Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coherent event-based surveillance video synopsis using trajectory clustering

With the rapid development of the camera industry, surveillance systems become more and more popular in our daily life. However, it is very time-consuming to find out specific persons or objects from a mass of surveillance videos with long duration. For efficient browsing surveillance videos, numerous researchers are devoted to eliminating the inherent spatiotemporal redundancy for video synopsis. Nevertheless, too much information in a synopsis frame may distract viewers' attention. Therefore, we propose a novel surveillance video synopsis system using coherent event classification to alleviate the above issues. Object trajectories are extracted by background subtraction, and then clustered. Coherent events containing similar actions of objects with different moving speeds are obtained by applying the longest common subsequence algorithm to measure the similarity among trajectories. The trajectories in each cluster are rescheduled and stitched onto the background to generate synopsis videos with coherent events. Comprehensive experiments conducted on various surveillance videos demonstrate the convincing performance of our proposed system.
Epidemiology, treatment, and outcomes of nosocomial bacteremic Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE To describe outcomes associated with nosocomial bacteremic Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (NBSAP) and to determine whether delay in adequate antimicrobial treatment is a risk factor for negative clinical and microbiological outcomes. DESIGN Retrospective cohort analysis. SETTING This study was conducted at Detroit Receiving Hospital and University Health Center, which is a 279-bed, level 1 trauma center in Detroit, MI. PATIENTS All episodes of NBSAP identified from January 1, 1999, to April 30, 2004. RESULTS Of 206 patients identified over a 5-year period with positive blood and respiratory cultures for S aureus, 60 patients met strict clinical, radiographic, and microbiological criteria for NBSAP. The overall mean (+/- SD) characteristics include the following: age, 55.5 +/- 15.0 years; acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score, 20 (range, 3 to 41); ICU at onset, 93.3%; mechanical ventilation, 83.3%; length of stay (LOS) prior to NBSAP, 9 days (range, 2 to 81 days); methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA) rate, 70%; and all-cause hospital and infection-related mortality (IRM), 55.5% and 40.0%, respectively. Overall, S aureus pneumonia developed late in the patient's hospital stay in ICU patients previously receiving mechanical ventilation and was associated with high crude mortality and IRM rates. No significant difference existed with respect to mortality or infection-related LOS between patients who had received early appropriate antibiotic therapy vs those who had received delayed appropriate antibiotic therapy at the onset of pneumonia or in patients with methicillin-sensitive S aureus pneumonia vs those with MRSA pneumonia. CONCLUSION IRM from NBSAP is high, and standard therapies evaluated at the time of this study resulted in poor clinical outcomes. Delayed therapy was not found to be a predictor of adverse outcomes; however, this lack of ability to detect a difference may be a product of small sample size. These findings suggest that newer agents with enhanced clinical activity in NBSAP are needed and that these should be evaluated in a real-world setting, where outcomes of the most ill patients can be assessed.
Genetic Interactions with the Yeast Q-SNARE VTI1Reveal Novel Functions for the R-SNARE YKT6 *

SNARE proteins are required for fusion of transport vesicles with target membranes. Previously, we found that the yeast Q-SNARE Vti1p is involved in transport to the cis-Golgi, to the prevacuole/late endosome, and to the vacuole. Here we identified a previously uncharacterized gene, VTS1, and the R-SNAREYKT6 both as multicopy and as low copy suppressors of the growth and vacuolar transport defect in vti1–2 cells. Ykt6p was known to function in retrograde traffic to the cis-Golgi and homotypic vacuolar fusion. We found that VTI1 andYKT6 also interacted in traffic to the prevacuole and vacuole, indicating that these SNARE complexes contain Ykt6p, Vti1p, plus Pep12p and Ykt6p, Vti1p, Vam3p, plus Vam7p, respectively. As Ykt6p was required for several transport steps, R-SNAREs cannot be the sole determinants of specificity. To study the role of the 0 layer in the SNARE motif, we introduced the mutations vti1-Q158R andykt6-R165Q. SNARE complexes to which Ykt6p contributed a fourth glutamine residue in the 0 layer were nonfunctional, suggesting an essential function for arginine in the 0 layer of these complexes.vti1-Q158R cells had severe defects in several transport steps, indicating that the second arginine in the 0 layer interfered with function.
Identifying and Characterizing Sybils in the Tor Network

Being a volunteer-run, distributed anonymity network, Tor is vulnerable to Sybil attacks. Little is known about real-world Sybils in the Tor network, and we lack practical tools and methods to expose Sybil attacks. In this work, we develop sybilhunter, the first system for detecting Sybil relays based on their appearance, such as configuration; and behavior, such as uptime sequences. We used sybilhunter's diverse analysis techniques to analyze nine years of archived Tor network data, providing us with new insights into the operation of real-world attackers. Our findings include diverse Sybils, ranging from botnets, to academic research, and relays that hijack Bitcoin transactions. Our work shows that existing Sybil defenses do not apply to Tor, it delivers insights into real-world attacks, and provides practical tools to uncover and characterize Sybils, making the network safer for its users.
Diffuse spectroscopy for inhomogeneous metal nanoparticle assays

We describe a compact computational spectroscopy platform optimized for molecular recognition using metal nanoparticle assays. The objective is motivated by the urgent need for low-cost, portable and high-throughput sensors for point-of-care (POC) clinical diagnostics. Nanoparticle based sensing has been successfully demonstrated for diagnosis and monitoring of infectious diseases, drug discovery, proteomics, and biological agent detection. Molecular binding on the nanoparticle surface is transuded into an optical signal by modification of the nanoparticle extinction spectrum (via a shift in Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance) or by modification of the molecular scattering spectrum (via Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering). Translating a nanoparticle -based molecular recognition system into a functional miniature hand-held biosensor requires spectrometer designs optimized to large area nanoparticle assays and integrated spectral filtering to improve the signal specificity. Large population sampling with small population sensitivity is essential to highly sensitive nanoparticle assay analysis. We describe a multimodal multiplex spectroscopy (MMS) platform that samples the spectral response of up to 106 populations of 10-100 nanoparticles in parallel. The advantages of MMS approach include: extremely high signal throughput due to its large aperture and high resolution with small form factor. We will demonstrate a nanoparticle biosensor platform based on MMS. Ultimately, a fully integrated functional miniature nanoparticle based biosensor for real time disease diagnosis in whole blood assays can be realized.
Abelian vortices in Bagger-Lambert-Gustavsson theory

Among newly discovered M2 and M5 objects in the Bagger-Lambert-Gustavsson theory, our interest is about ½ BPS vortices, which are described by covariantly holomorphic curves in transverse coordinates. We restrict ourselves to the case where the global symmetry is broken to so(2) × so(2) × so(4) for the mass deformed Bagger-Lambert theory. A localized object with finite energy exists in this theory since the mass parameter supports regularity. It is time independent but carries angular momentum coming solely from the gauge potential by which the energy is bounded below.
Aiming at a disorder's concept by 3D QCA vs. FFR: a case of advanced ballistics.

This editorial refers to ‘Three-dimensional and two-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography, and their prediction of reduced fractional flow reserve’, by A.S. C. Yong et al. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehq259 ‘Oculo-stenotic reflex’ is a term which ridicules the variably developed attraction of interventional cardiologists to ‘seal’ coronary atherosclerotic bumps by balloon angioplasty. Its serious template relates to their daily business of estimating the functional relevance of a coronary stenosis by its structure. It is well known that even the experienced interventionalist may be ‘lost in translation’ when it comes to judging intermediate severity stenoses.1 Long before the development of intracoronary sensor guidewires for functional stenosis assessment, attempts were made to improve the structure–function translation by quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) as obtained in two (2D), but also as reconstructed in three dimensions (3D). 2,3 The two principles of any coronary structure–function translation are (i) statistical comparison of single, physically important structural stenosis elements with a functional reference; and (ii) the mathematical integration of stenosis' geometric hallmarks to a single measure with subsequent statistical reference comparison. Ideally, both approaches would have to anticipate all the geometric patterns of a coronary atherosclerotic lesion, because it is the composite of all its finite structural elements which determines the drop in flow or perfusion pressure. Thus, the method would be aiming at a disorder's concept (i.e. recognition of how exactly and variably the epicardial stenoses grow in coronary artery disease; CAD). In philosophical terms, ‘a disorder's concept’ is an oxymoron and, therefore, pointing at it probably unsuccessful. In geometrical terms and as outlined below, it is challenging to model the structural elements of a stenosis accurately into a haemodynamic parameter. Notwithstanding these considerations, Yong and co-workers have observed, on a purely statistical basis, 2D- and 3D-QCA parameters and compared them with coronary pressure-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) as … *Corresponding author. Tel: 41 31 632 36 93, Fax: +41 31 632 42 99, Email: christian.seiler{at}insel.ch
Coherent motion pops out during smooth pursuit

Stimulus motion is a prominent feature that is used by the visual system to segment figure from ground and perceptually bind widely separated objects. Pursuit eye movements can be influenced by such perceptual grouping processes. We have examined the subjects' ability to detect small amounts of coherent motion in random dot kinematograms during pursuit. We compared performance on tests of coherent motion perception while subjects fixated a stationary spot or while they tracked a moving target. The results indicate that smooth pursuit can improve subjects' ability to detect the presence of coherent motion. We tentatively propose that an efference copy of the eye movement signal can enhance the ability of the visual system to detect correlations between sparsely placed targets among noisy distractors.
Modeling the damping mechanism in electrorheological fluid based dampers

Electrorheological (ER) material behavior exhibits a transition from viscoelastic properties in the pre-yield region to viscous properties in the post-yield region. A nonlinear dynamic model based on linear shear flow mechanisms is proposed to describe ER fluid behavior. The nonlinear model combines a 3-parameter fluid element and a viscous (dashpot) element using sigmoidal weighting functions. The weighting functions are dependent on the strain rate and serve to enforce the transition between the viscoelastic and the viscous characteristics. The model is then extended to characterize a damper based on ER fluids. A single-degree-of-freedom system incorporating an ER fluid damper is considered and its dynamics studied via numerical simulations. The results of the simulations show that, as the applied electric field is increased, a significant attenuation in the amplitude can be achieved, while the response changes significantly. A system identification methodology is suggested to determine the model parameters from simple vibration experiments. An important issue of the amplitude dependence of the material behavior is addressed and modifications to the model suggested so as to incorporate these effects.
Research in machine scientific discovery and the domain sciences: Invited response to “Computer science research in scientific discovery”

In his thought-provoking paper, Valdes-Perez (1996, this volume) carefully describes the methodology and future directions for research in Machine Scientific Discovery (MSD), as viewed predominantly from the standpoint of computer science. Here, I shall offer some remarks from the angle of domain sciences (despite the fact that my basic area of expertise is actually general and computational linguistics).
Neuropharmacological modulation of cognition

Purpose of reviewProblems relating to impulsivity, attention, and working memory occur in many neuropsychiatric disorders and represent important targets for pharmacological intervention. The purpose of this article is to review recent neuropharmacological manipulation studies in humans relating to these domains. Recent findingsSerotonin manipulations in healthy volunteers did not affect response inhibition, a cognitive function implicated in impulsive symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, trichotillomania, and substance abuse. Serotonin manipulations did affect performance on cognitive tests involving emotionally salient rewards and feedback, suggesting involvement of this neurochemical in affective aspects of impulsivity. Attentional deficits in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and visuospatial neglect were ameliorated by noradrenergic drugs. Noradrenergic β-blockade suppressed the encoding of emotionally arousing unpleasant stimuli and reduced amygdala activation in healthy volunteers, with potential implications for posttraumatic stress disorder. Dopaminergic manipulations affected aspects of working memory in healthy volunteers and in patients with Parkinson's disease, with evidence for bidirectional effects depending on baseline performance. SummaryRecent findings raise exciting prospects for modulating impulsivity, attention, and working memory in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. Future studies should use computerized cognitive assessment, measures of functional genetic polymorphisms, and neuroimaging techniques, in order to further elucidate the neurochemical substrates of cognition and optimize treatment approaches.
Assessing the impact of dietary habits on health-related quality of life requires contextual measurement tools

The increase of non-communicable diseases at all ages has fostered the general concern for sustaining population health worldwide. Unhealthy lifestyles and dietary habits impacting physical and psycho-social health are well known risk factors for developing life threatening diseases. Identifying the determinants of quality of life is an important task from a Public Health perspective. Consumer-Reported Outcome measures of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are becoming increasingly necessary and relevant in the field of nutrition. However, quality of life questionnaires are seldom used in the nutrition field. We conducted a scientific literature search to find out the questionnaires used to determine the association between dietary habits and quality of life. A total of 13 studies were eligible for inclusion. Across these studies the short form-36, a generic (non-disease specific) HRQoL measurement instrument was the most widely used. However, generic measures may have limited content validity in the context of dietary habits interventions. We recommend additional contextual diet-specific HRQoL measures are also needed for evaluating the impact of diet habits on daily life functioning and well-being.
Stochastic Modeling of Wireless Ad-Hoc Communication Channels

Ad-hoc wireless networks are characterized by nodes mobility that makes the propagation environment time varying and subject to fading. The current models do not capture and track the time varying characteristics in the propagation environment. These time variations compel us to introduce more advanced dynamical models in order to capture higher order dynamics of the channel. Stochastic models, in which the evolution of the propagation environment is described by stochastic state space form, are derived. Inphase and quadrature components of the proposed stochastic models and their statistics are also derived. The parameters of the proposed models are determined by approximating the channel Doppler power spectral density (DPSD) by the Gauss-Newton method. Numerical results are provided to evaluate the performance of the proposed models.
Pressure-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Contributes to Early Hypertensive Remodeling

Background—High blood pressure causes a change in vascular wall structure involving altered extracellular matrix composition, but how this process occurs is not fully understood. Methods and Results—Using mouse carotid arteries maintained in organ culture for 3 days, we detected increased gelatin zymographic activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 (168±13%, P <0.05) in vessels kept at low intraluminal pressure (10 mm Hg) compared with vessels at 80 mm Hg (100%), whereas in vessels maintained at high pressure (150 mm Hg), both MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity was induced (182±32%, P <0.05, and 194±21%, P <0.01, respectively). MMPs were detected in endothelial and smooth muscle cells by immunohistochemistry and in situ gelatin zymography. In vessels at 150 mm Hg, MMP activation was associated with a shift in the pressure-diameter curve toward greater distensibility (P <0.01) compared with vessels at 80 mm Hg. However, distensibility was not altered in vessels at 10 mm Hg, in which only activated MMP-2 was detected. The role of MMPs in high pressure–induced vessel distensibility was confirmed by use of the MMP inhibitor FN-439, which prevented the shift in the pressure-diameter relationship. Furthermore, in carotid arteries from MMP-9–deficient mice, the pressure-dependent increase in MMP-2 and in situ gelatinolytic activity were maintained, but the upward shift in the pressure-diameter curve was abolished. Conclusions—MMP-9 seems to play a key role in the early stages of hypertensive vascular remodeling.
Preoperative staging of pelvic lymph nodes in prostate cancer by 11C-choline PET.

UNLABELLED Prostate cancer is known for its difficulties in preoperative staging of pelvic lymph nodes by conventional imaging techniques. Thus, a histopathologic examination of the pelvic lymphadenectomy specimen is mandatory for patients at risk for metastatic disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the strength and accuracy of (11)C-choline PET in preoperative noninvasive staging of pelvic lymph nodes in prostate cancer. METHODS In a prospective study we examined 67 consecutive patients with histologically proven prostate cancer with (11)C-choline PET. The results of PET were compared with the results of histology of the pelvic lymph nodes and with the follow-up data. Conventional axial imaging was routinely performed using MRI or CT. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of (11)C-choline PET were calculated. RESULTS Fifteen patients had histologically proven lymph node metastases. (11)C-Choline PET was true-positive in 12 of 15 patients and false-negative in 3 patients. Fifty-two patients had no lymph node metastases. (11)C-Choline PET was true-negative in 50 of 52 patients and false-positive in 2 patients. We calculated a sensitivity of (11)C-choline PET for staging metastatic lymph node disease of 80%, a specificity of 96%, and an accuracy of 93%. Next, (11)C-choline PET detected solitary extraregional lymph node metastases in 5 of 12 patients with nodal metastases. CONCLUSION This study showed that (11)C-choline PET is sensitive and accurate in preoperative staging of pelvic lymph nodes in prostate cancer.
Identification of proteins that are abnormally regulated in differentiated cultured human keratinocytes

Comparison of the protein expression patterns of proliferating normal primary human keratinocytes plated in serum‐free medium (SFKM), supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and bovine pituitary extract (BPE), and similar cultures induced to differentiate by the addition of Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM), containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), revealed several known and unknown polypeptides that are abnormally regulated in the differentiated cells. Upregulated proteins included keratins (keratins 6, 10/11, 14 and 16), members of the S100 protein family psoriasin, MRP8, MRP14 and S100c), actin‐binding proteins (gelsolin and tropomyosin 9220), annexins (annexins IV and VIII), hsp28, the fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5), the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, members of the 14‐3‐3 family, involucrin, E‐cadherin, cystatin A, desmoglein and integrins α2 and β1, as well as several proteins of as yet unknown identity. The highest upregulated proteins corresponded to psoriasin (124.0 times), MRP8 (42.4 times), MRP14 (14.9 times), tropomyosin 9220 (11.5 times), involucrin (11.1 times), and FABP5 (9.1 times). FABP5, hsp28, and tropomyosin 9220 were also highly upregulated in quiescent keratinocytes indicating that their increased levels in the differentiated cell may be due to loss of proliferative activity. Highly downregulated proteins included PAI‐2, tropomyosins 9213, 9121 and 9122, keratin 5, calnexin, 14‐3‐3 beta and eta, nucleoside diphosphate kinase A, Rho GDIs, hsp60, hnRNPs H and C2, α‐enolase, eIF‐4D, thioredoxin, annexins III and V, moesin, nucleolar protein B23, GST π and PCNA/cyclin. Both the high expression of keratin 6 and 16 – which are markers for an alternative pathway of keratinocyte differentiation – as well as the extremely high upregulation of some members of the S100 protein family indicate that the cells have differentiated via an abnormal pathway.