Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vivo biocompatibility of new nano-calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite/poly-amino acid complex biomaterials

Objective To evaluate the compatibility of novel nano-calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite/poly-amino acid (n-CDHA/PAA) complex biomaterials with muscle and bone tissue in an in vivo model. Methods Thirty-two New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. Biomaterials were surgically implanted into each rabbit in the back erector spinae and in tibia with induced defect. Polyethylene was implanted into rabbits in the control group and n-CDHA/PAA into those of the experimental group. Animals were examined at four different points in time: 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks after surgery. They were euthanized after embolization. Back erector spinae muscles with the surgical implants were examined after hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining at these points in time. Tibia bones with the surgical implants were examined by X-ray and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at these points in time to evaluate the interface of the bone with the implanted biomaterials. Bone tissues were sectioned and subjected to HE, Masson, and toluidine blue staining. Results HE staining of back erector spinae muscles at 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks after implantation of either n-CDHA/PAA or polyethylene showed disappearance of inflammation and normal arrangement in the peripheral tissue of implant biomaterials; no abnormal staining was observed. At 2 weeks after implantation, X-ray imaging of bone tissue samples in both experimental and control groups showed that the peripheral tissues of the implanted biomaterials were continuous and lacked bone osteolysis, absorption, necrosis, or osteomyelitis. The connection between implanted biomaterials and bone tissue was tight. The results of HE, Masson, toluidine blue staining and SEM confirmed that the implanted biomaterials were closely connected to the bone defect and that no rejection had taken place. The n-CDHA/PAA biomaterials induced differentiation of a large number of chondrocytes. New bone trabecula began to form at 4 weeks after implanting n-CDHA/PAA biomaterials, and lamellar bone gradually formed at 12 weeks and 24 weeks after implantation. Routine blood and kidney function tests showed no significant changes at 2 weeks and 24 weeks after implantation of both biomaterials. Conclusion n-CDHA/PAA composites showed good compatibility in in vivo model. In this study, n-CDHA/PAA were found to be safe, nontoxic, and biologically active in bone repair.
A Multiple-Stream Multimedia Presentation Middleware Based on Multicast Communications

The Internet explosion impels the extensive demands for distributed multimedia presentations (DMPs), which provide multiple users with QoS-controlled multimedia services under multicast communications, such as media distribution and virtual classroom. In this paper, we propose and develop a multiple-stream multimedia middleware, which is named Mcast. Mcast (i) provides a exible authoring tool to allow users to author a multiple-stream multimedia presentation in a multicast environment and (ii) achieves smooth multimedia presentations with the temporal control mechanism. This paper describes the major considerations and techniques that are involved in the design and implementation of Mcast. System developers can incorporate Mcast to develop multiple-stream multimedia presentation based on multicast communications.
Quantum Diffusion, Measurement and Filtering I

A brief presentation is given of the basic concepts in quantum probability theory in analogy to the classical ones, as well as the necessary information about noncommutative stochastic integration and its explicit representation in the Fock space.Algebraic differential relations that define quantum diffusion motion with nondemolition observation are derived. In the Markov case we obtain the stochastic equation of quantum diffusion filtering which is analogous to the Zakai equation of classical nonlinear filtering.A quantum linear stochastic model with continuous observation is given for which this equation is reduced to a linear stochastic quantum filtering equation of Kalman-Busi type and to the operator Riccati equation. We also consider an example of observing the coordinate of a free quantum particle, for which the solution of a stationary quantum filtering problem is obtained.
Corticocortical connection patterns reveal two distinct visual cortical areas bordering dorsal V2 in marmoset monkey

Abstract The organization of the cortex located immediately anterior to the second visual area (V2), i.e., the third tier visual cortex, remains controversial, especially in New World primates. In particular, there is lack of consensus regarding the exact location and extent of the lower visual quadrant representation of the third visual area V3 (or ventrolateral posterior –VLP – of a different nomenclature). Microelectrode and connectional mapping studies have revealed the existence of an upper visual quadrant representation abutting dorsal V2 anteriorly, and bordered medially and laterally by representations of the lower visual quadrant. It remains unclear whether these lower field regions are both part of a single area V3, which is split into two patches by an interposed region of upper field representation, or whether they are the lower field representations of two different areas, the dorsomedial area (DM) and area V3/VLP, respectively. To address this question, we quantitatively analyzed the patterns of corticocortical afferent connections labeled by tracer injections targeted to these two lower field regions in the dorsal aspect of the third tier cortex. We found different inter-areal connectivity patterns arising from these two regions, strongly suggesting that they belong to two different visual areas. In particular, our results indicate that the dorsal aspect of the third tier cortex consists of two distinct areas: a full area DM, representing the lower quadrant medially, and the upper quadrant laterally, and the lower quadrant representation of V3/VLP, located laterally to upper field DM. DM is predominantly connected with areas of the dorsal visual stream, and V3/VLP with areas of the ventral stream. These results prompt further functional investigations of the third tier cortex, as previous studies of this cortical territory may have pooled response properties of two very different areas into a single area V3.
A multiobjective evolutionary algorithm toolbox for computer-aided multiobjective optimization

This paper presents an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) based multiobjective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA) toolbox for effective computer-aided multiobjective (MO) optimization. Without the need of aggregating multiple criteria into a compromise function, it incorporates the concept of Pareto's optimality to evolve a family of nondominated solutions distributing along the tradeoffs uniformly. The toolbox is also designed with many useful features such as the goal and priority settings to provide better support for decision-making in MO optimization, dynamic population size that is computed adaptively according to the online discovered Pareto-front, soft/hard goal settings for constraint handlings, multiple goals specification for logical "AND"/"OR" operation, adaptive niching scheme for uniform population distribution, and a useful convergence representation for MO optimization. The MOEA toolbox is freely available for download at http://vlab.ee. nus.edu. sg/-kctan/moea.htm which is ready for immediate use with minimal knowledge needed in evolutionary computing. To use the toolbox, the user merely needs to provide a simple "model" file that specifies the objective function corresponding to his/her particular optimization problem. Other aspects like decision variable settings, optimization process monitoring and graphical results analysis can be performed easily through the embedded GUIs in the toolbox. The effectiveness and applications of the toolbox are illustrated via the design optimization problem of a practical ill-conditioned distillation system. Performance of the algorithm in MOEA toolbox is also compared with other well-known evolutionary MO optimization methods upon a benchmark problem.
Synthesis of flash and no-flash image pairs using guided image filtering

This paper dispenses a consensus approach in digital photography to yield a better visual quality image by merging image pairs. Guided image filter is employed in this work at the acquisition level to transfers the structures and fine details of the guidance image to the filtering output along with restoration of details and fine structures in the image. The proposed synthesis approach carry out sub-band decomposition of denoised (flash and no-flash) images processed via guided filtering using 2D-DWT. The wavelet coefficients are then synthesized by using max-max decision rule. Simulations are carried out on flash/no-flash image pairs contaminated with different levels of additive Gaussian noise and are evaluated on the basis of a no-reference image quality parameter. Significant improvement in quality of the synthesized image has been perceived in comparison to original ones.
Detection of two-wheeled vehicles based on Gaussian mixture model and AdaBoost algorithm

The paper describes a video detection method for two-wheeled vehicles appearing especially in the small-medium cities. The multi Gaussian mixture model is used to build the background and foreground. The single threshold method is efficiently used in shadow removal. Then Gaussian smooth filter processing and morphological image processing are used to filter out the noises in the foreground. The target region is obtained by comparing the difference of physical characteristics computed by labeled connecting area between general vehicles (cars) and two-wheeled vehicles. In the target region, the offline classifier based trained with local binary pattern (LBP) feature and AdaBoost algorithm, is used to accurate object detection. Experimental results show that the proposed method has a good performance in real-time and accurate detection of two-wheeled vehicles.
Neuroimaging studies of the hippocampus in schizophrenia

Three neuroimaging techniques, morphometric neuroimaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and functional neuroimaging, have provided evidence for abnormal hippocampal structure and function in schizophrenia. Hippocampal volume reduction is now one of the most consistent structural abnormalities found in schizophrenia: it is present at the onset of the illness and, to a lesser degree, in first‐degree relatives of schizophrenic probands. Decreased levels of N‐acetyl‐aspartate point towards a cellular basis of such volume changes. Functional neuroimaging studies have demonstrated abnormal levels of hippocampal activity at rest, during the experience of auditory hallucinations, and during the performance of memory retrieval tasks. These results of neuroimaging studies complement evidence from post‐mortem and behavioral studies, which have found regionally specific abnormalities of the hippocampus and of memory function in schizophrenia. Hippocampus 2001;11:520–528. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Complex trauma, complex reactions: assessment and treatment

This reprinted article originally appeared in Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 2004, Vol 41(4), 412-425. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record [rid]2005-00001-006[/rid].) Complex trauma occurs repeatedly and escalates over its duration. In families, it is exemplified by domestic violence and child abuse and in other situations by war, prisoner of war or refugee status, and human trafficking. Complex trauma also refers to situations such as acute/chronic illness that requires intensive medical intervention or a single traumatic event that is calamitous. Complex trauma generates complex reactions, in addition to those currently included in the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article examines the criteria contained in the diagnostic conceptualization of complex PTSD (CPTSD). It reviews newly available assessment tools and outlines a sequenced treatment based on accumulated clinical observation and emerging empirical substantiation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved) Keywords: Human trafficking
“There was nowhere to hide…”: the surprising discovery of how weekly web conferences facilitated engagement for online initial teacher education students

ABSTRACT This paper reports on the ways that weekly webconferences (WC) facilitated engagement for thirty-two ITES enrolled in a capstone unit in their final semester of study in a teacher education course. Using a descriptive mixed-methods case study approach, the initial teacher educationstudents (ITES) completed questionnaires, participated in follow-up interviews and completed their assessment tasks to shed insight into the impact of the WC. The findings reveal the powerful ways that the WC facilitated engagement for ITES in their studies and helped develop the professional attributes expected of graduates. Importantly, the study revealed that the WC enabled a deeper level of engagement, satisfaction and sense of achievement than alternative activities, including face to face tutorials.
Exposure to Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles Differently Affect Swimming Performance and Survival in Two Daphnid Species

The CeO2 NPs are increasingly used in industry but the environmental release of these NPs and their subsequent behavior and biological effects are currently unclear. This study evaluates for the first time the effects of CeO2 NPs on the survival and the swimming performance of two cladoceran species, Daphnia similis and Daphnia pulex after 1, 10 and 100 mg.L−1 CeO2 exposures for 48 h. Acute toxicity bioassays were performed to determine EC50 of exposed daphnids. Video-recorded swimming behavior of both daphnids was used to measure swimming speeds after various exposures to aggregated CeO2 NPs. The acute ecotoxicity showed that D. similis is 350 times more sensitive to CeO2 NPs than D. pulex, showing 48-h EC50 of 0.26 mg.L−1 and 91.79 mg.L−1, respectively. Both species interacted with CeO2 NPs (adsorption), but much more strongly in the case of D. similis. Swimming velocities (SV) were differently and significantly affected by CeO2 NPs for both species. A 48-h exposure to 1 mg.L−1 induced a decrease of 30% and 40% of the SV in D. pulex and D. similis, respectively. However at higher concentrations, the SV of D. similis was more impacted (60% off for 10 mg.L−1 and 100 mg.L−1) than the one of D. pulex. These interspecific toxic effects of CeO2 NPs are explained by morphological variations such as the presence of reliefs on the cuticle and a longer distal spine in D. similis acting as traps for the CeO2 aggregates. In addition, D. similis has a mean SV double that of D. pulex and thus initially collides with twice more NPs aggregates. The ecotoxicological consequences on the behavior and physiology of a CeO2 NPs exposure in daphnids are discussed.
Some Koszul Rings from Geometry 3 1

We give examples of Koszul rings that arise naturally in algebraic geometry. In the first part, we prove a general result on Koszul property associated to an ample line bundle on a projective variety. Specifically, we show how Koszul property of multiples of a base point free ample line bundle depends on its Castelnuovo-Mumford regularity. In the second part, we give examples of Koszul rings that come from adjoint line bundles on irregular surfaces of general type.
Wide-Area Protection and Emergency Control

System-wide disturbances in power systems are a challenging problem for the utility industry because of the large scale and the complexity of the power system. When a major power system disturbance occurs, protection and control actions are required to stop the power system degradation, restore the system to a normal state, and minimize the impact of the disturbance. In some cases, the present control actions are not designed for a fast-developing disturbance and may be too slow. The report explores special protection schemes and new technologies for advanced, wide-area protection. There seems to be a great potential for advanced wide-area protection and control systems, based on powerful, flexible and reliable system protection terminals, high speed, communication, and GPS synchronization in conjunction with careful and skilled engineering by power system analysts and protection engineers in cooperation.
Coevolving communicative behavior in a linear pursuer-evadergame

The pursuer-evader (PE) game is recognized as an important domain in which to study the coevolution of robust adaptive behavior and protean behavior (Miller and Cli , 1994). Nevertheless, the potential of the game is largely unrealized due to methodological hurdles in coevolutionary simulation raised by PE; versions of the game that have optimal solutions (Isaacs, 1965) are closed-ended, while other formulations are opaque with respect to their solution space, for the lack of a rigorous metric of agent behavior. This inability to characterize behavior, in turn, obfuscates coevolutionary dynamics. We present a new formulation of PE that a ords a rigorous measure of agent behavior and system dynamics. The game is moved from the two-dimensional plane to the one-dimensional bitstring; at each time step, the evader generates a bit that the pursuer must simultaneously predict. Because behavior is expressed as a time series, we can employ information theory to provide quantitative analysis of agent activity. Further, this version of PE opens vistas onto the communicative component of pursuit and evasion behavior, providing an open-ended serial communications channel and an open world (via coevolution). Results show that subtle changes to our game determine whether it is open-ended, and profoundly a ect the viability of arms-race dynamics.
Wavelet-based Estimation Procedures for Seasonal Long-memory Models

We introduce the multiscale analysis of seasonal persistent processes; i.e., time series models with a singularity in their spectral density function at a or multiple frequencies in 0; 1=2]. The discrete wavelet packet transform (DWPT) and an non-decimated version of it known as the maximal overlap DWPT (MODWPT) are introduced as an alternative method to spectral techniques for analyzing time series that exhibit seasonal long-memory. Approximate maximum likelihood estimation is performed by replacing the variance/covariance matrix with diagonalized matrix based on the ability of the DWPT to approximately decorrelate a seasonal persistent process. Simulations are performed using this wavelet-based maximum likelihood technique on a variety of time series models. An application of this methodology to atmospheric CO 2 measurements is also presented.
Associative and Semantic Features Extracted From Web-Harvested Corpora

We address the problem of automatic classification of associative and semantic relations between words, and particularly those that hold between nouns. Lexical relations such as synonymy, hypernymy/hyponymy, constitute the fundamental types of semantic relations. Associative relations are harder to define, since they include a long list of diverse relations, e.g., """"Cause-Effect"""", """"Instrument-Agency"""". Motivated by findings from the literature of psycholinguistics and corpus linguistics, we propose features that take advantage of general linguistic properties. For evaluation we merged three datasets assembled and validated by cognitive scientists. A proposed priming coefficient that measures the degree of asymmetry in the order of appearance of the words in text achieves the best classification results, followed by context-based similarity metrics. The web-based features achieve classification accuracy that exceeds 85%.
Prolonged excretion of a low-pathogenicity H5N2 avian influenza virus strain in the Pekin duck

H5N2 strains of low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) have been circulating for at least 17 years in some Mexican chicken farms. We measured the rate and duration of viral excretion from Pekin ducks that were experimentally inoculated with an H5N2 LPAIV that causes death in embryonated chicken eggs (A/chicken/Mexico/2007). Leghorn chickens were used as susceptible host controls. The degree of viral excretion was evaluated with real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) using samples from oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs. We observed prolonged excretion from both species of birds lasting for at least 21 days. Prolonged excretion of LPAIV A/chicken/Mexico/2007 is atypical.
Hope, goals, and pathways: Further validating the hope scale with observer ratings

ABSTRACT Objective: For the past two decades, hope theory has been an important framework for conceptualizing goal pursuits. Surprisingly there has been little effort to test the underlying suppositions of hope theory or to further validate the Hope Scale. Method: In Study 1, participants (N = 162, Mage = 19, 61% female) completed the Hope Scale and nominated goals they would like to accomplish in the next few months. Goals were coded on several dimensions. In Study 2, participants (N = 118, Mage = 19, 59% female) completed the Hope Scale, measures of optimism and self-efficacy, and generated workable pathways for achieving standardized goals. Results: Hope scores predicted setting objectively important, prosocial, long-term, and challenging goals. Hope (but not optimism or self-efficacy) was associated with generating more pathways for standardized goals. Conclusions: The results of these studies generally support the tenets of hope theory and provide further validation for the Hope Scale. As expected, people with higher hope were more likely than their lower-hope counterparts to engage in what has been considered successful goal-setting behavior. Hope is associated with important goal-relevant behaviors and efforts to increase hopeful thought may be important in helping individuals to move toward important life outcomes.
The Netrin/RGM Receptor, Neogenin, Controls Adult Neurogenesis by Promoting Neuroblast Migration and Cell Cycle Exit

A comprehensive understanding of adult neurogenesis is essential for the development of effective strategies to enhance endogenous neurogenesis in the damaged brain. Olfactory interneurons arise throughout life from stem cells residing in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle. Neural precursors then migrate along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb. To ensure a continuous supply of adult‐born interneurons, precursor proliferation, migration, and differentiation must be tightly coordinated. Here, we show that the netrin/repulsive guidance molecule receptor, Neogenin, is a key regulator of adult neurogenesis. Neogenin loss‐of‐function (Neogt/gt) mice exhibit a specific reduction in adult‐born calretinin interneurons in the olfactory granule cell layer. In the absence of Neogenin, neuroblasts fail to migrate into the olfactory bulb and instead accumulate in the RMS. In vitro migration assays confirmed that Neogenin is required for Netrin‐1‐mediated neuroblast migration and chemoattraction. Unexpectedly, we also identified a novel role for Neogenin as a regulator of the neuroblast cell cycle. We observed that those neuroblasts able to reach the Neogt/gt olfactory bulb failed to undergo terminal differentiation. Cell cycle analysis revealed an increase in the number of S‐phase neuroblasts within the Neogt/gt RMS and a significant reduction in the number of neuroblasts exiting the cell cycle, providing an explanation for the loss of mature calretinin interneurons in the granule cell layer. Therefore, Neogenin acts to synchronize neuroblast migration and terminal differentiation through the regulation of neuroblast cell cycle kinetics within the neurogenic microenvironment of the RMS. Stem Cells 2015;33:503–514