Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Complex nonseparable oversampled lapped transform for sparse representation of millimeter wave radar image

This work generalizes an existing framework of nonseparable oversampled lapped transforms (NSOLTs) to effectively represent complex-valued images. The original NSOLTs are lattice-structure-based redundant transforms, which satisfy the linear-phase, compact-supported and real-valued property. The lattice structure is able to constitute a Parseval tight frame with rational redundancy and to generate a dictionary with directional atomic images. In this study, a generalized structure of NSOLTs is proposed to cover complex-valued atomic images. The novel transform is referred to as a complex NSOLT (CNSOLT). The effectiveness of the structure is verified by evaluating the sparse approximation performance using the iterative hard thresholding (IHT) algorithm for a millimeter wave radar image.
Spotlight on Volasertib: Preclinical and Clinical Evaluation of a Promising Plk1 Inhibitor

Considering the important side effects of conventional microtubule targeting agents, more and more research focuses on regulatory proteins for the development of mitosis‐specific agents. Polo‐like kinase 1 (Plk1), a master regulator of several cell cycle events, has arisen as an intriguing target in this research field. The observed overexpression of Plk1 in a broad range of human malignancies has given rise to the development of several potent and specific small molecule inhibitors targeting the kinase. In this review, we focus on volasertib (BI6727), the lead agent in category of Plk1 inhibitors at the moment. Numerous preclinical experiments have demonstrated that BI6727 is highly active across a variety of carcinoma cell lines, and the inhibitor has been reported to induce tumor regression in several xenograft models. Moreover, volasertib has shown clinical efficacy in multiple tumor types. As a result, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently awarded volasertib the Breakthrough Therapy status after significant benefit was observed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with the Plk1 inhibitor. Here, we discuss both preclinical and clinical data available for volasertib administered as monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer therapies in a broad range of tumor types.
Quasi rate distortion optimization for binary hashing

Rate-distortion optimization has been a successful and significant method in video coding. By introducing Lagrange multiplier optimization into compress procedure, we can choose coding parameters simply and effectively. In nearest neighbor search problem, hashing has been a popular method to reduce computation and storage cost, which is consistent with video coding method. Conventionally, we evaluate a hashing method with mAP (mean average precision) w.r. t. different bit number, but leave bit cost as an independent measure index. In this paper, we make an attempt to combine retrieval accuracy and bit cost to make evaluation more comprehensive, using the concept of rate distortion optimization. Consequently, we obtain an evaluation criterion to judge which work point of a specific hashing method is better, taking both the accuracy and the bit cost into account. The exertion of an algorithm can be then determined.
Parallel and Distributed Processing of Spatial Preference Queries using Keywords

Advanced queries that combine spatial constraints with textual relevance to retrieve objects of interest have attracted increased attention recently due to the ever-increasing rate of user-generated spatio-textual data. Motivated by this trend, in this paper, we study the novel problem of parallel and distributed processing of spatial preference queries using keywords , where the input data is stored in a distributed way. Given a set of keywords, a set of spatial data objects and a set of spatial feature objects that are additionally annotated with textual descriptions, the spatial preference query using keywords retrieves the top- k spatial data objects ranked according to the textual relevance of feature objects in their vicinity. This query type is processing-intensive, especially for large datasets, since any data objects may belong to the result set while the spatial range deﬁnes the score, and the k data objects with the highest score need to be retrieved. Our solution has two notable features: (a) we propose a deliberate re-partitioning mechanism of input data to servers, which allows parallelized processing, thus establishing the foundations for a scalable query processing algorithm, and (b) we boost the query processing performance in each partition by introducing an early termination mechanism that delivers the correct result by only examining few data objects. Capitalizing on this, we implement parallel algorithms that solve the problem in the MapReduce framework. Our experimental study using both real and synthetic data in a cluster of sixteen physical machines demonstrates the eﬃciency of our solution.
A Novel Interconnect Design with High Stretchability and Fine Pitch Capability for Applications in Stretchable Electronics

In this paper, the electromechanical properties of a new design for metal interconnection in stretchable electronics are reported. In this design, a patterned metal interconnect with a zigzag shape is adhered on an elastomeric substrate. The electrical resistance remains constant until metal breakdown at elongations beyond 40%. There is no significant local necking in either the transverse or the thickness direction at the metal breakdown area as shown by both scanning electron microscopy micrographs and resistance measurements. Micrographs and simulation results show that a debonding occurs due to the local twisting of a metal interconnect, out-of-plane peeling and strain localized at the crest of a zigzag structure.
Comment on Giuseppe Genchi et al. Mercury Exposure and Heart Diseases. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 74

Cenchi et al. [1] have recently published an article entitled "Mercury Exposure and Heart Diseases" that is published in Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017, 14, 74; doi:10.3390/ijerph14010074. [. ].
Identification of Bisindolylmaleimide IX as a potential agent to treat drug-resistant BCR-ABL positive leukemia

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment with BCR-ABL inhibitors is often hampered by development of drug resistance. In a screen for novel chemotherapeutic drug candidates with genotoxic activity, we identified a bisindolylmaleimide derivative, IX, as a small molecule compound with therapeutic potential against CML including drug-resistant CML. We show that Bisindolylmaleimide IX inhibits DNA topoisomerase, generates DNA breaks, activates the Atm-p53 and Atm-Chk2 pathways, and induces cell cycle arrest and cell death. Interestingly, Bisindolylmaleimide IX is highly effective in targeting cells positive for BCR-ABL. BCR-ABL positive cells display enhanced DNA damage and increased cell cycle arrest in response to Bisindolylmaleimide IX due to decreased expression of topoisomerases. Cells positive for BCR-ABL or drug-resistant T315I BCR-ABL also display increased cytotoxicity since Bisindolylmaleimide IX inhibits B-Raf and the downstream oncogene addiction pathway. Mouse cancer model experiments showed that Bisindolylmaleimide IX, at doses that show little side effect, was effective in treating leukemia-like disorders induced by BCR-ABL or T315I BCR-ABL, and prolonged the lifespan of these model mice. Thus, Bisindolylmaleimide IX presents a novel drug candidate to treat drug-resistant CML via activating BCR-ABL-dependent genotoxic stress response and inhibiting the oncogene addiction pathway activated by BCR-ABL.
Minimization of EP-SOPs via Boolean relations

Generalized Shannon decomposition with remainder restructures a logic function into subsets of points defined by the generalized cofactors with a remainder, yielding three logic blocks. EXOR-Projected Sums of Products (EP-SOPs) are an important form of such decomposition. In this paper we propose a Boolean synthesis technique for EP-SOPs, more general than the algebraic methods investigated so far. We exploit the don't care conditions induced by the structure of the implementation, by casting synthesis for minimum area as a problem of Boolean relation minimization that captures all valid implementations of the circuit, obtaining by construction the most compact one. We report experiments confirming the effectiveness in area of the proposed approach based on Boolean relations, with better run times for some cost functions.
Autophagy flux induced by ginsenoside-Rg3 attenuates human prion protein-mediated neurotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction

Mitochondrial quality control is a process by which mitochondria undergo successive rounds of fusion and fission with dynamic exchange of components to segregate functional and damaged elements. Removal of mitochondrion that contains damaged components is accomplished via autophagy. In this study, we investigated whether ginsenoside Rg3, an active ingredient of the herbal medicine ginseng that is used as a tonic and restorative agent, could attenuate prion peptide, PrP (106-126)-induced neurotoxicity and mitochondrial damage. To this end, western blot and GFP-LC3B puncta assay were performed to monitor autophagy flux in neuronal cells; LC3B-II protein level was found to increase after Rg3 treatment. In addition, electron microscopy analysis showed that Rg3 enhanced autophagic vacuoles in neuronal cells. By using autophagy inhibitors wortmannin and 3-methyladenine (3MA) or autophagy protein 5 (Atg5) small interfering RNA (siRNA), we demonstrated that Rg3 could protect neurons against PrP (106-126)-induced cytotoxicity via autophagy flux. We found that Rg3 could also attenuate PrP (106-126)-induced mitochondrial damage via autophagy flux. Taken together, our results suggest that Rg3 is a possible therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative disorders, including prion diseases.
Multi-Objective Decision-Making for Mobile Cloud Offloading: A Survey

Running very complex applications on mobile devices is still challenging since they are constrained by limited resources, such as memory capacity, network bandwidth, processor speed, and battery power. Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC) is a combination of cloud computing and mobile internet, which could effectively alleviate the resource constraints of mobile devices. How to efficiently offload computation-intensive parts of mobile applications from mobile devices to capable cloud servers is one of the keys. In mobile environments, the resource heterogeneity of mobile devices and cloud services, the interruption of heterogeneous wireless networks, the complexity of mobile applications, and the characteristic of transferring a large amount of data, are the major bottlenecks that have prevented this technology from being widely used. This paper takes these constraints into an account at the same time and explores methods of multi-objective decision making for time- and energy-aware task offloading for MCC. It is designed to ensure the right computational tasks are executed in the right way, at the right time and place.
Colour image segmentation based on transition region and morphological operation

Image segmentation using transition region has been quite effective for grayscale images in recent years. Application of transition region for color image segmentation is a new prospective. So, we propose a novel approach for colour image segmentation containing single and multiple objects using transition region. The proposed method decomposes the colour image into its respective colour components red, green and blue. For each component, a global threshold and local variance is used to extract the transition regions. The transition region, thus obtained undergoes morphological operation to get object contours. The morphological filling operation is employed on object contours to extract object regions. The intersection of results for individual object regions provide the exact object regions. Finally, the objects are extracted using the object regions. The performance of the proposed method is compared with different methods for single and multiple object segmentation on color images and simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The effect of breakfast composition and energy contribution on cognitive and academic performance: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Most studies that assess the effects of breakfast on subsequent mental abilities compared performance in subjects who had or had not consumed this meal. However, characteristics of breakfast itself may induce metabolic and hormonal alterations of the gastrointestinal tract and potentially modify cognitive performance. Moreover, as far as the evidence on the positive effects of having breakfast is becoming more robust, interest may shift to the specific characteristics of an adequate breakfast. OBJECTIVE The objective was to summarize existing evidence on the role of nutrient composition or energy intake at breakfast on the accomplishment of school-related tasks and cognition. DESIGN We conducted a systematic review of the literature through the PubMed database. RESULTS From the literature search, we identified 102 articles, 15 of which met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 3 studies provided information on the relation between cognitive and academic performance and energy intake at breakfast, 11 provided the same information for the macronutrient composition of breakfast, and 1 investigated both the aspects. Eleven studies considered breakfast meals differing in glycemic index/load. Selected studies were generally carried out in well-nourished children and adults of both sexes from general education. They were mostly experimental studies of short duration and had a limited number of subjects. Cognitive and academic performance was investigated by looking at multiple domains, including memory, attention, reasoning, learning, and verbal and math abilities, with a variety of test batteries scheduled at different time points in the morning. Breakfast options differed in terms of included foods and place and time of administration. CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient quantity and consistency among studies to draw firm conclusions. However, whereas the hypothesis of a better and more sustained performance with a breakfast providing >20% daily energy intake still needs substantiation, there does appear to be emerging, but still equivocal, evidence that a lower postprandial glycemic response is beneficial to cognitive performance.
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Combined with Methylprednisolone Improves Functional Outcomes in Rats with Experimental Acute Spinal Cord Injury

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of combined treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and methylprednisolone in rats subjected to experimental spinal cord injury. METHODS: Forty Wistar rats received a moderate spinal cord injury and were divided into four groups: control (no treatment); G-CSF (G-CSF at the time of injury and daily over the next five days); methylprednisolone (methylprednisolone for 24 h); and G-CSF/Methylprednisolone (methylprednisolone for 24 h and G-CSF at the time of injury and daily over the next five days). Functional evaluation was performed using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score on days 2, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 following injury. Motor-evoked potentials were evaluated. Histological examination of the spinal cord lesion was performed immediately after euthanasia on day 42. RESULTS: Eight animals were excluded (2 from each group) due to infection, a normal Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan score at their first evaluation, or autophagy, and 32 were evaluated. The combination of methylprednisolone and G-CSF promoted greater functional improvement than methylprednisolone or G-CSF alone (p<0.001). This combination also exhibited a synergistic effect, with improvements in hyperemia and cellular infiltration at the injury site (p<0.001). The groups displayed no neurophysiological differences (latency p=0.85; amplitude p=0.75). CONCLUSION: Methylprednisolone plus G-CSF promotes functional and histological improvements superior to those achieved by either of these drugs alone when treating spinal cord contusion injuries in rats. Combining the two drugs did have a synergistic effect.
Thrombus Migration in the Middle Cerebral Artery: Incidence, Imaging Signs, and Impact on Success of Endovascular Thrombectomy

Background Thrombus migration (TM) in intracranial vessels during ischemic stroke has been reported in the form of case reports, but its incidence, impact on the technical success of subsequent endovascular thrombectomy and patients' outcome have never been studied systematically. Methods and Results Retrospective analysis was done of 409 patients with isolated middle cerebral artery occlusions treated with endovascular thrombectomy. TM was observed (1) by analyzing discrepancies between computed tomographic angiography and digital subtraction angiography and (2) by comparing infarct pattern in the striatocapsular region with exact, angiographically assessed thrombus location within the M1‐segment and the involvement of the middle cerebral artery perforators. Preinterventional infarction of discrepant regions (infarction in regions supplied by more proximal vessels than those occluded by the clot) was ensured by carefully reviewing available preinterventional multimodal imaging. Adequate imaging inclusion criteria were met by 325 patients. Ninety‐seven patients showed signs of TM (26 with direct evidence, 71 with indirect evidence). There was no difference in the frequency of preinterventional intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administration between patients with TM and those without (63.9% vs 64.9%, P=0.899). TM was associated with lower rates of complete reperfusion (Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 3) (adjusted odds ratio 0.400, 95% CI 0.226‐0.707). Subsequently, preinterventional TM was associated with lower rates of substantial neurologic improvement (adjusted odds ratio 0.541, 95% CI 0.309‐0.946). Conclusions Preinterventional TM does not seem to be facilitated by intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and often occurs spontaneously. However, TM is associated with the risk of incomplete reperfusion in subsequent thrombectomy, suggesting increased clot fragility. Occurrence of TM may thereby have a substantial impact on the outcome of endovascularly treated stroke patients.
Not in wilderness: African vulture strongholds remain in areas with high human density

Vultures constitute an important functional group in many ecosystems, providing crucial ecosystem services both in natural and humanized environments. These scavengers are facing massive declines worldwide, but in several African countries virtually nothing is known on populations’ status and threats, hampering the development of adequate conservation strategies. In Guinea-Bissau, globally important populations of Hooded Necrosyrtes monachus and African white-backed vultures Gyps africanus were recently reported. Using the country as a study area, we aim to characterize human-vulture interactions in West Africa applying a multidisciplinary approach. We assessed the status and distribution of vulture populations using data from 1711 km of roadside transects, examined predictors of their distribution, and produced a nationwide population estimate for the Hooded Vulture, using an innovative method based on the relationship between the size of human population in settlements and vulture numbers. We conducted 47 stakeholder interviews to assess perceived roles played by vultures, and to investigate potential anthropogenic threats. Hooded vultures were strongly associated with high human population densities, whereas no relation was found between African white-backed and Rüppell’s vultures and any of the tested predictors, which included cattle density, precipitation and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, among others. We estimate a national population of 43347 Hooded vultures, the largest population reported in the species range. Respondents were generally aware of the services provided by vultures, especially waste and carcass removal, including in urban areas. Hunting for witchcraft and traditional medicine was the most frequently recognised threat, while poisoning was ranked as having the highest impact. We hypothesise that poisoning-related mortality may be affecting African white-backed and Rüppell’s vultures’ distribution and explain their scarcity in apparently highly suitable habitats. Our results suggest a mutualistic rather than a commensalistic relationship between vultures and humans, with important implications for designing and implementing conservation strategies.
Robustness analysis of a passive printer identification scheme for halftone images

Printer identification is an important part of printer forensics to protect the reliability of printed documents or to track criminals. While the results of existing identification methods are promising, the robustness of these methods is usually not considered. Therefore, we analyzed an identification scheme which uses the halftone texture of color laser image prints as an intrinsic signature. We evaluated the signature's stability and its vulnerability to forgery. Our results show that the halftone textures depend on different driver settings and can be manipulated. Additionally we show that for specific forensical purposes the identification scheme can be applied to colored text as well.
The Role of Identified Neurotransmitter Systems in the Response of Insular Cortex to Unfamiliar Taste: Activation of ERK1–2 and Formation of a Memory Trace

In the behaving rat, the consumption of an unfamiliar taste activates the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1–2 (ERK1–2) in the insular cortex, which contains the taste cortex. In contrast, consumption of a familiar taste has no effect. Furthermore, activation of ERK1–2, culminating in modulation of gene expression, is obligatory for the encoding of long-term, but not short-term, memory of the new taste (Berman et al., 1998). Which neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems are involved in the activation of ERK1–2 by the unfamiliar taste and in the long-term encoding of the new taste information? Here we show, by the use of local microinjections of pharmacological agents to the insular cortex in the behaving rat, that multiple neurotransmitters and neuromodulators are required for encoding of taste memory in cortex. However, these systems vary in the specificity of their role in memory acquisition and in their contribution to the activation of ERK1–2. NMDA receptors, metabotropic glutamate receptors, muscarinic, and β-adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors, all contribute to the acquisition of the new taste memory but not to its retrieval. Among these, only NMDA and muscarinic receptors specifically mediate taste-dependent activation of ERK1–2, whereas the β-adrenergic function is independent of ERK1–2, and dopaminergic receptors regulate also the basal level of ERK1–2 activation. The data are discussed in the context of postulated novelty detection circuits in the central taste system.