Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Illumination invariant segmentation of spatio-temporal images by spatio-temporal Markov random field model

In order to resolve occlusion problems, we have proposed the Spatio-Temporal Markov Random Field model for segmentation of spatio-temporal images. This S-T MRF optimizes the segmentation boundaries of occluded objects and their motion vectors simultaneously, by referring to textures and segment labeling correlations along the temporal axis as well as the spatial axes. Recently, we have extended this model to segment spatial MRF energy distributions of images along the temporal axis, in order to resolve the problem of illumination effects. Since such spatio-temporal distribution of MRF energies is so stable against illumination effects, the model is able to appropriately segment spatiotemporal images against variations in illumination and shading effects. Consequently, in the evaluation of S-T MRF for application to vehicle tracking in traffic images, segmentation boundaries of vehicle regions were successfully determined even in cases of serious occlusions and shading effects.
Module Based Differential Coexpression Analysis Method for Type 2 Diabetes

More and more studies have shown that many complex diseases are contributed jointly by alterations of numerous genes. Genes often coordinate together as a functional biological pathway or network and are highly correlated. Differential coexpression analysis, as a more comprehensive technique to the differential expression analysis, was raised to research gene regulatory networks and biological pathways of phenotypic changes through measuring gene correlation changes between disease and normal conditions. In this paper, we propose a gene differential coexpression analysis algorithm in the level of gene sets and apply the algorithm to a publicly available type 2 diabetes (T2D) expression dataset. Firstly, we calculate coexpression biweight midcorrelation coefficients between all gene pairs. Then, we select informative correlation pairs using the “differential coexpression threshold” strategy. Finally, we identify the differential coexpression gene modules using maximum clique concept and k-clique algorithm. We apply the proposed differential coexpression analysis method on simulated data and T2D data. Two differential coexpression gene modules about T2D were detected, which should be useful for exploring the biological function of the related genes.
DEVELOPMENT, CHARACTERIZATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF IBUPROFEN SELF-EMULSIFYING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM APPLYING FACE CENTERED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Ibuprofen (IB) a NSAID, has poor dissolution and many gastrointestinal side effects. Self-Emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) has proved its efficacy to improve the solu bility and dissolution of many lipophilic drugs and improve their characteristics. The object ives of this study were to develop, optimize and ch aracterize a IBSEDDS applying Face Centered Experimental Design (FCED). The methods included determination of solubility of IB in different oils, surfactants and co-surfactants. Ingredient showing high drug solub ility were used to formulate several IBSEDDS after being teste d for physical and chemical compatibility with the drug. A three factor, three level FCED was used for the opt imization process. The concentration of oil, surfac tant and cosurfactant were the independent variables, X1, X2 and X3 respectively, while the dissolution, turbid ity and droplet size were the dependent variables, Y1, Y2 a nd Y3 respectively. The results showed high solubil ity and compatibility of IB with soybean oil, Cremophore EL and Capmul MCM-C8. The concentrations of X1- X3 showed significant effects on the responses Y1-Y3.T he polynomial equation relating the response Y 1 and variables X1-X3 was obtained. The optimized and predicted values of Y 1 were in close agreement. According to the design, 50% X1, 40% X2 and 10% X3 maximized Y1 up to 100% after 60 min. In conclusion, IBSEDDS with high drug release and reasonable physical properties could be prepared and the experiment al design applied helped in understanding the effects and the interaction effects between the three varia bles applied. The optimized formulation is expected to s how high bioavailability with minimal side effects.
The Validity and Reliability of Characterizing Epilepsy Based on an External Review of Medical Records

OBJECTIVES Our goal is to validate diagnosing and characterizing epilepsy based on a medical record survey by external reviewers. METHODS We reviewed medical records from 80 patients who received antiepileptic drugs in 2009 at two hospitals. The study consisted of two steps; data abstraction by certified health record administrators and then verification by the investigators. The gold standard was the results of the survey performed by the epileptologists from their own hospital. RESULTS The specificity was more than 90.0% for diagnosis and activity, and for new-onset seizures. The sensitivity was 97.0% or more for diagnosis and activity and 66.7-75.0% for new-onset epilepsy. This method accurately classified epileptic syndromes in 90.2-92.9% of patients, causes in 85.4-92.7%, and age of onset in 78.0-81.0%. Kappa statistics for inter-rater reliability and test-retest reliability ranged from 0.641-0.975, which means substantial to near-perfect agreement in all items. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that epilepsy can be well identified by external review of medical records. This method may be useful as a basis for large-scale epidemiological research.
Increasing antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates of Aeromonas strains in Taiwan

A total of 234 clinical isolates of Aeromonas, primarily A. hydrophila, were collected for the present study. Most were isolates from blood. By the agar dilution method, more than 90% of the Aeromonas strains were found to be susceptible to moxalactam, ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem, amikacin, and fluoroquinolones, but they were more resistant to tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, some extended-spectrum cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides than strains from the United States and Australia.
Screening for Major Depressive Disorder with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 and PHQ-2) in an Outpatient Clinic Staffed by Primary Care Physicians in Japan: A Case Control Study

Objective The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a self-report questionnaire commonly used to screen for depression, with ≥8–11 generally recommended as the cut-off. In Japan, studies of the validity of the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 have been limited. In this study, we examined the utility of the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 at an outpatient clinic in a Medical University Hospital in Japan. Methods New consecutive outpatients were included in the study. We administered the PHQ-9 to 574 patients, and acquired complete PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 data for 521 patients. Major depressive disorders were diagnosed according to the DSM-IV-TR. Results Forty-two patients were diagnosed with major depressive disorders. The mean PHQ-9 (15.7) and PHQ-2 (3.8) scores of the patients with major depressive disorders were significantly higher than the scores of the patients without depression (6.0 (PHQ-9) and 1.8 (PHQ-2)). The best cut-off points for the PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 summary scores were ≥11 (sensitivity 0.76, specificity 0.81) and ≥3 (sensitivity 0.76, specificity 0.82), respectively. No relationship was observed between the age and PHQ-9 scores. Conclusion The PHQ-9 and PHQ-2 were useful instruments for screening for major depressive disorders. The best cut-off point for the PHQ-9 summary score should be ≥11 to detect depression in the primary care setting in Japan.
Scrapie agent contains a hydrophobic protein.

The scrapie agent causes a degenerative nervous system disorder of sheep and goats. Considerable evidence indicates that the scrapie agent contains a protein that is necessary for infectivity [Prusiner, S. B. , Groth, D. F. , Cochran, S. P., Masiarz, F. R. , McKinley, M. P. & Martinez, H. M. (1980) Biochemistry 19, 4883-4891], but direct demonstration of a protein moiety has been hampered by lack of sufficiently purified preparations. Employing preparations of the scrapie agent enriched 100- to 1000-fold with respect to protein, we found that digestion by proteinase K destroyed more than 99.9% of the infectivity. Diethylpyrocarbonate, which chemically modifies amino acid residues in proteins with high efficiency, also inactivated the scrapie agent in these purified preparations. Reductions of infectivity by proteinase K and diethylpyrocarbonate were not observed with less purified preparations. The agent bound to phenyl-Sepharose could not be eluted with 8.5 M ethylene glycol; however, a combination of ethylene glycol and detergents did release the agent. These observations provide good evidence for a protein and for hydrophobic domains within the scrapie agent. Whether the protein required for infectivity is the same protein responsible for the hydrophobic properties of the scrapie agent remains to be established.
An inverse method for estimating absolute velocities of the Kuroshio

An inverse method for estimating absolute velocities of the Kuroshio in the East China Sea and south of Japan was applied using hydrographic section data collected from January 19 to February 27 2006. By assuming the water mass to be conserved in four computational boxes, an undetermined system of linear equations was built. A family of solutions was firstly obtained by the “tapered least squares” method and then the optimal solution was selected based on two principles which are no large absolute velocities in deep layer and small residuals remained. The inversion results showed a good mass conservation and the residuals in each layer were below 1.50 Sv (1 Sv=106 m3s−1). The absolute velocities in the deep part of the computational region were below 0.01ms−1. The maximum velocities of the Kuroshio calculated by the inverse method were 1.06 ms−1 at Tokara Strait and 1.48 ms−1 at south of Japan. The net volume transports of the Kuroshio in PN section and TK section were 24.23 Sv and 22.76 Sv, respectively.
Anaphylactic shock depends on endothelial Gq/G11

Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction involving multiple organs including the bronchial and cardiovascular system. Most anaphylactic mediators, like platelet-activating factor (PAF), histamine, and others, act through G protein–coupled receptors, which are linked to the heterotrimeric G proteins Gq/G11, G12/G13, and Gi. The role of downstream signaling pathways activated by anaphylactic mediators in defined organs during anaphylactic reactions is largely unknown. Using genetic mouse models that allow for the conditional abrogation of Gq/G11- and G12/G13-mediated signaling pathways by inducible Cre/loxP-mediated mutagenesis in endothelial cells (ECs), we show that Gq/G11-mediated signaling in ECs is required for the opening of the endothelial barrier and the stimulation of nitric oxide formation by various inflammatory mediators as well as by local anaphylaxis. The systemic effects of anaphylactic mediators like histamine and PAF, but not of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), are blunted in mice with endothelial Gαq/Gα11 deficiency. Mice with endothelium-specific Gαq/Gα11 deficiency, but not with Gα12/Gα13 deficiency, are protected against the fatal consequences of passive and active systemic anaphylaxis. This identifies endothelial Gq/G11-mediated signaling as a critical mediator of fatal systemic anaphylaxis and, hence, as a potential new target to prevent or treat anaphylactic reactions.
Accuracy improvement algorithms for prediction of user location using receive signal strength indication in infrastructure WLANs

An analysis of the performance of several algorithms for improving the estimation of user location in a standard infrastructure wireless local area network (WLAN) is presented. The basic method involves comparing real-time received signal strength indication values with those stored in a precreated radio map to estimate the user's location. However, this basic tracking technique can have an rms error of almost 5 m, which is particularly high for indoor tracking. The performance of three different refinement algorithms was simulated across a range of testbed environments. One of the algorithms, constrained movement, offered almost a 40 % improvement in rms error (2.8 m for a measurement uncertainty of 2.5 dB) and performed consistently well across all of the environments considered.
An Enhanced Hierarchical Extreme Learning Machine with Random Sparse Matrix Based Autoencoder

Recently, by employing the stacked extreme learning machine (ELM) based autoencoders (ELM-AE) and sparse AEs (SAE), multilayer ELM (ML-ELM) and hierarchical ELM (H-ELM) has been developed. Compared to the conventional stacked AEs, the ML-ELM and H-ELM usually achieve better generalization performance with a significantly reduced training time. However, the ${\ell _1}$-norm based SAE may suffer the overfitting problem and it is unable to provide analytical solution leading to long training time for big data. To alleviate these deficiencies, we propose an enhanced H-ELM (EH-ELM) with a novel random sparse matrix based AE (SMA) in this paper. The contributions are in two aspects, 1) utilizing the random sparse matrix, the sparse features can be obtained; 2) the proposed SMA can provide an analytical solution so that the high computational complexity issue in SAE can be addressed. Experimental results on benchmark datasets show that the proposed EH-ELM achieves a higher recognition rate and a faster training speed than H-ELM and ML-ELM.
Dynamic Closed-loop Replanning in Belief Space : Toward Handling Dynamically Changing Environments

Motion planning in belief space is a challenging problem due to the computational intractability of its exact solution. This problem becomes even more challenging in changing environments. This paper proposes a dynamic replanning scheme in belief space to handle changes in the environment (e.g., changes in the obstacle map), as well as unforeseen large deviations in the robot’s location (e.g., the kidnapped robot problem). The proposed method utilizes Feedback-based Information RoadMap (FIRM) framework as a substrate. However, it circumvents the need for belief stabilization in the FIRM framework and proposes a more efficient online planning scheme. We demonstrate the performance of the proposed method on a physical robot subject to large disturbances and environmental changes.
HER2 Analysis in Sporadic Thyroid Cancer of Follicular Cell Origin

The Epidermal Growth Factor Receoptor (EGFR) family member human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is overexpressed in many human epithelial malignancies, representing a molecular target for specific anti-neoplastic drugs. Few data are available on HER2 status in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). The present study was aimed to investigate HER2 status in sporadic cancers of follicular cell origin to better clarify the role of this receptor in the stratification of thyroid cancer. By immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in-situ hybridization, HER2 expression was investigated in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimens from 90 DTC patients, 45 follicular (FTC) and 45 papillary (PTC) histotypes. No HER2 immunostaining was recorded in background thyroid tissue. By contrast, overall HER2 overexpression was found in 20/45 (44%) FTC and 8/45 (18%) PTC, with a significant difference between the two histotypes (p = 0.046). Five of the six patients who developed metastatic disease during a median nine-year follow-up had a HER2-positive tumor. Therefore, we suggest that HER2 expression may represent an additional aid to identify a subset of patients who are characterized by a worse prognosis and are potentially eligible for targeted therapy.
Multi-class AdaBoost ∗

Boosting has been a very successful technique for solving the two-class classification problem. In going from two-class to multi-class classification, most algorithms have been restricted to reducing the multi-class classification problem to multiple two-class problems. In this paper, we propose a new algorithm that naturally extends the original AdaBoost algorithm to the multiclass case without reducing it to multiple two-class problems. Similar to AdaBoost in the twoclass case, this new algorithm combines weak classifiers and only requires the performance of each weak classifier be better than random guessing (rather than 1/2). We further provide a statistical justification for the new algorithm using a novel multi-class exponential loss function and forward stage-wise additive modeling. As shown in the paper, the new algorithm is extremely easy to implement and is highly competitive with the best currently available multi-class classification methods.
Can media literacy education increase digital engagement in politics?

ABSTRACT Online environments are now central to political life, especially for young people. They are prominent contexts for activities that include: fundraising, political debate, sharing political perspectives, mobilizing individuals and groups to act, and applying pressure to governments, corporations, and nonprofits. Much of this online politically focused activity occurs within a broader media ecology that can be characterized as a participatory culture (Jenkins, H., R. Purushotma, K. Clinton, M. Weigel, and A. J. Robison. [2009]. Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century. Occasional Paper on Digital Media and Learning. Chicago: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation). Many have argued that media literacy efforts are needed for youth to fully leverage these digital opportunities, but rigorous studies of such educational efforts are just beginning to emerge. Drawing on an original panel survey, this paper examines whether efforts to promote digital engagement literacies increase youth online engagement in politics. We find that they do. Educators’ efforts to foster digital engagement literacies increase youth engagement in participatory politics and in applying targeted political pressure to government, corporations, and nonprofits.
The effect of initial sonication on disinfectant efficacy against Listeria monocytogenes biofilm

Background: Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, foodborne pathogen. Biofilms formed by this bacterium are a serious problem in the food industry. Bacteria in biofilms are much more resistant to cleaning and disinfection agents posing a risk of food recontamination. The aim of this study was the assessment of the influence of initial sonication on disinfectant efficacy, based on QAC, against L. monocytogenes biofilm on the stainless steel. Methods: The biofilm formed on the stainless steel by the reference strain L. monocytogenes ATCC 19111 was sonicated for 1 and 5 minutes (500W/ 20kHz/ 100% amplitude). Then disinfection with quaternary ammonium compounds (0.5% working solution) was applied for 1 and 5 minutes and the number of bacteria recovered from the biofilm was assessed. Results: It was found that disinfection was more efficient than sonication (p ≤ 0.05). However, the combination of sonication and disinfection significantly improved biofilm eradication compared to the use of one of these methods separately (p ≤ 0.05). The greatest reduction of bacteria number was achieved after 5 minutes of sonication combined with 5 minutes of disinfection (6.42 log CFU × cm-2), whereas the lowest reduction was observed after 1 minute-sonication (2.03 log CFU × cm-2). Conclusions: Combination of sonication and disinfection based on quaternary ammonium compounds is an effective method allowing biofilm eradication from the food production surfaces.
Selective and differential medium for the primary isolation of members of the Proteeae

A new differential and selective medium for the isolation of members of the Proteeae, PIM (Proteeae isolation medium) agar, was developed and evaluated. The medium relies on the ability of all members of the Proteeae (with the exception of a very few Morganella morganii strains) to produce a dark brown pigment in medium containing DL-tryptophan. An additional differential property, tyrosine degradation, was also demonstrated by the medium. Members of the Proteeae appeared as dark brown colonies with a halo of clearing of fine tyrosine crystals when cultured on PIM agar. Occasional strains of Citrobacter sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa may degrade tyrosine, but none has the ability to produce dark brown pigmentation on PIM agar. Quantitative recovery studies showed that the addition of 5 mg of clindamycin per liter suppressed gram-positive bacteria without inhibiting any strains of the Proteeae. The addition of 100 mg of colistin per liter made the medium highly selective for strains of the Proteeae, but approximately 10% of the strains were not isolated, thus making this formulation unsuitable for general surveys of the occurrence of members of the Proteeae. PIM agar should aid the investigation of episodes of cross infection caused by members of the Proteeae and the isolation of the new species of the Proteeae recently described.
TACO: timing analysis with COupling

The impact of coupling capacitance on delay is usually estimated by scaling the coupling capacitances (often by a factor of 2) and modeling them as grounded. This simple approach has been shown to be overly pessimistic in some cases, while somewhat optimistic in others. This paper introduces TACO, a timing analysis methodology that produces tight bounds on worst- and best-case timing for circuits with dominant coupling capacitance. The methodology utilizes a coupled Ceff gate model for capturing the provably worst- and best-case delays as a function of the timing-window inputs to the gates.
SPIN–ORBIT MISALIGNMENT AS A DRIVER OF THE KEPLER DICHOTOMY

During its five-year mission, the Kepler spacecraft has uncovered a diverse population of planetary systems with orbital configurations ranging from single-transiting planets to systems of multiple planets co-transiting the parent star. By comparing the relative occurrences of multiple to single-transiting systems, recent analyses have revealed a significant over-abundance of singles. Dubbed the “Kepler Dichotomy,” this feature has been interpreted as evidence for two separate populations of planetary systems: one where all orbits are confined to a single plane, and a second where the constituent planetary orbits possess significant mutual inclinations, allowing only a single member to be observed in transit at a given epoch. In this work, we demonstrate that stellar obliquity, excited within the disk-hosting stage, can explain this dichotomy. Young stars rotate rapidly, generating a significant quadrupole moment, which torques the planetary orbits, with inner planets influenced more strongly. Given nominal parameters, this torque is sufficiently strong to excite significant mutual inclinations between planets, enhancing the number of single-transiting planets, sometimes through a dynamical instability. Furthermore, as hot stars appear to possess systematically higher obliquities, we predict that single-transiting systems should be relatively more prevalent around more massive stars. We analyze the Kepler data and confirm this signal to be present.