Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Survey paper on Facial Expression Synthesis using Artificial Neural Network

Facial expressions are a kind of nonverbal communication. They carry the state of emotion of a person. Facial expression plays an important role in face-to face human-computer communication. Automatic facial expression synthesis became popular research area nowadays. It can be used in many areas such that physiology, education, murder squad, analysis of tendency to crime to get a clue about mental signals of a person. Although considerable efforts have been made to enable computers to speak like human beings, how to express the rich semantic information through facial expression still remains a challenging problem. This paper presents a novel approach using artificial neural network. This paper proposes two different approaches with different methods for facial expressions synthesis based on artificial neural networks (ANN). Firstly, Modeling using Hidden Markov Models is proposed. Secondly, modeling using Recurrent Neural.
Fault tolerant control for quantized feedback control systems

In this paper, the fault tolerant control with the consideration of actuator fault for quantized feedback control systems is addressed. A fault tolerant control design method is proposed for quantized systems with logarithmic static quantizer. A robust fault tolerant control with Hoc performance for quantied system with external energy-bounded disturbance is also provided. A Numerical example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design method.
Interpreting the Implications of DNA Ancestry Tests

Shopping for genetic information has become popular, but consumers may not understand what exactly they are buying. The retail DNA industry is forcing laypersons, academics, and medical and legal professionals alike to face the crossroads of genetics, law, and society. How will we decipher the meanings of the tests, determine the value of the information provided, or appropriately encourage or discourage various applications of that genetic information? When it comes to understanding the signs at the crossroads of disciplines, something is always potentially lost in translation. This article provides an overview of the retail DNA industry, addressing a few questions ripe for misinterpretation and confusion. It argues that the challenges posed by the retail DNA industry are both intelligible and manageable; optimally, multidisciplinary individuals would guide the way, steering the courts, legislature, laboratories, and clinics toward an adequate balance of consumer protection, autonomy, and understanding.
Leptin Stimulates Fatty Acid Oxidation and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α Gene Expression in Mouse C2C12 Myoblasts by Changing the Subcellular Localization of the α2 Form of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase

ABSTRACT Leptin stimulates fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the induction of gene expression, such as that for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). We now show that leptin stimulates fatty acid oxidation and PPARα gene expression in the C2C12 muscle cell line through the activation of AMPK containing the α2 subunit (α2AMPK) and through changes in the subcellular localization of this enzyme. Activated α2AMPK containing the β1 subunit was shown to be retained in the cytoplasm, where it phosphorylated acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase and thereby stimulated fatty acid oxidation. In contrast, α2AMPK containing the β2 subunit transiently increased fatty acid oxidation but underwent rapid translocation to the nucleus, where it induced PPARα gene transcription. A nuclear localization signal and Thr172 phosphorylation of α2 were found to be essential for nuclear translocation of α2AMPK, whereas the myristoylation of β1 anchors α2AMPK in the cytoplasm. The prevention of α2AMPK activation and the change in its subcellular localization inhibited the metabolic effects of leptin. Our data thus suggest that the activation of and changes in the subcellular localization of α2AMPK are required for leptin-induced stimulation of fatty acid oxidation and PPARα gene expression in muscle cells.
An electrochemical detector array to study cell biology on the nanoscale.

Nanobiotechnology is a field that utilizes the techniques of nano- and microfabrication to study biosystems or to use biological material and principles to build new devices. As an example we discuss the development of a nanofabricated electrochemical detector array that reveals the spatio-temporal dynamics of exocytosis in single chromaffin cells. In a quantal release event a single vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane releasing its contents through the fusion pore. The time-resolved amperometric currents measured by the individual electrodes detecting different fractions of the released molecules allow determination of the time course as well as localization of quantal events. Such a device may be applicable to study the correlation of exocytotic events with signalling events that could be simultaneously monitored by fluorescence microscopy.
Influence limitation in multi-campaign social networks: A Shapley value based approach

We investigate the problem of influence limitation in the presence of competing campaigns in a social network. Given a negative campaign which starts propagating from a specified source and a positive/counter campaign that is initiated, after a certain time delay, to limit the the influence or spread of misinformation by the negative campaign, we are interested in finding the top k influential nodes at which the positive campaign may be triggered. This problem has numerous applications in situations such as limiting the propagation of rumor, arresting the spread of virus through inoculation, initiating a counter-campaign against malicious propaganda, etc. The influence function for the generic influence limitation problem is non-submodular. Restricted versions of the influence limitation problem, reported in the literature, assume submodularity of the influence function and do not capture the problem in a realistic setting. In this paper, we propose a novel computational approach for the influence limitation problem based on Shapley value, a solution concept in cooperative game theory. Our approach works equally effectively for both submodular and non-submodular influence functions. Experiments on standard real world social network datasets reveal that the proposed approach outperforms existing heuristics in the literature. As a non-trivial extension, we also address the problem of influence limitation in the presence of multiple competing campaigns.
Chromatin Modifications in Cancer Cells Hypermethylation through a Sequential Change in Transcriptional Gene Silencing Promotes DNA

It is well established that DNA hypermethylation of tumor suppressor and tumor-related genes can occur in cancer cells and that each cancer subtype has specific gene sets that are commonly susceptible to methylation and silencing. Glutathione S-transferase (GSTP1) is one example of a gene that is hypermethylated and inactivated in the majority of prostate cancers. We previously reported that hypermethylation of the GSTP1 CpG island promoter in prostate cancer cells is initiated by a combination of transcriptional gene silencing (by removal of the Sp1 sites) and seeds of methylation that, instead of being constantly removed because of demethylation associated with transcription, acts as a catalyst for the spread of methylation across the CpG island. In this study, we now demonstrate that the seeds of DNA methylation also play an important role in initiating chromatin modification. Our results address a number of central questions about the temporal relationship between gene expression, DNA hypermethylation, and chromatin modification in cancer cells. We find that for the GSTP1 gene, (a) histone acetylation is independent of gene expression, (b) histone deacetylation is triggered by seeds of DNA methylation, (c) the spread of DNA hypermethylation across the island is linked to MBD2 and not MeCP2 binding, and (d) histone methylation occurs after histone deacetylation and is associated with extensive DNA methylation of the CpG island. These findings have important implications for understanding the biochemical events underlying the mechanisms responsible for abnormal hypermethylation of CpG island-associated genes in cancer cells.
Cognitive Correlates of Functional Performance in Older Adults: Comparison of Self-Report, Direct Observation, and Performance-Based Measures

Abstract Neuropsychologists are often asked to answer questions about the effects of cognitive deficits on everyday functioning. This study examined the relationship between and the cognitive correlates of self-report, performance-based, and direct observation measures commonly used as proxy measures for everyday functioning. Participants were 88 community-dwelling, cognitively healthy older adults (age 50–86 years). Participants completed standardized neuropsychological tests and questionnaires, and performed eight activities of daily living (e.g., water plants, fill a medication dispenser) while under direct observation in a campus apartment. All proxy measures of everyday function were sensitive to the effects of healthy cognitive aging. After controlling for age, cognitive predictors explained a unique amount of the variance for only the performance-based behavioral simulation measure (i.e., Revised Observed Tasks of Daily Living). The self-report instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and the performance-based everyday problem-solving test (i.e., EPT) did not correlate with each other; however, both were unique predictors of the direct observation measure. These findings suggest that neuropsychologists must be cautious in making predictions about the quality of everyday activity completion in cognitively healthy older adults from specific cognitive functions. The findings further suggest that a self-report of IADLs and the performance-based EPT may be useful measures for assessing everyday functional status in cognitively healthy older adults. (JINS, 2011, 17, 853–864)
Brightness–Color Interactions in Human Early Visual Cortex

The interaction between brightness and color causes there to be different color appearance when one and the same object is viewed against surroundings of different brightness. Brightness contrast causes color to be desaturated, as has been found in perceptual experiments on color induction and color-gamut expansion in human vision. However, it is not clear yet where in the cerebral cortex the brightness–color interaction that causes these major perceptual effects is located. One hypothesis is that brightness and color signals are processed separately and in parallel within the primary visual cortex V1 and only interact in extrastriate cortex. Another hypothesis is that color and brightness contrast interact strongly already within V1. We localized the brightness–color interaction in human V1 by means of recording the chromatic visual-evoked potential. The chromatic visual-evoked potential measurements decisively support the idea that brightness–color interaction arises in a recurrent inhibitory network in V1. Furthermore, our results show that the inhibitory signal for brightness–color interaction is generated by local brightness contrast at the boundary between target and surround, instead of by the luminance difference between the interior of the color target and its large background.
A Novel Multilayered RFID Tagged Cargo Integrity Assurance Scheme

To minimize cargo theft during transport, mobile radio frequency identification (RFID) grouping proof methods are generally employed to ensure the integrity of entire cargo loads. However, conventional grouping proofs cannot simultaneously generate grouping proofs for a specific group of RFID tags. The most serious problem of these methods is that nonexistent tags are included in the grouping proofs because of the considerable amount of time it takes to scan a high number of tags. Thus, applying grouping proof methods in the current logistics industry is difficult. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a method for generating multilayered offline grouping proofs. The proposed method provides tag anonymity; moreover, resolving disputes between recipients and transporters over the integrity of cargo deliveries can be expedited by generating grouping proofs and automatically authenticating the consistency between the receipt proof and pick proof. The proposed method can also protect against replay attacks, multi-session attacks, and concurrency attacks. Finally, experimental results verify that, compared with other methods for generating grouping proofs, the proposed method can efficiently generate offline grouping proofs involving several parties in a supply chain using mobile RFID.
Biocompatibility pattern of a bicarbonate/lactate-buffered peritoneal dialysis fluid in APD: a prospective, randomized study.

BACKGROUND In chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, bicarbonate-buffered fluids, with their neutral pH and less advanced glycosylation end-products (AGE) and glucose degradation products (GDP), have better biocompatibility than conventional peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. That difference may be more beneficial in automated peritoneal dialysis (APD), due to its more frequent exchanges and longer contact times with fresh dialysate. We performed a prospective, randomized study in APD patients to compare the biocompatibility of conventional and bicarbonate/lactate-buffered PD fluids. METHODS We randomized 14 APD patients to have APD with either conventional or bicarbonate/lactate-based fluids. After 6 months, both groups changed to the other solution. The overall observation period was 12 months. After 1 and 5 months and again after 7 and 11 months, phagocytotic and respiratory burst capacities of effluent peritoneal macrophages were determined. Plasma interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as effluent IL-6, CRP, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1, AGE and CA125 concentrations were measured. Inflow pain was quantified using a patient questionnaire. RESULTS Respiratory burst capacity remained unchanged and phagocytotic activity increased significantly during APD (P<0.001) with the bicarbonate/lactate fluid. Effluent IL-6 release was significantly lower than with the lactate fluid (P<0.05). While in the effluent TGF-beta 1 was unaffected, AGE concentration was lower after bicarbonate/lactate treatment (P<0.05). Effluent CA125 concentration, an indicator of mesothelial cell integrity, was higher (P<0.05) in neutral effluents. Finally, patients' inflow pain diminished (P = 0.05) when using the neutral fluid. CONCLUSIONS The use of a neutral PD fluid in APD improved patients' inflow pain as well as biocompatibility parameters reflecting enhanced phagocytotic activity of peritoneal macrophages, reduced constitutive inflammatory stimulation (IL-6), reduced AGE accumulation in the peritoneal cavity and better preservation of the mesothelial cell integrity. From the biocompatibility point of view, a neutral fluid with low GDP content can be recommended as the primary choice for APD.
Using fitness distributions to improve the evolution of learning structures

The absolute benefit, a measure of improvement in the fitness space, is derived from the viewpoint of fitness distribution and fitness trajectory analysis. It is used for online operator adaptation, where the optimization of density estimation models serves as an example. A new information theory based measure is proposed to judge the accuracy of the evolved models. Further, the absolute benefit is applied to offline analysis of new gradient based operators used for coefficient adaptation in genetic programming. An efficient method to calculate the gradient information is presented.
Nanostructuring on WSe2 with the atomic force microscope by a potential controlled electrochemical reaction

We present a method for the controlled fabrication of stable nanostructures under ambient conditions. The surfaces under consideration, WSe2, are imaged by an atomic force microscope. By applying a voltage between the tip and the sample, we can control an etching process at the surface: different voltage thresholds for the creation and the growth of structures of one monolayer (Se–W–Se) depth are observed. Our measurements on p‐doped WSe2 strongly support an electrochemical corrosion reaction in a physisorbed water film. This method allows the in situ preparation and characterization of individual nanometer‐sized structures on WSe2 and other metal dichalcogenides.
Complexity analysis through the modeling of human behavior in a complex supply chain planning environment

The global supply chain is a complex network including multiple autonomous agents, and one representative of which is the supply chain planers, whose interactive activities bring in various uncertainty and complexity to the decision making. To better manage the dynamics, it is necessary to investigate the agents behaviors and their impacts on the supply chain. Our research starts with some hypotheses and then verifies them via an experiment. A prior questionnaire is distributed in order to analyze the correlation between human performance and risk literacy scale. Then a beer game is employed to demonstrate the ordering behaviors under different environmental settings. The bullwhip effect and the overreacting behaviors are observed and can be illustrated by the prospect theory. Finally an agent-based modeling approach is adopted to simulate the human behaviors, using the empirical threshold values derived from the example as the inputs to the model.
On the required shape corrections to the local density and generalized gradient approximations to the Kohn-Sham potentials for molecular response calculations of (hyper)polarizabilities and excitation energies

It is well known that shape corrections have to be applied to the local-density (LDA) and generalized gradient (GGA) approximations to the Kohn–Sham exchange–correlation potential in order to obtain reliable response properties in time dependent density functional theory calculations. Here we demonstrate that it is an oversimplified view that these shape corrections concern primarily the asymptotic part of the potential, and that they affect only Rydberg type transitions. The performance is assessed of two shape-corrected Kohn–Sham potentials, the gradient-regulated asymptotic connection procedure applied to the Becke–Perdew potential (BP–GRAC) and the statistical averaging of (model) orbital potentials (SAOP), versus LDA and GGA potentials, in molecular response calculations of the static average polarizability α, the Cauchy coefficient S−4, and the static average hyperpolarizability β. The nature of the distortions of the LDA/GGA potentials is highlighted and it is shown that they introduce many spuriou.
Comparison of Shear Bond Strength of Three Self-etching Adhesives: An In-Vitro Study

Background: The aim of the study was to determine and compare the shear bond strength of brackets bonded with Adper Promt self-etching adhesive (3M ESPE), Xeno III self-etching adhesive (DENSPLY), Transbond plus self-etching adhesive (3M) with that of conversional bonding procedure, and to calculate the adhesive remnant index (ARI). Materials and Methods: Totally, 60 maxillary premolar teeth were collected, and divided into Group I (Blue): Transbond™ XT primer, Group II (Purple): Adper™ Prompt™ self-etching adhesive, Group III (Orange): Xeno III® self-etching adhesive, Group IV (Pink): Tranbond™ Plus self-etching adhesive. Results: The results of the study showed there was no statistical significance in the shear bond strength according to an analysis of variance (P = 0.207) of the four groups. The mean shear bond strength of Groups I, II, III, IV were 14.56 ± 2.97 Megapascals (MPa), 12.62 ± 2.48 MPa, 13.27 ± 3.16, and 12.64 ± 2.56, respectively. Chi-square comparison for the ARI indicated that there was a significant difference (P = 0.003) between the groups. Conclusion: All the four self-etching adhesives showed clinically acceptable mean shear bond strength. The ARI score showed a self-etching adhesive the debonding occurred more within the adhesive interface leaving less composite adhesive on the tooth surface making it easy to clean up.
Hypertension, Diabetes and Overweight: Looming Legacies of the Biafran Famine

Background Sub-Saharan Africa is facing rapidly increasing prevalences of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Previous and ongoing undernutrition among pregnant women may contribute to this development as suggested by epidemiological studies from high income countries linking undernutrition in fetal life with increased burden of non-communicable diseases in later life. We undertook to study the risks for hypertension, glucose intolerance and overweight forty years after fetal exposure to famine afflicted Biafra during the Nigerian civil war (1967–1970). Methods and Findings Cohort study performed in June 27–July 31, 2009 in Enugu, Nigeria. Adults (n = 1,339) born before (1965–67), during (1968–January 1970), or after (1971–73) the years of famine were included. Blood pressure (BP), random plasma glucose (p-glucose) and anthropometrics, as well as prevalence of hypertension (BP>140/90 mmHg), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; p-glucose 7.8–11.0 mmol/l), diabetes (DM; p-glucose ≥11.1 mmol/l), or overweight (BMI>25 kg/m2) were compared between the three groups. Fetal-infant exposure to famine was associated with elevated systolic (+7 mmHg; p<0.001) and diastolic (+5 mmHg; p<0.001) BP, increased p-glucose (+0.3 mmol/L; p<0.05) and waist circumference (+3cm, p<0.001), increased risk of systolic hypertension (adjusted OR 2.87; 95% CI 1.90–4.34), IGT (OR 1.65; 95% CI 1.02–2.69) and overweight (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.03–1.93) as compared to people born after the famine. Limitations of this study include the lack of birth weight data and the inability to separate effects of fetal and infant famine. Conclusions Fetal and infant undernutrition is associated with significantly increased risk of hypertension and impaired glucose tolerance in 40-year-old Nigerians. Prevention of undernutrition during pregnancy and in infancy should therefore be given high priority in health, education, and economic agendas.