Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust local representation for face recognition with single sample per person

Recently sparse and collaborative representation based classification has been developed for face recognition with single sample per person (SSPP). By using variations extracted from a generic training set as an additional common dictionary, promising performance has been reported in face recognition with SSPP. However, existing representation based classifiers for face recognition with SSPP ignored to make full use of the discrimination of particular facial regions (e.g., eyes and nose), which have a high detection rate in various facial variations. Since the particular regions only cover a certain part of the face, the regular regions (e.g., dense sampling points) are also utilized to represent the face completely. In this paper we proposed a robust local representation (RLR) model for face recognition with SSPP by fully exploiting the features of both particular and regular facial regions. Thus variation-robust features of particular facial regions and dense features of regular facial regions are both captured, while bad features with big variations are adaptively given low weight values by the proposed RLR so that they contribute little to the representation and classification. Experimental results on AR and LFW databases demonstrate that the proposed RLR method has achieved better results than the state of the art methods.
An analytical redundancy approach towards decentralized autonomous fault detection in wireless structural health monitoring

Sensor faults can affect the dependability and the accuracy of structural health monitoring (SHM) systems. Recent studies have demonstrated that analytical redundancy can be used to detect sensor faults. In this paper, decentralized artificial neural networks (ANNs) are implemented on each sensor node of a wireless SHM system to evaluate analytical redundancy in structural response data. Evaluating the deviations (or residuals) between measured and predicted data, sensor faults are autonomously detected by the wireless sensor nodes in a fully decentralized manner. The proposed approach has been validated in laboratory experiments, to optimize the ANNs towards performance and accuracy.
Dynamics of Alpha Control: Preparatory Suppression of Posterior Alpha Oscillations by Frontal Modulators Revealed with Combined EEG and Event-related Optical Signal

We investigated the dynamics of brain processes facilitating conscious experience of external stimuli. Previously, we proposed that alpha (8–12 Hz) oscillations, which fluctuate with both sustained and directed attention, represent a pulsed inhibition of ongoing sensory brain activity. Here we tested the prediction that inhibitory alpha oscillations in visual cortex are modulated by top–down signals from frontoparietal attention networks. We measured modulations in phase-coherent alpha oscillations from superficial frontal, parietal, and occipital cortices using the event-related optical signal (EROS), a measure of neuronal activity affording high spatiotemporal resolution, along with concurrently recorded EEG, while participants performed a visual target detection task. The pretarget alpha oscillations measured with EEG and EROS from posterior areas were larger for subsequently undetected targets, supporting alpha's inhibitory role. Using EROS, we localized brain correlates of these awareness-related alpha oscillations measured at the scalp to the cuneus and precuneus. Crucially, EROS alpha suppression correlated with posterior EEG alpha power across participants. Sorting the EROS data based on EEG alpha power quartiles to investigate alpha modulators revealed that suppression of posterior alpha was preceded by increased activity in regions of the dorsal attention network and decreased activity in regions of the cingulo-opercular network. Cross-correlations revealed the temporal dynamics of activity within these preparatory networks before posterior alpha modulation. The novel combination of EEG and EROS afforded localization of the sources and correlates of alpha oscillations and their temporal relationships, supporting our proposal that top–down control from attention networks modulates both posterior alpha and awareness of visual stimuli.
Anatomical measurements of the cochlear aqueduct, round window membrane, round window niche, and facial recess.

The otologic surgeon must continue to familiarize himself with the anatomy of the temporal bone. For this purpose, we made precise histologic measurements of the cochlear aqueduct, round window membrane, round window niche, and facial recess. Measurements were taken from a large series of sectioned temporal bones and analyzed according to age. Our results demonstrated a high degree of individual variability in each area measured.
Multimedia retrieval benchmarks

Multimedia retrieval systems' development has long been challenged by the lack of standard benchmarks for evaluating and comparing the performance of emerging techniques. However, two recent benchmarking efforts, TREC Video Retrieval Evaluation (TRECVID) and the IAPR TC-12 Benchmark for Visual Information Search, show great promise for letting the multimedia retrieval community collaborate on advancing the state of the art.
Non-invasive fetal RHD genotyping in the first trimester of pregnancy

Abstract Background: Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDN) is caused primarily by feto-maternal RhD incompatibility. Although all RhD negative pregnant women undergo routine antenatal RhD prophylaxis at 28 weeks of gestation, and following delivery if the newborn is RhD positive, HDN has not been eradicated. Here, we investigated fetal Rhesus D (RHD) genotype in maternal plasma during the first trimester of pregnancy in our area. Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from 111 RhD negative pregnant women, between 9 and 13 weeks of gestation. DNA from maternal plasma containing cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) was analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) to detect RHD exons 5 and 7. A β-globin (HBB) sequence was quantified to estimate total DNA concentration. qPCR results were compared with newborn RhD determined in cord blood serum. The influence of several gestational parameters on DNA concentration was also analyzed. Results: The specificity and sensitivity of the assay was 93% and 100%, respectively, with 97% diagnostic accuracy. Cell-free DNA concentrations during the first trimester of pregnancy were not affected by the gestational parameters studied (free-β fraction of human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A concentrations, fetal sex, materno-fetal ABO blood group incompatibility, maternal weight and gestational age). Conclusions: Non-invasive fetal RHD genotyping during the first trimester of pregnancy can be determined with a high specificity, thus representing a valuable tool for improving the management of RhD negative pregnant women. As a high percentage of pregnant women participate in the routine first trimester combined screening program for aneuploidies, the fetal RHD study could be of immediate implementation, since the same blood collection could be used. Clin Chem Lab Med 2010;48:1121–6.
Surface growing from stereo images

We present a new theoretical result for the problem of surface reconstruction from stereo images. For a given initial seed point, i.e. for a pair of corresponding points in the left and right image, the proposed algorithm grows the surface without directly computing the point correspondences. The method assumes the Lambertian surface reflectance model. Our approach is based on a surface normal calculation from the left and right image gradients. Knowing the surface normal, the algorithm grows the surface in the directions defined by the tangent plane. The algorithm is independent of the camera model, and requires placement of an initial seed point for each surface to be reconstructed. Technical problems associated with errors in the image gradient estimates and camera calibration are discussed and a solution is suggested. In addition to this algorithm, we present a theoretical result that permits one to track surfaces deforming in time, which is often encountered in medical applications (e.g. brain surface deforms during the surgery). These methods of surface reconstruction and deformable surface tracking are applied to the particular problem of brain shift, commonly recognized as one of the main source of errors in surgical navigation systems used in neurosurgery. We also suggest a way to overcome problems associated with brain surface specularities caused by fluids on the brain surface and lights in the operating room. We conclude with experimental results on real brain images and show that the surface reconstruction algorithm is robust to the position of the initial seed point.
Short-Term Effects of Fine Particulate Air Pollution on Hospital Admissions for Cardiovascular Diseases: A Case-Crossover Study in a Tropical City

This study was undertaken to determine whether there was an association between fine particles (PM2.5) levels and hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Hospital admissions for CVD (including ischemic heart disease [IHD], stroke, congestive heart failure [CHF], and arrhythmias) and ambient air pollution data for Kaohsiung were obtained for the period from 2006–2010. The relative risk of hospital admissions for CVD was estimated using a case-crossover approach, controlling for weather variables, day of the week, seasonality, and long-term time trends. For the single-pollutant model (without adjustment for other pollutants), elevated number of admissions for CVD were significantly associated with higher PM2.5 levels only on cool days (<25°C), with an interquartile range rise associated with a 47% (95% CI = 39–56%), 48% (95% CI = 40–56%), 47% (95% CI = 34–61%), and 51% (95% CI = 34–70%) increase in IHD, stroke, CHF, and arrhythmias admissions, respectively. No significant associations between PM2.5 and hospital admissions for CVD were observed on warm days. In the two-pollutant models, PM2.5 levels remained significant even controlling for sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, or ozone on cool days. This study provides evidence that higher levels of PM2.5 enhance the risk of hospital admissions for CVD in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci from the endangered New Zealand takahe (Gruiformes; Rallidae; Porphyrio hochstetteri)

Nineteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were characterized from the endangered takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri). Like many of New Zealand's other native avian species, levels of polymorphism were low, with variation detected at only 19 of 110 (17.3%) loci, and most polymorphic loci (78.9%) were diallelic (mean number of alleles = 2.3). Despite these low levels of variation, the microsatellites developed here will be useful for parentage assignment for confirming pedigrees, and investigating relationships between genetic variation, pedigree‐based inbreeding and reproductive success in this highly endangered species.
Research of time series air quality data based on exploratory data analysis and representation

The environmental problem, especially the air quality such as the content of PM2.5, is an important hot spot in the international community. Many cities release of air environment quality data in real time to monitor the dynamic changes of environment and had accumulated lots of environment data. By exploring and analyzing these time series monitoring data, we can get a lot of interesting information. The paper explores the time series air quality monitoring data based on exploratory data analysis and visual representation. The analysis results can be used to study the time distribution of air environmental quality and its dynamic changes.
Design of a metamaterial circular patch antenna loaded with an ε-negative core

In this paper, a circular patch antenna filled with a metamaterial epsilon-negative (ENG) core is presented and thoroughly studied. The proposed structure is initially designed and numerically tested for a core of a theoretically continuous isotropic material, which exhibits an ENG behavior, in order to add extra resonances. Then, the desired ENG core is realized using a set of properly devised and placed metamaterial electrical resonators to achieve an equivalent anisotropic medium that supports negative ε' values for the desired field modes. Comparisons between theoretical and practical implementations reveal a satisfactory agreement, thus indicating possible applications like miniaturized antennas, dual-band radiators and testing devices.
An Efficient Algorithm for Solving an Air Traffic Management Model of the National Airspace System

Growth in traffic and changes in traffic patterns have caused an increase in the congestion and delay in the National Airspace System. Air traffic delay is very costly to the airlines, and minimizing this delay has been a subject of research for over a decade. A large integer programming model developed at the MITRE Corporation for minimizing air traffic delay is presented. Solving problem instances arising from this model involves the use of preprocessing, constraint strengthening, and a carefully designed computer implementation. Results are presented, demonstrating that the model can be solved to provable optimality in real time for problem instances involving over 1 million binary variables.
Rapid NMR imaging of dynamic processes using the FLASII technique

FLASH (Fast Low‐Angle SHot) imaging is a new method for rapid NMR imaging which has been demonstrated to provide abdominal images without artifacts due to respiratory or peristaltic motions. The sequence typically employs 15° radiofrequency excitation pulses and acquires a free induction decay signal in the form of a gradient echo. Here FLASH images are recorded in the presence of dynamic processes with time constants even smaller than the measuring time of about 2 s for an image with a 128 × 128‐pixel resolution. Experiments are carried out on flow phantoms and on rabbits yielding heart images without gating of the cardiac motion. © 1986 Academic Press, Inc.
Protein kinase B alpha/Akt1 regulates placental development and fetal growth.

Protein kinase B alpha (PKB alpha/Akt1) is implicated in the regulation of metabolism, transcription, cell survival, angiogenesis, cell migration, growth, and tumorigenesis. Previously, it was reported that PKB alpha-deficient mice are small with increased neonatal mortality (Cho, H., Thorvaldsen, J. L., Chu, Q., Feng, F., and Birnbaum, M. J. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 38349-38352 and Chen, W. S. , Xu, P. Z. , Gottlob, K. , Chen, M. L. , Sokol, K. , Shiyanova, T. , Roninson, I. , Wenig, W. , Suzuki, R. , Tobe, K. , Kadowaki, T. , and Hay, N. (2001) Genes Dev. 15, 2203-2208). Here we show that PKB alpha is widely expressed in placenta including all types of trophoblast and vascular endothelial cells. Pkb alpha-/- placentae display significant hypotrophy, with marked reduction of the decidual basalis and nearly complete loss of glycogen-containing cells in the spongiotrophoblast, and exhibit decreased vascularization. Pkb alpha-/- placentae also show significant reduction of phosphorylation of PKB and endothelial nitric-oxide synthase. These defects may cause placental insufficiency, fetal growth impairment, and neonatal mortality. These data represent the first evidence for the role of PKB alpha and endothelial nitricoxide synthase in regulating placental development and provide an animal model for intrauterine growth retardation.
Optical, Surface Morphological, And Antibacterial Properties of Nanostructured Tio2:M (M=Fe, Ce, Ag) Thin Films

In this research, undoped and doped (Fe, Ce, and Ag) antibacterial coatings of nanostructured TiO2 films were prepared by a sol-gel dip coating method. Doped and undoped TiO2 films were excited with ultraviolet (UV) radiation to improve their photo catalytic activity. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria was studied using an antibacterial–drop test and colony count method. The Fe doped TiO2 films exhibited higher antibacterial activity than other samples. The percent of bacteria killing or killed (PBK) on bare glass substrate, undoped, Ce, Ag, and Fe doped TiO2 thin films (after UV illumination) were 23.8, 50.3, 57.8, and 70.1%, respectively. Uv-Visible Spectrophotometry, Photoluminescence (PL), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) were carried out to study the relation between optical, luminescence, structural, and surface morphological characteristics of the samples with their antibacterial activities. Several parameters such as thickness of the films, porosity in the films, crystallization, and surface morphology affect the antibacterial activity of transition metal doped TiO2 thin films.
Target Cell-specific DNA Transfer Mediated by a Chimeric Multidomain Protein

Based on the multidomain structure of the bacterial Pseudomonas exotoxin A, a recombinant fusion protein was constructed which serves as a target cell-specific carrier for the transfer of DNA via receptor-mediated endocytosis. The protein consists of three functional domains: 1) an ErbB-2-specific single chain antibody confers target cell specificity, 2) the exotoxin A translocation domain facilitates endosome escape, and 3) a DNA binding domain derived from the yeast GAL4 protein enables sequence-specific high affinity binding to DNA. Carrier protein purified from bacterial lysates displayed both ErbB-2-specific and DNA sequence-specific binding in vitro. Complexes which formed spontaneously by the interaction of the fusion protein with a luciferase reporter gene construct carrying a GAL4-specific recognition sequence, after condensation of the DNA and compensation of excess negative charge with poly-L-lysine were able to transfect ErbB-2-expressing cells in vitro in a cell-specific manner. Transient expression of the luciferase gene driven by the SV40 early promoter was observed and correlates with the amount of carrier protein in the complex. Truncated forms of the carrier protein lacking either the cell recognition domain or the translocation domain failed to facilitate efficient DNA transfer.
Semi Active Tuned Mass Dampers of Buildings: A Simple Control Option

The present study investigates the effectiveness of a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controlled Variable Damping Semi-Active Tuned Mass Damper (VD-STMD) on reducing the vibration response of an earthquake excited multi-storey structure. The effectiveness of the controlled system is evaluated by comparing the structure’s overall dynamic behavior against that of an equivalent similar structure equipped with a conventional optimally designed passive Tuned Mass Damper (TMD). The numerical simulations show that the structure equipped with the PID controlled VD-STMD has improved vibration attenuation metrics when compared to the one equipped with the optimal TMD. From the numerical simulations, it was also evident that when material degradation and structural damage is considered, the TMD becomes instantly de-tuned resulting in reduced vibration mitigation performance. On the contrary, the VD-STMD controlled system remains insensitive to the stiffness parametric variation, suggesting the suitability of such systems in structural applications sustaining damage or in general change.
Implementation of closed loop system for flying capacitor multilevel inverter with stand-alone Photovoltaic input

This paper focuses on the development of closed loop system for seven level flying capacitor multilevel inverter (FCMLI). In our present system, in most of the cases only simple inverters such as full bridge and half bridge configurations are used. Inverters are often used to provide power to electronics in the case of a power outage or for activities such as camping, where no power is available. An inverter converts a DC or battery power into an AC or household power. But the main drawbacks of these inverters are high harmonic content and used only for limited power applications. This is the main problem identified in our existing system, in order to overcome this problem a new topology of FCMLI will be presented, which significantly increases the level number of the output waveform and thereby dramatically reduces the low-order harmonics and THD. The proposed system consists of a DC-DC power converter and a DC-AC multilevel inverter. In order to achieve low cost, easy control, high efficiency, and high reliability, a capacitor clamped DC-DC boost converter using minimal devices is introduced to interface the low-voltage Photovoltaic (PV) module. In this paper, a phase disposition - pulse width modulation (PD-PWM) technique, applicable for proposed FCMLI is presented. With the use of multilevel inverter, resolution is increased and also the harmonics is highly reduced. The proposed seven level flying capacitor multilevel inverter not only achieves high power ratings, but also enables the use of renewable energy sources in an efficient manner. In order to justify the merits of the proposed system, it is interfaced with the single phase lamp load and analysed through simulation investigations.
Presenilin Regulates Insulin Signaling via a γ-Secretase-independent Mechanism*

Presenilin (PS), a causative molecule of familial Alzheimer disease, acts as a crucial component of the γ-secretase complex, which is required to cleave type I transmembrane proteins such as amyloid precursor protein and Notch. However, it also functions through γ-secretase-independent pathways. Recent reports suggested that PS could regulate the expression level of cell surface receptors, including the PDGF and EGF receptors, followed by modulating their downstream pathways via γ-secretase-independent mechanisms. The main purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of PS on expression of the insulin receptor (IR) as well as on insulin signaling. Here, we demonstrate that PS inhibited IR transcription and reduced IR expression, and this was followed by down-regulation of insulin signaling. Moreover, we suggest that neither γ-secretase activity nor Wnt/β-catenin signaling can reduce the expression of IR, but a PS-mediated increase in the intracellular Ca2+ level can be associated with it. These results clearly indicate that PS can functionally regulate insulin signaling by controlling IR expression.
61 : Calcium Channel Blockers

In 1964, Albretch Fleckenstein described an inhibitory action ofverapamil and prenylamine on excitation-contraction coupling that was similar to calcium depletion. By the late 1970s, the clinical use of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) was widely accepted for variety of cardiovascular indications, including hypertension, dysrhythmias, and angina. Later indications, including Raynaud phenomenon, migraine headaches, and subarachnoid hemorrhage, have been adopted. There are currently 10 individual CCBs marketed in the United States that are available as immediate or sustained-release formulations and as combination products with other antihypertensives.
Effects of vancomycin on renal function in rats

To assess the effects of vancomycin on the kidney, we gave rats doses of 10, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg per day. Creatinine clearance and urine protein excretion did not differ significantly from the control values. Urine osmolality was unchanged. Mild histological changes occurred in rats given the highest dose. We conclude that although histopathological changes occurred at high doses, vancomycin does not alter renal function in rats.
Bladder dysfunction induced by cerebral hypoperfusion after bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in rats

The role of forebrain in controlling micturition has been studied extensively using rat model with ischemic injury; however, the influence of cerebral hypoperfusion on voiding function remains unclear. The study was conducted to evaluate the bladder dysfunction and the temporal expression of bladder nerve growth factor (NGF) after cerebral hypoperfusion induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO).