Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Point Cloud Upsampling for Accurate Reconstruction of Dense 2 . 5 D Thickness Maps

This paper presents a novel robust processing methodology for computing 2.5D thickness maps from dense 3D collocated surfaces. The proposed pipeline is suitable to faithfully adjust data representation detailing as required, from preserving fine surface features to coarse interpretations. The foundations of the proposed technique exploit spatial point-based filtering, ray tracing techniques and the Robust Implicit Moving Least Squares (RIMLS) algorithm applied to dense 3D datasets, such as those acquired from laser scanners. The effectiveness of the proposed technique in overcoming traditional angular aliasing and corruption artifacts is validated with 3D ranging data acquired from internal and external surfaces of exhumed water pipes. It is shown that the resulting 2.5D maps can be more accurately and completely computed to higher resolutions, while significantly reducing the number of raytracing errors when compared with 2.5D thickness maps derived from our current approach.
A Study of the Material Removal Rate of Electrical Discharge Machining of Particle Reinforced Metal Matrix Composites with Concavo-Convex Electrode

A new concavo-convex electrode has been designed and fabricated. And an analysis of the electrical discharge machining (EDM) of a particulate reinforced metal matrix composite this new electrode was conducted in this study. The material removal rate (MRR) of new electrode and normal electrode are compared in different applied voltage and duty cycle conditions. It was found that EDM with this new electrode can accelerate the debris discharge during machining so that it has a higher MRR compared to the case where a normal electrode was employed. Moreover, by studying the waveforms, it could confirm that a stable processing condition can be obtained by employing the new electrode. The experiment results reveal that it is a feasible and effective way to machine MMCs by employing this new electrode.
Requirement for CD8-major histocompatibility complex class I interaction in positive and negative selection of developing T cells

The interaction of the T cell surface glycoprotein CD8 with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on target cells is required for effective T cell activation. Mutations in the alpha 3 domain of the MHC class I molecule can disrupt binding to CD8, yet leave antigen presentation unaffected. Here we show that such a mutation can interfere with positive and negative selection of T cells bearing T cell receptors (TCRs) that interact specifically with the mutant class I molecule. Autoreactive T cells in male mice expressing a transgenic TCR specific for the male antigen H-Y and H-2Db were not deleted in the context of a transgenic Db molecule bearing a mutation at residue 227. Similarly, CD8+ cells were not positively selected in female mice expressing both the TCR and mutant class I transgenes. Endogenous MHC class I molecules were competent to bind CD8, but were unable to rescue the defect, indicating a requirement for coordinate recognition of antigen/MHC by a complex of the TCR and CD8 coreceptor for both positive and negative selection of thymocytes.
Role of NG 2 in Development and Regeneration

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Effects of aging on left atrial reservoir, conduit, and booster pump function: a multi-institution acoustic quantification study

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of measuring left atrial (LA) function with acoustic quantification (AQ) and then assess the effects of age and sex on LA reservoir, conduit, and booster pump function. PATIENTS AND SETTING 165 subjects without cardiovascular disease, 3–79 years old, were enrolled by six tertiary hospital centres. INTERVENTIONS Continuous LA AQ area data were acquired and signal averaged to form composite waveforms which were analysed off-line. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Parameters of LA performance according to age and sex. RESULTS Signal averaged LA waveforms were sufficiently stable and detailed to allow automated analysis in all cases. An age related increase in LA area was noted. LA reservoir function did not vary with age or sex. All parameters of LA passive and active emptying revealed a significant age dependency. Overall, the passive emptying phase accounted for 66% of total LA emptying ranging from 76% in the youngest to 44% in the oldest decade. LA contraction accounted for 34% of atrial emptying in all subjects combined with the older subjects being more dependent on atrial booster pump function. When adjusted for atrial size, there were no sex related differences in LA function. CONCLUSIONS LA reservoir, conduit, and booster pump function can be assessed with automated analysis of signal averaged LA area waveforms. As LA performance varies with age, establishment of normal values should enhance the evaluation of pathologic states in which LA function is important.
Index profile reconstruction of Ti:LiNbO3 structures and bending loss evaluation from near-field measurements

Index profiles of Ti:LiNbO3 waveguides can efficiently be reconstructed by measuring the near-field patterns for different waveguide widths. By this, bending losses of curved waveguides can accurately be predicted. The validity of this method is verified by comparing calculated bending losses with those measured for fabricated semicircular waveguides of different bending radii.
Proliferative and transcriptional identity of distinct classes of neural precursors in the mammalian olfactory epithelium

Neural precursors in the developing olfactory epithelium (OE) give rise to three major neuronal classes – olfactory receptor (ORNs), vomeronasal (VRNs) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. Nevertheless, the molecular and proliferative identities of these precursors are largely unknown. We characterized two precursor classes in the olfactory epithelium (OE) shortly after it becomes a distinct tissue at midgestation in the mouse: slowly dividing self-renewing precursors that express Meis1/2 at high levels, and rapidly dividing neurogenic precursors that express high levels of Sox2 and Ascl1. Precursors expressing high levels of Meis genes primarily reside in the lateral OE, whereas precursors expressing high levels of Sox2 and Ascl1 primarily reside in the medial OE. Fgf8 maintains these expression signatures and proliferative identities. Using electroporation in the wild-type embryonic OE in vitro as well as Fgf8, Sox2 and Ascl1 mutant mice in vivo, we found that Sox2 dose and Meis1 – independent of Pbx co-factors – regulate Ascl1 expression and the transition from lateral to medial precursor state. Thus, we have identified proliferative characteristics and a dose-dependent transcriptional network that define distinct OE precursors: medial precursors that are most probably transit amplifying neurogenic progenitors for ORNs, VRNs and GnRH neurons, and lateral precursors that include multi-potent self-renewing OE neural stem cells.
Prediction of the helix/strand content of globular proteins based on their primary sequences.

An improved multiple linear regression method has been proposed to predict the content of alpha-helix and beta-strand of a globular protein based on its primary sequence. The amino acid composition and the auto-correlation functions based on the hydrophobicity profile of the primary sequence have been taken into account in the algorithm. The resubstitution test shows that the average absolute errors are 0.077 and 0.073 with the standard deviations 0.059 and 0.057 for the prediction of the content of alpha-helix and beta-strand, respectively. A stringent cross-validation test, i.e., the jackknife test, shows that the average absolute errors are 0.087 and 0.081 with the standard deviations 0.067 and 0.065 for the prediction of the content of alpha-helix and beta-strand, respectively. Both tests indicate the self-consistency and the extrapolating effectiveness of the new algorithm. This greatly improves on previous results (Eisenhaber,F., Imperiale,F., Argos,P. and Frommel,C., 1996, Proteins, 25, 157-168). Compared with other methods currently available, our method has the merits of simplicity and ease-of-use as well as a higher prediction accuracy. The only input of the method is the primary sequence of the query protein to be predicted. The program is available on request via e-mail: ctzhang@tju.edu. cn.
Structure of poly(lactic-acid) PLA nanofibers scaffolds prepared by electrospinning

The structural properties of poly(lactic-acid) PLA nanofiber scaffolds prepared by electrospinning have been correlated with their process condition. The influence of the electrospinning processing parameters on structure including fiber orientation, take-up velocity and post-thermal treatment was analyzed. The structure and the properties of the scaffolds were studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The existence of crystallinity into the nanofibres of PLA was found. The careful observation by HRTEM shows an amorphous core and a semicrystalline shell structure (supramolecular), and the surface of nanofiber observed by AFM shows a laminate periodic along the main axis of the fiber. These observations will be useful in understanding the structure-property relationships of oriented nanofibre scaffolds for medical or biological applications.
Hippocampal Sharp Wave/Ripples during Sleep for Consolidation of Associative Memory

The beneficial effect of sleep on memory has been well-established by extensive research on humans, but the neurophysiological mechanisms remain a matter of speculation. This study addresses the hypothesis that the fast oscillations known as ripples recorded in the CA1 region of the hippocampus during slow wave sleep (SWS) may provide a physiological substrate for long term memory consolidation. We trained rats in a spatial discrimination task to retrieve palatable reward in three fixed locations. Hippocampal local field potentials and cortical EEG were recorded for 2 h after each daily training session. There was an increase in ripple density during SWS after early training sessions, in both trained rats and in rats randomly rewarded for exploring the maze. In rats learning the place -reward association, there was a striking further significant increase in ripple density correlated with subsequent improvements in behavioral performance as the rat learned the spatial discrimination aspect of the task. The results corroborate others showing an experience-dependent increase in ripple activity and associated ensemble replay after exploratory activity, but in addition, for the first time, reveal a clear further increase in ripple activity related to associative learning based on spatial discrimination.
A Topographic Instructive Signal Guides the Adjustment of the Auditory Space Map in the Optic Tectum

Maps of auditory space in the midbrain of the barn owl (Tyto alba) are calibrated by visual experience. When owls are raised wearing prismatic spectacles that displace the visual field in azimuth, the auditory receptive fields of neurons in the optic tectum shift to compensate for the optical displacement of the visual field. This shift results primarily from a shift in the tuning of tectal neurons for interaural time difference. The visually based instructive signal that guides this plasticity could be based on a topographic, point-by-point comparison between auditory and visual space maps or on a foveation-dependent visual assessment of the accuracy of auditory orienting responses. To distinguish between these two possibilities, we subjected owls to optical conditions that differed in the center of gaze and the visual periphery. A topographic signal would cause the portions of the space map representing the central and peripheral regions of visual space to adjust differently, according to the optical conditions that exist in each region. In contrast, a foveation-based signal would cause both portions of the map to adjust similarly, according to the optical conditions that exist at the center of gaze. In six of seven experiments, adaptive changes were as predicted by a topographic instructive signal. Although the results do not rule out the possible contribution of a foveation-based signal, they demonstrate that a topographic instructive signal is, indeed, involved in the calibration of the auditory space map in the barn owl optic tectum.
Highly stretchable and transparent conductive film made of Pt nanocoil web

High electrical conductivity and high optical transparency are desired for transparent conductive films (TCFs). The currently used conducting material, indium tin oxide (ITO), is high cost owing to the lack of indium source. In addition, its brittleness has limited its applications in flexible electronic devices. Although the alternative materials, such as carbon nanotube and metallic nanowires, have been extensively studied, there are still some issues needed to be addressed for their practical uses. This research reports a highly stretchable TCF, which is made by transferring a Pt nanocoil (NC) web to a transparent silicone rubber membrane. The fabricated Pt TCF exhibited a high optical transmittance over 90% within visible region. The stretching behaviors of a single-layered freestanding Pt NC web and a Pt TCF were investigated and the fracture mechanism was discussed. As a result, the respective fracture strain of freestanding Pt NC web and Pt TCF was approximately 20% and 15%, both of which were higher than that of ITO film. The decreased fracture strain of Pt TCF was attributed to a possible reason as follows. Compared to the freestanding Pt NC web, the in-plane deformation of Pt NCs in the TCF was restricted by the substrate layer, and hence the Pt TCF fractured more easily than the freestanding Pt NC web.
Novel planar power divider for EMC application

In this paper a novel configuration of planar power divider has been investigated at 2.4 GHz. band. The efforts are being made to improve the performance parameters of this power divider by suppressing the harmonics in order to minimize the interference from other sources. A L-shaped defected microstrip structure (DMS) is introduced in the I/P microstrip section for this purpose. The proposed structure is designed, simulated and fabricated and the simulation results are compared with the results of the conventional power divider. A comparison between the simulation and measured results show a good agreement. The proposed power divider has been found to be suitable for Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) application as a result of suppressed harmonics.
Low dose of S+-ketamine prevents long-term potentiation in pain pathways under strong opioid analgesia in the rat spinal cord in vivo.

BACKGROUND micro-Opioid receptor (MOR) agonists are strong antinociceptive drugs. Low, but not high doses of the MOR agonist fentanyl prevent synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) in pain pathways. Block of spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors prevent central sensitization. Here we tested whether the NMDA receptor antagonist S(+)-ketamine reduces C-fibre-evoked potentials and prevents induction of LTP despite high doses of fentanyl. METHODS C-fibre-evoked field potentials were recorded in the superficial laminae I/II of the rat lumbar spinal cord. High-frequency stimulation (HFS) was applied to the sciatic nerve at C-fibre strength to induce LTP. S(+)-ketamine 5 mg kg(-1) was given 1 h before or after HFS. S(+)-ketamine 5 mg kg(-1) and fentanyl as a bolus (40 microg kg(-1)) followed by an infusion (96 microg kg(-1) h(-1)) were given before HFS to test the action of the combination of these drugs. RESULTS HFS potentiated C-fibre-evoked field potentials to mean 173 (sem 15)% of control (n=7) for at least 1 h. Low-dose S(+)-ketamine given before HFS blocked the induction of LTP. S(+)-ketamine given after HFS had no effect on the maintenance of LTP. Low-dose S(+)-ketamine prevented induction of LTP under fentanyl-infusion. CONCLUSIONS Low-dose S(+)-ketamine does not affect C-fibre-evoked potentials alone but blocks LTP induction in pain pathways. In contrast, high doses of opioids strongly reduce C-fibre-evoked potentials, but do not fully prevent LTP induction. In this animal study the combination of S(+)-ketamine with fentanyl reveals both a reduction of C-fibre-evoked potentials and prevention of LTP and seem therefore a better choice for perioperative pain management compared with the sole administration.
Implementation of ANN Based Controllers to Improve the Dynamic Performance of a Shunt Active Power Filter

This paper attempts to enhance the dynamic performance of a shunt-type active power filter. The predictive and adaptive properties of artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used for fast estimation of the compensating current. The dynamics of the dc-link voltage is utilized in a predictive controller to generate the first estimate followed by convergence of the algorithm by an adaptive ANN (adaline) based network. Weights in adaline are tuned to minimize the total harmonic distortion of the source current. Extensive simulations and experimentations confirm the validity of the proposed scheme for all kinds of load (balanced and unbalanced) for a three-phase three-wire system.
Discrimination and delusional ideation.

BACKGROUND In the UK and The Netherlands, people with high rates of psychosis are chronically exposed to discrimination. AIMS To test whether perceived discrimination is associated longitudinally with onset of psychosis. METHOD A 3-year prospective study of cohorts with no history of psychosis and differential rates of reported discrimination on the basis of age, gender, disability, appearance, skin colour or ethnicity and sexual orientation was conducted in the Dutch general population (n=4076). The main outcome was onset of psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations). RESULTS The rate of delusional ideation was 0.5% (n=19) in those who did not report discrimination, 0.9% (n=4) in those who reported discrimination in one domain, and 2.7% (n=3) in those who reported discrimination in more than one domain (exact P=0.027). This association remained after adjustment for possible confounders. No association was found between baseline discrimination and onset of hallucinatory experiences. CONCLUSIONS Perceived discrimination may induce delusional ideation and thus contribute to the high observed rates of psychotic disorder in exposed minority populations.
Identification of endogenously S-nitrosylated proteins in Arabidopsis plantlets : Effect of cold stress on cysteine nitrosylation level

There are no therapies that reverse the proteotoxic misfolding events that underpin fatal neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Hsp104, a conserved hexameric AAA+ protein from yeast, solubilizes disordered aggregates and amyloid but has no metazoan homolog and only limited activity against human neurodegenerative disease proteins. Here, we reprogram Hsp104 to rescue TDP-43, FUS, and ? synuclein proteotoxicity by mutating single residues in helix 1, 2, or 3 of the middle domain or the small domain of nucleotide-binding domain 1. Potentiated Hsp104 variants enhance aggregate dissolution, restore proper protein localization, suppress proteotoxicity, and in a C. elegans PD model attenuate dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Potentiating mutations reconfigure how Hsp104 subunits collaborate, desensitize Hsp104 to inhibition, obviate any requirement for Hsp70, and enhance ATPase, translocation, and unfoldase activity. Our work establishes that disease-associated aggregates and amyloid are tractable targets and that enhanced disaggregases can restore proteostasis and mitigate neurodegeneration.
Direct aperture optimization based on genetic algorithm and conjugate gradient in intensity modulated radiation therapy

DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0366-6999.20130644 Key Laboratory of Neutronics and Radiation safety, Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China (Cao RF, Pei X, Zheng HQ, Hu LQ and Wu YC) Engineering Technology Research Center of Accurate Radiotherapy of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China (Cao RF, Pei X, Zheng HQ, Hu LQ and Wu YC) Correspondence to: Dr. Cao Ruifen, Key Laboratory of Neutronics and Radiation safety, Institute of Nuclear Energy Safety Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Engineering Technology Research Center of Accurate Radiotherapy of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui 230031, China (Tel: 86-551-65593595. Fax: 86-551-65593681. Email: ruifen.cao@fds.odrg.cn) These works were supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation (No. 81101132). Short communication
Structure, chromosome location, and expression of the mouse zinc finger gene Krox-20: multiple gene products and coregulation with the proto-oncogene c-fos

We have analyzed the structure and the regulation of Krox-20, a mouse zinc finger-encoding gene which is transiently activated following serum stimulation of quiescent fibroblast cells in culture. The gene is localized on chromosome 10, band B5, in the mouse, and the homologous human gene also maps to chromosome 10 (region q21.1 to q22.1). Alternative splicing of the 5'-most intron of the Krox-20 gene gives rise to mRNAs encoding putative zinc finger proteins with different N termini. The first exon contains a sequence element with strong similarity to the c-fos proto-oncogene serum response element (SRE). This element can functionally substitute for the c-fos SRE, and it binds the same nuclear protein. It is probably responsible for the serum induction of Krox-20, possibly in combination with a weaker SRE located in the 5'-flanking region of the gene. Our findings suggest that c-fos, Krox-20, and a number of immediate-early serum response genes are coregulated and that the SRE and its cognate protein are essential components of this regulatory pathway.
Bayesian model selection and isocurvature perturbations

Present cosmological data are well explained assuming purely adiabatic perturbations, but an admixture of isocurvature perturbations is also permitted. We use a Bayesian framework to compare the performance of cosmological models including isocurvature modes with the purely adiabatic case; this framework automatically and consistently penalizes models which use more parameters to fit the data. We compute the Bayesian evidence for fits to a data set comprised of WMAP and other microwave anisotropy data, the galaxy power spectrum from 2dFGRS and SDSS, and Type Ia supernovae luminosity distances. We find that Bayesian model selection favors the purely adiabatic models, but so far only at low significance.