Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moving Shadows Removal using HSV Color Space and Texture Analysis

The paper presents a new approach for detection of moving shadows. The approach is based on the assumption that shadow regions are darker than the corresponding background but have the same chromacity and texture. We use both HSV and RGB color spaces to extract spectral information and combine two texture features to detect moving cast shadows. Firstly, candidate shadow regions are extracted by spectral analysis. Secondly, we use proposed extended Local Ternary Pattern in the paper, improved edge information, and HSV color space analysis to attain three shadow detectors which are used to vote to select the final shadows, respectively. Our approach is much more effective than other five typical algorithms according to the experimental results.
A coarsening of the strong mixing condition

Let {Xt : t ∈ Z} be a collection of random variables defined on some probability space (Ω,F , P ). Mixing conditions provide one way to formalize the notion that these random variables are only weakly dependent on one another. There are many ways to define mixing; the monographs by Doukhan [8] and Bradley [5] list five classical definitions. The oldest and most general of these is the α-mixing condition of Rosenblatt [13, 4], also known as strong mixing. For any nonempty set of integers T , let FT ⊂ F denote the σ-field generated by the random variables {Xt : t ∈ T }. The α-mixing coefficients {αr : r ∈ N} associated with {Xt} are given by αr = sup S,T sup A∈FS,B∈FT |P (A ∩B)− P (A)P (B)| , (1.1)
Routine based OS-aware microprocessor resource adaptation for run-time operating system power saving

The increasingly constrained power budget of today's microprocessor has resulted in a situation where power savings of all components in a system have to be taken into consideration. The operating system (OS) is a major power consumer in many modem applications execution. This paper advocates a routine based OS-aware microprocessor resource adaptation mechanism targeting run-time OS power savings. Simulation results show that compared with the existing sampling-based adaptation schemes, this novel methodology yields more attractive power and performance trade-off on the OS execution. To our knowledge, this paper is the first to address the power saving issue of the OS itself, an increasingly important area that has been largely overlooked in the previous studies.
CPW fed substrate integrated waveguide based band pass filter in K band

In this paper Substrate Integrated Waveguide based band pass filter is developed in K band for satellite communication applications. A compact iris coupled fourth order band pass filter having a flat pass band from 22.2GHz to 24.76GHz is designed using Rogers RT/Duroid 5880 substrate. The filter has a maximum insertion loss of 0.8dB and a maximum return loss of 17.6dB in the pass band of operation. The filter is highly miniaturized and measures a size of 15mm×28mm×. 508mm.
Leukocyte transmigration across endothelial and extracellular matrix protein barriers in liver ischemia/reperfusion injury

Purpose of reviewHepatic ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) linked to leukocyte recruitment and subsequent release of cytokines and free radicals remains a significant complication in organ transplantation. The aim of this review is to bring attention to advances made in our understanding of the mechanisms of leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammatory stimulation in liver IRI. Recent findingsLeukocyte transmigration across endothelial and extracellular matrix barriers is dependent on adhesive events, as well as on focal matrix degradation mechanisms. Whereas adhesion molecules are critical for the successful promotion of leukocyte transmigration by providing leukocyte attachment to the vascular endothelium, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important for facilitating leukocyte movement across vascular barriers. Among different MMPs, MMP-9, an inducible gelatinase expressed by leukocytes during hepatic IRI, is emerging as an important mediator of leukocyte traffic to inflamed liver. SummaryIt is generally accepted that the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in leukocyte recruitment will lead to the development of novel targeted therapeutic approaches for hepatic IRI and liver transplantation. Here, we review mechanisms of leukocyte traffic in liver IRI and the role of some of the proteins that are thought to be important for this process.
The SloR/Dlg Metalloregulator Modulates Streptococcus mutans Virulence Gene Expression

ABSTRACT Metal ion availability in the human oral cavity plays a putative role in Streptococcus mutans virulence gene expression and in appropriate formation of the plaque biofilm. In this report, we present evidence that supports such a role for the DtxR-like SloR metalloregulator (called Dlg in our previous publications) in this oral pathogen. Specifically, the results of gel mobility shift assays revealed the sloABC, sloR, comDE, ropA, sod, and spaP promoters as targets of SloR binding. We confirmed differential expression of these genes in a GMS584 SloR-deficient mutant versus the UA159 wild-type progenitor by real-time semiquantitative reverse transcriptase PCR experiments. The results of additional expression studies support a role for SloR in S. mutans control of glucosyltransferases, glucan binding proteins, and genes relevant to antibiotic resistance. Phenotypic analysis of GMS584 revealed that it forms aberrant biofilms on an abiotic surface, is compromised for genetic competence, and demonstrates heightened incorporation of iron and manganese as well as resistance to oxidative stress compared to the wild type. Taken together, these findings support a role for SloR in S. mutans adherence, biofilm formation, genetic competence, metal ion homeostasis, oxidative stress tolerance, and antibiotic gene regulation, all of which contribute to S. mutans-induced disease.
Au micro-pattern fabrication on cellulose paper: comparison of μ-contact printing and liftoff techniques

Micro-contact printing (μ-CP) and liftoff techniques were employed to fabricate Au micro-patterns onto electro-active paper (EAPap) for biodegradable and flexible microelectromechanical system (MEMS) application. Conventional lithography and etching techniques cannot be utilized to fabricate micropatterns on EAPap having interesting actuating properties due to its hydrophilic and flexible characteristics. The cause of nanodefects on the Au pattern after the μ-CP process was investigated to enhance the pattern quality. Three different solvents were utilized to investigate the consequence of the solvent polarity during the 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) fabrication and after the μ-CP process. The defects, such as microcracks and nanograins, were closely related to the solvent polarity. The higher polar solvent turned out smaller defects than the lower polar solvent due to the reduction of the solvent swell onto the PDMS stamp during SAM layer formation. The liftoff technique exhibited a new way of fabricating various metal patterns on EAPap without any nanodefects.
Adaptation with gene flow across the landscape in a dune sunflower

Isolation by adaptation increases divergence at neutral loci when natural selection against immigrants reduces the rate of gene flow between different habitats. This can occur early in the process of adaptive divergence and is a key feature of ecological speciation. Despite the ability of isolation by distance (IBD) and other forms of landscape resistance to produce similar patterns of neutral divergence within species, few studies have used landscape genetics to control for these other forces. We have studied the divergence of Helianthus petiolaris ecotypes living in active sand dunes and adjacent non‐dune habitat, using landscape genetics approaches, such as circuit theory and multiple regression of distance matrices, in addition to coalescent modelling. Divergence between habitats was significant, but not strong, and was shaped by IBD. We expected that increased resistance owing to patchy and unfavourable habitat in the dunes would contribute to divergence. Instead, we found that landscape resistance models with lower resistance in the dunes performed well as predictors of genetic distances among subpopulations. Nevertheless, habitat class remained a strong predictor of genetic distance when controlling for isolation by resistance and IBD. We also measured environmental variables at each site and confirmed that specific variables, especially soil nitrogen and vegetation cover, explained a greater proportion of variance in genetic distance than did landscape or the habitat classification alone. Asymmetry in effective population sizes and numbers of migrants per generation was detected using coalescent modelling with Bayesian inference, which is consistent with incipient ecological speciation being driven by the dune habitat.
Efficient nonmeiotic allele introgression in livestock using custom endonucleases

Significance Selective breeding has long been practiced to enrich for desirable DNA variation that influences livestock traits. We demonstrate that genetic variants can be directly introgressed into livestock genomes using a modified transcription activator-like effector nuclease system. The transient exposure of livestock cells to sequence-targeted editors stimulates homology-directed repair to levels that eliminate the need for transgene-dependent selection. Use of oligonucleotide template enables efficient single nucleotide changes to the genome and permits the transmission of both natural and novel DNA sequence variants into naïve livestock breeds and species. Gene editing offers a powerful method for accelerating the genetic improvement of livestock for food and also for developing swine as a resource for regenerative medicine and models of human disease. We have expanded the livestock gene editing toolbox to include transcription activator-like (TAL) effector nuclease (TALEN)- and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9-stimulated homology-directed repair (HDR) using plasmid, rAAV, and oligonucleotide templates. Toward the genetic dehorning of dairy cattle, we introgressed a bovine POLLED allele into horned bull fibroblasts. Single nucleotide alterations or small indels were introduced into 14 additional genes in pig, goat, and cattle fibroblasts using TALEN mRNA and oligonucleotide transfection with efficiencies of 10–50% in populations. Several of the chosen edits mimic naturally occurring performance-enhancing or disease- resistance alleles, including alteration of single base pairs. Up to 70% of the fibroblast colonies propagated without selection harbored the intended edits, of which more than one-half were homozygous. Edited fibroblasts were used to generate pigs with knockout alleles in the DAZL and APC genes to model infertility and colon cancer. Our methods enable unprecedented meiosis-free intraspecific and interspecific introgression of select alleles in livestock for agricultural and biomedical applications.
A UML-Based Approach to Testing Web Applications

This paper proposes a practical test model and test approach for Web applications based on use cases and their corresponding sequence diagrams. Large Web applications are modeled as hierarchical profile use-case diagrams called UCTM (use case transition model). From the hierarchical UCTM, the sequential dependency relationship of use cases can be gained. Traversing the UCTM from top to down, each use case is described by sequence diagram, which can be converted automatically into a restricted message-on-vertex graph (RMOVG). A vertex in RMOVG represents one message in sequence diagram. To reduce the number of test cases generated, the constraint message coverage (CMC) criterion is proposed. According to the CMC criterion, each message in sequence diagram must be visited at least once. Test cases generated from RMOVG can satisfy CMC criterion and reduce the number of test cases. The proposed approach is a significant supplement to the existing Web application testing techniques.
Unimpeded skin carcinogenesis in K14‐HPV16 transgenic mice deficient for plasminogen activator inhibitor

Angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling and cell migration are associated with cancer progression and involve at least, the plasminogen activating system and its main physiological inhibitor, the plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1). Considering the recognized importance of PAI‐1 in the regulation of tumor angiogenesis and invasion in murine models of skin tumor transplantation, we explored the functional significance of PAI‐1 during early stages of neoplastic progression in the transgenic mouse model of multistage epithelial carcinogenesis (K14‐HPV16 mice). We have studied the effect of genetic deletion of PAI‐1 on inflammation, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis and tumor progression. In this model, PAI‐1 deficiency neither impaired keratinocyte hyperproliferation or tumor development nor affected the infiltration of inflammatory cells and development of angiogenic or lymphangiogenic vasculature. We are reporting evidence for concomitant lymphangiogenic and angiogenic switches independent to PAI‐1 status. Taken together, these data indicate that PAI‐1 is not rate limiting for neoplastic progression and vascularization during premalignant progression, or that there is a functional redundancy between PAI‐1 and other tumor regulators, masking the effect of PAI‐1 deficiency in this long‐term model of multistage epithelial carcinogenesis.
Experience in the design and development of a game based on head-tracking input

Tracking technologies, such as eye and head-tracking, provide novel techniques for interacting with video games. For instance, players can shoot with their eyes in a first person shooter using gaze-based input. Head-tracking systems allow players to look around a virtual cockpit by simply moving their head. However, tracking systems are typically based on expensive specialized equipment. The prohibitive costs of such systems have motivated the creation of low-cost head-tracking solutions using simple web cameras and infrared light detection. In this paper, we describe our experience developing a simple shooting game which incorporates such low-cost head-tracking technology.
Horizontally Acquired Glycosyltransferase Operons Drive Salmonellae Lipopolysaccharide Diversity

The immunodominant lipopolysaccharide is a key antigenic factor for Gram-negative pathogens such as salmonellae where it plays key roles in host adaptation, virulence, immune evasion, and persistence. Variation in the lipopolysaccharide is also the major differentiating factor that is used to classify Salmonella into over 2600 serovars as part of the Kaufmann-White scheme. While lipopolysaccharide diversity is generally associated with sequence variation in the lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis operon, extraneous genetic factors such as those encoded by the glucosyltransferase (gtr) operons provide further structural heterogeneity by adding additional sugars onto the O-antigen component of the lipopolysaccharide. Here we identify and examine the O-antigen modifying glucosyltransferase genes from the genomes of Salmonella enterica and Salmonella bongori serovars. We show that Salmonella generally carries between 1 and 4 gtr operons that we have classified into 10 families on the basis of gtrC sequence with apparent O-antigen modification detected for five of these families. The gtr operons localize to bacteriophage-associated genomic regions and exhibit a dynamic evolutionary history driven by recombination and gene shuffling events leading to new gene combinations. Furthermore, evidence of Dam- and OxyR-dependent phase variation of gtr gene expression was identified within eight gtr families. Thus, as O-antigen modification generates significant intra- and inter-strain phenotypic diversity, gtr-mediated modification is fundamental in assessing Salmonella strain variability. This will inform appropriate vaccine and diagnostic approaches, in addition to contributing to our understanding of host-pathogen interactions.
Alterations in Corneal Sensory Nerves During Homeostasis, Aging, and After Injury in Mice Lacking the Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Syndecan-1

Purpose To determine the impact of the loss of syndecan 1 (SDC1) on intraepithelial corneal nerves (ICNs) during homeostasis, aging, and in response to 1.5-mm trephine and debridement injury. Methods Whole-mount corneas are used to quantify ICN density and thickness over time after birth and in response to injury in SDC1-null and wild-type (WT) mice. High-resolution three-dimensional imaging is used to visualize intraepithelial nerve terminals (INTs), axon fragments, and lysosomes in corneal epithelial cells using antibodies against growth associated protein 43 (GAP43), βIII tubulin, and LAMP1. Quantitative PCR was performed to quantify expression of SDC1, SDC2, SDC3, and SDC4 in corneal epithelial mRNA. Phagocytosis was assessed by quantifying internalization of fluorescently labeled 1-μm latex beads. Results Intraepithelial corneal nerves innervate the corneas of SDC1-null mice more slowly. At 8 weeks, ICN density is less but thickness is greater. Apically projecting intraepithelial nerve terminals and lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 1 (LAMP1) are also reduced in unwounded SDC1-null corneas. Quantitative PCR and immunofluorescence studies show that SDC3 expression and localization are increased in SDC1-null ICNs. Wild-type and SDC1-null corneas lose ICN density and thickness as they age. Recovery of axon density and thickness after trephine but not debridement wounds is slower in SDC1-null corneas compared with WT. Experiments assessing phagocytosis show reduced bead internalization by SDC1-null epithelial cells. Conclusions Syndecan-1 deficiency alters ICN morphology and homeostasis during aging, reduces epithelial phagocytosis, and impairs reinnervation after trephine but not debridement injury. These data provide insight into the mechanisms used by sensory nerves to reinnervate after injury.
Hindi Compound Verbs and their Automatic Extraction

We analyse Hindi complex predicates and propose linguistic tests for their detection. This analysis enables us to identify a category of V+V complex predicates called lexical compound verbs (LCpdVs) which need to be stored in the dictionary. Based on the linguistic analysis, a simple automatic method has been devised for extracting LCpdVs from corpora. We achieve an accuracy of around 98% in this task. The LCpdVs thus extracted may be used to automatically augment lexical resources like wordnets, an otherwise time consuming and labourintensive process
OVERSCREENED MULTICHANNEL SU(N) KONDO MODEL : LARGE-N SOLUTION AND CONFORMAL FIELD THEORY

The multichannel Kondo model with $\mathrm{SU}(N)$ spin symmetry and $\mathrm{SU}(K)$ channel symmetry is considered. The impurity spin is chosen to transform as an antisymmetric representation of $\mathrm{SU}(N),$ corresponding to a fixed number of Abrikosov fermions ${\ensuremath{\sum}}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}{f}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ifmmode\dagger\else\textdagger\fi{}}{f}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}=Q. $ For more than one channel $(Kg1),$ and all values of $N$ and $Q,$ the model displays non-Fermi behavior associated with the overscreening of the impurity spin. Universal low-temperature thermodynamic and transport properties of this non-Fermi-liquid state are computed using conformal field theory methods. A large-$N$ limit of the model is then considered, in which $K/N\ensuremath{\equiv}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ and $Q/N\ensuremath{\equiv}{q}_{0}$ are held fixed. Spectral densities satisfy coupled integral equations in this limit, corresponding to a (time-dependent) saddle point. A low-frequency, low-temperature analysis of these equations reveals universal scaling properties in the variable $\ensuremath{\omega}/T,$ in agreement with conformal invariance. The universal scaling form is obtained analytically and used to compute the low-temperature universal properties of the model in the large-$N$ limit, such as the $T=0$ residual entropy and residual resistivity, and the critical exponents associated with the specific heat and susceptibility. The connections with the ``noncrossing approximation'' and the previous work of Cox and Ruckenstein are discussed.
Current Trends in Treating Hearing Loss in Elderly People: A Review of the Technology and Treatment Options – A Mini-Review

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2025 there will be approximately 1.2 billion people in the world over the age of 60, which marks a shift in world population to a greater proportion of older people. An estimated 70–80% of adults between 65 and 75 years of age suffer from presbycusis, or age-related, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (HL) in the high frequencies. Presbycusis is correlated with decreased quality of life (QoL) and depression and according to WHO, is a leading cause of years lived with disability in the adult years. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to review the body of literature on treatment options and considerations for the elderly population, as there is a variety of audio-technology available today to treat presbycusis. Methods: A PubMed literature search was conducted using the keywords ‘presbycusis/presbyacusis/geriatric AND hearing aids/cochlear implants/electric acoustic stimulation/middle ear implants’ and ‘elderly AND cochlear implants’. References were also mined from papers found. Results: 431 articles were considered in this review of treatment options for elderly patients suffering from presbycusis. Conclusion: Hearing aids and cochlear implants (CIs) are the most commonly used devices for treating mild-severe presbycusis. Reported outcomes with hearing aids indicate they are an effective method for treating mild-moderate HL in cases where the patient is appropriately fitted and is willing, motivated, and able to use the device. Depending on the type and severity of the HL and the specific needs of the patient, electric-acoustic stimulation and active middle ear implants may also be appropriate solutions for treating presbycusis. Finally, very positive QoL and speech perception outcomes have been documented in treating severe-profound presbycusis with CIs. In some studies, QoL outcomes have even exceeded expectations of elderly patients.
Analysis of persistency of lactation calculated from a random regression test day model

Persistency of lactation is the ability of a cow to continue producing milk at a high level after the peak of her lactation. Differences in persistency, if not properly accounted for, reduce accuracy of genetic evaluation when incomplete records are used. Persistency has also direct economic value. Reduction of feed, health and reproductive costs are the major factors which favour more persistent cows (Dekkers et al., 1996; Solkner and Fuchs, 1987). Persistency can be measured in many different ways (Gengler, 1996). The major concepts are based on ratios of partial and total yields, variation of yields during the lactation or shape of the lactation curve. Random regression models for test day (TD) yields (Jamrozik et al., 1997a) allow curves to be estimated for each lactation of every cow. Therefore, a measure of persistency based on the shape of the lactation curve after peak seems to be a natural way of describing potential to maintain the level of production. Milk, fat and protein TD yields have slightly different lactation curves. Curves for different lactations also differ in shape. Therefore, persistency for milk, fat and protein yields in consecutive lactations might be considered as different traits. The objective of this study was to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for milk, fat and protein persistencies, defined as the slope of the lactation curve after the peak, in the first three lactations of Canadian Holsteins. Possible expressions of estimated breeding values for first lactation milk persistency are also discussed. Materials and Methods