Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RankIQA: Learning from Rankings for No-Reference Image Quality Assessment

We propose a no-reference image quality assessment (NR-IQA) approach that learns from rankings (RankIQA). To address the problem of limited IQA dataset size, we train a Siamese Network to rank images in terms of image quality by using synthetically generated distortions for which relative image quality is known. These ranked image sets can be automatically generated without laborious human labeling. We then use fine-tuning to transfer the knowledge represented in the trained Siamese Network to a traditional CNN that estimates absolute image quality from single images. We demonstrate how our approach can be made significantly more efficient than traditional Siamese Networks by forward propagating a batch of images through a single network and backpropagating gradients derived from all pairs of images in the batch. Experiments on the TID2013 benchmark show that we improve the state-of-theart by over 5%. Furthermore, on the LIVE benchmark we show that our approach is superior to existing NR-IQA techniques and that we even outperform the state-of-the-art in full-reference IQA (FR-IQA) methods without having to resort to high-quality reference images to infer IQA.
Elucidation of Primary Structure Elements Controlling Early Amyloid β-Protein Oligomerization*

Assembly of monomeric amyloid β-protein (Aβ) into oligomeric structures is an important pathogenetic feature of Alzheimer's disease. The oligomer size distributions of aggregate-free, low molecular weight Aβ40 and Aβ42 can be assessed quantitatively using the technique of photo-induced cross-linking of unmodified proteins. This approach revealed that low molecular weight Aβ40 is a mixture of monomer, dimer, trimer, and tetramer, in rapid equilibrium, whereas low molecular weight Aβ42 preferentially exists as pentamer/hexamer units (paranuclei), which self-associate to form larger oligomers. Here, photo-induced cross-linking of unmodified proteins was used to evaluate systematically the oligomerization of 34 physiologically relevant Aβ alloforms, including those containing familial Alzheimer's disease-linked amino acid substitutions, naturally occurring N-terminal truncations, and modifications altering the charge, the hydrophobicity, or the conformation of the peptide. The most important structural feature controlling early oligomerization was the length of the C terminus. Specifically, the side-chain of residue 41 in Aβ42 was important both for effective formation of paranuclei and for self-association of paranuclei into larger oligomers. The side-chain of residue 42, and the C-terminal carboxyl group, affected paranucleus self-association. Aβ40 oligomerization was particularly sensitive to substitutions of Glu22 or Asp23 and to truncation of the N terminus, but not to substitutions of Phe19 or Ala21. Aβ42 oligomerization, in contrast, was largely unaffected by substitutions at positions 22 or 23 or by N-terminal truncations, but was affected significantly by substitutions of Phe19 or Ala21. These results reveal how specific regions and residues control Aβ oligomerization and show that these controlling elements differ between Aβ40 and Aβ42.
Homologous and heterologous down-regulation of leptin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in rat adrenal gland.

Leptin, the adipocyte-produced hormone that plays a key role in body weight homeostasis, has recently been found to be involved in the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Moreover, reciprocal interactions between leptin and glucocorticoids have been described. In the present communication, two different strategies were undertaken to explore the mode of action of leptin in the direct control of rat adrenal function. First, a synthetic peptide approach demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of leptin on basal and ACTH-stimulated corticosterone secretion in vitro is, at least partially, mapped to a domain of the native protein between amino acids 116 and 130, i.e. an area of the molecule also relevant in terms of regulation of food intake and endocrine control. Secondly, semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated a complex pattern of adrenal leptin receptor (Ob-R) mRNA expression, with predominant expression of the Ob-Ra and Ob-Rb isoforms, as well as moderate levels of the Ob-Rc and Ob-Rf variants, whereas negligible signals for the Ob-Re isoform were detected. Interestingly, such an expression pattern appeared hormonally regulated as exposure to human recombinant leptin (10(-7 )M) or ACTH (10(-7 )M) significantly decreased Ob-R isoform mRNA expression. Indeed, dose-dependent ligand-induced Ob-Ra and Ob-Rb mRNA down-regulation was further confirmed by adrenal stimulation with increasing concentrations (10(-9)-10(-5 )M) of the active leptin fragment, leptin 116-130 amide. Overall, our results provide evidence for a novel regulatory step at the level of Ob-R mRNA expression in the interplay between ACTH and leptin for the tuning of rat adrenal corticosterone secretion. Furthermore, our data showing down-regulation of Ob-R mRNA expression by its cognate ligand may well be relevant to leptin physiology and its alteration in various disease states.
Roles of endogenous opioid peptides in modulation of nocifensive response to formalin.

Roles of endogenous opioid peptides and their receptors in modulation of the nocifensive responses to formalin in mice were studied. Mice were pretreated i.c. v. or intrathecally (i.t.) with selective opioid receptor antagonists or intrathecally with antisera against endogenous opioid peptides and the nocifensive licking responses to intraplantar injection of formalin (0.5%, 25 microl) were then observed. Pretreatment with the epsilon-opioid receptor antagonist beta-endorphin(1-27) or the selective mu-opioid receptor antagonist D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH(2) (CTOP) given i.c. v. dose dependently enhanced the second, but not the first phase of the nocifensive response. However, i.c. v. pretreatment with the selective delta-receptor antagonist naltrindole or kappa-receptor antagonist nor-binaltrophimine did not affect the nocifensive responses. Intrathecal pretreatment with selective delta(1)-opioid antagonist 7-benzylidene naltrexamine significantly enhanced both the first and second phases of nocifension. Intrathecal pretreatment with CTOP also increased the second but not the first phase of the nocifension. However, i.t. pretreatment with the selective delta(2)-receptor antagonist naltriben or nor-binaltrophimine did not affect the second phase of the nocifension. Intrathecal pretreatment with antiserum against Leu-enkephalin, Met-enkephalin, or dynorphin A(1-17), but not beta-endorphin, enhanced only the second phase of nocifensive response to formalin. It is concluded that the blockade of epsilon- and mu-receptors, but not delta- or kappa-receptors, at the supraspinal sites enhanced the second phase of formalin-induced nocifension. In the spinal cord, Leu-enkephalin, and to a lesser extent, Met-enkephalin and dynorphin A(1-17) and mu- and delta(1)-opioid receptors, but not delta(2)- or kappa-opioid receptors, are involved in modulating the feedback inhibition of the second phase of formalin-induced nocifension.
Strategy of resource brokering for efficient parallelization of MLP training

A strategy of resource brokering for efficient parallelization of the parallel batch pattern back propagation training algorithm of a multilayer perceptron is presented in this paper. A BSP-based computational cost model of the parallel algorithm is used for the prediction of its execution time and parallelization efficiency. The strategy of resource brokering is based on Pareto optimality with the weighted sum approach for choosing optimal solutions for efficient parallelization of the algorithm. The results of experimental research show that the developed resource brokering strategy has good conformity with the desired scheduling policy of minimization of the execution time of the algorithm with maximization of the parallelization efficiency in the most economic way.
Human cystic echinococcosis in Morocco: Ultrasound screening in the Mid Atlas through an Italian-Moroccan partnership

Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected parasitic zoonosis with considerable socioeconomic impact on affected pastoral communities. CE is endemic throughout the Mediterranean, including Morocco, where the Mid Atlas is the most prevalent area for both human and animal infection. The highest hospital annual incidence of human CE is recorded in the provinces of Ifrane and El Hajeb. However, hospital-based statistics likely underestimate the real prevalence of infection, as a proportion of cases never reach medical attention or official records. Methodology/Principal findings In 2012, a project on clinical management of CE in Morocco was launched with the aims of estimating the prevalence of human abdominal CE in selected rural communes of the above mentioned provinces using ultrasound (US) screening and training local physicians to implement US-based focused assessment and rational clinical management of CE according to the WHO-IWGE Expert Consensus. A total of 5367 people received abdominal US during four campaigns in April-May 2014. During the campaigns, 24 local general practitioners received >24 hours of hands-on training and 143 health education sessions were organized for local communities. We found an overall CE prevalence of 1.9%, with significantly higher values in the rural communes of Ifrane than El Hajeb (2.6% vs 1.3%; p<0.001). CE cysts were predominantly in inactive stage, especially in older age groups. However, active cysts were present also in adults, indicating acquisition of infection at all ages. Province of residence was the only risk factor consistently associated with CE infection. Conclusions/Significance Our results show a high prevalence and on-going, likely environmental transmission of CE in the investigated provinces of Morocco, supporting the implementation of control activities in the area by national health authorities and encouraging the acceptance and divulgation of diagnosis and treatment algorithms based on imaging for CE at both national and local level.
A simple distributed antenna processing scheme for cooperative diversity

In this letter the performance of multiple relay channels is analyzed for the situation in which multiple antennas are deployed only at the relays. The simple repetition-coded decode and-forward protocol with two different antenna processing techniques at the relays is investigated. The antenna combining techniques are maximum ratio combining (MRC) for reception and transmit beamforming (TB) for transmission. It is shown that these distributed antenna combining techniques can exploit the full spatial diversity of the relay channels regardless of the number of relays and antennas at each relay, and offer significant power gain over distributed space-time coding techniques.
Behavioral / Systems / Cognitive Amygdala Regulation of Immediate-Early Gene Expression in the Hippocampus Induced by Contextual Fear Conditioning

The basolateral nuclei of the amygdala (BLA) are thought to modulate memory storage in other brain regions (McGaugh, 2004). We reported that BLA modulates the memory for both an explored context and for contextual fear conditioning. Both of these memories depend on the hippocampus. Here, we examined the hypothesis that the BLA exerts its modulatory effect by regulating the expression of immediate-early genes (IEGs) in the hippocampus. The main findings of these experiments were: (1) Arc activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein (Arc), an immediate-early gene (also termed Arg 3.1) and c-fos mRNA are induced in the hippocampus after a context exposure, or context plus shock experience, but not after an immediate shock; and (2) BLA inactivation with muscimol attenuated the increase in Arc and c-fos mRNA in the hippocampus associated with contextual fear conditioning but did not influence Arc mRNA associated with context exploration. These results support the hypothesis that the amygdala modulates contextual fear memory by regulating expression of IEGs in the hippocampus.
Sociodemographic and clinical profile of multi drug resistant tuberculosis patients: a study at drug resistant tuberculosis centers of Kolkata

Background:Emergence of drug resistant tuberculosis, particularly multi drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug resistant TB (XDR-TB) has become an obstacle to effective TB control in India. Objectives: To study the sociodemographic and clinical profile of MDR/XDR-TB patients in Kolkata. Methodology: A retrospective study was performed on MDR patients admitted in Jadavpur and Boral TB hospitals, the two designated drug resistant tuberculosis centers (DR-TB center) of Kolkata, in 2013. Results: Out of 172 admitted cases, majority (30.23%) were between 21-30 years. Males were predominant (61.62%). Females were significantly younger compared to males (p=0.002). Most patients (59.9%) were underweight (BMI<18.5kg/m 2 ). Among the patients, HIV seropositivity and XDR-TB was found in 2.9% each. According to MDR-TB suspect criteria majority were relapse cases (35.46%). The commonest associated comorbidity was COPD (17.44%). Most patients had bilateral (81.39%) and moderately extensive (38.95%) lesions in chest x-ray. Drug sensitivity testing (DST) showed lowest resistance (1.16%) to pyrazinamide. Conclusion: Relapse of previous antituberculosis treatment was found to be major contributor of MDR-TB suspect cases in Kolkata. Prevalence of resistance to 2 nd line drugs is still low. Early diagnosis of drug resistance from all re-treatment cases, quality DOTS services and more controlled and rational use of secondline anti-TB drugs can prevent emerging of MDR/XDR-TB as a major public health problem.
Improving the detection rate of early gastric cancer requires more than open access gastroscopy: a five year study

Background/aims—To explore the reasons why patients with gastric cancer continue to present with advanced disease despite open access gastroscopy. Patients—All patients diagnosed with gastric cancer between 1 August 1989 and 31 July 1994. Methods—A retrospective study of the presentation of gastric cancer in South Tees; patients were diagnosed at open access gastroscopy or referred through conventional channels. Primary care records of 81 patients dying between 1991 and 1995 were analysed for previous symptoms, investigations, and antisecretory drug therapy. Findings were compared with 200 age and sex matched controls. Results—The overall incidence of earlier stage gastric cancer remains low at 13%. Diagnostic delay occurs in both primary and secondary care due to a high incidence of previous dyspepsia and investigation. One in six patients had been previously investigated in the three years prior to diagnosis, the majority of whom were on antisecretory drugs. Conclusions—Early gastric cancer remains rare in South Tees health district. Advantages of open access gastroscopy appear to be compromised by delayed referral to hospital and failure of endoscopists to recognise the early disease; either they are unaware of its appearance or prior treatment with an H2receptor antagonist masks the disease by allowing mucosal healing.
Assessing the Effect of Disturbances on Ectomycorrhiza Diversity

Ectomycorrhiza (ECM) communities can be described on a species level or on a larger scale at an ecosystem level. Here we show that the species level approach of successional processes in ECM communities is not appropriate for understanding the diversity patterns of ECM communities at contaminated sites. An ecosystem based approach improves predictability since different biotic and abiotic factors are included. However, it still does not take into account the hierarchical structure of the ecosystem. We suggest that diversity patterns of ECMs communities in forests can best be investigated at three levels. This hypothetical approach for investigation can be tested at sites of secondary succession in areas contaminated with metals. Once the diversity patterns are appropriately described by a hierarchical ecosystem approach, to the species level is used to explain these patterns by populational and ecotoxicological mechanisms.
Regulation of cell reversal frequency in Myxococcus xanthus requires the balanced activity of CheY‐like domains in FrzE and FrzZ

The Frz pathway of Myxococcus xanthus controls cell reversal frequency to support directional motility during swarming and fruiting body formation. Previously, we showed that phosphorylation of the response regulator FrzZ correlates with reversal frequencies, suggesting that this activity represents the output of the Frz pathway. Here, we tested the effect of different expression levels of FrzZ and its cognate kinase FrzE on M. xanthus motility. FrzZ overexpression caused a slight increase in phosphorylation and reversals. By contrast, FrzE overexpression abolished phosphorylation of FrzZ; this inhibition required the response regulator domain of FrzE. FrzZ phosphorylation was restored when both FrzE and FrzZ were overexpressed together. Our results show that the response regulator domain of FrzE is a negative regulator of FrzE kinase activity. This inhibition can be modulated by FrzZ, which acts as a positive regulator. Interestingly, fluorescence microscopy revealed that FrzZ and FrzE localize differently: FrzE colocalizes with the FrzCD receptor and the nucleoid, while FrzZ shows dispersed and polar localization. However, FrzZ binds tightly to the truncated variant FrzEΔCheY. This indicates that the response regulator domain of FrzE is required for the interaction between FrzE and FrzZ to be transient, providing an unexpected regulatory output to the Frz pathway.
Distributed Control for UPS Modules in Parallel Operation With RMS Voltage Regulation

A novel distributed control for uninterruptible power supply (UPS) modules in parallel operation is proposed in this paper, in which the voltage reference synchronization control and load current distribution control are decoupled by a local feedback. The voltage reference is presynchronized beyond the current distribution control with a microcontroller unit and a wired-and circuit. Both instantaneous current distribution and hot swapping of any module are allowed with all the UPS modules electrically isolated. The transfer function of the circulating current regulator is analyzed and equivalent to a first-order low-pass filter. The control characteristics of the root-mean-square voltage regulator (RMSVR) in each UPS module in parallel operation are researched, as well as the coupling effect between the RMSVR and the load balance performance. The RMSVR's impact on current distribution is compensated by introducing the amplitude of the output current or the circulating current into the amplitude adjustment of the sinusoidal voltage reference signal. As a result, both the current sharing and the output-voltage performance of the whole system are effectively improved. Theoretical analysis and experimental results are provided to demonstrate the validity and feasibility of the proposed control.
Cardiac Myosin Autoimmunity in Acute Chagas' Heart Disease

ABSTRACT Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease, may induce antibodies and T cells reactive with self antigens (autoimmunity). Because autoimmunity is generally thought to develop during the chronic phase of infection, one hypothesis is that autoimmunity develops only after long-term, low-level stimulation of self-reactive cells. However, preliminary reports suggest that autoimmunity may begin during acute T. cruzi infection. The goal of the present study was to investigate whether cardiac autoimmunity could be observed during acute T. cruziinfection. A/J mice infected with the Brazil strain of T. cruzi for 21 days developed severe myocarditis, accompanied by humoral and cellular autoimmunity. Specifically, T. cruziinfection induced immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) to cardiac myosin. This autoimmunity resembles that which develops in A/J mice immunized with myosin in complete Freund's adjuvant in that myosin-specific antibodies and DTH responses both develop by 21 days postinfection or postimmunization. While the levels of myosin IgG in T. cruzi-infected mice were slightly lower than those in myosin-immunized mice, the magnitude of myosin DTH in the two groups was statistically equivalent. In contrast, C57BL/6 mice, which are resistant to myosin-induced myocarditis and its associated autoimmunity, developed undetectable or low levels of myosin IgG and did not exhibit myosin DTH or myocarditis upon T. cruzi infection. Therefore, humoral and cellular cardiac autoimmunity can develop during acute T. cruziinfection in the genetically susceptible host.
Development of a Transformable Three‐wheeled Lunar Rover: Tri‐Star IV

The Japanese government is planning to send a rover to investigate the moon's surface in the near future, and it has been carrying out a considerable amount of research and making significant developments to make this possible. Toward that end, we have been developing and proposing expandable three‐wheeled rovers. This paper proposes a new concept for a three‐wheeled rover, namely the Tri‐Star IV, and its mechanical design is described herein. Tri‐Star IV has two arms that can rotate around horizontal shoulder axes and connect the rover's main body, and two rear wheels with off‐centered crank‐type axles that can expand from a storage posture. The two arms can be adjusted to adapt to traversing over sloped terrain, including recovery from rollover. The new wheels for traveling on the moon's surface, which is covered with regolith, are composed of a spring spoke and canvas cloth. In this project, two types of Tri‐Star IV were developed and field‐tested. The first was designed for mobility over rough sloped terrain. The other rover had a new front wheel installed that was designed for tethered descent/climbing over steep slopes. This paper reports on the mobilities of Tri‐Star IV, which were verified in experiments conducted on real sand and a test bed and in a field test at the Nakatajima sand dune in Japan.
Which Resources Matter in Initial Public Offering Firms? A Longitudinal Comparison of Five Resources’ Contributions to Firm Performance

In order to better understand the relevant resources in the resource based view of the firm, this study examines which resources executives in initial public offering (IPO) firms think are important to their success two years after the IPO. Results indicate that managers recognized five different resources as important, with the executives considering themselves (management) to be the most important resource. The effect of all five resources (culture, human resource management [HRM] practices, management, technology, and product/ marketing) on both short and long-term firm performance was studied. Results show that management and technology are considered important by the investment community, with both affecting short-term IPO firm performance. However, analyses on long-term performance suggest that the key role management plays may be due to management’s ability to develop synergies with people who are key to the organization’s success — both employees and customers.