Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
U-Pb ages of igneous xenoliths in a salt diapir, La Popa basin: Implications for salt age in onshore Mexico salt basins

Crystallization ages of igneous xenoliths entrained in a salt diapir in La Popa basin, northeastern Mexico, indicate the timing of magmatism in onshore Mexico salt basins and elucidate igneous rock-salt relations. Three equigranular phaneritic mafic to intermediate xenoliths have U-Pb zircon ages from 158 to 154 Ma (Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian). Phaneritic textures, hydrothermal alteration, zircon zonation, and previously published 40Ar/39Ar cooling ages from a nearby diapir, which are younger than Upper Jurassic strata overlying the salt, combine to suggest that these samples were intruded into salt and exhumed during diapirism. A porphyritic mafic rock with a U-Pb zircon age of 150 Ma (Tithonian) has a crystallization age coeval with marine strata overlying the salt. It is interpreted as a shallow intrusion into salt emplaced after the onset of salt diapirism. Magmatism thus took place from 158 to 150 Ma. The Oxfordian–Kimmeridgian ages of the three older xenoliths overlap with published biostratigraphic ages in carbonate strata intercalated with evaporites of the Minas Viejas Formation in the Sierra Madre Oriental south of Monterrey, Mexico. The entire time interval represented by the xenolith ages is coeval with mafic flows and pillow basalts in Border rift basins in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Comparison of the new ages with 40Ar/39Ar ages of igneous xenoliths from coastal Louisiana diapirs implies that rift magmatism began later in northeastern Mexico than in the Gulf of Mexico. The magmatic time interval indicated by the diapiric xenoliths is younger than accepted ages for Jurassic arc magmatism in northern and central Mexico and supports the inference that the Late Jurassic magmatism was not a result of subduction. The U-Pb ages and biostratigraphy are consistent in indicating a late Oxfordian–early Kimmeridgian salt age in northeastern Mexico, younger than the Louann Salt of the Gulf of Mexico. The contrasting salt ages indicate incursion of water into La Popa basin and adjacent onshore salt basins of northeastern Mexico from a fully marine Gulf of Mexico. LITHOSPHERE; v. 9; no. 5; p. 745–758 | Published online 30 June 2017 https://doi.org/10.1130/L658.1
An ex vivo model using human osteoarthritic cartilage demonstrates the release of bioactive insulin-like growth factor-1 from a collagen–glycosaminoglycan scaffold

Biomimetic scaffolds hold great promise for therapeutic repair of cartilage, but although most scaffolds are tested with cells in vitro, there are very few ex vivo models (EVMs) where adult cartilage and scaffolds are co‐cultured to optimize their interaction prior to in vivo studies. This study describes a simple, non‐compressive method that is applicable to mammalian or human cartilage and provides a reasonable throughput of samples. Rings of full‐depth articular cartilage slices were derived from human donors undergoing knee replacement for osteoarthritis and a 3 mm core of a collagen/glycosaminoglycan biomimetic scaffold (Tigenix, UK) inserted to create the EVM. Adult osteoarthritis chondrocytes were seeded into the scaffold and cultures maintained for up to 30 days. Ex vivo models were stable throughout experiments, and cells remained viable. Chondrocytes seeded into the EVM attached throughout the scaffold and in contact with the cartilage explants. Cell migration and deposition of extracellular matrix proteins in the scaffold was enhanced by growth factors particularly if the scaffold was preloaded with growth factors. This study demonstrates that the EVM represents a suitable model that has potential for testing a range of therapeutic parameters such as numbers/types of cell, growth factors or therapeutic drugs before progressing to costly pre‐clinical trials. © 2015 The Authors. Cell Biochemistry and Function Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
DiDi: Mitigating the Performance Impact of TLB Shootdowns Using a Shared TLB Directory

Translation Look aside Buffers (TLBs) are ubiquitously used in modern architectures to cache virtual-to-physical mappings and, as they are looked up on every memory access, are paramount to performance scalability. The emergence of chip-multiprocessors (CMPs) with per-core TLBs, has brought the problem of TLB coherence to front stage. TLBs are kept coherent at the software-level by the operating system (OS). Whenever the OS modifies page permissions in a page table, it must initiate a coherency transaction among TLBs, a process known as a TLB shoot down. Current CMPs rely on the OS to approximate the set of TLBs caching a mapping and synchronize TLBs using costly Inter-Proceessor Interrupts (IPIs) and software handlers. In this paper, we characterize the impact of TLB shoot downs on multiprocessor performance and scalability, and present the design of a scalable TLB coherency mechanism. First, we show that both TLB shoot down cost and frequency increase with the number of processors and project that software-based TLB shoot downs would thwart the performance of large multiprocessors. We then present a scalable architectural mechanism that couples a shared TLB directory with load/store queue support for lightweight TLB invalidation, and thereby eliminates the need for costly IPIs. Finally, we show that the proposed mechanism reduces the fraction of machine cycles wasted on TLB shoot downs by an order of magnitude.
Health Care Costs Associated With Parent-Reported ADHD: A Longitudinal Australian Population–Based Study

Objective: To examine the health care costs associated with ADHD within a nationally representative sample of children. Method: Data were from Waves 1 to 3 (4-9 years) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (N = 4,983). ADHD was defined by previous diagnosis and a measure of ADHD symptoms (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire [SDQ]). Participant data were linked to administrative data on health care costs. Analyses controlled for demographic factors and internalizing and externalizing comorbidities. Results: Costs associated with health care attendances and medications were higher for children with parent-reported ADHD at each age. Cost differences were highest at 8 to 9 years for both health care attendances and medications. Persistent symptoms were associated with higher costs (p < .001). Excess population health care costs amounted to Aus$25 to Aus$30 million over 6 years, from 4 to 9 years of age. Conclusion: ADHD is associated with significant health care costs from early in life. Understanding the costs associated with ADHD is an important first step in helping to plan for service-system changes.
Advantages of Azithromycin Over Erythromycin in Improving the Gastric Emptying Half-Time in Adult Patients With Gastroparesis

Background/Aims Current therapy for gastroparesis with prokinetic agents is limited by options and side effects. One macrolide, erythromycin (ERY), is associated with possible sudden cardiac death from QT prolongation due to P450 iso-enzyme inhibition. An alternative, azithromycin (AZI), lacks P450 inhibition. We compared the effect on gastric emptying half-times (t½) between AZI and ERY in patients diagnosed with gastroparesis by gastric emptying scintigraphy. Methods Patients stopped medications known to affect gastric emptying prior to the study, and then ingested 1 scrambled egg meal labeled with 18.5-37 MBq of technetium-99m sulfur colloid followed by continuous imaging for 120 minutes, at 1 minute per frame. A simple linear fit was applied to the rate of gastric emptying, and gastric emptying t½ was calculated (normal = 45-90 minutes). At 75-80 minutes, if the stomach had clearly not emptied, patients were given either ERY (n = 60) or AZI (n = 60) 250 mg IV and a new post-treatment gastric emptying t½ was calculated. Results Comparison of gastric emptying t½ showed a similar positive effect (mean gastric emptying t½ for AZI = 10.4 ± 7.2 minutes; mean gastric emptying t½ for ERY = 11.9 ± 8.4 minutes; p = 0.30). Conclusions AZI is equivalent to ERY in accelerating the gastric emptying of adult patients with gastroparesis. Given the longer duration of action, better side effect profile and lack of P450 interaction for AZI as compared with ERY, further research should evaluate the long term effectiveness and safety of AZI as a gastroparesis treatment.
Primary carcinosarcoma of ovary an unusual tumor case report with review of literature

Primary ovarian carcinosarcoma is a rare biphasic tumor. There is variable admixture of both malignant epithelial and stromal component seen in this tumor. We report a case of a primary carcinosarcoma of ovary in a 72-year-old post-menopausal female presenting with the complaint of abdominal distension. Staging laparotomy was done for this patient, and final histopathology was reported as the carcinosarcoma of ovary. The epithelial and sarcomatous components showed immunohistochemical positivity for their respective markers.
Performance Evaluation of Vision-Based Algorithms for MAVs

An important focus of current research in the field of Micro Aerial Vehicles (MAVs) is to increase the safety of their operation in general unstructured environments. Especially indoors, where GPS cannot be used for localization, reliable algorithms for localization and mapping of the environment are necessary in order to keep an MAV airborne safely. In this paper, we compare vision-based real-time capable methods for localization and mapping and point out their strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, we describe algorithms for state estimation, control and navigation, which use the localization and mapping results of our vision-based algorithms as input.
Efficiently encodable non-binary generalized LDPC codes

This writeup examines the construction and performance of non-binary generalized low-density parity-check (GLDPC) codes. Recently, binary GLDPC coding techniques have been shown to improve upon conventional low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes by increasing the minimum codeword length, reducing error floors, and improving performance at lower coding rates. GLDPC codes replace the parity-check constraints of a standard LDPC code with stronger codes, e.g. short linear block codes. At the same time, non-binary LDPC codes have been shown to outperform their binary LDPC counterpart for shorter codeword lengths and for space-time coding applications in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. Therefore, in contrast to previous works which have examined binary GLDPC codes, this paper explores non-binary GLDPC codes to combine all of the aforementioned benefits of non-binary LDPC and binary GLDPC codes. Additionally, non-binary GLDPC codes can attain higher coding rates than the counterpart binary GLDPC codes. We first propose a class of GLDPC codes with low encoding complexity, where the number of encoding operations scales linearly with the codeword length. An example is provided to illustrate the performance and complexity benefits of GLDPC codes over non-binary LDPC codes at lower coding rates. In particular, a GF(4) GLDPC code is shown to outperform a strong GF(256) LDPC code while requiring approximately 9x less operations per information bit. It is also demonstrated that with the appropriate parameters, the non-binary GLDPC codes outperform non-binary LDPC codes with respect to both the error floor and waterfall performance. Furthermore, it is shown that performance remains strong for the same coding rate as the constellation changes; this result contrasts previous works which have demonstrated that for non-binary LDPC codes, optimal parameters such as the column weight need to be adjusted for different constellations.
Throughput capacity of three-dimensional regular networks with omnidirectional antennas and directional antennas

Most of studies on network capacity focus on the networks in a two-dimensional space. However, with the development of technology, capacity analysis of three-dimensional networks becomes more predictable. Throughput capacity of three-dimensional regular networks are investigated in this paper. The per-node throughput capacity of the networks with omnidirectional antennas are obtained. As directional antennas can reduce the area interfered and thus increases the network capacity, we study the capacity of networks where all the nodes are equipped with directional antennas and obtain the directional antenna gain for network capacity. We find that the grid topology of networks can improve throughput capacity significantly. We also prove that if the beamwidth of directional antennas is small enough, the networks behave like wired networks.
Creating a Photoreal Digital Actor: The Digital Emily Project

The Digital Emily Project is a collaboration between facial animation company Image Metrics and the Graphics Laboratory at the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies to achieve one of the world’s first photorealistic digital facial performances. The project leverages latest-generation techniques in high-resolution face scanning, character rigging, video-based facial animation, and compositing. An actress was first filmed on a studio set speaking emotive lines of dialog in high definition. The lighting on the set was captured as a high dynamic range light probe image. The actress’ face was then three-dimensionally scanned in thirty-three facial expressions showing different emotions and mouth and eye movements using a high-resolution facial scanning process accurate to the level of skin pores and fine wrinkles. Lighting-independent diffuse and specular reflectance maps were also acquired as part of the scanning process. Correspondences between the 3D expression scans were formed using a semi-automatic process, allowing a blendshape facial animation rig to be constructed whose expressions closely mirrored the shapes observed in the rich set of facial scans; animated eyes and teeth were also added to the model. Skin texture detail showing dynamic wrinkling was converted into multiresolution displacement maps also driven by the blend shapes. A semi-automatic video-based facial animation system was then used to animate the 3D face rig to match the performance seen in the original video, and this performance was tracked onto the facial motion in the studio video. The final face was illuminated by the captured studio illumination and shading using the acquired reflectance maps with a skin translucency shading algorithm. Using this process, the project was able to render a synthetic facial performance which was generally accepted as being a real face.
Dementia in Developing Countries

The 10/66 Dementia Research Group (2000a) has drawn attention to the uneven distribution of research evidence worldwide; although two thirds (66%) of all persons with dementia live in developing countries, 10% or less of population-based research has been conducted in those regions. The study by Vas and colleagues on dementia in Mumbai, India, published in this issue of International Psychogeriatrics is therefore most welcome. Dementia has a very low profile in most developing countries. Families often view it as a normal part of aging, and few seek help despite experiencing significant strain (Pate1 & Prince, 2001; Shaji et al., in press). Unsurprisingly therefore it is accorded a low priority by policymakers in the developing world, and there is little sign of attention being given to the development of more responsive health care or social welfare services. Population-based research, well disseminated, can play an important role in increasing awareness at all levels of society.
Correlation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and sugar consumption, quality of diet, and dietary behavior in school children

This study investigated the correlation between consumption of sugar intake by fifth grade students in primary schools and development of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A total of 107 students participated, and eight boys and one girl (8.4% of the total) categorized as high risk for ADHD according to diagnostic criteria. There were significant differences in the occupations and drinking habits of the respondents' fathers between the normal group and risk group. In a comparison of students' nutrition intake status with daily nutrition intake standards for Koreans, students consumed twice as much protein as the recommended level, whereas their calcium intake was only 60% of the recommended DRI (dietary reference intake). Regarding intake volume of vitamin C, the normal group posted 143.9% of the recommended DRI, whereas the risk group showed only 65.5% of the recommended DRI. In terms of simple sugar intake from snacks, students in the normal group consumed 58.4 g while the risk group consumed 50.2 g. These levels constituted 12.5% of their total daily volume of sugar intake from snacks, which is higher than the 10% standard recommended by the WHO. In conclusion, children who consumed less sugar from fruit snacks or whose vitamin C intake was less than RI was at increased risks for ADHD (P < 0.05). However, no significant association was observed between total volume of simple sugar intake from snacks and ADHD development.
Eukaryotic selenocysteine inserting tRNA species support selenoprotein synthesis in Escherichia coli.

Although the tRNA species directing selenocysteine insertion in prokaryotes differ greatly in their primary structure from that of their eukaryotic homologues they share very similar three-dimensional structures. To analyse whether this conservation of the overall shape of the molecules reflects a conservation of their functional interactions it was tested whether the selenocysteine inserting tRNA species from Homo sapiens supports selenoprotein synthesis in E. coli. It was found that the expression of the human tRNA(Sec) gene in E.coli can complement a lesion in the tRNA(Sec) gene of this organism. Transcripts of the Homo sapiens and Xenopus laevis tRNA(Sec) genes synthesised in vitro were amino-acylated by the E.coli seryl-tRNA ligase although at a very low rate and the resulting seryl-tRNA(Sec) was bound to and converted into selenocysteyl-tRNA(Sec) by the selenocysteine synthase of this organism. Selenocysteyl-tRNA(Sec) from both eukaryotes was able to form a complex with translation factor SELB from E.coli. Although the mechanism of selenocysteine incorporation into seleno-proteins appears to be rather different in E.coli and in vertebrates, we observe here a surprising conservation of functions over an enormous evolutionary distance.
Coupling topic modelling in opinion mining for social media analysis

Many of social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter make it easy for everyone to share their thoughts on literally anything. Topic and opinion detection in social media facilitates the identification of emerging societal trends, analysis of public reactions to policies and business products. In this paper, we proposed a new method that combines the opining mining and context-based topic modelling to analyse public opinions on social media data. Context based topic modelling is used to categorise data in groups and discover hidden communities in data group. The unwanted data group discovered by the topic model then will be discarded. A lexicon based opinion mining method will be applied to the remaining data groups to spot out the public sentiment about the entities. A set of Tweets data on Australian Federal Election 2010 was used in our experiments. Our experimental results demonstrate that, with the help of topic modelling, our social media analysis model is accurate and effective.
Optimal Corner Detector

A corner is defined as the junction point of two or more straight line edges. Corners are special features in a image. They are of great use in computing the optical flow and structure from motion. In this paper, we report an optimal corner detector which uses a mathematical model for a corner. An optimal gray tone corner detector is derived for a restricted case of corners, i.e. corners made by lines which are symmetric about a horizontal axis. The resultant corner detector is described by product of sine in x and exponential in y direction in a portion of the mask and by the product of two sines in x and y directions in the remaining portion of it. It is then generalized to include any corner of an arbitrary angle and orientation. This results in an approximation of all corners by a total of twelve major types. It is observed that all the twelve masks can actually be configured with four smaller sub-masks, and this results in a significant reduction in the computetions. The computations are further reduced by using the the separability of masks. Results for synthetic and real scenes are reported.
Multi-exposure image fusion for dynamic scenes without ghost effect

Fusion of multi-exposure images for dynamic scenes often show ghost effect. This is mainly due to motion blur present in the image sequences or due to presence of totally new object. Detection and removal of such ghost effect plays an important role for automatically generating HDR images of dynamic scenes. In this paper, we present a simple, yet effective method for multi-exposure image fusion for dynamic scenes with new objects without ghost effect. The proposed method is carried out in four steps, viz.: weight map generation, new object detection, modification of weight maps and finally exposure fusion using modified weight maps. The experimental result show that our method produce HDR images without noticeable ghost effect.
Membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase expression in human atherosclerotic plaques: evidence for activation by proinflammatory mediators.

BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are expressed in atherosclerotic plaques, where in their active form, they may contribute to vascular remodeling and plaque disruption. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP), a novel transmembrane MMP that activates pro-MMP-2 (gelatinase A), is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaques and that its expression is regulated by proinflammatory molecules. METHODS AND RESULTS MT1-MMP expression was examined in normal and atherosclerotic human arteries by immunocytochemistry with specific antibodies. MT1-MMP expression in human saphenous vein-derived smooth muscle cells (SMCs) maintained in tissue culture was determined under basal conditions and in response to proinflammatory molecules (interleukin [IL]-1alpha, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, and oxidized LDL [ox-LDL]) by use of Northern blot and ribonuclease protection assays for mRNA, Western blot and immunoprecipitation for protein, and gelatin zymography for catalytic activity. Medial SMCs of normal vessel wall expressed MT1-MMP. In atherosclerotic arteries, MT1-MMP expression was noted within the complex atheroma colocalizing with SMCs and macrophages (Mphi). Cultured SMCs constitutively expressed MT1-MMP mRNA and protein, which increased 2- to 4-fold over control in a time-dependent manner within 4 to 8 hours of exposure to IL-1alpha, TNF-alpha, and ox-LDL (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, 13.4 nmol/mg LDL protein), whereas native LDL had no effect. Flow cytometry revealed MT1-MMP expression by human monocyte-derived Mphi, which increased 3.8-fold over baseline within 6 hours after exposure to 10 ng/mL TNF-alpha. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that MT1-MMP, an activator of pro-MMP-2, is expressed by SMCs and Mphi in human atherosclerotic plaques. Furthermore, proinflammatory molecules upregulate MT1-MMP expression in vascular SMCs and Mphi. Thus, activation of SMCs and Mphi by proinflammatory molecules may influence extracellular matrix remodeling in atherosclerosis by regulating MT1-MMP expression.