Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unsupervised incremental learning for improved object detection in a video

Most common approaches for object detection collect thousands of training examples and train a detector in an offline setting, using supervised learning methods, with the objective of obtaining a generalized detector that would give good performance on various test datasets. However, when an offline trained detector is applied on challenging test datasets, it may fail in some cases by not being able to detect some objects or by producing false alarms. We propose an unsupervised multiple instance learning (MIL) based incremental solution to deal with this issue. We introduce an MIL loss function for Real Adaboost and present a tracking based effective unsupervised online sample collection mechanism to collect the online samples for incremental learning. Experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach by improving the performance of a state of the art offline trained detector on the challenging datasets for pedestrian category.
Factors influencing the design of bioaccumulation factor and biota‐sediment accumulation factor field studies

A series of modeling simulations was performed to evaluate the underlying factors and principles that drive the uncertainty in measured bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) and biota‐sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) for fish, and to determine which sampling designs minimize those uncertainties. Temporal variability of chemical concentrations in the water column, and the metabolism rate and n‐octanol‐water partition coefficient (Kow) for the chemical were determined to be the dominant factors that influenced the field‐sampling design. Spatial variability of the chemical concentrations, food web structure, and the sediment‐water column concentration quotient had a lesser importance upon the overall design. The simulations also demonstrated that collection of composite water samples in comparison to grab water samples resulted in reductions in the uncertainties associated with measured BAFs. Some illustrative sampling design structures for BAF and BSAF measurements based upon the temporal variability of chemical concentrations in the water column and the metabolism rate and Kow for the chemical were developed. These illustrative designs provided a sense of how sampling design structures, that is, the number and spacing over time of sampling events, might be influenced by differences in temporal variabilities, metabolism rates, and Kow. Although the importance of spatial variability was discounted as a major factor in the design process, sampling of water and sediment across the immediate home range of the sampled organism is required for successful measurements because poor spatial coordination of organism, water, or sediment samples will yield BAFs and BSAFs with large and unknown biases.
Factors associated with initiation of antiretroviral therapy in the advanced stages of HIV infection in six Ethiopian HIV clinics, 2012 to 2013

Most HIV‐positive persons in sub‐Saharan Africa initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) with advanced infection (late ART initiation). Intervening on the drivers of late ART initiation is a critical step towards achieving the full potential of HIV treatment scale‐up. This study aimed to identify modifiable factors associated with late ART initiation in Ethiopia.
Exploring and Implementing Participatory Action Research

This paper explores the research method of participatory action research, first by examining the roots of this approach and then analysing the shift to using more participatory approaches than in former years. It begins by considering the reasoning and theoretical underpinning for adopting this approach and provides an overview of the steps to be undertaken when implementing participatory action research. The latter section of the paper presents an example and suggests how participatory action research might have been used instead for a study that utilized open-ended questionnaires undertaken in geography. Finally, tips on how to use it are proposed along with a consideration of the challenges and opportunities.
Social stereotypes, personality traits and regional perception displaced: Attitudes towards the ‘new’ quotatives in the U.K.1

This article investigates the attitudes of British respondents towards the quotatives be like and go. The results of a matched guise test and a social attitudes survey are presented and compared with the findings of studies on be like and go-perception in the U.S. It is found that the perceptual load of the two quotatives on both sides of the Atlantic is similar in some respects and different in others. This effectively means that, in cases of borrowing, the stereotypes attached to linguistic items are not simply taken over along with the surface item. Rather, the adoption of global resources is a more agentive process, whereby attitudes are re-evaluated and re-created by speakers of the borrowing variety. It is suggested that attitudinal information presents an important backdrop to distributional studies in cases of global language trends.
Desferrioxamine and Alzheimer's Disease: Video Home Behavior Assessment of Clinical Course and Measures of Brain Aluminum

Drug trials designed to modify the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have required the development of mental state and behavior evaluation instruments that are sensitive to cognitive decline and measure skills useful in everyday living. We describe a videotaped home behavior (VHB) assessment instrument with high construct validity and reliability and a strong relationship to criterion references. The VHB was employed to test the hypothesis that aluminum is an important pathogenic factor in AD. The trivalent chelating agent desferrioxamine (DFO), 125 mg i.m. twice daily five days per week, was used in a randomized single-blind, oral lecithin, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 48 patients with AD. Analysis showed that the treatment and no-treatment groups were closely matched at entry into the trial but that the rate of decline, as measured by the VHB over 2 years of observation, was twice as rapid in the no-treatment group compared with the DFO-treated group. Furthermore, trace-metal analysis of autopsied brain confirmed that extended treatment with DFO lowered neocortical brain aluminum concentrations to near control concentrations. Aluminum ion-specific chelation may be a useful palliative treatment for AD, and further clinical trials are indicated.
Rescue of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha-deficient tumor growth by wild-type cells is independent of vascular endothelial growth factor.

In tumors, rapid cell proliferation associated with deficient vascularization leads to areas of hypoxia. Tumor hypoxia has direct consequences on clinical and prognostic parameters and is a potential therapeutic target. The hypoxic response depends critically on hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in pathological (e.g., tumorigenesis) as well as physiological (e.g., development and wound healing) processes. By s.c. injection of HIF-1alpha(-/-) embryonic stem (ES) cells in nude mice, we were able to demonstrate the role of HIF-1alpha in cell differentiation of teratocarcinomas. HIF-1alpha(+/+) tumors grow fast and preferentially form neuronal tissue, whereas HIF-1alpha(-/-) tumors show delayed growth and favorably form mesenchyme-derived tissue. Mixing wild-type and HIF-1alpha(-/-) ES cells in the same tumor at a ratio as low as 1:100, we showed that HIF-1alpha(+/+) cells can rescue the growth of mixed tumors although these tumors are not significantly different phenotypically or genotypically from the original HIF-1alpha(-/-) tumors. Interestingly, these results are not restricted to teratocarcinomas: they were confirmed with mixtures of Hepa1/Hepa1C4 cells (where HIF-1beta is mutated), demonstrating that growth changes are not related to differences in differentiation observed within teratocarcinomas. We also showed that despite lower mRNA expression, vascular endothelial growth factor protein status in HIF-1alpha(-/-) and mixed tumors does not significantly differ from the HIF-1alpha(+/+) tumors. Moreover, we demonstrated that tumor vascularization remains proportional to vascular endothelial growth factor protein levels, but that hypoxic up-regulation of this growth factor is not the decisive factor influencing tumor growth. Differences in levels of apoptosis are not responsible for alteration in growth because poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage, a hallmark of the apoptotic process, was similar in HIF-1alpha(+/+), HIF-1alpha(-/-), and mixed tumors. Our data demonstrate that the HIF-1alpha-dependent response of a few cells is capable of sustaining the growth of the whole tumor, probably through the secretion of factors up-regulated under low oxygen conditions.
A Marketplace Theory of Media Use

This study articulates a theory of media use that, with the proliferation and diversification of the mass media, conceptualizes news coverage as a commodity or product. From marketing to mass communication, we extend a conceptual framework of product purchase, articulating 4 determinants of attitude toward newspaper (AN), which, in turn, influences newspaper readership. Determinants of AN are news credibility, attitude toward diversity aspects of journalism, attitude toward financial aspects of journalism, and individual differences. The study, using a well-fitting structural equation model, demonstrates the role that each of these measures plays in predicting media use and, furthermore, validates the applicability of the marketplace theory of media use. The model was tested with data from a telephone survey of 803 adults in a large California urban center.
Association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and psoriasis: A meta‐analysis

Several studies have evaluated the associations between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and psoriasis. However, the results remain inconclusive. The objective of the present study was to conduct a qualitative and quantitative meta‐analysis investigating the associations between MTHFR C677T and psoriasis. A published work search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database were conducted to identify all publications concerning MTHFR C677T polymorphism and psoriasis on 1 October 2014. The principal outcome measure for evaluating the strength of the association was crude odds ratios along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Data were extracted and statistical analyses were implemented using STATA version 12.0 software. A total of 1179 psoriatic cases and 937 controls from five case–control studies concentrating on the association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and psoriasis were included in this qualitative meta‐analysis. Pooled analysis revealed that there is no association between this polymorphism and susceptibility to psoriasis in dominant, recessive, allele and additive models under a random‐effect model. However, a marginal significant association was found in the overdominant model under fixed‐effect model. Subgroup analysis of ethnicity demonstrated that there is no association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and either Asian or European psoriatic patients. In conclusion, MTHFR C677T polymorphism, qualitatively, is not a genetic factor for the pathogenesis of psoriasis but could quantitatively reflect the severity of psoriasis to some extent.
Ureide biosynthesis in legume nodules.

In tropical legumes like Glycine, Phaseolus and Vigna sp. , ammonia as direct product of symbiotic nitrogen fixation is converted to ureides (allantoin and allantoic acid) and they were translocated to the shoots as nitrogen source. In the xylem sap of soybean in reproductive phase the ureides reached to 60-75% of soluble nitrogen. In nodules infected cells (plastid and mitochondria) and uninfected cells (peroxisome) shares de novo purine biosynthesis and urate oxidation to produce ureides respectively. Current research revealed unique feathers on this symbiotic metabolism, especially on regulation of purine biosynthesis, uricase gene expression and feedback inhibition of ureides to nitrogen fixing activity.
Linguistic and Acoustic Features for Automatic Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children’s Narrative

Autism spectrum disorders are developmental disorders characterised as deficits in social and communication skills, and they affect both verbal and non-verbal communication. Previous works measured differences in children with and without autism spectrum disorders in terms of linguistic and acoustic features, although they do not mention automatic identification using integration of these features. In this paper, we perform an exploratory study of several language and speech features of both single utterances and full narratives. We find that there are characteristic differences between children with autism spectrum disorders and typical development with respect to word categories, prosody, and voice quality, and that these differences can be used in automatic classifiers. We also examine the differences between American and Japanese children and find significant differences with regards to pauses before new turns and linguistic cues.
Group projects: more learning? Less fair? A conundrum in assessing postgraduate business education

Group projects form a large and possibly growing component of the work undertaken for assessing students for postgraduate degrees in business. Yet the assessments sources, methods and purposes result in an array of combinations that the literature on assessment fails to capture in its full complexity. This paper builds on a new framework for discussing the assessment of group projects and reports on an exploratory piece of empirical research to examine the questions posed in the title: Is there more learning? The answer is a solid, if less than emphatic yes. Is it less fair? Probably, but what is the alternative?
Spring-loaded unraveling of a single SNARE complex by NSF in one round of ATP turnover

An explosive way to fuse membranes The molecular machine that promotes membrane fusion during intracellular transport involves a number of so-called SNARE proteins. Ryu et al. describe the molecular mechanism by which two proteins —NSF and α-SNAP—disassemble SNARE complexes. A combination of single-molecule techniques resolved intermediate steps of the reaction. Surprisingly, unlike previously assumed, NSF did not unwind SNARE complexes processively. Instead, built-up tension was released in a single burst to “tear” the SNARE complex apart in a one-step global unfolding reaction. Science, this issue p. 1485 Single-molecule fluorescence and force spectroscopy techniques elucidate how NSF, a AAA+ adenosine triphosphatase, unfolds its protein substrates. During intracellular membrane trafficking, N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) and alpha-soluble NSF attachment protein (α-SNAP) disassemble the soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex for recycling of the SNARE proteins. The molecular mechanism by which NSF disassembles the SNARE complex is largely unknown. Using single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy and magnetic tweezers, we found that NSF disassembled a single SNARE complex in only one round of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) turnover. Upon ATP cleavage, the NSF hexamer developed internal tension with dissociation of phosphate ions. After latent time measuring tens of seconds, NSF released the built-up tension in a burst within 20 milliseconds, resulting in disassembly followed by immediate release of the SNARE proteins. Thus, NSF appears to use a “spring-loaded” mechanism to couple ATP hydrolysis and unfolding of substrate proteins.
Rethinking the Economic Model of Deterrence: How Insights from Empirical Social Science Could Affect Policies Towards Crime and Punishment

Game-theoretic models incorporating neo-classical economic assumptions can be a powerful tool for identifying and analyzing issues relevant to legal policy. In this paper I argue that, where those assumptions are deficient, the efficacy of and insights from such models can be improved by incorporating insights from experimental social sciences. Following this paradigm, I propose an expansion of the neo-classical deterrence model of criminal behavior to incorporate, as reputation effects, social scientific theory regarding the effects of in-group norms on behavior. Analysis of the expanded model shows that there are material differences between the classic and expanded models in predictions, the latter of which are more consistent with macro-level observations. I then discuss some substantive implications of the predictions of the expanded model for criminal legal policy.
Epigenetic Effect of Chronic Stress on Dopamine Signaling and Depression

Because of the complex causal factors leading to depression, epigenetics is of considerable interest for the understanding effect of stress in depression. Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter important in many physiological functions, including motor control, mood, and the reward pathway. These factors lead many drugs to target Dopamine receptors in treating depressive disorders. In this review, we try to portray how chronic stress as an epigenetic factor changes the gene regulation pattern by interrupting Dopamine signaling mechanism.
Comparative Political Science: An Inventory and Assessment since the 1980's

What have political scientists in comparative politics published over the last 15 years? What methods have they employed? And what do the recent trends in the journal literature suggest about where the field of comparative politics will (or should be) headed during the next 15 years? Lee Sigelman and George Gadbois published the last systematic review of comparative politics journals in 1983. Since that time, new theories, methods, and interests have inspired political scientists. I have conducted a similar review of
Perceptions of Social Support by Suicide Survivors and their Social Networks

Current research tentatively suggests that families bereaved by suicide may receive and experience low levels of support. It is not clear, given the available data, whether there is a difference in the support given or in the support received, because no studies have systematically compared survivors with their social networks. Two groups participated in this investigation: survivors of a suicide in the family and members of their support systems. Each group completed objective scales of the social support that was offered or received by the members of the family as well as a scale of recovery from grief, and all participants were interviewed. Statistical analyses of the quantitative data indicated no differences between the groups, with the exception of a marginal trend suggesting survivors were rated less recovered by themselves than by members of their support systems. However, analysis of the qualitative data indicated that survivors believed that only other suicide survivors could fully understand them, and that they experienced implicit pressure from others to “recover” from their loss.
Circulating tumor cells predict progression-free and overall survival in Chinese patients with metastatic breast cancer, HER2-positive or triple-negative (CBCSG004): a multicenter, double-blind, prospective trial.

BACKGROUND The aim of this multicenter, double-blind, prospective study was to evaluate the potential utility of circulating tumor cell (CTC) measurements in predicting responses to anticancer therapies, including response to human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)-targeted agents, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in Chinese women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Three hundred MBC patients planned to complete three CTC blood draws and two imaging studies. RESULTS A total of 294 of the 300 MBC patients enrolled from six leading Chinese cancer centers were assessable. In multivariate Cox regression analyses, the baseline CTC number remained an independent prognostic factor for PFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.93; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.39-2.69; P < 0.001) and OS (HR = 3.76; 95% CI = 2.35-6.01; P < 0.001). Similar results were observed for CTC counts at the first follow-up visit for both PFS (P = 0.049) and OS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Enumeration of CTCs in Chinese MBC patients provides substantial prognostic information and is an independent factor associated with PFS and OS. Moreover, we demonstrated the prognostic value in the various disease subtypes, including HER-2-positive disease irrespective of therapy.
Economic Impediments to Women’s Success on Parole

The number of women under community supervision has increased in recent years. However, empirical research on women parolees’ experiences is quite limited. Women parolees are faced with daunting challenges that may impede their success on parole. Using face-to-face interviews with 60 women parolees in a Southern state, this qualitative study examined the perceived barriers to women’s success on parole. Women parolees identified economic variables as critical barriers to their parole adjustment.
Toward College and Career Readiness

In 2007, the Illinois General Assembly passed the College and Career Readiness Pilot Act that supported the initial implementation of college readiness programming by community colleges and their high school partners. This study uses mixed-methods research to examine program implementation and student outcomes associated with two of seven college and career readiness (CCR) partnerships in Illinois. Our analysis of the local models is guided by Conley’s four dimensions of CCR, and the results shed light on how different programmatic approaches contribute to short-term student outcomes in mathematics and English. This study has implications for Illinois’ efforts to move CCR forward, including for the state’s new Race to the Top (RttT) grant that is attempting to scale up CCR programming associated with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
A Survey of Pediatricians on Early Identification and Early Intervention Services

In order for Public Law 99-457 (P.L. 99-457) Part H to be effective, it is crucial that pediatricians be aware of and participate in community early intervention systems. Three hundred and forty-two pediatricians responded to a questionnaire regarding screening practices, referral methods, and training needs. Nearly all (97%) indicated that they routinely performed some type of developmental screening. Most respondents recommended more training in developmental/behavioral pediatrics in residency programs. Less than half of the pediatricians surveyed were familiar with all of the provisions of P.L. 99-457, even though 83% said they were aware of the legislation. The most frequently requested area of continuing education was developmental screening (66%), followed by requests for more information regarding community resources in early intervention (51%). Regional and local seminars were chosen as the type of continuing education most likely to be used by pediatricians. Continuing education is needed to prepare pediatricians for the new roles and skills needed to fully participate in the early intervention system.