Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contourlet-Based Edge Extraction for Image Registration

Image registration is a crucial step in most image processing tasks for which the final result is achieved from a combination of various resources. In general, the majority of registration methods consist of the following four steps: feature extraction, feature matching, transform modeling, and finally image resampling. As the accuracy of a registration process is highly dependent to the feature extraction and matching methods, in this paper, we have proposed a new method for extracting salient edges from satellite images. Due to the efficiency of multiresolution data representation, we have considered four state-of-the-art multiresolution transforms -namely, wavelet, curvelet, complex wavelet and contourlet transform- in the feature extraction step of the proposed image registration method. Experimental results and performance comparison among these transformations showed the high performance of the contourlet transform in extracting efficient edges from satellite images. Obtaining salient, stable and distinguishable features increased the accuracy of the proposed registration process.
Selection of Reference Genes for Gene Expression Normalization in Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn under Abiotic Stresses, Hormone Treatments and Different Tissues

Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn is one of the main traditional Chinese medicines producing coumarins and plenty of literatures are focused on the biosynthesis of coumarins. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) is a widely used method in studying the biosynthesis pathway and the selection of reference genes plays a crucial role in accurate normalization. To facilitate biosynthesis study of coumarins, twelve candidate reference genes were selected from the transcriptome database of P. praeruptorum according to previous studies. Then, BestKeeper, geNoFrm and NormFinder were used for selecting stably expressed reference genes in different tissues and under various stress treatments. The results indicated that, among the twelve candidate reference genes, the SAND family protein (SAND), actin 2 (ACT2), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9 (UBC9), protein phosphatase 2A gene (PP2A) and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTBP1) were the most stable reference genes under different experimental treatments, while glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and tubulin beta-6 (TUB6) were the least stable genes. In addition, the suitability of SAND, TIP41-like protein (TIP41), UBC9, ACT2, TUB6 and their combination as reference genes were confirmed by normalizing the expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO) in different treatments. This work is the first survey of the stability of reference genes in P. praeruptorum and provides guidelines to obtain more accurate qRT-PCR results in P. praeruptorum and other plant species.
Estimating reliability and throughput of source-synchronous wave-pipelined interconnect

Wave pipelining has gained attention for NoC interconnect by its promise of high bandwidth using simple circuits. Reliability issues must be addressed before wave pipelining can be used in practice; so, we develop a statistical model of dynamic timing uncertainty. We show that it is important to distinguish between static and dynamic sources of timing uncertainty, because source-synchronous wave pipelining is much more sensitive to the latter. We use HSPICE simulations to develop a model for a wave pipelined link in a 65nm CMOS process and apply a statistical approach to determine the achievable throughput at acceptable bit-error rates. Reliability estimates show that a modest amount of dynamic noise can cut achievable throughput in half for a ten-stage wave-pipelined link, and will further degrade longer links. After accounting for noise, traditional globally synchronous design is shown to offer higher throughput than the wave-pipelined design.
Tardive dyskinesia, depression and ECT

Case report. The patient was a 67-year-old author, with a 35-yearhistoryofmanic-depressivepsychosis. Hehad been an in-patient with a resistant psychotic depression for two years before his current episode, but had eventually re sponded to a combination of amitriptyline, phenelzine, and lithium. He had failed to respond to a course of 10 x bilateral ECF given twice weekly. Six months later the patienthad a briefmarncillness,and then startedbecoming increasinglydepressedagain. It wasdecidedto start himon carbamazepine, initially 100mgt.d. s. and then 200 mgt.d. s. Three weeks after starting carbamazepine his condition de teriorated further, and he had a depressive psychosis with profoundpsychomotorretardationand nihilisticdelusions. He stopped eating and taking medication.ECT was insti tuted,but thefirstEC@failedto produceanyimprovement. Some three nights later the patient had a total of five spontaneousgrand-malseizureslasting 1â€”2 minutesbefore responding to intravenous valium. Despite full investi gation,no causefor thesewasfoundand theywereascribed to acute carbamazepine withdrawal, which was not restarted. Some36hours followingthe spontaneousepilepticseiz uresthe patient's mood wasnoted to be radicallydifferent. He was no longer depressed, was laughing and talking appropriately,and waseatingand drinkingnormally.Over the following10dayshisconditiondeterioratedand it was decided to reinstitute ECT. Over the next six weeks the patienthad a further 11ECTs,whichallproducedbilateral seizures lasting at least 25 seconds, but he did not improve. The patient's depression again proved resistant, only improving someeight months later on high doses of tricycic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
A Multivariate GARCH Model with Time-Varying Correlations

In this paper we propose a new multivariate GARCH model with time-varying correlations. We adopt the vech representation based on the conditional variances and the conditional correlations. While each conditional-variance term is assumed to follow a univariate GARCH formulation, the conditional-correlation matrix is postulated to follow an autoregressive moving average type of analogue. By imposing some suitable restrictions on the conditional-correlation-matrix equation, we construct a MGARCH model in which the conditional-correlation matrix is guaranteed to be positive definite during the optimisation. Thus, our new model retains the intuition and interpretation of the univariate GARCH model and yet satisfies the positive-definite condition as found in the constant-correlation and BEKK models. We report some Monte Carlo results on the finite-sample distributions of the MLE of the varying-correlation MGARCH model. The new model is applied to some real data sets. It is found that extending the constant-correlation model to allow for time-varying correlations provides some interesting time histories that are not available in a constant-correlation model.
A mouse model of lamellar intrastromal femtosecond laser keratotomy: ultra-structural, inflammatory, and wound healing responses

Purpose The availability of knockout mouse species provide a highly versatile platform for critically examining the corneal wound healing response. We aimed to develop and characterize the wound healing response in a mouse model of intrastromal femtosecond laser (FSL) keratotomy. Methods An intrastromal lamellar dissection using a Visumax FSL was performed on 16 wild type mice (C57BL6) . The energy level was optimized at 150nJ. The FSL was programmed to perform a lamellar dissection at 50 µM depth without sidecut. The flap was not lifted. Fellow eyes were used as controls. Slit lamp photography and confocal microscopy were performed immediately before the mice were sacrificed 4 h, 1, 3, and 7 days post surgery. Corneas were harvested for immunocytochemistry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light microscopy (LM). Results Confocal microscopy showed an absence of keratocytes in the area immediately surrounding the dissection plane. The dissection plane and individual FSL plasma cavitation bubbles were clearly evident on TEM. There was evidence of Keratocyte cell death along the laser resection plane on TEM. LM revealed the dissection plane at a 20 µM depth, although not all epithelial cell layers were intact. Staining for monocytes using antibodies for CD11b (cluster of differentiation 11b) showed early migration at the peripheries at 4 h that increased at 24 h and became more central in treated corneas (p<0.001). Apoptotic cells were evident on TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assay in the immediate ablation zone and were significantly raised at 4 and 24 h (p<0.001). Ki67 (Kiel 67 protein) positive proliferating keratocytes are evident at 3 days and increased significantly by 7 days (p<0.001). Minimal fibroblast (cluster of differentiation 90, CD90) transformation was seen at 1 week. No myofibroblasts were detected. Discussion We have demonstrated that FSL lamellar cuts can be effectively performed on mice and that this model exhibits typical signs of the corneal wound healing response. This model could provide a ubiquitous platform in which to study corneal wound healing responses in both wild type and knockout mice species. The ability to create such a lamellar pocket may be utilizzd for intrastromal drug delivery.
TGF-β Signaling in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Progress in Basic and Clinical Research

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily proteins have many important biological functions, including regulation of tissue differentiation, cell proliferation, and migration in both normal and cancer cells. Many studies have reported that TGF-β signaling is associated with disease progression and therapeutic resistance in several cancers. Similarly, TGF-β-induced protein (TGFBI)—a downstream component of the TGF-β signaling pathway—has been shown to promote and/or inhibit cancer. Here, we review the state of basic and clinical research on the roles of TGF-β and TGFBI in gastrointestinal cancers.
Characterisation of a stereotypical cellular and extracellular adult liver progenitor cell niche in rodents and diseased human liver

Background Stem/progenitor cell niches in tissues regulate stem/progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation through local signalling. Objective To examine the composition and formation of stem progenitor cell niches. Methods The composition of the hepatic progenitor cell niche in independent models of liver injury and hepatic progenitor cell activation in rodents and humans was studied. To identify the origin of the progenitor and niche cells, sex-mismatched bone marrow transplants in mice, who had received the choline–ethionine-deficient-diet to induce liver injury and progenitor cell activation, were used. The matrix surrounding the progenitor cells was described by immunohistochemical staining and its functional role controlling progenitor cell behaviour was studied in cell culture experiments using different matrix layers. Results The progenitor cell response in liver injury is intimately surrounded by myofibroblasts and macrophages, and to a lesser extent by endothelial cells. Hepatic progenitor cells are not of bone marrow origin; however, bone marrow-derived cells associate intimately with these cells and are macrophages. Laminin always surrounds the progenitor cells. In vitro studies showed that laminin aids maintenance of progenitor and biliary cell phenotype and promotes their gene expression (Dlk1, Aquaporin 1, γGT) while inhibiting hepatocyte differentiation and gene expression (CEPB/α). Conclusions During liver damage in rodents and humans a stereotypical cellular and laminin niche forms around hepatic progenitor cells. Laminin helps maintenance of undifferentiated progenitor cells. The niche links the intrahepatic progenitor cells with bone marrow-derived cells and links tissue damage with progenitor cell-mediated tissue repair.
PNEUMOCOCCAL COLONIZATION IN OLDER PERSONS IN A NONOUTBREAK SETTING

BMI values than young and middle-aged patients (mean BMI 24.7 kg/m o65 vs 23.7 kg/m 65) and included fewer obese patients. Thus, candesartan did not show significant differences from amlodipine with respect to a lower incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus in elderly patients, who generally have lower RAS activity. Although the morbidity of diabetes mellitus increases with aging, the contribution of aging to new-onset diabetes mellitus remains controversial. Differences in study design and in the statistical analysis set may influence the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus related to aging. Elderly patients with hypertension in our series who did not have diabetes mellitus at the time of enrollment in the CASE-J trial were considered to represent a population surviving the onset of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, older patients with hypertension but without diabetes mellitus may represent individuals with less susceptibility to new-onset diabetes mellitus and may differ from younger patients with hypertension with new-onset diabetes mellitus in terms of the presence of risk factors for new-onset diabetes mellitus and in glucose metabolism function. This may also be a reason why the older subgroup of patients was less sensitive to the preventive effects of candesartan against new-onset diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, the ARB candesartan prevented new-onset diabetes mellitus significantly more effectively than the CCB amlodipine in the CASE-J trial in high-risk patients with hypertension, although there was a significant difference between ARB and CCB in the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus stratified according to age only for the younger subgroup (o65) and not for the older subgroup ( 65).
Later Developments: Molecular Keys to Age-Related Memory Impairment

Age-related memory impairment, a cognitive decline not clearly related to any gross pathology, is progressive and widespread in the population, although not universal. While the mechanisms of learning and memory remain incompletely understood, the study of their molecular mechanisms is already yielding promising approaches toward therapy for such “normal” declines in the efficiency of learning. This review presents the rationale and results for two such approaches. One approach, partial inhibition of the type IV cAMP specific phosphodiesterase, appears to act indirectly. Although little evidence supports an age-related decline in this system, considerable evidence indicates that this approach can facilitate the transition from short-term to long-term memory and thus counterbalance defects in long-term memory, which may be due to other causes. A second approach, inhibition of l-type voltage gated calcium channels (LVGCCs) may be a specific corrective for a molecular pathology of aging, as substantial evidence indicates that an ongoing increase occurs throughout the lifespan in the density of these channels in hippocampal pyramidal cells, with a concomitant reduction in cellular excitability. Because LVGCCs are also crucial to extinction, a paradigm of inhibitory learning, age-related memory impairment may be an unfortunate side effect of a developmental process necessary to the maturation of the ability to suppress inappropriate behavior, an interpretation consistent with the antagonistic pleiotropy theory of aging.
Coaching as a Family-centred, Occupational Therapy Intervention for Autism: A Literature Review

Occupational therapy interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) require a sound evidence-base. In the context of emerging evidence on coaching interventions in paediatric occupational therapy practice, a review of the occupational therapy literature was conducted to investigate the use of coaching interventions for children and adolescents with autism and the impact on families and occupational performance and participation. Based on the literature reviewed, there is preliminary supporting evidence for coaching interventions, used within a family-centred practice context, to improve outcomes in occupational performance and participation in children and adolescents with ASD.
Resveratrol in mammals: effects on aging biomarkers, age‐related diseases, and life span

Through its antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and anti‐inflammatory properties, resveratrol has become a candidate for drug development in the context of aging studies. Scientific evidence has highlighted its potential as a therapeutic agent for cardiovascular diseases and some cancers but also as an antiaging molecule. Resveratrol is thought to mimic the beneficial effects of chronic and moderate calorie restriction. Nevertheless, no study has demonstrated the prolongation of life span in healthy nonobese mammal models. This review summarizes recent findings on the effects of resveratrol on aging and life span in mammals. In our opinion, more studies should be performed to assess the effects of a chronic dietary intake of resveratrol in long‐lived species close to humans, such as nonhuman primates. This will certainly generate more evidence about the ability of resveratrol to achieve the physiological benefits that have been observed in small mammal laboratory models and feature the eventual unwanted secondary effects that may occur under high levels of resveratrol.
Activation of the unliganded estrogen receptor by EGF involves the MAP kinase pathway and direct phosphorylation.

The estrogen receptor (ER) can be activated as a transcription factor either by binding of cognate estrogenic ligand or, indirectly, by a variety of other extracellular signals. As a first step towards elucidating the mechanism of ‘steroid‐independent activation’ of the ER by the epidermal growth factor (EGF), we have mapped the ER target domain and determined the signaling pathway. We show that the N‐terminal transcriptional activation function AF‐1, but not the C‐terminal AF‐2, is necessary for the EGF response. Both the EGF‐induced hyperphosphorylation and the transcriptional activation of the unliganded ER depend on a phosphorylatable serine residue at position 118. However, its phosphorylation is not sufficient and, hence, there must be other target domains or proteins which fulfill an additional requirement for EGF signaling through the ER. Using dominant‐negative Ras and MAP kinase kinase (MAPK kinase) and constitutively active MAPK kinase mutants, we show that EGF activates the ER by signaling through the MAPK pathway suggesting that MAPK directly phosphorylates the critical serine 118. Our results also imply that the steroid‐independent activation of a variety of ER mutants, which arise during the malignant progression of breast tumors, may contribute to tamoxifen resistance.
A Generalization of Distance Functions for Fuzzy $c$ -Means Clustering With Centroids of Arithmetic Means

Fuzzy c-means (FCM) is a widely used fuzzy clustering method, which allows an object to belong to two or more clusters with a membership grade between zero and one. Despite the considerable efforts made by the clustering community, the common characteristics of distance functions suitable for FCM remain unclear. To fill this crucial void, in this paper, we first provide a generalized definition of distance functions that fit FCM directly. The goal is to provide more flexibility to FCM in the choice of distance functions while preserving the simplicity of FCM by using the centroids of arithmetic means. Indeed, we show that any distance function that fits FCM directly can be derived by a continuously differentiable convex function and, thus, is an instance of the generalized point-to-centroid distance (P2C-D) by definition. In addition, we prove that if the membership grade matrix is nondegenerate, any instance of the P2C-D fits FCM directly. Finally, extensive experiments have been conducted to demonstrate that the P2C-D leads to the global convergence of FCM and that the clustering performances are significantly affected by the choices of distance functions.
Thermal-aware 3 D Microarchitectural Floorplanning

Next generation deep submicron processor design will need to take into consideration many performance limiting factors. Flip flops are inserted in order to prevent global wire delay from becoming nonlinear, enabling deeper pipelines and higher clock frequency. The move to 3D ICs will also likely be used to further shorten wirelength. This will cause thermal issues to become a major bottleneck to performance improvement. In this paper we propose a floorplanning algorithm which takes into consideration both thermal issues and profile weighted wirelength using mathematical programming. Our profile-driven objective improves performance by 20% over wirelength-driven. While the thermal-driven objective improves temperature by 24% on average over the profile-driven case.
A novel information spread evolutionary algorithm applied to function optimization

Information spread mechanism (ISM) plays an essential role in evolutionary algorithms, forming different optimization methodologies. This paper briefly analyzes some existed ISMs and proposes a novel information spread evolutionary algorithm (NISEA). The algorithm uses a special ISM aiming at diffusing partial information of an individual to accelerate the improvement of the whole individual. Two mutation strategies are incorporated to enhance the population diversity and the selection operation is adopted to direct the evolution. Extensive experiments on 23 benchmark functions are taken to evaluate the performance of NISEA. The results are compared with those obtained by particle swarm optimization (PSO) and fast evolutionary programming (FEP), demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Dispersing biofilms with engineered enzymatic bacteriophage

Synthetic biology involves the engineering of biological organisms by using modular and generalizable designs with the ultimate goal of developing useful solutions to real-world problems. One such problem involves bacterial biofilms, which are crucial in the pathogenesis of many clinically important infections and are difficult to eradicate because they exhibit resistance to antimicrobial treatments and removal by host immune systems. To address this issue, we engineered bacteriophage to express a biofilm-degrading enzyme during infection to simultaneously attack the bacterial cells in the biofilm and the biofilm matrix, which is composed of extracellular polymeric substances. We show that the efficacy of biofilm removal by this two-pronged enzymatic bacteriophage strategy is significantly greater than that of nonenzymatic bacteriophage treatment. Our engineered enzymatic phage substantially reduced bacterial biofilm cell counts by ≈4.5 orders of magnitude (≈99.997% removal), which was about two orders of magnitude better than that of nonenzymatic phage. This work demonstrates the feasibility and benefits of using engineered enzymatic bacteriophage to reduce bacterial biofilms and the applicability of synthetic biology to an important medical and industrial problem.
Task-Allocation and Coordination of Multiple Robots for Planetary Exploration

We address the problem of dynamic task allocation and present a review of three multi-robot coordination strategies we have studied to address this problem. Each strategy is tested using embodied multirobot experiments within a separate problem domain. The three experimental problem domains (object tracking, object manipulation, and emergency-handling) are loosely motivated by future cooperating planetary robot rovers. For ease of comparison, we situate the three approaches within a uni ed framework, and report ex-