Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multiview Trajectory Mapping Using Homography with Lens Distortion Correction

We present a trajectory mapping algorithm for a distributed camera setting that is based on statistical homography estimation accounting for the distortion introduced by camera lenses. Unlike traditional approaches based on the direct linear transformation (DLT) algorithm and singular value decomposition (SVD), the planar homography estimation is derived from renormalization. In addition to this, the algorithm explicitly introduces a correction parameter to account for the nonlinear radial lens distortion, thus improving the accuracy of the transformation. We demonstrate the proposed algorithm by generating mosaics of the observed scenes and by registering the spatial locations of moving objects (trajectories) from multiple cameras on the mosaics. Moreover, we objectively compare the transformed trajectories with those obtained by SVD and least mean square (LMS) methods on standard datasets and demonstrate the advantages of the renormalization and the lens distortion correction.
The Hospitalization Costs of Diabetes and Hypertension Complications in Zimbabwe: Estimations and Correlations

Objective. Treating complications associated with diabetes and hypertension imposes significant costs on health care systems. This study estimated the hospitalization costs for inpatients in a public hospital in Zimbabwe. Methods. The study was retrospective and utilized secondary data from medical records. Total hospitalization costs were estimated using generalized linear models. Results. The median cost and interquartile range (IQR) for patients with diabetes, $994 (385–1553) mean $1319 (95% CI: 981–1657), was higher than patients with hypertension, $759 (494–1147) mean $914 (95% CI: 825–1003). Female patients aged below 65 years with diabetes had the highest estimated mean costs ($1467 (95% CI: 1177–1828)). Wound care had the highest estimated mean cost of all procedures, $2884 (95% CI: 2004–4149) for patients with diabetes and $2239 (95% CI: 1589–3156) for patients with hypertension. Age below 65 years, medical procedures (amputation, wound care, dialysis, and physiotherapy), the presence of two or more comorbidities, and being prescribed two or more drugs were associated with significantly higher hospitalization costs. Conclusion. Our estimated costs could be used to evaluate and improve current inpatient treatment and management of patients with diabetes and hypertension and determine the most cost-effective interventions to prevent complications and comorbidities.
The Interaction of Two Homeobox Genes, BREVIPEDICELLUS and PENNYWISE, Regulates Internode Patterning in the Arabidopsis Inflorescence Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at www.plantcell.org/cgi/doi/10.1105/tpc.012856.

Plant architecture results from the activity of the shoot apical meristem, which initiates leaves, internodes, and axillary meristems. KNOTTED1-like homeobox (KNOX) genes are expressed in specific patterns in the shoot apical meristem and play important roles in plant architecture. KNOX proteins interact with BEL1-like (BELL) homeodomain proteins and together bind a target sequence with high affinity. We have obtained a mutation in one of the Arabidopsis BELL genes, PENNYWISE (PNY), that appears phenotypically similar to the KNOX mutant brevipedicellus (bp). Both bp and pny have randomly shorter internodes and display a slight increase in the number of axillary branches. The double mutant shows a synergistic phenotype of extremely short internodes interspersed with long internodes and increased branching. PNY is expressed in inflorescence and floral meristems and overlaps with BP in a discrete domain of the inflorescence meristem where we propose the internode is patterned. The physical association of the PNY and BP proteins suggests that they participate in a complex that regulates early patterning events in the inflorescence meristem.
An analysis on the factors influencing risk tolerance level of individual investors

Risk tolerance had been gaining renewed research interest in recent years. Most of the investment decision-making models prevailing in the market use risk tolerance of investors as one major input to determine the investment plans. Owing to such prime importance, it proves to be essential to understand the factors which have significant influence on the risk level of individual investors. Though there are general heuristics that form the basis for most of the decisions made by investment managers, there had always been a word of caution noting on the level of reliability of such heuristics. This research study aims to determine if those general assumptions related to the influence of demographic variables on the risk tolerance level of individual investors are really true, with specific reference to Indian investors in the capital markets. It was concluded through the findings of the study that the general heuristics related to all demographic variables except gender, occupation and income level of investors are found to be false. It was further concluded that only gender and income level of investors were significantly influential in determining the risk tolerance level of individual investors.
Evaluation of Oxidative Stress Levels and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities in Burst Fractures

Background Spinal burst fractures are pathologies that occur in spinal injuries and cause significant mortality and morbidity as a result. Burst fractures in spinal cord injuries can result in rapid and significant oxidative stress. In addition to the primary injury in severe spinal cord injuries, subsequent secondary lesions are mainly due to inflammatory cascade activation and excessive production of free radicals. This study evaluated oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme levels in burst fractures. Material/Methods Twenty patients with burst fractures were diagnosed and underwent surgery and 20 healthy control subjects were included in the study. Neurological status was evaluated using the American Spine Injury Association Impairment Scale (ASIA) before and after surgery. Neurological function was scored as ASIA A: complete deficits, ASIA B–D: incomplete deficits, and ASIA E: neurologically intact. Spectrophotometry was performed to measure malondialdehyde (MDA) and low glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels, which represent lipid peroxide content. Evaluations were performed within 2 days after injury in the patients. Results MDA levels were higher in the burst fracture group (p<0.001), whereas GSH and SOD activities were higher in the control group (both p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in GPx levels between the groups (p=0.482). Conclusions Oxidative stress appears to be related to burst fractures. Considering the importance of burst fractures in spinal cord injuries, a better understanding of these mechanisms may help in defining the role of oxidative stress after burst fractures. Prospective, randomized, controlled trials may reveal new therapeutic approaches that include antioxidants for explosive fractures focusing on oxidative stress.
A New Low Radiation Wireless Transmission System in Mobile Phone Application Based on Magnetic Resonant Coupling

A novel two-stage transmission system for short range data exchange between cell phone and headset is proposed. The signal transfer is realized by non-radiative magnetic resonant coupling at an extremely low radiation level, rendering it a safe technique for the human body. Compared with Bluetooth technology, the proposed method also avoids electromagnetic interference with other radio transmissions at 2.4 GHz band as it operates at a much lower frequency band in the MHz range. Numerical analysis and simulation are conducted to study the transfer characteristics of the system and to demonstrate the advantages in terms of efficiency and SAR level.
Bacterial Arylsulfate Sulfotransferase as a Reporter System

To investigate whether the arylsulfate sulfotransferase (ASST) is suitable as a reporter system for monitoring gene expression, a reporter vector carrying the fragments of the astA coding region without the promoter region was constructed and designated as pSY815. As a test of the ASST reporter system's suitability, the regulatory regions of ermC and lacZ were inserted upstream of the coding region of the reporter gene to generate pSY815‐EC and pSY815‐LZ, respectively. In the absence of the inserted regulatory regions, the plasmids displayed very low background activities in Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The ASST activity under the control of the ermC regulatory region was increased 4.4‐fold in B. subtilis when induced by 0.1 μgml–1 of erythromycin. These results were consistent with a lacZ reporter gene assay of the ermC regulatory region. Furthermore, we confirmed that the lacZ promoter in E. coli was strongly induced to a 17.9‐fold increase by 0.05 mM of isopropyl‐β‐D‐thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) in this reporter system. These results indicate that the ASST is a suitable reporter system. The lack of endogenous activity, the simple detection of enzyme activity in the living cell, the commercially available non‐toxic substrates, and the high sensitivity make ASST a useful genetic reporter system for monitoring gene expression and understanding gene regulation.
Total C4B Deficiency Due to Gene Deletion and Gene Conversion in a Patient with Severe Infections

ABSTRACT Deficiencies of the early components of the classical complement pathway impair the actions of innate and humoral immunity and may lead to increased susceptibility to infections. We have studied the genetic basis of total C4B deficiency in a Finnish patient with recurrent meningitis, chronic fistulas and abscesses. The maternal chromosome carried a four-gene deletion including the C4B gene, and a conversion from C4B to C4A gene was found on the paternal chromosome resulting in complete deficiency of C4B. In the converted C4A gene, mutation screening did not reveal any amino acid changes or prominent mutations, yet a large number of nucleotide variations were found. Further, the patient was heterozygous for structural deficiency of mannan binding lectin (MBL) associating with medium levels of serum MBL. Our data provides new information on the genetic instability of the C4 gene region, and on the association of homozygous C4B deficiency and variant MBL genotype with increased susceptibility to recurrent and chronic infections. Importantly, plasma therapy induced a prompt clinical cure with long-term effects.
Programmed cell death in the developing somites is promoted by nerve growth factor via its p75(NTR) receptor.

Neurotrophins control neuron number during development by promoting the generation and survival of neurons and by regulating programmed neuronal death. In the latter case, the cell death induced by nerve growth factor (NGF) in the developing chick retina is mediated by p75(NTR), the common neurotrophin receptor (J. M. Frade, A. Rodriguez-Tebar, and Y.-A. Barde, 1996, Nature 383, 166-168). Here we show that NGF also induces the programmed death of paraxial mesoderm cells in the developing somites. Both NGF and p75(NTR) are expressed in the somites of chick embryos at the time and the place of programmed cell death. Moreover, neutralizing the activity of endogenous NGF with a specific blocking antibody, or antagonizing NGF binding to p75(NTR) by the application of human NT-4/5, reduces the levels of apoptotic cell death in both the sclerotome and the dermamyotome by about 50 and 70%, respectively. Previous data have shown that Sonic hedgehog is necessary for the survival of differentiated somite cells. Consistent with this, Sonic hedgehog induces a decrease of NGF mRNA in somite explant cultures, thus showing the antagonistic effect of NGF and Sonic hedgehog with respect to somite cell survival. The regulation of programmed cell death by NGF/p75(NTR) in a mesoderm-derived tissue demonstrates the capacity of neurotrophins and their receptors to influence critical developmental processes both within and outside of the nervous system.
Integrating Text Recognition for Overlapping Text Detection in Maps

Detecting overlapping text from map images is a challenging problem. Previous algorithms generally assume specific cartographic styles (e.g., road shapes and text format) and are difficult to adjust for handling different map types. In this paper, we build on our previous text recognition work, Strabo, to develop an algorithm for detecting overlapping characters from non-text symbols. We call this algorithm Overlapping Text Detection (OTD). OTD uses the recognition results and locations of detected text labels (from Strabo) to detect potential areas that contain overlapping text. Next, OTD classifies these areas as either text or non-text regions based on their shape descriptions (including the ratio of number of foreground pixels to area size, number of connected components, and number of holes). The average precision and recall of OTD in classifying text and non-text regions were 77% and 86%, respectively. We show that OTD improved the precision and recall of text detection in Strabo by 19% and 41%, respectively, and produced higher accuracy compared to a state-ofthe-art text/graphic separation algorithm.
A MPPT Method Based on the Approximation of a PVM Model using Fractional Polynomials

This paper presents a non-traditional method for the approximation of the photovoltaic module, PVM, exponential model using fractional polynomials where the shape, boundary conditions and performance of the original system are satisfied. The proposed Maximum Power Point Method uses these fractional polynomials to obtain analytically the optimal solutions for the maximum power, Pmax for the PVM operation, optimal voltage, Vop, and optimal current, lop. Also, if the characteristics of the PVM array are known the method can be program in an Arithmetic Logic Unit, ALU, and estimate the maximum power measuring the open circuit voltage, V x and short circuit current, I x . Examples and simulations to validate the proposed MPPT are given in the paper using data sheet for different types of PVM's. Finally, the proposed method is excellent to approximate the PVM exponential model and provide a different way to approximate exponential functions that are not possible to solve using differential calculus.
Family, Work and Old Women’s Situation in Italy and Spain: New Gender Inequalities

The discussion about women’s situation in old age has often been restricted to their employment biographies. For women, however, family factors play a large role in connection with welfare state models. The key research question is: “How has the condition of older women, including their retirement, been influenced by family- and job-related factors in Southern Europe? ” Italy and Spain, particularly, exemplify the Mediterranean, familistic welfare model. This paper shows results from the Survey of Health and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) relative to these two countries (Wave 1). The data analysed highlight the impact of different experiences of motherhood, marriage and career, on women’s retirement years. SHARELIFE contains standard questions concerning job and family life aspects. The samples thus obtained provide cases for further research on the situation of ageing women, including those who live alone. SHARE data show that, since the beginning of 2000, women have had shorter careers compared to men, with many career breaks. These differences, which were not followed by any balancing policies in the Lisbon agenda decade, are now affecting women’s retirement and creating new gender inequalities. Keywords: old women, gender inequality, job and career, motherhood, welfare state, Southern Europe
Detecting Contagion Effects During The Subprime Crisis Using Different VAR Size Models: Comparison Between OLS And Bayesian Shrinkage

This paper assesses the performance in terms of forecast and structural analysis of different sizes of VAR models while studying contagion effects during the subprime crisis. We compare VAR models of different sizes: a standard VAR estimated by OLS, and a MEDIUM and LARGE VARs estimated by a Bayesian shrinkage procedure. Using a large database containing national macroeconomic, financial, and trade dynamic variables for 17 OECD countries, we study contagion effects on U.S key variables and OECD housing markets over the period of the subprime crisis. Our paper unearths that the smallest specification outperforms the largest one, in terms of forecast accuracy and structural analysis. Our results reveal that the SMALL and MEDIUM VARs produce qualitatively similar results; however, the MEDIUM VAR permits us to obtain the responses of a large set of variables and so provides a more comprehensive picture of the effects of the subprime crisis. So, we conclude that the MEDIUM VAR is more successful at extracting pertinent information for a large data set. It appears that dealing with a LARGE VAR provides worst results. An interesting result that arises is that the standard OLS estimation is interesting; however, the Bayesian shrinkage is a useful tool, in the case of an international contagion study, allowing both a more comprehensive picture of the contagion effects as well as a more complete check of the empirical plausibility of the underlying specification.
The well-informed city: A decentralized, bottom-up model for a smart city service using information and self-organization

Smart Cities, a concept widely growing in popularity, describes cities that use digital technology, data analysis and connectivity to create value. The basic abstraction of a Smart City service includes collecting data about an urban issue, transmitting it to a central decision making process and “improving” the city with the insights generated. This model has spurred much critique, claiming Smart Cities are undemocratic, discriminatory and cannot significantly improve citizen's quality of life. But what if the citizens were active in the process? It was Jane Jacobs who said “Cities have the capability of providing something for everybody, only because, and only when, they are created by everybody. ” In this paper we lay a conceptual groundwork to envision “The Well-Informed City” - a decentralized, self-organizing Smart City service, where the value is created by everybody. The agents, who are the citizens of the city, are the ones who use the data to create value. We base the model on the cities' feature of Self-Organization as described in the domain of Complexity Theory of Cities. We demonstrate its theoretical possibility, describe a short case study and finish with suggestions for future empirical research. This work is highly significant due to the ubiquitous nature of contemporary mobile based information services and growing open data sets.
Towards Automated Sleep State Estimation using a Holter-Oximeter

Single-channel ECG and linger photoplethysmogram were used to estimate sleep states in obstructive sleep apnea patients. Overnight Holter-oximeter recordings from 14 subjects with suspected sleep apnea were analysed. Parameters including the RR interval, photoplethysmogram amplitude and rise time, and pulse arrival time were characterised and a hidden Markov model classifier used to identify wake, REM and sleep states. An overall accuracy of 77% and Cohen's kappa of 0.54 was achieved, establishing a baseline level of usefulness for sleep state estimation using a Holter-oximeter. Autonomic arousals detected using pulse arrival time also appeared to be strongly correlated with Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores.
Efficacy and safety of left atrial appendage closure versus medical treatment in atrial fibrillation: a network meta-analysis from randomised trials

Background The effectiveness of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) versus placebo and antiplatelet therapy (APT) is well established for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are mostly superior to VKA in stroke and intracranial bleeding prevention. Recent randomised controlled trials (RCTs) suggested the non-inferiority of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) versus VKA. However, comparisons between LAAC versus placebo, APT or NOAC are lacking. The purpose of this network meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy and safety of LAAC compared with other strategies for stroke prevention in patients with AF. Methods We pooled together all RCTs comparing warfarin with placebo, APT or NOAC in patients with AF using meta-analysis guidelines. Two major trials of LAAC were also included and a network meta-analysis was performed to compare the impact of LAAC on mortality, stroke/systemic embolism (SE) and major bleeding in relation to medical treatment. Results The network meta-analysis included 19 RCTs with a total of 87 831 patients with AF receiving anticoagulants, APT, placebo or LAAC. Indirect comparison with network meta-analysis using warfarin as the common comparator revealed efficacy benefit favouring LAAC as compared with placebo (mortality: HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.67, p<0.001; stroke/SE: HR 0.24, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.52, p<0.001) and APT (mortality: HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.91, p=0.0018; stroke/SE: HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.23 to 0.86, p=0.017) and similar to NOAC (mortality: HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.50 to 1.16, p=0.211; stroke/SE: HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.92, p=0.969). LAAC showed comparable rates of major bleeding when compared with placebo (HR 2.33, 95% CI 0.67 to 8.09, p=0.183), APT (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.88, p=0.542) and NOAC (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.94, p=0.615). Conclusions The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that LAAC is superior to placebo and APT, and comparable to NOAC for preventing mortality and stroke or SE, with similar bleeding risk in patients with non-valvular AF. However, these results should be interpreted with caution and more studies are needed to further substantiate this advantage, in view of the wide CIs with some variables in the current meta-analysis.
EULAR-PReS points to consider for the use of imaging in the diagnosis and management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis in clinical practice

To develop evidence based points to consider the use of imaging in the diagnosis and management of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in clinical practice. The task force comprised a group of paediatric rheumatologists, rheumatologists experienced in imaging, radiologists, methodologists and patients from nine countries. Eleven questions on imaging in JIA were generated using a process of discussion and consensus. Research evidence was searched systematically for each question using MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane CENTRAL. Imaging modalities included were conventional radiography, ultrasound, MRI, CT, scintigraphy and positron emission tomography. The experts used the evidence obtained from the relevant studies to develop a set of points to consider. The level of agreement with each point to consider was assessed using a numerical rating scale. A total of 13 277 references were identified from the search process, from which 204 studies were included in the systematic review. Nine points to consider were produced, taking into account the heterogeneity of JIA, the lack of normative data and consequent difficulty identifying pathology. These encompassed the role of imaging in making a diagnosis of JIA, detecting and monitoring inflammation and damage, predicting outcome and response to treatment, use of guided therapies, progression and remission. Level of agreement for each proposition varied according to the research evidence and expert opinion. Nine points to consider and a related research agenda for the role of imaging in the management of JIA were developed using published evidence and expert opinion.