Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Time-varying surface appearance: acquisition, modeling and rendering

For computer graphics rendering, we generally assume that the appearance of surfaces remains static over time. Yet, there are a number of natural processes that cause surface appearance to vary dramatically, such as burning of wood, wetting and drying of rock and fabric, decay of fruit skins, and corrosion and rusting of steel and copper. In this paper, we take a significant step towards measuring, modeling, and rendering time-varying surface appearance. We describe the acquisition of the first time-varying database of 26 samples, encompassing a variety of natural processes including burning, drying, decay, and corrosion. Our main technical contribution is a Space-Time Appearance Factorization (STAF). This model factors space and time-varying effects. We derive an overall temporal appearance variation characteristic curve of the specific process, as well as space-dependent textures, rates, and offsets. This overall temporal curve controls different spatial locations evolve at the different rates, causing spatial patterns on the surface over time. We show that the model accurately represents a variety of phenomena. Moreover, it enables a number of novel rendering applications, such as transfer of the time-varying effect to a new static surface, control to accelerate time evolution in certain areas, extrapolation beyond the acquired sequence, and texture synthesis of time-varying appearance.
The Impact of Task Demands on Fixation-Related Brain Potentials during Guided Search

Recording synchronous data from EEG and eye-tracking provides a unique methodological approach for measuring the sensory and cognitive processes of overt visual search. Using this approach we obtained fixation related potentials (FRPs) during a guided visual search task specifically focusing on the lambda and P3 components. An outstanding question is whether the lambda and P3 FRP components are influenced by concurrent task demands. We addressed this question by obtaining simultaneous eye-movement and electroencephalographic (EEG) measures during a guided visual search task while parametrically modulating working memory load using an auditory N-back task. Participants performed the guided search task alone, while ignoring binaurally presented digits, or while using the auditory information in a 0, 1, or 2-back task. The results showed increased reaction time and decreased accuracy in both the visual search and N-back tasks as a function of auditory load. Moreover, high auditory task demands increased the P3 but not the lambda latency while the amplitude of both lambda and P3 was reduced during high auditory task demands. The results show that both early and late stages of visual processing indexed by FRPs are significantly affected by concurrent task demands imposed by auditory working memory.
Node status has prognostic significance in the multimodality therapy of diffuse, malignant mesothelioma.

PURPOSE We studied a multimodality approach using extrapleural pneumonectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1980 to 1992, 52 selected patients, underwent treatment. Median age was 53 years (range, 33 to 69). Initial patient evaluation was performed by a multimodality team. Pathologic diagnosis was reviewed and confirmed before therapy. Patients with no medical contraindication and potentially resectable mesothelioma on computed tomography (CT) (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] when it became available) received extrapleural pneumonectomy, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP) chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. RESULTS Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates were 17% and 5.8%, respectively. The overall median survival duration is 16 months (range, 1 month to 8 years). The 32 patients with epithelial histologic variant had 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of 77%, 50%, and 42%, respectively. Patients with mixed and sarcomatous cell disease had 1- and 2-year survival rates of 45% and 7.5%; no patient lived longer than 25 months (P < .01). At resection, positive regional mediastinal lymph nodes were found in 13. Positive lymph nodes were associated with poorer survival than were negative nodes (P < .01). Patients with epithelial variant and negative mediastinal lymph nodes had a survival rate of 45% at 5 years. CONCLUSION Multimodality therapy including extrapleural pneumonectomy has acceptable morbidity and mortality for selected patients. Prolonged survival occurred in patients with epithelial histologic variant and negative mediastinal lymph nodes. These data provide a rationale for a revised staging system for malignant pleural mesothelioma; furthermore, they permit stratification of patients into groups likely to benefit from aggressive multimodality treatment.
The embryonic development of the inferior olivary complex in normal and reeler (rlORL) mutant mice

The development of the inferior olivary complex has been studied comparatively in normal and reeler mutant mice, from embryonic day 14 to birth. In both genotypes, cells migrate tangentially, from the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle, until they reach the ventral rhombencephalon where they enter the olive radially. Some cells also enter the olive laterally, from its external side. In both genotypes, olivary neurons differentiate following the same morphological sequence, both in terms of dendritic deployment and of axonal growth. Olivofugal axons cross the midline as early as E14. Synapses are rare in the inferior olivary complex during the prenatal period. Radial glial cells and the first stages of astrocytogenesis appear similar in both genotypes.
Adrenomedullin Increased the Short-Circuit Current in the Pig Oviduct Through Chloride Channels via the CGRP Receptor: Mediation by cAMP and Calcium Ions But Not by Nitric Oxide1

ABSTRACT The oviduct serves as a site for the fertilization of the ovum and the transport of the conceptus down to the uterus for implantation. In this study, we investigated the presence of adrenomedullin (ADM) and its receptor component proteins in the pig oviduct. The effect of ADM on oviductal secretion, the specific receptor, and the mechanisms involved were also investigated. The presence of ADM and its receptor component proteins in the pig oviduct were confirmed using immunostaining. Short-circuit current (Isc) technique was employed to study chloride ion secretion in the oviductal epithelium. ADM increased Isc through cAMP- and calcium-activated chloride channels, and this effect could be inhibited by the CGRP receptor antagonist, hCGRP8-37. In contrast, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, l-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (l-NAME), could not block the effect of ADM on Isc. In summary, ADM may increase oviductal fluid secretion via chloride secretion independent of the nitric oxide pathway for the transport of sperm and the conceptus.
Prognostic Value of Troponins in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: A Meta-Analysis

Background— Whether elevated serum troponin levels identify patients with acute pulmonary embolism at high risk of short-term mortality or adverse outcome is undefined. Methods and Results— We performed a meta-analysis of studies in patients with acute pulmonary embolism to assess the prognostic value of elevated troponin levels for short-term death and adverse outcome events (composite of death and any of the following: shock, need for thrombolysis, endotracheal intubation, catecholamine infusion, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or recurrent pulmonary embolism). Unrestricted searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE bibliographic databases from January 1998 to November 2006 were performed using the terms “troponin” and “pulmonary embolism. ” Additionally, review articles and bibliographies were manually searched. Cohort studies were included if they had used cardiac-specific troponin assays and had reported on short-term death or adverse outcome events. A random-effects model was used to pool study results; funnel-plot inspection was done to evaluate publication bias; and I2 testing was used to test for heterogeneity. Data from 20 studies (1985 patients) were included in the analysis. Overall, 122 of 618 patients with elevated troponin levels died (19.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 16.6 to 22.8) compared with 51 of 1367 with normal troponin levels (3.7%; 95% CI, 2.7 to 4.7). Elevated troponin levels were significantly associated with short-term mortality (odds ratio [OR], 5.24; 95% CI, 3.28 to 8.38), with death resulting from pulmonary embolism (OR, 9.44; 95% CI, 4.14 to 21.49), and with adverse outcome events (OR, 7.03; 95% CI, 2.42 to 20.43). Elevated troponin levels were associated with a high mortality in the subgroup of hemodynamically stable patients (OR, 5.90; 95% CI, 2.68 to 12.95). Results were consistent for troponin I or T and prospective or retrospective studies. Conclusions— Elevated troponin levels identify patients with acute pulmonary embolism at high risk of short-term death and adverse outcome events.
BDNF-Dependent Recycling Facilitates TrkB Translocation to Postsynaptic Density during LTP via a Rab11-Dependent Pathway

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the activity-dependent regulation of synaptic structure and function via tropomyosin related kinase B (TrkB) receptor activation. However, whether BDNF could regulate TrkB levels at synapse during long-term potentiation (LTP) is still unknown. We show in cultured rat hippocampal neurons that chemical LTP (cLTP) stimuli selectively promote endocytic recycling of BDNF-dependent full-length TrkB (TrkB-FL) receptors, but not isoform T1 (TrkB.T1) receptors, via a Rab11-dependent pathway. Moreover, neuronal-activity-enhanced TrkB-FL recycling could facilitate receptor translocation to postsynaptic density and enhance BDNF-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activation and rat hippocampal neuron survival. Finally, we found that cLTP could stimulate the switch of Rab11 from an inactive to an active form and that GTP-bound Rab11 could enhance the interaction between TrkB-FL and PSD-95. Therefore, the recycling endosome could serve as a reserve pool to supply TrkB-FL receptors for LTP maintenance. These findings provide a mechanistic link between Rab11-dependent endocytic recycling and TrkB modulation of synaptic plasticity.
Dormancy-associated MADS genes from the EVG locus of peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] have distinct seasonal and photoperiodic expression patterns

Mapping and sequencing of the non-dormant evg mutant in peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch] identified six tandem-arrayed DAM (dormancy-associated MADS-box) genes as candidates for regulating growth cessation and terminal bud formation. To narrow the list of candidate genes, an attempt was made to associate bud phenology with the seasonal and environmental patterns of expression of the candidates in wild-type trees. The expression of the six peach DAM genes at the EVG locus of peach was characterized throughout an annual growing cycle in the field, and under controlled conditions in response to a long day–short day photoperiod transition. DAM1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 were responsive to a reduction in photoperiod in controlled conditions and the direction of response correlated with the seasonal timing of expression in field-grown trees. DAM3 did not respond to photoperiod and may be regulated by chilling temperatures. The DAM genes in peach appear to have at least four distinct patterns of expression. DAM1, 2, and 4 are temporally associated with seasonal elongation cessation and bud formation and are the most likely candidates for control of the evg phenotype.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Radiofrequency Ablation in a Breast Cancer Model

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA), a minimally invasive surgical procedure has an increasing application in the surgical treatment of tumors. Data indicate that RFA might stimulate anti-cancer immunity possibly through the induction of necrosis and heat shock proteins (HSP) expression. This study tests a hypothesis that RFA leads to bidirectional immunoregulation. Experimental rat breast tumors were treated with RFA, surgical excision or sham operation. RFA resulted in the highest NK cells infiltration, increased HSP70 expression and activation of caspase-3 enzyme in the tumor margins. A significant reduction of the circulatory regulatory T (Treg) cells was found in both RFA- and excision-treated rats, although less pronounced in the RFA-group. The splenocyte proliferation to tumor cell lysate was stronger in the RFA-treated rats in comparison with untreated tumor-bearing rats. The potential role of self-HSP for immunomodulation was examined using in vitro proliferation assay to tetanus toxoid using human peripheral leukocytes. The response to the tetanus toxoid was significantly suppressed by HSP90 plus auto-antibodies versus HSP90 or auto-antibodies alone. In conclusion, RFA reduced the circulatory Tregs although not as efficient as tumor excision. HSPs plus natural antibodies suppress the anti-tumor response probably by stimulating Tregs. Therefore, RFA may play a role in anti-cancer therapy if combined with Tregs suppression.
The prevalence and profile of non‐affective psychosis in the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and correlates of non-affective psychosis among adult Nigerians. It was part of the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing and was conducted in 8 out of the 22 states in Nigeria, representing about 22% of the national population. Face-to-face interviews with adults aged 18 years and over were administered using the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview, version 3 (CIDI.3). Clinical reappraisal was conducted by clinicians on a subsample of respondents. The CIDI.3 was found to have acceptable agreement with clinician-administered assessments, with kappa values ranging between 0.52 to 0.72, respectively, for narrowly-defined and broad categories of non-affective psychosis. The lifetime prevalence of non-affective psychosis was 2.1%, with visual hallucinations being the most commonly reported symptom and delusions of reference the least. Non-affective psy-chosis was significantly more common among urban dwellers. Persons with non-affective psychosis were at elevated risk to report both lifetime and 12-month comorbid DSM-IV disorders as well as to experience impairment in basic and instrumental role functioning. Only a minority had received any treatment.
Bias temperature instability and hot carrier circuit ageing simulations specificities in UTBB FDSOI 28nm node

We present new reliability features related to the use of a wide range of bulk back biasing in advanced UTBB FDSOI devices. NBTI and HCI stresses were done addressing degradation dependencies vs. bulk bias with the help of TCAD simulations in order to validate our new proposed NBTI physical model in UTBB FDSOI CMOS node.
Does the Political Power of Non-Financial Stakeholders Affect Firm Values? Evidence from Labor Unions

Whereas corporate political connections are known to enhance equity values, we demonstrate that union political activity can have the opposite effect. We examine the consequences of a recent Australian state law that restricts union political activity but does not change collective bargaining rights. In the wake of this law, the equity values of affected unionized firms significantly increase, and consistent with this market reaction, these firms are able to bargain for more favorable labor contracts than their unionized peers in other states. The evidence strongly suggests that unions use political activism to extract rents from shareholders and benefit their members.
Corrosive Sulfur in Insulating Oils: Its Detection and Correlated Power Apparatus Failures

Contamination of paper tapes by corrosive sulfur in insulating oils may cause shorting faults between turns. Typically, this occurs at higher temperature in the upper portions of the windings of shunt reactors and power transformers. In many of the tested oils, high amounts of dibenzyl-disulfide (DBDS) were found.
Spatial Data Infrastructuring: praxis between dilemmas

The paper argues that SDI development can best be considered as context-dependent praxis more than as technological artefact if SDI is to facilitate deliberation and learning in public governance. Because of the many different and often conflicting perspectives, interests and other values that are involved in SDI development, this inevitably causes paradoxes and dilemmas in its development and operation. Therefore, the paper also proposed transdisciplinary framing of praxis in SDI development. But transdisciplinarity presents its own ethical challenges. The different perspectives on the SDI phenomenon must be given “equal right” to co-exist. Moreover, transdisciplinarity is not particularly supported by contemporary academic praxis. Therefore, aspiring transdisciplinary SDI researchers are confronted with tough, value-rational choices in balancing academic ideals and career advancements. Finally, the paper suggests that praxis-focused SDI research is prudent and practical common sense and could benefit from ethnographic methods.
Modulation of cerebellar activation by predictive and non-predictive sequential finger movements

We investigated the modulation of cerebellar activation by predictive and non-predictive sequential finger movements. It is hypothesized that the prediction of desired movement sequences and adaptation to new movement parameters is mediated by the cerebellum. Using functional MRI at 1.5T, seven normal subjects performed sequential finger to thumb opposition movements, either in predictive (repeatedly 2,3,4,5) or non-predictive (randomized) fashion at a constant frequency of 1 Hz. Performance and error rates were monitored by simultaneous recording of the finger movements. Predictive sequential finger opposition movements activated a cerebellar network including the lobuli IV–VI ipsilateral to the movements, the contralateral lobuli IV–VI, the vermis, and lobuli VIIB–VIII ipsilaterally. Non-predictive compared to predictive finger opposition movements activated a broader area within the ipsi- and contralateral anterior cerebellum, lobuli IV–VI, the vermis, and the ipsilateral lobuli VIIB–VIII. Additional activation foci were found in the contralateral lobuli VIIA and VIIB–VIII. Our study demonstrates a modulated information processing within the cerebellar network dependent on the predictability of movement sequences.
Improvement of edge delamination strength of composite laminates using adhesive layers

A thin but tough adhesive inner layer placed in laminates at the proper interface has been found to give improved delamination strength. Static tension tests of laminates with (′30 2 /90 3 /∓30 2 ) T and (′35/0/90) s layupsof graphite/epoxy show that the added adhesive inner layer effectively suppresses delamination until final failure. The effects of adhesive layers on interlaminar stresses and strain-energy release rate have been studied analytically using a finite-element method. It was found that the introduction of adhesive layers reduced the interlaminar stresses. Although there was no significant change in total strain-energy release rate, there was a significant decrease in the G 1 (tension mode) percentage of the total strain-energy release rate.
Dual BEM Formulation Applied to Analysis of Multiple Crack Propagation

The boundary element method (BEM) is used in this paper for modelling multiple crack propagation in two-dimensional domains. The formulation adopted is based on the dual BEM, in which singular and hyper-singular integral equations are used. An iterative scheme is proposed in order to predict the crack growth path and the crack length increment at each load step. This scheme is accurate enough to simulate localisation and coalescence phenomena, which is the main contribution of this paper. The displacement correlation technique is used to evaluate the stress intensity factors and the theory of maximum circumferential stress is adopted to determine the crack propagation angle and the equivalent stress intensity factor. One application is presented in order to illustrate the robustness and applicability of the proposed model.
Oestradiol and Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐1 Reduce Cell Loss after Global Ischaemia in Middle‐Aged Female Rats

Whereas the ability of oestradiol and insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 to afford neuroprotection against ischaemia‐induced neuronal death in young female and male rodents is well established, the impact of IGF‐1 in middle‐aged animals is largely unknown. The present study assessed the efficacy of oestradiol and IGF‐1 with respect to reducing neuronal death after transient global ischaemia in middle‐aged female rats after 8 weeks of hormone withdrawal. Rats were ovariohysterectomised and implanted 8 weeks later with an osmotic mini‐pump delivering IGF‐1 or saline into the lateral ventricle. Some rats also received physiological levels of oestradiol by subcutaneous pellet. Two weeks later, rats were subjected to global ischaemia or sham operation. Surviving hippocampal CA1 neurones were quantified. Ischaemia produced massive CA1 cell death compared to sham‐operated animals, which was evident at 14 days. Significantly more neurones survived in animals treated with either oestradiol or IGF‐1, but simultaneous treatment produced no additive effect. IGF‐1, an endogenous growth factor, may be a clinically useful therapy in preventing human brain injury, with neuroprotective equivalence to oestradiol but without the harmful side‐effects.
Applying Bayes based classifiers for decision fusion in a multi-modal identity verification system

The contribution of this paper is threefold: (1) to formulate a decision fusion problem encountered in the design of a multi-modal identity verification system as a particular classification problem, (2) to propose a general Bayes based classifier framework to solve this problem, (3) to derive and to compare two specific particularizations from this general framework. The multi-modal identity verification system under consideration is built of n modalities in parallel, each one delivering as output a scalar number, called score, stating how well the claimed identity is verified. A fusion module receiving as input the n scores has to take a binary decision: acceptor rejectidentity. We have solved this fusion problem using Bayes based classifiers applied in two specific cases: one using Gaussian distributions and another one using distributions from the exponential family with equal dispersion parameters, which leads to the logistic regression model. The effect of the a priori probabilities is highlighted in this context. The performances of these two fusion modules have been evaluated and compared with other approaches on a multimodal database, containing both vocal and visual modali-