Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Harris Extraction and SIFT Matching for Correlation of Two Tablets

— This article presents the developments of efficient algorithms for tablet copies comparison. Image recognition has specialized use in digital systems such as medical imaging, computer vision, defense, communication etc. Comparison between two images that look indistinguishable is a formidable task. Two images taken from different sources might look identical but due to different digitizing properties they are not. Whereas small variation in image information such as cropping, rotation, and slight photometric alteration are unsuitable for based matching techniques. In this paper we introduce different matching algorithms designed to facilitate, for art centers, identifying real painting images from fake ones. Different vision algorithms for local image features are implemented using MATLAB. In this framework a Table Comparison Computer Tool “TCCT” is designed to facilitate our research. The TCCT is a Graphical Unit Interface (GUI) tool used to identify images by its shapes and objects. Parameter of vision system is fully accessible to user through this graphical unit interface. And then for matching, it applies different description technique that can identify exact figures of objects.
Enhanced bipolar transistor design for the linearization of the base-collector capacitance

A frequency, bias and output power independent linearization technique for reducing the non-linear base-collector capacitance related distortion is proposed. Based on Volterra series analysis, the optimum base-collector capacitance for linear device operation is determined while respecting physical constrains. It is shown that by modifying the extrinsic base-collector region for an otherwise uncompromised device, the Cbc linearity compensation can be included within the transistor design itself. The practicality of this implementation is demonstrated by considering the doping profile accuracy requirements for achieving a significant OIP3 improvement of at least 5dB.
Detection of human cytomegalovirus immediate early antigen in leukocytes as a marker of viremia in immunocompromised patients

Peripheral blood polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells from 35 immunocompromised patients (22 heart transplant recipients and 13 AIDS patients) and four normal subjects were tested for the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) immediate early antigen (IEA) (antigenemia) by indirect immunofluorescence (IFA) and IEA‐specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb). PMN samples were tested in parallel for HCMV isolation (viremia) by using MAb to viral early antigens (EA) and the IFA technique 24–48 hr after inoculation onto human fibroblast monolayers. HCMV was isolated from 26 of 83 PMN samples examined: of these, 25 were also positive for HCMV IEA (96% sensitivity). Seven additional PMN samples negative for viral isolation resulted IEA‐positive (87.7% specificity). Six of the seven discordant samples were taken from four patients during ganciclovir treatment. The transitory dissociation between positive HCMV antigenemia and negative viremia during antiviral treatment was followed, at the end of the therapy, either by virus clearance and disappearance of IEA‐positive PMNs (one patient) or by reappearance of viremia (three patients). Among concordant positive samples, a significant correlation was observed between the number of IEA‐positive PMN leukocytes and EA‐positive nuclei of infected fibroblasts, when the same number of PMNs were used for both tests.
A randomized controlled study of human Day 3 embryo cryopreservation by slow freezing or vitrification: vitrification is associated with higher survival, metabolism and blastocyst formation.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to compare two methods of cryopreservation for the cleavage-stage human embryo: slow freezing and vitrification. METHODS A total of 466 Day 3 embryos, donated with consent, underwent cryopreservation by either slow freezing in straws or vitrification using the cryoloop. The vitrification procedure did not include dimethyl sulfoxide, but rather employed ethylene glycol and 1,2-propanediol as the cryoprotectants. Survival, embryonic metabolism and subsequent development to the blastocyst were used to determine the efficacy of the two procedures. RESULTS Significantly, more embryos survived the vitrification procedure (222/234, 94.8%) than slow freezing (206/232, 88.7%; P < 0.05). Consistent with this observation, pyruvate uptake was significantly greater in the vitrification group, reflecting a higher metabolic rate. Development to the blastocyst was also higher following vitrification (134/222, 60.3%) than following freezing (106/206, 49.5%; P < 0.05). In a separate cohort of 73 patients who had their supernumerary embryos cyropreserved with vitrification, the resulting implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were 30 and 49%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of metabolism revealed that vitrification had less impact on the metabolic rate of the embryo than freezing, which was reflected in higher survival rate and subsequent development in vitro. Excellent pregnancy outcomes followed the warming and transfer of vitrified cleavage-stage embryos. These data provide further evidence that vitrification imparts less trauma to cells and is, therefore, a more effective means of cryopreserving the human embryo than conventional slow freezing. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00608010.
Dietary adaptions in the ultrastructure of dinosaur dentine

Teeth are key to understanding the feeding ecology of both extant and extinct vertebrates. Recent studies have highlighted the previously unrecognized complexity of dinosaur dentitions and how specific tooth tissues and tooth shapes differ between taxa with different diets. However, it is unknown how the ultrastructure of these tooth tissues contributes to the differences in feeding style between taxa. In this study, we use third harmonic generation microscopy and scanning electron microscopy to examine the ultrastructure of the dentine in herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs to understand how the structure of this tissue contributes to the overall utility of the tooth. Morphometric analyses of dentinal tubule diameter, density and branching rates reveal a strong signal for dietary preferences, with herbivorous saurischian and ornithischian dinosaurs consistently having higher dentinal tubule density than their carnivorous relatives. We hypothesize that this relates to the hardness of the dentine, where herbivorous taxa have dentine that is more resistant to breakage and wear at the dentine–enamel junction than carnivorous taxa. This study advocates the detailed study of dentine and the use of advanced microscopy techniques to understand the evolution of dentition and feeding ecology in extinct vertebrates.
Impact of demographic variables on women’s economic empowerment: An ordered probit model

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to empirically examine the demographic variables that determine women’s economic empowerment. A sample of 500 married women between 21 and 49 years old (Mage = 35.49, SD = 7.66) was conveniently selected from district Multan (Pakistan). Control over economic resources was used as a proxy for women’s economic empowerment. Ordered probit regression was run to assess the demographic determinants (i.e., age, education, paid job, income, and property) of economic empowerment of the least empowered, moderately empowered, and highly empowered women. Paid job, age, income, and property appeared as positive and significant predictors of women’s economic empowerment. Implications of the study were also discussed.
A Study of Head Metaphors in English and Chinese

隐喻研究传统上局限于修辞层和语言层,近二十多年来,隐喻研究在认知领域上的发展得到了越来越广泛的认同。 Lakoff＆Johnson的＂概念隐喻理论＂从认知角度拓宽了隐喻的研究范围。 本文根据国内外专家对概念隐喻理论的研究,结合国内外学者对人体词汇的研究,使用英汉语料,对＂头＂词语进行认知分析,构建其隐喻框架,阐释其同异性。
Cepheid Models Based on Self-Consistent Stellar Evolution and Pulsation Calculations: The Right Answer?

We have computed stellar evolutionary models for stars in a mass range characteristic of Cepheid variables (3<m/M<12) for different metallicities representative of the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds populations. The stellar evolution calculations are coupled to a linear nonadiabatic stability analysis in order to get self-consistent mass-period-luminosity relations. The period-luminosity (PL) relation as a function of metallicity is analyzed and compared with the recent EROS observations in the Magellanic Clouds. The models reproduce the observed width of the instability strips for the SMC and LMC. We determine a statistical PL relationship, taking into account the evolutionary timescales and a mass distribution given by a Salpeter mass function. Excellent agreement is found with the SMC PL relationship determined by Sasselov et al. The models reproduce the change of slope in the PL relationship near P~2.5 days discovered recently by the EROS collaboration (Bauer; Bauer et al.) and thus explain this feature in terms of stellar evolution. Some discrepancy, however, remains for the LMC Cepheids. The models are also in good agreement with beat Cepheids observed by the MACHO and EROS collaborations. We show that most of the first-overtone/second-overtone beat Cepheids have not yet ignited central helium burning; they are just evolving off the main sequence toward the red giant branch.
In vitro curcumin modulates ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced peroxidation of microsomal membrane lipids and DNA damage.

A number of investigations have implicated the involvement of free radicals in various pathogenic process including initiation/promotion stages of carcinogenesis and antioxidants have been considered to be a protective agent for this reason. An iron chelate, ferric nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), is a potent nephrotoxic agent and induces acute and subacute renal proximal tubular necrosis by catalyzing the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide-derived production of hydroxyl radicals, which are known to cause lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. The latter is associated with a high incidence of renal adenocarcinoma in rodents. Lipid peroxidation and DNA damage are the principal manifestation of Fe-NTA-induced toxicity, which could be mitigated by antioxidants. In this study, we therefore investigated the effect of curcumin, a polyphenolic compound from Curcuma longa for a possible protection against lipid peroxidation and DNA damage induced by Fe-NTA and hydrogen peroxide in vitro. Incubation of renal microsomal membrane/and or calf thymus DNA with hydrogen peroxide (40 mM) in the presence of Fe-NTA (0.1 mM) induces renal microsomal lipid peroxidation and DNA damage to about 2.2-and 5.6-fold, respectively, as compared to saline treated control (P<0.001). Induction of renal microsomal lipid peroxidation and DNA damage was modulated by curcumin dose dependently. In lipid peroxidation protection studies, curcumin treatment showed a dose-dependent strong inhibition (18-80% inhibition, P<0.05-0.001) of Fe-NTA and hydrogen peroxide-induced lipid peroxidation as measured by MDA formation in renal microsomes. Similarly, in DNA-sugar damage protection studies, curcumin treatment also showed a dose dependent inhibition (22-57% inhibition, P<0.05-0.001) of DNA-sugar damage. From these studies, it was concluded that curcumin modulates Fe-NTA and hydrogen peroxide-induced peroxidation of microsomal membrane lipids and DNA damage. Curcumin might, therefore, be a suitable candidate for the chemoprevention of Fe-NTA-associated cancer.
ERP Measures Assay the Degree of Expectancy Violation of Harmonic Contexts in Music

Expectancy violations of a highly constrained musical context were studied by presenting subjects with a chord sequence (I, IV, V) that generated a strong expectancy for a specific final chord, and then completing the sequence with either a best-possible (Tonic), harmonically plausible (Minor), or harmonically implausible (Dissonant) resolution. Subjects determined whether it was the best-possible resolution, and in one-half of the trials made their decision known with an overt response. Several ERP waveform components showed differences among resolution types, response conditions, and electrode locations. Among the affected components were two subclasses of the P300, the first of which (P3a) was largest in response to the Dissonant in both response conditions at all electrode sites. The area and peak amplitude of the P3b varied at several electrode sites as a function of the degree of expectancy violation represented by the resolutions. The peak latency of the P3b component reflected the behavioral response time measurement in which the Tonic and Dissonant were identified 300 msec more quickly than the Minor. A comparison between frequency and timedomain data analyses demonstrates several parallels, and it is concluded that both can serve to investigate the perception and processing of the probability structure underlying musical events and contexts.
Thalidomide in patients with multiple myeloma and renal failure

treatment. Our own experience with rFVIIa and reports in the literature on the use of rFVIIa in treating this group of patients involve small numbers of patients. Systematic data collection as recommended by the international registry on rFVIIa and congenital platelet disorders group (Poon & d’Orion, 2000) are therefore important in providing useful information on dosing regimes, efficiency and safety in these rare disorders.
Viking Magnetic Properties Investigation: Preliminary Results

Three permanent magnet arrays are aboard the Viking lander. By sol 35, one array, fixed on a photometric reference test chart on top of the lander, has clearly attracted magnetic particles from airborne dust; two other magnet arrays, one strong and one weak, incorporated in the backhoe of the surface sampler, have both extracted considerable magnetic mineral from the surface as a result of nine insertions associated with sample acquisition. The loose martian surface material around the landing site is judged to contain 3 to 7 percent highly magnetic mineral which, pending spectrophotometric study, is thought to be mainly magnetite.
The Effect of Norepinephrine and Dibutyryl Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate on Cation Transport in Duck Erythrocytes

Freshly prepared duck erythrocytes, incubated either in plasma or an isotonic synthetic medium containing norepinephrine ([K] of both media ∼ 2.5 mM), maintain water and electrolyte composition in the steady state (upper steady state) for at least 90 min. If incubated in the synthetic medium without norepinephrine or in plasma to which a β-adrenergic blocking agent (propranolol) is added, the cells lose both water and electrolyte (predominantly KCl) until a new steady state is reached (lower steady state). Reaccumulation of water and electrolyte from isotonic solutions toward the upper steady-state levels requires the addition of norepinephrine and KCl. Reaccumulation is maximal when the concentration of K and norepinephrine in the medium is 15 mM and 10-7 M, respectively. Dibutyryl cyclic-AMP (10-2 M) mimics norepinephrine in lower steady-state cells. Although an analogous effect in upper steady-state cells was not established with certainty, it is proposed that the catecholamine-induced net changes in water and electrolyte movement in duck erythrocytes are a consequence of stimulation of the activity of a membrane-bound adenyl cyclase system.
Computer simulations of the effects of different synaptic input systems on motor unit recruitment.

1. The effects of four different synaptic input systems on the recruitment order within a mammalian motoneuron pool were investigated using computer simulations. The synaptic inputs and motor unit properties in the model were based as closely as possible on the available experimental data for the cat medial gastrocnemius pool and muscle. Monte Carlo techniques were employed to add random variance to the motor unit thresholds and forces and to sample the resulting recruitment orders. 2. The effects of the synaptic inputs on recruitment order depended on how they modified the range of recruitment thresholds established by differences in the intrinsic current thresholds of the motoneurons. Application of a uniform synaptic input to the pool (i.e., distributed equally to all motoneurons) resulted in a recruitment sequence that was quite stable even with the addition of large amounts of random variance. With 50% added random variance, the recruitment reversals did not exceed 8%. 3. The simulated monosynaptic input from homonymous Ia afferent fibers generated a twofold expansion of the range of recruitment thresholds beyond that attributed to the differences in the intrinsic current thresholds. The Ia input generated a small reduction in the number of recruitment reversals due to random variance (6% reversals at 50% random variance). The simulated monosynaptic vestibulospinal input generated a twofold compression of the range of recruitment thresholds that exerted a modest increase in the number of recruitment reversals (12% reversals at 50% random variance). 4. In comparison with the modest effects of the two monosynaptic inputs, the simulated oligosynpatic rubrospinal excitatory input exerted a nine-fold compression in the recruitment threshold range that resulted in a recruitment sequence that was highly sensitive to random variance. With 50% added random variance, the sequence became nearly random (40% reversals). 5. Reciprocal Ia inhibition was simulated by a uniform distribution within the pool, but its effects on recruitment order were highly dependent on the distribution of the excitatory input. Reciprocal inhibition exerted only minor effects on recruitment order when combined with the Ia or vestibulospinal inputs. However, when the excitatory drive was supplied by the rubrospinal input, even small amounts of reciprocal inhibition were sufficient to completely reverse the normal recruitment sequence. 6. The simulated monosynaptic Ia input was highly effective in compensating for the disruptive effects of rubrospinal excitation on recruitment order. Even a small Ia bias combined with the rubrospinal excitation was sufficient to halve the effects of random variance and to restore the normal recruitment sequence in the presence of rather large amounts of reciprocal inhibition. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
New Ternary Data Encoding for Delay-Insensitive Asynchronous Design

A conventional B-ternary logic for an asynchronous design has many drawbacks, most notably its incomplete truth table of the basic logic gates. This paper presents a new asynchronous ternary logics based on a new data-encoding scheme. The main aim of this research is to provide the flawless truth table for varying logic gates. The asynchronous circuit employing these logics uses two-rail logic for two data bits. It can reduce the number of wire by half comparing to the dual-rail or 1-of-4 data encoding. Furthermore, the proposed encoding scheme reduces switching by 25% to compare with the conventional Bternary one.
Pattern of perceived stress and anxiety in pregnancy predicts preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether the pattern of prenatal stress, as compared to prenatal stress assessed at a single gestational time point, predicts preterm delivery (PTD). DESIGN Perceived stress and anxiety were assessed in 415 pregnant women at 18-20 and 30-32 weeks' gestation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Gestational length was determined by last menstrual period and confirmed by early pregnancy ultrasound. Births were categorized as preterm (< 37 weeks) or term. RESULTS At neither assessment did levels of anxiety or perceived stress predict PTD. However, patterns of anxiety and stress were associated with gestational length. Although the majority of women who delivered at term exhibited declines in stress and anxiety, those who delivered preterm exhibited increases. The elevated risk for PTD associated with an increase in stress or anxiety persisted when adjusting statistically for obstetric risk, pregnancy-related anxiety, ethnicity, parity, and prenatal life events. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the pattern of prenatal stress is an important predictor of PTD. More generally, the findings support the possibility that a decline in stress responses during pregnancy may help to protect mother and fetus from adverse influences associated with PTD.
Exercise economy does not change after acclimatization to moderate to very high altitude

For more than 60 years, muscle mechanical efficiency has been thought to remain unchanged with acclimatization to high altitude. However, recent work has suggested that muscle mechanical efficiency may in fact be improved upon return from prolonged exposure to high altitude. The purpose of the present work is to resolve this apparent conflict in the literature. In a collaboration between four research centers, we have included data from independent high‐altitude studies performed at varying altitudes and including a total of 153 subjects ranging from sea‐level (SL) residents to high‐altitude natives, and from sedentary to world‐class athletes. In study A (n=109), living for 20–22 h/day at 2500 m combined with training between 1250 and 2800 m caused no differences in running economy at fixed speeds despite low typical error measurements. In study B, SL residents (n=8) sojourning for 8 weeks at 4100 m and residents native to this altitude (n=7) performed cycle ergometer exercise in ambient air and in acute normoxia. Muscle oxygen uptake and mechanical efficiency were unchanged between SL and acclimatization and between the two groups. In study C (n=20), during 21 days of exposure to 4300 m altitude, no changes in systemic or leg VO2 were found during cycle ergometer exercise. However, at the substantially higher altitude of 5260 m decreases in submaximal VO2 were found in nine subjects with acute hypoxic exposure, as well as after 9 weeks of acclimatization. As VO2 was already reduced in acute hypoxia this suggests, at least in this condition, that the reduction is not related to anatomical or physiological adaptations to high altitude but to oxygen lack because of severe hypoxia altering substrate utilization. In conclusion, results from several, independent investigations indicate that exercise economy remains unchanged after acclimatization to high altitude.
Cardiac-Specific Induction of the Transcriptional Coactivator Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor &ggr; Coactivator-1&agr; Promotes Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Reversible Cardiomyopathy in a Developmental Stage-Dependent Manner

Abstract— Recent evidence has identified the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor &ggr; coactivator-1&agr; (PGC-1&agr;) as a regulator of cardiac energy metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis. We describe the development of a transgenic system that permits inducible, cardiac-specific overexpression of PGC-1&agr;. Expression of the PGC-1&agr; transgene in this system (tet-on PGC-1&agr;) is cardiac-specific in the presence of doxycycline (dox) and is not leaky in the absence of dox. Overexpression of PGC-1&agr; in tet-on PGC-1&agr; mice during the neonatal stages leads to a dramatic increase in cardiac mitochondrial number and size coincident with upregulation of gene markers associated with mitochondrial biogenesis. In contrast, overexpression of PGC-1&agr; in the hearts of adult mice leads to a modest increase in mitochondrial number, derangements of mitochondrial ultrastructure, and development of cardiomyopathy. The cardiomyopathy in adult tet-on PGC-1&agr; mice is characterized by an increase in ventricular mass and chamber dilatation. Surprisingly, removal of dox and cessation of PGC-1&agr; overexpression in adult mice results in complete reversal of cardiac dysfunction within 4 weeks. These results indicate that PGC-1&agr; drives mitochondrial biogenesis in a developmental stage-dependent manner permissive during the neonatal period. This unique murine model should prove useful for the study of the molecular regulatory programs governing mitochondrial biogenesis and characterization of the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiomyopathy and as a general model of inducible, reversible cardiomyopathy.