Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurate measurement of pancreatic islet β-cell mass using a second-generation fluorescent exendin-4 analog

The hallmark of type 1 diabetes is autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing β-cells of the pancreatic islets. Autoimmune diabetes has been difficult to study or treat because it is not usually diagnosed until substantial β-cell loss has already occurred. Imaging agents that permit noninvasive visualization of changes in β-cell mass remain a high-priority goal. We report on the development and testing of a near-infrared fluorescent β-cell imaging agent. Based on the amino acid sequence of exendin-4, we created a neopeptide via introduction of an unnatural amino acid at the K12 position, which could subsequently be conjugated to fluorophores via bioorthogonal copper-catalyzed click-chemistry. Cell assays confirmed that the resulting fluorescent probe (E4×12-VT750) had a high binding affinity (∼3 nM). Its in vivo properties were evaluated using high-resolution intravital imaging, histology, whole-pancreas visualization, and endoscopic imaging. According to intravital microscopy, the probe rapidly bound to β-cells and, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy, it was internalized. Histology of the whole pancreas showed a close correspondence between fluorescence and insulin staining, and there was an excellent correlation between imaging signals and β-cell mass in mice treated with streptozotocin, a β-cell toxin. Individual islets could also be visualized by endoscopic imaging. In short, E4×12-VT750 showed strong and selective binding to glucose-like peptide-1 receptors and permitted accurate measurement of β-cell mass in both diabetic and nondiabetic mice. This near-infrared imaging probe, as well as future radioisotope-labeled versions of it, should prove to be important tools for monitoring diabetes, progression, and treatment in both experimental and clinical contexts.
Visual servoing of micro aerial vehicle landing on ground platform

This paper presents the visual servoing methodology that lands a micro aerial vehicle on a ground platform in the indoor environments. Since the space in the indoor environment is usually limited, both of the size of micro aerial vehicle and landing platform has to be small. Thus, the visual servoing based on two pin-hole cameras mounted on the front and belly of micro aerial vehicle is suitable for such scenario. The visual feature extraction of the landing platform is proposed to detect the specific image pattern on it. The flying control strategies with the camera switching are developed to search and approach the landing platform. The aligning control during the landing procedure is designed by the fuzzy logic control with the target position error on image. The overall performance of the landing algorithm has been validated in the online experiments.
Identification of Bacillus cereus Genes Specifically Expressed during Growth at Low Temperatures

ABSTRACT The mechanisms involved in the ability of Bacillus cereus to multiply at low temperatures were investigated. It was assumed that many genes involved in cold acclimation would be upregulated at low temperatures. Recombinase-based in vivo expression technology (IVET) was adapted to the detection of the transient activation of B. cereus promoters during growth at 10°C. Four independent screenings of a promoter library from type strain ATCC 14579 were performed, and 17 clones were isolated. They corresponded to 17 promoter regions that displayed reproducibly elevated expression at 10°C relative to expression at 30°C. This analysis revealed several genes that may be important for B. cereus to grow successfully under the restrictive conditions of cold habitats. Among them, a locus corresponding to open reading frames BC5402 to BC5398, harboring a lipase-encoding gene and a putative transcriptional regulator, was identified three times. While a mutation in the putative regulator-encoding gene did not cause any particular phenotype, a mutant deficient in the lipase-encoding gene showed reduced growth abilities at low temperatures compared with the parental strain. The mutant did not change its fatty acid profiles in the same way as the wild type when grown at 12°C instead of 37°C. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a promoter trap strategy for identifying cold-induced genes. It outlines a first picture of the different processes involved in B. cereus cold acclimation.
Algorithmes de correspondance et superpixels pour l'analyse et le traitement d'images. (Matching algorithms and superpixels for image analysis and processing)

Cette these s’interesse a diverses composantes du traitement et de l’analyse d’images par methodes non locales. Ces methodes sont basees sur la redondance d’information presente dans d’autres images, et utilisent des algorithmes de recherche de correspondance, generalement bases sur l’utilisation patchs, pour extraire et transferer de l’information depuis ces images d’exemples. Ces approches, largement utilisees par la communaute de vision par ordinateur, sont souvent limitees par le temps de calcul de l’algorithme de recherche, applique a chaque pixel, et par la necessite d’effectuer un pretraitement ou un apprentissage pour utiliser de grandes bases de donnees.Pour pallier ces limites, nous proposons plusieurs methodes generales, sans apprentissage,rapides, et qui peuvent etre facilement adaptees a diverses applications de traitement et d’analyse d’images naturelles ou medicales. Nous introduisons un algorithme de recherche de correspondances permettant d’extraire rapidement des patchs d’une grande bibliotheque d’images 3D, que nous appliquons a la segmentation d’images medicales. Pour utiliser de facon similaire aux patchs,des presegmentations en superpixels reduisant le nombre d’elements de l’image,nous presentons une nouvelle structure de voisinage de superpixels. Ce nouveau descripteur permet d’utiliser efficacement les superpixels dans des approches non locales. Nous proposons egalement une methode de decomposition reguliere et precise en superpixels. Nous montrons comment evaluer cette regularite de facon robuste, et que celle-ci est necessaire pour obtenir de bonnes performances de recherche de correspondances basees sur les superpixels.
The Effect of the Photo-Induced Carriers on the Reliability of Oxide TFTs Under Various Intensities of Light

We investigated the reliability of oxide TFTs under negative gate bias stress combined with various intensities of light having a wavelength of 400 nm. Light illumination caused a considerable Vth shift toward negative direction, as reported in previous works. However, the trapping probability of a single hole is not altered, which means that the basic mechanism of the charge trapping is not changed by light illumination. In oxide TFTs, the hole concentration at the channel and the characteristics of the gate insulator materials are the determinant factors of the reliability under light illumination.
In defence of early warning scores.

response which culminates in adverse in-hospital and long-term cardiac outcome. Thus, although we recognize that the importance of postoperative NT-proBNP determination in non-cardiac surgery was just very recently published, the significance of the results of Cuthbertson and colleagues would have been further improved by a prolonged observation period and by additional postoperative BNP determinations.
The voltage threshold for arcing for solar cells in LEO: Flight and ground test results

Ground and flight results of solar cell arcing in low earth orbit (LEO) conditions are compared and interpreted. It is shown that an apparent voltage threshold for arcing may be produced by a storage power law dependence of arc rate on voltage, combined with a limited observation time. The change in this apparent threshold with plasma density is a reflection of the density dependence of the arc rate. A nearly linear dependence of arc rate on density is inferred from the data. A real voltage threshold for arcing for 2 by 2 cm solar cells may exist however, independent of plasma density, near -230 V relative to the plasma. Here, arc rates may change by more than an order of magnitude for a change of only 30 V in array potential. For 5.9 by 5.9 solar cells, the voltage dependence of the arc rate is steeper, and the data are insufficient to indicate the existence of an arcing increased by an atomic oxygen plasma, as is found in LEO, and by arcing from the backs of welded-through substrates. 8 references.
HIV transmission in sexual networks: an empirical analysis

Risk behaviour and egocentric sexual network data collected from a large random sample of young gay men in San Francisco were analysed to assess the importance of sexual mixing (i. e. sexual networks) in the acquisition of HIV. These data were collected in 1993, during wave one of a longitudinal cohort study of HIV transmission in gay men; the seroprevalence level in the sample was 18%. We identify recent sexual mixing patterns and we demonstrate that seropositives and seronegatives have very different age stratified sexual mixing patterns. We show that sexual mixing can explain the current seroprevalence patterns in the young gay community; seroprevalence levels in risk groups reflect the degree of sexual mixing with the older (and more heavily infected) age group. Our results suggest that seropositives became infected with HIV not simply owing to an increased rate of acquisition of sex partners, but also as a result of their sexual mixing pattern. We develop and apply a simple methodology that uses the sexual network data in combination with risk behaviour data to estimate the future number of seroconverters. Our methodology is validated by testing our predictions against the observed seroconversion data collected during wave two of the cohort study in 1994. Our analyses empirically demonstrate (for the first time) the significance of sexual mixing as a risk factor for HIV transmission.
The incidence of chrysanthemum stunt viroid, chrysanthemum B carlavirus, tomato aspermy cucumovirus and tomato spotted wilt tospovirus in Australian chrysanthemum crops

A sequential batch testing procedure was used in conjunction with ELISA or cDNA probes to estimate the incidence of chrysanthemum stunt viroid (CSVd), chrysanthemum carlavirus B (CVB), tomato aspermy cucumovirus (TAV) and tomato spotted wilt tospovirus (TSWV) in chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora) crops in Australia. A total of 2480 samples of potted, field-grown and greenhouse-grown chrysanthemums was tested from six Australian States. All four of these pathogens were detected. CVB (39.2%) and TAV (6.7%) were the most prevalent, CSVd (0.7%) was detected only in greenhouse chrysanthemums from Queensland, and TSWV (1.4%) was detected only in field-grown chrysanthemums from Western Australia.
High-speed EBCOT with dual context-modeling coding architecture for JPEG2000

This work presents a parallel context-modeling coding architecture and a matching arithmetic coder (MQ coder) for the embedded block coding (EBCOT) unit of the JPEG2000 encoder. The tier-1 of the EBCOT consumes most of the computation time in a JPEG2000 encoding system, and the proposed parallel architecture can increase the throughput rate of the context-modeling. To match the high throughput rate of the parallel context-modeling architecture, and efficient pipelined architecture for context-based adaptive arithmetic encoder is proposed. This encoder of JPEG2000 can work at 185MHz to encode one symbol each cycle. Compared with the conventional context-modeling architecture, our parallel architecture can decrease the execution time about 25%.
A new topical panthenol-containing emollient: skin-moisturizing effect following single and prolonged usage in healthy adults, and tolerability in healthy infants

Abstract Purpose: Two studies were conducted with a new topical panthenol-containing emollient (NTP-CE) to investigate the skin-moisturizing effect in healthy adults and tolerability in healthy infants. Methods: In Study 1 (N = 44), a single skin application of NTP-CE was performed followed by a 4-week twice-daily application. Skin hydration and stratum corneum (SC) water content change (using Raman spectroscopy) were measured. In the 4-week Study 2 (N = 65, aged 3–25 months), NTP-CE tolerability was assessed using a 5-point scoring system; skin hydration was determined in a subset (N = 21). Results: In Study 1, mean AUC0 − 24 h for skin capacitance change from baseline was 302.03 i.u. with NTP-CE and −15.90 i.u. in control areas (p < .001). With NTP-CE (at 4 h), the water content within the upper SC part was reduced (−45.10 vs. −13.39 g/cm2, p = .013) and the water gradient increased (0.51 vs. 0.11 g/cm4, p = .036), indicating relocation of water into deeper layers. In Study 2, there was no statistically significant change from baseline in mean cutaneous tolerability scores. At days 7, 14, and 28, skin hydration had increased by 42%, 54%, and 49%, respectively (all p < .001). Conclusions: Single and prolonged NTP-CE usage is associated with sustained and deep skin moisturization. NTP-CE is well tolerated by healthy infants.
Anonymous Dublin Core profiles for accessible user relationships with resources and services

This paper presents the case for a private (anonymous) personal profile of accessibility needs and preferences expressed in a Dublin Core format. It introduces the idea that this profile, identified only by a URI, is motivated by a desired relationship between a user and a resource or service. It assumes a new Dublin Core term DC:Adaptability and argues that, without any reference to disabilities, personal needs and preferences, including those symptomatic of common physical and cognitive disabilities, context or location, can be described in a common vocabulary to be matched by resource and service capabilities.
Robust performance of Terrain Referenced Navigation using flash LiDAR

The sequential processing Terrain Referenced Navigation (TRN) updates the vehicle position using Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) whenever the measurement is acquired. The conventional sequential TRN uses RADAR (Radio Detection And Ranging) altimeter as a TRN sensor and uses only one range measurement. However, the TRN performance can be improved by replacing the TRN sensor with a flash LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging), which measures multiple ranges between the LiDAR and the targets by using speed of light and Time Of Flight (TOF). It is possible because the receiver of the flash LiDAR has Focal Plane Array (FPA) which consists of many photo detectors as a form of array. In the conventional TRN algorithm, Digital Elevation Map (DEM) error is applied to the measurement covariance. However, the location where the terrain elevation is computed is not coincide with DEM location in general. Therefore applying the DEM error to all estimated target location is not realistic. In this paper, it is shown that it is possible to get more robust result by using Gaussian Process which calculates the terrain elevation and its variance at any location.
Comparison of effect estimates from a meta-analysis of summary data from published studies and from a meta-analysis using individual patient data for ovarian cancer studies.

To determine the relative merits of two quantitative methods used to estimate the summary effects of observational studies, the authors compared two methods of meta-analysis. Each quantified the relation between oral contraceptive use and the risk for ovarian cancer. One analysis consisted of a meta-analysis using summary data from 11 published studies from the literature (MAL) in which the study was the unit of analysis, and the second consisted of a meta-analysis using individual patient data (MAP) in which the patient was the unit of analysis. The authors found excellent quantitative agreement between the summary effect estimates from the MAL and the MAP. The MAP permits analysis 1) among outcomes, exposures, and confounders not investigated in the original studies, 2) when the original effect measures differ among studies and cannot be converted to a common measure (e.g., slopes vs. correlation coefficients), and 3) when there is a paucity of studies. The MAL permits analysis 1) when resources are limited, 2) when time is limited, and 3) when original study data are not available or are available only from a biased sample of studies. In public health epidemiology, data from original studies are often accessible only to limited numbers of research groups and for only a few types of studies that have high public health priority. Consequently, few opportunities for pooled analysis exist. However, from a policy view, MAL will provide answers to many questions and will help in identifying questions for future investigation.
Real-time individualized virtual humans

This tutorial will present the latest techniques to model fast individualized animatable virtual humans for Real-Time applications. As a human is composed of a head and a body, we will analyze how these two parts can be modeled and globally animated as in real-life. More precisely, we will show how we can model and deform human bodies and heads. Facial animation will be also addressed from motion facial capture and voice to the simulation of interactive realistic talking virtual humans, including personality models and complete body gestures. We will describe how we can model crowds in realtime using dynamic meshes, static meshes and impostors. Techniques to introduce variety in crowds including individual animation with accessories will be explained.
Skin rash in a patient with infectious mononucleosis

A 24-year-old woman with no notable medical history visited a clinic because of fever, sore throat and posterior cervical adenopathy since 3 days. Her body temperature was 38°C. Ampicillin was prescribed for sore throat and adenopathy. Four days later, she developed arthralgia, eyelid oedema and rash all over her body, except on her eyelids, and was referred to our hospital. Physical examination revealed a temperature of 38°C, …
Growth parameters optimization of GaN high electron mobility transistor structure on silicon carbide substrate

High electron mobility transistors heterostructures of AlGaN/GaN were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition system on silicon carbide substrate. The growth parameters such as AlN buffer thickness, AlN spacer growth time and Al content in AlGaN barrier layer were optimized. Moreover, the effects of chamber pressure and V/III ratio at the initial growth state of GaN on film crystal quality were also investigated. The optimized AlGaN/GaN heterostructure has AlN buffer thickness of 120 nm, AlN spacer growth time of 10 s and Al content of 28% in the barrier layer. Furthermore, as a result of using higher chamber pressure and lower V/III, both the GaN crystal quality and electron mobility in the AlGaN/GaN were also significantly improved. After the growth parameter optimization, the GaN (002) and (102) planes exhibited X-ray rocking curve widths of 209 arcsec and 273 arcsec, respectively. Besides, the AlGaN/GaN structure also has an electron mobility of 1832 cm2/V-s and a sheet electron density of 1.08 ×1013 cm-2, which yielding a sheet resistance of 316 Q/sq.
The PmrA/PmrB and RcsC/YojN/RcsB systems control expression of the Salmonella O‐antigen chain length determinant

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the outermost component of the cell envelope in Gram‐negative bacteria. It consists of the hydrophobic lipid A, a short non‐repeating core oligosaccharide and a distal polysaccharide termed O‐antigen. We report here that the PmrA/PmrB and RcsC/YojN/RcsB two‐component systems of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium independently promote transcription of the wzzst gene, which encodes a protein that determines the chain length of the O‐antigen. We show that the regulatory proteins PmrA and RcsB footprint partially overlapping regions of the wzzst promoter stimulating transcription from the same start site. Induction of the PmrA/PmrB or RcsC/YojN/RcsB systems increased the fraction of LPS molecules containing 16–35 O‐antigen subunits, leading to heightened resistance to serum. The LPS of a rcsB null mutant exhibited an altered mobility in the O‐antigen subunits attached to the lipid A‐core region when separated on a SDS/PAGE gel, suggesting that RcsB may regulate additional LPS genes. Inactivation of the wzzst gene eliminated the enhanced swarming behaviour exhibited by the rcsB mutant. That multiple regulatory systems control wzzst expression suggests that the Wzzst protein is required under different environmental conditions.
Growth performance and intestinal histology in broiler chickens fed with dietary chitosan

1. The effect of a low dietary chitosan content (0⋅6 g/kg) on growth performance, carcase quality, visceral organs and intestinal morphology was studied. 2. A total of 24 male Marshall Chunky broiler chicks were fed on a commercial basal diet with 0 (control) and 0⋅6 g/kg chitosan until 7 weeks of age. Body weight gain and feed intake were higher in the chitosan group but there were no differences in feed efficiency and breast meat, drumsticks and visceral organ weights. 3. There were no difference in intestinal villus height, villus area, cell area or cell mitosis except for significantly increased duodenal cell mitosis and ileal villus area in the chitosan group. 4. In the chitosan group, epithelial cells on the villus apical surface in the duodenum showed many kinds of morphological patterns such as protuberated cells, cell clusters, and deeper cells at sites of recently exfoliated cells. The ileal villus apical surface had protuberated cells, and most cells were attached by segmented filamentous bacteria. These villi showing rough surface of the duodenum and ileum were more in the chitosan group than in the control, although not statistically significant. 5. These results suggest that a low content of dietary chitosan improved growth performance, and this may be attributed due to the presence of hypertrophied villi and epithelial cells.
Facet Model of Moving Targets for ISAR Imaging and Radar Back-Scattering Simulation

A facet model of targets is proposed to simulate inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) images and radar back-scattering of moving targets with rigid and nonrigid motions. Targets are composed of solid objects which are modeled by triangular facets. It is shown that a facet can be treated as an equivalent point-scatterer whose radar cross section (RCS) and position depend on the shape of the triangle, the frequency, and the angle of incidence. A shadowing algorithm is also developed to detect the facets which actually have influence on the signal received by the radar. Besides, a facet division algorithm is implemented to improve the result of the shadowing algorithm and to have at least one facet per resolution cell. Finally, we apply our simulator to obtain the ISAR images of a ship and a helicopter and to calculate the micro-Doppler signature of a human.