Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RAID

As humans, we regularly interpret scenes based on how objects are related, rather than based on the objects themselves. For example, we see a person riding an object X or a plank bridging two objects. Current methods provide limited support to search for content based on such relations. We present raid, a relation-augmented image descriptor that supports queries based on inter-region relations. The key idea of our descriptor is to encode region-to-region relations as the spatial distribution of point-to-region relationships between two image regions. raid allows sketch-based retrieval and requires minimal training data, thus making it suited even for querying uncommon relations. We evaluate the proposed descriptor by querying into large image databases and successfully extract non-trivial images demonstrating complex inter-region relations, which are easily missed or erroneously classified by existing methods. We assess the robustness of raid on multiple datasets even when the region segmentation is computed automatically or very noisy.
Shape verification using belief updating

This paper addresses the problem of2D shape representation and its application to object verification. We show how knowledge of shape can be integrated in a principled manner with low-level evidence such as an estimate of object position and an edge strength map. We begin by considering the role of shape in image interpretation and discuss the criteria which should be applied in assessing representations of shape. We propose new criteria, particularly as regards the ability to model variability, and describe a Chord Length Distribution (CLD) representation of shape which possesses many desirable properties. We show how the CLD representation can be used in an iterative belief-updating scheme for object location and verification. We give experimental results which demonstrate the feasibility of the method and discuss future developments.
Highly Effective Control of an AIDS Virus Challenge in Macaques by Using Vesicular Stomatitis Virus and Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Vaccine Vectors in a Single-Boost Protocol

ABSTRACT Previous studies have shown that vaccination and boosting of rhesus macaques with attenuated vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) vectors encoding Env and Gag proteins of simian immunodeficiency virus-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) hybrid viruses protect rhesus macaques from AIDS after challenge with the highly pathogenic SHIV 89.6P (23). In the present study, we compared the effectiveness of a single prime-boost protocol consisting of VSV vectors expressing SHIV Env, Gag, and Pol proteins to that of a protocol consisting of a VSV vector prime followed with a single boost with modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing the same SHIV proteins. After challenge with SHIV 89.6P, MVA-boosted animals controlled peak challenge viral loads to less than 2 × 106 copies/ml (a level significantly lower than that seen with VSV-boosted animals and lower than those reported for other vaccine studies employing the same challenge). MVA-boosted animals have shown excellent preservation of CD4+ T cells, while two of four VSV-boosted animals have shown significant loss of CD4+ T cells. The improved protection in MVA-boosted animals correlates with trends toward stronger prechallenge CD8+-T-cell responses to SHIV antigens and stronger postchallenge SHIV-neutralizing antibody production.
A Cross-Case Analysis of Possible Facial Emotion Extraction Methods that Could Be Used in Second Life - Pre Experimental Work

This research-in-brief compares – based on documentation and web sites information -- findings of three different facial emotion extraction methods and puts forward possibilities of implementing the methods to Second Life. The motivation for the research stemmed from a literature review which indicated that current virtual communication tools did not satisfy users. The review showed that people preferred real-life like communication in virtual environments due to higher immersion and better user experience. Research revealed three methods used to create avatar facial expressiveness using facial emotion extraction. The three methods found were: Extracting emotion through user texts to apply to avatar facial features in real-time Using Microsoft’s Kinect technology to capture user facial motion to apply to the avatars’ in real-time Extracting emotion through video capture of user’s facial expressions via webcam in real-time. This research analyzed the three methods in terms of implementation, integration and feasibility in Second Life.
Human Mast Cell Activation by Staphylococcus aureus: Interleukin-8 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Release and the Role of Toll-Like Receptor 2 and CD48 Molecules

ABSTRACT The ability of Staphylococcus aureus to invade and survive within host cells is believed to contribute to its propensity to cause persistent and metastatic infections. In addition, S. aureus infections often are associated with atopic diseases such as dermatitis, rhinitis, and asthma. Mast cells, the key cells of allergic diseases, have a pivotal role in innate immunity and have the capacity of phagocytosis, and they can destroy some pathogenic bacteria. However, little is known about the ability of some other bacteria to survive and overcome mast cell phagocytosis. Therefore, we were interested in evaluating the interplay between mast cells and S. aureus. In this study, we show that human cord blood-derived mast cells (CBMC) can be infected by pathogenic S. aureus. S. aureus displayed a high adherence to mast cells as well as invasive and survival abilities within them. However, when infections were performed in the presence of cytochalasin D or when CBMC were preincubated with anti-Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) or anti-CD48 antibodies, the invasiveness and the inflammatory response were abrogated, respectively. Furthermore, we observed an increase of TLR2 and CD48 molecules on CBMC after S. aureus infection. The infection of CBMC with S. aureus also caused the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Both live and killed S. aureus organisms were found to trigger TNF-α and IL-8 release by CBMC in a time-dependent manner. Cumulatively, these findings suggest that S. aureus internalizes and survives in mast cells. This may play an important role in infections and in atopic diseases associated with S. aureus.
Energy-Efficient Oriented Routing Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks

The design and implementation of healthcare system using sensor network technology has been one of the most active research topics currently. The research on wireless sensor network mostly focuses on energy saving, such as duty cycle scheduling, and path routing, such as routing protocol for low power and lossy networks (RPL) which however only takes into account a single metric, reliability or energy, as routing decision. If RPL only considers the reliability metric, nodes will suffer from uneven energy. If it only considers the energy metric, nodes will suffer from the rise of packet loss ratio. In this paper, we propose an energy-oriented routing mechanism to improve RPL routing protocol by combining the expected transmission count (ETX) and remaining energy metrics. The simulation will be conducted to analyze the performance of the proposed mechanism.
DNA adducts and p53 mutations in a patient with aristolochic acid-associated nephropathy.

BACKGROUND Aristolochic acid-associated nephropathy (AAN) is a specific type of renal disease that predisposes patients to a high risk of urothelial carcinoma. The authors have analyzed DNA from a patient who had urothelial malignancy 6 years after presenting with AAN and later had a breast carcinoma that metastasized to the liver. METHODS AND RESULTS DNA was isolated from the primary breast tumor, the liver tumor, and the original urothelial malignancy and assayed for aristolochic acid (AA)-DNA adducts and mutations in the p53 gene. The adduct detected was the adenosine adduct of aristolochic acid I 7-(deoxyadenosin-N6-yl)aristolactam I (dA-AAI). In DNA from the breast and liver tumors the authors showed the same missense mutation in codon 245 (GGC-->GAC; Gly-->Asp) of exon 7 of p53. In contrast, DNA extracted from the urothelial tumor showed an AAG to TAG mutation in codon 139 (Lys-->Stop) of exon 5. CONCLUSION A to T transversions, as observed here, are the typical mutations observed in the H-ras gene of tumors induced when rodents are treated with AA and correspond with DNA adduct formation at adenosine residues. These data indicate the probable molecular mechanism whereby AA causes urothelial malignancy.
Exploring the Boundaries of Monad Tensorability on Set

We study a composition operation on monads, equivalently presented as large equational theories. Specifically, we discuss the existence of tensors, which are combinations of theories that impose mutual commutation of the operations from the component theories. As such, they extend the sum of two theories, which is just their unrestrained combination. Tensors of theories arise in several contexts; in particular, in the semantics of programming languages, the monad transformer for global state is given by a tensor. We present two main results: we show that the tensor of two monads need not in general exist by presenting two counterexamples, one of them involving finite powerset (i.e. the theory of join semilattices); this solves a somewhat long-standing open problem, and contrasts with recent results that had ruled out previously expected counterexamples. On the other hand, we show that tensors with bounded powerset monads do exist from countable powerset upwards.
Mia40 is a trans-site receptor that drives protein import into the mitochondrial intermembrane space by hydrophobic substrate binding

Many proteins of the mitochondrial IMS contain conserved cysteines that are oxidized to disulfide bonds during their import. The conserved IMS protein Mia40 is essential for the oxidation and import of these proteins. Mia40 consists of two functional elements: an N-terminal cysteine-proline-cysteine motif conferring substrate oxidation, and a C-terminal hydrophobic pocket for substrate binding. In this study, we generated yeast mutants to dissect both Mia40 activities genetically and biochemically. Thereby we show that the substrate-binding domain of Mia40 is both necessary and sufficient to promote protein import, indicating that trapping by Mia40 drives protein translocation. An oxidase-deficient Mia40 mutant is inviable, but can be partially rescued by the addition of the chemical oxidant diamide. Our results indicate that Mia40 predominantly serves as a trans-site receptor of mitochondria that binds incoming proteins via hydrophobic interactions thereby mediating protein translocation across the outer membrane by a ‘holding trap’ rather than a ‘folding trap’ mechanism. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.16177. 001
Patterns of histone acetylation suggest dual pathways for gene activation by a bifunctional locus control region

The five genes of the human growth hormone (hGH) cluster are expressed in either the pituitary or placenta. Activation of the cluster is dependent on a locus control region (LCR) comprising pituitary‐ specific (HSI,II, −15 kb), placenta‐specific (HSIV, −30 kb) and shared (HSIII, −28 kb; HSV, −32 kb) DNase I hypersensitive sites. Gene activation in the pituitary is paralleled by acetylation of a 32 kb chromatin domain 5′ to the cluster centered at HSI,II. In the present study we observed that acetylation of this region in placental chromatin was discretely limited to shared HSIII and HSV. Transgenic studies revealed placenta‐specific activation of linked genes by a determinant (P‐element) located 2 kb 5′ to each of the four placentally expressed genes. A localized peak of histone acetylation was observed at these P‐elements in placenta but not pituitary. These data support a model for bifunctional action of the hGH LCR in which separate positive determinants, HSI,II and the P‐elements, activate their respective target genes by tissue‐specific recruitment of distinctly regulated histone acetyl transferase activities.
Dystrophin Is Required for the Normal Function of the Cardio-Protective KATP Channel in Cardiomyocytes

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy patients often develop a cardiomyopathy for which the pathogenesis is still unknown. We have employed the murine animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (mdx), which develops a cardiomyopathy that includes some characteristics of the human disease, to study the molecular basis of this pathology. Here we show that the mdx mouse heart has defects consistent with alteration in compounds that regulate energy homeostasis including a marked decrease in creatine-phosphate (PC). In addition, the mdx heart is more susceptible to anoxia than controls. Since the cardio-protective ATP sensitive potassium channel (KATP) complex and PC have been shown to interact we investigated whether deficits in PC levels correlate with other molecular events including KATP ion channel complex presence, its functionality and interaction with dystrophin. We found that this channel complex is present in the dystrophic cardiac cell membrane but its ability to sense a drop in the intracellular ATP concentration and consequently open is compromised by the absence of dystrophin. We further demonstrate that the creatine kinase muscle isoform (CKm) is displaced from the plasma membrane of the mdx cardiac cells. Considering that CKm is a determinant of KATP channel complex function we hypothesize that dystrophin acts as a scaffolding protein organizing the KATP channel complex and the enzymes necessary for its correct functioning. Therefore, the lack of proper functioning of the cardio-protective KATP system in the mdx cardiomyocytes may be part of the mechanism contributing to development of cardiac disease in dystrophic patients.
The Intransitivity of Causation Revealed In Equations and Graphs

[Introduction] We live in exciting times. By 'we' I mean philosophers studying the nature of causation. The past decade or so has witnessed a flurry of philosophical activity aimed at cracking this nut, and, surprisingly, real progress has been made. Two developments are especially worthy of note. First, there has been a resurgence of interest in the counterfactual theory of causation, given its best-known formulation by David Lewis. Second, there has been increasing philosophical interest in the techniques of causal modeling developed and employed within fields such as econometrics, epidemiology, and artificial intelligence. These two developments have been largely independent and addressed to different sorts of problems. Work in the counterfactual tradition has been primarily concerned with issues involving "token" or "singular" causation, while work in the second tradition has tended to focus on issues concerning "type-level" or "general" causation.
Signaling pathways in insulin action: molecular targets of insulin resistance.

Insulin is the most potent anabolic hormone known and is essential for appropriate tissue development, growth, and maintenance of whole-body glucose homeostasis. This hormone is secreted by the β cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans in response to increased circulating levels of glucose and amino acids after a meal. Insulin regulates glucose homeostasis at many sites, reducing hepatic glucose output (via decreased gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis) and increasing the rate of glucose uptake, primarily into striated muscle and adipose tissue. In muscle and fat cells, the clearance of circulating glucose depends on the insulin-stimulated translocation of the glucose transporter GLUT4 isoform to the cell surface (see Shulman, this Perspective series, ref. 1). Insulin also profoundly affects lipid metabolism, increasing lipid synthesis in liver and fat cells, and attenuating fatty acid release from triglycerides in fat and muscle. Insulin resistance occurs when normal circulating concentrations of the hormone are insufficient to regulate these processes appropriately. Thus, by definition, insulin resistance is a defect in signal transduction. The signaling mechanisms involved in the various biologic responses to insulin remain somewhat elusive, but recent progress has shed light on a few pathways that are critical for its regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. Although insulin affects such diverse processes as cellular growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and lipid, protein, and glucose synthesis and breakdown, we focus here on the regulation of glucose transport as the rate-limiting step in glucose utilization and storage.
Resource Optimization for the Uplink of Two-hop Relay-based OFDMA Cellular Networks

Uplink resource allocation in OFDMA cellular networks enhanced with two-hop fixed relays is studied in this paper. A resource optimization problem that maximizes sum uplink throughput of all users is formulated under path selection and PHY/MAC constraints. The dual decomposition method is adopted to solve the problem efficiently and optimally. Dual problem of the primal problem is decoupled into N pertone subproblems, which can be efficiently solved by an exhaustive search when optimal power allocation is determined by KKT conditions for given user and its uplink path. Per-tone subproblems interact through dual variables. The numerical results show that the proposed optimal method can significantly improve the total capacity compared with existing suboptimal method.
Tropospheric transport climate partitioned by surface origin and transit time

[1] We perform the first analysis of tropospheric transport using the global boundary propagator Green function, 𝒢, which partitions air at every point and time according to both the transit time since last surface contact and the location of that contact. We compute 𝒢 for a 3-year period with the MATCH model driven by NCEP reanalyses. Last contact time is resolved in 3-d intervals, and last-contact location is resolved with a global tiling of 41 patches concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. The transport climate is quantified for four midlatitude receptor regions in terms of the seasonal mean surface-origin and transit-time partitioning of the column burden, the surface flux of newly arriving air, and the distribution of air mass in transit from source to receptor surface. At long transit times a nearly receptor-independent pattern of last-contact location is governed by where air is injected into the upper troposphere by deep convection and the high terrain of Tibet. The receptor origin composition of the column burden changes only slowly after ∼40 d for winter and fall, while the composition of the flux onto the receptor continues to change at ∼60 d. European and SE Asian air contribute comparably to the flux onto eastern North America, in spite of SE Asian air having the dominant burden. The flux of European air onto SE Asia in winter and fall is larger than the flux of SE Asian air onto Europe. The surface-to-surface transport mass distribution, ℛ, is used to identify transit-time-dependent source-receptor teleconnections.
Wireless voice command system based on Kalman filter and HMM models to control manipulator arm

The aim of this work is to implement on real-time a speech recognition module in order to control the movements of a five degree of freedom manipulator arm using a Kalman filter as a selector in noisy environment and HHM model to recognise 12 Arabic spotted words. The methodology adopted is based on detecting and spotting vocabulary words within a phrase generated by user, the system recognises the spotted words using Kalman filter to select these spotted words then a robust HMM (Hidden Markove Model) technique with cepstral coefficients to improve the recognition rate. To implement the approach on a real-time application, a Personal Computer parallel port interface was designed to control the movement of a set of stepper motors. The user can control the movements of five degree of freedom (DOF) for a robot arm using a vocal phrase containing spotted words.
Cerebral venous thrombosis revealing an ulcerative colitis

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) has been reported as an uncommon and devastating complication of ulcerative colitis (UC), with an annual incidence varying between 0,5 to 6,7%. It is suspected to be a consequence of the hypercoagulable state occurring during disease relapse. We report a case of 22-year-old female patient presenting with CVT revealing an UC. Our case raises the awareness among health professionals about the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) as a rare etiology of CVT, and signifies the importance of considering antithrombotic prophylaxis in all hospitalised IBD patients, especially those with active disease.
Interference-Aware Self-Optimizing Carrier Sensor for High Efficiency Wireless LANs in Dense Networks

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) can adopt dynamic channel access technologies such as dynamic bandwidth or channel hopping schemes in order to avoid interference for better link quality. However, in dense networks, the dynamic channel access leads to a higher probability of adjacent channel interference (ACI). The efficiency of IEEE 802.11-based WLANs using multi-channel and wide dynamic ranges is thus severely degraded by ACIs in dense networks. In this paper, we analyze the ACI effect on WLANs and propose an interference-aware self-optimizing carrier sensor design that incorporates a multichannel multi-level carrier sense and adaptive initial gain control scheme. This scheme controls carrier sensing thresholds in each band for multi-level sensors, as well as initial gains for amplifiers. The proposed scheme reduces false carrier sensing and avoids saturation of amplifiers while simultaneously improving the dynamic range of the receiver. Our prototype evaluation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can improve the dynamic range of the receiver by approximately 45 dB and 30 dB for a low data rate and a high data rate mode, respectively, compared with the conventional receiver designs. Furthermore, network emulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme can improve the average throughput and latency by approximately 32% (24%) and 41% (43%), respectively, compared with the conventional receiver designs (and channel hopping techniques) in dynamically varying interfered channel conditions.
Assessing Teacher Education

Productive strategies for evaluating outcomes are becoming increasingly important for the improvement, and even the survival, of teacher education. This article describes a set of research and assessment strategies used to evaluate program outcomes in the Stanford Teacher Education Program during a period of program redesign over the past 5 years. These include perceptual data on what candidates feel they have learned in the program (through surveys and interviews) as well as independent measures of what they have learned (data from pretests and posttests, performance assessments, work samples, employers’ surveys, and observations of practice). The article discusses the possibilities and limits of different tools for evaluating teachers and teacher education and describes future plans for assessing beginning teachers’ performance in teacher education, their practices in the initial years of teaching, and their pupils’ learning.
Dynamically adjustable antenna supporting multiple antenna modes

PURPOSE: A dynamically adjustable antenna supporting multiple antenna modes is provided to reconfigure the antenna to support different antenna modes at different operating frequencies by including resonant circuits that change impedance at different operating frequencies. CONSTITUTION: A housing(12) is formed from a dielectric or a conductivity material. A cover glass layer covers a display(14). The housing includes a peripheral conductive housing member(17). The peripheral conductive member is divided into a first segment that extends between gaps(19-1 and 19-2), a second segment that extends between gaps(19-2 and 19-3), a third segment that extends between gaps(19-3 and 19-4), and a fourth segment that extends between gaps(19-4 and 19-1). Storage and processing circuitry includes hard disk drive storage.