Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Video stabilisation using local salient feature in particle filter framework

A novel digital video stabilisation approach that uses salient features and particle filter for global motion estimation is proposed in this paper. In this approach, the local salient features are first gained by the improved K-means clustering method using the features obtained from the Scale Invariant Feature Transform SIFT feature points extracted from the down-sampled images, and then the salient regions are located in the video frames. The trajectory of the features extracted from the salient regions is used to estimate global motion between frames. A new similarity function called SRMSE Salient Region Mean Square Error is proposed in particle filter framework to reduce the computational cost. Motion compensation yields stabilised video sequences using the estimates. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has good performance and improves the efficiency significantly.
Preschoolers ' Moral Actions and Emotions in Prisoner ' s Dilemma

The moral acts of 19 dyads of 4-year-olds in a cognitively simplified version of Prisoner's Dilemma were analyzed in relationship to their friendship, emotions, and processes of conflict resolution. Degree of friendship was rated by teachers; two sociologists used a Q-sort of Group Processes to describe the dyads' interactions; the emotions of each child were coded from videotape--independently of his or her partner's and with the sound turned off--in accordance with Ekman and Friesen's (1983) Emotion Facial Action Coding System. Moral acts were categorically identified as equalization, reparation, stalemate, default, and betrayal; these acts were also assigned scale scores on a dimension of moral sensitivity that was independently derived from separate work with a sample of 143 undergraduates. They judged the five acts in all possible paired comparisons and then rated the moral difference between each pair. These data almost perfectly fitted a model of increasing monotonic function according to Kruskal's (1964) criterion. The degree of friendship between the dyads and their interactive processes---group orientation, positive emotional tone, and active involvement--were positively related to sensitive moral action. Their emotions were related to concurrent acts, and more importantly, predicted their subsequent acts even though they seldom talked about morality. These results suggest that if social scientists' search for practical morality is to be successful, emotional communication needs to be brought into the account.
Analysing multicentre competing risks data with a mixed proportional hazards model for the subdistribution

In the competing‐risks setting, to test the effect of a covariate on the probability of one particular cause of failure, the Fine and Gray model for the subdistribution hazard can be used. However, sometimes, competing risks data cannot be considered as independent because of a clustered design, for instance in registry cohorts or multicentre clinical trials. Frailty models have been shown useful to analyse such clustered data in a classical survival setting, where only one risk acts on the population. Inclusion of random effects in the subdistribution hazard has not been assessed yet.
Postprostatectomy Target-Normal Structure Overlap Volume Differences Using Computed Tomography and Radioimmunoscintigraphy Images for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze regions of uptake in normal structures on postprostatectomy radioimmunoscintigraphy (RIS) images by evaluating differences in the overlap volumes of prostate fossa clinical target volume (CTV) and planning target volume (PTV) using correlative computed tomography (CT) images. Materials and Methods: The electronic records of 13 patients who received external beam radiotherapy postprostatectomy and who underwent a vessel-based RIS/CT registration were reviewed. For each patient, the RIS-defined CTV (CTVRIS) was compared (in terms of the overlap volume with the surrounding bladder, rectum, pubic symphysis, and penile bulb) with the CT-defined CTVpre before this registration and also with CTVpost (the final target volume used for treatment). Similar analyses were done for PTVRIS, PTVpre, and PTVpost defined in each case to be the corresponding CTV + 1-cm margin. Results: CTVRIS overlapped significantly more with the bladder, rectum, and symphysis, but not with the penile bulb, than did either the CTVpre or CTVpost. However, the corresponding PTV analyses revealed no significant differences between any of the overlap volumes of any of the PTVs with the bladder, rectum, and penile bulb, but did reveal a significant difference between the PTVRIS and PTVpost overlap volumes with the symphysis compared with PTVpre overlap volumes with the symphysis. Conclusions: On RIS images, there appear to be areas of uptake in the bladder, rectum, and pubic symphysis but not the penile bulb; however, the dosimetric consequences of this uptake for radiation treatment planning are minimal on the bladder, rectum, and penile bulb, but require segmentation for dose reduction to the pubic symphysis.
Factors influencing the distribution of questing ticks and the prevalence stimation of T. parva infection in brown ear ticks in the Tanga region, Tanzania

ABSTRACT Questing ticks from various districts and agro-ecological zones (AEZ) in the Tanga Region of Tanzania were studied for a two-year period between September 1999 and July 2001. Collections of both nymphal and adult ticks occurred at 29 sites using a blanket or white cloth dragging technique. The species recorded in the order of decreasing abundance were Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Boophilus spp. , and Ambylomma variegatum. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus field infestation levels varied across administrative districts and seasons, with Amani and the cool-to-dry season having lower tick counts ( = −2.09, SE = 0.71, P < 0.001 and = −1.54, SE = 0.56, P = 0.006 for Amani and cool to dry season, respectively). Based on the polymerase chain reaction technique, Theileria parva infection prevalence in adult R. appendiculatus was estimated to be 2.6%. Implications of these findings in light of the spatial and temporal distribution of ticks are discussed for the accurate diagnosis of multiple tick-borne diseases, the infected vector tick, the endemic status of T. parva in the region, and the implemention of control strategies.
Molecular Characterization of Anthrax in Positive Powders: a Mexican Experience

Recently we read contributions from La Scola et al. ([4][1]), Luna et al. ([5][2]), and Bell et al. ([1][3]) published in this journal about their experiences with screening and laboratory analysis carried out to identify anthrax in human samples (nasal swabs) and environmental samples (mail pieces
Characterization of thecydAB-Encoded Cytochrome bd Oxidase fromMycobacterium smegmatis

ABSTRACT The cydAB genes from Mycobacterium smegmatis have been cloned and characterized. ThecydA and cydB genes encode the two subunits of a cytochrome bd oxidase belonging to the widely distributed family of quinol oxidases found in prokaryotes. ThecydD and cydC genes located immediately downstream of cydB encode a putative ATP-binding cassette-type transporter. At room temperature, reduced minus oxidized difference spectra of membranes purified from wild-type M. smegmatis displayed spectral features that are characteristic of the γ-proteobacterial type cytochrome bd oxidase. Inactivation of cydA or cydB by insertion of a kanamycin resistance marker resulted in loss ofd-heme absorbance at 631 nm. The d-heme could be restored by transformation of the M. smegmatis cyd mutants with a replicating plasmid carrying the highly homologous cydABDC gene cluster fromMycobacterium tuberculosis. Inactivation ofcydA had no effect on the ability of M. smegmatis to exit from stationary phase at 37 or 42°C. The growth rate of the cydA mutant was tested under oxystatic conditions. Although no discernible growth defect was observed under moderately aerobic conditions (9.2 to 37.5 × 102 Pa of pO2 or 5 to 21% air saturation), the mutant displayed a significant growth disadvantage when cocultured with the wild type under extreme microaerophilia (0.8 to 1.7 × 102 Pa of pO2 or 0.5 to 1% air saturation). These observations were in accordance with the two- to threefold increase in cydAB gene expression observed upon reduction of the pO2 of the growth medium from 21 to 0.5% air saturation and with the concomitant increase ind-heme absorbance in spectra of membranes isolated from wild-type M. smegmatis cultured at 1% air saturation. Finally, the cydA mutant displayed a competitive growth disadvantage in the presence of the terminal oxidase inhibitor, cyanide, when cocultured with wild type at 21% air saturation in an oxystat. In conjunction with these findings, our results suggest that cytochrome bd is an important terminal oxidase inM. smegmatis.
Toxicity of sub-lethal concentrations of Monocrotophos (MCP) on the haematological, biochemical and growth responses of hybrid catfish, Heteroclarias and contaminated-Heteroclarias fed rats

Toxicity of sub-lethal concentrations of Monocrotophos (MCP) on the haematological, biochemical and growth responses of hybrid catfish Heteroclarias and contaminated Heteroclarias-fed rats were investigated. Heteroclarias were assessed in a static renewal bioassay for 28 days using varying concentrations (0.00µg/l, 0.15µg/l, 0.20µg/l, 0.25µg/l, 0.30µg/l, and 0.35µg/l) of MCP, while the rats were fed with diet compounded with MCP-contaminated fish for 30 days. At the end of the experiments, the fish and the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. The gill and liver of fish as well as the liver and kidney of rats were removed for bioassay. Values of haematological variables such as red blood cell counts (RBC), haemoglobin (HB), haematocrit (PCV) and glucose showed a significant reduction (P 0.05), the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) significantly decreased (P 0.05) and MCHC increased insignificantly (P > 0.05) in rats. Compared with the control, the result showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine in the blood, gill and liver of exposed fish as well as in the blood, liver and kidney of exposed rats. The specific growth rate of the fish and the rats decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as the concentration increased. This study shows that sub-lethal concentrations of monocrotophos are harmful to Heteroclarias and rats. The implication of these results in rational exploitation and conservation of fishery resources and the public health risk of consuming MCP-exposed fish are highlighted.
Broad-band three layer suspended plate antenna

In this paper the results of a broadband three layer suspended plate patch antenna covering a frequency band from 1.575 GHz to 4.76 GHz is presented. Proposed suspended plate antenna consists of three layers. Three radiators connected by folded and tapered feeding strips. Antenna achieved a −10 dB impedance bandwidth in excess of 100.5% with an antenna size of 0. 341λo × 0. 341λo × 0. 47λo at its centre frequency of 3.1675 GHz. Average gain of 5.77dB is obtained across this bandwidth.
Invasion and Exclusion among Coexisting Pseudomonas syringae Strains on Leaves

The invasion and exclusion abilities of coexisting Pseudomonas syringae strains were quantified on leaves. Twenty-nine P. syringae strains were inoculated onto plants in 107 pairwise combinations. All pairs were duplicated so that each strain was inoculated both first as an antagonist strain (day 0) and second as a challenge strain (day 3). The population size of each strain in a mixture was quantified on day 6 following incubation under moist conditions. For P. syringae strains, the presence of an established population often significantly reduced the growth of subsequently arriving challenge strains on the leaf surface. Invasion and exclusion abilities, quantified by contrasting population sizes of challenge strains in the presence and in the absence of another strain, varied significantly among P. syringae strains and were partly a function of the particular strain pair. The population size of a strain when present alone on a leaf was not predictive of invasion or exclusion ability. Successful invaders were significantly less likely to exclude challenge populations than were nonsuccessful invaders. Population sizes of successful excluders were negatively correlated with population sizes of coexisting challenge strains, while population sizes of successful invaders were positively correlated with those of coexisting antagonist strains. The patterns of interaction among coexisting strains suggest mechanisms for successful invasion and exclusion among P. syringae strains on leaves.
5‐S‐Cysteinyl‐conjugates of catecholamines induce cell damage, extensive DNA base modification and increases in caspase‐3 activity in neurons

A decrease in reduced glutathione levels in dopamine containing nigral cells in Parkinson's disease may result from the formation of cysteinyl‐adducts of catecholamines, which in turn exert toxicity on nigral cells. We show that exposure of neurons (CSM 14.1) to 5‐S‐cysteinyl conjugates of dopamine, l‐DOPA, DOPAC or DHMA causes neuronal damage, increases in oxidative DNA base modification and an elevation of caspase‐3 activity in cells. Damage to neurons was apparent 12–48 h of post‐exposure and there were increases in caspase‐3 activity in neurons after 6 h. These changes were paralleled by large increases in pyrimidine and purine base oxidation products, such as 8‐OH‐guanine suggesting that 5‐S‐cysteinyl conjugates of catecholamines are capable of diffusing into cells and stimulating the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may then lead to a mechanism of cell damage involving caspase‐3. Indeed, intracellular ROS were observed to rise sharply on exposure to the conjugates. These results suggest one mechanism by which oxidative stress may occur in the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease.
Role of endoscopic ultrasonography in the localization of insulinomas and gastrinomas.

BACKGROUND We have previously found selective venous sampling to be the most sensitive method to localize otherwise occult functioning endocrine tumors. However, recently we have used endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) as the initial and in some cases the only localization study in the preoperative evaluation of proven insulinomas and of selected cases of gastrinoma. METHODS All patients referred between April 1993 and April 1994 with a subsequently confirmed diagnosis of organic hyperinsulinism or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) underwent EUS. Ten patients with insulinomas and six with gastrinomas were studied. Only one patient with ZES had multiple endocrine neoplasia type I. Patients with negative EUS findings had additional localization procedures including angiography and arterial stimulation tests. All but one patient underwent surgical exploration. RESULTS Solitary insulinomas were found in all 10 patients. EUS correctly identified and localized the insulinoma in seven (70%) of 10 patients but failed to identify two pedunculated insulinomas that were easily found at exploration. Because of an incomplete examination, a single insulinoma was not detected within the parenchyma. The EUS examination correctly excluded the pancreatic gastrinomas in five patients. The sixth patient, who had multiple endocrine neoplasia type I, had two 0.5 cm tumors in the head. CONCLUSIONS EUS is a sensitive and cost-effective technique for localization of insulinomas and may be the only study needed. In patients with ZES a negative pancreatic result suggests the likelihood of a duodenal or other extrapancreatic tumor.
Serotype-dependent induction of pulmonary neutrophilia and inflammatory cytokine gene expression by reovirus

Reovirus type 3 Dearing (T3D) causes a prominent neutrophil influx, substantially greater than seen with reovirus type 1 Lang (T1L) in a rat model of viral pneumonia. We sought to measure reovirus-mediated increases in chemokine mRNA expression in pulmonary cells. We found that the neutrophilia induced by T1L and T3D infection in vivo correlated directly with increased levels of chemokine mRNA expression in T3D-infected compared with those of T1IL-infected lungs. In vitro, reovirus-infected normal alveolar macrophages (AMs) and the rat AM cell line NR8383 expressed greater levels of macrophage inflammatory protein 2, KC, and tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA. A synergism between reovirus and lipopolysaccharide was also detected for macrophage inflammatory protein 2 and KC mRNA expression. Tumor necrosis factor protein secretion was also increased to a greater extent by T3D than by T1L in primary rat AMs and the NR8383 cells. We conclude that the virus-mediated inflammatory cytokine induction suggests a role for these cytokines in the neutrophil influx observed in the rat reovirus pneumonia model.
vetpar n optimised protocol for molecular identification of Eimeria rom chickens

Molecular approaches supporting identification of Eimeria parasites infecting chickens have been available for more than 20 years, although they have largely failed to replace traditional measures such as microscopy and pathology. Limitations of microscopy-led diagnostics, including a requirement for specialist parasitological expertise and low sample throughput, are yet to be outweighed by the difficulties associated with accessing genomic DNA from environmental Eimeria samples. A key step towards the use of Eimeria speciesspecific PCR as a sensitive and reproducible discriminatory tool for use in the field is the production of a standardised protocol that includes sample collection and DNA template preparation, as well as primer selection from the numerous PCR assays now published. Such a protocol will facilitate development of valuable epidemiological datasets which may be easily compared between studies and laboratories. The outcome of an optimisation process undertaken in laboratories in India and the UK is described here, identifying four steps. First, samples were collected into a 2% (w/v) potassium dichromate solution. Second, oocysts were enriched by flotation in saturated saline. Third, genomic DNA was extracted using a QIAamp DNA Stool mini kit protocol including a mechanical homogenisation step. Finally, nested PCR was carried out using previously published primers targeting the internal transcribed spacer region 1 (ITS-1). Alternative methods tested included sample processing in the presence of faecal material, DNA extraction using a traditional phenol/chloroform protocol, the use of SCAR multiplex PCR (one tube and two tube versions) and speciation using the morphometric tool COCCIMORPH for the first time with field samples.
Contributions à l'usage des détecteurs de clones pour des tâches de maintenance logicielle. (Contributions to the use of code clone detectors in software maintenance tasks)

L’existence de plusieurs copies d’un meme fragment de code (nommees des clones dans lalitterature) dans un logiciel peut compliquer sa maintenance et son evolution. La duplication decode peut poser des problemes de consistance, notamment lors de la propagation de correction debogues. La detection de clones est par consequent un enjeu important pour preserver et ameliorerla qualite logicielle, propriete primordiale pour le succes d’un logiciel.L’objectif general de cette these est de contribuer a l’usage des detecteurs de clones dans destâches de maintenance logicielle. Nous avons centre nos contributions sur deux axes de recherche.Premierement, la methodologie pour comparer et evaluer les detecteurs de clones, i.e. les benchmarksde clones. Nous avons empiriquement evalue un benchmark de clones et avons montre queles resultats derives de ce dernier n’etaient pas fiables. Nous avons egalement identifie des recommandationspour fiabiliser la construction de benchmarks de clones. Deuxiemement, la specialisationdes detecteurs de clones dans des tâches de maintenance logicielle.Nous avons developpe uneapproche specialisee dans un langage et une tâche (la reingenierie) qui permet aux developpeursd’identifier et de supprimer la duplication de code de leurs logiciels. Nous avons mene des etudesde cas avec des experts du domaine pour evaluer notre approche.
Molecular detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis in human stool specimens using UNEX-based DNA extraction and real-time PCR

Abstract Cyclospora cayetanensis is a coccidian parasite associated with diarrheal illness. In the USA, foodborne outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been documented almost every year since the mid-1990s. The typical approach used to identify this parasite in human stools is an examination of acid-fast-stained smears under bright-field microscopy. UV fluorescence microscopy of wet mounts is more sensitive and specific than acid-fast staining but requires a fluorescence microscope with a special filter not commonly available in diagnostic laboratories. In this study, we evaluated a new DNA extraction method based on the Universal Nucleic Acid Extraction (UNEX) buffer and compared the performances of four published real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the specific detection of C. cayetanensis in stool. The UNEX-based method had an improved capability to recover DNA from oocysts compared with the FastDNA stool extraction method. The best-performing real-time PCR assay was a C. cayetanensis-specific TaqMan PCR that targets the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. This new testing algorithm should be useful for detection of C. cayetanensis in human stool samples.
The Role of Background Behavior in Televised Debates: Does Displaying Nonverbal Agreement and/or Disagreement Benefit Either Debater?

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of background nonverbal behavior displayed with the purpose of undermining one's opponent in televised debates. Students watched one of four versions of a televised debate. In each, while the speaking debater appeared on the main screen, subscreens displayed her nonspeaking opponent's background nonverbal behavior. In one version, the non-speaking debater remained “stone faced” during her opponent's speech, while in the other three she nonverbally displayed occasional disagreement, nearly constant disagreement, or both agreement and disagreement. After viewing the debates, students rated the debaters' credibility, appropriateness, objectivity, and debate skills, in addition to judging who won the debate. Analysis indicated that background nonverbal behavior influenced audience perceptions of debaters' credibility, appropriateness, objectivity, debate skill, and the extent to which the debate was won. These results suggest that adding nonverbal agreement to expressions of nonverbal disagreement do not reduce the negative impacts of communicating disagreement nonverbally during an opponent's speech and may in fact further decrease the audiences' perception of a debater's credibility and overall performance.