Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pose-Invariant Embedding for Deep Person Re-Identification

Pedestrian misalignment, which mainly arises from detector errors and pose variations, is a critical problem for a robust person re-identification (re-ID) system. With poor alignment, the feature learning and matching process might be largely compromised. To address this problem, this paper introduces pose-invariant embedding (PIE) as a pedestrian descriptor. First, in order to align pedestrians to a standard pose, the PoseBox structure is introduced, which is generated through pose estimation followed by affine transformations. Second, to reduce the impact of pose estimation errors and information loss during the PoseBox construction, we design a PoseBox fusion (PBF) CNN architecture that takes the original image, the PoseBox, and the pose estimation confidence as input. The proposed PIE descriptor is thus defined as the fully connected layer of the PBF network for the retrieval task. Experiments are conducted on the Market-1501, CUHK03-NP, and DukeMTMC-reID datasets. We show that PoseBox alone yields decent re-ID accuracy and that when integrated in the PBF network, the learned PIE descriptor produces competitive performance compared with state-of-the-art approaches.
Hydrodynamical N-body simulations of coupled dark energy cosmologies

If the accelerated expansion of the Universe at the present epoch is driven by a dark energy scalar field, there may well be a non-trivial coupling between the dark energy and the cold dark matter (CDM) fluid. Such interactions give rise to new features in cosmological structure growth, like an additional long-range attractive force between CDM particles, or variations of the dark matter particle mass with time. We have implemented these effects in the N-body code GADGET-2 and present results of a series of high-resolution N-body simulations where the dark energy component is directly interacting with the CDM. As a consequence of the new physics, CDM and baryon distributions evolve differently both in the linear and in the non-linear regime of structure formation. Already on large scales, a linear bias develops between these two components, which is further enhanced by the non-linear evolution. We also find, in contrast with previous work, that the density profiles of CDM haloes are less concentrated in coupled dark energy cosmologies compared with ACDM, and that this feature does not depend on the initial conditions setup, but is a specific consequence of the extra physics induced by the coupling. Also, the baryon fraction in haloes in the coupled models is significantly reduced below the universal baryon fraction. These features alleviate tensions between observations and the ACDM model on small scales. Our methodology is ideally suited to explore the predictions of coupled dark energy models in the fully non-linear regime, which can provide powerful constraints for the viable parameter space of such scenarios.
Power dynamics and collaborative mechanisms in co-production and co-design processes

Co-production and co-design practices are increasingly being promoted to develop user-centred public services. Analysing these practices with literature on power, participation and realist social theory this article explores the power dynamics, mechanisms and impacts within co-production and co-design processes. Two case studies were evaluated using qualitative longitudinal methods: an experience-based co-design project within hospital-based breast cancer services was followed from initiation to completion, alongside a local government innovation team that used co-production and co-design techniques to enable person-centred policies and services. The two cases illustrate how co-production and co-design techniques involve facilitating, managing and co-ordinating a complex set of psychological, social, cultural and institutional interactions. Whilst existing power relations can be challenged in different ways, constant critical reflective practice and dialogue is essential to facilitate more equal relational processes within these techniques, and to institute changes at individual, local community and organisational levels.
Nonlinear Channel Equalization Using A Novel Recurrent Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Neural System

Nonlinear inter-symbol interference leads to significant error rate in nonlinear communication and digital storage channel. In this paper, therefore, a novel recurrent interval type-2 fuzzy neural network with asymmetric membership functions (RT2FNN-A) is proposed for nonlinear channel equalization. The RT2FNN-A uses the interval asymmetric type-2 fuzzy sets and it implements the fuzzy logic system in a five-layer neural network structure. The RT2FNN-A is an extensive results of type-2 fuzzy neural network to provide memory elements for capturing the system's dynamic information and has the properties of high approximation accuracy and small network structure. Based on the Lyapunov theorem and gradient descent method, the convergence of RT2FNN-A is guaranteed and the corresponding learning algorithm is derived. In addition, the RT2FNN-A is applied in the nonlinear channel equalization to show the performance and effectiveness of RT2FNN-A system.
Imperfections in focal conic domains: the role of dislocations

It is usual to think of focal conic domains (FCDs) as perfect geometric constructions in which the layers are folded into Dupin cyclides about an ellipse and a hyperbola that are conjugate. This ideal picture is often far from reality. We have investigated in detail the FCDs in several materials that have a transition from a smectic A (SmA) to a nematic phase (N). The ellipse and the hyperbola are seldom perfect, and the FCD textures also suffer large transformations (in shape and/or in nature) when approaching the transition to the nematic phase, or appear imperfect on cooling from the nematic phase. We interpret these imperfections as due to the interaction of FCDs with dislocations. We analyze theoretically the general principles subtending the interaction mechanisms between FCDs and finite Burgers vector dislocations, namely the formation of kinks on disclinations, to which dislocations are attached, and we present models relating to some experimental results. Whereas the principles of the interactions are very general, their realizations can differ widely in function of the boundary conditions.
The C57BL/6J Mouse Strain Background Modifies the Effect of a Mutation in Bcl2l2

Bcl2l2 encodes BCL-W, an antiapoptotic member of the BCL-2 family of proteins. Intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− mice on a mixed C57BL/6J, 129S5 background produces Bcl2l2 −/− animals with the expected frequency. In contrast, intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− mice on a congenic C57BL/6J background produces relatively few live-born Bcl2l2 −/− animals. Genetic modifiers alter the effect of a mutation. C57BL/6J mice (Mus musculus) have a mutant allele of nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (Nnt) that can act as a modifier. Loss of NNT decreases the concentration of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate within the mitochondrial matrix. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate is a cofactor for glutathione reductase, which regenerates reduced glutathione, an important antioxidant. Thus, loss of NNT activity is associated with increased mitochondrial oxidative damage and cellular stress. To determine whether loss of Bcl2l2 −/− mice on the C57BL/6J background was mediated by the Nnt mutation, we outcrossed Bcl2l2 congenic C57BL/6J (Nnt −/−) mice with the closely related C57BL/6JEiJ (Nnt +/+) strain to produce Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt +/+ and Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt −/− animals. Intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt +/+ mice produced Bcl2l2 −/− with the expected frequency, whereas intercross of Bcl2l2 +/− ; Nnt −/− animals did not. This finding indicates the C57BL/6J strain background, and possibly the Nnt mutation, modifies the Bcl2l2 mutant phenotype. This and previous reports highlight the importance of knowing the genetic composition of mouse strains used in research studies as well as the accurate reporting of mouse strains in the scientific literature.
Corneal Endothelial Expansion Promoted by Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Conditioned Medium

Healthy corneal endothelium is essential for maintaining corneal clarity, as the damage of corneal endothelial cells and loss of cell count causes severe visual impairment. Corneal transplantation is currently the only therapy for severe corneal disorders. The greatly limited proliferative ability of human corneal endothelial cells (HCECs), even in vitro, has challenged researchers to establish efficient techniques for the cultivating HCECs, a pivotal issue for clinical applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate conditioned medium (CM) obtained from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) (MSC-CM) for use as a consistent expansion protocol of HCECs. When HCECs were maintained in the presence of MSC-CM, cell morphology assumed a hexagonal shape similar to corneal endothelial cells in vivo, as opposed to the irregular cell shape observed in control cultures in the absence of MSC-CM. They also maintained the functional protein phenotypes; ZO-1 and Na+/K+-ATPase were localized at the intercellular adherent junctions and pump proteins of corneal endothelium were accordingly expressed. In comparison to the proliferative potential observed in the control cultures, HCECs maintained in MSC-CM were found to have more than twice as many Ki67-positive cells and a greatly increased incorporation of BrdU into DNA. MSC-CM further facilitated the cell migration of HCECs. Lastly, the mechanism of cell proliferation mediated by MSC-CM was investigated, and phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2 was observed in HCECs after exposure to MSC-CM. The inhibitor to PI 3-kinase maintained the level of p27Kip1 for up to 24 hours and greatly blocked the expression of cyclin D1 and D3 during the early G1 phase, leading to the reduction of cell density. These findings indicate that MSC-CM not only stimulates the proliferation of HCECs by regulating the G1 proteins of the cell cycle but also maintains the characteristic differentiated phenotypes necessary for the endothelial functions.
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Background: Anticoagulation can reduce quality of life, and different models of anticoagulation management might have different impacts on satisfaction with this component of medical care. Yet, to our knowledge, there are no scales measuring quality of life and satisfaction with anticoagulation that can be generalized across different models of anticoagulation management. We describe the development and preliminary validation of such an instrument – the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS). Methods: The DASS is a 25-item scale addressing the (a) negative impacts of anticoagulation (limitations, hassles and burdens); and (b) positive impacts of anticoagulation (confidence, reassurance, satisfaction). Each item has 7 possible responses. The DASS was administered to 262 patients currently receiving oral anticoagulation. Scales measuring generic quality of life, satisfaction with medical care, and tendency to provide socially desirable responses were also administered. Statistical analysis included assessment of item variability, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), scale structure (factor analysis), and correlations between the DASS and demographic variables, clinical characteristics, and scores on the above scales. A follow-up study of 105 additional patients assessed test-retest reliability. Results: 220 subjects answered all items. Ceiling and floor effects were modest, and 25 of the 27 proposed items grouped into 2 factors (positive impacts, negative impacts, this latter factor being potentially subdivided into limitations versus hassles and burdens). Each factor had a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.78–0.91). The limitations and hassles factors consistently correlated with the SF-36 scales measuring generic quality of life, while the positive psychological impact scale correlated with age and time on anticoagulation. The intra-class correlation coefficient for test-retest reliability was 0.80. Conclusions: The DASS has demonstrated reasonable psychometric properties to date. Further validation is ongoing. To the degree that dissatisfaction with anticoagulation leads to decreased adherence, poorer INR control, and poor clinical outcomes, the DASS has the potential to help identify reasons for dissatisfaction (and positive satisfaction), and thus help to develop interventions to break this cycle. As an instrument designed to be applicable across multiple models of anticoagulation management, the DASS could be crucial in the scientific comparison between those models of care. Published: 06 May 2004 Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2004, 2:22 Received: 15 March 2004 Accepted: 06 May 2004 This article is available from: http://www.hqlo. com/content/2/1/22 © 2004 Samsa et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article: verbatim copying and redistribution of this article are permitted in all media for any purpose, provided this notice is preserved along with the article's original URL.
The early-type dwarf galaxy population of the Centaurus cluster

Aims. We present a photometric study of the early-type dwarf galaxy population of the Centaurus cluster, aiming at investigating the galaxy luminosity function (LF) and galaxy scaling relations down to the regime of galaxies with M V ∼ -10 mag. Methods. On deep VLT/FORS 1 V- and /-band images of the central part of the cluster, we identify cluster dwarf-galaxy candidates using both morphological and surface brightness selection criteria. Photometric and structural parameters of the candidates are derived from analysis of their surface brightness profiles. Fundamental scaling relations, such as the colour-magnitude and the magnitude-surface brightness relation, are used to distinguish the cluster from the background. Results. We find a flat LF with a slope of a = -1.14 ± 0.12 for M V > -14 mag, when fitting a power law to the completeness-corrected galaxy number counts. Applying a Schechter function leads to a consistent result of α ∼ -1.1. When plotting the central surface brightness of a Sersic model vs. the galaxy magnitude, we find a continuous relation for magnitudes -20 < M V < -10 mag, with only the brightest core galaxies deviating from this relation, in agreement with previous studies of other clusters. Within our Centaurus dwarf galaxy sample we identify three very compact objects. We discuss whether they belong to the class of the so-called compact elliptical galaxies (cEs). In a size-luminosity diagram (R eff vs. M V ) of early-type galaxies from a range of environments, we observe that R eff slowly decreases with decreasing luminosity for -21 < M V < -13 mag and decreases more rapidly at fainter magnitudes. This trend continues to the ultra-faint Local Group dwarf galaxies (M V ∼ -4 mag). Conclusions. The continuous central surface brightness vs. absolute magnitude relation and the smooth relation in the size-luminosity diagram over a wide range of magnitudes are consistent with the interpretation of dwarf galaxies and more massive elliptical galaxies being one family of objects with gradually changing structural properties. The most massive core galaxies and the rare cE galaxies are the only exceptions.
Interindividual Differences in Mid-Adolescents in Error Monitoring and Post-Error Adjustment

A number of studies have concluded that cognitive control is not fully established until late adolescence. The precise differences in brain function between adults and adolescents with respect to cognitive control, however, remain unclear. To address this issue, we conducted a study in which 185 adolescents (mean age (SD) 14.6 (0.3) years) and 28 adults (mean age (SD) 25.2 (6.3) years) performed a single task that included both a stimulus-response (S-R) interference component and a task-switching component. Behavioural responses (i.e. reaction time, RT; error rate, ER) and brain activity during correct, error and post-error trials, detected by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), were measured. Behaviourally, RT and ER were significantly higher in incongruent than in congruent trials and in switch than in repeat trials. The two groups did not differ in RT during correct trials, but adolescents had a significantly higher ER than adults. In line with similar RTs, brain responses during correct trials did not differ between groups, indicating that adolescents and adults engage the same cognitive control network to successfully overcome S-R interference or task switches. Interestingly, adolescents with stronger brain activation in the bilateral insulae during error trials and in fronto-parietal regions of the cognitive control network during post-error trials did have lower ERs. This indicates that those mid-adolescents who commit fewer errors are better at monitoring their performance, and after detecting errors are more capable of flexibly allocating further cognitive control resources. Although we did not detect a convincing neural correlate of the observed behavioural differences between adolescents and adults, the revealed interindividual differences in adolescents might at least in part be due to brain development.
Determinants of Demand for Physical Activity among Students in Krakow

Abstract The low level of physical activity amongst Poles is not only a social problem, but also a big challenge for commercial organizations. The aim of the thesis was to determine indicating factors influencing the maximum price that students are prone to pay for physical activity. The research was based on the opinions of 398 respondents (students from Krakow’s academies). A Chi-square test of independence was used to compare the distribution of the observed variables with their theoretical distribution. The test results show that the maximum price that students are prone to pay for a single admission ticket and for a monthly pass for participating in physical activity is correlated with the price of complementary goods, participation in free and paid kinesthetic forms of recreation, and their main subject of study. In the case of the decision to purchase monthly passes (as opposed to a ticket for single admission), the student’s income and motivation to exercise are also important. On the other hand, declarative price is not influenced by the gender and former sports activity of interviewees.
Prevalence, Awareness and Control of Hypertension in Uganda

Background Prevention and control of hypertension are critical in reducing morbidity and mortality attributable to cardiovascular diseases. Awareness of hypertension is a pre-condition for control and prevention. This study estimated the proportion of adults who were hypertensive, were aware of their hypertension and those that achieved adequate control. Methods We conducted a community based cross sectional survey among people≥15 years in Buikwe and Mukono districts of Uganda. People had their blood pressure measured and were interviewed about their social-demographic characteristics. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or previous diagnosis of hypertension. Participants were classified as hypertensive aware if they reported that they had previously been informed by a health professional that they had hypertension. Control of hypertension among those aware was if systolic blood pressure was <140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure was <90 mmHg. Results The age standardized prevalence of hypertension was 27.2% (95% CI 25.9–28.5) similar among females (27.7%) and males (26.4%). Prevalence increased linearly with age, and age effect was more marked among females. Among the hypertensive participants, awareness was 28.2% (95% CI 25.4–31.0) higher among females (37.0%) compared to males (12.4%). Only 9.4% (95% CI 7.5–11.1) of all hypertensive participants were controlled. Control was higher among females (13.2%) compared to males (2.5%). Conclusion More than a quarter of the adult population had hypertension but awareness and control was very low. Measures are needed to enhance control, awareness and prevention of hypertension.
Current status of intestinal transplantation.

The successful development of clinical intestinal transplantation remains an exciting challenge for the transplant surgeon, immunologist, and gastroenterologist. Bowel transplantation was first attempted in 1901 by Carrel who transplanted portions of small intestine into the neck of dogs. ' Interest was rekindled in 1959 when Lillehei showed that autotransplantation of the small intestine into the dog was feasible. ' Despite recent major improvements in techniques, however, and the introduction of new immunosuppressive regimens which have seen the flourishing of liver, heart, heart/ lung and pancreatic transplant programmes, the clinical results of small intestinal transplantation remain dismal. Two major problems confront us; first, the complex immunological phenomena occurring after small bowel transplantation, which include both classical graft rejection and graft versus host disease, do not appear to be easily controlled by current immunosuppressive protocols, and require elaborate treatment of both graft and host. -' Second, the physiological functions of the graft are severely deranged by the process of transplantation and further immunological damage will not only hamper recovery but destroy the barrier functions so vital to recipient survival. A series of clinical intestinal transplants were performed in the early 1970s by several institutions, with only one survivor beyond two weeks. More recently small intestinal transplants have been carried out in several major transplant centres in Europe and North America and two European recipients have survived beyond six months (personal communication). While small intestinal transplantation remains hazardous, however, it can not be considered a true therapeutic option for patients who are satisfactorily maintained on total parenteral nutrition. The purpose of this review is to summarise the progress made so far and to highlight the areas in which further research is required before small bowel transplantation becomes a practical therapeutic option.
Spatial dynamics of ecological public goods

The production, consumption, and exploitation of common resources ranging from extracellular products in microorganisms to global issues of climate change refer to public goods interactions. Individuals can cooperate and sustain common resources at some cost or defect and exploit the resources without contributing. This generates a conflict of interest, which characterizes social dilemmas: Individual selection favors defectors, but for the community, it is best if everybody cooperates. Traditional models of public goods do not take into account that benefits of the common resource enable cooperators to maintain higher population densities. This leads to a natural feedback between population dynamics and interaction group sizes as captured by “ecological public goods. ” Here, we show that the spatial evolutionary dynamics of ecological public goods in “selection-diffusion” systems promotes cooperation based on different types of pattern formation processes. In spatial settings, individuals can migrate (diffuse) to populate new territories. Slow diffusion of cooperators fosters aggregation in highly productive patches (activation), whereas fast diffusion enables defectors to readily locate and exploit these patches (inhibition). These antagonistic forces promote coexistence of cooperators and defectors in static or dynamic patterns, including spatial chaos of ever-changing configurations. The local environment of cooperators and defectors is shaped by the production or consumption of common resources. Hence, diffusion-induced self-organization into spatial patterns not only enhances cooperation but also provides simple mechanisms for the spontaneous generation of habitat diversity, which denotes a crucial determinant of the viability of ecological systems.