Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GeLoGo: Detecting TV Logos from Web-Scale Videos

An efficient way to identify the source of a web video is to detect some specified logos (e.g. a TV logo or a brand). Ln this paper, we propose a logo detection system "GeLoGo" for web-scale videos via four major modules. The keyframe module first extracts several frames with shot segment detection. In this manner, the data can be dramatically reduced. After that, the proposal module localizes candidate logos from the extracted frames by an ensemble of some pretrained logo detectors. Then, the spatial verification module takes the logo proposals as input and identifies them as real logos or not by performing the classification task within a ResNet network. Finally, the temporal verification module further identifies the detection results by checking the temporal consistency of logo locations. Experimental results on a collected large-scale TV logo video dataset show that the proposed approach can achieve a detection accuracy of 99.1% with a speed of 25 fps in detecting logos in videos.
Contingent employment, health and sickness absence.

OBJECTIVES This study explored the health and sickness absences of contingent employees. METHODS Analyses of self-reported health and recorded spells of sickness absence were based on a cohort of 5650 employees (674 men, 4976 women) in 10 Finnish hospitals. RESULTS After adjustment for demographic and work-related characteristics, contingent employees had a better self-rated health status [odds ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.62-0.94 of poor or average health status]. There were no differences in the prevalence of diagnosed chronic diseases and minor psychiatric morbidity between the groups. After adjustment for self-rated health and confounding, female, but not male, contingent employees had a lower rate of self-certified (1-3 days) sickness absences than permanent employees (rate ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.85-0.95). Contingent employees, irrespective of gender, had a 0.77 (95% CI 0.71-0.84) times lower rate of medically certified (>3 days) sickness absence than permanent employees. Poor self-rated health status, reported diagnosed chronic diseases, and minor psychiatric morbidity were associated with medically certified absences to a less extent among contingent employees than among permanent employees. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest better self-rated health and a lower sickness absence rate for contingent employees than for permanent employees. The difference in sickness absence between the groups seems not only to be associated with actual differences in health, but also with different thresholds of taking sick leave or working while ill.
Probabilistic secretion of quanta from nerve terminals at synaptic sites on muscle cells: non-uniformity, autoinhibition and the binomial hypothesis

A model of the secretion of a quantum at a release site is proposed in which, following the influx of calcium ions, synaptic vesicles are made available for release by the activation of k phosphorylation steps with rate α. At any time during this process the vesicles may become unavailable for secretion at rate γ. On completion of the k phosphorylation steps the vesicles participate in the formation of a fusion pore with the terminal membrane to give exocytosis at rate δ. Changes in α, δ and k are shown to produce characteristic changes in the number and timecourse of quantal secretions following a nerve impulse, which are similar to those observed following drug treatments that are thought to act selectively on each of these processes. The number of quanta secreted from nerve terminals that consist of many release sites does not fluctuate much during a low frequency train of impulses: the variance is small compared with the mean level, so secretion follows binomial rather than Poisson statistics. A theory is derived that shows that variations in the probability of secretion amongst these release sites of any particular kind fails to reduce the variance of the total secretion from the terminal; Poisson rather than binomial statistics then still apply. The theory shows that an interaction between release sites is required to reduce this variance and such an effect is provided if secretion at a site inhibits secretion at nearby sites. Simulations show that incoporating this process of autoinhibition into the model reproduces the experimental observations on the effects of calcium ions on the binomial parameters p and n as well as on the relative constancy of p during facilitation and depression of quantal secretion. Methods for estimating the timecourse of changes in the probability of secretion at release sites following an impulse, by using either the time of occurrence of first, second, third or later quantal latencies, are given. These procedures show that current methods for estimating the time-dependent probability changes are inadequate for detecting interaction between release sites, such as autoinhibition, unless this is relatively large. Therefore, estimates from third quantal latencies are used.
The effect of a Health Realization/Innate Health psychoeducational seminar on stress and anxiety in HIV-positive patients.

BACKGROUND Chronic stress and depression have a negative impact on immune functioning and threaten the well-being of HIV-positive patients. Although therapy methods, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, have been shown to reduce stress and depression in such patients, not all patients are willing or able to undergo therapy over time. The Health Realization/Innate Health (HR/IH) psychoeducational approach is a brief intervention alternative that can be presented in a classroom setting. It engages participants' innate capacity to realize peace of mind. MATERIAL/METHODS Eight volunteer participants from patients in the Positive Health Clinic at West Virginia University School of Medicine attended a 1-1/2 day HR/IH seminar called "Finding Your Natural Peace of Mind". Shortly before the seminar started, the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) was administered by a Clinic staff member. The BSI was administered again immediately following the seminar. The BSI was mailed to the participants four weeks following the seminar with a return envelope. Participants' confidentiality was maintained through a coded ID. Pre-, post- and follow-up results were compared. RESULTS Each case was evaluated individually. The participant who pre-tested in the "psychiatric inpatient" range of the BSI showed no change after the seminar or at follow-up. The participants who tested in the non-patient normal range before the seminar showed some improvement after and at follow-up. The participants who scored in the "psychiatric outpatient" range entering the seminar all showed improvement that was sustained upon follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The HR/IH psychoeducational approach deserves further study as a brief intervention for stress-reduction in HIV-positive patients.
Mastery, functional disability and perceived health status in patients with multiple sclerosis

Background and purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that is difficult to predict and to cope with. Mastery refers to the extent to which patients see themselves as being in control of the forces that affect their lives. It may play an important role in perceived health status and well‐being. The purpose of this study was to clarify whether mastery is associated with functional disability and perceived health status in MS patients and how such an association might function.
Shadow Detection and Removal for Occluded Object Information Recovery in Urban High-Resolution Panchromatic Satellite Images

The existence of shadows in very high-resolution panchromatic satellite images can occlude some objects to cause the reduction or loss of their information, particularly in urban scenes. To recover the occluded information of objects, shadow removal is a significant processing procedure for the image interpretation and application. In this paper, we propose a novel framework of shadow detection and removal for panchromatic satellite images to restore the obscured object information. In shadow detection, we present an automatic soft shadow detection method by the combined application of a bimodal histogram splitting method and image matting technique. Soft detection results can exhibit both umbra areas and penumbra areas to describe the shadow distribution precisely. In shadow removal, we propose a spatial adaptive nonlocal sparse shadow removal method to operate at two levels. For the initial step, we apply the line correction method to enhance shadow areas roughly in global. In the refined process, we study the characteristics of objects and shadows, and analyze spatial relationship between them. The second linear radiometric correction and nonlocal sparse model are used to simultaneously control the brightness and smoothness of the recovered shadow areas to be the same as the corresponding nonshadow areas based on group matrix with similar patches. Our method can restore the uniform objects in the shadow areas. High-resolution panchromatic shadow images of different cases and different satellites are processed by the proposed method. The experimental results verify the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method by comparing three other methods.
Performance evaluation of custom-made 1.2-kV 100-A silicon carbide half-bridge module in three-phase grid connected PWM rectifier

This paper studies experimentally the benefits of silicon carbide based power semiconductor technology in a low-voltage grid connected three-phase three-wire pulse width modulated rectifier. The power semiconductor module used in the study is a custom-made 1.2-kV 100-A fully silicon carbide based half-bridge type module designed for fast switching speeds and high temperature operation. The experimental tests are carried out with a 40-kVA prototype system built in the frame of a commercial low-voltage motor drive unit. In addition, the impact of the high switching speeds enabled by the silicon carbide based semiconductor devices on conductive electromagnetic emissions are also investigated. The results show that the conversion efficiency can be significantly improved with silicon carbide compared to the state-of-the-art silicon based semiconductor technology. As a drawback, the faster switching speeds increase the conductive electromagnetic emissions to some extent.
Theoretical investigation of Gaussian and non-Gaussian noise masking properties

The binary communication channel influenced by an additive Gaussian and non-Gaussian broadband and narrowband interference is investigated in order to compare its efficiency when solving the radio countermeasure tasks. The discrete random processes with the Johnson noise distribution are considered as a non-Gaussian noise. Theoretical estimation of these noise efficiency has been held at optimal processing the noise and a priori known signal mixture. It has been shown the use of non-Gaussian noise for signal masking can lead to significant losses in noise power compared with Gaussian noise power. At the same time, when internal noise is relatively weak, the masking efficiency varies slightly.
Profile of cognitive impairment in dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease compared with Alzheimer’s disease

Objective: To compare the profile of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with dementia associated with Parkinson’s disease (PDD). Methods: Neuropsychological assessment was performed in 488 patients with PDD and 488 patients with AD using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate whether the diagnosis could be accurately predicted from the cognitive profile. Additionally, the cognitive profiles were compared with a normative group using standardised effect sizes (Cohen’s d). Results: Diagnosis was predicted from the cognitive profile, with an overall accuracy of 74.7%. Poor performance of the AD patients on the orientation test in ADAS-cog best discriminated between the groups, followed by poor performance of the PDD patients on the attentional task in MMSE. Both groups showed memory impairment, AD patients performing worse than PDD patients. Conclusion: The cognitive profile in PDD differs significantly from that in AD. Performance on tests of orientation and attention are best in differentiating the groups.
Artificial protein cavities as specific ligand-binding templates: characterization of an engineered heterocyclic cation-binding site that preserves the evolved specificity of the parent protein.

Cavity complementation has been observed in many proteins, where an appropriate small molecule binds to a cavity-forming mutant. Here, the binding of compounds to the W191G cavity mutant of cytochrome c peroxidase is characterized by X-ray crystallography and binding thermodynamics. Unlike cavities created by removal of hydrophobic side-chains, the W191G cavity does not bind neutral or hydrophobic compounds, but displays a strong specificity for heterocyclic cations, consistent with the role of the protein to stabilize a tryptophan radical at this site. Ligand dissociation constants for the protonated cationic state ranged from 6 microM for 2-amino-5-methylthiazole to 1 mM for neutral ligands, and binding was associated with a large enthalpy-entropy compensation. X-ray structures show that each of 18 compounds with binding behavior bind specifically within the artificial cavity and not elsewhere in the protein. The compounds make multiple hydrogen bonds to the cavity walls using a subset of the interactions seen between the protein and solvent in the absence of ligand. For all ligands, every atom that is capable of making a hydrogen bond does so with either protein or solvent. The most often seen interaction is to Asp235, and most compounds bind with a specific orientation that is defined by their ability to interact with this residue. Four of the ligands do not have conventional hydrogen bonding atoms, but were nevertheless observed to orient their most polar CH bond towards Asp235. Two of the larger ligands induce disorder in a surface loop between Pro190 and Asn195 that has been identified as a mobile gate to cavity access. Despite the predominance of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, the small variation in observed binding free energies were not correlated readily with the strength, type or number of hydrogen bonds or with calculated electrostatic energies alone. Thus, as with naturally occurring binding sites, affinities to W191G are likely to be due to a subtle balance of polar, non-polar, and solvation terms. These studies demonstrate how cavity complementation and judicious choice of site can be used to produce a protein template with an unusual ligand-binding specificity.
Immunization with the N-Terminal Portion of Treponema pallidum Repeat Protein K Attenuates Syphilitic Lesion Development in the Rabbit Model

ABSTRACT When used as an immunogen, Treponema pallidum repeat protein K (TprK) has been shown to attenuate syphilitic lesions upon homologous intradermal challenge in the rabbit model. To further explore this protein as a potential vaccine component, we sought to identify the immunogenic regions of TprK. The abilities of three recombinant peptides encompassing TprK to elicit T- and B-cell responses and to protect against challenge were examined. All three fragments elicited proliferative responses from splenocytes taken from infected rabbits. However, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays indicated that only fragments 1 and 3 were consistently recognized by antisera from infected rabbits. Each fragment was also used to immunize rabbits that were subsequently challenged intradermally with infectious T. pallidum. All lesions on unimmunized control rabbits ulcerated and contained treponemes, while the lesions on rabbits immunized with fragment 1 were the least likely to have detectable treponemes (25%) and the least likely to ulcerate (37.5%). The lesions on rabbits immunized with fragment 3 showed intermediate results, and rabbits immunized with fragment 2 were the most likely of all those on immunized rabbits to have detectable treponemes (91.7%) and to ulcerate (66.7%). These results demonstrate that epitopes in fragment 1 are recognized by T cells and antibodies during infection and that immunization with this portion of TprK most effectively attenuates syphilitic lesion development.
Cyclooxygenase-2–Derived Prostaglandin F2&agr; Mediates Endothelium-Dependent Contractions in the Aortae of Hamsters With Increased Impact During Aging

Hypertension and vascular dysfunction result in the increased release of endothelium-derived contracting factors (EDCFs), whose identity is poorly defined. We tested the hypothesis that endothelial cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 can generate EDCFs and identified the possible EDCF candidate. Changes in isometric tension of aortae of young and aged hamsters were recorded on myograph. Real-time changes in intracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in native aortic endothelial cells were measured by imaging. Endothelium-dependent contractions were triggered by acetylcholine (ACh) after inhibition of nitric oxide production and they were abolished by COX-2 but not COX-1 inhibitors or by thromboxane–prostanoid receptor antagonists. 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (cation channel blocker) eliminated endothelium-dependent contractions and ACh-stimulated rises in endothelial cell [Ca2+]i. RT-PCR and Western blotting showed COX-2 expression mainly in the endothelium. Enzyme immunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry showed release of prostaglandin (PG)F2&agr; and prostacyclin (PGI2) increased by ACh; only PGF2&agr; caused contraction at relevant concentrations. COX-2 expression, ACh-stimulated contractions, and vascular sensitivity to PGF2&agr; were augmented in aortae from aged hamsters. Human renal arteries also showed thromboxane–prostanoid receptor–mediated ACh- or PGF2&agr;-induced contractions and COX-2–dependent release of PGF2&agr;. The present study demonstrates that PGF2&agr;, derived from COX-2, which is localized primarily in the endothelium, is the most likely EDCF underlying endothelium-dependent, thromboxane–prostanoid receptor–mediated contractions to ACh in hamster aortae. These contractions involved increases in endothelial cell [Ca2+]i. The results support a critical role of COX-2 in endothelium-dependent contractions in this species with an increased importance during aging and, possibly, a similar relevance in humans.
Visual analogue scales: how can we interpret them in experimental studies of irritation in the eyes, nose, throat and airways?

The aim of this study was to investigate if visual analogue scales (VAS) of objective symptoms could be validated against objective measurements in exposure studies of chemical vapours in humans. This validation comprises the results of symptom ratings of irritation and objective measurements of effects of the eye, nose and throat from studies of nine different chemicals. The objective measurements included blinking frequency as a measure of eye irritation, acoustic rhinometry of nose irritation and the lung function parameter FEV1 of irritation in the throat and airways. The statistical analyses were performed with logistic quantile regression. The results show no overall clear correlation between symptom ratings of irritation and objective measurements, although some statistically significant association was found. The last rating of eye irritation during the exposure was significantly correlated at the 75th percentile to the change in blinking frequency during exposure compared with before (P = 0.013). There was also a significant association between ratings of discomfort in the nose and decrease of the minimal nasal cross‐sectional area at the 75th percentile (P = 0.016). Further, a nonsignificant association between ratings of discomfort in the nose and decrease in nasal volume was found. No correlation between FEV1 and ratings of discomfort in the throat or breathing difficulty was detected. There is a relationship between subjective symptoms and objective measures regarding eye and nose irritation at low chemical exposure levels. Thus, the results of this investigation support the use of VAS in chamber exposure studies and could consequently be expanded into field studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A novel adaptive controller design for servo turning table

In this paper, a novel adaptive controller was designed based on the structure of disturbance observer (DOB) for servo turning table. An adaptive filter was added into DOB to realize a stable zeros-poles cancellation. Its adaptive law was deduced by Lyapunov function in order to guarantee the system stable when the parameters changed largely. It took advantage of the characteristic of the DOB structure. Therefore, the equivalent disturbance could be compensated. At the same time, it was able to hold the plant dynamics as the characteristic of a fixed model. By this advantage, an out loop controller could be designed easily and not need to be modified even if the main parameters changed. Simulation experiment showed that this method could effectively get the desired results and effectively suppressed disturbance. The robustness of this controller based on DOB was improved.
Full Feedforward of Grid Voltage for Grid-Connected Inverter With LCL Filter to Suppress Current Distortion Due to Grid Voltage Harmonics

The grid-connected inverter with an LCL filter has the ability of attenuating the high-frequency current harmonics. However, the current distortion caused by harmonics in the grid voltage is difficult to be eliminated. Increasing the loop gain can reduce the current distortion, but this approach is compromised by the system stability requirement. Without increasing the loop gain, applying feedforward of the grid voltage can suppress the effect of grid voltage harmonics. This paper proposes the feedforward function of the grid voltage for the grid-connected inverter with an LCL filter. Specifically, the proposed feedforward function involves proportional, derivative, and second derivative of the grid voltage, and can be simplified according to the dominant harmonics in the grid voltage. The proposed feedforward scheme can effectively suppress the current distortion arising from the grid voltage harmonics, and the steady-state error of the injected current can be substantially reduced even if a conventional proportional and integral regulator is applied. A 6-kW experimental prototype has been tested to verify the effectiveness of the proposed feedforward scheme.
Understanding the role of the news media in HPV vaccine uptake in the United States: Synthesis and commentary

ABSTRACT Vaccination rates for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine fall below targets and only 2 states and the District of Columbia require the vaccine for middle school-age children. Messages conveyed through news media—to parents, providers, policymakers, and the general public—may contribute to sluggish vaccination rates and policy action. In this commentary, we review the findings from 13 published studies of news media coverage of the HPV vaccine in the United States since FDA licensure in 2006. We find 2 important themes in news coverage: a rising focus on political controversy and a consistent emphasis on the vaccine as for girls, even beyond the point when the vaccine was recommended for boys. These political and gendered messages have consequences for public understanding of the vaccine. Future research should continue to monitor news media depictions of the HPV vaccine to assess whether political controversy will remain a pronounced theme of coverage or whether the media ultimately depict the vaccine as a routine public health service.