Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detecting Steganographic Content in Images Found on the Internet

Steganographic techniques are being applied across a broad set of different digital technologies. It has been rumored that terrorists have been utilizing steganographic techniques within digital images to communicate on the Internet. There have been no confirmed reports of successful detection of steganographic content within images found on the Internet. In this paper, the authors describe their efforts in performing their own analysis. Over 200,000 images were collected and over 20,000 files were analyzed in-depth.
Can Farmers Create Efficient Information Networks? Experimental Evidence from Rural India

We run an artefactual field experiment in rural India which tests whether farmers can create efficient networks in a repeated link formation game, and whether group categorization results in homophily and loss of network efficiency. We find that the efficiency of the networks formed in the experiment is significantly lower than the efficiency which could be achieved under selfish, rational play. Many individual decisions are consistent with selfish rationality and with a concern for overall welfare, but the tendency to link with the ‘most popular’ farmer in the network causes large efficiency losses. When information about group membership is disclosed, social networks become more homophilous, but not significantly less efficient. Networks play an important role in the diffusion of innovations in developing countries. If they are inefficiently structured, there is scope for development policies that support diffusion.
Features Fusion for Diversity Gap Reduction

Diversity has been promoted in image retrieval results using clustering algorithms to tackle queries, which refer to multiple information needs, e.g., due to ambiguity. Despite the effective results of diversity-aware methods, the image wealth of large collections and the subjectivity of human perception bring the semantic gap problem. This paper presents multimodal fusion approaches aimed at reducing the diversity gap with ensemble clustering and dimensionality reduction. The applied methods were evaluated by quantifying the clustering effectiveness in comparison to human decisions. The experimental results demonstrate the potential of these approaches to boost diversity-oriented engines and that they could improve state-of-the-art systems.
Naï Realism and Affirmative Action: Adversaries are More Similar Than They Think

Research on "naïve realism" has shown that opposing partisans in political debates overestimate the dissimilarity in their views. These studies explore and extend this "false polarization" phenomenon in the context of affirmative action. Study 1 showed that partisans on both sides of the affirmative action debate greatly overestimate the liberalism of proponents and the conservatism of opponents. Study 2 extended this finding by showing that both sides similarly overestimate the ideological consistency of the two sides with respect to other policy issues such as abortion and immigration. Study 3 demonstrated an implication of these results by showing that adversaries were more optimistic about negotiation when they were exposed to the actual rather than the assumed views of their counterparts. Discussion centers on strategies for reducing false polarization and its impact on dispute resolution, and the relevance of these findings for the affirmative action debate.
Deep XMM-Newton observation of a northern LMC field I. Selected X-ray sources

First results from a deep XMM-Newton observation of a field in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) near the northern rim of the supergiant shell LMC 4 are presented. Spectral and temporal analyses of a sample of selected X-ray sources yielded two new candidates for supernova remnants, a supersoft X-ray source and a likely high mass X-ray binary (HMXB) pulsar. From the fourteen brightest sources ten exhibit power-law X-ray spectra with slopes compatible to those of active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the background of the LMC. Their AGN nature is further supported by the lack of optical counterparts brighter than B ∼ 18 mag. From the three previously known HMXBs the Be/X-ray binary EXO 053109-6609.2 was the brightest source in the field, allowing a more detailed analysis of its X-ray spectrum and pulse profile. During the pulse EXO 053109-6609.2 shows eclipses of the X-ray emitting areas with increased photo-electric absorption before and after the eclipse. The detection of X-ray pulsations with a period of 69.2 s is confirmed for RX J0529.8-6556 and a possible period of 272 s is discovered from XMMU J053011.2-655122. The results are discussed with respect to individual sources as well as in the view of source population studies in the vicinity of the supergiant shell LMC 4.
Reference thresholds for the TEN(HL) test for people with normal hearing

Abstract Objective: To estimate normative values and repeatability of thresholds for the TEN(HL) test for diagnosing dead regions in the cochlea, as a function of signal frequency, TEN(HL) level, age and gender. Design: The TEN(HL) test was administered twice for each ear of each participant using signal frequencies from 0.5 to 4 kHz and TEN(HL) levels of 30, 50 and 70 dB HL/ERBN. Study sample: In all, 29 young participants and 8 older participants were tested. All had normal audiograms with no history of hearing problems. Results: There was good repeatability across sessions. There was no significant effect of ear, gender or age group. The average signal-to-TEN ratio (STR) at threshold was close to 0 dB. For low signal frequencies, the STR at threshold varied only slightly with TEN(HL) level, but for the signal frequencies of 3 and 4 kHz the STR at threshold increased to about +2.7 dB for the TEN(HL) level of 70 dB/ERBN. Conclusions: For a high TEN(HL) level, the “normal” STR at threshold at 3 and 4 kHz is closer to +2 dB than to 0 dB. Further research is needed to assess whether the TEN(HL)-test criteria need to be modified when testing at high frequencies and high levels.
Keystroke level analysis of email message organization

Organization of email messages takes an increasing amount of time for many email users. Research has demonstrated that users develop very different strategies to handle this organization. In this paper, the relationship between the different organization strategies and the time necessary to use a certain strategy is illustrated by a mathematical model based on keystroke-level analysis. The model estimates time usage for archiving and retrieving email messages for individual users. Besides explaining why users develop different strategies to organize email messages, the model can also be used to advise users individually when to start using folders, clean messages, learn the search functionality, and using filters to store messages. Similar models could assist evaluation of different interface designs where the number of items increase with time.
Mapping the social side of pre-service teachers: connecting closeness, trust, and efficacy with performance

Abstract This exploratory study foregrounds the important, but often understudied social side of pre-service teacher development and its relation to teaching performance in one university-based teacher preparation program in the US. We examine the extent to which pre-service elementary teachers’ social relationships and perceptions of peer trust and efficacy are associated with performance on a high stakes mathematics teaching assessment. Findings suggest that social and emotional support through close social ties, peer trust, and self-efficacy are significantly and positively associated with pre-service teachers’ teaching performance. Our work further contributes to the development and discourse about teacher education in university-based teacher preparation programs.
Supporting pregnant and parenting women with substance-related problems by addressing emotion regulation and executive function needs

Abstract Treatment of maternal substance-related problems is often complicated by complex pictures of risk, including mental and physical illness and social-contextual risk. In motherhood, systemic barriers, such as lack of childcare and stigma, further complicate access and sustained treatment engagement. Integrated programs are designed to address this issue by providing treatment for substance use, as well as services to address other maternal, parenting, and child needs, ideally at a single access point. Despite growth in integrated programs, a common theoretical framework to inform service provision is lacking. This has resulted in considerable heterogeneity among integrated programs and hindered multi-site evaluation. This study sought to develop a theoretical model of integrated treatment, with a focus on the therapeutic relationship and how the relationship serves to support two common areas of need in this population: emotion regulation (ER) and executive functions (EF). As part of a multi-site evaluation of integrated substance use treatment, six client focus groups (N = 50) were conducted to explore client perspectives on integrated treatment and specifically aspects of the therapeutic relationship they found most/least helpful. Thematic analysis revealed approaches and behaviors of counselors that support ER and EF. These themes are presented and contextualized within the literature that addresses ER and EF risk from a mental health and socio-contextual risk perspective. A theoretical model of these processes is presented, along with practice and policy implications.
Creativity in design activities: the role of analogies in a constrained cognitive environment

In this paper, we argue that creativity and therefore, the emergence of new i&as take place in a “constrained cognitive environment’: constructed by the creators themselves. In order to determine more precisely how such a process can occur, we conducted two experimental studies in a creative real-world professional area: non routine design activities. The first study is based on the claim that, contrary to intuitive views of creativity, the emergence of new ideas results from analogv-making, The obtained results allow us to identify the nature of potential “sources” for an analogical reasoning, which facilitate the evocation process from designers. The second study is based on a paradigm of “information on request”, in order to allow us to understand on which bases designers of different levels of expertise can construct their own constrained cognitive environment. It appears especially that they can adopt different points of view, which show that, though most stages of design occur individually, these stages are in fact integrated into a collaborative partnership. We-conclude this paper by providing suggestions for the development of design support systems, whicfi could facilitate creative acts from designers as well as the adoption of various points of view.
Pterygia pathogenesis: corneal invasion by matrix metalloproteinase expressing altered limbal epithelial basal cells.

OBJECTIVE To assess the potential role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the pathogenesis of pterygia by comparing the immunolocalization patterns of MMPs in altered limbal basal stem cells, activated fibroblasts, and areas of elastotic degeneration adjacent to the pterygia. METHODS Nine primary and 1 recurrent pterygia along with normal superior limbal-conjunctival tissue and cornea were immunostained with mouse monoclonal antibodies specific for MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, membrane type 1 (MT1)-MMP (MMP-14), and membrane type 2-MMP (MMP-15). RESULTS Normal conjunctival, limbal, and corneal cells lacked significant immunostaining except for cell surface MT1-MMP. In contrast, altered limbal basal epithelial cells of the 9 primary and 1 recurrent pterygia immunostained for all 6 MMPs. Activated and altered fibroblasts associated with the pterygia immunostained primarily for MMP-1. In contrast, stromal areas of elastotic degeneration (pingueculae) showed variable immunostaining of MMPs. CONCLUSIONS Altered limbal basal epithelial cells (pterygium cells) immunostained for multiple types of MMPs in contrast to normal conjunctival, limbal, and corneal cells. The pterygium cells invading over Bowman's layer produce elevated MMP-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expression, which probably are the main MMPs responsible for the dissolution of Bowman's layer. Pterygium cells may also cause activation of fibroblasts at the head of the pterygium, leading to the initial cleavage of fibrillar collagen in Bowman's layer by the production of MMP-1. Altered fibroblasts in areas of elastotic degeneration (pingueculae) trailing behind the pterygium constitute a second type of tumor, which is noninvasive. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These data of altered MMP expression support the concept that altered basal limbal epithelial cells play a key role in the formation and migration of a pterygium.
A daily diary investigation of behavioral disinhibition and alcohol-related aggression

A DAILY DIARY INVESTIGATION OF BEHAVIORAL DISINHIBITION AND ALCOHOL-RELATED AGGRESSION Brynn Elizabeth Sheehan Old Dominion University, 2016 Director: Dr. Cathy Lau-Barraco Experimental demonstrations and theoretical developments have identified that the ability to control one’s own behavior (i.e., trait self-control, state self-regulation) may be particularly influential in the prediction of aggression and alcohol-related aggression. The research investigating alcohol-related aggression, however, has neglected a large body of research focused on state variation of self-regulation. Consequently, the current study aimed to use a daily diary methodology design to examine associations between daily alcohol use and aggressive behaviors (i.e., direct, indirect), as well as the influence of trait self-control and state self-regulation on these relationships. Participants were 105 (80% female) college student drinkers. Mean age was 23.81 (SD = 7.53) years. Students completed baseline questionnaires and up to 14 consecutive, daily surveys regarding the prior days’ exertion of self-regulation, alcohol use, aggression, and alcohol-related aggression. Multilevel modeling results indicated that on days when participants experienced greater stress, and thus exerted greater self-regulation, they were less likely to consume alcohol and less likely to engage in indirect aggression. Further, the relationship between self-regulation and indirect aggression was stronger for individuals lower in trait self-control. Additionally, a priori exploratory analyses revealed that alcohol-related direct aggression was more likely to occur on days in which alcoholrelated indirect aggression occurred, supporting a co-occurrence of alcohol-related
Quantifying Interprofessional Learning In Health Professional Programs: The University of Manitoba Experience

Internationally, a growing number of interprofessional education (IPE) offices are being established within academic institutions. However, few are applying educational improvement methodologies to evaluate and improve the interprofessional (IP) learning opportunities offered. The University of Manitoba IPE Initiative was established in 2008 to facilitate the development of IP learning opportunities for pre-licensure learners. The research question for this secondary analysis was: what, if any, changes in the number and attributes of IP learning opportunities occurred in the academic year 2008–2009 compared to 2011–2012? The Points for Interprofessional Scoring (PIPES) tool was used to quantify the attributes of each IP learning opportunity. Most notably in 2012, eight (73%) of 11 IP learning opportunities achieved the highest PIPES score (> 55), compared to only four (36%) in 2009. The concept of the PIPES score is introduced as an educational improvement strategy and a potential predictor of achieving the desired educational outcome: collaborative competence.
RASSF10 suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma growth by activating P53 signaling and methylation of RASSF10 is a docetaxel resistant marker

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignances and the second leading cause of cancer related death worldwide. RASSF10 is located on chromosome 11p15.2, a region that shows frequent loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in several cancer types. Our previous study found that RASSF10 suppresses colorectal cancer growth by activating P53 signaling. To explore the epigenetic changes and the mechanism of RASSF10 in human HCC, 69 cases of primary HCC, twenty cases of normal liver tissue samples and 17 HCC cell lines were involved in this study. We found that RASSF10 was methylated in 82.6% (57/69) of human primary HCC and methylation of RASSF10 was significantly associated with tumor size (P < 0.05) and TNM stage (P < 0.05). The expression of RASSF10 was regulated by promoter region methylation. Restoration of RASSF10 expression suppressed cell proliferation, induced apoptosis and G2/M phase arrest, as well as sensitized cells to docetaxel and activated P53 signaling in HepG2 and QGY7703 cells. In conclusion, we demonstrated that RASSF10 is frequently methylated in human HCC and its methylation is a potential docetaxel resistant marker. Our data also indicate that RASSF10 suppresses human HCC growth by activating P53 signaling.
Studies on the Origin and Evolution of Codon Bias

Background: There is a 3-fold redundancy in the Genetic Code; most amino acids are encoded by more than one codon. These synonymous codons are not used equally; there is a Codon Usage Bias (CUB). This article will provide novel information about the origin and evolution of this bias. Results: Codon Usage Bias (CUB, defined here as deviation from equal usage of synonymous codons) was studied in 113 species. The average CUB was 29.3 +/- 1.1% (S.E.M, n=113) of the theoretical maximum and declined progressively with evolution and increasing genome complexity. A Pan-Genomic Codon Usage Frequency (CUF) Table was constructed to describe genome-wide relationships among codons. Significant correlations were found between the number of synonymous codons and (i) the frequency of the respective amino acids (ii) the size of CUB. Numerous, statistically highly significant, internal correlations were found among codons and the nucleic acids they comprise. These strong correlations made it possible to predict missing synonymous codons (wobble bases) reliably from the remaining codons or codon residues. Conclusions: The results put the concept of "codon bias" into a novel perspective. The internal connectivity of codons indicates that all synonymous codons might be integrated parts of the Genetic Code with equal importance in maintaining its functional integrity.
Reframing the ordinary: Imagining time as scarce increases well-being

Abstract We explored a counterintuitive approach to increasing happiness: Imagining time as scarce. Participants were randomly assigned to try to live this month (LTM) like it was their last in their current city (time scarcity intervention; n = 69) or to keep track of their daily activities (neutral control; n = 70). Each group reported their activities and their psychological need satisfaction (connectedness, competence, and autonomy) weekly for 4 weeks. At baseline, post-intervention, and 2-week follow-up, participants reported their well-being – a composite of life satisfaction, positive emotions, and negative emotions. Participants in the LTM condition increased in well-being over time compared to the control group. Furthermore, mediation analyses indicated that these differences in well-being were explained by greater connectedness, competence, and autonomy. Thus, imagining time as scarce prompted people to seize the moment and extract greater well-being from their lives.
Skin-Derived Precursors against UVB-Induced Apoptosis via Bcl-2 and Nrf2 Upregulation

Bcl-2 and Nrf2 are critical factors in protecting cells against UVB-induced apoptosis. Hair-follicle-bulge stem cells could resist ionization through Bcl-2 upregulation. Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) dwelling on the bulge may be against UVB irradiation. Initially, SKPs were isolated and identified. Then, SKPs were exposed to UVB and grew in medium for 24 hours. CCK-8 assay, TUNEL, and Ki67 staining evaluated cells apoptosis/proliferation, while SA-βgal staining evaluated cells senescence and pH2AX immunostaining evaluated DNA damage. Meanwhile, Bcl-2, Nrf2, HO-1, Bax, and Bak expressions were assessed by qRT-PCR and western blot. Two weeks later, floating spheres appeared and were identified as SKPs. After UVB radiation, SKPs maintained spherical colonies and outnumbered unirradiated ones, showing high Ki67 expression and low TUNEL, SA-βgal, and pH2AX expression. Fibroblasts (FBs), however, displayed deformation, senescence, and reduction, with increased TUNEL, SA-βgal, and pH2AX expression. Moreover, Bcl-2 and Nrf2 mRNA expression were significantly higher than Bak and Bax in irradiated SKPs. Conversely, Bcl-2 and Nrf2 mRNA levels greatly decreased compared with Bax and Bak in irradiated FBs. Interestingly, SKPs showed higher protein levels of Bcl-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 than FBs. SKPs exert a beneficial effect on resisting UVB-induced apoptosis, which may be associated with Bcl-2 and Nrf2 upregulation.
Concept Similarity Matching Based on Semantic Distance

With the application of semantic Web service and semantic Grid service, the similarity measure between services are more and more important in the processing of service matching. By formally defining the similarity of semantic services, useful information can be obtained about their similarity and compatibility. In this paper, we propose a concept similarity matching method based on semantic distance in service matching. Uses OWL-S to descript service, the algorithm computes semantic similarity of service in four macro steps. At last, we provide an experimental comparison of our method against traditional similarity measures, and prove empirically the benefits of our approach.
Attachment Style, Perceived Life Events, and Psychological Well-Being in Adults Coping with Bipolar Disorder: A Longitudinal Study

Catherine Stein, Advisor Evidence suggests the importance of healthy social relationships for adults coping with severe mental illness. Secure adult attachment has been linked with strong supportive relationships, yet it is estimated that approximately 11% to 22% of adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder are classified as having a secure attachment style. In comparison, approximately 60 to 80% of adults without psychiatric illness are classified as having a secure attachment style. Using a sample of 161 adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder, the present study examined the role of romantic attachment style and stressful life events in describing adults’ reports of mood symptoms and psychosocial functioning. Based on adults’ responses to self-report measures, results suggest that adults who reported more stressful life events or an insecure attachment style endorsed more symptoms of depression and worse psychosocial functioning. Conversely, individuals classified as securely attached generally report less depression and better psychosocial functioning than adults with insecure attachment styles. Implications of findings for working with adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder are discussed.