Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient motion vector recovery algorithm for H.264 based on a polynomial model

In this paper, we propose an efficient motion vector recovery algorithm for the new coding standard H.264, which is based on a polynomial model. To achieve better coding efficiency, the motion estimation scheme used in H.264 is different from previous coding standards. In H.264, a 16/spl times/16 macroblock can be divided into different block shapes for motion estimation. Each macroblock contains more motion vectors than previous coding standards. For nature video, the blocks within a small area likely belong to the same object, hence the motion vectors of neighboring blocks are highly correlated. Based on the correlation of neighboring motion vectors, we can use the motion vectors that are adjacent to the lost motion vectors to constitute a polynomial model, which can describe the change tendency of motion vectors within a small area. Through this model, the lost motion vectors can be predicted and the lost macroblocks can be reconstructed. Different video sequences are used to test the performance of proposed method. The simulation results show that the quality of corrupted video can be obviously improved by proposed algorithm.
Priority-Based Scheme for File Distribution in Peer-to-Peer Networks

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks are distributed systems where no central authority rules the behavior of the individual peers. A typical application is the sharing of files of some class (movies, music, .), our object of interest here. These systems relay on the voluntary participation of the peers to help each other. However, it is not uncommon to find users that have initiated a file transfer and decide to leave the system before the end of the download. This is a particularly harmful behavior due to the resources, such as bandwidth or energy, wasted in such an aborted process. This negative effect is amplified when the system's conditions are such that the peers are not downloading at the maximum capacity, i.e., the downloading bandwidth is underutilized. This is because in these conditions, there are not enough peers uploading the file, and a part of the bandwidth is wasted on peers that do not share their resources to the network once they leave the system. In this paper, a priority scheme is presented for a BitTorrent-based P2P network where the peers that are more likely to remain longer in the system are served first, over peers that are statistically more likely to abort the download. By giving priority to peers that are likely to go through the complete file download, the successful download rate for the peers that remain longer in the system is increased and the resources of the system are better utilized. The proposed scheme is analyzed by means of different models, in order to find the steady-state performance of the network.
NlpI Facilitates Deposition of C4bp on Escherichia coli by Blocking Classical Complement-Mediated Killing, Which Results in High-Level Bacteremia

ABSTRACT Neonatal meningitis Escherichia coli (NMEC) is the most common Gram-negative organism that is associated with neonatal meningitis, which usually develops as a result of hematogenous spread of the bacteria. There are two key pathogenesis processes for NMEC to penetrate into the brain, the essential step for the development of E. coli meningitis: a high-level bacteremia and traversal of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Our previous study has shown that the bacterial outer membrane protein NlpI contributes to NMEC binding to and invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells, the major component cells of the BBB, suggesting a role for NlpI in NMEC crossing of the BBB. In this study, we showed that NlpI is involved in inducing a high level of bacteremia. In addition, NlpI contributed to the recruitment of the complement regulator C4bp to the surface of NMEC to evade serum killing, which is mediated by the classical complement pathway. NlpI may be involved in the interaction between C4bp and OmpA, which is an outer membrane protein that directly interacts with C4bp on the bacterial surface. The involvement of NlpI in two key pathogenesis processes of NMEC meningitis may make this bacterial factor a potential target for prevention and therapy of E. coli meningitis.
URIC ACID PARTITION IN GOUT AND IN HEPATIC DISEASE

The problem of solubility of uric acid and urates in body fluids has been the subject of extensive studies. Uric acid is weak and dissolves in water in small amounts only. Sodium urate is more easily soluble,1but its solubility is depressed by the addition of sodium chloride. A physiologic solution of sodium chloride dissolves only one tenth of the amount soluble in distilled water.2The solubility of sodium urate in body fluids is much higher, however, than the determination of its solubility in physiologic solution of sodium chloride would suggest. Schade and Boden3observed that sodium urate solutions were characterized by properties specific for colloidal solutions, such as opalescence, gel formation and the Tyndall phenomenon (see also Bechhold and Ziegler4). This suggested the existence of a colloidal form of uric acid in body fluids (compare, however, Hoeber5). Freundlich and Farmer-Loeb6examined the electrical conductivity of sodium
A Survey of College Women's Experiences with and Attitudes toward Pelvic Examinations

A questionnaire assessing college women's experiences with and attitudes towards pelvic examinations was mailed to every 20th woman registered at Colorado State University in 1977. The response rate was, 76% (N = 254). Of the respondents, 17% had never had a pelvic examination, and most of these women expressed apprehension about the exam. Of those with examination experience, most respondents had had fewer than five exams (mean age at first exam = 17.95 years), were sexually active, were now obtaining examinations routinely, and had had their first examination for preponderantly nonpathologic reasons. Attitudes towards the examination were mixed, with respondents disagreeing on their preference for particular elements of the examination situation. These results are presented in the context of attacks on gynecologic practice offered by the women's health movement, women practitioners, sexual counselors, lesbians, and some gynecologists. It is argued that objective data regarding experiences and attitudes .
Thymoquinone-induced reactive oxygen species causes apoptosis of chondrocytes via PI3K/Akt and p38kinase pathway

Thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive ingredient of the volatile oil of black seed (Nigella sativa), has been shown to possess anti-neoplastic and anti-inflammatory effects on a variety of tumours. However, the precise mechanism of action is not clear in normal cells such as primary chondrocytes. So, we have investigated the effects of TQ on the apoptosis of chondrocytes with a focus on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In in vitro experiments, chondrocytes were cultured with increasing concentrations of TQ for 24 h or with 20 µmol/L TQ for the indicated time periods, and various experiments were performed to detect the apoptotic effects caused by TQ. The results showed that TQ significantly increases apoptosis. Apoptosis was dose- and time-dependently expressed, and the generation of ROS also dramatically increased in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), an inhibitor of ROS, inhibited both TQ-induced apoptosis and ROS generation. Also, TQ up-regulated phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinases ([MAPKs] p38kinase, ERK-1/-2, and JNKinase), and these effects were prevented by pretreatment of NAC. However, pretreatment with inhibitors of PI3K/Akt and MAPKs did not inhibit TQ-caused ROS generation. Among the inhibitors of PI3K/Akt, p38kinase, ERK-1/-2, and JNKinase, pretreatment with LY294002 and SB203580 abolished TQ-induced apoptosis, but PD98059 and SP600125 did not have any effect on TQ-caused apoptosis. These findings suggest that TQ-induced ROS generation regulates apoptosis by modulating PI3K/Akt and p38kinase pathways.
The role of carnitine on ovariectomy and inflammation-induced osteoporosis in rats

This study was carried out to assess the protective bone-sparing effect of carnitine with anti-inflammatory properties on chronic inflammation-induced bone loss in ovariectomised (OVX) rats. A total of 64 rats were divided into eight groups. Sixteen rats were sham-operated (SH) while the others were ovariectomised (OVX). (1) SH, (2) sham + inflammation (SHinf), (3) OVX, (4) ovariectomy + inflammation (OVXinf), (5) OVX + CAR1, (6) OVX + CAR2, (7) OVXinf + CAR1, (8) OVXinf + CAR2. After the ovariectomy surgery, all the groups (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8) were allowed to recover for two months. Sixty days after the OVX, inflammation was induced by subcutaneous injections of talc in groups 2, 4, 7, and 8. Group 5 and 7 were given 50 mg/kg CAR; Group 6 and 8 were given 100 mg/kg CAR from the 60th to the 80th day. Serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, OP, and OC were assessed to determine inflammation and to evaluate osteoblastic activity. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in femur bones of rats. Carnitine administration was able to restore BMD up to values measured in both the OVX and the SH animals. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were increased significantly in the OVXinf rats compared with the SH group. In OVX rats, inflammation which is evaluated by serum cytokine levels exacerbated this bone loss, as supported by values of BMD of the total femur. The two different doses of carnitine reduced bone loss and improved inflammatory biomarkers.
Central and peripheral effects of Sutherlandia frutescens on the response to acute psychological stress

Sutherlandia frutescens is widely used in indigenous medicine for the treatment of stress- and anxiety-related disorders, and although anecdotal evidence has been scientifically confirmed, relatively little data are available on its potential mechanisms of action. We manipulated a rodent model of acute psychological stress by acutely administering a low dose (4 mg/kg body mass) of S. frutescens extract 30 min prior to stress exposure (1 h restraint), to elucidate both its central and peripheral mechanisms of action in the context of acute stress. After 1 h of exposure to stress, acute restraint resulted in a significant increase in plasma corticosterone levels (56 ± 33 versus 499 ± 50 ng/ml; P < 0.0001) and anterior pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels (0.066 ± 0.017 versus 0.202 ± 0.033% fluorescent area; P = 0.07), while decreasing hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A)α1 receptor levels (both P < 0.05). While the low dose of S. frutescens administered did not seem to have an effect on the down-stream stress response, it abolished the stress-induced down-regulation of GR, in a manner independent of GABA(A)α1 receptor. Results suggest a non-sedative effect of low-dose S. frutescens and points to central mechanisms of action that is in support of the anecdotal claims for its effectiveness as complimentary treatment in chronic stress-associated diseases.
Constitutive Activation of the PrfA Regulon Enhances the Potency of Vaccines Based on Live-Attenuated and Killed but Metabolically Active Listeria monocytogenes Strains

ABSTRACT Recombinant vaccines derived from the facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes are presently undergoing early-stage clinical evaluation in oncology treatment settings. This effort has been stimulated in part due to preclinical results that illustrate potent activation of innate and adaptive immune effectors by L. monocytogenes vaccines, combined with efficacy in rigorous animal models of malignant and infectious disease. Here, we evaluated the immunologic potency of a panel of isogenic vaccine strains that varied only in prfA. PrfA is an intracellularly activated transcription factor that induces expression of virulence genes and encoded heterologous antigens (Ags) in appropriately engineered vaccine strains. Mutant strains with PrfA locked into a constitutively active state are known as PrfA* mutants. We assessed the impacts of three PrfA* mutants, G145S, G155S, and Y63C, on the immunologic potencies of live-attenuated and photochemically inactivated nucleotide excision repair mutant (killed but metabolically active [KBMA]) vaccines. While PrfA* substantially increased Ag expression in strains grown in broth culture, Ag expression levels were equivalent in infected macrophage and dendritic cell lines, conditions that more closely parallel those in the immunized host. However, only the prfA(G155S) allele conferred significantly enhanced vaccine potency to KBMA vaccines. In the KBMA vaccine background, we show that PrfA*(G155S) enhanced functional cellular immunity following an intravenous or intramuscular prime-boost immunization regimen. These results form the basis of a rationale for including the prfA(G155S) allele in future live-attenuated or KBMA L. monocytogenes vaccines advanced to the clinical setting.
In vitro enzyme-mimic activity and in vivo therapeutic potential of HSJ-0017, a novel Mn porphyrin-based antioxidant enzyme mimic

Manganese (III) 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis [3-(2-(2-methoxy)-ethoxy) ethoxy] phenyl porphyrin chloride, designated HSJ-0017, is a novel antioxidant enzyme mimic. The aim of the present study was to investigate the enzyme-mimic activity and the therapeutic potential of HSJ-0017 in free radical-related diseases. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic activity was measured by the nitroblue tetrazolium chloride monohydrate reduction assay. Catalase (CAT) mimic activity was measured based on the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. The antitumor, radioprotective and chemoprotective effects of HSJ-0017 were evaluated in H22 or S180 tumor-bearing Kunming mice. The anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects were, respectively, evaluated in histamine-induced edema model and CCl4-induced hepatic damage model in Wistar rats. HSJ-0017 over a concentration range of 0.001–10 µmol/L significantly inhibited the generation of superoxide anion. Significant hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity was observed when the concentration of HSJ-0017 was higher than 0.01 µmol/L. HSJ-0017 at a dose of 3.0 mg/kg exhibited significant antitumor effect on S180 tumor xenografts, whereas no significant antitumor effect was observed in H22 tumor xenografts. HSJ-0017 at a dose of 3.0 mg/kg enhanced the antitumor effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and reduced their toxicity. However, HSJ-0017 counteracted the antitumor effects of radiotherapy when administered simultaneously with radiotherapy. HSJ-0017 showed significant anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects. Our results demonstrate that HSJ-0017 exhibits antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, radioprotective, chemoprotective, and hepatoprotective effects. It is a potent dual SOD/CAT mimic.
Serum Anti-γ-Globulin and Antinuclear Factors in the Aged

With use of a standard latex agglutination test, anti-γ-globulin factor was found in the serum of 16% of 325 elderly persons. There was no significant difference in the number of positive reactions between the sexes, but the percentage of seroreactors was higher among Jewish than non-Jewish women. Seventeen of the 52 seroreactors were found to have clinical evidence of rheumatoid arthritis. Antinuclear factor was found in 36% of 255 of these elderly persons. There was no correlation between positive antinuclear and anti-γ-globulin reactions. The concentrations of total serum protein and of serum albumin were slightly lower than those found in healthy young adults, while the concentration of serum γ-globulin was slightly greater.
A study of complications during cataract surgery in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome

Aim: Pseudoexfoliation (PXE) is a common and clinically important systemic condition that affects elderly people, who are also likely to undergo cataract surgery. It can cause serious complications during cataract surgery due to the pupillary rigidity and zonular weakness and instability. The purpose of this study was to study the frequency and types of complications of small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and phacoemulsification surgery in patients with cataract and PXE. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 52 eyes of 52 patients with cataract and PXE who underwent SICS or phacoemulsification surgery in a tertiary care hospital. Their perioperative and post-operative complications were documented and analyzed through statistical package for social sciences version 15.0 (IBM). Results: Poor pupillary dilatation in spite of use of standard mydriatic drops and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was the most common finding. This single factor made subsequent steps of surgery very difficult due to poor peripheral visualization. Pupillotomy was done in 25% cases. Other problems encountered were accidental iridodialysis, posterior capsule rupture, vitreous loss, retained cortical matter, decentered intraocular lens and zonular dialysis. Conclusion: Presence of associated PXE in cataract patients significantly increases the risk of vision threatening complications. Use of flexible iris hooks for small pupils and for capsular stability, capsular tension rings and high viscosity viscoelastics are useful modifications of surgical technique for good visual outcome.
Low Levels of T Cell Exhaustion in Tuberculous Lung Granulomas

The hallmarks of pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection are lung granulomas. These organized structures are composed of host immune cells whose purpose is to contain or clear infection, creating a complex hub of immune and bacterial cell activity, as well as limiting pathology in the lungs. ABSTRACT The hallmarks of pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection are lung granulomas. These organized structures are composed of host immune cells whose purpose is to contain or clear infection, creating a complex hub of immune and bacterial cell activity, as well as limiting pathology in the lungs. Yet, given cellular activity and the potential for frequent interactions between host immune cells and M. tuberculosis-infected cells, we observed a surprisingly low quantity of cytokine-producing T cells (<10% of granuloma T cells) in our recent study of M. tuberculosis infection within nonhuman primate (NHP) granulomas. Various mechanisms could limit T cell function, and one hypothesis is T cell exhaustion. T cell exhaustion is proposed to result from continual antigen stimulation, inducing them to enter a state characterized by low cytokine production, low proliferation, and expression of a series of inhibitory receptors, the most common being PD-1, LAG-3, and CTLA-4. In this work, we characterized the expression of inhibitory receptors on T cells and the functionality of these cells in tuberculosis (TB) lung granulomas. We then used these experimental data to calibrate and inform an agent-based computational model that captures environmental, cellular, and bacterial dynamics within granulomas in lungs during M. tuberculosis infection. Together, the results of the modeling and the experimental work suggest that T cell exhaustion alone is not responsible for the low quantity of M. tuberculosis-responsive T cells observed within TB granulomas and that the lack of exhaustion is likely an intrinsic property of granuloma structure.
A Simple Method to Determine if a Music Information Retrieval System is a “Horse”

We propose and demonstrate a simple method to explain the figure of merit (FoM) of a music information retrieval (MIR) system evaluated in a dataset, specifically, whether the FoM comes from the system using characteristics confounded with the “ground truth” of the dataset. Akin to the controlled experiments designed to test the supposed mathematical ability of the famous horse “Clever Hans,” we perform two experiments to show how three state-of-the-art MIR systems produce excellent FoM in spite of not using musical knowledge. This provides avenues for improving MIR systems, as well as their evaluation. We make available a reproducible research package so that others can apply the same method to evaluating other MIR systems.
Tempol protects blood proteins and lipids against peroxynitrite-mediated oxidative damage

Oxidative stress is characterized by excessive production of various free radicals and reactive species among which, peroxynitrite is most frequently produced in several pathological conditions. Peroxynitrite is the product of the superoxide anion reaction with nitric oxide, which is reported to take place in the intravascular compartment. Several studies have reported that peroxynitrite targets red blood cells, platelets and plasma proteins, and induces various forms of oxidative damage. This in vitro study was designed to further characterize the types of oxidative damage induced in platelets and plasma proteins by peroxynitrite. This study also determined the ability of tempol to protect blood plasma and platelets against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative damage. The ability of various concentrations of tempol (25, 50, 75, and 100 µM) to antagonize peroxynitrite-induced oxidation was evaluated by measuring the levels of protein carbonyl groups and thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances in experimental groups. Exposure of platelets and plasma to 100 µM peroxynitrite resulted in an increased levels of carbonyl groups and lipid peroxidation (P < 0.05). Tempol significantly inhibited carbonyl group formation in plasma and platelet proteins (P < 0.05). In addition, tempol significantly reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation in both plasma and platelet samples (P < 0.05). Thus, tempol has antioxidative properties against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative damage in blood plasma and platelets.
Therapy for Acute Otitis Media-Reply

I believe that amoxicillin continues to be the drug of choice for therapy for acute otitis media. Ceftriaxone may be an alternative for selected patients. The following points are important in response to Dr Semones' comments: Ceftriaxone is not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of acute otitis media. If and when it is approved, its use should be considered for specific clinical circumstances, such as acute otitis media in a young infant who may also have bacteremia. Selective use of oral antibiotics for all indications should be fostered. We are unaware of any data that indicate that a single dose of ceftriaxone is more likely to foster development of resistant pathogens than a 10-day course of an oral antibiotic approved for therapy for acute otitis media.