Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detecting Semantic Concepts In Digital Photographs: Low-level Features Vs. Non-Homogeneous Data Fusion

Semantic concepts, such as faces, buildings, and other real world objects, are the most preferred instrument that humans use to navigate through and retrieve visual content from large multimedia databases. Semantic annotation of visual content in large collections is therefore essential if ease of access and use is to be ensured. Classification of images into broad categories such as indoor/outdoor, building/non-building, urban/landscape, people/no-people, etc., allows us to obtain the semantic labels without the full knowledge of all objects in the scene. Inferring the presence of high-level semantic concepts from low-level visual features is a research topic that has been attracting a significant amount of interest lately. However, the power of lowlevel visual features alone has been shown to be limited when faced with the task of semantic scene classification in heterogeneous, unconstrained, broad-topic image collections. Multi-modal fusion or combination of information from different modalities has been identified as one possible way of overcoming the limitations of single-mode approaches. In the field of digital photography, the incorporation of readily available camera metadata, i.e. information about the image capture conditions stored in the EXIF header of each image, along with the GPS information, offers a way to move towards a better understanding of the imaged scene. In this thesis we focus on detection of semantic concepts such as artificial text in video and large buildings in digital photographs, and examine how fusion of low-level visual features with selected camera metadata, using a Support Vector Machine as an integration device, affects the performance of the building detector in a genuine personal photo collection. We implemented two approaches to detection of buildings that combine content-based and the context-based information, and an approach to indoor/outdoor classification based exclusively on camera metadata. An outdoor detection rate of 85.6% was obtained using camera metadata only. The first approach to building detection, based on simple edge orientation-based features extracted at three different scales, has been tested on a dataset of 1720 outdoor images, with a classification accuracy of 88.22%. The second approach integrates the edge orientation-based features with the camera metadata-based features, both at the feature and at the decision level. The fusion approaches have been evaluated using an unconstrained dataset of 8000 genuine consumer photographs. The experiments demonstrate that the fusion approaches outperform the visual features-only approach by of 2-3% on average regardless of the operating point chosen, while all the performance measures are approximately 4% below the upper limit of performance. The early fusion approach consistently improves all performance measures.
Temporal Frequency of Subthreshold Oscillations Scales with Entorhinal Grid Cell Field Spacing

Grid cells in layer II of rat entorhinal cortex fire to spatial locations in a repeating hexagonal grid, with smaller spacing between grid fields for neurons inmore dorsal anatomical locations. Data from in vitro whole-cell patch recordings showed differences in frequency of subthreshold membrane potential oscillations in entorhinal neurons that correspond to different positions along the dorsal-to-ventral axis, supporting a model of physiological mechanisms for grid cell responses.
Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation Using Gabor Wavelet and Line Operator

In this paper, we propose a method for segmenting blood vessels from retinal images. We extract two sets of features for image classification: features based on Gabor wavelet and line operator. At each pixel of retinal image we construct a feature vector consisting of the pixel intensity, four features from Gabor wavelet transform in different scales and two features from orthogonal line operators. We compare the result of classification using two classifiers: Bayesian and SVM. First we estimate class-conditional probability density functions for vessel and non-vessel using Gaussian mixture model. Then using a Bayesian classifier we implement a fast classification. The result of experiments show the combination of Gabor features and line features provides a good performance for vessel segmentation. We tested the proposed algorithm on DRIVE database which is publicly available. As the second classifier we employ Support Vector Machine. The results shows SVM classifier in some cases performs better than Bayesian classifier.
The implications of cloud cover for vegetation seasonality monitoring across the island of Ireland using the MERIS Global Vegetation Index (MGVI)

Seven years of the MERIS Global Vegetation Index (MGVI) data have been obtained for a national-scale study of vegetation seasonality in Ireland from 2003 to 2009. The selection of an appropriate composite period for the daily MGVI data was guided by in situ observations of vegetation spring greening and cloud cover from two representative point locations across the island. A period of 10 days was selected as an optimum, minimising the amount of cloud cover across the island while still capturing vegetation seasonality change. Short-term variation in the MGVI time series after time-compositing had been applied was found to be unrelated to vegetation dynamics, suggesting that external factors, such as cloud cover compromise the quality of daily MGVI values. A verification study, using the METEOSAT Cloud Mask (CLM), was conducted to validate this hypothesis. The results suggest that for 7 out of 10 MGVI images over half the values may be in error due to the presence of cloud cover, indicating that the MERIS cloud screening approaches are sub-optimal for conditions experienced over Ireland. A review of the MGVI atmospheric model indicates that MERIS atmospheric corrections may only partially correct for scattering by aerosols or absorption by water vapour.
Late Jurassic Sauropods in Chilean Patagonia

Abstract. A description is provided of the first sauropod remains (i.e., isolated vertebrae and appendicular bones) from the Late Jurassic of Aysén, in Chilean Patagonia (Toqui Formation, late Tithonian). Although the bones found are fragmentary, they still allow the recognition of an unsuspected sauropod diversity for this period in South America. The materials suggest the presence of at least three different sauropod lineages: an indeterminate group of sauropods, possible Titanosauriformes, and Diplodocoidea. A phylogenetic analysis of this last clade supports the placement of the remains within Diplodocinae and also provides the first unequivocal record of this clade in Late Jurassic rocks of South America. These records provide important information about the poorly known evolutionary history of sauropods in South America before the Cretaceous.
What happens to contraceptive use after injectables are introduced? An analysis of 13 countries.

CONTEXT Although the introduction of a new method is generally hailed as a boon to contraceptive prevalence, uptake of new methods can reduce the use of existing methods. It is important to examine changing patterns of contraceptive use and method mix after the introduction of new methods. METHODS Demographic and Health Survey data from 13 countries were used to analyze changes in method use and method mix after the introduction of the injectable in the early 1990s. Subgroup analyses were conducted among married women who reported wanting more children, but not in the next two years (spacers), and those who reported wanting no more children (limiters). RESULTS Modern method use and injectable use rose for each study country. Increases in modern method use exceeded those in injectable use in all but three countries. Injectable use rose among spacers, as well as among limiters of all ages, particularly those younger than 35. In general, the increase in injectable use was partially offset by declines in use of other methods, especially long-acting or permanent methods. CONCLUSION Family planning programs could face higher costs and women could experience more unintended pregnancies if limiters use injectables for long periods, rather than changing to longer acting and permanent methods, which provide greater contraceptive efficacy at lower cost, when they are sure they want no more children.
cAMP Enhances Estrogen-Related Receptor (cid:1) (ERR (cid:1) ) Transcriptional Activity at the SP-A Promoter by Increasing Its Interaction with Protein Kinase A and Steroid Receptor Coactivator 2 (SRC-2)

Estrogen-related receptor (ERR (cid:1) ) plays a critical role in basal and cAMP-induced expression of the human surfactant protein-A ( SP-A ) gene in lung type II cells through direct binding to an ERR response element (ERRE, 5 (cid:1) -TGACCTTA-3 (cid:1) ) within its 5 (cid:1) -flanking region. Furthermore, protein kinase A (PKA) up-regulates ERR (cid:1) activation of the hSP-A promoter. In the present study, using cultured human fetal lung type II cells, we observed that cAMP enhanced ERR (cid:1) phosphorylation and nuclear expression levels. cAMP/PKA stimulation of ERR (cid:1) activation of the SP-A promoter was blocked by the PKA inhibitor, H89, whereas the MAPK P38 inhibitor, SB203580, and the MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD98059, had negligible to modest effects. This suggests that cAMP acts selectively through PKA to increase ERR (cid:1) transcriptional activity. Of several coactivators tested, steroid receptor coactivator 2 (SRC-2) had the most pronounced effect to increase ERR (cid:1) transcriptional activity at the SP-A promoter; this was enhanced by cotransfection with PKA catalytic subunit (PKAcat). Interestingly, SRC-2, ERR (cid:1) , and PKAcat in type II cell nuclear extracts interacted at the ERRE; this was enhanced by cAMP and inhibited by H89. cAMP increased in vivo binding of PKAcat and SRC-2 to the ERRE genomic in In mutagenesis serines to be for PKA and SRC-2 induction of ERR (cid:1) transcriptional activity. Collectively, these findings indicate that cAMP/PKA signaling enhances ERR (cid:1) phosphorylation and nuclear localization, recruitment to the SP-A promoter, and interaction with PKAcat and SRC-2, resulting in the up-regulation of SP-A gene transcription. Molecular Endocrinology
Definitive Radiation Therapy With Dose Escalation Is Beneficial In Patients With Squamous Cell Cancer Of The Esophagus

OBJECTIVE: We report the long term follow up, toxicity, and outcomes of patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (ESCC) who underwent definitive chemo-radiotherapy (dCRT) at our institute. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with carcinoma post cricoid, upper cervical and thoracic oesophagus and treated with dCRT treated between January 2000 and March 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Data was extracted from the hospital medical records and patient files. Patients deemed inoperable received upfront RT with or without concurrent chemotherapy and patients with borderline resectable and/or bulky disease received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by CRT or RT alone. Radiotherapy was delivered in two phases to a maximum dose of 63 Gy in daily fractions of 1.8 Gy using conventional or conformal techniques. Overall survival and progression free survival were defined from date of registration and were calculated by Kaplan Meier method with comparisons between different subgroup performed using log rank test. All data were analyzed using SPSS Version 22. RESULTS: Three hundred and fourteen patients with ESCC treated with dCRT were included in this analysis. Median age at presentation was 56 years and median Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) at presentation was 70. Two-third of patients were treated with conformal technique alone or a combination of conventional and conformal technique. Median dose of radiation delivered was 60 Gy (range 30.6 Gy to 70 Gy). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered in about 35% patients and 57% patients received concurrent chemotherapy. About 82% patients (77%) completed their planned treatment course; 10% patients required hospitalization during treatment due to complications and 7 patients did not complete treatment. Grade 1/2 dermatitis and mucositis was seen in 77% and 71% patients respectively. Grade 3 nonhematological and hematological toxicities were seen infrequently. Complete response at first follow up was observed in 56% of patients. At a median follow up of 56 months, 77 patients were alive with controlled disease. The 1, 2 and 3yr OS were 80%, 67% and 62% respectively. Median PFS was 28 months; 1, 2 and 3yr PFS were 66%, 52% and 46% respectively. A higher RT dose was found to be a significant predictor for OS and PFS on both uni- and multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights that delivery of higher RT doses (more than or equal to 63Gy) is feasible in this patient group and that a higher RT dose was associated with significantly better PFS and OS.
Records of the δ13C of atmospheric CH4 over the last 2 centuries as recorded in Antarctic snow and ice

Methane is one of the important greenhouse gases accumulating in the atmosphere today. The increased loading over the past 2 centuries is thought to be the result of increased anthropogenic emissions. Here we present records of the δ13C of CH4 in firn air from the South Pole and in trapped bubbles in a short ice core from Siple Dome, Antarctica, that help constrain historical emissions of various sources throughout the last 2 centuries. Using two firn air samplings in 1995 and 2001 we calculate that δ13CH4 has increased by an average of 0.06 ± 0.02‰/yr over the 6 years between samplings. Our ice core results suggest the δ13C of atmospheric CH4 has increased by 1.8 ± 0.2‰ between 1820 A.D. and 2001 AD. The δ13CH4 changes in both data sets are the result of an increase in the relative proportion of CH4 sources with elevated 13C/12C isotope ratios. One explanation for observed trends involves a 16 Tg/yr increase in CH4 emissions associated with biomass burning over the past 2 centuries.
High prevalence of early repolarization in the pediatric relatives of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) victims and in normal controls

High prevalence of early repolarization in the pediatric relatives of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) victims and in normal controls Anna McCorquodale, Rachel Poulton, Jennifer Hendry, Gabrielle Norrish, Ella Field, Sarah Mead-Regan, Martin Lowe, Juan Pablo Kaski 2 Inherited Cardiovascular Diseases Unit, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK Institute of Cardiovascular Science, University College London, UK
Connecting methane fluxes to vegetation cover and water table fluctuations at microsite level: A modeling study

The paper presents a process‐based model describing methane flux dynamics in different microsites of boreal peatlands. The simulated fluxes matched well to measurements in all microsites without any parameter adjustment. The model emphasizes the importance of microsite characteristics, water table and vegetation cover for methane fluxes. Water level determines the moisture and oxygen profile in peat matrix and therefore affects methane production and oxidation rates in peat profile. Vascular plants provide methanogenesis with substrates, form a pathway for methane to liberate from peat to the atmosphere and enhance methane oxidation by transporting oxygen to water saturated peat. The model connects methane fluxes to the seasonal photosynthetic cycle of plants at the microsite level and hence dynamically combines the microbial processes in peat to changing environmental factors in the level of peatland ecosystem. Sensitivity analysis of the model reveals the importance of substrate supply to methane fluxes. In addition, the capability of the vascular plants to transport oxygen downwards has a large effect on model outcome. Lack of oxygen and methane keep methane oxidation at a low level in the model simulations, and changes that compensate for these lacks have a remarkable decreasing effect on simulated flux. Dry periods decrease the simulated methane flux considerably, especially if the drought prevails long, threshold for a dramatic decrease lying between 4 and 6 weeks of drought. Increase in air temperature enhances methane flux, especially if the effect of increased temperature on gross primary production is taken into account.
Highly Scalable Genotype Phasing by Entropy Minimization

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a position in the genome at which two or more of the possible four nucleotides occur in a large percentage of the population. SNPs account for most of the genetic variability between individuals and mapping SNPs in the human population has become the next high priority in genomics after the completion of the Human Genome Project. In diploid organisms such as humans, there are two nonidentical copies of each autosomal chromosome. A description of the SNPs in a chromosome is called a haplotype. At present, it is prohibitively expensive to directly determine the haplotypes of an individual, but it is possible to rather easily obtain the conflated SNP information in the so-called genotype. Computational methods for genotype phasing, that is, inferring haplotypes from genotype data, have received much attention in recent years as haplotype information leads to an increased statistical power of disease association tests. However, many of the existing algorithms have impractical runtime for phasing large genotype data sets such as those generated by the international HapMap Project. In this paper, we propose a highly scalable algorithm based on entropy minimization. Our algorithm is capable of phasing both unrelated and related genotypes coming from complex pedigrees. Experimental results on both real and simulated data sets show that our algorithm achieves a phasing accuracy worse than but close to that of the best existing methods while being several orders of magnitude faster. The open source code implementation of the algorithm and a Web interface are publicly available at http://dna.engr. uconn.edu/~software/ent/.
Automatic Segmentation of Urban Point Clouds Based on the Gaussian Map

A comprehensive method to segment urban point clouds based on the Gaussian map is presented. The normals of point clouds are firstly mapped to the Gaussian sphere and then partitioned into groups using a mean shift clustering algorithm. Next, a distance‐based clustering method is presented to tackle overlapping surfaces which avoids under‐segmentation. Based on the properties of the Gaussian map and the geometric information of the points, primitive shapes such as planes, cylinders, cones and spheres are recognised. Trees, cars, street lights and other objects are then segmented by using the distance‐based clustering method after removing the planes, cylinders, cones and spheres from the large urban scenes. Finally, a refinement process based on primitive shapes is implemented to improve the segmentation results which effectively avoids over‐segmentation. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can be used as a robust way to segment urban point clouds based on the Gaussian map.
Blob tectonics: A prediction for Western Aphrodite Terra, Venus

It is proposed that the Western Aphrodite Terra region of Venus was formed by four diapirs of heated mantle material, or blobs, rising to the surface in a region of convective upwelling. The four blobs are in different stages of evolution, producing different topography, gravity anomalies, and morphology. We show that this model is consistent with available data and make specific predictions that can be tested with Magellan radar data.
Early experience with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-targeted biopsies under visual transrectal ultrasound guidance in patients suspicious for prostate cancer undergoing repeated biopsy

INTRODUCTION Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of cancerrelated mortality and the most frequently diagnosed male malignant disease among men in the Nordic countries. Due to the introduction of prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) testing there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of newly diagnosed PCa over the last 20-30 years. PCa is now detected at earlier stages causing stage-migration. The lifetime risk of a man being diagnosed with PCa is approx. 17% (one in six), but only 3-4% (one in thirty) will die of the disease supporting the fact that the majority of men with PCa never develop a clinical significant disease that will affect their morbidity or mortality [1]. However, despite earlier detection of PCa, the mortality rate in Scandinavia has remained virtually unchanged and is one of the highest in the world. Thus, the manifestation of PCa ranges from indolent to highly aggressive disease. Due to this high variation in PCa progression, the diagnosis and subsequent treatment planning can be challenging. Active surveillance, surgery and radiation therapy are standard treatment options for men with localised or locally advanced disease. There is seldom just one right treatment choice and since surgery and radiation therapy may imply greater side effects such as impotence, incontinence and/or radiation damage to the bladder or rectum, it is essential to determine the exact tumour localisation, aggression and stage for optimal clinical management and therapy selection.
Response of dietary substitution of fishmeal with various protein sources on growth, body composition and blood chemistry of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus)

Animal and/or plant protein sources substituting fishmeal in the diets keep being developed due to its high price. The purpose of this study is to determine response of dietary substitution of fishmeal with silkworm pupae meal, promate meal®, meat and bone meal and/or their combination on performance of juvenile olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). A 60% fish meal was used as the main protein source, used as the control (Con) diet. The 10 and 20% fishmeal were substituted with silkworm pupae meal and meat and bone meal, referred to as the SPM10, SPM20, MBM10 and MBM20 diets, respectively. And the 10, 20 and 40% fishmeal
Using mobile social media and GIS in health and place research

This paper presents new research methods that combine the use of location-based social media on mobile phones with geographic information systems (GIS) to explore connections between people, place, and health. It discusses the feasibility, limitations, and benefits of using these methods, which enable real-time, location-based, quantitative data to be collected on the recreation, consumption, and physical activity patterns of urban residents in the city of Brisbane, Australia. The study employs mechanisms already inherent in popular mobile social media applications (Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare) to collect these data. The research methods presented in this paper are innovative and potentially applicable to an increasing number of academic research areas, as well as to a growing range of service providers that benefit from monitoring consumer behaviour and responding to emerging changes in these patterns and trends. The ability to both collect and map objective, real-time data about the consumption, leisure, recreation, and physical activity patterns amongst urban communities has direct implications for a range of research disciplines including media studies, advertising, health promotion, social marketing, public health inequalities, and urban design.