Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Data Access Based on a Guide Map of the Underwater Wireless Sensor Network

Underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) represent an area of increasing research interest, as data storage, discovery, and query of UWSNs are always challenging issues. In this paper, a data access based on a guide map (DAGM) method is proposed for UWSNs. In DAGM, the metadata describes the abstracts of data content and the storage location. The center ring is composed of nodes according to the shortest average data query path in the network in order to store the metadata, and the data guide map organizes, diffuses and synchronizes the metadata in the center ring, providing the most time-saving and energy-efficient data query service for the user. For this method, firstly the data is stored in the UWSN. The storage node is determined, the data is transmitted from the sensor node (data generation source) to the storage node, and the metadata is generated for it. Then, the metadata is sent to the center ring node that is the nearest to the storage node and the data guide map organizes the metadata, diffusing and synchronizing it to the other center ring nodes. Finally, when there is query data in any user node, the data guide map will select a center ring node nearest to the user to process the query sentence, and based on the shortest transmission delay and lowest energy consumption, data transmission routing is generated according to the storage location abstract in the metadata. Hence, specific application data transmission from the storage node to the user is completed. The simulation results demonstrate that DAGM has advantages with respect to data access time and network energy consumption.
Crowd Tracking by Group Structure Evolution

We propose a new model-free approach for crowd tracking that integrates low-level keypoint tracking, midlevel patch tracking, and high-level group evolution in one unified framework. Instead of computing optical flows, tracking keypoints, or pedestrians, we propose to represent the crowd as a set of distinctive and stable midlevel patches. These patches are tracked together through occlusions, background clutter, and appearance variations, with spatial relations modeled by the proposed hierarchical tree structure. In the low level, keypoint tracking provides accurate local motions, which guides the detection of midlevel patches with stable internal motions, and also organizes patches into hierarchical groups with collective motions. In the high level, group evolution guides updating of the proposed hierarchical tree structure through merge and split events. The dynamically structured patches not only substantially improve their own tracking, but also act as assistant patches that can help track given targets more accurately in a crowd. Extensive experiments on both ours and publicly available data sets show that our proposed approach significantly outperforms current state-of-the-art trackers.
Towards Multi-Object Detection and Tracking in Urban Scenario under Uncertainties

Urban-oriented autonomous vehicles require a reliable perception technology to tackle the high amount of uncertainties. The recently introduced compact 3D LIDAR sensor offers a surround spatial information that can be exploited to enhance the vehicle perception. We present a real-time integrated framework of multi-target object detection and tracking using 3D LIDAR geared toward urban use. Our approach combines sensor occlusion-aware detection method with computationally efficient heuristics rule-based filtering and adaptive probabilistic tracking to handle uncertainties arising from sensing limitation of 3D LIDAR and complexity of the target object movement. The evaluation results using real-world pre-recorded 3D LIDAR data and comparison with state-of-the-art works shows that our framework is capable of achieving promising tracking performance in the urban situation.
Improved image splicing forgery localization with first digits and Markov model features

Forgery of image can be executed easily by using advanced image editing applications and the recognition of such forged images is difficult for human eyes. Image splicing is a popular way of image tampering. In this work, the goal is to recognize whether a given image is forged or not as well as localize the forged part of image. Since images of JPEG format are highly popular and broadly used, we use JPEG images as input and detect splicing as well as its localization, i.e. determining location of splicing in the image. Benford's law and Markov chain model features are extracted using first digits of DCT coefficients. These features are given to Support Vector Machine classifier for training the model at various quality factors of compression, considering two scenarios of Single Compressed Patch as well as Double Compressed Patch. Compared to state-of-the-art techniques, the experimental results of proposed work provide improved forgery detection and localization.
A generalized classifier to identify online learning tool disengagement at scale

Student success, a major focus in higher education, in part, requires students to remain actively engaged in the required coursework. Identifying student disengagement, when a student stops completing coursework, at scale has been a continuing challenge for higher education due to the heterogeneity of traditional college courses. This research uses data from Connect by McGraw-Hill Education, a widely used online learning tool, to build a classifier to identify learning tool disengagement at scale. This classifier was trained and tested on four years of historical data, representing 4.5 million students in 175,000 courses, across 256 disciplines. Results show that the classifier is effective in identifying disengagement within the online learning tool against baselines, across time, and within and across disciplines. The classifier was also effective in identifying students at risk of disengaging from Connect and then earning unsuccessful grades in a pilot course for which the assignments in Connect were worth a relatively small portion of the overall course grade. Because Connect is widely used, this classifier is positioned to be a good tool for instructors and institutions to identify students at risk for disengagement from coursework. Instructors and institutions can use this information to design and implement interventions to improve engagement and improve student success at the institution in key courses.
ELECTRON LIFETIME AND ITS DEPENDENCE ON TEMPERATURE AND DOSE IN a-Se PHOTOCONDUCTORS

The dependence of electron transport in a-Se x-ray photoconductors on dose and temperature was examined in this work. Recently, stabilized a-Se (amorphous selenium) has been commercialized for use in mammographic screening in flat panel digital x-ray detectors. During the mammographic screening procedure the detector is exposed to x-rays which results in the a-Se undergoing structural change leading to a reduction in detector sensitivity. The detector sensitivity is related to electron lifetime. Electron transport in vacuum deposited a-Se films has been investigated by InterruptedField Time-of-Flight (IFTOF) transient photoconductivity experiments to examine the effect of sample temperature (T ) and applied electric field (F ) on x-ray induced changes in the electron lifetime, τe. Upon exposure to x-rays, the electron lifetime decreases. The decrease in normalized lifetime is almost linearly proportional to the absorbed dose, and is more significant at higher temperatures. Upon the cessation of x-ray irradiation, the lifetime recovers towards its equilibrium value through a structural relaxation process, and is characterized by a structural relaxation time τsr. τsr decreases with temperature in an Arrhenius fashion, and exhibits an activation energy that is approximately 1.4 eV. The structural relaxation time at room temperature (21 ◦C) is 2 4 hours whereas at 35 ◦C, it is 6− 10 mins. The results indicate that the rate of change of electron lifetime per unit of exposure is less than 2 %/Gy at room temperature. These measurements are important in characterizing the charge collection efficiency of a-Se based x-ray detectors, and its dependence on x-ray exposure and temperature.
Nlrp12 Mediates Adverse Neutrophil Recruitment during Influenza Virus Infection

Exaggerated inflammatory responses during influenza A virus (IAV) infection are typically associated with severe disease. Neutrophils are among the immune cells that can drive this excessive and detrimental inflammation. In moderation, however, neutrophils are necessary for optimal viral control. In this study, we explore the role of the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat containing receptor family member Nlrp12 in modulating neutrophilic responses during lethal IAV infection. Nlrp12−/− mice are protected from lethality during IAV infection and show decreased vascular permeability, fewer pulmonary neutrophils, and a reduction in levels of neutrophil chemoattractant CXCL1 in their lungs compared with wild-type mice. Nlrp12−/− neutrophils and dendritic cells within the IAV-infected lungs produce less CXCL1 than their wild-type counterparts. Decreased CXCL1 production by Nlrp12−/− dendritic cells was not due to a difference in CXCL1 protein stability, but instead to a decrease in Cxcl1 mRNA stability. Together, these data demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for Nlrp12 in exacerbating the pathogenesis of IAV infection through the regulation of CXCL1-mediated neutrophilic responses.
Stool Phospholipid Signature is Altered by Diet and Tumors

Intake of saturated fat is a risk factor for ulcerative colitis (UC) and colon cancer. Changes in the microbiota have been implicated in the development of UC and colon cancer. The host and the microbiota generate metabolites that may contribute to or reflect disease pathogenesis. We used lipid class specific quantitative mass spectrometry to assess the phospholipid (PL) profile (phosphatidylcholine [PC], phosphatidylethanolamine [PE], phosphatidylinositol [PI], phosphatidylserine [PS]) of stool from mice fed a high fat (HFD) or control diet with or without induction of colitis-associated tumors using azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate. The microbiota was assessed using qPCR for several bacterial groups. Colitis-associated tumors were associated with reduced bulk PI and PE levels in control diet fed mice compared to untreated mice. Significant decreases in the relative quantities of several PC species were found in colitis-associated tumor bearing mice fed either diet. Statistical analysis of the PL profile revealed distinct clustering by treatment group. Partial least squares regression analysis found that the relative quantities of the PS class profile best predicted bacterial abundance of Clostridium leptum and Prevotella groups. Abundance of selected PL species correlated with bacterial group quantities. Thus, we have described that a HFD and colitis-associated tumors are associated with changes in phospholipids and may reflect host-microbial interactions and disease states.
Effects of heat stimulation and l‐ascorbic acid 2‐phosphate supplementation on myogenic differentiation of artificial skeletal muscle tissue constructs

Although skeletal muscle tissue engineering has been extensively studied, the physical forces produced by tissue‐engineered skeletal muscles remain to be improved for potential clinical utility. In this study, we examined the effects of mild heat stimulation and supplementation of a l‐ascorbic acid derivative, l‐ascorbic acid 2‐phosphate (AscP), on myoblast differentiation and physical force generation of tissue‐engineered skeletal muscles. Compared with control cultures at 37°C, mouse C2C12 myoblast cells cultured at 39°C enhanced myotube diameter (skeletal muscle hypertrophy), whereas mild heat stimulation did not promote myotube formation (differentiation rate). Conversely, AscP supplementation resulted in an increased differentiation rate but did not induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Following combined treatment with mild heat stimulation and AscP supplementation, both skeletal muscle hypertrophy and differentiation rate were enhanced. Moreover, the active tension produced by the tissue‐engineered skeletal muscles was improved following combined treatment. These findings indicate that tissue culture using mild heat stimulation and AscP supplementation is a promising approach to enhance the function of tissue‐engineered skeletal muscles. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Media use and psychosocial adjustment in children and adolescents

Currently, television and new forms of media are readily available to children and adolescents in their daily lives. Excessive use of media can lead to negative physical and psychosocial health effects. This study aimed to describe children's media use, including media multitasking, as well as the associations between media use and their psychosocial adjustment.
Learning a convolutional neural network for sleep stage classification

This paper presents a novel automatic sleep stage classification method based on the convolutional neural network (CNN) with Electroencephalogram (EEG). To fully utilize the local frequency domain information of original EEG signals, we define the fractional discrete Fourier transform (F-DFT). For a better classification performance in the sleep stage 3 and the stage 4, wavelet transform (WT) is used to depict the low frequency structure information of local signals rather than traditional filter methods. Using the locally corresponding relation between time and frequency domains, we generate the three-dimensional signal consisting of the EEG signal, the F-DFT signal and the WT subband signal. We feed the CNN with expanded three-dimensional signals to extract features and classify. Unlike previous methods, our process of feature extracting is automatically. As far as I can see, we first introduce the CNN to sleep stage classification, and achieve state-of-the-art performance.
Innate Lymphocyte Subsets and Their Immunoregulatory Roles in Burn Injury and Sepsis

The vast majority of clinical and basic science research on the immune consequences of burn injury and sepsis conducted during the last three decades has focused mainly on the roles of macrophages, neutrophils and, to a lesser extent, conventional T lymphocytes. During recent years, however, it has become increasingly clear that minor subsets of innate immune cells, innate regulatory lymphocytes in particular, are central to processes involved in both protective immunity and immunopathology. Recent reports by our laboratory and others have just begun to shed light on the critical roles of innate lymphocyte subsets, including natural killer T cells, natural killer cells, gamma-delta T cells, and naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells during the immune response to burn injury and sepsis. Given their emerging importance and documented upstream regulatory capacities over macrophage, dendritic cell, and T lymphocyte functions, innate regulatory lymphocytes represent attractive new targets for therapeutic intervention for the overall immune paralysis that occurs with injury and sepsis. Here, we provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of these particular cell subsets in the immune response to burn injury and sepsis.
The DREAM Framework: Using a Network of Scalable Ontologies for Intelligent Indexing and Retrieval of Visual Content

There are still major challenges in the area of automatic indexing and retrieval of digital data. The main problem arises from the ever increasing mass of digital media and the lack of efficient methods for indexing and retrieval of such data based on the semantic content rather than keywords. To enable intelligent web interactions or even web filtering, we need to be capable of interpreting the information base in an intelligent manner. Research has been ongoing for a few years in the field of ontological engineering with the aim of using ontologies to add knowledge to information. In this paper we describe the architecture of a system designed to automatically and intelligently index huge repositories of special effects video clips, based on their semantic content, using a network of scalable ontologies to enable intelligent retrieval.
Efficient OCT Volume Reconstruction From Slitlamp Microscopes

Since its introduction 25 years ago, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) has contributed tremendously to diagnostic and monitoring capabilities of pathologies in the field of ophthalmology. Despite rapid progress in hardware and software technology however, the price of OCT devices has remained high, limiting their use in private practice, and in screening examinations. In this paper, we present a slitlamp-integrated OCT device, built with off-the-shelf components, which can generate high-quality volumetric images of the posterior eye segment. To do so, we present a novel strategy for 3D image reconstruction in this challenging domain that allows us for state-of-the-art OCT volumes to be generated at fast speeds. The result is an OCT device that can match current systems in clinical practice, at a significantly lower cost.
An effective generator-allocating method to enhance the robustness of power grid

As renewable energy plants are becoming more widely accessible, one trend of power grids' evolution is decentralization which poses many challenges for grid management. In this paper, we propose a generator allocation method, based on community structure detection, for placing decentralized generators. We take node-generator distance (DG) as an indicator of optimal generators' locations and the underlying community structure is detected with a series of iterating steps. Simulation results show that our method can effectively achieve satisfying allocation solutions as well as enhance the robustness of power systems.
Adenosine A2A Receptor Up-Regulates Retinal Wave Frequency via Starburst Amacrine Cells in the Developing Rat Retina

Background Developing retinas display retinal waves, the patterned spontaneous activity essential for circuit refinement. During the first postnatal week in rodents, retinal waves are mediated by synaptic transmission between starburst amacrine cells (SACs) and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The neuromodulator adenosine is essential for the generation of retinal waves. However, the cellular basis underlying adenosine's regulation of retinal waves remains elusive. Here, we investigated whether and how the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) regulates retinal waves and whether A2AR regulation of retinal waves acts via presynaptic SACs. Methodology/Principal Findings We showed that A2AR was expressed in the inner plexiform layer and ganglion cell layer of the developing rat retina. Knockdown of A2AR decreased the frequency of spontaneous Ca2+ transients, suggesting that endogenous A2AR may up-regulate wave frequency. To investigate whether A2AR acts via presynaptic SACs, we targeted gene expression to SACs by the metabotropic glutamate receptor type II promoter. Ca2+ transient frequency was increased by expressing wild-type A2AR (A2AR-WT) in SACs, suggesting that A2AR may up-regulate retinal waves via presynaptic SACs. Subsequent patch-clamp recordings on RGCs revealed that presynaptic A2AR-WT increased the frequency of wave-associated postsynaptic currents (PSCs) or depolarizations compared to the control, without changing the RGC's excitability, membrane potentials, or PSC charge. These findings suggest that presynaptic A2AR may not affect the membrane properties of postsynaptic RGCs. In contrast, by expressing the C-terminal truncated A2AR mutant (A2AR-ΔC) in SACs, the wave frequency was reduced compared to the A2AR-WT, but was similar to the control, suggesting that the full-length A2AR in SACs is required for A2AR up-regulation of retinal waves. Conclusions/Significance A2AR up-regulates the frequency of retinal waves via presynaptic SACs, requiring its full-length protein structure. Thus, by coupling with the downstream intracellular signaling, A2AR may have a great capacity to modulate patterned spontaneous activity during neural circuit refinement.
Classification of SSL Servers based on their SSL Handshake for Automated Security Assessment

The Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) are the most widely deployed security protocols used in systems required to secure information such as online banking. In this paper, we propose three handshake information-based methods for classifying SSL/TLS servers in terms of security: (1) Distinguished Names-based, (2) protocol version and encryption algorithm-based, and (3) combined vulnerability score-based methods. We also classified real-world SSL/TLS servers, active during July 2010 to May 2011, using the proposed methods. Finally, we propose 45 features, deemed relevant to security assessment, for future SSL/TLS data collection. The classification results showed that servers had bimodal distribution, with mostly good and bad levels of security. The results also showed that the majority of the SSL/TLS servers had seemingly risky certificates, and used both risky protocol versions and encryption algorithms.
Marginal and Internal Gap of Handmade, Milled and 3D Printed Additive Manufactured Patterns for Pressed Lithium Disilicate Onlay Restorations.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM On a pressed lithium disilicate restoration, the building up of a wax pattern of the future restoration is a necessary step on the fabrication process. Conventionally, a wax pattern can be produced by handmade or milled procedures; however, the development of additive manufacturing technologies allows a new fabrication method. PURPOSE The present study measured the marginal and internal gap of handmade, milled and additive manufactured patterns for an onlay restoration. MATERIAL AND METHODS A preparation of an onlay restoration was made on an extracted mandibular tooth. A definitive cast was fabricated from a conventional silicone impression of the prepared tooth. Three groups were established: handmade (HM), milled (ML) and additive manufactured (AM); 4 specimens per group were obtained. The marginal and internal gap of each pattern was measured on the extracted molar through a computed tomography test. Sixty measurements were done to measure the marginal gap and another 60 measurements were calculated to analyze the internal gap on each pattern on the prepared tooth. A total of 1.440 measurements were completed. Mann-Whitney and Turkey statistical tests were used for pairwise comparison. RESULTS The mean of the marginal and internal gap was of 67.56 ± 6.08 μm and 80.62 ± 3.26 μm for the HM group, 85.28 ± 2.17 μm and 96 ± 1.97 μm for the ML group and 86.49 ± 1.74 μm and 91.86 ± 2.88 μm for the AM group, respectively. The HM group presented significantly lower marginal (p=0.029) and internal (p=0.029) gap compared to the ML and AM groups. There was no statistical significant difference (p=0.486) on the marginal gap between the ML and the AM groups, but the AM group, showed significantly (p=0.029) smaller internal gap than the ML group. CONCLUSIONS All the groups presented less than 100 μm marginal and internal gap, which is a considered clinically acceptable. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS The three fabrication processes are viable option for manufacturing patterns for lithium disilicate onlay restorations, but the best marginal and internal fit was still obtained by the conventional handmade procedures.