Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of inter-frame feature measures for robust object classification in sector scan sonar image sequences

This paper presents an investigation of the robustness of an inter-frame feature measure classifier for underwater sector scan sonar image sequences. In the initial stages the images are of either divers or remotely operated vehicles (ROV's). The inter-frame feature measures are derived from sequences of sonar scans to characterize the behavior of the objects over time. The classifier has been shown to produce error rates of 0%-2% using real nonnoisy images. The investigation looks at the robustness of the classifier with increased noise conditions and changes in the filtering of the images. It also identifies a set of features that are less susceptible to increased noise conditions and changes in the image filters. These features are the mean variance, and the variance of the rate of change in time of the intra-frame feature measures area, perimeter, compactness, maximum dimension and the first and second invariant moments of the objects. It is shown how the performance of the classifier can be improved. Success rates of up to 100% were obtained for a classifier trained under normal noise conditions, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) around 9.5 dB, and a noisy test sequence of SNR 7.6 dB.
Switchable dual-wavelength fiber laser based on semiconductor optical amplifier and polarization-maintaining fiber Bragg grating

Switchable dual-wavelength with orthogonal polarizations fiber laser based on semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) and polarization-maintaining fiber Bragg grating (PMFBG) at room temperature is proposed. Owing to the polarization dependent loss of the PMFBG, the laser can be designed to operate in stable dual-wavelength or wavelength-switching modes with a wavelength spacing of 0.336 nm at room temperature by adjusting the polarization controller (PC). The amplitude variation in nearly half an hour is less than 0.1 dB for both wavelengths, which is more stable than that of erbium doped fiber (EDF)-based laser with similar configuration.
Kinematic fault slip evolution source models of the 2008 M7.9 Wenchuan earthquake in China from SAR interferometry, GPS and teleseismic analysis and implications for Longmen Shan tectonics

The M_w 7.9 2008 Wenchuan earthquake ruptured about 280 km of faults in the Longmen Shan of Sichuan province, China, at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. We use teleseismic waveforms with geodetic data from Global Positioning System, synthetic aperture radar interferometry and image amplitude correlation to produce a source model of this earthquake. The model describes evolution of fault slip during the earthquake. The geodetic data constrains the spatial distribution of fault slip and the seismic waveforms constrain mostly the time evolution of slip. We find that the earthquake started with largely thrust motion on an imbricate system of faults beneath the central Longmen Shan, including the Beichuan Fault and Pengguan Fault, with fault slip at depth extending up to 50 km northwest of the mountain front. The fault ruptures continued northeast along the Beichuan Fault with more oblique slip (right-lateral and thrust) and the proportion of lateral motion increasing in the northern Longmen Shan. The northernmost fault segment has a much steeper dip, consistent with nearly pure strike-slip motion. The kinematic source model shows that the rupture propagated to the northeast at about 2.5–3.0 km s^(−1), producing a cascade of subevents with a total duration of about 110 s. The complex fault ruptures caused shortening and uplift of the extremely steep central Longmen Shan, which supports models where the steep edge of the plateau is formed by thrusting over the strong crust of the Sichuan Basin.
Lesser Metatarsophalangeal Joint Instability: Prospective Evaluation and Repair of Plantar Plate and Capsular Insufficiency

Background: Anatomical dissection of the second metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint suggests that the plantar plate is the major stabilizing structure of the joint due to its central location and multiple important attachments. Many surgical procedures have been recommended when conservative treatment has failed, but some have had limited clinical success. The aim of our prospective study was to show the results obtained in the treatment of a group of patients with plantar plate tears by direct repair through a dorsal approach combined with a Weil metatarsal osteotomy with a minimum followup of 12 months. Methods We prospectively treated 28 patients (55 MTP joints) with lesser MTP joint instability, but only 22 patients (40 MTP joints) were treated by the direct repair of the plantar plate and were included in the study. All of them had initial complaints of acute forefoot pain with the subsequent development of deformity and instability of the MTP joints. All patients were evaluated clinically, radiographically, (plain radiographs and MRI exam), and by MTP joint arthroscopy. With this data, a direct correlation between the clinical staging and the anatomical grading for plantar plate dysfunction of each patient was determined Results The plantar plate of the second MTP joint was the most commonly affected joint (63%), and Grade III type tear (transverse and/or longitudinal extension tear) was the most frequent type. With the surgical treatment, we were able to markedly improve the parameters studied (pain, medial or dorsomedial deviation of the toe, joint stability, muscle balance, and joint congruence) to acceptable levels, The AOFAS score improved substantially from an average of 52 points preoperatively to 92 points postoperatively. Conclusion The direct plantar plate repair combined with a Weil osteotomy and lateral soft tissue reefing can restore the normal alignment of the MTP joint. We have demonstrated that the anatomic repair of the plantar plate can correct the deviation of the affected toe (medial, dorsal, dorsomedial or dorsolateral), which lead to diminished pain with improved functional scores. Level of Evidence: IV, Case Series
A novel copper‐responsive regulon in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

In this work we describe the identification of a copper‐inducible regulon in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Among the regulated genes was Rv0190/MT0200, a paralogue of the copper metalloregulatory repressor CsoR. The five‐locus regulon, which includes a gene that encodes the copper‐protective metallothionein MymT, was highly induced in wild‐type Mtb treated with copper, and highly expressed in an Rv0190/MT0200 mutant. Importantly, the Rv0190/MT0200 mutant was hyper‐resistant to copper. The promoters of all five loci share a palindromic motif that was recognized by the gene product of Rv0190/MT0200. For this reason we named Rv0190/MT0200 RicR for regulated in copper repressor. Intriguingly, several of the RicR‐regulated genes, including MymT, are unique to pathogenic Mycobacteria. The identification of a copper‐responsive regulon specific to virulent mycobacterial species suggests copper homeostasis must be maintained during an infection. Alternatively, copper may provide a cue for the expression of genes unrelated to metal homeostasis, but nonetheless necessary for survival in a host.
Probabilistic Modeling of Joint-context in Distributional Similarity

Most traditional distributional similarity models fail to capture syntagmatic patterns that group together multiple word features within the same joint context. In this work we introduce a novel generic distributional similarity scheme under which the power of probabilistic models can be leveraged to effectively model joint contexts. Based on this scheme, we implement a concrete model which utilizes probabilistic n-gram language models. Our evaluations suggest that this model is particularly wellsuited for measuring similarity for verbs, which are known to exhibit richer syntagmatic patterns, while maintaining comparable or better performance with respect to competitive baselines for nouns. Following this, we propose our scheme as a framework for future semantic similarity models leveraging the substantial body of work that exists in probabilistic language modeling.
Radiographic evaluation of endoscopic gastrocnemius recession, subtalar joint arthroereisis, and flexor tendon transfer for surgical correction of stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: a pilot study.

UNLABELLED The best procedure for surgical correction of stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction has long been a source of debate among foot and ankle surgeons. A combination of endoscopic gastrocnemius recession, subtalar joint arthroereisis, and flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer has been used in an attempt to avoid some of the complications seen with calcaneal osteotomies, and to allow an earlier return to function and weight bearing. A retrospective analysis of preoperative and postoperative radiographic changes in 10 patients for whom surgical correction of the deformity was performed between 2003 and 2006 is presented as a pilot study. Seven radiographic variables considered standard for the radiographic assessment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction were measured. The outcome measure of interest was the return of radiographic variables to normal ranges following surgical correction of the deformity. In addition, preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were assessed to evaluate the long-term clinical benefits of this trio of procedures. Radiographic values were noted to return to normal ranges in all cases following this trio of surgical procedures; these changes were statistically significant (P < or = .05). These preliminary results suggest that this surgical combination provides satisfactory correction of deformity in patients presenting with stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE 4.
Test Benchmarks -- what is the question?

In the automotive press, there are lots of benchmarks. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h or 0 to 60 mph is a frequently used benchmark. But how often do you accelerate as fast as possible from 0 to 100 km/h? Similarly is the power and the torque of the engine benchmarked, but rarely it is noticed whether the power is delivered at revs which are useful in my daily driving or at top revs. And I rarely use more than some 25 kW to run my car, although I have access to hundreds. Furthermore, the EuroNCAP1 and NT SB2 do benchmarks on crash resistance and rate car models according to their resistance to the benchmark tests.
Structural VAR Approach to Malaysian Monetary Policy Framework : Evidence from the Pre-and Post-Asian Crisis Periods

This paper employs a structural vector autoregression (SVAR) model to investigate the monetary policy framework of a small emerging open economy Malaysia, especially how the economy dynamically respond to money, interest rate, exchange rate and foreign shocks. We establish identification conditions to uncover the dynamic effects of monetary policy shocks on various domestic variables. Following the financial crisis in July 1997, Malaysia adopted a pegged exchange regime in September 1998. By analysing the intensity of the responses of the domestic variables to various monetary shocks, we aim to find out whether the Malaysian monetary transmission mechanism has changed in the post-crisis period. Using monthly data from January 1980 to May 2006, a nine variable SVAR model is established to study the dynamic responses of the Malaysian economy to domestic and foreign shocks. The empirical results show notable differences: in the precrisis period, monetary policy and exchange rate shocks significantly affect the output, price, money, interest rate and exchange rate, while, in the post-crisis period, only the money shock tends to have stronger influence on output. Moreover, the domestic monetary policy appear to be far more vulnerable to foreign shocks especially the world commodity price shock and output shock in the post-crisis than in the pre-crisis period. The findings clearly indicate that the crisis has changed the role of the monetary transmission channels in propagating various policy shocks to the real sectors of the Malaysian economy. JEL classification: C32, F41, E52
Mechanisms of Origin, Phenotypic Effects and Diagnostic Implications of Complex Chromosome Rearrangements

Complex chromosome rearrangements (CCRs) are currently defined as structural genome variations that involve more than 2 chromosome breaks and result in exchanges of chromosomal segments. They are thought to be extremely rare, but their detection rate is rising because of improvements in molecular cytogenetic technology. Their population frequency is also underestimated, since many CCRs may not elicit a phenotypic effect. CCRs may be the result of fork stalling and template switching, microhomology-mediated break-induced repair, breakage-fusion-bridge cycles, or chromothripsis. Patients with chromosomal instability syndromes show elevated rates of CCRs due to impaired DNA double-strand break responses during meiosis. Therefore, the putative functions of the proteins encoded by ATM, BLM, WRN, ATR, MRE11, NBS1, and RAD51 in preventing CCRs are discussed. CCRs may exert a pathogenic effect by either (1) gene dosage-dependent mechanisms, e.g. haploinsufficiency, (2) mechanisms based on disruption of the genomic architecture, such that genes, parts of genes or regulatory elements are truncated, fused or relocated and thus their interactions disturbed - these mechanisms will predominantly affect gene expression - or (3) mixed mutation mechanisms in which a CCR on one chromosome is combined with a different type of mutation on the other chromosome. Such inferred mechanisms of pathogenicity need corroboration by mRNA sequencing. Also, future studies with in vitro models, such as inducible pluripotent stem cells from patients with CCRs, and transgenic model organisms should substantiate current inferences regarding putative pathogenic effects of CCRs. The ramifications of the growing body of information on CCRs for clinical and experimental genetics and future treatment modalities are briefly illustrated with 2 cases, one of which suggests KDM4C(JMJD2C) as a novel candidate gene for mental retardation.
Why a Confirmation Strategy Dominates Psychological Science

Our research explored the incidence and appropriateness of the much-maligned confirmatory approach to testing scientific hypotheses. Psychological scientists completed a survey about their research goals and strategies. The most frequently reported goal is to test the non-absolute hypothesis that a particular relation exists in some conditions. As expected, few scientists reported testing universal hypotheses. Most indicated an inclination to use a confirmation strategy to test the non-absolute hypotheses that a particular relation sometimes occurs or sometimes does not occur, and a disconfirmation strategy to test the absolute hypotheses that a particular relation always occurs or never occurs. The confirmatory search that dominates the field was found to be associated with the testing of non-absolute hypotheses. Our analysis indicates that a confirmatory approach is the normatively correct test of the non-absolute hypotheses that are the starting point of most studies. It also suggests that the strategy of falsification that was once proposed by Popper is generally incorrect given the infrequency of tests of universal hypotheses.
Identification of Apolipoprotein C-I Peptides as a Potential Biomarker and its Biological Roles in Breast Cancer

Background Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most common cancers and is among the main causes of death in females around the world. Although several serum biomarkers have been identified for breast cancer, due to lack of adequate sensitivity and specificity they do not adequately distinguish BC from confounding conditions. New approaches are urgently needed to improve BC detection and treatment. Material/Methods Eighty serum samples from 20 healthy individuals and 60 patients with BC (22 triple-negative breast cancer, TNBC; 38 non-triple-negative breast cancer, NTNBC) were included. Protein profiling of serum samples was analyzed using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (SELDI-TOF-MS). Candidate biomarkers were purified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF. Results The candidate biomarker positioned at 6447.9 m/z was significantly decreased in BC patients. Moreover, the expression intensity of the candidate biomarker was weaker in the TNBC and pre-surgery group compared with the NTNBC and post-surgery group. We ultimately identified the biomarker as apolipoprotein C-I (ApoC-I). Furthermore, we found that ApoC-I peptides inhibited proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro and suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Conclusions These results suggest that ApoC-I peptides may be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic approach for BC.
Predictors of youth diabetes care behaviors and metabolic control: a structural equation modeling approach.

OBJECTIVE To empirically test a biopsychosocial model of predictors of youth diabetes care behaviors and metabolic control. METHODS A cross-sectional multisite study of youths (N = 222) with T1D (mean age = 12.6) used structural equation modeling to examine interrelations among predictors, with follow-up analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs). RESULTS Youths' memory skills related to diabetes knowledge which, along with self-efficacy and age, was associated with greater youth responsibility that in turn predicted poorer self-care behaviors. Less frequent/briefer exercise and less frequent blood glucose monitoring/eating were found; the latter directly related to poorer metabolic control. Behavior problems also were associated directly with poorer metabolic control. A parsimonious model found memory directly related to blood glucose testing. CONCLUSIONS Continued parental supervision of adolescents, along with monitoring diabetes knowledge and efficacy, may help optimize transfer of diabetes care from parents to youths. Behavior problems warrant immediate attention because of their direct and adverse relation to metabolic control.
Pathway analysis in metabolic databases via differetial metabolic display (DMD)

MOTIVATION A number of metabolic databases are available electronically, some with features for querying and visualizing metabolic pathways and regulatory networks. We present a unifying, systematic approach based on PETRI nets for storing, displaying, comparing, searching and simulating such nets from a number of different sources. RESULTS Information from each data source is extracted and compiled into a PETRI net. Such PETRI nets then allow to investigate the (differential) content in metabolic databases, to map and integrate genomic information and functional annotations, to compare sequence and metabolic databases with respect to their functional annotations, and to define, generate and search paths and pathways in nets. We present an algorithm to systematically generate all pathways satisfying additional constraints in such PETRI nets. Finally, based on the set of valid pathways, so-called differential metabolic displays (DMDs) are introduced to exhibit specific differences between biological systems, i.e. different developmental states, disease states, or different organisms, on the level of paths and pathways. DMDs will be useful for target finding and function prediction, especially in the context of the interpretation of expression data.
Effects of high-fat chow on heart tissue in acute and chronic experimental murine schistosomiasis mansoni

SUMMARY This study aimed to investigate myocardial injuries in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and fed a high-fat chow. Sections of myocardial tissue from S. mansoni-infected mice, and controls that had been killed 9 and 17 weeks post-infection, were stained with H&E and Picrosirius red. Histopathological examination, stereological design-based method (optical disector) and morphometry (vessels, cardiomyocytes and an amount of collagen) were used. Data were analysed using two-way ANOVA. Regardless of time of infection, myocardial tissue from the infected mice fed high-fat chow showed myocarditis characterized by a higher number of inflammatory foci, several areas displaying coagulation of cardiac fibres, a greater loss of cardiomyocytes and fibroblast proliferation than in the standard chow control. Comparing infected mice from acute and chronic infections, a higher cardiomyocyte hyperplasia (P < 0·0001) and higher amounts of collagen (P < 0·05) were observed than in standard chow control. In addition, all animals fed high-fat chow showed lower numerical density and total number of cardiomyocytes (P < 0·05), thicker vessel walls and narrowed luminal intramyocardial vessels (P > 0·05) than in the standard chow control. Altogether the data supported the view that a double burden has a synergistic deleterious effect on the myocardial tissue.
Poverty of the Stimulus Revisited

A central goal of modern generative grammar has been to discover invariant properties of human languages that reflect "the innate schematism of mind that is applied to the data of experience" and that "might reasonably be attributed to the organism itself as its contribution to the task of the acquisition of knowledge" (Chomsky, 1971). Candidates for such invariances include the structure dependence of grammatical rules, and in particular, certain constraints on question formation. Various "poverty of stimulus" (POS) arguments suggest that these invariances reflect an innate human endowment, as opposed to common experience: Such experience warrants selection of the grammars acquired only if humans assume, a priori, that selectable grammars respect substantive constraints. Recently, several researchers have tried to rebut these POS arguments. In response, we illustrate why POS arguments remain an important source of support for appeal to a priori structure-dependent constraints on the grammars that humans naturally acquire.
Sensitivity analysis, multilinearity and beyond

Sensitivity methods for the analysis of the outputs of discrete Bayesian networks have been extensively studied and implemented in different software packages. These methods usually focus on the study of sensitivity functions and on the impact of a parameter change to the Chan-Darwiche distance. Although not fully recognized, the majority of these results heavily rely on the multilinear structure of atomic probabilities in terms of the conditional probability parameters associated with this type of network. By defining a statistical model through the polynomial expression of its associated defining conditional probabilities, we develop a unifying approach to sensitivity methods applicable to a large suite of models including extensions of Bayesian networks, for instance context-specific and dynamic ones, and chain event graphs. By then focusing on models whose defining polynomial is multilinear, our algebraic approach enables us to prove that the Chan-Darwiche distance is minimized for a certain class of multi-parameter contemporaneous variations when parameters are proportionally covaried.