Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A bootstrapping algorithm for learning linear models of object classes

Flexible models of object classes, based on linear combinations of prototypical images, are capable of matching novel images of the same class and have been shown to be a powerful tool to solve several fundamental vision tasks such as recognition, synthesis and correspondence. The key problem in creating a specific flexible model is the computation of pixelwise correspondence between the prototypes, a task done until now in a semiautomatic way. In this paper we describe an algorithm that automatically bootstraps the correspondence between the prototypes. The algorithm -which can be used for 2D images as well as for 3D models-is shown to synthesize successfully a flexible model of frontal face images and a flexible model of handwritten digits.
Does Stretching Improve Performance?: A Systematic and Critical Review of the Literature

Objective:The purpose of this article was to evaluate the clinical and basic science evidence surrounding the hypothesis that stretching improves performance. Data Sources and Selection:MEDLINE and Sport Discus were searched using MeSH and textwords for English-language and French-language articles related to stretching and performance (or performance tests). Additional references were reviewed from the bibliographies and from citation searches on key articles. All articles related to stretching and performance (or performance tests) were reviewed. Main Results:Of the 23 articles examining the effects of an acute bout of stretching, 22 articles suggested that there was no benefit for the outcomes isometric force, isokinetic torque, or jumping height. There was 1 article that suggested improved running economy. Of 4 articles examining running speed, 1 suggested that stretching was beneficial, 1 suggested that it was detrimental, and 2 had equivocal results. Of the 9 studies examining the effects of regular stretching, 7 suggested that it was beneficial, and the 2 showing no effect examined only the performance test of running economy. There were none that suggested that it was detrimental. Conclusions:An acute bout of stretching does not improve force or jump height, and the results for running speed are contradictory. Regular stretching improves force, jump height, and speed, although there is no evidence that it improves running economy.
Chronic kidney disease defined by cystatin C predicts mobility disability and changes in gait speed: the Framingham Offspring Study.

BACKGROUND As creatinine-based estimates of renal function are inaccurate in older adults, an alternative is an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR(cys)) based on cystatin C. We examined the prospective association between chronic kidney disease (CKD(cys)) as determined by eGFR(cys) with the primary outcome of incident mobility disability and the secondary outcome of change in gait speed. METHODS Framingham Offspring Study participants older than 60 years and free of mobility disability at baseline (1998-2001) were eligible. Baseline CKD(cys) was defined as eGFR(cys) less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2). At follow-up (2005-2008), the outcomes of mobility disability, defined as self-reported inability to walk 1/2 mile and/or climb a flight of stairs, and gait speed were measured. Logistic and linear regression models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, C reactive protein, and physical activity. RESULTS Of 1,226 participants, 230 (19%) had CKD(cys) at baseline. After a mean follow-up of 6.6 years, 185 (15%) developed mobility disability. Of those with CKD(cys), 60 (26%) developed mobility disability. Those with CKD(cys) had greater odds of mobility disability in the age- and sex-adjusted (odds ratio [OR] 1.91, 95% CI 1.32, 2.75) and fully adjusted (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.05, 2.31) models compared with those without CKD(cys). In fully adjusted models, participants with CKD(cys) had greater gait speed declines than those without CKD(cys) (β = 0.07 [SE 0.02], p = .0022). CONCLUSION CKD(cys) was associated with higher odds of incident mobility disability and greater decline in gait speed, highlighting the loss of physical independence in elders with CKD.
Astrocytes induce neural microvascular endothelial cells to form capillary‐like structures in vitro

Astrocytes maintain a unique association with the central nervous system microvasculature and are thought to play a role in neural microvessel formation and differentiation. We investigated the influence of astroglial cells on neural microvascular endothelial differentiation in vitro. Using an astroglial‐endothelial coculture system, rat brain astrocytes and C6 cells of astroglial lineage are shown to induce bovine retinal microvascular endothelial (BRE) cells to form capillarylike structures. Light microscopic evidence for endothelial reorganization began within 48 hours and was complete 72‐96 hours following the addition of BRE cells to 1‐day‐old astroglial cultures. The extent of BRE reorganization was quantitated by computer‐assisted analysis and shown to be dependent upon the density of both the BRE and C6 cells within the cocultures. Coculture conditions in which BRE cells were separated from C6 cells by porous membranes failed to generate this endothelial cell change. Likewise, C6‐conditioned media and C6‐endothelial coculture conditioned media did not induce BRE cell reorganization. Extracellular laminin within the C6‐endothelial cocultures, identified by indirect immunofluorescence, was concentrated at the endothelial‐astroglial interface of capillary‐like structures consistent with incipient basement membrane formation. Astroglial cells accumulated adjacent to capillary‐like structures suggesting the presence of bidirectional influences between the reorganized endothelial cells and astroglia. This is the first demonstration of astroglial induction of angiogenesis in vitro and these findings support a functional role for perivascular astrocytes in the vascularization of neural tissue such as retina and brain.
Can conditional cash transfers improve the uptake of nutrition interventions and household food security? Evidence from Odisha’s Mamata scheme

There is considerable global evidence on the effectiveness of cash transfers in improving health and nutrition outcomes; however, the evidence from South Asia, particularly India, is limited. In the context of India where more than a third of children are undernourished, and where there is considerable under-utilization of health and nutrition interventions, it is opportune to investigate the impact of cash transfer programs on the use of interventions. We study one conditional cash transfer program, Mamata scheme, implemented in the state of Odisha, in India that targeted pregnant and lactating women. Using survey data on 1161 households from three districts in the state of Odisha, we examine the effect of the scheme on eight outcomes: 1) pregnancy registration; 2) receipt of antenatal services; 3) receipt of iron and folic acid (IFA) tablets; 4) exposure to counseling during pregnancy; 5) exposure to postnatal counseling; 6) exclusive breastfeeding; 7) full immunization; and 8) household food security. We conduct regression analyses and correct for endogeneity using nearest-neighbor matching and inverse-probability weighting models. We find that the receipt of payments from the Mamata scheme is associated with a 5 percentage point (pp) increase in the likelihood of receiving antenatal services, a 10 pp increase in the likelihood of receiving IFA tablets, and a decline of 0.84 on the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. These results provide the first quantitative estimates of effects associated with the Mamata scheme, which can inform the design of government policies related to conditional cash transfers.
Extending the Mean-Variance Framework to Test the Attractiveness of Skewness in Lotto Play

Economic theory proposes that consumers are primarily concerned with increasing the mean and reducing the variance of the payoff when choosing between products the return to which is uncertain. This approach fails to explain the popularity of Lotto and other forms of gambling. The highly skewed prize distribution of the Lotto game suggests a case for extending the theory of choice in mean-variance space to include a third dimension, skewness. Empirical examination of Lotto sales supports the case for the inclusion of skewness and other, non-monetary, variables in a demand function.
Aeroengine prognosis through genetic distal learning applied to uncertain Engine Health Monitoring data

Genetic Fuzzy Systems have been successfully applied to assess Engine Health Monitoring (EHM) data from aeroengines, not only due to their robustness towards noisy gas path measurements and engine-to-engine variability, but also because of their capability to produce human-readable expressions. These techniques can detect the presence of certain types of abnormal events or specific engine conditions, where a combination of the EHM signals only appears when these occur. However, an engine that repeatedly operates under unfavourable conditions will also have a reduced life. Smooth deteriorations do no manifest themselves as combinations of the EHM signals, the current existing techniques can therefore not assess these. In this paper it is proposed to use distal learning to build a model that indirectly identifies the deterioration rate of an aeroengine. It will be shown that the integral of the modelled rate is a prognostic indicator of the remaining life of the engine to a selected end condition. The results are subsequently tested on a representative sample of aeroengine data.
ArchDB: automated protein loop classiﬁcation as a tool for structural genomics

The annotation of protein function has become a crucial problem with the advent of sequence and structural genomics initiatives. A large body of evidence suggests that protein structural information is frequently encoded in local sequences, and that folds are mainly made up of a number of simple local units of super-secondary structural motifs, consisting of a few secondary structures and their connecting loops. Moreover, protein loops play an important role in protein function. Here we present ArchDB, a classiﬁcation database of structural motifs, consisting of one loop plus its bracing secondary structures. ArchDB currently contains 12 665 super-secondary elements classiﬁed into 1496 motif subclasses. The database provides an easy way to retrieve functional information from protein structures sharing a common motif, to search motifs found in a given SCOP family, super-family or fold, or to search by keywords on proteins with classiﬁed loops. The ArchDB database of loops is located at http://sbi.imim. es/archdb.
Climatic and biogeochemical effects of a galactic gamma ray burst

It is likely that one or more gamma ray bursts within our galaxy have strongly irradiated the Earth in the last Gy. This produces significant atmospheric ionization and dissociation, resulting in ozone depletion and DNA‐damaging ultraviolet solar flux reaching the surface for up to a decade. Here we show the first detailed computation of two other significant effects. Visible opacity of NO2 is sufficient to reduce solar energy at the surface up to a few percent, with the greatest effect at the poles, which may be sufficient to initiate glaciation. Rainout of dilute nitric acid could have been important for a burst nearer than our conservative “nearest burst”. These results support the hypothesis that the characteristics of the Late Ordovician mass extinction are consistent with GRB initiation.
Prophylactic Training in Asymptomatic Soccer Players with Ultrasonographic Abnormalities in Achilles and Patellar Tendons

Background A recent study published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine showed that asymptomatic soccer players with an increased risk of developing Achilles and patellar tendon injuries within the next 12 months can be identified with use of ultrasonography. Hypothesis Prophylactic eccentric training and stretching can reduce both the frequency of asymptomatic ultrasonographic changes in Achilles and patellar tendons in soccer players and the risk of these asymptomatic intratendinous changes becoming symptomatic. Study Design Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods Two hundred and nine Danish professional soccer players from the best national league (Super League) were followed over 12 months with use of ultrasonography and injury registration. Half the teams were randomized to an intervention group with prophylactic eccentric training and stretching of the Achilles and patellar tendons during the soccer season. Results The eccentric training and stretching did not reduce the injury risk, and, contrary to all expectations, the injury risk during the season was increased in players with abnormal patellar tendons at the beginning of the study in January. Eccentric training and stretching in players with normal patellar tendons significantly reduced the proportion of players with ultrasonographic changes in the patellar tendons at the end of the season (risk difference [RD] = 12%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2%–22%; P = .02), but the training had no effect on the Achilles tendons (RD = 1%; 95% CI, −7% to 9%; P = .75). The presence of preseason ultrasonographic abnormalities in the tendons significantly increased the risk of developing tendon symptoms during the season (relative risk = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.2–3.1; P = .009). Conclusions This study demonstrates that with the use of ultrasonography, tendon changes in soccer players can be diagnosed before they become symptomatic. The prophylactic eccentric training and stretching program reduces the risk of developing ultrasonographic abnormalities in the patellar tendons but has no positive effects on the risk of injury. On the contrary, in asymptomatic players with ultrasonographically abnormal patellar tendons, prophylactic eccentric training and stretching increased the injury risk.
Minimising Mortality in Endangered Raptors Due to Power Lines: The Importance of Spatial Aggregation to Optimize the Application of Mitigation Measures

Electrocution by power lines is one of the main causes of non-natural mortality in birds of prey. In an area in central Spain, we surveyed 6304 pylons from 333 power lines to determine electrocution rates, environmental and design factors that may influence electrocution and the efficacy of mitigation measures used to minimise electrocution cases. A total of 952 electrocuted raptors, representing 14 different species, were observed. Electrocuted raptors were concentrated in certain areas and the environmental factors associated with increased electrocution events were: greater numbers of prey animals; greater vegetation cover; and shorter distance to roads. The structural elements associated with electrocutions were shorter strings of insulators, one or more phases over the crossarm, cross-shaped design and pylon function. Of the 952 carcasses found, 148 were eagles, including golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) and Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata). Electrocuted eagles were clustered in smaller areas than other electrocuted raptors. The factors associated with increased eagle electrocution events were: pylons function, shorter strings of insulators, higher slopes surrounding the pylon, and more numerous potential prey animals. Pylons with increased string of insulators had lower raptor electrocution rates than unimproved pylons, although this technique was unsuccessful for eagles. Pylons with cable insulation showed higher electrocution rates than unimproved pylons, both for raptors and eagles, despite this is the most widely used and recommended mitigation measure in several countries. To optimize the application of mitigation measures, our results recommend the substitution of pin-type insulators to suspended ones and elongating the strings of insulators.
Robustness in projected entangled pair states

We analyze a criterion which guarantees that the ground states of certain many-body systems are stable under perturbations. Specifically, we consider PEPS, which are believed to provide an efficient description, based on local tensors, for the low energy physics arising from local interactions. In order to assess stability in the framework of PEPS, one thus needs to understand how physically allowed perturbations of the local tensor affect the properties of the global state. In this paper, we show that a restricted version of the local topological quantum order (LTQO) condition [Michalakis and Pytel, Commun. Math. Phys. 322, 277 (2013)] provides a checkable criterion which allows us to assess the stability of local properties of PEPS under physical perturbations. We moreover show that LTQO itself is stable under perturbations which preserve the spectral gap, leading to nontrivial examples of PEPS which possess LTQO and are thus stable under arbitrary perturbations.
Distributed but convergent ordering of corticostriatal projections: analysis of the frontal eye field and the supplementary eye field in the macaque monkey

The degree of parallel processing in frontal cortex-basal ganglia circuits is a central and debated issue in research on the basal ganglia. To approach this issue directly, we analyzed and compared the corticostriatal projections of two principal oculomotor areas of the frontal lobes, the frontal eye field (FEF) and the supplementary eye field (SEF). We first identified cortical regions within or adjacent to each eye field by microstimulation in macaque monkeys and then injected each site with either 35S-methionine or WGA-HRP conjugate. We analyzed the corticostriatal projections and also the interconnections of the pairs of cortical areas. We observed major convergence of the projections of the FEF and the SEF within the striatum, principally in the caudate nucleus. In cross sections through the striatum, both projections were broken into a series of discontinuous input zones that seemed to be part of complex three-dimensional labyrinths. Where the FEF and SEF projection fields were both present, they overlapped patch for patch. Thus, both inputs were dispersed within the striatum but converged with one another. Striatal afferents from cortex adjacent to the FEF and the SEF did not show convergence with SEF and FEF inputs, but did, in part, converge with one another. For all pairs of cortical areas tested, the degree of overlap in the corticostriatal projections appeared to be directly correlated with the degree of cortical interconnectivity of the areas injected. All of the corticostriatal fiber projections observed primarily avoided immunohistochemically identified striosomes. We conclude that there is convergence of oculomotor information from two distinct regions of the frontal cortex to the striatal matrix, which is known to project into pallidonigral circuits including the striatonigrocollicular pathway of the saccadic eye movement system. Furthermore, functionally distinct premotor areas near the oculomotor fields often systematically projected to striatal zones adjacent to oculomotor field projections, suggesting an anatomical basis for potential interaction of these inputs within the striatum. We propose that parallel processing is not the exclusive principle of organization of forebrain circuits associated with the basal ganglia. Rather, patterns of both convergence and divergence are present and are likely to depend on multiple functional and developmental constraints.
45S rDNA Regions Are Chromosome Fragile Sites Expressed as Gaps In Vitro on Metaphase Chromosomes of Root-Tip Meristematic Cells in Lolium spp

Background In humans, chromosome fragile sites are regions that are especially prone to forming non-staining gaps, constrictions or breaks in one or both of the chromatids on metaphase chromosomes either spontaneously or following partial inhibition of DNA synthesis and have been well identified. So far, no plant chromosome fragile sites similar to those in human chromosomes have been reported. Methods and Results During the course of cytological mapping of rDNA on ryegrass chromosomes, we found that the number of chromosomes plus chromosome fragments was often more than the expected 14 in most cells for Lolium perenne L. cv. Player by close cytological examination using a routine chromosome preparation procedure. Further fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using 45S rDNA as a probe indicated that the root-tip cells having more than a 14-chromosome plus chromosome fragment count were a result of chromosome breakage or gap formation in vitro (referred to as chromosome lesions) at 45S rDNA sites, and 86% of the cells exhibited chromosome breaks or gaps and all occurred at the sites of 45S rDNA in Lolium perenne L. cv. Player, as well as in L. multiflorum Lam. cv. Top One. Chromatin depletion or decondensation occurred at various locations within the 45S rDNA regions, suggesting heterogeneity of lesions of 45S rDNA sites with respect to their position within the rDNA region. Conclusions The chromosome lesions observed in this study are very similar cytologically to that of fragile sites observed in human chromosomes, and thus we conclude that the high frequency of chromosome lesions in vitro in Lolium species is the result of the expression of 45S rDNA fragile sites. Possible causes for the spontaneous expression of fragile sites and their potential biological significance are discussed.
Discontinuation of donepezil for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in geriatric practice

ABSTRACT Background: Maintaining continuous pharmacological treatment of patients with dementia is often difficult. In the current study we surveyed the discontinuation of donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in a Japanese geriatric outpatient clinic in a university hospital. Methods: Using a retrospective chart review from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2005, prescriptions of donepezil and the reasons for discontinuing the prescription in a university hospital were determined. The severity of dementia was evaluated by the clinical dementia rating (CDR). Results: Out of 264 patients, 140 (53.1%) discontinued taking donepezil during the two-year observation period. The mean age of the continued group and the discontinued group did not differ significantly (79.5 ± 6.7, 79.8 ± 6.4, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the patients with more severe cognitive impairment (CDR score = 3) discontinued donepezil earlier and more frequently. The reasons for discontinuation were a change in the doctors treating the patients (n = 71), ineffectiveness (n = 16), gastrointestinal side-effects (n = 11), and others (n = 41). In patients with CDR = 1 or 2, changes of doctors were the most frequent reason for discontinuation. However, in patients with CDR = 3, ineffectiveness of the medication was the major reason for discontinuation. Conclusion: Donepezil was frequently discontinued, and the rate of discontinuation was higher in patients with advanced dementia.