Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dense 3 D Semantic Mapping of Indoor Scenes from RGB-D Images

Dense semantic segmentation of 3D point clouds is a challenging task. Many approaches deal with 2D semantic segmentation and can obtain impressive results. With the availability of cheap RGB-D sensors the field of indoor semantic segmentation has seen a lot of progress. Still it remains unclear how to deal with 3D semantic segmentation in the best way. We propose a novel 2D-3D label transfer based on Bayesian updates and dense pairwise 3D Conditional Random Fields. This approach allows us to use 2D semantic segmentations to create a consistent 3D semantic reconstruction of indoor scenes. To this end, we also propose a fast 2D semantic segmentation approach based on Randomized Decision Forests. Furthermore, we show that it is not needed to obtain a semantic segmentation for every frame in a sequence in order to create accurate semantic 3D reconstructions. We evaluate our approach on both NYU Depth datasets and show that we can obtain a significant speed-up compared to other methods.
Efficacy and safety of a conversion from the original tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil to the generics Tacpan® and Mowel® after liver transplantation

Background Expensive pharmaceuticals are a major reason for cost intensive health care systems. Long-term immunosuppressive therapy plays a relevant role after organ transplantation. Patents of original drugs have expired and cheaper products are available. Little data are available regarding efficacy and safety of generic immunosuppressive agents. Methods In this prospective study, 25 patients, who were clinically stable for a minimum of 2 years after liver transplantation, were converted from the original formulations of tacrolimus (TAC) and mycophenolate mofetil to the generics Tacpan® (TAP) and Mowel® (MOW). Patients were followed-up for 6 months. Results were compared retrospectively to 25 age- and sex-matched controls treated with the original brands. Results In the matched-pair analysis of TAC trough level/dose ratio, no significant difference was found between TAP/MOW and TAC/mycophenolate mofetil groups. No acute rejection occurred in either group. In total, 17 patients reported mild side effects in the TAP/MOW group. The most common side effects were gastrointestinal symptoms. Intra-individual analysis of costs revealed a considerable cost reduction in the TAP/MOW group (in median 25.03%; P<0.001). Conclusion In summary, the use of the generics TAP/MOW is effective and seems to be safe and cost-efficient in stable liver-transplantation patients.
Good Consumer or Bad Consumer: Economic Information Revealed From Demand Profiles

In this paper, we demonstrate that a consumer’s marginal system impact is determined only by their demand profile, rather than by their demand level. Demand-profile clustering is identical to clustering consumers according to their marginal impacts on system costs. A profile-based, uniform-rate price is economically efficient as real-time pricing. We develop a criteria system to evaluate the economic efficiency of an implemented retail price scheme in a distribution system by comparing profile clustering and daily average clustering. Our criteria system can examine the extent of a retail price scheme’s inefficiency, even without information about the distribution system’s daily cost structure. For this work, we analyze data from a real distribution system in China. In this system, we find that targeting each consumer’s high-impact days is more efficient than targeting high-impact consumers.
An extragradient iterative scheme for common fixed point problems and variational inequality problems with applications

Abstract In this paper, by combining a modified extragradient scheme with the viscosity approximation technique, an iterative scheme is developed for computing the common element of the set of fixed points of a sequence of asymptotically nonexpansive mappings and the set of solutions of the variational inequality problem for an α-inverse strongly monotone mapping. We prove a strong convergence theorem for the sequences generated by this scheme and give some applications of our convergence theorem.
Brain Activity in Response to Trauma-specific, Negative, and Neutral Stimuli. A fMRI Study of Recent Road Traffic Accident Survivors

Most studies of neuro-functional patterns in trauma-exposed individuals have been conducted considerable time after the traumatic event. Hence little is known about neuro-functional processing shortly after trauma-exposure. We investigated brain activity patterns in response to trauma reminders as well as neutral and negative stimuli in individuals who had recently (within 3 weeks) been involved in a road traffic accident (RTA). Twenty-three RTA survivors and 17 non-trauma-exposed healthy controls (HCs) underwent functional MRI while viewing Trauma-specific, Negative, and Neutral pictures. Data were analyzed from four a priori regions of interest, including bilateral amygdala, subcallosal cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex. In addition, we performed a whole brain analysis and functional connectivity analysis during stimulus presentation. For both groups, Negative stimuli elicited more activity in the amygdala bilaterally than did Neutral and Trauma-specific stimuli. The whole brain analysis revealed higher activation in sensory processing related areas (bilateral occipital and temporal cortices and thalamus) as well as frontal and superior parietal areas, for the RTA group compared to HC, for Trauma-specific stimuli contrasted with Neutral stimuli. We also observed higher functional connectivity for Trauma-specific stimuli, between bilateral amygdala and somatosensory areas, for the RTA group compared to controls, when contrasted with Neutral stimuli. We argue that these results might indicate an attentional sensory processing bias toward Trauma-specific stimuli for trauma exposed individuals, a result in line with findings from the post-traumatic stress disorder literature.
Evaluation of Lymphocyte Response to the Induced Oxidative Stress in a Cohort of Ageing Subjects, including Semisupercentenarians and Their Offspring

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may promote immunosenescence if not counterbalanced by the antioxidant systems. Cell membranes, proteins, and nucleic acids become the target of ROS and progressively lose their structure and functions. This process could lead to an impairment of the immune response. However, little is known about the capability of the immune cells of elderly individuals to dynamically counteract the oxidative stress. Here, the response of the main lymphocyte subsets to the induced oxidative stress in semisupercentenarians (CENT), their offspring (OFF), elderly controls (CTRL), and young individuals (YO) was analyzed using flow cytometry. The results showed that the ratio of the ROS levels between the induced and noninduced (I/NI) oxidative stress conditions was higher in CTRL and OFF than in CENT and YO, in almost all T, B, and NK subsets. Moreover, the ratio of reduced glutathione levels between I/NI conditions was higher in OFF and CENT compared to the other groups in almost all the subsets. Finally, we observed significant correlations between the response to the induced oxidative stress and the degree of methylation in specific genes on the oxidative stress pathway. Globally, these data suggest that the capability to buffer dynamic changes in the oxidative environment could be a hallmark of longevity in humans.
A prospective bilateral comparison of epi-LASIK and LASEK for myopia.

PURPOSE To compare the clinical and confocal microscopic results of mechanical (epi-LASIK) versus alcohol-assisted laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) for the correction of myopia. METHODS Twenty-five patients with myopia received epi-LASIK in one eye and LASEK in the other. The difference of spherical equivalent refraction of myopia and astigmatism was less than 1.00 diopter (D) in two eyes of each case. Mechanical separation of the epithelium was performed with the Lasitome epithelial separator and alcohol-assisted separation with 25 second application of 18% alcohol. Ablation was performed with the ESIRIS laser. Patients were seen daily until epithelial closure, and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Time to epithelial healing, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), manifest refraction, haze, and grey scale value in confocal microscopy were recorded. RESULTS Preoperative myopic spherical equivalent refraction was -3.95+/-1.49 D in the epi-LASIK and -3.91+/-1.39 D in the LASEK-treated eyes. The mean time to epithelial healing was slightly longer after epi-LASIK (4.86+/-0.64 vs 4.18+/-0.58 days). Of both epi-LASIK and LASEK-treated eyes, 92% achieved 20/20 or better UCVA and were within +/-0.50 D of emmetropia at 12 months. The grade of haze and mean grey scale value in confocal microscopy were similar in epi-LASIK and LASEK-treated eyes at all postoperative periods. One eye treated with epi-LASIK suffered a minor stromal cut. CONCLUSIONS Epi-LASIK and LASEK offer effective correction of myopia with comparable results at 1 year.
The Presence of EpCAM-/CD49f+ Cells in Breast Cancer Is Associated with a Poor Clinical Outcome

Purpose It is well established that breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) play an essential role in tumor invasion for both local and distant metastasis. The aim of this study was to establish whether BCSCs could act as a prognostic and clinical marker. Methods We analyzed tumor tissues from 161 breast cancer patients. Dual immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed on all the slides, and we analyzed the relationship between EpCAM-/CD49f+ tumor cells and key clinical and prognostic factors. Results Univariate survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method showed that the presence of EpCAM-/CD49f+ tumor cells in breast cancer was significantly associated with shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of EpCAM-/CD49f+ cells was associated with shorter DFS (p=0.010; hazard ratio [HR], 2.070) and OS (p=0.002; HR, 3.235). Tumors containing EpCAM-/CD49f+ cells were also more likely to metastasize after initial surgery (p=0.048). Conclusion Our study suggests that breast tumors containing EpCAM-/CD49f+ cells are more likely to undergo distant metastasis after initial surgery and are associated with a shorter DFS and OS.
Placental adaptations to micronutrient dysregulation in the programming of chronic disease

Poor nutrition during pregnancy is known to impair foetal development and increase the risk of chronic disease in offspring. Both macronutrients and micronutrients are required for a healthy pregnancy although significantly less is understood about the role of micronutrients in the programming of chronic disease. This is despite the fact that modern calorie rich diets are often also deficient in key micronutrients. The importance of micronutrients in gestational disorders is clearly understood but how they impact long term disease in humans requires further investigation. In contrast, animal studies have demonstrated how diets high or low in specific micronutrients influence offspring physiology. Many of these studies highlight the importance of the placenta in determining disease risk. This review will explore the effects of individual vitamins, minerals and trace elements on offspring disease outcomes and discuss several key placental adaptations that are affected by multiple micronutrients. These placental adaptations include micronutrient induced dysregulation of oxidative stress, altered methyl donor availability and its impact on epigenetic mechanisms as well as endocrine dysfunction. Critical gaps in our current knowledge and the relative importance of different micronutrients at different gestational ages will also be highlighted. Finally, this review will discuss the need for further studies to characterise the micronutrient status of Australian women of reproductive age and correlate micronutrient status to placental adaptations, pregnancy complications and offspring disease.
Birds use fruit colour as honest signal of dietary antioxidant rewards

Summary 1. Fruits are among the most antioxidant-rich foods in nature and thus can be important dietary sources for combating oxidative stress in animals and humans. 2. Because fruits are pigmented by important plant antioxidants such as anthocyanins and carotenoids, frugivores may be able to gauge the antioxidant value of a fruit by its colour. However, although the importance of dietary antioxidants and oxidative stress is increasingly being acknowledged in evolutionary ecology, it is unknown whether animals can use visual signals to detect the presence of antioxidants in their food. 3. We studied the colour and pigment content of 60 bird-dispersed fruits and used an avian eye model to assess the ability of birds to visually discriminate carotenoid and anthocyanin contents of fruits. We then tested whether the frugivorous European blackcap ( Sylvia atricapilla ) preferentially consumes food containing anthocyanins. 4. Fruit colour variation was explained by variation in anthocyanin contents, and birds were capable of discriminating anthocyanin concentrations in fruits based on colour because fruits rich in anthocyanins are black or UV reflecting. However, we found that birds could not use colouration to determine the carotenoid contents of fruits. Ripe fruits contained more anthocyanins than unripe fruits, while there was no difference between ripe and unripe fruits in carotenoid contents. Anthocyanin contents correlated with caloric value in fruits, while there was no such correlation between carotenoids and total energy contents. 5. In food choice experiments, blackcaps selected food containing anthocyanins over food without anthocyanins. 6. In sum, our results indicate that birds actively selected for anthocyanins in their food and that they may use fruit colour as a foraging signal of anthocyanin antioxidant rewards.
Objective and subjective residential context and urban children's weight status and physical and sedentary activities

This project was supported with a grant from the University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, grant number 2 U01 PE000002-06. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and should not be construed as representing the opinions or policies of the UKCPR or any agency of the Federal government. ISSN: 1936-9379
Beyond Massive MIMO: The Potential of Data Transmission With Large Intelligent Surfaces

In this paper, we consider the potential of data transmission in a system with a massive number of radiating and sensing elements, thought of as a contiguous surface of electromagnetically active material. We refer to this as a large intelligent surface (LIS), which is a newly proposed concept and conceptually goes beyond contemporary massive MIMO technology. First, we consider capacities of single-antenna autonomous terminals communicating to the LIS where the entire surface is used as a receiving antenna array in a perfect line-of-sight propagation environment. Under the condition that the surface area is sufficiently large, the received signal after a matched-filtering operation can be closely approximated by a sinc-function-like intersymbol interference channel. Second, we analyze a normalized capacity measured per unit surface, for a fixed transmit power per volume unit with different terminal deployments. As terminal density increases, the limit of the normalized capacity [nats/s/Hz/volume-unit] achieved when wavelength <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\lambda$</tex-math></inline-formula> approaches zero is equal to half of the transmit power per volume unit divided by the noise spatial power spectral density. Third, we show that the number of independent signal dimensions that can be harvested per meter deployed surface is <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2/\lambda$</tex-math></inline-formula> for one-dimensional terminal deployment, and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\pi /\lambda ^2$</tex-math></inline-formula> per square meter for two- and three-dimensional terminal deployments. Finally, we consider implementations of the LIS in the form of a grid of conventional antenna elements, and show that the sampling lattice that minimizes the surface area and simultaneously obtains one independent signal dimension for every spent antenna is the hexagonal lattice.
On the Enhanced Cosmic-Ray Ionization Rate in the Diffuse Cloud toward ζ Persei

The spatial distribution of the cosmic-ray flux is important in understanding the interstellar medium (ISM) of the Galaxy. This distribution can be analyzed by studying different molecular species along different sight lines whose abundances are sensitive to the cosmic-ray ionization rate. Recently several groups have reported an enhanced cosmic-ray ionization rate (ζ = χCRζstandard) in diffuse clouds compared to the standard value, ζstandard (=2.5 × 10−17 s−1), measured toward dense molecular clouds. In an earlier work we reported an enhancement χCR = 20 toward HD 185418. McCall et al. have reported χCR = 48 toward ζ Persei based on the observed abundance of H+3, while Le Petit et al. found χCR ≈ 10 to be consistent with their models for this same sight line. Here we revisit ζ Persei and perform a detailed calculation using a self-consistent treatment of the hydrogen chemistry, grain physics, energy and ionization balance, and excitation physics. We show that the value of χCR deduced from the H+3 column density, N(H+3) , in the diffuse region of the sight line depends strongly on the properties of the grains because they remove free electrons and change the hydrogen chemistry. The observations are largely consistent with χCR ≈ 40, with several diagnostics indicating higher values. This underscores the importance of a full treatment of grain physics in studies of interstellar chemistry.
Fluid ionic composition influences hydraulic conductance of xylem conduits

The direct effect of fluid composition on xylem hydraulic conductance is investigated in excised stem segments of chrysanthemum (Dendranthema x grandiflorum Tzvelev cv. Cassa) plants. Dynamic changes in hydraulic conductance are accurately measured at 30 s intervals before and after modifications of the composition of the standard fluid (deionized water). It is investigated whether osmotic properties of the flowing solution influence overall hydraulic conductance by affecting the hydraulic conductance of vessel-to-vessel pit membranes, as has previously been suggested. Various iso-osmotic salt solutions (20 mOsm kg -1 ) of different composition raised the hydraulic conductance of 20 cm long stem segments approximately 5-8% compared to deionized water. In contrast, carbohydrate solutions with similar osmotic strength and pH did not cause any change in hydraulic conductance. KCI solutions that greatly differed in osmotic strength all increased hydraulic conductance, but the response was not correlated with the osmotic strength of the solution. Increasing the number of vessels that were open from one cut end to the other by shortening the stem segments greatly increased the hydraulic conductance response. Changing from deionized water to a salt solution caused an immediate increase in hydraulic conductance, while a shift back to deionized water resulted in a slow decline. This decline lasted longer when the salt solution contained divalent cations compared to monovalent cations. It is concluded that the presence of cations and not the osmotic strength in the flowing solution influenced the hydraulic conductance. The phenomenon is not caused by the vessel-to-vessel pit membranes, which in fact suppressed the effect, due to their large contribution to the overall resistance to water flow.
K + Nutrition and Na + Toxicity: The Basis of Cellular K + /Na + Ratios

Abstract The capacity of plants to maintain a high cytosolic K + /Na + ratio is likely to be one of the key determinants of plant salt tolerance. Important progress has been made in recent years regarding the identification and characterization of genes and transporters that contribute to the cytosolic K + /Na + ratio. For K + uptake, K + efflux and K + translocation to the shoot, genes have been isolated that encode K + uptake and K + release ion channels and K + carriers that are coupled to either a H + or Na + gradient. Although the picture is less clear for the movement of Na + , one pathway, in the form of non-selective ion channels, is likely to play a role in Na + uptake, whereas Na + efflux and compartmentation are likely to be mediated by H + -coupled antiport. In addition, several proteins have been characterized that play prominent roles in the regulation of K + and/or Na + fluxes. In this Botanical Briefing we will discuss the functions and interactions of these genes and transporters in the broader context of K + nutrition and Na + toxicity.
Noninvasive monitoring of early antiangiogenic therapy response in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma xenograft model using MRI with RGD-conjugated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

Purpose Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-based nanoprobes allow specific imaging of integrin αvβ3, a protein overexpressed during angiogenesis. Therefore, this study applied a novel RGD-coupled, polyacrylic acid (PAA)-coated ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) (referred to as RGD-PAA-USPIO) in order to detect tumor angiogenesis and assess the early response to antiangiogenic treatment in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) xenograft model by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and methods The binding specificity of RGD-PAA-USPIO with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was confirmed by Prussian blue staining and transmission electron microscopy in vitro. The tumor targeting of RGD-PAA-USPIO was evaluated in the NPC xenograft model. Later, mice bearing NPC underwent MRI at baseline and after 4 and 14 days of consecutive treatment with Endostar or phosphate-buffered saline (n=10 per group). Results The specific uptake of the RGD-PAA-USPIO nanoparticles was mainly dependent on the interaction between RGD and integrin αvβ3 of HUVECs. The tumor targeting of RGD-PAA-USPIO was observed in the NPC xenograft model. Moreover, the T2 relaxation time of mice in the Endostar-treated group decreased significantly compared with those in the control group both on days 4 and 14, consistent with the immunofluorescence results of CD31 and CD61 (P<0.05). Conclusion This study demonstrated that the magnetic resonance molecular nanoprobes, RGD-PAA-USPIOs, allow noninvasive in vivo imaging of tumor angiogenesis and assessment of the early response to antiangiogenic treatment in NPC xenograft model, favoring its potential clinical translation.
Investigations of methods to reduce damage by voles

every 3-various resources: and st alfalfa and other gardens. A variety of m ole for cost- ethods are used to reduce v ches. We investigated numerous candidate repellents , and environmentally benign approa Several compounds (blood meal, nd barriers with indoor vole colonies in soil-filled tanks. castor coyote urine, quebracho, a ) showed promise as repellents, but only nd thiram at high conc ompletely ineffective. Voles breached short entrations. Many other compounds were c physical r by climbing or burrowing. Taller barriers were less often breached by voles. barriers, eithe r increased barrier effectiveness. A tactile barrier, dding a repellent, coyote urine, inside the barrie in acrylic paint, did not reduce vole gnawing hybrid poplar sticks. While some of these approaches appear needed to determine the cost, effectiveness, and ed promising, field testing will be Our findings are discussed within the to reduce da dam