Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improving Video Resolution by Image Mosaics

An optical fiber cable allows for future expansion with blown optical fibers through conduits. The cable assembly includes a central strength member, a conduit, and a buffer tube of optical fibers, all surrounded by an outer jacket. The central strength member may be tubular. While the buffer tube of optical fibers accommodates current capacity requirements, the conduit and possibly the tubular strength member provide paths for blowing additional optical fibers into the cable to meet future capacity needs.
DNA modifications in the mammalian brain

DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic mark in mammalian development, genomic imprinting, X-inactivation, chromosomal stability and suppressing parasitic DNA elements. DNA methylation in neurons has also been suggested to play important roles for mammalian neuronal functions, and learning and memory. In this review, we first summarize recent discoveries and fundamental principles of DNA modifications in the general epigenetics field. We then describe the profiles of different DNA modifications in the mammalian brain genome. Finally, we discuss roles of DNA modifications in mammalian brain development and function.
Intensive Insulin Therapy in Mixed Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Units

Intensive insulin therapy (IIT) improves the outcome of prolonged critically ill patients, but concerns remain regarding potential harm and the optimal blood glucose level. These questions were addressed using the pooled dataset of two randomized controlled trials. Independent of parenteral glucose load, IIT reduced mortality from 23.6 to 20.4% in the intention-to-treat group (n = 2,748; P = 0.04) and from 37.9 to 30.1% among long stayers (n = 1,389; P = 0.002), with no difference among short stayers (8.9 vs. 10.4%; n = 1,359; P = 0.4). Compared with blood glucose of 110–150 mg/dl, mortality was higher with blood glucose >150 mg/dl (odds ratio 1.38 [95% CI 1.10–1.75]; P = 0.007) and lower with <110 mg/dl (0.77 [0.61–0.96]; P = 0.02). Only patients with diabetes (n = 407) showed no survival benefit of IIT. Prevention of kidney injury and critical illness polyneuropathy required blood glucose strictly <110 mg/day, but this level carried the highest risk of hypoglycemia. Within 24 h of hypoglycemia, three patients in the conventional and one in the IIT group died (P = 0.0004) without difference in hospital mortality. No new neurological problems occurred in survivors who experienced hypoglycemia in intensive care units (ICUs). We conclude that IIT reduces mortality of all medical/surgical ICU patients, except those with a prior history of diabetes, and does not cause harm. A blood glucose target <110 mg/day was most effective but also carried the highest risk of hypoglycemia.
Neurological function following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion is improved by the Ruyi Zhenbao pill in a rats

The present study aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of the Ruyi Zhenbao pill on neurological function following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion following reperfusion. The rats received intragastrically either sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (control and model groups) or Ruyi Zhenbao pill at doses of 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 g/kg. Neurological function was assessed by cylinder, adhesive and beam-walking tests after 14-day Ruyi Zhenbao pill treatment. Neurogenesis and angiogenesis were detected using immunoﬂuorescence staining. The expression levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Treatment with 0.4 and 0.8 g/kg Ruyi Zhenbao for 14 days signiﬁcantly improved neurological function, and increased the number of von Willebrand Factor- and neuronal nuclear antigen-positive cells in the ischemic hemisphere of rats. Ruyi Zhenbao pill treatment also significantly enhanced the expression levels of BDNF, NGF and VEGF in the ischemic hemisphere. The results demonstrated that the Ruyi Zhenbao pill improved neurological function following ischemia in rats. The mechanisms of the Ruyi Zhenbao pill are associated with increasing the expression levels of BDNF, NGF and VEGF, and subsequently promoting neurogenesis and angiogenesis in the ischemic zone.
Evaluating the Effects of Riboflavin/UV-A and Rose-Bengal/Green Light Cross-Linking of the Rabbit Cornea by Noncontact Optical Coherence Elastography

Purpose The purpose of this study was to use noncontact optical coherence elastography (OCE) to evaluate and compare changes in biomechanical properties that occurred in rabbit cornea in situ after corneal collagen cross-linking by either of two techniques: ultraviolet-A (UV-A)/riboflavin or rose-Bengal/green light. Methods Low-amplitude (≤10 μm) elastic waves were induced in mature rabbit corneas by a focused air pulse. Elastic wave propagation was imaged by a phase-stabilized swept source OCE (PhS-SSOCE) system. Corneas were then cross-linked by either of two methods: UV-A/riboflavin (UV-CXL) or rose-Bengal/green light (RGX). Phase velocities of the elastic waves were fitted to a previously developed modified Rayleigh-Lamb frequency equation to obtain the viscoelasticity of the corneas before and after the cross-linking treatments. Micro-scale depth-resolved phase velocity distribution revealed the depth-wise heterogeneity of both cross-linking techniques. Results Under standard treatment settings, UV-CXL significantly increased the stiffness of the corneas by ∼47% (P < 0.05), but RGX did not produce statistically significant increases. The shear viscosities were unaffected by either cross-linking technique. The depth-wise phase velocities showed that UV-CXL affected the anterior ∼34% of the corneas, whereas RGX affected only the anterior ∼16% of the corneas. Conclusions UV-CXL significantly strengthens the cornea, whereas RGX does not, and the effects of cross-linking by UV-CXL reach deeper into the cornea than cross-linking effects of RGX under similar conditions.
Device-based interactions for anonymous voting and rating with mobile devices in collaborative scenarios

Although one advantage of collocated collaboration is to work and discuss directly, some aspects have to be treated anonymously. For example, voting for partial solutions sometimes needs to be performed anonymously to enable unbiased ratings. We provide device-based interactions for voting anonymously in collocated settings using mobile devices. Since looking at the mobile device's screen distracts users from their surrounding and whether they are unobserved or not, we propose simple interactions based on metaphors that can be performed blindly and use the device's sensors as well as the (multi-)touch display. By tapping on the fingerprint sensor or the display a given rating can be counted. Motion sensors are used to accept or reject a partial solution. To demonstrate our interactions, we implemented a prototypical application using the fingerprint sensor for rating. The proposed interactions facilitate anonymous voting and rating to ensure unbiased decisions.
Lentivirus Nef Specifically Activates Pak2

ABSTRACT Nef proteins from human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) have been found to associate with an active cellular serine/threonine kinase designated Nef-associated kinase (Nak). The exact identity of Nak remains controversial, with two recent studies indicating that Nak may be either Pak1 or Pak2. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that such discrepancies arise from the use of different Nef alleles or different cell types by individual investigators. We first confirm that Pak2 but not Pak1 is cleaved by caspase 3 in vitro and then demonstrate that Nak is caspase 3 sensitive, regardless of Nef allele or cell type used. We testednef alleles from three lentiviruses (HIV-1 SF2, HIV-1 NL4-3, and SIVmac239) and used multiple cell lines of myeloid, lymphoid, and nonhematopoietic origin to evaluate the identity of Nak. We demonstrate that ectopically expressed Pak2 can substitute for Nak, while ectopically expressed Pak1 cannot. We then show that Nef specifically mediates the robust activation of ectopically expressed Pak2, directly demonstrating that Nef regulates Pak2 activity and does not merely associate with activated Pak2. We report that most of the active Pak2 is found bound to Nef, although a fraction is not. In contrast, only a small amount of Nef is found associated with Pak2. We conclude that Nak is Pak2 and that Nef specifically mediates Pak2 activation in a low-abundance complex. These results will facilitate both the elucidation of the role of Nef in pathogenesis and the development of specific inhibitors of this highly conserved function of Nef.
Multi-layer temporal graphical model for head pose estimation in real-world videos

Head pose estimation has been receiving a lot of attention due to its wide range of possible applications. However, most approaches in the literature have focused on head pose estimation in controlled environments. Head pose estimation has recently begun to be applied to real-world environments. However, the focus has been on estimation from single images or video frames. Furthermore, most approaches frame the problem as classification into a set of coarse pose bins, rather than performing continuous pose estimation. The proposed multi-layer probabilistic temporal graphical model robustly estimates continuous head pose angle while leveraging the strengths of multiple features into account. Experiments performed on a large, real-world video database show that our approach not only significantly outperforms alternative head pose approaches, but also provides a pose probability assigned at each video frame, which permits robust temporal, probabilistic fusion of pose information over the entire video sequence.
CENP-F is a protein of the nuclear matrix that assembles onto kinetochores at late G2 and is rapidly degraded after mitosis

Centromere protein-F (CENP-F) is mammalian kinetochore protein that was recently identified by an autoimmune serum (Rattner, J. B., A. Rao, M. J. Fritzler, D. W. Valencia, and T. J. Yen. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton. 26:214-226). We report here the human cDNA sequence of CENP-F, along with its expression and localization patterns at different stages of the HeLa cell cycle. CENP-F is protein of the nuclear matrix that gradually accumulates during the cell cycle until it reaches peak levels in G2 and M phase cells and is rapidly degraded upon completion of mitosis. CENP-F is first detected at the prekinetochore complex during late G2, and is clearly detectable as paired foci that correspond to all the centromeres by prophase. During mitosis, CENP-F is associated with kinetochores from prometaphase until early anaphase and is then detected at the spindle midzone throughout the remainder of anaphase. By telophase, CENP-F is concentrated within the intracellular bridge at either side of the mid-body. The predicted structure of the 367-kD CENP-F protein consists of two 1,600-amino acid-long coil domains that flank a central flexible core. A putative P-loop nucleotide binding site (ADIPTGKT) is located within the globular carboxy terminus. The structural features deduced from our sequence studies and the spatial and temperal distribution of CENP-F revealed in our cytological and biochemical studies suggest that it may play a role in several mitotic events.
The de Bruijn principle and the compositional design of programming languages

Component-oriented development can be applied to programing languages themselves. The typical structure of languages’ semantic definitions using natural deduction rules lends itself to modularisation schemes in which the rules describing an individual language feature set may be composed freely with those of other feature sets without interference. We describe initial work on a system that encapsulates this approach to language design, which can generate language tools and their associated proof systems by composing descriptions of feature sets. The intention is to modularise the development and proof processes and encourage the population of an open set of interoperable and re-composable
On the discursive formation of talent

This article examines the long historical interest for the selection of young talented children in sports. This seemingly everlasting search for talents and the quest for the especially gifted is followed by the practice of trying to find and select the right individuals. This paper elucidates historical representations of talent and talent selection in a series of professional sports literature in Sweden during the 1930s, 1980s, 1990s and 2010s. Drawing on a discourse analytic approach, it illustrates the historical understanding of selection and how such practices produce formations of legitimacy. The study shows how certain historical elements reoccur in contemporary selection discourse and how specific actions are transformed into personal characteristics. These selection processes construct a rationale for a legitimate selection and illustrate how talent selection is based on historically specific assumptions, normative and moral statements and activities connected to a specific discursive formation. This insight underlines that talent selection cannot be understood as essential skills identified through observation, tests or interviews. It is rather to be understood as a discursive repertoire responding to a specific historical legitimacy.
Nonenzymatic Reactions above Phospholipid Surfaces of Biological Membranes: Reactivity of Phospholipids and Their Oxidation Derivatives

Phospholipids play multiple and essential roles in cells, as components of biological membranes. Although phospholipid bilayers provide the supporting matrix and surface for many enzymatic reactions, their inherent reactivity and possible catalytic role have not been highlighted. As other biomolecules, phospholipids are frequent targets of nonenzymatic modifications by reactive substances including oxidants and glycating agents which conduct to the formation of advanced lipoxidation end products (ALEs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). There are some theoretical studies about the mechanisms of reactions related to these processes on phosphatidylethanolamine surfaces, which hypothesize that cell membrane phospholipids surface environment could enhance some reactions through a catalyst effect. On the other hand, the phospholipid bilayers are susceptible to oxidative damage by oxidant agents as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Molecular dynamics simulations performed on phospholipid bilayers models, which include modified phospholipids by these reactions and subsequent reactions that conduct to formation of ALEs and AGEs, have revealed changes in the molecular interactions and biophysical properties of these bilayers as consequence of these reactions. Then, more studies are desirable which could correlate the biophysics of modified phospholipids with metabolism in processes such as aging and diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.
Accuracy of a high-resolution lidar terrain model under a conifer forest canopy

Airborne laser scanning systems (commonly referred to as light detection and ranging or lidar systems) can provide terrain elevation data for open areas with a vertical accuracy of 15 cm. Accuracy in heavily forested areas has not been thoroughly tested. In this study, a high-resolution digital terrain model (DTM) was produced from high-density lidar data. Vegetation in the 500-ha mountainous study area varied from bare ground to dense 70-year-old conifer forest. Conventional ground survey methods were used to collect coordinates and near-ground vegetation heights at 347 ground checkpoints distributed under a range of canopy covers. These points were used to check the DTM accuracy. The mean DTM error was 0.22 ± 0.24 m (mean ± SD). DTM elevation errors for four tree canopy cover classes were: clearcut 0.16 ± 0.23 m, heavily thinned 0.18 ± 0.14 m, lightly thinned 0.18 ± 0.18 m, and uncut 0.31 ± 0.29 m. These DTM errors show a slight increase with canopy density but the differences are strikingly small. In general, the lidar DTM was found to be extremely accurate and potentially very useful in forestry.
A preliminary analysis of the morphology of lateral canals after root canal filling using a tooth-clearing technique.

AIM This study used a modified tooth-clearing technique to allow observation of accessory canals following filling with a warm gutta-percha technique and one of two endodontic cements. METHODOLOGY Ten extracted human maxillary molars with three roots were selected and divided into two equal groups of five teeth. Each group had 15 canals. Root canal preparation was performed with a modified double flared technique; irrigation with 5% NaOCl and lubrication with RC-Prep were used. The canals were then filled with gutta-percha and cement utilizing a warm vertical condensation technique in the apical third followed by thermo-mechanical compaction in the middle and coronal thirds. Pulp Canal Sealer or AH-Plus were used in the experimental groups. The teeth were demineralized with a modified buffered acid solution, cleared in methylsalicylate and examined under a stereomicroscope. Accessory canals were evaluated in the apical, middle and coronal thirds of each root canal and categorized as narrow or wide, following observation on four surfaces. The depth of penetration of gutta-percha and cement into lateral canals was scored using a 5-point system. RESULTS Complete transparency of the roots was achieved. Accessory canals were detected in all specimens. In coronal ramifications, gutta-percha filled the empty spaces (coronal thirds, grades 3 and 4: 70.9% in AH-Plus group and 68.8% in Pulp Canal Sealer group). In the apical accessory canals, gutta-percha entered less frequently (apical thirds, grades 3 and 4: 17.9% in the AH-Plus group and 3.2% in the Pulp Canal Sealer group); cement without gutta-percha (grades 1 and 2) was present in 55.5% in the AH-Plus group and 38.7% of the Pulp Canal Sealer group. Analysis showed that AH-Plus cement resulted in significantly greater filling of the apical accessory canals compared to Pulp Canal Sealer. CONCLUSIONS The modified tooth-clearing technique allowed observation of fine morphological details in all specimens. Effective gutta-percha filling was evident in most of the wide coronal lateral canals whilst the apical narrow ramifications were often incompletely filled by cement. Overall AH-Plus demonstrated better diffusion into lateral accessory canals compared to Pulp Canal Sealer.
Respiratory health and indoor air pollutants based on quantitative exposure assessments

We reviewed the main epidemiological studies that evaluate the respiratory effects of indoor air pollutants quantitatively in industrialised countries. Consistent results support short-term (aggravation) and, although more rarely, long-term (prevalence augmentation) effects on asthma, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in indoor settings with poor air quality. Environmental tobacco smoke is one of the most important risks for respiratory symptoms and diseases worldwide. The evidence is also reliable for indoor nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, which have been associated with asthma, bronchitis and COPD. Whereas formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds seem to be the main pollutants in indoor settings, relevant papers on their respiratory effects are still scarce, and limited to asthma and bronchitis. Moulds have been associated with an increased risk of asthma and COPD. Contradictory results have been found between endotoxins and asthma. The role of phthalates, persistent organic pollutants and flame retardants in respiratory diseases remains to be established. Results from rural areas of industrialised countries indicate that exposure to some indoor bio-contaminants might be protective in early life, while it is associated with adverse respiratory adverse effects in adulthood. Studies focusing on indoor air pollutants should be developed to better understand their involvement in the inception and aggravation of respiratory diseases.
Distributed source coding of correlated memoryless Gaussian observations

We consider a distributed source coding problem of L correlated Gaussian observations Y<inf>i</inf>, i = 1, 2, …, L. We assume that the random vector Y<sup>L</sup> = <sup>t</sup>(Y<inf>1</inf>, Y<inf>2</inf>, …, Y<inf>L</inf>) is an observation of the Gaussian random vector X<sup>K</sup> = <sup>t</sup>(X<inf>1</inf>,X<inf>2</inf>, …, X<inf>K</inf>), having the form Y<sup>L</sup> = AX<sup>K</sup> + N<sup>L</sup>, where A is a L × K matrix and N<sup>L</sup> = <sup>t</sup>(N<inf>1</inf>, N<inf>2</inf>, …, N<inf>L</inf>) is a vector of L independent Gaussian random variables also independent of X<sup>K</sup>. We consider two distortion criterion based on the covariance matrix of the estimation error on X<sup>K</sup>. One is the criterion called the vector distortion criterion distortion region where each of the the diagonal elements of the covariance matrix is upper bounded by a prescribed level. The other is the criterion called the sum distortion criterion where the trace of the covariance matrix is upper bounded by a prescribed level. For each of the above two distortion criterion we derive explicit inner and outer bounds of the rate distortion region. We also derive an explicit matching condition in the case of the sum distortion criterion.
CHANGES OF ANAEROBIC CAPACITY AFTER TRAINING REALISE EFFORTS OF CONSTANT POWER AT DIFFERENT PEDALLING RATES

Background. The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of training sessions performed on cycloergometer, with equal energy expenditure, constant power output (250 Watts) but different cadences, on selected variables: anaerobic capacity, blood lactate level, and acids-bases balance. The relationship between blood lactate and anaerobic power was also investigated. Material and methods. Twenty-tree non-competitive male athletes, being the students from Academy of Physical Education participated in this study. They were divided into two groups. Each of them performed training sessions, which consisted each from five 3-minutes bouts of constant power output amounted 250 W, but of different cadences; group W80 (n=11) – 80 rpm, group W45 (12) – 45 rpm. The intermissions between the bouts were the same (2 minutes) for two groups. Wingate test were performed each Monday of the training period lasting 4 weeks, and of recovery period lasting two weeks. Results. After training period nonsignificant rise of peak power output were noted in W80 group (by 1.2%), and in W45 group (by 2.6%). Significant changes in mean power output were observed in W80 (by 6.1%) and in W45 (by 7.2%) two and one weeks after training session respectively. After training periods the means peak blood lactate for both groups, calculated from individual post-exercise maximal responses were significantly lowered, compared to pre-training condition; in W80 from 15.50±1.45 to 13.73±2.60 mmol/L, in W45 from 15.06±1.50 to 13.84±2.19 mmol/L. Conclusions. Both training regimens brought about significant alternations of anaerobic capacity. Blood lactate responses to Wingate, and anaerobic capacity does not depend on cycling cadence over training period. ARTYKU£ ORYGINALNY / ORIGINAL ARTICLE Medycyna Sportowa © MEDSPORTPRESS, 2006; 5(6); Vol. 22, 253-261