Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SOGAN: 3D-Aware Shadow and Occlusion Robust GAN for Makeup Transfer

In recent years, virtual makeup applications have become more and more popular. However, it is still challenging to propose a robust makeup transfer method in the real-world environment. Current makeup transfer methods mostly work well on good-conditioned clean makeup images, but transferring makeup that exhibits shadow and occlusion is not satisfying. To alleviate it, we propose a novel makeup transfer method, called 3D-Aware Shadow and Occlusion Robust GAN (SOGAN). Given the source and the reference faces, we first fit a 3D face model and then disentangle the faces into shape and texture. In the texture branch, we map the texture to the UV space and design a UV texture generator to transfer the makeup. Since human faces are symmetrical in the UV space, we can conveniently remove the undesired shadow and occlusion from the reference image by carefully designing a Flip Attention Module (FAM). After obtaining cleaner makeup features from the reference image, a Makeup Transfer Module (MTM) is introduced to perform accurate makeup transfer. The qualitative and quantitative experiments demonstrate that our SOGAN not only achieves superior results in shadow and occlusion situations but also performs well in large pose and expression variations.
Policy with Stochastic Hysteresis

The paper develops a general methodology for analyzing policies with path-dependency (hysteresis) in stochastic models with forward looking optimizing agents. Our main application is a macro-climate model with a path-dependent climate externality. We derive in closed form the dynamics of the optimal Pigouvian tax, that is, its drift and diffusion coefficients. The dynamics of the present marginal damages is given by the recently developed functional It\^o formula. The dynamics of the conditional expectation process of the future marginal damages is given by a new total derivative formula that we prove. The total derivative formula represents the evolution of the conditional expectation process as a sum of the expected dynamics of hysteresis with respect to time, a form of a time derivative, and the expected dynamics of hysteresis with the shocks to the trajectory of the stochastic process, a form of a stochastic derivative. We then generalize the results. First, we propose a general class of hysteresis functionals that permits significant tractability. Second, we characterize in closed form the dynamics of the stochastic hysteresis elasticity that represents the change in the whole optimal policy process with an introduction of small hysteresis effects. Third, we determine the optimal policy process.
Photoluminescence of Graphene Oxide in Visible Range Arising from Excimer Formation

Graphene oxide (GO) has attracted considerable attention due to its interesting structure and properties. The photoluminescence (PL) of GO is much stronger than that of graphene owing to the opening of an energy band gap. However, the origin of the PL bands in the ultraviolet and visible ranges remains controversial. In this paper, we report the dependence of the PL spectrum of GO on the pH value and concentration of GO aqueous solutions. It was discovered that PL in the visible range becomes prominent when the pH value is low and/or the GO concentration is high. As revealed by the time-resolved photoluminescence, the lifetime of the PL in the visible range is longer than that in the UV range. These results evidence the formation of excimers and prove that the PL band at the long wavelength is caused by the GO excimers.
A Topological Selection of Folding Pathways from Native States of Knotted Proteins

Understanding how knotted proteins fold is a challenging problem in biology. Researchers have proposed several models for their folding pathways, based on theory, simulations and experiments. The geometry of proteins with the same knot type can vary substantially and recent simulations reveal different folding behaviour for deeply and shallow knotted proteins. We analyse proteins forming open-ended trefoil knots by introducing a topologically inspired statistical metric that measures their entanglement. By looking directly at the geometry and topology of their native states, we are able to probe different folding pathways for such proteins. In particular, the folding pathway of shallow knotted carbonic anhydrases involves the creation of a double-looped structure, contrary to what has been observed for other knotted trefoil proteins. We validate this with Molecular Dynamics simulations. By leveraging the geometry and local symmetries of knotted proteins’ native states, we provide the first numerical evidence of a double-loop folding mechanism in trefoil proteins.
Sequential symmetry breakings in charging and discharging Li batteries

The sequential group-by-group charging/discharging in Li batteries with phase-separation thermodynamics was detected by numerical simulations and justified by several experiments published in literature. The present work is the first to quantitatively predict the main characteristics of the sequential symmetry breaking (SB) such as the average Li concentration and the fraction of the low Li part at the SB points. Using a reduced two-zone (low and high concentration) model we derived an approximate solution predicting the effect of initial separation or of imposed parameter perturbation referred to as 'noise' on the SB characteristics. We suggest that the governing parameters that account for the complex effect are the liquid potential drop over the cathode and the noise factor. A bifurcation map showing the lowest current boundary that ensures a homogeneous lithiation/ delithiation as the function of noise is constructed
A Survey on Federated Learning and its Applications for Accelerating Industrial Internet of Things

Federated learning (FL) brings collaborative intelligence into industries without centralized training data to accelerate the process of Industry 4.0 on the edge computing level. FL solves the dilemma in which enterprises wish to make the use of data intelligence with security concerns. To accelerate industrial Internet of things with the further leverage of FL, existing achievements on FL are developed from three aspects: 1) define terminologies and elaborate a general framework of FL for accommodating various scenarios; 2) discuss the state-of-the-art of FL on fundamental researches including data partitioning, privacy preservation, model optimization, local model transportation, personalization, motivation mechanism, platform&tools, and benchmark; 3) discuss the impacts of FL from the economic perspective. To attract more attention from industrial academia and practice, a FL-transformed manufacturing paradigm is presented, and future research directions of FL are given and possible immediate applications in Industry 4.0 domain are also proposed.
Potential Predictors of Poor Prognosis among Severe COVID-19 Patients: A Single-Center Study

Background Timely detection of the progression of the highly contagious coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is of utmost importance for management and intervention for patients in intensive care (ICU). Aim This study aims to better understand this new infection and report the changes in the various laboratory tests identified in critically ill patients and associated with poor prognosis among COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU. Methods This was a retrospective study that included 160 confirmed SARS-CoV-2-positive patients. Results Elevated serum ferritin, D-dimer, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and nonconjugated bilirubin levels were present in 139 (96%), 131 (96%), 107 (68%), 52 (34%), and 89 (70%) patients, respectively. Renal parameters were abnormal in a significant number of cases with elevated creatinine and blood urea nitrogen in 93 (62%) and 102 (68%) cases, respectively. Hematological profiles revealed lower red blood cell count, hemoglobin, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes in 90 (57%), 103 (65%), 89 (62%), 105 (73%), 35 (24%), and 119 (83%) cases, respectively. The neutrophil count was found to increase in 71.3% of the cases. There was significantly higher mortality (83%) among patients older than 60 years (p=0.001) and in female patients (75%) (p=0.012). Patients with lung diseases had a poor outcome compared to patients with other comorbidities (p=0.002). There was a significant association between elevated D-dimer levels and increased mortality (p=0.003). Elevated levels of AST, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and bilirubin were significantly associated with unfavorable outcomes. Conclusion Different parameters can be used to predict disease prognosis, especially the risk of poor prognosis. Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression from the early stages will help in reducing mortality and unfavorable outcomes.
IRS-2/Akt/GSK-3β/Nrf2 Pathway Contributes to the Protective Effects of Chikusetsu Saponin IVa against Lipotoxicity

Chronic hyperlipidemia leads to pancreatic β-cell apoptosis and dysfunction through inducing oxidative stress. Chikusetsu saponin IVa (CHS) showed antioxidant and antidiabetic properties in our previous studies; however, its protective effects against lipotoxicity-induced β-cell oxidative stress and dysfunction are not clear. This study was designed to investigate the effects of CHS against lipotoxicity-induced β-cell injuries and its possible mechanism involved. High-fat (HF) diet and a low dose of streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model in vivo and βTC3 cells subjected to 0.5 mM palmitate (PA) to imitate the lipotoxic model in vitro were performed. Pancreatic functions, ROS, and antioxidant protein measurements were performed to evaluate the effects of CHS on cell injuries. Protein expression levels were measured by Western blotting. Furthermore, siRNA-targeted Nrf2, PI3K/Akt inhibitor (LY294002), or GSK-3β inhibitor (LiCl) was used to investigate the crosstalk relationships between proteins. As the results showed, CHS treatment inhibited apoptosis, promoted insulin release, and reduced oxidative stress. CHS treatment significantly increased the expression of Nrf2 in the cytoplasm and nuclear protein. The antioxidative and benefit effects of CHS were inhibited by siNrf2. The phosphorylation of IRS-2, PI3K, Akt, and GSK-3β was markedly increased by CHS which were inhibited by PA. In addition, inhibition of PI3K/Akt or GSK-3β with specific inhibitors dramatically abrogated the protective effects of CHS, revealing that the IRS-2/Akt/GSK-3β signaling axis was involved in the protective effects of CHS. These results demonstrate that CHS protected βTC3 cells against PA-induced oxidative stress and cell dysfunction through Nrf2 by the IRS-2/Akt/GSK-3β-mediated pathway.
The Clinical Practice and Best Aerosol Delivery Location in Intubated and Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This randomized clinical trial (RCT) is aimed at exploring the best nebulizer position for aerosol delivery within the mechanical ventilation (MV) circuitry. This study enrolled 75 intubated and MV patients with respiratory failure and randomly divided them into three groups. The nebulizer position of patients in group A was between the tracheal tube and Y-piece. For group B, the nebulizer was placed at the inspiratory limb near the ventilator water cup (80 cm away from the Y-piece). For group C, the nebulizer was placed between the ventilator inlet and the heated humidifier. An indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure salbutamol drug concentrations in serum and urine. The serum and urine salbutamol concentrations of the three groups were the highest in group B, followed by group C, and the lowest in group A. Serum and urine salbutamol concentrations significantly differed among the three groups (P < 0.05). It was found that the drug was statistically significant between group differences for groups B and A (P = 0.001; P = 0.002, respectively) for both serum and urine salbutamol concentrations. There were no significant differences observed among the other groups. It was found that the drug concentrations were the highest when the nebulizer was placed 80 cm away from the Y-piece, while the location between the tracheal tube and the Y-piece with the higher frequency of nebulizer placement was the location with the lowest drug concentration.
Comparative Evaluation of the Effects of Adenotonsillar Hypertrophy on Oral Health in Children

We aimed to investigate the oral health of children in terms of the presence of dental caries, periodontal health, halitosis, and dentofacial changes in patients who had adenotonsillar hypertrophy related to mouth breathing and compared these findings with nasal breathing healthy and adenotonsillectomy-operated children. The patient group comprised 40 mouth-breathing children who were diagnosed with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, while the control group consisted of 40 nasal breathing children who had no adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Forty children who had undergone an adenotonsillectomy operation at least 1 year prior to the study were included in the treatment group. Oral examinations of all children were conducted, and the parents were asked about medical and dental anamnesis, demographic parameters, toothbrushing and nutrition habits, oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), and symptoms of their children. Demographic parameters, toothbrushing and nutrition habits, and the presence of bad oral habits did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Adenotonsillectomy is associated with a remarkable improvement in symptoms; however, some symptoms persist in a small number of children. The salivary flow rate, dmft/s, DMFT/S index, plaque, and gingival index scores did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). The patient group showed higher rates of halitosis when compared with the treatment and control groups (p < 0.001). Mouth breathing due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy caused various dentofacial changes and an increase in Class II division 1 malocclusion (p < 0.001). It was shown that adenotonsillar hypertrophy does not negatively affect OHRQoL, it could be a risk factor for dental caries, periodontal diseases, and halitosis, but by ensuring adequate oral health care, it is possible to maintain oral health in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Also, it is recommended that orthodontic treatment should start as soon as possible if it is required. In this context, otorhinolaryngologists, pedodontists, and orthodontists should work as a team in the treatment of children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.
Minimal Intervention in Dentistry: A Literature Review on Biodentine as a Bioactive Pulp Capping Material

Root canal treatment has been the treatment of choice for carious pulp exposures. In the perspective of minimally invasive dentistry and preventive endodontics, a direct pulp capping procedure with a reliable bioactive material may be considered an alternative approach provided that the pulp status is favorable. However, the treatment of pulp exposure by pulp capping is still a controversial issue with no clear literature available on this topic, leaving the concerned practitioner more confused than satisfied. Biodentine is a relatively new bioactive material explored for vital pulp therapy procedures. This article discusses its role in direct pulp capping procedures. A thorough literature search of the database was done using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus using the keywords preventive endodontics, calcium silicate cement, direct pulp capping, Biodentine, and vital pulp therapy. Reference mining of the articles that were identified was used to locate other papers and enrich the findings. No limits were imposed on the year of publication, but only articles in English were considered. This paper is aimed at reviewing the current literature on Biodentine as a direct pulp capping material. The review will provide a better understanding of Biodentine's properties and can aid in the decision-making process for maintaining the vitality of exposed dental pulp with minimal intervention.
Balancing efficacy and quality of life measurements among metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) studies

Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treatments have rapidly evolved in the last few years. While vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition had previously been the mainstay of treatment for first-line advanced RCC therapy in the past decade, it has now rapidly changed into combination checkpoint inhibitors with or without VEGF TKIs, although there remains a role for VEGF tyrosine kinase inhibitor monotherapy for patients with favorable-risk disease and for those with intermediate and poor-risk disease with the use of cabozantinib. Perspectives on the Quality-adjusted survival Time without Symptoms of disease or Toxicity (Q-TWiST) analysis for the CABOSUN trial, as well as different aspects of efficacy regarding different first-line therapy for advanced or metastatic RCC are discussed herein.
Effects of back extensor and hip abductor fatigue on dynamic postural stability in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain: A case-control study

ABSTRACT Introduction Patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) complain of pain and fatigue during functional activities. Poor back muscle endurance has been associated with recurrent pain and long-term disability. However, the relationship between proximal muscle fatigue and postural stability is not well understood. Purpose To investigate the effects of lumbar extensor and hip abductor fatigue on postural stability in NSCLBPs. Methods To induce isolated fatigue, participants (24 LBPs, 24 controls) were asked to perform multiple back extension and hip abduction in the separate sessions until the muscle force reached 60% of pre-fatigued force. The overall (OSI), anteroposterior (APSI), and mediolateral (MLSI) stability indices were measured during single-leg stance using the Biodex dynamic platform. Results The results revealed higher postural instability (APSI and OSI) following fatiguing lumbar extensor and hip abductor muscles (greater effect size for APSI than OSI) in LBPs than controls. Furthermore, significant and inverse relationships were found between the level of physical activity, pain, and post-fatigue postural instability (OSI) in NSCLBPs. Conclusion Fatigue of proximal muscles could differentiate postural stability primarily in the sagittal plane between NSCLBPs and controls. Therefore, reducing the fatigability of these muscles by endurance training in addition to balance training may improve physical activity.
Comparison of selected soil properties following grassland set-aside and annual crop rotations in the Fraser River Delta of British Columbia

Abstract: Selected soil properties were compared after 2–6 yr of grassland set-aside (GLSA) management and an annual cropping system (potato). In general, GLSA and nearby arable cropping fields had similar soil properties, with some improvements of aeration porosity, aggregate stability, bulk density, and mechanical resistance following short-term GLSA management.
The detection of mutation within goat cell division cycle 25 A and its effect on kidding number

Abstract Cell division cycle 25 A (CDC25A) accounts for an essential function on early folliculogenesis of female mammals, especially regulating the function of intra-ovarian, thus this gene is pinpointed as a candidate gene that influences the kidding number of goat. On this ground, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether the reported 20-nt nucleotide variants locus (rs639467625) of the CDC25A gene influences kidding number in Shaanbei white cashmere goat (SBWC). The χ 2-test showed that there were more ID genotypes in mothers of multiple lambs than in mothers of single lambs. Interestingly, this indel locus was related to the first-born kidding number in the group of SBWC goats (p < 0.05). Similarly, the result of the t-test was consistent with the result of the χ 2-test, showed the kidding number of ID genotype individuals was large than that of II individuals (p < 0.05). These findings proved that the different genotypes of CDC25A have impacts on goat kidding numbers. Thus, the results led us to speculate that the ID genotype of CDC25A was one of the main indel influencing goat kidding numbers. Simultaneously, this study was expected to provide useful DNA markers for superior individuals selection by marker-assisted selection (MAS) and make a contribution to goats breeding.
Survivin as a biological biomarker for diagnosis and therapy

ABSTRACT Introduction: Survivin (SVN) is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family that promotes cellular proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. Overexpression of SVN is associated with autoimmune disease, hyperplasia, and tumors and can be used as a biomarker in these diseases. SVN is widely recognized as a tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and has become an important target for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Areas covered: We reviewed SVN research progress from the PubMed and clinical trials focused on SVN from https://clinicaltrials.gov since 2000 and anticipate future developments in the field. The trials reviewed cover various modalities including diagnostics for early detection and disease progression, small molecule inhibitors of the SVN pathway and immunotherapy targeting SVN epitopes. Expert opinion: The most promising developments involve anti-SVN immunotherapy, with several therapeutic SVN vaccines under evaluation in phase I/II trials. SVN is an important new immune-oncology target that expands the repertoire of individualized combination treatments for cancer.
An adaptive lumped parameter cascade model for orange juice solid waste drying in spouted bed

ABSTRACT Orange juice is consumed worldwide, with Brazil and the United States being the largest producers. The waste pulp corresponds to approximately 50% of the weight of the fruit. As a result, large amounts of solid wastes are generated by the citrus industry, making its disposal potentially hazardous to the environment. This work aimed at the modeling of orange waste drying in a conical spouted bed, for temperatures of 70, 80, and 90°C, and inlet flow rate 70% above minimum spouting velocity. A two-phase perfectly stirred tank reactor model was derived and used in a cascade configuration with time-varying parameter update.