Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel fast fractal super resolution technique

A novel supe-resolution method is proposed to construct a higher resolution image from a low resolution image using fractal coding. This super-resolution method utilizes a special type of orthogonal fractal coding method in which the fractal affine transform is determined by the range block mean and contrast scaling. The proposed non-adaptive fractal super-resolution procedure uses a fixed domain block and a fixed contrast scaling factor. Thus, no additional information must be stored for the fractal coding. Because the mean of each range block of the decoding series in the orthogonal fractal decoding is invariant, a higher resolution image consists of range blocks can be reconstructed from a low resolution image consisting of range block means. Experimental results are presented to show the impact of this method in terms of image quality and its computational requirements.
Induction of Cyclooxygenase-2 Overexpression in Human Gastric Epithelial Cells by Helicobacter pylori Involves TLR2/TLR9 and c-Src-Dependent Nuclear Factor-κB Activation

Gastric epithelial cells were incubated with a panel of clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori, including nonulcer dyspepsia with gastritis (HS, n = 20), gastric ulcer (HU, n = 20), duodenal ulcer (HD, n = 21), and gastric cancer (HC, n = 20). HC strains induced a higher cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression than those from HS, HD, and HU. The bacterial virulence factors and the host cellular pathways were investigated. Virulence genes of iceA, vacA, babA2, cagA 3′ repeat region, and hrgA failed to show any association with the disease status and COX-2 expression. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction revealed HC strains not affecting the methylation status of COX-2 promoter. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB, NF-interleukin 6, and cAMP response element were found to be involved in COX-2 induction. We explored a novel NF-κB activation pathway. The mutants of TLR2 and TLR9, but not TLR4, inhibited H. pylori-induced COX-2 promoter activity, and neutralizing antibodies for TLR2 and TLR9 abolished H. pylori-induced COX-2 expression. Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), protein kinase C (PKC), and Src inhibitors inhibited COX-2 induction. The dominant-negative mutants of NIK and various IκB kinase complexes, including IKKβ (Y188F), IKKβ (Y199F), and IKKβ (FF), inhibited the COX-2 promoter activity. Phosphorylation of GST-IKKβ (132-206) at Tyr188 and Tyr199 by c-Src was found after H. pylori infection. In summary, H. pylori induces COX-2 expression via activations of NF-κB, NF-interleukin 6, the cAMP response element. In NF-κB activation, H. pylori acts through TLR2/TLR9 to activate both the cascade of PI-PLCγ/PKCα/c-Src/IKKα/β and the cascade of NIK/IKKα/β, resulting in the IκBα degradation and the expression of COX-2 gene. The COX-2 overexpression may contribute to the carcinogenesis in patients colonized with these strains.
Advances in endocrinology

Molecular genetics will continue to help us to make precise diagnoses. At present, the expertise to achieve this for a specific disease is often exclusive to one unit with a research interest. It will be important to establish a coordinated approach at a supraregional level to provide molecular diagnosis for rare disorders as a fast reliable clinical service. In addition understanding the molecular mechanisms of disease is likely to direct a search for new treatments. For instance, calcium channel blockers have been used in nesidoblastosis to reduce the hypersecretion of insulin, as a result of the recognition of the role that calcium has in the function of the beta-cell ATP sensitive K+ channel. Although the potential benefits of hGH are now being clearly defined in a range of growth disorders, the treatment is invasive and expensive. It is likely that future endocrine therapeutic developments could include slow release growth hormone preparations, orally active growth hormone mimetics, or even hormone production from an ectopic viral cDNA vector. The next "advances in endocrinology" will also reveal whether leptin will have a therapeutic role in appetite control or even the modulation of pubertal development.
Adaptive semi-blind channel estimation for ST-BC MIMO-CDMA systems with hybrid user signature

We extend our previous work to present a new semi-blind transceiver for the direct-sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system that uses multiple transmit and receive antennas (MIMO) system, equipped with space-time block code (ST-BC). In the transmitter we design a new hybrid augmented user signature (AUS) that composes of the desired user signatures and the prefix/postfix zero-padding sequences with respect to individual transmit-antennas. The hybrid AUS is devised to resolve the phase ambiguity problem which occurs in all blind receivers. At the receiver we propose a Capon-like semi-blind two-branch filter bank receiver, based on the linearly constrained constant modulus (LCCM) criterion, followed by the AUS-assisted semi-blind channel estimation and power method for block symbol recovery. This enables us to partially alleviate the effects of inter-block interference (IBI) and the multiple access interference (MAI). In the ST-BC MIMO-CDMA receiver with two-branch filterbank, we build on the generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC) structure with the RLS for implementing the adaptive semi-blind LCCM receiver. Via intense simulations it reveals that our proposed new transceiver has robust performance against the user's acquisition inaccuracies comparing with current available algorithms and to resolve the phase ambiguity problem.
Skeleton graph matching based on a novel shape tree

A skeleton graph matching algorithm based on a novel shape tree is proposed in this paper. The shape tree in this paper represents an object shape by simultaneously taking account of both the positive curvature maxima and negative curvature minima of the boundary based on skeleton. Comparing with the existing shape representation scheme, it's less time-consuming. Based on the proposed shape tree, a more general sequence matching algorithm is presented. It takes account of the selection of the starting node and the case of symmetry match. In contrast to typical order preserving assignment, it doesn't need to enumerate over different starting nodes and has lower computational complexity than Hungarian algorithm. The similarity of two shapes is measured by considering the best match of two shape trees. Several experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach can produce correct results in the presence of articulations, stretching, and contour deformations with lower computational complexity.
The Effects of Morphological Instruction on Literacy Skills

The authors reviewed all peer-reviewed studies with participants from preschool to Grade 8 for this meta-analysis of morphological interventions. They identified 22 applicable studies. Instructional effects (Cohen’s d) were averaged by linguistic outcome categories (morphological sublexical, nonmorphological sublexical, lexical, and supralexical) and comparison group (experimental group vs. control or experimental group vs. alternative training). The authors investigated the effects of morphological instruction (a) on reading, spelling, vocabulary, and morphological skills, (b) for less able readers versus undifferentiated samples, (c) for younger versus older students, and (d) in combination with instruction of other literacy skills or in isolation. Results indicate that (a) morphological instruction benefits learners, (b) it brings particular benefits for less able readers, (c) it is no less effective for younger students, and (d) it is more effective when combined with other aspects of literacy instruction. Implications of these findings are discussed in light of current educational practice and theory.
Refactoring Kieker′s Monitoring Component to Further Reduce the Runtime Overhead

Kieker’s monitoring component is tuned for a low runtime overhead. Nevertheless, we recently identified potential for improvement. Unfortunately, we could utilize this potential only by refactoring major parts of its architecture. In this paper, we describe these changes and discuss their advantages. Moreover, we present an evaluation which shows that our changes reduce the runtime overhead to 17% in our setup while simultaneously having a complexity of only 73%.
Associations between markers of health and playing golf in an Australian population

Objective To investigate associations between markers of health and playing golf in an Australian population. Methods Secondary analysis of data from the Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey to compare selected health outcomes between golfers (n=128) and non-golfers (n=4999). Results Golfers were older than non-golfers (mean±SD 57.7±14.2 years, 48.5±17.6 years, p<0.05). A higher proportion of golfers were overweight or obese compared with non-golfers (76% vs 64%, p<0.05), and golfers were more likely to have been diagnosed with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) at some time in their life (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.0 to 7.8). However, neither the risk of being overweight or obese (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.9 to 2.2) or having been diagnosed with IHD (OR 2.1, 95% CI 0.8 to 5.8), were significant after controlling for age. Golfers were more physically active than non-golfers (8870±3810 steps/day vs 7320±3640 steps/day, p<0.05) and more likely to report high health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than non-golfers (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.0 to 3.3), but not after adjusting for physical activity (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.9 to 2.2). Conclusion Compared with non-golfers, golfers were more likely to be overweight or obese and to have been diagnosed with IHD, but not after adjusting for golfers being older. Golfers were more likely to report a higher HRQoL, but not after adjusting for golfers being more physically active. There may be an association between golfers being more physically active than non-golfers and reporting a higher HRQoL.
Critical Success Factors of CRM Technological Initiatives

Abstract As an increasing number of organizations realize the importance of becoming more customer-centric in today's competitive economy, they are also discovering that they must deliver authentic customer knowledge across multiple organizational functions and at all customer touch points. This paper compiles the critical success factors of customer relationship management (CRM) technological initiatives realized by 57 large organizations in Canada. The data analysis is performed using structural equation modeling techniques such as PLS. Resume Evoluant dans une economie fort competitive, un nombre croissant d'organisations realisent l'importance de mieux comprendre leurs clients. Elles decouvrent alors qu'elles peuvent gerer les connaissances acquises a leur sujet lors des contacts pris avec eux, et les integrer adequatement aux multiples fonctions organisationnelles. Cet article relate les facteurs critiques de succes necessaires lors de l'implantation d'initiatives technologiques supportant la gestion de la relation client (GRC). L'analyse des resultats obtenus aupres de 57 grandes organisations canadiennes est realisee en testant plusieurs equations structurelles a l'aide de la methode des moindres carres partiels (PLS).
Understanding Self-Efficacy and the Design of Personal Informatics Tools

The design of many personal informatics tools or approaches for behavior change can be influenced by Social Cognitive Theory, which suggests self-efficacy impacts ability to change. Self-efficacy is easy to measure and indicates adherence to behavioral strategies. This makes it an attractive construct for evaluation of PI technologies. In this workshop paper, we discuss what self-efficacy is, how to measure it, and three factors that impact the measurements.
A Friendly Beast of Burden: A Human-Assistive Robot for Handling Large Payloads

This article presents a novel robotic assistive device for the handling of large payloads. The design of the robot is based on the application of the following fundamental mechanical principles: inertia is minimized, a parallel closed-loop cable/belt routing system is used to kinematically decouple the transmission from fixed actuators and to the end-effector, and variable static balancing is used to minimize the actuation forces required for vertical motion. As a result, the device requires only low power, thereby improving safety, and can be operated manually, even in the event of a power failure (with minimum backup power for brake release). A novel force/torque sensor is also introduced along with a control algorithm based on variable admittance that provides a very intuitive interface for physical human-robot cooperation. Finally, a full-scale prototype integrating all of the above concepts is presented.
Increased risk of Helicobacter pylori associated with birth in wartime and post-war Japan.

BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori infection is now widely recognized as a cause of stomach cancer. We assessed trends in H. pylori infection in Japan, a population with high rates of gastric malignancy. METHODS Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we tested sera collected between 1980 and 1993 from Tokyo University Hospital patients for anti-H. pylori IgG. Patients ranged in age from 0 to 94 years. Helicobacter pylori prevalence was then assessed for age and/or birth cohort effects. RESULTS Of 1207 sera, 470 (38.9%) were positive for H. pylori IgG. By univariate analysis, both older age and birth in an earlier decade were associated with an increased risk of infection. Age-specific prevalence of H. pylori by birth cohort suggested increases in infection during the decades from 1900 to 1959, and age-specific decreases since 1960. In multivariate analysis, H. pylori infection increased with age and was most prevalent among those born in the 1940s and 1950s. CONCLUSION Relative to other birth cohorts, people born in the 1940s and 1950s have a higher prevalence of H. pylori. This increased prevalence of infection among those born in wartime Japan likely attests to the impact of compromised living conditions on acquisition of H. pylori, and may portend continued high rates of gastric cancer in forthcoming years.
Adversarial synapses: Hebbian/anti-Hebbian learning optimizes min-max objectives

A promising approach towards understanding neural networks is to view them as implementations of online algorithms optimizing principled objectives. Existing neural algorithms capturing both neural activity dynamics and synaptic weight updates implement the same operation, either minimization or maximization of the objective, with respect to each variable. Here, we derive neural networks from principled min-max objectives: by minimizing with respect to neural activity and feedforward synaptic weights, and maximizing with respect to lateral synaptic weights. In turn, the min-max objectives are obtained via the Hubbard-Stratonovich (HS) transform of similarity matching objectives. The resulting networks perform dimensionality reduction of the input data resorting only to biologically plausible local learning rules. The min-max nature of the objective is reflected in the antagonism between Hebbian feedforward and anti-Hebbian lateral learning in derived networks. We prove that the only stable fixed points of the network dynamics correspond to the principal subspace projection (PSP) or the principal subspace whitening (PSW). Finally, from the min-max objectives we derive novel formulations of dimensionality reduction using fractional matrix exponents.
Competence and virulence of Streptococcus pneumoniae: Adc and PsaA mutants exhibit a requirement for Zn and Mn resulting from inactivation of putative ABC metal permeases

The adcCBA putative operon of Streptococcus pneumoniae, an important human pathogen, was identified in a search for transformation‐deficient mutants. It was found to exhibit homology to ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transport operons encoding streptococcal adhesins such as FimA of Streptococcus parasanguis and PsaA of S. pneumoniae. The latter was recently shown to be essential for virulence as judged by intranasal or intraperitoneal challenge of mice. We suggested previously that AdcA, together with a set of 14 proteins, including PsaA and homologous adhesins, defines a new family of external solute‐binding proteins specific for metals. In this work, Northern analysis revealed the existence of two adcB–adcA specific transcripts originating within adcC or further upstream, consistent with the hypothesis that adc is an operon. Investigation of growth of adc and psaA mutants in synthetic medium revealed that the addition of Zn improved the growth rate of the former, whereas the latter exhibited an absolute requirement for added Mn. A psaA–adc double mutant turned out to be essentially non‐viable unless both metals were added in the appropriate ratio. Taken together, these results suggest a previously undocumented requirement of S. pneumoniae for Zn and Mn. The addition of Zn also restored near‐normal spontaneous transformation of adc mutant cells in standard transformation medium. Zn was found to be specifically required soon after contact of cells with the competence‐stimulating peptide, revealing an unsuspected need for Zn in transformation of S. pneumoniae. The removal of Mn from standard transformation medium also resulted in transformation deficiency of psaA mutant cells. Taken together, these results lead us to propose that Adc is an ABC‐type Zn permease, the first such protein complex identified in any organism, and that Psa is an ABC‐type Mn permease complex.
Neural Implementation of Hierarchical Bayesian Inference by Importance Sampling

The goal of perception is to infer the hidden states in the hierarchical process by which sensory data are generated. Human behavior is consistent with the optimal statistical solution to this problem in many tasks, including cue combination and orientation detection. Understanding the neural mechanisms underlying this behavior is of particular importance, since probabilistic computations are notoriously challenging. Here we propose a simple mechanism for Bayesian inference which involves averaging over a few feature detection neurons which fire at a rate determined by their similarity to a sensory stimulus. This mechanism is based on a Monte Carlo method known as importance sampling, commonly used in computer science and statistics. Moreover, a simple extension to recursive importance sampling can be used to perform hierarchical Bayesian inference. We identify a scheme for implementing importance sampling with spiking neurons, and show that this scheme can account for human behavior in cue combination and the oblique effect.
Dealing with Deportability: Deportation Laws and the Political Personhood of Temporary Migrant Workers in Singapore

Abstract By severely constraining the political personhood of temporary migrant workers, states’ use of deportation laws seeks to curb agitation among these workers. Despite this, various episodes of unrest have been witnessed in both liberal and illiberal regimes across Asia. Drawing on a case study of Bangladeshi migrant construction workers in Singapore, this paper examines the development of migrant labour politics as deportation laws, and their enforcement, construct these workers as “use-and-discard” economic subjects. Data for the paper are drawn from multi-level sources—government, industry, media, and non-governmental organization (NGO) reports; interviews with key actors; and a participant observation stint in a construction firm—collected between 2010 and 2014. The paper argues that, rather than solely constraining, deportability serves as a constituent of certain forms of tactical worker contestations in the workplace. Specifically, under different workplace conditions, deportability can translate into differing forms of worker tactics, ranging from accommodation to confrontation and desertion. The outcomes of these strategies, in turn, have significant repercussions for the ways in which civil society groups and state-actors, respectively, challenge and reconfigure the political personhood of temporary migrant workers.
Computational Modeling and Analysis of Complex Muscle Architecture

Computational modeling and analysis of complex muscle architecture Dongwoon Lee Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Computer Science University of Toronto 2015 Muscle architecture is a primary determinant of the muscle function associated with body movement. An assessment of muscle architecture is therefore of great importance, not only for investigating anatomical aspects of muscle but also for predicting its functional capacity. Most muscles have a variable complexity in their architectures, making it challenging to accurately assess them. Previous cadaveric approaches only take into account limited portions of architecture. On the other hand, conventional radiological approaches, such as ultrasonography and MRI, examine two-dimensional projected images. Neither of these approaches provides a thorough understanding of the entire muscle architecture. This may lead to underor overestimation of architectural parameters that are significant for both clinical and computational studies. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis is to develop a computational modeling approach to facilitate quantification and reconstruction of complex muscle architecture. Cadaveric specimen data are used to investigate muscle architecture and to reconstruct accurate models. Associated geometric complexity and variation are carefully examined to yield consistent estimation of architectural parameters. This method demonstrates robustness against non-uniformity in the data and consistency over various types of muscle architecture; less than 10% error in PCSA estimation. By incorporating ultrasonographic assessment, this method is extended to approximate muscle architecture in living subjects, which enables estimation of PCSA for in vivo muscle in a more consistent manner. Validation experiments demonstrate 0.4 − 8.4 % estimation errors between the original architecture and its approximation, depending on the anatomical complexity, which provides a practical insight into the quantification of PCSA for in vivo muscle.
Possible retinotoxic effect of carbamazepine

Abstract Two cases of retinopathy possibly caused by the antiepileptic drug, carbamazepine (Tegretol®) are presented. Two female patients in middle age with epilepsy had been treated with carbamazepine for more than 7 years when they experienced sudden visual disturbances and reduction of visual acuity without known concomitant systemic toxic effects. Ophthalmoscopy, fundus colour photography and fundus fluorescein angiography disclosed in one patient discrete, and in the other patient extensive lesions of the retinal pigment epithelium in the posterior poles of the eyes including the macular regions. Discontinuation of carbamazepine led to improvement of visual function and of the morphological changes in the fundi of the patient with the most pronounced lesions. It is suggested that carbamazepine, a drug nearly chemically identical with the tricyclic psychotropic agents, might cause damage of the retinal pigment epithelium in long‐term treatment. Further clinical controlled studies of the possible retinotoxic effect of this agent are, however, required.
Texture segmentation comparison using grey level co-occurrence probabilities and Markov random fields

The discrimination ability of texture features derived from Gaussian Markov random fields (GMRFs) and grey level co-occurrence probabilities (GLCPs) are compared and contrasted. More specifically, the role of window size in feature consistency and separability as well as the role of multiple textures within a window are investigated. GLCPs are demonstrated to have improved discrimination ability relative to MRFs with decreasing window size, an important concept when performing image segmentation. On the other hand, GLCPs are more sensitive to texture boundary confusion than GMRFs.