Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using subclasses in discriminant non-negative subspace learning for facial expression recognition

Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) is among the most popular subspace methods, widely used in a variety of image processing problems. To achieve an efficient decomposition of the provided data to its discriminant parts, thus enhancing classification performance, we regard that data inside each class form clusters and use criteria inspired by Clustering based Discriminant Analysis. The proposed method combines these discriminant criteria as constraints in the NMF decomposition cost function in order to address the problem of finding discriminant projections that enhance class separability in the reduced dimensional projection space. The developed algorithm has been applied to the facial expression recognition problem and experimental results verified that it successfully identified discriminant facial parts, thus enhancing recognition performance.
Long-Time Behavior of a Hawkes Process-Based Limit Order Book

Hawkes processes provide a natural framework for modelling dependencies between the intensities of point processes. In the context of order-driven financial markets, the relevance of such dependencies has been amply demonstrated from an empirical, as well as theoretical, standpoint. In this work, we build on previous empirical and numerical studies and introduce a mathematical model of limit order books based on Hawkes processes with exponential kernels. After proving a general stationarity result, we focus on the long-time behavior of the limit order book and the corresponding dynamics of the suitably rescaled price. A formula for the asymptotic (in time) volatility of the price dynamics induced by that of the order book is obtained, involving the average of functions of the various order book events under the stationary distribution.
The relationship of adaptive and pathological narcissism to attachment style and reflective functioning

Vospernik, Petra, "The relationship of adaptive and pathological narcissism to attachment style and reflective functioning" (2014). CUNY Academic Works. iii This manuscript has been read and accepted for the Graduate Faculty in Clinical Psychology in satisfaction of the dissertation requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. ABSTRACT The relationship of adaptive and pathological narcissism to attachment style and reflective functioning by Petra C. Vospernik Adviser: Diana Diamond, PhD This study examined the relationship of adaptive and pathological (grandiose and vulnerable) expressions of narcissism to attachment style and the capacity for reflective functioning (RF). Narcissism serves a relevant personality construct in clinical theory, social psychology and psychiatry but remains inconsistently defined across these disciplines. Theoretical accounts support the notion that attachment difficulties and maladaptive patterns of mentally representing self and others serve as the substrates for narcissistic pathology but are less pronounced in adaptive narcissism. A multiple regression analysis was conducted in a college student sample of 345 participants applying a cross-sectional, survey design. It was hypothesized that pathological narcissism (grandiose or vulnerable) is associated with higher degrees of attachment-related anxiety and avoidance and lower levels of RF than is adaptive narcissism. Results: With respect to convergent validity, measures of adaptive and pathological narcissism exhibited a differential pattern of correlations to general psychopathology, thereby supporting the notion that distinct constructs crystallize within narcissism's heterogeneity. Multiple regression analysis confirmed the two-component structure of pathological narcissism representing narcissistic grandiosity and narcissistic vulnerability. Narcissistic vulnerability significantly predicted higher levels of attachment anxiety, an effect that remained after controlling for narcissistic grandiosity and adaptive narcissism. In contrast, adaptive narcissism v significantly predicted lower levels of attachment anxiety. Contrary to expectation, this effect was not observed for avoidant attachment, i.e. pathological narcissism was not found to be a stronger predictor of avoidant attachment than adaptive narcissism. This study further found that pathological narcissism was not a stronger predictor of poor reflective functioning than was adaptive narcissism. In sum, these findings illustrate how overall psychopathology and attachment anxiety vary across the three narcissistic expressions, thereby weakening narcissism's clinical utility as currently defined in the DSM-5. Theoretical and treatment implications are also reviewed.
ELECTROCORTICOGRAPHIC FREQUENCY ALTERATION MAPPING: A CLINICAL TECHNIQUE FOR MAPPING THE MOTOR CORTEX

OBJECTIVE Electrocortical stimulation (ECS) has been well established for delineating the eloquent cortex. However, ECS is still coarse and inefficient in delineating regions of the functional cortex and can be hampered by after-discharges. Given these constraints, an adjunct approach to defining the motor cortex is the use of electrocorticographic signal changes associated with active regions of the cortex. The broad range of frequency oscillations are categorized into two main groups with respect to the sensorimotor cortex: low and high frequency bands. The low frequency bands tend to show a power reduction with cortical activation, whereas the high frequency bands show power increases. These power changes associated with the activated cortex could potentially provide a powerful tool in delineating areas of the motor cortex. We explore electrocorticographic signal alterations as they occur with activated regions of the motor cortex, as well as its potential in clinical brain mapping applications. METHODS We evaluated seven patients who underwent invasive monitoring for seizure localization. Each patient had extraoperative ECS mapping to identify the motor cortex. All patients also performed overt hand and tongue motor tasks to identify associated frequency power changes in regard to location and degree of concordance with ECS results that localized either hand or tongue motor function. RESULTS The low frequency bands had a high sensitivity (88.9–100%) and a lower specificity (79.0–82.6%) for identifying electrodes with either hand or tongue ECS motor responses. The high frequency bands had a lower sensitivity (72.7–88.9%) and a higher specificity (92.4–94.9%) in correlation with the same respective ECS positive electrodes. CONCLUSION The concordance between stimulation and spectral power changes demonstrate the possible utility of electrocorticographic frequency alteration mapping as an adjunct method to improve the efficiency and resolution of identifying the motor cortex.
Volume, Volatility, Price, and Profit When All Traders are Above Average

People are overconfident. Overconfidence affects financial markets. How depends on who in the market is overconfident and on how information is distributed. This paper examines markets in which price-taking traders, a strategic-trading insider, and risk-averse marketmakers are overconfident. Overconfidence increases expected trading volume, increases market depth, and decreases the expected utility of overconfident traders. Its effect on volatility and price quality depend on who is overconfident. Overconfident traders can cause markets to underreact to the information of rational traders. Markets also underreact to abstract, statistical, and highly relevant information, and they overreact to salient, anecdotal, and less relevant information.
Assessment of Lead and Cadmium Levels in Frequently Used Cosmetic Products in Iran

This study aims to investigate the content of lead and cadmium in most frequently used brands of cosmetic products (lipstick and eye shadow) in Iran. Fifty samples of lipstick (5 colors in 7 brands) and eye shadow (3 colors in 5 brands) were selected taken from large cosmetic stores in Isfahan (Iran) and lead and cadmium of them were analyzed. The results showed that the concentration of lead and cadmium in the lipsticks was within the range of 0.08–5.2 µg/g and 4.08–60.20 µg/g, respectively. The eye shadow samples had a lead level of 0.85–6.90 µg/g and a cadmium level of 1.54–55.59 µg/g. The content range of the heavy metals in the eye shadows was higher than that of the lipsticks. There was significant difference between the average of the lead content in the different brands of the lipsticks and eye shadows. Thus, the continuous use of these cosmetics can increase the absorption of heavy metals, especially Cd and Pb, in the body when swallowing lipsticks or through dermal cosmetic absorption. The effects of heavy metals such as lead can be harmful, especially for pregnant women and children. Therefore, effort must be made to inform the users and the general public about the harmful consequences of cosmetics.
Risk factors for infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria in non-ventilated patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia,

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for the development of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in non-ventilated patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational cohort study conducted over a three-year period at a tertiary-care teaching hospital. We included only non-ventilated patients diagnosed with HAP and presenting with positive bacterial cultures. Categorical variables were compared with chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors for HAP caused by MDR bacteria. RESULTS: Of the 140 patients diagnosed with HAP, 59 (42.1%) were infected with MDR strains. Among the patients infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and those infected with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus, mortality was 45.9% and 50.0%, respectively (p = 0.763). Among the patients infected with MDR and those infected with non-MDR gram-negative bacilli, mortality was 45.8% and 38.3%, respectively (p = 0.527). Univariate analysis identified the following risk factors for infection with MDR bacteria: COPD; congestive heart failure; chronic renal failure; dialysis; urinary catheterization; extrapulmonary infection; and use of antimicrobial therapy within the last 10 days before the diagnosis of HAP. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of antibiotics within the last 10 days before the diagnosis of HAP was the only independent predictor of infection with MDR bacteria (OR = 3.45; 95% CI: 1.56-7.61; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center study, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics within the last 10 days before the diagnosis of HAP was the only independent predictor of infection with MDR bacteria in non-ventilated patients with HAP.
HelpingHand

Digital painters commonly use a tablet and stylus to drive software like Adobe Photoshop. A high quality stylus with 6 degrees of freedom (DOFs: 2D position, pressure, 2D tilt, and 1D rotation) coupled to a virtual brush simulation engine allows skilled users to produce expressive strokes in their own style. However, such devices are difficult for novices to control, and many people draw with less expensive (lower DOF) input devices. This paper presents a data-driven approach for synthesizing the 6D hand gesture data for users of low-quality input devices. Offline, we collect a library of strokes with 6D data created by trained artists. Online, given a query stroke as a series of 2D positions, we synthesize the 4D hand pose data at each sample based on samples from the library that locally match the query. This framework optionally can also modify the stroke trajectory to match characteristic shapes in the style of the library. Our algorithm outputs a 6D trajectory that can be fed into any virtual brush stroke engine to make expressive strokes for novices or users of limited hardware.
Dentinal tubule invasion and adherence by Enterococcus faecalis.

AIM To investigate dentinal tubule invasion and the predilection of Enterococcus faecalis for dentinal tubule walls. METHODOLOGY The invasion of dentinal tubules in extracted human teeth by E. faecalis was measured ex vivo after 8 weeks of incubation. The canal walls of 16 root sections were either intact or instrumented with or without smear layer present. Extent and maximum depth of tubule invasion were assessed histologically and compared between groups. In the adherence study, 44 vertically split root samples were prepared to expose longitudinally aligned dentinal tubules and fractured orthodentine (OD). Surfaces were exposed to E. faecalis (erythromycin resistant strain, JH2-2 carrying plasmid pGh9:ISS1) and incubated aerobically for 2 h. Samples were processed for analysis using scanning electron microscopy. Bacterial adhesion to tubule walls versus fractured OD was calculated as number of cells per 100 microm(2). RESULTS The strain of E. faecalis used in this study showed moderate to heavy tubule invasion after 8 weeks. In the adhesion studies, significantly more bacteria adhered to fractured OD than to dentinal tubule walls (ANOVA, P < 0.001). With respect to the tubule wall, adherence was greater in inner versus outer dentine (P = 0.02) and greater when bacterial adhesion was tested in chemically defined medium than in phosphate-buffered saline (ANOVA, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Although E. faecalis readily invaded tubules, it did not adhere preferentially to tubule walls. Initial colonization of dentinal tubules by E. faecalis may depend primarily on other factors.
Expression of Glucosylceramide Synthase, Converting Ceramide to Glucosylceramide, Confers Adriamycin Resistance in Human Breast Cancer Cells*

Multidrug-resistant cancer cells display elevated levels of glucosylceramide (Lavie, Y., Cao, H. T., Volner, A., Lucci, A., Han, T. Y., Geffen, V., Giuliano, A. E., and Cabot, M. C. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 1682–1687). In this study, we have introduced glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) into wild type MCF-7 breast cancer cells using a retroviral tetracycline-on expression system, and we developed a cell line, MCF-7/GCS. MCF-7/GCS cells expressed an 11-fold higher level of GCS activity compared with the parental cell line. Interestingly, the transfected cells demonstrated strong resistance to adriamycin and to ceramide, whereas both agents were highly cytotoxic to MCF-7 cells. The EC50 values of adriamycin and ceramide were 11-fold (p < 0.0005) and 5-fold (p < 0.005) higher, respectively, in MCF-7/GCS cells compared with MCF-7 cells. Ceramide resistance displayed by MCF-7/GCS cells closely paralleled the activity of expressed GCS with a correlation coefficient of 0.99. In turn, cellular resistance and GCS activity were dependent upon the concentration of the expression mediator doxycycline. Adriamycin resistance in MCF-7/GCS cells was related to the hyperglycosylation of ceramide and was not related to shifts in the levels of either P-glycoprotein or Bcl-2. This work demonstrates that overexpression of GCS, which catalyzes ceramide glycosylation, induces resistance to adriamycin and ceramide in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Systematic Mutagenesis of α-Synuclein Reveals Distinct Sequence Requirements for Physiological and Pathological Activities

α-Synuclein is an abundant presynaptic protein that binds to phospholipids and synaptic vesicles. Physiologically, α-synuclein functions as a SNARE-protein chaperone that promotes SNARE-complex assembly for neurotransmitter release. Pathologically, α-synuclein mutations and α-synuclein overexpression cause Parkinson's disease, and aggregates of α-synuclein are found as Lewy bodies in multiple neurodegenerative disorders (“synucleinopathies”). The relation of the physiological functions to the pathological effects of α-synuclein remains unclear. As an initial avenue of addressing this question, we here systematically examined the effect of α-synuclein mutations on its physiological and pathological activities. We generated 26 α-synuclein mutants spanning the entire molecule, and analyzed them compared with wild-type α-synuclein in seven assays that range from biochemical studies with purified α-synuclein, to analyses of α-synuclein expression in cultured neurons, to examinations of the effects of virally expressed α-synuclein introduced into the mouse substantia nigra by stereotactic injections. We found that both the N-terminal and C-terminal sequences of α-synuclein were required for its physiological function as SNARE-complex chaperone, but that these sequences were not essential for its neuropathological effects. In contrast, point mutations in the central region of α-synuclein, referred to as nonamyloid β component (residues 61–95), as well as point mutations linked to Parkinson's disease (A30P, E46K, and A53T) increased the neurotoxicity of α-synuclein but did not affect its physiological function in SNARE-complex assembly. Thus, our data show that the physiological function of α-synuclein, although protective of neurodegeneration in some contexts, is fundamentally distinct from its neuropathological effects, thereby dissociating the two activities of α-synuclein.
metaxa2: improved identification and taxonomic classification of small and large subunit rRNA in metagenomic data

The ribosomal rRNA genes are widely used as genetic markers for taxonomic identification of microbes. Particularly the small subunit (SSU; 16S/18S) rRNA gene is frequently used for species‐ or genus‐level identification, but also the large subunit (LSU; 23S/28S) rRNA gene is employed in taxonomic assignment. The metaxa software tool is a popular utility for extracting partial rRNA sequences from large sequencing data sets and assigning them to an archaeal, bacterial, nuclear eukaryote, mitochondrial or chloroplast origin. This study describes a comprehensive update to metaxa – metaxa2 – that extends the capabilities of the tool, introducing support for the LSU rRNA gene, a greatly improved classifier allowing classification down to genus or species level, as well as enhanced support for short‐read (100 bp) and paired‐end sequences, among other changes. The performance of metaxa2 was compared to other commonly used taxonomic classifiers, showing that metaxa2 often outperforms previous methods in terms of making correct predictions while maintaining a low misclassification rate. metaxa2 is freely available from http://microbiology.se/software/metaxa2/.
Cultural Identity, Multicultural Competence and Resilience: A Pilot Study of Alaska Native Students' Experience at University

Abstract:Scholars and university administrators have noted significant disparities in the rates at which Native students graduate from college in a timely manner relative to students from otherracial/ethnicgroups. It has been posited that this is because in order to succeed, Native students must negotiate the contradictory values of Western and Native cultures as they "walk in two worlds. " The cultural processes that are employed by a small number of Alaska Native students suggest that the "two worlds" metaphor is deceptive and that a more holistic, nuanced sense of cultural identity can promote youth resilience in response to sociocultural differences and difficult life events that Native students experience in college.
Prediction of postoperative astigmatism in cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to predict postoperative astigmatism using refraction, keratometry, and other preoperative information after phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted of 176 eyes of 161 patients undergoing phacoemulsification for visually significant cataract with capsular bag or sulcus IOL fixation at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Administration Medical Center, Richmond, Va. Eyes with complications and final-corrected visual acuity of less than 20/60 were excluded. Keratometric and refractive astigmatism were described by Jackson cross-cylinder with-the-rule (J0) and oblique (J45) components. Preoperative predictors of postoperative refractive J0 and J45 were determined by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS The final multivariate model to predict postoperative with-the-rule astigmatism was J0Postoperative = 0.24 x J0Preoperative 0.46 x J0Keratometric (-0.08 )(coefficient of determination [r2] = 0.51, all p < 0.001). The multivariate model based on expected predictors of oblique astigmatism was J45Postoperative = 0.10 x J45Preoperative + 0.23 x J45Keratometric + 0.01, (r2 = 0.05, p = 0.09 for J45Preoperative and 0.03 for J45Keratometric). Temporal clear cornea (as opposed to superior scleral tunnel) incisions, and use of sutures in scleral tunnel incisions, were not predictive of postoperative astigmatism. INTERPRETATION Postoperative astigmatism can be estimated from preoperative astigmatism using the following weighted average: two-thirds keratometric and one-third refractive astigmatism. Preoperative refraction may predict postoperative astigmatism independent of keratometry because keratometry reflects only the paracentral anterior (not posterior) corneal curvature.
The Impact Of Immigration Policies On Local Enforcement, Crime And Policing Efficiency

Following a period of increasing immigration enforcement under George W. Bush’s administration, the Obama administration reversed immigration policies and issued strict new guidelines to relax enforcement in 2011. The purpose of this paper is to exploit this natural experiment in the enforcement of the immigration laws to study the effects of federal immigration policies on local enforcement, crime and policing efficiency. I use a unique and new data set obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request on several steps of the deportation process. I estimate how the drop in federal immigration enforcement affected county level enforcement, local crime rates and policing efficiency. My empirical analysis suggests that Democratic counties complemented federal policies, by reducing their immigration enforcement, whereas Republican counties tended to maintain higher levels of enforcement and to not react much to the guidelines. Employing a triple-difference approach, I find that Democratic counties with higher non-citizen population shares saw greater increases in clearance rates, a measure of policing efficiency, with no increase in crime rates. The results indicate that reducing immigration enforcement did not increase crime and rather led to an increase in policing efficiency, either because it allowed police to focus efforts on solving more serious crimes or because it elicited greater cooperation of non-citizens with police. ∗I am grateful to my committee members: Camilo Garcia-Jimeno, Holger Sieg and Petra Todd. I also thank Cecilia Balocchi, Michael Chirico, Cecilia Fieler, Robert Miller, Gokhan Oz, Pau Pereira, Alejandro Sanchez-Becerra and seminar participants of the Empirical Micro Seminar for very helpful comments. †University of Pennsylvania, ciancio@sas.upenn. edu “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best . They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people. ” Donald Trump, June 16, 2015