Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Region-Analysis Subsystem For Interactive Scene Analysis

An Interactive Scene Interpretation System (ISIS) is being developed by Stanford Research Institute's Artificial Intelligence Center as a tool for constructing and experimenting with man-achine and automatic scene analysis methods tailored for particular image domains. A region analysis subsystem was developed recently based on the work of Brice and Fennema, and Yaklmovsky. Using this subsystem a series of experiments was conducted to determine good criteria for initially partitioning a scene into atomic regions and merging these regions into a final partition of the scene along object boundaries. Semantic (problem-dependent) knowledge is essential for complete, correct partitionis of complex real-world scenes. An interactive approach to semantic scene segmentation was developed and demonstrated on both landscape and indoor scenes. This approach provides a reasonable methodology for segmenting scenes that cannot be processed completely automatically at present and Is a promising basis for a future fully automatic system.
Edinburgh’s Syntax-Based Machine Translation Systems

We present the syntax-based string-totree statistical machine translation systems built for the WMT 2013 shared translation task. Systems were developed for four language pairs. We report on adapting parameters, targeted reduction of the tuning set, and post-evaluation experiments on rule binarization and preventing dropping of verbs. 1 Overview Syntax-based machine translation models hold the promise to overcome some of the fundamental problems of the currently dominating phrasebased approach, most importantly handling reordering for syntactically divergent language pairs and grammatical coherence of the output. We are especially interested in string-to-tree models that focus syntactic annotation on the target side, especially for morphologically rich target languages (Williams and Koehn, 2011). We have trained syntax-based systems for the language pairs • English-German, • German-English, • Czech-English, and • Russian-English. We have also tried building systems for FrenchEnglish and Spanish-English but the data size proved to be problematic given the time constraints. We give a brief description of the syntaxbased model and its implementation within the Moses system. Some of the available features are described as well as some of the pre-processing steps. Several experiments are described and final results are presented for each language pair.
Granulocyte Colony‐Stimulating Factor Induces Osteoblast Apoptosis and Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation

Long‐term treatment of mice or humans with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is associated with a clinically significant osteopenia characterized by increased osteoclast activity and number. In addition, recent reports have observed a decrease in number of mature osteoblasts during G‐CSF administration. However, neither the extent of G‐CSF's suppressive effect on the osteoblast compartment nor its mechanisms are well understood. Herein, we show that short‐term G‐CSF treatment in mice leads to decreased numbers of endosteal and trabecular osteoblasts. The effect is specific to mature osteoblasts, because bone‐lining cells, osteocytes, and periosteal osteoblasts are unaffected. G‐CSF treatment accelerates osteoblast turnover in the bone marrow by inducing osteoblast apoptosis. In addition, whereas G‐CSF treatment sharply increases osteoprogenitor number, differentiation of mature osteoblasts is impaired. Bone marrow transplantation studies show that G‐CSF acts through a hematopoietic intermediary to suppress osteoblasts. Finally, G‐CSF treatment, through suppression of mature osteoblasts, also leads to a marked decrease in osteoprotegerin expression in the bone marrow, whereas expression of RANKL remains relatively constant, suggesting a novel mechanism contributing to the increased osteoclastogenesis seen with long‐term G‐CSF treatment. In sum, these findings suggest that the hematopoietic system may play a novel role in regulating osteoblast differentiation and apoptosis during G‐CSF treatment.
Stirling Numbers of the Second Kind

Summary. In this paper we define Stirling numbers of the second kind by cardinality of certain functional classes so that S(n, k) = {f where f is function of n, k : f is onto increasing} After that we show basic properties of this number in order to prove recursive dependence of Stirling number of the second kind. Consecutive theorems are introduced to prove formula S(n, k) = 1 k! k 1 Σ i=0 (−1) i k i
Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Prospective Registry Study

Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is strongly associated with adverse outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). There are limited data on the effectiveness of drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with CKD. Methodology/Principal Findings Of 3,752 consecutive patients enrolled in the Guthrie PCI Registry between 2001 and 2006, 436 patients with CKD - defined as a creatinine clearance <60 mL/min - were included in this study. Patients who received DES were compared to those who received bare metal stents (BMS). Patients were followed for a mean duration of 3 years after the index PCI to determine the prognostic impact of stent type. Study end-points were all-cause death, myocardial infarction (MI), target vessel revascularization (TVR), stent thrombosis (ST) and the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as death, MI or TVR. Patients receiving DES in our study, by virtue of physician selection, had more stable coronary artery disease and had lower baseline risk of thrombotic or restenotic events. Kaplan-Meier estimates of proportions of patients reaching the end-points were significantly lower for DES vs. BMS for all-cause death (p = 0.0008), TVR (p = 0.029) and MACE (p = 0.0015), but not MI (p = 0.945) or ST (p = 0.88). Multivariable analysis with propensity adjustment demonstrated that DES implantation was an independent predictor of lower rates of all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25–0.92), TVR (HR 0.50, 95% CI 0.27–0.94) and MACE (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41–0.94). Conclusions In a contemporary PCI registry, selective use of DES in patients with CKD was safe and effective in the long term, with lower risk of all-cause death, TVR and MACE and similar risk of MI and ST as compared with BMS. The mortality benefit may be a result of selection bias and residual confounding, or represent a true finding; a hypothesis that warrants clarification by randomized clinical trials.
Development and Validation of the Modified Charlson Comorbidity Index in Incident Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A National Population-Based Approach

♦ Background: The utility of applying the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) to peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is disputed because the relative weight of each comorbidity in PD patients may be different from those in other chronic diseases. We aimed to develop and validate a modified CCI in incident PD patients (mCCI-IPD) for better risk stratification and prediction of mortality. ♦ Methods: The mCCI-IPD was developed using data from all Korean adult incident PD patients between 2005 and 2008 (n = 7,606). Multivariate Cox regression was used to determine new weights for the individual comorbidities in the CCI. The prognostic performance of the mCCI-IPD was validated in an independent cohort (n = 664) through c-statistics and continuous net reclassification improvement (cNRI). ♦ Results: A total of 75.5% of the patients in the development cohort had 1 or more comorbidities. The Cox proportional hazards model provided reassigned severity weights for the 11 comorbidities that significantly predicted mortality. In the validation cohort, the CCI and mCCI-IPD scores were both correlated with survival and showed no differences in their c-statistics. However, multivariate analyses using cNRI revealed that the mCCI-IPD provided a 38.2% improvement in mortality risk assessment compared with the CCI (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.3 – 61.0; p < 0.001). These significant reclassification improvements were observed consistently in subjects with events (cNRIEvent, 28.2% [95% CI, 6.9 – 49.5; p = 0.009]) and without events (cNRINon-event, 10.0% [95% CI, 1.7 – 18.2; p = 0.019]). ♦ Conclusions: Compared with the CCI, the mCCI-IPD showed better performance in mortality prediction for incident PD patients. Therefore, this tool may be used as a preferred index for statistical analysis and clinical decision-making.
A Cluster Based Stable Multicast Routing Protocol in Ad Hoc Network

Most of flooding algorithm of recent Ad Hoc multicast routing protocols are suitable under specific networks conditions. If the condition changes like increasing the number of multicast source nodes and networks nodes or having higher node speed and more traffic loads, they will not work well. To provide multicast routing support for a wide range of operational condition, we propose a new protocol (CBSRP) that integrates the effectiveness of a flooding scheme and the efficiency of a mesh scheme. The protocol constructs a new metric of node stability and selects a stable path with the help of entropy metric to reduce the number of route reconstruction. It selects the nodes which have the most weight and stability to be the cluster headers. In order to decrease control overhead, cluster headers are the only sets of nodes which can rebroadcast the broadcasting message from the multicast source nodes. It also adopts reserve gateway mechanism to eliminate the setup latency of new gateway. Even in high speed and high networks traffic loads conditions the protocol performs well.
Teaching memory improvement to adults

The revised edition of this manual aims to enable professionals to plan and teach an effective and enjoyable memory-improvement class. Designed for use in conjunction with "Improving Your Memory: How to Remember What You're Starting to Forget", it reproduces pages from the student guide, with instructional notes for the teacher, and includes chapter introductions, additional examples and exercises, and supplementary materials. The appendix explains the issues involved in planning and offering a memory improvement course - from publicity to lesson plans.
Improving Fault Isolation and Identification for Hybrid Systems with Hybrid Possible Conflicts

Model-based fault isolation and identification in hybrid systems is computationally expensive or even unfeasible for complex systems due to the presence of uncertainty concerning the actual state, and also due to the presence of both discrete and parametric faults coupled with changing modes in the system. In this work we improve fault isolation and identification performance for hybrid systems diagnosis using Hybrid Possible Conflicts. The Hybrid Bond Graph modeling approach makes feasible to track system behavior without enumerating the complete set of system modes. Hybrid Possible Conflicts focus the analysis on potential mode changes on those subsystems whose behavior deviates from expected. Moreover, using information derived from the Hybrid Bond Graph model, we can cope with both discrete and parametric faults in a unique framework. Fault detection with Hybrid Possible Conflicts relied upon an statistical test to decide when a significant deviation in the residual occurs. Fault detection time was later used to start the fault isolation and identification stages. In this work we propose to analyze the evolution of the residual signal using CUSUM to find a more accurate estimation of the time of fault occurrence, which allows to improve both the potential new modes tracking and the parametric fault identification. Moreover, we extend our previous proposal for fault identification in continuous systems to cope with fault identification along a set of mode changes while performing parameter identification. We have tested these ideas in a four-tank hybrid system with satisfactory results.
A New and Improved Host-Independent Plasmid System for RK2-Based Conjugal Transfer

Bacterial conjugation is a process that is mediated either by a direct cell-to-cell junction or by formation of a bridge between the cells. It is often used to transfer DNA constructs designed in Escherichia coli to recipient bacteria, yeast, plants and mammalian cells. Plasmids bearing the RK2/RP4 origin of transfer (oriT) are mostly mobilized using the E. coli S17-1/SM10 donor strains, in which transfer helper functions are provided from a chromosomally integrated RP4::Mu. We have observed that large plasmids were occasionally modified after conjugal transfer when using E. coli S17-1 as a donor. All modified plasmids had increased in size, which most probably was a result of co-transfer of DNA from the chromosomally located oriT. It has earlier also been demonstrated that the bacteriophage Mu is silently transferred to recipient cells by these donor strains, and both occurrences are very likely to lead to mutations within the recipient DNA. Here we report the construction of a new biological system addressing both the above mentioned problems in which the transfer helper functions are provided by a plasmid lacking a functional oriT. This system is compatible with all other replicons commonly used in conjugation experiments and further enables the use of diverse bacterial strains as donors. Plasmids containing large inserts were successfully conjugated and the plasmid modifications observed when E. coli S17-1 was used as donor were eliminated by the use of the new host-independent vector system.
FINE STRUCTURE IN FROZEN-ETCHED YEAST CELLS

The freeze-etching technique, which is a special kind of freeze-drying, allows electron microscopic investigation of cells and tissues in the frozen state. In regard to yeast cells (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) a freeze-fixation technique has been developed which does not kill the object. The electron micrographs therefore are considered to impart an image of high fidelity. The cutting of the frozen object, which actually consists of a fine splintering, produces not only cross-sectional views (cross-fractures) of the structures but also surface views of the membranes and organelles. Many surface structures are described which have not been shown by the usual sectioning techniques. The cytoplasmic membrane contains hexagonal arrangements of particles which are apparently involved in the production of the glucan fibrils of the cell wall. Alterations of the distribution of nuclear pores are shown in cells of different ages. Freeze-etching enables a clear distinction of endoplasmic reticulum and vacuoles in yeast cells. The membranes of the vesicular systems are covered by ribosomes arranged in circular patterns. The mitochondrial envelope shows small perforations which could allow the exchange of macromolecules. The storage granules consist of concentric layers of lipid, presumably phosphatide. A Golgi apparatus has been detected which may be involved in the storage of lipid. The structure of the unit membrane and the membrane structures of all organelles as revealed by chemical fixation are confirmed in principle. Glycogen agglomerations are identified in the ground plasm of older cells. Insight into artifacts introduced by common chemical fixation and embedding techniques is obtained and discussed.
On GPGPU parallel implementation of hands and arms motion estimation of a car driver with depth image sensor by particle filter

GPGPU parallel computation technology has been combined with depth image sensor such as Microsoft Xbox360 KINECT for real-time estimation of car driver's hands and arms motion with an elaborated tracking method based on particle filter. Vision observation by KINECT including depth image provides more accurate hand/arm region information, so we can extend the motion estimation method, not only on hands/wrists region with skin color cue, but also on arms region not necessarily having skin color, based on a depth signal. In addition, with particle filter for state estimation in robust and in sequentially with GPGPU parallel implementation for real-time computation, it allows us to develop a real-time motion estimation system of a car driver. Contribution of this paper is twofold; 1) to provide whole summary of steering hands / arms motion estimation methods so far based on particle filters and partially with the aid of GPGPU technology, and 2) to propose a new system implementation of GPGPU parallel particle filter not only for hands/wrists region but also for arms region of a car driver with the aid of depth image sensor. Some experimental results have been shown with the proposed implementation.
Leader Integration Competencies and Staff Training in Adventure Programs.

Study Design • A literature review and 3 focus groups with Wilderness Inquiry staff generated a list of competencies needed for integrated outdoor program leaders • A primary competence identified was: “the ability to apply integration strategies to all levels of abilities and in varied situations” • A test was designed to measure the effectiveness of Wilderness Inquiry summer staff training on influencing the integration strategy knowledge of new staff. • Test administered to new staff pre and post staff training, data analyzed and recommendations generated.
APP intracellular domain derived from amyloidogenic β- and γ-secretase cleavage regulates neprilysin expression

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by an accumulation of Amyloid-β (Aβ), released by sequential proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β - and γ-secretase. Aβ peptides can aggregate, leading to toxic Aβ oligomers and amyloid plaque formation. Aβ accumulation is not only dependent on de novo synthesis but also on Aβ degradation. Neprilysin (NEP) is one of the major enzymes involved in Aβ degradation. Here we investigate the molecular mechanism of NEP regulation, which is up to now controversially discussed to be affected by APP processing itself. We found that NEP expression is highly dependent on the APP intracellular domain (AICD), released by APP processing. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts devoid of APP processing, either by the lack of the catalytically active subunit of the γ-secretase complex [presenilin (PS) 1/2] or by the lack of APP and the APP-like protein 2 (APLP2), showed a decreased NEP expression, activity and protein level. Similar results were obtained by utilizing cells lacking a functional AICD domain (APPΔCT15) or expressing mutations in the genes encoding for PS1. AICD supplementation or retransfection with an AICD encoding plasmid could rescue the down-regulation of NEP further strengthening the link between AICD and transcriptional NEP regulation, in which Fe65 acts as an important adaptor protein. Especially AICD generated by the amyloidogenic pathway seems to be more involved in the regulation of NEP expression. In line, analysis of NEP gene expression in vivo in six transgenic AD mouse models (APP and APLP2 single knock-outs, APP/APLP2 double knock-out, APP-swedish, APP-swedish/PS1Δexon9, and APPΔCT15) confirmed the results obtained in cell culture. In summary, in the present study we clearly demonstrate an AICD-dependent regulation of the Aβ-degrading enzyme NEP in vitro and in vivo and elucidate the underlying mechanisms that might be beneficial to develop new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of AD.
An actin network is present in the cytoplasm throughout the cell cycle of carrot cells and associates with the dividing nucleus

We have studied the F-actin network in cycling suspension culture cells of carrot (Daucus carota L.) using rhodaminyl lysine phallotoxin (RLP). In addition to conventional fixation with formaldehyde, we have used two different nonfixation methods before adding RLP: extracting cells in a stabilizing buffer; inducing transient pores in the plasma membrane with pulses of direct current (electroporation). These alternative methods for introducing RLP revealed additional features of the actin network not seen in aldehyde-fixed cells. The three- dimensional organization of this network in nonflattened cells was demonstrated by projecting stereopairs derived from through-focal series of computer-enhanced images. F-actin is present in interphase cells in four interconnected configurations: a meshwork surrounding the nucleus; thick cables in transvacuolar strands and deep in the cytoplasm; a finer network of bundles within the cortical cytoplasm; even finer filaments that run in ordered transverse array around the cell periphery. The actin network is organized differently during division but it does not disappear as do the cortical microtubules. RLP stains a central filamentous cortical band as the chromatin begins to condense (preprophase); it stains the mitotic spindle (as recently shown by Seagull et al. [Seagull, R. W., M. Falconer, and C. A. Weerdenburg, 1987, J. Cell Biol., 104:995-1004] for aldehyde fixed suspension cells) and the cytokinetic apparatus (as shown by Clayton, L., and C. W. Lloyd, 1985, Exp. Cell Res., 156:231-238). However, it is now shown that an additional network of F-actin persists in the cytoplasm throughout division associating in turn with the preprophase band, the mitotic spindle, and the cytokinetic phragmoplast.
IO: An Interconnected Asset Ontology in Support of Risk Management Processes

Asset information obtained via infrastructure analysis is essential for developing and establishing risk management. However, information about assets acquired by existing infrastructure analysis processes is often incomplete or lacking in detail, especially concerning their interconnected topology. In this paper, we present the Interconnected-asset Ontology, IO, as a step towards a standardized representation of detailed asset information. The utilization of an asset ontology as a machine-readable representation supports the automation of risk management processes and the standardization of asset information reduces redundant acquisition processes that are often found in practice.
Carotid Artery Stenting in the Nation: The Influence of Hospital and Physician Volume on Outcomes

Objectives: To assess national outcomes of carotid artery stenting (CAS) with respect to hospital and practitioner volume. Methods: The 2005 to 2006 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to assess CAS with respect to hospital volume, physician volume, and associated complications. Results: Eighteen thousand five hundred ninety-nine CAS interventions were identified. The top 25% was used to define high-volume hospitals (>60 CAS/2 years) and practitioners (>30 CAS/2 years). The stroke rate after CAS was significantly different between low- and high-volume hospitals (2.35% vs 1.78%, respectively; P = .0206). The stroke rate after CAS was also significantly different between low- and high-volume practitioners (2.19% vs 1.51%, P = .0243). Hospital resource use varied significantly between low- and high-volume hospitals (length of stay [LOS]: 1.64 ± 2.10 vs 1.45 ± 11.21, P = .0006; total charges: $32 261 ± 20 562 vs $30 131 ± 19 592, P = .0047) and practitioners (LOS: 1.70 ± 2.14 vs 1.36 ± 1.36; P < .0001; total charges: $33 762 ± 21 081 vs $23 957 ± 19 713; P < .0001). Conclusions: This analysis demonstrates that hospital and physician volume are associated with outcomes and utilization after CAS. High-volume hospitals and practitioners were associated with lower procedure stroke rates and decreased hospital resource utilization.