Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unsupervised Multi-Class Co-Segmentation via Joint-Cut Over $L_{1}$ -Manifold Hyper-Graph of Discriminative Image Regions

This paper systematically advocates a robust and efficient unsupervised multi-class co-segmentation approach by leveraging underlying subspace manifold propagation to exploit the cross-image coherency. It can combat certain image co-segmentation difficulties due to viewpoint change, partial occlusion, complex background, transient illumination, and cluttering texture patterns. Our key idea is to construct a powerful hyper-graph joint-cut framework, which incorporates mid-level image regions-based intra-image feature representation and $L_{1}$ -manifold graph-based inter-image coherency exploration. For local image region generation, we propose a bi-harmonic distance distribution difference metric to govern the super-pixel clustering in a bottom-up way. It not only affords drastic data reduction but also gives rise to discriminative and structure meaningful feature representation. As for the inter-image coherency, we leverage multi-type features involved $L_{1}$ -graph to detect the underlying local manifold from cross-image regions. As a result, the implicit supervising information could be encoded into the unsupervised hyper-graph joint-cut framework. We conduct extensive experiments and make comprehensive evaluations with other state-of-the-art methods over various benchmarks, including iCoseg, MSRC, and Oxford flower. All the results demonstrate the superiorities of our method in terms of accuracy, robustness, efficiency, and versatility.
Theophylline versus acetaminophen in the treatment of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH).

BACKGROUND Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is the most frequent complication of procedures associated with dural puncture for spinal anesthesia or following accidental dural puncture during epidural anesthesia. Since invasive treatments have known complications, pharmacologic management may be preferable. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of theophylline and Acetaminophen in treatment of PDPH. METHODS In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 60 patients with Class I physical status according to ASA classification system, who suffered from PDPH were enrolled. Patients in Theophylline group were received theophylline tablet 250 mg three times per day, and in the other group acetaminophen 500 mg three times per day was administered. Pain intensity was assessed 2, 6, and 12 hour after drug administration using 0-10 cm Visual Analog Scale. RESULTS The main VAS values is significantly lower in theophylline group in comparison with the acetaminophen group at 2 (5 +/- 1.57 vs. 5.97 +/- 1.27), 6 (3.43 +/- 1.73 vs. 4.33 +/- 1.49), and 12 (2.67 +/- 2.35 vs. 4.24 +/- 1.97) hours after drug administration (p < 0.05). No adverse effects were reported. DISCUSSION Theophylline is a safe and effective treatment for PDPH. It may be tried in PDPH patients before using any invasive technique. Further investigations studying other Methylxanthines are recommended as well.
Changepoint analysis of Klementinum temperature series

This paper presents a statistical analysis of the stationarity of the Prague–Klementinum temperature series. In the first part, the stationarity of annual means is rejected, and several nonstationary models are suggested to assess the increase in temperature in the most recent decades. The analysis shows that positions of the changepoint estimates depend largely on our decision as to whether we apply a discontinuous or a continuous piecewise linear model. In the second part, we study the stationarity of the seasonal behavior of the series, particularly the stationarity of the mean annual profiles. The analysis of the seasonal cycle shows that the increase in temperature has not the same character throughout the calendar year. Rather, an increase in temperature in winter days is larger than an increase in summer days, and the temperature difference between summer and winter days decreases.
Transformational Leader as Person-Centered Communicator : Empirical Findings and Observations for Leadership Educators

This article focuses on the empirical effects of cognitive differentiation and persuasive skills on transformational, transaction, and laissez-faire leadership. Subjects (N = 294) completed measures of independent and dependent variables. Findings confirmed prior findings, however findings some reflected differences. Cognitive differentiation was positively related to transformation leadership (r = .16, p = .038), unrelated to transactional leadership (r = -.02, ns), and negatively related to laissez-faire leadership (r = -.22, p = .002). Findings were nearly identical for the persuasive skills variable showing a positive relationship with transformational leadership (r = .19, p = .021), no relationship with transactional leadership (r = -.007, ns), and negatively related to laissez-faire leadership (r = .27, p = .001). In a regression analysis cognitive differentiation and persuasive skills accounted for 5.4% of the unique variance of transformation leadership (F = 4.02, df = 2,139, p = .02). Implications to leadership educators were discussed.
On Axiomatizations of the Shapley Value for Assignment Games

We consider the problem of axiomatizing the Shapley value on the class of assignment games. It turns out that several axiomatizations of the Shapley value on the class of all TU-games do not characterize this solution on the class of assignment games. However, when considering an assignment game as a (communication) graph game where the game is simply the assignment game and the graph is a corresponding bipartite graph where buyers (sellers) are connected with sellers (buyers) only, we show that Myerson’s component efficiency and fairness axioms do characterize the Shapley value on the class of assignment games. Moreover, these two axioms have a natural interpretation for assignment games. Component efficiency yields submarket efficiency stating that the sum of the payoffs of all players in a submarket equals the worth of that submarket, where a submarket is a set of buyers and sellers such that all buyers in this set have zero valuation for the goods offered by the sellers outside the set, and all buyers outside the set have zero valuations for the goods offered by sellers inside the set. Fairness of the graph game solution boils down to valuation fairness stating that only changing the valuation of one particular buyer for the good offered by a particular seller changes the payoffs of this buyer and seller by the same amount.
Performance evaluation of OFDM transmission over impulsive noisy channels

When impulsive noise occurs in a general power line communication (PLC) channel, it is known that the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) systems are relatively robust to such noise. In this paper, we provide a closed-form analysis of a communication channel where Impulsive Noise (IN) and Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) coexist. Our analysis is used to describe a “noise power spread phenomenon” which spreads impulsive noise over all OFDM carriers thereby contributing to the robustness of OFDM systems, particularly those with a large number of carriers. The closed form analysis was simulated and a number of data plots are provided which demonstrate the significant features and impact of impulsive noise on OFDM systems.
Heterogeneity of Tensile Strength and Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity in the Wall of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Purpose: To measure the tensile strength of the aneurysm wall and the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in similar samples of aortic tissue. Methods: Detailed mechanical testing was conducted on 124 standardized specimens of aneurysm wall harvested from 24 patients undergoing elective aneurysm repair. The intrasac pressure required to cause aneurysm rupture was calculated based upon the Law of Laplace. In addition, MMP-2 and 9 were assayed from these specimens. Sixty specimens of nonaneurysmal aorta from 6 cadaveric organ donors served as controls. Intrasubject and intersubject variations were analyzed. Results: In the aneurysm specimens, the Young's modulus was 1.80times106 N/m2, the load at break was 6.36 N, the strain at break was 0.30, the ultimate strength was 0.53times106 N/m2, and the MMP activity was 312 for MMP-2 and 460 for MMP-9. In the controls, the circumferential measurements were a Young's modulus of 1.82times106 N/m2, a load at break of 5.43 N, strain at break of 0.29, ultimate strength of 0.61times106 N/m2, and MMP activity of 395 for MMP-2 and 2019 for MMP-9. Longitudinal measurements in controls were a Young's modulus of 1.38times106 N/m2, a load at break of 11.39 N, a strain at break of 0.33, and ultimate strength of 1.30times106 N/m2. Intra and intersubject variation of all parameters was very high. Based upon the lowest measured tensile strength for each aneurysm, the intrasac pressure required to cause rupture varied from 142 to 982 mmHg. Conclusions: Localized “hot spots” of MMP hyperactivity could lead to focal weakening of the aneurysm wall and rupture at relatively low levels of intraluminal pressure. These data suggest that tensile strength of the sac is just as important as intrasac tension in determining the risk of rupture. Moreover, these observations may explain why some small aneurysms rupture and larger aneurysms do not. Assessment of rupture risk based on computation or measurement of wall stress may be subject to error and inaccuracy due to variations in wall tensile strength.
Molecular Characterization and Genetic Diversity Assessment of Soybean Varieties using SSR Markers

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ) is one of the world’s most important economic legume crops. A number of cultivars have been released in India from different soybean breeding centres for growing under different agro climatic conditions by introduction, selection, mutation and hybridization of elite cultivars and germplasm through systemic breeding and evaluation programmes (Chauhan et al., 2015). Generations of new and improved cultivars can be enhanced by new sources of genetic variation; therefore criteria for parental stock selection need to be considered not only by agronomic value, but also for genetic dissimilarity. Therefore, understanding the genetic diversity of soybean germplasm is essential to broaden the genetic base and to further utilize it in breeding program (Kumawat et al., 2015). Knowledge on genetic diversity in soybean International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 04 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Differential regulation of transendothelial migration of THP‐1 cells by ICAM‐1/LFA‐1 and VCAM‐1/VLA‐4

The adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM‐1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1) expressed in atherogenic lesions are thought to regulate monocyte diapedesis. To better understand their specific roles we used function‐blocking antibodies and examined in a culture model the morphology, motility, and diapedesis of THP‐1 cells interacting with human coronary artery endothelial cells. The number of motile THP‐1 cells was reduced only when VCAM‐1 or both ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 were blocked. Blockade of ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1, either separately or together, reduced to the same degree the distance that THP‐1 cells traveled. Diapedesis was reduced only during the simultaneous blockade of both adhesion molecules. Blockade of either ICAM‐1 or VCAM‐1 inhibited pseudopodia formation, but ICAM‐1 blockade induced the formation of filopodia. We suggest that the interactions of endothelial ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1 with their ligands differentially regulate distinct steps of diapedesis by modulating the ratio of active and inactive forms of small GTPases such as Rho, Rac, and Cdc42.
Learning to be conservative: How high school education increases support for the Republican party∗

Despite education’s capacity to significantly alter students’ life trajectories, little is known about how education affects the political party an individual identifies with and votes for later in life. Using a difference-in-differences design to exploit variation in state compulsory schooling laws (CSLs) across cohorts in the U.S., I find that raising the minimum school leaving age by a year causes a 1-3 percentage point increase in support for the Republican party per cohort. Instrumental variable estimates show that each additional grade of late high school increases the probability that a CSL-complier identifies as or votes Republican by around 10 percentage points. Analysis of the mechanisms suggests that high school’s conservative effects primarily operate by increasing income, which in turn increases support for conservative economic policies and ultimately the Republican party. These results suggest both that recent Democrat attempts to raise state leaving ages, and Republican opposition to CSLs, may be strategically misguided.
Massive Yang-Mills theory based on the nonlinearly realized gauge group

We propose a subtraction scheme for a massive Yang-Mills theory realized via a nonlinear representation of the gauge group [here $SU(2)$]. It is based on the subtraction of the poles in $D\ensuremath{-}4$ of the amplitudes, in dimensional regularization, after a suitable normalization has been performed. Perturbation theory is in the number of loops, and the procedure is stable under iterative subtraction of the poles. The unphysical Goldstone bosons, the Faddeev-Popov ghosts, and the unphysical mode of the gauge field are expected to cancel out in the unitarity equation. The spontaneous symmetry breaking parameter is not a physical variable. We use the tools already tested in the nonlinear sigma model: hierarchy in the number of Goldstone boson legs and weak-power-counting property (finite number of independent divergent amplitudes at each order). It is intriguing that the model is naturally based on the symmetry $SU(2{)}_{L}$ local $\ensuremath{\bigotimes}$ $SU(2{)}_{R}$ global. By construction the physical amplitudes depend on the mass and on the self-coupling constant of the gauge particle and moreover on the scale parameter of the radiative corrections. The Feynman rules are in the Landau gauge.
Multi-platform real-time realization of isolated permanent magnet synchronous generator

This paper introduces a multi-platform system for real-time studies of an isolated permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The system consists of an Altera DE2 Development Board field-programmable gate-array (FPGA), a Texas Instruments (TI) TMS320F28335 digital signal processor (DSP), and a PC running dSPACE1103 Control Desk for real time interaction and data acquisition. This work demonstrates the real time simulation performance of the PMSG implemented at a 1μs time step on the Altera DE2 FPGA utilizing an explicit Euler numerical ordinary differential equation (ODE) solver. The model is then validated by comparing the results to the widely accepted MATLAB/SIMULINK/SimPowerSystems PMSG under the same parameters and external excitations. The work presents the system architecture as well as introduces a simple methodology of implementing the coupled differential equations of the PMSG in an FPGA for real time simulation. The use of the Altera DE2 FPGA eliminates the cost of using a real-time simulation platform and allows for a smaller achievable time step which is advantageous when simulating high speed machines to observe system transients. This work demonstrates a simple process that uses one clock and takes advantage of the IEEE arithmetic and numeric types libraries. The multi platform structure also provides potential future hardware-in-the-loop capabilities for more complex system integration.
The Plausibility of Helicobacter Pylori and CagA Strains Related Infertility Among Males in Alexandria, Egypt

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), especially the strains expressing cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA), besides causing gastric diseases, may also involve other systems including the reproductive system leading to infertility. In males, antibodies produced against H. pylori flagella may cross react with spermatozoa flagella; due to antigenic mimicry between them. Infected males have decreased sperm count, motility and viability, reduced numbers of normally shaped sperms and augmented systemic levels of inflammatory cytokines. Objective(s): to detect H. pylori–related infertility prevalence among males; and to address the possibility that such infection may play a detrimental role in their semen quality. Methods: One hundred infertile male patients attending a private hospital in Alexandria were screened for H. pylori by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CagA strains were further identified using CagA IgG ELISA. Semen analysis was performed to assess semen quality as regards sperm count, motility, vitality and morphology. Results: H. pylori seropositivity was 73% (73 out of 100) among screened cases. Sixty out of the 73 positive cases for H. pylori IgG (82.19%) were CagA strains. H. pylori prevalence was significantly higher among the group of patients with idiopathic infertility (79.7%) than among those who had one or more diagnosed causes of infertility; p value= 0.024. CagA status significantly influenced the quality of semen among infected cases compared to uninfected ones. (p value<0.001). Conclusion: H. pylori infection; specially by CagA strains can be responsible for cases of idiopathic infertility in males through its negative effect on semen quality.
Improving simplified multicast forwarding using an elevated relay node

In emergency and crisis operations, group communication is essential to coordinate rescue efforts. Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANETs) can provide dynamic and resilient communication services in areas without a working communication infrastructure. The connectivity of MANETs can be improved using an elevated network node due to larger ground coverage, thus improving node reachability. Simplified Multicast Forwarding (SMF) is a scheme to efficiently distribute group communication packets in MANETs. In this paper, we explore methods to utilize SMF in a MANET supported by an elevated network node. We show that an elevated network node can improve the packet delivery ratio in a MANET with SMF-distribution of multicast packets. Further gains are made by unicasting the packets from the source to the elevated network node, moving the initial point of the SMF-distribution to the elevated network node. The consequences of a potential unicast packet loss are lessened by the source retransmitting the packet as multicast if it fails to receive the SMF-forwarded packet from the elevated network node. We achieve a high packet delivery ratio while maintaining a low cost for most topology sizes. Finally, the paper outlines future research directions for group communication in MANETs.
Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System: an expert consensus statement

The increasing incidence and high morbidity and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have inspired the creation of the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS). LI-RADS aims to reduce variability in exam interpretation, improve communication, facilitate clinical therapeutic decisions, reduce omission of pertinent information, and facilitate the monitoring of outcomes. LI-RADS is a dynamic process, which is updated frequently. In this article, we describe the LI-RADS 2014 version (v2014), which marks the second update since the initial version in 2011.
Predictors for 5‐year survival in a prospective cohort of elderly stroke patients

Whiting R, Shen Q, Hung WT, Cordato D, Chan DKY. Predictors for 5‐year survival in a prospective cohort of elderly stroke patients. Acta Neurol Scand: 2011: 124: 309–316. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Memory processes and the course of anxiety and depression in cancer patients

Background. Intrusive memories of stressful events, many involving illness and death, are found in a minority of depressed cancer patients, and may predict the course of anxiety and depression. Method. Matched samples of mild to moderately depressed and non-depressed cancer patients were followed up after 6 months. Anxiety and depression at follow-up were related to measures of intrusive memories of stressful life events and autobiographical memory functioning that had been assessed at baseline. Results. Levels of anxiety and depression remained fairly constant over time in the two groups, and the depressed group continued to experience high levels of intrusive memories. The presence of intrusive memories at baseline, and the extent to which these memories were consciously avoided, predicted greater anxiety at follow-up, even after controlling for initial severity of physical and psychiatric symptoms. None of the measures of memory functioning predicted levels of depression at follow-up. Conclusions. Intrusive memories appear to be a marker of more prolonged psychopathology in cancer patients and may respond to direct therapeutic intervention.
Stigma-Based Solidarity

With growing diversity and increased media attention to inequality, it is likely that stigmatized-group members will have increased political influence on social issues affecting other stigmatized groups. When might members of different stigmatized groups see commonality in their experiences or disadvantaged status, and when might another stigmatized group be treated solely as an out-group? This article provides an overview of new and important lines of research examining how perceived discrimination may shape intergroup relations among members of different stigmatized groups. Specifically, perceived discrimination is highlighted as a potentially common experience for members of different stigmatized groups that at times elicits coalitional attitudes, but is often solely experienced as a threat to social identity and thus elicits intergroup derogation. The dimensions on which individuals are stigmatized, aspects of their discrimination experiences, and contextual factors are important for predicting whether perceiving discrimination will spur coalition or derogation. This topic is vital for understanding intergroup relations and political behavior in the 21st century.
Speech-based emotion classification using multiclass SVM with hybrid kernel and thresholding fusion

Emotion classification is essential for understanding human interactions and hence is a vital component of behavioral studies. Although numerous algorithms have been developed, the emotion classification accuracy is still short of what is desired for the algorithms to be used in real systems. In this paper, we evaluate an approach where basic acoustic features are extracted from speech samples, and the One-Against-All (OAA) Support Vector Machine (SVM) learning algorithm is used. We use a novel hybrid kernel, where we choose the optimal kernel functions for the individual OAA classifiers. Outputs from the OAA classifiers are normalized and combined using a thresholding fusion mechanism to finally classify the emotion. Samples with low `relative confidence' are left as `unclassified' to further improve the classification accuracy. Results show that the decision-level recall of our approach for six-class emotion classification is 80.5%, outperforming a state-of-the-art approach that uses the same dataset.
A strongly truncated inner accretion disc in the Rapid Burster

We thank the referee for comments on this Letter. JvdE and ND are supported by a Vidi grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) awarded to ND. ND also acknowledges support via a Marie Curie fellowship (FP-PEOPLE-2013-IEF-627148) from the European Commission. ACF, AL and MP are supported by Advanced Grant Feedback 340442 from the European Research Counsil (ERC). TB acknowledges support from NewCompStar (COST Action MP1304). JvdE and TB acknowledge the hospitality of the Institute of Astronomy in Cambridge, where this research was carried out.