Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Registration and partitioning-based compression of 3-D dynamic data

Generation and transmission of complex animation sequences can benefit substantially from the availability of tools for handling large amounts of data associated with dynamic three-dimensional (3-D) models. Previous works in 3-D dynamic compression consider only the simplest situation where the connectivity changes do not occur with time. In this paper, we present an approach for compressing 3-D dynamic models in which both the vertex data and the connectivity data can change with time. Using our framework, 3-D animation sequences generated using commercial graphics tools or dynamic range data captured using range scanners can be compressed significantly. We use 3-D registration to identify the changes in the vertex data and the connectivity of the 3-D geometry between successive frames. Next, the interframe motion is encoded using affine motion parameters and the differential pulse coded modulation (DPCM) predictor. Our work is the first to exploit the temporal coherence in the connectivity data between frames and presents a detailed encoding scheme for 3-D dynamic data. We also discuss the issue of inserting I-frames in the compressed data for better performance. We show that our algorithm has a far superior performance when compared with existing techniques for both vertex compression and connectivity compression of 3-D dynamic datasets.
Wideband Shorted Bowtie Patch Antenna With Electric Dipole

A wideband directional antenna composed of a shorted bowtie patch antenna and an electric dipole is presented. Through this composition, an equivalent magnetic dipole due to the shorted bowtie patch antenna and an electric dipole are excited together. Almost equal radiation pattern in the E- and H-planes is obtained. The proposed antenna has a wide impedance bandwidth, which is over 60% for SWR. < 2 ranging from 2.16-4.13 GHz.
In Estimated Good Prognosis Patients Could Unexpected “Hyporesponse” to Controlled Ovarian Stimulation be Related to Genetic Polymorphisms of FSH Receptor?

It has been reported that 10% to 15% of young normogonadotrophic women show suboptimal response to standard gonadotropin-releasing hormone—a long protocol. These patients require higher doses of exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This phenomenon could be associated with genetic characteristics. In this study, FSH receptor polymorphism was retrospectively evaluated in 42 normoresponder young women undergoing an in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycle; patients were stratified according to recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH) consumption. We selected 17 normoresponder young patients who required a cumulative dose of recombinant FSH (rFSH) >2500 UI (group A). A control group was randomly selected among patients who required a cumulative dose of rFSH <2500 UI (group B). Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) 307Ala and 680Ser variants were analyzed in all our patients. Our results show that the mean number of rFSH vials (36.3 ± 7.5 vs 28.6 ± 4.5, P = .0001) and days of stimulation (12.7 ± 2.4 vs 10.8 ± 2.8, P = .03) were significantly lower in group B, whereas the number of oocytes retrieved (7.1 ± 1.5 vs 9.6 ± 2.4; P = .0005) and the average number of embryos transferred (2.1 ± 0.7 vs 2.7 ± 0.4; P = .001) were significantly lower in group A. Estradiol serum levels on the human chorionic gonadotrophin day were significantly lower in group A (997.8 ± 384.9 pg/mL vs 1749.1 ± 644.4; P = .0001). The incidence of the Ser/Ser genotype was higher in patients with higher r-hFSH consumption (group A; P = .02). Based on our results, we hypothesize an association between the FSH-R polymorphisms and a “hyporesponse” to exogenous FSH.
Masticatory performance in 80-year-old individuals.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the masticatory performance of elderly people at the age of 80 years. SUBJECTS A total of 283 individuals of 80 years of age took part in a general and dental health survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A dental examination including the number of remaining teeth, occlusion, prostheses, bite force recording, and a questionnaire regarding masticatory performance were recorded. SETTING Five municipalities (Okazaki city, Tokoname city, Tahara town, Atsumi town and Minami-chita town) in Aichi prefecture, Japan. RESULTS There were 20 or more teeth in 7.4% subjects, and 44.5% were edentulous. Subjects with no occlusion accounted for 77.4% of the total. Subjects with prostheses accounted for 90.8%. Maximum bite force and masticatory ability score for patients with 20 or more teeth or not wearing prostheses were higher than other groups. The non-wearing prostheses group had a low masticatory ability score. CONCLUSION Most of the 80-year-old individuals recovered their masticatory ability with the assistance of prostheses. Several individuals with 20 or more remaining teeth or without removable dentures present in both jaws had a high score for bite forces and masticatory abilities.
Masterless multirate control of parallel DC-DC converters

This paper introduces a new masterless multirate control scheme for current share in DC-DC converters. Comprising of a multirate digital controller, decoupling interactions between control loops, a single wire digital communication bus, facilitating simple and reliable communication between devices, and a modular current share architecture. Results show excellent static and dynamic current matching, and have been commercially proven.
Geometric Histograms of 3D Keypoints for Face Identification with Missing Parts

In this work, an original solution to 3D face identification is proposed, which supports recognition also in the case of probes with missing parts. Distinguishing traits of the face are captured by first extracting 3D keypoints of a face scan, then measuring how the face surface changes in the keypoints neighborhood using a local descriptor. To this end, an adaptation of the meshDOG algorithm to the case of 3D faces is proposed, together with a multi-ring geometric histogram descriptor. Face similarity is then evaluated by comparing local keypoint descriptors across inlier pairs of matching keypoints between probe and gallery scans. Experiments have been performed to assess the keypoints distribution and repeatability. Recognition accuracy of the proposed approach has been evaluated on the Bosphorus database, showing competitive results with respect to existing 3D face biometrics solutions.
Differential expression of mRNA coding for heparin‐binding growth factor type 2 in human cells

The proliferation of normal human fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and melanocytes in vitro can be controlled by purified polypeptide growth factors and serum. We have studied the cellular expression of the heparin‐binding growth factor type 2/basic fibroblast growth factor (HBGF‐2/bFGF) gene to determine whether these cell types synthesize mRNA for this mitogen. Our results indicate that normal human fibroblasts synthesize four distinct mRNAs of 7.0, 3.7, 2.2, and 1.5 kilobases, which hybridize to a specific HBGF‐2/bFGF cDNA probe. In fibroblasts, the level of all four of these transcripts increases dramatically (more than tenfold) within 4 hours of treatment of quiescent cells with fresh fetal bovine serum. Of the purified growth factors tested, transforming growth factor type‐beta also increased HBGF‐2/bFGF mRNA abundance, but not to the levels attained by serum treatment. Treatment of fibroblasts with cycloheximide before and during serum treatment blocked the ability of serum to induce the expression of the HBGF‐2/bFGF gene. The gene is expressed at low levels in human fibroblasts rapidly growing in serum‐free medium and at higher levels in cells rapidly growing in serum‐containing medium. In contrast to fibroblasts, mRNA coding for HBGF‐2/bFGF is undetectable in proliferating normal human keratinocytes, melanocytes, or mammary epithelial cells. Because keratinocytes and melanocytes proliferate in response to purified HBGF‐2/bFGF, our results suggest that HBGF‐2/bFGF may mediate the proliferation of epidermal cells through paracrine mechanisms involving stromal fibroblasts. Moreover, we have shown that a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line (SCC‐25) expresses mRNA coding for HBGF‐2/bFGF, suggesting that the gene may become activated in some carcinomas.
The interferon regulatory factors as novel potential targets in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

The family of interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) consists of nine members (IRF1–IRF9) in mammals. They act as transcription factors for the interferons and thus exert essential regulatory functions in the immune system and in oncogenesis. Recent clinical and experimental studies have identified critically important roles of the IRFs in cardiovascular diseases, arising from their participation in divergent and overlapping molecular programmes beyond the immune response. Here we review the current knowledge of the regulatory effects and mechanisms of IRFs on the immune system. The role of IRFs and their potential molecular mechanisms as novel stress sensors and mediators of cardiovascular diseases are highlighted.
Adaptive and plastic responses of Quercus petraea populations to climate across Europe

How temperate forests will respond to climate change is uncertain; projections range from severe decline to increased growth. We conducted field tests of sessile oak (Quercus petraea), a widespread keystone European forest tree species, including more than 150 000 trees sourced from 116 geographically diverse populations. The tests were planted on 23 field sites in six European countries, in order to expose them to a wide range of climates, including sites reflecting future warmer and drier climates. By assessing tree height and survival, our objectives were twofold: (i) to identify the source of differential population responses to climate (genetic differentiation due to past divergent climatic selection vs. plastic responses to ongoing climate change) and (ii) to explore which climatic variables (temperature or precipitation) trigger the population responses. Tree growth and survival were modeled for contemporary climate and then projected using data from four regional climate models for years 2071–2100, using two greenhouse gas concentration trajectory scenarios each. Overall, results indicated a moderate response of tree height and survival to climate variation, with changes in dryness (either annual or during the growing season) explaining the major part of the response. While, on average, populations exhibited local adaptation, there was significant clinal population differentiation for height growth with winter temperature at the site of origin. The most moderate climate model (HIRHAM5‐EC; rcp4.5) predicted minor decreases in height and survival, while the most extreme model (CCLM4‐GEM2‐ES; rcp8.5) predicted large decreases in survival and growth for southern and southeastern edge populations (Hungary and Turkey). Other nonmarginal populations with continental climates were predicted to be severely and negatively affected (Bercé, France), while populations at the contemporary northern limit (colder and humid maritime regions; Denmark and Norway) will probably not show large changes in growth and survival in response to climate change.
Vertex coloring based on artificial bee colony algorithm

Given an undirected graph with a set of vertices and edges, vertex coloring, a well-known classical optimization problem in graph theory, consists of partitioning all vertices into independent sets and assigning unique colors to adjacent vertices with an effort to use the least number of colors. This paper presents a new algorithm based on artificial bee colony for solving the aforementioned problem. The proposed algorithm is evaluated on the DIMACS challenging benchmarks and computational results show that the presented method achieves highly competitive results. The outstanding outcomes of our algorithm are related to its computational time and also the number of colors it uses. Our simulations show that the computational time is considerably short and also the number of colors for vertex coloring is optimal in most of the cases.
The Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome: A Unifying Pathophysiological Concept for Patients with Isolated Intracranial Hypertension with Neither Mass Lesion Nor Ventriculomegaly

Abstract In 1991 we proposed that while the syndrome of isolated intracranial hypertension might have many definite and probable causes, it has nonetheless a single unifying pathophysiological mechanism: namely, impairment of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) reabsorption. For that reason, we also proposed then that it is best described by a single, unifying, inclusive term, namely, pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. Although it appears that there is, as far as nomenclature is concerned, now international agreement, there is as yet no agreement on pathophysiology and classification. Herein we outline our views on these matters and give our reasons.
No evidence for large differences in genomic methylation between wild and hatchery steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

When salmonid fish that have been raised in hatcheries spawn in the wild, they often produce fewer surviving adult offspring than wild fish. Recent data from steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in the Hood River (Oregon, USA) show that even one or two generations of hatchery culture can result in dramatic declines in fitness. Although intense domestica- tion selection could cause such declines, it is worth considering alternative explanations. One possibility is heritable epige- netic changes induced by the hatchery environment. Here, we show, using methylation-sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphism, that hatchery and wild adult steelhead from the Hood River do not appear to differ substantially in overall levels of genomic methylation. Thus, although altered methylation of specific DNA sites or other epigenetic processes could still be important, the hatchery environment does not appear to cause a global hypo- or hypermethylation of the ge- nome or create a large number of sites that are differentially methylated. Resume´ : Lorsque des poissons salmonideseleves en pisciculture se reproduisent en nature, ils produisent souvent moins de rejetons survivants que les poissons sauvages. Des donnees recentes sur la truite arc-en-ciel anadrome (Oncorhynchus mykiss) dans la riviere Hood (Oregon, E ´ .-U.) montrent que meme une ou deux generations en pisciculture peuvent en- traoˆner des reductions spectaculaires de fitness. Bien qu'une selection intense relieeala domestication puisse causer de tels declins, il est important d'examiner les hypotheses de rechange. Parmi les possibilites, il y a les changements epigene ´- tiques heritables causes par l'environnement de pisciculture. Nous montrons ici, al'aide du polymorphisme de la longueur des fragments amplifies sensible a la methylation, que les truites arc-en-ciel anadromes de pisciculture et les truites sau- vages de la Hood ne semblent pas differer de maniere importante dans leurs niveaux globaux de methylation genomique. Ainsi, alors que la methylation alteree de certains sites d'ADN ou d'autres processus epigenetiques pourraient quand meme etre importants, le milieu de pisciculture ne semble causer ni une hypo-, ni une hyper-methylation globale du ge ´- nome, ni creer un nombre elevede sites amethylation distincte. (Traduit par la Redaction)
[Study of clinical characteristics and curative effects of sudden hearing loss patients with vertigo].

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical characteristics, prognosis and therapeutic effects of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) patients associated with vertigo, and to investigate the strategy of diagnosis and treatment. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of 240 patients diagnosed as SSHL with vertigo, who were treated in the Chinese PLA General Hospital from July 2008 to August 2012. Various factors affecting the therapeutic effects were analyzed, such as audiological features, vestibular function tests, genders, audiograms, lasting before seeing a doctor, courses of vertigo and vascular factors. RESULT Among the contemporaneous SSHL patients (873 cases), the cases with vertigo accounted for 27.49% (240/873). Among the 240 patients with vertigo, the cases with different hearing impaired degree of mild, moderate, severe and profound were 30, 13, 28 and 34, respectively, primarily by the profound cases. Detailed vestibular function tests were performed in 97 patients, with 54 cases having unilateral vestibular disfunction and 43 patients having normal vestibular function, among which 23 cases were diagnosed as benign paroxymal positional vertigo (BBPV). The relationship between vestibular function and different hearing impaired degrees or various audiogram types had no statistically significant difference. 219 cases had detailed records of the onset time of cochlear and vestibular symptoms, including 122 patients with cochlear symptoms and dizziness occurring simultaneously. After standardized drug treatment, the total effective rate was 46.67%, with recovery in 17 cases, excellent in 34 cases, better in 61 cases and poor in 128 cases, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that different genders, audiogram types, vertigo courses of time, the results of vestibular function and neck vascular ultrasounds were not related to the curative effects, while, the treatment time after onset was significantly associated with treatment effects. CONCLUSIONS SSHL with vertigo has a high incidence, primarily single side affected, with relatively severe hearing impairment, and total deafness and downslope hearing curve mainly. Vestibular function can be normal or low in SSHL patients with vertigo, with a higher incidence of BPPV. Vestibular and cochlear symptoms occur simultaneously in more than half of the patients. The detection rate of vestibular dysfunction gradually increased, as the degree of hearing loss increased, without statistical significance although. The therapeutic effects of sudden hearing loss with vertigo cases have no relationship with dizziness duration or vestibular function, while the disease course plays an important role in treatment.
HIV‐1 genetic subtype A/B recombinant strain causing an explosive epidemic in injecting drug users in Kaliningrad

Objectives:To investigate the molecular epidemiology and genetic structure of the virus strain(s) causing an outbreak of HIV-1 infection in the Kaliningrad province of the Russian Federation and to investigate the relationship of this outbreak to some other emerging HIV-1 epidemics in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Design:A molecular epidemiological investigation was conducted in the city of Kaliningrad amongst individuals recently diagnosed as HIV-1-positive. Samples were also collected from neighbouring Lithuania and from the Ukraine. Methods:Incident and population data was collected from official health statistics in Kaliningrad. A standardized questionnaire was administered to newly diagnosed individuals to assess risk factors for HIV-1 infection. For genotyping, two regions of the virus (env C2-V3 and gag NCp7) were directly sequenced. Results:The number of newly diagnosed individuals testing seropositive for HIV-1 infection in Kaliningrad rose from less than one per month to more than 100 per month during the period of July-October 1996. A total of 1335 new infections were identified between 1 July 1996 and 30 June 1997. The main reported risk factor for HIV-1 infection (80%) was injecting drug use, in particular with a locally produced opiate. Sequence analysis of patient viruses in Kaliningrad (n = 50) showed that the epidemic was caused by a highly homogenous HIV-1 strain, recombinant between the genetic subtypes A and B. Comparison with subtype A strains prevalent amongst injecting drug users (IDU) in the Ukraine showed that one of these strains was the direct subtype A parent of the epidemic A/B recombinant strain in Kaliningrad. Conclusions:The HIV-1 epidemic in Kaliningrad probably started from a single source, with rapid spread of the virus through the IDU population. The origin of the epidemic strain is a recombination event occurring between the subtype A strain virus prevalent among IDU in some southern CIS countries, and a subtype B strain of unknown origin.
Mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv0444c, the gene encoding anti‐SigK, explain high level expression of MPB70 and MPB83 in Mycobacterium bovis

It has recently been advanced that Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigma factor K (SigK) positively regulates expression of the antigenic proteins MPB70 and MPB83. As expression of these proteins differs between M. tuberculosis (low) and Mycobacterium bovis (high), this study set out to determine whether M. bovis lacks a functional SigK repressor (anti‐SigK). By comparing genes near sigK in M. tuberculosis H37Rv and M. bovis AF2122/97, we observed that Rv0444c, annotated as unknown function, had variable sequence in M. bovis. Analysis of in vitro mpt70/mpt83 expression and Rv0444c sequencing across M. tuberculosis complex (MTC) members revealed that high‐level expression was associated with a mutated Rv0444c. Complementation of M. bovis bacillus Calmette‐Guerin Russia, a high producer of MPB70/MPB83, with wild‐type Rv0444c resulted in a significant decrease in mpb70/mpb83 expression. Conversely, a M. tuberculosis H37Rv mutant which expressed sigK but not Rv0444c manifested the M. bovis phenotype of high‐level MPB70/MPB83 expression. Further support that Rv0444c encodes the anti‐SigK was obtained by yeast two‐hybrid studies, where the N‐terminal region of Rv0444c‐encoded protein interacted with SigK. Together these findings indicate that Rv0444c encodes the regulator of SigK (RskA) and mutations in this gene explain high‐level MPT70/MPT83 expression by certain MTC members.
Ultra wideband low noise amplifier with source degeneration and shunt series fedback

In this paper the new type of UWB LNA is presented. The amplifier has a novel feedback topology and load circuit that allows the designer to obtain high voltage gain and matching in the wide frequency range from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz without cascading, current reuse technique and without an additional matching circuit. The key point of the amplifier is the source degeneration with resistive shunt series feedback and the load circuit based on combined parallel-series resonance circuit. The voltage gain of the amplifier is 11 dB, the matching is better than -10 dB, the noise figure lies between 3.2 and 4 dB in the whole frequency range. The value of CP1dB is -15 dB at the frequency near the amplitude response maximum 7.6 GHz. The amplifier consumes the power of 11.5 mW from the voltage supply 1.8 V. These characteristics are obtained by simulation of the amplifier using Virtuoso custom design platform, Cadence Design Systems, using 0.18 um CMOS parameters.
Large‐scale identification of essential Salmonella genes by trapping lethal insertions

A novel screening approach based on insertion‐duplication mutagenesis (IDM) was established to efficiently screen for essential genes of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium under laboratory conditions. Small, randomly generated genomic fragments were cloned into a conditionally replicating vector, and the resulting library of single Salmonella clones was grown under permissive conditions. Upon switching to non‐permissive temperature, discrimination between lethal and non‐lethal insertions following homologous recombination allowed the trapping of genes with essential functions. Further characterization of a total of 498 fragments resulting in such lethal knockout revealed 145 known essential genes and 112 functionally characterized or hypothetical genes not yet shown to encode essential genes, among them three Salmonella‐specific genes. The essentiality was demonstrated for a prioritised set of 15 putative indispensable genes by creating conditional lethal phenotypes. The results of this large‐scale screening indicate that in rich media, the class of Salmonella genes indispensable for growth is composed of approximately 490 genes.