Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning object relationships via graph-based context model

In this paper, we propose a novel framework for modeling image-dependent contextual relationships using graph-based context model. This approach enables us to selectively utilize the contextual relationships suitable for an input query image. We introduce a context link view of contextual knowledge, where the relationship between a pair of annotated regions is represented as a context link on a similarity graph of regions. Link analysis techniques are used to estimate the pairwise context scores of all pairs of unlabeled regions in the input image. Our system integrates the learned context scores into a Markov Random Field (MRF) framework in the form of pairwise cost and infers the semantic segmentation result by MRF optimization. Experimental results on object class segmentation show that the proposed graph-based context model outperforms the current state-of-the-art methods.
Catabolite Control Protein E (CcpE) Is a LysR-type Transcriptional Regulator of Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Activity in Staphylococcus aureus*

Background: The TCA cycle is a central metabolic pathway that facilitates the adaption of bacteria to a nutrient-limited environment. Results: Inactivation of CcpE in Staphylococcus aureus resulted in a decreased transcription of the aconitase encoding gene citB, and reduced TCA cycle activity. Conclusion: CcpE affects the TCA cycle via direct transcriptional control of citB. Significance: This is the first positive regulator of TCA cycle activity identified in this pathogen. The tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) is a central metabolic pathway that provides energy, reducing potential, and biosynthetic intermediates. In Staphylococcus aureus, TCA cycle activity is controlled by several regulators (e.g. CcpA, CodY, and RpiRc) in response to the availability of sugars, amino acids, and environmental stress. Developing a bioinformatic search for additional carbon catabolite-responsive regulators in S. aureus, we identified a LysR-type regulator, catabolite control protein E (CcpE), with homology to the Bacillus subtilis CcpC regulator. Inactivation of ccpE in S. aureus strain Newman revealed that CcpE is a positive transcriptional effector of the first two enzymes of the TCA cycle, aconitase (citB) and to a lesser extent citrate synthase (citZ). Consistent with the transcriptional data, aconitase activity dramatically decreased in the ccpE mutant relative to the wild-type strain. The effect of ccpE inactivation on citB transcription and the lesser effect on citZ transcription were also reflected in electrophoretic mobility shift assays where CcpE bound to the citB promoter but not the citZ promoter. Metabolomic studies showed that inactivation of ccpE resulted in increased intracellular concentrations of acetate, citrate, lactate, and alanine, consistent with a redirection of carbon away from the TCA cycle. Taken together, our data suggest that CcpE is a major direct positive regulator of the TCA cycle gene citB.
A Modeling and Analysis Approach for Mobile Information Systems

This paper introduces a graphical modeling notation based on coloured Petri nets for the performance and cost evaluation of mobile applications. When developing such an application some restrictions due to the low bandwidth of mobile networks need to be considered. The notation can be used to model the workflow of a mobile application with just a small effort. The resulting model can be (automatically) transformed into a coloured Petri net for simulating the communication behaviour depending on typical user interactions. The simulation results are an important basis for improving the applications performance and the occurring costs for using mobile networks
Role of microbiota in postnatal maturation of intestinal T-cell responses.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Taking advantage of their rapid growth and capacity for continuous genetic adaptation, prokaryotes have colonized all possible ecological environments on earth, including the body surfaces of eukaryotes and their gastrointestinal tract. The mammalian gut contains a complex community of 10 bacteria with a meta-genome containing 1500-fold more genes than the human genome. The forces that control the relationships between eukaryotic hosts and their intestinal bacterial symbionts have, thus, become a major focus of interest. RECENT FINDINGS Recent data have highlighted how the dialogue between mammalian hosts and their microbiota stimulates the postnatal maturation of an efficient intestinal barrier that promotes niche colonization by symbiotic bacteria and opposes colonization by pathogens. Herein, we review microbiota-induced T-cell responses and discuss how individual bacteria may shape the balance between regulatory and inflammatory responses. We will also show how host factors might influence the outcome of gut immune responses and affect the structure of the microbiota. SUMMARY Deciphering host-microbiota reciprocal influence may not only help in understanding the recent outburst of intestinal inflammatory diseases but also point to strategies able to maintain or restore intestinal homeostasis.
Graph-based cooperative navigation using three-view constraints: Method validation

One of the hard issues that arises in distributed navigation is keeping an up-to-date and consistent estimation of the dependency between the solutions computed by each one of the involved agents. This issue is critical for the consistent information fusion in distributed cooperative navigation and was recently tackled using a graph-based approach for the on-demand calculation of cross-covariance terms. In particular, the approach was applied to a method for visual aided, distributed cooperative navigation based on three-view geometry constraints, in which a measurement is formulated whenever the same scene is observed by several robots, not necessarily at the same time. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the claim that on-demand calculation of cross-covariance terms in three-view-based cooperative navigation is further substantiated, and the difficulties with other existing techniques are emphasized. Second, the efficiency of using the on-demand calculations is validated by comparing the results to those obtained by assuming the three-view multi-robot measurements schedule is known a priori. In this latter method, the required cross-covariance terms are calculated using a fixed-lag centralized smoother. The comparison clearly shows the advantages of using the on-demand scheme.
Full Establishment of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis in Rice Occurs Independently of Enzymatic Jasmonate Biosynthesis

Development of the mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis between most land plants and fungi of the Glomeromycota is regulated by phytohormones. The role of jasmonate (JA) in AM colonization has been investigated in the dicotyledons Medicago truncatula, tomato and Nicotiana attenuata and contradicting results have been obtained with respect to a neutral, promotive or inhibitory effect of JA on AM colonization. Furthermore, it is currently unknown whether JA plays a role in AM colonization of monocotyledonous roots. Therefore we examined whether JA biosynthesis is required for AM colonization of the monocot rice. To this end we employed the rice mutant constitutive photomorphogenesis 2 (cpm2), which is deficient in JA biosynthesis. Through a time course experiment the amount and morphology of fungal colonization did not differ between wild-type and cpm2 roots. Furthermore, no significant difference in the expression of AM marker genes was detected between wild type and cpm2. However, treatment of wild-type roots with 50 μM JA lead to a decrease of AM colonization and this was correlated with induction of the defense gene PR4. These results indicate that JA is not required for AM colonization of rice but high levels of JA in the roots suppress AM development likely through the induction of defense.
The effectiveness of government expenditure on education and health care in the Caribbean

Purpose - Investment in human development is considered a means of improving the quality of life and sustaining economic growth in the Caribbean. The purpose of this paper is to assess the efficacy of public spending on health care and education by evaluating the life expectancy and school enrolment rates of these countries. Design/methodology/approach - Using a data set containing 19 Caribbean countries over the period 1995 to 2007 for health care and 1980 to 2009 for education, a Panel Ordinary Least Squares model was employed. Findings - The results revealed that health expenditure has a significant positive effect on health status, while spending on education has no appreciable influence on either primary or secondary school enrolment. Originality/value - Unlike previous Caribbean research, the paper explores a variable for quality in the education system, that is, the pupil-teacher ratio. It also seeks to update the existing Caribbean literature by employing data from 1980 to 2009.
Large Scale Delivery of Cisco Networking Academy Program by Blended Distance Learning

This paper reports upon the success that The Open University of the United Kingdom (UKOU) has had in delivering the Cisco Exploration Curriculum, as an undergraduate course (T216), using a Blended Distance Learning Model (BDL). It discusses the importance of Supported Open Learning as a method of supporting students, and the key role of simulators, remote access tools and day schools. It is argued that a constructivist learning approach was taken when designing T216, which is demonstrated by this BDL model. BDL has proven to be an excellent way of delivering Cisco courses to adult learners, as supported by student feedback and attainment. BDL offers the Cisco Networking Academy program an opportunity to extend reach in both existing and new markets.
Compressive Sampling Based UWB TOA Estimator

This paper proposes two compressive sampling based time of arrival (TOA) estimation algorithms using a sub-Nyquist rate receiver. We also describe a novel compressive sampling dictionary design for the compact representation of the received UWB signal. One of the proposed algorithm exploits the a-priori information with regard to the channel and range of the target. The performance of the algorithms are compared against the maximum likelihood (ML) based receiver using IEEE 802.15. 4a CM1 line of sight (LOS) UWB channel model. The proposed algorithm yields performance similar to the ML TOA estimation at high SNRs. However, the computational complexity and the sampling rate requirements are lesser compared to the ML estimator. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithms can match ML estimator performance with only 1/4-th the sampling rate at 25 dB SNR. We analyze the performance of the algorithm with respect to practical constraints like size of the holographic dictionary and sampling rates. We also propose a new algorithm which can exploit the a-priori information regarding the UWB channel and the geographical constraints on the target that may be available at the receiver. This algorithm can substantially boost the performance compared to the algorithm without a-priori information at low SNRs.
Power control using game theory in a shared open spectrum

The main problem of the today’s IEEE 802.11 WLANs is the small number of available channels. In this paper we focus on a novel way of maximization of the network throughput and the provision of fairness which are key challenges in IEEE WLANs, using Game Theory. We examine two types of power control games, namely the non-cooperative and the cooperative power control game. In the case of non-cooperative power control game we find the Nash equilibrium in a distributed way. In the case of cooperative power control game we assume that there exists a central entity called coordinator which announces the calculated Nash bargaining solution to the access points. Finally, we present the results of simulations implemented in MATLAB through a series of plots and tables.
Investigation of Peptide Involvement in T Cell Allorecognition Using Recombinant HLA Class I Multimers1

Alloreactive T cells are involved in injurious graft rejection and graft-vs-host disease. However, they can also evoke beneficial responses to tumor Ags restricted by foreign MHC molecules. Manipulation of these alloreactivities requires information on the basis of T cell allorecognition. The vigorous T cell response to foreign MHC molecules may arise from peptide-independent recognition of polymorphic residues of foreign MHC molecules or peptide-specific recognition of novel peptides presented by foreign MHC molecules. We investigated CD8+ T cell allorecognition using recombinant HLA class I/peptide complexes. Peptide-specific allorecognition was examined using tetramers of HLA-A*0201 representing five peptides derived from ubiquitously expressed self-proteins that are known to bind endogenously to HLA-A*0201. Distinct subsets of CD8+ T cells specific for each HLA-A*0201/peptide combination were detected within four in vitro-stimulated T cell populations specific for foreign HLA-A*0201. Peptide-independent allorecognition was investigated using artificial Ag-presenting constructs (aAPCs) coated with CD54, CD80, and functional densities of a single HLA-A*0201/peptide combination for four different peptides. None of the four T cell populations specific for foreign HLA-A*0201 were stimulated by the aAPCs, whereas they did produce IFN-γ upon stimulation with cells naturally expressing HLA-A*0201. Thus, aAPCs did not stimulate putative peptide-independent allorestricted T cells. The results show that these alloreactive populations comprise subsets of T cells, each specific for a self-peptide presented by foreign class I molecules, with no evidence of peptide-independent components.
The kinetics, function, and regulation of P-selectin expressed by human brain microvessel endothelial cells in primary culture.

P-selectin is an endothelial cell adhesion glycoprotein expressed on the cell surface early in inflammation where it binds to blood leukocytes. This study examines the expression, function, and regulation of P-selectin in primary cultures of human brain microvessel endothelial cells (HBMEC). Surface expression of P-selectin was minimal in unstimulated HBMEC; however, it was significantly augmented upon stimulation with histamine (10(-7)-10(-3) M) and thrombin (0.01-1 U/ml). Expression increased rapidly at 10 min and remained elevated at 60 min. Immunogold electron microscopy showed that histamine (10(-7) M) increased surface expression preferentially on the apical surface of subconfluent monolayers. A cell binding assay showed that the adhesion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to confluent monolayers was augmented after histamine treatment. Histamine-induced surface expression of P-selectin was blocked by the histamine H2 receptor antagonist cimetidine. The H1 receptor antagonist mepyramine had no effect. Expression was reduced by the extracellular calcium chelator EDTA and blocked by the cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor rolipram. Thus histamine and thrombin both increase P-selectin expression in HBMEC. Histamine mediates expression through the H2, but not the H1, receptor and calcium, whereas expression is reduced by cyclic AMP. The histamine-induced expression increases PMN binding to the HBMEC. These data suggest that P-selectin plays a role in the recruitment of acute inflammatory cells to the CNS.
An improved single-cell cDNA amplification method for efficient high-density oligonucleotide microarray analysis

A systems-level understanding of a small but essential population of cells in development or adulthood (e.g. somatic stem cells) requires accurate quantitative monitoring of genome-wide gene expression, ideally from single cells. We report here a strategy to globally amplify mRNAs from single cells for highly quantitative high-density oligonucleotide microarray analysis that combines a small number of directional PCR cycles with subsequent linear amplification. Using this strategy, both the representation of gene expression profiles and reproducibility between individual experiments are unambiguously improved from the original method, along with high coverage and accuracy. The immediate application of this method to single cells in the undifferentiated inner cell masses of mouse blastocysts at embryonic day (E) 3.5 revealed the presence of two populations of cells, one with primitive endoderm (PE) expression and the other with pluripotent epiblast-like gene expression. The genes expressed differentially between these two populations were well preserved in morphologically differentiated PE and epiblast in the embryos one day later (E4.5), demonstrating that the method successfully detects subtle but essential differences in gene expression at the single-cell level among seemingly homogeneous cell populations. This study provides a strategy to analyze biophysical events in medicine as well as in neural, stem cell and developmental biology, where small numbers of distinctive or diseased cells play critical roles.
Using declarative invariants for protecting file-system integrity

We have been developing a framework, called Recon, that uses runtime checking to protect the integrity of file-system metadata on disk. Recon performs consistency checks at commit points in transaction-based file systems. We define declarative statements called consistency invariants for a file system, which must be satisfied by each transaction being committed to disk. By checking each transaction before it commits, we prevent any corruption to file-system metadata from reaching the disk. Our prototype system required writing the consistency invariants in C. In this paper, we argue that using a declarative language to express and check these invariants improves the clarity of the rules, making them easier to reason about, verify, and port to new file systems. We describe how file system invariants can be written and checked using the Datalog declarative language in the Recon framework.
Chemoattractants Induce a Rapid and Transient Upregulation of Monocyte α4 Integrin Affinity for Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 Which Mediates Arrest

Chemoattractants and chemokines induce arrest of rolling monocytes during emigration from blood into tissues. In this study, we demonstrated that α4 integrin affinity for vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 was upregulated rapidly and transiently by chemoattractants and stromal cell–derived factor (SDF)-1α and mediated monocyte arrest. α4 integrin affinity changes were detected and blocked using soluble VCAM-1/Fc (sVCAM-1/Fc). In a flow cytometry assay, markedly increased sVCAM-1/Fc binding to human blood monocytes or U937 cells transfected with formyl peptide (FP) receptor was detected 30 s after FP or SDF-1α treatment and declined after 2 min. In a parallel plate flow chamber assay, FP, C5a, platelet-activating factor, or SDF-1α coimmobilized with VCAM-1 induced leukocyte arrest, which was blocked by inclusion of sVCAM-1/Fc but not soluble nonimmune immunoglobulin G in the assay buffer.
PSEUDOHYPOPARATHYROIDISM ASSOCIATED WITH CRI DU CHAT SYNDROME

A case is reported in which features of pseudohypoparathyroidism were found in association with the cri du chat syndrome. This association may throw some light on the localization of the chromosomal aberration which underlies pseudohypoparathyroidism, since deletion of the short arm of chromosome 5 has been clearly established in the cri du chat syndrome.
A Novel Over Modulation Strategy for Two-Stage Matrix Converter

A lot of research has been made on space vector modulation (SVM) strategy of matrix converter, but research on over modulation strategy of MC is almost blank. This paper analyzed conventional control theory of two-stage matrix converter, derived voltage transmission characteristic, then presented an over modulation method, which covered the entire over modulation range. The method was divided into two steps. The rectifier side was first separated into six intervals to get the maximum DC voltage, and then a novel over modulation strategy was invented for the inverter side, which effectively enhanced voltage transfer ratio to 1.05 with good linearity. At last, the method was extensively investigated with matlab under both output voltage and spectrum wave. Theoretical analysis and simulation results showed that the over modulation methodology proposed in this paper was feasible and liable.
Designing Gaze Simulation for People with Visual Disability

In face-to-face communication, eye gaze is integral to a conversation to supplement verbal language. The sighted often uses eye gaze to convey nonverbal information in social interactions, which a blind conversation partner cannot access and react. My doctoral research is to design gaze simulation for the blind person, to improve the conversation quality between sighted and blind people in face-to-face communication. Designing gaze simulation will consist of two primary parts: to help the blind person feel the gaze from the sighted and to simulate the natural gaze for the blind person as a visual reaction. This paper outlines the motivation, context, research methods, and completed and future steps of my research.
The Determinants of Donative Revenue Flows from Alumni of Higher Education: An Empirical Inquiry

Institutions of higher education are increasingly relying upon alumni giving and endowment earnings as sources of funding. This paper utilizes a new database on average alumni donations at the institutional level and institutional characteristics to explore the role that lagged institutional characteristics and policy have on subsequent donations to the institution. Our results confirm the noncontemporaneous effects of variations in the average scholastic achievement of matriculated students (a proxy for both student quality and student socioeconomic status) on subsequent donative revenue flows and indirectly address some of the open questions left by previous theoretical inquiries.
Multi-Resident Human Behaviour Identification in Ambient Assisted Living Environments

Multimodal interactions in ambient assisted living environments require human behaviour to be recognized and monitored automatically. The complex nature of human behaviour makes it extremely difficult to infer and adapt to, especially in multi-resident environments. This proposed research aims to contribute to the multimodal interaction community by (i) providing publicly available, naturalistic, rich and annotated datasets for human behaviour modeling, (ii) introducing evaluation methods of several inference methods from a behaviour monitoring perspective, (iii) developing novel methods for recognizing individual behaviour in multi-resident smart environments without assuming any person identification, (iv) proposing methods for mitigating the scalability issues by using transfer, active, and semi-supervised learning techniques. The proposed studies will address both practical and methodological aspects of human behaviour recognition in smart interactive environments.
Mechanical Alloying for Fabrication of Fe50Ni30B20 Amorphous Alloys Powder

Fe50Ni30B20 amorphous Alloys powder was prepared by mechanical alloying (MA) with a high-energy planetary ball mill. The composition and non-crystallization changing process of the as-milled powder were studied by X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The microstructure and shape of the amorphous alloys powder was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Thermodynamic properties and crystallization kinetics behavior of the as-milled amorphous alloys powder were measured by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC).