Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neonatal Hypoxia in the Rat: Effects on Exocrine Pancreatic Development

Background Glucocorticoids profoundly affect pancreatic development during the suckling period. Increases in circulating glucocorticoids during exposure to hypoxia may alter the normal pattern of pancreatic enzyme development. Methods Rats were exposed to hypoxia from birth to 7 days (suckling) or from 28 to 35 days of age (weaned at day 21). Results Hypoxia in neonatal rats (0–7 days) led to decreased pancreatic weight, and trypsin, lipase, and amylase activity compared with normoxic controls. In contrast, rats exposed to hypoxia from 28 to 35 days of age had decreased lipase activity but no change in other pancreatic parameters. Two weeks after hypoxia (0–7 days) pups were returned to normoxia, and their body weights remained smaller than the age-matched, previously normoxic controls. Pancreatic enzyme activities were decreased in the group recovering from hypoxia compared with controls. Recovery of enzyme activities was observed 3 weeks after hypoxic rats were returned to normoxia. Normoxic pups were given dexamethasone to simulate the hyperglucocorticoid state in hypoxia at 7-day olds. Dexamethasone administration led to decreased body weight, but increased pancreatic weight and enzyme activity compared with normoxic, age-matched controls. Conclusions Hypoxia in newborn rats delays the maturation of pancreatic exocrine enzymes. The mechanism is not related to increased serum glucocorticoids.
MPEG-4 Enhanced Low Delay AAC - A New Standard for High Quality Communication

The MPEG Audio group has recently concluded the standardization process for the MPEG-4 Enhanced Low Delay AAC (AAC-ELD) codec. This codec is a new member of the MPEG Advanced Audio Coding family. It represents the efficient combination of the AAC Low Delay codec and the Spectral Band Replication (SBR) technique known from HE-AAC. This paper provides a complete overview of the underlying technology, presents points of operation as well as applications and discusses MPEG verification test results.
Approximations of noise covariance in multi-slice helical CT scans: impact on lung nodule size estimation

Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) scanners have become popular volumetric imaging tools. Deterministic and random properties of the resulting CT scans have been studied in the literature. Due to the large number of voxels in the three-dimensional (3D) volumetric dataset, full characterization of the noise covariance in MSCT scans is difficult to tackle. However, as usage of such datasets for quantitative disease diagnosis grows, so does the importance of understanding the noise properties because of their effect on the accuracy of the clinical outcome. The goal of this work is to study noise covariance in the helical MSCT volumetric dataset. We explore possible approximations to the noise covariance matrix with reduced degrees of freedom, including voxel-based variance, one-dimensional (1D) correlation, two-dimensional (2D) in-plane correlation and the noise power spectrum (NPS). We further examine the effect of various noise covariance models on the accuracy of a prewhitening matched filter nodule size estimation strategy. Our simulation results suggest that the 1D longitudinal, 2D in-plane and NPS prewhitening approaches can improve the performance of nodule size estimation algorithms. When taking into account computational costs in determining noise characterizations, the NPS model may be the most efficient approximation to the MSCT noise covariance matrix.
A novel approach for real-time semantic context labeling

The use of context information is an important aid for full semantic scene understanding in security and surveillance applications. This paper presents an innovative semantic context-labeling algorithm for three context classes – water, sky and vegetation – while trading-off quality and real-time execution. Our system consists of three consecutive stages: image segmentation, region-based feature extraction and classiﬁcation. We propose the joint use of color features in HSV space, texture from Gabor ﬁlters and spatial context, in combination with the Directional Nearest Neighbor (DNN) method for segmentation. Compared to recent literature, this combination is over 35 times faster and achieves a coverability rate that is 65% higher [6].
The Philosopher's "Alice in Wonderland"

* Have you ever seen Nobody? What would your world be like if objects had no names? Can you remember what will happen week after next? How many impossible things can you believe before breakfast-if you hold your breath and shut your eyes? These questions transport us to the world of Lewis Carroll: to Wonderland, with the White Rabbit and the Mock Turtle and the pool of tears and the Mad Hatter's tea party; to the Looking-Glass country, with its Garden of Insects and the Jabberwocky and the Walrus and the Carpenter and shoes and ships and sealing-wax and cabbages and kings. They also transport us to the realm of Philosophy. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the LootingGlass belong most obviously and particularly to children, whether in nurseries or bomb-shelters. We can never forget Mrs. Miniver reading aloud to her children while enemy planes roared overhead:
Learning Sparse Data Models via Geometric Optimization with Applications to Image Processing

This thesis investigates the problem of learning sparse data models and their applications to image processing, regarding both the synthesis and the analysis point of view. Two algorithms called Separable Dictionary Learning (SeDiL) and Geometric Analysis Operator Learning (GOAL) are introduced, which are based on geometric optimization on manifolds. These general models are used to tackle the classical inverse problems of image denoising, inpainting, and superresolution. In addition, an extension of the analysis model is proposed that is able to model dependencies of different signal modalities. Depth map superresolution results based on corresponding depth- and intensity-information manifest the effectiveness of this model.
Evolving construction heuristics for the curriculum based university course timetabling problem

In solving combinatorial optimization problems construction heuristics are generally used to create an initial solution which is improved using optimization techniques like genetic algorithms. These construction heuristics are usually derived by humans and this is usually quite a time consuming task. Furthermore, according to the no free lunch theorem different heuristics are effective for different problem instances. Ideally we would like to derive construction heuristics for different problem instances or classes of problems. However, due to the time it takes to manually derive construction heuristics it is generally not feasible to induce problem instance specific heuristics. The research presented in the paper forms part of the initiative aimed at automating the derivation of construction heuristics. Genetic programming is used to evolve construction heuristics for the curriculum based university course timetabling (CB-CTT) problem. Each heuristic is a hierarchical combination of problem characteristics and a period selection heuristic. The paper firstly presents and analyses the performance of known construction heuristics for CB-CTT. The analysis has shown that different heuristics are effective for different problem instances. The paper then presents the genetic programming approach for the automated induction of construction heuristics for the CB-CTT problem and evaluates the approach on the ITC 2007 problem instances for the second international timetabling competition. The evolved heuristics performed better than the known construction heuristics, producing timetables with lower soft constraint costs.
Monopole-Like and Boresight Pattern Reconfigurable Antenna

A novel pattern reconfigurable antenna is proposed to achieve two different radiation patterns by controlling the bias voltage of switches. Initially, the proposed antenna operates as a top-loaded monopole antenna fed by a co-planar waveguide (CPW). When the slot from the CPW is disturbed by switching on PIN diodes, it operates as a slot antenna. Therefore, when the switch turns on, the maximum radiation intensity occurs at the normal to the aperture surface defined as the boresight direction, which is similar to a slot antenna. When the switch turns off, the maximum radiation intensity occurs at right angles to the boresight direction, which is similar to a monopole antenna. The pattern reconfigurable capability is successfully demonstrated at 2.3 GHz by full-wave simulation and measurement.
Electrophysiological properties of microglial cells in normal and pathologic rat brain slices

Microglial cells serve as pathologic sensors of the brain. They are highly abundant in all regions of the central nervous system (CNS) and are characterized by a ramified morphology within the normal tissue. In the present study, we have developed a procedure to study the membrane properties of identified, in situ microglia in acutely isolated brain slices from rat cortex, striatum and facial nucleus. Unlike the well characterized cultured microglial cells, ramified microglia of the slice are characterized by little, if any, voltage‐gated membrane currents and a very low membrane potential. They are thus distinct from neurons, other glial cells and nonbrain macrophages. To study the consequences of microglial activation on the membrane channel pattern, we compared cells in the normal facial nucleus and at defined times after facial nerve axotomy. Within 12 h of axotomy, microglial cells expressed a prominent inward rectifier current and thus acquired the physiological properties of cultured microglia. Within 24 h of the lesion, the cells expressed an additional outward current, which is typical for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated microglia in vitro. Seven days after the lesion, at a time of major regenerative processes in the facial nucleus, the physiological properties of microglial cells had reverted to those present prior to the pathological event. In conclusion: (i) ramified microglial cells represent a physiologically unique population of cells in the brain; (ii) are distinct from their cultured counterparts; and (iii), undergo a defined pattern of physiological states in the course of pathologic events.
Age-related changes in the ratio of Mcl-1/Bax expression in the rat cochlea

Abstract Conclusion: Down-regulation of the ratio of Mcl-1/Bax expression may contribute to age-related sensory cell degeneration in the cochlea. Objective: To better understand the involvement of Bcl-2 family members in the regulation of age-related sensory cell death, we examined the expression patterns of Bcl-2-associated protein X (Bax) and its suppressor, myeloid cell leukemia 1 (Mcl-1) in young and aging rat cochleae. Methods: Young (2–3 months) and aging (27–28 months) Fischer rats were used. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds elicited by tone bursts at 4, 8, 16, 32, and 40 kHz were measured. The expression patterns of Mcl-1 and Bax genes at both the mRNA and protein levels were examined using a real-time RT-PCR assay and Western blot. Distribution of Mcl-1 and Bax expression in the cochlear sensory epithelia was evaluated using immunohistology and nuclear staining. Results: Aging cochleae exhibited a significant elevation of ABR thresholds. This change was accompanied by significant reduction in Mcl-1 expression at both the mRNA and the protein levels and in the ratio of expression levels of Mcl-1/Bax genes in the aging subjects. Importantly, the changes in Mcl-1 and Bax expression are spatially related to the sensory cells showing the sign of degeneration.
Growth factor activation of MAP kinase requires cell adhesion

The MAP kinase pathway is a major regulator of both normal and oncogenic growth. We report that activation of the MAP kinase ERK2 by serum or purified growth factors is strongly dependent on cell adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins. This effect is specific to soluble growth factors, since suspended cells still activate ERK2 in response to plating on fibronectin, and is reversible. Analysis of endogenous Ras and Raf show that these proteins are still activated by serum in suspended cells, whereas MEK activity is inhibited. Conversely, activation of ERK2 by activated mutants of Ras and Raf is still adhesion‐dependent but activation by MEK is not. Consistent with these results, activated MEK enhances growth of ras‐transformed cells in suspension but not when adherent. These results identify a novel synergism between cell adhesion‐ and growth factor‐regulated pathways, and explain how oncogenic activation of MAP kinases induces both serum‐ and anchorage‐independent growth.
PDGF-Simvastatin Delivery Stimulates Osteogenesis in Heat-induced Osteonecrosis

Heat generated during implant osteotomy might lead to osteonecrosis and delayed bone repair, thus resulting in impaired early osseointegration and fixation of bone-anchoring devices. In this study, we proposed to overcome heat-induced injury to bone by fabricating core-shell polymeric biodegradable microspheres encapsulating a mitogenic factor, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and a differentiation factor, simvastatin, in a simultaneous or sequential release profile. Microspheres encapsulating bovine serum albumin (BSA), PDGF, simvastatin, PDGF-in-core with simvastatin-in-shell, and simvastatin-in-core with PDGF-in-shell were delivered to fill standardized osteotomy sites on edentulous ridges of rat maxillae under irrigated or non-irrigated conditions. In the absence of irrigation, significant reduction of cell viability and increase in inflammation and sequestrum formation without evidence of osteogenesis were observed. Both PDGF and simvastatin deliveries facilitated cell viability and reduced osteonecrosis. Localized osteogenesis was seen under simvastatin treatment, while generalized but primitive osteogenesis was noted in PDGF-treated osteotomy sites. In addition, sequential PDGF-simvastatin delivery further augmented osteogenesis and promoted bone maturation. The results suggested that sequential PDGF-simvastatin delivery was an effective modality to prevent heat-induced complications and facilitate bone apposition after implant osteotomy, potentially favoring the early fixation of bone-anchoring devices and oral implant osseointegration.
Unit cells for dual-polarized and polarization-flexible reflectarrays with scanning capabilities

We present the analysis and design of reflecting cells capable of dynamically and independently control the reflection phase of each component of a dual-polarized impinging wave. Such capability is of significant interest for the future implementation of dual-polarized and polarization-flexible reflectarrays with scanning capabilities. The presented cells are controlled by varactor diodes and operate in lower X-band (8 GHz). Simulated and measurement results demonstrate good performances in terms of phase range, losses and bandwidth. For example, a range of 300° is achieved under normal incidence at 8 GHz with maximum and average reflection loss of 3.3 dB and 1.4 dB, respectively.
High-resolution imaging of biotite dissolution and measurement of activation energy

Abstract We have used a direct imaging technique, in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) to observe the earliest stages of the dissolution of a biotite surface byoxalic acid at temperatures close to ambient conditions, using a specially designed AFM liquid cell and non-invasive intermittent contact mode of operation. From the nm-resolution data sets in x, y and z dimensions, we have measured dissolution rates and determined activation energies for the process as a function of temperature, via a mass-loss calculation. The value of Ea obtained, 49 ± 2 kJ mol−1, appears to be too high to indicate a diffusion-controlled process and is more in line with expectations based on a process limited by the rate of ligand-induced metal cation detachment from the (001) surface. This is consistent with visual observations of the relative rates of etch-pit formation and growth, and accepted knowledge of the biotite crystal structure. Separate calculations based on planar area etch-pit growth, and measurements of etch-pit perimeters confirm this result, and also indicate substantially higher activation energy, up to 80 kJ mol−1, when the edge pits are in an incipient stage.
Oxidative stress-induced alternative splicing of transformer 2 ( SFRS 10 ) and CD 44 pre-mRNAs in gastric epithelial cells

Takeo K, Kawai T, Nishida K, Masuda K, Teshima-Kondo S, Tanahashi T, Rokutan K. Oxidative stress-induced alternative splicing of transformer 2 (SFRS10) and CD44 pre-mRNAs in gastric epithelial cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 297: C330–C338, 2009. First published May 13, 2009; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00009. 2009. —The tra2 gene encoding an alternative splicing regulator, transformer 2(Tra2 ), generates five alternative splice variant transcripts (tra2 1– 5). Functionally active, full-length Tra2 is encoded by tra2 1 isoform. Expression and physiological significance of the other isoforms, particularly tra2 4, are not fully understood. Rat gastric mucosa constitutively expressed tra2 1 isoform and specifically generated tra2 4 isoform that includes premature termination codoncontaining exon 2, when exposed to restraint and water immersion stress. Treatment of a gastric cancer cell line (AGS) with arsenite (100 M) preferentially generated tra2 4 isoform and caused translocation of Tra2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in association with enhanced phosphorylation during the initial 4–6 h (acute phase). Following the acute phase, AGS cells continued upregulated tra2 1 mRNA expression, and higher amounts of Tra2 were reaccumulated in their nuclei. Treatment with small interference RNAs targeting up-frameshift-1 or transfection of a plasmid containing tra2 1 cDNA did not induce tra2 4 isoform expression and did not modify the arsenite-induced expression of this isoform, suggesting that neither the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay nor the autoregulatory control by excess amounts of Tra2 participated in the tra2 4 isoform generation. Knockdown of Tra2 facilitated skipping of the central variable region of the CD44 gene and suppressed cell growth. In contrast, overexpression of Tra2 stimulated combinatorial inclusion of multiple variable exons in the region and cell growth. The similar skipping and inclusion of the variable region were observed in arsenite-treated cells. Our results suggest that Tra2 may regulate cellular oxidative response by changing alternative splicing of distinct genes including CD44.
Short Article: Scene perception and memory revealed by eye movements and receiver-operating characteristic analyses: Does a cultural difference truly exist?

Cultural differences have been observed in scene perception and memory: Chinese participants purportedly attend to the background information more than did American participants. We investigated the influence of culture by recording eye movements during scene perception and while participants made recognition memory judgements. Real-world pictures with a focal object on a background were shown to both American and Chinese participants while their eye movements were recorded. Later, memory for the focal object in each scene was tested, and the relationship between the focal object (studied, new) and the background context (studied, new) was manipulated. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves show that both sensitivity and response bias were changed when objects were tested in new contexts. However, neither the decrease in accuracy nor the response bias shift differed with culture. The eye movement patterns were also similar across cultural groups. Both groups made longer and more fixations on the focal objects than on the contexts. The similarity of eye movement patterns and recognition memory behaviour suggests that both Americans and Chinese use the same strategies in scene perception and memory.
MODELING OF FLOW OVER AN OGEE SPILLWAY USING MOVING PARTICLE SEMI-IMPLICIT METHOD

Mesh free methods are used in wide range of engineering problems such as astrophysics, continuum solid, fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Mesh free particles based methods are suitable to simulate flows with large deformations and fragmentations due to using discrete particles. Despite of capabilities of these methods, they are rarely used for modeling of open channel flows, specially in the case of ogee spillways. Usually based mesh methods such as finite volume, finite element or finite difference are used to simulate open channel problems which have provided satisfactory results, however their success rely on good meshes. In the Eulerian methods, numerical diffusion due to advection terms may be severe which is eliminated in Lagarangian methods due to the existence of advection terms in the Navier-stokes equations. Furthermore, detecting of the free surface is a complicated procedure in the Eulerian methods which is simply identified in Lagrangian methods using a simple criterion. In this paper, flow over an ogee spillway is modeled using an incompressible Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) method which is a fully Lagrangain meshless method. The governing equations are mass and momentum conservation that are solved in Lagrangian form using a two-step fractional method. In the first step momentum equation is solved without considering the pressure term. In this step velocity field and the position of particles are computed but incompressibility is neglected. In the second step, to satisfy the incompressibility condition, the continuity constraint is considered and the Poisson equation is solved to compute the pressure values of fluid and wall particles. Then the velocity field and positions of particles are corrected. The MPS results are compared with those of experimental ones in free surface comparison. Moreover, velocity and pressure fields are depicted in different times and compared with those of obtained using Flow-3D simulation. The results show the capabilities of used method in open channel flow simulations.
A Semantic Analysis of the Design Space of Input Devices

A bewildering variety of devices for communication from humans to computers now exists on the market. In this article, we propose a descriptive framework for analyzing the design space of these input devices. We begin with Buxton's (1983) idea that input devices are transducers of physical properties in one, two, or three dimensions. Following Mackinlay's semantic analysis of the design space for graphical presentations, we extend this idea to more comprehensive descriptions of physical properties, space, and transducer mappings. In our reformulation, input devices are transducers of any combination of linear and rotary, absolute and relative, position and force, in any of the six spatial degrees of freedom. Simple input devices are described in terms of semantic mappings from the transducers of physical properties into the parameters of the applications. One of these mappings, the resolution function, allows us to describe the range of possibilities from continuous devices to discrete devices, including possibilities in between. Complex input controls are described in terms of hierarchical families of generic devices and in terms of composition operators on simpler devices. The description that emerges is used to produce a new taxonomy of input devices. The taxonomy is compared with previous taxonomies of Foley, Wallace, and Chan (1984) and of Buxton (1983) by reclassifying the devices previously analyzed by these authors. The descriptive techniques are further applied to the design of complex mouse-based virtual input controls for simulated three-dimensional (3D) egocentric motion. One result is the design of a new virtual egocentric motion control.