Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constrained Ensemble Initialization for Facial Landmark Tracking in Video

Accurate and robust facial landmark tracking is a crucial step for face recognition and affect analysis systems. We often want to not only detect facial landmarks in images but to be able to track them reliably and consistently over time. Recently there has been an increase in research interest in facial landmark detection, especially in cascaded regression based methods such as the Supervised Descent Method (SDM). However, while facial landmark detection in images has improved significantly, comparably very little attention has been given to the task of landmark detection/tracking in videos. In our work we present a novel initialization procedure that can help with cascaded regression based facial landmark detection and tracking. Our initialization technique exploits the fact that cascaded regression is sensitive to initialization noise, especially in the presence of out-of-plane head pose variation, e.g. when a person is looking down when reading or during fast head motion. Our approach allows to learn good candidates for initialization, that we exploit in our tracking framework. We evaluate our technique on 300VW dataset – a large publicly available corpus of in-the-wild videos and demonstrate its effectiveness for a number of cascaded-regression landmark detection approaches.
High diversity in populations of the introduced plant pathogen, Cryphonectria parasitica, due to encounters between genetically divergent genotypes

The ascomycete fungus Cryphonectria parasitica is an aggressive introduced pathogen of sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.). It has spread throughout the chestnut‐growing areas of Europe, with higher diversity in the regions close to its first introduction and lower diversity in its expanding ranges in Europe. To reconstruct the invasion events that could explain the high diversity of C. parasitica in Croatia and Slovenia, 180 samples were genotyped using 11 sequence‐characterized amplified region markers. Eight of 11 loci were found to be polymorphic, and a total of 66 different haplotypes were identified. Bayesian clustering indicated the existence of two clusters, which suggests two separate introductions of C. parasitica in these regions. The first cluster is dominant in western parts of Croatia and Slovenia and the second in eastern and northern regions. The data analysis indicates that northern Italy was the first source of infection, with the subsequent introduction from south‐eastern Europe, which contributed significantly to the diversity of the C. parasitica populations tested. Most haplotypes were probably derived through sexual recombination between a few divergent haplotypes, which suggests that multiple introductions and sexual reproduction are important for the formation of genetically diverse C. parasitica populations.
Genetic and Physical Interactions Involving the Yeast Nuclear Cap-Binding Complex

ABSTRACT Yeast strains lacking the yeast nuclear cap-binding complex (yCBC) are viable, although impaired in growth. We have taken advantage of this observation to carry out a genetic screen for components that show synthetic lethality (SL) with a cbp20-Δcbp80-Δ double mutation. One set of SL interactions was due to mutations that were complemented by components of U1 small nuclear RNP (snRNP) and the yeast splicing commitment complex. These interactions confirm the role of yCBC in commitment complex formation. Physical interaction of yCBC with the commitment complex components Mud10p and Mud2p, which may directly mediate yCBC function, was demonstrated. Unexpectedly, we identified multiple SL mutations that were complemented by Cbf5p and Nop58p. These are components of the two major classes of yeast small nucleolar RNPs, which function in the maturation of rRNA precursors. Mutants lacking yCBC were found to be defective in rRNA processing. Analysis of the yCBC deletion phenotype suggests that this is likely to be due to a defect in the splicing of a subset of ribosomal protein mRNA precursors.
γ‐Aminobutyric Acid System in Developing and Degenerating Mouse Retina

Abstract: Freeze‐dried sections (14 μm thick) of retinal layers were prepared from mice with retinal degeneration (C3H strain) and control mice (C57BL strain). The weighed sections (2–30 ng dry weight) were analyzed using our microassay methods. In the control retina, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentration and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity, on a dry weight basis, increased from birth to 9 weeks of age and decreased slightly at 20 weeks. In the degenerated retina, the levels of GABA and GAD activity were higher at birth than in the control retina, and continued to increase until 20 weeks of age, at which time the GAD activity reached a markedly high level. This increase was found when the total GABA and GAD levels per retina were determined. In the normal retinal layers, GABA and GAD were confined primarily to the inner plexiform layer. In the degenerated retina, GAD activity gradually increased in the inner layers during postnatal development, but by 20 weeks the increase was most prominent in the inner part of inner nuclear layer and in the outer part of inner plexiform layer. GABA transaminase activity and its distribution were not much different in both normal and degenerated retinas during development.
Brain Network Dysfunction in Bipolar Disorder

ABSTRACT Bipolar disorder is a common psychiatric condition with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Despite its significance, the neurophysiology and neuropathology of this illness is incompletely understood. Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques have helped to begin clarifying these areas. Specifically, bipolar disorder appears to arise from abnormalities within discrete brain networks (eg, the anterior limbic network). The expression of the symptoms of bipolar disorder does not appear to result from single, localized brain lesions, but rather are emergent properties of dysfunction of these brain networks. As neuroimaging techniques continue to improve, the underlying neural basis of bipolar disorder will be clarified.
Efficient Certificate Status Validation Using Grouping OCSP Server

This paper describes Global PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) project. Global PKI provides authentication and authorization services. They are necessary security services for secure e-commerce. Global PKI achieves this goal through building unified wired and wireless PKI, advanced PKI and PMI (Privilege Management Infrastructure) solutions. We address their architectures and features. Finally, it will be the foundation of the integrated security service in the future. KEYWORD Global PKI, PMI, CVA (Certificate Validation Authority)
Through silicon via (TSV) shielding structures

Three different shielding structures for noise coupling suppression between through silicon vias (TSVs) are proposed in this manuscript. These structures are modeled using the 3-dimensional transmission line matrix (3D-TLM) method, and the model is verified using EM-simulation. The shielding structures are analyzed with regard to consumption area, manufacturing process compatibility, and noise isolation levels in low, mid, and high frequency ranges. Each shielding structure has unique advantages and disadvantages, and selection of an appropriate shielding structure is needed for effective noise isolation.
Salmonella typhimurium fliG and fliN mutations causing defects in assembly, rotation, and switching of the flagellar motor

FliG, FliM, and FliN are three proteins of Salmonella typhimurium that affect the rotation and switching of direction of the flagellar motor. An analysis of mutant alleles of FliM has been described recently (H. Sockett, S. Yamaguchi, M. Kihara, V. M. Irikura, and R. M. Macnab, J. Bacteriol. 174:793-806, 1992). We have now analyzed a large number of mutations in the fliG and fliN genes that are responsible for four different types of defects: failure to assembly flagella (nonflagellate phenotype), failure to rotate flagella (paralyzed phenotype), and failure to display normal chemotaxis as a result of an abnormally high bias to clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) rotation (CW-bias and CCW-bias phenotypes, respectively). The null phenotype for fliG, caused by nonsense or frameshift mutations, was nonflagellate. However, a considerable part of the FliG amino acid sequence was not needed for flagellation, with several substantial in-frame deletions preventing motor rotation but not flagellar assembly. Missense mutations in fliG causing paralysis or abnormal switching occurred at a number of positions, almost all within the middle one-third of the gene. CW-bias and CCW-bias mutations tended to segregate into separate subclusters. The null phenotype of fliN is uncertain, since frameshift and nonsense mutations gave in some cases the nonflagellate phenotype and in other cases the paralyzed phenotype; in none of these cases was the phenotype a consequence of polar effects on downstream flagellar genes. Few positions in FliN were found to affect switching: only one gave rise to the CW mutant bias and only four gave rise to the CCW mutant bias. The different properties of the FliM, FliG, and FliN proteins with respect to the processes of assembly, rotation, and switching are discussed.
Amyloid beta accumulation in axons after traumatic brain injury in humans.

OBJECT Although plaques composed of amyloid beta (AD) have been found shortly after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in humans, the source for this Abeta has not been identified. In the present study, the authors explored the potential relationship between Abeta accumulation in damaged axons and associated Abeta plaque formation. METHODS The authors performed an immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded sections of brain from 12 patients who died after TBI and from two control patients by using antibodies selective for Abeta peptides, amyloid precursor protein (APP), and neurofilament (NF) proteins. In nine brain-injured patients, extensive colocalizations of Abeta, APP, and NF protein were found in swollen axons. Many of these immunoreactive axonal profiles were present close to Abeta plaques or were surrounded by Abeta staining, which spread out into the tissue. Immunoreactive profiles were not found in the brains of the control patients. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that damaged axons can serve as a large reservoir of Abeta, which may contribute to Abeta plaque formation after TBI in humans.
Effect of ABO blood group on the collagen‐binding assay for von Willebrand factor

von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common congenital bleeding disorder and is caused by a quantitative or qualitative abnormality of von Willebrand factor (VWF). Ristocetin cofactor (RCoF) assay is used to evaluate VWF activity, but it does not assess collagen‐binding activity. Normal values of RCoF and VWF antigen vary with ABO blood group type. The collagen‐binding assay (CBA) measures VWF activity; however, its relationship with ABO blood group has not been completely explored. We performed CBA on plasma samples from 131 healthy volunteers to determine if CBA values correlated with blood type. Individuals with blood group O had a mean CBA value of 94 ± 28%, which was significantly different from the mean of 117 ± 33% in persons with non‐O blood groups (P = 0.0001). Thus, CBA values appear to correlate with ABO blood type in a manner similar to RCoF. Am. J. Hematol. 71:229–231, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the various interpretations of "test bias".

Test bias is a hotly debated topic in society, especially as it relates to diverse groups of examinees who often score low on standardized tests. However, the phrase "test bias" has a multitude of interpretations that many people are not aware of. In this article, we explain five different meanings of "test bias" and summarize the empirical and theoretical evidence related to each interpretation. The five meanings are as follows: (a) mean group differences, (b) differential predictive validity, (c) differential item functioning, (d) differing factor structures of tests, and (e) unequal consequences of test use for various groups. We explain in this article why meanings (a) and (e) are not actual forms of test bias and that there are serious concerns about (b). In our conclusion, we discuss the benefits of standardized testing for diverse examinees and urge readers to be careful and precise in their use of the phrase "test bias. "
A double-blind randomized controlled trial investigating the effectiveness of topical bupivacaine in reducing distress in children following extractions under general anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to investigate the effectiveness of topical bupivacaine (0.25%) in reducing postoperative distress following extraction of teeth under general anaesthesia in children. DESIGN The study was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING The study was conducted in a dental hospital. SAMPLE The sample comprised 135 children aged between 2 and 12 years of age who were undergoing outpatient general anaesthesia for simple dental extractions. METHODS The children were randomly allocated to one of two groups: the bupivacaine group (the study group) comprised 68 children whilst the sterile water group (the control group) comprised 67. Following the extraction of their teeth, children had swabs soaked in the appropriate solution placed over the exposed teeth sockets. A five-point face scale was employed by an independent observer to evaluate the distress for each child. Evaluation of distress was made preoperatively, on recovery from the general anaesthetic, and again, 15 min following recovery from the anaesthetic. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the mean distress scores for the bupivacaine and sterile water groups preoperatively, postoperatively or 15 min postoperatively. For both groups, however, there were significant increases in distress scores between the preoperative and 15 min postoperative assessment scores. CONCLUSION Extraction of teeth under general anaesthesia does cause distress in children. There is no evidence that topical bupivacaine reduces this distress when compared to sterile water.
Queen Anne's Lupus: Phospholipids and the Course of the Empire

Were it not for the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, the United States might now have a National Health Service. That’s my conclusion from finding direct links between the most prominent victim of the syndrome—Queen Anne—and current debates over Scotland’s imminent secession from England. This September, Scots will hold a plebiscite on whether to dissolve a partnership that has lasted since Queen Anne presided over the “Acts of Union” (1707) (3). As Simon Schama quipped (4), Anne saw to it that the United Kingdom, which “began as a hostile merger would end in a full partnership. ”. But, that was three centuries ago, and the going is tougher these days. Scotland’s prime minister has had to reassure anxious voters that a future spinoff would retain its popular National Health Service. He’s also told them that Queen Elizabeth II would remain head of state in Scotland (as she has in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). He then set Scottish Independence Day to commemorate the UK’s founding mother, Queen Anne (3). The Queen, a childless widow, died in 1714, sickened by “gout, dropsy, hemorrhage and stroke” (5). If poor Anne had produced a Stuart heir, a National Health Service in the United States today might look a lot like those in Scotland, Canada, or Australia. Queen Anne, studio of John Closterman, oil on canvas (circa 1702); © National Portrait Gallery, London. American revolutionaries toppling the statue of British King George III (engraving; later coloration)/Private Collection/ Photo © Tarker/The Bridgeman Art Library.
Alignment of carbon nanotubes and reinforcing effects in nylon-6 polymer composite fibers

Alignment of pristine carbon nanotubes (P-CNTs) and fluorinated carbon nanotubes (F-CNTs) in nylon-6 polymer composite fibers (PCFs) has been achieved using a single-screw extrusion method. CNTs have been used as filler reinforcements to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of nylon-6 composite fibers. The composites were fabricated by dry mixing nylon-6 polymer powder with the CNTs as the first step, then followed by the melt extrusion process of fiber materials in a single-screw extruder. The extruded fibers were stretched to their maxima and stabilized using a godet set-up. Finally, fibers were wound on a Wayne filament winder machine and tested for their tensile and thermal properties. The tests have shown a remarkable change in mechanical and thermal properties of nylon-6 polymer fibers with the addition of 0.5 wt% F-CNTs and 1.0 wt% of P-CNTs. To draw a comparison between the improvements achieved, the same process has been repeated with neat nylon-6 polymer. As a result, tensile strength has been increased by 230% for PCFs made with 0.5% F-CNTs and 1% P-CNTs as additives. These fibers have been further characterized by DSC, Raman spectroscopy and SEM which confirm the alignment of CNTs and interfacial bonding to nylon-6 polymer matrix.
Single Level Multipole Expansions and Operators for Potentials of the Form r-Lambda

This paper presents the generalized multipole, local, and translation operators for three-dimensional static potentials of the form $r^{-\lambda}$, where $\lambda$ is any real number. Addition theorems are developed using Gegenbauer polynomials. Multipole expansions and error bounds are presented in a manner similar to those for truncated classical multipole expansions. Numerical results showing error behavior versus number of terms, distance, and $\lambda$ are presented.
Death of a Beta Cell: Homicide or Suicide?

Based on the 1985 R. D. Lawrence Lecture delivered by the author at the Spring Meeting of the Medical and Scientific Section of the British Diabetic Association, Oxford, March 1985, and up‐dated for the Diaz‐Cristobal Lecture delivered at the XII Congress of the International Diabetes Federation, Madrid, September 1985. The Lecture was delivered in a judicial courtroom style which has been followed in the edited transcript. The reader is invited to join the Jury.
A routing scheme for datagram and virtual circuit services in the MSN

Manhattan Street Network (MSN) is a directed mesh network designed for a metropolitan area. To satisfy multiservice application, a routing scheme is required to support both datagram and virtual circuit services in MSN. The authors present a simple routing scheme that fulfils the need. The proposed scheme is based on computing hop counters (HCs), and then routing message(s) using their values. The hop counter computation is performed whenever a message is originated at a node to obtain a preferred path. Forward and backward learning are useful concepts in HC computation. The proposed routing scheme then discerns a virtual circuit or datagram service for a message in the network. To study the routing efficiency and traffic adaptivity, the authors have simulated this scheme, and the results compare favorably with that of an existing technique. <<ETX>>
Application of multiscale principal component analysis (MSPCA) for enhancement of ECG signals

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is an electrical manifestation of contractile activity of the heart. The presence of parasite interference signals, like power line interference (PLI), Electromyogram (EMG) or myopotential signals and baseline drift interferences, could cause serious problems in the registration of ECG signals. Many a time, they pose problem in modern control and signal processing applications by being a narrow in-band interference near the frequencies carrying crucial information. The wavelet transform is a powerful time-frequency analysis tool analysis of complex non stationary signals. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) is a standard tool in modern data analysis because it is simple non-parametric method for extracting relevant information from complex data sets. In multi scale Principal Component Analysis (MSPCA), the PCA's ability to decorrelate the variables by extracting a linear relationship and wavelet analysis are utilised. This paper presents MSPCA method proposed for the enhancement of ECG signals, so that the enhanced signal can be used for clear identification of arrhythmias. In MSPCA, the principal components of the wavelet coefficients of the ECG data at each scale are computed forst and are then combined at relevant scales. In this application for ECG enhancement, the MSPCA served as a powerful tool when addressing problems related to noise reduction. Results revealed that Daubenchies based MSPCA out performed the basic wavelet based processing for ECG signal enhancement.
NADPH oxidase DUOX1 promotes long-term persistence of oxidative stress after an exposure to irradiation

Significance Increasing evidence supports the role of chronic oxidative stress in late radiation-induced effects, including malignancy and genetic instability. To date, elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been considered a cause of persistent instability, but until now the mechanism(s) underlying the perpetuation of ROS generation in irradiated cells and their progeny was undetermined. Cells can produce ROS through activation and/or induction of NADPH oxidases. The present investigation identifies the DUOX1-based NADPH oxidase as a ROS-generating system induced after irradiation, causing delayed DNA breakage. Overexpression of DUOX1 in radio-induced thyroid tumors suggests that DUOX1 may contribute to a chronic oxidative stress promoting genomic instability and tumorigenesis. Ionizing radiation (IR) causes not only acute tissue damage, but also late effects in several cell generations after the initial exposure. The thyroid gland is one of the most sensitive organs to the carcinogenic effects of IR, and we have recently highlighted that an oxidative stress is responsible for the chromosomal rearrangements found in radio-induced papillary thyroid carcinoma. Using both a human thyroid cell line and primary thyrocytes, we investigated the mechanism by which IR induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) several days after irradiation. We focused on NADPH oxidases, which are specialized ROS-generating enzymes known as NOX/DUOX. Our results show that IR induces delayed NADPH oxidase DUOX1-dependent H2O2 production in a dose-dependent manner, which is sustained for several days. We report that p38 MAPK, activated after IR, increased DUOX1 via IL-13 expression, leading to persistent DNA damage and growth arrest. Pretreatment of cells with catalase, a scavenger of H2O2, or DUOX1 down-regulation by siRNA abrogated IR-induced DNA damage. Analysis of human thyroid tissues showed that DUOX1 is elevated not only in human radio-induced thyroid tumors, but also in sporadic thyroid tumors. Taken together, our data reveal a key role of DUOX1-dependent H2O2 production in long-term persistent radio-induced DNA damage. Our data also show that DUOX1-dependent H2O2 production, which induces DNA double-strand breaks, can cause genomic instability and promote the generation of neoplastic cells through its mutagenic effect.