Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual-inertial structure from motion: Observability and resolvability

This paper provides two novel contributions. The former regards the observability of the visual-inertial structure from motion. It is proven that, the information contained in the data provided by a monocular camera which observes a single point-feature and by an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) allows estimating the absolute scale, the speed in the local frame, the absolute roll and pitch angles, the biases which affect the accelerometer's and the gyroscope's measurements, the magnitude of the gravitational acceleration and the extrinsic camera-IMU calibration. The latter contribution is the derivation of a new closed form solution to determine some of the previous observable quantities by only using few camera measurements collected during a short time interval and the data provided by the IMU during the same time interval. This closed-solution allows us to investigate the intrinsic properties of the visual-inertial structure from motion and in particular to identify the conditions under which the problem has a finite number of solutions. Specifically, it is shown that the problem can have a unique solution, two distinct solutions and infinite solutions depending on the trajectory, on the number of point-features and on their layout and on the number of camera images. The proposed closed solution is finally used in conjunction with a filter based approach in order to show its benefit.
The better the worse: risk factors for HIV infection among women in Kenya and Uganda – Demographic and Health Survey

The objective of the study was to investigate socio-economic status (SES) factors as risk factors for HIV among women in Kenya and Uganda. Individual data from cross-sectional, population based 2003-Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) and 2004-Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey (AIS) were used and the probability of being HIV-positive was analysed. Contrary to the public health literature, women of high SES were also vulnerable to HIV risk. Both Ugandan and Kenyan women had similar SES risk factors to HIV and harmonising policies in the two countries to deal with the disadvantages of the social and cultural roles of women would help reduce vulnerability to HIV for women. Policies in both countries need to be broad based to cut across all socio-economic groups and deal with the complexity of HIV/AIDS. Nyanza region needs exceptional policies to deal with the high HIV prevalence and reduce risk through cultural practices like widow inheritance.
Effects of ketoconazole on cyclophosphamide metabolism: evaluation of CYP3A4 inhibition effect using the in vitro and in vivo models

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is widely used in anticancer therapy regimens and 2-dechloroethylcyclophosphamide (DECP) is its side-chain dechloroethylated metabolite. N-dechloroethylation of CP mediated by the enzyme CYP3A4 yields nephrotoxic and neurotoxic chloroacetaldehyde (CAA) in equimolar amount to DECP. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of ketoconazole (KTZ) on CP metabolism through in vitro and in vivo drug-drug interaction (DDI) research. Long-term treatment of KTZ induces hepatic injury; thus single doses of KTZ at low, middle, and high levels (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) were investigated for pharmacokinetic DDI with CP. Our in vitro human liver microsome modeling approach suggested that KTZ inhibited CYP3A4 activity and then decreased DECP exposure. In addition, an UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantifying CP, DECP, and KTZ in rat plasma was developed and fully validated with a 4 min analysis coupled with a simple and reproducible one-step protein precipitation. A further in vivo pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that combination use of CP (10 mg/kg) and KTZ (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) in rats caused a KTZ dose-dependent decrease in main parameters of DECP (Cmax, Tmax, and AUC0–∞) and provided magnitude exposure of DECP (more than a 50% AUC decrease) as a consequence of CYP3A inhibition but had only a small effect on the CP plasma concentration. Our results suggested that combination usage of a CYP3A4 inhibitor like KTZ may decrease CAA exposure and thus intervene against CAA-induced adverse effects in CP clinical treatment.
LDB2 regulates the expression of DLL4 through the formation of oligomeric complexes in endothelial cells

Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) expression in endothelial cells is intimately associated with angiogenic sprouting and vascular remodeling, but the precise mechanism of transcriptional regulation of DLL4 remains incompletely understood. Here, we showed that LIM-domain binding protein 2 (LDB2) plays an important role in regulating basal DLL4 and VEGF-induced DLL4 expression. Knockdown of LDB2 using siRNA enhanced endothelial sprouting and tubular network formation in vitro. Injection of ldb2-morpholino resulted in defective development of intersegmental vessels in zebrafish. Reduction or overexpression of LDB2 in endothelial cells decreased or increased DLL4 expression. LDB2 regulated DLL4 promoter activity by binding to its promoter region and the same promoter region was occupied and regulated by the LMO2/TAL1/GATA2 complex. Interestingly, LDB2 also mediated VEGF-induced DLL4 expression in endothelial cells. The regulation of DLL4 by the LDB2 complex provides a novel mechanism of DLL4 transcriptional control that may be exploited to develop therapeutics for aberrant vascular remodeling.
Obligatory role of hypothalamic neuroestradiol during the estrogen-induced LH surge in female ovariectomized rhesus monkeys

Significance The concept that ovarian cycles in female mammals are regulated by gonadal steroids released from the ovary is well-established dogma. The findings of this study, however, showing that the removal of neuroestradiol synthesis in the median eminence of the hypothalamus by the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, greatly attenuates estrogen-induced gonadotropin releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone surges in ovariectomized female monkeys, indicate that neuroestradiol locally synthesized and released in the hypothalamus is an integral part of the ovary-initiated positive feedback mechanism of estradiol. Negative and positive feedback effects of ovarian 17β-estradiol (E2) regulating release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are pivotal events in female reproductive function. While ovarian feedback on hypothalamo–pituitary function is a well-established concept, the present study shows that neuroestradiol, locally synthesized in the hypothalamus, is a part of estrogen’s positive feedback loop. In experiment 1, E2 benzoate-induced LH surges in ovariectomized female monkeys were severely attenuated by systemic administration of the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole. Aromatase is the enzyme responsible for synthesis of E2 from androgens. In experiment 2, using microdialysis, GnRH and kisspeptin surges induced by E2 benzoate were similarly attenuated by infusion of letrozole into the median eminence of the hypothalamus. Therefore, neuroestradiol is an integral part of the hypothalamic engagement in response to elevated circulating E2. Collectively, we will need to modify the concept of estrogen’s positive feedback mechanism.
The Eight Frame Colored Squiggle Technique

In this art therapy adaptation of the squiggle technique, the client draws eight colored squiggles on a paper folded into eight frames and then develops them into images utilizing a full range of color. The client is encouraged to write titles on each frame and use them to compose a story. This technique often stimulates emergence of meaningful graphic and verbal content in the first session. Significant psychological and perceptual aspects of the process are discussed, including the client's tendency to correlate spatial placement with meaningful imagery and the inclination to try to balance opposites. Case examples illustrate some results of this technique from a Jungian perspective.
Dissolved organic matter and aluminum oxide nanoparticles synergistically cause cellular responses in freshwater microalgae

ABSTRACT This study investigated the impact of dissolved organic matters (DOM) on the ecological toxicity of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3NPs) at a relatively low exposure concentration (1 mg L−1). The unicellular green alga Scenedesmus obliquus was exposed to Al2O3NP suspensions in the presence of DOM (fulvic acid) at various concentrations (1, 10, and 40 mg L−1). The results show that the presence of DOM elevated the growth inhibition toxicity of Al2O3NPs towards S. obliquus in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the combination of DOM at 40 mg L−1 and Al2O3NPs resulted in a synergistic effect. The relative contribution of Al-ions released from Al2O3NPs to toxicity was lower than 5%, indicating that the presence of the particles instead of the dissolved ions in the suspensions was the major toxicity sources, regardless of the presence of DOM. Furthermore, DOM at 10 and 40 mg L−1 and Al2O3NPs synergistically induced the upregulation of intercellular reactive oxygen species levels and superoxide dismutase activities. Analysis of the plasma malondialdehyde concentrations and the observation of superficial structures of S. obliquus indicated that the mixtures of DOM and Al2O3NPs showed no significant effect on membrane lipid peroxidation damage. In addition, the presence of both DOM and Al2O3NPs contributed to an enhancement in both the mitochondrial membrane potential and the cell membrane permeability (CMP) in S. obliquus. In particular, Al2O3NPs in the presence of 10 and 40 mg L−1 DOM caused a greater increase in CMP compared to Al2O3NPs and DOM alone treatments. In conclusion, these findings suggest that DOM at high concentrations and Al2O3NPs synergistically interrupted cell membrane functions and triggered subsequent growth inhibition toxicity.
Childhood language skills and adolescent self-esteem in preterm survivors

Fifty-seven percent of children with poor language skills are affected by socio-emotional problems. Despite the importance of language skills to interpersonal functioning and school performance, relatively little is known about how they affect self-esteem in adolescence. Data on youth at high risk for language problems (e.g. those born extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 grams)) are even more scarce. This prospective study examined associations between language skills at age 8 and self-esteem during adolescence (12–16 years) in individuals born at ELBW (N = 138) or normal birth weight (NBW; >2500 grams) (N = 111). Participants’ language skills were assessed using the Verbal Scale of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised and the Token Test at age 8. In adolescence, participants completed the Harter Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents. Birth weight status was found to moderate associations between childhood language and adolescent global self-esteem (Token Test (p = .006), Verbal Intelligence Quotient (p = .033)) such that better language skills were associated with higher self-esteem in adolescent ELBW survivors, but not in NBW participants. Language skills may play a protective role in the development and maintenance of self-esteem in ELBW youth and could be an important target for optimizing their functioning, particularly before transitioning to the critical adolescent period.
Bcl11b represses a mature T‐cell gene expression program in immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes

Bcl11b is a transcription factor that, within the hematopoietic system, is expressed specifically in T cells. Although Bcl11b is required for T‐cell differentiation in newborn Bcl11b‐null mice, and for positive selection in the adult thymus of mice bearing a T‐cell‐targeted deletion, the gene network regulated by Bcl11b in T cells is unclear. We report herein that Bcl11b is a bifunctional transcriptional regulator, which is required for the correct expression of approximately 1000 genes in CD4+CD8+CD3lo double‐positive (DP) thymocytes. Bcl11b‐deficient DP cells displayed a gene expression program associated with mature CD4+CD8− and CD4−CD8+ single‐positive (SP) thymocytes, including upregulation of key transcriptional regulators, such as Zbtb7b and Runx3. Bcl11b interacted with regulatory regions of many dysregulated genes, suggesting a direct role in the transcriptional regulation of these genes. However, inappropriate expression of lineage‐associated genes did not result in enhanced differentiation, as deletion of Bcl11b in DP cells prevented development of SP thymocytes, and that of canonical NKT cells. These data establish Bcl11b as a crucial transcriptional regulator in thymocytes, in which Bcl11b functions to prevent the premature expression of genes fundamental to the SP and NKT cell differentiation programs.
Suppression of leakage current via formation of a sidewall protector in the microgated carbon nanotube emitter

In this work, we have fabricated a triode field emitter using directly grown carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as an electron emission source. Vertically aligned CNTs have been grown in the centre of the gate hole, to the size of 1. 5µm in diameter, using thermal chemical vapour deposition. A comparison of the field emission characteristics of two types of microgated nanotube emitter with and without a sidewall protector for the gate hole is made. A sidewall protector formed by the method of tilting the substrate can enhance the electrical characteristics by suppressing the problem of short circuits between the gate and the CNTs. The leakage current of an emitter with a sidewall protector is approximately sevenfold lower than that of an emitter without a sidewall protector at a gate voltage of 100 V.
Global model structures for $\ast$-modules

We extend Schwede's work on the unstable global homotopy theory of orthogonal spaces and $\mathcal{L}$-spaces to the category of $*$-modules (i.e., unstable $S$-modules). We prove a theorem which transports model structures and their properties from $\mathcal{L}$-spaces to $*$-modules and show that the resulting global model structure for $*$-modules is monoidally Quillen equivalent to that of orthogonal spaces. As a consequence, there are induced Quillen equivalences between the associated model categories of monoids, which identify equivalent models for the global homotopy theory of $A_\infty$-spaces.
A data-driven approach to feature space selection for robust micro-endoscopic image reconstruction

In the article we propose a new on-line feature space selection strategy for displacement field estimation in the context of multi-view reconstruction of biological images acquired by a multi-photon micro-endoscope. While the high variety of targets encountered in clinical endoscopy induce enough texture feature variability to prohibit the use of recent supervised learning or feature matching-based visual tracking methods, we will show how on-line learning combined with a classical method such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC) can contribute to the improvement of convex optimization-based template matching techniques.
Mechanisms of transcriptional activation of the stimulator of interferon genes by transcription factors CREB and c-Myc

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) plays an important role in host defense, autoimmune disease, osteoclast differentiation and anti-tumor response. Although many downstream targets have been studied in depth, the regulation of STING gene expression remains largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that transcription factors CREB and c-Myc maintain the transcriptional activity of STING. By 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA ends analysis, we identified the transcriptional start site (TSS) of STING. We illustrated that the region -124/+1 relative to TSS was sufficient for full promoter activity by a series of 5′ deletion promoter constructs. Transcriptional activity of the STING minimal promoter was dependent on CREB and c-Myc binding motifs and was abolished after mutation of these two DNA elements. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that transcription factors CREB and c-Myc bind to STING promoter in vivo. Overexpression of CREB and c-Myc increased the STING promoter activity. Meanwhile, knocking-down of CREB and c-Myc by a small interfering RNA (siRNA) strategy markedly reduced endogenous STING expression. In summary, these results demonstrated that transcription factors CREB and c-Myc are involved in the regulation of STING transcription.
Coding or Hacking?: Exploring Inaccurate Views on Computing and Computer Scientists among K-6 Learners in Chile

Advancing computational thinking in elementary education has been rapidly gaining attention due to the prospective of developing 21st century skills. However, interventions in this domain risk failure if they do not explicitly address the particular socio-cultural traits of the deployment scenario. This is the case in most countries of Latin America, where computing has not reached a sustainable penetration in K-12 education. In order to bridge this gap, we designed a one-week workshop for advancing computational thinking targeted to 10-12 years old Chilean students with no prior experience in programming. This paper describes our intervention and presents the results of a qualitative study analyzing positive and negative aspects of the experience. Although most participants effectively acquired basic programming skills by the end of the intervention, we also identified several inaccurate views on computing and computer scientists. For instance, computing was mostly perceived as a set of informal experiences rather than a way for enabling creation, automation, and work. The word "hacking" appears to be used as a metaphor for more technical terms, such as "programming" or "algorithm". Finally, negative stereotypical views of computer scientists resulting from the intervention were not as frequent as initial perceptions. These results provide fresh evidence on how to design, adapt, and evaluate computational thinking interventions targeted to K-6 students in Latin America.
Thermoelectric properties of the Skutterudite-related phase CoSn/sub 1.5/Te/sub 1.5/

A new skutterudite-related phase CoSn/sub 1.5/Te/sub 1.5/ was prepared. This new phase is one of a large family of skutterudites which have shown a good potential for thermoelectric applications. Polycrystalline samples were prepared by the spark plasma sintering method and were characterized by x-ray diffractometry. CoSn/sub 1.5/Te/sub 1.5/ has a cubic lattice, space group Im3. With a=9.121 /spl Aring/. The electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and the thermal conductivity were measured over the temperature range 300-900 K. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity revealed that CoSn/sub 1.5/Te/sub 1.5/ was a semiconductor with a band gap of 0.7 eV. The electrical conductivity increased by doping with Ni. Large Seebeck coefficients up to -450 /spl mu/V/K were obtained on the n-type undoped samples. The thermal conductivity of CoSn/sub 1.5/Te/sub 1.5/ was substantially lower than that of the binary isostructural compounds CoSb/sub 3/ and IrSb/sub 3/. The potential of this material for thermoelectric applications is discussed.
Time-dependency of the threshold voltage in memristive devices

We describe a generic exponential model with four parameters for thin-film memristive devices. This model is used to analyze the time dependency of the threshold voltage which defines the transition between non-programming and programming phases of the device. A relationship between timescale of operation and threshold voltage is derived. Furthermore, self-terminating programming is considered using the results of this analysis. Finally, the effect of parameter variations on the threshold voltage is analyzed.
Plasma copeptin as a predictor of kidney disease

ABSTRACT Background Plasma copeptin, a marker of vasopressin, is associated with renal function decline in the general population. Our aim was to study the links between elevated copeptin and future risk of kidney disease. Methods Copeptin was measured in a sample of the Malmö Preventive Project (MPP) Reinvestigation (n = 5158) and in the Malmö Diet and Cancer Cardiovascular Cohort (MDC-CC) (n = 5162). According to national registers, 89 subjects in MPP and 180 in MDC-CC developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) during follow-up (8.7 and 19.6 years, respectively). Results After multivariate adjustment (gender, age, body mass index, smoking status, estimated glomerular filtration rate, prevalent diabetes, systolic blood pressure and prevalent antihypertensive treatment), copeptin (beta-coefficient per 1 standard deviation increment of ln copeptin) was independently associated with increased risk of CKD during follow-up in both cohorts (MPP: (HR) 1.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–1.80, P < 0.001; MDC-CC: HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.02–1.54, P = 0.03) among subjects free from prevalent kidney disease at baseline. Furthermore, in MPP, elevated copeptin predicted a specified diagnosis of kidney disease other than CKD (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08–1.59, P = 0.006) after multivariate adjustment. In a corresponding analysis in MDC-CC, copeptin was associated with a 10% increased risk, which, however, was non-significant (P = 0.25). A meta-analysis of the MPP and MDC-CC data showed significant association between elevated copeptin and a specified diagnosis of kidney disease other than CKD (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05–1.34, P = 0.008). Conclusion An increased level of copeptin independently predicts development of both CKD and other specified kidney diseases, suggesting that copeptin can be used to identify individuals at risk for kidney disease development.
Nonlinear subspace clustering

This paper presents a nonlinear subspace clustering (NSC) method for image clustering. Unlike most existing subspace clustering methods which only exploit the linear relationship of samples to learn the affine matrix, our NSC reveals the multi-cluster nonlinear structure of samples via a nonlinear neural network. While kernel-based clustering methods can also address the nonlinear issue of samples, this type of methods suffers from the scalability issue. Differently, our NSC employs a feed-forward neural network to map samples into a nonlinear space and performs subspace clustering at the top layer of the network, so that the mapping functions and the clustering issues are iteratively learned. Experimental results illustrate that our NSC outperforms the state-of-the-arts.
Regression of Liver Fibrosis

Abstract Liver fibrosis is the final common pathway of chronic or iterative liver damage. Advanced chronic fibrosis is described as cirrhosis with a loss of architecture and attendant functional failure and the development of life-threatening complications. However, compelling evidence from rodent models and human studies indicates that if the injury is removed liver fibrosis is reversible. Hepatocytes, activated hepatic stellate cells, endothelial and immune cells, particularly macrophages, cooperate in the establishment and resolution of liver fibrosis. Here the authors provide a short overview of the mechanisms regulating the profibrotic and proresolution response, with the aim of highlighting potential new therapeutic targets. Liver disease is a major unmet medical need; currently, the sole approaches are the withdrawal of the injurious stimulus and liver transplantation. The authors conclude with a brief review of the feasibility of macrophage-based cell therapy for liver fibrosis.