Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interactive degraded document enhancement and ground truth generation

Degraded documents are frequently obtained in various situations. Examples of degraded document collections include historical document depositories, document obtained in legal and security investigations, and legal and medical archives. Degraded document images are hard to to read and are hard to analyze using computerized techniques. There is hence a need for systems that are capable of enhancing such images. We describe a language-independent semi-automated system for enhancing degraded document images that is capable of exploiting inter- and intra-document coherence. The system is capable of processing document images with high levels of degradations and can be used for ground truthing of degraded document images. Ground truthing of degraded document images is extremely important in several aspects: it enables quantitative performance measurements of enhancement systems and facilitates model estimation that can be used to improve performance. Performance evaluation is provided using the historical Frieder diaries collection.1
Principal Component Analysis of Mobility Data from an Operational GPRS Network

We present a preliminary analysis of mobility data collected from an operational GPRS network. The input data are time-series counting the number of mobile stations present in each of 126 sample routing areas at equally spaced instants (5 min) during one full week. The time-series were extracted from packet-level traces captured by passively monitoring a subset of the Gb links of the network of Mobilkom Austria AG & Co KG during October 2004. We apply the principal component analysis (PCA) to this dataset. The PCA offers a simple method for classifying the routing areas into two main groups, residential and business areas, plus a few "atypical" ones. Additionally, we address the problem of robustness of the PCA to temporary local gaps in the input data
Improving medication adherence in stroke survivors: mediators and moderators of treatment effects.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of the current study was to test theory-based predictions of mediators and moderators of treatment effects of a pilot randomized controlled trial, which aimed to increase adherence to preventive medication in stroke survivors via addressing both automatic (i.e., habitual responses) and reflective (i.e., beliefs and value systems) aspects of medication-taking behavior. METHOD Sixty-two stroke survivors were randomly allocated to either an intervention or control group. Intervention participants received a brief 2-session intervention aimed at increasing adherence via (a) helping patients establish better medication-taking routines using implementation intentions plans (automatic), and (b) eliciting and modifying any mistaken patient beliefs regarding medication and/or stroke (reflective). The control group received similar levels of non-medication-related contact. Primary outcome was adherence to antihypertensive medicine measured objectively over 3 months using an electronic pill bottle. Secondary outcome measures included self-reported adherence (including forgetting) and beliefs about medication. RESULTS Intervention participants had 10% greater adherence on doses taken on schedule (intervention, 97%; control, 87%; 95% CI [0.2, 16.2], p = .048), as well as significantly greater increases in self-reported adherence and reductions in concerns about medication. Treatment effects were mediated by reductions in both forgetting and concerns about medication, and moderated by the presence of preexisting medication-taking routines. CONCLUSIONS Addressing both automatic and reflective aspects of behavior via helping stroke survivors develop planned regular routines for medication-taking, and addressing any concerns or misconceptions about their medication, can improve adherence and thus potentially patient outcomes.
A Multiclass Anisotropic Mumford-Shah Functional for Segmentation of D-dimensional Vectorial Images

We present a general model for multi-class segmentation of multi-channel digital images. It is based on the minimization of an anisotropic version of the Mumford-Shah energy functional in the class of piecewise constant functions. In the framework of geometric measure theory we use the concept of common interphases between regions (classes) and the value of the jump discontinuities of the (weak) solution between adjacent regions in order to define a minimal partition energy functional. The resulting problem is non-smooth and non-convex. Non-smoothness is dealt with highlighting the relationship of the proposed model with the well known Rudin, Osher and Fatemi model for image denoising when piecewise constant solutions (i.e partitions) are considered. Non-convexity is tackled with an optimal threshold of the ROF solution which we which generalize to multi-channel images through a probabilistic clustering. The optimal solution is then computed with a fixed point iteration. The resulting algorithm is described and results are presented showing the successful application of the method to Light Field (LF) images.
Further evidence for the reliability and validity of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale.

AIM To gain further evidence of the psychometric properties of the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. SETTING Dental admission clinics. DESIGN Consecutive sampling, cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS Patients (n = 800) in four cities (Belfast, Northern Ireland; Helsinki, Finland; Jyväskylä, Finland and Dubai, UAE). METHODS Questionnaire booklet handed to patients, attending clinics, for completion following an invitation by the researcher to be included in the study. MEASURES Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), together with further questions concerning dental attendance and nervousness about dental procedures. RESULTS Overall 9.3 per cent of patients indicated high dental anxiety. MDAS showed high levels of internal consistency, and good construct validity. The relationship of dental anxiety with age was similar to previous reports and showed lowered anxiety levels in older patients. CONCLUSION Data from three countries has supported the psychometric properties of this modified and brief dental anxiety scale.
Is There A Correlation Between Antibiotic Resistance and Decreased Suscepti- bility to Biocides in Different Genus of Bacterial Genera?

As WHO warned in 2014 [1], antimicrobial resistance is a global problem. It increases the death risk for patients infected with resistant strains, who consume more healthcare resources than patients infected with sensitive bacteria. For this reason, we explored the possible correlation between antibiotic resistance and decreased susceptibility to biocides, in order to find the best biocide in this environment of increased antibiotic resistance. Introduction Is There A Correlation Between Antibiotic Resistance and Decreased Susceptibility to Biocides in Different Genus of Bacterial Genera? Herruzo I1, Herruzo R*2 and Vizcaino MJ2 1University Francisco de Vitoria, Ctra Pozuelo-Majadahonda Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), Spain 2Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and Microbiology, University Automa of Madrid, Spain *Corresponding author: Herruzo R, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and Microbiology, University Automa of Madrid, C/Arzobispo Morcillo 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain, Fax: 34/91/4975353, Tel: 34/91/4975432, E-mail: rafael.herruzo@uam.es Citation: Herruzo I, Herruzo R, Vizcaino MJ (2015) Is There A Correlation Between Antibiotic Resistance and Decreased Susceptibility to Biocides in Different Genus of Bacterial Genera? J Antibiot Res 1(1): 102. doi: 10.15744/2574-5980.1. 102
Underwater navigation based on passive electric sense: New perspectives for underwater docking

In underwater robotics, several homing and docking techniques are currently being investigated. They aim to facilitate the recovery of underwater vehicles, as well as their connection to underwater stations for battery charging and data exchange. Developing reliable underwater docking strategies is a critical issue especially in murky water and/or in confined and cluttered environments. Commonly used underwater sensors such as sonar and camera can fail under these conditions. We show how a bio-inspired sensor could be used to help guide an underwater robot during a docking phase. The sensor is inspired by the passive electro-location ability of electric fish. Exploiting the electric interactions and the morphology of the vehicle, a sensor-based reactive control law is proposed. It allows the guidance of the robot toward the docking station by following an exogenous electric field generated by a set of electrodes fixed to the environment. This is achieved while avoiding insulating perturbative objects. This control strategy is theoretically analysed and validated with experiments carried out on a setup dedicated to the study of electric sense. Though promising, these results are but a first step towards the implementation of an approach to docking in more realistic conditions, such as in turbid salt water or in the presence of conductive perturbative objects.
Suppression of Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Growth by Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Possible Role of Wnt and Akt Signaling

Emerging evidence indicates that human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) can be recruited to tumor sites, and affect the growth of human malignancies. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we observed the effects of hMSCs on the human cholangiocarcinoma cell line, HCCC-9810, using an animal transplantation model, and conditioned media from human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). Animal studies showed that hUC-MSCs can inhibit the growth of cholangiocarcinoma xenograft tumors. In cell culture, conditioned media from hUC-MSCs inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of tumor cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The proliferation inhibition rate increased from 6.21% to 49.86%, whereas the apoptosis rate increased from 9.3% to 48.1% when HCCC-9810 cells were cultured with 50% hUC-MSC conditioned media for 24 h. Immunoblot analysis showed that the expression of phosphor-PDK1 (Ser241), phosphor-Akt (Ser 437 and Thr308), phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (phospho-GSK-3βSer9), β-catenin, cyclin-D1, and c-myc were down-regulated. We further demonstrated that CHIR99021, a GSK-3β inhibitor reversed the suppressive effects of hUC-MSCs on HCCC-9810 cells and increased the expression of β-catenin. The GSK-3β activator, sodium nitroprusside dehydrate (SNP), augmented the anti-tumor effects of hUC-MSCs and decreased the expression of β-catenin. IGF-1 acted as an Akt activator, and also reversed the suppressive effects of hUC-MSCs on HCCC-9810 cells. All these results suggest that hUC-MSCs could inhibit the malignant phenotype of HCCC-9810 human cholangiocarcinoma cell line. The cross-talk role of Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, with GSK-3β as the key enzyme bridging these pathways, may contribute to the inhibition of cholangiocarcinoma cells by hUC-MSCs.
Alcohol consumption and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation among people with cardiovascular disease

Background: Moderate alcohol consumption may reduce cardiovascular events, but little is known about its effect on atrial fibrillation in people at high risk of such events. We examined the association between moderate alcohol consumption and the risk of incident atrial fibrillation among older adults with existing cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Methods: We analyzed data for 30 433 adults who participated in 2 large antihypertensive drug treatment trials and who had no atrial fibrillation at baseline. The patients were 55 years or older and had a history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes with end-organ damage. We classified levels of alcohol consumption according to median cut-off values for low, moderate and high intake based on guidelines used in various countries, and we defined binge drinking as more than 5 drinks a day. The primary outcome measure was incident atrial fibrillation. Results: A total of 2093 patients had incident atrial fibrillation. The age- and sex-standardized incidence rate per 1000 person-years was 14.5 among those with a low level of alcohol consumption, 17.3 among those with a moderate level and 20.8 among those with a high level. Compared with participants who had a low level of consumption, those with higher levels had an increased risk of incident atrial fibrillation (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.26, for moderate consumption; 1.32, 95% CI 0.97–1.80, for high consumption). Results were similar after we excluded binge drinkers. Among those with moderate alcohol consumption, binge drinkers had an increased risk of atrial fibrillation compared with non–binge drinkers (adjusted HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.02–1.62). Interpretation: Moderate to high alcohol intake was associated with an increased incidence of atrial fibrillation among people aged 55 or older with cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Among moderate drinkers, the effect of binge drinking on the risk of atrial fibrillation was similar to that of habitual heavy drinking.
BAMBI Elimination Enhances Alternative TGF-β Signaling and Glomerular Dysfunction in Diabetic Mice

BMP, activin, membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) acts as a pseudo-receptor for the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β type I receptor family and a negative modulator of TGF-β kinase signaling, and BAMBI−/− mice show mild endothelial dysfunction. Because diabetic glomerular disease is associated with TGF-β overexpression and microvascular alterations, we examined the effect of diabetes on glomerular BAMBI mRNA levels. In isolated glomeruli from biopsies of patients with diabetic nephropathy and in glomeruli from mice with type 2 diabetes, BAMBI was downregulated. We then examined the effects of BAMBI deletion on streptozotocin-induced diabetic glomerulopathy in mice. BAMBI−/− mice developed more albuminuria, with a widening of foot processes, than BAMBI+/+ mice, along with increased activation of alternative TGF-β pathways such as extracellular signal–related kinase (ERK)1/2 and Smad1/5 in glomeruli and cortices of BAMBI−/− mice. Vegfr2 and Angpt1, genes controlling glomerular endothelial stability, were downmodulated in glomeruli from BAMBI−/− mice with diabetes. Incubation of glomeruli from nondiabetic BAMBI+/+ or BAMBI−/− mice with TGF-β resulted in the downregulation of Vegfr2 and Angpt1, effects that were more pronounced in BAMBI−/− mice and were prevented by a MEK inhibitor. The downregulation of Vegfr2 in diabetes was localized to glomerular endothelial cells using a histone yellow reporter under the Vegfr2 promoter. Thus, BAMBI modulates the effects of diabetes on glomerular permselectivity in association with altered ERK1/2 and Smad1/5 signaling. Future therapeutic interventions with inhibitors of alternative TGF-β signaling may therefore be of interest in diabetic nephropathy.
IROL: A humanoid mobility model for Mobile Ad Hoc Network

Human mobility models strongly affect the performance in Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET). In order to get a more precise estimation of routing performance, it is crucial to construct a more realistic human mobility model. There are three properties investigated in literature which represent the patterns of human mobility. This paper analyzes real human traces and introduces a new property that the inter-hub movement of a human is not straight. We then construct a new random human mobility model called Irregular Orbit Levy-walk (IROL), and verify its ability to capture all of the four properties simultaneously. To investigate the feasibility of IROL, we measure routing performance of real traces, IROL, and other models in MANET on two data sets. In both data sets, IROL describes the real traces the best in terms of throughput and receive rate.
A recommender system for metrics

Over the past 5 decades society has been increasingly requiring immediate results, and this is reflected in business. Due to this, the attention given to strategy, strategy management and strategy planning has increased. The use of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a way of achieving this strategic capability. Moreover, a proper BSC has effective metrics to track its goals. This work proposes a system that recommends metrics in accordance with the goals of a BSC. The recommendation is made using data mining techniques, in particular association rules.
Top‐down inputs from the olfactory cortex in the postprandial period promote elimination of granule cells in the olfactory bulb

Elimination of granule cells (GCs) in the olfactory bulb (OB) is not a continual event but is promoted during a short time window in the postprandial period, typically with postprandial sleep. However, the neuronal mechanisms for the enhanced GC elimination during the postprandial period are not understood. Here, we addressed the question of whether top‐down inputs of centrifugal axons from the olfactory cortex (OC) during the postprandial period are involved in the enhanced GC elimination in the OB. Electrical stimulation of centrifugal axons from the OC of anesthetized mice increased GC apoptosis. Furthermore, pharmacological suppression of top‐down inputs from the OC to the OB during the postprandial period of freely behaving mice by γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)A receptor agonist injection in the OC significantly decreased GC apoptosis. Remarkable apoptotic GC elimination in the sensory‐deprived OB was also suppressed by pharmacological blockade of top‐down inputs. These results indicate that top‐down inputs from the OC to the OB during the postprandial period are the crucial signal promoting GC elimination, and suggest that the life and death decision of GCs in the OB is determined by the interplay between bottom‐up sensory inputs from the external world and top‐down inputs from the OC.
A comparison of the value systems of adaptive software development and extreme programming: how methodologies may learn from each other

Today, we see an increasing interest in new software development methodologies that put humans at the center of the development process. Adaptive Software Development, Extreme Programming, and others are exemplars of this new breed of development methodologies. They are all based on the assumption that for coping with high speed and high change, traditional management techniques are inadequate. Effectively, the new methodologies are based on a different value system than the old ones. A value system is a system of beliefs about what constitutes the fundamental aspects of software development: developers, customers, markets, products, requirements, etc. This paper presents a simple model of value systems and compares the value systems of two exemplary new development methodologies, Adaptive Software Development (ASD) and Extreme Programming (XP). The purpose of this comparison is to more easily determine whether techniques of one methodology can be adapted and used by another methodology, thereby helping authors of methodologies to better learn from other methodologies.
Proteolytic Processing of Chromogranin B and Secretogranin II by Prohormone Convertases

Abstract: Two experimental approaches were used to study the processing of chromogranin B and secretogranin II by prohormone convertases. In GH3 cells various prohormone convertases were overexpressed together with the substrate chromogranin B by use of a vaccinia virus infection system. PC1 appeared to be by far the most active enzyme and converted chromogranin B to several smaller molecules, including the peptide PE‐11. In brain this peptide is cleaved physiologically from chromogranin B. Some processing of chromogranin B and formation of free PE‐11 were also observed with PC2 and PACE4. Furin produced larger fragments, whereas PC5‐A and PC5‐B had negligible effects. As a second model, PC12 cells were stably transfected with PC1 or PC2 to investigate the processing of endogenous chromogranins. Both enzymes effectively cleaved chromogranin B and secretogranin II, liberating the peptides PE‐11 and secretoneurin, respectively. However, in transfection experiments the ability to generate the free peptides was more pronounced with PC2 than with PC1. The extent of proprotein processing achieved by prohormone convertases apparently differed depending on the experimental system applied. This suggests that in vivo mechanisms to support and fine‐tune the activity of the processing enzymes exist, which might be overlooked by using only one methodological approach.
Exact Correct-Decoding Exponent of the Wiretap Channel Decoder

The performance of the achievability scheme for Wyner's wiretap channel model is examined from the perspective of the probability of correct decoding, Pc, at the wiretap channel decoder. In particular, for finite-alphabet memoryless channels, the exact random coding exponent of Pc is derived as a function of the total coding rate R1 and the rate of each subcode R2. Two different representations are given for this function and its basic properties are provided. We also characterize the region of pairs of rates (R1, R2) of full security in the sense of the random coding exponent of Pc, in other words, the region where the exponent of this achievability scheme is the same as that of blind guessing at the eavesdropper side. Finally, an analogous derivation of the correct-decoding exponent is outlined for the case of the Gaussian channel.
Humanoid robot localization in complex indoor environments

In this paper, we present a localization method for humanoid robots navigating in arbitrary complex indoor environments using only onboard sensing. Reliable and accurate localization for humanoid robots operating in such environments is a challenging task. First, humanoids typically execute motion commands rather inaccurately and odometry can be estimated only very roughly. Second, the observations of the small and lightweight sensors of most humanoids are seriously affected by noise. Third, since most humanoids walk with a swaying motion and can freely move in the environment, e.g., they are not forced to walk on flat ground only, a 6D torso pose has to be estimated. We apply Monte Carlo localization to globally determine and track a humanoid's 6D pose in a 3D world model, which may contain multiple levels connected by staircases. To achieve a robust localization while walking and climbing stairs, we intergrate 2D laser range measurements as well as attitude data and information from the joint encoders. We present simulated as well as real-word experiments with our humanoid and thoroughly evaluate our approach. As the experiments illustrate, the robot is able to globally localize itself and accurately track its 6D pose over time.
CAIXA: a Catalogue of AGN In the XMM-Newton Archive I. Spectral analysis

Aims. We present CAIXA, a Catalogue of AGN In the XMM-Newton Archive. It consists of all the radio-quiet X-ray unobscured (N H < 2 × 10 22 cm -2 ) active galactic nuclei (AGN) observed by XMM-Newton in targeted observations, whose data are public as of March 2007. With its 156 sources, this is the largest catalogue of high signal-to-noise X-ray spectra of AGN. Methods. All the EPIC pn spectra of the sources in CAIXA were extracted homogeneously, and a baseline model was applied in order to derive their basic X-ray properties. These data are complemented by multiwavelength data found in the literature: black hole masses, full width half maximum (FWHM) of Hβ, radio and optical fluxes. Results. Here we describe our homogeneous spectral analysis of the X-ray data in CAIXA and present all the results on the parameters adopted in our best-fit models.