Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variational Methods for Human Modeling

A large part of computer vision research is devoted to building models and algorithms aimed at understanding human appearance and behaviour from images and videos. Ultimately, we want to build automated systems that are at least as capable as people when it comes to interpreting humans. Most of the tasks that we want these systems to solve can be posed as a problem of inference in probabilistic models. Although probabilistic inference in general is a very hard problem of its own, there exists a very powerful class of inference algorithms, variational inference, which allows us to build efficient solutions for a wide range of problems. In this thesis, we consider a variety of computer vision problems targeted at modeling human appearance and behaviour, including detection, activity recognition, semantic segmentation and facial geometry modeling. For each of those problems, we develop novel methods that use variational inference to improve the capabilities of the existing systems. First, we introduce a novel method for detecting multiple potentially occluded people in depth images, which we call DPOM. Unlike many other approaches, our method does probabilistic reasoning jointly, and thus allows to propagate knowledge about one part of the image evidence to reason about the rest. This is particularly important in crowded scenes involving many people, since it helps to handle ambiguous situations resulting from severe occlusions. We demonstrate that our approach outperforms existing methods on multiple datasets. Second, we develop a new algorithm for variational inference that works for a large class of probabilistic models, which includes, among others, DPOM and some of the state-of-the-art models for semantic segmentation. We provide a formal proof that our method converges, and demonstrate experimentally that it brings better performance than the state-of-the-art on several real-world tasks, which include semantic segmentation and people detection. Importantly, we show that parallel variational inference in discrete random fields can be seen as a special case of proximal gradient descent, which allows us to benefit from many of the advances in gradient-based optimization.
Feature Encoding II Feature Encoding III Feature Encoding I Input Image Reconstructed Image Skip connection Scale I Scale II Scale III Downsampling Upsampling Upsampling Downsampling Feature Decoding II Feature Decoding

Image denoising and high-level vision tasks are usually handled independently in the conventional practice of computer vision, and their connection is fragile. In this paper, we cope with the two jointly and explore the mutual influence between them with the focus on two questions, namely (1) how image denoising can help improving high-level vision tasks, and (2) how the semantic information from high-level vision tasks can be used to guide image denoising. First for image denoising we propose a convolutional neural network in which convolutions are conducted in various spatial resolutions via downsampling and upsampling operations in order to fuse and exploit contextual information on different scales. Second we propose a deep neural network solution that cascades two modules for image denoising and various high-level tasks, respectively, and use the joint loss for updating only the denoising network via backpropagation. We experimentally show that on one hand, the proposed denoiser has the generality to overcome the performance degradation of different high-level vision tasks. On the other hand, with the guidance of high-level vision information, the denoising network produces more visually appealing results. Extensive experiments demonstrate the benefit of exploiting image semantics simultaneously for image denoising and highlevel vision tasks via deep learning. The code is available online: https://github.com/Ding-Liu/DeepDenoising
Hyperlocal journalism and PR : Diversity in roles and interactions

Hyperlocal media has repeatedly been framed as a potential saviour of local journalism, but the democratic and civic role that often is ascribed to hyperlocals is not obvious or uncomplicated. The hyperlocals’ vulnerable economic situation makes them dependent on free content, for example material produced by local councils or organizations. This paper investigates the role of hyperlocal media entrepreneurs and their interaction with local councils and other stakeholders. We examine how the hyperlocal media entrepreneurs supply their communities with news in places of a media void, and how they perceive their role in their communities. Findings from this qualitative study show that the media entrepreneurs view their news production as an important part of the local community. They provide a forum for debate and information for citizens, local governments and organizations. Their service also includes a channel for local events relevant for the community. The interactions with the local governments vary, as well as the hyperlocal entrepreneurs’ evaluation of how the information provided by the councils can or should be handled. The relation between hyperlocal media entrepreneurs and local governments is a complex process, including both interrelated and contradictory goals.
Sexually Dimorphic Role for Insular Perineuronal Nets in Aversion-Resistant Ethanol Consumption

Compulsive alcohol drinking is a key symptom of alcohol use disorder (AUD) that is particularly resistant to treatment. An understanding of the biological factors that underly compulsive drinking will allow for the development of new therapeutic targets for AUD. One animal model of compulsive alcohol drinking involves the addition of bitter-tasting quinine to an ethanol solution and measuring the willingness of the animal to consume ethanol despite the aversive taste. Previous studies have demonstrated that this type of aversion-resistant drinking is modulated in the insular cortex of male mice by specialized condensed extracellular matrix known as perineuronal nets (PNNs), which form a lattice-like structure around parvalbumin-expressing neurons in the cortex. Several laboratories have shown that female mice exhibit higher levels of aversion-resistant ethanol intake but the role of PNNs in females in this behavior has not been examined. Here we compared PNNs in the insula of male and female mice and determined if disrupting PNNs in female mice would alter aversion-resistant ethanol intake. PNNs were visualized in the insula by fluorescent labeling with Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) and disrupted in the insula by microinjecting chondroitinase ABC, an enzyme that digests the chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan component of PNNs. Mice were tested for aversion-resistant ethanol consumption by the addition of sequentially increasing concentrations of quinine to the ethanol in a two-bottle choice drinking in the dark procedure. PNN staining intensity was higher in the insula of female compared to male mice, suggesting that PNNs in females might contribute to elevated aversion-resistant drinking. However, disruption of PNNs had limited effect on aversion-resistant drinking in females. In addition, activation of the insula during aversion-resistant drinking, as measured by c-fos immunohistochemistry, was lower in female mice than in males. Taken together, these results suggest that neural mechanisms underlying aversion-resistant ethanol consumption differ in males and females.
Lifted Weight Learning of Markov Logic Networks (Revisited One More Time)

We revisit the problem of lifted weight learning of Markov logic networks (MLNs). We show that there is an algorithm for maximum-likelihood learning which runs in time polynomial in the size of the domain, whenever the partition function of the given MLN can be computed in polynomial time. This improves on our recent results where we showed the same result with the additional dependency of the runtime on a parameter of the training data, called interiority, which measures how “extreme” the given training data are. In this work we get rid of this dependency. The main new technical ingredient that we exploit are theoretical results obtained recently by Straszak and Vishnoi (Maximum Entropy Distributions: Bit Complexity and Stability, COLT 2019).
Evolution of structures with an open magnetic flux over a hundred years

Abstract Reconstruction of regions with an open configuration of magnetic force lines was carried out according to synoptic Hα maps over a period of more than 100 years. It is shown that the maximum area of open structures in the cycle of solar activity is reached in the descending phase, 1÷2 years before the onset of the minimum. The total area of open structures in the current cycle n has a high correlation (r ~ 0.8) with the amplitude of the next activity cycle n + 1. There is also a secular envelope with a maximum in the middle of the 20th century.
Modélisation de terrains par primitives

Nous proposons un modele de terrain hierarchique et compact permettant de representer des scenes complexes. Ce modele de representation s'inspire des surfaces implicites a squelettes et definit une fonction d'elevation sous la forme d'un arbre de construction. Les feuilles sont des primitives decrivant des morceaux de terrains a differentes echelles (montagnes, fleuves, .) et les noeuds internes sont des operateurs de combinaison. L'elevation d'un point est calculee en traversant la structure d'arbre et en combinant les contributions de chaque primitive. La definition des feuilles et des operateurs garantit que la fonction d'elevation resultante est Lipschitzienne, ce qui permet d'accelerer les calculs de visualisation en utilisant un algorithme de sphere tracing. Mots Cles : modelisation de terrains, phenomenes naturels, modelisation procedurale, surface implicite We propose a compact hierarchical procedural model that combines feature-based primitives to create complex continuous terrains. Our model is inspired by skeletal implicit surfaces and defines the terrain elevation by using a construction tree whose leaves are primitives describing terrain fragments, and whose inner nodes include operations that combine its sub-trees. The elevation of a point is evaluated by traversing the tree and by combining the contributions of each primitive. The definition of both leaves and operators guarantees that the resulting elevation function is Lipschitz which enables us to speed up sphere tracing and surface adaptive tesselation algorithms.
Clinical Medicine Insights: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders Broad Spectrum of Skeletal Malformation Complex in Patients with Cleidocranial Dysplasia Syndrome: Radiographic and Tomographic Study

Open Access Full open access to this and thousands of other papers at Abstract Purpose: Cleidocranial dysplasia is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by defective ossification of the intramembraneous ossification (primarily the clavicles, cranium, and pelvis), and it is caused by mutations in the RUNX2 gene that is responsible for osteo-blast differentiation. Spine deformities were of progressive nature and considered to be the major orthopedic abnormalities encountered in our practice in patients with cleidocranial dysplasia. We aimed to further delineate the underlying spine pathology and its etiological understanding. Extraspinal deformities were dealt with respectively. Material and methods: In this paper, we describe 7 patients who were consistent with the phenotypic and the genotypic characterization of cleidocranial dysplasia. Reformatted computed tomography (CT) scans have been applied in several instances to further understand the underlying pathology of progressive spine tilting. Radiographs were sufficient to illustrate other skeletal malformations. Results: Anatomical survey demonstrates that a broad spectrum of frequently unrecognized orthopedic aberrations were encountered. We believe that torticollis has evolved in connection with the persistence of synchondrosis of the skull base and the upper cervical spine and these are strongly correlated to the well-known pathology of posterior occipital synchondrosis. Similarly, sco-liosis and kyphoscoliosis resulted from the pathologic aberration of the cartilaginous stage of disrupted embryological development. All our results are discussed for the first time. Coxa vara, patellar dysplasia, and genu valgum were observed as extraspinal deformities. Conclusion: This paper includes for the first time the anatomical analysis of the malformation complex of the craniocervical and the entire spine in patients with cleidocranial dysplasia. Reformatted CT scan was the modality of choice. We were able to illustrate that the persistence of skull base and the cervical spine synchondrosis were correlated with the pathological mechanism of the posterior occipital synchondrosis. Therefore, injuries to the craniocervical region in these patients might lead to a wide range of dreadful complications, ranging from complete atlanto-occipital or atlanto-axial dislocation to nondisplaced occipital condyle avulsion fractures with the possibility of Al Kaissi et al
ANCA-negative eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis complicated by peripheral nerve damage: A case report

Rationale: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare autoimmune disease that can affect multiple systems of the body and is characterized by asthma, blood and tissue eosinophilia, and small vascular inflammation. Eosinophilic tissue infiltration and extravascular granuloma formation can lead to any organ damage, but peripheral neuropathy is relatively rare. Patient concerns: A 29-year-old male patient was admitted to the hospital due to fever and rash on both lower extremities for 18 days. The patient complained of muscle pain in both lower extremities, with nausea, anorexia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. He had a 2-year history of asthma and bronchiectasis. The physical examination results were as follows: temperature, 37.8 °C; multiple patchy red rashes on both lower extremities; and no obvious abnormalities in other systems. The patient was negative for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA). Chest computed tomography showed bilateral ground-glass opacities, small nodules, and bronchiectasis. Histopathology of rectal tissues revealed numerous eosinophilic infiltrations. One week after admission, the patient developed symptoms of peripheral nerve damage, presenting with distal weakness in both lower extremities, foot drop, cross-threshold gait, and hypoalgesia on the lateral sides of both lower legs. Electromyography showed that the motor sensory fibers of the lower extremities were damaged. Diagnoses: Referring to the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology in 1990, the patient was diagnosed with systemic EGPA (vasculitic phase) with rare peripheral nerve damage. Interventions: After diagnosis, the patient was administered oral prednisone (60 mg/d; 1.0 mg/kg/d), and cyclophosphamide (900 mg) was infused on the 5th and 18th days of hormone therapy. Prednisone was reduced to 50 mg/d 1 month thereafter. Outcomes: After 1+ months of treatment, most of the symptoms disappeared. Limb weakness did not improve. Currently, the patient is undergoing outpatient follow-up and is adhering to treatment. Lessons: EGPA is a rare disease that can affect multiple systems and has diverse clinical manifestations, with no specific manifestations in the early stage. Diagnosis is difficult, and there is a high misdiagnosis rate. The rate of ANCA positivity for this disease is not high, and clinicians should consider the possibility of ANCA-negative EGPA.
Different composition of the human and the mouse γδ T cell receptor explains different phenotypes of CD3γ and CD3δ immunodeficiencies

The γδ T cell receptor for antigen (TCR) comprises the clonotypic TCRγδ, the CD3 (CD3γε and/or CD3δε), and the ζζ dimers. γδ T cells do not develop in CD3γ-deficient mice, whereas human patients lacking CD3γ have abundant peripheral blood γδ T cells expressing high γδ TCR levels. In an attempt to identify the molecular basis for these discordant phenotypes, we determined the stoichiometries of mouse and human γδ TCRs using blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and anti-TCR–specific antibodies. The γδ TCR isolated in digitonin from primary and cultured human γδ T cells includes CD3δ, with a TCRγδCD3ε2δγζ2 stoichiometry. In CD3γ-deficient patients, this may allow substitution of CD3γ by the CD3δ chain and thereby support γδ T cell development. In contrast, the mouse γδ TCR does not incorporate CD3δ and has a TCRγδCD3ε2γ2ζ2 stoichiometry. CD3γ-deficient mice exhibit a block in γδ T cell development. A human, but not a mouse, CD3δ transgene rescues γδ T cell development in mice lacking both mouse CD3δ and CD3γ chains. This suggests important structural and/or functional differences between human and mouse CD3δ chains during γδ T cell development. Collectively, our results indicate that the different γδ T cell phenotypes between CD3γ-deficient humans and mice can be explained by differences in their γδ TCR composition.
Mycobacterium marinum: a potential immunotherapy for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the immune response induced by Mycobacterium marinum infection in vitro and the potential of M. marinum as an immunotherapy for M. tuberculosis infection. Methods: The potential human immune response to certain bacillus infections was investigated in an immune cell–bacillus coculture system in vitro. As a potential novel immunotherapy, M. marinum was studied and compared with two other bacilli, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and live attenuated M. tuberculosis . We examined the changes in both the bacilli and immune cells, especially the time course of the viability of mycobacteria in the coculture system and host immune responses including multinuclear giant cell formation by Wright–Giemsa modified staining, macrophage polarization by cell surface antigen expression, and cytokines/chemokine production by both mRNA expression and protein secretion. Results: The M. marinum stimulated coculture group showed more expression of CD209, CD68, CD80, and CD86 than the BCG and M. tuberculosis (an attenuated strain, H37Ra) groups, although the differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, the M. marinum group expressed more interleukin (IL)-1B and IL-12p40 on day 3 (IL-1B: P = 0.003 and 0.004, respectively; IL-12p40: P = 0.001 and 0.011, respectively), a higher level of CXCL10 on day 1 ( P = 0.006 and 0.026, respectively), and higher levels of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL) 8 and chemokine (C motif) ligand (XCL) 1 on day 3 (CXCL8: P = 0.012 and 0.014, respectively; XCL1: P = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively). The M. marinum stimulated coculture group also secreted more tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- α , IL-1 β , and IL-10 on day 1 (TNF- α : P = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively; IL-1 β : P = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively; IL-10: P = 0.002 and 0.019, respectively) and day 3 (TNF- α : P = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively; IL-1 β : P = 0.000 and 0.001, respectively; IL-10: P = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively). In addition, the colony-forming units (an index of viability) of M. marinum in the M. marinum stimulated coculture group was significantly less than that of BCG and H37Ra in their corresponding bacillus stimulated groups ( P = 0.037 and 0.013, respectively). Conclusion: Our results indicated that M. marinum could be a potentially safe and effective immunotherapy. PerCP-CyTM from Biosciences. The in specific quadrants indicated the ratio of the cells stained positively with the variable antigens.
Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on survival in patients with T1 high-grade non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy

Patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who are at high and very high risk of disease progression are recommended for radical cystectomy (RC). However, the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) on survival outcomes in NMIBC patients undergoing RC remains unclear. Patients diagnosed with T1 high-grade NMIBC who underwent RC were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Overall survival (OS) was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier technique, and multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted to determine the independent factors of OS. A total of 1268 T1 high-grade NMIBC patients who underwent RC between 2004 and 2015 were included in the study. NAC was administered to 76 (6.0%) patients. At a median follow-up of 75 months, there was no significant difference in the OS between the NAC and non-NAC groups (HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.61–1.30, P = .539). However, in the multivariate Cox regression model, NAC demonstrated a more pronounced improvement in OS approaching statistical significance (HR = 0.7, 95% CI 0.47–1.05, P = .088). Subgroup analysis revealed a survival benefit of NAC in patients with lymph node metastasis. In summary, the results of this study suggest that NAC has the potential to confer a survival advantage in patients diagnosed with T1 high-grade NMIBC who undergo RC, but additional studies are needed. Nonetheless, the survival benefits of NAC in patients with lymph node involvement are apparent.
Increased frequency and quantity of mucosal and plasma cytomegalovirus replication among Ugandan Adults Living with HIV

Background Co-infection with HIV can result in impaired control of cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication, increasing the likelihood of disease and onward transmission. The objective of this analysis was to measure the impact of HIV on CMV replication in an intensively-sampled cohort in Kampala, Uganda. Methods CMV seropositive men and women aged 18–65, with or without HIV co-infection, were followed for one month. Daily oral swabs and weekly anogenital swabs and plasma were collected. Quantitative CMV PCR was performed on all samples. Results Eighty-five participants were enrolled and provided ≥1 oral swab; 43 (51%) were HIV-seropositive. People living with HIV (PLWH; median CD4 count 439 cells/mm3; none on antiretrovirals) had 2–4 times greater risk of CMV detection at each anatomical site assessed. At the oral site, 773 of 1272 (61%) of samples from PLWH had CMV detected, compared to 214 of 1349 (16%) among people without HIV. Similarly, the mean CMV quantity was higher among PLWH at all anatomical sites, with the largest difference seen for oral swabs (mean difference 1.63 log/mL; 95% CI 1.13–2.13). Among PLWH, absolute quantity of CD4+ T-cells was not associated with risk of CMV detection. HIV plasma RNA quantity was positively correlated with oral CMV shedding frequency, but not detection at other sites. Conclusions Mucosal and systemic CMV replication occurs at higher levels in PLWH than people without HIV, particularly oral shedding, which is a major mode of CMV transmission. Increased CMV replication despite relatively preserved CD4+ T-cell counts suggests that additional interventions are required to improve CMV control in PLWH.