Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Constructing and Utilizing Video Ontology for Accurate and Fast Retrieval

This paper examines video retrieval based on Query-By-Example QBE approach, where shots relevant to a query are retrieved from large-scale video data based on their similarity to example shots. This involves two crucial problems: The first is that similarity in features does not necessarily imply similarity in semantic content. The second problem is an expensive computational cost to compute the similarity of a huge number of shots to example shots. The authors have developed a method that can filter a large number of shots irrelevant to a query, based on a video ontology that is knowledge base about concepts displayed in a shot. The method utilizes various concept relationships e.g., generalization/specialization, sibling, part-of, and co-occurrence defined in the video ontology. In addition, although the video ontology assumes that shots are accurately annotated with concepts, accurate annotation is difficult due to the diversity of forms and appearances of the concepts. Dempster-Shafer theory is used to account the uncertainty in determining the relevance of a shot based on inaccurate annotation of this shot. Experimental results on TRECVID 2009 video data validate the effectiveness of the method.
Air Quality Modeling for the Urban Jackson, Mississippi Region Using a High Resolution WRF/Chem Model

In this study, an attempt was made to simulate the air quality with reference to ozone over the Jackson (Mississippi) region using an online WRF/Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting–Chemistry) model. The WRF/Chem model has the advantages of the integration of the meteorological and chemistry modules with the same computational grid and same physical parameterizations and includes the feedback between the atmospheric chemistry and physical processes. The model was designed to have three nested domains with the inner-most domain covering the study region with a resolution of 1 km. The model was integrated for 48 hours continuously starting from 0000 UTC of 6 June 2006 and the evolution of surface ozone and other precursor pollutants were analyzed. The model simulated atmospheric flow fields and distributions of NO2 and O3 were evaluated for each of the three different time periods. The GIS based spatial distribution maps for ozone, its precursors NO, NO2, CO and HONO and the back trajectories indicate that all the mobile sources in Jackson, Ridgeland and Madison contributing significantly for their formation. The present study demonstrates the applicability of WRF/Chem model to generate quantitative information at high spatial and temporal resolution for the development of decision support systems for air quality regulatory agencies and health administrators.
Effect of streptomycin administration on association of enteric pathogens with cecal tissue of mice

The effect of streptomycin on the ability of Shigella sonnei 3SR and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli 2SR to associate with cecal tissue of mice in vivo and in vitro was examined. After orogastric challenge, both pathogens associated in significantly greater numbers (P less than or equal to 0.05) with the cecal tissue of streptomycin-treated mice than with the tissue of untreated mice. The population levels of the pathogens were also significantly greater (P less than or equal to 0.05) in the cecal contents of streptomycin-treated mice than in untreated mice. When excised cecal tissues from the two groups of mice were exposed to the pathogens in vitro, the extent of the association of the pathogens was markedly greater with tissues from streptomycin-treated mice than with tissues from untreated mice. There was also a positive correlation between the numbers of the pathogens in the suspending fluid and the extent of the tissue associations. The population size of fusiform organisms, which are the major components of the mucus layer of the ceca of mice, was reduced 100-fold by streptomycin administration. This was determined by microscopic count. Sections of cecal tissue obtained from the mice and stained with hematoxylin and eosin demonstrated that streptomycin administration greatly decreased the number of fusiform bacteria present in the mucosal microbial layer. We speculate that the partial elimination of fusiform organisms from this layer by streptomycin administration provides available association sites for pathogens so that they can successfully colonize the mouse cecum.
Extracellular matrix regulates whey acidic protein gene expression by suppression of TGF-alpha in mouse mammary epithelial cells: studies in culture and in transgenic mice

Whey acidic protein (WAP) is an abundant rodent milk protein. Its expression in mouse mammary epithelial cell cultures was previously found to require the formation of an extracellular matrix (ECM)-induced three-dimensional alveolar structure. In the absence of such structures, cells were shown to secrete diffusible factors leading to suppression of WAP expression. We demonstrate here that (a) TGF-alpha production and secretion by mammary cells is downregulated by the basement membrane-dependent alveolar structure, and (b) compared with beta-casein, WAP expression is preferentially inhibited both in culture and in transgenic mice when TGF-alpha is added or overexpressed. Thus, (c) the enhanced TGF-alpha production when cells are not in three- dimensional structures largely accounts for the WAP-inhibitory activity found in the conditioned medium. Since this activity can be abolished by incubating the conditioned medium with a function blocking antibody to TGF-alpha. The data suggest that ECM upregulates WAP by downregulating TGF-alpha production. We also propose that changes in TGF-alpha activity during mouse gestation and lactation could contribute to the pattern of temporal expression of WAP in the gland. These results provide a clear example of cooperation among lactogenic hormones, ECM, and locally acting growth factors in regulation of tissue-specific gene expression.
An Improved Detection Technique for Cyclic-Prefixed OFDM

A novel Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing detection technique compatible to standard (e.g. Wireless LAN) transmitters is proposed. It features enhanced error-rate performance with flexible computational complexity and robustness to imperfect channel estimation. It is based on exploitation of the redundancy available in the cyclic prefix after cancellation of interference from the preceding block. In order to show the effectiveness of our proposal, an analysis of computational complexity and a number of comparisons to the standard per-subcarrier receiver and a previously existing method in terms of error rates are reported.
Accelerated Development of Cervical Spine Instabilities in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Prospective Minimum 5-Year Cohort Study

Objective To clarify the incidence and predictive risk factors of cervical spine instabilities which may induce compression myelopathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Three types of cervical spine instability were radiographically categorized into “moderate” and “severe” based on atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS: atlantodental interval >3 mm versus ≥10 mm), vertical subluxation (VS: Ranawat value <13 mm versus ≤10 mm), and subaxial subluxation (SAS: irreducible translation ≥2 mm versus ≥4 mm or at multiple). 228 “definite” or “classical” RA patients (140 without instability and 88 with “moderate” instability) were prospectively followed for >5 years. The endpoint incidence of “severe” instabilities and predictors for “severe” instability were determined. Results Patients with baseline “moderate” instability, including all sub-groups (AAS+ [VS− SAS−], VS+ [SAS− AAS±], and SAS+ [AAS± VS±]), developed “severe” instabilities more frequently (33.3% with AAS+, 75.0% with VS+, and 42.9% with SAS+) than those initially without instability (12.9%; p<0.003, p<0.003, and p = 0.061, respectively). The incidence of cervical canal stenosis and/or basilar invagination was also higher in patients with initial instability (17.5% with AAS+, 37.5% with VS+, and 14.3% with SAS+) than in those without instability (7.1%; p = 0.028, p<0.003, and p = 0.427, respectively). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified corticosteroid administration, Steinbrocker stage III or IV at baseline, mutilating changes at baseline, and the development of mutilans during the follow-up period correlated with the progression to “severe” instability (p<0.05). Conclusions This prospective cohort study demonstrates accelerated development of cervical spine involvement in RA patients with pre-existing instability—especially VS. Advanced peripheral erosiveness and concomitant corticosteroid treatment are indicators for poor prognosis of the cervical spine in RA.
Evaluation of the Adhesion of Ultra-Thin Teflon-Like Films Deposited by Plasma on 316L Stainless Steel for Long-Term Stable Drug-Eluting Stents

Metallic intravascular stents are medical devices commonly made of 316L stainless steel or nitinol used to scaffold a biological lumen, most often diseased arteries, after balloon angioplasty. Stenting procedures reduce the risk of restenosis, but do not eliminate it completely. Indeed, restenosis remains the principal cause of clinical complications, leading to up to 30 % of failure after 3 months of implantation. During the last few years, several works have been focused on the development of an appropriate coating able to act as a carrier for specific anti-restenosis drugs. Moreover, this coating would act as an anti-corrosive barrier, thus inhibiting the release of potentially toxic ions. Actually, the main challenges in stent coatings are to synthesize a biocompatible polymer coating resistant to blood flow, wall shear stress and tensile force after the stent deployment which results in a permanent strain of up to 25%. The adhesion and chemical resistance after deployment are critical properties to investigate for the improvement of the long-term reliability of polymer coated stent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 25% equivalent plastic deformation on chemical, mechanical and adhesion properties of Teflon-like films deposited on 316L stainless steel. These properties were studied by chemical spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Teflon-like films were deposited by pulsed plasma glow discharges on flat electropolished 316L stainless steel. An original method has been developed to induce the deformation, and preliminary results have showed that the 12 nm thick Teflon-like films successfully resist to deformations of up to 25%.
Unwinding Conditional Noninterference

Noninterference provides a control over information flow in a system for ensuring confidentiality and integrity properties. In the literature this notion has been well studied as transitive noninterference and intransitive noninterference. In this paper we define a framework on the notion of conditional noninterference, which allows to specify information flow policies based on the semantics of action channels. Our new policies subsume the policies of both transitive and intransitive noninterference, and support dynamic requirements such as upgrading and downgrading. We also present unwinding relations that are both sound and complete for the new policies.
Adequacy of Limited Testing for Knowledge Based Systems

Knowledge-based engineering and computational intelligence are expected to become core technologies in the design and manufacturing for the next generation of space exploration missions. The literature is contradictory on how we are to assess such systems. Studies indicate significant disagreement regarding the amount of testing needed for system assessment. The sizes of standard black-box test suites are impractically large since the black-box approach neglects the internal structure of knowledge-based systems. On the contrary, practical results repeatedly indicate that only a few tests are needed to sample the range of behaviors of a knowledge-based program. In this paper, we model testing as a search process over the internal state space of the knowledge-based system. When comparing different test suites, the test suite that examines larger portion of the state space is considered more complete. Our goal is to investigate the trade-off between the completeness criterion and the size of test suites. The results of testing experiment on tens of thousands of mutants of real-world knowledge based systems indicate that a very limited gain in completeness can be achieved through prolonged testing. The use of simple (or random) search strategies for testing appears to be as powerful as testing by more thorough search algorithms.
Dual Fatty Acylation of p59Fyn Is Required for Association with the T Cell Receptor ζ Chain through Phosphotyrosine–Src Homology Domain-2 Interactions

The first 10 residues within the Src homology domain (SH)–4 domain of the Src family kinase Fyn are required for binding to the immune receptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) of T cell receptor (TCR) subunits. Recently, mutation of glycine 2, cysteine 3, and lysines 7 and 9 was shown to block binding of Fyn to TCR ζ chain ITAMs, prompting the designation of these residues as an ITAM recognition motif (Gauen, L.K.T., M.E. Linder, and A.S. Shaw. 1996. J. Cell Biol. 133:1007–1015). Here we show that these residues do not mediate direct interactions with TCR ITAMs, but rather are required for efficient myristoylation and palmitoylation of Fyn. Specifically, coexpression of a K7,9A-Fyn mutant with N-myristoyltransferase restored myristoylation, membrane binding, and association with the cytoplasmic tail of TCR ζ fused to CD8. Conversely, treatment of cells with 2-hydroxymyristate, a myristoylation inhibitor, blocked association of wild-type Fyn with ζ. The Fyn NH2 terminus was necessary but not sufficient for interaction with ζ and both Fyn kinase and SH2 domains were required, directing phosphorylation of ζ ITAM tyrosines and binding to ζ ITAM phosphotyrosines. Fyn/ζ interaction was sensitive to octylglucoside and filipin, agents that disrupt membrane rafts. Moreover, a plasma membrane bound, farnesylated Fyn construct, G2A,C3S-FynKRas, was not enriched in the detergent insoluble fraction and did not associate with ζ. We conclude that the Fyn SH4 domain provides the signals for fatty acylation and specific plasma membrane localization, stabilizing the interactions between the Fyn SH2 domain and phosphotyrosines in TCR ζ chain ITAMs.
Allowing Learners to Choose

Abstract For this study, we investigated the effects of self-controlled practice on learning multiple motor skills. Thirty participants were randomly assigned to self-control or yoked conditions. Participants learned a three-keystroke pattern with three different relative time structures. Those in the self-control group chose one of three relative time structures before each of 90 practice trials; yoked participants were not allowed to choose but were yoked to a self-control participant and followed that individual's sequence of practice trials. Results of the 24-hr serial transfer test revealed the self-control group exhibited significantly lower relative timing error, absolute error, and total error than the yoked group. Findings further support the efficacy of self-controlled learning.
Evaluation of biodegradable polyester-co-lactone microparticles for protein delivery

Abstract Poly(glycerol adipate-co-ω-pentadecalactone) (PGA-co-PDL) was previously evaluated for the colloidal delivery of α-chymotrypsin. In this article, the effect of varying polymer molecular weight (MW) and chemistry on particle size and morphology; encapsulation efficiency; in vitro release; and the biological activity of α-chymotrypsin (α-CH) and lysozyme (LS) were investigated. Microparticles were prepared using emulsion solvent evaporation and evaluated by various methods. Altering the MW or monomer ratio of PGA-co-PDL did not significantly affect the encapsulation efficiency and overall poly(1,3-propanediol adipate-co-ω-pentadecalactone) (PPA-co-PDL) demonstrated the highest encapsulation efficiency. In vitro release varied between polymers, and the burst release for α-CH-loaded microparticles was lower when a higher MW PGA-co-PDL or more hydrophobic PPA-co-PDL was used. The results suggest that, although these co-polyesters could be useful for protein delivery, little difference was observed between the different PGA-co-PDL polymers and PPA-co-PDL generally provided a higher encapsulation and slower release of enzyme than the other polymers tested.
Stochastic Reductions for Inertial Fluid-Structure Interactions Subject to Thermal Fluctuations

We present analysis for the reduction of an inertial description of uid-structure in- teractions subject to thermal uctuations. We show how the viscous coupling between the immersed structures and the uid can be simplied in the regime where this coupling becomes increasingly strong. Many descriptions in uid mechanics and in the formulation of computational methods ac- count for uid-structure interactions through viscous drag terms to tranfer momentum from the uid to immersed structures. In the inertial regime, this coupling often introduces a prohibitively small time-scale into the temporal dynamics of the uid-structure system. This is further exacerbated in the presence of thermal uctuations. We discuss here a systematic reduction technique for the full inertial equations to obtain a simplied description where this coupling term is eliminated. This approach also accounts for the eective stochastic equations for the uid-structure dynamics. The analysis is based on use of the innitesmal generator of the SPDEs and a singular perturbation anal- ysis of the backward kolomogorov PDEs. We also discuss the physical motivations and interpretation of the obtained reduced description of the uid-structure system.
Practicalities of Using Non-Local or Non-Recent Multilocus Sequence Typing Data for Source Attribution in Space and Time of Human Campylobacteriosis

In this study, 1208 Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli isolates from humans and 400 isolates from chicken, collected in two separate periods over 12 years in The Netherlands, were typed using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Statistical evidence was found for a shift of ST frequencies in human isolates over time. The human MLST data were also compared to published data from other countries to determine geographical variation. Because only MLST typed data from chicken, taken from the same time point and spatial location, were available in addition to the human data, MLST datasets for other Campylobacter reservoirs from selected countries were used. The selection was based on the degree of similarity of the human isolates between countries. The main aim of this study was to better understand the consequences of using non-local or non-recent MLST data for attributing domestically acquired human Campylobacter infections to specific sources of origin when applying the asymmetric island model for source attribution. In addition, a power-analysis was done to find the minimum number of source isolates needed to perform source attribution using an asymmetric island model. This study showed that using source data from other countries can have a significant biasing effect on the attribution results so it is important to carefully select data if the available local data lack in quality and/or quantity. Methods aimed at reducing this bias were proposed.
A New Bayesian Rating System for Team Competitions

We present a novel probabilistic rating system for team competitions. Building upon TrueSkillTM, we change the factor graph structure to cope with the problems of TrueSkillTM, e.g., multiway ties and variable team size. We give detailed inference algorithms for the new structure. Experimental results show a significant improvement over TrueSkillTM.
Effect of the Enamel Firing Thermal Cycle on the Microstructure and the Hydrogen Permeability of Enamel-Grade Steels

The tendency for fish-scale formation of steel sheets is charac terized by the t o value directly related to the microstructure of the sheet. During the f iring thermal cycle the microstructure undergoes several changes. Changes of the t o value and the microstructure were examined for three steel grades. A new conception for the development of steel sheet for vitre us enamelling has also been formulated.
Humoral, mucosal, and cell-mediated immunity against vaccine and nonvaccine genotypes after administration of quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine to HIV-infected children.

OBJECTIVES To characterize the immunogenicity of a quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (QHPV) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children, we studied their immune responses to 3 or 4 doses. METHODS HIV-infected children aged 7-12 years with a CD4 cell percentage of ≥15% of lymphocytes, received 3 doses of QHPV with or without a fourth dose after 72 weeks. Type-specific and cross-reactive antibodies and cell-mediated immunity were measured. RESULTS Type-specific antibodies to HPV6, 11, and 16 were detected in 100% and ≥94% of children at 4 and 72 weeks, respectively, after the third QHPV dose. Corresponding numbers for HPV18 were 97% and 76%, respectively. A fourth QHPV dose increased seropositivity to ≥96% for all vaccine genotypes. Four weeks after the third QHPV dose, 67% of vaccinees seroconverted to HPV31, an HPV16-related genotype not in the vaccine; 69% and 39% of vaccinees developed mucosal HPV16 and 18 immunoglobulin G antibodies, respectively; and 60% and 52% of vaccinees developed cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) for HPV16 and 31, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Three QHPV doses generated robust and persistent antibodies to HPV6, 11, and 16 but comparatively weaker responses to HPV18. A fourth dose increased antibodies against all vaccine genotypes in an anamnestic fashion. CTLs and mucosal antibodies against vaccine genotypes, as well as cross-reactive antibodies and CTL against nonvaccine genotypes, were detected.
CMOS single-chip multisensor gas detection system

We present a novel single-chip smart chemical microsensor system fabricated using industrial CMOS technology and post-CMOS micro machining. It combines three different micromachined transducers (mass-sensitive, capacitive, and calorimetric) all of which rely on polymeric coatings as sensitive layers to detect airborne volatile organic compounds (VOC). A temperature sensor is included to account for the strong temperature dependence of volatile absorption in polymers. Integration of microelectronics and micromechanical components on the same chip allows for controlling of the sensor functions, and enables on-chip signal conditioning that drastically improves the sensor performance. The circuitry includes biasing, amplification, and a serial interface to transmit data to off-chip recording units. The chip forms an integral part of a handheld chemical sensor unit to discriminate and quantify VOC's.
Acoustic Wave Filter Technology–A Review

Today, acoustic filters are the filter technology to meet the requirements with respect to performance dictated by the cellular phone standards and their form factor. Around two billion cellular phones are sold every year, and smart phones are of a very high percentage of approximately two-thirds. Smart phones require a very high number of filter functions ranging from the low double-digit range up to almost triple digit numbers in the near future. In the frequency range up to 1 GHz, surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters are almost exclusively employed, while in the higher frequency range, bulk acoustic wave (BAW) and SAW filters are competing for their shares. Prerequisites for the success of acoustic filters were the availability of high-quality substrates, advanced and highly reproducible fabrication technologies, optimum filter techniques, precise simulation software, and advanced design tools that allow the fast and efficient design according to customer specifications. This paper will try to focus on innovations leading to high volume applications of intermediate frequency (IF) and radio frequency (RF) acoustic filters, e.g., TV IF filters, IF filters for cellular phones, and SAW/BAW RF filters for the RF front-end of cellular phones.