Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Shape-Based Pedestrian Segmentation in Still Images

Pedestrian segmentation is a problem of considerable practical interest. In this work we propose a shape-based model for pedestrian segmentation. Our model is initialized by a bounding-box of the person under analysis, which can be estimated by a person detector. The basic idea of the proposed model is to create a graph around the detected person, based on a scale invariant shape model and the estimated contour is given by a path in the graph that maximizes certain boundary energy. In practice, such energy should be large in the boundary between the foreground/background. To cope with pose/shape variations, the final estimate is given by a selection scheme, which takes into consideration the individual estimate given by different generated graphs. Experimental results indicated that the proposed technique works well in non trivial images, with comparable accuracy to the state-of-the-art.
Chemokine receptor CCR6‐dependent accumulation of γδ T cells in injured liver restricts hepatic inflammation and fibrosis

Chronic liver injury promotes hepatic inflammation, representing a prerequisite for organ fibrosis. We hypothesized a contribution of chemokine receptor CCR6 and its ligand, CCL20, which may regulate migration of T‐helper (Th)17, regulatory, and gamma‐delta (γδ) T cells. CCR6 and CCL20 expression was intrahepatically up‐regulated in patients with chronic liver diseases (n = 50), compared to control liver (n = 5). Immunohistochemistry revealed the periportal accumulation of CCR6+ mononuclear cells and CCL20 induction by hepatic parenchymal cells in liver disease patients. Similarly, in murine livers, CCR6 was expressed by macrophages, CD4 and γδ T‐cells, and up‐regulated in fibrosis, whereas primary hepatocytes induced CCL20 upon experimental injury. In two murine models of chronic liver injury (CCl4 and methionine‐choline‐deficient diet), Ccr6−/− mice developed more severe fibrosis with strongly enhanced hepatic immune cell infiltration, compared to wild‐type (WT) mice. Although CCR6 did not affect hepatic Th‐cell subtype composition, CCR6 was explicitly required by the subset of interleukin (IL)‐17‐ and IL‐22‐expressing γδ T cells for accumulation in injured liver. The adoptive transfer of WT γδ, but not CD4 T cells, into Ccr6−/− mice reduced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in chronic injury to WT level. The anti‐inflammatory function of hepatic γδ T cells was independent of IL‐17, as evidenced by transfer of Il‐17−/− cells. Instead, hepatic γδ T cells colocalized with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vivo and promoted apoptosis of primary murine HSCs in a cell‐cell contact‐dependent manner, involving Fas‐ligand (CD95L). Consistent with γδ T‐cell‐induced HSC apoptosis, activated myofibroblasts were more frequent in fibrotic livers of Ccr6−/− than in WT mice. Conclusion: γδ T cells are recruited to the liver by CCR6 upon chronic injury and protect the liver from excessive inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting HSCs. (Hepatology 2014;59:630–642)
Building a virtual framework to exploit multidisciplinary project workshops – peaks & pits

Multidisciplinary project work in connection to industry is highly favoured at University education, since it prepares students to envision their spectrum of profession, to be able to participate in production projects in co-operation with partners out of campus, and learn to communicate between disciplines. An effective combination presumes selection of right partners, set-up of proper virtual platform to bridge time, space, and differences in working styles. The set-up process requires several phases of design-based research proofing the melding process to produce a productive workshop that is sustainable. The paper describes the review of literature, the platform and set-up established, a first phase in bridging Art and Computer Science through the description of MOMELTE project, a critical evaluation in order to learn from mistakes, and a new list of design principles to improve the next phase of the workshop process.
Evidence that SIZN1 is a candidate X‐linked mental retardation gene

An estimated 1–3% of individuals within the United States are diagnosed with mental retardation (MR), yet the cause is unknown in nearly 50% of the patients. While several environmental, genetic and combined teratogenetic etiologies have been identified, many causative genes remain to be identified. Furthermore, the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying MR are known for very few of these genes. Males have a much higher incidence of MR implicating genes on the X‐chromosome. We have recently identified a novel gene, SIZN1, on the X‐chromosome and showed that it functions in modulating the BMP signaling pathway. Furthermore, we have shown this gene is necessary for basal forebrain cholinergic neuron (BFCN) specific gene expression. Given that cognitive function is impaired when BFCNs are lost or functionally disrupted, we undertook a screen of cognitively impaired males for SIZN1 mutations. We report on four different sequence variants in SIZN1 in 11 individuals with nonsyndromic X‐linked mental retardation(XLMR). Our data implicate SIZN1 as a candidate gene for XLMR and/or as a neurocognitive functional modifier. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trisomy 10 mosaicism in a newborn boy; delineation of the syndrome

The fifth case of trisomy 10 mosaicism is presented. Only in cultured fibroblasts this mosaicism was found, while peripheral lymphocytes revealed a normal karyotype. In comparison with the literature, trisomy 10 mosaicism syndrome is further delineated compromising of failure to thrive, high forehead, hypertelorism, mongoloid eye slant, blepharophimosis, dysplastic, large ears, retrognathia, long slender trunk, marked plantar and palmar furrows, cardiopathy and early death.
Long Period Fiber Grating Inscribed in Hollow-Core Photonic Bandgap Fiber for Gas Pressure Sensing

In this paper, we have proposed and experimentally prepared an improved gas pressure sensing device. It is mainly constructed by a short hollow silica tube segment and a CO2-laser-induced long period grating in hollow-core photonic bandgap fiber (HC-PBF). To effectively enhance the interaction between light in the air-core of HC-PBF and external surroundings, thus to achieve the best possible gas pressure sensitivity, a microchannel is introduced in the middle of the hollow silica tube segment with the femtosecond laser processing technique. The corresponding gas pressure experiments demonstrate that the resonant wavelength of the LPFG shows a blue shift up to −1.3 nm/MPa. Moreover, the temperature response sensitivity of this sensor is as low as 5.3 pm/°C and enable it possible as a temperature-insensitive gas pressure measure apparatus.
Viscoelastic Finite-Element Analysis of a Lumbar Motion Segment in Combined Compression and Sagittal Flexion: Effect of Loading Rate

Study Design. A study using a validated viscoelastic finite-element model of a L2–L3 motion segment to identify the load sharing among the passive elements at different loading rates. Objective. To enhance understanding concerning the role of the loading rate (i.e., speed of lifting and lowering during manual material handling tasks) on the load sharing and safety margin of spinal structures. Summary of Background Data. Industrial epidemiologic studies have shown that jobs requiring a higher speed of trunk motion contribute to a higher risk of industrial low back disorders. Consideration of the dynamic loading characteristics, such as lifting at different speeds, requires modeling of the viscoelastic behavior of passive tissues. Detailed systematic analysis of loading rate effects has been lacking in the literature. Methods. Complex flexion movement was simulated by applying compression and shear loads at the top of the upper vertebra while its sagittal flexion angle was prescribed without constraining any translations. The lower vertebra was fixed at the bottom. The load reached its maximum values of 2000 N compression and 200 N anterior shear while L2 was flexed to 10° of flexion in the three different durations of 0.3, 1, and 3 seconds to represent fast, medium, and slow movements, respectively. The resisted bending moment, gross load-displacement response of the motion segment, forces in facet joints and ligaments, stresses and strains in anulus fibrosus, and intradiscal pressure were compared across different rates. Results. The distribution of stress and strain was markedly affected by the loading rate. The higher loading rate increased the peak intradiscal pressure (12.4%), bending moment (20.7%), total ligament forces (11.4%), posterior longitudinal ligament stress (15.7%), and anulus fiber stress at the posterolateral innermost region (17.9%), despite the 15.4% reduction in their strain. Conclusions. Consideration of the time-dependent material properties of passive elements is essential to improving understanding of motion segment responsesto dynamic loading conditions. Higher loading rate markedly reduces the safety margin of passive spinal elements. When the dynamic tolerance limits of tissues are available, the results provide bases for the guidelines of safe dynamic activities in clinics or industry.
Dependence of morphology on agitation intensity in fed-batch cultures of Aspergillus oryzae and its implications for recombinant protein production.

We previously reported that, although agitation conditions strongly affected mycelial morphology, such changes did not lead to different levels of recombinant protein production in chemostat cultures of Aspergillus oryzae (Amanullah et al., 1999). To extend this finding to another set of operating conditions, fed-batch fermentations of A. oryzae were conducted at biomass concentrations up to 34 g dry cell weight/L and three agitation speeds (525, 675, and 825 rpm) to give specific power inputs between 1 and 5 kWm(-3). Gas blending was used to control the dissolved oxygen level at 50% of air saturation except at the lowest speed where it fell below 40% after 60-65 h. The effects of agitation intensity on growth, mycelial morphology, hyphal tip activity, and recombinant protein (amyloglucosidase) production in fed-batch cultures were investigated. In the batch phase of the fermentations, biomass concentration, and AMG secretion increased with increasing agitation intensity. If in a run, dissolved oxygen fell below approximately 40% because of inadequate oxygen transfer associated with enhanced viscosity, AMG production ceased. As with the chemostat cultures, even though mycelial morphology was significantly affected by changes in agitation intensity, enzyme titers (AGU/L) under conditions of substrate limited growth and controlled dissolved oxygen of >50% did not follow these changes. Although the measurement of active tips within mycelial clumps was not considered, a dependency of the specific AMG productivity (AGU/g biomass/h) on the percentage of extending tips was found, suggesting that protein secretion may be a bottle-neck in this strain during fed-batch fermentations.
Beyond alcoholism: identifying older, at-risk drinkers in primary care.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the validity and reliability of two self-report instruments: the Alcohol-Related Problems Survey (ARPS) and its shorter version the Short ARPS (shARPS) that identify older persons whose use of alcohol alone or with their comorbidities may be placing them at risk for or causing them harm. METHOD We compared the two measures against a "LEAD" (longitudinal evaluation done by experts employing all available data) standard among a sample of 166 drinkers aged 60 years and older in 10 internal medicine clinics. The LEAD standard included a medical record review, a clinical interview and a telephone interview with a collateral informant. We tabulated reasons the LEAD identified subjects as harmful or hazardous drinkers. We also compared the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) and the Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test-Geriatric Version (SMAST-G) to the LEAD. RESULTS Sensitivity and specificity of the ARPS and the shARPS as compared to the LEAD were 93% and 63%, and 92% and 51%, respectively. After minor changes were made in the scoring rules, specificity increased to 66% for both the ARPS and shARPS while sensitivity remained stable, 93% and 91%. Harmful and hazardous drinkers were most often identified because of alcohol use with comorbidities, symptoms, and medication use. Sensitivity and specificity of the AUDIT and the SMAST-G as compared to the LEAD were 28% and 100%, and 52% and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The ARPS and shARPS are quite sensitive in identifying older drinkers with a spectrum of alcohol use disorders. They are more sensitive than the AUDIT and the SMAST-G in identifying older persons who may be at risk or experiencing harm as a result of their alcohol use and comorbidities. They also provide information on specific risks associated with alcohol use not obtained by other screening measures and may therefore facilitate interventions by busy clinicians to reduce such risks.
Antitumor effect of degalactosylated gc-globulin on orthotopic grafted lung cancer in mice.

BACKGROUND Group-specific component (Gc)-globulin-derived macrophage-activating factor (GcMAF) generated by a cascade of catalytic reactions with deglycosidase enzymes exerts antitumor activity. We hypothesized that degalactosyl Gc-globulin (DG3), a precursor of GcMAF, also plays a role in recovery from cancer as well as GcMAF due to progression of deglycosylation by generally resident sialidases and mannosidases. MATERIALS AND METHODS We prepared the subtypes of DG3, such as 1f1f and 1s1s and its 22 homodimers, by using vitamin D3-binding Sepharose CL-6B and examined their antitumor activity in mice bearing Lewis lung carcinoma cells, by counting the number of nodules formed in their lungs. RESULTS Antitumor activity of DG3 was observed regardless of its subtype, being equivalent to that of GcMAF. The injection route of DG3 affected its antitumor activity, with subcutaneous and intramuscular administration being more favorable than the intraperitoneal or intravenous route. In order to obtain significant antitumor activity, more than 160 ng/kg of DG3 were required. CONCLUSION DG3 proved to be promising as an antitumor agent, similarly to GcMAF.
Bacterial contamination of the hands of hospital staff during routine patient care.

BACKGROUND Cross-transmission of microorganisms by the hands of health care workers is considered the main route of spread of nosocomial infections. OBJECTIVE To study the process of bacterial contamination of health care workers' hands during routine patient care in a large teaching hospital. METHODS Structured observations of 417 episodes of care were conducted by trained external observers (S.T. and V.S.). Each observation period started after a hand-cleansing procedure and ended when the health care worker proceeded to clean his or her hands or at the end of a coherent episode of care. At the end of each period of observation, an imprint of the 5 fingertips of the dominant hand was taken and bacterial colony counts were quantified. Regression methods were used to model the intensity of bacterial contamination as a function of method of hand cleansing, use of gloves during patient care, duration and type of care, and hospital ward. RESULTS Bacterial contamination increased linearly with time on ungloved hands during patient care (average, 16 colony-forming units [CFUs] per minute; 95% confidence interval, 11-21 CFUs per minute). Patient care activities independently (P<.05 for all) associated with higher contamination levels were direct patient contact, respiratory care, handling of body fluid secretions, and rupture in the sequence of patient care. Contamination levels varied with hospital location; the medical rehabilitation ward had higher levels (49 CFUs; P=.03) than did other wards. Finally, simple hand washing before patient care, without hand antisepsis, was also associated with higher colony counts (52 CFUs; P=.03). CONCLUSIONS The duration and type of patient care affect hand contamination. Furthermore, because hand antisepsis was superior to hand washing, intervention trials should explore the role of systematic hand antisepsis as a cornerstone of infection control to reduce cross-transmission in hospitals.
Management of in situ lobular neoplasia detected on needle core biopsy of breast

Aims To evaluate the risk of having occult ductal carcinoma in situ or invasive carcinoma in the region of a focus of lobular (in situ) neoplasia (LN) diagnosed on needle core biopsy (NCB) of breast. Methods All cases of LN diagnosed on NCB of breast over 10 years (2000–2009 inclusive) were reviewed. The clinical presentation, radiological appearances and final pathological diagnosis on open diagnostic biopsy (ODB) were correlated. Results 125 cases of LN on NCB were identified from diagnostic codes. Of these, 72 (58%) had a coexistent, higher-grade lesion that mandated surgery. Fifty of the remaining 53 (94%) underwent ODB. The majority of patients were asymptomatic, with 68% presenting through the breast screening programme, and in 89% of patients, the target abnormality was microcalcification. Of the 50 patients, 13 (26%) had a final diagnosis of in situ or invasive carcinoma requiring therapeutic surgery. When the cases of pleomorphic LN were excluded, 21% (10/47) were upgraded. Two of these 10 cases had discordant radiology which could have been diagnosed on repeat NCB leaving an upgrade rate of 18% (8/45). In four of the eight cases of invasive malignancy, the disease was multifocal. Conclusions LN is frequently asymptomatic, being identified by mammographic microcalcification alone. In 21% of classical LN cases, it is associated with an undiagnosed, higher-grade lesion requiring oncological management. In our view, patients with LN discovered on NCB should undergo open diagnostic biopsy.
Sampling in Difficult to Access Refugee and Immigrant Communities

We evaluated sampling strategies and trust-building activities in a large multiphase epidemiologic study of torture prevalence in populations that were difficult to locate and enroll. Refugee groups under study were Somalis from Somalia and Oromos from Ethiopia who were living in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1999–2002. Without a complete sampling frame from which to randomly recruit participants, we employed purposive sampling methods. Through comparative and statistical analyses, we found no apparent differences between our sample and the underlying population and discovered no effects of recruiting methods on study outcomes, suggesting that the sample could be analyzed with confidence. Ethnographic trust and rapport-building activities among investigators, field staff, and immigrant communities made it possible to obtain the sample and gather sensitive data. Maintaining a culture of trust was crucial in recovering from damaging environmental events that threatened data collection.
Influence of repeated cycles of structured therapy interruption on the rate of recovery of CD4+ T cells after highly active antiretroviral therapy resumption.

BACKGROUND CD4+ T cell recovery dynamics were analysed during the 'on treatment' periods in structured therapy interruption (STI) as well as the long-term immune reconstitution with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) after finishing STI. METHODS One hundred and twenty HIV-1-infected patients on successful HAART were randomized to receive for 2 years continuous HAART (n=37) or two different strategies of STI (n=83). After this period, most patients received continuous HAART for 2 years. RESULTS During the STI period, the rate of recovery of CD4+ T cells decreased progressively from the first to the last resumption of HAART {median change of increase: +232 [interquartile range (IQR): +126, +318], +116 (IQR: +10, +471), +87 (IQR: -54, +252) and -26 (IQR: -352, +211) cells/mm3 after the first, second, third and fourth resumption, respectively}. After the STI period and 2 years of continuous HAART, the median CD4+ count remained significantly lower than at baseline in STI arms, both in the virological arm [559 (IQR: 383, 727) versus 771 (IQR: 625, 913) cells/mm3, P<0.0001] and the immunological arm [619 (IQR: 501, 789) versus 787 (IQR: 657, 954) cells/mm3, P<0.0001], but not in the control arm [886 (IQR: 564, 1122) versus 780 (IQR: 539, 945) cells/mm3, P=0.68]. In a multivariate analysis, the nadir of CD4+ T cells and the baseline value of CD4+ before the STI period independently predicted the level of CD4+ T cells 2 years after resumption of HAART (in both cases, P<0.0001). CONCLUSION The drop in CD4+ cell count after a first and a second period of 3 months of interruption of HAART was completely recovered after resuming HAART; conversely, interruptions longer than 6 months were deleterious for the recovery of CD4+. CD4+ cell count did not rebound completely in patients who received 2 years of HAART after 2 years of STIs.
Relation between human resource development climate and organisational commitment: empirical study in Indian banking sector

The present study examines the relationship between the three subsets of HRD climate i.e., HRD mechanisms, general climate and OCTAPAC with the organisational commitment in the Indian banking sector. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire from 203 bank employees working in the public and private Indian banks. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modelling and study found that there is a positive relationship between HRD mechanisms, general climate and OCTAPAC with organisational commitment. So, the organisations which have a favourable HRD climate are more committed in their organisation. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Pregnane X Receptor Represses HNF4α Gene to Induce Insulin-Like Growth Factor–Binding Protein IGFBP1 that Alters Morphology of and Migrates HepG2 Cells

Upon treatment with the pregnane X receptor (PXR) activator rifampicin (RIF), human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2-derived ShP51 cells that stably express PXR showed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)–like morphological changes and migration. Our recent DNA microarrays have identified hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF) 4α and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein (IGFBP) 1 mRNAs to be downregulated and upregulated, respectively, in RIF-treated ShP51 cells, and these regulations were confirmed by the subsequent real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses. Using this cell system, we demonstrated here that the PXR-HNF4α-IGFBP1 pathway is an essential signal for PXR-induced morphological changes and migration. First, we characterized the molecular mechanism underlying the PXR-mediated repression of the HNF4α gene. Chromatin conformation capture and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed that PXR activation by RIF disrupted enhancer-promoter communication and prompted deacetylation of histone H3 in the HNF4α P1 promoter. Cell-based reporter and ChIP assays showed that PXR targeted the distal enhancer of the HNF4α P1 promoter and stimulated dissociation of HNF3β from the distal enhancer. Subsequently, small interfering RNA knockdown of HNF4α connected PXR-mediated gene regulation with the PXR-induced cellular responses, showing that the knockdown resulted in the upregulation of IGFBP1 and EMT-like morphological changes without RIF treatment. Moreover, recombinant IGFBP1 augmented migration, whereas an anti-IGFBP1 antibody attenuated both PXR-induced morphological changes and migration in ShP51 cells. PXR indirectly activated the IGFBP1 gene by repressing the HNF4α gene, thus enabling upregulation of IGFBP1 to change the morphology of ShP51 cells and cause migration. These results provide new insights into PXR-mediated cellular responses toward xenobiotics including therapeutics.