Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Order Statistic Filters for Image Interpolation

Image interpolation techniques are commonly used for converting low-resolution images into high-resolution images. Linear interpolation methods usually blur image details. In this paper, an order statistic filtering algorithm which preserves fine object details is proposed for image resolution up-conversion. Pixels in the filter aperture are first ordered according to their spatial distances to the new pixel to be interpolated. Pixels with the same spatial distance to the new pixel are further ordered according to their intensity deviations to the central pixel in the aperture. The optimal filter coefficients are obtained by statistical training on a dataset which is composed of the original high-resolution images and the down-sampled versions of the original images.
Dynamics modeling of a stewart platform in Simulink MSC ADAMS

The Stewart platform is a six-axis parallel robot manipulator with a force to weight ratio and positioning accuracy far exceeding that of a conventional serial link arm. Its stiffness and accuracy approaching that of a machine tool yet its workspace dexterity approach that of a conventional manipulator. In this article, we study the dynamic of the Stewart platform manipulator. The 3D geometric model was created by using 3D CAD modeler CATIA. The multibody dynamics model of the motion simulator has also been created by using the general purpose dynamic analysis program MSC ADAMS to validate the design of the motion simulator.
Effects of Intraoral Ageing on Ultimate Tensile Strength and Surface Topography of Superelastic NiTi Wires from Two Different Manufacturers: A Comparative in vivo Study

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the ultimate tensile strength/fracture resistance of superelastic NiTi wires from two manufacturers 3M Unitek and American orthodontics in as received condition, after 3 months and 6 months of intraoral use. The wires would also be evaluated for surface characteristics under a scanning electron microscope. Materials and methods: Superelastic NiTi wires of 0.016" from 3M Unitek were categorized as group I and from American orthodontics as group II. The subgroup A of groups I and II consisted of 10 unused samples. The subgroups B of groups I and II consisted of wires retrieved after 3 months of clinical use. The subgroup C of groups I and II consisted of wires retrieved after 6 months of intraoral use. Results: The results showed that the ultimate tensile strength of the unused wires of both groups I and II were significantly higher than the used wires of the same group. The unused wires of 3M Unitek were found to have superior ultimate tensile strength than the unused wires from American orthodontics and the difference was statistically significant. Likewise, the ultimate tensile strength of 3M Unitek wires which were unused was significantly higher than used wires at 3 months and 6 months of intraoral use, American orthodontics wires which were unused were also found to have statistically higher ultimate tensile strength that the intraorally placed wires after 3 months and 6 months. The 3M Unitek wires retrieved after 3 months and 6 months of intraoral use showed statistically increased ultimate tensile strength than American orthodontic wires of comparative use. Even the surface topography of 3M Unitek wires which were unused and after 3 and 6 months of exposure to intraoral environment showed less pitting, decrease in indentations and less surface roughness. Conclusion: Super elastic NiTi wires from 3M Unitek were found to be superior to the wires from American orthodontics in as received condition, after 3 months of clinical use and 6 months of clinical use. The surface topography of 3M Unitek wires was found to have less pitting and indentations than American orthodontic wires of comparable use. Wires from both manufactures were found to undergo degradation after clinical use. During the study, it was found that 3M Unitek NiTi superelastic wires had better ultimate tensile strength and surface topography than superelastic NiTi from American orthodontics.
Cross Gender Behavior

This study investigated the differences in parental attitudes toward cross gender behavior in children. It was hypothesized that cross gender behavior would be seen as more acceptable for girls than boys, that this effect would be more prominent in fathers than in mothers, and that parental acceptance of cross gender behavior would decrease as a child got older. Instruments were sent to both parents of 446 elementary school children, of which 172 were returned. Responses to the measure of parental attitudes toward cross gender behavior indicated that fathers generally hold more traditional gender role values than mothers do. However, both parents hold more traditional views concerning appropriate behavior for boys. No significant relationships were found between child age and parent attitudes. Study limitations included return rate, percentage of fathers completing the surveys, and the restrictive demographic characteristics of the accessible population. (Contains 31 references.) (Author/HTH) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Cross Gender Behavior 1 Running Head: CROSS GENDER BEHAVIOR Parental Attitudes Toward Cross Gender Behavior Robin Leonard Andrea D. Clements East Tennessee State University
Effects of the Cardiotonic + Coronary Dilator in Chronic Stable Coronary-Myocardial Disease , with and without Prior Myocardial Infarction , in the Long Run

Disclosure of the therapeutic conduct recommended by the Myogenic Theory: cardiotonic + coronary dilator in stable coronary-myocardial disease (or coronary-cardiomyopathy), with or w/out previous infarction in the long run, complementing the benefic and protective effects of collateral coronary circulation in front of severe coronary obstructions; having as objective the correction of the regional contractile deficiency state of ischemic myocardium and the preservation of myocardial inotropism, as prevention of unstable angina, myocardial infarction, cardiac insufficiency and severe arrhythmias that lead to sudden death.
Use of low-temperature scanning electron microscopy to observe icicles, ice fabric, rime and frost

Previous studies showed that low temperature scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be used to record images of precipitated snow crystals, which collectively form structures that are commonly known as snowflakes. Information about the structure of snow crystals can be used to improve models that estimate the water equivalent of the winter snowpack. These models, which are based on satellite microwave data, have practical use in approximating the quantity of water that will be available for crop irrigation and hydroelectric power. Our previous success of using low temperature SEM to image snow crystals has encouraged us to utilize this technique for other types of frozen aqueous specimens.
A Soybean C2H2-Type Zinc Finger Gene GmZF1 Enhanced Cold Tolerance in Transgenic Arabidopsis

Zinc finger proteins were involved in response to different environmental stresses in plant species. A typical Cys2/His2-type (C2H2-type) zinc finger gene GmZF1 from soybean was isolated and was composed of 172 amino acids containing two conserved C2H2-type zinc finger domains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that GmZF1 was clustered on the same branch with six C2H2-type ZFPs from dicotyledonous plants excepting for GsZFP1, and distinguished those from monocotyledon species. The GmZF1 protein was localized at the nucleus, and has specific binding activity with EP1S core sequence, and nucleotide mutation in the core sequence of EPSPS promoter changed the binding ability between GmZF1 protein and core DNA element, implying that two amino acid residues, G and C boxed in core sequence TGACAGTGTCA possibly play positive regulation role in recognizing DNA-binding sites in GmZF1 proteins. High accumulation of GmZF1 mRNA induced by exogenous ABA suggested that GmZF1 was involved in an ABA-dependent signal transduction pathway. Over-expression of GmZF1 significantly improved the contents of proline and soluble sugar and decreased the MDA contents in the transgenic lines exposed to cold stress, indicating that transgenic Arabidopsis carrying GmZF1 gene have adaptive mechanisms to cold stress. Over-expression of GmZF1 also increased the expression of cold-regulated cor6.6 gene by probably recognizing protein-DNA binding sites, suggesting that GmZF1 from soybean could enhance the tolerance of Arabidopsis to cold stress by regulating expression of cold-regulation gene in the transgenic Arabidopsis.
Histocompatibility Antigens in Transplanted Mouse Eggs

THE hypotheses advanced to account for the success of the foetus as an intra-uterine homograft in pregnancy have recently been reviewed by Billingham1. Three possible mechanisms have been suggested to explain the apparent lack of immunological reaction by the pregnant mother against the genetically foreign offspring with which she is in intimate contact2: (a) the antigenic immaturity of the foetus; (b) the immunological inertness of the mother; and (c) some form of anatomical separation of the foetus from the mother. It has, however, been shown that transplantation antigens appear early in embryonic life and that the mother, though pregnant, is fully capable of reacting against these antigens3–5. In addition, it has been shown that the uterus is not a specially privileged recipient site for prolonged homograft survival6,7.
Compact HMSIW hexagonal cavity patch antenna

A compact microstrip patch with half mode substrate integrated waveguide (HMSIW) hexagonal cavity for WLAN applications has been designed. The offered antenna comprises of a hexagonal resonator cavity based on HMSIW for reducing antenna size to excite a square microstrip patch. An inset microstrip line is used to excite hexagonal cavity which leads to capability of planar circuit integration. By merging two resonant frequencies of hexagonal HMSIW cavity and square patch, a high efficiency is achieved. To enhance antenna performances, especially gain characteristics, a rectangular cube dielectric resonator (DR) have been employed as radiating element.
Characterization of a membrane-associated protein implicated in visna virus binding and infection.

The identity of the cellular receptor(s) for visna virus, an ovine lentivirus, is currently unknown; however, previous studies from our laboratory have identified membrane-associated proteins expressed selectively in susceptible cells which bind visna virus. Moreover, a polyclonal antibody (2-23), raised against a 45-kDa visna virus binding protein, bound specifically to the surface of susceptible cells in immunofluorescence assays and significantly reduced binding of visna virus to cells (S. E. Crane et al., 1991, J. Virol., 65, 6137-6143). In this report we extend our studies of this antibody (2-23), showing both that 2-23 significantly reduces visna virus infection of susceptible cells and that 2-23 immunoprecipitates a putative protein complex consisting of a prominent 30-kDa protein, as well as the 45-kDa immunogen, specifically from radiolabeled virus-susceptible sheep cells. Further, we demonstrate that the 30-kDa protein is a membrane-associated proteoglycan substituted with a chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain(s) and that treatment of susceptible cells with an inhibitor of GAG synthesis significantly reduces visna virus production. Collectively, these data support a role for a proteoglycan in visna virus cell binding and infection.
Revisiting regulation of potassium homeostasis in Escherichia coli: the connection to phosphate limitation

Two‐component signal transduction constitutes the predominant strategy used by bacteria to adapt to fluctuating environments. The KdpD/KdpE system is one of the most widespread, and is crucial for K+ homeostasis. In Escherichia coli, the histidine kinase KdpD senses K+ availability, whereas the response regulator KdpE activates synthesis of the high‐affinity K+ uptake system KdpFABC. Here we show that, in the absence of KdpD, kdpFABC expression can be activated via phosphorylation of KdpE by the histidine kinase PhoR. PhoR and its cognate response regulator PhoB comprise a phosphate‐responsive two‐component system, which senses phosphate limitation indirectly through the phosphate transporter PstCAB and its accessory protein PhoU. In vivo two‐hybrid interaction studies based on the bacterial adenylate cyclase reveal pairwise interactions between KdpD, PhoR, and PhoU. Finally, we demonstrate that cross‐regulation between the kdpFABC and pstSCAB operons occurs in both directions under simultaneous K+ and phosphate limitation, both in vitro and in vivo. This study for the first time demonstrates direct coupling between intracellular K+ and phosphate homeostasis and provides a mechanism for fine‐tuning of the balance between positively and negatively charged ions in the bacterial cell.
Analytical and numerical modeling of higher order free vibration characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotubes

ABSTRACT In this article, analytical and numerical investigations of small, higher, and asymptotic order vibration eigenmodes and natural eigenfrequencies of single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) are elaborated. The nonlocal elasticity theory is used and the numerical simulation is based on the differential quadrature method. Due to numerical instability, the common analytical forms of eigenmodes can be only used for the first 12 modes or so. New mathematical models for higher eigenmodes and associated eigenfrequencies of CNT are developed. The obtained eigenmodes are well conditioned and numerically stable and may be used as modal bases at any required frequency range.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus velezensis Lzh-a42, a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium Isolated from Tomato Rhizosphere

ABSTRACT The plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium Bacillus velezensis strain Lzh-a42, which has antimicrobial activity, was isolated from tomato rhizosphere. Here, we report its genome sequence, which includes several predicted functional genes related to secondary metabolite biosynthesis, antimicrobial activity, and biofilm synthesis.
Linearly-Oscillating Miniature Internal Combustion Engine (MICE) for Portable Electric Power

Mechanical power technologies have the potential to meet the need for portable power having much higher energy densities than rechargeable and primary batteries. The first part of this paper analyzes the major issues, especially at the millimeter scale, of internal combustion (IC)engines. Calculations showing the effect of leakage, combustion quenching, and heat transfer as a function of size are presented. An assessment of the efficiency of two-stroke IC engines as a function of size from the 1 W to 1000 W scale is given. In the second part of this paper, the linearly-oscillating Miniature IC Engine (MICE) technology is described. MICE is a free piston system having a two-stroke engine, a spring, and a linear alternator. A key feature of MICE is the ability to operate without oil lubrication. Data from early tests and recent net power tests are presented. A 20 W MICE system is projected to have an energy density of 1200 W hr/kg for 8-hour operation, and potentially 2400 W hr/kg achievable for an advanced design for 72-hour operation.
3D Silicon Transformation Using Hydrogen Annealing

Fabricating smooth, round structures in silicon is challenging by conventional processing methods. In this paper, we report on a novel 3D shaping technique for producing microspheres, microdisk toroids, submicron wires, and circular beams in Si using hydrogen annealing. Microspheres with 1 µm radius, submicron wires with 0.5 µm radius, and a microdisk toroid with 0.2 µm toroidal radius have been successfully demonstrated.
Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy: A Tool for Quantitative Analysis of Tissues

Second harmonic generation (SHG) is a second‐order non‐linear optical process produced in birefringent crystals or in biological tissues with non‐centrosymmetric structure such as collagen or microtubules structures. SHG signal originates from two excitation photons which interact with the material and are “reconverted” to form a new emitted photon with half of wavelength. Although theoretically predicted by Maria Göpert‐Mayer in 1930s, the experimental SHG demonstration arrived with the invention of the laser in the 1960s. SHG was first obtained in ruby by using a high excitation oscillator. After that starting point, the harmonic generation reached an increasing interest and importance, based on its applications to characterize biological tissues using multiphoton microscopes. In particular, collagen has been one of the most often analyzed structures since it provides an efficient SHG signal. In late 1970s, it was discovered that SHG signal took place in three‐dimensional optical interaction at the focal point of a microscope objective with high numerical aperture. This finding allowed researchers to develop microscopes with 3D submicron resolution and an in depth analysis of biological specimens. Since SHG is a polarization‐sensitive non‐linear optical process, the implementation of polarization into multiphoton microscopes has allowed the study of both molecular architecture and fibrilar distribution of type‐I collagen fibers. The analysis of collagen‐based structures is particularly interesting since they represent 80% of the connective tissue of the human body. On the other hand, more recent techniques such as pulse compression of laser pulses or adaptive optics have been applied to SHG microscopy in order to improve the visualization of features. The combination of these techniques permit the reduction of the laser power required to produce efficient SHG signal and therefore photo‐toxicity and photo‐damage are avoided (critical parameters in biomedical applications). Some pathologies such as cancer or fibrosis are related to collagen disorders. These are thought to appear at molecular scale before the micrometric
Baclofen: its effectiveness in reducing harmful drinking, craving, and negative mood. A meta‐analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS There are a limited number of pharmacotherapies licensed for alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Baclofen is a γ-aminobutyric acid B (GABA-B) agonist which is used increasingly as an off-label treatment. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to determine the efficacy of baclofen in reducing drinking behaviour, craving, depression and anxiety compared with placebo. METHODS Random-effects meta-analyses were computed on outcome data from 12 RCTs comparing baclofen with placebo. Included RCTs provided data on at least one of the primary outcome measures (drinking-related: heavy drinking days, abstinent days, abstinence rates) or secondary outcome measures (craving, anxiety, depression). RESULTS Baclofen had a significant effect on abstinence rates when using intention-to-treat analysis [total n baclofen = 307, total n control = 283: odds ratio (OR) = 2.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03, 6.93; Z = 2.01, P = 0.04, I2 = 76%, number needed to treat = 8]. No other significant effects of treatment efficacy [e.g. heavy drinking days: standardized mean differences (SMD) = -0.26, 95% CI = -0.68, 0.15; Z = 1.24, P = 0.21, I2 = 95%] or mechanism of action (e.g. craving: SMD = -0.13, 95% CI = -0.36, 0.09; Z = 1.18, P = 0.24, I2 = 87%) were observed. There was substantial heterogeneity in effect sizes across each analysis. CONCLUSIONS As a treatment for alcohol use disorders, baclofen is associated with higher rates of abstinence than placebo. However, there is no superior effect of baclofen on increasing number of abstinent days, or decreasing heavy drinking, craving, anxiety or depression. These results suggest that the current increasing use of baclofen as a treatment for alcohol use disorders is premature.
TIPE-2 suppresses growth and aggressiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through downregulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT signaling pathway

Rapid proliferation and migration are the main features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, which serve an essential role in carcinogenesis and are a hallmark of cancer therapy resistance. Previous studies have reported that tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein-8 like-2 (TIPE-2) is involved in cancer initiation and the progression of HCC. The present study aimed to clarify the role of TIPE-2 in HCC carcinogenesis, growth and aggressiveness. The effects of TIPE-2 on HCC were determined using colony forming and cell cycle analyses. Cell apoptosis, and growth and aggressiveness of HCC cells, were investigated following TIPE-2 treatment. Treatment with TIPE-2 markedly suppressed HCC cell proliferation and increased the number of cells in S phase of the cell cycle. The results demonstrated that TIPE-2 significantly inhibited growth, migration and invasion of HCC cells via the downregulation of tumor metastasis-associated genes. Flow cytometric analysis indicated that TIPE-2 promoted apoptosis of HCC cells via regulation of apoptosis-associated gene transcription. In addition, TIPE-2 administration downregulated the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (AKT) in HCC cells. In addition, TIPE-2 selectively decreased neuroblastoma Ras viral oncogene and p27 expression in HCC cells. In vivo assays revealed that TIPE-2 significantly inhibited tumor growth and prolonged animal survival by promoting apoptosis of tumor cells. The results of the present study indicated that TIPE-2 acts as an inhibitor of HCC cell growth and aggressiveness, and promotes apoptosis, thus suggesting that TIPE-2 may inhibit the metastasis-associated PI3K/AKT signaling cascade and may arrest the tumor cell cycle. These findings provide a potential molecular mechanism by which TIPE-2 promotes apoptosis of HCC cells.
Synthesizing Entity Matching Rules by Examples

Entity matching (EM) is a critical part of data integration. We study how to synthesize entity matching rules from positive-negative matching examples. The core of our solution is program synthesis, a powerful tool to automatically generate rules (or programs) that satisfy a given high-level specification, via a predefined grammar. This grammar describes a General Boolean Formula (GBF) that can include arbitrary attribute matching predicates combined by conjunctions (∧), disjunctions (∨) and negations (¬), and is expressive enough to model EM problems, from capturing arbitrary attribute combinations to handling missing attribute values. The rules in the form of GBF are more concise than traditional EM rules represented in Disjunctive Normal Form (DNF). Consequently, they are more interpretable than decision trees and other machine learning algorithms that output deep trees with many branches. We present a new synthesis algorithm that, given only positive-negative examples as input, synthesizes EM rules that are effective over the entire dataset. Extensive experiments show that we outperform other interpretable rules (e.g., decision trees with low depth) in effectiveness, and are comparable with non-interpretable tools (e.g., decision trees with high depth, gradient-boosting trees, random forests and SVM).
Azobenzene photoisomerization quantum yields in methanol redetermined

The quantum yields of azobenzene photoisomerization in methanol solution were redetermined using newly obtained molar absorption coefficients of its cis- and trans -isomers. The results differ substantially from those published previously, especially in the range of the nπ* absorption band. Besides actinometry, these findings are relevant for applications of azobenzene derivatives in optical switching.