Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modified Perona-Malik Equation and Computer Simulation for Image
Denoising

The edges and textures of a digital image may be destroyed by traditional denoising methods, which is a difficult problem in image denoising. In this paper, anisotropic diffusion algorithm based on Partial differential equation is studied. First, image denoising algorithms based on Perona-Malik model are studied. Second, a modified Perona-Malik model is proposed. In the proposed model, the gradient statistic and edge thresholds are embedded into the Perona-Malik equation. Finally, the effects of this model and some other models are compared and analyzed. The experimental results show that the proposed modified Perona-Malik model outperforms the original Perona-Malik model in removing Gaussian noise, and the edges and textures of the image are well preserved.
GRASSIUS: A Platform for Comparative Regulatory Genomics across the Grasses1[W][OA]

Transcription factors (TFs) are major players in gene regulatory networks and interactions between TFs and their target genes furnish spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression. Establishing the architecture of regulatory networks requires gathering information on TFs, their targets in the genome, and the corresponding binding sites. We have developed GRASSIUS (Grass Regulatory Information Services) as a knowledge-based Web resource that integrates information on TFs and gene promoters across the grasses. In its initial implementation, GRASSIUS consists of two separate, yet linked, databases. GrassTFDB holds information on TFs from maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), and rice (Oryza sativa). TFs are classified into families and phylogenetic relationships begin to uncover orthologous relationships among the participating species. This database also provides a centralized clearinghouse for TF synonyms in the grasses. GrassTFDB is linked to the grass TFome collection, which provides clones in recombination-based vectors corresponding to full-length open reading frames for a growing number of grass TFs. GrassPROMDB contains promoter and cis-regulatory element information for those grass species and genes for which enough data are available. The integration of GrassTFDB and GrassPROMDB will be accomplished through GrassRegNet as a first step in representing the architecture of grass regulatory networks. GRASSIUS can be accessed from www.grassius. org.
Improvement in Spatial Imagery Following Sight Onset Late in Childhood

The factors contributing to the development of spatial imagery skills are not well understood. Here, we consider whether visual experience shapes these skills. Although differences in spatial imagery between sighted and blind individuals have been reported, it is unclear whether these differences are truly due to visual deprivation or instead are due to extraneous factors, such as reduced opportunities for the blind to interact with their environment. A direct way of assessing vision’s contribution to the development of spatial imagery is to determine whether spatial imagery skills change soon after the onset of sight in congenitally blind individuals. We tested 10 children who gained sight after several years of congenital blindness and found significant improvements in their spatial imagery skills following sight-restoring surgeries. These results provide evidence of vision’s contribution to spatial imagery and also have implications for the nature of internal spatial representations.
Nonionic polymer cross-linked chitosan hydrogel: preparation and bioevaluation

A straightforward method to prepare nonionic polymer (polyacrylamide, PAM) cross-linked chitosan hydrogel has been developed. The chitosan–polyacrylamide (CS–PAM) hydrogel could be quickly obtained by simply mixing of chitosan and polyacrylamide solutions under very benign condition (room temperature, <30 s). The cytotoxicity and hemocompatibility of the CS–PAM hydrogel were subsequently investigated. Cells retained normal morphology even when the concentration of CS–PAM hydrogel in culture system was as high as 640 μg mL−1, indicating the CS–PAM hydrogel has minimal cytotoxicity to A549 and HeLa cells. Meanwhile, no hemolysis was observed after incubating the CS–PAM hydrogel with red blood cells for 6 h, further suggesting excellent biocompatibility of the hydrogel. Scanning electron microscopy images illustrated that the CS–PAM hydrogel can absorb red blood cells through the interaction between the protonated amine groups on chitosan and the negative charged residues on red blood cell membranes. Given its low cost, simple preparation, and excellent biocompatibility, this CS–PAM hydrogel might be a potential biomaterial for future healthcare and biomedical applications.
Systemic Activation of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Subtype 4 Channel Causes Endothelial Failure and Circulatory Collapse: Part 2

The transient receptor potential (TRP) vanilloid subtype 4 (V4) is a nonselective cation channel that exhibits polymodal activation and is expressed in the endothelium, where it contributes to intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and regulation of cell volume. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the systemic cardiovascular effects of GSK1016790A, a novel TRPV4 activator, and to examine its mechanism of action. In three species (mouse, rat, and dog), the i.v. administration of GSK1016790A induced a dose-dependent reduction in blood pressure, followed by profound circulatory collapse. In contrast, GSK1016790A had no acute cardiovascular effects in the TRPV4−/− null mouse. Hemodynamic analyses in the dog and rat demonstrate a profound reduction in cardiac output. However, GSK1016790A had no effect on rate or contractility in the isolated, buffer-perfused rat heart, and it produced potent endothelial-dependent relaxation of rodent-isolated vascular ring segments that were abolished by nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition (N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester; l-NAME), ruthenium red, and endothelial NOS (eNOS) gene deletion. However, the in vivo circulatory collapse was not altered by NOS inhibition (l-NAME) or eNOS gene deletion but was associated with (concentration and time appropriate) profound vascular leakage and tissue hemorrhage in the lung, intestine, and kidney. TRPV4 immunoreactivity was localized in the endothelium and epithelium in the affected organs. GSK1016790A potently induced rapid electrophysiological and morphological changes (retraction/condensation) in cultured endothelial cells. In summary, inappropriate activation of TRPV4 produces acute circulatory collapse associated with endothelial activation/injury and failure of the pulmonary microvascular permeability barrier. It will be important to determine the role of TRPV4 in disorders associated with edema and microvascular congestion.
Non-conventional imaging systems for 3D digitization of transparent objects: Shape from polarization

This paper presents a comparison between recent advances made in the field of non-conventional imaging techniques for 3D digitization of transparent object. After a survey, this paper focuses on two recent techniques later called: shape from Visible Fluorescence UV-induced and shape from polarization in the IR which recently emerged. Results obtained with the technique of Scanning from Heating which, originally developed in 2008 for the digitization of transparent objects, has successfully been modified and applied to the digitization of specular objects.
Therapy in San Francisco A Tale of Two Futures : HIV and Antiretroviral

www.sciencemag. org (this information is current as of April 22, 2009 ): The following resources related to this article are available online at http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/287/5453/650 version of this article at: including high-resolution figures, can be found in the online Updated information and services, http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/287/5453/650#otherarticles , 14 of which can be accessed for free: cites 36 articles This article 142 article(s) on the ISI Web of Science. cited by This article has been http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/full/287/5453/650#otherarticles 16 articles hosted by HighWire Press; see: cited by This article has been http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/collection/medicine Medicine, Diseases : subject collections This article appears in the following http://www.sciencemag. org/about/permissions.dtl in whole or in part can be found at: this article permission to reproduce of this article or about obtaining reprints Information about obtaining
Knowledge Management in Lean Production Systems

The implementation of Lean Production Systems is more than redesigning some production processes. The most seminal change has to be made in people’s knowledge. Otherwise, the changes will not be sustainable. Most implementation processes describe the sequence of necessary tasks but do not regard the integration of knowledge in the organization. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze how knowledge and knowledge flows can be described. The research showed that a multitude of different knowledge flows can occur during the implementation of Lean Production Systems and that a decentralized, role-specific approach can help to identify adequate methods of knowledge management. © 2012 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of Professor D. Mourtzis and Professor G. Chryssolouris.
Adjusting copper concentrations for caeruloplasmin levels in routine clinical practice

Background: An investigation on copper metabolism usually includes the measurement of serum levels of copper and caeruloplasmin. Using these levels, some laboratories derive levels of non-caeruloplasmin-bound copper (NCC); however, a considerable number of patients may show negative values, which is not physiologically possible. Aim: To derive an equation for adjusted copper in a manner similar to that widely accepted for adjusted calcium. Methods: A linear regression equation for the relationship between caeruloplasmin and copper was used: [copper] (μmol/l) = 0.052×[caeruloplasmin] (mg/l). An equation for copper adjusted for caeruloplasmin was derived using this equation and the reference interval of 10–25 μmol/l for copper. Results: The derived equation was [adjusted copper] (μmol/l) = [total copper] (μmol/l)+0.052×[caeruloplasmin] (mg/l)+17.5 (μmol/l). The adjusted copper concentrations on the 2.5th and 97.5th centiles were 12.7 and 21.5 μmol/l, respectively, with the population having a gaussian distribution. The relationship between NCC and the adjusted copper concentrations is linear and independent of caeruloplasmin concentration. Conclusion: Calculation of copper adjusted for caeruloplasmin uses the same variables as those for NCC. Accordingly, the problems that are caused by the lack of specificity of caeruloplasmin immunoassays are the same as those identified for NCC. This calculation, however, overcomes the negative values that are found in a considerable minority of patients with NCC, as well as age and sex differences in the caeruloplasmin reference interval. As the concept is already familiar to non-laboratory healthcare professionals in the form of calcium adjusted for albumin, this method is potentially less confusing than that for NCC.
Bone marrow angiogenesis in 400 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, multiple myeloma, and primary amyloidosis.

PURPOSE To determine whether bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis progressively increases along the spectrum of plasma cell disorders ranging from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to advanced myeloma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Four hundred patients with the following disorders were studied: MGUS (76 patients); smoldering (indolent; early-stage) multiple myeloma (SMM; 112 patients); newly diagnosed, active multiple myeloma (MM; 99 patients); relapsed (advanced) multiple myeloma (RMM; 26 patients); and primary amyloidosis (AL; 87 patients). Forty-two normal control BM samples were studied for comparison. BM angiogenesis was studied in a blinded manner by immunohistochemical staining for CD34 to identify microvessels. RESULTS The median (range) microvessel density (MVD) per x400 high power field was 1.3 (0-11) in the controls, 1.7 (0-10) in AL, 3 (0-23) in MGUS, 4 (1-30) in SMM, 11 (1-48) in newly diagnosed MM, and 20 (6-47) in RMM; P < 0.001. MVD was significantly higher in MGUS, SMM, newly diagnosed MM, and RMM compared with controls and AL; P < 0.001. MVD was not significantly different between controls and AL. By grading, high-grade angiogenesis was present in 0% of controls and AL, 1% of MGUS, 3% of SMM, 29% of newly diagnosed MM, and 42% of RMM; P < 0.001. MVD correlated with the BM plasma cell labeling index (rho = 0.46, P < 0.001) and BM plasma cell percentage (rho 0.5, P < 0.001). Survival was 28 months in SMM and newly diagnosed MM with high-grade angiogenesis, compared with 53 months for those with low- and intermediate-grade angiogenesis; P = 0.02. CONCLUSIONS BM angiogenesis progressively increases along the spectrum of plasma cell disorders, from the more benign MGUS stage to advanced myeloma, indicating that angiogenesis may be related to disease progression.
An Analysis of Pakistan's Macroeconomic Situation and Prospects

During the latter part of 2007 and early 2008, it became obvious that Pakistan’s macroeconomic situation was deteriorating rapidly, and that unless immediate measures were taken, the country may slip into a balance of payments crisis. This paper analyzes Pakistan’s current macroeconomic economic situation, in particular the sizeable budget and current account deficits�� �t also discusses the effects of the surge in food and oil prices. The paper also evaluates the government’s response to the deteriorating conditions and proposes a number of policy measures. I. Pakistan’s Macroeconomic Situation This paper was written during the second half of 2008 and before Pakistan’s authorities had to ask the �nternational �onetary �und (���) for financial assistance�� �t provides an analysis of the deteriorating macroeconomic situation in the country, and proposes a number of policy measures. Pakistan’s economy experienced relatively fast growth during the 1970s, 1980s, and the early 1990s (Figure 1). There have been three distinct phases. First, between the early 1970s and the early 1980s, gross domestic product (GDP) growth showed an upward trend, reaching almost 9% in 1980. The rest of the decade and until the early 1990s, the trend flattened and growth fluctuated between 5% and 7��5%�� �inally, between the early and late 1990s, growth displayed a downward trend. During this period, the economy suffered two major slowdowns, first in �99� and then in �997�� Figure 1: GDP Growth Rate 1954 58 62 66 70 74 78 82 86 90 94 98 2002 06 15
Angiotensin-(1-7)-induced renal vasodilation is reduced in human kidneys with renal artery stenosis

Background: Angiotensin-(1-7) modulates renal blood flow in humans with essential hypertension by inducing vasodilation and counterbalancing angiotensin II-induced vasoconstriction. Little is, however, known about the effects of angiotensin-(1-7) in kidneys with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. We previously demonstrated that the effect of angiotensin-(1-7) is reduced in patients with increased activity of the renin–angiotensin system. As the renin–angiotensin system is also activated in kidneys with renal artery stenosis, we hypothesized that the vasodilatory effect of angiotensin-(1-7) is also reduced in such kidneys. Method: Therefore, we selectively measured mean renal blood flow (133Xenon washout method) before and during local infusion of angiotensin-(1-7) (0.27, 0.9, and 2.7 ng/kg per min) in hypertensive patients who were angiographically evaluated for the presence of renovascular abnormalities. Data were analyzed in three groups: stenotic kidneys, nonstenotic kidneys with renal artery stenosis of the contralateral kidney (contralateral stenotic kidneys), or essentially hypertensive controls without renovascular abnormalities (matched for urinary sodium excretion). Results: Angiotensin-(1-7) infusion resulted in an increase in renal blood flow in matched controls. In stenotic kidneys however, the effect of angiotensin-(1-7) was significantly reduced as compared to controls. The angiotensin-(1-7) effect in contralateral stenotic kidneys was comparable to controls. Conclusion: Angiotensin-(1-7)-induced vasodilation is reduced in stenotic kidneys, but not in contralateral stenotic kidneys. This suggests that the altered blood flow regulation in kidneys with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis is a local phenomenon and not related to generalized atherosclerotic burden. Probably, the renin–angiotensin system activation, bioavailability of nitric oxide, and structural changes in the stenotic kidney play a role in this phenomenon.
A generative inference framework for analysing patterns of cultural change in sparse population data with evidence for fashion trends in LBK culture

Cultural change can be quantified by temporal changes in frequency of different cultural artefacts and it is a central question to identify what underlying cultural transmission processes could have caused the observed frequency changes. Observed changes, however, often describe the dynamics in samples of the population of artefacts, whereas transmission processes act on the whole population. Here we develop a modelling framework aimed at addressing this inference problem. To do so, we firstly generate population structures from which the observed sample could have been drawn randomly and then determine theoretical samples at a later time t2 produced under the assumption that changes in frequencies are caused by a specific transmission process. Thereby we also account for the potential effect of time-averaging processes in the generation of the observed sample. Subsequent statistical comparisons (e.g. using Bayesian inference) of the theoretical and observed samples at t2 can establish which processes could have produced the observed frequency data. In this way, we infer underlying transmission processes directly from available data without any equilibrium assumption. We apply this framework to a dataset describing pottery from settlements of some of the first farmers in Europe (the LBK culture) and conclude that the observed frequency dynamic of different types of decorated pottery is consistent with age-dependent selection, a preference for ‘young’ pottery types which is potentially indicative of fashion trends.
Coordination in Distributed Networks via Coded Actions With Application to Power Control

This paper investigates the problem of coordinating several agents through their actions, focusing on an asymmetric observation structure with two agents. Specifically, one agent knows the past, present, and future realizations of a state that affects a common payoff function, while the other agent either knows the past realizations of nothing about the state. In both cases, the second agent is assumed to have strictly causal observations of the first agent’s actions, which enables the two agents to coordinate. These scenarios are applied to distributed power control; the key idea is that a transmitter may embed information about the wireless channel state into its transmit power levels so that an observation of these levels, e.g., the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio, allows the other transmitter to coordinate its power levels. The main contributions of this paper are twofold. First, we provide a characterization of the set of feasible average payoffs when the agents repeatedly take long sequences of actions and the realizations of the system state are i.i. d. Second, we exploit these results in the context of distributed power control and introduce the concept of coded power-control. We carry out an extensive numerical analysis of the benefits of coded power control over alternative power-control policies, and highlight a simple yet non-trivial example of a power control code.
Effect of concomitant administration of three different antidepressants with vitamin B6 on depression and obsessive compulsive disorder in mice models

Vitamin B6 is a cofactor of various enzymes influencing numerous neurotransmitters in the brain such as norepinephrin, and serotonin. Since these neurotransmitters influence mood, the aim the present work to evaluate the effect of vitamin B6 on depression and obsessive compulsive behavior when coadministred with clomipramine, fluoxetine, or venlafaxine. Male mice weighing 25-30 g were used. The immobility time and latency to immobility was measured in the forced swimming test as a model of despair and the number of marbles buried (MB) in an open field was used as the model of obsessive compulsive behavior in mice. Vitamin B6 (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected to animals for six days and on the last day antidepressants were also administered and the tests took place with 30 min intervals. Immobility was reduced in vitamin B6 + clomipramine (141 ± 15 s) or venlafaxine (116 ± 15 s) but it was not significant comparing with the drugs alone. No beneficial response was seen in co-administration of vitamin B6 with fluoxetine compared to fluoxetine alone. Fluoxetine also increased the latency to first immobility. Vitamin B6 + clomipramine or venlafaxine reduced the MB behaviour by 77 ± 12% and 83 ± 7% respectively, while using them alone was less effective. Fluoxetine was very effective in reducing MB behaviour (95 ± 3.4%) thus using vitamin B6 concomitantly was not useful. Therefore vitamin B6 as a harmless agent could be suggested in depression and particularly in obsessive compulsive disorder as an adjuvant for better drug response.
Why Experimentation can be better than "Perfect Guidance"

The full version of this paper appeared at ICML-97. Many problems correspond to the classical control task of determining the appropriate control action to take, given some (sequence of) observations. One standard approach to learning these control rules, called behavior cloning, involves watching a perfect operator operate a plant, and then trying to emulate its behavior. In the experimental learning approach, by contrast, the learner rst guesses an initial operation-to-action policy and tries it out. If this policy performs sub-optimally, the learner can modify it to produce a new policy, and recur. This paper discusses the relative eeectiveness of these two approaches, especially in the presence of perceptual aliasing, showing in particular that the experimental learner can often learn more eeectively than the cloning one.
The changing preference of T and B cells for partners as T‐dependent antibody responses develop

Summary: Recirculating virgin CD4+ T cells spend their life migrating between the T zones of secondary lymphoid tissues where they screen the surface of interdigitating dendritic cells. T‐cell priming starts when processed of interdigitating dendritic cells. T‐cell priming starts when processed peptides or superantigen associated with class II MHC molecules are recognised. Those primed T cells that remain within the lymphoid tissue move of the outer T zone, where they interact with B cells that have taken up and processed antigen. Cognate interaction between these cells initiates immunoglobulin (Ig) class swith‐recombination and proliferation of both B and T cells; much of this growth occurs outside the T zones. B cells both B and T cells; much of this growth occurs outside the T zones. B cells migrate to follicles. Where they form germinal centres, and to extrafollicular sites of B‐cell growth, where they differentiate into mainly short‐lived plasma cells. T cells do not move to the extrafollicular foci but to the follicles; there they proliferate and are subsequently involved in the selection of B cell that have mutated their Ig variable‐region genes. During primary antibody responses T‐cell proliferation in follicles produces many times the peak number of T cell found in that site; a substantial proportion of the CD4+ memory T‐cell pool may originate from growth in follicles.