Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Creating Personalized Head Models from Image Series

This paper overviews the technologies aiming at creating personalized head models by calibrating generic model of an average head. The models can be created from two photographs taken in front and profile directions, a collection of photographs taken in arbitrary directions and a video stream showing continuous rotation of a head from one profile to the other. The calibration process is designed as a pipeline of sequential stages that register available views in a framework associated with the head, adjust the geometry of a model in order to obtain precise matching with the input data, and generate a consistent texture by merging the texture candidates obtained through inverse texture mapping. The visual quality of the obtained models depends on the spatial resolution of a generic mesh and the resolution of initial images, which allows the proposed calibration pipeline to be used in a wide range of applications including computer games, film production and video conferencing.
Novel syndromes associated with JC virus infection of neurons and meningeal cells: no longer a gray area.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The availability of a growing number of immunomodulatory medications over the past few years has been associated with various JC virus (JCV)-associated brain syndromes in patients with autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and psoriasis that had not been previously recognized as predisposing factors for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. This review covers the three novel syndromes discovered in the last decade that are caused by JCV infection of neurons and meningeal cells. RECENT FINDINGS For more than 30 years, JCV was thought to exclusively infect oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in the white matter of the brain of immunosuppressed individuals. We now recognize that JCV-infected glial cells are frequently located at the gray-white matter junction or exclusively within the gray matter causing demyelination in the cortex. Mutations in JCV can trigger a change in tropism leading to involvement of other cell types, such as neurons and meningeal cells, causing clinically distinct entities. These new features of JCV infection provide challenges for clinicians taking care of affected patients and investigators studying the biology of this polyomavirus, its pathogenesis, and tropism. SUMMARY We hope that increasing awareness of these syndromes will lead to early diagnosis, and pave the way for new avenues of research to better understand all aspects of JCV pathogenesis and develop efficient therapies for our patients. However, we need to remain vigilant and open to the possibility that additional JC variants or yet unknown polyomaviruses may also be associated with neurological diseases.
Reduced coronary vasodilator function in infarcted and normal myocardium after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND The ability of the coronary vascular bed to dilate and thus increase blood flow to the myocardium may be impaired in coronary artery disease, even in regions of myocardium supplied by an angiographically normal coronary artery. If this kind of vasomotor dysfunction was present or accentuated after acute myocardial infarction, it might influence the extent of ischemia and necrosis in areas not directly injured by the infarction. METHODS We studied 13 patients (mean [+/- SD] age, 62 +/- 11 years) with single-vessel coronary artery disease after they had received thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction. Using positron-emission tomography (PET) with oxygen-15-labeled water, we measured regional myocardial blood flow under basal conditions and after the intravenous administration of dipyridamole (0.5 mg per kg of body weight over a period of four minutes) 8 +/- 3 days after infarction in all 13 patients (1-week study) and 6 +/- 2 months after infarction in 9 of the 13 (6-month study). On both occasions we measured blood flow both in the infarcted region and in a region of myocardium that was remote from the infarcted region and supplied by a normal artery. RESULTS At the one-week PET study, the coronary vasodilator response (the ratio of the myocardial blood flow after the administration of dipyridamole to basal blood flow) was 1.12 +/- 0.50 in the infarct-related artery and 1.53 +/- 0.36 in the remote region (P = 0.015). At the six-month study, the coronary vasodilator response was 1.42 +/- 0.37 in the infarcted region and 2.19 +/- 0.69 in the remote region (P = 0.004 for the comparison with the infarcted region; P = 0.011 for the comparison with the remote region at the one-week study). The value in remote myocardium remained lower than that in similar regions in 10 control patients, who had single-vessel coronary artery disease but no evidence of myocardial infarction (3.17 +/- 0.72; P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS After acute myocardial infarction, there is a severe vasodilator abnormality involving not only resistance vessels in infarcted myocardium, but also those in myocardium perfused by normal coronary vessels. This dysfunction may affect the extent of myocardial ischemia and necrosis after coronary occlusion.
CD3−CD4+ lymphoid variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome: nodal and extranodal histopathological and immunophenotypic features of a peripheral indolent clonal T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder

The CD3−CD4+ lymphoid variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome is characterized by hypereosinophilia and clonal circulating CD3−CD4+ T cells. Peripheral T-cell lymphoma has been described during this disease course, and we observed in our cohort of 23 patients 2 cases of angio-immunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. We focus here on histopathological (n=12 patients) and immunophenotypic (n=15) characteristics of CD3−CD4+ lymphoid variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome. Atypical CD4+ T cells lymphoid infiltrates were found in 10 of 12 CD3−CD4+ L-HES patients, in lymph nodes (n=4 of 4 patients), in skin (n=9 of 9) and other extra-nodal tissues (gut, lacrymal gland, synovium). Lymph nodes displayed infiltrates limited to the interfollicular areas or even an effacement of nodal architecture, associated with proliferation of arborizing high endothelial venules and increased follicular dendritic cell meshwork. Analysis of 2 fresh skin samples confirmed the presence of CD3−CD4+ T cells. Clonal T cells were detected in at least one tissue in 8 patients, including lymph nodes (n=4 of 4): the same clonal T cells were detected in blood and in at least one biopsy, with a maximum delay of 23 years between samples. In the majority of cases, circulating CD3−CD4+ T cells were CD2hi (n=9 of 14), CD5hi (n=12 of 14), and CD7−(n=4 of 14) or CD7low (n=10 of 14). Angio-immunoblastic T-cell lymphoma can also present with CD3−CD4+ T cells; despite other common histopathological and immunophenotypic features, CD10 expression and follicular helper T-cell markers were not detected in lymphoid variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome patients, except in both patients who developed angio-immunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, and only at T-cell lymphoma diagnosis. Taken together, persistence of tissular clonal T cells and histopathological features define CD3−CD4+ lymphoid variant of hypereosinophilic syndrome as a peripheral indolent clonal T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder, which should not be confused with angio-immunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.
Privacy, Trust and Social Network Formation

We study in the laboratory the impact of private information revelation on the selection of partners when forming individual networks. Our experiment combines a "network game" and a "public-good game". In the network game, individuals decide with whom to form a link with, while in the public-good game they decide whether or not to contribute. The variations in our treatments allow us to identify the effect of revealing one's name on the probability of link formation. Our main result suggests that privacy mechanisms affect partner selection and the consequent structure of the network: when individuals reveal their real name, their individual networks are smaller but their profits are higher. This indicates that the privacy costs of revealing personal information are compensated by more productive links.
A Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Channel Model for Blind Corner Scattering Environments

In this paper, we derive a new geometrical blind corner scattering model for vehicle-to- infrastructure (V2I) communications. The proposed model takes into account single-bounce and double- bounce scattering stemming from fixed scatterers located on both sides of the curved street. Starting from the geometrical blind corner model, the exact expression of the angle of departure (AOD) is derived. Based on this expression, the probability density function (PDF) of the AOD and the Doppler power spectrum are determined. Analytical expressions for the channel gain and the temporal autocorrelation function (ACF) are provided under non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions. Moreover, we investigate the impact of the position of transmitting vehicle relatively to the receiving road-side unit on the channel statistics. The proposed channel model is useful for the design and analysis of future V2I communication systems.
Keeping in Touch or Keeping Score? Social Comparisons on Facebook

In face-to-face contexts, individuals typically make one social comparison per day and make more self-enhancing downward comparisons (to worse-off others) than potentially threatening upward comparisons (to better-off others). However, online social networks such as Facebook may be radically altering these standards. In two studies, I examined the frequency, direction, and impact of social comparisons on Facebook, and investigated potential moderating factors, including self-esteem. Participants reported making more upward than downward Facebook comparisons (Studies 1 and 2) and made an average of four comparisons in a 20-minute Facebook session (Study 2). Both low self-esteem and being motivated to log onto Facebook to get information with others predict making more comparisons on Facebook (Study 1) and participants with lower self-esteem may feel worse about themselves after making both upward and downward Facebook comparisons compared to their higher self-esteem peers (Study 2). %%%%MAST
Evidence of disturbed sleep and increased illness in overreached endurance athletes.

PURPOSE This study aimed to examine whether (i) objective markers of sleep quantity and quality are altered in endurance athletes experiencing overreaching in response to an overload training program and (ii) potential reduced sleep quality would be accompanied with a higher prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections in this population. METHODS Twenty-seven trained male triathletes were randomly assigned to either overload (n = 18) or normal (CTL, n = 9) training groups. Respective training programs included a 1-wk moderate training phase followed by a 3-wk period of overload or normal training, respectively, and then a subsequent 2-wk taper. Maximal aerobic power and oxygen uptake (VO2max) from incremental cycle ergometry were measured after each phase, whereas mood states and incidences of illness were determined from questionnaires. Sleep was monitored every night of the 6 wk using wristwatch actigraphy. RESULTS Of the 18 overload training group subjects, 9 were diagnosed as functionally overreached (F-OR) after the overload period, as based on declines in performance and VO2max with concomitant high perceived fatigue (P < 0.05), whereas the other 9 overload subjects showed no decline in performance (AF, P > 0.05). There was a significant time-group interaction for sleep duration (SD), sleep efficiency (SE), and immobile time (IT). Only the F-OR group demonstrated a decrease in these three parameters (-7.9% ± 6.7%, -1.6% ± 0.7%, and -7.6% ± 6.6% for SD, SE, and IT, respectively, P < 0.05), which was reversed during the subsequent taper phase. Higher prevalence of upper respiratory tract infections were also reported in F-OR (67%, 22%, and 11% incidence rate for F-OR, AF, and CTL, respectively). CONCLUSION This study confirms sleep disturbances and increased illness in endurance athletes who present with symptoms of F-OR during periods of high volume training.
Mild glucose intolerance in pregnancy and risk of cardiovascular disease: a population-based cohort study

Background: Pregnant women commonly receive screening for gestational diabetes mellitus by use of a 50 g glucose challenge test, followed by a diagnostic oral glucose tolerance test for those whose glucose challenge test result is abnormal. Although women with gestational diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, it is not known whether mild glucose intolerance during pregnancy is also associated with cardiovascular disease. Thus, we sought to determine whether pregnant women with an abnormal glucose challenge test result but without gestational diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods: We conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study that included all women in Ontario aged 20–49 years with live deliveries between April 1994 and March 1998. We excluded women with pregestational diabetes. The population was stratified into 3 cohorts: women with gestational diabetes (n = 13 888); women who received an antepartum oral glucose tolerance test (suggestive of an abnormal result of the glucose challenge test) but who did not have gestational diabetes (n = 71 831); and women who did not receive an oral glucose tolerance test (suggestive of a normal result of the glucose challenge test) (n = 349 977). The primary outcome was cardiovascular disease (admission to hospital for acute myocardial infarction, coronary bypass, coronary angioplasty, stroke or carotid endarterectomy). Results: Compared with women who did not receive an oral glucose tolerance test, women with gestational diabetes and women who received an oral glucose tolerance test but did not have gestational diabetes had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease over 12.3 years of median follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for women with gestational diabetes 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–2.13, p < 0.001; adjusted HR for those with an oral glucose test but not gestational diabetes 1.19, 95% CI 1.02–1.39, p = 0.03). Interpretation: Mild glucose intolerance in pregnancy may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
Sexuelle Lebensqualität von Personen mit Intersexualität und 46,XY Karyotyp

Übersicht: Dieser Artikel fasst den Forschungsstand zur sexuellen Lebensqualität von Personen mit Intersexualität und 46,XY Karyotyp zusammen. 21 internationale Studien aus den Jahren 1974 bis 2007 über sexuelles Verhalten und sexuelle Erfahrungen dieser Personengruppe werden ausführlich dargestellt und kritisiert. Die Ergebnisse sind sehr widersprüchlich, deuten aber darauf hin, dass Personen mit Intersexualität tendenziell heterosexuell orientiert sind, ihre ersten sexuellen Erfahrungen etwas später als die Population der Jugendlichen machen, häufiger über sexuelle Probleme klagen und unzufrieden mit ihrem Sexualleben und ihren Geschlechtsorganen sind. Das Ziel der Medizin, mittels geschlechtskorrigierenden Operationen den betroffenen Personen im Erwachsenenalter ein „normales“ heterosexuelles Funktionieren zu ermöglichen, ist offensichtlich nicht erreicht worden. Zukünftige Studien sollten medizinische und psychosoziale Risikofaktoren für die sexuelle Lebensqualität untersuchen, den Fokus über den heterosexuellen Geschlechtsverkehr hinaus erweitern und qualitative Aspekte des sexuellen Erlebens wie Beziehungsfähigkeit oder das Erleben von Berührungen verstärkt berücksichtigen.
Increased expression of NR2A subunit does not alter NMDA‐evoked responses in cultured fetal trisomy 16 mouse hippocampal neurons

The trisomy 16 (Ts16) mouse is an animal model for human trisomy 21 (Down's syndrome). The gene encoding the NR2A subunit of the NMDA receptor has been localized to mouse chromosome 16. In the present study, western blot analysis revealed a 2.5‐fold increase of NR2A expression in cultured Ts16 embryonic hippocampal neurons. However, this increase did not affect the properties of NMDA‐evoked currents in response to various modulators. The sensitivity of NMDA receptors to transient applications of NMDA, spermine, and Zn2+ was investigated in murine Ts16 and control diploid cultured embryonic hippocampal neurons. Peak and steady‐state currents evoked by NMDA were potentiated by spermine at concentrations < 1 mm, and inhibited by Zn2+ in a dose‐dependent and voltage‐independent manner. No marked difference was observed between Ts16 and control diploid neurons for any of these modulators with regard to IC50 and EC50 values or voltage dependency. Additionally, inhibition by the NR2B selective inhibitor, ifenprodil, was similar. These results demonstrate that NMDA‐evoked currents are not altered in cultured embryonic Ts16 neurons and suggest that Ts16 neurons contain similar functional properties of NMDA receptors as diploid control neurons despite an increased level of NR2A expression.
Ophthalmologic identification of cerebral malaria in adults

Objective: To report the clinical presentation of malarial retinopathy in an adult, emphasizing the importance of this diagnosis for the clinical suspicion and prognosis of cerebral malaria. Methods: A 39-year-old caucasian man presented with hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, acidemia and acute renal failure, developing severe encephalopathy. The diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria was done and after systemic stabilization, the patient noticed a central scotoma in the left eye. Ophthalmological examination revealed retinal features of malarial retinopathy. Results: At one-month follow-up, the patient had improved his systemic condition and the left eye scotoma had disappeared. Visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes and on examination almost all lesions had regressed. Conclusion: Malarial retinopathy is a diagnostic factor and a prognosis indicator of severe P. falciparum infection, usually with brain involvement. The knowledge of the ophthalmological features associated with severe malaria, which is more frequent in children but can also occur in adults, becomes imperative in order to reduce the risk of neurologic sequelae and associated mortality.
Induction of DNA synthesis in normal human lymphocyte cultures by antigen-antibody complexes.

Antibodies were produced in various species against particulate (sheep red blood cells and Salmonella bacteria) or soluble (E. coli endotoxin, human serum albumin and mouse γ-globulin) antigens. Antibody mixed with the corresponding antigen stimulated DNA synthesis in normal human lymphocytes cultivated in vitro, whereas antibody alone or antigen alone had no or a negligible effect. The species origin of the antibody did not seem to influence the results. Maximal stimulation of DNA synthesis occurred after 5–6 days. Preformed antigen–antibody complexes were also stimulatory, whereas heat-aggregated γ-globulin had no effect. The addition of fresh complement did not increase DNA stimulation. The degree of stimulation of DNA synthesis after contact between lymphocytes from immunized individuals and the specific antigen was even further increased when humoral antibody was introduced. The present findings suggest a mechanism by which non-committed lymphoid cells of host origin are activated by a small proportion of antibody-producing cells to participate in various cell-mediated immune reactions, in particular since it was found that lymphocytes stimulated by antigen–antibody complexes acquired the capacity to kill allogeneic and autochthonous fibroblasts.
Counting the ions surrounding nucleic acids

Abstract Nucleic acids are strongly negatively charged, and thus electrostatic interactions—screened by ions in solution—play an important role in governing their ability to fold and participate in biomolecular interactions. The negative charge creates a region, known as the ion atmosphere, in which cation and anion concentrations are perturbed from their bulk values. Ion counting experiments quantify the ion atmosphere by measuring the preferential ion interaction coefficient: the net total number of excess ions above, or below, the number expected due to the bulk concentration. The results of such studies provide important constraints on theories, which typically predict the full three-dimensional distribution of the screening cloud. This article reviews the state of nucleic acid ion counting measurements and critically analyzes their ability to test both analytical and simulation-based models.
An adaptive voice playout method for VOP applications

We propose an adaptive voice playout method for handling network delay jitter in voice over packet (VOP) receivers. Our method allows playout delay increase during both silence periods and active speech; however, it allows playout delay decrease during silence periods only. Since the playout delay is increased during active speech, a speech extension algorithm is required. Therefore we have developed a novel, voicing-classification based speech extension algorithm for CELP speech coders. Though the complementary speech truncation algorithm is not needed for our adaptive playout mechanism, it is suitable for applications such as voice synchronization with other media.
Traffic, Susceptibility, and Childhood Asthma

Results from studies of traffic and childhood asthma have been inconsistent, but there has been little systematic evaluation of susceptible subgroups. In this study, we examined the relationship of local traffic-related exposure and asthma and wheeze in southern California school children (5–7 years of age). Lifetime history of doctor-diagnosed asthma and prevalent asthma and wheeze were evaluated by questionnaire. Parental history of asthma and child’s history of allergic symptoms, sex, and early-life exposure (residence at the same home since 2 years of age) were examined as susceptibility factors. Residential exposure was assessed by proximity to a major road and by modeling exposure to local traffic-related pollutants. Residence within 75 m of a major road was associated with an increased risk of lifetime asthma [odds ratio (OR) = 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01–1.86], prevalent asthma (OR = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.16–1.95), and wheeze (OR = 1.40; 95% CI, 1.09–1.78). Susceptibility increased in long-term residents with no parental history of asthma for lifetime asthma (OR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.11–3.09), prevalent asthma (OR = 2.46; 95% CI, 0.48–4.09), and recent wheeze (OR = 2.74; 95% CI, 1.71–4.39). The higher risk of asthma near a major road decreased to background rates at 150–200 m from the road. In children with a parental history of asthma and in children moving to the residence after 2 years of age, there was no increased risk associated with exposure. Effect of residential proximity to roadways was also larger in girls. A similar pattern of effects was observed with traffic-modeled exposure. These results indicate that residence near a major road is associated with asthma. The reason for larger effects in those with no parental history of asthma merits further investigation.
The Impact of Knowledge and Trust on E-Consumers' Online Shopping Activities: An Empirical Study

Lack of consumer trust is a critical obstacle to the success of online retailing. Knowledge is one important factor influencing the level of trust. However, there is no consensus on the relationship between knowledge and trust. Some studies argued a negative relationship between knowledge and trust while the others argued positive. This study discussed the relationship among knowledge, trust in online shopping, and the intention to go shopping online. The results revealed that knowledge is positively associated with trust and online shopping activities. In other words, people who know more about online shopping will trust and go shopping more online. Online retailing practice should make the public knowledgeable about online transaction security mechanisms to build users’ trust in online shopping.