Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Near-optimal Observation Selection using Submodular Functions

AI problems such as autonomous robotic exploration, automatic diagnosis and activity recognition have in common the need for choosing among a set of informative but possibly expensive observations. When monitoring spatial phenomena with sensor networks or mobile robots, for example, we need to decide which locations to observe in order to most effectively decrease the uncertainty, at minimum cost. These problems usually are NP-hard. Many observation selection objectives satisfy submodularity, an intuitive diminishing returns property - adding a sensor to a small deployment helps more than adding it to a large deployment. In this paper, we survey recent advances in systematically exploiting this submodularity property to efficiently achieve near-optimal observation selections, under complex constraints. We illustrate the effectiveness of our approaches on problems of monitoring environmental phenomena and water distribution networks.
Transcriptional activation and translocation of ancient NOS during immune response

NOS is the key component of the NO system, which plays an indispensable role in many physiologic and immunologic processes; however, the process that underlies the activation of ancient NOSs and their functions remains unclear. Expression of Crassostrea gigas NOS (CgNOS) mRNA in hemocytes was examined after stimulating oysters with LPS and TNF‐α. Expression level of CgNOS mRNA was increased significantly, by 2.61‐fold (P <0.05), at 24 h poststimulation. A positive CgNOS signal was detected via immunoprecipitation, and only one protein was detected in oyster hemocytes. Shifting and supershifting bands were observed in EMSAs between the CgNOS promoter and the transcription factors CgNF‐κB1 and Cg‐signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT). CgNF‐κB1 was detected in the nucleus only at 12 h, whereas CgSTAT was observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus at 12 and 24 h. Expression levels of tyrosine‐protein kinase receptor Tie‐1, phosphatidylinositide phosphatase SAC2, phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate 5‐kinase type‐1a, diacylglycerol kinase u, LPS‐induced TNF‐α factor‐like protein, cAMP‐dependent transcription factor‐2, NF‐κB1, and STAT6 were significantly elevated in a transcriptome analysis after 12 h of LPS and TNF‐α stimulation. An immunoreactive CgNOS signal was observed in both the cell membrane and cytoplasm at 12 h, whereas it was mainly localized to the cytoplasm at 24 h post‐LPS and –TNF‐α stimulation. These findings revealed that CgNOS could be transcriptionally activated by CgNF‐κB1 and CgSTAT via the PI3K‐Akt pathway, similar to what occurs for iNOS, but CgNOS translocated to the cytoplasm, similar to neuronal NOS, to modulate downstream signals during an immune defense. These results collectively provide crucial knowledge about the evolution of NOS structure and function. —Jiang, Q. , Liu, Z. , Zhou, Z. , Wang, L. , Wang, L. , Yue, F. , Wang, J., Wang, H. , Song, L. Transcriptional activation and translocation of ancient NOS during immune response. FASEB J. 30, 3527–3540 (2016). www.fasebj. org
Electrophysiological evidence for adult age-related sparing and decrements in emotion perception and attention

The present study examined adult age differences in processing emotional faces using a psychological refractory period paradigm. We used both behavioral and event-related potential (P1 component) measures. Task 1 was tone discrimination (fuzzy vs. pure tones) and Task 2 was emotional facial discrimination (“happy” vs. “angry” faces). The stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) between the two tasks was 100, 300, and 900 ms. Earlier research observed larger age deficits in emotional facial discrimination for negative (angry) than for positive (happy) faces (Baena et al., 2010). Thus, we predicted that older adults would show decreased attentional efficiency in carrying out dual-task processing on the P1 (a component linked to amygdalar modulation of visual perception; Rotshtein et al., 2010). Both younger and older groups showed significantly higher P1 amplitudes at 100- and 300-ms SOAs than at the 900-ms SOA, and this suggests that both age groups could process Task 2 faces without central attention. Also, younger adults showed significantly higher P1 activations for angry than for happy faces, but older adults showed no difference. These results are consistent with the idea that younger adults exhibited amygdalar modulation of visual perception, but that older adults did not.
Using an Interactive Response System in Conjunction with Interactive Whiteboards Technology to Enhance Learning

This study discusses the pedagogical potential of an interactive response system system used in conjunction with interactive whiteboards technology to enhance learning in elementary school. Our empirical study examined the influence of interactivity on learning outcome and learner satisfaction in e-learning environments. Three different settings were studied: two were e-learning environments-with interactive response, and without interactive response. The third was the traditional classroom environment. Results of the experiment showed that the value of interactivity for learning effectiveness was contingent upon the provision of interactive response. Students in the e-learning environment that provided interactive response achieved significantly better learning performance and a higher level of learner satisfaction than those in other settings. However, students who used the e-learning environment that provided without interactive response did not improve either. The findings suggest that it may be important to integrate interactive response into e-learning systems.
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The characterization of the diversity of species living within ecosystems is of major scientific interest to understand the functioning of these ecosystems. It is also becoming a societal issue since it is necessary to implement the conservation or even the restoration of biodiversity. Historically, species have been described and characterized on the basis of morphological criteria, which are closely linked by environmental conditions or which find their limits especially in groups where they are difficult to access, as is the case for many species of microorganisms. The need to understand the molecular mechanisms in species has made the PCR an indispensable tool for understanding the functioning of these biological systems. A number of markers are now available to detect nuclear DNA polymorphisms. In genetic diversity studies, the most frequently used markers are microsatellites. The study of biological complexity is a new frontier that requires high-throughput molecular technology, high speed computer memory, new approaches to data analysis, and the integration of interdisciplinary skills.
Structural mechanism of serum amyloid A-mediated inflammatory amyloidosis

Significance Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a major serum acute-phase protein and a cause of secondary amyloidosis, which impacts ∼1% of patients with chronic inflammation such as rheumatoid arthritis and neoplastic diseases. The lack of structural information has hampered our understanding of SAA-mediated amyloidosis and the development of effective therapies. Here we report a crystal structure of human SAA1.1 as a prototypic member of the family. SAA1.1 exists as a hexamer with subunits displaying a unique four-helix bundle fold. We further defined binding sites for heparin and high-density lipoprotein, identified major amyloidogenic epitopes, and visualized SAA-mediated protofibril formation using electron microscopy. These studies provide mechanistic insights into amyloidogenic conformational transition of SAA. Serum amyloid A (SAA) represents an evolutionarily conserved family of inflammatory acute-phase proteins. It is also a major constituent of secondary amyloidosis. To understand its function and structural transition to amyloid, we determined a structure of human SAA1.1 in two crystal forms, representing a prototypic member of the family. Native SAA1.1 exists as a hexamer, with subunits displaying a unique four-helix bundle fold stabilized by its long C-terminal tail. Structure-based mutational studies revealed two positive-charge clusters, near the center and apex of the hexamer, that are involved in SAA association with heparin. The binding of high-density lipoprotein involves only the apex region of SAA and can be inhibited by heparin. Peptide amyloid formation assays identified the N-terminal helices 1 and 3 as amyloidogenic peptides of SAA1.1. Both peptides are secluded in the hexameric structure of SAA1.1, suggesting that the native SAA is nonpathogenic. Furthermore, dissociation of the SAA hexamer appears insufficient to initiate amyloidogenic transition, and proteolytic cleavage or removal of the C-terminal tail of SAA resulted in formation of various-sized structural aggregates containing ∼5-nm regular repeating protofibril-like units. The combined structural and functional studies provide mechanistic insights into the pathogenic contribution of glycosaminoglycan in SAA1.1-mediated AA amyloid formation.
Arid5a exacerbates IFN-γ–mediated septic shock by stabilizing T-bet mRNA

Significance Septic shock is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Despite extensive efforts, septic shock remains a major medical challenge. In this study, using Arid5a-deficient mice, we demonstrated a critical role of this protein in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced shock through regulation of IFN-γ expression in T cells by preventing the mRNA degradation of its major transcription factor T-bet. Further, we identified the conserved stem loop structure at 3′UTR of T-bet mRNA required for binding Arid5a during its action. Our study indicates the therapeutic potential of anti-agonistic agents for Arid5a in the prevention of pathological conditions of septic shock. Adenine-thymine (AT)-rich interactive domain containing protein 5a (Arid5a) is an RNA-binding protein that has been shown to play an important immune regulatory function via the stabilization of IL-6 and STAT3 mRNA. However, the role of Arid5a in the overwhelming and uncontrolled immune response that leads to septic shock is unknown. Here, we report that Arid5a-deficient mice are highly resistant to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxic shock and secrete lower levels of major proinflammatory cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-6, and TNF-α, than WT mice in response to LPS. Arid5a deficiency resulted in decreased levels of IFN-γ under Th1 cell conditions, in which T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) mRNA expression was inhibited. Arid5a bound to the conserved stem loop structure of the 3′UTR of T-bet and stabilized its mRNA. Arid5a-deficient mice were also resistant to Propionibacterium acnes-primed LPS injection, which is considered to be a T-cell–mediated IFN-γ dependent endotoxic shock mouse model. Thus, regulation of IFN-γ by Arid5a via the stabilization of T-bet mRNA in Th1 cells contributes to the development of septic shock in mice. In addition, our previous study suggests that Arid5a control the IL-6 level in vivo in response to LPS by stabilization of IL-6 mRNA. We also observed that neutralization of IFN-γ and IL-6 significantly recovered the mice from endotoxic shock. Taken together, we conclude that Arid5a regulates the augmentation of IL-6 and IFN-γ in response to LPS, which possibly works synergistically for amplification of various other cytokines that ultimately cause the development of septic shock in mice.
ApoTome to visualize E‐cadherin and p63 expression in oral pre‐cancer

Precise histopathological localization of E‐cadherin and p63 is of immense importance in understanding the integrity of oral mucosal stratified epithelium in normal and diseased conditions. Necessarily immunohistochemical imaging should have minimum bleaching impact on the dyes and ability to produce clear and crisp images. Here ApoTome provides an alternative with metal halide light source and structured illumination under the assistance of grids, along with integrated image processing modality to generate crisp images with digital interface. The current study demonstrates the applicability of such microscopic system in capturing fluorescence images of immunohistochemical sections of normal and precancerous biopsies in respect to the expression of p63 and E‐cadherin in the epithelial cells. The ApoTome images localize the nuclear and membranous expressions of p63 and E‐cadherin, respectively, with remarkable specificity. The findings on E‐cadherin expression have enormous diagnostic significance as these images clearly differentiate the early and advanced stages of oral submucous fibrosis based on their cytoplasmic and membranous location. Thus, this study clearly depicts a remarkable performance of ApoTome with diagnostic significance.
GMM with Dynamic Management of the Number of Gaussians based on AIRS

Background subtraction is an essential step in the process of monitoring videos. Several works have proposed models to di erentiate the background pixels from the foreground pixels. Mixtures of Gaussian (GMM) are among the most popular models for a such problem. However, they su er from certain inconveniences related to the light variations and complex scene due to the use of a xed number of Gaussians. In this paper, we will propose an improvement of the GMM based on the use of the bio-inspired algorithm AIRS (Arti cial Immune Recognition System) to generate and introduce new Gaussian instead of using a xed number of Gaussians. Our approach is to exploit the robustness of the mutation function in the generation phase of the new ARBs to create new Gaussians. These Gaussians are then ltered into the resource competition phase in order to keep only ones that best represent the background. The system implemented and tested on the Wall ower database has proven its e ectiveness against other state-of-art methods. keywords: GMM · Video surveillance · AIRS · background subtraction.
A matching based coexistence mechanism between eMBB and uRLLC in 5G wireless networks

Ultra-reliable low-latency communication (uRLLC) and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) are two major service classes in the emerging 5G mobile network. uRLLC applications demand a stringent latency and reliability whereas eMBB services necessitate utmost data rates. The coexistence of uRLLC and eMBB services on the same radio resource leads to a challenging scheduling problem because of the trade-off among latency, reliability and spectral efficiency. In this paper, a puncturing scheme based coexistence approach between uRLLC and eMBB traffic is proposed for the upcoming 5G mobile networks. Specifically, an optimization problem is formulated with the objective of maximizing the minimum expected achieved rate of eMBB users in the long run basis while meeting the uRLLC requirements. To solve this co-scheduling optimization problem, we decomposed it into two sub-problems with the same objective of the original problem: 1) resource allocation problem for eMBB users, and 2) resource allocation problem for uRLLC users. A heuristic algorithm is used for solving the first sub-problem, whereas the one-sided matching game is used for solving the second. Simulation results show the advantages of the proposed approach over other baseline methods in terms of the minimum achieved rate and fairness among the eMBB users.
Upward and downward bias when measuring inequality of opportunity

Estimates of the level of inequality of opportunity have traditionally been proposed as lower bounds due to the downward bias resulting from the partial observability of circumstances that affect individual outcome. We show that such estimates may also suffer from upward bias as a consequence of sampling variance. The magnitude of the latter distortion depends on both the empirical strategy used and the observed sample. We suggest that, although neglected in empirical contributions, the upward bias may be significant and challenge the interpretation of inequality of opportunity estimates as lower bounds. We propose a simple criterion to select the best specification that balances the two sources of bias. Our method is based on cross-validation and can easily be implemented with survey data. To show how this method can improve the reliability of inequality of opportunity measurement, we provide an empirical illustration based on income data from 31 European countries. Our evidence shows that estimates of inequality of opportunity are sensitive to model selection. Alternative specifications lead to significant differences in the absolute level of inequality of opportunity and to the re-ranking of a number of countries, which confirms the need for an objective criterion to select the best econometric model when measuring inequality of opportunity.
Cutting Edge: Extracellular Signal-Related Kinase Is Not Required for Negative Selection of Developing T Cells1

Signals initiated through the TCR during development can result in either survival and differentiation or cell death. High affinity signals that induce death elicit a robust yet transient activation of signaling pathways, including Erk, whereas low affinity ligands, which promote survival, generate a gradual and weaker activation of the same pathways. It was recently demonstrated that Erk localizes to distinct cellular locations in response to high and low affinity ligands. Although a requirement for Erk in positive selection is well established, its role in negative selection is controversial and, thus, the importance of Erk relocalization during development is not understood. In this study, we examined the role of Erk in negative selection using mice that are genetically deficient in both Erk1 and Erk2 in T cells. Results from three different models reveal that thymocyte deletion remains intact in the absence of Erk.
Event detection for exploring emotional upheavals of depressive people

Depression is a common illness that negatively affects how people feel, think, and act. It causes feelings of sadness and sleeping disorders. In serious cases, it leads to self-harm or suicide. Many researchers in computer science addressed the problem of depression detection. However, less research concerns the emotional upheaval of depressive people and investigates the reasons behind the depression. In this paper, a deep learning model is first constructed to automatically determine the negative sentiment degree for a Facebook post. The curves of emotional upheavals for depressive users are then generated. Based on the post contents, weather, and news data, relevant events are detected to infer the reasons of the negative emotions. A correlation analysis between the behavioral data of the depressive users on Facebook and their negative emotions is also conducted. The results of this study can not only provide a self-examination tool for depressive people, but also serve as a diagnostic assessment reference for medical personnel.
2D character animating networks: bringing static characters to move via motion transfer

Animating a character given an image is an interesting research problem that posed to have applicational values. Namely, it could help animators to automatically animate new characters with motions similar to previous characters. The problem also has value in digital entertainment for animating characters created by players such as drawn characters. There are a few deep learning video synthesis models that could generate a video given an image. However, it is unlikely there exists a dataset that could train them for animating characters since characters for digital entertainment tend to be more novel and diverse. Nor is it practical for animators to create a large dataset for training. To this end, a 2D-CharAnimNet is proposed. Empowered by a novel motion transfer scheme for video generation, the proposed variational-autoencoder-based model could use a relatively small dataset. In addition, to improve the fidelity of video frames, dynamic skip-connections along with a polishing generative adversarial networks are also proposed. Results seem to indicate that the model has encouraging potential in adapting for applicational uses.
Ensemble trees learning based improved predictive maintenance using IIoT for turbofan engines

An unprecedented growth of the industrial sector, has led to an exponential increase in the amount of industrial IoT (IIoT) data. This is sprouting increased interest in the data-driven predictive maintenance (PDM) of the industrial equipments in cyber-physical systems (CPS). PDM is a prominent strategy which can achieve increased reliability and safety of CPS while attaining reduced maintenance cost by estimating the current health status and the remaining user life (RUL). In modern days, schedule-based airline maintenance does not consider prediction of faults in advance, which may result in undue maintenance situations where components are still kept in service even though they might have exceeded their defined limit of failure. Therefore, accurate degradation assessment and RUL prediction makes sense on dual fronts of guiding sensible decision-making regarding aviation safety and rational maintenance. To identify most crucial attributes and critical relationship among the attributes for fault detection of individual equipment(s) in the turbofan aircraft engine, We propose a predictive maintenance model using data-driven prognostic method for RUL estimation with multiple operating conditions. we capture increased insight using improved feature engineering and apply ensemble tree learning. Extensive experiments are performed on a widely used Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) C-MAPSS dataset. It is observed that Gradient Boosted Trees (GBT) with an accuracy of 93.91% performs better over Random Forest (RF) with 91.78% accuracy. However RF performed competitively with a much faster compute time in comparison to GBT.
Hormone therapy and risk of myocardial infarction: a national register study.

AIM To assess the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) as a result of hormone therapy (HT), with focus on the influence of age, duration of HT, various regimens and routes, progestagen type, and oestrogen dose. METHODS AND RESULTS All healthy Danish women (n = 698,098, aged 51-69) were followed during 1995-2001. On the basis of a central prescription registry, daily updated national capture on HT was determined. National Registers identified 4947 MI incidents. Poisson regression analyses estimated rate ratios (RRs). Overall, we found no increased risk [RR 1.03 (95% CI: 0.95-1.11)] of MI with the current HT compared with women who never used HT; age-stratified RR among women aged 51-54, 55-59, 60-64, and 65-69 years were 1.24 (1.02-1.51), 0.96 (0.82-1.12), 1.11 (0.97-1.27), and 0.92 (0.80-1.06), respectively. An increasing risk with longer duration was found for younger women, which was not observed with older age groups. In all age groups, the highest risk of MI was found with continuous HT regimen. No increased risk was found with unopposed oestrogen, cyclic combined therapy, or tibolone. Significantly lower risk was found with dermal route than oral unopposed oestrogen therapy (P = 0.04). No associations were found with progestagen type or oestrogen dose. CONCLUSION In a National cohort study, we found that HT regimen and route of application could modify the influence of HT on the risk of MI.