Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An efficient background updating model for motion detection

In transit system, military, residential area and restricted area video surveillance system is getting more popular for motion detection and object extraction. Background updating process is the most important feature for motion detection in video surveillance system. In this paper, we proposed a novel algorithm for updating the background and therefore detection the motion of an object for a fixed video surveillance system. In our proposed method video frames are taken from a surveillance camera and then for updating background previous 40 frames from the video frames are used. Here pixel wise comparison is done for the previous frames so that maximum common pixel values are stored to get a temporary background. When the temporary background is obtained then it is compared to the last frame's pixel values and the common pixel values are stored as the permanent background. The pixel values which are not common to the both frame then these values are taken from the previous permanent frames which are common with the last frame. Now again if there is any mismatched pixel value remains then the temporary background's pixel value is stored as permanent background for this position. Finally we get the permanent background as an updated background. And now for motion detection, the next frame's pixel values are subtracted with the permanent background, if the value goes beyond a threshold value then there the object motion is detected. We have applied this method for different video datasets and obtained interesting and promising results.
Rho regulates T cell receptor ITAM‐induced lymphocyte spreading in an integrin‐independent manner

T cell receptor (TCR) engagement increases integrin‐mediated adhesion to APC, resulting in the stabilization of the T cell : APC interaction and the close apposition of the two cell membranes. Here we show that engagement of either the TCR or CD3 chimeras with immobilized antibodies causes the rapid spreading of T cells in an integrin‐independent fashion. This effect concurs with the polymerization of the actin cytoskeleton and is dependent on the integrity of the immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based activation motifs of the CD3 subunits. Expression of a dominant negative mutant of RhoA, as well as the Rho‐specific inhibitor C3 toxin, abolished TCR‐induced spreading. In contrast, constitutively active or dominant negative forms of Rac and Cdc42 did not affect cell spreading. We conclude that signals emanating from the TCR can directly induce T cell spreading, independently of integrins, and via a Rho‐dependent reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton.
Constitutive exposure of phosphatidylserine on viable cells

Apoptotic cells are quickly recognized and engulfed by phagocytes to prevent the release of noxious materials from dying cells. Phosphatidylserine (PS) exposed on the surface of apoptotic cells is a proposed “eat-me” signal for the phagocytes. Transmembrane protein 16F (TMEM16F), a membrane protein with eight transmembrane segments, has the Ca-dependent phospholipid scramblase activity. Here we show that when lymphoma cells were transformed with a constitutively active form of TMEM16F, they exposed a high level of PS that was comparable to that observed on apoptotic cells. The PS-exposing cells were morphologically normal and grew normally. They efficiently responded to interleukin 3 and underwent apoptosis upon treatment with Fas ligand. The viable PS-exposing cells bound to peritoneal macrophages at 4 °C, but not at 25 °C. Accordingly, these cells were not engulfed by macrophages. When apoptotic cells were injected i.v. into mice, they were phagocytosed by CD11c+CD8+ dendritic cells (DCs) in the spleen, but the PS-exposing living cells were not phagocytosed by these DCs. Furthermore, when PS-exposing lymphoma cells were transplanted s.c. into nude mice, they generated tumors as efficiently as parental lymphoma cells that did not expose PS. These results indicated that PS exposure alone is not sufficient to be recognized by macrophages as an eat-me signal.
Citation Based Indicators in Evaluation of Quality and Performance of Research and Researchers

One of the significant criteria for evaluation of the scientific activities of researchers, universities and organizations is evaluation of their scientific productions. However, in this evaluation, the most considerable point is neither the mere number of scientific works (production) nor the count of citations their works may receive. None of these factors alone can illustrate the quality of the researcher’s work (scientific activity). Therefore a combination of these two factors may be considered to reach a fair judgment. Various indexes have been suggested by the researchers from different fields to create an impartial evaluation index guaranteeing the inclusion of both of the quality and quantity aspects of the scientific productions of the researchers, organizations along with the impact of them as sources and assets of scientific production on their field as whole.
Opportunistic infections and other risks with newer multiple sclerosis therapies

The introduction of newer therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis has generated considerable optimism. That optimism has been tempered by the potential risks of these therapies, such as the risk for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. A review of the possible causes of reactivation of JC virus in this population has illustrated the need to better understand the untoward effects of monoclonal antibody therapies and other immunomodulatory therapies currently being contemplated for use in multiple sclerosis. These drugs alter the immune response at different sites, and most, if not all, affect more than one aspect of host immunity. Drawing from existing experience with the use of these immunomodulatory therapies in other conditions and that available from the limited experience with multiple sclerosis, we review their potential untoward effects. The latter include a predisposition to opportunistic and community‐acquired infections, an altered response to vaccination, the development of cancers, and the appearance of autoimmune diseases. The identification of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy as a risk of therapy is relatively straightforward in light of its rarity and high morbidity and mortality, but a relatively slight increased risk for more common and less disabling disorders may be overlooked. Determining the actual risk frequency for many of these complications will likely require careful postmarketing surveillance. Ann Neurol 2009;65:367–377
Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Capacity of Pomegranate Peel Extract (punica Granatuml.) Under Different Drying Temperatures

Pomegranate peels (Punica granatum L.) are considered non-edible parts or byproducts obtained during juice processing and characterized by the significant presence of polyphenols such as ellagitannins, ellagic acid, gallic acid and flavonoids, associated with biological properties such as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents. The objective of this study was to establish the antioxidant and antimicrobial capacity of aqueous and ethanolic extract of pomegranate peels, freeze-dried and oven dried to 60oC, through DPPH and ABTS radicals capture methods and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration with Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, using 5000-625 μg/ml concentrations. The values indicated were the following: antioxidant activity of aqueous extract of freeze-dried pomegranate peels 595.71 ± 0.2 μmolTrolox / g (DPPH) and 1056.34 ± 0.4 μmolTrolox / g (ABTS);the ethanolic extract showed 586.96 ± 0.1 μmolTrolox / g (DPPH) and 1035.98 ± 0.2 μmolTrolox / g (ABTS), while the aqueous extract of dried peels at 60 ° C presented 351,36±0,2 μmolTrolox/g (DPPH) and 871.73 ± 0.2 μmolTrolox / g (ABTS), and ethanolic extract with 359.21 ± 0.1 μmolTrolox / g (DPPH) and 885.04 ± 0.1 μmolTrolox / g (ABTS). Similar studies have indicated that pomegranate extracts are effective in inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, the aqueous and ethanolic extracts revealed no inhibitory and bactericidal activity for E. coli and S. tyhimurium; in addition, despite the higher antioxidant activity present in the extracts of lyophilized peels, no better antimicrobial results were pointed. All extracts indicated bactericidal activity for S. aureus at a minimum concentration of 650 μg / ml of extract.
Familial high‐density‐lipoprotein deficiency causing corneal opacities (fish eye disease) in a family of Dutch descent

Abstract. Fish eye disease (FED) is an extremely rare familial disorder characterized by severe HDL deficiency and extensive corneal opacities. This disorder appears to be a variant of familial lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency in which the enzyme remains partly active yet the ability of the enzyme to esterify cholesterol in high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) has been lost. The rarity of this disorder has limited advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of the HDL deficiency. However, we here describe the clinical and biochemical presentation of a family with FED who are of Dutch descent. The propositi presented with HDL deficiency and corneal opacity. Subsequently, they were diagnosed as having FED by the absence of LCAT activity against a small proteoliposome substrate despite the presence of half‐normal LCAT mass and a near‐normal ratio of unesterified to total cholesterol in plasma. Heterozygotes presented with half‐normal LCAT activity, but not with decreased HDL. With the identification of this three‐generation family, renewed investigation of this intriguing disorder of HDL is now possible.
Geographical mobility research with panel data.

"The objective of this article is to introduce panel survey data and to demonstrate its value for geographical mobility research [in the United States]. A brief history of panel surveys is provided that emphasizes the blossoming of this form of data collection during the past two decades. The potential utility of the Census Bureau's new Survey of Income and Program Participation is discussed at some greater length. "
The effect of surgical stress and endotoxin‐induced sepsis on the NK‐cell activity, distribution and pulmonary clearance of YAC‐1 and melanoma cells

Following surgery the activity of natural killer (NK) cells is decreased in the blood. It is possible that sepsis with release of endotoxin will further decrease the NK‐cell activity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the NK‐cell cytotoxicity, the clearance in the lungs of YAC‐1 and melanoma cells, as well as the distibution of NK‐cells in the liver, following abdominal surgery and intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered endotoxin. Ten mice in each group were allocated to abdominal surgery, i.p. endotoxin or anaesthesia alone. Following abdominal surgery, the cytotoxicity of NK‐cells isolated from the spleen was decreased and 4 h after injection the clearance of YAC‐1 cells from the lungs was only 79.5±6.1% compared to 99.5±0.3% in the control group. The number of NK‐cells in the liver was also significantly reduced following abdominal surgery. In contrast, i.p. endotoxin increased the activity of NK‐cells by 28.5% compared to 11.8% in the control group and 8.1% in the surgery group, lowered the number of melanoma metastases in extrapulmonary organs and significantly increased the number of NK‐cells in the liver. Following abdominal surgery, activity of NK‐cells, pulmonary clearance and number of NK‐cells in the liver were decreased. The number of NK‐cells in the liver correlated with the NK‐cell activity throughout the study. The increased NK‐cell cytotoxicity and the increased number of NK‐cells in the liver following i.p. administered endotoxin might initially be an appropriate measure against intra‐abdomnal infection.
Detection of a Novel Strain of Porcine Circovirus in Pigs with Postweaning Multisystemic Wasting Syndrome

ABSTRACT Swine infectious agents, especially viruses, are potential public health risks associated with the use of pig organs for xenotransplantation in humans. Therefore, there is a need for better characterization of swine viruses and for the development of diagnostic tests for their detection. We report here isolation of a novel strain of porcine circovirus (PCV) from pigs with postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). Affected pigs exhibited severe interstitial pneumonia and lymphoid depletion. The complete nucleotide sequence (1,768 nucleotides) of the genome of the PCV isolate was determined and compared with the sequence of the PCV strain isolated from PK-15 cells. Sequence comparison revealed significant differences between the two PCV strains, with an overall DNA homology of 76%. Two major open reading frames (ORFs) were identified. ORF1 was more conserved between the two strains, with 83% nucleotide homology and 86% amino acid homology. ORF2 was more variable, with nucleotide homology of 67% and amino acid homology of 65%. PCR and in situ hybridization demonstrated abundant viral DNA in various organs of pigs with PMWS. In situ hybridization demonstrated that this strain of PCV targets multiple organs and infects macrophages, lymphocytes, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells.
Epileptic seizures after a first stroke: the Oxfordshire community stroke project

Abstract Objective: To describe the immediate and long term risk of epileptic seizures after a first ever stroke. Design: Cohort study following up stroke survivors for 2 to 6.5 years; comparison with age specific incidence rates of epileptic seizures in the general population. Setting: Community based stroke register. Subjects: 675 patients with a first stroke, followed up for a minimum of 2 years. Main outcome measures: Occurrence of single and recurrent seizures. Results: 52 patients had one or more post stroke seizures; in 25 the seizures were recurrent. The 5 year actuarial risk of a post stroke seizure in survivors (excluding 19 patients with a history of epilepsy and 3 patients in whom the seizure occurred shortly before death from another cause) was 11.5% (95% confidence interval 4.8% to 18.2%). The relative risk of seizures, in comparison with the general population, was estimated at 35.2 in the first year after stroke and 19.0 in year 2. The risk of seizures was increased in survivors of subarachnoid and intracerebral haemorrhage (hazard ratio for intracranial haemorrhage v cerebral infarction 10.2 (3.7 to 27.9)). The risk of seizures after ischaemic stroke was substantial only in patients presenting with severe strokes due to total anterior circulation infarction. Only 9 of 295 patients (3%) independent one month after stroke suffered a seizure between 1 month and 5 years (actuarial risk 4.2% (0.1% to 8.3%)). Conclusion: Stroke patients have about an 11.5% risk of single or recurrent seizures in the first 5 years after a stroke. Patients with more severe strokes or haemorrhagic strokes are at higher risk. Key messages Cerebrovascular disease is an important cause of epilepsy but the risk of seizures after stroke may be overestimated by hospital based studies From a community based register, patients with a first ever stroke had a 2% risk of having a seizure at stroke onset and an 11% risk of having a later seizure in the first 5 years of follow up Patients with intracerebral and subarachnoid haemorrhage were at higher risk of seizures after stroke Survivors who were independent at 1 month were at very low risk of future seizures
ILSVRC on a Smartphone

In this work, to the best of our knowledge, we propose a stand-alone large-scale image classification system running on an Android smartphone. The objective of this work is to prove that mobile large-scale image classification requires no communication to external servers. To do that, we propose a scalar-based compression method for weight vectors of linear classifiers. As an additional characteristic, the proposed method does not need to uncompress the compressed vectors for evaluation of the classifiers, which brings the saving of recognition time. We have implemented a large-scale image classification system on an Android smartphone, which can perform 1000class classification for a given image in 0.270 seconds. In the experiment, we show that compressing the weights to 1/8 leaded to only 0.80% performance loss for 1000-class classification with the ILSVRC2012 dataset. In addition, the experimental results indicate that weight vectors compressed in low bits, even in the binarized case (bit=1), are still valid for classification of high dimensional vectors.
Socioeconomic impact of influenza on healthy children and their families

Background. Recent studies indicate that influenza can be clinically important in otherwise healthy children. However, the interpretation of many studies is limited because of lack of laboratory confirmation of influenza-like illnesses. Therefore it is difficult to conclude whether the socioeconomic impact of influenza justifies vaccinating all children regardless of age or underlying chronic disorders. Methods. We prospectively collected data from 3771 children younger than 14 years of age presenting to emergency departments or primary care pediatricians with symptoms of respiratory tract infection during the influenza season of 2001 to 2002. Influenza infections were verified by virus culture or polymerase chain reaction. We additionally randomized 303 children age 6 months to 5 years to receive either influenza vaccine (n = 202) or no vaccination (n = 101) before the influenza season. The socioeconomic impact of influenza was assessed for both the participating children and their household contacts. Results. Influenza was documented in 352 (9.3%) of the 3771 children. Compared with influenza-negative children, children with influenza had longer durations of fever and absenteeism from day care or school (P < 0.0001). Further the numbers of medical visits, missed work or school days and the need for help at home to care for the sick children were higher among the household contacts of influenza-positive children (P < 0.0001). Influenza vaccination reduced significantly the direct and indirect influenza-related costs in healthy children and their unvaccinated family members. Conclusions. The findings of this study support a wider use of influenza vaccine in healthy children of all ages to reduce the socioeconomic burden of influenza on the community.
T cell recognition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis peptides presented by HLA-E derived from infected human cells

HLA-E is a non-conventional MHC Class I molecule that has been recently demonstrated to present pathogen-derived ligands, resulting in the TCR-dependent activation of αβ CD8+ T cells. The goal of this study was to characterize the ligandome displayed by HLA-E following infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) using an in-depth mass spectrometry approach. Here we identified 28 Mtb ligands derived from 13 different source proteins, including the Esx family of proteins. When tested for activity with CD8+ T cells isolated from sixteen donors, nine of the ligands elicited an IFN-γ response from at least one donor, with fourteen of 16 donors responding to the Rv0634A19-29 peptide. Further evaluation of this immunodominant peptide response confirmed HLA-E restriction and the presence of Rv0634A19-29-reactive CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood of human donors. The identification of an Mtb HLA-E ligand that is commonly recognized may provide a target for a non-traditional vaccine strategy.
Research on gender equality practices by the general public and obstacles

The objective of this study is to examine various activities in elementary, middle and high schools that promote or impede gender equality. This study looked at how gender roles are divided in academic, extracurricular, and interpersonal activities in schools, both in class and outside of class, and the related impact on jobs and household activities in the future, by school-related and individual-related variables. To this end, this study surveyed 7,792 students, parents and 1,200 teachers. In addition, focus group interviews were conducted with 91 students, parents and teachers. The results indicate that the degrees of gender egalitarianism, gender separation in academic and extracurricular activities, and sexual division of roles vary widely depending on school-related and individual characteristicrelated variables. The results of this study suggest the need to develop a range of policybased plans for schools, families and educational authorities in order to combat juveniles’ stereotypes about gender roles and reduce the inequities in the division of gender roles.
HLA and NK Cell Inhibitory Receptor Genes in Resolving Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Natural killer (NK) cells provide a central defense against viral infection by using inhibitory and activation receptors for major histocompatibility complex class I molecules as a means of controlling their activity. We show that genes encoding the inhibitory NK cell receptor KIR2DL3 and its human leukocyte antigen C group1 (HLA-C1) ligand directly influence resolution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. This effect was observed in Caucasians and African Americans with expected low infectious doses of HCV but not in those with high-dose exposure, in whom the innate immune response is likely overwhelmed. The data strongly suggest that inhibitory NK cell interactions are important in determining antiviral immunity and that diminished inhibitory responses confer protection against HCV.
Organization and Function of APT, a Subcomplex of the Yeast Cleavage and Polyadenylation Factor Involved in the Formation of mRNA and Small Nucleolar RNA 3′-Ends*

Messenger RNA 3′-end formation is functionally coupled to transcription by RNA polymerase II. By tagging and purifying Ref2, a non-essential protein previously implicated in mRNA cleavage and termination, we isolated a multiprotein complex, holo-CPF, containing the yeast cleavage and polyadenylation factor (CPF) and six additional polypeptides. The latter can form a distinct complex, APT, in which Pti1, Swd2, a type I protein phosphatase (Glc7), Ssu72 (a TFIIB and RNA polymerase II-associated factor), Ref2, and Syc1 are associated with the Pta1 subunit of CPF. Systematic tagging and purification of holo-CPF subunits revealed that yeast extracts contain similar amounts of CPF and holo-CPF. By purifying holo-CPF from strains lacking Ref2 or containing truncated subunits, subcomplexes were isolated that revealed additional aspects of the architecture of APT and holo-CPF. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to localize Ref2, Ssu72, Pta1, and other APT subunits on small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) genes and primarily near the polyadenylation signals of the constitutively expressed PYK1 and PMA1 genes. Use of mutant components of APT revealed that Ssu72 is important for preventing readthrough-dependent expression of downstream genes for both snoRNAs and polyadenylated transcripts. Ref2 and Pta1 similarly affect at least one snoRNA transcript.
Characterization of Cholecystokinin from the Human Brain

Abstract: Human forms of cholecystokinin have not previously been characterized chemically. In this study, we have extracted and purified the predominant molecular form of cholecystokinin present in human cerebral cortex. The peptide was characterized by amino acid analysis, automated peptide sequencing, and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. It appears to be identical to porcine cholecystokinin‐octapeptide, with the sequence of Asp‐Tyr(SO3)‐Met‐Gly‐Trp‐Met‐Asp‐Phe(NH2). This structural identity is consistent with the observations that the peptide in human brain and porcine cholecystokinin‐octapeptide are recognized similarly by a battery of antisera to porcine cholecystokinin; that they coelute from several chromatographic systems, including gel filtration, ion exchange, and reversed‐phase; and that they possess similar biological activities.