Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
LGN-Net: Local-Global Normality Network for Video Anomaly Detection

Video anomaly detection (VAD) has been intensively studied for years because of its potential applications in intelligent video systems. Existing unsupervised VAD methods tend to learn normality from training sets consisting of only normal videos and regard instances deviating from such normality as anomalies. However, they often consider only local or global normality in the temporal dimension. Some of them focus on learning local spatiotemporal representations from consecutive frames to enhance the representation for normal events. But powerful representation allows these methods to represent some anomalies and causes miss detection. In contrast, the other methods are devoted to memorizing prototypical normal patterns of whole training videos to weaken the generalization for anomalies, which also restricts them from representing diverse normal patterns and causes false alarm. To this end, we propose a two-branch model, Local-Global Normality Network (LGN-Net), to simultaneously learn local and global normality. Specifically, one branch learns the evolution regularities of appearance and motion from consecutive frames as local normality utilizing a spatiotemporal prediction network, while the other branch memorizes prototype features of the whole videos as global normality by a memory module. LGN-Net achieves a balance of representing normal and abnormal instances by fusing local and global normality. In addition, the fused normality enables LGN-Net to generalize to various scenes more than exploiting single normality. Experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and superior performance of our method. The code is available online: https://github.com/Myzhao1999/LGN-Net.
Predicting Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Levels from Videos Using the Facial Action Coding System

We present the first study in the literature that has aimed to determine Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) levels by analyzing facial expressions using Facial Action Coding System (FACS) by means of a unique noninvasive architecture on three layers designed to offer high accuracy and fast convergence: in the first layer, Active Appearance Models (AAM) and a set of multiclass Support Vector Machines (SVM) are used for Action Unit (AU) classification; in the second layer, a matrix is built containing the AUs’ intensity levels; and in the third layer, an optimal feedforward neural network (FFNN) analyzes the matrix from the second layer in a pattern recognition task, predicting the DASS levels. We obtained 87.2% accuracy for depression, 77.9% for anxiety, and 90.2% for stress. The average prediction time was 64 s, and the architecture could be used in real time, allowing health practitioners to evaluate the evolution of DASS levels over time. The architecture could discriminate with 93% accuracy between healthy subjects and those affected by Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and 85% for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). For the first time in the literature, we determined a set of correlations between DASS, induced emotions, and FACS, which led to an increase in accuracy of 5%. When tested on AVEC 2014 and ANUStressDB, the method offered 5% higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity compared to other state-of-the-art methods.
A High-Voltage Energy-Harvesting Interface for Irregular Kinetic Energy Harvesting in IoT Systems with 1365% Improvement Using All-NMOS Power Switches and Ultra-low Quiescent Current Controller

An energy-harvesting interface for kinetic energy harvesting from high-voltage piezoelectric and triboelectric generators is proposed in this paper. Unlike the conventional kinetic energy-harvesting interfaces optimized for continuous sinusoidal input, the proposed harvesting interface can efficiently handle irregular and random high voltage energy inputs. An N-type mosfet (NMOS)-only power stage design is introduced to simplify power switch drivers and minimize conduction loss. Controller active mode power is also reduced by introducing a new voltage peak detector. For efficient operation with potentially long intervals between random kinetic energy inputs, standby power consumption is minimized by monitoring the input with a 43 pW wake-up controller and power-gating all other circuits during the standby intervals. The proposed harvesting interface can harvest energy from a wide range of energy inputs, 10 s of nJ to 10 s of µJ energy/pulse, with an input voltage range of 5–200 V and an output range of 2.4–4 V under discontinuous as well as continuous excitation. The proposed interface is examined in two scenarios, with integrated power stage devices (maximum input 45 V) and with discrete power stage devices (maximum input 200 V), and the harvesting efficiency is improved by up to 600% and 1350%, respectively, compared to the case when harvesting is performed with a full bridge rectifier.
Does a mandatory non-medical switch from originator to biosimilar etanercept lead to increase in healthcare use and costs? A Danish register-based study of patients with inflammatory arthritis

Objectives In year 2016, Danish national guidelines included a mandatory switch of patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases treated with originator etanercept (ETA) to biosimilar SB4 in routine care. We aimed to explore if switching lead to increased healthcare utilisation and costs. Methods Observational cohort study. Adult patients who switched from ETA to SB4 were identified in the Danish nationwide DANBIO registry. In the National Patient Registry, we identified health utilisation (hospital admissions/hospital days/outpatient visits/prescription medication use) and comorbidities. Estimation of health utilisation included average use and costs 1 year before/after switch, changes after the switch, and whether patient characteristics affected changes. Analyses were by adjusted two-step gamma distributed regression models, and for changes over time a generalized estimation equations (GEE) model was applied. Impact of comorbidities was explored as interaction terms in the model. Medication costs of ETA and SB4 were not included in model. Results 1620 patients were included (mean age 55 years (SD 14.7), 40% male). Costs before and after switching were mainly driven by outpatient visits (67%/72% of all costs). Monthly fluctuations of costs were similar before/after switch. After switching, use (8%) and costs (7%) of outpatient services increased, whereas costs of admissions (55%) and medication (5%) decreased. Patients with longer ETA treatment duration had an increase in use and costs of healthcare resources, whereas gender and comorbidities had no impact. Higher age was associated with an increase in costs of inpatient services. Conclusion We demonstrated no obvious changes in overall use and costs of healthcare services following switch from originator to biosimilar etanercept.
Higher baseline fat oxidation promotes gynoid fat mobilization in response to a 12 week exercise intervention in sedentary, obese black South African women.

This 12-week exercise intervention study assessed changes in cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF), energy expenditure (EE) and substrate utilization at rest and during exercise in obese, black South African (SA) women and explored associations with changes in body composition. Black SA women (BMI 30-40 kg.m-2, 20-35 y) were randomized into control (CTL, n=15, maintaining usual activity) or exercise (EXE, n=20; 12 weeks, 4d.wk-1, 40-60min.d-1 @ >70%HRpeak) groups. Pre- and post-intervention testing included: VO2peak, resting and steady state (50% VO2peak) EE and respiratory exchange and body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)). Dietary intake (4d) and daily step-count (ActivPAL) was collected at pre-testing, 4, 8 & 12 weeks. EXE increased VO2peak (24.9±2.4 to 27.6±3.4 ml.min-1.kg-1; p<0.001) and steady state fat oxidation rates (7.5±2.5 to 9.0±2.7 mg.min-1.kg-1 fat-free soft tissue mass; p=0.003) (same relative exercise intensity). CTL remained unchanged (p>0.05). EXE reduced proportional gynoid fat mass (%total fat mass, p=0.002). Baseline resting carbohydrate oxidation rates (p=0.036) and steady state fat oxidation rates (p=0.021) explained 60.6% of the variability in ∆gynoid FM (p<0.001) in EXE. This 12-week exercise intervention improved CRF and steady state fat oxidation rates. Greater reliance on fat oxidation at baseline promoted proportional reductions in gynoid, not visceral, FM in response to exercise training. •Combined exercise training in obese black South African women increased cardiorespiratory fitness and rates of fat oxidation during steady state exercise. •Exercise training reduced proportional gynoid, not visceral, fat, potentially representing an ethnic/gender-specific response. •Baseline substrate utilization (resting and steady state exercise (50% VO2peak)) predicted changes in gynoid fat mass.
Experimental Investigation of Inductive Sensor Characteristic for Blade Tip Clearance Measurement at High Temperature

Turbine tip clearance of aero-engine is important to engine performance. Proper tip clearance can reduce the gas leakage over turbine blade tips and improve the engine efficiency of turbo machinery and reduce the fuel consumption. Therefore, accurate tip clearance measurement is essential. The inductive measurement method is one of the non-contact distance measurement methods, which has the characteristics of high sensitivity, fast response speed, and strong anti-interference ability. Based on the principle of inductive sensor measuring tip clearance, the ambient temperature change may cause the material electromagnetic performance change for the conductivity and permeability varies with temperature. In order to verify the temperature effect on the sensor performance, the repeated calibration experiments were carried out to obtain the sensor repeatability error of 5.4%. Then, the sensor was calibrated in the range of 0 mm–4 mm clearance at temperature from 600 °C to 1000 °C and obtained the measurement error of 4.6%. Results indicate when the temperature ranged from 600 °C to 1000 °C, clearance measurement error is smaller than the sensor repeatability error so the temperature effect on the sensor characteristics can be ignored. This conclusion makes the sensor promising for monitoring the blade tip clearances at various temperature environment.
Loss of Glycine N-Methyltransferase Associates with Angiopoietin-Like Protein 8 Expression in High Fat-Diet-Fed Mice

Imbalance of lipid metabolism is a main cause of metabolic syndrome leading to life-threatening metabolic diseases. Angiopoietin-like protein 8 (Angptl8) was recently identified as a liver and adipose tissue-released hormone that is one of the molecules involved in triglyceride metabolism. However, the regulatory mechanism of Angptl8 is largely unknown. A high fat diet (HFD)-fed mouse model, which showed high cholesterol, high triglyceride, and high insulin in the blood, revealed the upregulation of hepatic and plasma Angptl8 and the downregulation of hepatic glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT). The inverse correlation of hepatic Angptl8 and GNMT expression in the livers of HFD-fed mice was also confirmed in a publicly available microarray dataset. The mechanistic study using primary hepatocytes showed that the Angptl8 expression could be induced by insulin treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway by the specific inhibitors or the dominant-negative Akt blocked the insulin-induced Angptl8 expression. Moreover, knockout of GNMT promoted the Akt activation as well as the Angptl8 expression. These results suggested that GNMT might be involved in insulin-induced Angptl8 expression in HFD-mediated metabolic syndrome.
Stability Control and Turning Algorithm of an Alpine Skiing Robot

This paper proposes a general stability control method that uses the concept of zero-moment-point (ZMP) and a turning algorithm with a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor for a bipedal alpine skiing robot. There is no elaborate simulator for skiing robots since the snow has complicated characteristics, such as compression and melting. However, real experiments are laborious because of the many varied skiing conditions. The proposed skiing simulator could be used, so that a humanoid robot can track its desired turning radius by modeled forces that are similar to real ones in the snow. Subsequently, the robot will be able to pass through gates with LiDAR sensors. By using ZMP control, the robot can avoid falling down while tracking its desired path. The performance of the proposed stabilization method and autonomous turning algorithm are verified by a dynamics simulation software, Webots, and the simulation results are obtained while using the small humanoid robot platform DARwIn-OP.
Intrasession and Intersession Reliability of Countermovement Jump Testing in Division-I Volleyball Athletes.

Carroll, KM, Wagle, JP, Sole, CJ, and Stone, MH. Intrasession and intersession reliability of countermovement jump testing in Division-I volleyball athletes. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-The countermovement jump (CMJ) is a reliable and noninvasive test of lower-body neuromuscular performance. Many of the investigations used to establish the reliability of CMJ have been conducted in a controlled environment (i.e., laboratory setting). To better inform coaches, reliability of key CMJ variables should be examined in a practical environment. This study assessed intrasession and intersession reliability of CMJ variables in NCAA D-I volleyball athletes. Eleven female volleyball players (age = 19.8 ± 0.8 years, height = 1.75 ± 0.07 m, body mass = 71.6 ± 8.9 kg) performed twice weekly CMJ testing on force platforms across 14 weeks of training. Dependent variables were CMJ height (CMJH), reactive strength index modified (RSIMOD), relative peak power (rPP), and countermovement depth (CM depth). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), coefficient of variation (CV), and typical error (TE) were calculated, along with Pearson correlation coefficients. Intrasession reliability revealed excellent reliability values for CMJH (ICC = 0.94, CV = 2.9 ± 2.4%, TE = 1.25) and RSIMOD (ICC = 0.93, CV = 4.7 ± 4.9, TE = 0.03). Good reliability values were observed for rPP (ICC = 0.79, CV = 6.1 ± 10.9%, TE = 4.48), with only moderate reliability for CM depth (ICC = 0.61, CV = 7.1 ± 10.9%, TE = 16.9). Intersession reliability indicated excellent reliability for CMJH (ICC = 0.92, CV = 3.2 ± 2.8%, TE = 1.4) and RSIMOD (ICC = 0.92, CV = 5.4 ± 4.3%, TE = 0.03). However, poor reliability was observed for rPP (ICC = 0.41, CV = 10.4 ± 15.4%, TE = 7.95) and CM depth (ICC = 0.39, CV = 7.7 ± 10.8%, TE = 6.42). These results suggest that in the context of weekly athlete monitoring, measures such as CMJH and RSIMOD exhibit the greatest reliability. Conversely, measures such as CM depth and rPP exhibit high levels of variability. Practitioners seeking to track jump performance over time should be cognizant of CM depth variability and its potential impact on CMJ variables.
Microbiome Analysis of Cholesteatoma by Gene Sequencing.

OBJECTIVE To compare the microbial flora of cholesteatoma and normal middle ears using gene-based sequencing analysis. STUDY DESIGN Controlled ex vivo human study. SETTING Academic, tertiary medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Brush, swab, and tissue samples were each taken from cholesteatoma matrix and uninvolved tissue in patients with previously untreated, acquired cholesteatoma (n = 19) or middle ear mucosa from patients undergoing cochlear implantation with no history of cholesteatoma or previous middle ear surgery (control; n = 12). DNA was isolated from specimens then 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed. RESULTS There was no difference in microbial yield between the sampling methods. Cholesteatoma specimens had lower relative abundance of 14 bacterial species compared with controls including Acidovorax sp. , Bacillus sp. , Masillia sp. , Moraxella osloensis, Phenylobacterium conjunctum, Sphingomonas sp. , and Staphylococcus epidermidis (all p < 0.05). Alternaria sp. were present on nearly all the specimens. Alternaria sp. and Cladosporium herbarum (both p ≤ 0.05) were lower in the cholesteatoma compared with control group. There was no difference in the relative abundance of any bacteria or fungi between the cholesteatoma matrix and uninvolved middle ear mucosa. CONCLUSIONS Microbiome of cholesteatoma matrix is largely similar to adjacent mucosa. This differs from healthy ears. Further study is needed to understand if middle ear microbiome may impact cholesteatoma pathogenesis or treatment.
Greater Blood Loss in Contemporary Cementless Total Knee Arthroplasty than Cemented Total Knee Arthroplasty despite Tranexamic Acid Use: A Match-Controlled Retrospective Study

Abstract The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess whether tranexamic acid (TXA) reduces blood loss in cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) comparable to levels observed with cemented fixation. After exclusions from 109 consecutive TKAs, 76 cementless knees were matched to 78 cemented knees of identical implant and surgeon. Blood loss with and without TXA was compared. There was no difference between cohorts in sex, age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification, or preoperative hemoglobin (p ≥ 0.119). Use of TXA reduced median drain output by only 205 mL in cementless knees compared to 470 mL in cemented knees (p < 0.001). Median drain output per hour was highest in cementless knees without TXA (39.5 mL) followed by cemented knees without TXA (38.2 mL), cementless knees with TXA (28.5 mL), and cemented knees with TXA (12.7 mL; p < 0.001). Hemoglobin drop and total blood loss did not differ between cohorts regardless of TXA use. Cementless fixation in TKA resulted in greater intra-articular blood loss as measured by drain output, despite the use of TXA. Further research is warranted to examine whether a higher TXA dose, TXA delivery method, or the application of bone wax sealant would mitigate blood loss in cementless TKA, and subsequently whether intra-articular blood accumulation resulting in postoperative hemarthrosis affects recovery, function, and clinical outcomes.
Comparison of the body size and age structure of Lebanon lizard, Phoenicolacerta laevis (Gray, 1838) at different altitudes in Turkey

In this study, comparison of a life history traits (e.g. body size, age at maturity, longevity) of two populations of Phoenicolacerta laevis from different altitudes is being carried out (Anamur, 22 m a.s.l.; Andırın, 1.083 m a.s.l.) for the first time. We applied phalangeal skeletochronology to obtain the age of juveniles and adults. Age was determined by counting the lines of arrested growth (LAGs) in cross-sections. Males in both populations were the larger of the two sexes and a male biased sexual dimorphism was determined for both populations. Body size (SVL) was similar in both sexes and populations. Age of maturity was calculated to be 3 years of age for males and females in both populations. The average age of males and females was calculated as 6.62 ± 0.37 (Mean±SE) and 6.11 ± 0.26 years in Anamur, and 6.15 ± 0.51 and 5.26 ± 0.24 years in Andırın. There was statistically significant variation between sexes, but no significant difference in populations was found in relation to age. For both populations, a significant positive correlation was found between age and SVL in males and females.
Evaluation of biomarkers of stress in chronic stress-exposed comorbid depression model Wistar rats

Abstract Background In recent years, increased stress in human life has a dual effect on brain and body physiology. Chronic stress takes a toll on physiology as well as on quality of life, ultimately leading to affective disorders. Rodent models are indispensable tools for studying the etiology and progress of depression. C-reactive protein has been proposed as a novel inflammatory marker. Methods Rats were divided into control and experimental stress groups (n = 6 each). The experimental group consisted of rats that were exposed to a set of chronic unpredictable stressors for 15 days. At the end of the 15th day, the animals were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture. Then the blood samples were analyzed for selected biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. Results Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (p < 0.0001), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (p < 0.001), serum malondialdehyde (p < 0.0001), total antioxidant level (p < 0.0001), and serum cortisol (p < 0.0001) were significantly increased in the stressed group when compared with the control group. C-reactive protein significantly (p < 0.0001) increased in the stressed group when compared with the control group. Conclusion Our results demonstrate that chronic unpredictable stress ameliorated depression-like behavior, which might have caused the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, causing the imbalance in the biochemical and oxidative parameters increasing the inflammatory markers. The inflammation-induced model of the chronic unpredictable stress model of comorbid depression might provide a variety of new targets for antidepressant therapies.
Plasmodium vivax Reticulocyte Binding Proteins for invasion into reticulocytes

Plasmodium vivax is responsible for most of the malaria infections outside Africa and is currently the predominant malaria parasite in countries under elimination programs. P. vivax preferentially enters young red cells called reticulocytes. Advances in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of entry are hampered by the inability to grow large numbers of P. vivax parasites in a long‐term in vitro culture. Recent progress in understanding the biology of the P. vivax Reticulocyte Binding Protein (PvRBPs) family of invasion ligands has led to the identification of a new invasion pathway into reticulocytes, an understanding of their structural architecture and PvRBPs as targets of the protective immune response to P. vivax infection. This review summarises current knowledge on the role of reticulocytes in P. vivax infection, the function of the PvRBP family of proteins in generating an immune response in human populations, and the characterization of anti‐PvRBP antibodies in blocking parasite invasion.