Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Unified Approach for Registration and Depth in Depth from Defocus

Depth from Defocus (DFD) suggests a simple optical set-up to recover the shape of a scene through imaging with shallow depth of field. Although numerous methods have been proposed for DFD, less attention has been paid to the particular problem of alignment between the captured images. The inherent shift-variant defocus often prevents standard registration techniques from achieving the accuracy needed for successful shape reconstruction. In this paper, we address the DFD and registration problem in a unified framework, exploiting their mutual relation to reach a better solution for both cues. We draw a formal connection between registration and defocus blur, find its limitations and reveal the weakness of the standard isolated approaches of registration and depth estimation. The solution is approached by energy minimization. The efficiency of the associated numerical scheme is justified by showing its equivalence to the celebrated Newton-Raphson method and proof of convergence of the emerged linear system. The computationally intensive approach of DFD, newly combined with simultaneous registration, is handled by GPU computing. Experimental results demonstrate the high sensitivity of the recovered shapes to slight errors in registration and validate the superior performance of the suggested approach over two, separately applying registration and DFD alternatives.
BMC Systems Biology

Background: Tissue morphogenesis is a complex process whereby tissue structures self-assemble by the aggregate behaviors of independently acting cells responding to both intracellular and extracellular cues in their environment. During embryonic development, morphogenesis is particularly important for organizing cells into tissues, and although key regulatory events of this process are well studied in isolation, a number of important systems-level questions remain unanswered. This is due, in part, to a lack of integrative tools that enable the coupling of biological phenomena across spatial and temporal scales. Here, we present a new computational framework that integrates intracellular signaling information with multi-cell behaviors in the context of a spatially heterogeneous tissue environment. Results: We have developed a computational simulation of mesendoderm
Advanced Techniques to Study Anesthetic Effects on the Nervous System

Recently, there has been increased interest and concern regarding the safety of anesthetics on the long-term impairment of the central nervous system (CNS). The field of anesthesia-related toxicology, therefore, has engaged multiple scientific disciplines in attempt to identify the basic characteristics of the anesthetic agents that produce harmful acute and/or chronic effects on the nervous system. Currently, the clinical relevance of anesthetic neurotoxicity is an urgent matter of public health.
Elevated plasma homocysteine in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Background Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetic individuals independent of conventional risk factors. Available study in Nigerian-Africans is scare. Methods Seventy (30 males) and (40 females) type 2 diabetes mellitus, with age mean of 54 ± 11.52 years were selected for this study and thirty apparently healthy volunteers were included as controls. The biochemical parameters and anthropometric indices were determined using standard procedures. Results Significant increases were obtained in body weight, body mass index (p<0.001) and waist circumference (p<0.012) when compared with the corresponding control values respectively. The fasting plasma glucose (p<0.01), tHcy (p<0.02), and triglyceride (p<0.03) were significantly higher in the diabetes group when compared with the corresponding control values. The plasma folic acid and vitamin B12 (p<0.05) were significantly reduced compared to the control values. The tHcy (p<0.01) was significantly higher in the males when compared with the corresponding female value. Significant decrease was obtained in the plasma triglyceride (p<0.003) in the male patients when compared with the female patients. Conclusion Our result showed increased plasma tHcy, triglyceride and waist circumference as well as decreased folic acid and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes mellitus. These alterations are risk factors for premature CVD events.
Knowledge of Specific Learning Disabilities among Teacher Educators in Puducherry , Union Territory in India

Though India has attained the literacy rate of 74 p ercent as per the 2011 Literacy Census Data, it still far behind to provide individual att ention in Formal Education as well as NonFormal Education. The effort initiated by the Minis try of Human Resource Development, India strengthens the education quantitatively in t he 10 & 11 Five Year Plan through inclusion of the Special Needs Children. In the pre sent, 12 Five Year Plan India concentrates on Inclusive Growth in the education. Specific Lear ning Disabilities (SpLD) is one among the categories under inclusion in the mainstream and re qui s attaining inclusive growth. When we talk about inclusion of SpLD, lot of question ar ises: Are the teachers prepared to handle the SpLD? Does the teachers trained to teach SpLD? Do the teachers have the conception of the SpLD? The present study investigated the Knowle dge of the SpLD exists among the Teacher Educators in Puducherry, a Union Territory f India. The study found that the teachers in the inclusive classroom require skill t raining to impart education to the SpLD. The data shows that the knowledge about the SpLD in an i clusive education set-up is average and recommends the Government of India to implement int ensive and rigorous training to fulfill the educational needs of the Special Needs Children .
Structural differences between regions of the ciliary body in primates.

The ciliary bodies from four rhesus monkey and six human eyes were subdivided into eight adjacent zones. The morphology of the ciliary epithelium and bordering stroma at the crests of the processes was examined electron microscopically in each region. In two of the monkey eyes (3 months and 18 years old) and in two of the human eyes (18 years and 55 years old) profiles of mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and Golgi complexes were counted at different locations, and the values for different zones within each individual eye compared by a multifactoral analysis of variance. Fenestrations in the endothelium of the capillaries in the stroma bordering the epithelium were also counted. The basal and lateral infoldings of the nonpigmented epithelium (NPE) and pigmented epithelium (PE) are most prominent in the anterior and middle areas of the pars plicata (zones I and II). Mitochondria and RER are significantly more frequent in this area. The stromal layer is very thin, and the capillary endothelia exhibit a large number of fenestrations. These findings suggest that the anterior portion of the pars plicata is involved in aqueous humor production. In the transition zones between the pars plicata and pars plana and in the pars plana (zones III to V) the number of mitochondria and RER profiles is decreased. In contrast, Golgi complexes are most frequent in zone IV, perhaps relating to the increased mucopolysaccharide production observed in this area. Special interconnections (wedgelike, mushroomlike, and fingerlike) were observed between the epithelial cells and between the PE and the stroma in zones III to V. These structures may serve as additional mechanical interconnections, which strengthen the tissue and thereby play an important role when it is put under tension during accommodation.
Hearing Voices in a Non-Psychiatric Population

Background: Many people hear voices but do not access psychiatric services and their experiences are largely unknown, not least because of the difficulty in contacting such people. This study investigates the beliefs held about voices, distress experienced, and provides a topographical account of the experience of hearing voices in a sample of individuals who hear voices in a non-psychiatric population. Method: A quantitative questionnaire internet-based study with a within-subjects and between-subjects design was used. The internet was used to make contact with people who hear voices. One hundred and eighty-four participants in the general population who heard voices completed measures online assessing anxiety, depression, and beliefs about their dominant voice. Results: Participants reported a broad range of experiences associated with hearing voices, some in keeping with the previous research on clinical populations. Conclusion: The use of the internet to recruit and research non-clinical samples of people who hear voices is supported. This study provides details regarding demographic information and the experience of voice hearing from a fairly large sample of people who hear voices in a non-psychiatric population. It lends support to the idea that voice hearing occurs on a continuum, with evidence that many people hear voices in the general population and are not distressed by the experience.
Uncovering a Context-Specific Connectional Fingerprint of Human Dorsal Premotor Cortex

Primate electrophysiological and lesion studies indicate a prominent role of the left dorsal premotor cortex (PMd) in action selection based on learned sensorimotor associations. Here we applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to human left PMd at low or high intensity while right-handed individuals performed externally paced sequential key presses with their left hand. Movements were cued by abstract visual stimuli, and subjects either freely selected a key press or responded according to a prelearned visuomotor mapping rule. Continuous arterial spin labeling was interleaved with TMS to directly assess how stimulation of left PMd modulates task-related brain activity depending on the mode of movement selection. Relative to passive viewing, both tasks activated a frontoparietal motor network. Compared with low-intensity TMS, high-intensity TMS of left PMd was associated with an increase in activity in medial and right premotor areas without affecting task performance. Critically, this increase in task-related activity was only present when movement selection relied on arbitrary visuomotor associations but not during freely selected movements. Psychophysiological interaction analysis revealed a context-specific increase in functional coupling between the stimulated left PMd and remote right-hemispheric and mesial motor regions that was only present during arbitrary visuomotor mapping. Our TMS perturbation approach yielded causal evidence that the left PMd is implicated in mapping external cues onto the appropriate movement in humans. Furthermore, the data suggest that the left PMd may transiently form a functional network together with right-hemispheric and mesial motor regions to sustain visuomotor mapping performed with the left nondominant hand.
The effect of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor in extended liver resection with ischemia in dogs.

BACKGROUND Pringle's procedure is commonly used during liver surgery, and it sometimes causes liver failure. Metabolites of arachidonic acid, which are converted by cyclooxygenase (Cox), are involved in ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study evaluated the effects of FK 3311, which selectively inhibits Cox-2, on ischemia-reperfusion injury during liver resection in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS The animals were divided into four groups and subjected to 60 min of warm ischemia by partial inflow occlusion. The FK-treated groups (FK0.2: 0.2 mg/kg, FK1: 1 mg/kg, FK3: 3mg/kg) received FK3311, and the control group received vehicle. Following reperfusion, the nonischemic lobes were resected and remnant liver function was evaluated. RESULTS Tissue blood flow and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly better in the FK1 and FK3 groups, especially FK1, than in the control group. Thromboxane B(2) was significantly lower in the FK1 and FK3 groups than in the control group. The level of 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha) was significantly lower in the FK3 group and relatively unchanged in the FK1 group. Histological damage was milder in the FK1 group. There were significantly fewer polymorphonuclear neutrophils in the FK1 group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS FK3311 ameliorates the ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by Pringle's procedure during extensive liver resection. This agent may be clinically useful in extended liver surgery involving vascular isolation.
IgE receptor-mediated alteration of membrane-cytoskeleton interactions revealed by mass spectrometric analysis of detergent-resistant membranes.

We use electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to quantify >100 phospholipid (PL) components in detergent-resistant membrane (DRM) domains that are related to ordered membrane compartments commonly known as lipid rafts. We previously compared PL compositions of DRMs with plasma membrane vesicles and whole cell lipid extracts from RBL mast cells, and we made the initial observation that antigen stimulation of IgE receptors (FcepsilonRI) causes a significant change in the PL composition of DRMs [Fridriksson, E. K. , et al. (1999) Biochemistry 38, 8056-8063]. We now characterize the signaling requirements and time course for this change, which is manifested as an increase in the recovery of polyunsaturated PL in DRM, particularly in phosphatidylinositol species. We find that this change is largely independent of tyrosine phosphorylation, stimulated by engagement of FcepsilonRI, and can be activated by Ca(2+) ionophore in a manner independent of antigen stimulation. Unexpectedly, we found that inhibitors of actin polymerization (cytochalasin D and latrunculin A) cause a similar, but more rapid, change in the PL composition of DRMs in the absence of FcepsilonRI activation, indicating that perturbations in the actin cytoskeleton affect the organization of plasma membrane domains. Consistent with this interpretation, a membrane-permeable stabilizer of F-actin, jasplakinolide, prevents antigen-stimulated changes in DRM PL composition. These results are confirmed by a detailed analysis of multiple experiments, showing that receptor and cytochalasin D-stimulated changes in DRM lipid composition follow first-order kinetics. Analysis in terms of the number of double bonds in the fatty acid chains is valid for total PL of the major headgroups and for headgroups individually. In this manner, we show that, on average, concentrations of saturated or monounsaturated PL decrease in the DRM, whereas concentrations of PL with two or more double bonds (polyunsaturated PL) increase due to cytoskeletal perturbation. We find that these changes are independent of fatty acid chain length. Our mass spectrometric analyses provide a detailed accounting of receptor-activated alterations in the plasma membrane that are regulated by the actin cytoskeleton.
Stable Predictors of Job Satisfaction, Psychological Strain, and Employee Retention: An evaluation of Organizational Change Within the New Zealand Customs Service

Recent changes in employment conditions have resulted in the increased exposure of workers to unfavorable job characteristics and to consequential increases in adverse individual and organizational health outcomes. In this article the authors evaluate the steps undertaken by one proactive employer to reduce these adverse outcomes. Three organization-wide surveys (n 350, 316, and 405) were conducted over a 3-year period within the New Zealand Customs Service to determine the influence of perceived job conditions on individual and organizational health outcomes. Staff retention and employee satisfaction significantly improved over time and these increases were attributable to workplace improvements. Stable predictors of job satisfaction included minor daily stressors, positive work experiences, job control, and perceived supervisor support.
Softening Effect in Stretching Stiffness of a Rippled Graphene: Molecular Dynamics Simulation

In this paper, the stretching stiffness of a rippled graphene is studied using the molecular dynamics simulation. The uneven surface of the rippled graphene is modeled by a random function with different amplitudes and frequencies. Two models of the rippled graphene are simulated. In the first model, it is supposed that the graphene has random wrinkles with different amplitudes and frequencies. It can be regarded as an opened crumpled graphene. In the second model, the uneven surface of the rippled graphene is modeled by the trigonometric sine shapes. The adaptive intermolecular reactive bond order potential function is utilized to model the covalence bonding of the carbon atoms and the Nose-Hoover thermostat is used to control temperature of the system. It is implemented in the software package large scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator in order to simulate covalent bond formation between carbon atoms in the structure of graphene layer. Results are presented for both zigzag and armchair rippled graphene sheets with different initial surfaces. It is concluded that the failure strain of a rippled graphene under uniaxial tensile loading is less than that of a flat one. It is also demonstrated that the rippled graphene has softening stretching behavior due to its uneven surface.
Adverse events associated with the use of complementary and alternative medicine in children

Objective To determine the types of adverse events associated with the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that come to the attention of Australian paediatricians. Design Monthly active surveillance study of CAM-associated adverse events as reported to the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit between January 2001 and December 2003. Results There were 39 reports of adverse events associated with CAM use, including four reported deaths. Reports highlighted several areas of concern, including the risks associated with failure to use conventional medicine, the risks related to medication changes made by CAM practitioners and the significant dangers of dietary restriction. The reported deaths were associated with a failure to use conventional medicine in favour of a CAM therapy. Conclusion CAM use has the potential to cause significant morbidity and fatal adverse outcomes. The diversity of CAM therapies and their associated adverse events demonstrate the difficulty addressing this area and the importance of establishing mechanisms by which adverse effects may be reported or monitored.
Optimierung der Verbindungsstellen von Sandwichstrukturen mit additiv gefertigtem Kern

In fiber composite structures failure often occurs at the load introduction. Therefore, these points are reinforced by the addition of material, which how-ever increases component weight. The paper presents how detailed simula-tion models as well as new design possibilities through additive manufacturing can be used for structural improvements of the load introduction into honey-comb sandwich structures. A structural optimization is performed. It is found that the initial and boundary conditions for the optimization have a strong influence on the product design. Therefore, different optimization approaches are compared. Numerical results are validated by experimental tests.
Impact Factors for Business System Success

In most organizations, knowledge sharing is often lacking when it comes to business systems success. This paper investigates factors affecting business systems success in Saudi organisations. Data were collected from private organisations in Saudi Arabia and Partial Least Square approach has been applied to analyse the data. The results show that organisational culture influence knowledge sharing towards business systems success. In addition, both intrinsic motivation and perceived usefulness has positive influence on business system success. This indicates that business system success is built upon the concept of knowledge sharing and user motivation.
Quantifying the effectiveness of load balance algorithms

Load balance is critical for performance in large parallel applications. An imbalance on today's fastest supercomputers can force hundreds of thousands of cores to idle, and on future exascale machines this cost will increase by over a factor of a thousand. Improving load balance requires a detailed understanding of the amount of computational load per process and an application's simulated domain, but no existing metrics sufficiently account for both factors. Current load balance mechanisms are often integrated into applications and make implicit assumptions about the load. Some strategies place the burden of providing accurate load information, including the decision on when to balance, on the application. Existing application-independent mechanisms simply measure the application load without any knowledge of application elements, which limits them to identifying imbalance without correcting it. Our novel load model couples abstract application information with scalable measurements to derive accurate and actionable load metrics. Using these metrics, we develop a cost model for correcting load imbalance. Our model enables comparisons of the effectiveness of load balancing algorithms in any specific imbalance scenario. Our model correctly selects the algorithm that achieves the lowest runtime in up to 96% of the cases, and can achieve a 19% gain over selecting a single balancing algorithm for all cases.
Intra-Urban Wage Variation, Employment Location, and Commuting Times

Abstract Theory predicts that within a metropolitan area, employers located where there is difficult commuting will have to compensate their workers with appropriately higher wages. This should hold whether one is comparing central city work locations with those at the fringe, or simply differences between suburban “edge cities. ” In the longer run, if employers are concerned primarily with labor costs, firm mobility should equalize wages or else agglomeration economies must exist to sustain the differences. Using microdata from the 1990 census for 2 large metropolitan areas in the U.S., wage equations are estimated for urban workers allowing for different wage levels depending on zone of employment. The results show that observationally equivalent workers have wages that vary substantially across employment zones within a metro area, and that this variation is strongly and significantly correlated with the average commute time of the workers employed in that zone. These results hold across several different econometric specifications. Wages and average travel times also are found to be highly correlated with the aggregate number of workers in each zone, but are not affected by zone employment specialization. Thus there is inconclusive evidence as to whether wage/commuting cost differences result from equilibrium agglomeration effects or from a disequilibrium distribution of employment.
When is a Riesz distribution a complex measure

Soit ℛ α la distribution de Riesz sur une algebre de Jordan euclidienne simple, parametrisee par α ∈ C. Je donne une demonstration elementaire de la condition necessaire et suffisante pour que ℛ α soit une mesure complexe localement finie (= mesure de Radon complexe).
Time Spectral Method for Rotorcraft Flow with Vorticity Confinement

This paper follows up on the authors’ recent paper. 1 It is shown here that it is possible to obtain reasonable improvement in the results utilizing Vorticity Confinement method. The previous paper has shown that using the Time Spectral method can increase convergence in forward flight calculations by up to two orders of magnitude compared to the traditional Backward Difference Formula (BDF). With the addition of a new boundary condition for the periodic planes, Euler and RANS forward flight calculations can now be done using only one sector of the blade, and thus further improve convergence by a factor of N for an N-bladed rotor,