Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Membrane recycling in the cone cell endings of the turtle retina

The ultrastructural effects of dark, light, and low temperature were investigated in the cone cell endings of the red-eared turtle (Pseudemys scripta elegans). Thin sections revealed that in dark- adapted retinas maintained at 22 degrees C, the neural processes which contact the cone cells at the invaginating synapses penetrated deeply into the photoreceptor endings. When dark-adapted retinas were illuminated for 1 h at 22 degrees C, the invaginating processes were apparently extruded from the synaptic endings. On the other hand, 1-h exposure to a temperature of 4 degrees C in the dark caused the invaginating processes to become much more strikingly inserted than at room temperature. A morphometric analysis showed that the ratio between the synaptic surface density of the endings and their total surface density decreased in the light and increased in the dark and cold. Freeze-fracturing documented fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane in all conditions tested. These observations suggest that the changes in configuration of the pedicles in the light, dark, and cold reflect a different balance between addition and retrieval of synaptic vesicle membrane from the plasmalemma; in the dark, the rate of vesicle fusion is increased, whereas in the cold, membrane retrieval is blocked. When the eyecups were warmed up and illuminated for 30-45 min after cold exposure, a striking number of vacuoles and cisterns appeared in the cytoplasm and coated vesicles were commonly seen budding from the plasmalemma. 60-90 min after returning to room temperature, the endings had reverted to their normal configuration, and the vast majority of vacuoles, cisterns, and coated vesicles had disappeared. When horseradish peroxidase was included in the incubation medium, very few synaptic vesicles were labeled at the end of the period of cold exposure. 30-45 min after returning to 22 degrees C, vacuoles and cisterns contained peroxidase, whereas most synaptic vesicles were devoid of reaction product. 2 h after returning to 22 degrees C, coated vesicles, vacuoles, and cisterns had disappeared and a number of synaptic vesicles were labeled. These experiments suggest that vacuoles, cisterns, and coated vesicles mediate the retrieval of the synaptic vesicle membrane that has been added to the plasmalemma during cold exposure.
KIDNEY INFECTIONS IN DIABETES MELLITUS

Most urinary tract infections in diabetic patients are relatively asymptomatic. The presence of diabetes predisposes to much more severe infections, especially in patients with poor diabetic control, acute ketoacidosis, or diabetic complications such as nephropathy, vasculopathy and neuropathy. This asymptomatic infection can lead to severe kidney damage and cause renal failure (5). In Wheat’s review of the issue of infections and diabetes from 1980, 72% of 22 patients with emphysematous pyelonephritis, 80% of 19 patients with emphysematous cystitis, 57% of 250 patients with papillary necrosis, 36% of patients with prenephrotic abscess, and 10% of 130 patients with metastatic
Fusion of Inertial and Visual Measurements for RGB-D SLAM on Mobile Devices

Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms have been recently deployed on mobile devices, where they can enable a broad range of novel applications. Nevertheless, pure visual SLAM is inherently weak at operating in environments with a reduced number of visual features. Indeed, even many recent proposals based on RGB-D sensors cannot handle properly such scenarios, as several steps of the algorithms are based on matching visual features. In this work we propose a framework suitable for mobile platforms to fuse pose estimations attained from visual and inertial measurements, with the aim of extending the range of scenarios addressable by mobile visual SLAM. The framework deploys an array of Kalman filters where the careful selection of the state variables and the preprocessing of the inertial sensor measurements result in a simple and effective data fusion process. We present qualitative and quantitative experiments to show the improved SLAM performance delivered by the proposed approach.
DENSITY AND VELOCITY ESTIMATION IN TRAFFIC FLOW

Abstract An estimation scheme that allows to recover vehicle density and velocity in a stretch of highway is presented. The design is based on a non-linear switching model, inspired by the cell transmission traffic flow model, that has a distinctive behavior for free flow or congested traffic. Lyapunov and linear matrix inequalities techniques are used to prove the stability of the estimation and observer schemes. The algorithm is applied to a set of data traffic collected in a stretch of highway in Pasadena, California, showing good performance.
Church for Every Context: An Introduction to Theology and Practice

Church for Every Context: An Introduction to Theology and Practice. By Michael Moynagh with Philip Harrold. London: SCM Press, 2012, Pp. xxi, 490. $45.00, paper. )Since its emergence in the early years of the twenty-first century, the "Fresh Expressions of Church" movement in the Church of England has been steadily gaining traction. Supporters and detractors abound, both in the Church of England, where national support, funding, and research have helped this movement flourish, and in the United States, where there is interest in adapting its ecclesiology and ministry practices to a very different context. Valuable text and web-based resources already exist for scholars and practitioners interested in assessing and using these innovative approaches to building the church, but here at last is a textbook: a single volume that provides a theological analysis of this multi-faceted movement of church renewal, together with strategies for implementing it. Moynagh's theoretical framework for his massive work places contextual and cultural sensitivity at the heart of his ecclesiology. He begins with an incarnational account of St. Paul's mission to the Gentiles, which he claims resulted in contextual churches responsive to the particular settings in which the Gospel took root. Philip Harrold's chapter traces this theme further through a series of well-chosen historical examples. Moynagh goes on to analyze the growth of the Fresh Expressions movement, and uses cultural analysis to relate that movement to the ecclesial, ethical, economic, and social phenomena to which it responds. On this substantial analytical foundation, Moynagh constructs a relational Trinitarian theological understanding of church, and then lays out step-by-step strategies and approaches to building contextual churches, supported by examples from multiple contexts.This book does not duck some of the hard ecclesiological questions posed by the decline of Christendom, especially in the practical arena: for example, how to balance homogeneity and heterogeneity when developing new congregations. Moynagh's reflections on cross-cultural issues, among many topics covered, will be valuable to existing as well as newly-developing congregations. Particularly helpful also is the way he sets out the implications for human relationships of an increasingly networked society, and relates this cultural phenomenon to his scriptural and theological warrants in order to propose a constructive ecclesiological response.Moynagh's theological perspective is "mainstream reformed" (181) but his book is accessible to those occupying other places on the Christian theological spectrum. He is sensitive to the need to interpret the past if it is to be used to guide present practices, and attentive to the ways imagination re-shapes tradition. …
Evaluation of Beneficial Metabolic Effects of Berries in High-Fat Fed C57BL/6J Mice

Objective. The aim of the study was to screen eight species of berries for their ability to prevent obesity and metabolic abnormalities associated with type 2 diabetes. Methods. C57BL/6J mice were assigned the following diets for 13 weeks: low-fat diet, high-fat diet or high-fat diet supplemented (20%) with lingonberry, blackcurrant, bilberry, raspberry, açai, crowberry, prune or blackberry. Results. The groups receiving a high-fat diet supplemented with lingonberries, blackcurrants, raspberries or bilberries gained less weight and had lower fasting insulin levels than the control group receiving high-fat diet without berries. Lingonberries, and also blackcurrants and bilberries, significantly decreased body fat content, hepatic lipid accumulation, and plasma levels of the inflammatory marker PAI-1, as well as mediated positive effects on glucose homeostasis. The group receiving açai displayed increased weight gain and developed large, steatotic livers. Quercetin glycosides were detected in the lingonberry and the blackcurrant diets. Conclusion. Lingonberries were shown to fully or partially prevent the detrimental metabolic effects induced by high-fat diet. Blackcurrants and bilberries had similar properties, but to a lower degree. We propose that the beneficial metabolic effects of lingonberries could be useful in preventing obesity and related disorders.
Research and implement of dynamic access link selection scheme based on the bandwidth estimation

In the general wireless network, the network terminal often cannot dynamically select the best path to access the network due to the absence of the detailed network parameters, which may cause the performance reduction of the network. In this paper we propose a new Dynamic Access Link Selection Scheme (DALSS) based on the real time network state. The estimation of capacity and available bandwidth of each link are required to fulfill the link selection and alternation. For the terminal users and the network, two advantages of DALSS are presented: 1) a simple initial access link selection scheme is offered to facilitate the transmission establishment for the terminal in the network environment covered by several accessing technologies; 2) a dynamic link alternation method is designed for the terminal to select the better path during the transmission period, which can optimize the network performance. Besides, we propose a proportional distribution principle that may maximize the throughput and optimize the network performance. The efficiency and availability of DALSS are evaluated in the experiment.
Adaptive Metropolis Sampling with Product Distributions

The Metropolis-Hastings (MH) algorithm is a way to sample a provided target distribution pi(z). It works by repeatedly sampling a separate proposal distribution T(x,x') to generate a random walk {x(t)}. We consider a modification of the MH algorithm in which T is dynamically updated during the walk. The update at time t uses the {x(t' less than t)} to estimate the product distribution that has the least Kullback-Leibler distance to pi. That estimate is the information-theoretically optimal mean-field approximation to pi. We demonstrate through computer experiments that our algorithm produces samples that are superior to those of the conventional MH algorithm.
Frequent Pattern Mining Algorithm for Crime Dataset: An Analysis

The mining of frequent item set from uncertain da ta is the great task and it consumes more time. On e of the frequent pattern mining algorithm called Aprior i algorithm can be used to mine the data from bulk of uncertain dataset. But it can give only minimum support const raint in mining the large amount of uncertain datas et. The experimental behavior of different types of algorit hms is very different in the uncertain case as comp ared to the deterministic case. In particular when compare t o Apriori algorithm and other Apriori based algorit hm, each and every algorithm has their own advantages when compare to other algorithm. Some algorithm shows robustn ess with respect of both efficiency and memory usuage. We will test the approach on a number of real and synth etic datasets and show the effectiveness of the proposed algorith m.
A New Robust Blind Copyright Protection Scheme Based on Visual Cryptography and Steerable Pyramid

In this paper, we proposed a novel blind digital image copyright protection scheme based on Steerable pyramid transform (SPT) and visual cryptography (VC). Unlike traditional watermarking schemes, the proposed method does not alter the original image by embedding the watermark image. Steerable pyramid transform is performed on the original image, and the low sub-band is selected. The watermark image is divided into two random looking images, called private and public shares using the visual secret sharing scheme and the selected low sub-band features. To reveal the watermark image, the two shares are stacked together while using each share separately reveals no information about the watermark image. A series of attacking experiments are performed on the original image to test the robustness of the proposed method. The experimental results show excellent visual imperceptibility and robustness against a variety of attacks.
Acoustic identification of rocks during drilling process

Drilling into a rock massif is energetically extremely consumptive process. Hence the optimization of drilling regime with objective of energy consumption minimization, is very important. Proposed article discusses partial problem of this problem. During the drilling process it is useful to know the drilled rock type, whereas to particular drilled rock needs convenient drilling regime, which is considered as optimal according to energy consumption towards one drilled meter. One of possible ways to determine the actually drilled rock type (class) is to analyze the noise produced by drilling process. The intention is to identify the specific acoustic signature of each drilled rock type or at least rock class.
Enhancing creativity and innovation in workplaces: A living lab approach

While it is often assumed that more creativity in the workplace contributes to raising a firm's competitiveness, the extent to and the conditions under which this is actually so remain largely untested. In this paper, we propose a draft framework for creativity evaluation. This will be used in the context of three industrial pilots of the TELL ME integrated project, to assess the impact and benefits of new technology enhanced learning solutions on the performance of respective firms. The Living Lab approach will be used to mobilise all corporate stakeholders towards better and more sustainable cooperation in workplaces, thus increasing the firm's absorptive capacity of novel and useful ideas and making sure that especially blue-collar workers get the required skills and certifications.
Scintillation as a Probe of the Intergalactic Medium

Most of the baryons in the low-redshift universe reside in a warm/hot component which is difficult to detect with standard absorption/emission line techniques. We propose to use quasar refractive scintillation as an useful, complementary probe of such ionized, intergalactic gas. In particular, an application to the case of the intracluster medium is presented. We show that clusters located at z � 0.02 should produce a source rms intensity fluctuation at 50-100 GHz of several tens of percent and on time scales ranging from days to months, depending on the projected location of the source on the foreground cluster. However, in order to produce such a signal, the source needs to be very compact. This effect, if observed, can be used as an independent test of the baryonic mass fraction in clusters.
Architettura contemporanea e conservazione nell'esperienza del museo MAXXI di Roma

Only a few years after its completion, the MAXXI is suffering from severe aging phenomena. In view of the establishment of care and maintenance actions, an extensive knowledge process, founded on the methodological and operative apparatus of the conservation discipline, was undertaken. Focusing on this experience, the paper aims to highlight the theoretical and technical difficulties arousing from the treatment of contemporary architecture.
Dynamics of Synaptic Transmission between Fast-Spiking Interneurons and Striatal Projection Neurons of the Direct and Indirect Pathways

The intrastriatal microcircuit is a predominantly inhibitory GABAergic network comprised of a majority of projection neurons [medium spiny neurons (MSNs)] and a minority of interneurons. The connectivity within this microcircuit is divided into two main categories: lateral connectivity between MSNs, and inhibition mediated by interneurons, in particular fast spiking (FS) cells. To understand the operation of striatum, it is essential to have a good description of the dynamic properties of these respective pathways and how they affect different types of striatal projection neurons. We recorded from neuronal pairs, triplets, and quadruplets in slices of rat and mouse striatum and analyzed the dynamics of synaptic transmission between MSNs and FS cells. Retrograde fluorescent labeling and transgenic EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein) mice were used to distinguish between MSNs of the direct (striatonigral) and indirect (striatopallidal) pathways. Presynaptic neurons were stimulated with trains of action potentials, and activity-dependent depression and facilitation of synaptic efficacy was recorded from postsynaptic neurons. We found that FS cells provide a strong and homogeneously depressing inhibition of both striatonigral and striatopallidal MSN types. Moreover, individual FS cells are connected to MSNs of both types. In contrast, both MSN types receive sparse and variable, depressing and facilitating synaptic transmission from nearby MSNs. The connection probability was higher for pairs with presynaptic striatopallidal MSNs; however, the variability in synaptic dynamics did not depend on the types of interconnected MSNs. The differences between the two inhibitory pathways were clear in both species and at different developmental stages. Our findings show that the two intrastriatal inhibitory pathways have fundamentally different dynamic properties that are, however, similarly applied to both direct and indirect striatal projections.
Optical identifications of ∼4000 radio sources at the 1 mJy level

We present an analysis of the properties of optical counterparts of radio sources down to 1 mJy. Optical identifications have been obtained by matching together objects from the APM (Automatic Plate Measuring) and FIRST (Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty centimetres) surveys over the region 14813≲RA(2000)≲21813,−277≲Dec.≲225. Selecting radio sources down to 1 mJy, and adopting a uniform optical limit of bJ=21.5, we find 3176 have a counterpart in the APM catalogue, corresponding to 13 per cent of the radio sample. For bJ≤20.5 we can divide radio sources into resolved radio galaxies and stellar-like objects (principally quasi-stellar objects – QSO). We find the population of radio galaxies to be mainly composed of early-type galaxies with very red colours (bJ−R up to ∼4) and a radio-to-optical ratio 102≲r≲104. The contribution of starbursting objects is negligible. In general QSO show r≳104 and 0≲bJ−R≲1. On the basis of the R magnitudes, we estimate the sample of radio galaxies to be complete up to z≃0.3. We can therefore divide the whole sample of radio sources into a low-z and high-z population. The low-z one includes the objects identified as galaxies in the APM survey and the high-z one includes sources either identified as QSO or with no optical counterpart for bJ≤20.5. We find that radio galaxies are strongly clustered and are highly biased tracers of the underlying mass distribution. Models for the angular correlation function w(θ) show good agreement with the observations if we assume a bias factor b≃2 at z≃0.3.
Atmospheric instability analysis and its relationship to precipitation patterns over the western Iberian Peninsula

Abstract. Thermodynamic and dynamic atmospheric stability indices will be analysed in order to classify the rainfall types occurred in western Iberia and provide information about the associated meteorological phenomena and preferred regional instability sources. In this work, instability sources over the western Iberian Peninsula will be characterised by means of radiosonde station data and reanalysis data sets from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), for the period 1971–2002. Dynamic stability indices such as the Q vector divergence ( d Q ) or the potential vorticity anomaly in the 330 K isentropic surface ( PV ) have been calculated with the aim of establishing different atmospheric stability scenarios. Furthermore, thermodynamic atmospheric stability contribution has been also evaluated with Total Totals index ( TT ) and moisture availability was inferred from circulation weather types (CWTs). The first results of this work assess the combined dynamic-thermodynamic preferred conditions, synoptic situations and humidity sources, leading to precipitation events over the western Iberian Peninsula and prove the essential role of CWT patterns on the rainfall genesis.
Modal interfaces: unifying interface automata and modal specifications

This paper presents a unification of interface automata and modal specifications, two radically dissimilar models for interface theories. Interface automata is a game-based model, which allows to make assumptions on the environment and propose an optimistic view for composition : two components can be composed if there is an environment where they can work together. Modal specification is a language theoretic account of a fragment of the modal mu-calculus logic that is more complete but which does not allow to distinguish between the environment and the component. Partial unifications of these two frameworks have been explored recently. A first attempt by Larsen et al. considers modal interfaces, an extension of modal specifications that deals with compatibility issues in the composition operator. However, this composition operator is incorrect. A second attempt by Raclet et al. gives a different perspective, and emphasises on conjunction and residuation of modal specifications, including when interfaces have dissimilar alphabets, but disregards interface compatibility. The present paper contributes a thorougher unification of the two theories by correcting the modal interface composition operator presented in the paper by Larsen et al., drawing a complete picture of the modal interface algebra, and pushing even further the comparison between interface automata, modal automata and modal interfaces.
An emerging role for escitalopram in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and severe neuropsychiatric disorder treated by both behavioral and pharmacologic techniques. Despite the availability of treatments for OCD, including the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), many OCD patients have an inadequate response to current treatments. As such, additional approaches to the management of OCD are required. A potential but little studied treatment for OCD is the SSRI escitalopram. Escitalopram is the S-enantiomer of citalopram, the preparation containing both S and R enantiomers of citalopram. Not only is escitalopram the most selective of the SSRIs, it is also devoid of R-citalopram, which may interfere with the effects of the S enantiomer. Escitalopram appears to be effective in depression and several anxiety disorders, including social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, conditions in which it also appears reasonably well tolerated. Enantiomeric specificity, high serotonin reuptake selectivity, comparatively good tolerability and favorable pharmacokinetics, and preliminary evidence of efficacy in OCD suggest a potential role for the use of escitalopram in the treatment of OCD. Nevertheless, additional work including evaluating the use of escitalopram with behavioral interventions and in long-term treatment of OCD is needed to clarify its overall role in managing OCD.