Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A prototype classification method and its application to handwritten character recognition

We propose a new prototype classification method that can be combined with support vector machines (SVM) (Cortes, C and Vapnik, V, 1995) for recognizing handwritten numerals and Chinese characters. This method employs a learning process for determining both the number and location of prototypes. The possible techniques used in this process for adjusting the location of prototypes include the K-means (KM) algorithm and the fuzzy c-means (FCM) algorithm (Bezdek, J. C., 1981). When the prototype classification method is applied, the SVM method can be used to process top rank candidates obtained in the prototype learning or matching process. We apply this hybrid method to the recognition of handwritten numerals and Chinese characters. Experiment results show that this hybrid method saves great amount of training and testing time when the number of character types is large, and achieves comparable accuracy rates to those achieved by using SVM solely. Our results also show that the proposed method performs better than the nearest neighbor (NN) classification method. These outcomes suggest that the proposed method can serve as an effective solution for large-scale multiclass classification
ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC CHALLENGES OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR EASTERN EUROPEAN FORESTS IN MID-LATITUDE ZONE

The article considers the main challenges facing the forest sector of European part of Mid-Latitude zone in connection with climate change. The main aim was to systematize available scientific information on climate change influence on forests in the research region. The methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison and generalization of available scientific information were applied. Environmental results of climate change impact on forests are represented by future worsening stability and sanitary state of forest stands of Ukraine's main forest-forming tree species. This becomes more and more noticeable for Scots pine dominated stands across Ukraine, and the future for forests composed by other tree species is no longer optimistic in the long run. It is stated that the changing environment will lead to alteration of growth, productivity and bioproductivity of Ukrainian forests, and, consequently,to the necessity to rethink approaches to selection of tree species, forest caring and growing, assessment of ecosystem functions and so on. Economic consequences of climate change for forestry will manifest themselves in the loss of resources, loss of income, as well as expenditures for implementing environmental stabilizing measures. The attention is drawn to significant volumes of normative and information support as well as unique empirical data accumulated in Ukraine during a prolonged period of forest management, forest science and practice. Those are actively used to describe dynamics of various characteristics of forest ecosystems within scientific research, management planning and forest industry. The importance of improving the information support of the forestry sector is emphasized, which will ensure the possibility of forecasting the state of forests under climate change conditions and making sound managerial decisions, and possible pathways for this are highlighted. Characterized are necessary prerequisites and possible ways of transition to the paradigm of sustainable development on the basis of risk-resilient forest management in Ukraine and in geographically greater region.
Aberrant nuclear factor-kappaB activity and its participation in the growth of human malignant astrocytoma.

OBJECT It has been suggested that nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, a pleiotropic transcription factor, controls cell proliferation. The authors examined NF-kappaB activity and its participation in the growth of human malignant astrocytoma. METHODS The authors examined NF-kappaB activity in human malignant astrocytoma cell lines and high-grade astrocytoma tissues by using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and immunohistochemical studies, respectively. In addition, messenger (m)RNA expression of p50 and RelA, which are representative subunits of NF-kappaB, and IkappaBalpha, which is a representative inhibitory protein of NF-KB, were analyzed using Northern blot hybridization in the astrocytoma cell lines. Furthermore, alterations in DNA synthesis and cell growth in the astrocytoma cell lines were examined after inhibition of NF-kappaB activity by RelA antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. The authors found NF-kappaB activity in all astrocytoma cell lines and high-grade astrocytoma tissues that were examined, but not in the fetal astrocyte strain or in normal cerebral tissue. Expression of p50, RelA, and IkappaBalpha mRNA was found in the fetal astrocyte strain and normal adult brain tissue, in addition to the astrocytoma cell lines. The relative levels of expression of these mRNAs were similar among these cell lines, the cell strain, and normal tissue. The RelA antisense oligodeoxynucleotide specifically reduced the levels of RelA mRNA expression and NF-kappaB activity in the astrocytoma cell lines, thus significantly inhibiting their DNA synthesis and cell growth. CONCLUSIONS Human malignant astrocytoma cells have aberrant NF-KB activity, which promotes their growth. This activity is not associated with aberrant expression of p50 and RelA.
Assessing progress , anticipating prospects Urological challenges remain despite cutting-edge technologies

The sessions enabled the EAU and overseas national or regional societies to jointly address crucial urological issues through presentations, debates and lectures that cover key issues and emerging trends. Prof. Didier Jacqmin (FR), EAU International Relations chairman characterised the sessions as “an important part of the Congress, which stresses the worldwide scope of the EAU and international cooperation. ”
Standardising haemodialysis care by restricting nutrition during dialysis: introducing a quality improvement initiative for renal outpatients

A number of relevant issues are considered which show that it is essential to address the issue of in-centre meals during dialysis. This discussion paper critically explores the potential complications posed to patients who consume a large calorific intake during their dialysis treatment. The mission is to appeal to more dialysis units and outpatient departments to gradually implement a ‘no food’ policy during regular scheduled dialysis treatment sessions. The authors aim to put forward the significances and challenges and offer some possible solutions when introducing a ‘no eating policy’ like this into dialysis units. Nutritional supplements could, however, be offered on an as required basis.
Anterior Medial Prefrontal Cortex Exhibits Activation during Task Preparation but Deactivation during Task Execution

Background The anterior prefrontal cortex (PFC) exhibits activation during some cognitive tasks, including episodic memory, reasoning, attention, multitasking, task sets, decision making, mentalizing, and processing of self-referenced information. However, the medial part of anterior PFC is part of the default mode network (DMN), which shows deactivation during various goal-directed cognitive tasks compared to a resting baseline. One possible factor for this pattern is that activity in the anterior medial PFC (MPFC) is affected by dynamic allocation of attentional resources depending on task demands. We investigated this possibility using an event related fMRI with a face working memory task. Methodology/Principal Findings Sixteen students participated in a single fMRI session. They were asked to form a task set to remember the faces (Face memory condition) or to ignore them (No face memory condition), then they were given 6 seconds of preparation period before the onset of the face stimuli. During this 6-second period, four single digits were presented one at a time at the center of the display, and participants were asked to add them and to remember the final answer. When participants formed a task set to remember faces, the anterior MPFC exhibited activation during a task preparation period but deactivation during a task execution period within a single trial. Conclusions/Significance The results suggest that the anterior MPFC plays a role in task set formation but is not involved in execution of the face working memory task. Therefore, when attentional resources are allocated to other brain regions during task execution, the anterior MPFC shows deactivation. The results suggest that activation and deactivation in the anterior MPFC are affected by dynamic allocation of processing resources across different phases of processing.
Morphology of biogenic iron oxides records microbial physiology and environmental conditions: toward interpreting iron microfossils

Despite the abundance of Fe and its significance in Earth history, there are no established robust biosignatures for Fe(II)‐oxidizing micro‐organisms. This limits our ability to piece together the history of Fe biogeochemical cycling and, in particular, to determine whether Fe(II)‐oxidizers played a role in depositing ancient iron formations. A promising candidate for Fe(II)‐oxidizer biosignatures is the distinctive morphology and texture of extracellular Fe(III)‐oxyhydroxide stalks produced by mat‐forming microaerophilic Fe(II)‐oxidizing micro‐organisms. To establish the stalk morphology as a biosignature, morphologic parameters must be quantified and linked to the microaerophilic Fe(II)‐oxidizing metabolism and environmental conditions. Toward this end, we studied an extant model organism, the marine stalk‐forming Fe(II)‐oxidizing bacterium, Mariprofundus ferrooxydans PV‐1. We grew cultures in flat glass microslide chambers, with FeS substrate, creating opposing oxygen/Fe(II) concentration gradients. We used solid‐state voltammetric microelectrodes to measure chemical gradients in situ while using light microscopy to image microbial growth, motility, and mineral formation. In low‐oxygen (2.7–28 μm) zones of redox gradients, the bacteria converge into a narrow (100 μm–1 mm) growth band. As cells oxidize Fe(II), they deposit Fe(III)‐oxyhydroxide stalks in this band; the stalks orient directionally, elongating toward higher oxygen concentrations. M. ferrooxydans stalks display a narrow range of widths and uniquely biogenic branching patterns, which result from cell division. Together with filament composition, these features (width, branching, and directional orientation) form a physical record unique to microaerophilic Fe(II)‐oxidizer physiology; therefore, stalk morphology is a biosignature, as well as an indicator of local oxygen concentration at the time of formation. Observations of filamentous Fe(III)‐oxyhydroxide microfossils from a ~170 Ma marine Fe‐Si hydrothermal deposit show that these morphological characteristics can be preserved in the microfossil record. This study demonstrates the potential of morphological biosignatures to reveal microbiology and environmental chemistry associated with geologic iron formation depositional processes.
β-Thalassemia Intermedia: A Bird’s-Eye View

Beta-thalassemia is due to a defect in the synthesis of the beta-globin chains, leading to alpha/beta imbalance, ineffective erythropoiesis, and chronic anemia. The spectrum of thalassemias is wide, with one end comprising thalassemia minor, which consists of a mild hypochromic microcytic anemia with no obvious clinical manifestations, while on the other end is thalassemia major, characterized by patients who present in their first years of life with profound anemia and regular transfusion requirements for survival. Along the spectrum lies thalassemia intermedia, a term developed to describe patients with manifestations that are neither mild enough nor severe enough to be classified in the spectrum’s extremes. Over the past decade, our understanding of β-thalassemia intermedia has increased tremendously with regards to molecular information as well as pathophysiology. It is now clear that β-thalassemia intermedia has a clinical presentation as well as complications associated with the disease that are different from those of β-thalassemia major. This review is designed to tackle issues related to β-thalassemia intermedia from the basic definition of the disease to paramedical issues, namely the quality of life in these patients. Genetics and pathophysiology are revisited, as well as the complications specific to this disease. These complications include effects on several organ systems, including the cardiovascular, hepatic, endocrine, renal, brain, and skeletal systems. Extramedullary hematopoiesis is also discussed in this article. Risk factors are highlighted and cutoffs are identified to minimize morbidities in β-thalassemia intermedia. Several treatment modalities are considered by shining a light on the pros and cons of each modality, as well as the role of special pharmacological agents in the progress of the disease and its morbidities. Finally, health-related quality of life is discussed in these patients with a direct comparison to the more severe β-thalassemia major.
Adrenergic and cholinergic innervation of the atrioventricular valves in chinchilla ( Chinchilla laniger ) Running title : Atrioventricular valves innervation

The arrangement of autonomous fibres was studied in the cardiac atrioventricular valves of small chinchillas. The dissected valves were stained entirely using the modified histochemical acetylcholine esterase technique (AChE) and the SPG-De la Torre method. Double immunocytochemical staining was also used for the expression of vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and dopamine β hydroxylase (DBH). The study showed the presence of both cholinergic and adrenergic fibres, forming a kind of network on all cusps of both valves. The adrenergic network is always more strongly represented than the cholinergic network. The cholinergic nerve network of the "parietal" part formed mainly the parallel arrangement. As we move towards the free parts of the cusps, the arrangement becomes netted and radiant. The adrenergic fibres formed only the netted arrangement, which was the most dense in the peripheral (parietal) part of the cusps. Some of the fibres in the vicinity of tendinous cords extended as far as the papillary muscles. Double immunocytochemical tests confirmed the presence and distribution of positive DBH and VAChT fibres. Some fibres (especially within the tendinous cords) show VAChT and DBH colocalization.
Voltage-Gated Ion Channel Dysfunction Precedes Cardiomyopathy Development in the Dystrophic Heart

Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, is associated with severe cardiac complications including cardiomyopathy and cardiac arrhythmias. Recent research suggests that impaired voltage-gated ion channels in dystrophic cardiomyocytes accompany cardiac pathology. It is, however, unknown if the ion channel defects are primary effects of dystrophic gene mutations, or secondary effects of the developing cardiac pathology. Methodology/Principal Findings To address this question, we first investigated sodium channel impairments in cardiomyocytes derived from dystrophic neonatal mice prior to cardiomyopahty development, by using the whole cell patch clamp technique. Besides the most common model for DMD, the dystrophin-deficient mdx mouse, we also used mice additionally carrying an utrophin mutation. In neonatal cardiomyocytes, dystrophin-deficiency generated a 25% reduction in sodium current density. In addition, extra utrophin-deficiency significantly altered sodium channel gating parameters. Moreover, also calcium channel inactivation was considerably reduced in dystrophic neonatal cardiomyocytes, suggesting that ion channel abnormalities are universal primary effects of dystrophic gene mutations. To assess developmental changes, we also studied sodium channel impairments in cardiomyocytes derived from dystrophic adult mice, and compared them with the respective abnormalities in dystrophic neonatal cells. Here, we found a much stronger sodium current reduction in adult cardiomyocytes. The described sodium channel impairments slowed the upstroke of the action potential in adult cardiomyocytes, and only in dystrophic adult mice, the QRS interval of the electrocardiogram was prolonged. Conclusions/Significance Ion channel impairments precede pathology development in the dystrophic heart, and may thus be considered potential cardiomyopathy triggers.
The effects of thymic selection on the range of T cell cross‐reactivity

Based on the results of a computational model of thymic selection, we propose a mechanism that produces the observed wide range of T cell cross‐reactivity. The model suggests that the cross‐reactivity of a T cell that survives thymic selection is correlated with its affinity for self peptides. In order to survive thymic selection, a T cell with low affinity for all self peptides expressed in the thymus must have high affinity for major histocompatibility complex (MHC), which makes it highly cross‐reactive. A T cell with high affinity for any self peptide must have low MHC affinity to survive selection, which makes it highly specific for its cognate peptide. Our model predicts that (1) positive selection reduces by only 17% the number of T cells that can detect any given foreign peptide, even though it eliminates over 95% of pre‐selection cells; (2) negative selection decreases the average cross‐reactivity of the pre‐selection repertoire by fivefold; and (3) T cells responding to foreign peptides similar to self peptides will have a lower average cross‐reactivity than cells responding to epitopes dissimilar to self.
Eclampsia and seasonal variation in the tropics - a study in Nigeria

Background: A retrospective observational study on the seasonal variation in the admission of eclampsia patients to the multi-disciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) of National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria over a five-year span (March 2000 – March 2005) was carried out. Method: The patient’s case files and ICU records were used to extract the needed data. The diagnosis of eclampsia was based on clinical and laboratory findings by the obstetricians. Results: There were a total of 5,987 deliveries during the study period. Forty-six eclamptics were admitted to the ICU during the study period giving an ICU admission rate of 7.6/1000 deliveries. The average age of the patients was 28.6 years. Six patients (13%) were booked for antenatal care in the hospital, while forty patients (87%) were referred. Average duration of stay in the ICU was 4.6 days (range 1–42 days). Thirty-one eclamptics (67.4%) were admitted to the ICU during the rainy season (April to October) and fifteen (32.6%) during the dry season (November to April). The rainy season is associated with a lower average high temperature and a higher humidity than the dry season. There is a view that holds that increasing humidity and a lower temperature is associated with increased incidence of eclampsia. There were thirteen deaths giving a case fatality rate of 28.2%. The causes of death were HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) syndrome in six patients, disseminated intravascular coagulation in two patients, and acute renal failure (ARF) in two patients. Septicemia, lobar pneumonia/heart failure and cerebrovascular accident accounted for one death each. Conclusion: In this study, we found an association between the rainy season and the incidence of eclampsia to our intensive care unit. This association should be further explored.
Multisensory Information Facilitates Reaction Speed by Enlarging Activity Difference between Superior Colliculus Hemispheres in Rats

Animals can make faster behavioral responses to multisensory stimuli than to unisensory stimuli. The superior colliculus (SC), which receives multiple inputs from different sensory modalities, is considered to be involved in the initiation of motor responses. However, the mechanism by which multisensory information facilitates motor responses is not yet understood. Here, we demonstrate that multisensory information modulates competition among SC neurons to elicit faster responses. We conducted multiunit recordings from the SC of rats performing a two-alternative spatial discrimination task using auditory and/or visual stimuli. We found that a large population of SC neurons showed direction-selective activity before the onset of movement in response to the stimuli irrespective of stimulation modality. Trial-by-trial correlation analysis showed that the premovement activity of many SC neurons increased with faster reaction speed for the contraversive movement, whereas the premovement activity of another population of neurons decreased with faster reaction speed for the ipsiversive movement. When visual and auditory stimuli were presented simultaneously, the premovement activity of a population of neurons for the contraversive movement was enhanced, whereas the premovement activity of another population of neurons for the ipsiversive movement was depressed. Unilateral inactivation of SC using muscimol prolonged reaction times of contraversive movements, but it shortened those of ipsiversive movements. These findings suggest that the difference in activity between the SC hemispheres regulates the reaction speed of motor responses, and multisensory information enlarges the activity difference resulting in faster responses.
Fault Localization Using Passive End-to-End Measurement and Sequential Testing for Wireless Sensor Networks

Faulty components in a network need to be localized and repaired to sustain the health of the network. In this paper, we propose a novel approach that carefully combines active and passive measurements to localize faults in wireless sensor networks. More specifically, we formulate a problem of optimal sequential testing guided by end-to-end data. This problem determines an optimal testing sequence of network components based on end-to-end data in sensor networks to minimize expected testing cost. We prove that this problem is NP-hard, and propose a recursive approach to solve it. This approach leads to a polynomial-time optimal algorithm for line topologies while requiring exponential running time for general topologies. We further develop two polynomial-time heuristic schemes that are applicable to general topologies. Extensive simulation shows that our heuristic schemes only require testing a very small set of network components to localize and repair all faults in the network. Our approach is superior to using active and passive measurements in isolation. It also outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches that localize and repair all faults in a network.