Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
k-anonymity: Risks and the Reality

Many a time, datasets containing private and sensitive information are useful for third-party data mining. To prevent identification of personal information, data owners release such data using privacy-preserving data publishing techniques. One well-known technique - k-anonymity - proposes that the records be grouped based on quasi-identifiers such that quasi-identifiers in a group have exactly the same values as any other in the same group. This process reduces the worst-case probability of re-identification of the records based on the quasi identifiers to 1/k. The problem of optimal k-anonymisation is NP-hard. Depending on the k-anonymisation method used and the number of quasi identifiers known to the attacker, the probability of re-identification could be lower than the worst-case guarantee. We quantify risk as the probability of re-identification and propose a mechanism to compute the empirical risk with respect to the cost of acquiring the knowledge about quasi-identifiers, using an real-world dataset released with some k-anonymity guarantee. In addition, we show that k-anonymity can be harmful because the knowledge of additional attributes other than quasi-identifiers can raise the probability of re-identification.
Automatic conversion of sound to the MIDI- format *

An experimental system for converting an audio signal into MIDI representation is presented. The system works in the frequency domain. A constant Q transform is used to compute spectrograms from which the partials are tracked. The partial trajectories are then parameterized in time and frequency resulting in a “pianola roll” representation, suitable for conversion to MIDI-code. The system performance is acceptable for music with reasonably well defined boundaries between notes. Typical errors which occur in the present state of development are placement of notes in the wrong octave, and generation of “ghost notes” which not belong to the score.
Assessment of genetic and environmental influences on differential ratings of within-family experiences and relationships in twins

Background. Although there is evidence that genetic factors influence individual differences in environmental risk exposure, there are few findings on genetic effects on differential parenting. The present study sought to examine this issue. Methods. The sample comprised 1117 pairs of like-sex male and female twins, aged 8–16 years, and their parents, recruited from the school population of Virginia. Differential ratings of the within-family experiences were provided by the Twin Inventory of Relationships and Experiences (TIRE). Results. Dimensions describing the within-family environment based on differential ratings contrasting the twins with one another, were influenced, to an approximately equal extent, by both genetic and environmental factors. Conclusions. The findings suggest that genetic differences between like-sex siblings lead them to experience their family environment differently, but also that environmental influences significantly affect interactions within the family.
Unsupervised feature learning for optical character recognition

Most of the popular optical character recognition (OCR) architectures use a set of handcrafted features and a powerful classifier for isolated character classification. Success of these methods often depend on the suitability of these features for the language of interest. In recent years, whole word recognition based on Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) has gained popularity. These methods use simple features such as raw pixel values or profiles. Success of these methods depend on the learning capabilities of these networks to encode the script and language information. In this work, we investigate the possibility of learning an appropriate set of features for designing OCR for a specific language. We learn the language specific features from the data with no supervision. This enables the seamless adaptation of the architecture across languages. In this work, we learn features using a stacked Restricted Boltzman Machines (RBM) and use it with the RNN based recognition solution. We validate our method on five different languages. In addition, these novel features also result in better convergence rate of the RNNs.
Selection of physiological parameters for optoelectronic system supporting behavioral therapy of autistic children

In this article the procedure of selection of physiological parameters for optoelectronic system supporting behavioral therapy of autistic children is proposed. Authors designed and conducted an experiment in which a group of 30 health volunteers (16 females and 14 males) were examined. Under controlled conditions people were exposed to a stressful situation caused by the picture or sound (1kHz constant sound, which was gradually silenced and finished with a shot sound). For each of volunteers, a set of physiological parameters were recorded, including: skin conductance, heart rate, peripheral temperature, respiration rate and electromyography. The selected characteristics were measured in different locations in order to choose the most suitable one for the designed therapy supporting system. The bio-statistical analysis allowed us to discern the proper physiological parameters that are most associated to changes due to emotional state of a patient, such as: skin conductance, temperatures and respiration rate. This allowed us to design optoelectronic sensors network for supporting behavioral therapy of children with autism.
Joint Antenna and Relay Selection Strategies for Decode-and-Forward Relay Networks

Cooperative diversity systems with optimal and suboptimal antenna and relay selection have been paid significant attention for more than half a decade. However, optimal antenna and relay selection strategies require global channel state information (CSI), which is a cumbersome process. In this paper, we propose a diversity-optimal and three suboptimal transmit-receive antenna and relay selection strategies, named S1, S2, and S3, for decode-and-forward cooperative relaying systems, equipped with Nt and Nr antennas at the source (S) and the destination (D), respectively, and considering a multirelay scenario. Furthermore, we study the symbol error probability (SEP) for these strategies, assuming M-ary phase-shift keying signaling over Rayleigh fading channels. In addition, we perform diversity order analysis through closed-form asymptotic SEP expressions. Since the proposed suboptimal strategies, i.e., S2 and S3, involve the socalled switch-and-examine combining scheme, we compare the complexity of S1, S2, and S3 in terms of the average number of CSI required at D to select the best transmit-receive antenna pair and relay. From the derived SEP expressions, it can be concluded that all three suboptimal strategies achieve the same diversity order of NtNr + N, where N is the number of relays, except for the case when the switching threshold signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is much lower than the average SNR in S2 and S3. Finally, the diversity-optimal strategy achieves full diversity order of NtNr + N min(Nt, Nr).
UAV: Low-cost remote sensing for high-resolution investigation of landslides

The civilian use of small inexpensive mini- and micro-UAVs has increased dramatically in the past few years. UAVs can be used for natural hazards management. In this context, UAVs can be very useful for surveying and monitoring of active small landslides in urban environments. In this paper, a methodology for the data acquisition and processing that considers the landslide typology is presented and discussed. Two case studies from the northwest part of Italy are also described to illustrate the presented methodology.
MSNovo: a dynamic programming algorithm for de novo peptide sequencing via tandem mass spectrometry.

Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) has become the experimental method of choice for high-throughput proteomics-based biological discovery. The two primary ways of analyzing MS/MS data are database search and de novo sequencing. In this paper, we present a new approach to peptide de novo sequencing, called MSNovo, which has the following advanced features. (1) It works on data generated from both LCQ and LTQ mass spectrometers and interprets singly, doubly, and triply charged ions. (2) It integrates a new probabilistic scoring function with a mass array-based dynamic programming algorithm. The simplicity of the scoring function, with only 6-10 parameters to be trained, avoids the problem of overfitting and allows MSNovo to be adopted for other machines and data sets easily. The mass array data structure explicitly encodes all possible peptides and allows the dynamic programming algorithm to find the best peptide. (3) Compared to existing programs, MSNovo predicts peptides as well as sequence tags with a higher accuracy, which is important for those applications that search protein databases using the de novo sequencing results. More specifically, we show that MSNovo outperforms other programs on various ESI ion trap data. We also show that for high-resolution data the performance of MSNovo improves significantly. Supporting Information, executable files and data sets can be found at http://msms.usc. edu/supplementary/msnovo.
Vascularized Fibular Graft after Excision of Giant‐Cell Tumor of the Distal Radius: Wrist Arthroplasty versus Partial Wrist Arthrodesis

&NA; Several reconstructive procedures have been described for the complete defect of the distal radius that is created after a wide excision of a giant‐cell tumor of bone, including hemiarthroplasty using the vascularized fibular head and partial wrist arthrodesis between a vascularized fibula and the scapholunate portion of the proximal carpal row. The objectives of this study are to compare clinical and radiographic results between the partial wrist arthrodesis and the wrist arthroplasty, and to discuss which procedure is superior. Four patients with giant‐cell tumors involving the distal end of the radius were treated with en bloc resection and reconstruction with a free vascularized fibular graft. The wrists in two patients were reconstructed with an articular fibular head graft and the remaining two patients underwent partial wrist arthrodesis using a fibular shaft transfer. There was radiographic evidence of bone union at the host‐graft junctions in all cases. In the newly reconstructed wrist joint, there was palmar subluxation of the carpal bones and degenerative changes in both patients. Local recurrence was seen in one patient. According to the functional results described by Enneking et al., the mean functional score was 67 percent. The functional scores including wrist/forearm range of motion in the cases with partial wrist arthrodesis were superior to those with wrist arthroplasty. A partial wrist arthrodesis using a vascularized fibular shaft graft appears a more useful and reliable procedure for reconstruction of the wrist after excision of the giant‐cell tumor of the distal end of the radius than a wrist arthroplasty using the vascularized fibular head, although our study includes only a small number of patients.
Physiology and Morphology of Color-Opponent Ganglion Cells in a Retina Expressing a Dual Gradient of S and M Opsins

Most mammals are dichromats, having short-wavelength-sensitive (S) and middle-wavelength-sensitive (M) cones. Smaller terrestrial species commonly express a dual gradient in opsins, with M opsin concentrated superiorly and declining inferiorly, and vice-versa for S opsin. Some ganglion cells in these retinas combine S- and M-cone inputs antagonistically, but no direct evidence links this physiological opponency with morphology; nor is it known whether opponency varies with the opsin gradients. By recording from >3000 ganglion cells in guinea pig, we identified small numbers of color-opponent cells. Chromatic properties were characterized by responses to monochromatic spots and/or spots produced by mixtures of two primary lights. Superior retina contained cells with strong S+/M− and M+/S− opponency, whereas inferior retina contained cells with weak opponency. In superior retina, the opponent cells had well-balanced M and S weights, while in inferior retina the weights were unbalanced, with the M weights being much weaker. The M and S components of opponent cell receptive fields had approximately the same diameter. Opponent cells injected with Lucifer yellow restricted their dendrites to the ON stratum of the inner plexiform layer and provided sufficient membrane area (∼2.1 × 104 μm2) to collect ∼3.9 × 103 bipolar synapses. Two bistratified cells studied were nonopponent. The apparent decline in S/M opponency from superior to inferior retina is consistent with the dual gradient and a model where photoreceptor signals in both superior and inferior retina are processed by the same postreceptoral circuitry.
Forced Mobility: The Relocation of Public-Housing Residents in Atlanta

In this paper we argue for the use of ‘mobility’ to describe not just bodily movement, travel, or transport, but as a concept that animates the constellation of policies and power relations that simultaneously move and spatially fix the urban poor. Using a framework developed by Creswell in 2010, in which mobility operates as ‘an entanglement of movement, representation, and practice’, this paper examines the mobility of relocated public-housing residents, who are forced to move as a result of the demolition of project-based housing in the city of Atlanta. It draws from Cresswell's conceptualization of the politics of mobility in terms of motive force, speed, rhythm, route, experience, and friction to more fully understand the mobilities and immobilities of the urban poor as they respond to the neoliberalization of housing policy in cities like Atlanta. Based on our study, we propose the addition of ‘resources’ to Cresswell's framework to more fully capture the importance of individuals' abilities to navigate the complexities of residential relocation, as they draw on a variety of social networks, skills, and faith dispositions. Through a qualitative analysis of interviews and the voice and photographic journals of relocated public-housing residents as they recorded their eviction and relocation process, this paper documents their circulation processes against the backdrop of the city's neoliberalizing housing policies.
Effects of Small-Sided Games vs. Interval Training in Aerobic Fitness and Physical Enjoyment in Young Elite Soccer Players

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Small-Sided Games (SSG) vs. Interval Training (IT) in soccer training on aerobic fitness and physical enjoyment in youth elite soccer players during the last 8 weeks of the season. Seventeen U-16 male soccer players (age = 15.5 ± 0.6 years, and 8.5 years of experience) of a Spanish First Division club academy were randomized to 2 different groups for 6 weeks: SSG group (n = 9) and IT group (n = 8). In addition to the usual technical and tactical sessions and competitive games, the SSG group performed 11 sessions with different SSGs, whereas the IT group performed the same number of sessions of IT. Players were tested before and after the 6-week training intervention with a continuous maximal multistage running field test and the counter movement jump test (CMJ). At the end of the study, players answered the physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES). During the study, heart rate (HR) and session perceived effort (sRPE) were assessed. SSGs were as effective as IT in maintaining the aerobic fitness in elite young soccer players during the last weeks of the season. Players in the SSG group declared a greater physical enjoyment than IT (P = 0.006; ES = 1.86 ± 1.07). Coaches could use SSG training during the last weeks of the season as an option without fear of losing aerobic fitness while promoting high physical enjoyment.
Targets, Assessment for Learning, and Whole-School Improvement

This article develops the idea that there is something of a gap in theory and practice regarding the relationship between whole-school targets and individual targets. I suggest that subject, year or key stage leaders have an important mediating and cohering role to play. I argue that all of the work in schools concerning the use of targets for school improvement, for performance management and for individual pupils' progress, rests on effective assessment for learning. Significant research is referred to in support of six main propositions, and guidance is offered on how they might be implemented.
Thyroid Function after Postoperative Radiation Therapy in Patients with Breast Cancer

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess thyroid function in breast cancer patients exposed to therapeutic external beam radiation. The focus was on possible progressive changes and any relationships between the incidence of primary hypothyroidism, the time required to become hypothyroid, and factors such as chemotherapy, hormonotherapy and immunotherapy. Materials and Methods: Seventy females undergoing 3D conformal and IMRT radiation therapy for breast cancers were enrolled in a non-randomized prospective study. The patients was divided into two groups: those after mastectomy or breast conserving surgery (BCS) were irradiated to a scar of the chest wall/breast and the ipsilateral supraclavicular and the axillary areas (supraclavicular radiotherapy group - SC-RT group – 32 patients) and the control group receiving adjuvant chest wall/breast RT only (BCT group - 38 patients). The total doses were 50.0 to 70 Gy in 5 to 7 weeks. The median follow-up term was 24 months (range, 1–40 months). Thyroid function was evaluated by measuring thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), and free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels. The minimum, maximum and mean thyroid gland doses for 20 Gy (V20) were calculated for all patients. Results: Statistically significant results were obtained for the SC-RT group. Two yearsa fter the end of RT the chance of an event was increased in 6% of the population (p=0.009) in the SC-RT group. In the BCT group no significance was noted. No statistically significant differences were found for V20, chemio-, immunotherapy and hormonotherapy or Ki67 values (p=0.12). No significant results were obtained for development of hypothyroidism and clinical factors (age, thyroid volume, treatment modalities). Conclusion: Radiotherapy is associated with a higher incidence of thyroid toxicity in breast cancer patients. Routine thyroid function monitoring should be recommended in such cases.
Kinetics of Inclusion Body Formation and Its Correlation with the Characteristics of Protein Aggregates in Escherichia coli

The objective of the research was to understand the structural determinants governing protein aggregation into inclusion bodies during expression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) and asparaginase were expressed as inclusion bodies in E.coli and the kinetics of aggregate formation was analyzed in details. Asparaginase inclusion bodies were of smaller size (200 nm) and the size of the aggregates did not increase with induction time. In contrast, the seeding and growth behavior of hGH inclusion bodies were found to be sequential, kinetically stable and the aggregate size increased from 200 to 800 nm with induction time. Human growth hormone inclusion bodies showed higher resistance to denaturants and proteinase K degradation in comparison to those of asparaginase inclusion bodies. Asparaginase inclusion bodies were completely solubilized at 2–3 M urea concentration and could be refolded into active protein, whereas 7 M urea was required for complete solubilization of hGH inclusion bodies. Both hGH and asparaginase inclusion bodies showed binding with amyloid specific dyes. In spite of its low β-sheet content, binding with dyes was more prominent in case of hGH inclusion bodies than that of asparaginase. Arrangements of protein molecules present in the surface as well as in the core of inclusion bodies were similar. Hydrophobic interactions between partially folded amphiphillic and hydrophobic alpha-helices were found to be one of the main determinants of hGH inclusion body formation. Aggregation behavior of the protein molecules decides the nature and properties of inclusion bodies.
Moving Object Detection Based on Temporal Information

This letter presents an automatic moving object detection method in image sequences captured from videos. While we focus on extracting moving objects throughout a frame sequence, our approach does not require any prior knowledge such as the background modeling nor the interaction by users such as empirical thresholds tuning. Based on the continuous symmetric difference of the adjacent frames, we get the full resolution saliency map of the current frame, which highlights the moving objects with higher saliency values and meanwhile inhibits the saliency of the background. Then, the maximum entropy sum method is utilized to adaptively calculate the threshold to determine the candidate areas and get the reasonable attention seeds. After that, the ground truth is obtained based on the modified fuzzy growing of the attention seeds. The proposed algorithm is effective, robust and the experimental results demonstrate that it is promising for moving object detection.
A USV platform for surface autonomy

Development of an autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) that may serve as a mother ship for a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a small autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), in support of surface autonomy in sensing and surveillance missions, is described. The USV development includes implementation of low-level controls, stereovision perception, and a task-oriented high-level planner, which includes vehicle localization, mapping of the surrounding and path planning as well as accounting for navigation regulations such as COLREGS. Results of the ongoing development and execution of waypoint-based, and vision-based autonomous missions for both the USV and the UAV using the Pixhawk / Ardupilot framework are described.
Medical malpractice and facial nerve paralysis.

BACKGROUND Iatrogenic facial nerve paralysis is a devastating surgical complication that occasionally results in litigation. OBJECTIVE To analyze litigation trends to better understand the causes and outcomes of suits involving facial nerve paralysis to prevent future litigation and improve physician education. DESIGN Retrospective review. SETTING All US civil trials. PARTICIPANTS All state and federal civil trials alleging malpractice and facial nerve paralysis were reviewed. METHODS Jury verdict reviews from January 1, 1985, to December 31, 2000, were obtained from a computerized legal database and analyzed. Reviews compile data on defendants, plaintiffs, allegations of wrong doing, and expert witness specialties, and provide case summaries. Fifty-three cases from 19 of the 50 states were obtained. Data were entered into a spreadsheet for analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Verdicts and indemnity payments. RESULTS Suits reviewed were as follows: cosmetic, 12 (23%); otologic, 13 (25%); nonneoplastic disease of the parotid or other benign conditions of the head and neck, 15 (28%); benign neoplasms of the parotid, 9 (17%); malignant neoplasms of the parotid, 1 (2%); and temporomandibular joint operations, 3 (6%) (percentages do not total 100 because of rounding). Allegations of negligence were frequently multiple and included lack of informed consent (16 [30%] of 53), failure to diagnose (10 [19%] of 53), and surgical misadventures (47 [89%] of 53). Excluding failure to obtain consent or to diagnose, 28 suits still alleged negligence based solely on a surgical misadventure. Of these suits, 12 (63%) resulted in plaintiff awards. CONCLUSIONS Surgeons must emphasize and document the likelihood and consequences of this devastating complication to all patients undergoing surgery in this area. Risk management goals include a thorough and timely examination and careful and thoughtful surgical approaches. However, patient rapport and bedside manner may be the only protection the surgeon has from litigation arising from this complication.