Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spline-Approximation unregelmäßig verteilter Daten

Durch Messung erhaltene Daten, deren Positionen von zwei oder mehr Dimensionen abhangen, liegen in der Praxis meistens nicht auf einem regelmasigen Gitter, sondern sind unregelmasig verteilt (engl. "scattered data"). Unregelmasig verteilte Daten entstehen allgemein ausgedruckt durch Auswertung einer multivariaten Funktion an verschiedenen vorgegebenen Punkten, die nicht auf einem regelmasigen Gitter liegen. Um eine Naherung der Funktionswerte im ganzen Gebiet bestimmen zu konnen, ist es notwendig, die gegebenen Datenpunkte zu interpolieren, was aber durch die Unregelmasigkeit der Anordnung der Datenpunkte erheblich erschwert wird. Konkrete Anwendungsbeispiele reichen von der Vermessung des Gravitationsfelds der Erde bis hin zur Erkundung von Ol-Lagerstatten. In dieser Arbeit wird dieses Problem mit Quasi-Interpolation durch Tensorprodukt-B-Splines gelost. Zunachst wird ein grobes Gitter auf die unregelmasig verteilten Daten gelegt. Anschliesend werden per lokaler Polynom-Approximation Daten auf den Gitterpunkten erzeugt. Schlieslich wird durch Quasi-Interpolation ein quasi-interpolierender Spline ermittelt, der als Linearkombination von Tensorprodukt-B-Splines eine sehr effektive Struktur besitzt, die eine schnelle Auswertung und Ableitung der Quasi-Interpolierenden ermoglicht. Der so entstehende Approximationsalgorithmus ist fur allgemeine Dimensionalitaten formuliert, erlaubt eine dynamische Einstellung des Approximationsgrades und benotigt keine Triangulierung der Datenpunkte.
Follow‐Up Recommendations for Benign Breast Biopsies

Abstract: Histologically proven benign breast disease increases a woman's relative risk for subsequent cancer development. Yet follow‐up guidelines for mammogram and clinical breast examination after a benign breast biopsy are lacking. Our objective was to determine if increased surveillance is indicated following a benign breast biopsy. Following institutional review board approval, a retrospective database review was conducted of prospectively gathered patients who had a benign breast biopsy (core or excisional) for an abnormality detected on mammogram, ultrasound, or clinical breast examination. Follow‐up, for all subjects, was a clinical breast examination and mammogram or ultrasound at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after benign breast biopsy by a breast surgeon. End points were the need for additional biopsies or cancer detection. Statistical analysis was performed using chi‐squared analysis. From January 2000 to July 2003, 156 patients age 18–86 years had a benign breast biopsy. During the 2 year follow‐up, 20 patients (13%) required a subsequent biopsy. No significant difference was observed in mean age, race, menarche, menopause, parity, age at first live birth, use of oral contraceptives, history of prior biopsy, or the pathology of the initial lesion between those who needed a subsequent biopsy and those who did not. Seven excisional biopsies were performed (one at 6 months, four at 1 year, and two at 2 years follow‐up) for growth of the benign breast biopsy lesion, and pathology remained concordant with the original diagnosis. Thirteen biopsies were done for new findings on mammogram or ultrasound. Three of these (1.9%) yielded a cancer diagnosis (one at 6 months, one at 1 year, and one at 2 years follow‐up). No new lesions were identified on follow‐up by clinical breast examination alone. Increased surveillance following a benign breast biopsy is necessary because of the increased need for subsequent biopsy or risk of cancer development. This should include imaging (mammography or ultrasound) and a clinical breast examination 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after a benign breast biopsy.
Study of Vitamin D Status among Postmenopausal Women

Aim: To evaluate vitamin D, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus levels in postmenopausal women attending gynecology outpatient department in Lady Goschen and Kasturba Medical College Attavar hospitals. Objective: To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the studied group. To correlate vitamin D levels with diet and environmental factors. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 100 postmenopausal women attending Lady Goschen hospital and Kasturba Medical College Attavar hospital, Mangaluru. It was a hospital-based, prospective cross-sectional study conducted over the period between August 2014 and June 2016. Levels of vitamin D and serum calcium and phosphorus were assessed in them. Results: A total of 11% were found to have vitamin D deficiency, 38 and 48% had insufficient levels and sufficient levels of vitamin D respectively, 53% had normal levels of serum calcium, and 47% had inadequate levels. About 70% were found to have normal levels of serum phosphorus and 24% had inadequate levels. Dietary intake was found to be inadequate in 61% of the studied population. Serum calcium and phosphorus deficiency had significant corelation with vitamin D deficiency. Also significant corelation was noted with sun exposure and dietary intake in relation to vitamin D. No corelation was established between hypertension, diabetes and vitamin D. Conclusion: This study helped us to assess basal levels of vitamin D, serum calcium, and serum phosphorus among postmenopausal women, giving us an idea regarding prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among South Indian postmenopausal women. We should consider counseling all postmenopausal patients regarding the benefit of vitamin D supplementation, adequate dietary intake, and sun exposure.
Y‐box factor YB‐1 predicts drug resistance and patient outcome in breast cancer independent of clinically relevant tumor biologic factors HER2, uPA and PAI‐1

Intrinsic or acquired resistance to chemotherapy is responsible for failure of current treatment regimens in breast cancer patients. The Y‐box protein YB‐1 regulates expression of the P‐glycoprotein gene mdr1, which plays a major role in the development of a multidrug‐resistant tumor phenotype. In human breast cancer, overexpression and nuclear localization of YB‐1 is associated with upregulation of P‐glycoprotein. In our pilot study, we analyzed the clinical relevance of YB‐1 expression in breast cancer (n = 83) after a median follow‐up of 61 months and compared it with tumor‐biologic factors already used for clinical risk‐group discrimination, i.e., HER2, urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI‐1). High YB‐1 expression in tumor tissue and surrounding benign breast epithelial cells was significantly associated with poor patient outcome. In patients who received postoperative chemotherapy, the 5‐year relapse rate was 66% in patients with high YB‐1 expression. In contrast, in patients with low YB‐1 expressions, no relapse has been observed so far. YB‐1 expression thus indicates clinical drug resistance in breast cancer. Moreover, YB‐1 correlates with breast cancer aggressiveness: in patients not treated with postoperative chemotherapy, those with low YB‐1 expression are still free of disease, whereas the 5‐year relapse rate in those with high YB‐1 was 30%. There was no significant correlation between YB‐1 expression and either HER2 expression or uPA and PAI‐1 levels. Risk‐group assessment achieved by YB‐1 differed significantly from that by HER2 or uPA/PAI‐1. In conclusion, YB‐1 demonstrated prognostic and predictive significance in breast cancer by identifying high‐risk patients in both the presence and absence of postoperative chemotherapy, independent of tumor‐biologic factors currently available for clinical decision making. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of endometrial cancer: differentiation from benign endometrial lesions and preoperative assessment of myometrial invasion

Background: Uterine endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy, and benign endometrial hyperplasia or polyps should be differentiated from endometrial cancer. In evaluating endometrial cancer on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the assessment of the depth of myometrial invasion is important because it closely correlates with the patient's prognosis. Purpose: To verify the feasibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) to distinguish benign and malignant endometrial lesions, and to evaluate myometrial invasion of endometrial cancer. Material and Methods: Sixty-seven endometrial lesions including 45 cancers and 22 benign lesions (hyperplasia and polyps) were evaluated by DWI with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement. The staging accuracies of DWI and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images in the assessment of myometrial invasion were evaluated in 33 patients with endometrial cancer. Results: The ADC values (×10−3 mm2/s) in cancer and benign lesions were 0.84±0.19 and 1.58±0.36, respectively (P<0.01). The staging accuracy (superficial or deep myometrial invasion) was 94% for DWI and 88% for gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. Coexisting adenomyosis and infiltrative myometrial invasion caused staging errors on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images, whereas DWI could demonstrate the tumor extent correctly. Conclusion: DWI provides helpful information in evaluating benign and malignant endometrial lesions.
Strategies for an Expanded Use of Kidneys From Elderly Donors

Abstract The old-for-old allocation policy used for kidney transplantation (KT) has confirmed the survival benefit compared to remaining listed on dialysis. Shortage of standard donors has stimulated the development of strategies aimed to expand acceptance criteria, particularly of kidneys from elderly donors. We have systematically reviewed the literature on those different strategies. In addition to the review of outcomes of expanded criteria donor or advanced age kidneys, we assessed the value of the Kidney Donor Profile Index policy, preimplantation biopsy, dual KT, machine perfusion and special immunosuppressive protocols. Survival and functional outcomes achieved with expanded criteria donor, high Kidney Donor Profile Index or advanced age kidneys are poorer than those with standard ones. Outcomes using advanced age brain-dead or cardiac-dead donor kidneys are similar. Preimplantation biopsies and related scores have been useful to predict function, but their applicability to transplant or refuse a kidney graft has probably been overestimated. Machine perfusion techniques have decreased delayed graft function and could improve graft survival. Investing 2 kidneys in 1 recipient does not make sense when a single KT would be enough, particularly in elderly recipients. Tailored immunosuppression when transplanting an old kidney may be useful, but no formal trials are available. Old donors constitute an enormous source of useful kidneys, but their retrieval in many countries is infrequent. The assumption of limited but precious functional expectancy for an old kidney and substantial reduction of discard rates should be generalized to mitigate these limitations.
Spatially Coupled Repeater-Combiner-Convolutional Codes

A form of spatially coupled codes is obtained by coupling multiple identical concatenated codes consisting of a block outer code (a repetition code followed by a single-parity code) concatenated with a convolutional inner code of infinite impulse response. The coupling operation involves only the outer code of the block-convolutional concatenated code. Because of the simple outer code and diverse inner code, the proposed codes have simple encoding implementation and flexible designation space. Extrinsic information functions are used to analyze the belief propagation (BP) thresholds of the proposed codes over an additive white Gaussian noise channel. The numerical results demonstrate that the proposed codes have better BP threshold and error correction performances than conventional spatially coupled repeat accumulate codes and spatially coupled low-density parity-check codes. In particular, the proposed codes with a rate of about 0.5 and length of 15628 have a bit-error-rate (BER) of 10-5 at Eb/N0 of 1.13 dB that is less than 1 dB away from the Shannon limit.
Thematic mapping at regional scale using SIASGE Radar data at X and L band and optical images

This work aims to assess the potential of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data combined with optical data to support local administrations in the knowledge of the land use and land cover at regional scale. In particular, the contribution of data available in the future through the SIASGE project, combining L-band and X-band radar imagery, is assessed in order to produce thematic maps. Moreover, the further contribution brought by C-band has been evaluated. The classification, focused on two regions in the north side of Italy, is driven by the legend of already existing maps tackling the real needs of the land managing authorities. As the combination of data from optical imagery is fundamental to achieve good thematic accuracy, the work has exploited the Support Vector Machine learning technique, which is more suitable than standard statistical parametric approaches in this respect. Concerning the classification step, some algorithmic issues has been faced to improve the results, such as training set selection strategy and data fusion techniques. The work has proved as the multi source data set (SAR and optical) is fairly suitable to produce thematic maps comparable to what already in use at local administrative level, allowing to obtain reliable maps with a classification accuracy in the order of 90 %.
Effectiveness of the Easy-Up Handle in acute rehabilitation

Objective: The ability to attain standing without assistance is important to independent functioning. The objectives of this study, therefore, were to: (1) determine the effectiveness of the Easy-Up Handle for enabling otherwise dependent patients to attain standing from an armless chair and (2) establish whether knee extension force played a role in such effectiveness. Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study and explicatory experiment. Setting: Acute rehabilitation unit. Subjects: A subset (n = 26) of 107 primarily elderly patients described in a previous study. The subjects were selected because of their inability to stand from an armless chair, even when using their upper limbs. Main measures: The ability to stand from the same chair when using an Easy-Up Handle. Hand-held dynamometer measures of the combined strength of the lower extremities. Results: Eight of 26 otherwise dependent patients were able to stand up independently with the Easy-Up Handle. Whether or not they were able to attain standing with the Easy-Up Handle was predicted by their combined knee extension force and by their combined force normalized against body weight. The Pearson correlations between stand-up independence (yes, no) and the forces were 0.496 and 0.543, respectively. Conclusions: The Easy-Up Handle can facilitate independence in chair rise for some patients otherwise unable to stand from sitting. Even with the Easy-Up Handle, however, a threshold of knee extension force is required.
Structure of Key Cytoskeletal Protein Tubulin Revealed

CELL BIOLOGYAt last month's annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology in Washington, D.C., two researchers dazzled their audience with the first detailed view of tubulin: a map of the protein's structure down to 3.7 angstroms, sufficient to see the precise arrangement of its amino acids. Cell biologists had been waiting eagerly to get a good look at tubulin because it is the building block of one of the major components of the cell's internal skeleton, the microtubules, which play key roles in many cell functions. Yet, despite years of biochemical and biophysical studies, researchers do not yet fully understand such critical aspects of microtubule function as how their tubulin subunits assemble and disassemble--information also needed to help understand how cell division is controlled. The new structure should help resolve those issues, because it reveals how the two subunits that make up tubulin interact with each other and with other molecules. And in related work, another team has solved the structure of FtsZ, a bacterial protein that appears to be the evolutionary precursor of tubulin.
Exploring protein interiors: The role of a buried histidine in the KH module fold

The K‐homology (KH) module is a novel RNA‐binding motif. The structures of a representative KH motif from vigilin (vig‐KH6) and of the first KH domain of fmr1 have been recently solved by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and automated assignment‐refinement techniques (ARIA). While a hydrophobic residue is found at position 21 in most of the KH modules, a buried His is conserved in all the 15 KH repeats of vigilin. This position must therefore have a key structural role in stabilizing the hydrophobic core. In the present work, we have addressed the following questions in order to obtain a detailed description of the role of His 21: i) what is the exact role of the histidine in the hydrophobic core of vig‐KH6? ii) can we define the interactions that allow a conserved buried position to be occupied by a histidine both in vig‐KH6 and in the whole vigilin KH sub‐family? iii) how is the structure and stability of vig‐KH6 influenced by the state of protonation of this histidine? To answer these questions, we have carried out an extensive refinement of the vig‐KH6 structure using both an improved ARIA protocol starting from different initial structures and successively running restrained and unrestrained trajectories in water. An analysis of the stability of secondary structural elements, solvent accessibility, and hydrogen bonding patterns allows hypothesis on the structural role of residue His 21 and on the interactions that this residue forms with the environment. The importance of the protonation state of His 21 on the stability of the KH fold was addressed and validated by experimental results. Proteins 1999;34:484–496. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modélisation des relations information-mouvement mises en oeuvre lors de l'interception d'un mobile

L’objectif de cette these est de comprendre le comportement cinematique d’interception laterale manuelle et locomotrice. Dans l’introduction nous montrons que l’etude du mouvement d’interception peut etre engagee avec les concepts de la perception directe et du couplage perception-action. De nombreux travaux ont montre qu’une strategie prospective serait mise en oeuvre pour intercepter un mobile mais un debat existe quant a la double question (i) quelle information est utilisee pour reguler le mouvement ? (ii) comment est utilisee cette information ? Pour repondre nous avons utilise la realite virtuelle. Dans le premier chapitre experimental nous montrons que les variables environnementales qui ont emergees de la litterature ne peuvent expliquer seules les regulations du mouvement d’interception. Dans le deuxieme chapitre experimental nous proposons qu’une variable d’ordre intermediaire plutot qu’entier pourrait guider le mouvement. Enfin dans le troisieme chapitre experimental nous apportons des elements de preuve en faveur du concept d’information d’ordre fractionnaire qui augmenterait au cours de l’action. Nous developpons dans ces deux dernieres etudes deux modeles dynamiques qui nous permettent de simuler de facon satisfaisante le comportement cinematique d’interception laterale pour une situation donnee. Plus generalement, nous suggerons, quant a l’ensemble des modeles dynamiques formalisant les interactions perception-action, que cette proposition conceptuelle pourrait permettre de plus larges avancees encore si l’on considerait l’eventuelle sensibilite des differents organismes vivants aux informations d’ordre intermediaire plutot que necessairement entier.
Temporal facilitation of spastic stretch reflexes following human spinal cord injury

Recent evidence suggests that alterations in ionic conductances in spinal motoneurones, specifically the manifestation of persistent inward currents, may be partly responsible for the appearance of hyperexcitable reflexes following spinal cord injury (SCI). We hypothesized that such alterations would manifest as temporal facilitation of stretch reflexes in human SCI. Controlled, triangular wave, ankle joint rotations applied at variable velocities (30–120 deg s−1) and intervals between stretches (0.25–5.0 s) were performed on 14 SCI subjects with velocity‐dependent, hyperexcitable plantarflexors. Repeated stretch elicited significant increases in plantarflexion torques and electromyographic (EMG) activity from the soleus (SOL) and medial gastrocnemius (MG). At higher velocities (≥ 90 deg s−1), reflex torques declined initially, but subsequently increased to levels exceeding the initial response, while mean EMG responses increased throughout the joint perturbations. At lower velocities (≤ 60 deg s−1), both joint torques and EMGs increased gradually. Throughout a range of angular velocities, reflex responses increased significantly only at intervals ≤ 1 s between stretches and following at least four rotations. Ramp‐and‐hold perturbations used to elicit tonic stretch reflexes revealed significantly prolonged EMG responses following one or two triangular stretches, as compared to single ramp‐and‐hold excursions. Post hoc analyses revealed reduced reflex facilitation in subjects using baclofen to control spastic behaviours. Evidence of stretch reflex facilitation post‐SCI may reflect changes in underlying neuronal properties and provide insight into the mechanisms underlying spastic reflexes.
Analysis of geochemical data for mineral exploration using a GIS — A case study from the Swayze greenstone belt, northern Ontario, Canada

Abstract Geographic Information Systems (GIS) provide the geologist with a powerful tool, when used in concert with statistical and geostatistical analysis, for archiving, manipulating, analysing and visualizing geochemical data. This paper uses geochemical (Zn, Cu) data obtained from various media (rock, lake sediments, till, soil and humus) over the Swayze greenstone belt in northern Ontario, to explore methods for analysing and visualizing geochemical data with a focus to mineral exploration applications. The behaviour of Zn and Cu in both bedrock and the surficial environment is studied using statistical and geostatistical techniques. Interpretation and uses of traditional statistics and dot plots are contrasted with interpolated geochemical maps as well as red-green-blue (RGB) ternary maps. Techniques for multimedia comparison and geochemical anomaly detection and screening are presented. The processing methods presented in this paper can be utilized and adapted by other geologists for exploring their own geochemical data. Many of the algorithms presented here are available within standard GIS software packages, or can be written easily using a GIS macro language.
E-Commerce Customer Feature Extraction based on Ontology

In this paper, we develop an ontology-based customer feature extraction method in e-commerce environment. We define e-commerce customer ontology using the term constructors of ontology and demonstrate description logics to construct a semantic-oriented model. The framework of customer information integration is provided to support the query structure. Then, we build a customer ontology and develop a method and process for e-business customer features query and extraction using both query extension and query reconstruction based on it. The method is demonstrated by an example and notable results have been obtained that provides a new way to analyze the customers' features pattern especially those who trade on internet.