Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Feature preserving super-resolution use of LBP and DWT

In this paper, we propose a novel technique for feature preserving image super-resolution. Given a test image and a training database consisting of low resolution images and their high resolution versions, we obtain the super-resolution by learning the details from the high resolution training images. The image features such as edges, corners, and curves carry crucial information in many imaging applications. We exploit the fact that the local geometry of these features in the low resolution image is similar to that of their high resolution counterparts. We model these features using local binary patterns that best capture underlying geometric information and obtain super-resolution of the image by learning discrete wavelet coefficients of the high resolution features present in the training images. The experiments are conducted on real world images and results are compared with recently proposed super-resolution approaches. Experiments show that the proposed approach perform better in both qualitative and quantitative evaluation. The approach is promising for real time application as it is non-iterative.
Breakthrough Technologies Coupling Virus-Induced Gene Silencing to Exogenous Green Fluorescence Protein Expression Provides a Highly Efficient System for Functional Genomics in Arabidopsis and across All Stages of Tomato Fruit Development 1 [ C ] [ W ]

Instituto de Biotecnologia (L.Q., M.C.R., M.L., S.A., F.C.) and Instituto de Tecnologı́a de Alimentos (A.D.), Instituto Nacional de Tecnologı́a Agropecuaria, 1686 Hurlingham, Argentina; Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, 05508–900 Sao Paulo, Brazil (L.B., M.R.); Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology, D–14476 Golm, Germany (A.N.-N., A.R.F.); Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570–000 Vicosa, Brazil (A.N.-N.); and Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquı́mica Clı́nica e Inmunologı́a, Facultad de Ciencias Quı́micas Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, 5000 Cordoba, Argentina (R.A.)
Phenotypic homogeneity provides increased support for linkage on chromosome 2 in autistic disorder.

Autistic disorder (AutD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant disturbances in social, communicative, and behavioral functioning. A two-stage genomic screen analysis of 99 families with AutD revealed suggestive evidence for linkage to chromosome 2q (D2S116 nonparametric sib-pair LOD score [MLS] 1.12 at 198 cM). In addition, analysis of linkage disequilibrium for D2S116 showed an allele-specific P value of <. 01. Recently, linkage to the same region of 2q was reported in an independent genome screen. This evidence for linkage increased when analysis was restricted to the subset of patients with AutD who had delayed onset (>36 mo) of phrase speech (PSD). We similarly classified our data set of 82 sib pairs with AutD, identifying 45 families with AutD and PSD. Analysis of this PSD subset increased our support for linkage to 2q (MLS 2.86 and HLOD 2.12 for marker D2S116). These data support evidence for a gene on chromosome 2 contributing to risk of AutD, and they suggest that phenotypic homogeneity increases the power to find susceptibility genes for AutD.
Hematologic changes in brucellosis.

Hematologic abnormalities were studied prospectively in 38 patients with brucellosis. Anemia was found in 74% of patients, leukopenia in 45%, neutropenia in 21%, lymphopenia in 63%, and thrombocytopenia in 39.5%. Eight patients (21%) were pancytopenic; seven of these individuals also had splenomegaly. Bone marrow hypoplasia was not found. Bleeding complications developed in 26% of patients and were significantly associated with clotting abnormalities (low platelet count, low fibrinogen level, and/or prolongation of thrombin clotting time); i.e., bleeding occurred in approximately 50% of patients with marked clotting abnormalities but in no patients with normal clotting. Determination of fibrinogen levels at different stages of brucellosis led to a redefinition of the normal level for patients with this infection. Patients without clotting abnormalities had fibrinogen levels of 233-711 mg/100 ml (mean, 384 mg/100 ml), whereas patients with thrombocytopenia and prolonged thrombin clotting time had levels of 122-360 mg/100 ml (mean, 216 mg/100 ml; P less than .001) that increased to 233-519 mg/100 (mean, 360 mg/100 ml) when clotting values returned to normal. Lymphopenia was significantly correlated with the severity of clinical manifestations (bleeding and hepatic involvement).
Epidemiology of the dementias: recent developments and new approaches.

Dementia is an important cause of disability in elderly people. Given the increase in the proportion of elderly people in most countries, the number of patients with dementia will rise and the care of these patients will have a growing impact on the healthcare system and society. The past decade has seen many successes in epidemiological studies of the aetiology of chronic disorders including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. In this review, new developments in the epidemiology of the dementias are discussed. Descriptive studies of the occurrence of dementia across different populations and time periods as well as studies of risk factors for dementia are reviewed. Dementia is a syndrome that can be caused by many conditions. As Alzheimer's disease is the predominant cause of dementia, accounting for at least half of the cases in most populations, epidemiological research has focused on this disorder.
Discrete-time optimal reset control for the improvement of HDD servo control transient performance

This paper proposes a design method of discrete-time reset control systems with the reset time instants prespecified. With a base linear system designed conventionally, the discrete-time reset law design aims at improving the system transient responses. The design method can guarantee the system stability and the solution of the controller is obtained by solving Riccati equations. The proposed reset controller design method is applied to short-span and long-span track seeking of a hard disk drive servo system. Experiment results show that the proposed design is much more capable of improving transient response than traditional control design methods.
Dysregulated expression of interleukin-23 and interleukin-12 subunits in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 expression in the autoimmune disease, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). mRNA from healthy subjects and SLE patients were prepared from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify IL-23 specific subunit P19, IL-12 specific subunit P35, and their common subunit P40. IL-12 specific subunit P35 mRNA expression in untreated and treated SLE patients was significantly lower than healthy controls (P = 0.015 and 0.000, respectively). Compared with untreated SLE patients, treatment of SLE patients with corticosteroids or corticosteroids plus another immunosuppressor significantly suppressed P40 and P19 expression (P = 0.002 and 0.015, respectively). The mRNA levels of p19, p40, and p35 in active SLE patients (SLEDAT > 10) were significantly higher compared with those in the inactive SLE patients (SLEDAI ≤ 10) (P = 0.000, 0.000, and 0.017, respectively). These results suggest that deficiency of IL-12 and possibly upregulation of IL-23 may contribute to SLE pathogenesis and both cytokines may be therapeutic targets in SLE.
Age Differences in Infants' Attention to Patterns of Different Complexities

Infants 3 weeks, 8 weeks, and 14 weeks old were presented with checkerboard patterns which differed in the number of squares they contained. The older the infants, the more complex was the checkerboard that they looked at longest. This result does not appear to depend on changes in visual acuity or accommodation related to age.
The management of acute cholecystitis and its hospital cost

This retrospective study compares the hospital costs of early and delayed cholecystectomy in the treatment of patients presenting with acute gallbladder disease. Of patients on the waiting list for delayed cholecystectomy, 27 per cent were readmitted as emergencies. The operating time was the same for early and delayed cholecystectomy. The overall average length of stay in the delayed group (16·1 days) was significantly greater (P < 0·001) than in the early group (12·4 days). The main difference in length of stay was due to the initial medical admission in the delayed group. The hospital costs, calculated on the basis of length of stay and hospital attendances, were £156 cheaper (at 1977/78 prices) for early than for delayed cholecystectomy. Although the numbers were too small for valid statistical analysis, surgical outcome as measured by numbers of deaths, complications and readmissions was similar in the two groups. If more early cholecystectomies were performed, costs might be saved and surgical waiting lists reduced.
Spinal Cord Injury without Radiographic Abnormality.

DIAGNOSIS Standards There is insufficient evidence to support diagnostic standards. Guidelines There is insufficient evidence to support diagnostic guidelines. Options Plain spinal x-rays of the region of injury and computed tomographic scanning with attention to the suspected level of neurological injury to exclude occult fractures are recommended.Magnetic resonance imaging of the region of suspected neurological injury may provide useful diagnostic information.Plain x-rays of the entire spinal column may be considered.Neither spinal angiography nor myelography is recommended in the evaluation of patients with spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality. TREATMENT Standards There is insufficient evidence to support treatment standards. Guidelines There is insufficient evidence to support treatment guidelines. Options External immobilization is recommended until spinal stability is confirmed by flexion/extension x-rays.External immobilization of the spinal segment of injury for up to 12 weeks may be considered.Avoidance of "high-risk" activities for up to 6 months after spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality may be considered. PROGNOSIS Standards There is insufficient evidence to support prognostic standards. Guidelines There is insufficient evidence to support prognostic guidelines. Options Magnetic resonance imaging of the region of neurological injury may provide useful prognostic information about neurological outcome after spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormality.
Sympathectomy, Which Induces Membranous Bone Remodeling, Has No Effect on Endochondral Long Bone Remodeling In Vivo

Sympathectomy has been shown to induce resorption within the membranous middle ear bone of gerbils. It is unknown whether sympathectomy exerts a similar effect on endochondral long bone. In the present study, guanethidine sulfate (GS) and 6‐hydroxydopamine (HDA) were administered to gerbils to induce sympathectomy. One week later, samples of middle ear bulla bone and radial long bone were harvested and assessed for osteoclastic activity. Histomorphometric analysis showed both pharmacologic sympathectomy with GS and chemical sympathectomy with HDA significantly increased the osteoclast counts and osteoclast surfaces of bulla bone samples but not radial long bone samples, respectively. In contrast, HDA but not GS increased the osteoclast profile area of both long bone and membranous bone samples when compared with vehicle‐treated controls. Sympathectomy, induced both chemically and pharmacologically, thus has been shown to increase resorption in membranous bone but not endochondral long bone in the gerbilline model.
On the Existence and the Applications of Modified Equations for Stochastic Differential Equations

In this paper we describe a general framework for deriving modified equations for stochastic differential equations (SDEs) with respect to weak convergence. Modified equations are derived for a variety of numerical methods, such as the Euler or the Milstein method. Existence of higher order modified equations is also discussed. In the case of linear SDEs, using the Gaussianity of the underlying solutions, we derive an SDE which the numerical method solves exactly in the weak sense. Applications of modified equations in the numerical study of Langevin equations is also discussed.
Bite force in temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and healthy complete denture wearers.

The signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) may contribute to reduce bite force and muscular activity. The aims of this study were to compare bite force in complete denture wearers with TMD (TMD group) and without TMD (healthy group). The TMD group consisted of 9 individuals, who had worn a maxillary and a mandibular complete removable denture for more than 10 years. The healthy group consisted of 9 participants who wore dentures and had satisfactory interocclusal and maxillomandibular relationship. Helkimo Index was used to analyze the dysfunction level. Maximum bite force was measured using a digital dynamometer with capacity of 100 kgf and adapted to oral conditions.The TMD group presented smaller mean bite force values than the healthy group, though without statistical significance (p>0.05). This outcome suggests that the TMD signs and symptoms and the structural conditions of the dentures did not affect the maximal bite force of complete denture wearers.
Entre o ecrã e o teclado. A participação dos leitores no comentário às notícias do PÚBLICO online

Sob o signo de uma geracao pos-eletronica, que se enreda e anseia pela posse de dispositivos tecnicos e tecnologicos (Tornero, 2004), varios tem sido os estudos que tem vindo a problematizar, do ângulo das Ciencias da Comunicacao, a introducao dos cidadaos na agenda mediatica, mais concretamente no jornalismo (Ribeiro, 2013; Dahlgren, 2006; Winocur, 2003). De acordo com a inspiracao mais recente de algumas destas abordagens, a este processo designa-se por 'participacao dos cidadaos nos media' (Carpentier, 2011), como fenomeno social que concebe a contribuicao de espetadores, leitores (da imprensa em papel ou online) e ouvintes no discurso dos media, em formatos como programas de opiniao publica, cartas dos leitores, comentarios as noticias online, entre outros. No contexto deste artigo, fixamo-nos justamente neste ultimo exemplo, com o estudo das dinâmicas que se cruzam nas caixas de comentario da edicao online do jornal PUBLICO. Ao longo deste artigo, procuraremos trazer as principais linhas de uma investigacao que questionou a funcao de espacos como este, interrogando o jornalista responsavel pelo formato e uma amostra de participantes e leitores anonimos que intervieram na noticia mais comentada de marco de 2012. Este trabalho insere-se numa investigacao de maior amplitude, que resultou na elaboracao de uma tese de doutoramento intitulada 'A participacao dos cidadaos nos media: estimulos e constrangimentos', apresentada em provas publicas, em setembro de 2013 na Universidade do Minho.
Optical bistability of graphene in the terahertz range

We are grateful to D. K. Ferry and A. A. Ignatov for sharing their insights on the early developments of Boltzmann transport theory for semiconductors, and we thank N. A. Mortensen for useful remarks. This work was partially supported by the FEDER COMPETE Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through Grant No. PEst-C/FIS/UI0607/2013. We acknowledge support from the EC under Graphene Flagship (Contract No. CNECT-ICT-604391). The Center for Nanostructured Graphene (CNG) is sponsored by the Danish National Research Foundation, Project No. DNRF58. The work contract of J.E. S. is financed within the framework of the Program of Recruitment of Post Doctoral Researchers for the Portuguese Scientific and Technological System, with the Operational Program Human Potential (POPH) of the QREN, participated in by the European Social Fund (ESF) and national funds of the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science (MEC).
Robust and Persistent Replication of the Genotype 6a Hepatitis C Virus Replicon in Cell Culture

ABSTRACT Genotype 6 (GT6) hepatitis C virus (HCV) is prevalent in Southeast Asia and southern China, where it can constitute up to 50% of HCV infections. Despite this, no direct-acting antivirals are approved to treat GT6 HCV infection, and no cell culture systems have been described. In this study, we aimed to develop a GT6 HCV subgenomic replicon to facilitate the identification and development of new HCV therapies with pan-genotype activity. A subgenomic replicon cDNA encoding a GT6a consensus sequence plus an NS5A amino acid substitution (S232I) was synthesized. Electroporation of RNA encoding the GT6a replicon into Huh-7-derived cells consistently yielded 20 to 100 stable replicon colonies. Genotypic analyses of individual replicon colonies revealed new adaptive mutations across multiple viral nonstructural proteins. The E30V and K272R mutations in NS3 and the K34R mutation in NS4A were observed most frequently and were confirmed to enhance GT6a replicon replication in the presence of the NS5A amino acid substitution S232I. These new adaptive mutations allowed establishment of robust luciferase-encoding GT6a replicons for reproducible quantification of HCV replication, and the luciferase-encoding replicons enabled efficient determinations of antiviral activity for HCV inhibitors in a 384-well assay format. While nucleoside/nucleotide NS5B inhibitors and cyclophilin A inhibitors had similar antiviral activities against both GT6a and GT1b replicons, some nonnucleoside NS5B inhibitors, NS3 protease inhibitors, and NS5A inhibitors had less antiviral activity against GT6a replicons. In conjunction with other genotype replicons, this robust GT6a replicon system will aid in the development of pan-genotypic HCV regimens.
Analysis of waiting times on Irish renal transplant list

Introduction: A number of recipient variables have been identified which influence waiting list times for a renal allograft. The aim of this study was to evaluate these factors in the Irish population. Methods: We examined patients accepted onto the transplant list from January 1, 2000 until December 31, 2005. Inclusion criteria were adults listed for kidney only, deceased donor transplants. We included patients previously transplanted. Patients were censored, but still included in the analysis, if they died while on the list, permanently withdrew from the list or if they were not transplanted at the time of the study. Results: There were a total of 984 patients accepted onto the waiting list during the study period, of which 745 of these were transplanted. Factors significantly associated with longer waiting times included age above 50 yr, blood group O and high peak panel reactive antibodies level. Gender and patient body mass index were not associated with longer waiting times. Conclusion: We have identified factors associated with a longer waiting time on the Irish cadaveric renal transplant list. This information can help our patients make informed decisions regarding likely waiting times and the merits of living related transplantation. P.J. Phelan, P. O Kelly, D. O Neill, D. Little, D. Hickey, M. Keogan, J. Walshe, C. Magee, P.J. Conlon Department of Nephrology, Beaumont Hospital, National Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Service for Solid Organ Transplantation (NHISSOT), Beaumont Hospital and Department of Transplantation, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
Incremental Value of Arterial Stiffness Over Traditional Risk Factors in Predicting Subclinical Cardiovascular Remodeling in Patients With Moderate Chronic Renal Failure

Cardiovascular remodeling in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is responsible for the high mortality found in this condition. A total of 89 consecutive outpatients with stage III CKD and 52 patients with stage II CKD with similar degree of traditional atherosclerotic risk factors underwent routine echocardiographic and carotid Doppler examination, evaluating vascular and cardiac remodeling (intima—media thickness [IMT] and left ventricular mass index [LVMi]), and its relation with arterial stiffness, determined in the same examination, using an echo-tracking technique. Also the absolute values of LVMi and IMT were statistically similar between the 2 groups, their determinants were completely different, only in stage III the markers of renal impairment and arterial stiffness being independent predictors of cardiac and vascular modifications. We concluded that macroanatomical measurements do not fully describe cardiovascular remodeling in this setting. Arterial stiffness echo-tracking derived could add valuable information, being an easy-to-perform parameter during a routine examination.
Toxicity of parathion on embryo and yolk‐sac larvae of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata l.): Effects on survival, cholinesterase, and carboxylesterase activity

This study was conducted to examine the acute toxicity of the organophosphorus pesticide (OP) parathion on embryos and yolk‐sac larvae of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata), and to investigate the effects of this compound on cholinesterase and carboxylesterase activity of seabream larvae in the phase of endogenous feeding. The 72‐h LC50 for yolk‐sac larvae (0.523 mg L−1) was about two‐fold lower than the 48‐h LC50 for embryos (1.005 mg L−1). Parathion significantly inhibited the activity of ChE and CaE activity in yolk sac larvae but there were not significant differences in the sensitivity of both esterases to parathion as inferred by their 72‐h IC50 values. Larvae exposed to parathion for 72 h showed a 70% inhibition of the whole body acetylcholinesterase at approximately the LC50. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 25: 601–607, 2010.
Influence of board and ownership structure on bank profitability: evidence from South East Europe

We investigate the impact of board and ownership structure on profitability of 74 commercial banks from four transition economies of South East Europe over the 2005–2010 period. We analyse this relation using Ordinary Least Squares regression analysis on an unbalanced panel data-set of 377 observations. We find negative and significant relationship between board size and bank profitability, while the proportion of independent directors on the board is negatively, but insignificantly related to bank profitability. Impact of ownership concentration on bank profitability is negative, but weak. We also find that privately held domestic banks outperform state-owned and foreign banks. Important factors influencing bank profitability in South East Europe are also bank size and bank capitalisation.
Outcome Measurement in Behavioral Headache Research: Headache Parameters and Psychosocial Outcomes

The experience of pain is complex and includes multiple dimensions or aspects, such as sensory and affective (among others). Headache includes not only pain, but also associated symptoms that can further diversify the relevant dimensions. Subjective ratings of head pain, sampled daily, have come to be regarded as the “gold standard” in behavioral headache research. Primary measures of headache include the attack frequency or headache days per month. Secondary measures of headache may include headache activity/index, headache duration, peak headache severity, and/or frequency of severe headaches per month. Secondary measures of disability and quality of life include Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Headache Impact Test (HIT), Headache Disability Inventory (HDI). Secondary nonheadache measures include medication consumption, psychiatric symptoms, stress and coping, treatment satisfaction and preference, side effects, and others. Researchers should include not only primary measures of headache, but also secondary measures, disability and quality of life, and nonheadache measures. All measures should be clearly defined and reported. A baseline period that is adequate for each measure needs inclusion and a minimum of 4 weeks is recommended for primary headache measures. Specific suggestions for future research directions are provided.