Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel motion-based active video indexing method

In this paper, a novel motion-based active video indexing scheme is proposed for videos acquired from active visual systems. With the foveate wavelet transform as the representation of active videos, the description for the object of primary interest during smooth pursuit can be generated in the foveal area based on the behavior of the motion field estimated by a two-pass motion estimation MRF-MAP algorithm. Afterwards, a vector of 36 numbers is generated as the index for the object. Furthermore, the attention shift camera motion can be detected by use of this motion field, which is employed as another important indicator of the video contents. The efficacy of this active object-based video indexing scheme is demonstrated through extensive experiments.
Signed Permutation Statistics

Abstract We derive multivariate generating functions that count signed permutations by various statistics, using the hyperoactahedral generalization of methods of Garsia and Gessel. We also derive the distributions over inverse descent classes of signed permutations for two of these statistics individually (the major index and inversion number). These results show that, in contrast to the case for (unsigned) permutations, these two statistics are not generally equidistributed. We also discuss applications to statistics on the wreath product Ck ≀ Sn of a cyclic group with the symmetric group.
Phototropism and light-growth responses of the tall conidiophores of Aspergillus giganteus.

SUMMARY: Aspergillus giganteus conidiophores are positively phototropic to unilateral stimulation with white light. The response is restricted to the apical 240 μ of the conidiophore. The curvatures start about 22 min. after the onset of stimulation and proceed at a rate of about 2.5° min.-1. During the response the rate of extension of the proximal wall (with respect to the direction of the incident illumination) decreases by about 5 % as compared to its previous rate of growth, whilst that of the distal wall increases by about 5 %; thus there is no net change in the rate of wall growth during phototropism. The sign of the phototropic response is reversed when conidiophores are unilaterally stimulated with ultraviolet radiation (280 mμ) or with white light whilst submerged in liquid paraffin. Conidiophores cultured on media containing 1-lyxo-flavin or diphenylamine show normal phototropic responses. A tenfold increase or decrease in light intensity is followed after approximately 12 min. by a slight change (about 11 %) in the rate of conidiophore growth. However, changes in light intensity between 139 and 268 lux do not affect the growth rate. There is an acceleration in growth rate when conidiophores previously held in red light for some hours are re-illuminated with white light.
Early nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage: Predictor of ventilator-associated pneumonia?

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a problem in trauma and emergency general surgery patients. Our hospital-acquired infection prevention committee approved the use of early nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (screening-BAL) in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) to identify ventilated patients with bronchiolar bacteria before 48 hours. We reviewed the results of this quality improvement initiative. METHODS All ventilated patients in the SICU (March 2011 to June 2012) underwent a screening-BAL 36 hours to 48 hours after intubation; quantitative culture results (>5 × 104 colony-forming unit per milliliter) were used to identify positive specimens. Clinical pneumonia was defined as clinical pulmonary infection score greater than 6 with a subsequent positive diagnostic-BAL result. Sequential organ failure assessment scores were averaged for the first 48 hours in the SICU. Continuous and dichotomous data were compared, and a multivariate regression analysis was performed on the screening-BAL and pneumonia results. RESULTS Screening-BALs were performed in 150 patients (99 trauma and 51 emergency general surgery patients), 72 of these specimens had positive findings. Fifty-three clinical pneumonias were diagnosed, and 45 (positive predictive value, 0.85) identified the same organism as the screening-BAL. Clinical pneumonia developed in eight patients with a negative screening-BAL (negative predictive value, 0.85). Antibiotic therapy at the time of the screening-BAL was associated with a negative screen (odds ratio, 0.44; p = 0.026). Pneumonia developed on median postintubation Day 4 (2–15 days) in patients with a positive screening-BAL results as compared with day 7.5 in the patients with a negative screening-BAL results (3.5–15 days; p = 0.007). Field intubation is an independent risk factor (odds ratio, 3.5; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION Positive screening-BAL results in trauma and emergency general surgery patients are associated with the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia by the same organism and may play a role in identifying patients at risk for pneumonia. Further studies must be conducted to evaluate the role of screening-BAL in this patient population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic/prognostic study, level III.
Rosuvastatin-Induced Arrest in Progression of Renal Disease

Preclinical and limited clinical data suggest that statins decrease the progressive decline in renal function that occurs in patients with renal disease. Pooled analysis of data obtained from a population of hyperlipidemic patients enrolled in the rosuvastatin (Crestor®) clinical development program permitted assessment of its effects on renal function both early and later in the course of treatment. Study participants were initially included in controlled clinical trials that evaluated the lipid-lowering efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin when compared with placebo or other lipid-lowering agents (i.e., atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, cholestyramine, fenofibrate or extended-release niacin). The median duration of treatment with the various doses of statins in these trials was approximately 8 weeks. Following completion of a controlled clinical trial, patients were permitted to enter an open-label extension trial and received rosuvastatin treatment. These data permitted assessment of renal function in a diverse group of over 10,000 patients who received rosuvastatin in its recommended dose range (5–40 mg) for up to 3.8 years. Mean serum creatinine concentrations were lower when compared with baseline both early and later in the course of rosuvastatin treatment. In contrast, no change in mean serum creatinine was observed with placebo. Mean glomerular filtration rates (GFR) predicted from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation were higher when compared with baseline both early and later in the course of rosuvastatin treatment. No change in GFR was observed in the placebo group. Among patients who received long-term rosuvastatin treatment (≧96 weeks), GFR was unchanged or tended to increase, rather than decrease, when compared with baseline irrespective of age, gender, hypertensive or diabetic status, level of renal function (GFR ≧60 vs. <60 ml/min/1.73 m2) at entry or urine dipstick protein status prior to or during the period of treatment. These findings suggest that rosuvastatin may arrest the progression of renal disease.
Semi‐automated thresholding technique for measuring lesion volumes in multiple sclerosis: effects of the change of the threshold on the computed lesion loads

Quantitative evaluation of lesion load in multiple sclerosis (MS) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is becoming important in understanding and monitoring the progression of the disease. Methods of MS lesion segmentation based on intensity thresholding offer one of the most robust and easily‐implemented means of computing the total lesion volume. This study evaluated the effects of slight changes in the choice of intensity threshold on computed lesion volumes in 20 patients with MS using such a technique. After judging the optimum choice of threshold value, the threshold value was increased and decreased by 3% in 1% steps around this value; we observed a mean change of 15% in computed lesion volumes for 1% changes of threshold value. Larger changes in lesion volume were found when the threshold was changed by larger amounts. On the other hand, the amount of time required for manual review decreased, and the confidence with which manual review could be performed increased when using lower thresholds. This study shows that the choice of threshold is a crucial factor in measuring lesion volumes in MS when using intensity‐based techniques. It also suggests that in multicenter and/or longitudinal studies, criteria for choosing the threshold should be developed whereby the threshold level should be set such that all MR visible lesions are above it, in order to minimise the human interaction and, consequently, the reproducibility of the results.
Regional distribution and cellular localization of 5‐HT2C receptor mRNA in monkey brain: Comparison with [3H]mesulergine binding sites and choline acetyltransferase mRNA

The distribution of serotonin 5‐HT2C receptor mRNA in monkey brain was studied by in situ hybridization and compared with the distribution of [3H]mesulergine binding sites as visualized by receptor autoradiography. 5‐HT2C receptor transcripts showed a widespread and heterogeneous distribution. The strongest hybridization signal was detected in choroid plexus. In neocortex, 5‐HT2C mRNA was detected in layer V of all cortical regions examined except in the calcarine sulcus, which was devoid of signal. Several structures within the striatum and basal forebrain were strongly labeled: nucleus accumbens, ventral aspects of anterior caudate and putamen, septal nuclei, diagonal band, ventral striatum, and extended amygdala. Several thalamic, midbrain, and brainstem nuclei also contained 5‐HT2C mRNA. Comparison of the distributions of 5‐HT2C mRNA and specific [3H]mesulergine binding sites showed a good agreement in the majority of brain regions, suggesting a predominant somatodendritic localization of 5‐HT2C receptors. A possible localization to axon terminals of 5‐HT2C receptors is suggested by the disagreement observed in some regions such as septal nuclei and horizontal limb of the diagonal band (presence of mRNA with apparent absence of binding sites) and interpeduncular nucleus (presence of binding sites with apparent absence of mRNA). Comparison of 5‐HT2C receptor and choline acetyltransferase mRNA distributions indicate that some regions where cholinergic cells are located are also enriched in cells containing 5‐HT2C mRNA. Although the present methodology does not allow strict colocalization of both mRNA species to the same cells, the codistribution observed in several regions provides a possible anatomical substrate for the described modulation of acetylcholine release by 5‐HT2C receptors. Synapse 42:12–26, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The miR200 Family of MicroRNAs Regulates WAVE3-dependent Cancer Cell Invasion*

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are directly involved in the regulation of gene expression by either translational repression or degradation of target mRNAs. Because of the high level of conservation of the target motifs, known as seed sequences, within the 3′-untranslated regions, a single microRNA can regulate numerous target genes simultaneously, making this class of RNAs a powerful regulator of gene expression. The miR200 family of microRNAs has recently been shown to regulate the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition during tumor progression and metastasis. Here, we report that the expression of WAVE3, an actin cytoskeleton remodeling and metastasis promoter protein, is regulated by miR200 microRNAs. We show a clear inverse correlation between expression levels of WAVE3 and miR200 microRNAs in invasive versus non-invasive cancer cells. miR200 directly targets the 3′-untranslated regions of the WAVE3 mRNA and inhibits its expression. The miR200-mediated down-regulation of WAVE3 results in a significant reduction in the invasive phenotype of cancer cells, which is specific to the loss of WAVE3 expression. Re-expression of a miR200-resistant WAVE3 reverses miR200-mediated inhibition of cancer cell invasion. Loss of WAVE3 expression downstream of miR200 also results in a dramatic change in cell morphology resembling that of a mesenchymal to epithelial transition. In conclusion, a novel mechanism for the regulation of WAVE3 expression in cancer cells has been identified, which controls the invasive properties and morphology of cancer cells associated with their metastatic potential.
What Drives Sell-Side Analyst Compensation at High-Status Investment Banks?

We use proprietary data from a major investment bank to investigate factors associated with analysts’ annual compensation. We find compensation to be positively related to "All-Star" recognition, investment-banking contributions, the size of analysts’ portfolios, and whether an analyst is identified as a top stock-picker by the Wall Street Journal. We find no evidence that compensation is related to earnings forecast accuracy. But consistent with prior studies, we find analyst turnover to be related to forecast accuracy, suggesting that analyst forecasting incentives are primarily termination-based. Additional analyses indicate that "All-Star" recognition proxies for buy-side client votes on analyst research quality used to allocate commissions across banks and analysts. Taken as a whole, our evidence is consistent with analyst compensation being designed to reward actions that increase brokerage and investment-banking revenues. To assess the generality of our findings, we test the same relations using compensation data from a second high-status bank and obtain similar results.
Principles and methods of teaching foreign languages to dyslexic learners

It has been common knowledge for long that learning foreign languages (FLs) is a worthwhile activity, in particular for learners whose mother tongue is spoken by only a small number of people. This holds especially true in the globalised world of today, where people who do not master FLs are at a disadvantage compared to those who do. Language learning, however, is not an easy task, especially for learners with learning disorders. Yet fairness demands that they are granted the same opportunities for successful language learning as their more fortunate contemporaries who do not have learning difficulties. Luckily, the research results of the last decades have helped teachers develop a repertoire of skills, strategies and methods that can be applied in normal classes, in the spirit of inclusion, to the teaching of FLs to students with learning disorders. Before providing an overview of the basic principles of FL teaching to students with learning disorders, we will clarify the notions of dyslexia and learning disorder, and will also examine what sort of difficulty these may cause in the acquisition of an FL.
Dietary tryptophan depletion in humans using a simplified two amino acid formula – a pilot study

Background Acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) is a well-established dietary method in translational brain research used to briefly lower central nervous serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)) synthesis. A simplified two amino acid ATD formula (ATDPHE/LEU) was developed while reducing the overall amount of amino acids (AAs), with the objective of administration especially in children and adolescents in future studies. Objective This study investigated tryptophan (TRP) influx rates across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) after dietary ATDPHE/LEU administration relative to the ATD Moja-De protocol that has been established for use in children and adolescents. Design Seventy-two healthy adults (50% females) were randomized into four groups and administered ATD Moja-De, its TRP-balanced control condition (BAL), ATDPHE/LEU, or its respective control mixture (BALPHE/LEU) in a counterbalanced, double-blind, between-subjects design. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at hourly intervals for 6 h after AA intake. Questionnaires about mood, taste, and challenge tolerance were completed at fixed time points. Results Both challenge mixtures significantly reduced central nervous TRP influx as calculated by Michaelis–Menten kinetics relative to baseline and the respective control conditions with only mild and comparable side effects. A greater decline in TRP influx over the BBB after ATDPHE/LEU administration when compared with ATD Moja-De was detected without group effects for taste, challenge tolerance, and mood. There was unintended initial short increase in plasma TRP concentrations observed after ATDPHE/LEU intake, and a possible redistribution between free and protein-bound TRP triggered by protein synthesis stimulated by the ingested AAs may account for this finding. Moreover, a decline in TRP influx after BALPHE/LEU administration over a 6-h period was observed, and the large amount of PHE in the BALPHE/LEU mixture may be a possible explanation for this particular phenomenon, which could have led to an unexpected increase in displacement of TRP at the BBB in this control condition. Conclusions This pilot study provides preliminary evidence for the possibility of lowering TRP influx as calculated by Michaelis–Menten kinetics into the brain by using a simplified ATD protocol in humans. The simplified composition of only two AAs, the lower overall AA amount, and the appropriate tolerance are characteristics of the newly developed ATDPHE/LEU protocol. Future studies focusing on the effects of the ATDPHE/LEU protocol and its respective control condition on CSF 5-HIAA concentrations, as well as neurochemical studies in rodents, are needed to further validate this newly developed AA mixture before definite conclusions about its usability in ATD-related research in humans, its specificity, and additional effects can be made.
Developing Fine-Grained Transfer Models in the ASSISTment System

In Massachusetts, similar to many states, teachers are being asked to use state mandated assessments in a data-driven manner to help their students meet state standards. However, teachers want feedback on student performance much more often than once a year and they also want better feedback than they currently receive. For instance, while the number of Mathematics skills and concepts that a student needs to acquire is on the order of hundreds, the feedback on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) test to principals, teachers, parents, and students is broken down into only 5 mathematical reporting categories: Algebra, Number Sense, Geometry, Data Analysis and Measurement. In this article, we describe our attempt to create a fine-grained transfer model for 8th grade math based on the skills needed to take the Math MCAS exam and how we use this model in a web-based intelligent tutoring system called the ASSISTment system.
Aberrant DNA methyltransferase 1 expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma development and progression.

OBJECTIVE To better understand the contribution of dysregulated DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) expression to the progression and biology of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). METHODS We examined the differences in the expression of DNMT1 in 89 ccRCC and 22 normal tissue samples by immunohistochemistry. In addition, changes in cell viability, apoptosis, colony formation and invading ability of ccRCC cell lines (786-0 and Caki-1) were assessed after transfection with DNMT1 siRNA. RESULTS We found DNMT1 protein was significantly higher expressed in ccRCC than that of in no-tumor tissues (56.2% and 27.3%, respectively, P=0.018). The expression of DNMT1 was strongly associated with ccRCC tumor size, tumor pathology stage, histological grading, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, recurrence and prognosis. Moreover, knockdown of DNMT1 expression significantly inhibited ccRCC cell viability, induced apoptosis, decreased colony formation and invading ability. CONCLUSIONS Expression of DNMT1 protein is increased in ccRCC tissues, and DNMT1 expression is associated with poor prognosis of patients. Experiments in vitro further showed DNMT1 played an essential role in proliferation and invasion of renal cancer cells. Moreover, targeting this enzyme could be a promising strategy for treating ccRCC, as evidenced by inhibited cell viability, increased apoptosis, decreased colony formation and invading ability.
Is Salesmanship Skill an Effective Driving Force of Indian Pharmaceutical Industry?

The business organizations have a propensity to show their performances by achieving greater sales performances in the field. In this, the role of sales force of high importance and the organizations are adopting dynamic marketing and selling strategies and implementing those strategies to their field sales force. The present study had an attempt to find out the significance of salesmanship skills such as adaptability, consultative selling, negotiation, communication style in pharmaceutical field sales force effectiveness.
Design of a single-switch high-power-factor regulator with near-zero output current ripple

The characteristics of a novel single-switch high-power-factor regulator with low output current ripple are studied. By employing a modified-boost converter cell as the input stage and a double-ended forward converter cell as the output stage, a high power factor and near-zero output current ripple are achieved. This regulator also eliminates the need for an extra clamping switch to recycle the transformer leakage energy and to reduce the switch voltage stress. The analysis, design, simulation, and experimental results are reported to verify the operation and performance of the proposed regulator.
Group Sparse Hidden Markov Models for Speech Recognition

This paper presents the group sparse hidden Markov models (GS-HMMs) where a sequence of acoustic features is driven by Markov chain and each feature vector is represented by two groups of basis vectors. The group of common bases represents the features across states within a HMM. The group of individual bases compensates the intra-state residual information. Importantly, the sparse prior for sensing weights is controlled by the Laplacian scale mixture (LSM) distribution which is obtained by multiplying Laplacian variable with an inverse Gamma variable. The scale mixture parameter in LSM makes the distribution even sparser. This parameter serves as an automatic relevance determination for selecting the relevant bases from two groups. The weights and two sets of bases in GS-HMMs are estimated via Bayesian learning. We apply this framework for acoustic modeling and show the robustness of GS-HMMs for speech recognition in presence of different noises types and SNRs.
The computability of architectural design

Two approaches, expressed in terms of mappings between design and computation, are explored with the intention of clarifying the relationship between the theories of design and computation. First, the relationship between models of the design process and computational search strategies is explored. Second, relationships between design knowledge and computational representation schemes are discussed. Finally, some thoughts on integrating these design models and knowledge representation schemes into computer systems that assist designers are discussed. <<ETX>>
The complete mitochondrial genome of altai osman Oreoleuciscus humilis Warpachowski (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae)

Abstract The complete mitochondrial genome of altai osman Oreoleuciscus humilis Warpachowski collected from Mongolia has been amplified and sequenced in this study. The complete mitochondrial genome is 16,606 base pairs (bp) in total length, had the typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, including 13 protein-coding genes, 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, 1 control region (CR) and 1 light-strand replication origin (OL). The overall base composition of Oreoleuciscus humilis is 27.6% for A, 26.4% for T, 27.2% for C, 18.8% for G, with higher AT content 54.0%. This study will be rather beneficial for understanding the phylogenetic approach of Oreoleuciscus species and other related genera of cyprinid fishes.