Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Two parts of the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi project to two different subdivisions of the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray in cat

The dorsolateral column of the mesencephalic periaqueductal gray (PAG) is a separate part of the PAG. Its afferent sources, efferent targets, and neurochemical properties differ from the adjacent PAG columns. The dorsolateral PAG is thought to be associated with aversive behaviors, but it is not yet understood how these behaviors are brought about. To elucidate the function of the PAG further, in the present study we investigated which brainstem regions project to the dorsolateral PAG. Wheat germ agglutinin‐horseradish peroxidase (WGA‐HRP) injections involving the dorsolateral PAG, but extending into the lateral part, resulted in many retrogradely labeled cells in the pontine and medullary tegmentum bilaterally. However, it was concluded that these neurons were labeled from the lateral PAG, because no anterograde labeling was found in the dorsolateral PAG after a large injection into the tegmentum. Retrogradely labeled cells were also found in the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi (PPH), mainly contralaterally. Injections of [3H]leucine or WGA‐HRP in the PPH resulted in anterogradely labeled fibers in the dorsolateral PAG. Two separate distribution patterns were found. The caudal and intermediate PPH projected to a small region on the dorsolateral edge of the dorsolateral column, whereas the supragenual PPH distributed labeled fibers to all other parts of the dorsolateral PAG, except the area on the dorsolateral edge. These separate PPH projections suggest that two subdivisions exist within the dorsolateral PAG. The present findings suggest a role for the dorsolateral PAG in the oculomotor system. J. Comp. Neurol. 492:303–322, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ANTISPASMODIC ACTIVITY OF THE CRUDE AND PURIFIED OIL OF MESUA FERREA SEED

The crude native oil and purified seed oil of Mesua ferrea were studied for their effect on isolated rat il eum by taking standard spasmodic and antispasmodic drugs. The crude oil of seed showed significant antispasmodic activity but purified oil was devoid of any antispasmodic activity.
Event-related Potential Evidence of Form and Meaning Coding during Online Speech Recognition

It is still a matter of debate whether initial analysis of speech is independent of contextual influences or whether meaning can modulate word activation directly. Utilizing event-related brain potentials (ERPs), we tested the neural correlates of speech recognition by presenting sentences that ended with incomplete words, such as To light up the dark she needed her can-. Immediately following the incomplete words, subjects saw visual words that (i) matched form and meaning, such as candle; (ii) matched meaning but not form, such as lantern; (iii) matched form but not meaning, such as candy; or (iv) mismatched form and meaning, such as number. We report ERP evidence for two distinct cohorts of lexical tokens: (a) a left-lateralized effect, the P250, differentiates form-matching words (i, iii) and form-mismatching words (ii, iv); (b) a right-lateralized effect, the P220, differentiates words that match in form and/or meaning (i, ii, iii) from mismatching words (iv). Lastly, fully matching words (i) reduce the amplitude of the N400. These results accommodate bottom-up and top-down accounts of human speech recognition. They suggest that neural representations of form and meaning are activated independently early on and are integrated at a later stage during sentence comprehension.
The Spectrum of the Night Sky over Mount Hopkins and Kitt Peak: Changes after a Decade

Recent (1998–1999) absolute spectrophotometry of the night sky over two southern Arizona astronomical sites, Kitt Peak and Mount Hopkins, is compared to similar data obtained in 1988 at each site. The current zenith sky brightness in the range ∼3700–6700 Å is essentially identical at the two sites and is as dark now as Palomar Observatory was in the early 1970s, when it was generally considered a premier dark observing site. Converted to broadband measurements, our spectrophotometry is equivalent to B = 22.63, V = 21.45 mag arcsec−2, for the zenith night sky. The contribution of high‐pressure sodium street lights to broadband V is about 0.2 mag arcsec−2, comparable to the strong airglow O i λ5577 line. During the period from 1988 to 1998–1999, the zenith sky brightness increased only modestly, with the largest changes being seen for Kitt Peak, where the zenith sky has brightened by ≈0.1–0.2 mag arcsec−2 in the blue‐optical region. For Kitt Peak we also have both 1988 and 1999 observations at modestly large zenith distances ( ZD ≈ 60°). In the directions away from Tucson, the sky has brightened by ≈0.35 mag arcsec−2 over the intervening decade. Toward Tucson the change has been larger, approximately 0.5 mag arcsec−2. In most directions the increase in the sky brightness has lagged behind the fractional increase in population growth, which we attribute to good outdoor lighting ordinances, a fact which is further reflected in the decrease in Hg emission. However, our results emphasize the need for diligent attention as developments creep closer to our observing sites.
Structured Inhomogeneous Density Map Learning for Crowd Counting

In this paper, we aim at tackling the problem of crowd counting in extremely high-density scenes, which contain hundreds, or even thousands of people. We begin by a comprehensive analysis of the most widely used density map-based methods, and demonstrate how easily existing methods are affected by the inhomogeneous density distribution problem, e.g., causing them to be sensitive to outliers, or be hard to optimized. We then present an extremely simple solution to the inhomogeneous density distribution problem, which can be intuitively summarized as extending the density map from 2D to 3D, with the extra dimension implicitly indicating the density level. Such solution can be implemented by a single Density-Aware Network, which is not only easy to train, but also can achieve the state-of-art performance on various challenging datasets.
Outcomes After Involved-field Radiation Therapy (IFRT) With or Without Rituximab in Patients With Early-stage Low-grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) Staged With CT and PET

Objectives:We evaluated whether staging with positron emission tomography (PET) or treatment with rituximab after involved-field radiation therapy (IFRT) results in an improved progression-free survival (PFS) for early-stage indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Methods:We identified 42 patients with stage I/II low-grade NHL treated with initial IFRT at our institution between 1992 and 2009, who had been staged with computed tomography (CT) or PET. A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate PFS according to staging by CT or PET, and by receipt of rituximab after IFRT. Results:Overall PFS was 68% and 61% at 5 and 10 years, respectively. There was no significant difference in PFS whether patients were staged by CT (n=17) or by PET (n=25), with 5-year PFS rates of 76% and 60%, respectively. Eleven patients received 4 weekly doses of rituximab after IFRT, with no improvement in 5-year PFS: 46% for rituximab-treated patients versus 72% for patients who were not given rituximab. However, more patients who were given rituximab were stage II. Conclusions:Patients with limited stage indolent NHL staged with either CT or PET and treated with IFRT have favorable PFS compared with historical controls. The administration of 4 weekly doses of rituximab after IFRT did not improve PFS in these patients. The use of rituximab in this setting should be evaluated in a randomized prospective study.
Association of plasma leptin levels with type 2 diabetes in rotating shift work women

Objective: We aimed to study the association among leptin levels, sleep duration, PSQI and risks of type 2 diabetes in Chinese women nurses. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study, 65 diabetics and age matched 72 non-diabetic group were assessed for physical and chemical parameters like Body Mass Index, PSQI, leptin levels, insulin levels and fasting blood glucose. Plasma leptin level was measured by direct sandwich ELISA. Results: Plasma leptin levels were significantly correlated with age, insulin level, BMI, but not correlated with duration of shift work, sleep duration and PSQI score. Logistic regression analysis showed that a negative association between leptin levels and incidence of diabetes adjusted by age, BMI, sleep duration, PSQI score, duration of shift work and insulin. The odd ratio for diabetes being 0.868 (95% CI 0.597-1.711), 0.793 (95% CI 0.448-0.792), for 2nd tertile and 3rd tertile, respectively. However, we have not found the significant association of sleep duration, PSQI score with diabetes. Conclusion: An independent negative association was found between leptin levels and the incidence of type 2 diabetes in Chinese women with rotating shift work. However, there were no correlation of sleep duration and PSQI with leptin levels and diabetes.
Software-Defined Edge Defense Against IoT-Based DDoS

Industries, people's activities and urban infrastructure rely more and more on "Internet of Things" (IoT) devices for all kinds of activities and operations. Although securing a computer network has always been a difficult task, it transmutes into a massive challenge with the exponentially-growing network size and heterogenity in these systems. A recent example in that vein is a major security violation in the form of DDoS attacks which were performed by a huge number of IoT devices infected with a botnet called "Mirai". Moreover, the role of these devices as control, sensing and communication substrate in critical infrastructures aggravate such problems. Nevertheless, there are some new networking concepts and technologies which promise to offer remedies for the aforementioned challenges; one is software-defined networking (SDN) and another one is fog computing, which primarily provide global network control and local services, respectively. In this paper, we introduce a edge-oriented detection/mitigation scheme against DDoS in IoT using SDN and Fog approaches while utilizing Mirai as the case study.
Revisiting robotic approaches to endocrine neoplasia: do the data support their continued use?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Although the advent of the robot has revolutionized the modern treatment of endocrine neoplasia, substantial controversies exist on its applicability, safety and benefits over the conventional laparoscopic operations. The present review aims to review the recent literature on various robotic approaches in treating thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal and pancreatic endocrine neoplasia and see whether its continued use should be supported. RECENT FINDINGS In summary, the role of robotic thyroidectomy has been clearly established and should be continued by experienced surgeons on selected patients. Because of the limited availability of evidence, the feasibility of robotic parathyroidectomy has yet to be elucidated. With proven favorable perioperative outcomes, robotic adrenalectomy and pancreatectomy should be continued as potential alternatives to conventional surgery. SUMMARY Robotic endocrine procedures still play a pivotal role in minimally invasive endocrine surgery with demonstrable safety and effectiveness. Future research should embark on prospective randomized-controlled trials on robotic endocrine procedures to collect higher level of evidence and long-term survival data.
The importance of galaxy interactions in triggering type II quasar activity

We present deep Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph-South optical broad-band images for a complete sample of 20 Sloan Digital Sky Survey selected type II quasars taken from Zakamska et al., with redshifts in the range 0.3 < z < 0.41 and [O iii]λ5007 emission-line luminosities . The images were taken with the aim of investigating the interaction status of the quasar host galaxies, in order to determine the significance of galaxy interactions in triggering nuclear activity. We find that 15 of our sample of 20 (75 per cent) show evidence for interaction in the form of tails, shells, fans, irregular features, amorphous haloes and double nuclei. The median surface brightness of the features is and the range is . We find a similar rate of interaction signatures in the type II quasars as in a comparison sample of quiescent early-type galaxies at similar redshift (67 per cent) taken from Ramos Almeida et al. (RA11). However the surface brightness of the detected features is up to 2 mag brighter for the type II quasars than for the quiescent early types, which have surface brightnesses in the range and a median surface brightness . Despite the relatively small sample size, this may indicate that the mergers witnessed in the comparison sample galaxies could have different progenitors, or we may be viewing the interactions at different stages. We also compare our results with those of Ramos Almeida et al. (RA12) who made a similar analysis using a complete sample of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN). They find a higher rate of interaction signatures in the radio-loud AGN (95 per cent) than the type II quasars, but a very similar range of surface brightnesses for the morphological features , possibly indicating a similarity in the types of triggering interactions. The wide range of features detected in the type II quasar sample suggests that AGN activity can be triggered before, during or after the coalescence of the black holes, with six of the 20 objects (30 per cent) having double nuclei. Overall, the results presented here are consistent with the idea that galaxy interaction plays an important role in the triggering of quasar activity. We also use time-scale arguments to show that it is unlikely that most radio-quiet quasars cycle through a radio-loud phase as part of a single quasar triggering event.
Grape (Vitis vinifera ) Seed Extract Inhibits the Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in Liver of Rats Treated with Carbon Tetrachloride

7 Abstract: The present study examined the curative action of Grape seed extract (GSE) on experimentally induced hepatic damage in rats by Carbon tetrachloride (CCl ). Rats were divided into six groups (8 rats/ group) 4 treated for 21 days and included the control group, Group 2 the group treated orally twice a week with CCl4 (1.0 mg/kg b.w) in corn oil, Groups 3 and 4 treated orally with GSE at low dose (100 mg/kg b.w) or high dose (200 mg/kg b.w) and Groups 5 and 6 treated with CCl plus GSE at the two tested doses. At the end of 4 experimental period, blood and liver samples were collected from all groups for the biochemical, histological, histochemical and cytogenetic analysis. The results indicated that CCl induced hepatic damage in the rats 4 as evidenced by a significant increase in serum AST, ALT, ALP, triglycerides, MDA, nitric oxide, LDH, CEA, total lipid, cholesterol, DNA fragmentation and NO accompanied with a significant decrease in total proteins, GPX, SOD, DNA and RNA content in the liver and Fas and TNF gene expression in the liver. Treatment with GSE reversed the values of the biochemical parameters to near normal values and improved the content of nucleic acids in hepatic tissues, the gene expression and the histopathological and histochemical picture of the liver. It could be concluded that GSE may be used in the protection against and/or the treatment of liver disease.
A methodology for the identification of the sustainable wind potential. The Portuguese case study.

The exponential grow of the wind sector in Portugal required the development of planning tools for the siting of the wind farms, its connection to the existing grid, as well as the assessment of the country's existing wind resource capable of enabling an economic, social and environmental sustainable development. The methodology developed and presented in this paper was initiated a decade ago with the classification of the existing wind data adequate to wind energy resource assessment as well as the identification of the constraints to the deployment of wind power plants. This GIS based methodology was systematically applied to the Portuguese territory and resulted on the identification of the available optimum sites for wind plant development at the lowest grid connection costs. The methodology may be easily applied to other countries or regions, thus enabling a systematic and objective approach to the wind power deployment.
Quale legalità? Rom e gagi a confronto

Si sa poco dei rom, dei sinti e degli altri gruppi di lingua romani residenti in Italia. «Rom», o piu precisamente rrom, in romani significa «uomo». Spesso vengono anche denominati «zingari», «zigani» o «gitani» 1. La maggior parte di loro chiama chi non appartiene ai rispettivi gruppi con il termine gage, o gagi. Un’etichetta che vuol dire semplicemente «non rom» e che faremo nostra, per esigenze di chiarezza e per evitare formulazioni improprie che rischiano di ingenerare confusione, nelle pagine che seguono (.).
Characteristics of an acute confusional state in college students.

An acute confusional state has been described, occurring in young adults in colleges in the Chicago Area with specific characteristics as to genesis, presenting complaints, onset, course, and treatment. Psychodynamic reconstruction is as follows: In childhood these patients were bound in an extraordinarily strong dependent relationship to their parents through guilt and fear, engendered by parental instability and disharmony. With subsequent dependent gratification and support these patients were able to achieve a conforming type of adjustment and gain success in academic and social achievements. However, in young adulthood when they attempted to find their own identity, through choice of heterosexual partner and choice of career, in the college environment, devoid of dependent gratification, their previous adjustment was inadequate to meet their needs. Sexual temptation or commitment led to guilt, which led to retreat. Retreat, in turn, led to shame and ridicule from the peer group. To avoid the shame, a.
GeneGAN: Learning Object Transfiguration and Attribute Subspace from Unpaired Data

Object Transfiguration replaces an object in an image with another object from a second image. For example it can perform tasks like "putting exactly those eyeglasses from image A on the nose of the person in image B". Usage of exemplar images allows more precise specification of desired modifications and improves the diversity of conditional image generation. However, previous methods that rely on feature space operations, require paired data and/or appearance models for training or disentangling objects from background. In this work, we propose a model that can learn object transfiguration from two unpaired sets of images: one set containing images that "have" that kind of object, and the other set being the opposite, with the mild constraint that the objects be located approximately at the same place. For example, the training data can be one set of reference face images that have eyeglasses, and another set of images that have not, both of which spatially aligned by face landmarks. Despite the weak 0/1 labels, our model can learn an "eyeglasses" subspace that contain multiple representatives of different types of glasses. Consequently, we can perform fine-grained control of generated images, like swapping the glasses in two images by swapping the projected components in the "eyeglasses" subspace, to create novel images of people wearing eyeglasses. Overall, our deterministic generative model learns disentangled attribute subspaces from weakly labeled data by adversarial training. Experiments on CelebA and Multi-PIE datasets validate the effectiveness of the proposed model on real world data, in generating images with specified eyeglasses, smiling, hair styles, and lighting conditions etc. The code is available online.
Rheinheimera aquatica sp . nov . , Antimicrobial Activity-Producing Bacterium Isolated from Freshwater Culture

1Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung Marine University, No. 142, Hai-Chuan Rd. Nan-Tzu, Kaohsiung City 811, Taiwan 2Department of Soil Environmental Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, National Chung Hsing University, 250 Kuo Kuang Rd., Taichung, Taiwan 3Department of Marine Biotechnology, National Kaohsiung Marine University, No. 142, Hai-Chuan Rd. Nan-Tzu, Kaohsiung City 811, Taiwan
DISTRIBUTION OF COLD‐INSOLUBLE GLOBULIN IN PLASMA AND TISSUES *

Cold-insoluble globulin is normally present in plasma and serum at concentrations of 27.52 +/- 4.60 and 23.46 +/- 5.18 mg/dl, respectively (means +/- SD). The concentration of CIg in blood samples was significantly decreased in DIC syndromes (14.69 +/- 6.55 mg/dl; p less than 0.001). A strong, positive correlation was found with AT-III (r = 0.68) and a less striking one with Plg. Although alpha 2-PI was shown to be significantly decreased in DIC syndromes (p less than 0.001), a weak, inverse correlation was found between CIg and alpha 2-PI (r = -0.29). Immunologically cross-reactive substances were found to be widely distributed in association with the cells and tissues of mesenchymal origin, including fibroblasts, adipose cells, smooth muscle cells, and basement membranes. The glomerular basement membrane was an exception and is currently believed to be of different origin. In the kidney, fluorescence was found in the mesangium. Cold-insoluble globulin is also present as a component of cryofibrinogen that forms a solid gel at low temperatures. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that CIg in this fraction was rather homogeneous. Although closely migrating doublets were occasionally seen in the 440,000-dalton region on gels of unreduced samples, monomeric derivatives with a molecular weight of 220,000 or less, which have been claimed to occur in circulating plasma, were not observed. Thus, intact dimeric CIg appears to be the form of the molecule that complexes with fibrinogen. Cold-insoluble globulin is the fraction that was shown to exist as an independent entity from fibrinogen at an ambient temperature by immunoelectrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. However, very rapid formation of highly polymerized complexes in the sol phase at low temperatures was manifested by the finding of a sharp increase in light-scattering intensity using the technique of quasielastic light scattering. A control study on a mixture of normal CIg and fibrinogen disclosed no appreciable change in the temperature range between 37 and 8.5 degrees C. A comparative study on a mixture of cryofibrinogen-derived CIg and normal fibrinogen revealed an intermediate light-scattering pattern. After 2 hr at 8 degrees C, this mixture reached a state of equilibrium, where no further polymerization occurred. The secondary structures of normal and cryofibrinogen-derived CIg, determined by circular dichroism, showed no appreciable difference. A noteworthy finding was the almost complete absence of alpha-helices and a relatively high proportion of beta-structure in both forms of CIg. Amino termini of the fibrinogen moiety of cryofibrinogen were found to consist of alanine, tyrosine, and a small quantity of aspartic acid, consistent with the NH2 terminal moiety composition of normal fibrinogen but not of soluble fibrin monomer complex.