Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
O-POCO: Online point cloud compression mapping for visual odometry and SLAM

This paper presents O-POCO, a visual odometry and SLAM system that makes online decisions regarding what to map and what to ignore. It takes a point cloud from classical SfM and aims to sample it on-line by selecting map features useful for future 6D relocalisation. We use the camera's traveled trajectory to compartamentalize the point cloud, along with visual and spatial information to sample and compress the map. We propose and evaluate a number of different information layers such as the descriptor information's relative entropy, map-feature occupancy grid, and the point cloud's geometry error. We compare our proposed system against both SfM, and online and offline ORB-SLAM using publicly available datasets in addition to our own. Results show that our online compression strategy is capable of outperforming the baseline even for conditions when the number of features per key-frame used for mapping is four times less.
Serum Total and High-Density Lipoprotein Phospholipid Levels in a Population-Based Study and Relationship to Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Coronary Disease

The aim of study was to investigate the role of serum total (TPL) and high-density lipoprotein phospholipids (HDL-pl) as a risk factor in coronary heart disease (CHD) and metabolic syndrome (MS). In a random sample, total and HDL-pl were measured in 1088 and 642 adults from Turkey, respectively, who have a high prevalence of MS; this was done with an enzymatic method that measures total phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin, and lysophosphatidylcholine. Serum TPL and HDL-pl levels were significantly higher in women (TPL, 2.8 mmol/L; HDL-pl, 1.21 mmol/L) than in men. Strong correlations existed between serum TPL levels and non-HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, apolipoprotein (apo) B, complement C3, and γ-glutamyltransferase. Non—HDL-C, HDL triglyceride, and apo A-I were strongly correlated with HDL-pl. Linear regression analyses revealed HDL-C, apo B, triglycerides, diabetes, and female gender as independent significant determinants of TPL levels in adults. HDL-C and impaired glucose regulation were sole significant variables, together contributing one-quarter of serum HDL-pl. Individuals with MS or diabetes had significantly higher TPL concentrations. The gender- and age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of TPL for MS was 1.73 (95% confidence interval, 1.35-2.21), whereas the multiadjusted OR of HDL-pl per 1 SD increment corresponded to a significantly reduced independent MS likelihood by 26% in women (and 18% in the entire group). The multiadjusted OR of HDL-pl for CHD in men and women combined was 0.32 (P = .057) corresponding to a reduced CHD likelihood by 32% per 1 SD increment of HDL-pl. Plasma TPL levels point to an adverse relationship to MS, whereas their role in CHD risk needs further investigation. HDL-pls, in contrast, mark substantial protection from MS as well as from CHD.
Thioesterase superfamily member 2/acyl‐CoA thioesterase 13 (Them2/Acot13) regulates hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism

Members of the acyl‐CoA thioesterase (Acot) gene family catalyze the hydrolysis of fatty acyl‐CoAs, but their biological functions remain unknown. Thioesterase superfamily member 2 (Them2; synonym Acot13) is a broadly expressed mitochondria‐associated Acot. Them2 was previously identified as an interacting protein of phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (PC‐TP). Pctp‐/‐ mice exhibit altered fatty acid metabolism that is accompanied by reduced hepatic glucose production. To examine the role of Them2 in regulating hepatic lipid and glucose homeostasis, we generated Them2‐/‐ mice. In livers of Them2‐/‐ mice compared with Them2+/+ controls, a 1.9‐fold increase in the Km of mitochondrial thioesterase activity was accompanied by a 28% increase in fatty acyl‐CoA concentration. A reciprocal 23% decrease in free fatty acid concentration was associated with reduced activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α. However, fatty acid oxidation rates were preserved in livers of Them2‐/‐ mice, suggesting that Them2 functions to limit β‐oxidation. Hepatic glucose production was also decreased by 45% in the setting of reduced hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) expression. When fed a high‐fat diet, Them2‐/‐ mice were resistant to increases in hepatic glucose production and steatosis. These findings reveal key roles for Them2 in the regulation of hepatic metabolism, which are potentially mediated by PC‐TP‐Them2 interactions. —Kang, H. W. , Niepel, M. W. , Han, S. , Kawano, Y. , Cohen, D. E. Thioesterase superfamily member 2/acyl‐CoA thioesterase 13 (Them2/Acot13) regulates hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism. FASEB J. 26, 2209‐2221 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Apolipoprotein A-I gene expression is regulated by cellular zinc status in Hep G 2 cells

Wu, John Y. J., Yan Wu, Scott K. Reaves, Yi Ran Wang, Polin P. Lei, and Kai Y. Lei. Apolipoprotein A-I gene expression is regulated by cellular zinc status in Hep G2 cells. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Cell Physiol. 46): C537–C544, 1999. — The influence of Zn on the expression of the apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) gene in Hep G2 cells was examined. Zn depletion was achieved with a low-Zn (ZD) medium prepared from Zn-free growth medium (Opti), a ZD medium containing Chelex 100-extracted fetal bovine serum (CHE), and a medium containing chelator 1,10-phenanthroline (OP). Compared with those for their respective controls, cellular Zn levels were reduced by 55, 48, and 46% and apoA-I mRNA abundances were reduced by 20, 29, and 28% in Opti, CHE, and OP systems, respectively, after one passage in ZD media or 24 h in OP medium. To establish the specificity of Zn treatment, groups of ZD cells were treated with their respective control media for the last 24 h (ZDA) or normal cells were cultured with OP medium supplemented with Zn (OP-Zn). ZDA treatments partially normalized cellular Zn levels in the Opti system and restored or elevated apoA-I mRNA levels in the Opti or CHE system, respectively. Similarly, the OP-Zn treatment restored the cellular Zn and apoA-I mRNA levels. Furthermore, one passage of culture with Zn-supplemented media in both the Opti and CHE systems resulted in higher cellular Zn and apoA-I mRNA levels than those for controls. Most significantly, short-term high-Zn induction to normal cells markedly elevated the cellular Zn (3-fold) and apoA-I mRNA (5-fold) levels. Data derived from this study strongly suggest that the expression of apoA-I is regulated by cellular Zn status.
An Electronic Lexical Database

"Natural language processing is essential for dealing efficiently with the large quantities of text now available online: fact extraction and summarization, automated indexing and text categorization, and machine translation. Another essential function is helping the user with query formulation through synonym relationships between words and hierarchical and other relationships between concepts. WordNet supports both of these functions and thus deserves careful study by the digital library community. " By Dagobert Soergel ds52@umail.umd. edu
The Nucleus-encoded Protein MOC1 Is Essential for Mitochondrial Light Acclimation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii*

Mitochondrial respiration plays an important role in optimizing photosynthetic efficiency in plants. As yet, the mechanisms by which plant mitochondria sense and respond to changes in the environment are unclear, particularly when exposed to light. Here we describe the characterization of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant stm6, which was identified on the basis of impaired state transitions, a mechanism that regulates light harvesting in the chloroplast. The gene disrupted in stm6, termed Moc1, encodes a homologue of the human mitochondrial transcription termination factor (mTERF). MOC1 is targeted to the mitochondrion, and its expression is up-regulated in response to light. Loss of MOC1 causes a high light-sensitive phenotype and disrupts the transcription and expression profiles of the mitochondrial respiratory complexes causing, as compared with wild type, light-mediated changes in the expression levels of nuclear and mitochondrial encoded cytochrome c oxidase subunits and ubiquinone-NAD subunits. The absence of MOC1 leads to a reduction in the levels of cytochrome c oxidase and of rotenone-insensitive external NADPH dehydrogenase activities of the mitochondrial respiratory electron transfer chain. Overall, we have identified a novel mitochondrial factor that regulates the composition of the mitochondrial respiratory chain in the light so that it can act as an effective sink for reductant produced by the chloroplast.
Enhancement of fracture healing with parathyroid hormone: preclinical studies and potential clinical applications

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) has become the most widely studied hormone with regard to its administration to various species and their respective skeletal responses. Beyond its affirmative effect in osteoporosis treatment, systemic PTH administration seems to stimulate bone formation in the fracture healing process. According to preclinical experimental studies, once-daily administration of PTH enhances the morphometric and mechanical properties of fracture calluses and accelerates the normal fracture healing. Its anabolic effect is obvious even in low doses, as well as in cases of implant fixation and distraction osteogenesis. There is little evidence of toxic effects and there are only a few reports of adverse events related to its use. The incidence of bone neoplasms in animal studies depends on the dose and duration of treatment. However, it is not prognostic of an equivalent risk potential of carcinogenesis in humans. In summary, the clinical promise of parathyroid hormone is very high and a positive effect in fracture healing should be anticipated.
The Impact of Brand Communication on Brand Equity Dimensions and Brand Purchase Intention Through Facebook

Companies are now using social networking sites, such as Facebook, to enhance their brand communication and to promote and disseminate their product information among consumers. Such brands as Coca-Cola, Converse, and Starbucks reach millions of people through their social media communication; however, companies do not have complete control over this phenomenon. Consumers actively “like” brands, comment on posts, share information and share their opinions with other people on the Internet. The purpose of this study is to fill the gaps in the discussion of the ways in which firm-created and user-generated social media communication techniques impact consumer-based brand dimensions through Facebook. Moreover, we studied brand purchase intentions to achieve a behavioral understanding of the influence of these two communication instruments. We evaluated 302 data sets that were generated through a standardized online-survey to investigate the impact of social media communication on brand equity metrics. We subsequently applied structural equation modeling techniques for data analysis. The results of our empirical studies showed that user-generated social media communication had a positive impact on two measures of consumer-based brand equity, which included brand loyalty and perceived brand quality. In addition, the analysis indicated that firm-created social media communication had no influence on consumers’ brand purchase intention. This study also offers valuable insights for brand managers and scholars. [For the full version please see the paper published in: Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing 9/1 http://www.emeraldinsight. com/doi/pdfplus/10.1108/JRIM-02-2014-0007 ]
The Freiburg Visual Acuity test--automatic measurement of visual acuity.

The Freiburg Visual Acuity test is an automated procedure for self-administered measurement of visual acuity. Landolt-Cs are presented on a monitor in one of eight orientations. The subject presses one of eight buttons, which are spatially arranged on a response box according to the eight possible positions of the Landolt-Cs' gap. To estimate the acuity threshold, a best PEST (best Parameter Estimation by Sequential Testing) procedure is used in which a psychometric function having a constant slope on a logarithmic acuity scale is assumed. Measurement terminates after a fixed number of trials. With computer monitors, pixel-discreteness artifacts limit the presentation of small stimuli. By using anti-aliasing, i.e., smoothing of contours by multiple gray levels, the spatial resolution was improved by a factor of four. Thus, even the shape of small Landolt-Cs with oblique gaps is adequate and visual acuities from 5/80 (0.06) up to 5/1.4 (3.6) can be tested at a distance of 5 m.
Discoidin domain receptor 1 isoform‐a (DDRla) promotes migration of leukocytes in three‐dimensional collagen lattices

Although integrins are crucial for migration of leukocytes through endothelium, integrin‐independent mechanisms appear to take over and mediate the migration of leukocytes through extracellular matrix (ECM) in a three‐dimensional tissue microenvironment. Discoidin domain receptor (DDR) 1 is a receptor tyrosine kinase activated by collagen, the most abundant ECM protein. In the present study, we detected that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils were induced to express DDR1 after incubation in RPMI 1640. The expression level of DDR1 in PBMC was increased further by stimulation with tumor necrosis factor‐ex, interleukin‐1β, granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, lipopolysaccharide, or phytohemagglutinin, but not with interferon‐γ. In vivo, DDR1 mRNA was detectable in mononuclear leukocytes infiltrating human renal tumor tissue. Among three DDR1 isoforms, DDR1a was the major transcript in leukocytes. Functionally, overexpression of either DDR1a or DDR1b in THP‐1 cells resulted in increased adherence to collagen‐coated plates in a β1‐integrin independent manner. However, only DDR1a‐, but not DDR1b‐, overexpressing cells exhibited marked pseudopod extension and migrated successfully through three‐dimensional collagen lattices. Consequently, we propose that the interaction of DDR1a with collagen of the ECM results in a requisite intracellular signaling that enables leukocytes to migrate in a tissue microenvironment and participate in host defense.
SERVICE QUALITY DIMENSIONS AND STUDENTS SATISFACTION

The current research paper aims to discuss threefold of service quality and students satisfaction. First is to shed light on the concepts of service quality and student satisfaction. Second is to examine the major dimensions of service quality in higher education. Third is to propose conceptual model to investigate the relationship between service quality dimensions and students satisfaction in Jordanian higher education. The article is based on analyze literature and providing guidelines to researchers on how to identify the most important service quality dimensions for higher education setting. Suggestions for future research are made and limitations highlighted.
Consumers' Intention to Buy Private Label Brands Revisited

In many countries retailers use private label brands (i.e., brands sold under retailers' own labels) to differentiate assortment and price. As private label brands enjoy growing popularity and are increasing in both their quantity and quality, they continue to attract the attention of scholars and practitioners. One shortcoming of previous research is that it focuses on price as the dominant driver of buying intentions; this paper proposes a new model that explains intention to purchase private label brands. The hypothesised model relationships are tested against empirical data from two surveys. The findings reveal that the predictive power of the consumer perceived value is greater than other independent variables previously examined and that contrary to previous work, brand consciousness and attitude toward private labels have little effect. The article demonstrates managerial and research implications.
Justice-Based Normative Recovery Expectations in Enterprise Information Technology Services: The Effect of Failure Severity and Criticality on Disconfirmation and Satisfaction

In presenting this dissertation as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree from Georgia State University, I agree that the Library of the University shall make it available for inspection and circulation in accordance with its regulations governing materials of this type. I agree that permission to quote from, to copy from, or publish this dissertation may be granted by the author or, in His/her absence, the professor under whose direction it was written or, in his absence, by the Dean of the Robinson College of Business. Such quoting, copying, or publishing must be solely for the scholarly purposes and does not involve potential financial gain. It is understood that any copying from or publication of this dissertation which involves potential gain will not be allowed without written permission of the author. All dissertations deposited in the Georgia State University Library must be used only in accordance with the stipulations prescribed by the author in the preceding statement. ACCEPTANCE This dissertation was prepared under the direction of the Andrew C. Tang Dissertation Committee. It has been approved and accepted by all members of that committee, and it has been accepted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctoral of Philosophy in Business Administration in the J.
Control of human β-globin mRNA stability and its impact on beta-thalassemia phenotype

Messenger RNA (mRNA) stability is a critical determinant that affects gene expression. Many pathways have evolved to modulate mRNA stability in response to developmental, physiological and/or environmental stimuli. Eukaryotic mRNAs have a considerable range of half-lives, from as short as a few minutes to as long as several days. Human globin mRNAs constitute an example of highly stable mRNAs. However, a wide variety of naturally occurring mutations that result in the clinical syndrome of thalassemia can trigger accelerated mRNA decay thus controlling mRNA quality prior to translation. Distinct surveillance mechanisms have been described as being targeted for specific defective globin mRNAs. Here, we review mRNA stability mechanisms implicated in the control of β-globin gene expression and the surveillance pathways that prevent translation of aberrant β-globin mRNAs. In addition, we emphasize the importance of these pathways in modulating the severity of the β-thalassemia phenotype.
Australian Higher Education and the Course Experience Questionnaire: Insights, Implications and Recommendations.

In recent years, Australian universities have come under pressure from Government and other stakeholder groups to demonstrate the quality of their activities. The Course Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) provides a valuable source of data about student satisfaction regarding the courses that they study at Australian universities. It provides a body of data which is collected systematically at the national level, and has been shown to be a stable, reliable and meaningful measure of course satisfaction. The CEQ data have become increasingly important in institutional performance evaluation, however, not without controversies. The current review provides valuable insights into the CEQ methodology, comments on its significance and usage and highlights some of its major limitations. It also suggests possible means of improvement of the CEQ, imperative towards quality teaching, learning and evaluation in the Australian higher education system.
Dynamic assembly and activation of estrogen receptor α enhancers through coregulator switching

In this study, Murakami et al. investigate the kinetics and dynamics of p300-dependent enhancer assembly and function by using selective loss- or gain-of-function mutants of ERα to define two distinct phases of ligand-dependent enhancer formation. Their results reveal an ordered and cooperative assembly of ERα enhancers requiring functional interplay among p300, Mediator, and SRCs, which has implications for hormone-dependent gene regulation in breast cancers.
GENETIC VARIATION IN TIME AND SPACE: MICROSATELLITE ANALYSIS OF EXTINCT AND EXTANT POPULATIONS OF ATLANTIC SALMON

Information on genetic composition of past and present populations may be obtained by analyzing DNA from archival samples. A study is presented on the genetic population structure of extant and extinct local populations of Atlantic salmon from 1913 to 1989 using dried scales as a source of DNA. Variation at six microsatellite loci was studied. Tests for differentiation among populations and among time series within populations showed that population structure was stable over time. This was also confirmed by a neighbor‐joining dendrogram, which showed a clear clustering of samples from individual rivers that covered a time span of up to 76 years. These results suggest that salmon populations evolve as semi‐independent units connected by modest amounts of gene flow. Additionally, a clear association between geographic and genetic distance was found. This relationship has otherwise been difficult to establish in several recent studies. The discrepancy may be due to impact of human activities on the genetic structure of present populations, whereas old samples represent populations in a more unaffected state. However, other explanations related to differences in the sampling of past and present populations may be equally valid.