Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Attempt to Build Object Detection Models by Reusing Parts

Current state-of-the-art object detection methods, like the Deformable Part Model(DPM)[3] method, have achieved remarkable performance in detecting objects. However, the annotation collecting process is very costly and it won’t scale as the number of categories increases. In this work, we make use of the information provided by part models of already trained deformable part models to decrease the amount of training data required for building good models. For easy categories like cars, aeroplanes and bicycles, we achieved decent qualitative results and quantitative results.
Cost-Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Compared With Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Background—Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) has emerged as an important treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation (AF). The potential cost-effectiveness of RFA for AF, relative to antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) therapy, has not been fully explored from a US perspective. Methods and Results—We constructed a Markov disease simulation model for a hypothetical cohort of patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF, treated either with RFA with/without AAD or AAD alone. Costs and quality-adjusted life-years were projected over 5 years. Model inputs were drawn from published clinical trial and registry data, from new registry and trial data analysis, and from data prospectively collected from patients with AF treated with RFA at our institution. We assumed no benefit from ablation on stroke, heart failure or death, but did estimate changes in quality-adjusted life expectancy using data from several AF cohorts. In the base case scenario, cumulative costs with the RFA and AAD strategies were $26 584 and $19 898, respectively. Over 5 years, quality-adjusted life expectancy was 3.51 quality-adjusted life-years with RFA versus 3.38 for the AAD group. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for RFA versus AAD was thus $51 431 per quality-adjusted life-year. Model results were most sensitive to time horizon, the relative utility weights of successful ablation versus unsuccessful drug therapy, and to the cost of an ablation procedure. Conclusions—RFA with/without AAD for symptomatic, drug-refractory paroxysmal AF appears to be reasonably cost-effective compared with AAD therapy alone from the perspective of the US health care system, based on improved quality of life and avoidance of future health care costs.
Plus-end motors override minus-end motors during transport of squid axon vesicles on microtubules

Plus- and minus-end vesicle populations from squid axoplasm were isolated from each other by selective extraction of the minus-end vesicle motor followed by 5'-adenylyl imidodiphosphate (AMP-PNP)- induced microtubule affinity purification of the plus-end vesicles. In the presence of cytosol containing both plus- and minus-end motors, the isolated populations moved strictly in opposite directions along microtubules in vitro. Remarkably, when treated with trypsin before incubation with cytosol, purified plus-end vesicles moved exclusively to microtubule minus ends instead of moving in the normal plus-end direction. This reversal in the direction of movement of trypsinized plus-end vesicles, in light of further observation that cytosol promotes primarily minus-end movement of liposomes, suggests that the machinery for cytoplasmic dynein-driven, minus-end vesicle movement can establish a functional interaction with the lipid bilayers of both vesicle populations. The additional finding that kinesin overrides cytoplasmic dynein when both are bound to bead surfaces indicates that the direction of vesicle movement could be regulated simply by the presence or absence of a tightly bound, plus-end kinesin motor; being processive and tightly bound, the kinesin motor would override the activity of cytoplasmic dynein because the latter is weakly bound to vesicles and less processive. In support of this model, it was found that (a) only plus-end vesicles copurified with tightly bound kinesin motors; and (b) both plus- and minus-end vesicles bound cytoplasmic dynein from cytosol.
MACA is Power and Mobility Aware Protocol for Ad Hoc Network

—A recent trend in ad hoc network routing is the reactive on-demand philosophy where routes are established only when required. Most of the protocols in this category, however, use single route and do not utilize multiple alternate paths. Major hurdle in communication via Ad hoc networks is their power limitations. As most of them use battery power and also are moving so there is always limitation of battery power. This Paper proposes a new scheme designed to minimize power consumption and to increase network lifetime. This will be incorporated on PAMAS as an extension to existing scheme.
On the Consistency of Bayes Factors for Testing Point Null versus Nonparametric Alternatives

When testing a point null hypothesis versus an alternative that is vaguely specified, a Bayesian test usually proceeds by putting a non-parametric prior on the alternative and then computing a Bayes factor based on the observations. This paper addresses the question of consistency, that is, whether the Bayes factor is correctly indicative of the null or the alternative as the sample size increases. We establish several consistency results in the affirmative under fairly general conditions. Consistency of Bayes factors for testing a point null versus a parametric alternative has long been known. The results here can also be viewed as the non-parametric extension of the parametric counterpart. MSC: 62G20; 62C10
DNA Microarrays of the Complex Human Cytomegalovirus Genome: Profiling Kinetic Class with Drug Sensitivity of Viral Gene Expression

ABSTRACT We describe, for the first time, the generation of a viral DNA chip for simultaneous expression measurements of nearly all known open reading frames (ORFs) in the largest member of the herpesvirus family, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). In this study, an HCMV chip was fabricated and used to characterize the temporal class of viral gene expression. The viral chip is composed of microarrays of viral DNA prepared by robotic deposition of oligonucleotides on glass for ORFs in the HCMV genome. Viral gene expression was monitored by hybridization to the oligonucleotide microarrays with fluorescently labelled cDNAs prepared from mock-infected or infected human foreskin fibroblast cells. By using cycloheximide and ganciclovir to block de novo viral protein synthesis and viral DNA replication, respectively, the kinetic classes of array elements were classified. The expression profiles of known ORFs and many previously uncharacterized ORFs provided a temporal map of immediate-early (α), early (β), early-late (γ1), and late (γ2) genes in the entire genome of HCMV. Sequence compositional analysis of the 5′ noncoding DNA sequences of the temporal classes, performed by using algorithms that automatically search for defined and recurring motifs in unaligned sequences, indicated the presence of potential regulatory motifs for β, γ1, and γ2 genes. In summary, these fabricated microarrays of viral DNA allow rapid and parallel analysis of gene expression at the whole viral genome level. The viral chip approach coupled with global biochemical and genetic strategies should greatly speed the functional analysis of established as well as newly discovered large viral genomes.
Vibro-Tactile Space-Awareness

Continuous visual and auditory stimulation has made human perception prone to ”overseeing” and ”overhearing”. Moreover, in some situations, visual and auditory stimuli yield to misleading or false perception. This is particularly the case with the perception of space, e.g. when it comes to the estimation of distances, or the determination of direction. This paper addresses the issue on how humans perceive space, like room space, work space, construction space, outdoor space, etc. We propose to amplify (or readjust) the perception of space aside the primary senses (i) vision and (ii) audition by (iii) tactation. In order to enhance space awareness of humans, we opt for a vibro-tactile notification system whenever eyes, ears and hands are in charge. A body worn, belt like vibration system has been developed, delivering tactile notifications about distance and orientation to the user in a very subtle, unobtrusive, yet demanding style. A series of user tests has been conducted investigating the perception of distance to physical objects, like walls or obstacles, in the vicinity of users. Results encourage for a whole new class of space awareness solutions. In the video, one category of applications is highlighted: safety of workers in construction and manufacturing.
Development of a Power Management System for Electric Vehicles with Multiple Power Sources

An electric vehicle can be powered by either a single source or a combination of multiple sources, e.g. lead-acid batteries, solar cells, and fuel cells. Because of energy crisis and environmental protection, coordination of different power sources for an electric vehicle has recently been becoming an important issue. The objective of this paper is to develop a power management system for an electric vehicle powered by the combination of lead-acid batteries and solar cells. The system consists of an intelligent control unit, a switching unit, a sensing unit module, and a DC/DC converter. The control unit processes data and accordingly instructs the switching unit to allocate an adequate power supply to the drive. Experimental results show that the system can coordinate power supplies effectively and supresses battery current surges to prevent the batteries from deep discharge. Accordingly the longevity of the batteries can be prolonged.
Genome Hotspots for Nucleotide Substitutions and the Evolution of Influenza A (H1N1) Human Strains

In recent years a number of studies have brought attention to the role of positive selection during the evolution of antigenic escape by influenza strains. Particularly, the identification of positively selected sites within antigenic domains of viral surface proteins has been used to suggest that the evolution of viral–host receptor binding specificity is driven by selection. Here we show that, following the 1918 outbreak, the antigenic sites of the hemagglutinin (HA) viral surface protein and the stalk region of neuraminidase became substitution hotspots. The hotspots show similar patterns of nucleotide substitution bias at synonymous and nonsynonymous sites. Such bias imposes directionality in amino acid replacements that can influence signals of selection at antigenic sites. Our results suggest that the high accumulation of substitutions within the antigenic sites of HA can explain not only cases of antigenic escape by antigenic drift but also lead to occasional episodes of viral extinction.
WHIRLY1 is a major organizer of chloroplast nucleoids

WHIRLY1 is an abundant protein of chloroplast nucleoids, which has also been named pTAC-1 with regard to its detection in the proteome of transcriptionally active chromosomes (TAC). In barley primary foliage leaves, expression of the WHIRLY1 gene is highest at the base whereas protein accumulation is highest in the middle of the leaf where young developing chloroplasts are found. In order to elucidate the function of WHIRLY1 in chloroplast nucleoids, transgenic barley plants with an RNAi-mediated knock-down of the HvWHIRLY1 gene (RNAi-W1) were generated. The homozygous RNAi-W1-7 plants, barely containing traces of the WHIRLY1 protein, were chosen for detailed analyses of nucleoids. Nucleic acid specific-staining with YO-PRO®-1 revealed that in comparison to wild type chloroplasts, which have multiple small nucleoids attached to thylakoids, chloroplasts of the transgenic plants contain large irregularly formed patches of DNA besides nucleoids that are similar in size and shape to those of wild type chloroplasts. In large electron lucent areas, filamentous structures were detected by conventional transmission electron microscopy. Analyses of ptDNA levels by both DNA dot-blot hybridization and quantitative PCR showed that leaves of the transgenic plants have a two- to three-fold higher level of ptDNA than the wild type. The higher ptDNA level in RNAi-W1 plants coincided with an enhanced expression of the gene encoding a putative organelle targeted DNA polymerase in the mid part of primary foliage leaves. Furthermore, overexpression of the barley WHIRLY1 gene in E. coli cells revealed a higher compaction of bacterial nucleoids. These results suggest that WHIRLY1 belongs to the group of plastid nucleoid associated proteins (ptNAP) having a function in compacting a subpopulation of chloroplast nucleoids thereby affecting DNA replication.
Effects of Ocular Hypertension in the Visual System of Pigmented Mice

To study the effects of ocular hypertension (OHT) on the visual system of C57BL/6 pigmented mice, the limbal and episcleral veins of the left eye were laser photocoagulated (LP). LP increased the intraocular pressure during the first five days (d), reaching basal values at 7d. To investigate the effect of OHT on the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) retrograde axonal transport, hydroxistilbamidine methanesulfonate (OHSt) was applied to both superior colliculi (SCi) and the retinas were dissected 2 or 4 weeks after LP. To determine RGC survival, these same retinas were immunoreacted against Brn3a (general RGC population) and melanopsin (intrinsically photosensitive RGCs, m+RGCs). To study whether OHT affected non-RGC neurons in the ganglion cell layer (GCL), RGCs were immunodetected with Brn3a and all GCL nuclei counterstained with DAPI in a group of animals examined 4 weeks post-LP. Innervation of the SCi was examined at 10 days, 8 or 14 weeks after LP with the orthogradely transported cholera toxin subunit-B. OHT resulted in diffuse and sectorial loss of OHSt+RGCs (50% at 2 weeks and 62% at 4 weeks) and in a comparable loss of Brn3a+RGCs at the same time intervals. m+RGCs decreased to 59% at 2 weeks and to 46% at 4 weeks, such loss was diffuse, did not parallel the sectorial loss of the general RGC population and was more severe in the superior-temporal retina. In the GCL, cell loss is selective for RGCs and does not affect other non-RGC neurons. The retinotectal innervation appeared significantly reduced at 10 days (55.7%) and did not progress further up to 14 weeks (46.6%). Thus, LP-induced OHT results in retrograde degeneration of RGCs and m+RGCs, as well as in the loss of CTB-labelled retinotectal terminals.
Effect of Yeast Cell Morphology, Cell Wall Physical Structure and Chemical Composition on Patulin Adsorption

The capability of yeast to adsorb patulin in fruit juice can aid in substantially reducing the patulin toxic effect on human health. This study aimed to investigate the capability of yeast cell morphology and cell wall internal structure and composition to adsorb patulin. To compare different yeast cell morphologies, cell wall internal structure and composition, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and ion chromatography were used. The results indicated that patulin adsorption capability of yeast was influenced by cell surface areas, volume, and cell wall thickness, as well as 1,3-β-glucan content. Among these factors, cell wall thickness and 1,3-β-glucan content serve significant functions. The investigation revealed that patulin adsorption capability was mainly affected by the three-dimensional network structure of the cell wall composed of 1,3-β-glucan. Finally, patulin adsorption in commercial kiwi fruit juice was investigated, and the results indicated that yeast cells could adsorb patulin from commercial kiwi fruit juice efficiently. This study can potentially simulate in vitro cell walls to enhance patulin adsorption capability and successfully apply to fruit juice industry.
Estimation of the apnea-hypopnea index from epoch-based classification of the ECG using modulations of QRS area and respiratory myogram interference

Most approaches for ECG-based detection of sleep apnea classify fixed-duration epochs (here: 60s) in a binary way with respect to the presence or absence of respiratory events. Identifying time-locked modulations in QRS-amplitude and respiratory myogram interference with a single feature, this paper presents a new method to transform such results into an estimate of the apnea-hypopnea-index (AHI). The basic idea is to translate the local period duration of the event-related quasi-periodic oscillations into a weighting factor for each epoch's result. We present a binary and a ternary strategy (including a borderline class) for identification of patients with an AHI ≥ 15. Results on a large (N = 140) and representative clinical sample indicate 100% sensitivity and 86.4% accuracy for the binary strategy. The ternary strategy achieves 95.1% accuracy for a subset of 83.6% of the recordings. The remaining 16.4% of the sample are classified as `boderline cases'. Additional validation on the independent Physionet Apnea ECG Database (N = 69) resulted in perfect separation of the apnea group from the control cases. We conclude that it is possible to provide a physiologically meaningful estimate of the AHI from epoch-based classifications of the ECG: It promises robust detection of apnea patients in various clinical scenarios such as screening of Holter ECGs.
Parallel pathways mediating both sound localization and gaze control in the forebrain and midbrain of the barn owl

The hypothesis that sound localization and gaze control are mediated in parallel in the midbrain and forebrain was tested in the barn owl. The midbrain pathway for gaze control was interrupted by reversible inactivation (muscimol injection) or lesion of the optic tectum. Auditory input to the forebrain was disrupted by reversible inactivation or lesion of the primary thalamic auditory nucleus, nucleus ovoidalis (homolog of the medial geniculate nucleus). Barn owls were trained to orient their gaze toward auditory or visual stimuli presented from random locations in a darkened sound chamber. Auditory and visual test stimuli were brief so that the stimulus was over before the orienting response was completed. The accuracy and kinetics of the orienting responses were measured with a search coil attached to the head. Unilateral inactivation of the optic tectum had immediate and long-lasting effects on auditory orienting behavior. The owls failed to respond on a high percentage of trials when the auditory test stimulus was located on the side contralateral to the inactivated tectum. When they did respond, the response was usually (but not always) short of the target, and the latency of the response was abnormally long. When the auditory stimulus was located on the side ipsilateral to the inactivated tectum, responses were reliable and accurate, and the latency of responses was shorter than normal. In a tectally lesioned animal, response probability and latency to contralateral sounds returned to normal within 2 weeks, but the increase in response error (due to undershooting) persisted for at least 12 weeks. Despite abnormalities in the response, all of the owls were capable of localizing and orienting to contralateral auditory stimuli on some trials with the optic tectum inactivated or lesioned. This was not true for contralateral visual stimuli. Immediately following tectal inactivation, the owls exhibited complete neglect for visual stimuli located more than 20 degrees to the contralateral side (i.e., beyond the edge of the visual field of the ipsilateral eye). In the tectally lesioned animal, this neglect diminished with time. Unilateral inactivation of nucleus ovoidalis had different effects in three owls. Response error to contralateral sound sources increased for one owl and decreased for two; response error to ipsilateral sources did not change significantly for any. The probability of response to ipsilateral (but not contralateral) stimuli decreased for one owl. The latency of response to ipsilateral (but not contralateral) stimuli increased for one and decreased for another. All of the owls, however, routinely localized and oriented toward ipsilateral and contralateral auditory stimuli with nucleus ovoidalis inactivated. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A model for controlling variance in the Artificial Bee Colony algorithm

The problem of solving large optimization problems has gained attention due to increasing numbers of constraints. Out of the numerous techniques, which have been used for solving such problems, one, which has gained much popularity in recent times, is that of the stochastic population based search. Evolutionary or Swarm based search algorithms are based on this principle. Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm is new entrant into this fray. Unlike several other population based search algorithms, the ABC, however, shows large amounts of variance in its runs. The algorithm has also not been modeled with any significant degree of success. After briefly covering the Artificial Bee Colony algorithm (used in recent solution to the variation problem), this paper proposes and analyzes a mathematical model for this algorithm (and others showing the same characteristics). This work then gives overview of Genetic Algorithm and looks at a recently proposed strategy for controlling variation using Genetic operators. It concludes by analyzing the modification, outlining the generality and applicability of proposed model and discussing future work.
Parkinson’s Disease Is Related to an Increased Risk of Ischemic Stroke—A Population-Based Propensity Score-Matched Follow-Up Study

Objective The risk of stroke in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains controversial. The purpose of this population-based propensity score-matched longitudinal follow-up study was to determine whether there is an increased risk of ischemic stroke after PD. Methods We used a logistic regression model that includes age, sex, pre-existing comorbidities and socioeconomic status as covariates to compute the propensity score. A total of 2204 patients with at least two ambulatory visits with the principal diagnosis of PD in 2001 was enrolled in the PD group. The non- PD group consisted of 2204, propensity score-matched subjects without PD. The ischemic stroke-free survival rates of the two groups were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Stratified Cox proportional hazard regression with patients matched on propensity score was used to estimate the effect of PD on the occurrence of ischemic stroke. Results During the three-year follow-up period, 328 subjects in the PD group and 156 subjects in the non-PD group developed ischemic stroke. The ischemic stroke-free survival rate of the PD group was significantly lower than that of the non-PD group (P<0.0001). The hazard ratio (HR) of stroke for the PD group was 2.37 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92 to 2.93, P<0.0001) compared to the non- PD group. Conclusions This study shows a significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke in PD patients. Further studies are required to investigate the underlying mechanism.