Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A complete processor for SIFT feature matching in video sequences

Efficient detection and reliable matching of image features constitute a fundamental task in computer vision. When real-time operation is required, the solution to this problem becomes a real challenge, because of increased processing requirements. Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) is considered as a stable and robust algorithm for the extraction of invariant features, however special hardware is required for high frame-rate applications, in order to overcome its computational complexity in real-time. In this paper, a complete processor for SIFT feature matching in video sequences is presented. It performs SIFT feature extraction and matching, as well as rejection of false correspondences using the random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm. The processor was evaluated using metrics like response, repeatability and recall. It was found that the proposed fixed-point hardware implementation has a comparable performance with software implementations of SIFT. The processor architecture can process more than 36 fps with resolution 640×480, when it is implemented in Cyclone IV FPGA technology.
A partial translation from λU to λ2

Girard showed that every type of sort ∗ (i.e. every proposition) is inhabited in λU. Barendregt states without proof that every type of sort (i.e. every domain) is also inhabited in the system. This article shows that the second statement is not the case by giving a partial translation from λU to λ2.
Biodegradable aromatic copolyesters made from bicyclic acetalized galactaric acid

Random poly(hexamethylene terephthalate-co-galactarate) s and poly(dodecamethylene terephthalate-co-galactarate) s copolyesters covering the whole range of compositions were obtained with weight-average molecular weights of 30,000–50,000 g mol 1 by melt polycondensation. They were thermally stable above 300 C, and displayed Tg in the þ20 to 20 C range with values steadily decreasing with the content in galactarate units. All the copolyesters were semicrystalline with Tm between 50 and 150 C and those made from dodecanediol were able to crystallize from the melt at a crystallization rate depending on composition. Copolyesters containing up to 50% of galactaric units retained the crystal structure of their respective polyterephthalate homopolyesters, whereas they adopted the structure of the respective polygalactarates when the content in Galx units reached 70%. Stress-strain essays revealed decay in the mechanical parameters as the aromatic units were replaced by Galx. Incubation in aqueous buffer revealed that hydrolysis of the polyesters were largely enhanced by copolymerization and evidenced the capacity of the Galx unit for making aromatic polyesters susceptible to biodegradation. A detailed NMR analysis complemented by SEM observations indicated that hydrolysis took place by preferred splitting of galactarate ester bonds with releasing of alkanediol and Galx-diacid.
Glycine betaine, an osmotic effector in Klebsiella pneumoniae and other members of the Enterobacteriaceae

Osmoregulation was examined in members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Exogenous glycine betaine at a concentration as low as 1 mM was found to stimulate the growth rate of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Klebsiella pneumoniae in media of inhibitory osmotic strength. The stimulation was shown to be independent of any specific solutes, electrolytes, or nonelectrolytes. Therefore, the stimulatory effect of glycine betaine was a consequence of high osmotic potential. This effect was found to be far greater than the proline effect previously observed in S. typhimurium. Whereas nitrogen fixation by K. pneumoniae is completely inhibited under conditions of osmotic stress, nitrogenase activity could be partially restored by the addition of exogenous glycine betaine to the culture medium. Furthermore, glycine betaine in combination with proline, especially proline produced internally at a high level because of regulatory mutations affecting proline biosynthesis, strongly stimulated nitrogen fixation activity during osmotic stress. Glycine betaine was accumulated by the cells, and the amount taken up was correlated with the osmolarity of the medium. These findings are discussed in relation to the possible mechanisms by which glycine betaine might cause enhanced osmotolerance.
Multimodal Biometrics Using Cancelable Feature Fusion

Multimodal Biometric system is very proficient because of the advantageous aspects over unimodal biometric system. Feature fusion based multimodal system is one of the best in its genres because it only stores single template and decries the privacy and security threats as well as the system memory. However, biometric templates from traditional feature fusion for multi-biometric systems are vulnerable in terms of template protection, where it can only improve the performance. On the other hand, proposed cancelable fusion is a new type of feature fusion for multimodal biometric system that can achieve both improved performance for multimodality and cancelability at the same time. In other word, proposed cancelable fusion keeps all the characteristics of multimodal biometric systems and ensures the template security in addition so that hackers cannot use the multi-biometric template to break the authentication system even if the template is compromised.
Better call the crowd: using crowdsourcing to shape the notation of domain-specific languages

Crowdsourcing has emerged as a novel paradigm where humans are employed to perform computational tasks. In the context of Domain-Specific Modeling Language (DSML) development, where the involvement of end-users is crucial to assure that the resulting language satisfies their needs, crowdsourcing tasks could be defined to assist in the language definition process. By relying on the crowd, it is possible to show an early version of the language to a wider spectrum of users, thus increasing the validation scope and eventually promoting its acceptance and adoption. We propose a systematic method for creating crowdsourcing campaigns aimed at refining the graphical notation of DSMLs. The method defines a set of steps to identify, create and order the questions for the crowd. As a result, developers are provided with a set of notation choices that best fit end-users' needs. We also report on an experiment validating the approach.
Towards a new privacy-preserving social media advertising architecture (invited position paper)

Social media marketing has emerged as a new tool for brands to reach certain target groups. While the use of platforms such as Instagram and Facebook has created a multi-billion dollar business, it has also multiplied the amount of sensitive data that is being collected. The associated risks for the end user in terms of data privacy have grown accordingly and most users are unaware of what happens to their data in the background. We propose a novel privacy-preserving social media advertising architecture, which offers a solution that is beneficial to all parties: user privacy is protected and advertisers receive sufficient statistical data, such that all marketing services can be provided in a privacy-friendly manner without sacrificing functionality. Additionally, all computed statistics can be cryptographically verified such that the currently trust-based relationship between brands and social media marketers is replaced by strong cryptographic guarantees.
Circuit partitioning using parallel mean field annealing algorithms

Mean field annealing (MFA) algorithm, recently proposed for solving combinatorial optimization problems, combines the characteristics of neural networks and simulated annealing. Previous works on MFA resulted with successful mapping of the algorithm to some classic optimization problems such as travelling salesman problem and graph partitioning problem. In this paper, MFA is formulated for circuit partitioning problem (CPP) by using both graph and network models. Initial results of the implementations show that MFA can be used as an efficient alternative heuristic for CPP. MFA algorithms proposed for solving CPP are parallelized and implemented on an iPSC/2 hypercube multicomputer. Experimental results show that the proposed heuristics can be efficiently parallelized on hypercube multicomputers, which is crucial for algorithms solving such computationally hard problems. <<ETX>>
CMTM7 knockdown increases tumorigenicity of human non-small cell lung cancer cells and EGFR-AKT signaling by reducing Rab5 activation

The dysregulation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling has been well documented to contribute to the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the leading cause of cancer death in the world. EGF-stimulated EGFR activation induces receptor internalization and degradation, which plays an important role in EGFR signaling. This process is frequently deregulated in cancer cells, leading to enhanced EGFR levels and signaling. Our previous study on CMTM7 is only limited to a brief description of the relationship of overexpressed CMTM7 with EGFR-AKT signaling. The biological functions of endogenous CMTM7 and its molecular mechanism remained unclear. In this study, we show that the stable knockdown of CMTM7 augments the malignant potential of NSCLC cells and enhances EGFR-AKT signaling by decreasing EGFR internalization and degradation. Mechanistically, CMTM7 knockdown reduces the activation of Rab5, a protein known to be required for early endosome fusion. In NSCLC, the loss of CMTM7 would therefore serve to sustain aberrant EGFR-mediated oncogenic signaling. Together, our findings highlight the role of CMTM7 in the regulation of EGFR signaling in tumor cells, revealing CMTM7 as a novel molecule related to Rab5 activation.
Asymptotic Modelling of a Six-Hole MOF

We model the drawing of a six-hole microstructured optical fibre with a combination of asymptotic techniques and a new efficient numerical method, and compare this to a previous set of experiments and finite element simulations. The new approach accurately models the deformation of the inner channels and predicts cross-sectional fibre geometries that are a better match to the experiments than the fibres, more computationally expensive simulation technique.
Genetic diversity of Plasmodium falciparum and its relationship to parasite density in an area with different malaria endemicities in West Uganda

Field populations of Plasmodium falciparum can be effectively genotyped by PCR‐amplification of selected fragments of the Merozoite Surface Proteins 1 and 2 (MSP1 and MSP2). Genetic diversity of P. falciparum populations in areas with different transmission levels (holo‐ vs. mesoendemic) was investigated in Kabarole District, West Uganda. 225 samples positive for P. falciparum were analysed by amplification of polymorphic regions and classified according to prevalence of allelic families. A large number of alleles was detected for each locus: 22 for MSP1 block 2 and 24 for MSP2 and, 175 (78%) of MSP1 alleles and 143 (64%) of MSP2 showed multiple infections within a range of 2–8 clones. Significant differences between holoendemic and mesoendemic areas in regards of population structure and number of multiclonal infections of P. falciparum were not apparent. However, a significant correlation between parasite density, selected MSP2 loci and differences between parasite density in monoclonal vs. multiclonal infections occurred. Multiplicity of infection was age‐dependent.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Aquamicrobium sp. Strain SK-2, a Polychlorinated Biphenyl-Utilizing Bacterium Isolated from Sewage Sludge

ABSTRACT Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of Aquamicrobium sp. strain SK-2, a bacterium which can use 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl as the sole carbon source for its growth. An approximately 9.23-Mb genome sequence of SK-2 will greatly facilitate research efforts regarding the study of the polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) degradation mechanism.
DERMATOLOGY LIFE QUALITY INDEX SCORES IN VITILIGO: RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF THE TUNISIAN VERSION

Background: Vitiligo is an important skin disease that can alter individual self-image and thus have major impact on the quality of life. Aims: The objective of this study was to translate and to test the reliability and validity of the 10-item Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire in Tunisian vitiliginous patients. Methods: Using a standard “forward-backward” translation procedure, the English language version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian (the Iranian official language) by two bilinguals. Seventy patients with vitiligo attending the Department of Dermatology, Regional Hospital, Medenine, Tunisia, were enrolled in this study. The reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaire were assessed by Cronbach's α coefficient and Spearman's correlation, respectively. Validity was performed using convergent validity. Results: In all, 70 people entered into the study. The mean age of respondents was 28.3 (SD=11.09) years. Scores on the DLQI ranged from 0 to 24 (mean ± SD, 7.05 ± 5.13). Reliability analysis showed satisfactory result (Cronbach's α coefficient=0.77). There were no statistically significant differences between daily activity (DA) and personal relationship (PR) scale mean scores in generalized versus focal-segmental involvement in sufferers (P = 0.056, P = 0.053, respectively). There were also strong differences between the mean scores of the PR scale with the involvement of covered only and covered/uncovered areas (P = 0.016) that was statistically significant in the second group. Conclusions: The study findings showed that the Tunisian version of the DLQI questionnaire has a good structural characteristic and is a reliable and valid instrument that can be used for measuring the effects of vitiligo on quality of life.
First checklist of the fruit flies of Morocco, including new records (Diptera, Tephritidae)

Abstract The first checklist of the Tephritidae of Morocco, containing 59 species, is presented here. Out of 38 species collected during the present project, three (Campiglossa martii (Becker, 1908), Tephritis divisa (Rondani, 1871), and Terellia sp. near longicauda) present new records for North Africa, and ten (Carpomya incompleta (Becker, 1903), Chaetorellia conjuncta (Becker, 1913), Chetostoma curvinerve Rondani, 1856, Dacus frontalis (Becker, 1922), D. longistylus (Wiedemann, 1830), Dioxyna sororcula (Wiedemann, 1830), Ensina sonchi (Linnaeus, 1767), Myopites inulaedyssentericae Blot, 1827, M. stylatus Fabricius, 1794, and Tephritis vespertina (Loew, 1844)) are new for Morocco.
Evidence based advocacy

Injury control in a vast number of the American people remains in the 20th century while the injury pandemic shows a 21st century face While musing upon the request to write an indigenous pediatrician’s perspective of the state of play of injury control in South America, particularly as to why matters remain at a rather primitive level and what could be done to move things along, I was struck by this news item: a newspaper in my hometown in southern Brazil reported that a unidentified motorcyclist had fired two gunshots at a brand new mobile speed camera. This camera had replaced a similar one that had been destroyed a month before by two enraged characters armed with iron bars.w1 w2 This seemingly simple account actually offers insights into a variety of issues: undue weapon carrying, speeding vehicles, novel traffic calming strategies, newish high tech devices, meager safety knowledge discrimination, sheer public unawareness, violence at-large, and—of course—a middle income developing country with mostly inconsistent and inequitable public health priorities. Does this sound too entangled for the ordinary reader’s liking? Well, bienvenido a Sudamerica! The injury problem in South America, as worrisome as in the rest of the world, bears some specific circumstances that are worthy of attention. First, up to 29 years, injuries account for nearly six million disability adjusted years of life lost each year—around 17% of the burden of disease.1 This means we face a graver public health problem than most. Second, although the region is by and large free from wars, interpersonal violence has been a frighteningly growing cause of death and disablement from the age of 5 through adolescence.1–3 Figure 1 shows death rates associated with the main causes of injury in selected countries. While homicide rates may be quite similar to those …
Childhood Obesity: The Need for Practice Based Solutions - A South African Perspective

Obesity is a complex problem with no simple solutions. In the quest to find possible solutions for this growing problem among children, literature has already indicated a gap between evidence-based research and practice-based intervention (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2008). This chapter will provide a focus on childhood obesity in South Africa, and will discuss the extent of this problem within the complex context of the South African demographics. It often happens that when researchers have published the results of intervention studies or clinical trials, they may walk away totally satisfied with positive and promising results. The challenge however, remains to translate these research results for practitioners to be used as “tools” in addressing the existing problem. This chapter, therefore, intends to deal with practice-based solutions and recommendations suggesting some strategies in this part of the world. In order to understand the problem of childhood obesity better in the context of this country (South Africa) it is important to shortly review the socio-economic conditions that currently prevail in this part of the continent as demographic background information.
Spin-dependent electron transport in protein-like single-helical molecules

Significance The control of electron spin transport in molecular systems has been receiving lots of attention among different scientific communities because of possible applications in spintronics and understanding of the spin effects in biological systems. Recent experiments have demonstrated that α-helical protein acts as an efficient spin filter and the chiral-induced spin selectivity may be a general phenomenon. However, no spin selectivity was measured in single-stranded DNA above the experimental noise. In the present study, we propose a physical model to rationalize the above phenomena, and provide an unambiguous physical mechanism for spin-selective phenomenon observed in α-helical protein and for the contradictory behaviors between protein and single-stranded DNA. These results may facilitate engineering of chiral-based spintronic devices. We report on a theoretical study of spin-dependent electron transport through single-helical molecules connected by two nonmagnetic electrodes, and explain the experiment of significant spin-selective phenomenon observed in α-helical protein and the contradictory results between the protein and single-stranded DNA. Our results reveal that the α-helical protein is an efficient spin filter and the spin polarization is robust against the disorder. These results are in excellent agreement with recent experiments [Mishra D, et al. (2013) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 110(37):14872–14876; Göhler B, et al. (2011) Science 331(6019):894–897] and may facilitate engineering of chiral-based spintronic devices.
An analytical approach to model the switching losses of a power MOSFET

The paper presents a new analytical approach to modelling of the switching process of a Power MOSFET. The standard method to obtain an analytical solution is to neglect some of the elements in the behavioural model, in order to simplify the analysed circuit to one, that can be modelled with a second order differential equation. This paper explores another more general approach, where the analysis is carried out without simplifications in the resulting circuit. These are made in the final step of finding the roots of the resulting characteristic polynomial, thus also allowing for an analytical solution. The obtained switching losses are then compared between the presented model, models already published and the ones obtained via experiment.
extran – protamine – solid lipid nanoparticles as a non-viral vector for gene herapy : In vitro characterization and in vivo transfection after intravenous dministration to mice

The aim of present work is to evaluate the transfection capacity of a new multicomponent system based on dextran (Dex), protamine (Prot), and solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) after intravenous administration to mice. The vectors containing the pCMS-EGFP plasmid were characterized in terms of particle size and surface charge. In vitro transfection capacity and cell viability were studied in four cell lines, and compared with the transfection capacity of SLN without dextran and protamine. Transfection capacity was related to the endocytosis mechanism: caveolae or clathrin. The Dex–Prot–DNA–SLN vector showed a higher transfection capacity in those cells with a high ratio of activity of clathrin/caveolae-mediated endocytosis. However, the complex prepared without dextran and protamine (DNA–SLN) was more effective in those cells with a high ratio of activity of caveolae/clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The interaction
Vector quantization of the articulatory space

A technique is presented for quantizing the articulatory space, i.e. for replacing the continuum of all possible vocal tract shapes by a finite set of shapes that span the articulatory space. Vocal tract shapes are represented as vectors of parameters that control an articulatory model, so vector quantization are applicable for deriving this codebook of tract shapes. Samples of the articulatory space are generated by interpolating model parameters along paths between selected target configurations. These shapes constitute the training data that are clustered to form the codebook. Such a codebook of shapes has direct application when vocal tract shapes must be estimated from speech. One such application, which motivated the present study, is the use of the codebook to providing starting configurations for an optimizing articulatory speech synthesizer. >
Mutual Coupling Reduction by Novel Fractal Defected Ground Structure Bandgap Filter

This paper presents a novel fractal defected ground structure (FDGS) to reduce mutual coupling between coplanar spaced microstrip antenna elements. The structure of the proposed FDGS is studied. Bandgap characteristic of second and third iterative FDGS is achieved. The second and third iterative FDGSs are used to reduce mutual coupling between microstrip antenna elements. Mutual coupling reduction performance of third iterative FDGS is better than that of second iterative FDGS. And dimension of FDGS can be decreased by using higher level iterative FDGS. The third iterative FDGS is fabricated and measured. Simulated and measured results both show that more than 35-dB mutual coupling reduction is obtained by using the third iterative FDGS. Moreover, the envelope correlation of antenna elements with FDGS is quite smaller than that of antenna elements without FDGS.