Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Toward the Repeatability and Robustness of the Local Reference Frame for 3D Shape Matching: An Evaluation

The local reference frame (LRF), as an independent coordinate system constructed on the local 3D surface, is broadly employed in 3D local feature descriptors. The benefits of the LRF include rotational invariance and full 3D spatial information, thereby greatly boosting the distinctiveness of a 3D feature descriptor. There are numerous LRF methods in the literature; however, no comprehensive study comparing their repeatability and robustness performance under different application scenarios and nuisances has been conducted. This paper evaluates eight state-of-the-art LRF proposals on six benchmarks with different data modalities (e.g., LiDAR, Kinect, and Space Time) and application contexts (e.g., shape retrieval, 3D registration, and 3D object recognition). In addition, the robustness of each LRF to a variety of nuisances, including varying support radii, Gaussian noise, outliers (shot noise), mesh resolution variation, distance to boundary, keypoint localization error, clutter, occlusion, and partial overlap, is assessed. The experimental study also measures the performance under different keypoint detectors, descriptor matching performance when using different LRFs and feature representation combinations, as well as computational efficiency. Considering the evaluation outcomes, we summarize the traits, advantages, and current limitations of the tested LRF methods.
Connection relations and expansions

We give new proofs of the evaluation of the connection relation for the Askey‐Wilson polynomials and for expressing the Askey‐Wilson basis in those polynomials using q-Taylor series. This led to some inverse relations. We also evaluate the coefficients in the expansions of . xC b/ n in various q-orthogonal polynomials, including the Askey‐Wilson polynomials, which leads to explicit expressions for the moments of the Askey‐Wilson weight function. We generalize the q-plane wave expansion by expanding Eq.xI/ in Askey‐Wilson polynomials. Further, we prove a bibasic extension of the Nassrallah‐Rahman integral and establish a recently conjectured identity of George Andrews.
Differences in students' metacognitive strategy knowledge, motivation, and strategy use: A typology of self-regulated learners

ABSTRACT Metacognitive strategy knowledge, motivation, and learning strategies play an important role in self-regulated learning (SRL). However, little is known about different profiles of self-regulated learners in schools that prepare students for the university entrance certificate. The aim of this study was to examine intraindividual differences in the patterns of students' SRL. In this 2-wave longitudinal study, 897 students were involved. Latent class analyses revealed four-cluster solutions at the beginning as well as at the end of the school year. Maximal self-regulated learners with the highest levels on all cognitive, metacognitive, and motivational components of SRL reported the highest grades in the academic subject of German (first language) at both measurement points, followed by motivated and strategic learners. Students with a low level on several SRL components reported the lowest grades. Further, the results indicated changes in profiles of SRL over time.
Genotype–phenotype correlation among beta-thalassemia and beta-thalassemia/HbE disease in Thai children: predictable clinical spectrum using genotypic analysis

Introduction Beta-thalassemia is a group of inherited hemolytic anemias and one of the most common genetic disorders in Thailand. The clinical spectrum of beta-thalassemia disease ranges from mild to severe clinical symptoms including mild beta-thalassemia intermedia (TI) and severe beta-thalassemia major (TM). Objective This study aimed to determine the correlation between beta-globin gene (HBB) mutations and their phenotypic manifestations by evaluating patients’ clinical characteristics, transfusion requirements, growth and hematologic parameters, and hemoglobin typing among pediatric patients treated at Phramongkutklao Hospital. Materials and methods Seventy beta-thalassemia patients, including 63 with beta-thalassemia/hemoglobin E (HbE) and 7 with either homozygous or compound heterozygous beta-thalassemia, were enrolled in this study. Their clinical presentation, growth parameters and laboratory findings were reviewed and analyzed. The mean follow-up time was 10.52±5.62 years. Mutation analysis in each individual was performed using multiplex amplification refractory mutation system (M-ARMS), direct DNA sequencing of beta-globin gene and gap PCR for 3.4 kb deletion detection. Results All 7 homozygous and compound heterozygous beta-thalassemia patients were classified in TM. Among 63 patients with beta-thalassemia/HbE, 58 were classified in TM and 4 were classified in TI. Mean age at diagnosis was 0.8±0.49 years for homozygous or compound heterozygous beta-thalassemia and 3.43±3.5 years for beta-thalassemia/HbE. The most common HBB mutation was HBB:c. 126_129delCTTT [codon 41/42 (-TCTT)] found in 34 alleles (48.6%). The height for age was also lower in homozygous beta-thalassemia patients (<3rd percentile) compared to compound heterozygous beta-thalassemia patients (25–50th percentile). Conclusion This study revealed a genotype–phenotype correlation of the most prevalent beta-thalassemia in Thai children using diagnostic capacity in genotypic analysis of HBB mutation. Our findings can provide a better prediction of clinical manifestation and severity by early identification of the type of the HBB mutations.
COBLL1 modulates cell morphology and facilitates androgen receptor genomic binding in advanced prostate cancer

Significance Activated androgen receptor signaling is a key driver to circumvent androgen-deprivation therapy in advanced prostate cancer. Cordon-bleu (COBL) has been identified as a specific player in morphogenesis by regulating actin networks in neurons. Here, we identify another COBL protein, COBL-like 1 (COBLL1), as an important factor that contributes to prostate cancer progression by stimulating androgen receptor signaling and modulating cell morphology. We show that COBLL1 is regulated by androgen and is highly up-regulated in treatment-resistant prostate cancer model cells, where COBLL1 mediates cell proliferation and migration, supporting a fundamental role for COBLL1 in prostate cancer. Our study shows the potential implications for therapeutic targeting of COBLL1 in advanced prostate cancer. Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is essential for prostate cancer progression and acquiring resistance to hormone therapy. However, the molecular pathogenesis through AR activation has not been fully understood. We performed integrative transcriptomic analysis to compare the AR program in a castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) model with that in their parental hormone-sensitive cells. We found that the gene cordon-bleu–like 1 (COBLL1) is highly induced by AR in CRPC model cells. The expression of COBLL1 that possesses an actin-binding domain is up-regulated in clinical prostate cancer tissues and is associated with a poor prognosis for prostate cancer patients. COBLL1 is involved in the cancer cell morphogenesis to a neuron-like cell shape observed in the CRPC model cells, promoting cell growth and migration. Moreover, nuclear COBLL1 interacts with AR to enhance complex formation with CDK1 and facilitates AR phosphorylation for genomic binding in CRPC model cells. Thus, our findings showed the mechanistic relevance of cordon-bleu proteins during the AR-mediated progression to CRPC.
Tree-ring anatomy and carbon isotope ratio show both direct and legacy effects of climate on bimodal xylem formation in Pinus pinea

Understanding how climate affects xylem formation is critical for predicting the impact of future conditions on tree growth and functioning in the Mediterranean region, which is expected to face warmer and drier conditions. However, mechanisms of growth response to climate at different temporal scales are still largely unknown, being complicated by separation between spring and autumn xylogenesis (bimodal temporal pattern) in most species such as Mediterranean pines. We investigated wood anatomical characteristics and carbon stable isotope composition in Mediterranean Pinus pinea L. along tree-ring series at intra-ring resolution to assess xylem formation processes and responses to intra-annual climate variability. Xylem anatomy was strongly related to environmental conditions occurring a few months before and during the growing season, but was not affected by summer drought. In particular, the lumen diameter of the first earlywood tracheids was related to winter precipitation, whereas the size of tracheids produced later was influenced by mid-spring precipitation. Diameter of latewood tracheids was associated with precipitation in mid-autumn. In contrast, tree-ring carbon isotope composition was mostly related to climate of the previous seasons. Earlywood was likely formed using both recently and formerly assimilated carbon, while latewood relied mostly on carbon accumulated many months prior to its formation. Our integrated approach provided new evidence on the short-term and carry-over effects of climate on the bimodal temporal xylem formation in P. pinea. Investigations on different variables and time scales are necessary to disentangle the complex climate influence on tree growth processes under Mediterranean conditions.
Stimulus-Artifact Elimination in a Multi-Electrode System

To fully exploit the recording capabilities provided by current and future generations of multi-electrode arrays, some means to eliminate the residual charge and subsequent artifacts generated by stimulation protocols is required. Custom electronics can be used to achieve such goals, and by making them scalable, a large number of electrodes can be accessed in an experiment. In this work, we present a system built around a custom 16-channel IC that can stimulate and record, within 3 ms of the stimulus, on the stimulating channel, and within 500 mus on adjacent channels. This effectiveness is achieved by directly discharging the electrode through a novel feedback scheme, and by shaping such feedback to optimize electrode behavior. We characterize the different features of the system that makes such performance possible and present biological data that show the system in operation. To enable this characterization, we present a framework for measuring, classifying, and understanding the multiple sources of stimulus artifacts. This framework facilitates comparisons between artifact elimination methodologies and enables future artifact studies.
Age , growth rate and season of recruitment of Pinna nobilis ( L ) in the Croatian Adriatic determined from Mg : Ca and Sr : Ca shell profiles

Stable oxygen isotope analyses of U-shaped spines removed at intervals along profiles of the outer shell surface of Pinna nobilis (L) were used to reconstruct sea surface temperature (SST) and validate the periodicity of adductor muscle scar rings on the inner shell surface. Elemental ratios (Mg:Ca and Sr:Ca) of spines, determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), were compared with the SST estimated from the stable oxygen isotopic composition of the shell deposited at the same time. The elemental ratios and the stable oxygen isotopic composition recorded in the shell were significantly correlated: Mg:Ca ratio = 0.0002 (seawater temperature) + 0.0095 (r = 0.445), Sr:Ca ratio = 0.00005 (seawater temperature) + 0.0014 (r = 0.887). The ratios in the spines were highest when the SSTwas warmest during July and August and were lowest between January and February when the SST was minimal. The positions of the first and second adductor muscle scar rings, unlike the later rings, are often difficult to discern, and in large shells they are obscured by nacre. Seasonal patterns in the elemental ratios were used to characterise the age in regions of the outer shell surface corresponding to the first two years of shell growth. A combination of both elemental ratios and muscle scar rings were used to estimate the age and hence the growth rate of P. nobilis from three locations in the Croatian Adriatic. Annual cycles of shell growth, inferred from the seasonal pattern in the element ratios, were used to determine the season of recruitment of fan mussels at several localities along the Croatian coastline. Pinnids generally settled during late autumn and winter although one shell from Mali Ston Bay settled during the summer. P. nobilis from Mali Ston Bay exhibited the fastest growth reaching a 0022-0981/$ see front matter D 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.jembe. 2003.08. 012 * Corresponding author. Tel. : +44-1248-712744; fax: +44-1248-716367. E-mail address: c.a. richardson@bangor.ac. uk (C.A. Richardson). C.A. Richardson et al. / J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 299 (2004) 1–16 2 length of f 60 cm and an age of 9 years, whereas those from Malo jezero grew the slowest attaining a length of f 50 cm at 12 years of age. D 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Screening of Paenibacillus Larvae Spores in Apiaries from Eastern Poland. Nationwide Survey. Part I

Abstract Screening of the prevalence of Paenibacillus larvae spores in honey bee colonies in apiaries from 162 districts, belonging to nine provinces was carried out during 2009-2011. The honey samples were examined by the use of a culture method. Based on the number of CFUs grown on Columbia sheep blood agar medium, the level of infection and probability of American foulbrood outbreak was estimated. Altogether, 6,510 pooled honey samples from 32,550 bee colonies located in 2,294 apiaries were collected. P. larvae was identified in 45% of the surveyed apiaries. The widest distribution of P. larvae was found in the Małopolskie province. Culture-positive honey samples were obtained for 71% of the apiaries and in a half of them, the level of spores was high. In the Warmińsko-Mazurskie province, the presence of the bacterium was detected in 58% of the apiaries. In the remaining provinces, from 26% to 47% of the apiaries were contaminated with P. larvae spores
Exogenous fatty acids alter phospholipid composition, membrane permeability, capacity for biofilm formation, and antimicrobial peptide susceptibility in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae represents a major threat to human health due to a combination of its nosocomial emergence and a propensity for acquiring antibiotic resistance. Dissemination of the bacteria from its native intestinal location creates severe, complicated infections that are particularly problematic in healthcare settings. Thus, there is an urgency for identifying novel treatment regimens as the incidence of highly antibiotic‐resistant bacteria rises. Recent findings have highlighted the ability of some Gram‐negative bacteria to utilize exogenous fatty acids in ways that modify membrane phospholipids and influence virulence phenotypes, such as biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. This study explores the ability of K. pneumoniae to assimilate and respond to exogenous fatty acids. The combination of thin‐layer chromatography liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry confirmed adoption of numerous exogenous polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) into the phospholipid species of K. pneumoniae. Membrane permeability was variably affected as determined by two dye uptake assays. Furthermore, the availability of many PUFAs lowered the MICs to the antimicrobial peptides polymyxin B and colistin. Biofilm formation was significantly affected depending upon the supplemented fatty acid.
Estimating Dead-Space Fraction for Secondary Analyses of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Clinical Trials

Objectives: Pulmonary dead-space fraction is one of few lung-specific independent predictors of mortality from acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, it is not measured routinely in clinical trials and thus altogether ignored in secondary analyses that shape future research directions and clinical practice. This study sought to validate an estimate of dead-space fraction for use in secondary analyses of clinical trials. Design: Analysis of patient-level data pooled from acute respiratory distress syndrome clinical trials. Four approaches to estimate dead-space fraction were evaluated: three required estimating metabolic rate; one estimated dead-space fraction directly. Setting: U.S. academic teaching hospitals. Patients: Data from 210 patients across three clinical trials were used to compare performance of estimating equations with measured dead-space fraction. A second cohort of 3,135 patients from six clinical trials without measured dead-space fraction was used to confirm whether estimates independently predicted mortality. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Dead-space fraction estimated using the unadjusted Harris-Benedict equation for energy expenditure was unbiased (mean ± SD Harris-Benedict, 0.59 ± 0.13; measured, 0.60 ± 0.12). This estimate predicted measured dead-space fraction to within ±0.10 in 70% of patients and ±0.20 in 95% of patients. Measured dead-space fraction independently predicted mortality (odds ratio, 1.36 per 0.05 increase in dead-space fraction; 95% CI, 1.10–1.68; p < 0.01). The Harris-Benedict estimate closely approximated this association with mortality in the same cohort (odds ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.21–1.98; p < 0.01) and remained independently predictive of death in the larger Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network cohort. Other estimates predicted measured dead-space fraction or its association with mortality less well. Conclusions: Dead-space fraction should be measured in future acute respiratory distress syndrome clinical trials to facilitate incorporation into secondary analyses. For analyses where dead-space fraction was not measured, the Harris-Benedict estimate can be used to estimate dead-space fraction and adjust for its association with mortality.
UTOPIA OR CHAOS?: THE IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY ON LANGUAGE TEACHING

Over the past several decades, technology has becom e a fixture in many homes around the world, and its influence has permeated into all fac ets of our lives, including educational settings. Such penetration has been hailed by many as the wav e of the future in which language instruction will be driven by new advances in compu ters, the Internet, and mobile technologies. However, how we go about integrating technology int o our classrooms can have a huge impact on whether a technologically-driven classroom succe eds or fails, even with low-tech solutions.
Effect of preadsorbed proteins on cell adhesion to polymer surfaces

Adsorption of three different proteins and adhesion of cells onto various substrates in the presence of serum proteins were studied. Both the maximal protein adsorption and the maximal cell adhesion were observed on surfaces with water contact angle around 70°. Preadsorption of serum albumin prevented cell adhesion to all the substrates, whereas preadsorbed fibronectin (FN) enhanced cell adhesion to all the substrates, independent of their water wettability, except for poly(vinyl alcohol) and acrylamide-grafted films. Competitive adsorption of FN from mixed proteins, ranging from 0.03 to 0.07 μg/cm2, markedly influenced cell adhesion in the presence of serum. These results suggest that the effect of the water wettability of surfaces on cell adhesion in the presence of serum should occur through protein layers adsorbed directly to the substrate surfaces.
Integrated bioinformatics analysis reveals key candidate genes and pathways in breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading malignancy in women worldwide, yet relatively little is known about the genes and signaling pathways involved in BC tumorigenesis and progression. The present study aimed to elucidate potential key candidate genes and pathways in BC. Five gene expression profile data sets (GSE22035, GSE3744, GSE5764, GSE21422 and GSE26910) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, which included data from 113 tumorous and 38 adjacent non-tumorous tissue samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using t-tests in the limma R package. These DEGs were subsequently investigated by pathway enrichment analysis and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. The most significant module from the PPI network was selected for pathway enrichment analysis. In total, 227 DEGs were identified, of which 82 were upregulated and 145 were downregulated. Pathway enrichment analysis results revealed that the upregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in ‘cell division’, the ‘proteinaceous extracellular matrix (ECM)’, ‘ECM structural constituents’ and ‘ECM-receptor interaction’, whereas downregulated genes were mainly enriched in ‘response to drugs’, ‘extracellular space’, ‘transcriptional activator activity’ and the ‘peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway’. The PPI network contained 174 nodes and 1,257 edges. DNA topoisomerase 2-a, baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis repeat-containing protein 5, cyclin-dependent kinase 1, G2/mitotic-specific cyclin-B1 and kinetochore protein NDC80 homolog were identified as the top 5 hub genes. Furthermore, the genes in the most significant module were predominantly involved in ‘mitotic nuclear division’, ‘mid-body’, ‘protein binding’ and ‘cell cycle’. In conclusion, the DEGs, relative pathways and hub genes identified in the present study may aid in understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying BC progression and provide potential molecular targets and biomarkers for BC.
Smoking and the Risk of Hemorrhagic Stroke in Men

Background and Purpose— Smoking is an established risk factor for ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), but the impact of smoking on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is less clear. Methods— Prospective cohort study among 22 022 US male physicians participating in the Physicians’ Health Study. Incidence of stroke was measured by self-report and confirmed by medical record review. We used Cox proportional-hazards models to evaluate the association of smoking with risk of total hemorrhagic stroke, ICH, and SAH. We categorized smoking into 4 groups: never, past, or current smokers of <20 or of ≥20 cigarettes per day. Results— During 17.8 years of follow-up, 108 ICHs and 31 SAHs occurred. Never smokers and past smokers had equal rates of ICH and SAH. Current smokers of <20 cigarettes per day had multivariable-adjusted relative risks of 1.65 (95% CI, 0.61 to 4.50) for total hemorrhagic stroke, 1.60 (95% CI, 0.50 to 5.07) for ICH, and 1.75 (95% CI, 0.24 to 13.09) for SAH when compared with never smokers. Current smokers of ≥20 cigarettes had relative risks of 2.36 (95% CI, 1.38 to 4.02) for total hemorrhagic stroke, 2.06 (95% CI, 1.08 to 3.96) for ICH, and 3.22 (95% CI, 1.26 to 8.18) for SAH when compared with never smokers. Conclusions— This prospective study suggests an increased risk of total hemorrhagic stroke, ICH, and SAH in current cigarette smokers with a graded increase in risk that depended on how many cigarettes were smoked. The effect of smoking on ICH is of about the same magnitude as the effect of smoking on ischemic stroke. Our results add to the multiple health benefits that can be accrued by abstaining from cigarette smoking.
Smart outlier detection of wireless sensor network

Data sets collected from wireless sensor networks (WSN) are usually considered unreliable and subject to errors due to limited sensor capabilities and hard environmental resulting in a subset of the sensors data called outlier data. This paper proposes a technique to detect outlier data base on spatial-temporal similarity among data collected by geographically distributed sensors. The proposed technique is able to identify an abnormal subset of data collected by sensor node as outlier data. Moreover the proposed technique is able to classify this abnormal observation, an error data set or event affected set. Simulation result shows that high detection rate is achieved compared to conventional outlier detection techniques while preserving low positive false alarm rate.