Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mycophenolate Antagonizes IFN-γ-Induced Catagen-Like Changes via β-Catenin Activation in Human Dermal Papilla Cells and Hair Follicles

Recently, various immunosuppressant drugs have been shown to induce hair growth in normal hair as well as in alopecia areata and androgenic alopecia; however, the responsible mechanism has not yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we investigate the influence of mycophenolate (MPA), an immunosuppressant, on the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and on the growth of human hair follicles following catagen induction with interferon (IFN)-γ. IFN-γ was found to reduce β-catenin, an activator of hair follicle growth, and activate glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, and enhance expression of the Wnt inhibitor DKK-1 and catagen inducer transforming growth factor (TGF)-β2. IFN-γ inhibited expression of ALP and other dermal papillar cells (DPCs) markers such as Axin2, IGF-1, and FGF 7 and 10. MPA increased β-catenin in IFN-γ-treated hDPCs leading to its nuclear accumulation via inhibition of GSK3β and reduction of DKK-1. Furthermore, MPA significantly increased expression of ALP and other DPC marker genes but inhibited expression of TGF-β2. Therefore, we demonstrate for the first time that IFN-γ induces catagen-like changes in hDPCs and in hair follicles via inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, and that MPA stabilizes β-catenin by inhibiting GSK3β leading to increased β-catenin target gene and DP signature gene expression, which may, in part, counteract IFN-γ-induced catagen in hDPCs.
Synergistic use of direct manipulation and natural language

This paper shows how the integration of natural language with direct manipulation produces a multimodal interface that overcomes limitations of these techniques when used separately. Natural language helps direct manipulation in being able to specify objects and actions by description, while direct manipulation enables users to learn which objects and actions are available in the system. Furthermore, graphical rendering and manipulation of context provides a partial solution to difficult problems of natural language anaphora.
The contribution of individual psychological resilience in determining the professional quality of life of Australian nurses

Research Topic: The aim of this study was to determine the relative contribution of trait negative affect and individual psychological resilience in explaining the professional quality of life of nurses. Materials and Methods: One thousand, seven hundred and forty-three Australian nurses from the public, private, and aged care sectors completed an online Qualtrics survey. The survey collected demographic data as well as measures of depression, anxiety and stress, trait negative affect, resilience, and professional quality of life. Results: Significant positive relationships were observed between anxiety, depression and stress, trait negative affectivity, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress (compassion fatigue). Significant negative relationships were observed between each of the aforementioned variables and resilience and compassion satisfaction (CS). Results of mediated regression analysis indicated that resilience partially mediates the relationship between trait negative affect and CS. Conclusion: Results confirm the importance of both trait negative affect and resilience in explaining positive aspects of professional quality of life. Importantly, resilience was confirmed as a key variable impacting levels of CS and thus a potentially important variable to target in interventions aimed at improving nurse’s professional quality of life.
Simultaneous EUV flare- and CMP-aware placement

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is one of the most promising next-generation lithography technologies, while chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is the key planarization process for improving chip surface topography. The two techniques are highly related to layout pattern distribution and require different (even conflicting) distributions for EUV flare and CMP variation optimization to achieve better yields. Placement is a critical stage for controlling layout pattern distribution. In this paper, we propose the first work of simultaneous EUV flare-and CMP-aware placement to address the conflicting pattern distribution requirements with the two techniques. We present a sigmoid distribution model to reduce EUV flare effects and a metal-aware pin model to improve metal distribution. The two models are incorporated into a non-linear analytical optimization framework to achieve desired placement solutions. Experimental results show the effectiveness and efficiency of our proposed method.
Missing baryons, bulk flows and the E-mode polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background

Most of the missing baryons are found in slightly overdense structures like filaments and superclusters, but to date most of them have remained hidden to observation. At the same time, the linear cosmological perturbation theory predicts the existence of extended bulk flows seeded by the gravitational attraction of linear potential wells, but again these also remain undetected. If the peculiar motion of galaxy groups and clusters indeed resembles that of the surrounding baryons, then the kinetic Sunyaev-Zel’dovich (kSZ) pattern of those massive halos should be closely correlated to the kSZ pattern of all surrounding electrons. Likewise, it should also be correlated to the CMB E-mode polarization field generated via Thomson scattering after reionization. We explore the cross-correlation of the kSZ generated in groups and clusters to the all sky E-mode polarization in the context of future CMB experiments like Planck, ACT, SPT or APEX. We find that this cross-correlation effectively probes redshifts below z = 3−4 (where most of the baryons cannot be seen), and that it arises on very large scales (l < 10). The significance with which this cross-correlation can be measured depends on the Poissonian uncertainty associated with the number of halos where the kSZ is measured and on the accuracy of the kSZ estimations themselves. Assuming that Planck can provide a cosmic variance limited E-mode polarization map at l < 20 and S /N ∼ 1 kSZ estimates can be gathered for all clusters more massive than 10 14 M� , then this cross-correlation should be measured at the 2–3σ level. Further, if an all-sky ACT or SPT type CMB experiment provides similar kSZ measurements for all halos above 10 13 M� , then the cross-correlation total signal to noise (S /N) ratio should be at the level of 4–5. A detection of this cross-correlation would provide direct and definite evidence of bulk flows and missing baryons simultaneously.
Design and FPGA implementation of iterative decoders for codes on graphs

This work presents a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) implementation of the Min-Sum iterative decoding algorithm for the (8,4) extended Hamming code using a reconfigurable computing system. The Mitrion-C high level language (HLL) is used to program the FPGAs, since it provides flexible tools for FPGA-based prototyping and functional verification for hardware design. A hardware-efficient implementation of the Min-step in the Min-Sum decoder, which eliminates the use of floating point multipliers, is also presented. The parallelism offered by the Min-Sum algorithm is exploited in hardware, resulting in a 15 fold speedup over optimized software implementations. The performance of the hardware implementation is virtually the same as that predicted by computer simulations, validating the hardware design.
Elicit the Requirements on Software Dependability: A Knowledge-Based Approach

Dependability, which is regarded to be an integrative concept characterized by properties such as reliability, safety, security, and maintainability, has been paid more and more attentions recently. However, it has not been followed with enough interest by traditional requirements engineering approaches. This paper proposes a knowledge based approach for dependability requirements elicitations. This approach argues that the knowledge captured from the data about software failure can be utilized for the dependable system development. A classification scheme of the threats to system dependability has been given and a meta-model of the dependability-related knowledge has been built. On the basis of the unified model of dependability (UMD), this paper utilizes the knowledge to help the elicitation of stakeholders’ requirements on the system dependability. An online banking system has been used for illustrating the feasibility of our approach.
Path planning of a mobile robot using genetic heuristics

A genetic algorithm for the path planning problem of a mobile robot which is moving and picking up loads on its way is presented. Assuming a findpath problem in a graph, the proposed algorithm determines a near-optimal path solution using a bit-string encoding of selected graph vertices. Several simulation results of specific task-oriented variants of the basic path planning problem using the proposed genetic algorithm are provided. The results obtained are compared with ones yielded by hill-climbing and simulated annealing techniques, showing a higher or at least equally well performance for the genetic algorithm.
Face Localization and Versatile Tracking in Wavelet Domain

Automatic initialization and tracking of human faces is one of the first steps in designing interactive multimedia web applications and security systems. In this paper, we present an effective method for face tracking in color image sequences in wavelet domain. We have used the chrominance component of nonlinear YCbCr color model to segment face-candidate regions in the first frame of the image sequences. In our proposed method, after the face detection stage, the face tracking is carried out by an efficient block-based matching algorithm in wavelet packets domain. A block transform coding technique is employed to reduce the spatial redundancy. By using the amplitude of coefficients in the best basis tree expansion of the wavelet packet transform, the feature vectors of the face reference block are extracted. The best matched block has determined the new position of the face. Robustness against face deformations, lightening changes, occlusion, and presence of noise, as well as the performance of its subsequent stages are demonstrated in various experiments
Transmission Attributes of Periurban Malaria in Lusaka, Zambia, Precedent to the Integrated Vector Management Strategy: An Entomological Input

Globalization and urbanization with their inherent developmental activities and ecological transformations impact on malaria epidemiology. Entomological factors involved in malaria transmission in periurban Lusaka were assessed prior to vector control reintroduction. Data was collected through standard entomological and epidemiological protocols and a pretested structured questionnaire. Larval habitats were characterized as transient (43%), semipermanent (36%), and permanent (21%). Anopheles arabiensis and An. gambiae ss. were the only vectors identified. A shift in vector population was noted, with the later outnumbering the former. Plasmodium falciparum monoinfection rates were 25.6% (95% CI: 20.9–30.7) (n = 297). Parasitaemia was 31.8% (95% CI: 23.2–42.2), 25.7% (95% CI: 13.5–41.3), and 23.3% (95% CI: 17.4–29.6) in under 5, 5 to 14, and above 15 age groups, respectively. Low knowledge levels on vector control tools with an average of 7 residents per household were also observed. This study confirmed a local malaria transmission paradigm. The epidemiology necessitated deployment of an integrated vector management strategy with intensified information education and communication.
Exhaled Nitric Oxide as a Biomarker in COPD and Related Comorbidities

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is defined as a disease characterized by persistent, progressive airflow limitation. Recent studies have underlined that COPD is correlated to many systemic manifestations, probably due to an underlying pattern of systemic inflammation. In COPD fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) levels are related to smoking habits and disease severity, showing a positive relationship with respiratory functional parameters. Moreover FeNO is increased in patients with COPD exacerbation, compared with stable ones. In alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a possible cause of COPD, FeNO levels may be monitored to early detect a disease progression. FeNO measurements may be useful in clinical setting to identify the level of airway inflammation, per se and in relation to comorbidities, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, either in basal conditions or during treatment. Finally, some systemic inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis, have been associated with higher FeNO levels and potentially with an increased risk of developing COPD. In these systemic inflammatory diseases, FeNO monitoring may be a useful biomarker for early diagnosis of COPD development.
The plantar sole is a ‘dynamometric map’ for human balance control

THIS study investigated the role of the plantar cutaneous information in controlling human balance. We hypothesized that the cutaneous afferent messages from the main supporting zones of the feet have sufficient spatial relevance to inform the CNS about the body position with respect to the vertical reference and consequently to induce adapted regulative postural responses. Skin mechanoreceptors of anterior and/or posterior areas of one or both soles of 10 standing subjects were activated by superficial mechanical vibration with high frequency and low amplitude. Variations of the subject's center of pressure (CoP) were recorded. Spatially oriented whole-body tilts were observed for every subject. Their direction depended on the foot areas stimulated and was always opposite to the vibration-simulated pressure increase. These responses are found to subserve a postural regulative function and we suggest that co-processing of the various cutaneous messages followed a vector addition mode.
The use of information by capital providers : academic literature review

In January 2012 The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) invited expressions of interest to undertake a literature review on the use of information by capital providers. EFRAG and ICAS are commissioning this literature review to serve as a sound platform for future research and deliberations on the use of information by capital providers and the future evolution of financial statements. The objective of financial reporting is based on satisfying users' needs. As the length and complexity of financial statements continue to grow, the debate about the usefulness of financial statements intensifies. The aim of the commissioned literature review is to identify, consider and evaluate the existing evidence on the use of information by capital providers for decision-making, including assessing stewardship. The findings should serve to inform future standard setting activities. As the length and complexity of financial statements continue to grow, the debate about the usefulness of financial statements for economic decision-making has intensified. ICAS and the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG) commissioned this comprehensive literature review on the use of information by capital providers to serve as a sound platform for standard setting and the future evolution of financial statements. The aim of this review is to identify, consider and evaluate, from a European perspective, the existing evidence on the use of information by capital providers for decision-making and assessing stewardship. The review was undertaken by a team of independent European academics and the resultant report draws conclusions and implications from across Europe for standard setters, highlights gaps in the existing literature and identifies opportunities for future research on this important topic.
Study on Automatic Temperature Measuring for Laser Rapid Prototyping

To overcome the disadvantages of conventional temperature measuring method, a novel automatic temperature measuring method for laser rapid prototyping based on thermal imager is presented in this paper. Temperature fields for coated-sand SLS process were measured by thermal imager under the control of computer, and the full contour maps of temperature fields can be used for computer analysis and optimizing of laser rapid prototyping. The optimum processing parameters of coated-sand SLS were obtained by analysis of the measurement results. 3-D CAD model of bevel gear was design and the bevel gear sample was manufactured by laser rapid prototyping. The relative error between sample and CAD model is smaller than 1%.
Evaluating Evaluation Measures

Model selection measures such as hold-out set error, cross-validation error, leave-one-out error etc. are used to evaluate the performance of a classification algorithm on a given data set. To get an accurate estimate of the performance it is important that we choose the appropriate model selection measure or evaluation measure for the setting of interest. In this paper, we describe in brief a recently introduced methodology, which can be used to accurately and efficiently study the behavior of such evaluation measures in relevant settings. We also discuss the implications of having such a methodology as an exploratory tool and the potential challenges for the future.
Hierarchical face modeling and fast 3D facial expression synthesis

This paper presents a new hierarchical facial model that conforms to the human anatomy for realistic and fast 3D facial expression synthesis. The facial model has a skin/muscle/skull structure. The deformable skin model uses a kind of nonlinear spring to directly simulate the nonlinear visco-elastic behavior of soft tissue, and a new kind of edge repulsion spring is developed to prevent model collapse. The incorporation of the skull extends the scope of facial motion and facilitates facial muscle construction. The construction of facial muscles is achieved by using an efficient muscle mapping approach that ensures different muscles to be located at the anatomically correct positions. For computational efficiency, we devise an adaptive simulation algorithm which uses either a semi-implicit integration scheme or a quasi-static solver to compute the relaxation by traversing the designed data structures in a breadth-first order. The algorithm runs in real-time and has successfully synthesized realistic facial expressions.
Examining the Automated Inference of Tweet Topics

The increasing volume of information exchange over online social networks (e.g. Twitter, Facebook) has led to the growing interest in technique for automated inference of the topic of individual posts/tweets in recent years. Short length, lack of a well defined set of topics, and use of acronyms in tweets are some of the reasons that make topic inference of tweets challenging. In this study, we examine the feasibility and accuracy of using supervised learning techniques for inferring tweet topics. To efficiently produce a training dataset for a classifier, we explore whether the category of a professional Twitter account can offer a reliable label/topic for generated tweets by that account, e.g. whether the Twitter account of a professional soccer team most generates tweets related to the topic of soccer. We examine this hypothesis by focusing on generated tweets by more than 170 sample Twitter accounts related to 16 specific categories. First, to investigate the clarity of perceived topics for tweets by humans, we recruit human subjects to label tweets of sample accounts. Using these labeled tweets, we study the fraction of tweets for each account whose labels are aligned (and misaligned) with the category of their accounts. We show that these basic characteristics of tweets per account can be viewed as a set of “topic alignment features” that can often specify the category of an account in an automated fashion. Indeed, these features illustrate how the corresponding account owners use Twitter and also reveal the pairwise relationship between some of the selected topics. We also evaluate the accuracy of classification techniques in three cases with a different level of reliability for training and testing datasets. Our results show how the selection of training sets affects the accuracy of classifications. We also demonstrate that the accuracy of the classification for each account is correlated with its topic alignment features. This suggests that the features can be used to identify accounts whose tweets are more appropriate for training. Finally, we illustrate that the primary selected keywords by classifiers properly represent each topic.
Reshaping international oil companies’ response mechanism to deal with the spectre of resource nationalism

Resource nationalism is building momentum across the oil-rich countries. A resource nationalism is a policy that emerged in the 20th century, the era of oil and decolonization. However, the recent wave of resource nationalism has led to a renewed discussion among researchers, policy makers, and various stakeholders. The oil-rich nations’ governments are consolidating ownership over strategically important oil resources. A recent Ernst and Young (2011) report has flagged the increasing spectre of resource nationalism as the number-one risk facing mining industries.
Assessment of industrial and adaptable building components for a residential layout

From environmental point of view, building waste is a critical issue in present construction. In order to reduce the depletion of valuable materials and natural resources, waste management of constructions needs to be considered in the early stages of design. This requires innovative design strategies that take into account the future demolition and provide flexible and versatile structures. Industrial, flexible and demountable building system (IFD) is trying to create buildings with higher quality, more adaptable and better environmental characteristics. But till date, a recognized method for IFD building assessment has not been defined. This research focuses on IFD component analysis process for a residential terrace house layout. In the first step of the research, a conceptual prototype for the key elements was proposed. Next step was to create a procedure for evaluating the suggested design. The evaluation process contains two parts. Firstly, the layout and design characteristics assessment according to IFD criteria was developed. Secondly, the stability, seismic and load bearing capacity of the designed structure was characterized by conventional nonlinear static analysis (pushover) through finite element computations with ETABS software. It is proposed that, application of these assessments can testify to the flexibility and strength of the designed layout. Key words: Industrial, flexible and demountable building system (IFD), building components, modular coordination system, terrace house layout.
On the complexity of computing a Gröbner basis for the radical of a zero dimensional ideal

We show that if a system of polynomials f l , f 2 , . ,Jr in n variables with deg(fl) _< d over the rational numbers has only finitely many affine zeros, then, all the affine zeros can be determined in time polynomial in d n by a Las Vegas type randomized algorithm. We then describe single exponential time algorithms to compute reduced Gr5bner bases for the radical of the ideal generated by fi and for all the prime ideals containing the radical.