Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pedestrian Detection Using 19-Layer Deep Convolution Neural Network

Pedestrian detection is one of the key technologies in automotive safety, robotic and intelligent video surveillance. Recently, deep convolutional neural networks have achieved significant effect in image classification and retrieval tasks. In this paper, we propose a novel deep convolutional neural networks model for pedestrian detection to simultaneously extract and classify pedestrian features. The proposed model is a 19 layers network which consists of 7 convolution layers, 3 pooling layers, 6 relu layers, 2 normalization layers and a classification layer. The classical back propagation algorithm is adopted to train the model based on a self-build pedestrian datasets. Then, we test the performance of the proposed deep convolutional neural networks model on public INRIA, CVC and TUD pedestrian datasets, which achieves the detection accuracies of 87.52%, 91.98% and 89.98% respectively and outperforms the state-of-the-art conventional methods.
The impact of myocardial blood flow quantitation with PET on the understanding of cardiac diseases.

*Cyclotron Unit, MRC-Clinical Sciences Centre and Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London, U.K.; ^Division of Nuclear Medicine, Edward Mallinkrodt Institute of Radiology and the Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri; ICNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy; ^Institute of Cardiology, Catholic University, Policlinico 'A Gemelli', Rome, Italy; \\University of Louvain Medical School, Brussels, Belgium; ^Service Hospitalier Frederic Joliot, CEA, Orsay, France; **Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California; \\Nuklermedizinische Klinik, Technischen Universitaet Muenchen, Muenchen, Germany; \\Cardiovoscular Centre, OLVZiekenhuis, Aalst, Belgium
Dynamic Functional Modulation of CD4+ T Cell Recall Responses Is Dependent on the Inflammatory Environment of the Secondary Stimulus

The parameters that modulate the functional capacity of secondary Th1 effector cells are poorly understood. In this study, we employ a serial adoptive transfer model system to show that the functional differentiation and secondary memory potential of secondary CD4+ effector T cells are dependent on the inflammatory environment of the secondary challenge. Adoptive transfer of TCR transgenic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) Glycoprotein-specific SMARTA memory cells into LCMV-immune hosts, followed by secondary challenge with Listeria monocytogenes recombinantly expressing a portion of the LCMV Glycoprotein (Lm-gp61), resulted in the rapid emergence of SMARTA secondary effector cells with heightened functional avidity (as measured by their ability to make IFNγ in response to ex vivo restimulation with decreasing concentrations of peptide), limited contraction after pathogen clearance and stable maintenance secondary memory T cell populations. In contrast, transfer of SMARTA memory cells into naïve hosts prior to secondary Lm-gp61 challenge, which resulted in a more extended infectious period, resulted in poor functional avidity, increased death during the contraction phase and poor maintenance of secondary memory T cell populations. The modulation of functional avidity during the secondary Th1 response was independent of differences in antigen load or persistence. Instead, the inflammatory environment strongly influenced the function of the secondary Th1 response, as inhibition of IL-12 or IFN-I activity respectively reduced or increased the functional avidity of secondary SMARTA effector cells following rechallenge in a naïve secondary hosts. Our findings demonstrate that secondary effector T cells exhibit inflammation-dependent differences in functional avidity and memory potential, and have direct bearing on the design of strategies aimed at boosting memory T cell responses.
Reducing Calibration Time for the P300 Brain-Computer Interface Speller

With a Brain-Computer Interface (BCI), it is nowadays possible to achieve a direct pathway between the brain and computers thanks to the analysis of some particular brain activities. The detection of even-related potentials, like the P300, provides a way to create BCIs. The generation of the P300 wave is achieved with the oddball paradigm, which allows detecting targets selected by the user on a screen. The P300-Speller is based on this principle. The detection of the P300 requires efficient signal processing and machine learning techniques. Thus, a calibration step is needed for training the models. However, the duration of this calibration can be a drawback. We propose to evaluate the optimal number of characters that should be spelt in order to provide a working system with a minimum calibration duration. The evaluation has been tested on data recorded on 20 healthy subjects. It is possible to spell only seven symbols during the calibration to reach an initialized system with an average accuracy of at least 80%.
IL‐1β‐induced phosphorylation of PKB/Akt depends on the presence of IRAK‐1

IL‐1, IL‐18 and LPS are recognized by specific receptor complexes of the Toll/IL‐1R family, characterized by a common intracellular domain indispensable for downstream signaling. Upon ligand binding, these receptors activate the central MyD88–IRAK–TRAF6 signaling module, resulting in the activation of NF‐κB. Ligated receptors also induce activation of other signaling cascades, suchas the PI3‐kinase (PI3‐K) and the p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Unlike the p38MAPK pathway, which couples to the central signaling module, the PI3‐K pathway seems to directly interact with the receptor molecules. Thus, activation of the PI3‐K pathway is thought to be independent of the IRAK‐containing signaling module. Employing two cell lines, we show that the PI3‐K pathways can be activated by IL‐1, IL‐18 or LPS with comparable, but cell type specific kinetics, which can be correlated to biological consequences. This indicates that activation of the PI3‐K pathways may be regulated by an element common for all three receptor types, the MyD88–IRAK–TRAF6 module being a candidate for this function. Using an IRAK‐1‐deficient cell line, we demonstrate that the IRAK‐1‐containing signaling module is essential for the IL‐1‐induced activation of the PI3‐K pathway. Possible models of the interaction between IRAK‐1 and the PI3‐K pathway are discussed.
Comparison of FEC types with regard to the efficiency of TCP connections over AWGN satellite channels

Optimizing the end-to-end throughput of a TCP connection (goodput) over geostationary satellite links is a challenging research topic. This is because the high delay-bandwidth product, together with a non-negligible random loss of packets, is a condition that considerably differs from the environments TCP was originally designed for. As a result, TCP performance is significantly impaired by the channel bit error rate. The literature is full of suggestions for improving TCP goodput, most based on modifications of the protocol itself. We only investigated the application of different FEC (forward error correction) types for TCP goodput optimization, leaving the end-to-end protocol unaltered. Using a method midway between analysis and simulation to evaluate the goodput of TCP long-lived connections, we first studied the influence of packet loss rate, introduced by errors on the channel, on the TCP goodput. We showed that, in some cases, the packet loss rate does not need to be negligible with respect to that caused by congestion, as it is widely-held opinion. We then applied physical-level FEC techniques, such as convolutional encoding/Viterbi decoding, Reed Solomon, link-level erasure codes and their combinations, over a wide field of signal to noise conditions of the satellite channel. For each FEC type, we found the FEC rate that maximizes the TCP goodput, in each channel condition. We finally compared the results of all FECs used between them, and presented the case of multiple TCP connections sharing the same link as well
Interleukin 17, a nitric oxide-producing cytokine with a peroxynitrite-independent inhibitory effect on proteoglycan synthesis.

OBJECTIVE To compare the potency of 2 cytokines, interleukin 17 (IL-17) and IL-1beta, on rat cartilage proteoglycan synthesis with special attention to nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite formation. METHODS Chondrocytes in alginate beads were stimulated with human recombinant (rh) IL-17 (0.03 to 300.0 ng/ml) and/or rhIL-1beta (0.25 to 25.0 ng/ml) in the presence or not of L-NMMA or CuDips. Alternatively, rats were injected with either IL-17 (10.0 micro g) or IL-1beta (1.0 micro g) into each knee joint. NO concentrations were determined by a spectrofluorimetric assay, proteoglycan synthesis by 35SO4-2 incorporation, peroxynitrite generation by immunostaining for 3-nitrotyrosine, and IL-1beta mRNA expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS IL-17 inhibited proteoglycan synthesis and increased NO production, both in vitro and in vivo, without inducing expression of IL-1beta mRNA in cartilage. Additive effects were observed when IL-17 was combined with low concentrations of IL-1. Surprisingly, a similar NO synthesis between IL-1 and IL-17 led to a less suppressive effect of IL-17 on cartilage anabolism than with IL-1. Both in vitro and in vivo, peroxynitrite formation was extensive with IL-1beta, but negligible or nonexistent with IL-17. L-NMMA and CuDips completely corrected the suppressive effect of IL-1beta on proteoglycan synthesis, unlike with IL-17. CONCLUSION These data showed that NO is weakly involved in the IL-17 mediated inhibition of proteoglycan synthesis in rat. NO overload may not be predictive of any inhibitory effect on cartilage anabolism, but instead superoxide is a key regulator of NO contribution to chondrocyte dysfunction. Since IL-17 is a NO-producing cytokine with additive effects when combined with IL-1, it may play a pivotal role in cartilage destruction during rheumatoid arthritis, for which infiltrating cells produce high levels of superoxide and proinflammatory cytokines.
Land and Urban Economic Growth in China

Land to accommodate urban development in China is provided through requisitions by government officials, suggesting that land availability may be a constraint on urban economic growth. An econometric model of urban GDP growth suggests that land has constrained economic growth in coastalareasbutnotelsewhere.Elasticitiescalculatedfromtheestimatedcoefficientsindicatethatland availability has a larger proportional impact on economic growth than domestic and foreign investment, labor supply, and government spending. The estimated parameters provide evidence about arbitrage opportunities created by discrepancies between urban land value and compensation for requisitioned rural land, suggesting rural unrest associated with conversion of farmland to urban uses may have some economic roots.
Network Optimization and Synthesis using a Combined Mechanical and Electrical System : Application to Vehicle Suspension Control

This paper introduces a mechatronic network and applies it to vehicle suspensions for performance optimization. The mechatronic network consists of a ball-screw and permanent magnet electric machinery (PMEM), such that the system impedance is a combination of mechanical and electrical impedances. We then apply the network to vehicle suspensions, and demonstrate the performance benefits and their sensitivities to parameter variations. The optimal electrical impedances are constructed and experimentally verified. Based on the results, the mechatronic network is deemed effective.
Essays zur Kommerzialisierung innovativer Technologien durch Unternehmensgründungen

Bereits Schumpeter (1934, 1942) beschreibt, wie technologischer Fortschritt die neuartige und wertschaffende Kombination von Ressourcen ermoglicht. Das dadurch entstehende Ungleichgewicht im Markt ermoglicht es Unternehmern, diese „Chancen“ zu verfolgen und neue Technologien in marktfahige Produkte umzusetzen. Die Grundlagen fur neuartige Technologien werden dabei haufig in offentlichen Forschungseinrichtungen gelegt (z.B. Walsh 1984) und durch neue Unternehmen in eine kommerzielle Anwendung gebracht (Agarwal und Bayus 2002, Dosi 1982, Shane 2001). Unternehmensgrundungen konnen somit einen wesentlichen Beitrag zum technologischen Fortschritt sowie zum Technologietransfer aus offentlichen Forschungseinrichtungen in die Wirtschaft leisten (Bollinger, Hope und Utterback 1983, Venkataraman 2004). Den positiven Effekten von technologiebasierten Unternehmensgrundungen steht allerdings die Tatsache entgegen, dass die Kommerzialisierung neuartiger Technologien ein komplexer Prozess mit vielen Hindernissen ist (Jensen und Thursby 2001, Vohora, Wright und Lockett 2004), an denen viele technologiebasierte Unternehmensgrundungen leicht scheitern konnen (Lockett und Wright 2005). Daher ist es verstandlich, dass das Interesse an der wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung der Entstehung und Entwicklung technologiebasierter Unternehmensgrundungen in den letzten Jahren zunehmend im Fokus eines stetig wachsenden Forschungsinteresses stand (Song et al. 2008). Die Frage, ob und inwiefern die technologische Position der Unternehmen zu deren Erfolg beitragt, ist dabei weitgehend ungeklart geblieben. Die in dieser Arbeit vorgelegten Beitrage befassen sich daher schwerpunktmasig mit der Technologie der Unternehmensgrundungen als deren zentraler Wettbewerbsgrundlage. Aufbauend auf dem aktuellen Forschungsstand sollen dabei die Fragen beantwortet werden, wie Grunder technologiebasierter Unternehmen aus offentlicher Forschung ihre technologische Position gestalten und unter welchen Bedingungen diese zum Erfolg der Unternehmen beitragt. Besondere Beachtung finden dabei die Eigenschaften der Technologie sowie der Schutz der Technologie vor Wettbewerbern.
Inducing Cold Tolerance in Malagasy Rice Varieties IR 58614, Malady and Rojofotsy through In Vitro Mutagenesis

The use of induced mutagenesis to develop cold tolerant mutants from Malagasy rice varieties was investigated with the aim of developing rice mutants that could be planted during the cold seasons in the country. The strategy involved the induction of calli from mature rice embryos and exposing the calli to different doses of gamma rays. The efficacy of different media compositions were evaluated both for callus induction and for plantlet regeneration. Selections for cold tolerance were carried out by attempting to induce the irradiated calli to regenerate at 12°C. The putative mutants were evaluated for agronomic performance under controlled environments and field conditions. Data are presented on the optimal media compositions for both callus induction and plant regeneration for both indica and japonica rice varieties. In all, 3 cold tolerant induced mutants with high yield and seed set were identified. The implications of the findings and suggestions for the integration of the mutants into Malagasy rice agriculture in order to achieve 2 crops per year are discussed.
Peptides: β-cyclodextrin inclusion compounds as highly effective antimicrobial and anti-epithelial proliferation agents.

BACKGROUND The use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as therapeutic agents for periodontal infections has great advantages, such as broad spectrum of action, low toxicity, and limited bacterial resistance. However, their practical use is limited because of the large amount of peptide required to exercise the microbicidal function. METHODS LyeTxI, LL37f, and KR12 cationic peptides were prepared with β-cyclodextrin (βCD) at 1:1 molar ratios. The susceptibility of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum were assessed in anaerobic conditions. Cytotoxicity assays were performed using osteoblast and Caco-2 epithelial cells, and hemolytic activity was assessed on rabbit erythrocytes at an absorbance of 414 nm. Parameters of surface roughness and electrical charge were established by atomic force microscopy and zeta (ζ) potential, respectively. RESULTS AMP/βCDs drastically decreased the peptide concentration required for activity against the bacteria tested. Moreover, AMPs associated with βCD were able to modify cell-surface parameters, such as roughness and ζ potential. On the other hand, AMP/βCD did not alter the degree of hemolysis induced by the pure AMPs. The effective concentration at half-maximum values of the peptides and compounds on osteoblasts were greater than the concentrations required to achieve inhibition of bacterial growth in all the species tested. AMP/βCDs inhibited the proliferation of Caco-2 epithelial cells in a more efficient manner than AMPs alone. CONCLUSION AMP/βCD compounds more effectively inhibit periodontopathogenic bacteria than AMPs alone, with the additional ability of inhibiting the proliferation of epithelial cells at concentrations that are non-cytotoxic for osteoblasts and erythrocytes.
Frequency analysis of time-interval-modulated switched networks

A Fourier analysis of the time-interval-modulated switched networks is undertaken using time-varying system theory. The result is a linearized describing function approach which determines the small-signal control-to-output (fundamental Fourier component) frequency response. The proposed algorithm is general and exact, and the results are developed in closed form. The intended application area is that of switching DC-to-DC converters, where use of the algorithm is demonstrated in deriving an exact analytical expression for the control-to-output transfer function of pulse-width-modulated converters. Experimental results are presented, verifying the modeling technique. <<ETX>>
Risk Factors Linking Maternal Depressed Mood to Growth in Adolescent Substance Use

Maternal depression has been implicated in the development of adolescent substance use. Conceptualizing depression as a continuum, the aims of this study are to (a) understand the relationship between maternal depressed mood and risk factors associated with adolescent substance use; (b) understand the relationship between maternal depressed mood and level and growth in adolescent alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use assessed at multiple time points during adolescence; and (c) examine the unique and relative contribution of maternal depressed mood after taking into account contextual risk factors related to adolescent substance use. Participants are 792 children and their mothers. Latent growth modeling is used with adolescent alcohol, cigarette, and marijuana use treated as ordinal variables. Child depressive phenomena and child antisocial behavior partially explain the relationship between maternal depressed mood and adolescent alcohol and cigarette use. Mothers' own substance use does not contribute to level or change in adolescent substance use after other risk factors are considered.
Investigation a class of shaped, radial microstrip dividers

Some compact and wideband 1:3, 1:4 and 1:5 shaped, radial microstrip dividers are proposed. The bandwidths of all the dividers are approximately 1 octave for SWR = 2, and the output ports have equal powers and phases. The special shapes of the dividers were designed by an extensive optimization process produced by the CST Microwave Studio software. Very good agreement between simulation and measurement was achieved.
Measurement and associations of pregnancy risk factors with genetic influences, postnatal environmental influences, and toddler behavior

This study demonstrates the unique contributions of perinatal risk and genetic and environmental influences on child behavior using data from 561 domestic US adoption triads (birth mothers, adopted child, and adoptive parents). Findings show distinct patterns of associations among genetic (birth mother psychopathology), prenatal (six maternal reported aggregate scores characterizing total obstetric complications, perinatal internalizing symptoms, pregnancy complications, exposure to toxins, substance use, and neonatal complications), and postnatal influences (adoptive parent 18-month internalizing symptoms and over-reactive parenting) and toddler behavior problems (CBCL subscales at 27 months). Findings highlight multiple pathways for toddler’s behavioral development, including genetic, pregnancy, and postnatal main effects. Findings suggest distinct types of pregnancy risk may transmit genetic influences for specific behavior problems rather than broadband problems.
TEACHER ’ S CORNER Power Analysis for Complex Mediational Designs Using Monte Carlo Methods

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Hybrid Modulation Strategy for Asymmetrical Cascaded Multilevel Converters Under Normal and Fault Conditions

This paper proposes a hybrid modulation strategy for asymmetrical cascaded multilevel converters operating under normal and faulty conditions on power cells. The proposed algorithm explores the advantages of both space vector (SV) and carrier-based modulation approaches. An SV is used for higher voltage cells to properly choose their voltage vectors in a way such as to avoid converter saturation, particularly under fault conditions. A generic algorithm to identify the domains of higher voltage vectors in which a reference lies, without the need for separation lines, is proposed. Then, to simplify the implementation of the algorithm, carrier-based modulation is employed for lower voltage cells, which switch with pulsewidth modulation. This suppresses the need for defining multiple switching sequences for different operational conditions, and it avoids converter saturation as much as possible, particularly under fault conditions on power cells. Simulation and experimental results for normal and faulty operational conditions are given, validating the theoretical analysis and demonstrating the good performance of the proposed hybrid modulation approach.
Is a Schizo-Obsessive Subtype Associated With Cognitive Impairment?: Results From a Large Cross-sectional Study in Patients With Psychosis and Their Unaffected Relatives

Abstract The current study investigated whether candidate cognitive endophenotypes may be used to validate a schizo-obsessive subtype. Using within-subject random effect regression analyses and cross-trait cross-relative analyses, we evaluated the association between obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCSs) and cognitive performance in 984 patients with nonaffective psychosis (22.5% with OCSs), 973 unaffected siblings (7.7% with OCSs), 851 parents (4.2% with OCSs), and 573 controls (4.5% with OCSs). No significant within-subject associations between OCSs and cognitive functioning were found for patients and siblings. Severity of OCSs was associated with worse set-shifting ability in parents and worse processing speed in controls, but effect sizes were small (0.10 and 0.05 respectively). Cross-trait cross-relative analyses yielded no significant results. Contrary to our expectations, neither within-subject analyses nor cross-relative analyses yielded a clear association between OCSs and cognitive performance. Results do not support a schizo-obsessive subtype associated with cognitive impairment.