Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Moving Object Detection and Shadow Removing Based on Improved Gaussian Model and Gradient Information

A self-adaptive moving object detection and shadow removing algorithm for video surveillance is presented in this paper. The proposed algorithm improves the classic Gaussian Mixture Model to remove some unfavorable influences, such as sudden illumination changes and gradual variations of the illumination, ghost. In order to achieve the target, the learning rate is updated according to the illumination changes factor while the mean and variance of all distributions which match the new point are updated, and not only the highest weight of distribution. Moreover, a new effective algorithm for shadow removing in all kinds of complex scene is proposed, which combines HSV color information with RGB normalized space and first-order gradient information. Finally, the corresponding experimental results show that all the detection rates are over 90% , and the improved algorithm performs more robustly and powerfully than the classical Gaussian Mixture Model in moving objects detecting. The proposed algorithm can also effectively suppress shadow.
Defective cerebellar response to mitogenic Hedgehog signaling in Down's syndrome mice

Trisomy 21 is the cause of Down's syndrome (DS) which is characterized by a number of phenotypes, including a brain which is small and hypocellular compared to that of euploid individuals. The cerebellum is disproportionately reduced. Ts65Dn mice are trisomic for orthologs of about half of the genes on human chromosome 21 and provide a genetic model for DS. These mice display a number of developmental anomalies analogous to those in DS, including a small cerebellum with a significantly decreased number of both granule and Purkinje cell neurons. Here we trace the origin of the granule cell deficit to precursors in early postnatal development, which show a substantially reduced mitogenic response to Hedgehog protein signaling. Purified cultures of trisomic granule cell precursors show a reduced but dose-dependent response to the Sonic hedgehog protein signal in vitro, demonstrating that this is a cell-autonomous deficit. Systemic treatment of newborn trisomic mice with a small molecule agonist of Hedgehog pathway activity increases mitosis and restores granule cell precursor populations in vivo. These results demonstrate a basis for and a potential therapeutic approach to a fundamental aspect of CNS pathology in DS.
Transparent mobility or devices on the Internet using OpenFlow

In the last years the number of mobile devices connected to the Internet has experienced a significant growth. However, efficient mobility management is still a challenge, specially if we consider minimal changes in the core network and in the user's applications. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a mobility management scheme for the Internet, which the key idea consists of bringing to the edge of the network all the complexity related to mobility. Thus, our proposal not only avoid changing the code of existing applications, but we also avoid any change in the core of the network, as required by other solutions based on virtualization or content centric networks. Our scheme uses an Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controller to manage a Global Name Service (GNS) to keep track of the location of nodes. We implement our mobility management scheme and evaluate its performance.
Induction of E-Selectin Expression by Double-Stranded RNA and TNF-α Is Attenuated in Murine Aortic Endothelial Cells Derived from Double-Stranded RNA-Activated Kinase (PKR)-Null Mice1

The adherence of leukocytes on the endothelium is mediated in part by the transient expression of the E-selectin adhesion molecule. Because we have previously shown that the dsRNA-activated kinase PKR mediates dsRNA induction of NF-κB, we used murine aortic endothelial (MuAE) cells isolated from wild-type and PKR-null mice to investigate the role of PKR in the induction of E-selectin expression by dsRNA (pIC) and TNF-α. E-selectin mRNA and protein expression was inducible by both pIC and TNF-α in wild-type MuAE cells, whereas induction of E-selectin expression by these agents was defective in PKR-null MuAE cells. Induction of E-selectin promoter activity and NF-κB DNA binding activity were substantially reduced in pIC- or TNF-α-treated PKR-null cells, indicating a role for PKR in both pIC and TNF-α induction of E-selectin via an NF-κB-dependent pathway. In PKR-null cells, pIC-mediated degradation of IκBβ is deficient. Activation of this pathway requires the PKR-dependent degradation of the IκBβ protein. Moreover, both phosphorylated and unphosphorylated activating transcription factor 2 DNA-binding activities were reduced in PKR-null aortic endothelial cells. These results indicate that the PKR is required for full activation of E-selectin expression by pIC and TNF-α in primary mouse aortic endothelial cells identifying activating transcription factor 2 as a new target for PKR-dependent regulation and suggest a role for PKR in leukocyte adhesion.
A statistical study on the correlation between lower ionospheric perturbations as seen by subionospheric VLF/LF propagation and earthquakes

The subionospheric VLF/LF propagation is extensively used to investigate the lower ionospheric perturbation in possible association with earthquakes. An extensive period of data over seven years from January 2001 to December 2007 and a combination of different propagation paths in and around Japan are used to examine the statistical correlation between the VLF/LF propagation anomaly (average nighttime amplitude, dispersion and nighttime fluctuation) and earthquakes with magnitude greater than 6.0. It is then found that the propagation anomaly exceeding the 2σ (standard deviation) criterion indicating the presence of ionospheric perturbation is significantly correlated with earthquakes with shallow depth (<40km). Finally some comments on the mechanism of seismo-ionospheric perturbations are discussed.
Error rate control through Dynamic Frequency Scaling for minimum-energy point operation in razor-based processors

In an attempt to address the pressing concern for low-power operation, a Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) technique in pipelined processors, Razor, was proposed in 2003 to minimize energy consumption by eliminating supply voltage margins. Razor introduced significant energy savings at a higher throughput despite the additional power and cycle count for error detection and correction. This work explores the use of Dynamic Frequency Scaling (DFS) instead of DVS for error rate control. To maximize the capabilities of Razor, model libraries for supply voltages of 0.2 V to 1.2 V were generated to characterize the ARM9 core. From the core timing properties, a supply voltage aware digitally programmable ring oscillator (SVADPRO) was designed to get different clock periods for DFS. Through the implementation of a dynamic frequency scaled Razor on an ARM9 core, energy consumption was reduced by up to 29% while maintaining the same throughput, compounded by a reduction in the energy-delay product by up to 10%.
Followership and leadership in different sorts of sloyd practices

This study examined the extent to which students fully embrace sloyd activities. Sloyd is a form of adventurous education in Sweden where school students take more control of the content and methods of learning as part of their weekly education. Hands on activities are often part of the adventure and it sometimes takes place outdoors. The study focused on two sloyd groups, one led by their school teacher in school time and one group who volunteered for sloyd out of school hours. Students in the school context were expected to follow the sloyd teacher's instructions and they were supposed to choose between an individual task or a group assignment at the beginning of the semester. The youngsters in the sloyd club context were expected to manage the sloyd activities themselves as and when they attended the voluntary sessions. That children and young people embrace sloyd is more or less taken for granted, whether it is part of students' school activities or youngsters' spare time activities. However, we found there was a variation in the extent to which students embraced sloyd from both the class based and voluntary groups. The class-based students' willingness to embrace sloyd depended on whether their activity assigned to them by the teacher was interesting to them. Although the out of school students voluntarily chose their activity, some of them still declined to embrace fully the sloyd approach due to a general lack of interest in the activities. Our conclusion is that sloyd leaders or facilitators need to consider individual differences to ensure sloyd is fully embraced.
Comparing objective visual quality impairment detection in 2D and 3D video sequences

Thanks to the availability of 3D-capable televisions and bluray players, 3D content is made accessible in the home. Recently, an extension of the H.264/AVC video coding standard has been defined for encoding 3D video content. This extension, called Multiview Video Coding, allows inter-view prediction resulting in a better compression efficiency. However, due to these inter-view dependencies impairments in one view caused by e.g. packet losses can lead to degradations in other views. Research has already been conducted towards estimating packet loss visibility in H.264/AVC encoded sequences. In this paper, we investigate the possibility of using an existing decision tree-based classifier for estimating impairment visibility in 3D MVC encoded sequences. Our results show that, in the case of losing entire pictures, it is possible to estimate packet loss visibility in 3D MVC encoded sequences with a high accuracy by only taking into account a limited number of parameters.
Internally Oxidized Nb3Sn Strands with Fine Grain Size and High Critical Current Density

Nb3Sn strands fabricated using Nb-Zr alloy can be internally oxidized, provided that oxygen is properly supplied via an oxide powder. This allows the formation of fine intragranular and intergranular ZrO2 particles in a Nb3Sn matrix. These particles can refine the grain size by a factor of three and thereby greatly enhance the Nb3Sn critical current density.
Assessment of Patient Dose in CT

This report summarises work undertaken in support of a European Commission (EC) Concerted Action on CT that has included both a review and further development of the framework for CT dosimetry. The system previously established by the EC for reference doses in CT (with the quantities weighted CTDI (CTDIw) and dose-length product (DLP)) has been expanded to include subsequent developments in CT technology, such as multi-slice scanners and the recommendation for display of volume CTDI (CTDIvol) on the scanner console. New Monte Carlo calculations for CT have been carried out to supplement the relative lack of normalised organ dose data available for paediatric patients. Series of simulations have been completed for 3 particular models of scanner and 6 mathematical phantoms representing ages newborn, 1y, 5y, 10y, 15y and adult. Analysis of these results has confirmed the trends for an enhancement of the doses to small children relative to those to adults under similar conditions of CT exposure, by factors up to 2.6 in the case of the newborn patient, depending on scanner model and region of scan. A new comprehensive framework is proposed for assessing organ doses in CT based on coefficients relating them to corresponding values of CTDIw in the standard (head or body) CT dosimetry phantoms. This approach would potentially provide a single set of dose coefficients for each standard patient age for universal application to all scanner models. Some initial values are presented of effective dose normalised both to CTDIw and DLP for combinations of standard examination and phantom age. This study was partially funded by the European Commission under Contract No FIGM-CT2000-2078. © National Radiological Protection Board Chilton Didcot Oxon OX11 0RQ Approval: March 2004 Publication: March 2004 This NRPB report reflects understanding and evaluation of the current scientific evidence as presented and referenced in this document. ASSESSMENT OF PATIENT DOSE IN CT
The Study on the Relationship of Team Boundary Management, Cohesion and Attitudes

There are limitations of studies on team building from different perspectives. The conclusions of relations between the internal processes, boundary-spanning activities, cohesion and effectiveness are contradictory in those studies. A survey was used to collect relevant data for study of these issues. Path analyses were conducted for hypothesis testing. There are some conclusions as follow: First, inward-facing boundary management has a significant effect on outward-facing boundary management, which means the mutual supportive and synergic relation between them. Second, inward-facing boundary management has a significant effect on cohesion and attitudes, and the mediating roles of team cohesion to the relationship between inward-facing boundary management and team attitudes are supported. Third, the assumption on relationships between outward-facing boundary management, cohesion and attitudes is supported partially.
Hemolysate-Induced Contraction in Smooth Muscle Cells of the Guinea Pig Basilar Artery

Fourteen patients with severe bilateral carotid artery stenosis underwent carotid endarterectomy. Intra-operative ischemia was monitored by somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) bilaterally. Neuropsychological evaluations were completed within two days before operation and 4-9 days after operation. Complete loss of Nl-Pl or P1-N2 components of the SSEP (seen in 4 patients) was associated with a worsening of neuropsychological abilities (p < .01). Two of these patients subsequently had strokes (7 and 35 days after operation). No other patients in the series have had strokes. Patients whose Nl-Pl or P1-N2 amplitudes decreased by 50% or more performed worse after operation than patients with less severe reductions in these amplitudes (p < .02). Time since first ischemic symptoms, age, education, clamp time, pre-operative stroke, and interval from surgery to assessment were not statistically related to changes in neuropsychological abilities. Patients with ischemic events in the week prior to surgery tended to improve in neuropsychological abilities 4-9 days after operation (p < .05). Recentness of ischemic episode, however, was not related to intra-operative SSEP change. Results suggest the potential utility of intra-operative SSEP monitoring and early post-operative neuropsychological assessments both for clinical and research purposes.
Alcohol, Aspirin, and Gastrointestinal Bleeding

In 20 healthy male subjects faecal blood loss was measured by means of a chromium-51-labelled red blood cell technique. Mean daily faecal blood loss associated with unbuffered aspirin ingestion was significantly increased by alcohol in the 13 subjects studied. In seven others alcohol alone did not cause gastrointestinal bleeding. These findings suggest that alcohol may accentuate gastrointestinal blood loss associated with unbuffered aspirin ingestion.
Small-Size Microstrip Patch Antennas Combining Koch and Sierpinski Fractal-Shapes

A novel technique to reduce the size of microstrip patch antennas is proposed. By etching the patch edges according to Koch curves as inductive loading, and inserting the Sierpinski carpets into the patch as slot loading, it is experimentally found that the resonant frequency of the patch can be greatly lowered, and the higher the iteration order of the fractal shapes, the lower the resonant frequency becomes. And this property can be utilized to reduce the size of the microstrip patch antennas. It is also found that, the radiation patterns of the proposed fractal-shaped antennas maintained because of the self-similarity and centro- symmetry of the fractal shapes. The patches derived from this technique can find applications in integrated low-profile wireless communication systems.
Cell autonomous roles for AP‐2α in lens vesicle separation and maintenance of the lens epithelial cell phenotype

In this study, we have created a conditional deletion of AP‐2α in the developing mouse lens (Le‐AP‐2α mutants) to determine the cell‐autonomous requirement(s) for AP‐2α in lens development. Embryonic and adult Le‐AP‐2α mutants exhibited defects confined to lens placode derivatives, including a persistent adhesion of the lens to the overlying corneal epithelium (or lens stalk). Expression of known regulators of lens vesicle separation, including Pax6, Pitx3, and Foxe3 was observed in the Le‐AP‐2α mutant lens demonstrating that these genes do not lie directly downstream of AP‐2α. Unlike germ‐line mutants, Le‐AP‐2α mutants did not exhibit defects in the optic cup, further defining the tissue specific role(s) for AP‐2α in eye development. Finally, comparative microarray analysis of lenses from the Le‐AP‐2α mutants vs. wild‐type littermates revealed differential expression of 415 mRNAs, including reduced expression of genes important for maintaining the lens epithelial cell phenotype, such as E‐cadherin. Developmental Dynamics 237:602–617, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunolocalization of Myostatin (GDF-8) Following Musculoskeletal Injury and the Effects of Exogenous Myostatin on Muscle and Bone Healing

The time course and cellular localization of myostatin expression following musculoskeletal injury are not well understood; therefore, the authors evaluated the temporal and spatial localization of myostatin during muscle and bone repair following deep penetrant injury in a mouse model. They then used hydrogel delivery of exogenous myostatin in the same injury model to determine the effects of myostatin exposure on muscle and bone healing. Results showed that a “pool” of intense myostatin staining was observed among injured skeletal muscle fibers 12–24 hr postsurgery and that myostatin was also expressed in the soft callus chondrocytes 4 days following osteotomy. Hydrogel delivery of 10 or 100 µg/ml recombinant myostatin decreased fracture callus cartilage area relative to total callus area in a dose-dependent manner by 41% and 80% (p<0.05), respectively, compared to vehicle treatment. Myostatin treatment also decreased fracture callus total bone volume by 30.6% and 38.8% (p<0.05), with the higher dose of recombinant myostatin yielding the greatest decrease in callus bone volume. Finally, exogenous myostatin treatment caused a significant dose-dependent increase in fibrous tissue formation in skeletal muscle. Together, these findings suggest that early pharmacological inhibition of myostatin is likely to improve the regenerative potential of both muscle and bone following deep penetrant musculoskeletal injury.
Gate-delay-fault testability properties of multiplexor-based networks

We investigate the gate-delay-fault testability properties of multilevel, multiplexor-based logic circuits. Based on this investigation, we describe a procedure for synthesizing gate-delay-fault testable multilevel circuits. The procedure involves the construction of a multilevel circuit from a general, unordered Binary Decision Diagram (BDD) by replacing vertices of the BDD with multiplexors. The procedure relies on the following result derived in this article: If the multilevel circuit constructed from the BDD is initially fully single stuck-at fault testable, or made fully single stuck-at fault testable by redundancy removal, then it is completely robustly gate-delay-fault testable. Once the initial gate-delay-fault testable circuit has been obtained, constrained algebraic factorization is used to improve the area and performance characteristics without compromising testability. Unlike previous techniques for synthesizing robustly gate-delay-fault testable circuits, this procedure can be used to synthesize fully testable circuits directly from nonflattenable, logic-level implementations.
Etude ethnobotanique des plantes alimentaires spontanées vendues dans les marchés de Yaoundé, Cameroun

Des enquetes ethnobotaniques sur la vente des plantes alimentaires spontanees ont ete realisees de mars a avril 2012 aupres de 102 vendeurs installes dans 13 marches de la ville de Yaounde. Trois cent quatre citations de plantes ont ete relevees faisant intervenir 29 especes vegetales dans 32 recettes alimentaires differentes. Les especes vegetales citees sont distribuees dans 25 genres et 23 familles. Les fruits ou graines sont les organes vegetaux les plus cites tandis que les condiments et les amuse-gueule ou fruits de bouche constituent dans cet ordre les types d’usages les plus indiques. Les prix de plantes varient de 0,49 FCFA/g a 20 FCFA/g pour un prix moyen du gramme de 4,28 ± 3,1 FCFA (1 USD = 588 FCFA). Ces prix apparaissent plus eleves compares aux autres pays et aussi a d’autres villes du Cameroun pour les memes especes vegetales. Des travaux complementaires sur le suivi des vendeurs et la collecte des donnees floristiques et structurales sont necessaires pour envisager le statut de vulnerabilite de ces especes et anticiper sur les modeles de gestion durable et plus rentable. © 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Mots cles: Enquetes ethnobotaniques, plantes alimentaires spontanees, recettes, cout, Yaounde English Title: Ethnobotanical study of edible wild plants sold in the Yaounde markets, Cameroon English Abstract Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted among 102 sellers of edible wild plants based in 13 markets at the Yaounde city, between March and April 2012. A total of 304 citations of plants were recorded, using 29 plant species in 32 different food recipes. Fruits and seeds are the most used plant parts, while spices and mouth fruits are in this order the main type of usages observed. Unit prices of sold plants vary from 0.49 FCFA/g to 20 FCFA/g with an average price per gram of 4.28 ± 3.1 FCFA (1 USD = 588 FCFA). Those prices are high compared to other countries and to other cities in Cameroon for the same plant species. Further researches on the monitoring of sellers during a whole year and the gathering of floristic and structural data on food plants are important for establishing their endangerment and thinking of scenarios of sustaining the trade. © 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved. Keywords: Ethnobotanical surveys, edible wild plants, recipes, price per gram, Yaounde
MaterialsScience Evaluation of Yogurt Microstructure Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and Image Analysis

The microstructure of protein networks in yogurts defines important physical properties of the yogurt and hereby partly its quality. Imaging this protein network using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) has shown good results, and CSLM has become a standard measuring technique for fermented dairy products. When studying such networks, hundreds of images can be obtained, and here image analysis methods are essential for using the images in statistical analysis. Previously, methods including gray level co-occurrence matrix analysis and fractal analysis have been used with success. However, a range of other image texture characterization methods exists. These methods describe an image by a frequency distribution of predefined image features (denoted textons). Our contribution is an investigation of the choice of image analysis methods by performing a comparative study of 7 major approaches to image texture description. Here, CSLM images from a yogurt fermentation study are investigated, where production factors including fat content, protein content, heat treatment, and incubation temperature are varied. The descriptors are evaluated through nearest neighbor classification, variance analysis, and cluster analysis. Our investigation suggests that the texton-based descriptors provide a fuller description of the images compared to gray-level co-occurrence matrix descriptors and fractal analysis, while still being as applicable and in some cases as easy to tune.