Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Salient Object Detection in Videos Based on SPATIO-Temporal Saliency Maps and Colour Features

Salient object detection in videos is challenging because of the competing motion in the background, resulting from camera tracking an object of interest, or motion of objects in the foreground. The authors present a fast method to detect salient video objects using particle filters, which are guided by spatiotemporal saliency maps and color feature with the ability to quickly recover from false detections. The proposed method for generating spatial and motion saliency maps is based on comparing local features with dominant features present in the frame. A region is marked salient if there is a large difference between local and dominant features. For spatial saliency, hue and saturation features are used, while for motion saliency, optical flow vectors are used as features. Experimental results on standard datasets for video segmentation and for saliency detection show superior performance over state-of-the-art methods. INTRODUCTION Modern day life has overwhelming amount visual data and information available and created every minute. This growth in image data has led to new challenges of processing them fast and extracting correct information, so as to facilitate different tasks from image search to image compression and transmission over network. One specie problem of computer vision algorithms used for extracting information from images, is to and objects of interest in an image. Human visual system has an immense capability to extract important information from a scene. This ability enables humans to focus their limited perceptual and cognitive resources on the most pertinent subset of the available visual data, facilitating learning and survival in everyday life. This amazing ability is known as visual saliency (Itti et al. (1998)). Hence for a computer vision system, it is important to detect saliency so that the resources can be utilized properly to process important information. Applications range from object detection or Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR), face or human reidentication and video tracking. Motivation Saliency is the ability or quality of a region in an image to standout (or be prominent) from the rest of the scene and grab our attention. Saliency can be either stimulus driven or task specific. The former one is known as bottom-up saliency while the later species top-down saliency and leads to visual search. Bottomup saliency can be interpreted as a filter which allows only important visual information to grab the attention for further processing[1],[2]. In our work, we concentrate on bottom-up salient object detection. Saliency is a particularly useful concept when considering bottom-up feature extraction, since one must and what is significant in an image from the scene data alone. In such circumstances, the role of context becomes extremely important. That is to say that saliency can be described as a relative measure of importance. Hence, the bottom-up saliency can be interpreted as its state or quality of standing out (relative to other stimuli) in a scene.
24-norUrsodeoxycholic acid is superior to ursodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of sclerosing cholangitis in Mdr2 (Abcb4) knockout mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Current therapy for primary sclerosing cholangitis is of limited efficacy. Multidrug resistance gene 2 knockout mice (Mdr2(-/-)) represent a well-characterized model for sclerosing cholangitis. Experiments were performed to test in such mice the therapeutic effects of 24-norUrsodeoxycholic acid, a C(23) homologue of ursodeoxycholic acid with 1 fewer methylene group in its side chain. METHODS Mdr2(-/-) mice were fed a diet containing 24-norUrsodeoxycholic acid (0.5% wt/wt) or ursodeoxycholic acid (0.5% wt/wt) as a clinical comparator for 4 weeks; controls received standard chow. Effects on serum liver tests, liver histology, markers of inflammation and fibrosis, and bile acid transport and metabolism were compared. 24-norUrsodeoxycholic acid metabolism was studied in serum, liver, bile, and urine. RESULTS 24-norUrsodeoxycholic acid markedly improved liver tests and liver histology and significantly reduced hydroxyproline content and the number of infiltrating neutrophils and proliferating hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. 24-norUrsodeoxycholic acid underwent extensive phase I/II metabolism (hydroxylation, sulfation, and glucuronidation), thereby increasing the hydrophilicity of biliary bile acid secretion. There was a coordinated induction of bile acid detoxifying enzymes (Cyp2b10, Cyp3a11, and Sult2a1) and efflux pumps (Mrp3 and Mrp4). Ursodeoxycholic acid, in contrast, increased alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels, had no significant effects on hydroxyproline content, and induced biliary transporters and detoxification enzymes to a much smaller extent than 24-norUrsodeoxycholic acid. CONCLUSIONS 24-norUrsodeoxycholic acid ameliorates sclerosing cholangitis in Mdr2(-/-) mice. Its therapeutic mechanisms involve (1) increasing the hydrophilicity of biliary bile acids, (2) stimulating bile flow with flushing of injured bile ducts, and (3) inducing detoxification and elimination routes for bile acids.
Analysis of the AAA sensor-2 motif in the C-terminal ATPase domain of Hsp104 with a site-specific fluorescent probe of nucleotide binding

Hsp104 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a hexameric protein with two AAA ATPase domains (N- and C-terminal nucleotide-binding domains NBD1 and NBD2, respectively) per monomer. Our previous analysis of the Hsp104 ATP hydrolysis cycle revealed that NBD1 and NBD2 have very different catalytic properties, but each shows positive cooperativity in hydrolysis. There is also communication between the two domains, in that ATP hydrolysis at NBD1 depends on the nucleotide that is bound to NBD2. Here, we extend our understanding of the Hsp104 ATP hydrolysis cycle through mutagenesis of the AAA sensor-2 motif in NBD2. To do so, we took advantage of the lack of tryptophan residues in Hsp104 to place a single tryptophan in the C-terminal domain (Y819W). The Y819W substitution has no significant effects on folding stability of the C-terminal domain or on ATP hydrolysis by NBD1 or NBD2. The fluorescence of this tryptophan changes in response to ATP and ADP binding, allowing the Kd and Hill coefficient to be determined for each nucleotide. By using this site-specific probe of binding, we analyze the effect of mutating the conserved arginine residue in the sensor-2 motif in Hsp104 NBD2. An R826M mutation causes nearly equal decreases in affinity of NBD2 for both ATP and ADP, indicating that at this site, the sensor-2 provides binding energy, but does not act to sense the difference between these nucleotides. In addition, the rate of ATP hydrolysis at NBD1 is decreased by the R826M mutation, providing further evidence for interdomain communication in the Hsp104 ATP hydrolysis cycle.
Who benefits most from property assessment taxes? Evidence from Los Angeles County

ABSTRACT Assessment caps on property taxes are often assumed to benefit affluent homeowners the most with little gains for low-income households. Quantile regression results for Los Angeles County show that on average effective property tax rates decrease by $1994 per year due to length of ownership in the 50th percentile because of California’s Proposition 13 assessment cap. There is evidence of both horizontal and vertical inequity across the entire sample. Low-income households do benefit from California’s assessment cap as they are typically infrequent movers but their effective tax rates decrease over time. However, the most affluent households by market value do not gain the most and there is no evidence of horizontal inequity for these homeowners. There is also no evidence of horizontal inequity for middle-income households. Property tax savings vary between $18,000 and $40,000, depending on the assessed value decile and percentage quantile.
γc deficiency precludes CD8+ T cell memory despite formation of potent T cell effectors

Several cytokines (including IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21) that signal through receptors sharing the common γ chain (γc) are critical for the generation and peripheral homeostasis of naive and memory T cells. Recently, we demonstrated that effector functions fail to develop in CD4+ T cells that differentiate in the absence of γc. To assess the role of γc cytokines in cell-fate decisions that condition effector versus memory CD8+ T cell generation, we compared the response of CD8+ T cells from γc+ or γc− P14 TCR transgenic mice after challenge with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. The intrinsic IL-7-dependent survival defect of γc− naive CD8+ T cells was corrected by transgenic expression of human Bcl-2. We demonstrated that although γc-dependent signals are dispensable for the initial expansion and the acquisition of cytotoxic functions following antigenic stimulation, they condition the terminal proliferation and differentiation of CD8+ effector T cells (i.e., KLRG1high CD127low short-lived effector T cells) via the transcription factor, T-bet. Moreover, the γc-dependent signals that are critical for memory T cell formation are not rescued by Bcl2 overexpression. Together, these data reveal an unexpected divergence in the requirement for γc cytokines in the differentiation of CD4+ versus CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes.
Cellular Factor XIIIA Transglutaminase Localizes in Caveolae and Regulates Caveolin-1 Phosphorylation, Homo-oligomerization and c-Src Signaling in Osteoblasts

Transglutaminases (TGs) are a family of widely distributed enzymes that catalyze protein crosslinking by forming a covalent isopeptide bond between the substrate proteins. We have shown that MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts express Factor XIII-A (FXIII-A), and that the extracellular crosslinking activity of FXIII-A is involved in regulating matrix secretion and deposition. In this study, we have investigated the localization and potential role of intracellular FXIII-A. Conventional immunofluorescence microscopy and TIRF microscopy analyses showed that FXIII-A co-localizes with caveolin-1 in specialized membrane structures, caveolae, in differentiating osteoblasts. The caveolae-disrupting agent methyl-β-cyclodextrin abolished FXIII-A staining and co-localization with caveolin-1 from the osteoblast plasma membrane. The presence of FXIII-A in caveolae was confirmed by preparing caveolae-enriched cellular fractions using sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation followed by western blotting. Despite this association of FXIII-A with caveolae, there was no detectable transglutaminase activity in caveolae, as measured by monodansylcadaverine incorporation. TG inhibitor NC9—which can alter TG enzyme conformation—localized to caveolae and displaced FXIII-A from these structures when added to the osteoblast cultures. The decreased FXIII-A levels in caveolae after NC9 treatment increased c-Src activation, which resulted in caveolin-1 phosphorylation, homo-oligomerization and Akt phosphorylation, suggesting cellular FXIII-A has a role in regulating c-Src signaling in osteoblasts.
Secure Pervasive Social Communications Based on Trust in a Distributed Way

Social network has extended its popularity from the Internet to mobile domain. Pervasive social networking (PSN) supports instant social activities based on self-organized mobile ad hoc networks. PSN is useful in reality when fixed networks are unavailable or inconvenient to access or when people are in vicinity. For supporting crucial PSN activities and enhancing user privacy, securing pervasive social communications becomes important. However, a solution based on a centralized server could be inapplicable in some specific situations (e.g., disasters and military activities) and suffers from DoS/DDoS attacks and internal attacks. How to automatically control data access in a trustworthy and efficient way in PSN is a challenge. In this paper, we propose two schemes to secure communication data in PSN purely based on local trust evaluated by PSN nodes in a distributed manner. Each node can control its data based on its trust in other nodes by applying attribute-based encryption. The advantages, security, and performance of the proposed scheme are evaluated and justified through serious analysis and implementation. The results show the efficiency and effectiveness of the schemes. In addition, we developed a mobile app based on Android platform to demonstrate the applicability and social acceptance of our schemes.
Actin Dynamics Regulated by the Balance of Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (N-WASP) and Cofilin Activities Determines the Biphasic Response of Glucose-induced Insulin Secretion*

Background: Actin dynamics is involved in insulin secretion, but the mechanism is unknown. Results: The G-actin predominant or F-actin remodeling state in pancreatic β-cells, which is regulated by the balance of N-WASP and cofilin activities, determines the biphasic glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS). Conclusion: Actin dynamics regulated by N-WASP and cofilin underlie the biphasic GIIS. Significance: The regulation of actin dynamics in β-cells and its role in GIIS are clarified. Actin dynamics in pancreatic β-cells is involved in insulin secretion. However, the molecular mechanisms of the regulation of actin dynamics by intracellular signals in pancreatic β-cells and its role in phasic insulin secretion are largely unknown. In this study, we elucidate the regulation of actin dynamics by neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) and cofilin in pancreatic β-cells and demonstrate its role in glucose-induced insulin secretion (GIIS). N-WASP, which promotes actin polymerization through activation of the actin nucleation factor Arp2/3 complex, was found to be activated by glucose stimulation in insulin-secreting clonal pancreatic β-cells (MIN6-K8 β-cells). Introduction of a dominant-negative mutant of N-WASP, which lacks G-actin and Arp2/3 complex-binding region VCA, into MIN6-K8 β-cells or knockdown of N-WASP suppressed GIIS, especially the second phase. We also found that cofilin, which severs F-actin in its dephosphorylated (active) form, is converted to the phosphorylated (inactive) form by glucose stimulation in MIN6-K8 β-cells, thereby promoting F-actin remodeling. In addition, the dominant-negative mutant of cofilin, which inhibits activation of endogenous cofilin, or knockdown of cofilin reduced the second phase of GIIS. However, the first phase of GIIS occurs in the G-actin predominant state, in which cofilin activity predominates over N-WASP activity. Thus, actin dynamics regulated by the balance of N-WASP and cofilin activities determines the biphasic response of GIIS.
Manage Learning Space to Improve Learning Experience: Case Study in Beijing Normal University on Classroom Layout

In China, the member of student in a class ranges from 40 to 100. How to manage the physical learning space is really critical to learning in 21st century. Does changing the physical learning space really change learning experience? In this research, we want to find out What differences in classroom layout are identified in original versus active classrooms and What positive impact on learning experience is observed in traditional and collaborative classrooms. After data analysis, we identified the view, interaction with teacher and mobility is has impact on learning in different layout.
An approach to cardiac arrhythmia analysis using hidden Markov models

A new approach to ECG arrhythmia analysis is described. It is based on hidden Markov modeling (HMM), a technique successfully used since the mid 1970s to model speech waveforms for automatic speech recognition. Many ventricular arrhythmias can be classified by detecting and analyzing QRS complexes and determining R-R intervals. Classification of supraventricular arrhythmias, however, often requires detection of the P wave in addition to the QRS complex. The HMM approach combines structural and statistical knowledge of the ECG signal in a single parametric model. Model parameters are estimated from training data using an iterative, maximum-likelihood reestimation algorithm. Initial results suggest that this approach can provide improved supraventricular arrhythmia analysis through accurate representation of the entire beat, including the P-wave. <<ETX>>
Intra-Cluster Cooperation Enhancing SMEs’ Competitiveness – The Role of Cluster Organisations in Poland

The determinants of SMEs’ competitiveness and, in particular, the constraints faced by SMEs, as well as the implications of the barriers for a firm’s growth have been investigated by a great number of researchers. Despite the popularity of the studies focused on SMEs competitiveness this topic is not losing its relevance, since SMEs are backbone of national economies. The issue is of even greater importance for post-transition economies. In this paper, we argue that intracluster cooperation, which should epitomise the genuine and fully fledged cluster, provides cluster firms, in particular SMEs, with advantages and thus can assist SMEs in upgrading their competitiveness. Special role play in this respect also dedicated cluster organisations. The conceptual part of the paper is accompanied by empirical considerations. Best practices from selected Polish clusters dominated by micro, small and medium enterprises are presented
Five-year follow-up of a randomized multicenter trial of intensive early intervention vs standard treatment for patients with a first episode of psychotic illness: the OPUS trial.

CONTEXT Intensive early treatment for first-episode psychosis has been shown to be effective. It is unknown if the positive effects are sustained for 5 years. OBJECTIVE To determine the long-term effects of an intensive early-intervention program (OPUS) for first-episode psychotic patients. DESIGN Single-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical trial of 2 years of an intensive early-intervention program vs standard treatment. Follow-up periods were 2 and 5 years. SETTING Copenhagen Hospital Corporation and Psychiatric Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. Patients A total of 547 patients with a first episode of psychosis. Of these, 369 patients were participating in a 2-year follow-up, and 301 were participating in a 5-year follow-up. A total of 547 patients were followed for 5 years. INTERVENTIONS Two years of an intensive early-intervention program vs standard treatment. The intensive early-intervention treatment consisted of assertive community treatment, family involvement, and social skills training. Standard treatment offered contact with a community mental health center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Psychotic and negative symptoms were recorded. Secondary outcome measures were use of services and social functioning. RESULTS Analysis was based on the principles of intention-to-treat. Assessment was blinded for previous treatment allocation. At the 5-year follow-up, the effect of treatment seen after 2 years (psychotic dimension odds ratio [OR], -0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.58 to -0.06; P = .02; negative dimension OR, -0.45; 95% CI, -0.67 to -0.22; P = .001) had equalized between the treatment groups. A significantly smaller percentage of patients from the experimental group were living in supported housing (4% vs 10%, respectively; OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.8; P = .02) and were hospitalized fewer days (mean, 149 vs 193 days; mean difference, 44 days; 95% CI, 0.15-88.12; P = .05) during the 5-year period. CONCLUSIONS The intensive early-intervention program improved clinical outcome after 2 years, but the effects were not sustainable up to 5 years later. Secondary outcome measures showed differences in the proportion of patients living in supported housing and days in hospital at the 5-year follow-up in favor of the intensive early-intervention program.
Does combined kidney and pancreas transplantation reverse functional diabetic microangiopathy?

Using videophotometric capillaroscopy and laser Doppler fluxmetry, we have investigated skin microvascular reactivity in the fingers of 14 diabetic patients with severe, late complications 20 months after combined kidney and pancreas transplantation. The results were compared with those obtained in 20 diabetic patients awaiting pancreas transplantation and in 19 healthy subjects. The capillary blood cell velocity at rest (P<0.01) and during postocclusive reactive hyperemia (P<0.05) was significantly lower in both patient groups than in the healthy controls. However, the time to peak capillary blood cell velocity during hyperemia was normal in the post-transplantation group (NS) but significantly prolonged in the pretransplantation group (P<0.01). The ability to decrease flow during venous stasis—the so called venoarte-riolar reflex—was strongly impaired in the pretransplantation group (P<0.001) but less so in the post-transplantation group (P<0.05) as compared to healthy controls. It may be concluded that diabetic patients, after combined kidney and pancreas transplantation, show a tendency towards better microvascular reactivity than those awaiting transplantation.
Production fragmentation and employment. Country-industry level analysis based on WIOD 2016

The aim of this research is to reanalyse the possible impact of production fragmentation on employment using the newest world input-output database (WIOD) release (2016) and recently proposed by Timmer, Los, Stehrer and de Vries measure of production fragmentation which traces the imports needed in all stages of production. This study is provided on country-industry level for 56 industries and 41 countries for the years 2000–2014. The estimated model is based on augmented labour demand function. Our empirical results show that certain countries and sectors can in fact feel the negative impact of increasing production fragmentation on labour demand.
Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion induces bronchial hyperreactivity and increases serum TNF-alpha in rats.

INTRODUCTION Intestinal or hepatic ischemia/reperfusion induces acute lung injury in animal models of multiple organ failure. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha is involved in the underlying inflammatory mechanism of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although the inflammatory cascade leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome has been extensively investigated, the mechanical components of acute respiratory distress syndrome are not fully understood. Our hypothesis is that splanchnic ischemia/reperfusion increases airway reactivity and serum TNF-alpha levels. OBJECTIVE To assess bronchial smooth muscle reactivity under methacholine stimulation, and to measure serum TNF-alpha levels following intestinal and/or hepatic ischemia/reperfusion in rats. METHOD Rats were subjected to 45 minutes of intestinal ischemia, or 20 minutes of hepatic ischemia, or to both (double ischemia), or sham procedures (control), followed by 120 minutes of reperfusion. The animals were then sacrificed, and the bronchial response to increasing methacholine molar concentrations (10(-7) to 3 x 10(-4)) was evaluated in an ex-vivo bronchial muscle preparation. Serum TNF-alpha was determined by the L929-cell bioassay. RESULTS Bronchial response (g/100 mg tissue) showed increased reactivity to increasing methacholine concentrations in the intestinal ischemia and double ischemia groups, but not in the hepatic ischemia group. Similarly, serum TNF-alpha (pg/mL) concentration was increased in the intestinal ischemia and double ischemia groups, but not in the hepatic ischemia group. CONCLUSION Intestinal ischemia, either isolated or associated with hepatic ischemia, increased bronchial smooth muscle reactivity, suggesting a possible role for bronchial constriction in respiratory dysfunction following splanchnic ischemia/reperfusion. This increase occurred in concomitance with serum TNF-alpha increase, but whether the increase in TNF-alpha caused this bronchial contractility remains to be determined.