Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Residual Networks for High-Quality Image Restoration

Image restoration methods based on convolutional neural networks have shown great success in the literature. However, since most of networks are not deep enough, there is still some room for the performance improvement. On the other hand, though some models are deep and introduce shortcuts for easy training, they ignore the importance of location and scaling of different inputs within the shortcuts. As a result, existing networks can only handle one specific image restoration application. To address such problems, we propose a novel adaptive residual network (ARN) for high-quality image restoration in this paper. Our ARN is a deep residual network, which is composed of convolutional layers, parametric rectified linear unit layers, and some adaptive shortcuts. We assign different scaling parameters to different inputs of the shortcuts, where the scaling is considered as part parameters of the ARN and trained adaptively according to different applications. Due to the special construction of ARN, it can solve many image restoration problems and have superior performance. We demonstrate its capabilities with three representative applications, including Gaussian image denoising, single image super resolution, and JPEG image deblocking. Experimental results prove that our model greatly outperforms numerous state-of-the-art restoration methods in terms of both peak signal-to-noise ratio and structure similarity index metrics, e.g., it achieves 0.2–0.3 dB gain in average compared with the second best method at a wide range of situations.
Influence of Dietary Supplementation of Propolis and Bee Pollen on Liver Pathology in Broiler Chickens

Simple Summary Today, there are increased demands for consumers to use natural products as alternative additives in broiler feeding. In this study, we evaluated the effects of propolis and bee pollen as potential new additives on liver pathology in broilers. The results of this study showed that supplementation of broilers with propolis and/or bee pollen has a strong protective effect on liver pathology. Thus, these natural agents can be used as alternative additives in modern broiler production. Such an approach will enable the production of chicken meat enriched with bioactive substances from propolis and/or bee pollen, such as flavonoids, that have been proven beneficial for human health. Abstract One of the major problems in intensive breeding of chickens is liver damage. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of dietary supplementation with propolis and bee pollen on liver pathology in broiler chickens. The study was conducted on 200 Ross 308 chickens equally distributed by sex that were divided into five groups. Throughout the whole study, the control group of chickens was fed with a basal diet, while the experimental groups of chickens were fed with the same diet further supplemented with propolis and bee pollen, each supplement given separately or in combination in a certain proportion. The study showed that the clusters of lymphocytes in the hepatocytes, the vacuolar degeneration and necrosis of the liver parenchyma, the bile ductule hyperplasia, and the various forms of pathological changes in the liver arteries and veins were more frequent in liver tissue samples of the control group compared to liver tissue samples of all the experimental groups (p < 0.001). The study further showed that all the previously mentioned histopathological lesions of liver tissue were always more extensive in the liver tissue samples of the control group than in the liver tissue samples of all the experimental groups (p < 0.001). The supplementation of broiler chickens with propolis and/or bee pollen has a strong protective effect on liver pathology in broiler chickens.
Got the Flu (or Mumps)? Check the Eigenvalue!

For a given, arbitrary graph, what is the epidemic threshold? That is, under what conditions will a virus result in an epidemic? We provide the super-model theorem, which generalizes older results in two important, orthogonal dimensions. The theorem shows that (a) for a wide range of virus propagation models (VPM) that include all virus propagation models in standard literature (say, [8][5]), and (b) for any contact graph, the answer always depends on the first eigenvalue of the connectivity matrix. We give the proof of the theorem, arithmetic examples for popular VPMs, like flu (SIS), mumps (SIR), SIRS and more. We also show the implications of our discovery: easy (although sometimes counter-intuitive) answers to `what-if' questions; easier design and evaluation of immunization policies, and significantly faster agent-based simulations.
Cultural Values, Sources of Guidance, and their Relevance to Managerial Behavior

Data are presented showing how middle managers in 47 countries report handling eight specific work events. The data are used to test the ability of cultural value dimensions derived from the work of Hofstede, Trompenaars, and Schwartz to predict the specific sources of guidance on which managers rely. Focusing on sources of guidance is expected to provide a more precise basis than do generalized measures of values for understanding the behaviors that prevail within different cultures. Values are strongly predictive of reliance on those sources of guidance that are relevant to vertical relationships within organizations. However, values are less successful in predicting reliance on peers and on more tacit sources of guidance. Explaining national differences in these neglected aspects of organizational processes will require greater sensitivity to the culture-specific contexts within which they occur.
Does exposure to bullying behaviors at the workplace contribute to later suicidal ideation? A three-wave longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the relative impact of person-related, work-related and physically intimidating bullying behaviors on suicidal ideation two and five years after the fact. METHODS Logistic regression analyses were utilized to examine relationships between bullying behaviors and suicidal ideation in a random and representative cohort sample of 1775 (T1-T2)/1613 (T1-T3) Norwegian employees. The time lag between T1 and T2 was two years and five years between T1 and T3. Exposure to bullying behaviors was measured with the revised version of the Negative Acts Questionnaire. Suicidal ideation was measured with a single item asking respondents whether they had "Thoughts about ending your life" during the past seven days. RESULTS Prevalence of suicidal ideation was 4% at T1, 5% at T2, and 4.2% at T3. At T1, 8.2% reported monthly exposure to person-related bullying, 19.1% to work-related bullying, and 1.8% to physically intimidating bullying behaviors. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, baseline suicidal ideation, and the shared variance of the bullying behavior categories, exposure to physical intimidation was the only form of bullying which significantly predicted suicidal ideation two [odds ratio (OR) 10.68, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 4.13-27.58) and five (OR 6.41, 95% CI 1.85-22.14) years later. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to workplace bullying behaviors in the form of physically intimidating behaviors is a risk factor for suicidal ideation. Although the prevalence of physical intimidation is low, this study shows that the consequences can be detrimental and organizations should therefore be especially aware of, and have available measures against, this type of bullying.
Prediction of Bus-Transfer Switching in Future HVdc Substations

Prior research has characterized bus-transfer switching capabilities of disconnectors commonly found in ac gas insulated switchgear by means of a limit performance prediction. A large number of dc bus-transfer tests were conducted on a modified bus-transfer test setup in order to study the applicability of these findings for the use of disconnectors in future HVdc substations. It was found that the ac extinction criterion based solely on the instantaneous recovery voltage and the expected arc voltage at current zero is also valid for dc bus-transfer switching. However, due to the high-frequency harmonics inherent to HVdc power transmission, the process of reaching the initial current zero and the extinction of the switching arc at current zero have been discovered to be independent to a certain degree. For negligible harmonic content of the switching current, arcing times below 20 ms have been predicted for reasonable sizes of substations and realistic dc current magnitudes, which is certainly within the capabilities of existing ac disconnectors. The previously devised limit performance prediction can be applied to gauge influences of different harmonic current contents and small modifications to the disconnector in simulation by applying the reignition criterion at the initial and all subsequent current zeros. Ultimately, however, exact knowledge of frequency and magnitude of the harmonic currents is needed in order to perform accurate predictions.
Bullying and Victimization Among School-age Children: Stability and Links to Proactive and Reactive Aggression

The main aim of the study relates to the links between bullying and victimization on the one hand and reactive and proactive aggression on the other. In addition, we also investigated stability and incidence of bullying and victimization. At age 7, 236 children were rated on bullying and victimization using peer reports. At age 8, 242 children were rated again. Two hundred and fifteen children (114 girls and 101 boys) were present at both time points. Reactive and proactive aggression was assessed by teachers. The results showed that bullies and bully/victims were both reactively and proactively aggressive, while victims were only reactively aggressive. A moderate degree of stability of bullying and victimization was found, with bullying being more stable than victimization. Boys were more often bullies than girls and more stable than girls in victimization. Stable victims and stable bully/victims were more reactively aggressive than their unstable counterparts. The relevance of the outcomes to preventing future maladjustment and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Protostars and Planets

In recent years, astronomers have begun to discover an increasing number of planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. The characteristics and origins of these planetary bodies are the subject of intense interest and debate. In their Perspective, Russell and Boss discuss the latest results on extrasolar planetary systems presented at a recent conference in Santa Barbara.
Asymptomatic Effect of Occupational Radiation Exposure on Thyroid Gland Hormones and Thyroid Gland Ultrasonographic Abnormalities

Data evaluating the effect of asymptomatic effects of radiation on thyroid hormone panels and ultrasonographic abnormalities among radiology technologists are scarce. This study aimed to determine the asymptomatic effect of radiation in a total of 39 male and 11 female exposed radiology technologists working in radiology departments, and a total of 34 male and 16 female age-matched controls working in other departments in the same hospital. The level of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were evaluated using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Thyroid ultrasonographic evaluation outcomes were given as normal or abnormal. There was significant interaction between exposure and gender in the mean TSH and T4 but not T3. The mean TSH for exposed men was significantly higher than that among non-exposed men (2.28 mIU/L vs. 1.59 mIU/L; p-value = 0.003). The mean TSH was not significantly different between exposed and non-exposed women. The mean T4 for exposed men was significantly higher when compared with non-exposed men (11.1 pmol/L vs. 10.05 pmol/L; p-value = 0.005). In the non-exposed group, 93.8% of women and 94.1% of men had T4 values lower than established normal reference range, while in the exposed group, 90.9% of women and 74.4% of men had low values of T4. There was no significant difference in mean T3 between exposed and non-exposed groups for men and women. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the thyroid gland ultrasonographic findings between exposed and non-exposed groups. Occupational radiation exposure is associated with increased means of TSH and T3, especially among men.
Getting a kick out of humanoid robotics Using reinforcement learning to shape a soccer kick

Robots at home and in other uncontrolled environments need to be versatile. Time designing behavior for each task can be drastically reduced when robots can optimize behavior or learn it from scratch. Using reinforcement learning, a simulated humanoid robot, the NAO, is trained to perform a soccer kick. The used policy maps poses in joint space, encoded in policy parameters, via splines to motor settings. Shaping was applied by using different reward functions for different stages of the learning process. Direct policy search algorithms were used for learning. More specifically, the used learning algorithms are Finite Difference, Vanilla, Episodic Natural Actor Critic and a Genetic Algorithm. Results were compared. Using Finite Difference and the Genetic algorithm yielded the best results. Poor performance of Vanilla and Episodic Natural Actor Critic algorithms was probably due to error in the estimation of the gradient of the policy with respect to the parameters. Estimating that gradient is not needed for Finite Difference and the Genetic algorithm. Shaping was applied in two different approaches. In one, shaping resulted in reduced performance. In the other, performance was improved by shaping. While a good soccer kick was learned from scratch, the best soccer kick was the result of optimizing an already existing policy.
ZMYND10 stabilizes intermediate chain proteins in the cytoplasmic pre-assembly of dynein arms

Zinc finger MYND-type-containing 10 (ZMYND10), a cytoplasmic protein expressed in ciliated cells, causes primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) when mutated; however, its function is poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, we examined the roles of ZMYND10 using Zmynd10–/–mice exhibiting typical PCD phenotypes, including hydrocephalus and laterality defects. In these mutants, morphology, the number of motile cilia, and the 9+2 axoneme structure were normal; however, inner and outer dynein arms (IDA and ODA, respectively) were absent. ZMYND10 interacted with ODA components and proteins, including LRRC6, DYX1C1, and C21ORF59, implicated in the cytoplasmic pre-assembly of DAs, whose levels were significantly reduced in Zmynd10–/–mice. LRRC6 and DNAI1 were more stable when co-expressed with ZYMND10 than when expressed alone. DNAI2, which did not interact with ZMYND10, was not stabilized by co-expression with ZMYND10 alone, but was stabilized by co-expression with DNAI1 and ZMYND10, suggesting that ZMYND10 stabilized DNAI1, which subsequently stabilized DNAI2. Together, these results demonstrated that ZMYND10 regulated the early stage of DA cytoplasmic pre-assembly by stabilizing DNAI1.
Mapping the Distribution of Cysts from the Toxic Dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides in Bloom-Prone Estuaries by a Novel Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Assay

ABSTRACT Cochlodinium polykrikoides is a cosmopolitan dinoflagellate that is notorious for causing fish-killing harmful algal blooms (HABs) across North America and Asia. While recent laboratory and ecosystem studies have definitively demonstrated that Cochlodinium forms resting cysts that may play a key role in the dynamics of its HABs, uncertainties regarding cyst morphology and detection have prohibited even a rudimentary understanding of the distribution of C. polykrikoides cysts in coastal ecosystems. Here, we report on the development of a fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay using oligonucleotide probes specific for the large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) of C. polykrikoides. The LSU rDNA-targeted FISH assay was used with epifluorescence microscopy and was iteratively refined to maximize the fluorescent reaction with C. polykrikoides and minimize cross-reactivity. The final LSU rDNA-targeted FISH assay was found to quantitatively recover cysts made by North American isolates of C. polykrikoides but not cysts formed by other common cyst-forming dinoflagellates. The method was then applied to identify and map C. polykrikoides cysts across bloom-prone estuaries. Annual cyst and vegetative cell surveys revealed that elevated densities of C. polykrikoides cysts (>100 cm−3) during the spring of a given year were spatially consistent with regions of dense blooms the prior summer. The identity of cysts in sediments was confirmed via independent amplification of C. polykrikoides rDNA. This study mapped C. polykrikoides cysts in a natural marine setting and indicates that the excystment of cysts formed by this harmful alga may play a key role in the development of HABs of this species.
Factors related to cancer screening behaviors

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the factors related to cancer screening behaviors (CSB). METHODS The 2014 Korean Community Health Survey used for analysis. The dependent variable was CSB, and the independent variables were demographic, health behavioral, and regional factor. Propensity score matching (PSM) used to control health behavior and regional factors, which were influencing CSB. For statistical analysis, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis used. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis after PSM showed that gender, age, marital status, educational level, monthly household income, employment type, alcohol drinking, smoking, body mass index group, chronic disease, and subjective health status influenced the CSB, there were statistical differences. CONCLUSIONS To improve cancer screening (CS), it is necessary to educate individuals on the need for CS and to carry out a personalized CS program based on an individual’s demographic status and health behavior.
Steady-State Control Reference and Token Conservation Laws in Continuous Petri Net Systems

This paper addresses several questions related to the control of timed continuous Petri nets under infinite server semantics. First, some results regarding equilibrium states and control actions are given. In particular, it is shown that the considered systems are piecewise linear, and for every linear subsystem the possible steady states are characterized. Second, optimal steady-state control is studied, a problem that surprisingly can be computed in polynomial time, when all transitions are controllable and the objective function is linear. Third, an interpretation of some controllability aspects in the framework of linear dynamic systems is presented. An interesting finding is that noncontrollable poles are zero valued.
In Vitro–In Vivo Extrapolation of OATP1B-Mediated Drug–Drug Interactions in Cynomolgus Monkey

Hepatic organic anion-transporting polypeptides (OATP) 1B1 and 1B3 are clinically relevant transporters associated with significant drug–drug interactions (DDIs) and safety concerns. Given that OATP1Bs in cynomolgus monkey share >90% degree of gene and amino acid sequence homology with human orthologs, we evaluated the in vitro–in vivo translation of OATP1B-mediated DDI risk using this preclinical model. In vitro studies using plated cynomolgus monkey hepatocytes showed active uptake Km values of 2.0 and 3.9 µM for OATP1B probe substrates, pitavastatin and rosuvastatin, respectively. Rifampicin inhibited pitavastatin and rosuvastatin active uptake in monkey hepatocytes with IC50 values of 3.0 and 0.54 µM, respectively, following preincubation with the inhibitor. Intravenous pharmacokinetics of 2H4-pitavastatin and 2H6-rosuvastatin (0.2 mg/kg) and the oral pharmacokinetics of cold probes (2 mg/kg) were studied in cynomolgus monkeys (n = 4) without or with coadministration of single oral ascending doses of rifampicin (1, 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg). A rifampicin dose-dependent reduction in i.v. clearance of statins was observed. Additionally, oral pitavastatin and rosuvastatin plasma exposure increased up to 19- and 15-fold at the highest dose of rifampicin, respectively. Use of in vitro IC50 obtained following 1 hour preincubation with rifampicin (0.54 µM) predicted correctly the change in mean i.v. clearance and oral exposure of statins as a function of mean unbound maximum plasma concentration of rifampicin. This study demonstrates quantitative translation of in vitro OATP1B IC50 to predict DDIs using cynomolgus monkey as a preclinical model and provides further confidence in application of in vitro hepatocyte data for the prediction of clinical OATP1B-mediated DDIs.
Return to Sports and Physical Activities After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Lisfranc Injuries in Recreational Athletes

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess participation in sport and physical activity following open reduction and internal fixation of a Lisfranc injury in a cohort of recreational athletes. Methods: This study identified all adult patients aged 55 years or younger who presented with a Lisfranc injury and underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using a Lisfranc screw combined with bridge plating technique. Sports and physical activity participation was assessed with a new sports-specific, patient-administered questionnaire. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Thirty-three patients qualified for the study (21 men/12 women). Mean age and follow-up were 31.2 (range, 18-55) years and 2.9 (range, 1.5-5.4) years, respectively. Results: Postoperatively, 31 patients (94%) were able to return to some form of sport. Twenty-two patients (66%) returned to playing sport at or above their preinjury level. Of the 11 patients who played less sport, 6 had ongoing pain, and the remaining 5 were asymptomatic but were participating less frequently because of other lifestyle reasons. In addition, of the 33 patients, 11 (33%) had some degree of ongoing pain that might limit their ability to return to sports and physical activities. There was strong correlation between overall FAOS and the Sports Questionnaire. Conclusion: Most patients who sustained a Lisfranc injury could return to sport and physical activity after ORIF. Patients should be counseled preoperatively that about 1 in 3 might experience continued pain at the injury site Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Galectin-3 Reflects the Echocardiographic Grades of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction

Background The level of Galectin-3 (Gal-3) protein purportedly reflects an ongoing cardiac fibrotic process and has been associated with ventricular remodeling, which is instrumental in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of Gal-3 in improved characterization of the grades of diastolic dysfunction as defined by echocardiography. Methods Seventy HFpEF patients undergoing routine echocardiography were prospectively enrolled in the present monocentric study. Blood samples for measurements of Gal-3 and amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were collected within 24 hours pre- or post-echocardiographic examination. The classification of patients into subgroups based on diastolic dysfunction grade permitted detailed statistical analyses of the derived data. Results The Gal-3 serum levels of all patients corresponded to echocardiographic indices, suggesting HFpEF (E/A, P=0.03 and E/E', P=0.02). Gal-3 was also associated with progressive diastolic dysfunction, and increased levels corresponded to the course of disease (P=0.012). Detailed analyses of ROC curves suggested that Gal-3 levels could discriminate patients with grade III diastolic dysfunction (area under the curve [AUC]=0.770, P=0.005). Conclusions Gal-3 demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in the diagnosis of patients suffering from severe grade diastolic dysfunction. Increasing levels of Gal-3 possibly reflect the progressive course of HFpEF, as classified by the echocardiographic grades of diastolic dysfunction.