Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deep Correlations for Texture Synthesis

Example-based texture synthesis has been an active research problem for over two decades. Still, synthesizing textures with nonlocal structures remains a challenge. In this article, we present a texture synthesis technique that builds upon convolutional neural networks and extracted statistics of pretrained deep features. We introduce a structural energy, based on correlations among deep features, which capture the self-similarities and regularities characterizing the texture. Specifically, we show that our technique can synthesize textures that have structures of various scales, local and nonlocal, and the combination of the two.
Children's performance in complex listening conditions: effects of hearing loss and digital noise reduction.

PURPOSE To determine the effect of hearing loss (HL) on children's performance for an auditory task under demanding listening conditions and to determine the effect of digital noise reduction (DNR) on that performance. METHOD Fifty children with normal hearing (NH) and 30 children with HL (8-12 years of age) categorized words in the presence of auditory or visual competitors, or both. Stimuli were presented at 50 dB SPL at a 0-dB signal-to-noise ratio. Children with HL were fitted with behind-the-ear hearing aids that had DNR technology. When DNR was activated, output decreased 4 dB, and signal-to-noise ratio increased 2 dB. RESULTS Significant main effects of group and age were observed. Performance for both groups decreased in noise, and the performance of the children with HL decreased further with the addition of the visual task. However, performance was unaffected by DNR. For the children with HL, stimulus audibility and communication skills contributed significantly to performance, whereas their history of hearing aid use did not. CONCLUSIONS For the children with HL, tasks unrelated to hearing interfered with their ability to participate in the auditory task. Consistent with previous studies, performance in noise was unaffected by DNR.
Overexpression of Human Hydroxysteroid (17β) Dehydrogenase 2 Induces Disturbance in Skeletal Development in Young Male Mice

To understand the function of human hydroxysteroid (17β) dehydrogenase 2 (HSD17B2) in the peripheral tissues in vivo, we studied the bone development in transgenic male mice ubiquitously expressing human HSD17B2. Bones of HSD17B2TG and WT males (26 days and 2 and 6 mo old) were analyzed by pQCT and histomorphometry, and data were correlated with serum testosterone (T), IGF‐I, and osteocalcin concentrations. At the age of 26 days, the body weight of HSD17B2TG males was significantly lower, and the lengths of the tibia and femur of the HSD17B2TG males were significantly shorter. Histomorphometric and pQCT analyses showed lower trabecular and cortical BMD, a markedly smaller area of cortical bone at both of the diaphyses, and a smaller percentage of trabecular bone volume and thickness in the HSD17B2TG males. The data suggested slower osteoblast differentiation and a slower bone formation rate of femoral diaphysis on the periosteum but faster on the endocortical surface in HSD17B2TG males. The altered bone parameters were correlated with low serum T, IGF‐I, and osteocalcin concentrations at the prepubertal age. Interestingly, after puberty, the bone parameters analyzed in the adult HSD17B2TG males were mostly normal, consistent with the normal body weight and normalized serum concentrations of IGF‐I and T. In conclusion, HSD17B2TG males presented with growth retardation and a decreased bone formation rate at prepubertal age. These changes were associated with lower serum IGF‐I, osteocalcin, and T concentrations. It is concluded that the enforced constitutive expression of HSD17B2 disturbs the coordinated action of IGF‐I and sex steroids essential for pubertal bone growth.
Organic Anion Transporter 1 Is Inhibited by Multiple Mechanisms and Shows a Transport Mode Independent of Exchange

The mechanism by which drugs inhibit organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) was examined. OAT1 was stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and para-aminohippurate (PAH) and 6-carboxyfluorescein were the substrates. Most compounds (10 of 14) inhibited competitively, increasing the Michaelis constant (Km) without affecting the maximal transport rate (Jmax). Others were mixed-type (lowering Jmax and increasing Km) or noncompetitive (lowering Jmax only) inhibitors. The interaction of a noncompetitive inhibitor (telmisartan) with OAT1 was examined further. Binding of telmisartan to OAT1 was observed, but translocation was not. Telmisartan did not alter the plasma membrane expression of OAT1, indicating that it lowers Jmax by reducing the turnover number. PAH transport after telmisartan treatment and its washout recovered faster in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum in the washout buffer, indicating that binding of telmisartan to OAT1 and its inhibitory effect are reversible. Together, these data suggest that telmisartan binds reversibly to a site distinct from substrate and stabilizes the transporter in a conformation unfavorable for translocation. In the absence of an exchangeable extracellular substrate, PAH efflux from CHO-OAT1 cells was relatively rapid. Telmisartan slowed PAH efflux, suggesting that some transporter-mediated efflux occurs independent of exchange. Although drug-drug interaction predictions at OAT1 assume competitive inhibition, these data show that OAT1 can be inhibited by other mechanisms, which could influence the accuracy of drug-drug interaction predictions at the transporter. Telmisartan was useful for examining how a noncompetitive inhibitor can alter OAT1 transport activity and for uncovering a transport mode independent of exchange.
The Incidence of Cystic Artery Variation during Laparoscopic Surgery

attractiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has led to a new understanding of biliary anatomy especially of the Calot's triangle area in order to perform a successful surgery. This study aims to describe the common and variant anatomy related to the cystic artery during laparoscopic cholecystectomy so that to minimize anatomical complications and to recommend an anatomically safe procedure. The analysis involved fifty patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy by (American technique) at different Iraqi centers during a 6-month- period. Females constituted 84% of the patients. Routine preoperative ultrasound examination revealed gallstones in 86% of the patients. 18% of the cases demonstrated anomalous vascular anatomy. Vascular anomalies included caterpillar configuration of the right hepatic artery, a previously unreported right hepatic artery in the gallbladder bed, and cystic arteries that were early divided, low inserted, and originating from proper hepatic artery. Hartmann's pouch, cystic lymph node, and the superficial branch of the cystic artery were recognized as important anatomical landmarks during the procedure
The development of a framework for a comprehensive approach to stress management interventions at work: From stress to wellbeing

This overview shows that organizations adopt a variety of programs to prevent and manage stress at various levels of the organization. Programs vary widely in their objectives, structure, and target groups, and there is some skepticism regarding the practicality of using off-the-peg programs that have been developed without considering specific organizational requirements. Organizational policies to sustain and develop employee health and well-being must involve the development of strategies that comprehensively address health and safety issues. These strategies should comprise plans to prevent and manage stress, support individual and organizational needs, and be continually evaluated and reviewed. A framework is presented for developing a comprehensive approach to stress prevention and management in the workplace, encompassing the identification, implementation, and evaluation of bespoke intervention programs.
Efficacy of ronidazole for treatment of feline Tritrichomonas foetus infection.

OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy of ronidazole (RDZ), tinidazole (TDZ), and metronidazole (MDZ) against Tritrichomonas foetus in vitro and of RDZ for treatment of feline naturally occurring or experimentally induced T. foetus infection. ANIMALS A cat naturally infected with T. foetus infection and diarrhea. Ten specific-pathogen-free (SPF) kittens. PROCEDURE RDZ, TDZ, and MDZ were tested for activity against 3 different feline isolates of T. foetus in vitro. RDZ then was administered to a naturally infected cat at 10 mg/kg PO q24h for 10 days. SPF kittens were infected orogastrically with feline T. foetus and treated with either placebo or RDZ (10 mg/kg PO q12h for 14 days). Cats with relapsing infection or those receiving placebo were treated subsequently with RDZ (either 30 or 50 mg/kg PO q12h for 14 days). Feces were examined for T. foetus by direct microscopy, culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing weekly. RESULTS Both RDZ and TDZ killed T. foetus at concentrations >0.1 microg/mL in vitro. In the naturally infected cat, RDZ abolished diarrhea and T. foetus infection for 85 days after treatment, at which time infection and diarrhea relapsed. Retreatment with RDZ eradicated diarrhea and T. foetus infection for over 407 days. In experimentally induced infection, RDZ at 10 mg/kg caused initial improvement, but infection relapsed in all 5 cats 2 to 20 weeks after treatment. At 30 or 50 mg/kg, 10/10 cats were negative for T. foetus infection for follow-up durations of 21 to 30 weeks after treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Oral administration of RDZ at 30 to 50 mg/kg q12h for 14 days resolved diarrhea and eradicated infection (on the basis of polymerase chain reaction [PCR] testing) in 1 naturally infected cat and 10 experimentally inoculated cats receiving a different isolate of T. foetus.
MiRNA-196 Is Upregulated in Glioblastoma But Not in Anaplastic Astrocytoma and Has Prognostic Significance

Purpose: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are short noncoding RNAs that can play critical roles in diverse biological processes. They are implicated in tumorigenesis and function both as tumor suppressors and as oncogenes. The clinical significance of miRNA expression profiles in malignant gliomas remains unclear. Experimental Design: In this study, we examined the expression levels of 365 mature human miRNAs in 12 malignant gliomas, including 8 glioblastomas and 4 anaplastic astrocytomas, using TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR arrays. A validation study was done to corroborate a subset of the results, including expression levels of miR-196a, -196b, -21, and -15b, by analyzing 92 malignant gliomas by conventional real-time PCR. We modeled the relationship between the expression levels of these miRNAs and the survival rate of 39 glioblastoma patients by Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate analysis. Results: Expression profiles in glioblastomas and anaplastic astrocytomas suggested that 16 miRNAs were candidate markers associated with the malignant progression of gliomas. Among them, miR-196a showed the most significant difference (P = 0.0038), with miR-196b also having a high significance (P = 0.0371). Both miRNAs showed increased expression levels in glioblastomas relative to both anaplastic astrocytomas and normal brains in the validation study. Furthermore, patients with high miR-196 expression levels showed significantly poorer survival by the Kaplan-Meier method (P = 0.0073). Multivariate analysis showed that miR-196 expression levels were an independent predictor of overall survival in all 39 glioblastoma patients (P = 0.021; hazard ratio, 2.81). Conclusions: Our results suggest that miR-196 may play a role in the malignant progression of gliomas and may be a prognostic predictor in glioblastomas. Clin Cancer Res; 16(16); 4289–97. ©2010 AACR.
Solar irradiance measurements for the monitoring and evaluation of concentrating systems

Precise solar radiation measurements are essential for monitoring and evaluation of concentrating solar systems. In this paper the quality of irradiance measurements from the low cost systems SPN1 and Rotating Shadowband Irradiometer (RSI) are compared to reference measurements from a Pyrheliometer, a Pyranometer and a Shadow Ring Pyranometer. A graphical and statistical analysis of the measurement differences has been conducted. The investigation is based on data of nearly one year and focuses mainly on deviations regarding the Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI). Furthermore, estimations for the expected errors are given. It is shown, that the mean deviation of DNI measurements from the RSI are rather small. However, large short time variability can lead to considerable measurement inaccuracies. The SPN1 shows a strong non-linear bias that should be corrected.
Investigating the Effect of Pair Programming and Software Size on Software Quality and Programmer Productivity

Although pair programming has been studied since the late 1990s, it is only recently that the results of earlier studies are being fine-tuned. For example, the results of a 2007 study conducted in Europe suggests that although pair programming might not always increase software quality, it can do so when the software being built is relatively complex and junior developers are on the team. This paper describes two experiments involving the development of small systems (10,000 to less than 100,000 lines of code) and very small programs (less than 10,000 lines of code) by student programmers in an Asian university. The results involving the small systems, which were actually complete systems designed to support the Personal Software Process (PSP), showed that defect densities of systems written by the pair programming teams were significantly lower than those written by the teams that used the traditional approach of individual coding and testing of units, followed by integration testing. On the other hand, results involving the very small (and therefore much less complex) programs did not show any significant differences between the defect densities of the programs written by the pair programmers and of those written by the solo programmers, though they did show significantly greater productivity of the solo programmers when writing simpler code. The combined results of the two experiments suggest that pair programming might increase software quality without decreasing productivity when projects are sufficiently large (or complex) for the programmers working on them.
A Study of Reinforcement Learning in a New Multiagent Domain

RoboCup Keepaway is one of the most challenging multiagent systems (MAS) where a team of keepers tries to keep the ball away from the team of takers. Most of current works concentrate on the learning of keeper, not the learning of taker, which is also a great challenge to the application of reinforcement learning (RL). In this paper, we propose a task named takeaway for takers and study the learning of them. We employ an initial learning algorithm called Update on Steps (UoS) for takers and demonstrate that this algorithm has two main faults including action oscillation and reliance on designer's experience. Thereafter we present a novel RL algorithm called dynamic CMAC advantage learning (DCMAC-AL). It makes use of advantage(lambda) learning to calculate value function as well as CMAC to generalize state space, and creates novel features based on Bellman error to improve the precision of CMAC. Empirical results show that takers with DCMAC- AL can learn efficiently.
Mobilising knowledge for climate change adaptation in Africa: reflecting on the adaptive management of knowledge networks

Knowledge sharing networks are increasingly recognised as means of mobilising the knowledge and capacities needed to respond to complex and changing realities, such as the challenges posed by climate change. AfricaAdapt is one such network, aimed at facilitating the flow of climate change adaptation knowledge between researchers, policy makers, civil society organisations and communities across Africa. This paper takes a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the first phase of the AfricaAdapt Network and the partnerships on which it was based, focusing on its design and implementation processes from the perspective of the network’s lead institution at that time. Building on past research which identified components critical to the successful management of communities of practice (CoPs), these reflections focus on the people and roles played within the core group of partners; the structures and processes which facilitate or complicate the delivery of network functions; and the contribution of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to these processes. Evidence from AfricaAdapt points to the importance of exposing the role of power, encouraging the input of divergent perspectives, and embedding learning and reflection into practice.
Comparison of the Oxi/Ferm and N/F systems for identification of infrequently encountered nonfermentative and oxidase-positive fermentative bacilli

The N/F system (Flow Laboratories, Inc. Rockville, Md) and the Oxi/Ferm Tube, (Roche Diagnostics, Div. Hoffman-La Roche, Inc. Nutley, N.J.) were evaluated in parallel for identification of infrequently encountered nonfermentative gram-negative bacilli and oxidase-positive, fermentative gram-negative bacilli selected from fresh clinical isolates and stock cultures. When compared with conventional media, the Flow N/F system correctly identified 97.7% (86 or 88) of all strains tested. No organisms were misidentified, but this system failed to identify two strains. Six supplemental tests were needed for the complete identification of 16 strains (18%); however, correct results were obtained within 48 h for 85% of the isolates. The Oxi/Ferm method correctly identified 87.5% of the isolates; 7% were incorrectly identified, and the method failed to identify five strains. Seventeen supplemental tests were required to identify 64 strains (73%). Complete identification within 48 h was obtained for 60% of the organisms tested.
Analysis of Neutralization Specificities in Polyclonal Sera Derived from Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1-Infected Individuals

ABSTRACT During human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, patients develop various levels of neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses. In some cases, patient sera can potently neutralize diverse strains of HIV-1, but the antibody specificities that mediate this broad neutralization are not known, and their elucidation remains a formidable challenge. Due to variable and nonneutralizing determinants on the exterior envelope glycoprotein (Env), nonnative Env protein released from cells, and the glycan shielding that assembles in the context of the quaternary structure of the functional spike, HIV-1 Env elicits a myriad of binding antibodies. However, few of these antibodies can neutralize circulating viruses. We present a systematic analysis of the NAb specificities of a panel of HIV-1-positive sera, using methodologies that identify both conformational and continuous neutralization determinants on the HIV-1 Env protein. Characterization of sera included selective adsorption with native gp120 and specific point mutant variants, chimeric virus analysis, and peptide inhibition of viral neutralization. The gp120 protein was the major neutralizing determinant for most sera, although not all neutralization activity against all viruses could be identified. In some broadly neutralizing sera, the gp120-directed neutralization mapped to the CD4 binding region of gp120. In addition, we found evidence that regions of the gp120 coreceptor binding site may also be a target of neutralizing activity. Sera displaying limited neutralization breadth were mapped to the immunogenic V3 region of gp120. In a subset of sera, we also identified NAbs directed against the conserved, membrane-proximal external region of gp41. These data allow a more detailed understanding of the humoral responses to the HIV-1 Env protein and provide insights regarding the most relevant targets for HIV-1 vaccine design.
Benchmarking of Scaled InGaAs Implant-Free NanoMOSFETs

The potential performance of n-type implant-free (IF) III-V nanoMOSFETs with an In0.75Ga0. 25As channel is studied using finite-element heterostructure Monte Carlo (MC) and parallel 3D drift-diffusion (D-D) simulations. These devices, scaled to gate lengths of 30, 20, and 15 nm, are compared with the equivalent gate length In0.3Ga0. 7As channel IF MOSFETs and with a state-of-the-art Si TriGate FinFET. The benchmarking study is based on careful calibration of the MC simulator against experimental transport data obtained from relevant delta-doped heterostructures with a high-k gate dielectric. At 0.8-V supply voltage, the 30-nm gate length In0.75Ga0. 25As channel IF III-V MOSFET is predicted to deliver a drive current of 2880 muA/mum and to have a subthreshold slope of 94.7 mV/dec compared with 2380 muA/mum for an equivalent gate length In0.3Ga0. 7As channel IF MOSFET. When the In0.75Ga0. 25As channel IF transistor is scaled to 20- and 15-nm gate lengths, the drive current increases to 3520 and 3605 muA/mum, featuring subthreshold slopes of 107.8 and 131.7 mV/dec, respectively. The threshold voltage variability induced by the discrete dopants in the delta-doped plane is studied using 3-D D-D simulations. The 30-, 20-, and 15-nm gate length In0.7Ga0. 25As channel IF transistors exhibit threshold voltage standard deviations of 42, 58, and 61 mV, respectively, which are close to or lower than those observed in bulk Si MOSFETs with equivalent gate lengths.
Intra‐tumoral administration of naked plasmid DNA encoding mouse endostatin inhibits renal carcinoma growth

Endostatin is a C‐terminal fragment of collagen XVIII and has potent anti‐angiogenic and anti‐tumor activity. Mouse endostatin‐coding sequences were obtained using PCR and linked to the signal sequence of influenzavirus hemagglutinin. The signal‐sequence endostatin fragment was subcloned into plasmid vectors under the transcriptional control of cytomegalovirus promoter. Murine renal carcinoma (Renca) cells transfected with endostatin‐coding plasmid are shown to secrete full‐length endostatin. Endostatin‐secreting Renca cells demonstrate slower growth in vivo compared to empty vector–transfected cells, but their in vitro growth is unaffected. Anti‐angiogenic activity of secreted endostatin was confirmed in a Matrigel angiogenesis assay in vivo. We report growth inhibition of Renca tumors resulting from intra‐tumoral delivery of plasmid vector encoding secretable endostatin. Elevated local concentrations of endostatin resulted from multiple intra‐tumoral injections of endotoxin‐purified plasmid DNA. Local endostatin levels were high enough to obtain growth arrest of Renca tumors. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Demand for Bandwidth: Evidence from the INDEX Project

The Internet Demand Experiment (INDEX) was a project to measure how much people are willing to pay for different kinds of Internet quality of service (QoS), such as bandwidth or volume of bits transferred. In the bandwidth experiments, which took place during 1998-99, subjects were offered high-speed residential Internet connections. Each week the price of bandwidth was changed, and experimenters could observe the users’ responses to these prices. The resulting data allowed us to measure how consumers valued bandwidth in that environment. We found that most users placed a surprisingly low value on bandwidth, though certain kinds of users were willing to pay substantially more than others. The INDEX project was a set of experiment designed to estimate how much people are willing to pay for various kinds of Internet Quality of Service (QoS), most prominently bandwidth. The INDEX designers architected the system to provide different QoS’s on demand and to