Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficient Visual Tracking by Probabilistic Fusion of Multiple Cues

It has been shown that integrating multiple cues will increase the reliability and robustness of a vision system in situations that no single cue is reliable. In this paper, we propose a method by fusing multiple cues (i.e., the color cue and the edge cue). In contrast to previous work, we propose a novel shape similarity measure which includes the spatial distribution of the number of and the gradient intensity of the edge points. We integrate this shape similarity measure with our recently proposed SMOG-based color similarity measure in the framework of particle filter (PF). Experimental results demonstrate the high robustness and effectiveness of our method in handling appearance changes, cluttered background, moving camera, and occlusions
Servicio comunitario en línea: La experiencia de la ULA

Nowadays, the university education is in the middle of a transformation, as an answer to a Knowledge Society emerging from globalization, originated by Information and Communications Technology (ICT's). Backed in those tools with the main objective of achieving a pertinent education to needs of the society, such as flexible in time and space, equitative, without frontiers, new models of teaching; virtual education, interactive distance education, on line education, among others have been included. The present article exhibits the results of a qualitative investigation, which allowed documenting the experience of designing, implementing and developing the first induction courses over the online community service, at the University of Los Andes-Trujillo. A virtual learning environment (VLE) was used, to instruct the students over their functions as community service providers. The study was based on a data narrative design, provided by the participants, and complemented with the observations of the investigator. Finally, the students' efficiency and the performance with reference to the results are shown. Thus, among other things, it was found that a good efficiency was obtained and that the course was assessed in a satisfactory manner, however, some findings are orientated to improve practices in the future.
Sources of Lipids in Anoxic Lacustrine Sediments Using Stable Carbon Isotopes

The origin of organic matter in recent anoxic sediments of the alpine Lake Bled (NW Slovenia) was determined by analyzing the carbon isotope composition of lipid biomarkers, i.e. alkanes, alcohols, sterols and fatty acids, busing compound specific, carbon isotope analysis. The results indicate that, although biomarker analysis indicated mostly plankton and terrestrial sources for lipids, an important part of sedimentary lipids, especially sterols, are autochthonous, of anaerobic microbial (methanotrophic) origin. Marked differences were observed in δ13C values of lipid biomarkers in settling particles collected 2 m above the bottom, and in δ13C values determined in surface sediment. These results indicate that even some compounds found in both particulate organic matter and sediments are the same in terms of chemical structures, their sources can be different and thus, isotopic composition should be used as a complementary tool for source identification.
Rotavirus Infects Human Biliary Epithelial Cells and Stimulates Secretion of Cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 via MAPK Pathway

Biliary atresia (BA) is an infantile inflammatory cholangiopathy of unknown etiology although epidemiologic studies and animal models utilizing rotavirus (RV) have suggested a role for viral infection. Proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines have been detected in infants with BA. The purpose of our study was to investigate the susceptibility of human cholangiocytes (H69 cells) to infection with RRV and to determine if this infection resulted in cytokine secretion. Infection of H69 cells by RRV was noncytolytic and resulted in a time-dependent increase in the release of both infectious virions and cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 into the supernate. The greatest difference in cytokine supernatant levels between infected and mock-infected cells was noted at 24 hours postinfection (h p.i.) for IL-8, 556 ± 111 versus 77 ± 68 pg/mL (p < 0.0001), and at 48 h p.i. for IL-6, 459 ± 64 versus 67 ± 2 pg/mL (p < 0.0001). Production of both cytokines following RRV infection was significantly reduced by pretreating the H69 cells with inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Conclusion. RRV can infect human cholangiocytes resulting in the production of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines via the MAPK pathway. RRV-infected H69 cells could be a useful model system for investigating the viral hypothesis of BA.
Current perspectives and the future of domestication studies

It is difficult to overstate the cultural and biological impacts that the domestication of plants and animals has had on our species. Fundamental questions regarding where, when, and how many times domestication took place have been of primary interest within a wide range of academic disciplines. Within the last two decades, the advent of new archaeological and genetic techniques has revolutionized our understanding of the pattern and process of domestication and agricultural origins that led to our modern way of life. In the spring of 2011, 25 scholars with a central interest in domestication representing the fields of genetics, archaeobotany, zooarchaeology, geoarchaeology, and archaeology met at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center to discuss recent domestication research progress and identify challenges for the future. In this introduction to the resulting Special Feature, we present the state of the art in the field by discussing what is known about the spatial and temporal patterns of domestication, and controversies surrounding the speed, intentionality, and evolutionary aspects of the domestication process. We then highlight three key challenges for future research. We conclude by arguing that although recent progress has been impressive, the next decade will yield even more substantial insights not only into how domestication took place, but also when and where it did, and where and why it did not.
Research required to understand the impact of tactical mid-frequency sonar transmission on fish, fisheries and fisheries habitat: summary of stakeholder concerns and prioritized research plan from the Workshop on Mid-Frequency Sonar and Marine Fishes

Abstract : As reported in NPS-OC-07-004, analysis of public comments responding to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (October 2005) for the proposed Undersea Warfare Training Range (USWTR) in Onslow Bay off North Carolina identified three main areas of public concern. One of these concerns, the effects on fish and fisheries habitats of mid-frequency active (MFA) sonar, further identified four sub-areas of concern: catch rates, spawning choruses, distribution and migratory behavior, and physiological effects. A workshop was held in April 2007 at Duke University to address these sub-areas of concern. The purpose of the workshop was to outline a program of research that could help determine how MFA sonar might affect fish and fisheries resources. This report summarizes the recommendations that emerged from that workshop. Specifically, a long-term research and development plan is articulated, as well as the priorities within that plan.
A Normal Form for Classical Planning Tasks

We describe transition normal form (TNF) for classical planning tasks, where there is a unique goal state and variables occur in an operator precondition iff they appear in the effect. Tasks can be efficiently converted to TNF, all common planning heuristics are invariant under the transformation, and tasks in normal form are easier to study theoretically.
The acceleration of reproductive aging in Nrg1 flox/flox ;Cyp19‐Cre female mice

Irregular menstrual cycles, reduced responses to exogenous hormonal treatments, and altered endocrine profiles (high FSH/high LH/low AMH) are observed in women with increasing age before menopause. In this study, because the granulosa cell‐specific Nrg1 knockout mice (gcNrg1KO) presented ovarian and endocrine phenotypes similar to older women, we sought to understand the mechanisms of ovarian aging and to develop a new strategy for improving fertility in older women prior to menopause. In the ovary of 6‐month‐old gcNrg1KO mice, follicular development was blocked in bilayer secondary follicles and heterogeneous cells accumulated in ovarian stroma. The heterogeneous cells in ovarian stroma were distinguished as two different types: (i) the LH receptor‐positive endocrine cells and (ii) actin‐rich fibrotic cells expressing collagen. Both the endocrine and fibrotic cells disappeared following long‐term treatment with a GnRH antagonist, indicating that the high levels of serum LH induced the survival of both cell types and the abnormal endocrine profile to reduce fertility. Moreover, follicular development to the antral stages was observed with reduced LH and the disappearance of the abnormal stromal cells. Mice treated with the GnRH antagonist regained normal, recurrent estrous cycles and continuously delivered pups for at least for 3 months. We conclude that endocrine and matrix alternations occur within the ovarian stroma with increasing age and that abolishing these alternations resets the cyclical release of LH. Thus, GnRH antagonist treatments might provide a new, noninvasive strategy for improving fertility in a subset of aging women before menopause.
Atypical gaze patterns in children and adults with autism spectrum disorders dissociated from developmental changes in gaze behaviour

Eye tracking has been used to investigate gaze behaviours in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, traditional analysis has yet to find behavioural characteristics shared by both children and adults with ASD. To distinguish core ASD gaze behaviours from those that change with development, we examined temporo-spatial gaze patterns in children and adults with and without ASD while they viewed video clips. We summarized the gaze patterns of 104 participants using multidimensional scaling so that participants with similar gaze patterns would cluster together in a two-dimensional plane. Control participants clustered in the centre, reflecting a standard gaze behaviour, whereas participants with ASD were distributed around the periphery. Moreover, children and adults were separated on the plane, thereby showing a clear effect of development on gaze behaviours. Post hoc frame-by-frame analyses revealed the following findings: (i) both ASD groups shifted their gaze away from a speaker earlier than the control groups; (ii) both ASD groups showed a particular preference for letters; and (iii) typical infants preferred to watch the mouth rather than the eyes during speech, a preference that reversed with development. These results highlight the importance of taking the effect of development into account when addressing gaze behaviours characteristic of ASD.
412 Design of A Novel High Speed Dynamic Comparator with Low Power Dissipation for High Speed ADCs

A new CMOS dynamic comparator using dual input single output differential amplifier as latch stage suitable for high speed analog-to-digital converters with High Speed, low power dissipation and immune to noise than the previous reported work is proposed. Back to-back inverter in the latch stage is replaced with dual-input single output differential amplifier. This topology completely removes the noise that is present in the input. The structure shows lower power dissipation and higher speed than the conventional comparators. The circuit is simulated with 1V DC supply voltage and 250 MHz clock frequency. The proposed topology is based on two cross coupled differential pairs positive feedback and switchable current sources, has a lower power dissipation, higher speed, less area, and it is shown to be very robust against transistor mismatch, noise immunity. Previous reported comparators are designed and simulated their DC response and Transient response in Cadence®Virtuoso Analog Design Environment using GPDK 90nm technology. Layouts of the proposed comparator have been done in Cadence® Virtuoso Layout XL Design Environment. DRC and LVS has been checked and compared with the corresponding circuits and RC extracted diagram has been generated. After that post layout simulation with 1V supply voltage has been done and compared the speed, power dissipation, Area, delay with the results before layout and the superior features of the proposed comparator are established.
PIK3CA Mutations in Ovarian Cancer

To the Editor: In the April 15 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, Levine et al. ([1][1]) reported the frequent occurrence of somatic mutations in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase p110α catalytic subunit gene PIK3CA in breast and ovarian cancer. While their study broadly supports the conclusions of
From The Cover : Identification of mast cell progenitors in adult mice

www.pnas. org/cgi/content/full/102/32/11408#otherarticles This article has been cited by other articles: E-mail Alerts . click here at the top right corner of the article or Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article sign up in the box Rights & Permissions www.pnas. org/misc/rightperm.shtml To reproduce this article in part (figures, tables) or in entirety, see: Reprints www.pnas. org/misc/reprints.shtml To order reprints, see:
Effect of Microfabric on Mechanical Behavior of Kaolin Clay Using Cubical True Triaxial Testing

Various aspects of the mechanical behavior of kaolin clay are discussed in light of experimental observations from a series of strain controlled true triaxial undrained tests performed on cubical kaolin clay specimens with flocculated and dispersed microfabric, using a fully automated flexible boundary experimental setup with real-time feedback control system. The laboratory procedures used to prepare flocculated and dispersed microfabric specimens are presented. Mercury intrusion porosimetry is used to evaluate the pore structure of these specimens. The influence of microfabric on the consolidation behavior of kaolin clay is evaluated based on the data obtained from K0 consolidation during constant rate of strain tests and the isotropic consolidation during true triaxial tests. Undrained tests on kaolin clay show that the following vary with microfabric of specimen: The shear stiffness, excess pore pressure generated during shear, and strength and strain to failure. For both microfabrics, the observed st.
Factored Markov decision process models for stochastic unit commitment

In this paper, we consider stochastic unit commitment problems where power demand and the output of some generators are random variables. We represent stochastic unit commitment problems in the form of factored Markov decision process models, and propose an approximate algorithm to solve such models. By incorporating a risk component in the cost function, the algorithm can achieve a balance between the operational costs and blackout risks. The proposed algorithm outperformed existing non-stochastic approaches on several problem instances, resulting in both lower risks and operational costs.
Verapamil and Rifampin Effect on P-Glycoprotein Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: High expression of p-glycoprotein (P-gp) has been associated with a poor prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is likely that P-gp overexpression is responsible for multidrug resistance in HCC. Objectives: The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of potent carcinogen nitrosamine with and without verapamil and rifampin drugs on P-gp expression at the mRNA level in HCC. Materials and Methods: Four groups of rats (n = 5) were selected with different treatments and one group as control. mRNA concentration changes were monitored using quantitative PCR (QPCR). Results: A significant difference was found between verapamil treated group and the control regarding the mRNA level. The mdr1a mRNA was significantly decreased in the verapamil group (P ≤ 0.001). Rifampin administrated group had a decreased level of the mdr1a mRNA compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.006). No significant changes were observed in HCC induced rats regarding the mdr1a mRNA level when treated with verapamil and rifampin. An enhanced expression of the mdr1a gene was found In the HCC induced animals when treated with drugs. Conclusions: Verapamil and rifampin were found specific and effective against P-gp expression in HCC. In conclusion, treatment efficacy of most anticancer drugs is increased in combination with verapamil and rifampin against most advanced HCC.
Effect of pasteurization on the residues of tetracyclines in milk

The main aim of this work was to determine the effect of high pasteurization of milk (85 °C/3 s) on the residues of tetracycline and oxytetracycline. The samples of raw cow’s milk, purchased from a vending machine, were spiked with standard solutions of tetracycline and oxytetracycline. The content of the residues of tetracycline antibiotics was measured before and after heating. Precleaned samples were extracted by a mixed-mode solid phase extraction technique and analysed using high performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection. Whereas the residues of tetracycline decreased only by 5.74% and were not significantly different (P > 0.05), the residues of oxytetracycline decreased by 15.3% and this distinction was highly significant (P ≤ 0.01). Based on the results of our study, the tetracycline antibiotics were proved to have differences in the thermostability of particular substances at pasteurisation temperatures. Antibiotics, heat treatment, thermostability
Exploring user motivations for eyes-free interaction on mobile devices

While there is increasing interest in creating eyes-free interaction technologies, a solid analysis of why users need or desire eyes-free interaction has yet to be presented. To gain a better understanding of such user motivations, we conducted an exploratory study with four focus groups, and suggest a classification of motivations for eyes-free interaction under four categories (environmental, social, device features, and personal). Exploring and analyzing these categories, we present early insights pointing to design implications for future eyes-free interactions.
GRAFT THICKNESS AFTER PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY

Graft thickness was studied in 70 patients subjected to penetrating keratoplasty. A postoperative swelling was followed by a decreasing thickness during 3–4 months, after which period the graft was found to be thinner than normal, and in cases with a normal contralateral eye, thinner than the cornea of that eye. During the following months the graft thickness increased and finally assumed the value of the contralateral cornea. Any complications during the postoperative course were immediately reflected in an increased thickness. Quantitative data supporting the above statements are given, treated statistically when adequate.
Social Anxiety, Affect, Cortisol Response and Performance on a Speech Task

Background: Social anxiety is characterized by increased emotional reactivity to social stimuli, but results of studies focusing on affective reactions of socially anxious subjects in the situation of social exposition are inconclusive, especially in the case of endocrinological measures of affect. Sampling and Methods: This study was designed to examine individual differences in endocrinological and affective reactions to social exposure as well as in performance on a speech task in a group of students (n = 44) comprising subjects with either high or low levels of social anxiety. Measures of salivary cortisol and positive and negative affect were taken before and after an impromptu speech. Self-ratings and observer ratings of performance were also obtained. Results: Cortisol levels and negative affect increased in both groups after the speech task, and positive affect decreased; however, group × affect interactions were not significant. Assessments conducted after the speech task revealed that highly socially anxious participants had lower observer ratings of performance while cortisol increase and changes in self-reported affect were not related to performance. Conclusions: Socially anxious individuals do not differ from nonanxious individuals in affective reactions to social exposition, but reveal worse performance at a speech task.
Use of a coupled ice-ocean model to investigate the sensitivity of the Arctic ice cover to doubling atmospheric CO2

A coupled ice-ocean Arctic ocean model is forced with output from a Canadian Climate Center (CCC) model of the atmosphere. Two cases are considered, the first where the atmospheric CO2 is “normal” and the second where the atmospheric CO2 is “doubled. ” The CCC normal forcing data are also compared with observed fields, It is found that the forcing fields from the CCC normal model run are quite similar to observed values of surface temperature and humidity. The wind stresses are, however, lower than observed geostrophic values and are hence scaled to more closely match observed values. Significant differences are found between the normal and doubled CO2 forcing fields in regard to temperature and humidity forcing fields. In particular, the surface air temperature is typically 10° Celsius warmer in the doubled case for the winter months, and the relative humidity is up to 50% higher in the summer months. The surface moisture flux from the CCC data is found to be relatively insensitive to doubling of CO2, with more precipitation less evaporation (P–E) in winter months. When the ice-ocean model is run, less ice volume and increased areas of open ocean are observed with the doubled forcing, however, the decrease in ice volume is not as large as previous, simpler models have suggested and the model ice cover differs significantly from the ice cover from the atmospheric model. It is also found that there are differences in the oceanic temperature and salinity fields consistent with the forcing inputs, but these appear to be minimized by the insulating properties of the ice cover. On balance, the Arctic ice field appears to act as a regulator of climate change, rather than an accelerator.
When contact changes minds: An experiment on transmission of support for gay equality

Can a single conversation change minds on divisive social issues, such as same-sex marriage? A randomized placebo-controlled trial assessed whether gay (n = 22) or straight (n = 19) messengers were effective at encouraging voters (n = 972) to support same-sex marriage and whether attitude change persisted and spread to others in voters’ social networks. The results, measured by an unrelated panel survey, show that both gay and straight canvassers produced large effects initially, but only gay canvassers’ effects persisted in 3-week, 6-week, and 9-month follow-ups. We also find strong evidence of within-household transmission of opinion change, but only in the wake of conversations with gay canvassers. Contact with gay canvassers further caused substantial change in the ratings of gay men and lesbians more generally. These large, persistent, and contagious effects were confirmed by a follow-up experiment. Contact with minorities coupled with discussion of issues pertinent to them is capable of producing a cascade of opinion change. Contact with minorities, coupled with discussion of issues pertinent to them, can produce lasting opinion change. Dialogue opens the door to attitude change Personal contact between in-group and out-group individuals of equivalent status can reduce perceived differences and thus improve intergroup relations. LaCour and Green demonstrate that simply a 20-minute conversation with a gay canvasser produced a large and sustained shift in attitudes toward same-sex marriage for Los Angeles County residents. Surveys showed persistent change up to 9 months after the initial conversation. Indeed, the magnitude of the shift for the person who answered the door was as large as the difference between attitudes in Georgia and Massachusetts. Science, this issue p. 1366