Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vision Recognition using Discriminant Sparse Optimization Learning

To better select the correct training sample and obtain the robust representation of the query sample, this paper proposes a discriminant-based sparse optimization learning model. This learning model integrates discriminant and sparsity together. Based on this model, we then propose a classifier called locality-based discriminant sparse representation (LDSR). Because discriminant can help to increase the difference of samples in different classes and to decrease the difference of samples within the same class, LDSR can obtain better sparse coefficients and constitute a better sparse representation for classification. In order to take advantages of kernel techniques, discriminant and sparsity, we further propose a nonlinear classifier called kernel locality-based discriminant sparse representation (KLDSR). Experiments on several well-known databases prove that the performance of LDSR and KLDSR is better than that of several state-of-the-art methods including deep learning based methods.
A New Ultrasound Marker for Bedside Monitoring of Preterm Brain Growth

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Preterm neonates are at risk for neurodevelopmental impairment, but reliable, bedside-available markers to monitor preterm brain growth during hospital stay are still lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of corpus callosum–fastigium length as a new cranial sonography marker for monitoring of preterm brain growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this longitudinal prospective cohort study, cranial ultrasound was planned on the day of birth, days 1, 2, 3, and 7 of life; and then weekly until discharge in preterm infants born before 29 weeks of gestational age. Reproducibility and associations between clinical variables and corpus callosum–fastigium growth trajectories were studied. RESULTS: A series of 1–8 cranial ultrasounds was performed in 140 infants (median gestational age at birth, 27+2 weeks (interquartile range, 26+1 to 28+1; 57.9% male infants). Corpus callosum–fastigium measurements showed good-to-excellent agreement for inter- and intraobserver reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.89). Growth charts for preterm infants between 24 and 32 weeks of gestation were developed. Male sex and birth weight SD score were positively associated with corpus callosum–fastigium growth rate. CONCLUSIONS: Corpus callosum–fastigium length measurement is a new reproducible marker applicable for bedside monitoring of preterm brain growth during neonatal intensive care stay.
A Novel Pose Tolerant Face Recognition Approach

Face recognition is biometric pattern recognition, which is more acceptable and convenient for users compared with other biometric recognition traits. Among many problems in face recognition system, pose problem is still considered as one of the major problem still unsolved in satisfactory level. This paper proposes a novel pose tolerant face recognition approach. Proposed system's contribution is a novel and efficient approach that includes feature extraction, pose transformation learning and recognition stages. In first stage, 2D PCA is used as robust feature extraction technique. The linear regression is used as efficient and accurate transformation learning technique to create frontal face image from a different posed face images in the second stage. In last stage, Mahalanobis distance is used for recognition. Experiments on FERET and FEI face databases demonstrate higher performance in comparison with traditional systems.
Are We Frozen in Time? Analysis of the Utilization and Efficacy of Pulsatile Perfusion in Renal Transplantation

Preservation techniques are crucial to deceased donor kidney transplantation (DDTx), but the efficacy of pulsatile perfusion (PP) versus cold storage (CS) remains uncertain. We describe patterns of PP use and explore four fundamental questions. What kidneys are selected for PP? How does PP affect utilization of donated kidneys? What effect does PP have on outcomes? When does PP appear to be most efficacious? We examined rates of PP in DDTx in the United States from 1994 to 2003. We generated models for organ utilization, delayed graft function (DGF) and for the use of PP. We analyzed the long‐term effect of PP with multivariate Cox models. The utilization rates for non‐expanded criteria donors (ECDs) were similar by storage type, but for ECDs there was a significantly higher utilization rate with PP (70% with PP vs. 59% with CS, p < 0.001). Use of PP was widely variable across transplant centers. DGF rates were significantly lower with PP (27.6% vs. 19.6%). PP was associated with a mild benefit on death censored graft survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.88, 95% CI 0.85–0.91). Reduced DGF and significantly lower discard rates of ECDs associated with PP suggest an important utility of PP in renal transplantation. Additional evidence of improvement in graft survival, particularly in more recent years, provides further encouraging evidence for the use of PP.
Readability of patient education materials from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America web sites.

BACKGROUND While experts recommend that the readability of patient education materials should be less than the sixth grade level, the available information pertaining to orthopaedic diseases may be excessively complex for some to read and comprehend. The Flesch-Kincaid grade level is the most widely used tool to evaluate the readability score of a given text, with a lower grade level suggesting easier readability. The goal of our study was to assess the readability of pediatric orthopaedic patient education materials that were developed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) and were accessible to the general public through the Internet. MATERIALS AND METHODS All articles from the "Children" section of the patient education library, "Your Orthopaedic Connection," on the AAOS web site and the "Parent/Patient" section on the POSNA web site were identified. The Flesch-Kincaid grade level of each article was determined with use of Microsoft Office Word software. The mean grade levels of articles that were available in 2001 were compared with those accessible in 2007. RESULTS Fifty-seven unique articles were available in 2007 on both web sites compared with twenty-five articles available in 2001. The readability score of only one (2%) of the currently available articles was less than sixth grade level. The mean Flesch-Kincaid grade level of the currently available articles was 8.9 compared with 8.7 for the articles available in 2001 (p = 0.71). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that most of the pediatric orthopaedic patient education materials available on the AAOS and POSNA web sites have readability scores that may be too high, making comprehension difficult for a substantial portion of the United States population.
Effect of matrix metalloproteinase-1 promoter genotype on interleukin-1beta-induced matrix metalloproteinase-1 production in human periodontal ligament cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Our previous studies have shown that a single nucleotide polymorphism at nucleotide -1607 of the human matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) promoter is associated with the severity of periodontal disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of different MMP-1 promoter genotypes on interleukin-1beta-induced MMP-1 production in human periodontal ligament cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS Periodontal ligament cells from 16 different subjects were cultured. Restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction was used to identify the MMP-1 promoter genotype of periodontal ligament cells. Periodontal ligament cells were stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/interleukin-1beta. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplifications and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were then utilized to determine the MMP-1 mRNA levels and to assess the concentration of MMP-1 protein, respectively. RESULTS The results showed that cells with the 1G/2G and the 2G/2G genotype produced higher amounts of MMP-1 protein than cells with the 1G/1G genotype. Induction of MMP-1 mRNA as a result of stimulation with interleukin-1beta was significantly increased in cells with a 1G/2G or a 2G/2G genotype compared with cells homozygous for the 1G allele. CONCLUSION The results of the present study suggest that the single nucleotide polymorphism at nucleotide -1607 of the human MMP-1 promoter might influence the interleukin-1beta-induced expression of MMP-1 in periodontal ligament cells.
Insight into the redox regulation of the phosphoglucan phosphatase SEX4 involved in starch degradation

Starch is the major carbohydrate reserve in plants, and is degraded for growth at night. Starch breakdown requires reversible glucan phosphorylation at the granule surface by novel dikinases and phosphatases. The dual‐specificity phosphatase starch excess 4 (SEX4) is required for glucan desphosphorylation; however, regulation of the enzymatic activity of SEX4 is not well understood. We show that SEX4 switches between reduced (active) and oxidized (inactive) states, suggesting that SEX4 is redox‐regulated. Although only partial reactivation of SEX4 was achieved using artificial reductants (e.g. dithiothreitol), use of numerous chloroplastic thioredoxins recovered activity completely, suggesting that thioredoxins could reduce SEX4 in vivo. Analysis of peptides from oxidized and reduced SEX4 identified a disulfide linkage between the catalytic cysteine at position 198 (Cys198) and the cysteine at position 130 (Cys130) within the phosphatase domain. The position of these cysteines was structurally analogous to that for known redox‐regulated dual‐specificity phosphatases, suggesting a common mechanism of reversible oxidation amongst these phosphatases. Mutation of Cys130 renders SEX4 more sensitive to oxidative inactivation and less responsive to reductive reactivation. Together, these results provide the first biochemical evidence for a redox‐dependent structural switch that regulates SEX4 activity, which represents the first plant phosphatase known to undergo reversible oxidation via disulfide bond formation like its mammalian counterparts.
Discrimination in a Model of Contests with Incomplete Information About Ability

We study contests with private information and identical contestants, where contestants' efforts and innate abilities generate output of varying qualities. The designer's revenue depends on the quality of the output, and she offers a reward to the contestant achieving the highest quality. We characterize the equilibrium behavior, outcomes, and payoffs for both nondiscriminatory and discriminatory (where the reward is contestant-dependent) contests. We derive conditions under which the designer obtains a larger payoff when using a discriminatory contest and describe settings, where these conditions are satisfied.
Accurate control of oxygen level in cells during culture on silicone rubber membranes with application to stem cell differentiation

Oxygen level in mammalian cell culture is often controlled by placing culture vessels in humidified incubators with a defined gas phase partial pressure of oxygen (pO2gas). Because the cells are consuming oxygen supplied by diffusion, a difference between pO2gas and that experienced by the cells (pO2cell) arises, which is maximal when cells are cultured in vessels with little or no oxygen permeability. Here, we demonstrate theoretically that highly oxygen‐permeable silicone rubber membranes can be used to control pO2cell during culture of cells in monolayers and aggregates much more accurately and can achieve more rapid transient response following a disturbance than on polystyrene and fluorinated ethylene‐propylene copolymer membranes. Cell attachment on silicone rubber was achieved by physical adsorption of fibronectin or Matrigel. We use these membranes for the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells to cardiomyocytes and compare the results with culture on polystyrene or on silicone rubber on top of polystyrene. The fraction of cells that are cardiomyocyte‐like increases with decreasing pO2 only when using oxygen‐permeable silicone membrane‐based dishs, which contract on silicone rubber but not polystyrene. The high permeability of silicone rubber results in pO2cell being equal to pO2gas at the tissue‐membrane interface. This, together with geometric information from histological sections, facilitates development of a model from which the pO2 distribution within the resulting aggregates is computed. Silicone rubber membranes have significant advantages over polystyrene in controlling pO2cell, and these results suggest they are a valuable tool for investigating pO2 effects in many applications, such as stem cell differentiation. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2010
Effect of children on home smoking restriction by inner-city smokers.

OBJECTIVE The home is the site of the most significant environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure for children. Surveys show that adults, including smokers, agree that smoking should be restricted in homes of smokers with children. However, in a national survey, only 12.5% of such homes are actually smoke-free. This study examined factors associated with home smoking restriction among inner-city smokers. METHODS A cross-sectional survey of 598 adult smokers who attended an inner-city community health center was conducted. RESULTS Home smoking restriction was reported by 38.2% of all smokers (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.6%-42.8%). Univariate analysis showed smoking restriction was positively associated with presence of children and of a nonsmoking adult partner in the home, intentional limiting of smoking, stages of change, and fewer number of cigarettes smoked daily. On multivariate analysis, home smoking restriction was more likely with the presence of a child (odds ratio: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.70-4.08) and a nonsmoking adult partner (odds ratio: 2.30; 95% CI: 1.32-4.02) in the home. CONCLUSIONS The presence of children and of nonsmoking adults is associated with the practice of smoking restriction in the homes of inner-city smokers. These findings suggest that inner-city smokers are concerned about health effects of ETS on children. Health professionals should target nonsmoking adult members of households with children and smokers but no home smoking restriction and emphasize the health effects of ETS on children as a motivation for smoking parents to limit exposure and to quit smoking.
Improving the Discriminatory Capabilities of a Neural Classifier by Using a Biased-Wavelet Layer

In the context of wavelet neural networks (WNN's), two modifications to the basic training algorithms are proposed, namely the introduction of a bias component in the wavelets and the adoption of a weight decay policy. A problem of ECG segment classification is used for illustration purposes. Results suggest that bias improves the discriminatory capabilities of the WNN, which is also compared favourably to a conventional perceptron classifier. The use of weight decay during training, followed by pruning, resulted in a more parsimonious network, which also turned out to be a more conservative classifier. The knowledge embedded in the wavelet layer is interpreted with basis on the concept of super-wavelets.
Clinical application of bone decompressing needle in knee osteoarthritis

Objectives: Anterior knee pain is an important problem for patients with Osteoarthritis (OA) of knee, and there is urgent demand for surgery treatment in these patients. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of core decompression in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A total of 120 patients with knee osteoarthritis, who visited the Department of Chinese Medicine of Nanjing Medical University No.2 Affiliated Hospital or Recovery Center of Yantai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January of 2013 to September of 2014, were included in this study. Patients were selected based on strict inclusion criteria, and received bone decompression needle treatment or conventional treatment. Patients were randomized into two groups (n=60). Physical conditions and haemorheological changes of patients were assessed before treatment and 6 weeks after treatment to evaluate the therapeutic responses. Results: Prior to treatment, there were no significant differences in general characteristics between the two groups. And after treatment, both treatments showed significant improvement in pain, physical function, and overall score (P<0.05). With regard to stiffness, the group that received bone decompression needle treatment demonstrated more prominent improvement than conventional treatment group. While both groups demonstrated improvement in overall score (P<0.05), the decompression needle group exhibited greater improvement in RP and MH. Overall score of decompression needle group was superior to that of normal treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Treatment with bone decompression needle demonstrated superior effectiveness in alleviating knee osteoarthritis than conventional treatment methods. Bone decompressing needle deserves further promotion and wider application to improve the clinical management of knee osteoarthritis.
Upregulation of dysbindin in temporal lobe epileptic foci of human and experimental animals

The gene encoding dystrobrevin‐binding‐protein‐1 (dysbindin) is expressed in many areas of the central nervous system and plays a role in intracellular vesicle trafficking, synaptic vesicle trafficking, and neurotransmitter release. At a cellular level, dysbindin is thought to mediate presynaptic glutamatergic transmission. Using Western blotting and immunofluorescence, we investigated dysbindin expression in brain tissues of the patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and rats with TLE (lithium chloride pilocarpine model) to explore its possible role in epileptogenesis. Twenty‐five samples of temporal neocortex from patients undergoing surgery for drug‐refractory TLE epilepsy and 10 histologically normal temporal lobes tissues from control subjects were used in our study. We also examined dysbindin expression in the hippocampus and adjacent cortex from experimental Sprague–Dawley rats. Dysbindin was expressed in the cytoplasm of neurons from epileptic specimens, and levels of dysbindin proteins were significantly increased in patients with TLE. Dysbindin was also expressed in the neurons of the hippocampus and adjacent cortex from experimental and control rats. Western blotting of rat brain tissue showed that dysbindin was upregulated gradually from 6 h after kindling. Maximal expression was seen around 2 months in chronic epileptic phase. These results demonstrated that the increased expression of dysbindin might play a role in the pathogenesis of drug‐refractory TLE. Synapse, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radioactivity levels in some wild edible mushroom species in Turkey

Eleven different wild-growing edible mushroom species collected from various regions of Turkey were analysed for their content of 137Cs, 40K, 226Ra and 232Th using a high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Specific activities of 226Ra and 232Th were generally below detection limits. The specific activities of 137Cs and 40K ranged from 2.4±0.3 to 109.0±7.3 Bq kg−1 with a mean of 28.4±27.2 Bq kg−1 (dry matter) and 715.5±50.1 to 1779.0±163.7 Bq kg−1 with a mean of 1150.8±315.2 Bq kg−1 (dry matter), respectively. The mean annual effective dose of 137Cs and 40K through mushrooms were estimated to be (7.0±6.0)×10−3 μSv and 0.13±0.03 μSv, respectively. The overall intake of 137Cs is quite low and no significant contamination was found in collected mushroom species. The highest contents of 137Cs and 40K among the analysed mushrooms were in Morchella esculenta and Stropharia coronilla, respectively.
Two psychological treatments for hypochondriasis

Background Hypochondriasis is generally considered difficult to manage. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of cognitive therapy and to compare it with an equally credible, alternative treatment. Method Forty-eight patients with hypochondriasis were initially randomly assigned to either cognitive therapy, behavioural stress management or a no treatment waiting list control group. At the end of the waiting period, patients in the control group were randomly assigned to one of the two treatments. Assessments were at pre-, mid- and post-treatment or waiting list and at three-, six- and 12-month post-treatment follow-up. Results Comparisons with the waiting list group showed both treatments were effective. Comparisons between the treatments showed that cognitive therapy was more effective than behavioural stress management on measures of hypochondriasis, but not general mood disturbance at mid-treatment and at post-treatment. One year after treatment patients who had received either treatment remained significantly better than before treatment, and on almost all measures the two therapies did not differ from each other. Conclusions Cognitive therapy is a specific treatment for hypochondriasis. Behavioural stress management is also effective but its specificity remains to be demonstrated.
Sodium fusidate-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres: Preparation, characterisation and in vivo evaluation of their effectiveness in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis

Purpose: The aim of this study was to prepare poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres containing sodium fusidate (SF) using a double emulsion solvent evaporation method with varying polymer:drug ratios (1:1, 2.5:1, 5:1) and to evaluate its efficiency for the local treatment of chronic osteomyelitis. Methods: The particle size and distribution, morphological characteristics, thermal behaviour, drug content, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release assessments of the formulations had been carried out. Sterilized SF-PLGA microspheres were implanted in the proximal tibia of rats with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) osteomyelitis. After 3 weeks of treatment, bone samples were analysed with a microbiological assay. Results: PLGA microspheres between the size ranges of 2.16–4.12 µm were obtained. Production yield of all formulations was found to be higher than 79% and encapsulation efficiencies of 19.8–34.3% were obtained. DSC thermogram showed that the SF was in an amorphous state in the microspheres and the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PLGA was not influenced by the preparation procedure. In vitro drug release studies had indicated that these microspheres had significant burst release and their drug release rates were decreased upon increasing the polymer:drug ratio (p < 0.05). Based on the in vivo data, rats implanted with SF-PLGA microspheres and empty microspheres showed 1987 ± 1196 and 55526 ± 49086 colony forming unit of MRSA in 1 g bone samples (CFU/g), respectively (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The in vitro and in vivo studies had shown that the implanted SF loaded microspheres were found to be effective for the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis in an animal experimental model. Hence, these microspheres may be potentially useful in the clinical setting.
Reframing Gatekeeping

Framing and gatekeeping are common keywords in journalism research, yet their theoretical intersection has not been sufficiently explored. From qualitative interviews with newspaper and online journalists in the Philippines, this study explores routine, organizational and extra-media factors that affect frame-building and locates frame-building within the gatekeeping process. The study finds that news sense, news values, medium, peers, owners and sources exerted influence on journalists’ frame-building processes. These influences can be grouped into routine, organizational and extra-media influences that are similar to levels of influences on gatekeeping. The study proposes a theoretical framework that links frame-building and gatekeeping.