Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BaffleText: a Human Interactive Proof

Internet services designed for human use are being abused by programs. We present a defense against such attacks in the form of a CAPTCHA (Completely Automatic Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) that exploits the difference in ability between humans and machines in reading images of text. CAPTCHAs are a special case of 'human interactive proofs,' a broad class of security protocols that allow people to identify themselves over networks as members of given groups. We point out vulnerabilities of reading-based CAPTCHAs to dictionary and computer-vision attacks. We also draw on the literature on the psychophysics of human reading, which suggests fresh defenses available to CAPTCHAs. Motivated by these considerations, we propose BaffleText, a CAPTCHA which uses non-English pronounceable words to defend against dictionary attacks, and Gestalt-motivated image-masking degradations to defend against image restoration attacks. Experiments on human subjects confirm the human legibility and user acceptance of BaffleText images. We have found an image-complexity measure that correlates well with user acceptance and assists in engineering the generation of challenges to fit the ability gap. Recent computer-vision attacks, run independently by Mori and Jitendra, suggest that BaffleText is stronger than two existing CAPTCHAs.
TLR4 Up-Regulation at Protein or Gene Level Is Pathogenic for Lupus-Like Autoimmune Disease1

TLR4 is the receptor for the Gram-negative bacterial cell wall component LPS. TLR4 signaling is controlled by both positive and negative regulators to balance optimal immune response and potential sepsis. Unchecked TLR4 activation might result in autoimmune diseases, a hypothesis that has not been formally resolved. In this study, we found that TLR4 signaling to LPS can be positively enforced by expressing gp96 on cell surfaces through the chaperone function of, but not the direct signaling by, gp96; TLR4 as well as the commensal flora are essential for the production of anti-dsDNA Ab and the immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis in transgenic mice that express surface gp96. Moreover, a similar constellation of autoimmunity was evident in mice that encode multiple copies of tlr4 gene. Our study has revealed that increased TLR4 signaling alone without exogenous insult can break immunological tolerance. It provides a strong experimental evidence for TLR4 dysregulation as an etiology of lupus-like renal disease.
Association of glutamate receptor gene polymorphisms with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder susceptibility: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: There is a growing body of evidence indicating a possible association between genetic variations and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), although the results have been inconsistent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the GRIN2A, GRIN2B and GRM7 gene polymorphisms and ADHD. Methods: A comprehensive meta-analysis and subgroup evaluation was conducted using a fixed-effects model to analyze the association between ADHD and GRIN2B (rs2284411), GRIN2A (rs2229193), and GRM7 (rs3792452) in six genetic models (dominant, recessive, overdominant, homozygous, heterozygous, and allele models). Results: The meta-analysis comprised 8 studies. The overall analysis showed that the GRIN2B rs2284411 T allele and T carries were significantly associated with a decreased risk of ADHD (dominant model:TT + CT vs. CC: OR = 0.783; 95% CI: 0.627–0.980; p = 0.032, allele model:T vs. C: OR = 0.795; 95% CI: 0.656–0.964; p = 0.019), especially in the Korean subgroup (dominant model:TT + CT vs. CC: OR = 0.640; 95% CI: 0.442–0.928; p = 0.019, overdominant model: CT vs. TT + CC: OR = 0.641; 95% CI: 0.438–0.938; p = 0.022, allele model:T vs. C: OR = 0.712; 95% CI: 0.521–0.974; p = 0.034 and heterozygous model: CT vs. CC: OR = 0.630; 95% CI: 0.429–0.925; p = 0.018). However, no meaningful associations were found for rs2229193 and rs3792452. Conclusion: The results of the meta-analysis provide strong evidence that the rs2284411 T allele is significantly associated with reduced susceptibility to ADHD, particularly in the Korean population.
Stereo-vision based obstacle mapping for indoor/outdoor SLAM

The creation of local and global maps is crucial for (semi-)autonomous operation of mobile robots in previously unknown environments, e.g. during search and rescue missions. We developed an on-board stereo-vision based mapping system, thereby introducing local obstacle maps that can directly be used for fast local obstacle avoidance and path planning. In addition, we designed them to constitute a suitable input to a widely-used simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm. We performed experiments in unknown indoor, unstructured outdoor as well as mixed environments and demonstrated the applicability of our method to camera setups with small as well as wide field of view. In all three scenarios, we achieved a final 2D position error of less than 0.08% of the full trajectory.
An improved particle swarm optimization for feature selection

Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is a popular and bionic algorithm based on the social behavior associated with bird flocking for optimization problems. To maintain the diversity of swarms, a few studies of multi-swarm strategy have been reported. However, the competition among swarms, reservation or destruction of a swarm, has not been considered further. In this paper, we formulate four rules by introducing the mechanism for survival of the fittest, which simulates the competition among the swarms. Based on the mechanism, we design a modified Multi-Swarm PSO (MSPSO) to solve discrete problems, which consists of a number of sub-swarms and a multi-swarm scheduler that can monitor and control each sub-swarm using the rules. To further settle the feature selection problems, we propose an Improved Feature Selection (IFS) method by integrating MSPSO, Support Vector Machines (SVM) with F-score method. The IFS method aims to achieve higher generalization capability through performing kernel parameter optimization and feature selection simultaneously. The performance of the proposed method is compared with that of the standard PSO based, Genetic Algorithm (GA) based and the grid search based methods on 10 benchmark datasets, taken from UCI machine learning and StatLog databases. The numerical results and statistical analysis show that the proposed IFS method performs significantly better than the other three methods in terms of prediction accuracy with smaller subset of features.
Differential Flatness of Quadrotor Dynamics Subject to Rotor Drag for Accurate Tracking of High-Speed Trajectories

In this letter, we prove that the dynamical model of a quadrotor subject to linear rotor drag effects is differentially flat in its position and heading. We use this property to compute feedforward control terms directly from a reference trajectory to be tracked. The obtained feedforward terms are then used in a cascaded, nonlinear feedback control law that enables accurate agile flight with quadrotors. Compared to the state-of-the-art control methods, which treat the rotor drag as an unknown disturbance, our method reduces the trajectory tracking error significantly. Finally, we present a method based on a gradient-free optimization to identify the rotor drag coefficients, which are required to compute the feedforward control terms. The new theoretical results are thoroughly validated trough extensive comparative experiments.
Beyond Borders: Understanding How Globalization Affects Employment in Pakistan

The research examines the determinants of employment in the era of globalization in Pakistan. The study employed data from 1980 to 2019. The ADF test confirmed data stationarity, revealing variables and series as mixed-order stationary. ARDL appeared the most suitable for regression analysis due to its mix order capability. The empirical evidence shows that globalization has positive and significant impacts on the labor force participation rate. Other control variables are also positively affecting employment in Pakistan. The study suggests that Pakistan should prioritize family planning and a suitable environment for domestic and foreign investment to enhance employment opportunities.
A new interframe difference algorithm for moving target detection

In this paper, a new interframe difference algorithm for moving target detection is proposed which is under a static background based on three-frame-difference method in combination with background subtraction method. Firstly, the current frame image subtracts the previous frame and the next frame image separately, their results are added together to get a gray-scale image of the three-frame-difference method. Secondly, the current frame image subtracts the background image to get another gray-scale image of background subtraction method. Thirdly, their sum of the two gray-scale images of above is translated into binary image after being judged by threshold. Finally, this binary image is processed by morphology filtering and connectivity analyzing. Therefore, moving region is obtained. This new algorithm takes advantage of the good performances of three-frame-difference method and background subtraction method adequately. The analysis in theory and experiment results all show that the algorithm is better in efficiency and effect for moving target detection compared to the other similarity method.
Effects of marijuana smoking on pulmonary function and respiratory complications: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND The relationship between marijuana smoking and pulmonary function or respiratory complications is poorly understood; therefore, we conducted a systematic review of the impact of marijuana smoking on pulmonary function and respiratory complications. METHODS Studies that evaluated the effect of marijuana smoking on pulmonary function and respiratory complications were selected from the MEDLINE, PsychINFO, and EMBASE databases according to predefined criteria from January 1, 1966, to October 28, 2005. Two independent reviewers extracted data and evaluated study quality based on established criteria. Study results were critically appraised for clinical applicability and research methods. RESULTS Thirty-four publications met selection criteria. Reports were classified as challenge studies if they examined the association between short-term marijuana use and airway response; other reports were classified as studies of long-term marijuana smoking and pulmonary function or respiratory complications. Eleven of 12 challenge studies found an association between short-term marijuana administration and bronchodilation (eg, increases of 0.15-0.25 L in forced expiratory volume in 1 second). No consistent association was found between long-term marijuana smoking and airflow obstruction measures. All 14 studies that assessed long-term marijuana smoking and respiratory complications noted an association with increased respiratory symptoms, including cough, phlegm, and wheeze (eg, odds ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.32-3.01, for the association between marijuana smoking and cough). Studies were variable in their overall quality (eg, controlling for confounders, including tobacco smoking). CONCLUSIONS Short-term exposure to marijuana is associated with bronchodilation. Physiologic data were inconclusive regarding an association between long-term marijuana smoking and airflow obstruction measures. Long-term marijuana smoking is associated with increased respiratory symptoms suggestive of obstructive lung disease.
Eco-energetic consequences of evolutionary shifts in body size.

Size imposes physiological and ecological constraints upon all organisms. Theory abounds on how energy flux covaries with body size, yet causal links are often elusive. As a more direct way to assess the role of size, we used artificial selection to evolve the phytoplankton species Dunaliella tertiolecta towards smaller and larger body sizes. Within 100 generations (c. 1 year), we generated a fourfold difference in cell volume among selected lineages. Large-selected populations produced four times the energy than small-selected populations of equivalent total biovolume, but at the cost of much higher volume-specific respiration. These differences in energy utilisation between large (more productive) and small (more energy-efficient) individuals were used to successfully predict ecological performance (r and K) across novel resource regimes. We show that body size determines the performance of a species by mediating its net energy flux, with worrying implications for current trends in size reduction and for global carbon cycles.
The COUP-TF nuclear receptors regulate cell migration in the mammalian basal forebrain

Cells migrate via diverse pathways and in different modes to reach their final destinations during development. Tangential migration has been shown to contribute significantly to the generation of neuronal diversity in the mammalian telencephalon. GABAergic interneurons are the best-characterized neurons that migrate tangentially, from the ventral telencephalon, dorsally into the cortex. However, the molecular mechanisms and nature of these migratory pathways are only just beginning to be unravelled. In this study we have first identified a novel dorsal-to-ventral migratory route, in which cells migrate from the interganglionic sulcus, located in the basal telencephalon between the lateral and medial ganglionic eminences, towards the pre-optic area and anterior hypothalamus in the diencephalon. Next, with the help of transplantations and gain-of-function studies in organotypic cultures, we have shown that COUP-TFI and COUP-TFII are expressed in distinct and non-overlapping migratory routes. Ectopic expression of COUP-TFs induces an increased rate of cell migration and cell dispersal, suggesting roles in cellular adhesion and migration processes. Moreover, cells follow a distinct migratory path, dorsal versus ventral, which is dependent on the expression of COUP-TFI or COUP-TFII, suggesting an intrinsic role of COUP-TFs in guiding migrating neurons towards their target regions. Therefore, we propose that COUP-TFs are directly involved in tangential cell migration in the developing brain, through the regulation of short- and long-range guidance cues.
Automatic seed initialization for the expectation-maximization algorithm and its application in 3D medical imaging

Statistical partitioning of images into meaningful areas is the goal of all region-based segmentation algorithms. The clustering or creation of these meaningful partitions can be achieved in number of ways but in most cases it is achieved through the minimization or maximization of some function of the image intensity properties. Commonly these optimization schemes are locally convergent, therefore initialization of the parameters of the function plays a very important role in the final solution. In this paper we perform an automatically initialized expectation-maximization algorithm to partition the data in medical MRI images. We present analysis and illustrate results against manual initialization and apply the algorithm to some common medical image processing tasks.
Little-JIL/Juliette: a process definition language and interpreter

Little-JIL, a language for programming coordination in processes is an executable, high-level language with a formal (yet graphical) syntax and rigorously defined operational semantics. The central abstraction in Little-JIL is the step, which is the focal point for coordination, providing a scoping mechanism for control, data and exception flow and for agent and resource assignment. Steps are organized into a static hierarchy, but can have a highly dynamic execution structure including the possibility of recursion and concurrency. Little-JIL is based on two main hypotheses. The first is that coordination structure is separable from other process language issues. Little-JIL provides rich control structures while relying on separate systems for resource, artifact and agenda management. The second hypothesis is that processes are executed by agents that know how to perform their tasks but benefit from coordination support. Accordingly, each Little-JIL step has an execution agent (human or automated) that is responsible for performing the work of the step. This approach has proven effective in supporting the clear and concise expression of agent coordination for a wide variety of software, workflow and other processes.
Cardiac αVβ3 integrin expression following acute myocardial infarction in humans

Objective Maladaptive repair contributes towards the development of heart failure following myocardial infarction (MI). The αvβ3 integrin receptor is a key mediator and determinant of cardiac repair. We aimed to establish whether αvβ3 integrin expression determines myocardial recovery following MI. Methods 18F-Fluciclatide (a novel αvβ3-selective radiotracer) positron emission tomography (PET) and CT imaging and gadolinium-enhanced MRI (CMR) were performed in 21 patients 2 weeks after ST-segment elevation MI (anterior, n=16; lateral, n=4; inferior, n=1). CMR was repeated 9 months after MI. 7 stable patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) of a major coronary vessel and nine healthy volunteers underwent a single PET/CT and CMR. Results 18F-Fluciclatide uptake was increased at sites of acute infarction compared with remote myocardium (tissue-to-background ratio (TBRmean) 1.34±0.22 vs 0.85±0.17; p<0.001) and myocardium of healthy volunteers (TBRmean 1.34±0.22 vs 0.70±0.03; p<0.001). There was no 18F-fluciclatide uptake at sites of established prior infarction in patients with CTO, with activity similar to the myocardium of healthy volunteers (TBRmean 0.71±0.06 vs 0.70±0.03, p=0.83). 18F-Fluciclatide uptake occurred at sites of regional wall hypokinesia (wall motion index≥1 vs 0; TBRmean 0.93±0.31 vs 0.80±0.26 respectively, p<0.001) and subendocardial infarction. Importantly, although there was no correlation with infarct size (r=0.03, p=0.90) or inflammation (C reactive protein, r=−0.20, p=0.38), 18F-fluciclatide uptake was increased in segments displaying functional recovery (TBRmean 0.95±0.33 vs 0.81±0.27, p=0.002) and associated with increase in probability of regional recovery. Conclusion 18F-Fluciclatide uptake is increased at sites of recent MI acting as a biomarker of cardiac repair and predicting regions of recovery. Trial registration number NCT01813045; Post-results.
Isotopic evidence for Holocene January air temperature variability on the East Chukotka Peninsula

Ice‐wedge ice can provide a valuable record of past winter climate variability at high latitudes yet to date this proxy has been applied only sparsely across the Chukotka region of Siberia. Here we present data from eight ice‐wedges at four sites across a 600‐km transect in Eastern Chukotka which we use to reconstruct regional Holocene winter paleotemperature. The Holocene age of ice‐wedges was established by radiocarbon dating of peat surrounding individual ice‐wedges. Our suite of radiocarbon ages suggests that the studied ice‐wedges formed between 12.9–11.8 and 3–2.5 cal ka BP. δ18O and δ2H values from ice‐wedge ice indicate that in coastal areas of Eastern Chukotka mean January air temperatures in the first half of the Holocene were on average 2–3°С lower than modern values, a finding that corresponds well with winter climate reconstructions for the other areas of Beringia. The variability of reconstructed mean January air temperatures in the study area did not exceed 2–4°C during the early to mid‐Holocene.
A role for nephrin, a renal protein, in vertebrate skeletal muscle cell fusion

Skeletal muscle is formed via fusion of myoblasts, a well-studied process in Drosophila. In vertebrates however, this process is less well understood, and whether there is evolutionary conservation with the proteins studied in flies is under investigation. Sticks and stones (Sns), a cell surface protein found on Drosophila myoblasts, has structural homology to nephrin. Nephrin is a protein expressed in kidney that is part of the filtration barrier formed by podocytes. No previous study has established any role for nephrin in skeletal muscle. We show, using two models, zebrafish and mice, that the absence of nephrin results in poorly developed muscles and incompletely fused myotubes, respectively. Although nephrin-knockout (nephrinKO) myoblasts exhibit prolonged activation of MAPK/ERK pathway during myogenic differentiation, expression of myogenin does not seem to be altered. Nevertheless, MAPK pathway blockade does not rescue myoblast fusion. Co-cultures of unaffected human fetal myoblasts with nephrinKO myoblasts or myotubes restore the formation of mature myotubes; however, the contribution of nephrinKO myoblasts is minimal. These studies suggest that nephrin plays a role in secondary fusion of myoblasts into nascent myotubes, thus establishing a possible functional conservation with Drosophila Sns.
GAME-ABLING: Platform of Games for People with Cerebral Palsy

We present the FP7 European Project GAME-ABLING developed from December 2012 to January 2015. This project aimed at the dev lopment of a platform for the creation of games for patients with Cere bral Palsy (CP). A key point of the platform is that the framework can be used by p ersonal with no specific skill in game creation, permitting caregivers and p arents its utilization. The system is composed of (i) a framework that encompasses th e everal tools developed to run and control the games, (ii) the authoring to ol to easily allows the creation of new games, and (iii) the analyzing tool that g enerate statistics on the impact of the games in CP patients. Due to motor and cognit ive constraints of CP patients, specific sets of games were developed. Also an ex te sive group of peripherals can be employed beyond the usual game controlle rs, including color and depth cameras, Nintendo Wiimote and balance boards. Thi article describes the system elements and the results obtained during the eval uation of the games with real patients. Special detail is given to the analysis o f the movements of the user’s head and hands that is employed to control the games.
Temperature/emissivity separation using hyperspectral thermal infrared imagery and its potential for detecting the water content of plants

ABSTRACT Thermal infrared (TIR) remote sensing is among the most effective tools for retrieving land surface temperatures (LSTs) at different scales using remotely sensed data with different spatial resolutions. Significant advancements have recently been made in TIR sensor technology, and hyperspectral TIR images now provide an opportunity to separate temperatures and emissivities with high accuracy. In this study, an experiment is performed to retrieve temperatures and emissivities based on a hyperspectral TIR spectrometer, the HyperCam-LW (Long Wave), and show the potential of this instrument in detecting the water content variations, water deficiencies and health of plants. In this study, a temperature emissivity separation (TES) method based on spectral smoothness is used to retrieve the temperature and emissivity of wheat plants from hyperspectral TIR data. Based on the retrieved temperatures and emissivities, the variations in the emissivity from different wheat plants are observed, and the relationship between the emissivity dynamics and water content is analysed. A comparison of the temperature of different plants was performed, and the results clearly showed the canopy structure of the plants. Subsequently, the health of the wheat was analysed, and the results showed that for water-deficit plants, the emissivity increased in a consistent manner over all spectral bands while the spectral shape remained almost unchanged because the spectral emissivity is sensitive to water content variations in plants. In this paper, the results also demonstrated that it is possible and perhaps reasonable to attribute the overall increase in the emissivity of plants with water deficits to cavity effects resulting from biochemical and structural changes in the leaves caused by water deficits.