Manipulating Attributes of Natural Scenes via Hallucination

In this study, we explore building a two-stage framework for enabling users to directly manipulate high-level attributes of a natural scene. The key to our approach is a deep generative network which can hallucinate images of a scene as if they were taken at a different season (e.g. during winter), weather condition (e.g. in a cloudy day) or time of the day (e.g. at sunset). Once the scene is hallucinated with the given attributes, the corresponding look is then transferred to the input image while preserving the semantic details intact, giving a photo-realistic manipulation result. As the proposed framework hallucinates what the scene will look like, it does not require any reference style image as commonly utilized in most of the appearance or style transfer approaches. Moreover, it allows to simultaneously manipulate a given scene according to a diverse set of transient attributes within a single model, eliminating the need of training multiple networks per each translation task. Our comprehensive set of qualitative and quantitative results demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach against the competing methods.Comment: Accepted for publication in ACM Transactions on Graphic

Pleistocene to Holocene benthic foraminiferal assemblages from the Peruvian continental margin

The benthic foraminiferal inventory and their assemblage composition was documented along five sediment cores from the Peruvian margin between 3°S and 18°S at water depths of 500 to 1250 m, covering the lower boundary of today’s Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ). Emphasis was given to certain time intervals during the last 22 thousand years when different climatic and oceanographic conditions prevailed than today. In total three agglutinated and 186 calcareous species were recognised. Bolivina costata, Bolivinita minuta, Cassidulina delicata and Epistominella exigua were most abundant. The foraminiferal distributions revealed a marked change in assemblage composition particularly at the deeper cores during and after the deglaciation. The diversity declined and Bolivina species became dominant. These changes took place gradually over several millennia, and high-frequency fluctuations were not recorded. This pattern provides evidence for rather stable ecological conditions and sluggish changes in bottom water circulation during the last deglaciation

Accuracy order in L2 grammatical morphemes: Corpus evidence from different proficiency levels of Turkish learners of English

The present study empirically scrutinizes the fixed natural order of grammatical morphemes relying on a manual analysis of an EFL learner corpus. Specifically, we test whether the accuracy order of L2 grammatical morphemes in the case of L1 Turkish speakers of English deviates from Krashen’s (1977) natural order and whether proficiency levels play a role in the order of acquisition of these morphemes. With this in mind, we focus on the (in)accuracy of nine English grammatical morphemes with 2883 cases manually tagged by the UAM Corpus Tool in the written exam scripts of Turkish learners of English. The results based on target-like use scores provide evidence for deviation from what is widely believed to be a set order of acquisition of these grammatical morphemes by second language learners. In light of such findings, we challenge the view that the internally driven processes of mastering grammatical morphemes in English for interlanguage users are largely independent of their L1. Regardless of L2 grammar proficiency in our data, the observed accuracy of some morphemes ranked low in comparison with the so-called natural order. These grammatical morphemes were almost exclusively non-existent features in participants’ mother tongue (e.g., third person singular –s, articles and the irregular past tense forms), thus suggesting the influence of L1 in this respect

Reconstruction of past bottom water conditions of the Peruvian Oxygen Minimum Zone (OMZ) for the last 22,000 years and the benthic foraminiferal response to (de)oxygenation

The Peruvian margin is characterised by a strong OMZ as result of enhanced surface primary productivity and sluggish ventilation of the subsurface waters. This present study investigated the potential changes in the structure and shape of the OMZ since the Last Glacial Maximum using downcore distributions of the benthic foraminiferal assemblages. The sediment cores considered in this study were recovered from the lower oxic-suboxic OMZ boundary. In addition, stratigraphic information from 31 sediment cores was compiled with a focus on the time intervals since the LGM. Erosional features together with gaps depict a prograding feature on the continental slope from south to north during the deglaciation. The recent oceanographic and sedimentological observations showed that tide-topography interactions result in non-linear internal waves which shape the continental slope by erosion and remobilization of the sediments. The compilation of downcore records and the northward expanding feature of the hiatus revealed that the tide-topography interactions have progressively evolved since the LGM. The oxygen quantification approach was validated using multiple regression analysis on three data sets of living calcareous benthic foraminiferal distributions and measured oxygen concentrations from 1 to 18°S. It was later followed by application of a transfer function to the four sediment cores. Estimated bottom water oxygen concentrations were low compared to modern values however the trend of decreasing oxygen levels during the Termination I and slight increase in the Holocene was consistent across all cores. The overall change in the bottom water oxygen levels from the LGM and the Holocene was reckoned to be 25 μmol/kg. Deoxygenation was observed as a gradual expansion of the northern OMZ boundary during the last deglaciation. Comparison of the bottom water oxygen estimates with other proxies from the region showed that the deoxygenation did not always co-occur with enhanced surface productivity

FGFR4 mediated growth and survival signals in colon carcinoma cells

Das FGF-FGFR System besteht aus 22 Liganden und 4 Rezeptoren die eine wichtige Rolle für das Überleben, die Migration und Neo-Angiogenese spielen. In Krebszellen ist dieses System u. A. durch Überexpression von FGFs und deren Rezeptoren dereguliert. Das führt durch autokrine Stimulation zu einer anhaltenden Signalaktivität, die das Tumorzellwachstum fördert und zur Krebsprogression beiträgt. Speziell FGFR4 wurde mit Tumoraggressivität in verschiedenen Tumortypen assoziiert. Ein Polymorphismus wurde beschrieben, der das Gly an der Stelle 388 der FGFR4 Transmembrandomäne durch ein Arg ersetzt was die Metastasierung fördert. Wir untersuchten (1) die biologische Rolle dieses Polymorphismus in kolorektalen Karzinom- Zellen und (2) die unterschiedliche Aktivierung der Genprodukte der Allel durch die Liganden FGF18 und FGF19. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie zeigen höhere Aggressivität von FGFR4arg Zellen, die auch durch Invasionsdaten besonders in HCT116 Zellen bestätigt wurden. Zellen, die hauptsächlich FGFR4gly exprimieren, wiesen erhöhte Anheftungsfähigkeit und verbesserte Kolonienbildung auf. Expression von mesenchymalen Markern hingegen, war niedrig in SW480 FGFR4arg Transfektanten wie auch in den FGFR4arg heterozygoten HT29 Zellen, während Überexpression eines Gly Allels die Expression der mesenchymalen Marker förderte. Zugabe von FGF18 und FGF19 in das Medium hatte keinen Effekt auf das Wachstum und die Kolonienbildung. FGF19 inhibierte Zellmigration und erhöhte Zellanheftung unabhängig vom FGFR4 Allel. Herunterregulation von endogenem FGF18 wirkte sich negativ auf die Phosphorylierung von PLCγ und Src aus, erhöhte aber GSK3ß Phosphorylierung in SW480gly Zellen während in SW480arg Zellen der Phosphorylierungsstatus von Signalproteinen unberührt blieb. Zugabe von exogenem FGF18 konnte die Knockdown-Effekte in SW480gly aufheben. In SW480arg Zellen erhöhte FGF18-Zugabe Phosphorylierung von Src und GSK3ß aber pERK Level wurde erniedrigt. Diese Beobachtungen deuten auf eine FGF18 Signalwirkung durch FGFR4, besonders dem Gly Allel. Unsere Studie weist auf die Möglichkeit einer autokrinen Stimulation von Tumorzellen durch FGF18 und FGF19 hin, die durch den FGF Rezeptor 4 vermittelt wird.The FGF-FGFR system consists of 22 ligands and various receptors expressed from four FGFR genes that play important roles in survival, migration and neo-angiogenesis. Cancer cells deregulate and exploit this system by various mechanisms including overexpression of FGFs and FGFRs and autocrine stimulation of tumour cells. This leads to sustained signalling resulting in tumour cell growth and cancer progression. Specifically FGFR4 is involved in tumour aggressiveness in several tumour types. A single nucleotide polymorphism (G388R) in the transmembrane domain was described with the presence of FGFR4 Arg allele leading to enhanced metastasis. We investigated (1) the biological role of the FGFR4 polymorphism in colorectal cancer cells and (2) the differential activation of the polymorphic alleles by the ligands FGF18 and FGF19. The results of this study demonstrate higher aggressiveness of FGFR4arg cells which could also be confirmed through investigation of the invasion activity especially in HCT116 cells. Cells expressing mostly FGFR4gly displayed an increased attachment and colony formation ability. In contrast, expression of mesenchymal markers was quite low in FGFR4arg overexpressing SW480 cells and also the FGFR4arg expressing HT29 cells while overexpression of the Gly allele enhanced mesenchymal markers. Addition of FGF18 and FGF19 to cell culture medium did not stimulate growth and clonogenicity. FGF19 inhibited cell migration and increased cell attachment independent of FGFR4 allele. FGF18 knockdown downregulated phosphorylation of PLCγ and Src, while it upregulated phosphorylation of GSK3ß in SW480gly cells, but did not affect phosphorylation status of signalling proteins in SW480arg. Addition of exogenous FGF18 reversed the KD-effects in SW480gly. In SW480arg cells it increased phosphorylation of Src and GSK3ß, but downregulated pERK. These observations indicate FGF18 signalling FGFR4, especially the Gly allele. Mechanistic details still need to be elucidated. In summary, our observations suggest that autocrine stimulation by FGF18 and FGF19 via FGFR4 is a player in tumour growth and progression that needs to be further elucidated

Evaluation of the working posture and upper extremity musculoskeletal complaints among dentistry students

Objective: The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among dentists is high and adversely affects the quality of life. In this study, we aimed to evaluate musculoskeletal complaints, working postures, and the risk of MSDs among dentistry students across different departments. Methods: 180 dentistry students were divided into six groups according to their departments. For evaluation of the musculoskeletal complaints, we used the standardized Nordic musculoskeletal disorders questionnaire. The working postures and the potentiality of MSDs were evaluated using the ‘Rapid Upper Limb Assessment’ (RULA). Results: We found that 92.8% of the students had musculoskeletal pain during the last 12 months, and the highest prevalence of symptoms was reported for the neck (68.3%) and the upper back (62.2%). The mean RULA score of the students was 5.02 ± 1.31, indicating a high risk of MSDs. The highest RULA mean score was in the pedodontics group. Conclusion: Our study found a high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and high RULA scores among all the dentistry students. Therefore, ergonomic solutions should be developed to regulate their working postures according to the relevant department to prevent future disorders and if necessary, students should encourage to seek professional medical help.Amaç: Diş hekimleri arasında kas-iskelet sistemi (KIS) rahatsızlıklarının görülme sıklığı yüksektir ve yaşam kalitesini olumsuz etkilemektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı farklı branşlarda çalışan diş hekimliği öğrencilerinde KIS ile ilgili şikayetleri, öğrencilerin çalışma postürlerini ve KIS rahatsızlıklarının gelişme riskini değerlendirmektir. Yöntem: 180 diş hekimliği öğrencisi bölümlerine göre altı gruba ayrıldı. Kas-iskelet sistemi şikayetlerinin değerlendirilmesi için, standardize edilmiş İskandinav kas-iskelet sistemi hastalıkları anketi kullanıldı. Çalışma duruşları ve KIS rahatsızlıklarının gelişim potansiyeli “Hızlı Üst Ekstremite Değerlendirmesi” (RULA) kullanılarak değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Diş hekimliği öğrencilerinin 92.8%’i son 12 ay içinde kas-iskelet sistemi ağrısı yaşamıştır ve en fazla semptom boyunda (68.3%) ve üst sırtta (62.2%) bildirilmiştir. Öğrencilerin ortalama RULA skoru 5.02 ± 1.31 olup KİS hastalıkları için ‘yüksek risk’ olarak kategorize edilmişti. En yüksek RULA skor ortalaması pedodonti bölümünde bulunmuştur. Sonuç: Çalışmamız, öğrencilerde yüksek oranda KIS şikayetleri ve yüksek RULA skorları bulmuştur. Bu nedenle ileride oluşabilecek rahatsızlıkları önlemek için çalışma duruşlarını ilgili bölüme göre düzenleyecek ergonomik çözümler geliştirilmeli ve gerekirse öğrenciler profesyonel tıbbi yardım almaya teşvik edilmelidir

Teacher Views On Students’ Mistakes and Misconceptions: Equation Example

Aim of this study is examine the opinions of teachers about students' misconceptions and mistakes in equation. For this purpose, were carried out to the semi-structured interviews related removing their and the causes of errors and mistakes in equations with six teacher who working in six different middle schools in the city. Descriptive analysis of interview technique was used. As a result of the analysis of teachers, have been identified that they associate with teaching methods, lack of time, the student faulty learning students’ mistakes and misconceptions and that they tried to memorize the math questions solutions without have to resort the cognitive structure constituting the source of problems.Bu çalışmanın amacı, denklem konusunda öğrenci hata ve yanılgılarına ilişkin öğretmen görüşlerini incelemektir. Bu amaçla bir ilin 6 farklı ortaokulunda görev yapan 6 öğretmenle, denklemler konusunda olası öğrenci hata ve yanılgılarının nedenleri ve giderilmesine ilişkin yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Toplanan verinin analizinde betimsel analiz tekniği kullanılmıştır. Yapılan analiz sonucunda öğretmenlerin, öğrenci hata ve yanılgılarının sebeplerini, öğretim metoduyla, zaman yetersizliğiyle, öğrencilerin hatalı öğrenmeleriyle ilişkilendirdikleri ve bu sorunların kaynağını oluşturan bilişsel yapıya yönelmeden ziyade matematik sorularının çözümlerini ezberletmeye çalıştıkları tespit edilmiştir