Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noise Removal From Hyperspectral Image With Joint Spectral–Spatial Distributed Sparse Representation

Hyperspectral image (HSI) denoising is a crucial preprocessing task that is used to improve the quality of images for object detection, classification, and other subsequent applications. It has been reported that noise can be effectively removed using the sparsity in the nonnoise part of the image. With the appreciable redundancy and correlation in HSIs, the denoising performance can be greatly improved if this redundancy and correlation is utilized efficiently in the denoising process. Inspired by this observation, a noise reduction method based on joint spectral-spatial distributed sparse representation is proposed for HSIs, which exploits the intraband structure and the interband correlation in the process of joint sparse representation and joint dictionary learning. In joint spectral-spatial sparse coding, the interband correlation is exploited to capture the similar structure and maintain the spectral continuity. The intraband structure is utilized to adaptively code the spatial structure differences of the different bands. Furthermore, using a joint dictionary learning algorithm, we obtain a dictionary that simultaneously describes the content of the different bands. Experiments on both synthetic and real hyperspectral data show that the proposed method can obtain better results than the other classic methods.
Robustness Evaluation of Perceptual Watermarks

In a watermarking system, robustness evaluation should be made if invisibility criteria are satisfied. For this purpose, we propose to measure the perceptual impact of a watermark on the image using the well known peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and additionally a spatial masking model that indicates "bad" pixels between the original and watermarked images. Two perceptual watermarks using pixel-wise masking in the wavelet domain are being tested, limiting the watermark strength such that the PSNR is 35 dB and in average the percentage of affected pixels is less than 25%. Extensive tests were made on several watermarked images and for different types of attacks (JPEG compression, median filtering, resizing, cropping and gamma correction) in order to see the effect of these attacks on the detector results. Simulations show some limitations of these techniques under the invisibility constraint.
Metabolic Downregulation and Inhibition of Carbohydrate Catabolism during Diapause in Embryos of Artemia franciscana

Diapause embryos were collected from ovigerous females of Artemia franciscana at the Great Salt Lake, Utah, and were synchronized to within 4 h of release. Respiration rate for these freshly released embryos across a subsequent 26-d time course showed a rapid decrease during the first several days followed thereafter by a much slower decline. The overall metabolic depression was estimated to be greater than 99%. However, proton conductance of mitochondria isolated from diapause and postdiapause embryos was identical. Because proton leak is apparently not downregulated during diapause, mitochondrial membrane potential is likely compromised because of the very low metabolic rate observed for diapause embryos. Given that trehalose is the primary fuel used by these embryos, we measured metabolic intermediates along the catabolic pathway from trehalose to acetyl-CoA for both diapause and postdiapause (active) embryos in order to identify sites of metabolic inhibition. Comparison of product-to-substrate ratios for sequential enzymatic steps revealed inhibition during diapause at trehalase, hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, and pyruvate dehydrogenase. Measurements of ATP, ADP, and AMP allowed calculations of substantial decreases in ATP∶ADP ratio and in adenylate energy charge during diapause. The phosphorylation of site 1 for pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) subunit E1α was higher in diapause embryos than in postdiapause embryos, which is consistent with PDH inhibition during diapause. Taken together, our findings indicate that restricted substrate availability to mitochondria for oxidative phosphorylation contributes to downregulating metabolic rate during diapause.
Human Papillomavirus Type 8 E2 Protein Unravels JunB/Fra-1 as an Activator of the β4-Integrin Gene in Human Keratinocytes

ABSTRACT The papillomavirus life cycle parallels keratinocyte differentiation in stratifying epithelia. We have previously shown that the human papillomavirus type 8 (HPV8) E2 protein downregulates β4-integrin expression in normal human keratinocytes, which may trigger subsequent differentiation steps. Here, we demonstrate that the DNA binding domain of HPV8 E2 is sufficient to displace a cellular factor from the β4-integrin promoter. We identified the E2-displaceable factor as activator protein 1 (AP-1), a heteromeric transcription factor with differentiation-specific expression in the epithelium. β4-Integrin-positive epithelial cells displayed strong AP-1 binding activity. Both AP-1 binding activity and β4-integrin expression were coregulated during keratinocyte differentiation suggesting the involvement of AP-1 in β4-integrin expression. In normal human keratinocytes the AP-1 complex was composed of JunB and Fra-1 subunits. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays confirmed that JunB/Fra-1 proteins interact in vivo with the β4-integrin promoter and that JunB/Fra-1 promoter occupancy is reduced during keratinocyte differentiation as well as in HPV8 E2 positive keratinocytes. Ectopic expression of the tethered JunB/Fra-1 heterodimer in normal human keratinocytes activated the β4-integrin promoter, while coexpression of HPV8 E2 reverted the JunB/Fra-1 effect. In summary, we identified a novel mechanism of human β4-integrin regulation that is specifically targeted by the HPV8 E2 protein mimicking transcriptional conditions of differentiation. This may explain the early steps of how HPV8 commits its host cells to the differentiation process required for the viral life cycle.
Comparison of chondrogenic potential in equine mesenchymal stromal cells derived from adipose tissue and bone marrow.

OBJECTIVE To compare the chondrogenic potential of adult equine mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow (MSCs) or adipose tissue (ASCs). STUDY DESIGN In vitro experimental study. ANIMALS Adult Thoroughbred horses (n=11). METHODS BM (5 horses; mean [+/-SD] age, 4+/-1.4 years) or adipose tissue (6 horses; mean age, 3.5+/-1.1 years) samples were obtained. Cryopreserved MSCs and ASCs were used for pellet cultures in stromal medium (C) or induced into chondrogenesis+/-transforming growth factor-3 (TGFbeta(3)) and bone morphogenic factor-6 (BMP-6). Pellets harvested after 3, 7, 14, and 21 days were examined for cross-sectional size and tissue composition (hematoxylin and eosin), glycosaminoglycan (GAG) staining (Alcian blue), collagen type II immunohistochemistry, and by transmission electron microscopy. Pellet GAG and total DNA content were measured using dimethylmethylene blue and Hoechst DNA assays. RESULTS Collagen type II synthesis was predominantly observed in MSC pellets from Day 7 onward. Unlike ASC cultures, MSC pellets had hyaline-like matrix by Day 14. GAG deposition occurred earlier in MSC cultures compared with ASC cultures and growth factors enhanced both MSC GAG concentrations (P<.0001) and MSC pellet size (P<.004) after 2 weeks in culture. CONCLUSION Equine MSCs have superior chondrogenic potential compared with ASCs and the equine ASC growth factor response suggests possible differences compared with other species. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Elucidation of equine ASC and MSC receptor profiles will enhance the use of these cells in regenerative cartilage repair.
Virally stimulated plasmacytoid dendritic cells produce chemokines and induce migration of T and NK cells

The natural interferon (IFN)‐producing cell is now known to be identical to the plasmacytoid dendritic cell (PDC). These are Lin−, CD123+, CD11c−, and human leukocyte antigen‐DR+ cells that secrete large amounts of IFN‐α (1–2 IU/cell) when stimulated by enveloped viruses such as herpes simplex virus. In the current study, we have evaluated chemokine expression by virally stimulated PDC. Up‐regulation of mRNA for CCL4, CCL3, CCL5, CCL2, and CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)10 in herpes simplex virus‐stimulated PDC was detected by RNAse protection assays. In contrast, PDC‐depleted peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not up‐regulate these mRNA species upon viral stimulation. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and/or intracellular flow cytometry confirmed production of these proteins, and studies indicated overlapping production of IFN‐α and the other cytokines/chemokines by PDC. Endocytosis plays a critical role in chemokine induction, as disruption of the pathway inhibits the response. However, transcription of viral genes is not required for chemokine induction. Autocrine IFN‐α signaling in the PDC could account for a portion of the CXCL10 and CCL2 production in virally stimulated PDC but was not responsible for the induction of the other chemokines. To evaluate the functional role of the chemokines, chemotaxis assays were performed using supernatants from virally stimulated PDC. Activated T cells and natural killer cells, but not naïve T cells, were preferentially recruited by these PDC supernatants. Migration was subsequently inhibited by addition of neutralizing antibody to CCL4 and CXCL10. We hypothesize that virally induced chemokine production plays a pivotal role in the homing of leukocytes to PDC.
Quantification of total oxidant scavenging capacity of antioxidants for peroxynitrite, peroxyl radicals, and hydroxyl radicals.

We have extended the application of our previously reported total oxidant scavenging capacity (TOSC) assay (Winston et al., Free Radical Biol. Med. 24, 480-493, 1998) to permit facile quantification of the absorbance capacity of antioxidants toward three potent oxidants, i.e., hydroxyl radicals, peroxyl radicals, and peroxynitrite. Respectively, these oxidants were generated by the iron plus ascorbate-driven Fenton reaction, thermal homolysis of 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (ABAP), and 3-morpholinosydnonimine N-ethylcarbamide (SIN-1). Each of these oxidants reacts with alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyric acid (KMBA), which is oxidized and yields ethylene. The antioxidant capacity of the compounds tested is quantified from their ability to inhibit ethylene formation relative to a control reaction. Assay conditions were established in which control reactions give comparable yields of ethylene with each of the oxidants studied. Thus, the relative efficiency of various antioxidants could be compared under conditions of quantitatively similar KMBA oxidizing capability by the three oxidants. Reduced glutathione was an efficient scavenger of peroxyl radicals, but scavenged peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals relatively poorly. Uric acid, Trolox, and ascorbic acid were comparable scavengers of peroxynitrite and peroxyl radicals. Uric acid and Trolox were approximately an order of magnitude less efficient as scavengers of hydroxyl radicals. The classical hydroxyl radical scavenging agents mannitol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and benzoic acid had much higher TOSC values with hydroxyl than with peroxyl radicals or peroxynitrite. The very different chemical reactivity toward KMBA by the SIN-1- and iron-ascorbate-generated oxidants indicates that hydroxyl radical is not a major oxidant produced by the SIN-1 system. The data show that the TOSC assay is useful and robust in distinguishing the reactivity of various oxidants and the relative capacities of antioxidants to scavenge these oxidants.
Diabetes‐induced activation of system y+ and nitric oxide synthase in human endothelial cells: association with membrane hyperpolarization.

1. The activity of the human endothelial cell L‐arginine transporter (system y+) has been correlated with cGMP production (index of nitric oxide) and prostacyclin (PGI2) release in umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured from normal or gestational diabetic pregnancies. 2. In non‐diabetic and diabetic cells, transport of L‐arginine was Na+ and pH independent, inhibited by other cationic L‐arginine analogues and unaffected by neutral amino acids. 3. Diabetes was associated with an increased Vmax for saturable L‐arginine transport (4.6 +/‐ 0.13 vs. 9.9 +/‐ 0.5 pmol (microgram protein)‐1 min‐1, P < 0.01), but had no effect on initial rates of transport for L‐serine, L‐citrulline, L‐leucine or 2‐deoxyglucose. 4. In non‐diabetic and diabetic cells, elevated K+ resulted in a concentration‐dependent inhibition in the initial rates of transport for L‐arginine and the membrane potential‐sensitive probe tetra[3H]phenylphosphonium (TPP+). 5. When resting membrane potential was measured using the whole‐cell patch voltage clamp technique, diabetic cells were hyperpolarized (‐78 +/‐ 0.3 mV) compared with non‐diabetic cells (‐70 +/‐ 0.04 mV, P < 0.04). Accumulation of [3H]TPP+ was also increased in diabetic compared with non‐diabetic cells. 6. Basal intracellular cGMP levels were elevated 2.5‐fold in diabetic cells, and L‐NAME (100 microM), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, abolished basal cGMP accumulation in non‐diabetic and diabetic cells. 7. Histamine (10 microM) had no effect on L‐arginine transport but evoked significant increases in cGMP in non‐diabetic and diabetic cells, which were completely inhibited by L‐NAME but unaffected by superoxide dismutase. 8. Basal and histamine‐stimulated PGI2 release was decreased markedly in diabetic cells. 9. Our findings demonstrate that gestational diabetes is associated with phenotypic changes in fetal endothelial cells, which result in a membrane hyperpolarization, activation of the human endothelial cell L‐arginine transporter (system y+), elevation of basal nitric oxide synthesis and decreased PGI2 production.
Robust Quantum-Inspired Reinforcement Learning for Robot Navigation

A novel quantum-inspired reinforcement learning (QiRL) algorithm is proposed for navigation control of autonomous mobile robots. The QiRL algorithm adopts a probabilistic action selection policy and a new reinforcement strategy, which are inspired, respectively, by the collapse phenomenon in quantum measurement and amplitude amplification in quantum computation. Several simulated experiments of Markovian state transition demonstrate that QiRL is more robust to learning rates and initial states than traditional reinforcement learning. The QiRL approach is then applied to navigation control of a real mobile robot, and the simulated and experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Population differentiation in the context of Holocene climate change for a migratory marine species, the southern elephant seal

Understanding observed patterns of connectivity requires an understanding of the evolutionary processes that determine genetic structure among populations, with the most common models being associated with isolation by distance, allopatry or vicariance. Pinnipeds are annual breeders with the capacity for extensive range overlap during seasonal migrations, establishing the potential for the evolution of isolation by distance. Here, we assess the pattern of differentiation among six breeding colonies of the southern elephant seal, Mirounga leonina, based on mtDNA and 15 neutral microsatellite DNA markers, and consider measures of their demography and connectivity. We show that all breeding colonies are genetically divergent and that connectivity in this highly mobile pinniped is not strongly associated with geographic distance, but more likely linked to Holocene climate change and demographic processes. Estimates of divergence times between populations were all after the last glacial maximum, and there was evidence for directional migration in a clockwise pattern (with the prevailing current) around the Antarctic. We discuss the mechanisms by which climate change may have contributed to the contemporary genetic structure of southern elephant seal populations and the broader implications.
Medulloblastomas: update on a heterogeneous disease

Purpose of review Medulloblastoma is the main primitive neuroectodermal tumour of the posterior fossa in childhood. The classical therapeutic approach consists of surgical resection, followed by craniospinal irradiation. Because of the good overall survival (75%), the main recent research efforts focus on refining the most relevant prognostic stratification and in decreasing the long-term sequelae. Recent findings Thanks to the better understanding of the heterogeneity of medulloblastomas, clinical, histological and biological markers have been clearly identified and allow risk-adapted strategies. A subset of tumours of early childhood (<3–5 years), frequently associated with a Sonic Hedgehog signalling, might be cured without irradiation. In older children, several trials have demonstrated the safety of reduced craniospinal irradiation in standard risk tumours. Furthermore, the evidence of an excellent prognosis associated with a subset of tumours characterized by an activation of the WNT pathway leads to forthcoming de-escalating strategies. Reducing long-term sequelae also relies on new surgical approaches aiming at reducing the cerebellar injuries. Tremendous efforts have also been made in defining the most adapted irradiation doses and fields. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy and proton beam therapy might also influence the long-term neurological and endocrine defects of the patients. Summary Histological and biological characteristics clearly define various prognostic groups within medulloblastomas; confirming the overall good outcome and reducing long-term sequelae are the main focus of current clinical trials.
Towards facts extraction from text in Polish language

Natural Language Processing (NLP) finds many usages in different fields of endeavor. Many tools exists allowing analysis of English language. For Polish language the situation is different as the language itself is more complicated. In this paper we show differences between NLP of Polish and English language. Existing solutions are presented and TEAMS software for facts extraction is described. The paper shows also evaluation of the proposed solution and the tools used. Finally some conclusions are given.
Entertainment Education as a Community Development Strategy

Entertainment-education is a development communication strategy that involves strategic placement of educational messages in entertainment texts to increase knowledge, change attitudes, affect social norms or change overt behavior. This approach is called prosocial because it promotes positive behaviors and goals deemed desirable by a large part of society. With a few exceptions, this strategy has not been used for faith-based community development initiatives. This study documents audience involvement with an African film, Yellow Card , designed to reduce unwanted pregnancies and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases among African youth. It highlights the potential of communication campaigns in holistic development, especially those that utilize proven entertainment education strategies in promoting individual and community change.
Regulatory motifs on ISWI chromatin remodelers: molecular mechanisms and kinetic proofreading

Recently, kinetic proofreading scenarios have been proposed for the regulation of chromatin remodeling, first on purely theoretical grounds (Blossey and Schiessel 2008 HFSP J. 2 167–70) and deduced from experiments on the ISWI/ACF system (Narlikar 2010 Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 14 660). In the kinetic proofreading scenario of chromatin remodeling, the combination of the recognition of a histone tail state and ATP-hydrolysis in the remodeler motor act together to select (i.e. proofread) a nucleosomal substrate. ISWI remodelers have recently been shown to have an additional level of regulation as they contain auto-inhibitory motifs which need to be inactivated through an interaction with the nucleosome. In this paper we show that the auto-regulatory effect enhances substrate recognition in kinetic proofreading. We further report some suggestive additional insights into the molecular mechanism underlying ISWI-autoregulation.
Trunk Control and Lesion Locations According to Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score in Acute Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of disability in elderly people. Lesion location and size, and trunk control early after stroke have been found predictive of functional outcome. Trunk control is an important aspect of postural control, and commonly found to be impaired. A hemispheric difference in the regulation of postural control has been suggested, but limited knowledge of a relationship between specific lesions and trunk control exists. Objective: To explore the relationship between middle cerebral artery (MCA) lesion locations and trunk control post stroke, and compare trunk control between patients with lesions in single and multiple locations, and between left and right hemispheres. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. Patients were recruited from a hospital stroke unit. Assessment tools: Trunk Impairment Scale–modified Norwegian version and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). Statistics: Descriptive, Independent t-test, Mann-Whitney’s U-test, Chi-Square test. Results:109 patients with first time middle cerebral artery lesions were included, 71 with multiple and 38 with single ASPECT locations. Trunk control was poorer in multiple (median 8.0) than in single (median 11.0) lesion locations, P=0.011. The most common single lesion locationswereM5 (50%) and internal capsule (18.4%). M5 is situated in the anterior parts of the MCA territory and hypothesized to represent sensory and motor areas of the cortex. Patients with lesions of M5 locations in the right hemisphere achieved poorer scores on trunk control than patients with left sided locations, P=0.030. Conclusions: The results indicate that patients with lesions in multiple ASPECT locations have poorer trunk control than patients with single locations, and that trunk control is poorer after single right M5 lesions as compared to left. We recommend therapists to have specific attention towards trunk control in rehabilitation of patients with MCA lesions and especially with a right M5 location early post stroke.
The place of the iliac crest in vascularized oromandibular reconstruction

The iliac crest is reevaluated with respect to the rapid evolution of vascularized mandibular reconstruction. With more flaps to choose from, indications for the crest have become more specific—playing to the strengths of this particular transfer. Ideally, defects should exclude soft tissue and occupy lateral segments of the mandibular arch—up to and including a complete hemimandible. The composite flap is capable of reconstructing external skin with ease, but the color match leaves something to be desired. Mucosal defects are less well handled. The flap can replace soft tissue bulk as well as mandibular height following through‐and‐through excisions in the region of the chin. Where donor site cosmesis is of paramount importance, the iliac crest is simply the best flap available. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.