetzung von Wohnung, Arbeit, Kultur, Freizeit, Konsum, oeffentlichem und privatem Leben, Natur und Stadt. Fuenfte Informationsmedizinische Tage in Hamburg 1991. Siehe auch Gesamtaufnahme der Tagung, IDS-Nummer 334559.