Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decoupling Localization and Classification in Single Shot Temporal Action Detection

Video temporal action detection aims to temporally localize and recognize the action in untrimmed videos. Existing one-stage approaches mostly focus on unifying two subtasks, i.e., localization of action proposals and classification of each proposal through a fully shared backbone. However, such design of encapsulating all components of two subtasks in one single network might restrict the training by ignoring the specialized characteristic of each subtask. In this paper, we propose a novel Decoupled Single Shot temporal Action Detection (Decouple-SSAD) method to mitigate such problem by decoupling the localization and classification in a one-stage scheme. Particularly, two separate branches are designed in parallel to enable each component to own representations privately for accurate localization or classification. Each branch produces a set of action anchor layers by applying deconvolution to the feature maps of the main stream. Each branch produces a set of feature maps by applying deconvolution to the feature maps of the main stream. High-level semantic information from deeper layers is thus incorporated to enhance the feature representations. We conduct extensive experiments on THUMOS14 dataset and demonstrate superior performance over state-of-the-art methods. Our code is available online.
Electroencephalogram Pattern under Exposure of Audio Stimulation and Verbal Memory Assessment

Discovering brain activities during mental and cognitive assessments is interesting research work. It aids people in understanding how the information is stimulated and processed in the brain. This recent work aims to investigate brain activities using electroencephalography (EEG) under audio and verbal memory assessment stimulation. Besides, the effect of audio on verbal memory performance was investigated based on behavioral data and its association with EEG patterns. The subject was required to memorize a list of words at three difficulties level under control conditions, listening to their favorite song, and exposure to ambient noise. The brain signal was acquired during the memorizing period using an EEG machine based 10-20 electrode placement system. The raw EEG signal was filtered using a Butterworth bandpass filter at 4 to 40 Hz. After that, the brain rhythms of alpha, beta, gamma, and theta were extracted from the EEG signal. The mean voltage and relative rhythm power were obtained to determine their pattern under provided stimulation. The findings indicated that the mean EEG voltage and relative rhythms power were the highest and the most influenced under audio stimulation for all assessment phases compared to the control condition. The relative rhythm power showed the increment and decrement trend relative to the control condition. Theta rhythms exhibit the highest relative power with the maximum value found in ambient noise stimulation. The behavioral data revealed that the subject memorized better the word lists in ambient noise conditions.
SPECTRAL DISTORTIONS OF THE CMB DIPOLE

We consider the distortions of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) dipole anisotropy related to primordial recombination radiation (PRR) and primordial y- and μ-distortions. The signals arise due to our motion relative to the CMB restframe and appear as a frequency-dependent distortion of the CMB temperature dipole. To leading order, the expected relative distortion of the CMB dipole does not depend on the particular observation directions and reaches the level of 10−6 for the PRR- and μ-distortions and 10−5 for the y-distortion in the frequency range 1–700 GHz. The temperature differences arising from the dipole anisotropy of the relic CMB distortions depend on the observation directions. For mutually opposite directions, collinear to the CMB dipole axis, the temperature differences due to the PRR- and μ-dipole anisotropy attain values Δ T ≃ 10 nK ? > in the considered range. The temperature difference arising from the y-dipole anisotropy may reach values of up to 1 &mgr; K ? > . The key features of the considered effect are as follow: (i) an observation of the effect does not require absolute calibration; (ii) patches of sky with minimal foreground contamination can be chosen. Future measurements of the CMB dipole distortion thus will provide an alternative method for direct detection of the PRR-, y-, and μ-distortions. The y-distortion dipole may be detectable with PIXIE at a few standard deviations.
Renormalization Group and Problem of Radiation

The standard model of non-relativistic quantum electrodynamics describes non-relativistic quantum matter, such as atoms and molecules, coupled to the quantized electromagnetic field. Within this model, we review basic notions, results and techniques in the theory of radiation. We describe the key technique in this area - the spectral renormalization group. Our review is based on joint works with Volker Bach and Juerg Froehlich and with Walid Abou Salem, Thomas Chen, Jeremy Faupin and Marcel Griesemer. Brief discussion of related contributions is given at the end of these lectures. This review will appear in "Quantum Theory from Small to Large Scales", Lecture Notes of the Les Houches Summer Schools, volume 95, Oxford University Press, 2011. Key words: quantum electrodynamics, photons and electrons, renormalization group, quantum resonances, spectral theory, Schroedinger operators, ground state, quantum dynamics, non-relativistic theory.
The Design of Jet Pumps

This report shows that by applying both energy and impulse theorems the optimum throat dimension of the mixing nozzle and the best shape of intake can be predicted approximately in a relatively simple manner. The necessary length of the mixing nozzle follows from Prandtl's turbulent mixing theory. The calculations are carried out for the mixing of similar and dissimilar fluids.
Robust Matrix Completion Based on Factorization and Truncated-Quadratic Loss Function

Robust matrix completion refers to recovering a low-rank matrix given a subset of the entries corrupted by gross errors, and has various applications since many real-world signals can be modeled as low-rank matrices. Most of the existing methods only perform well for noise-free data or those with zero-mean white Gaussian noise, and their performance will be degraded in the presence of outliers. In this paper, based on the factorization framework, we propose a novel robust matrix completion scheme via using the truncated-quadratic loss function, which is non-convex and non-smooth, and half-quadratic theory is adopted for its optimization. By introducing an auxiliary variable, half-quadratic optimization (HO) can transform the loss function into two tractable forms, that is, additive and multiplicative formulations. Block coordinate descent method is then exploited as their solver. Compared with the additive form, the multiplicative variant has lower computational cost since we attempt to take the observations contaminated by outliers as missing entries. Numerical simulations and experimental results based on image inpainting and hyperspectral image recovery demonstrate that our algorithms are superior to the state-of-the-art methods in terms of restoration accuracy and runtime. MATLAB code is available at https://github.com/bestzywang.
THE STAR FORMATION HISTORIES OF LOCAL GROUP DWARF GALAXIES. II. SEARCHING FOR SIGNATURES OF REIONIZATION

We search for signatures of reionization in the star formation histories (SFHs) of 38 Local Group dwarf galaxies (104 < M⋆ < 109 M☉). The SFHs are derived from color–magnitude diagrams using archival Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 imaging. Only five quenched galaxies (And V, And VI, And XIII, Leo IV, and Hercules) are consistent with forming the bulk of their stars before reionization, when full uncertainties are considered. Observations of 13 of the predicted “true fossils” identified by Bovill & Ricotti show that only two (Hercules and Leo IV) indicate star formation quenched by reionization. However, both are within the virial radius of the Milky Way and evidence of tidal disturbance complicates this interpretation. We argue that the late-time gas capture scenario posited by Ricotti for the low mass, gas-rich, and star-forming fossil candidate Leo T is observationally indistinguishable from simple gas retention. Given the ambiguity between environmental effects and reionization, the best reionization fossil candidates are quenched low mass field galaxies (e.g., KKR 25).
Comparison of Depressive Symptoms among Women with Gynecological Cancer and other Cancer Types Before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: Cancer patients are at a high risk of exhibiting depressive symptoms. However, what remains unknown is whether gynecological cancer (GC) worsens this risk. This study seeks to compare depressive symptoms amongst women diagnosed with GC and women diagnosed with other cancer types before COVID-19 pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also seeks to compare both study periods to confirm if COVID-19 influenced depressive symptoms of women with GC. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to find an association between depressive symptoms and gynecological cancers using other cancer type diagnosis in females as a reference. We utilized the sample adult file of NHIS (National Health Interview Survey) data from 2019 (Pre-Pandemic data) and data from 2020 (Pandemic data). We also utilized the PHQ-8 scale to quantify major depressive disorder. Each of the 8 items were scored from 0-3. All statistical analysis were performed using SAS v9.4 ((SAS Institute Inc, Cary, NC), and statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: A weighted population of women with GC vs other cancer types was obtained. Women with GC tend to have lesser Age, Educational status, Health status, Income. They also tend to be more obese and smokers. Women with GC tend to have had hysterectomy (68.03% vs 35.43%) and access to care during COVID-19 (71.63% vs 68.01%). Severe depressive symptoms were higher before pandemic and among women with GC OR 2.89 (95%CI 1.64 - 5.12). Moderate depressive symptoms were higher during the pandemic and among women with GC OR 2.19 (95%CI 1.35 – 3.57). Among women with GC, depressive symptoms were less likely in 2020 than 2019 with an OR 0.57 (95%CI 0.36 – 0.91) Conclusion: Based on the data available, women with gynecologic cancer are more prone to having depressive symptoms than women with other cancer types. Therefore, policies should be implemented to improve wellness of women with gynecologic cancer. Although, depressive symptoms wasn’t worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
CO2 ICE TOWARD LOW-LUMINOSITY EMBEDDED PROTOSTARS: EVIDENCE FOR EPISODIC MASS ACCRETION VIA CHEMICAL HISTORY

We present Spitzer IRS spectroscopy of CO2 ice bending mode spectra at 15.2 μm toward 19 young stellar objects (YSOs) with luminosity lower than 1 L☉ (3 with luminosity lower than 0.1 L☉). Ice on dust grain surfaces can encode the history of heating because pure CO2 ice forms only at elevated temperature, T > 20 K, and thus around protostars of higher luminosity. Current internal luminosities of YSOs with L < 1L☉ do not provide the conditions needed to produce pure CO2 ice at radii where typical envelopes begin. The presence of detectable amounts of pure CO2 ice would signify a higher past luminosity. Many of the spectra require a contribution from a pure, crystalline CO2 component, traced by the presence of a characteristic band splitting in the 15.2 μm bending mode. About half of the sources (9 out of 19) in the low-luminosity sample have evidence for pure CO2 ice, and 6 of these have significant double-peaked features, which are very strong evidence of pure CO2 ice. The presence of the pure CO2 ice component indicates that the dust temperature, and hence luminosity of the central star/accretion disk system, must have been higher in the past. An episodic accretion scenario, in which mixed CO–CO2 ice is converted to pure CO2 ice during each high-luminosity phase, explains the presence of pure CO2 ice, the total amount of CO2 ice, and the observed residual C18O gas.
Effect of Adding Different Concentrations of Cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) on Physicochemical and Sensory Properties of Chicken Mortadella

Four chicken mortadella were prepared: C (control), M1, M2 and M3 by addition of 10%, 15%, and 20% of minced cowpea, respectively). The effect of adding minced cowpea on the physical, chemical, microbial, and sensory evaluation of mortadella had been studied. Results revealed that there were significant differences in fat, carbohydrates, and ash percentages in the mortadella. The fat percentage was gradually decreased from 15.13 % in the control group to 11.03 % in M3. Carbohydrate and ash were increased from 3.94, 2.53 % in the control group to 7.14, and 2.76 % in M3 respectively according to the increase of cowpea in the mortadella. Protein and moisture were increased with no significant difference in all mortadella examined. Water holding capacity was increased significantly by adding minced cowpea. Microbial load test revealed that there was an obvious decrease in total bacterial count and Escherichia coli with an increase of cowpea in the mortadella. For sensory evaluation there were significant differences in some characteristics between control and other groups, colour, flavour, and taste decreased according to the increase of cowpea in the mortadella formulations, the decrease was high in the M3 group and low in M1 and M2 groups with some similarity to the control group. The texture was improved by adding more minced cowpea to the mortadella particularly in the M3 group. Accordingly, the effect of these quality properties was reflected in the degree of general acceptance of the mortadella formulations.
Electroweak physics at the Tevatron

The CDF and D0 experiments at the Tevatron have used p{bar p} collisions at {radical}s = 1.96 TeV to perform electroweak physics measurements. A program of precision electroweak tests of SM already started. Measurements performed are: W and Z bosons production cross section using different leptonic final states, dielectron Forward-Backward Asymmetry A{sub FB} and di-boson cross section production. We also report the prospects for the W mass measurements.
Recent Progress, Advancements, and Efficiency Improvement Techniques of Natural Plant Pigment-Based Photosensitizers for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Production of green energy by using environment friendly and cost-effective components is attracting the attention of the research world and is found to be a promising approach to replace nonrenewable energy sources. Among the green energy sources, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are found to be the most alternative way to reduce the energy demand crises in current situation. The efficiency of DSSCs is dependent on numerous factors such as the solvent used for dye extraction, anode and cathode electrodes, and the thickness of the film, electrolyte, dye, and nature of FTO/ITO glasses. The efficiency of synthetic dye-based DSSCs is enhanced as compared to their counterparts. However, it has been found that many of the synthetic sensitizers used in DSSCs are toxic, and some of them are found to cause carcinogenicity in nature by forming a complex agent. Instead, using various parts of green plants such as leaves, roots, steam, peel waste, flowers, various spices, and mixtures of them would be a highly environmentally friendly and good efficient. The present review focuses on and summarizes the efficiency affecting factors, the various categories of natural sensitizers, and solvent effects. Furthermore, the review work assesses the experimentally and computationally obtained values and their progress in development.
Near horizon symmetry and entropy of black holes in the presence of a conformally coupled scalar

We analyze the near horizon conformal symmetry for black hole solutions in gravity with a conformally coupled scalar field using the method proposed by Majhi and Padmanabhan recently. It is shown that the entropy of the black holes of the form ds2 = −f(r) dt2 + dr2/f(r) + ⋅⋅⋅ agrees with the Wald entropy. This result is different from the previous result obtained by M Natsuume, T Okamura and M Sato using the canonical Hamiltonian formalism, which claims a discrepancy from the Wald entropy.
Institutional Innovations to Reduce High Transaction Costs and Risks in Smallholder Markets in Ghana

This article analyses institutional innovations to address high transaction costs and risks associated involved in the interaction between traders (agents) and smallholder farmers in rural markets of Ghana. A mixed methods design was used to collect data from participants. The findings from the study revealed possible institutional innovations to address high transaction costs and risks to facilitate smallholder farmers' market access in rural agricultural markers of Ghana. These include the introduction of a new contract farming arrangement, cooperative society, smallholder farmers' participation in decision making and the government's direct intervention.
Characteristics and Impacts of Sexual Violence and Stalking Victimization by the Same Perpetrator Using a Nationally Representative Sample

ABSTRACT Authors examine prevalence of sexual violence and stalking victimization by the same perpetrator, reporting perpetrator types, intimate partner context and impacts for this combination of victimization. Data are from the 2010–2012 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, a nationally representative adult telephone survey. Analyses examined the characteristics of the victimization, presence of other intimate partner violence by the same perpetrator, and victim impacts (e.g., injury). An estimated 8.1% (9.8 million) of women and 1.6% (1.9 million) of men in the United States were stalked and sexually victimized by the same perpetrator, most often an intimate partner. Over 90% of female and male victims experienced sexual violence, stalking, psychological aggression, and physical violence by the same intimate partner perpetrator. Impacts of both intimate partner and non-intimate partner perpetrated victimization were most commonly fearfulness, concern for safety, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Sexual violence combined with stalking is common in the context of intimate partner violence. Early prevention efforts (i.e., in youth) addressing the context of intimate partner violence may be helpful in reducing these forms of violence and their impacts.
GC–MS Profiling of Naturally Extracted Essential Oils: Antimicrobial and Beverage Preservative Actions

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the antimicrobial effects of natural essential oils (EO) and determine their preservative action. Eight natural essential oils were tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans representing gram positive, gram negative, and fungi, respectively. The plant materials were used in this study viz. Thymus vulgaris—thyme (TV), Mentha virdis (MV), Mentha longifolia (ML), Rosmarinus officinalis—rosemary (RO), Lavandula dentata—lavender (LD), Origanum majorana—oregano (OM), which belong to the Lamiaceae family. The other two plants were Cymbopogon citratus—lemon grass (family Poaceae) (CC), and Eucalyptus globulus (family Myrtaceae) (EG). Employing the disc diffusion susceptibility test, minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations were estimated for each oil, followed by the addition of oils to pasteurized apple juice after microbial induction. The results revealed that thyme oil showed the maximum zone of inhibition against all tested microbes enriched with monoterpenes class viz. eucalyptol (24.3%), thymol (17.4%), and γ-terpinene (15.2%). All other tested oils exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition of growth and their MIC ranged from 0.1 to 100 µL/mL. The recorded minimum bactericidal concentration values were apparently double the minimum inhibitory concentration. The EO of Mentha virdis followed by Mentha longifolia showed maximum antimicrobial activity against the tested organisms in pasteurized apple juice. A gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) analysis of lemon grass, thyme, and Mentha virdis essential oils showed their enrichment with monoterpenes class recording 97.10, 97.04, and 97.61%, respectively.
lncRNA IL-17RA-1 Attenuates LPS-Induced Sepsis via miR-7847-3p/PRKCG-Mediated MAPK Signaling Pathway

Sepsis represents a syndrome of systemic inflammatory response, which is mostly a result of infection with various pathogenic microorganisms, characterized by an uncontrolled infection response of the organism leading to life-threatening organ dysfunction. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), as competing endogenous RNA, can affect the binding of microRNA (miRNA) to mRNA, thus influencing the development of sepsis. In this study, based on transcriptome data from GEO database, we screened differentially expressed lncRNAs and constructed lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network. And pathway IL-17RA-1/miR-7847-3p/protein kinase C gamma (PRKCG) coexpression network was successfully sorted out. The effect of this network on LPS-induced sepsis model in THP-1 cells was also verified by CCK-8, scratch, ELISA, Western blot, and qRT-PCR assays. Corresponding binding sites of miR-7847-3p to IL-17RA-1 and miR-7847-3p to PRKCG were verified using dual luciferase gene reporter assays, respectively. Compared with control, si-IL-17RA-1 significantly inhibited the cell viability and migration ability of THP-1, and levels of proinflammatory factors IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α secreted were markedly decreased, and the expression of IL-17RA-1, PRKCG, p-MEKK1, and p-JNK were markedly reduced. In addition, IL-17RA-1 could target binding to miR-7847-3p and inhibit its expression, and miR-7847-3p could also bind to PRKCG. Our experiments demonstrate that IL17-RA-1 attenuates the sepsis response through the miR-7847-3p/MAPK pathway, and this competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network may be a potential approach to predict and combat sepsis.
Ultra-low-power superconductor logic

We have developed a new superconducting digital technology, Reciprocal Quantum Logic, that uses ac power carried on a transmission line, which also serves as a clock. Using simple experiments, we have demonstrated zero static power dissipation, thermally limited dynamic power dissipation, high clock stability, high operating margins, and a low bit-error rate. These features indicate that the technology is scalable to far more complex circuits at a significant level of integration. On the system level, Reciprocal Quantum Logic combines the high speed and low-power signal levels of single-flux-quantum signals with the design methodology of semiconductor digital logic, including low static power dissipation, low latency combinational logic, and efficient device count.