DIY Human Action Data Set Generation

The recent successes in applying deep learning techniques to solve standard computer vision problems has aspired researchers to propose new computer vision problems in different domains. As previously established in the field, training data itself plays a significant role in the machine learning process, especially deep learning approaches which are data hungry. In order to solve each new problem and get a decent performance, a large amount of data needs to be captured which may in many cases pose logistical difficulties. Therefore, the ability to generate de novo data or expand an existing data set, however small, in order to satisfy data requirement of current networks may be invaluable. Herein, we introduce a novel way to partition an action video clip into action, subject and context. Each part is manipulated separately and reassembled with our proposed video generation technique. Furthermore, our novel human skeleton trajectory generation along with our proposed video generation technique, enables us to generate unlimited action recognition training data. These techniques enables us to generate video action clips from an small set without costly and time-consuming data acquisition. Lastly, we prove through extensive set of experiments on two small human action recognition data sets, that this new data generation technique can improve the performance of current action recognition neural nets

Umbrella repair of giant omphalocele, A new technique.

Introduction: Although many techniques have been described for reconstruction of the giant omphalocele, we present a simple , effective and safe new technique.Materials and Methods: We have studied 11 neonates with giant omphalocele that were treated by a new technique, Umbrella repair, in Sarvar pediatric hospital of Mashhad, Iran. In this new technique we released the skin around the omphalocele membrane just near the junction and a purse string suture is placed at the edge of the skin with beads beneath each bite and graded tightening of the suture in order to pushing the omphalocele toward the abdominal cavity. Finally we compare the results.Results: Among total 11 patients, mean age and weight at the time of operation were 2.18 days and 2150 grams respectively. comparing the results between groups, we observed significant less operative time and number of surgeries in neonatal period among patients who managed by umbrella repair. Post-operative complications, morbidity and mortality in umbrella repair group were also less than coventional methods.Conclusion: Umbrella repair provide a rapid and safe method for management of giant omphalocele with acceptable results and low morbidity and mortality

4-aminopyridine decreases MPTP-induced behavioral disturbances in animal model of Parkinson’s disease

Background and purpose: Progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain is the main mechanism of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although potassium channels affect neural activity and death in this area, little research has investigated the effect of potassium channel blockers, such as 4-aminopyridine in the pretreatment of PD.Methods: Fifty-six healthy male Wistar rats were selected for this study. They were divided into seven groups according to receiving saline or 4-aminopyridine, receiving a low or high dose of 4-aminopyridine and receiving 4-aminopyridine for short or long periods. Apomorphine-induced rotational test, elevated body swing test and rotarod test were done to examine behavioral performances.Results: 4-aminopyridine could not completely block behavioral disturbances induced by MPTP, however, it decreased them in all behavioral tests. Long administration of 4-aminopyridine was more effective than short administration in lowering behavioral disturbances. Although high dose of 4-aminopyridine was more effective than low dose in initial trials of each behavioral test, there was no difference between them in the last trial.Conclusion: Long administration of low dose of 4-aminopyridine is the best way to lessen behavioral disturbances induce by MPTP and also avoiding side effects of high dose of 4-aminopyridine. 

Integrating emerging cryptographic engineering research and security education

Unlike traditional embedded systems such as secure smart cards, emerging secure deeply embedded systems, e.g., implantable and wearable medical devices, have larger “attack surface”. A security breach in such systems which are embedded deeply in human bodies or objects would be life-threatening, for which adopting traditional solutions might not be practical due to tight constraints of these often-battery-powered systems. Unfortunately, although emerging cryptographic engineering research mechanisms have started solving this critical problem, university education (at both graduate and undergraduate level) lags comparably. One of the pivotal reasons for such a lag is the multi-disciplinary nature of the emerging security bottlenecks (mathematics, engineering, science, and medicine, to name a few). Based on the aforementioned motivation, in this paper, we present an effective research and education integration strategy to overcome this issue at Rochester Institute of Technology. Moreover, we present the results of more than one year implementation of the presented strategy at graduate level through “side-channel analysis attacks” case studies. The results of the presented work show the success of the presented methodology while pinpointing the challenges encountered compared to traditional embedded system security research/teaching integration

Ageing and ankle pulse pressure

Background: Pulse pressure (PP) is a marker of arterial stiffness. Ageing of the arterial system is accompanied by atherosclerosis of coronary arteries and atherosclerosis of popliteal artery. However, severe impairment of the brachial artery is rare. This study investigates whether there is any significant inter-limb (brachial/ankle) PP difference. Methods: Blood pressure was measured in a group of young and a group of old non-smoking men; all were free from medication and disease with a mean age of 22 &#177; 1.3 and 59 &#177; 2 years respectively. The blood pressure was taken while they were in a supine position on three separate occasions. Lower limb pressure was measured by placing the cuff on the calf muscle. For auscultation of Korotkoff sounds the stethoscope was placed on the posterior surface of the internal malleolus. The mean of the second and third readings were rounded off and used for analysis. Results: Significant differences were found between brachial and ankle PP in both groups (p < 0.01). The ratio of brachial PP to ankle PP in the young men was greater than 1. In the old men it was less than 0.15. There was no significant difference between the brachial PP in the two groups, but on both sides the ankle PP was significantly greater in the old men (p < 0.01). Conclusions: With the ageing of the arterial system, raised PP is more prominent in the lower limb (e.g. ankle). Cuff measurement of blood pressure at this site may be a useful index of peripheral PP changes with ageing. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 2: 163-165