Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust hypothesis generation method using binary blob analysis for multi-lane detection

The vision-based lane detection is an important component of advanced driver assistance systems and it is essential for lane departure warning, lane keeping, and vehicle localisation. However, it is a challenging problem to improve the robustness of multi-lane detection due to factors, such as perspective effect, possible low visibility of lanes, and partial occlusions. To deal with these issues, the authors propose an improved lane hypothesis generation method using a reliable binary blob analysis. Most existing top-view based methods focused on the lane model fitting, but they neglected the reliability of hypothesis generation and the effectiveness in challenging conditions. To cope with these shortcomings, the authors carried out vanishing point detection and inverse perspective mapping to remove the perspective effect from the road images. Then two-stage binary blob filtering and blob verification techniques using classification are introduced to improve the robustness of lane hypothesis generation for lane detection. The experimental results show that the average detection accuracy on a new challenging multi-lane dataset is 97.7%. The performance of the proposed method outperforms that of the state-of-the-art method by 1.6% in detection accuracy on the Caltech lane benchmark dataset.
Las causas de la corrupción: un estudio comparado

La cuestion central de este articulo es por que en algunos paises la corrupcion esta mas extendida que en otros.Para ello, tras efectuar una revision de la literatura sobre corrupcion se realiza un analisis multivariado de regresion con el metodo de minimos cuadrados, para una muestra de 107 paises. El articulo concluye que la corrupcion es una funcion del nivel de desarrollo, la libertad economica y la calidad de la democracia. Un mayor desarrollo y una mayor libertad economica inhiben los niveles de corrupcion. En el caso de la democracia la relacion no es lineal. Las democracias debilmente institucionalizadas presentan una mayor corrupcion que algunos autoritarismos. A la vez, la introduccion de una variable de control geografico-cultural refuerza esta conclusion mostrando que aquellas regiones que transitaron recientemente hacia la democracia y al mercado muestran una peor calificacion en el indice de corrupcion.
Analysis of crosstalk delay and power dissipation in mixed CNT bundle interconnects

This research paper presents a comparative analysis of power and delay performance between different bundled carbon nanotube (CNT) structures. An equivalent RLC model is developed for novel mixed CNT bundle structures that contains single- and multi-walled CNTs (SWCNTs and MWCNTs). Crosstalk delay and power dissipation have been compared for these proposed structures of mixed CNT bundles. It has been observed that at an average the power and delay performances are improved by 61.33% and 86.01% respectively for the novel mixed bundle structure that contains SWCNTs and MWCNTs in equal halves in comparison to bundled SWCNT.
A mass spring based 3D virtual hair dynamic system for straight and curly hair

The goal of hair animation is to construct a realistic 3D hair model for depicting virtual characters in interactive applications. This paper presents an effective system for generating visually and physically plausible 3D hair models. In our system, the cantilever beam is employed for producing various bangs such as straight bangs and inclined bangs. Furthermore, the proposed system uses the mass spring model to synthesize the animations for diverse hairstyles such as the straight hair and the curly hair. Meanwhile, an efficient collision handling method is proposed for preventing the happening of the impossible situation that hairs penetrate the head. The simulation results demonstrate that our system has the ability to realize hair motion under wind force and the gravity. The subjective evaluation result proves that our system has the ability of producing a natural hair animation.
The Survey of affecting factors on adoption mobile banking services, via customer satisfaction approach (Case STUDY: Melli Bank of Masshad City)

As a result of a field research study for adoption of mobile Banking services (M.B.S), by approach banking to customer satisfaction in the Melli bank of Mashhad has been examined. In this study, the methodologies of descriptivecorrelational and cross-sectional survey were employed. Our Statistic society of this Study consisted of all individuals eligible who were available for completing the distinct questionnaire in special sites considered were to complete them. Random sampling of 234 cases was selected from clients of this bank. At Beginning in data Analysis Information, Survey for the reliability of the theoretical models, evaluated via the application of Amos software. Then Available information through the SPSS and Amos Software were analyzed. The results showed that five variable comprise: Familiarity with Bank, Information quality, trust, Perceived Usefulness, and ease of use, have a direct significant relationship to customer satisfaction in mobile Banking service, while the relationship between design qualities, have not a significant relationship whit customer satisfaction for.
Evolution of declarative memory

The present review considers research on the hippocampus and related areas from humans and experimental animals and makes three main points. First, many of the anatomical details of the hippocampus and adjacent cortical areas in the parahippocampal region are conserved across mammals. Second, the functional role of these areas in declarative memory is also conserved across species. Third, an evolutionary approach will be key to understanding exactly how the local circuitry of the hippocampus and parahippocampal region supports declarative memory. To highlight the utility of this approach, a schematic model is described in which separate streams of spatial and nonspatial information converge on the hippocampus. By this view, a fundamental function of the mammalian hippocampus is to combine incoming information about spatial context from the postrhinal (parahippocampal in primates) cortex and medial entorhinal area with incoming information about nonspatial items from the perirhinal cortex and lateral entorhinal area. The underlying neurobiological computations that arise from local circuitry enable item‐in‐context memory and are proposed to be fundamental to many examples of declarative memory, including episodic memory in humans and spatial memory in experimental animals. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
GM-CSF binding to its receptor induces oligomerisation of the common beta-subunit.

The stoichiometry of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor complex is still unresolved. We have utilised a sensitive, functional assay for receptor homodimerisation to show that GM-CSF induces dimerisation of the common signalling subunit, hbeta(c). We generated a chimeric cytokine receptor in which the extracellular and transmembrane domains of hbeta(c)are fused to the cytoplasmic domain of erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R). Given that to induce EPO-R activation and mitogenic signalling there is a requirement for formation of a specific homodimeric complex, we reasoned that the cytoplasmic domain of EPO-R could be utilised as a highly sensitive reporter for functional homodimer formation. We show that, in the presence of a cytoplasmically truncated GM-CSF alpha-subunit, the hbetac-EPO receptor chimera transduces a mitogenic signal in BaF-B03 in response to GM-CSF. This is consistent with formation of a hbeta(c)homodimer following GM-CSF binding and implies that ligand stimulation induces formation of a higher order complex that contains the hbeta(c)homodimer.
Predictive Value of Outer Retina En Face OCT Imaging for Geographic Atrophy Progression.

PURPOSE We determined if the ellipsoid zone (EZ) disruption pattern could be predictive of the geographic atrophy (GA) pattern at 1 year in dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS A retrospective study was done of dry eyes in patients with AMD and GA from July to November 2013. Eyes with previous choroidal neovascularization were excluded. Based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), the GA was assessed at each timepoint, using a sub-RPE slab derived from the Cirrus Advanced RPE Analysis software encompassing the RPE (sub-RPE slab). Disruption of the EZ also was assessed at baseline, using en face extraction of a 20-μm-thick slab, 20 μm above the RPE (EZ slab) encompassing the EZ band using two different algorithms (RPE and RPE-fit). The EZ disruption area surrounding GA at baseline was quantified using ImageJ software. Primary endpoint was to identify en face pattern similarities between the baseline EZ disruption and the 1-year GA. Secondary endpoint was to correlate the baseline EZ disruption area surrounding GA with the GA enlargement over 1 year. Statistical analysis was performed using a correlation test (Pearson) and a t-test. RESULTS We included 37 eyes of 31 patients with dry AMD. En face EZ disruption pattern correlated in two-thirds of cases with the 1-year GA pattern using both algorithms. The EZ disruption area surrounding GA at baseline and GA enlargement over 1 year were poorly correlated when RPE-fit algorithm (R = 0.17) was used. The correlation was still poor using an RPE algorithm (R = 0.38), but increased after selection of eyes without reticular pseudodrusen (R = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS The EZ disruption pattern could be an indicator for GA pattern progression, but is not a good quantitative tool to predict the size of GA in the overall population over a 1-year period except for patients without reticular pseudodrusen. The results in this specific population must be confirmed by further studies.
Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Gene Rearrangement in B-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas Detected by the Polymerase Chain Reaction

Aims and background Immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement serves as a marker of clonality and cell lineage in B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. In this study we used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect clonal rearrangements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene in a group of patients with B-cell lymphomas. Methods DNA was extracted from frozen tissue of 40 B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and subjected to PCR amplification using primers that recognize conserved sequences of the variable and joining regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain gene. Results Monoclonal rearrangements were detected in 23 of 40 malignant B-cell lymphomas. No clonal rearrangements were detected in the 10 control cases. Conclusions We conclude that this PCR-based technique may provide a simplified and rapid approach for the detection of clonal immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements in B-cell lymphomas without recourse to Southern blotting, which can be reserved for cases in which PCR is negative.
3D Structure Estimation Using Evolutionary Algorithms Based on Similarity Transform

In this paper, an efficient 3D reconstruction algorithm is proposed based on multiview 2D images of human face by means of similarity transform. The pose and depth estimation from 2D feature points of the respective face images is considered as an optimization problem and solved using soft computing techniques. Four real parameter optimization techniques (Differential Evolution, Genetic algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization and Simulated Annealing) are used to estimate the pose and 3D structure. To evaluate the accuracy of the pose estimation to corroborate depth estimation, Head Pose Database is used. The experimental results show that the Differential Evolution significantly outperforms the other optimization techniques in estimating the pose and depths of important features, preserving facial symmetry.
Expression of human heme oxygenase-1 in the thick ascending limb attenuates angiotensin II-mediated increase in oxidative injury.

BACKGROUND Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) catalyzes the conversion of heme to bilirubin, carbon monoxide (CO), and free iron, thus controlling the level of cellular heme. The medullary thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle (TALH) is situated in a site of markedly diminished oxygen tension and, as such, is highly vulnerable to ischemic insult. We hypothesize that selective upregulation of HO-1 in TALH by gene transfer attenuates oxidative stress caused by angiotensin II (Ang II). METHODS An adenoviral vector expressing the human HO-1 under the control of the TALH-specific promoter [Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC2 promoter)] was constructed and the cell specific expression of the recombinant adenovirus was examined using several types of cells, including endothelial, vascular smooth muscle, and TALH cells. The effects of HO-1 transduction on HO-1 expression, HO activity and the response to Ang II with respect to cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) up-regulation and oxidative injury [growth-stimulating hormone (GSH) levels and cell death] were determined. RESULTS Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that human HO-1 was selectively expressed in primary cultured TALH cells following infection with Ad-NKCC2-HO-1. In TALH cells infected with Ad-NKCC2-HO-1, Ang II-stimulated prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) levels were reduced by 40%. Ang II caused a marked decrease in GSH levels and this decrease was greatly attenuated in TALH cells transduced with Ad-NKCC2-HO-1. Moreover, Ang II-mediated DNA degradation was completely blocked by the site-specific expression of human HO-1 gene. CONCLUSION These results indicate that TALH cell survival after exposure to oxidative stress injury may be facilitated by selective upregulation of HO-1, thusly blocking inflammation and apoptosis.
Coronary arteriographic findings soon after non-Q-wave myocardial infarction.

Complete occlusion of the infarct-related coronary artery is a frequent finding soon after Q-wave (transmural) myocardial infarction. We performed coronary arteriography to study the frequency of total coronary occlusion and of angiographically visible collateral vessels in 341 patients within one week of non-Q-wave myocardial infarction. In this cross-sectional study, 192, 94, and 55 patients underwent coronary arteriography within 24 hours of peak symptoms, between 24 and 72 hours after peak symptoms, and between 72 hours and seven days after peak symptoms, respectively. In the three groups, total occlusion of the infarct-related vessel was found in 26 percent (49 of 192), 37 percent (35 of 94), and 42 percent (23 of 55) of the patients, respectively (P less than 0.05). The presence of visible collateral vessels increased in parallel: 27 percent (52 of 192), 34 percent (32 of 94), and 42 percent (23 of 55), respectively (P less than 0.05). The frequency of subtotal occlusion (i.e., greater than or equal to 90 percent stenosis) decreased inversely: 34 percent (65 of 192), 25.5 percent (24 of 94), and 18 percent (10 of 55), respectively (P less than 0.05). Thus, in contrast to Q-wave infarction, total coronary occlusion of the infarct-related vessel is infrequently observed in the early hours of non-Q-wave infarction, but it increases moderately in frequency over the next several days. These cross-sectional data suggest that non-Q-wave infarction may be related to a preserved but marginal blood supply, which sufficiently disrupts the relation between the supply of and the demand for myocardial oxygen to cause tissue necrosis.
AIR‐QUALITY BIOINDICATION IN THE GREATER CENTRAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA, WITH EPIPHYTIC MACROLICHEN COMMUNITIES

Air-quality monitoring in the United States is typically focused on urban areas even though the detrimental effects of pollution often extend into surrounding ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to construct a model, based upon epiphytic macrolichen community data, to indicate air-quality and climate in forested areas throughout the greater Central Valley of California (USA). The structure of epiphytic lichen communities is widely recognized as an effective biological indicator of air-quality as sensitivities to common anthropogenic pollutants vary by species. We used nonmetric multidimensional-scaling ordination to analyze lichen community data from 98 plots. To calibrate the model, a subset of plots was co-located with air-quality monitors that measured ambient levels of ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Two estimates of ammonia deposition, which is not regularly monitored by any state or federal agency in California, were approximated for all plots using land-use maps and emissions est.
Classification of mental disorders: The importance of inclusive decision-making

Abstract With DSM-V and ICD-11 on the horizon, now is an excellent time to consider the process leading on to the revision of classificatory systems in psychiatry. The challenges of classification in psychiatry are not inconsiderable. Among these are the controversies about what constitutes a ‘disorder‘ and the appropriate place to draw the line between ‘normality‘ and abnormal psychological status. In the absence of validating biomarkers for most mental disorders, judgements are required about the emphasis to put on available empirical data in the revision of existing classifications. In this review we propose that, given the salience of factors such as culture and contextual social experience to the experience and nature of mental disorders, there is an important need for inclusiveness in the process of leading to the revisions of classifications of mental disorders.
Direct certification of a class of quantum simulations

One of the main challenges in the field of quantum simulation and computation is to identify ways to certify the correct functioning of a device when a classical efficient simulation is not available. Important cases are situations in which one cannot classically calculate local expectation values of state preparations efficiently. In this work, we develop weak-membership formulations of the certification of ground state preparations. We provide a non-interactive protocol for certifying ground states of frustration-free Hamiltonians based on simple energy measurements of local Hamiltonian terms. This certification protocol can be applied to classically intractable analog quantum simulations: For example, using Feynman-Kitaev Hamiltonians, one can encode universal quantum computation in such ground states. Moreover, our certification protocol is applicable to ground state encodings of IQP circuits aiming at the demonstration of quantum supremacy. These can be certified efficiently when the error is polynomially bounded.
[Immune regulation of T-bet adjuvant on Ag85B DNA vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis].

AIM To construct a novel Ag85B DNA vaccine based on the genetic adjuvant of T-bet known as Th1 transcription factor and to research the immunoregulation function of the DNA complex vaccine. METHODS Ag85B gene and T-bet gene were amplified by RT-PCR, and cloned into pcDNA3.1 plasmid to construct recombinant plasmids pcDNA3-Ag85B and pcDNA3-T-bet, respectively. The recombinant plasmids were transfected into RAW264.7 cells using Lipofectamine(TM); 2000 reagent to detect the expressions of Ag85B and T-bet proteins by Western blotting. BALB/c mice were immunized by three intramuscular inoculations with pcDNA3.1-FLAG-T-bet in combination with pcDNA3.1-FLAG-Ag85B. Two weeks after the last immunization, the anti-Ag85B antibody titres in sera were tested by ELISA. Meanwhile, spleen lymphocyte suspension was cultured in the context of Ag85B, and then the secretion of cytokines in the culture fluid was tested by ELISA. RESULTS Plasmid proteins were successfully expressed in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, T-bet/Ag85B complex not only induced obviously higher IgG2a titre with the lower IgG1, but also stimulated the increased secretion of IFN-γ and IL-2 with the concomitant repression of IL-4 and IL-10. CONCLUSION T-bet can enhance Ag85B-specific IgG2a antibody response and convert T cell subsets to a Th1-predominant immune response.
Ultrasound Elastography Is Useful for Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis in Children—A Systematic Review

Objectives: Adult studies have proven ultrasound elastography as a validated measure of liver fibrosis. The present study aimed to review the available literature on ultrasound elastography in children to evaluate the ability of the method to distinguish healthy from fibrotic liver tissue and investigate whether cutoff values for liver fibrosis in children have been established. Methods: A literature search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify studies on ultrasound elastography of the liver in children. Only original research articles in English concerning ultrasound elastography in children with and without liver disease, younger than 18 years, were included. All reference lists of the included articles were hand-searched for further references. Results: Twenty-seven articles were included. Elastography in children without liver disease was investigated in 14 studies and the results were comparable to those existing for adults. Twelve studies compared elastography with liver biopsy in children with liver disease and found that cirrhosis was correctly diagnosed, whereas it was more difficult to assess severe fibrosis correctly. For the distinction between no, mild, and moderate fibrosis in children with liver disease the method was less accurate. Ultrasound elastography was able to differentiate between children with and without liver fibrosis. In children without liver disease ultrasound elastography showed consistent liver stiffness values comparable to those found in adults. No fibrosis-specific cutoffs were proposed. Conclusions: Ultrasound elastography was able to diagnose cirrhosis, distinguish healthy from fibrotic liver tissue, and showed consistent liver stiffness values in children without liver disease.
Maximal oxygen uptake versus maximal power output in children

Abstract Maximal oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O2max) is considered the optimal method to assess aerobic fitness. The measurement of [Vdot]O2max, however, requires special equipment and training. Maximal exercise testing with determination of maximal power output offers a more simple approach. This study explores the relationship between [Vdot]O2max and maximal power output in 247 children (139 boys and 108 girls) aged 7.9–11.1 years. Maximal oxygen uptake was measured by indirect calorimetry during a maximal ergometer exercise test with an initial workload of 30 W and 15 W · min−1 increments. Maximal power output was also measured. A sample (n = 124) was used to calculate reference equations, which were then validated using another sample (n = 123). The linear reference equation for both sexes combined was: [Vdot]O2max (ml · min−1) = 96 + 10.6 · maximal power + 3.5 · body mass. Using this reference equation, estimated [Vdot]O2max per unit of body mass (ml · min−1 · kg−1) calculated from maximal power correlated closely with the direct measurement of [Vdot]O2max (r = 0.91, P <0.001). Bland-Altman analysis gave a mean limits of agreement of 0.2±2.9 (ml · min−1 · kg−1) (1 s). Our results suggest that maximal power output serves as a good surrogate measurement for [Vdot]O2max in population studies of children aged 8–11 years.