Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increase in Clostridium difficile–related Mortality Rates, United States, 1999–2004

Reported mortality rates from Clostridium difficile disease in the United States increased from 5.7 per million population in 1999 to 23.7 per million in 2004. Increased rates may be due to emergence of a highly virulent strain of C. difficile. Rates were higher for whites than for other racial/ethnic groups.
Simplicial Manifolds, Bistellar Flips and a 16-Vertex Triangulation of the Poincaré Homology 3-Sphere

We present a computer program based on bistellar operations that provides a useful tool for the construction of simplicial manifolds with few vertices. As an example, we obtain a 16-vertex triangulation of the Poincaré homology 3-sphere; we construct an infinite series of non-PL. d-dimensional spheres with d + 13 vertices for d ≥ 5; and we show that if a d-manifold, with d ≥ 5, admits any triangulation on n vertices, it admits a noncombinatorial triangu lation on n + 12 vertices.
Object-based image analysis of suburban landscapes using Landsat-8 imagery

ABSTRACT Many experiments of object-based image analysis have been conducted in remote sensing classification. However, they commonly used high-resolution imagery and rarely focused on suburban area. In this research, with the Landsat-8 imagery, classification of a suburban area via the object-based approach is achieved using four classifiers, including decision tree (DT), support vector machine (SVM), random trees (RT), and naive Bayes (NB). We performed feature selection at different sizes of segmentation scale and evaluated the effects of segmentation and tuning parameters within each classifier on classification accuracy. The results showed that the influence of shape on overall accuracy was greater than that of compactness, and a relatively low value of shape should be set with increasing scale size. For DT, the optimal maximum depth usually varied from 5 to 8. For SVM, the optimal gamma was less than or equal to 10−2, and its optimal C was greater than or equal to 102. For RT, the optimal active variables was less than or equal to 4, and the optimal maximum tree number was greater than or equal to 30. Furthermore, although there was no statistically significant difference between some classification results produced using different classifiers, SVM has a slightly better performance.
Dynamic Selection of Exemplar-SVMs for Watch-list Screening through Domain Adaptation

Still-to-video face recognition (FR) plays an important role in video surveillance, allowing to recognize individuals of interest over a network of video cameras. Watch-list screening is a challenging video surveillance application, because faces captured during enrollment (with still camera) may differ significantly from those captured during operations (with surveillance cameras) under uncontrolled capture conditions (with variations in, e.g., pose, scale, illumination, occlusion, and blur). Moreover, the facial models used for matching are typically designed a priori with a limited number of reference stills. In this paper, a multi-classifier system is proposed that exploits domain adaptation and multiple representations of face captures. An individualspecific ensemble of exemplar-SVM (e-SVM) classifiers is designed to model the single reference still of each target individual, where different random subspaces, patches, and face descriptors are employed to generate a diverse pool of classifiers. To improve robustness of face models, e-SVMs are trained using the limited number of labeled faces in reference stills from the enrollment domain, and an abundance of unlabeled faces in calibration videos from the operational domain. Given the availability of a single reference target still, a specialized distance-based criteria is proposed based on properties of e-SVMs for dynamic selection of the most competent classifiers per probe face. The proposed approach has been compared to reference systems for still-to-video FR on videos from the COX-S2V dataset. Results indicate that ensemble of e-SVMs designed using calibration videos for domain adaptation and dynamic ensemble selection yields a high level of FR accuracy and computational efficiency.
Coenzyme Q10 levels in Prader‐Willi syndrome: Comparison with obese and non‐obese subjects

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an essential component of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and an important scavenger of reactive oxygen species. Low levels are found in individuals with reduced energy expenditure, cardiac and skeletal muscle dysfunction, and mitochondrial disorders, many of these manifestations are seen in individuals with Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS). In addition, CoQ10 supplementation frequently is given to individuals with this syndrome. To determine if CoQ10 levels are decreased in PWS, we studied plasma CoQ10 levels in 16 subjects with PWS, 13 with obesity of unknown cause, and 15 subjects without obesity but of similar age and compared with body composition. Plasma CoQ10 levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), using several statistical approaches in subjects with PWS (0.45 ± 0.16 μg/ml), compared to subjects without obesity (0.93 ± 0.56 μg/ml), but not different from subjects with obesity (0.73 ± 0.53 μg/ml). When plasma CoQ10 was normalized relative to cholesterol, triglyceride, and creatinine levels and fat and lean mass [determined by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA)] in the subjects with either PWS or obesity, no significant differences were observed. However, a lower muscle mass was found in the PWS subjects. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The University of Birmingham (Live System) The cost of space independence in P300-BCI spellers

Background: Though non-invasive EEG-based Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) have been researched extensively over the last two decades, most designs require control of spatial attention and/or gaze on the part of the user. Methods: In healthy adults, we compared the offline performance of a space-independent P300-based BCI for spelling words using Rapid Serial Visual Presentation (RSVP), to the well-known space-dependent Matrix P300 speller. Results: EEG classifiability with the RSVP speller was as good as with the Matrix speller. While the Matrix speller ’ s performance was significantly reliant on early, gaze-dependent Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs), the RSVP speller depended only on the space-independent P300b. However, there was a cost to true spatial independence: the RSVP speller was less efficient in terms of spelling speed. Conclusions: The advantage of space independence in the RSVP speller was concomitant with a marked reduction in spelling efficiency. Nevertheless, with key improvements to the RSVP design, truly space-independent BCIs could approach efficiencies on par with the Matrix speller. With sufficiently high letter spelling rates fused with predictive language modelling, they would be viable for potential applications with patients unable to direct overt visual gaze or covert attentional focus.
Distribution and Prognostic Significance of Fragmented QRS in Patients With Brugada Syndrome

Background— Fragmented QRS complexes (fQRS) in the right precordial leads are associated with occurrence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in Brugada syndrome. Recently, epicardial mapping has revealed abnormal electrograms at the right ventricular (RV) outflow tract and inferior region of the right ventricle. fQRS may reflect the extent of the area of abnormal potentials, but whether the distribution of fQRS has prognostic value is not known. Methods and Results— We evaluated the existence of fQRS in 456 patients with Brugada syndrome, including 117 patients with syncope and 23 patients with VF. The region of fQRS was defined as inferior (II, III, and aVF), lateral (I, aVL, and V5 and V6), anterior (V3 and V4), RV (V1 and V2), and RV outflow tract (V1 and V2 at the third intercostal space). fQRS were present in 229 patients (RV outflow tract in 175, inferior in 135, RV in 90, and lateral in 16 patients). During follow-up (mean 91 months), 39 patients experienced VF. In univariable analyses, fQRS in any distribution and fQRS in each region excluding the RV were associated with VF. Multivariable analysis showed that fQRS in the inferior (hazard ratio, 3.9; confidence interval, 1.9–8.5), lateral (hazard ratio, 3.5; confidence interval, 1.2–8.2), and RV outflow tract (hazard ratio, 2.5; confidence interval, 1.2–5.6) were associated with VF events. The presence of multiple regions of fQRS was associated with worse prognosis. Conclusions— The distribution of fQRS is associated with prognosis in Brugada syndrome, further supporting the association of fQRS and arrhythmia substrate.
The First Optical Spectra of Wolf Rayet Stars in M101 Revealed with Gemini/GMOS

Deep narrow-band Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging of the iconic spiral galaxy M101 has revealed over a thousand new Wolf–Rayet (WR) candidates. We report spectrographic confirmation of 10 He II-emission line sources hosting 15 WR stars. We find WR stars present at both sub- and super-solar metallicities with WC stars favouring more metal-rich regions compared to WN stars. We investigate the association of WR stars with H II regions using archival HST imaging and conclude that the majority of WR stars are in or associated with H II regions. Of the 10 emission lines sources, only one appears to be unassociated with a star-forming region. Our spectroscopic survey provides confidence that our narrow-band photometric candidates are in fact bona fide WR stars, which will allow us to characterize the progenitors of any core-collapse supernovae that erupt in the future in M101.
Effects of Right Ventricular Ejection Fraction on Outcomes in Chronic Systolic Heart Failure

Background— Studies of the effect of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) on outcomes in heart failure (HF) are limited by small sample size and short follow-up. Methods and Results— We examined the effect of baseline RVEF on outcomes in 2008 Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST) participants with HF and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% during 24 months of mean follow-up. RVEF, estimated by gated-equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography, was used to categorize patients into 4 RVEF groups: ≥40% (n=733), 30% to 39% (n=531), 20% to 29% (n=473), and <20% (n=271). Unadjusted rates for all-cause mortality in patients with RVEF ≥40%, 30% to 39%, 20% to 29%, and <20% were 27%, 32%, 35%, and 47%, respectively. When compared with patients with RVEF ≥40%, unadjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals for all-cause mortality for those with RVEF 30% to 39%, 20% to 29%, and <20% were 1.19 (0.97 to 1.46; P=0.087), 1.45 (1.17 to 1.78; P=0.001), and 1.98 (1.59 to 2.47; P<0.0001), respectively. Respective multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for all-cause mortality associated with RVEF 30% to 39%, 20% to 29%, and <20% were 1.07 (0.87 to 1.32; P=0.518), 1.12 (0.89 to 1.40; P=0.328), and 1.32 (1.02 to 1.71; P=0.034), respectively. Adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) for other outcomes associated with RVEF <20% (compared with ≥40%) were as follows: cardiovascular mortality, 1.33 (1.01 to 1.76; P=0.041); HF mortality, 1.61 (1.03 to 2.52; P=0.037); sudden cardiac death, 1.29 (0.87 to 1.91; P=0.212); all-cause hospitalization, 1.21 (1.00 to 1.47; P=0.056); and HF hospitalization, 1.39 (1.10 to 1.77; P=0.007). Conclusions— Baseline RVEF <20% is a significant independent predictor of mortality and HF hospitalization in systolic HF.
Cloud Computing: The Limits of Public Clouds for Business Applications

The cloud computing model - especially the public cloud - is unsuited to many business applications and is likely to remain so for many years due to fundamental limitations in architecture and design. Enterprises that move their IT to the cloud are likely to encounter challenges such as security, interoperability, and limits on their ability to tailor their ERP to their business processes. The cloud can be a revolutionary technology, especially for small startups, but the benefits wane for larger enterprises with more complex IT needs. Utility computing still cannot match the "plug-and-play" simplicity of electricity. On the other hand, private clouds offer the benefits like scale and virtualization with fewer drawbacks.
Ecology of Influenza Virus in Wild Bird Populations in Central Asia

SUMMARY. The study provides the results of avian influenza virus surveillance in Central Asia during 2003–2009. We have analyzed 2604 samples from wild birds. These samples were collected in Kazakhstan (279), Mongolia (650), and Russia (1675). Isolated viruses from samples collected in Mongolia (13 isolates) and in Russia (4 isolates) were described. Virological analysis has shown that six isolates belong to the H3N6 subtype and five isolates belong to the H4N6 subtype. Two H1N1 influenza viruses, one H10N7 virus, two H3N8 viruses, and an H13N8 virus that is new for Central Asia have been also isolated. Samples were taken from birds of six orders, including several species preferring water and semiaquatic biotopes, one species preferring dry plain regions, and one more species that can inhabit both dry and water biotopes.
On the Timescale of Magma Ocean Solidification and Its Chemical Consequences: 2. Compositional Differentiation Under Crystal Accumulation and Matrix Compaction

The solidification of a putative magma ocean sets the stage for subsequent subsolidus mantle convection. Whereas it may have resulted in a compositionally stratified mantle, the efficiency of relevant processes to cause chemical differentiation, such as crystal accumulation and matrix compaction, remains uncertain. The purpose of this study is to present the thermochemical structure of end‐member cases where potential differentiation mechanisms are taking full effect. We employ a self‐consistent thermodynamic model to make our model consistent in both thermal and chemical aspects. The accumulation of crystals at the base of magma ocean can enrich the upper mantle with iron, but such a global‐scale compositional stratification is likely to be quickly eliminated by gravitational instability, leaving small‐scale heterogeneities only. On the other hand, the compaction of solid matrix in the deep mantle creates a long‐lasting molten layer above the core‐mantle boundary. Our results suggest that the efficiency of compaction is the key factor to generate compositional stratification during solidification.
Transcriptional Repressor Erf Determines Extraembryonic Ectoderm Differentiation

ABSTRACT Extraembryonic ectoderm differentiation and chorioallantoic attachment are fibroblast growth factor (FGF)- and transforming growth factor β-regulated processes that are the first steps in the development of the placenta labyrinth and the establishment of the fetal-maternal circulation in the developing embryo. Only a small number of genes have been demonstrated to be important in trophoblast stem cell differentiation. Erf is a ubiquitously expressed Erk-regulated, ets domain transcriptional repressor expressed throughout embryonic development and adulthood. However, in the developing placenta, after 7.5 days postcoitum (dpc) its expression is restricted to the extraembryonic ectoderm, and its expression is restricted after 9.5 dpc in a subpopulation of labyrinth cells. Homozygous deletion of Erf in mice leads to a block of chorionic cell differentiation before chorioallantoic attachment, resulting in a persisting chorion layer, a persisting ectoplacental cone cavity, failure of chorioallantoic attachment, and absence of labyrinth. These defects result in embryo death by 10.5 dpc. Trophoblast stem cell lines derived from Erfdl1/dl1 knockout blastocysts exhibit delayed differentiation and decreased expression of spongiotrophoblast markers, consistent with the persisting chorion layer, the expanded giant cell layer, and the diminished spongiotrophoblast layer observed in vivo. Our data suggest that attenuation of FGF/Erk signaling and consecutive Erf nuclear localization and function is required for extraembryonic ectoderm differentiation, ectoplacental cone cavity closure, and chorioallantoic attachment.
Human action recognition with line and flow histograms

We present a compact representation for human action recognition in videos using line and optical flow histograms. We introduce a new shape descriptor based on the distribution of lines which are fitted to boundaries of human figures. By using an entropy-based approach, we apply feature selection to densify our feature representation, thus, minimizing classification time without degrading accuracy. We also use a compact representation of optical flow for motion information. Using line and flow histograms together with global velocity information, we show that high-accuracy action recognition is possible, even in challenging recording conditions.
Using Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy To Measure the Association of Detergents with Self-Assembled Monolayers of Hexadecanethiolate on Gold

This paper describes the use of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy to measure the rates and extents of association of four detergentssodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), β-octyl glucoside, Triton X-100, and Tween 20to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold. SAMs presenting hexaethylene glycol groups resisted the adsorption of all four detergents. These same detergents associated with hydrophobic SAMs presenting methyl groups; the concentration of detergent molecules on the surface was 120−280 pmol/cm2. The associations of the detergents with the hydrophobic SAM were described well by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The dissociation constants Kd (M) for the desorption of the detergents from the surface correlated with the critical micelle concentration (cmc, M) of the detergents in solution, and followed the relationship cmc ≈ 7 (±2)Kd. The efficacy of SDS in removing the protein fibrinogen adsorbed on a hydrophobic SAM depended strongly on the concentration of detergent. SDS at a.
Acoustic environment classification

The acoustic environment provides a rich source of information on the types of activity, communication modes, and people involved in many situations. It can be accurately classified using recordings from microphones commonly found in PDAs and other consumer devices. We describe a prototype HMM-based acoustic environment classifier incorporating an adaptive learning mechanism and a hierarchical classification model. Experimental results show that we can accurately classify a wide variety of everyday environments. We also show good results classifying single sounds, although classification accuracy is influenced by the granularity of the classification.
Adaptive backstepping control scheme with integral action for quanser 2-dof helicopter

This paper proposes an adaptive integral back-stepping control scheme for tracking control of 2-DOF (Degree of Freedom) helicopter. The helicopter is an important model from the control prospective due to its nonlinear behavior, highly cross coupling effects and instability in open loop. Classical control methods (PI, PD and PID Controllers) and baseline controllers with a linear quadratic regulator (LQR) are unable to handle parametric uncertainties and unmodeled dynamics. The key advantage of the proposed scheme is that it gives robustness to parameter uncertainties and unmodeled dynamics. An adaptive update can provide system robustness through estimation of parameters and model uncertainties. Simulation and Experimental results support the expected effectiveness of the proposed adaptive integral backstepping scheme for tracking as compared to the baseline controller (LQR) in presence of uncertainties.
Inflammatory Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

About 10% of all abdominal aortic aneurysms are characterized by an exuberant inflammatory reaction consisting of a dense white sheath over the aneurysm with peri-aortic fibrosis. The aetiology is unknown. There are characteristic ultrasonic and CT appearances but the condition is usually diagnosed at laparotomy. Surgery is the best treatment, keeping peri-aortic dissection to a minimum. Steroid therapy may occasionally be indicated where the situation is considered inoperable or when the patient declines surgery. If hydronephrosis is present because of ureteric involvement, surgical ureterolysis, as for retroperitoneal fibrosis, should be considered.
Detection of JSteg algorithm using hypothesis testing theory and a statistical model with nuisance parameters

This paper investigates the statistical detection of data hidden within DCT coefficients of JPEG images using a Laplacian distribution model. The main contributions is twofold. First, this paper proposes to model the DCT coefficients using a Laplacian distribution but challenges the usual assumption that among a sub-band all the coefficients follow are independent and identically distributed (i.i.d). In this paper it is assumed that the distribution parameters change from DCT coefficient to DCT coefficient. Second this paper applies this model to design a statistical test, based on hypothesis testing theory, which aims at detecting data hidden within DCT coefficient with the JSteg algorithm. The proposed optimal detector carefully takes into account the distribution parameters as nuisance parameters. Numerical results on simulated data as well as on numerical images database show the relevance of the proposed model and the good performance of the ensuing test.
15-Deoxyspergualin Primarily Targets the Trafficking of Apicoplast Proteins in Plasmodium falciparum*

15-Deoxyspergualin, an immunosuppressant with tumoricidal and antimalarial properties, has been implicated in the inhibition of a diverse array of cellular processes including polyamine synthesis and protein synthesis. Endeavoring to identify the mechanism of antimalarial action of this molecule, we examined its effect on Plasmodium falciparum protein synthesis, polyamine biosynthesis, and transport. 15-Deoxyspergualin stalled protein synthesis in P. falciparum through Hsp70 sequestration and subsequent phosphorylation of the eukaryotic initiation factor eIF2α. However, protein synthesis inhibition as well as polyamine depletion were invoked only by high micromolar concentrations of 15-deoxyspergualin, in contrast to the submicromolar concentrations sufficient to inhibit parasite growth. Further investigations demonstrated that 15-deoxyspergualin in the malaria parasite primarily targets the hitherto underexplored process of trafficking of nucleus-encoded proteins to the apicoplast. Our finding that 15-deoxyspergualin kills the malaria parasite by interfering with targeting of nucleus-encoded proteins to the apicoplast not only exposes a chink in the armor of the malaria parasite, but also reveals new realms in our endeavors to study this intriguing biological process.