Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Psychophysical scaling: Judgments of attributes or objects?

Abstract Psychophysical scaling models of the form R = f(I), with R the response and I some intensity of an attribute, all assume that people judge the amounts of an attribute. With simple biases excepted, most also assume that judgments are independent of space, time, and features of the situation other than the one being judged. Many data support these ideas: Magnitude estimations of brightness (R) increase with luminance (I). Nevertheless, I argue that the general model is wrong. The stabilized retinal image literature shows that nothing is seen if light does not change over time. The classification literature shows that dimensions often combine to produce emergent properties that cannot be described by the elements in the stimulus. These and other effects cannot be adjusted for by simply adding variables to the general model because some factors do not combine linearly. The proposed alternative is that people initially judge the entire stimulus – the object in terms of its environment. This agrees with the constancy literature that shows that objects and their attributes are identified through their relations to other aspects of the scene. That the environment determines judgments is masked in scaling studies where the standard procedure is to hold context constant. In a typical brightness study (where different lights are presented on the same background on different trials) the essential stimulus might be the intensity of the light or a difference between the light and the background. The two are perfectly confounded. This issue is examined in the case of audition. Judgments of the loudness of a tone depend on how much that tone differs from the previous tone in both pitch and loudness. To judge loudness (and other attributes) people first seem to process the stimulus object in terms of differences between it and other aspects in the situation; only then do they assess the feature of interest. Psychophysical judgments will therefore be better interpreted by theories of attention that are based in biology or psychology than those (following Fechner) that are based in classical physics.
Vascular permeability and Evans blue dye: a physiological and pharmacological approach -

The acute inflammatory response consists of three main vascular effects: vasodilatation and increased blood flow, increased vascular permeability, and leukocytosis into the injured tissues. All three events are induced relatively quickly, and, for all three, the pattern of response is complex but consistent. Evans blue dye is an alkaline stain, so there is an affinity for the alkali in the acidic nucleus. The use of Evans blue dye as an in vivo marker through vascular permeability, facilitates the investigation of the effect of pathological changes in various disorders mainly, immunological disorders, inflammatory disorders, cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, cancers and others. Endothelials have pathophysiological roles in pulmonary hypertension, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, cerebral vasospasm and inflammatory processes. The present review discussed with role of evans blue in the assessment of vascular permeability for the various pharmacological activities which are helps for the future investigations.
Extraction of handwritten information in geometrically distorted documents

In this paper, a technique for extracting the distortion parameters in filled-in forms is presented. The technique determines the transformations that is required to convert a filled-in form to match a known master and then extracts filled-in information. The method involves determining corresponding lines and keypoints between the master and the filled-in form and using the correspondence to determine the appropriate transformation. The correspondence problem is solved using results from geometric hashing voting scheme.
New developments in JET neutron, γ-ray and particle diagnostics with relevance to ITER

Some recent JET campaigns, with the introduction of a trace amount (nT/nD < 5%) of tritium into D plasmas and third harmonic ICRH acceleration of 4He, provided unique opportunities to test ‘burning plasma’ diagnostics. In particular, new approaches and techniques were investigated for the detection of neutrons, α particles and the fuel mixture. With regard to neutron detection, the recent activity covered aspects such as calibration and cross validation of the diagnostics, measurement of the spatial distribution of the neutrons, particle transport and neutron spectrometry. The first tests of some new neutron detection technologies were also undertaken during the Trace Tritium Experiment campaign. To improve JET's diagnostic capability in the field of α particles, a significant development programme was devoted to the measurement of their confinement and imaging with γ-ray spectroscopy. A new approach for the fusion community to measuring the fast ion losses, based on the activation technique, was also attempted for the first time on JET. An assessment of the neutral particle analyser's potential to determine the fuel mixture and the particle transport coefficients is under way.
Bioactive Vitamin D Therapy to Treat Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Pre-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review

Background : Chronic kidney disease affects one in ﬁ ve adults ≥65 years old, over half of whom develop secondary hyperparathyroidism. In observational studies, secondary hyperparathyroidism is associated with low bone mineral density and excess vascular calciﬁ cation, presumably leading to surplus fractures, more cardiovascular events and shortened lifespan. Several bioactive vitamin D analogs are FDA approved to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism and published algorithms direct their clinical use. However, whether such therapy improves patient outcomes is uncertain. The purpose of this review is to summarize evidence derived from clinical trials describing the beneﬁ ts of treating secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease. Methods : We performed a systematic review of the literature to identify trials using bioactive vitamin D (calcitriol, alfacalcidol, paricalcitol and doxercalciferol) to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease patients. We focused on changes in bone mineral density, fractures, falls, vascular events and lifespan, resulting from treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Results : We found weak evidence that treating secondary hyperparathyroidism improved bone mineral density, based on two studies recruiting only 62 subjects. However, neither trial required baseline secondary hyperparathyroidism or followed published treatment algorithms. We found no randomized, placebo-controlled trials that tested the effect of treating secondary hyperparathyroidism on the risk of fractures, falls, vascular events or death. Conclusions : Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are needed to evaluate the potential harms and beneﬁ ts of treating secondary hyperparathyroidism in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.
IGF1 regulates PKM2 function through Akt phosphorylation

Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) acts at the crossroad of growth and metabolism pathways in cells. PKM2 regulation by growth factors can redirect glycolytic intermediates into key biosynthetic pathway. Here we show that IGF1 can regulate glycolysis rate, stimulate PKM2 Ser/Thr phosphorylation and decrease cellular pyruvate kinase activity. Upon IGF1 treatment we found an increase of the dimeric form of PKM2 and the enrichment of PKM2 in the nucleus. This effect was associated to a reduction of pyruvate kinase enzymatic activity and was reversed using metformin, which decreases Akt phosphorylation. IGF1 induced an increased nuclear localization of PKM2 and STAT3, which correlated with an increased HIF1α, HK2, and GLUT1 expression and glucose entrapment. Metformin inhibited HK2, GLUT1, HIF-1α expression and glucose consumption. These findings suggest a role of IGFIR/Akt axis in regulating glycolysis by Ser/Thr PKM2 phosphorylation in cancer cells.
Investor Composition and Return Approximation

This paper talks about the trading behavior and portfolio performance of individual investors using the data from the Indian stock market. I have checked the effect of noise traders on the stock market on the basis of risk and return and their proportion in the entire universe of investors. Risk and return characteristics has been utilized to calculate the investment avenues for informed and uniformed/misinformed traders, as suggested by Fama and French (2007). After analyzing the average risk and returns for informed and uninformed traders, I checked the hypothetical proportion of these traders in the market and its subsequent effect on the overall portfolio return.Result clearly indicates better portfolio performance based on equal proportion of both types of traders.
Illiquidity and Stock Returns: Cross-Section and Time-Series Effects: A Replication

This paper replicates and extends the Amihud (2002) study that links liquidity to asset pricing. Using the current version of the CRSP dataset, we obtain essentially the same results that Amihud presents. The same methods applied to more recent data show a much weaker relation between liquidity and asset pricing. Finally, we compare the explanatory power of Amihud’s illiquidity measure to that of other simple measures that use the same data for their calculation. We find that the Amihud illiquidity measure is no better than substantially simpler measures.
Toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in outdoor, recreational environments

Introduction. Some epidemiological studies of damp buildings have focused on health risks from indoor exposure to toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins. Most of these studies have not considered assessment of these hazards in outdoor environments. The purpose of this investigation was to assess for toxigenic fungal species in outdoor recreational environments through the microbial analysis of locations representing opportunities for human exposure. A screening assessment was also conducted using commercially available ELISA kits to assess for trichothecene mycotoxins in outdoor samples. Methods. Ten swab and tape-lift samples were obtained from a city park. Swabs were cultured and identified by a trained mycologist. Bulk samples of grasses were screened for deoxynivalenol using a commercial ELISA assay. A pilot study of 6 bulk samples was screened for macrocyclic trichothecenes using a commercial ELISA assay. Results. Tape-lift samples contained trace to moderate spores. Penicillium and Aspergillus-like spores were identified in 50% of tape-lift samples. 50% of swab samples contained potentially toxigenic species of Penicillium (P. citrinum, P. brevicompactum, P. chrysogenum). None of the bulk samples tested positive for deoxynivalenol. 3 of 6 (50%) bulk samples were positive for macrocyclic trichothecenes (> 0.2 ppb), however both negative control samples also tested positive. Conclusions. Potentially toxigenic fungi were commonly encountered in an outdoor, recreational environment. Future epidemiological studies need to consider outdoor activities in hazard and exposure assessment. Further work is needed to define the accuracy of commercially developed ELISA kits that are being used for the detection of mycotoxins in environmental samples.
Cryopreserved Human Amniotic Membrane for Soft Tissue Repair in Rats

Fresh amniotic membrane has been used in medicine since 1910. The reconstruction of immunologic privileged ocular surfaces with cryopreserved amniotic membrane was introduced in the 1990s. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of cryopreserved human amniotic membrane (HAM) as a surgical patch in immunologic unprivileged anatomic sites. In part I of the investigation, the abdominal wall muscle of 36 rats was covered with mono- and multilayered HAM. After 3, 14, and 28 days, respectively, these grafts were evaluated macro- and microscopically. Multilayer samples displayed slower degradation and less inflammation compared with monolayer coverage. In part II of the study, abdominal wall closure with multilayer HAM and with polypropylene mesh was conducted in 20 rats. All rats showed sufficient closure after 21 days, but significantly lower intraabdominal adhesion formation was observed in the HAM rats. The results of this study might pave the way for the use of cryopreserved HAM as graft material in reconstructive surgery.
A New Coeff-Token Decoding Method With Efficient Memory Access in H.264/AVC Video Coding Standard

In general, a large amount of memory accesses are required for context-based adaptive variable-length coding decoding in H.264/AVC standard. It is a serious problem for applications such as videophone and digital multimedia broadcasting services because of the considerable power consumption of the memory access function. In order to reduce the memory access, we carefully examined the codewords in variable-length code tables (VLCTs) of the coeff-token and found some distinctive features from the structure of codewords. Based on the features, a new coeff-token decoding method with an efficient memory organization is proposed in this paper. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm achieves an approximately 95% memory access saving without video-quality degradation, compared with conventional decoding
Direct Inhibition of Renin as a Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy: Focus on Aliskiren

The important role of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade in the treatment of systemic hypertension, heart failure, diabetic kidney disease, and atherogenesis has been clearly established. The theoretical therapeutic advantages for inhibiting the detrimental effects of the renin-angiotensin system at its most upstream point have served as the impetus for the development of renin inhibitors. The advent of aliskiren, the first in a novel class of orally active, nonpeptide, highly specific, human renin inhibitors, provides a new modality in the armamentarium of renin-angiotensin system antagonists. Studies in marmosets and rats demonstrated that aliskiren reduced blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner and is highly efficacious in blocking plasma renin activity with parallel reductions in the levels of the other downstream constituents of the renin-angiotensin system. Clinical trials in hypertensive patients have confirmed these benefits with aliskiren whose blood pressure-lowering efficacy is similar to or better than those of standard therapeutic doses of enalapril, losartan, irbesartan, and hydrochlorothiazide. Aliskiren is well tolerated, with few reported adverse effects even at the highest doses tested. Given the established beneficial effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in the treatment of cardiovascular and renovascular diseases, future studies may further elucidate a similar protective role for aliskiren both as a monotherapy and as part of a combination therapy.
Automatic Contouring for Breast Tumors in 2-D Sonography

Automatic contouring for breast tumors using medical ultrasound (US) imaging may assist physicians, without relevant experience, in making correct diagnoses. This study utilizes the watershed transform and active contour model (ACM) to overcome the natural properties of US images, speckle, noise and tissue-related textures, to segment the breast tumors precisely. The watershed transform is performed as the automatic initial contouring procedure to maintain a rough tumor shape and boundary. Next, ACM automatically determines the exquisite contours of the tumor. The results of computer simulations reveal that the proposed method always identified similar contours and regions-of-interest (ROI) as were obtained by manual contouring (by an experienced physician) of the breast tumor in US images. As ultrasound imaging becomes more widespread, a functional automatic contouring is essential to clinical application. In computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) applications, moreover, automatic contouring can save much of the time required to sketch a precise contour, with very high stability
Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Regulates Glutamine Synthetase and l-Glutamate/l-Aspartate Transporter in Retinas with Oxygen-induced Retinopathy

Abstract Purpose: A predominant function of Müller cells is to regulate glutamate levels, but these cells are compromised in oxygen-induced retinopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in regulating glutamate levels in retina under hypoxia. Materials and methods: One-week-old C57BL/6J mice were exposed to 75% oxygen for 5 days and then kept in room air for another 5 days to establish the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model. Mice received intravitreous injections of 2 μg PEDF or vehicle on postnatal (P)12 and P14, respectively. Antibody against interleukin-1Beta (IL-1β) (IL-1ab) was used to neutralize the activity of IL-1β, mice received intravitreous injections of 500 ng IL-1ab or vehicle on P12 and P14, respectively, too. At P17, the mice were euthanized and their eyes were enucleated. The expression levels of IL-1β, glutamine synthetase (GS) and l-glutamate/l-aspartate transporter (GLAST) in retinas with different treatments were detected. In addition, wild-type C57BL/6J mice received intravitreous injections of IL-1β or PEDF. After 24 h, the expression of GS and GLAST in the retinas was also detected. Furthermore, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to determine the glutamate concentrations in retinas with different treatments. Results: The expression of IL-1β and levels of glutamate were increased in retinas with OIR, while the expression of GS and GLAST was decreased. Administration of PEDF ameliorated the characteristic changes in retinas of OIR mice. And neutralization of IL-1β by administration of IL-1ab increased GS and GLAST expression in retinas with OIR. Moreover, the effects of IL-1β on GS and GLAST expression and unbalanced glutamate levels were inhibited after receiving intravitreous injections of PEDF in retinas of normal mice. Conclusions: These results suggested that PEDF might up-regulate GS and GLAST expression and decrease glutamate levels by suppressing the role of IL-1β as an anti-inflammatory factor under hypoxia, and these functions may underlie the neuroprotective effects of PEDF.
Stress testing: the case for the standard treadmill test

Purpose of review This review examines the diagnostic and prognostic performance of the standard exercise treadmill test (ETT) in comparison to stress imaging procedures. This topic is timely and relevant due to increasing healthcare expenditures and the substantially lower cost of the ETT. Recent findings The most important goal of noninvasive testing is to identify patients with left main or three-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) or severely reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) less than 35%. These patient subsets demonstrate a survival advantage when treated with coronary artery bypass grafting (severe CAD) or a defibrillator (LVEF <35%). This benefit is not present for patients with one-vessel or two-vessel CAD or preserved LVEF. For patients who have a normal resting ECG, studies have shown that the standard ETT is as accurate as imaging for identifying these high-risk patients. Outcome of patients with a low-risk exercise treadmill score is excellent. Summary The standard ETT should be the initial test in patients presenting for evaluation of CAD with the following characteristics: (1) ability to exercise adequately; (2) normal resting ECG; and (3) no prior revascularization. Applying this strategy should not sacrifice prognostic accuracy and should result in significant cost savings.
Optimization of the field-of-view in a modelbased iterative reconstruction for CT

CT imaging typically requires a reconstruction of small region-of-interest (ROI) at high resolution. It is straightforward using analytical algorithms, however iterative techniques require the reconstruction of all sources of attenuation that fall in the path of the X-ray beam. Reconstructing the desired ROI therefore implies reconstructing the whole scanned object in the full field of view (FFOV) with the desired resolution for the ROI at a much higher computational cost. Alternatively, a multi-resolution reconstruction is performed in which the FFOV is first reconstructed on a coarse grid, followed by reconstructing the ROI with a smaller grid at the desired resolution. The FFOV can be fixed to the bore size (700 mm) for all purposes. However, this is inefficient when the object is smaller than the pre-determined FFOV. An algorithm is proposed to compute the diameter of the FFOV based on the object size and content. The approach uses the sinogram data to estimate the diameter of the necessary FFOV for artifact-free reconstruction of the target. The approach significantly improves the computation time and may also improve the convergence of the algorithm. The efficacy of the algorithm is demonstrated using phantom studies.
Enhanced visual odometry algorithm based on elite selection method and voting system

In this paper, we address the problems of camera pose estimation accuracy and runtime efficiency by incorporating an elite selection method and a voting system to a conventional visual odometry (VO) method, called the “enhanced VO algorithm”. The use of elite selection method improves the efficiency of perspective-3-point (P3P) algorithm by only employing an elite subset of landmarks to estimate the camera pose. The proposed voting system, on the other hand, provides reliable consensus set derived from random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm such that accuracy of camera pose estimations can be increased. To verify the performances of the proposed approach, we conducted various experiments using a Kinect RGB-D sensor, and the results show that the proposed VO system performs well in terms of not only estimation accuracy but also computational time.
Static stress drop as determined from geodetic strain rates and statistical 1 seismicity 2 3

9 Two critical items in the energetic budget of a seismic province are the strain rate, which 10 is measured geodetically on the Earth’s surface, and the yearly number of earthquakes 11 exceeding a given magnitude. Our study is based on one of the most complete and recent 12 seismic catalogues of Italian earthquakes and on the strain rate map implied by a multi13 year velocity solution for permanent GPS stations. For each of 36 homogeneous seismic 14 zones we use the appropriate Gutenberg Richter relation, which is based on the seismicity 15 catalogue, to estimate a seismic strain rate, which is the strain rate associated with the 16 mechanical work due to a co-seismic displacement. We show that, for each seismic zone, 17 the volume storing most of the elastic energy associated with the long-term deformation, 18 and hence the seismic strain rate, is inversely proportional to the static stress drop. The 19 GPS-derived strain rate for each seismic zone limits the corresponding seismic strain rate, 20 and an upper bound for the average stress drop is estimated. We show that the implied 21