Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Camera selection for tracking in distributed smart camera networks

Tracking persons with multiple cameras with overlapping fields of view instead of with one camera leads to more robust decisions. However, operating multiple cameras instead of one requires more processing power and communication bandwidth, which are limited resources in practical networks. When the fields of view of different cameras overlap, not all cameras are equally needed for localizing a tracking target. When only a selected set of cameras do processing and transmit data to track the target, a substantial saving of resources is achieved. The recent introduction of smart cameras with on-board image processing and communication hardware makes such a distributed implementation of tracking feasible. We present a novel framework for selecting cameras to track people in a distributed smart camera network that is based on generalized information-theory. By quantifying the contribution of one or more cameras to the tracking task, the limited network resources can be allocated appropriately, such that the best possible tracking performance is achieved. With the proposed method, we dynamically assign a subset of all available cameras to each target and track it in difficult circumstances of occlusions and limited fields of view with the same accuracy as when using all cameras.
The most frequently used tests for assessing executive functions in aging

There are numerous neuropsychological tests for assessing executive functions in aging, which vary according to the different domains assessed. Objective To present a systematic review of the most frequently used instruments for assessing executive functions in older adults with different educational levels in clinical and experimental research. Methods We searched for articles published in the last five years, using the PubMed database with the following terms: "neuropsychological tests", "executive functions", and "mild cognitive impairment". There was no language restriction. Results 25 articles fulfilled all the inclusion criteria. The seven neuropsychological tests most frequently used to evaluate executive functions in aging were: [1] Trail Making Test (TMT) Form B; [2] Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) - F, A and S; [3] VFT Animals category; [4] Clock Drawing Test (CDT); [5] Digits Forward and Backward subtests (WAIS-R or WAIS-III); [6] Stroop Test; and [7] Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and its variants. The domains of executive functions most frequently assessed were: mental flexibility, verbal fluency, planning, working memory, and inhibitory control. Conclusion The study identified the tests and domains of executive functions most frequently used in the last five years by research groups worldwide to evaluate older adults. These results can direct future research and help build evaluation protocols for assessing executive functions, taking into account the different educational levels and socio-demographic profiles of older adults in Brazil.
Genetic Population Structure of Brook Trout Inhabiting a Large River Watershed

Abstract The genetic population structure of brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis inhabiting the Miramichi River, New Brunswick, a large (14,000-km2) river system composed of three main stems, was assessed using six microsatellite DNA loci. Samples from 12 sites incorporating four temporal replicates were analyzed. An individual-based assignment method without a priori knowledge of geographic origin suggested the presence of five candidate source populations within the 12 sites. Drainage structuring based on the 12 sampling sites did not explain the observed patterns of genetic population structure (analysis of molecular variance: 0.74% of variance explained; not significant). Conversely, the five candidate source populations estimated under the assignment approach significantly explained the genetic population structure observed (3.47% of variance explained; P < 0.001), the level of population fragmentation within sampling sites increasing significantly with proximity to the mouth of the watershed (P = 0.01.
Rescue and replication of adeno-associated virus type 2 as well as vector DNA sequences from recombinant plasmids containing deletions in the viral inverted terminal repeats: selective encapsidation of viral genomes in progeny virions

The adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV) genome can be successfully rescued from recombinant plasmids following transfection in adenovirus-infected human cells. However, following rescue, the AAV genome undergoes preferential replication and encapsidation, whereas little replication and packaging of the vector DNA sequences occur. In view of the crucial role in the rescue, replication, and packaging of the proviral genome played by the AAV inverted terminal repeats (ITRs), which consist of a palindromic hairpin (HP) structure and a 20-nucleotide stretch, designated the D-sequence, that is not involved in the HP-formation, we evaluated the involvement of the individual ITRs as well as their components in the selective viral DNA replication and encapsidation. A number of recombinant AAV plasmids that contained deletions-substitutions in different regions of the individual ITRs were constructed and examined for their potential to allow rescue, replication, and/or packaging in adenovirus-infected human cells in vivo. The results reported here document that (ii) two HP structures and one D-sequence are sufficient for efficient rescue and preferential replication of the AAV DNA, (ii) two HP structures alone allow a low-level rescue and replication of the AAV DNA, but rescue and replication of the vector DNA sequences also occur in the absence of the D-sequences, (iii) one HP structure and two D-sequences, but not one HP structure and one D-sequence, also allow rescue and replication of the AAV as well as the vector DNA sequences, (iv) one HP structure alone or two D-sequences, but not one D-sequence alone, allow replication of the full-length plasmid DNA, but no rescue of the AAV genome occurs, (v) no rescue-replication occurs in the absence of the HP structures and the D-sequences, (vi) in the absence of the D-sequences, the HP structures are insufficient for successful encapsidation of the AAV genomes, and (vii) the AAV genomes containing only one ITR structure can be packaged into biologically active virions. Thus, the D-sequence plays a crucial role in the efficient rescue and selective replication and encapsidation of the AAV genome. Furthermore, the D-sequence specifically interacts with a hitherto unknown host-cell protein that we have designated the D-sequence-binding protein (D-BP). These studies illustrate that the D-sequence-D-BP interaction constitutes an important step in the AAV life cycle.
Why the QWERTY phenomenon is not just in the theorists’ minds yet not pose a problem in reality

Researchers disagree about the relevance of the so-called QWERTY phenomenon, which simply means getting stuck in a bad equilibrium. Two contrasting perspectives exist in the academic sector. One camp argues that the higher quality of a product or service exerts a major influence on its market success. Consequently, an inferior market player should not persist, and the possibility of the QWERTY phenomenon is denied by this party. The opposite group emphasises the importance of network effects, which can lead to lock-ins in inferior situations. In this paper, we investigate this debate. We demonstrate that the missing consideration of the status quo bias in previous studies leads to a rejection of the QWERTY phenomenon. We give several examples of different industries with inferior market share leaders. However, we suggest that this phenomenon only causes temporary harm, and the lock-in could be overcome by a specific form of Schumpeterian creative destruction. Therefore, we claim that even if lockins exist, they pose no problems as long as innovative market participants have the opportunity to develop and introduce new business models.
Malignant pleural mesothelioma in Italy

This study reviews a series of 811 malignant pleural mesothelioma cases, diagnosed at hospitals in Trieste and Monfalcone districts of north eastern Italy, a narrow coastal strip with a population of about three lakh, in the period 1968-2008. The diagnosis was based on histological examination in 801 cases, and cytological findings in 10. Necropsy was performed in 610 cases. Occupational histories were obtained directly from the patients or their relatives through personal or telephone interviews. Routine lung sections were examined for asbestos bodies in 500 cases. In 143 cases asbestos bodies were isolated and counted by chemical digestion of the lung tissue using the Smith-Naylor method. The series included 717 men and 94 women aged between 32 and 93 years (mean 69.2 years). Detailed occupational data was obtained for 732 cases. The majority of patients had marine jobs - shipbuilding (449 cases), maritime trades (56 cases), and port activities (39 cases). The nature of work of other patients included a variety of occupations, with non-shipbuilding industries being the most common. Thirty-four women cleaned the work clothes of family members occupationally exposed and hence had a history of asbestos exposure at home. Most of the patients had their first exposure to asbestos before 1960. The latency period ranged between 13 and 73 years (mean 48.2). Latency period among insulators and dock workers were shorter than other categories. Asbestos bodies were detected on routine lung sections in 343 cases (68.6%). Lung asbestos body burdens after isolation ranged between two to 10 millions bodies per gram of dried tissue. Despite some limitations in the use of asbestos in this area since the 1970s, the incidence of tumor remained high during the last years.
Gender, Risk and Journalism

The central concern of this paper is to address the question, “Is it more dangerous to be a woman journalist when reporting conflict”. Beck states “risk is the anticipation of the catastrophe—so it is existent and non-existent”. Is the contention that female journalists are more at risk, knowledge, or a construction of knowledge? Are editors and journalists who decide that women are more at risk merely anticipating a catastrophe? There is no certainty, of course, that women are more at risk, but the fear that they might be can prevent them from being sent to cover conflict, or force them to decide not to go to dangerous places. Certainly, an improvised explosive device or rocket fire does not distinguish between sexes. In many situations being female actually helps women journalist in conflict zones. In this paper we present findings from a survey of journalists who work in conflict zones and ask whether it is the job or the gender which is the most dangerous?
Chiropterophily in Sinningieae (Gesneriaceae): Sinningia brasiliensis and Paliavana prasinata are bat-pollinated, but P. sericiflora is not. Not yet?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Based on the bell shape and greenish colour of the flowers, bat-pollination was suggested for some Sinningieae species (Gesneriaceae). Actually, there are no reports on pollination biology and visitors for these species. This paper reports on pollination biology of Sinningia brasiliensis, Paliavana prasinata and P. sericiflora in south-eastern Brazil. METHODS Flowers were observed in situ to determine phases of anthesis, colour patterns and scent intensity. Corolla measures were taken from fresh flowers. Nectar production and concentration were measured in flowers bagged at the pre-anthesis phases. Direct visual observations of visitors were made during the day and night, and photographs were taken to analyse their visiting behaviour. KEY RESULTS Some floral features of the three species fit the bat-pollination syndrome: large, robust and gullet-shaped corollas, colour patterns and large amount of nectar. However, other floral features-such as onset of anthesis, nectar attributes and odour intensity-differ among the species. Nectar volume and total sugar production increased significantly at midnight in S. brasiliensis and P. prasinata, but in P. sericiflora there were no significant differences in the total nectar and sugar production during anthesis. Scent intensity is much higher in S. brasiliensis and P. prasinata than P. sericiflora. Flowers of S. brasiliensis and P. prasinata, whose features fit the chiropterophilous syndrome, are pollinated by glossophagine bat species. Paliavana sericiflora, on the other hand, presents floral features intermediate between bat and hummingbird syndromes, but is visited and pollinated only by hummingbirds. CONCLUSIONS These data strengthen the statement that the bat syndrome in Sinningieae originated independently in Sinningia brasiliensis and in Paliavana species. Paliavana sericiflora may be another example of a plant 'in transition' from the hummingbird to the bat pollination, but a reversion in the direction of bat to hummingbird might not be excluded. It is also possible that this is a case of speciation on both bat and hummingbird pollination. Studies on Paliavana sister species may provide insights about origins and the evolutionary directions of the pollination systems of these species.
The Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter and its implementation on the NCEP global model at the University of Maryland

This paper describes the Local Ensemble Transform Kalman Filter (LETKF) data assimilation scheme and its implementation on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecast System (GFS) model at the University of Maryland. Numerical results are shown for both simulated observations and observations of the real atmosphere. The role of flow-dependent information in data assimilation is discussed based on the results of the numerical experiments. Preliminary assimilation results with AMSU-A radiance observations are also presented.
An old quasar in a young dark energy-dominated universe?

Dark energy is the invisible fuel that seems to drive the current acceleration of the Universe. Its presence, which is inferred from an impressive convergence of high-quality observational results along with some apparently successful theoretical predictions, is also supported by the current estimates of the age of the Universe from dating of local and high-z objects. In this paper, we test the viability of several dark energy scenarios in the light of the age estimates of the high-redshift (z = 3.91) quasar APM 08279+5255. Using a chemodynamical model for the evolution of spheroids, we first reevaluate its current estimated age, as given by Hasinger, Schartel & Komossa. An age of 2.1 Gyr is set by the condition that Fe/O abundance ratio (normalized to solar values) of the model reaches 3.3, which is the best-fitting value obtained in the above reference. In the detailed chemodynamical modelling, the iron enrichment defines three relevant time-scales: (i) ∼0.3 Gyr for the central region of the galaxy housing the quasar to reach a solar iron abundance; (ii) ∼ 1 Gyr for the Fe/O abundance ratio to reach the solar value and (iii) ∼2 Gyr for a highly suprasolar Fe/O abundance ratio (Fe/O = 2.5, suggested by the quasar APM 08279+5255). Therefore, a high value of the Fe/O abundance ratio for a quasar is a strong evidence that the quasar is old, which represents a severe constraint for cosmological scenarios. It is shown that for the currently accepted value of the matter density parameter, most of the existing dark energy scenarios cannot accommodate this old high-redshift object unless the Hubble parameter is as low as H 0 = 58 km s -1 Mpc -1 , as recently advocated by Sandage and collaborators. Even considering less-stringent age limits, only cosmological models that predict a considerably old Universe at high-z can be compatible with the existence of this object. This is the case of the conventional ACDM scenario and some specific classes of brane world cosmologies.
Further Study and Generalization of Kahan's Matrix Extension Theorem

In 1967, Kahan obtained a matrix extension theorem: Suppose $H \in \mathbb{C}^{l \times l} $ is Hermitian and $B \in \mathbb{C}^{s \times l} $. Denote the spectral norm of \[ R = \begin{bmatrix} H \\ B \end{bmatrix} \] by $ \| R \|_2 $. Then there exists a $W \in \mathbb{C}^{s \times s} $ such that \[ A = \begin{bmatrix} H & {B^* } \\ B & W \end{bmatrix} \] is Hermitian and $ \| A \|_2 = \| R \|_2 $. Kahan did not give an explicit expression for W. We show that one may take\[ ( 1 )\qquad W = - BH( \varrho^2 I - H^2 )^\dag B^ * , \] where $A^\dag $ denotes the Moore–Penrose generalized inverse of A. Furthermore, the inequality \[ ( 2 )\qquad B ( \varrho I + H )^\dag B^* - \varrho I \leq W \leq \varrho I - B ( \varrho I - H )^\dag B^* \] gives the “general solution formula” for W in Kahan’s theorem, where $A \geq B$ means A and B are Hermitian and $A - B$ is positive semidefinite. A by-product of (2) is the inequality \[ ( 3 )\qquad 2\varrho I \geq B [ ( \varrho I + H )^\dag + ( \varrho I - H )^\dag ] B . \.
IQSeq: Integrated Isoform Quantification Analysis Based on Next-Generation Sequencing

With the recent advances in high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), biologists are able to measure transcription with unprecedented precision. One problem that can now be tackled is that of isoform quantification: here one tries to reconstruct the abundances of isoforms of a gene. We have developed a statistical solution for this problem, based on analyzing a set of RNA-Seq reads, and a practical implementation, available from archive.gersteinlab. org/proj/rnaseq/IQSeq, in a tool we call IQSeq (Isoform Quantification in next-generation Sequencing). Here, we present theoretical results which IQSeq is based on, and then use both simulated and real datasets to illustrate various applications of the tool. In order to measure the accuracy of an isoform-quantification result, one would try to estimate the average variance of the estimated isoform abundances for each gene (based on resampling the RNA-seq reads), and IQSeq has a particularly fast algorithm (based on the Fisher Information Matrix) for calculating this, achieving a speedup of times compared to brute-force resampling. IQSeq also calculates an information theoretic measure of overall transcriptome complexity to describe isoform abundance for a whole experiment. IQSeq has many features that are particularly useful in RNA-Seq experimental design, allowing one to optimally model the integration of different sequencing technologies in a cost-effective way. In particular, the IQSeq formalism integrates the analysis of different sample (i.e. read) sets generated from different technologies within the same statistical framework. It also supports a generalized statistical partial-sample-generation function to model the sequencing process. This allows one to have a modular, “plugin-able” read-generation function to support the particularities of the many evolving sequencing technologies.
Probability bounds for an eavesdropper's correct decision over a MIMO wiretap channel

In this paper, we establish probability bounds for the correct decision of the eavesdropper over a MIMO Wiretap Channel, when coding using cyclic division algebras is used. We focus in particular on codebooks constructed from natural orders in Q-central quaternion algebras, which allows the resulting expressions to take a more explicit form.
Lightweight hydraulic leg to explore agile legged locomotion

The paper reports on a hydraulic robotic leg, a research platform suitable for exploring high-performance legged locomotion. We propose to use hydraulic linear actuators combined with lightweight links made out from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic so that we can maximally enjoy their innate high load-to-weight ratio. The robot is designed so as to have a one-to-one mass ratio between the actuators and other parts. Based on the hydraulic servo actuator dynamics, the paper describes the details of velocity and force control of the robot joints, along to our passivity-based force control framework. Details on the hardware including the mechanisms, microcontrollers, and simulators are also described. Finally, the paper provides experimental results on zero-force tracking control, gravity compensation, task-space impedance control, and jumping.
I Just Ran a Thousand Analyses: Benefits of Multiple Testing in Understanding Equivocal Evidence on Gene-Environment Interactions

Background In psychiatric genetics research, the volume of ambivalent findings on gene-environment interactions (G x E) is growing at an accelerating pace. In response to the surging suspicions of systematic distortion, we challenge the notion of chance capitalization as a possible contributor. Beyond qualifying multiple testing as a mere methodological issue that, if uncorrected, leads to chance capitalization, we advance towards illustrating the potential benefits of multiple tests in understanding equivocal evidence in genetics literature. Method We focused on the interaction between the serotonin-transporter-linked promotor region (5-HTTLPR) and childhood adversities with regard to depression. After testing 2160 interactions with all relevant measures available within the Dutch population study of adolescents TRAILS, we calculated percentages of significant (p < .05) effects for several subsets of regressions. Using chance capitalization (i.e. overall significance rate of 5% alpha and randomly distributed findings) as a competing hypothesis, we expected more significant effects in the subsets of regressions involving: 1) interview-based instead of questionnaire-based measures; 2) abuse instead of milder childhood adversities; and 3) early instead of later adversities. Furthermore, we expected equal significance percentages across 4) male and female subsamples, and 5) various genotypic models of 5-HTTLPR. Results We found differences in the percentages of significant interactions among the subsets of analyses, including those regarding sex-specific subsamples and genetic modeling, but often in unexpected directions. Overall, the percentage of significant interactions was 7.9% which is only slightly above the 5% that might be expected based on chance. Conclusion Taken together, multiple testing provides a novel approach to better understand equivocal evidence on G x E, showing that methodological differences across studies are a likely reason for heterogeneity in findings - but chance capitalization is at least equally plausible.