Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segment-Oriented Depiction and Analysis for Hyperspectral Image Data

A novel segment-oriented dictionary learning (SeODL) framework for hyperspectral image (HSI) classification is proposed. Differing from existing HSI classification methods which directly process the original whole spectral curves of pixels, our work focuses on local segment analysis to achieve fine depiction and effective exploitation. Viewing the separated segment as a basic processing unit, we first cluster them into two sets with the homogeneity in trend and fluctuation, and then two small dictionaries can be quickly learned. Second, to get meticulous and discriminability enhanced segment-oriented representations (SORs), the segments of the training and test pixels are coded on a novel binary-separated coding strategy. The coding stage for obtaining SORs is sped up by the employment of our proposed enhanced orthogonal matching pursuit technique. A characteristic splicing classifier with high performance can be trained using these SORs of the training pixels. Finally, a spiral searching strategy and a multiple majority-voting method are adopted for fully spatial information incorporation of the test pixels whose final SORs will be embedded into the trained characteristics splicing classifier to ascertain the labels. Experimental results on three real HSI data sets demonstrate the superiority of the proposed SeODL framework over several well-known classification algorithms in terms of classification accuracies.
Recent Accomplishments and Future Plans of ASDEX Upgrade

ASDEX Upgrade has demonstrated clear progress in ITER relevant plasma operation scenarios. Successful operation with about 70% Tungsten clad first wall is shown. The operation space of the improved H-mode (advanced tokamak scenario) is enlarged in safety factor 3lesq95 les5 and density 0.4lesne/nGWles0.9. The performance can clearly exceed the ITER reference value. At high densities type-II ELMs mitigate the peak power load in the divertor. A similar effect is achieved by increasing the type-I ELM frequency by shallow pellet injection or cyclic vertical plasma motion. Off-axis neutral beam current drive leads at low powers to a clear current density profile modification. Sawtooth tailoring by electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) can prevent the growth of neoclassical tearing modes (NTM). (3, 2) and (2, 1) NTMs excited at high plasma pressure can be stabilized by ECCD at moderate power levels. Narrow ECCD absorption profiles are more effective than broad ones
A new method to quantify postexercise ST-deviation--the ST-deficit. A study in men at high and low-risk for coronary heart disease.

BACKGROUND Quantitative heart rate adjusted exercise ST criteria like microV/beats per minute (bpm) improve the diagnostic accuracy of the exercise ECG. However, there are few quantitative HR adjusted postexercise variables available. The aim of the present exercise study was to evaluate a new such variable from computerized averaging of the postexercise ECG. METHODS The presence of possible myocardial ischaemia in a population based sample of 74 elderly male hypertensives at high-risk of coronary heart disease, and in 42 age-matched clinically healthy males (reference group) at low-risk was assessed by exercise ECG. All men had a normal resting ECG without signs of ischaemia. VARIABLES STUDIED standard ST-criteria, ST/HR slope < or =-2.4 microV. bpm-1, shape of the rate-recovery loop, the latter also with a new quantitative variable, the ST-deficit. RESULTS In spite of a normal resting ECG many subjects showed an abnormal ST/HR slope during exercise, 43% in the hypertension group and 26% in the reference group. An abnormal rate-recovery loop (ST-deficit) also contributed substantially to identify patients with possible myocardial ischaemia, 30 vs. 10%, respectively (P<0.02); cumulatively for the two HR adjusted criteria 53% vs. 29%, respectively (P<0.02). Mean ST-deficit was significantly lower in the high-risk group. CONCLUSIONS Effort-related myocardial ischaemia is frequently silent in elderly high-risk hypertensives and necessitates testing, preferably with computerized exercise ECG and heart rate adjusted ST criteria. A new quantitative variable to assess the postexercise rate-recovery loop in the time domain, the ST-deficit is described. This variable seems to effectively discriminate between subjects with low and high-risk for coronary heart disease and thus provides new information. Further studies are warranted to validate this variable against myocardial perfusion scintigraphy and coronary angiography.
Molecular characterization of the putative T‐cell receptor cavity of the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B

A number of investigators have utilized a variety of methods to identify the structural basis for the interaction of superantigens with the T‐cell receptor β‐chain. The previous studies strongly suggest that a region of the toxin near residues N23, Y61, Y91 and D209 is important for this binding activity. Examination of crystal structure data shows that these residues line the rim of one side of a shallow cavity in the toxin. In an attempt further to define the face of the staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) molecule involved in the interaction with the β‐chain, we have employed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based, site‐specific mutagenesis method to generate amino acid substitutions of residues on the opposite side of this putative T‐cell receptor interaction cavity. Our results show that Y175 and N179 appear to be involved in the function of this superantigen, since each of several substitutions at this position exhibits a significantly reduced ability to induce T‐cell proliferation. At the same time, mutation of the proximal Y186 does not alter the superantigen activity of SEB. Binding analysis of these mutants shows that class II binding activity is not significantly altered. Analysis of the responding T cells shows that the mutant toxins maintain T‐cell receptor Vβ selectivity. However, responses of T cells bearing the Vβ8. 1 allele appear to be particularly diminished. When viewed in the context of other results reported in the literature, our results suggest that the T‐cell receptor interaction site involves SEB residues which ring both the Y175/N179‐side and the N23‐side of a cavity on one side of the toxin molecule.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus Increases Lung Fluid Filtration in Preterm Lambs

ABSTRACT: Previous studies showed that increased pulmonary blood flow from a patent ductus arteriosus had little or no effect on the amount of fluid in the lungs of mechanically ventilated preterm lambs. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a patent ductus arteriosus on lung vascular permeability and to see whether increased pulmonary lymph flow might compensate for the increased rate of fluid filtration. Using a model that allows mechanical control of ductus patency, we studied the effects of increased pulmonary blood flow on lung vascular pressures in six mechanically ventilated premature lambs at 136 ± 2 d gestation (mean ± SD) (term = 145 d). We measured lung lymph flow and protein concentrations in lymph and plasma to assess pulmonary vascular fluid filtration and protein permeability. We studied each lamb during sequential steady state periods, first with the ductus open and then with it closed. When the ductus was open, pulmonary blood flow was twice what it was when the ductus was closed. Mean pulmonary artery pressure and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were greater with the ductus open [40 ± 5 torr (5.3 ± 0.7 kPa) and 8 ± 3 torr (1.1 ± 0.4 kPa), respectively] than when it was closed [24 ± 3 torr (3.2 ± 0.4 kPa) and 4 ± 2 torr (0.5 ± 0.3 kPa), respectively]. When the ductus was open, lymph flow was 68% greater and lymph protein concentration was 17% lower than when the ductus was closed. Lymph protein clearance (lymph flow × lymph protein concentration/plasma protein concentration) was 39% greater when the ductus was open. Thus, patency of the ductus arteriosus in preterm lambs increases fluid filtration in the pulmonary circulation as a result of increased blood flow and vascular filtration pressure. The resultant increases in lung lymph flow and protein clearance may help to protect the lungs from edema.
Clinical and biological significance of PIM1 kinase in osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most prevalent histological form of primary malignant bone tumor. The majority of osteosarcoma patients have limited alternative therapeutic options and metastatic patients generally have a poor prognosis. Proto‐oncogene serine/threonine‐protein kinase PIM1 is associated with growth and survival of many kinds of tumor cells. However, the role of PIM1 in osteosarcoma remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the functional and therapeutic relevance of PIM1 as a putative target in osteosarcoma. We found PIM1 was highly expressed in various osteosarcoma cell lines and in tumor tissues from osteosarcoma patients. Tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the overall and disease‐free survival rate of patients with high levels of PIM1 protein expression were significantly shorter than patients with low levels. High levels of PIM1 were also associated with present metastasis and can be considered as an independent prognostic factor in osteosarcoma patients. Knockdown of PIM1 expression by synthetic siRNA or shRNA greatly inhibited cell growth, migration, and invasion. Moreover, these changes accompanied with down‐regulation of anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2. The similar results were obtained in osteosarcoma cells treated with PIM1 specific inhibitor (SMI‐4a). These results suggest that PIM1 kinase is critical for the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells and can be a potential therapeutic target for osteosarcoma treatment. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1185–1194, 2016.
[3H]WIN 35,428 ([3H]CFT) binds to multiple charge-states of the solubilized dopamine transporter in primate striatum.

Caudate-putamen membranes of rhesus monkey were solubilized (1% digitonin; w/v) and [3H]WIN 35,428 ([3H]CFT: 2 beta-carbomethoxy-3- beta-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-[3H]methyltropane) binding assayed. Saturation analysis revealed high- and low-affinity binding components (KHIGH: 7.48 +/- 2.77 nM; KLOW: 292 +/- 788 nM; mean +/- SEM). Monoamine transport inhibitors and neurotransmitters had similar affinities for soluble and membrane [3H]CFT binding sites (r, 0.998; P < .001). The rank order of potency of these compounds for inhibiting [3H]CFT binding (Lu 19-005 > mazindol > CFT > GBR 12909 > (-)-cocaine > talsupram > dopamine > norepinephrine > citalopram) was consistent with [3H]CFT labeling cocaine binding sites on the dopamine transporter. [3H]CFT binding sites were separated into three protein fractions by anion-exchange chromatography. Monoamine transport inhibitors and neurotransmitters inhibited [3H]CFT binding in each fraction with a rank order of potency consistent with binding to the dopamine transporter. Detection of multiple binding components for [3H]CFT labeled sites by these drugs varied in each fraction. Size-exclusion chromatography indicated [3H]CFT bound to a single protein in each fraction (apparent molecular weight, 170 kDa). Therefore, multiple binding components for cocaine reside solely on the dopamine transporter and exhibit different affinities for drugs depending on the charge-state of the transporter.
Socioeconomic school segregation in Chile: parental choice and a theoretical counterfactual analysis

In this article, we examine the hypothesis that the policy of parental school choice in Chile has increased socioeconomic school segregation. We use a georeferenced database of students and schools in the Greater Metropolitan Area of Santiago to compare actual segregation with the segregation that would occur in the hypothetical case that students attended the school nearest to their place of residence. The results indicate that school segregation is higher in the actual scenario than in the counterfactual scenario, which suggests that the interaction between family preferences and school entry barriers (tuition and selective admission process) tend to increase school segregation beyond the city’s underlying residential segregation.
Incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome in German children and adolescents: A population-based study

Objective:The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in children and adolescents aged 1 mo to 18 yrs. Design:The authors conducted a population-based prospective multicenter survey from February 1 to 28,1997, June 1 to 30, 2001, and April 1 to 30, 2004. Setting:This study was conducted at 94 intensive care units (ICUs) in 1997, 92 ICUs in 2001 and 2004 in the district of Cologne, Germany with a population of 4.15 (1997), 4.28 (2001), and 4.35 million (2004), respectively. The survey was not confined to children's hospitals, but addressed all ICUs. Patients:This study consisted of children and adolescents aged 1 mo to 18 yrs. Term neonates and premature babies with a corrected age below 43 gestational weeks were excluded. ARDS was defined according to the consensus criteria (acute-onset pulmonary process of noncardiogenic origin, Pao2/Fio2 ratio <200, bilateral alveolar infiltration in chest radiograph). Results:All ICUs at pediatric hospitals and all but seven adult ICUs collaborated. Incidence of ARDS was assessed as the number of patients entering ARDS criteria within the three study periods divided by the total population in this age group. During the study period, 12 pediatric patients were diagnosed as having ARDS. In five cases, onset was before the study period, representing a calculated prevalence of 5.5 × 10 −5 [3.1 × 10−5; 9.6 × 10−5] cases per year and an incidence of 3. 2 × 10−5 [1.5 × 10−5; 6.6 × 10−5] cases per year in the age group under investigation. Conclusion:This is the first population-based evaluation of the incidence of ARDS in the pediatric age group. It shows that the incidence of ARDS in this age group is low. This makes randomized studies on pediatric ARDS aiming on the end point “outcome” nearly impossible.
Does Medical Risk Perception and Risk Taking Change with Age?

Across adulthood, people face increasingly more risky medical problems and decisions. However, little is known about changes in medical risk taking across adulthood. Therefore, the current cross‐sectional study investigated age‐related differences in medical risk taking with N = 317 adults aged 20–77 years using newly developed scenarios to assess medical risk taking, and additional measures designed to evaluate risk‐taking behavior in the medical domain. Greater expected benefits on the Domain‐Specific Risk‐Taking Scale—Medical (DOSPERT‐M) predicted more active risk taking, whereas higher perceived risk predicted less active risk taking. Next, we examined differences in active and passive risk taking, where passive risk taking refers to risk taking that is associated with inaction. Age was associated with less passive risk taking, but not with active risk taking, risk perception, or expected benefits on the DOSPERT‐M. Participants were overall more likely to opt for taking medical action than not, even more so for a scenario about a vaccine for a deadly flu than for a scenario about a chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Overall, participants were more likely to accept medication (vaccine or chemotherapy) for their child than for themselves. Increasing age was associated with a lower likelihood of accepting the treatment or vaccine for oneself. Taken together, our study provides important insights about changes in medical risk taking across adulthood when people face an increasing number of complex and risky medical decisions.
Elementary Teacher as Teacher of Engineering: Identities in Concert and Conflict

This paper shares the results of completed mixed-methods research on the ways in which 35 elementary teachers developed ‘teacher-of-engineering’ identities before and after teaching science-integrated Engineering is Elementary (EiE) units of instruction for the first time. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were utilized to examine how participants: viewed themselves, or perceived of how others (e.g., family, administrators, other teachers) viewed them as teachers of engineering; suggested ways in which teacher-of-engineering identities were in congruence or conflict with existing identities; and engaged in social interactions consistent with the development of teacher-of-engineering identities. Although participants largely agreed that they viewed themselves as teachers of engineering, they agreed less strongly that others saw them this way, and agreed more strongly that they were teachers of children, reading, and mathematics. Reasons for these differences included that: engineering was a new topic in elementary education, others cannot conceptualize what elementary engineering entails, and the public view that elementary teachers likely cannot teach engineering. Participants described both elementary teachers and engineers as smart and creative, yet predominantly described the professions using different language. Although participants regularly communicated with other teachers about the engineering units, they did so less frequently with individuals outside the school community. Many participants identified as generalists, a largely congruent identity that suggests that they can teach engineering, like any other subject; however, those who interpreted their generalist identity to mean ‘teacher of basics’ may have experienced difficulty incorporating a teacher-of-engineering identity. Implications for these findings suggest approaches to teacher professional development and further research.
Arabidopsis VASCULAR-RELATED UNKNOWN PROTEIN1 Regulates Xylem Development and Growth by a Conserved Mechanism That Modulates Hormone Signaling1[W][OPEN]

A family of evolutionarily conserved proteins found in all vascular plants are potent regulators of hormone-mediated growth and development. Despite a strict conservation of the vascular tissues in vascular plants (tracheophytes), our understanding of the genetic basis underlying the differentiation of secondary cell wall-containing cells in the xylem of tracheophytes is still far from complete. Using coexpression analysis and phylogenetic conservation across sequenced tracheophyte genomes, we identified a number of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) genes of unknown function whose expression is correlated with secondary cell wall deposition. Among these, the Arabidopsis VASCULAR-RELATED UNKNOWN PROTEIN1 (VUP1) gene encodes a predicted protein of 24 kD with no annotated functional domains but containing domains that are highly conserved in tracheophytes. Here, we show that the VUP1 expression pattern, determined by promoter-β-glucuronidase reporter gene expression, is associated with vascular tissues, while vup1 loss-of-function mutants exhibit collapsed morphology of xylem vessel cells. Constitutive overexpression of VUP1 caused dramatic and pleiotropic developmental defects, including severe dwarfism, dark green leaves, reduced apical dominance, and altered photomorphogenesis, resembling brassinosteroid-deficient mutants. Constitutive overexpression of VUP homologs from multiple tracheophyte species induced similar defects. Whole-genome transcriptome analysis revealed that overexpression of VUP1 represses the expression of many brassinosteroid- and auxin-responsive genes. Additionally, deletion constructs and site-directed mutagenesis were used to identify critical domains and amino acids required for VUP1 function. Altogether, our data suggest a conserved role for VUP1 in regulating secondary wall formation during vascular development by tissue- or cell-specific modulation of hormone signaling pathways.
Method for Quantitative Determination of Spatial Polymer Distribution in Alginate Beads Using Raman Spectroscopy

A new method based on Raman spectroscopy is presented for noninvasive, quantitative determination of the spatial polymer distribution in alginate beads of approximately 4 mm diameter. With the experimental setup, a two-dimensional image is created along a thin measuring line through the bead comprising one spatial and one spectral dimension. For quantitative analysis of the Raman spectra, the method of indirect hard modeling was applied to make use of the information contained in the entire recorded spectra. For quantification of the alginate signals from within the beads, a calibration curve acquired from sodium alginate solutions was used after it was shown that only negligible differences occur between signals from alginate solutions and alginate gels. The distribution of alginate over the bead gel matrix was acquired with high spatial (51 μm) and time (12 s) resolution. The inhomogeneous distribution obtained using the new measuring technique is qualitatively in excellent agreement with data from the literature. In contrast to known measuring techniques, correct quantitative information about the spatial polymer distribution within the matrix was derived. It gave an alginate mass fraction of approximately 0.045 g/g at the edges and 0.02 g/g in the center of the beads. Next to the determination of mere polymer concentrations, the excellent time resolution of the presented method will enable investigation of the dynamic process of gel formation and it will also serve as a basis for investigation of mass transfer of small diffusing molecules in alginate matrices.
A Family of Human RNA-binding Proteins Related to theDrosophila Bruno Translational Regulator*

The post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression by RNA-binding proteins is an important element in controlling both normal cell functions and animal development. The diverse roles are demonstrated by the Elav family of RNA-binding proteins, where various members have been shown to regulate several processes involving mRNA. We have identified another family of RNA-binding proteins distantly related to the Elav family but closely related to Bruno, a translational regulator in Drosophila melanogaster. In humans, six Bruno-like genes have been identified, whereas other species such as Drosophila,Xenopus laevis, and Caenorhabditis elegans have at least two members of this family, and related genes have also been detected in plants and ascidians. The human BRUNOL2 and BRUNOL3 are 92% identical in the RNA-binding domains, although theBRUNOL2 gene is expressed ubiquitously whereasBRUNOL3 is expressed predominantly in the heart, muscle, and nervous system. Both of these proteins bind the same target RNA, the Bruno response element. The RNA-binding domain that recognizes the Bruno response element is composed of two consecutive RNA recognition motifs at the amino terminus of vertebrate Bruno protein. The possible involvement of the Bruno family of proteins in the CUG repeat expansion disease myotonic dystrophy is discussed.