Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An On-Demand Retrieval Method Based on Hybrid NoSQL for Multi-Layer Image Tiles in Disaster Reduction Visualization

Monitoring, response, mitigation and damage assessment of disasters places a wide variety of demands on the spatial and temporal resolutions of remote sensing images. Images are divided into tile pyramids by data sources or resolutions and published as independent image services for visualization. A disaster-affected area is commonly covered by multiple image layers to express hierarchical surface information, which generates a large amount of namesake tiles from different layers that overlay the same location. The traditional tile retrieval method for visualization cannot distinguish between distinct layers and traverses all image datasets for each tile query. This process produces redundant queries and invalid access that can seriously affect the visualization performance of clients, servers and network transmission. This paper proposes an on-demand retrieval method for multi-layer images and defines semantic annotations to enrich the description of each dataset. By matching visualization demands with the semantic information of datasets, this method automatically filters inappropriate layers and finds the most suitable layer for the final tile query. The design and implementation are based on a two-layer NoSQL database architecture that provides scheduling optimization and concurrent processing capability. The experimental results reflect the effectiveness and stability of the approach for multi-layer retrieval in disaster reduction visualization.
Depth video coding for free viewpoint video oriented to the synthetic view perceptual quality

In this paper we propose a novel depth encoding algorithm based on the synthetic view perceptual quality optimization. In Free Viewpoint Video, depth sequences are never shown to the observer but they are used for the view synthesis. Due to the compression quality losses, the depth distortion generates errors in the synthetic view pixel position. We propose to encode the depth sequences by a novel approach, divided into two parts. The first one is a rate distortion optimization method based on the minimization of the synthetic view pixel position error. The second one is an extension of the first one and improves the performance taking into account the perceptual distortion, evaluated by exploiting the Human Visual System characteristics described by the Just Noticeable Distortion. However, the Just Noticeable Distortion is a model designed for the traditional video, hence we also propose a Just Noticeable Pixel Displacement evaluation method which, considering the synthetic view perceptual distortion, is able to estimate when an error in the synthetic view pixel position is not noticed. The results show how the proposed algorithm not only improves the synthetic view quality measured by the Video Quality Metric (highly correlated to the subjective quality) but also the objective quality measured by the PSNR, with an achieved improvement of 0.3 dB with a corresponding bit saving of 13%.
Incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer in relation to ambient UV radiation in white populations, 1978-2012: empirical relationships.

IMPORTANCE Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common cancers in fair-skinned populations. Their incidence continues to increase in many countries. Exposure to UV radiation (UVR) is the primary cause of NMSC, although the pattern of exposure that gives rise to different types of NMSC appears to vary. OBJECTIVE To examine dose-response relationships between ambient UVR levels and NMSC incidence at the population level. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Peer-reviewed literature published from January 1, 1978, through December 31, 2012, that provided age- and sex-specific incidence of NMSC in white populations worldwide was systematically reviewed. EXPOSURES Mean erythemally weighted daily ambient UVR levels for each study location were derived from satellite data. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The incidence of NMSC in white populations worldwide as reported in population-based studies. RESULTS Forty eligible publications were included in the analysis. Analysis models that contained age group, sex, study year, mean daily UVR, and day-to-day variability of UVR explained most of the variability in NMSC incidence: 82% for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 85% for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Exclusion of studies in which imputation of age-specific incidence data from standardized rates was required improved the model fit to 85% for BCC and 88% for SCC. Higher mean daily UVR was associated with higher NMSC incidence rates; this was greater in men than women for BCC (70% vs 60%) but greater in women for SCC (99% vs 92%). Incidence rates for BCC and SCC were higher among those older than 60 years, but the increase with age was steeper for those younger than 60 years. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Our models highlight the etiologic differences between BCC and SCC and allow prediction of NMSC incidence for data-poor regions and under changing demographic and environmental conditions.
Identifying Signatures of Natural Selection in Tibetan and Andean Populations Using Dense Genome Scan Data

High-altitude hypoxia (reduced inspired oxygen tension due to decreased barometric pressure) exerts severe physiological stress on the human body. Two high-altitude regions where humans have lived for millennia are the Andean Altiplano and the Tibetan Plateau. Populations living in these regions exhibit unique circulatory, respiratory, and hematological adaptations to life at high altitude. Although these responses have been well characterized physiologically, their underlying genetic basis remains unknown. We performed a genome scan to identify genes showing evidence of adaptation to hypoxia. We looked across each chromosome to identify genomic regions with previously unknown function with respect to altitude phenotypes. In addition, groups of genes functioning in oxygen metabolism and sensing were examined to test the hypothesis that particular pathways have been involved in genetic adaptation to altitude. Applying four population genetic statistics commonly used for detecting signatures of natural selection, we identified selection-nominated candidate genes and gene regions in these two populations (Andeans and Tibetans) separately. The Tibetan and Andean patterns of genetic adaptation are largely distinct from one another, with both populations showing evidence of positive natural selection in different genes or gene regions. Interestingly, one gene previously known to be important in cellular oxygen sensing, EGLN1 (also known as PHD2), shows evidence of positive selection in both Tibetans and Andeans. However, the pattern of variation for this gene differs between the two populations. Our results indicate that several key HIF-regulatory and targeted genes are responsible for adaptation to high altitude in Andeans and Tibetans, and several different chromosomal regions are implicated in the putative response to selection. These data suggest a genetic role in high-altitude adaption and provide a basis for future genotype/phenotype association studies necessary to confirm the role of selection-nominated candidate genes and gene regions in adaptation to altitude.
Heterogeneous populations of neural stem cells contribute to myelin repair

As ingenious as nature's invention of myelin sheaths within the mammalian nervous system is, as fatal can be damage to this specialized lipid structure. Long-term loss of electrical insulation and of further supportive functions myelin provides to axons, as seen in demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), leads to neurodegeneration and results in progressive disabilities. Multiple lines of evidence have demonstrated the increasing inability of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to replace lost oligodendrocytes (OLs) in order to restore lost myelin. Much research has been dedicated to reveal potential reasons for this regeneration deficit but despite promising approaches no remyelination-promoting drugs have successfully been developed yet. In addition to OPCs neural stem cells of the adult central nervous system also hold a high potential to generate myelinating OLs. There are at least two neural stem cell niches in the brain, the subventricular zone lining the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus, and an additional source of neural stem cells has been located in the central canal of the spinal cord. While a substantial body of literature has described their neurogenic capacity, still little is known about the oligodendrogenic potential of these cells, even if some animal studies have provided proof of their contribution to remyelination. In this review, we summarize and discuss these studies, taking into account the different niches, the heterogeneity within and between stem cell niches and present current strategies of how to promote stem cell-mediated myelin repair.
Real-time biomimetic Central Pattern Generators in an FPGA for hybrid experiments

This investigation of the leech heartbeat neural network system led to the development of a low resources, real-time, biomimetic digital hardware for use in hybrid experiments. The leech heartbeat neural network is one of the simplest central pattern generators (CPG). In biology, CPG provide the rhythmic bursts of spikes that form the basis for all muscle contraction orders (heartbeat) and locomotion (walking, running, etc.). The leech neural network system was previously investigated and this CPG formalized in the Hodgkin–Huxley neural model (HH), the most complex devised to date. However, the resources required for a neural model are proportional to its complexity. In response to this issue, this article describes a biomimetic implementation of a network of 240 CPGs in an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), using a simple model (Izhikevich) and proposes a new synapse model: activity-dependent depression synapse. The network implementation architecture operates on a single computation core. This digital system works in real-time, requires few resources, and has the same bursting activity behavior as the complex model. The implementation of this CPG was initially validated by comparing it with a simulation of the complex model. Its activity was then matched with pharmacological data from the rat spinal cord activity. This digital system opens the way for future hybrid experiments and represents an important step toward hybridization of biological tissue and artificial neural networks. This CPG network is also likely to be useful for mimicking the locomotion activity of various animals and developing hybrid experiments for neuroprosthesis development.
Sequential reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and generation of reactive oxygen species in early programmed cell death

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a physiological process commonly defined by alterations in nuclear morphology (apoptosis) and/or characteristic stepwise degradation of chromosomal DNA occurring before cytolysis. However, determined characteristics of PCD such as loss in mitochondrial reductase activity or cytolysis can be induced in enucleated cells, indicating cytoplasmic PCD control. Here we report a sequential disregulation of mitochondrial function that precedes cell shrinkage and nuclear fragmentation. A first cyclosporin A-inhibitable step of ongoing PCD is characterized by a reduction of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, as determined by specific fluorochromes (5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine++ + iodide; 3,3'dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide). Cytofluorometrically purified cells with reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potential are initially incapable of oxidizing hydroethidine (HE) into ethidium. Upon short-term in vitro culture, such cells acquire the capacity of HE oxidation, thus revealing a second step of PCD marked by mitochondrial generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This step can be selectively inhibited by rotenone and ruthenium red yet is not affected by cyclosporin A. Finally, cells reduce their volume, a step that is delayed by radical scavengers, indicating the implication of ROS in the apoptotic process. This sequence of alterations accompanying early PCD is found in very different models of apoptosis induction: glucocorticoid-induced death of lymphocytes, activation-induced PCD of T cell hybridomas, and tumor necrosis factor-induced death of U937 cells. Transfection with the antiapoptotic protooncogene Bcl-2 simultaneously inhibits mitochondrial alterations and apoptotic cell death triggered by steroids or ceramide. In vivo injection of fluorochromes such as 5,5',6,6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'- tetraethylbenzimidazolcarbocyanine iodide; 3,3'dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide; or HE allows for the detection of cells that are programmed for death but still lack nuclear DNA fragmentation. In particular, assessment of mitochondrial ROS generation provides an accurate picture of PCD-mediated lymphocyte depletion. In conclusion, alterations of mitochondrial function constitute an important feature of early PCD.
'Equity of access' and 'equity of outcomes' challenged by language policy, politics and practice in South African higher education : the myth of language equality in education : perspectives on higher education

The state institutionalised political effort to unravel the oppressive historical development of European languages, which earned these languages, particularly English, elitist positions in educational, political, economic, social, technological and religious public domains (Cele 2001), spans throughout the current language policy of South Africa. In spite of the legitimacy of social redress policy, policy-bound hurried attempts to redress cultural injustices lived through language inequalities have led to the creation of policy pronouncements that oversimplified and unjustifiably underscored the role of English in education. The danger of that genre of policy-making framework is that it continues to blame the underprivileged for failing to take advantage of and comply with policy, exonerating the state from being pragmatically interventionist through planning and resourcing beyond policy glamorisation. This article (1) presents a critical reflection and commentary on the language policy of South Africa informed by practical realities of education and training in South Africa, and (2) critically analyses a path that indigenous languages should pursue in both the public and private domains. These two levels of analysis are based on two paradigms: (1) education and training for ‘globalised' economic emancipation and (2) education and training for public good. It is not the intention of this article to draw a clear dichotomy between these two paradigms, but to forge and infuse a parallel development dimension of core-existence, particularly in the handling of language development implications encoded in the language policy. This article forges an insightful analysis of the South African language policy by contrasting policy intentions and implication with practical realities that, like sunrise and sunset, are here to stay. It also seeks to explore and challenge the marginalisation of English in policy, and policy failure to decolonise South African English(es) for public good and economic emancipation of South African societies. The article concludes the argument with a call for a contextualised development of indigenous languages which is free of language clusterisation. It also asserts in conclusion that a balance between economic emancipation and public good should be created by accepting and Africanising English while developing all indigenous languages parallel to English. SAJHE Vol.18(1) 2004: 38-56
Contributions of cultural services to the ecosystem services agenda

Cultural ecosystem services (ES) are consistently recognized but not yet adequately defined or integrated within the ES framework. A substantial body of models, methods, and data relevant to cultural services has been developed within the social and behavioral sciences before and outside of the ES approach. A selective review of work in landscape aesthetics, cultural heritage, outdoor recreation, and spiritual significance demonstrates opportunities for operationally defining cultural services in terms of socioecological models, consistent with the larger set of ES. Such models explicitly link ecological structures and functions with cultural values and benefits, facilitating communication between scientists and stakeholders and enabling economic, multicriterion, deliberative evaluation and other methods that can clarify tradeoffs and synergies involving cultural ES. Based on this approach, a common representation is offered that frames cultural services, along with all ES, by the relative contribution of relevant ecological structures and functions and by applicable social evaluation approaches. This perspective provides a foundation for merging ecological and social science epistemologies to define and integrate cultural services better within the broader ES framework.
Notice of RetractionResearch on particularity in the frame construction of corporate governance of Chinese certified public accountants profession

The profession of Chinese certified public accountants (CPA) has the particularity in corporate governance, which is mainly reflected in the following basic elements of corporate governance framework: Shareholders, board of directors, managers, government supervision agencies, professional self-regulatory organization, employees, other stakeholders, markets and information disclosure. The particularity is not recognized in practice, which results in the imperfectness in corporate governance of the profession. The quality of audit reports is affected accordingly. In order to improve the quality of audit reports, this paper makes researches on the special nature of corporate governance framework of CPA profession, extracts the worldwide successful experience in corporate governance, and puts forward some measures to solve these problems.
Stratifying risk of prostate cancer recurrence following external beam radiation therapy: Comparing prostate MRI with prostate biopsy pathology

Background: In patients with clinically localized prostate cancer receiving external beam radiation therapy, studies have shown information from prostate biopsy cores can be predictive of clinical outcomes. Recent work from our institution compared several biopsy findings in low- and intermediate-risk patients and found a subset of patients who were more likely to fail treatment. This indicates patients in these groups may benefit from further risk stratification prior to initiation of therapy. Furthermore, findings on pre-treatment prostate MRI independently predict PSA relapse after external beam radiation therapy. Comparing MRI and pathological data may help to accurately further risk stratify patients. Our purpose is to determine if there is a correlation between the poor prognostic factors demonstrated on prostate biopsy cores and selected findings on prostate MRI. Methods: Intermediate risk prostate cancer patients with 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla MRI scans of the prostate performed from 2007-2011 were selected for a retrospective cohort study. Cases were reviewed by two body-trained radiologists who were blinded to clinical patient information. Reader consensus was obtained at the time of reading regarding presence of extracapsular extension, seminal vesicle invasion, and disease in each sextant by T2 and ADC imaging, including a dominant nodule. Results were analyzed for correlation between these findings on MRI and compared with results of prostate biopsy cores, including maximum involvement of any biopsy core (MIBC), percentage of cancer volume (PCV) and percent positive biopsy cores (PPBC). Results: The absolute presence of a dominant nodule on MRI was statistically significantly correlated with elevated PCV and PPBC applying the t-test for equality of means, with p-values of 0.019 and 0.006 respectively. PSA, Gleason score, and MIBC were not found to be correlated with dominant nodule on MRI. Conclusions: There is a strong positive correlation between MRI findings of a dominant nodule and prognostic biopsy findings of elevated PPBC and PCV.
What options does the supine-standing-supine test offer to patients with hypertension? Demonstrations of examples.

AIMS The purpose of the study was to demonstrate autonomic nervous system (ANS) changes associated with treatment in hypertensive patients and utilization of these measurements in practice. METHODS Hypertensive patients were examined before the start of treatment and after blood pressure compensation. The telemetric system VarCor PF 5 was used for non-invasive heart rate registration and automatic evaluation of heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. The supine-standing-supine test with ortho-clinostatic loading in standard conditions was used for HRV evaluation. RESULTS The influence of antihypertensive therapy on ANS was demonstrated in two cases. The first was a case of a responder to therapy and the second case was example of a non-responder to monotherapy regarding more therapeutic steps for blood pressure control. Different modes of results presentation are demonstrated: 3D graph, numeric form of standard parameters of HRV, computer interpretation of results by means of complex parameters and indices in numeric, graphic and verbal form with functional age calculation, cross graph of vagal activity index versus sympatho-vagal balance index was used for repeated measurements and follow-up. The increased spectral performance with augmented vagal activity and slope down of sympatho-vagal ratio are evident after blood pressure control achievement. Improvement of functional age parameter associated with blood pressure compensation is visible using a complex age-dependent parameters interpretation. CONCLUSIONS HRV evaluation in hypertensive patients provides new parameters for patient's examination. These parameters are influenced by both the illness itself and by pharmacotherapy. Such an approach offers more complex information about patient.
RECEPTIVE FIELDS OF CELLS IN STRIATE CORTEX OF VERY YOUNG, VISUALLY INEXPERIENCED KITTENS.

IN A SERIES OF STUDIES on the cat over the past 5 years we have recorded from single cells in the striate cortex and mapped receptive fields using patterned retinal stimulation. The results suggest that connections between geniculate and striate cortex, and between cortical cells, must be highly specific (5). Indeed, cells in the striate cortex respond in such a characteristic way that departures from the normal adult physiology should be easily recognizable. In the present study we have made similar experiments in kittens ranging in age from l-3 weeks. Our purpose was to learn the age at which cortical cells have normal, adult-type receptive fields, and to find out whether such fields exist even in animals that have had no patterned visual stimulation.
Sport journalists’ views on gay men in sport, society and within sport media

In this research, interviews were conducted with 10 US newspaper sport journalists to gauge their experiences and attitudes toward issues and coverage of open and closeted gay men in sport, sport media, and within society. Concerning closeted athletes, most of these journalists are reluctant to report on athletes’ non-normative sexual orientation, even if that means a competitor could scoop them on a story about a major athlete being gay. Most of these reporters believe that US sport fans are ready for openly gay athletes in professional men’s team sports, but that locker rooms might be slower to adapt. Despite these progressive attitudes and more than 220 years of collective professional media experience, none of these journalists ever worked with a sports reporter who was openly gay to all of their colleagues. Therefore, it was not surprising that most believed sport journalism would be a challenging career for openly gay men, particularly if those individuals also did not conform to gender-normative notions of masculinity.