Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel and effective moving-objects detection method combined with stereo localization and mapping system

In this paper, we propose a novel moving-objects detection method which, in contrast to state-of-the-art moving-objects detection methods, takes static feature points into consideration during detection. It benefits both the tracking and mapping approaches in real-time Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) system whose localization depends on static objects primarily. Our method obtains accurate static feature point sets continuously to estimate camera poses. In return, these camera poses are employed to find inliers and outliers using succinct distinction method. More specifically, we estimate camera pose by using static map points extracted from a high accurate global map. The map is generated in a real-time stereo SLAM system, and the camera pose is estimated and optimized by using a 3D-2D projection matching search with local bundle adjustment optimization. Once we have a calculated camera pose, we begin to find inliers and outliers. Finally, combined with superpixel segmentation, we capture the moving objects and then give feedback to the whole SLAM system. Detailed results are demonstrated comparing to other moving-objects detection methods on selected KITTI datasets with moving objects.
Effect of PTX 3 and Voriconazole Combination in a Rat Model of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis

This study evaluated the pharmacological activity of PTX3, administered in combination with voriconazole, in a rat model of pulmonary aspergillosis. The data indicated additive therapeutic activities of these compounds, as demonstrated by the amelioration of respiratory function changes, reduction of lung fungal burden, and increased survival. Overall, we provide clear evidence that the combination of PTX3 with a suboptimal dose of voriconazole might represent a therapeutic option under those clinical conditions where the use of voriconazole alone is not warranted for efficacy and tolerability reasons.
Multi-scale primal feature based facial expression modeling and identification

In this paper, we present our newly developed face expression modeling system for expression analysis and identification. Given a face image at a front view, a realistic facial model is created using our extended topographic analysis and model instantiation approach. Our facial expression modeling system consists of two major components: (1) facial feature representation using the coarse-to-fine multiscale topographic primitive features and (2) an adaptive generic model individualization process based on the primal facial surface feature context. The algorithms have been tested using both static images and facial expression sequences. The usefulness of the generated expression models is validated by our 3D facial expression analysis algorithm. The accuracy of the generated expression model is evaluated by the comparison between the generated models and the range models obtained by a 3D digitizer
CCAAT Enhancer Binding Protein δ Plays an Essential Role in Memory Consolidation and Reconsolidation

A newly formed memory is temporarily fragile and becomes stable through a process known as consolidation. Stable memories may again become fragile if retrieved or reactivated, and undergo a process of reconsolidation to persist and strengthen. Both consolidation and reconsolidation require an initial phase of transcription and translation that lasts for several hours. The identification of the critical players of this gene expression is key for understanding long-term memory formation and persistence. In rats, the consolidation of inhibitory avoidance (IA) memory requires gene expression in both the hippocampus and amygdala, two brain regions that process contextual/spatial and emotional information, respectively; IA reconsolidation requires de novo gene expression in the amygdala. Here we report that, after IA learning, the levels of the transcription factor CCAAT enhancer binding protein δ (C/EBPδ) are significantly increased in both the hippocampus and amygdala. These increases are essential for long-term memory consolidation, as their blockade via antisense oligodeoxynucleotide-mediated knockdown leads to memory impairment. Furthermore, C/EBPδ is upregulated and required in the amygdala for IA memory reconsolidation. C/EBPδ is found in nuclear, somatic, and dendritic compartments, and a dendritic localization of C/EBPδ mRNA in hippocampal neuronal cultures suggests that this transcription factor may be translated at synapses. Finally, the induction of long-term potentiation at CA3-CA1 synapses by tetanic stimuli in acute slices, a cellular model of long-term memory, leads to an accumulation of C/EBPδ in the nucleus. We conclude that the transcription factor C/EBPδ plays a critical role in memory consolidation and reconsolidation.
Novel homozygous mutations in the EVC and EVC2 genes in two consanguineous families segregating autosomal recessive Ellis–van Creveld syndrome

Ellis–van Creveld syndrome (EVC) is a rare developmental disorder characterized by short limbs, short ribs, postaxial polydactyly, dysplastic nails, teeth, oral and cardiac abnormalities. It is caused by biallelic mutations in the EVC or EVC2 gene, separated by 2.6 kb of genomic sequence on chromosome 4p16. In the present study, we have investigated two consanguineous families of Pakistani origin, segregating EVC in autosomal recessive manner. Linkage in the families was established to chromosome 4p16. Subsequently, sequence analysis identified a novel nonsense mutation (p.Trp234*) in exon 8 of the EVC2 gene and 15 bp duplication in exon 14 of the EVC gene in the two families. This further expands the mutations in the EVC or EVC2 genes resulting in the EVC syndrome.
INTERACTIVE IMPACT OF INNOVATION AND EDUCATION ON BUSINESS PERFORMANCE DURING THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

In times of quick changes and great business and ec onomic uncertainty, innovativeness becomes a strategic priority of any business organization. The same opinion applies to the improvement of empl oyees’ knowledge and skills through regular education activities. Su ch a strategic orientation is especially hailed during and after r ecession by both managers and academia. The purpose of this research is to investigate whether the companies from the F B&H that had pursu ed such a strategy have achieved a better business performance. For th at purpose, beside the archival data from the Federal financial office, da ta were also collected from a questionnaire which was sent to 270 companie s in the F B&H, yielding 120 valid responses. For the purpose of da ta nalysis, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was empl oyed. The research results show that only simultaneous investment in i n ovation and education has a significant effect on business perf ormance, which is the most important research finding.
Design of Fuzzy Regulators with Optimal Initial Conditions Compensation

In almost all cases, the goal of the design of automatic control systems is to obtain the parameters of the controllers, which are described by differential equations. In general, the controller is artificially built and it is possible to update its initial conditions. In the design of optimal quadratic regulators, the initial conditions of the controller can be changed in an optimal way and they can improve the performance of the controlled system. Following this idea, a LMI-based design procedure to update the initial conditions of PI controllers, considering the nonlinear plant described by Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models, is presented. The importance of the proposed method is that it also allows other specifications, such as, the decay rate and constraints on control input and output. The application in the control of an inverted pendulum illustrates the effectively of proposed method.
Congruence of morphologically-defined genera with molecular phylogenies

Morphologically-defined mammalian and molluscan genera (herein “morphogenera”) are significantly more likely to be monophyletic relative to molecular phylogenies than random, under 3 different models of expected monophyly rates: ≈63% of 425 surveyed morphogenera are monophyletic and 19% are polyphyletic, although certain groups appear to be problematic (e.g., nonmarine, unionoid bivalves). Compiled nonmonophyly rates are probably extreme values, because molecular analyses have focused on “problem” taxa, and molecular topologies (treated herein as error-free) contain contradictory groupings across analyses for 10% of molluscan morphogenera and 37% of mammalian morphogenera. Both body size and geographic range, 2 key macroevolutionary and macroecological variables, show significant rank correlations between values for morphogenera and molecularly-defined clades, even when strictly monophyletic morphogenera are excluded from analyses. Thus, although morphogenera can be imperfect reflections of phylogeny, large-scale statistical treatments of diversity dynamics or macroevolutionary variables in time and space are unlikely to be misleading.
Production and characterization of tissue engineering scaffolds based on polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate polymers

In the engineering of various tissues, the scaffold material and architecture of the scaffold can affect cell seeding and tissue growth both in vitro and in vivo. This paper reports the production of three-dimensional, highly porous tissue engineering scaffolds based on Poly (hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) biopolymers. Polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that can be used in tissue engineering. Hydroxyapatite (HA) is osetoconductive and is being used for bone replacement. The composite scaffolds made of these two materials have great potential for bone tissue engineering. This paper reports the fabrication and characterization of three-dimensional, highly porous HA/PHBV composite scaffolds. The scaffolds were produced using an emulsion freezing/freeze-drying technique. The structure and properties of composite scaffolds were investigated using various techniques.
Racing against Time? Aspects of the Temporal Organization of the Runner' s World

Drawing on documentary sources and participant observation, I seek to specify salient temporal characteristics of the social world of running. Extant analyses seem preoccupied with criticizing running temporality for reproducing, in a sporting context, those Taylorized, alienating beliefs and oppressive practices typical of capitalist sites of production. A different point of departure, runners' own understandings, shows that temporal considerations are a key constituent of the runner's self that is not experienced as alienated. Three aspects of running temporality are highlighted: the large-scale temporal organization of the running world, with a focus on the cyclical racing pattern and the planned and scheduled character of training; temporal features of running careers; and the way in which "times" figure in the activity of running and its description. I conclude that these temporal organizations are important symbolic resources that help to build and reaffirm the runner's self. Rather than time alienating and exploiting runners, runners exploit it as a constructive resource that they can deploy in diverse ways.
Extracellular control of PAR protein localization during asymmetric cell division in the C. elegans embryo

The axis of asymmetric cell division is controlled to determine the future position of differentiated cells during animal development. The asymmetric localization of PAR proteins in the Drosophila neuroblast and C. elegans embryo are aligned with the axes of the embryo. However, whether extracellular or intracellular signals determine the orientation of the localization of PAR proteins remains controversial. In C. elegans, the P0 zygote and germline cells (P1, P2, and P3) undergo a series of asymmetric cell divisions. Interestingly, the axis of the P0 and P1 divisions is opposite to that of the P2 and P3 divisions. PAR-2, a ring-finger protein, and PAR-1, a kinase, relocalize to the anterior side of the P2 and P3 germline precursors at the site of contact with endodermal precursors. Using an in vitro method, we have found that the PAR-2 protein is distributed asymmetrically in the absence of extracellular signals, but the orientation of the protein localization in the P2 and P3 cells is determined by contact with endodermal precursor cells. Our mutant analyses suggest that mes-1 and src-1, which respectively encode a transmembrane protein and a tyrosine kinase, were not required to establish the asymmetric distribution of PAR-2, but were required to determine its orientation at the site of contact with the endodermal precursors. The PAR-2 localization during the asymmetric P2 and P3 divisions is controlled by extracellular signals via MES-1/SRC-1 signaling. Our findings suggest that Src functions as an evolutionarily conserved molecular link that coordinates extrinsic cues with PAR protein localization.
Galaxy Zoo: building the low-mass end of the red sequence with local post-starburst galaxies★

We present a study of local post-starburst galaxies (PSGs) using the photometric and spectroscopic observations from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the results from the Galaxy Zoo project. We find that the majority of our local PSG populat ion have neither early- nor latetype morphologies but occupy a well-defined space within the colour‐stellar mass diagram, most notably, the low-mass end of the “green valley” below the transition mass thought to be the mass division between low-mass star-forming galaxies and high-mass passively-evolving bulge-dominated galaxies. Our analysis suggests that it is likely that a local PSG will quickly transform into “red”, low-mass early-type galaxies as the stellar morphologies of the “green” PSGs largely resemble that of the early-type galaxies within the same mass range. We propose that the current population of PSGs represents a population of galaxies which is rapidly transitioning between the star-forming and the passively-evolving phases. Subsequently, these PSGs will contribute towards the build-up of the low-mass end of the “red sequence” once the current population of young stars fade and stars are no longer being formed. These results are consistent with the idea of “downsizing” where the build-up of smaller galaxies occurs at later epochs.
Prediction of restenosis after coronary angioplasty by use of a new index: TIMI frame count/minimal luminal diameter ratio.

BACKGROUND It has been shown recently that postangioplasty coronary flow reserve and the degree of residual stenosis have a modest predictive value for short- and long-term clinical outcomes after coronary angioplasty. Corrected TIMI frame count (CTFC) is a simple quantitative index of coronary blood flow. Its relationship with Doppler coronary flow velocity and clinical outcome after coronary angioplasty has not been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to identify clinical, angiographic, and functional predictors of clinical and angiographic restenosis after conventional coronary angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 70 consecutive patients in whom intracoronary Doppler flow-velocity measurements were performed before and after angioplasty. Patients were evaluated for restenosis by clinical follow-up, exercise stress test/(201)Tl scintigraphy, and follow-up angiography, which was performed at 10. 5+/-10.3 months in 63 patients. According to the results of univariate analysis, a new index, postangioplasty CTFC/minimal luminal diameter (MLD) ratio, was created. Multivariate analysis revealed that CTFC/MLD ratio was the only independent predictor of angiographic (OR 2.02; 95% CI 1.37 to 2.97; P<0.0004) and clinical (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.21; P<0.005) restenosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve area of this index was 79% for angiographic and 73% for clinical restenosis. The optimal CTFC/MLD ratio cutoff values were 7.88 for angiographic and 7.94 for clinical restenosis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that postangioplasty CTFC/MLD ratio, which incorporates both the angiographic and functional features of coronary lesions, is a reliable, objective, and inexpensive index for prediction of angiographic and clinical restenosis after conventional coronary angioplasty.
COMPARISON OF NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC SPECTRUM COMPATIBLE ACCELEROGRAMS OBTAINED BY GROUND MOTION SELECTION AND STOCHASTIC SIMULATION

The accurate modelling of seismic load is a major topic that has raised particular interest in the literature in the recent years. One of the reasons is the advent of performance based earthquake engineering (PBEE) that has become the state of the art for both civil and nuclear structures. The PBEE generally requires transient analysis in order to evaluate the seismic fragility of structures and components. In consequence, a set of hazard consistent ground motion time histories is needed for the transient dynamic analysis to be performed. In this paper, a simple procedure for simulating artificial earthquake accelerograms matching the statistical distribution of response spectra, as given by the ground motion prediction equations (median and the standard deviation) and correlation coefficients, is presented. The approach, Zentner (2014), follows the general ideas of the natural ground motion selection algorithms proposed by Baker (2011) and Wang (2011) but using simulated (artificial) "spectrum-compatible" accelerograms. This contribution proposes to perform a number of comparative studies in order to assess the capabilities of the simulated accelerograms. Ground motion intensity measures will be compared to the target from GMPE and to the ones of selected natural accelerograms. Finally, the impact on structural response will be evaluated. In particular, we compare a set of natural accelerograms, selected according to the Baker et al. procedure, to a set of simulated time histories.
Particle Swarm Optimization Based QoS Multicast Routing Scheme with ABC Supported

In this paper, by introducing the knowledge of the fuzzy mathematics, probability theory and gaming theory, a QoS(Quality of Service) multicast routing scheme with ABC(Always Best Connected) supported is proposed. It uses the interval to describe the user QoS requirement and the edge (link) parameter, introducing the user satisfaction degree, edge evaluation and solution quality comparison. With the help of the gaming analysis and based on the particle swarm optimization algorithm, it tries to find a QoS multicast tree with the Pareto optimum under the Nash equilibrium on both the network provider utility and the user utility achieved or approached. Simulation results have shown that it is both feasible and effective.
Activation of stress-activated protein kinase in osteoarthritic cartilage: evidence for nitric oxide dependence.

OBJECTIVE We have demonstrated in bovine chondrocytes that nitric oxide (NO) mediates IL1 dependent apoptosis under conditions of oxidant stress. This process is accompanied by activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK; also called stress-activated protein kinase). In these studies we examined activation of JNK in explant cultures of human osteoarthritic cartilage obtained at joint replacement surgery and we characterized the role of peroxynitrite to act as an upstream trigger. DESIGN A novel technique to isolate chondrocyte proteins (<10% of total cartilage protein) from cartilage specimens was developed. It was used to analyse JNK activation by a western blot technique. To examine the hypothesis that chondrocyte JNK activation is a result of increased peroxynitrite, in vitro experiments were performed in which cultured chondrocytes were incubated with this oxidant. RESULTS Activated JNK was detected in the cytoplasm of osteoarthritis (OA) affected chondrocytes but not in that of controls. In vitro, chondrocytes produce NO and superoxide anion. IL-1 (48 h), which induces nitric oxide synthase, resulted in an activation of JNK; this effect was reversed by N-monomethylarginine (NMA). TNFalpha treated chondrocytes at 48 h produce superoxide anion (EPR method). Exposure of cells to peroxynitrite led to an accumulation of intracellular oxidants, in association with JNK activation and cell death by apoptosis. CONCLUSION We suggest that JNK activation is among the IL-1 elicited responses that injure articular chondrocytes and this activation of JNK is dependent on intracellular oxidant formation (including NO peroxynitrite). In addition, the extraction technique here described is a novel method that permits the quantitation and study of proteins such as JNK involved in the signaling pathways of chondrocytes within osteoarthritic cartilage.
Facilitating the Transformational: An Exploration of Control in Cyberinfrastructure Projects and the Discovery of Field Control

Emerging from rapid advances in digitization and technological capabilities is a new form of information systems development project: cyber projects. Cyber projects are complex, massive, and ambitious, often involving hundreds of academic, government, and industry professionals, requiring years of development, and costing millions of dollars. In our study, we examine how control is exercised in cyber projects. Based on a longitudinal study over eight years, we develop a process theory of the control of cyber projects. Initially we observe that project control is driven by the field, i.e., all of the individual or collective entities that subscribe to the general purpose of the project. This form of control is later replaced by a more bureaucratic form from government-sponsored entities to ensure that traditional project objectives are met. Once construction begins and the field understands the implications and promise of the project, we observe that control is again exerted by the primary project users in the field, complemented by authority-based control exerted by the government-sponsored entisty in the field.
Impact of Childhood Trauma on Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity in Alcohol-Dependent Patients

Aims: Studies in animals and humans suggest that early life stress alters hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. The same alterations are related to the symptoms and course of alcohol dependence. This study examined relationships between childhood trauma and HPA axis activity in alcohol-dependent patients controlling for psychopathology and characteristics of dependence. Methods: Thirty-eight consecutive patients (42% female) were examined at admission to detoxification (t1) and 14 days later (t2). Morning plasma levels of cortisol and adrenocorticotropin-releasing hormone (ACTH) were determined. Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and measures of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Results: Sexual abuse was related to higher levels of cortisol during acute withdrawal (r = 0.38, p = 0.02). Levels of ACTH were negatively correlated with the CTQ total score (t2: r = –0.42, p < 0.01), emotional abuse (t2: r = –0.33, p = 0.04), emotional neglect (t2: r = –0.33, p = 0.04), and physical neglect (t2: r = –0.33, p = 0.05) controlling for psychopathology and characteristics of dependence. Conclusions: Our findings suggest, that childhood trauma is related to blunted ACTH and increased cortisol during withdrawal in alcohol-dependent patients. Early life stress might be a confounding variable in studies of HPA function in alcohol dependence and future studies should examine potential clinical consequences of these relationships.