Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recommendations for video event recognition using concept vocabularies

Representing videos using vocabularies composed of concept detectors appears promising for event recognition. While many have recently shown the benefits of concept vocabularies for recognition, the important question what concepts to include in the vocabulary is ignored. In this paper, we study how to create an effective vocabulary for arbitrary-event recognition in web video. We consider four research questions related to the number, the type, the specificity and the quality of the detectors in concept vocabularies. A rigorous experimental protocol using a pool of 1,346 concept detectors trained on publicly available annotations, a dataset containing 13,274 web videos from the Multimedia Event Detection benchmark, 25 event groundtruth definitions, and a state-of-the-art event recognition pipeline allow us to analyze the performance of various concept vocabulary definitions. From the analysis we arrive at the recommendation that for effective event recognition the concept vocabulary should i) contain more than 200 concepts, ii) be diverse by covering object, action, scene, people, animal and attribute concepts,iii) include both general and specific concepts, and iv) increase the number of concepts rather than improve the quality of the individual detectors. We consider the recommendations for video event recognition using concept vocabularies the most important contribution of the paper, as they provide guidelines for future work.
A tale of two doctoral students: social media tools and hybridised identities

This paper explores the experiences of two doctoral students who embraced Web 2.0 tools in their digital scholarship practices. The paper gives an insider perspective of the challenges and potential of working with online tools, such as blogs, and participating in online communities, such as Twitter’s #phdchat. We explore by drawing on our personal experiences as to how this participation was affected by our hybridised identity as both members of staff at a UK university and as PhD students. We argue that social media tools provide access to a community of doctoral students and knowledgeable others that reduce isolation and provide challenge and support along the challenging journey of undertaking a doctoral study. Whilst the tools involved exposure and risk in relation to managing our hybridised identities, our experience of their use was one we would recommend to others. Keywords: doctoral students; liminality; blogging; Web 2.0; Twitter (Published: 26 May 2014) Citation : Research in Learning Technology 2014, 22 : 23791 - http://dx.doi. org/10.3402/rlt.v22. 23791
CrypTopology : Plug , Play and Recover Key Management

Research on establishing and maintaining secure communication, has two distinct categories: using cryptography, with pre-shared or certified keys, and using known, redundant network topology. We present the CrypTopology model, combining cryptography with topology, with benefits over the pure-crypto and pure-topology approaches. The model also considers deployment challenges, by taking into account legacy devices and routing, an aspect which is very relevant (but so far ignored) in topology-based protocols. We use the CrypTopology model to study key setup and management. We present the CrypTop protocol, that allows easy plug and play key setup, between new devices and a trusted authentication server (whose public key is known). Furthermore, CrypTop limits the impact of key exposures: it ensures proactive key refresh, re-establishing security after exposure. In addition, CrypTop supports incremental deployment, and is effective even for partial deployment. We analyze the properties of the CrypTop protocol and show sufficient topology conditions for its applicability. We prove its security against an attacker that is able control some of the devices in the network. We further present AR-CrypTop, an improvement of CrypTop that is secure even for Adversarial Routing.
Approach of pulmonologists in Turkey to noninvasive mechanical ventilation use in acute respiratory failure.

INTRODUCTION Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) has been increasingly used worldwide for acute respiratory failure (ARF), especially in patients with chronic lung disorders. We aimed to define the approach of pulmonologists in Turkey to NIV use for ARF management. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 38-question survey, developed and tested by authors, was distributed by e-mail to a total of 2.205 pulmonologists in Turkey. RESULT Response rate was 27% (n= 596). Seventy-one percent of responders were practicing NIV in clinic. NIV use was found to be associated with responder's academic title, age, duration of medical license, type of physician's hospital and its region, patient load, NIV experience during residency, and duration of NIV and intensive care unit (ICU) experience (p< 0.001). Based on sub-group analysis of responders using NIV, median number of NIV patients followed-up per week was 4 [interquartile range (IQR): 2-6]. Most of the NIV users reported employment of wards (90%) and/or ICUs (86%) to follow-up patients, while 8.4% of the responders were applying NIV only in ICU's. Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) (99.5%), obesity hypoventilation syndrome (93.7%) and restrictive lung disease (89.4%) were the most common indications. Majority of NIV users (87%) were applying NIV to > 60% of patients with COPD, and success rate in COPD was reported as over 60% by 93% of users. Oronasal mask (median and IQR 90, 80-100%, respectively) and home care NIV ventilators (median and IQR 50, 10-85%, respectively) were the most commonly utilized equipment. CONCLUSIONS NIV use in ARF varies based on hospital type, region and, especially, experience of the physician. Although consistent with guidelines and general practice, NIV use can still be improved and increased.
VIMOS‐VLT and Spitzer observations of a radio galaxy at z= 2.5★

We present: (i) a kinematic and morphological study of the giant Lyα nebula associated with the radio galaxy MRC 2104−242 (z = 2.49) based on integral field spectroscopic Visible Multiobject Spectrograph (VIMOS) data from the Very Large Telescope (VLT), and (ii) a photometric study of the host (proto? ) galaxy based on Spitzer Space Telescope data. The galaxy appears to be embedded in a giant (120 kpc) gas reservoir that surrounds it completely. The kinematic properties of the nebula suggest that it is a rotating structure, which would imply a lower limit to the dynamical mass of ∼3 × 10 11 M� . An alternate scenario is that the gas is infalling. Such a process would be able to initiate and sustain significant central starburst activity, although it is likely to contribute with less than 10 per cent of the total stellar mass. The near- to mid-infrared spectral energy distribution of the radio galaxy suggests the existence of a reddened, E(B − V ) = 0.4 ± 0 . 1, evolved stellar population of age 1.8 Gyr and mass (5 ± 2) × 10 11 M� . The implied formation redshift is z f 6. This stellar mass is similar to the stellar masses found for massive early-type galaxies at z ∼ 2 in deep, near-infrared surveys.
A Case Where Interference Does Not Affect the Channel Dispersion

In 1975, Carleial presented a special case of an interference channel, called the very strong interference regime, in which the interference does not reduce the capacity of the constituent point-to-point Gaussian channels. In this paper, we show that in the strictly very strong interference regime, the dispersions are similarly unaffected. More precisely, in this paper, we characterize the second-order coding rates of the Gaussian interference channel in the strictly very strong interference regime. In other words, we characterize the speed of convergence of rates of optimal block codes toward a boundary point of the (rectangular) capacity region. These second-order coding rates are expressed in terms of the average probability of error and variances of appropriately defined information densities which coincide with the dispersion of the (single-user) Gaussian channel. This allows us to conclude that the dispersions are unaffected by interference in this channel model.
Characteristics of HIV-1 Discordant Couples Enrolled in a Trial of HSV-2 Suppression to Reduce HIV-1 Transmission: The Partners Study

Background The Partners HSV-2/HIV-1 Transmission Study (Partners Study) is a phase III, placebo-controlled trial of daily acyclovir for genital herpes (HSV-2) suppression among HIV-1/HSV-2 co-infected persons to reduce HIV-1 transmission to their HIV-1 susceptible partners, which requires recruitment of HIV-1 serodiscordant heterosexual couples. We describe the baseline characteristics of this cohort. Methods HIV-1 serodiscordant heterosexual couples, in which the HIV-1 infected partner was HSV-2 seropositive, had a CD4 count ≥250 cells/mcL and was not on antiretroviral therapy, were enrolled at 14 sites in East and Southern Africa. Demographic, behavioral, clinical and laboratory characteristics were assessed. Results Of the 3408 HIV-1 serodiscordant couples enrolled, 67% of the HIV-1 infected partners were women. Couples had cohabitated for a median of 5 years (range 2–9) with 28% reporting unprotected sex in the month prior to enrollment. Among HIV-1 susceptible participants, 86% of women and 59% of men were HSV-2 seropositive. Other laboratory-diagnosed sexually transmitted infections were uncommon (<5%), except for Trichomonas vaginalis in 14% of HIV-1 infected women. Median baseline CD4 count for HIV-1 infected participants was 462cells/mcL and median HIV-1 plasma RNA was 4.2 log10 copies/mL. After adjusting for age and African region, correlates of HIV-1 RNA level included male gender (+0.24 log10 copies/mL; p<0.001) and CD4 count (−0.25 and −0.55 log10 copies/mL for CD4 350–499 and >500 relative to <350, respectively, p<0.001). Conclusions The Partners Study successfully enrolled a cohort of 3408 heterosexual HIV-1 serodiscordant couples in Africa at high risk for HIV-1 transmission. Follow-up of this cohort will evaluate the efficacy of acyclovir for HSV-2 suppression in preventing HIV-1 transmission and provide insights into biological and behavioral factors determining heterosexual HIV-1 transmission. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00194519
Comparison of CD163+ CD206+ M2 Macrophages in the Lesional Skin of Bullous Pemphigoid and Pemphigus Vulgaris: The Possible Pathogenesis of Bullous Pemphigoid

Background: M2 macrophages play a critical role in the induction of T helper 2 (Th2) polarization. Methods: To investigate the contribution of M2 macrophages to the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid (BP) and pemphigus vulgaris (PV), we employed immunohistochemical staining for CD163 and CD206, as well as pSTAT1, pSTAT6, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13, CCL17, CCL18 and Foxp3 in the lesional skin of 10 cases of BP and PV. Results: The numbers of CD163+ CD206+ M2 macrophages were higher in BP than in PV. Moreover, pSTAT6+ cells, CCL17+ cells, CCL18+ cells and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells were prominent only in the lesional skin of BP. To further investigate the function of M2 macrophages, we examined the mRNA expression and production of Th2-related chemokines from M2 macrophages in vitro, which showed a significant increase in the mRNA expression and production of CCL18 when stimulated by IL-4 or IL-13. Conclusion: Our study sheds light onto one of the possible immunological mechanisms of BP and PV.
TGF-&bgr; Affects Enterocyte Turnover in Correlation With TGF-&bgr; Receptor Expression After Massive Small Bowel Resection

Objectives: In the present study, we evaluated the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-&bgr;2)-enriched diet on enterocyte turnover and correlated it with TGF-&bgr;2 receptor expression along the villus–crypt axis in a rat model of short bowel syndrome (SBS). Methods: CaCo-2 cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of TGF-&bgr;2. Alamar Blue reduction test was used for investigation of cell viability and evaluation of cell apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. Male rats were divided into 4 groups: Sham rats underwent bowel transection, Sham TGF-&bgr; rats were treated with diet enriched with TGF-&bgr;2, SBS rats underwent a 75% bowel resection, and SBS TGF-&bgr; rats were fed a diet enriched with TGF-&bgr;2 after bowel resection. Parameters of intestinal adaptation, enterocyte proliferation and apoptosis were determined at sacrifice. TGF-&bgr;2r expression in villus tips, lateral villi and crypts was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The effect of TGF-&bgr;2 on enterocyte turnover for each compartment was evaluated in correlation with TGF-&bgr;2r expression. Results: Incubation of CaCo-2 cells with TGF-&bgr;2 resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability and increased cell apoptosis. TGF-&bgr;2r expression in crypts increased in SBS rats (vs sham) and was accompanied by decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis following TGF-&bgr;2 administration. A significant decrease in TGF-&bgr;2r expression at villous tips in SBS rats was accompanied by a decreased cell apoptosis in this compartment following exposure to TGF-&bgr;2-enriched diet. Conclusions: In a rat model of SBS, the inhibiting effect of TGF-&bgr;2 on enterocyte turnover correlates with TGF-&bgr;2 receptor expression along the villus–crypt axis.
Kin Selection in the Annual Plant Impatiens capensis

Kin selection occurs when phenotypic variation in a character or set of characters is heritable, spatially structured, and has differential fitness effects on neighboring individuals. Spatially structured, heritable variation has been found for many characters of the annual plant Impatiens capensis (the first two criteria). By manipulating plant growth by apical removal, I show that Impatiens fitness is strongly influenced by the phenotypes of neighboring plants, corroborating a previous study. A specific suite of phenotypes relating to plant architecture is consistently beneficial to neighboring plants. In addition, these manipulative experiments suggest that phenotypic plasticity may often impede purely observational field studies of kin selection in plant populations.
Tracking in vitro and in vivo siRNA electrotransfer in tumor cells

RNA interference-mediated gene silencing offers the potential of targeted inhibition of disease-relevant genes. In vivo delivery of RNAi reagents can be obtained by a variety of approaches. Physical delivery methods appear safer and lack side effects. Electro-permeabilization is one of the non-viral methods successfully used to transfer small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) in vitro and in vivo. A promising approach may be, very little is known about the fundamental processes mediating siRNA transfer. In this study, we have investigated cellular delivery pathways involved in electro-delivery of siRNAs by a direct fluorescence imaging method. An Alexa-labeled siRNA was electro-transferred into murine melanoma cells stably-expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) target reporter gene. The silencing of eGFP gene expression was quantified by time-lapsed fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescently-labeled siRNAs were found distributed homogeneously in cytoplasm 48 hours after electro-transfer, apparently by diffusion. Furthermore, siRNAs showed homogeneous distribution in vivo 48 hrs after intra-tumoral injection followed by electro- permeabilization. Histological fluorescence microscopy showed that siRNAs were mostly localized in the cytoplasm. Overall, this study shows that electro-permeabilization facilitates cytoplasmic distribution of siRNA, both in cultured cells and in vivo. This method offers a potential therapeutic tool to facilitate direct siRNA penetration into solid tumors.
The Prospective Nature of Voluntary Action: Insights from the Reflexive Imagery Task

Voluntary action is peculiar in several ways. For example, it is highly prospective in nature, requiring the activation of the representations of anticipated action-effects (e.g., a button pressed). These prospective action-effects can represent outcomes in the short-term (e.g., fingers snapping or uttering “cheers”) or in the long-term (e.g., building a house). In this review about the prospective nature of voluntary action, we first discuss in brief ideomotor theory, a theoretical approach that illuminates both the nature of the prospective representations in voluntary action and how these representations are acquired and subsequently used in the control of behavior. In this framework, prospective action-effects could be construed as ‘action options’ that, residing in consciousness, may or may not influence upcoming behavior, depending on the nature of the other prospective action-effects that happen to be coactivated at that time. In ideomotor theory, there is no homunculus that selects one prospective action-effect over another. Many of these prospective action-effects enter consciousness automatically. Second, we introduce the principle of atemporality and discuss the prospective nature of determining tendencies and mental simulation, all in the context of new findings from the Reflexive Imagery Task (RIT). The RIT reveals that, as a function of external control, prospective action-effects can enter consciousness in a reflex-like, automatic, and insuppressible manner. The RIT and its associated theoretical framework shed light on why the activation of such representations, though often undesired, is nonetheless adaptive and why not all of these prospective representations lead to overt action.
Ability to produce emotional facial expressions following closed head injury

Previous research has shown a decline in psychosocial functioning in persons with closed head injury (CHI), which decline is manifested in diminished social networks, reduced employment and a sense of loneliness and depression. Several research groups linked the observed deficits in psychosocial functioning to reduced interpersonal communication skills and, more specifically, to an impaired ability to recognize emotions in others, both from faces and voices. Because human communication is a two-way process, being able to produce unambiguous and appropriate facial expressions is as important as being able to read facial expressions of others. In our study, we compared 30 persons with a history of CHI with 20 uninjured volunteers in their abilities to produce emotional facial expressions by having judges label the expressions made by participants in response to cartoons depicting emotion-provoking situations. The results indicated that judges failed to identify facial expressions of the CHI group significantly more often than they did while labeling facial expressions in the control group. Therefore, we concluded that the ability to produce facial emotional expressions is impaired in the CHI group.
Proof-of-principle experiments for react–wind–sinter manufacturing of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox magnets

The manufacturing of long lengths of Bi2Sr2CaCu2Ox (Bi2212) wire has led to the development of high-field magnets at low temperature. Both react-and-wind and wind-and-react manufacturing of magnets, however, have significant drawbacks that limit the performance of the conductor in magnet form. In this letter, an alternative approach to magnet manufacturing, react–wind–sinter, is proposed to avoid these drawbacks by splitting the heat treatment into two separate stages, with the temperature/time-sensitive peritectic melting occurring before magnet winding and the remaining solid-state sintering after magnet winding. Results from proof-of-principle experiments show that the split heat treatment does not adversely affect the conductor performance and that the subsequent heat treatment is capable of preventing bending-induced degradation of the conductor if the heat treatment is interrupted just after re-solidification from the peritectic melt.
Duration of Smoking Cessation and Its Impact on Skin Flap Survival

Background: Empirical and experimental evidence abounds as to the negative effects of smoking on skin flaps. The ideal duration of preoperative smoking cessation is unclear. The present study evaluates the effect of various durations of smoking cessation on skin flap survival in a rat model. Methods: Forty smoke-exposed and 10 non–smoke-exposed Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: controls and 0 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks of smoking cessation. All animals had a dorsally based random pattern flap created and either bilateral pure axial superficial inferior epigastric (superficial inferior epigastric) flaps or a unilaterally superficial inferior epigastric axial with random component flap. The percentage of flap necrosis was assessed 2 weeks postoperatively. Results: The mean amount of random skin flap necrosis was 16.6 ± 13.0 percent, 30.3 ± 8.4 percent, 27.6 ± 7.9 percent, 27.1 ± 6.1 percent, and 29.7 ± 10.3 percent, respectively. There was significantly less flap necrosis in the controls than in all other groups (p < 0.03). There was no necrosis of any of the pure axial superficial inferior epigastric flaps. The mean amount of superficial inferior epigastric axial with random component skin flap necrosis was 11.1 ± 6.2 percent, 31.1 ± 6.0 percent, 36.0 ± 8.4 percent, 21.7 ± 4.0 percent, and 19.1 ± 6.3 percent, respectively. All smoke-exposed groups had significantly greater flap necrosis than controls, with the exception of the 8-week group (p < 0.02). Conclusions: Smoking irreversibly increases the risk of flap necrosis in a random pattern flap out to 2 months of preoperative cessation. Preoperative smoking does not result in any necrosis of pure axial flaps. In axial with random component flaps, significant decreases in skin flap necrosis are not seen until 4 weeks of preoperative cessation.
Optimization of ion-track etching and electrochemical Cu nanocone deposition for field emission cathodes

We have fabricated patch-structured nanocone (NC) cathodes by using asymmetrically etched ion-track membranes which were metallized and fixed on flat holders. The conical channels of these templates were filled by potentiostatic copper deposition resulting in freestanding Cu-NC of ~ 28 μm length, ~ 3 μm base, and 160-240 nm tip diameter. Fairly homogeneous and well-aligned field emission from all patches was obtained due to the high NC (105 cm-2) and emitter densities (~ 3/patch). Local measurements of selected spots and patches show distinct current jumps at μA levels. SEM images of the processed areas reveal morphological changes proving a successive destruction of single Cu-NCs. Nevertheless, improved current values of ~ 300 μA at reduced fields of 30-50 V/μm have been achieved for the best Cu-NC patches.