Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Estrogen Treatment on Aging in the Rat Epididymis

Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that estrogen signaling in the testis contributes to maintaining spermatogenesis in adult rats, and that estrogen treatment attenuated the age‐associated decline in sperm production. The purpose of this study was to determine if epididymal function is also altered with age, and what effects estrogen treatment may have on the epididymis during aging. We compared untreated rats at 3 and 15 months of age to 18‐month‐old vehicle‐treated and estrogen treated rats. In all four groups, tubule and lumen diameter of the cauda was significantly larger than more proximal regions of the epididymis. In the 3‐, 15‐, and 18‐month‐old treated animals, the epithelial cell height of the cauda was significantly shorter than that of more proximal regions. The caput cell height was shorter at 18 months compared to 3 months but this was not seen in estrogen treated animals. Thus, estrogen appears able to prevent some age related changes in epididymal morphology. Sperm transit time through the distal cauda was significantly delayed with aging. Estrogen treatment prevented this delay, indicating that sperm transit through the epididymis is an estrogen regulated function. Differences in estradiol and testosterone concentrations were observed between 3‐ and 15‐month‐old animals, but no further differences were noted between treated or untreated animals at 18 months. Interestingly, expression of androgen receptor and estrogen receptor alpha were similar between ages and treatments. Collectively, these results suggest epididymal morphology and function are affected by aging and estrogen treatment. Anat Rec, 302:1447–1457, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Learning How to Listen: A Temporal-Frequential Attention Model for Sound Event Detection

In this paper, we propose a temporal-frequential attention model for sound event detection (SED). Our network learns how to listen with two attention models: a temporal attention model and a frequential attention model. Proposed system learns when to listen using the temporal attention model while it learns where to listen on the frequency axis using the frequential attention model. With these two models, we attempt to make our system pay more attention to important frames or segments and important frequency components for sound event detection. Our proposed method is demonstrated on the task 2 of Detection and Classification of Acoustic Scenes and Events (DCASE) 2017 Challenge and achieves competitive performance.
Self-rated health among migrants from the former Soviet Union in Germany: a cross-sectional study

Objectives To assess the status and change in self-rated health among Aussiedler, ethnic German immigrants from the former Soviet Union, as a predictor for premature death 10 years after first assessment. Moreover, to identify subgroups which are particular at risk of anticipated severe health impairment. Design Cross-sectional questionnaire. Setting The study was conducted in the catchment area of Augsburg, a city in southern Bavaria, Germany, in 2011/2012 that has a large community of Aussiedler. Participants 595 Aussiedler (231 male, 364 female, mean age 55 years) who in majority migrated to Germany between 1990 and 1999. Outcome Primary outcome: self-rated health (very good/good/not so good/bad) and its association with demographic, social and morbidity related variables. Methods Self-rated health was dichotomised as ‘very good’ and ‘good’ versus ‘not so good’ and ‘bad’. Multivariable logistic models were created. Missing values with regard to pain were addressed by a second analysis. Results Although low response suggests a healthier sample, the findings are alarming. Altogether47% of the Aussiedler perceived their health as less than good, which is worse compared with the first assessment in 2000 (25% compared with 20% of the general public). Prevalence of high blood pressure was present in 52% of Aussiedler, 34.5% were obese, 40.7% suffered from frequent pain and 13.1% had diabetes mellitus. According to the multivariable models, individuals suffering from pain, limited mobility, diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure are particularly in jeopardy. Conclusions 10 years after the first assessment of self-rated health among Aussiedler their situation deteriorated. Tailored risk factor counselling of general practitioners is highly recommended.
A Cross-Modal Distillation Network for Person Re-identification in RGB-Depth

Person re-identification involves the recognition over time of individuals captured using multiple distributed sensors. With the advent of powerful deep learning methods able to learn discriminant representations for visual recognition, cross-modal person re-identification based on different sensor modalities has become viable in many challenging applications in, e.g., autonomous driving, robotics and video surveillance. Although some methods have been proposed for re-identification between infrared and RGB images, few address depth and RGB images. In addition to the challenges for each modality associated with occlusion, clutter, misalignment, and variations in pose and illumination, there is a considerable shift across modalities since data from RGB and depth images are heterogeneous. In this paper, a new cross-modal distillation network is proposed for robust person re-identification between RGB and depth sensors. Using a two-step optimization process, the proposed method transfers supervision between modalities such that similar structural features are extracted from both RGB and depth modalities, yielding a discriminative mapping to a common feature space. Our experiments investigate the influence of the dimensionality of the embedding space, compares transfer learning from depth to RGB and vice versa, and compares against other state-of-the-art cross-modal re-identification methods. Results obtained with BIWI and RobotPKU datasets indicate that the proposed method can successfully transfer descriptive structural features from the depth modality to the RGB modality. It can significantly outperform state-of-the-art conventional methods and deep neural networks for cross-modal sensing between RGB and depth, with no impact on computational complexity.
Involvement of VNUT-exocytosis in transient receptor potential vanilloid 4-dependent ATP release from gastrointestinal epithelium

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) modulates mechanosensitive vagal afferent nerves in the gastrointestinal tract. ATP is stored in secretory vesicles via the ATP transporter VNUT. Recently, the bisphosphate clodronate was reported to inhibit VNUT and was suggested to be a safe potent therapeutic option for chronic pain. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is activated by mechanical stimuli and some epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and becomes sensitized under inflammatory conditions. We have previously reported that TRPV4 and VNUT are expressed in mouse esophageal keratinocytes and that TRPV4 activation induces ATP release in gastric epithelial cells. Here we show the expression of TRPV4 and VNUT in normal human gastrointestinal cell derived cell lines (GES-1 and CCD 841) and in tissues from normal and VNUT-KO mice. TRPV4 agonists (GSK101 or 8,9-EET) induced an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ and/or current responses in mouse primary colonic epithelial cells and CCD 841 cells, but not in cells isolated from TRPV4-KO mice. TRPV4 agonists (GSK101 or 5.6-EET) also induced ATP release in GES-1 and CCD 841 cells, which could be blocked by the VNUT inhibitor, clodronate. Thus, VNUT inhibition with clodronate could represent a novel therapeutic option for visceral pain.
Male Weight Trainers’ Body Dissatisfaction and Exercise Dependence: Mediating Role of Muscularity Drive

In considering that body image-related perceptions may be associated with weight trainers’ exercise dependence, the purpose of this study was to examine the (a) relationship between body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity and (b) drive for muscularity as a mediator of the body dissatisfaction–exercise dependence relationship. In sum, 278 male weight trainers (Mage =29.03 years, SD = 7.83) residing in a southern city of Taiwan completed scales of body dissatisfaction, drive for muscularity, and exercise dependence. Pearson correlation analysis found that body dissatisfaction, drive for muscularity, and exercise dependence were all correlated. Further, the indirect mediation model with bootstrapping found that drive for muscularity partially mediated the body dissatisfaction–exercise dependence relationship (c path: β = .51, SE = 0.07, p=.001: c′ path: β = .13, SE = 0.80, p = .03). We concluded that male weight trainers’ body image-related perceptions influence exercise behavior and suggested that body image-related perceptions might be considered in studying exercise dependence.
Close relationships and depression: A developmental cascade approach

Abstract Previous research has shown that problematic parent–child, peer, and romantic partner relationships are associated with an increased likelihood for major depressive disorder (MDD). Less research has evaluated the developmental unfolding of how these interpersonal relationship features are both an antecedent versus a consequence of MDD symptoms from adolescence through young adulthood. These gaps were evaluated using a large community sample (N = 1,127; 54% female, 96% white) via a developmental cascade model. Results showed support for significant antecedent effects, as greater parent–child relationship problems at ages 11 and 17 predicted rank-order increases in MDD symptoms at ages 14 and 20. Supporting a developmental cascade of problematic social relationships, greater parent–child relationship problems at ages 11 and 14 also predicted greater subsequent rank-order increases in antisocial peer affiliation at ages 14 and 17. Greater affiliation to antisocial peers at age 20 predicted greater rank-order increases in romantic relationship problems at age 24, which in turn predicted greater MDD symptoms at age 29. Cross-effects were generally small (βs ≤ .16), illustrating other factors may be relevant to the development or consequences of MDD. Nonetheless, findings support the importance of efforts to strengthen social support networks to offset risk as well as potentially treat depression.
Mobile sensor data anonymization

Motion sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes measure the instant acceleration and rotation of a device, in three dimensions. Raw data streams from motion sensors embedded in portable and wearable devices may reveal private information about users without their awareness. For example, motion data might disclose the weight or gender of a user, or enable their re-identification. To address this problem, we propose an on-device transformation of sensor data to be shared for specific applications, such as monitoring selected daily activities, without revealing information that enables user identification. We formulate the anonymization problem using an information-theoretic approach and propose a new multi-objective loss function for training deep autoencoders. This loss function helps minimizing user-identity information as well as data distortion to preserve the application-specific utility. The training process regulates the encoder to disregard user-identifiable patterns and tunes the decoder to shape the output independently of users in the training set. The trained autoencoder can be deployed on a mobile or wearable device to anonymize sensor data even for users who are not included in the training dataset. Data from 24 users transformed by the proposed anonymizing autoencoder lead to a promising trade-off between utility and privacy, with an accuracy for activity recognition above 92% and an accuracy for user identification below 7%.
Making Better Job Hiring Decisions using "Human in the Loop" Techniques

Using machine learning techniques to filter and sort job candidates has been done for more than two decades; however, there are always humans involved in the final hiring decision. One primary reason is that rarely are two hiring decisions made with the same information and in the same context. Many experts believe that any information that can be passed from one human decision-maker to another can also be passed to a machine. Through empirical experiments, we look at ways in which this human feedback can be used to better train machine learning algorithms with special attention to the inherent risks, such as overfitting data and avoiding bias.
Expansion and Functional Divergence of the SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) Genes in Eudicots

Abstract SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP) genes are members of the well-known MADS-box gene family that regulates vital developmental processes in plants. In Arabidopsis, there are two SVP paralogs, SVP/AGAMOUS-LIKE22 (SVP/AGL22) and AGL24. SVP protein suppresses the flowering process, whereas AGL24 acts as a flowering activator. Phylogenetic analysis of SVP genes representing most of the sequenced eudicot species showed that the SVP gene family could be divided into three major clades in eudicots (SVP1, SVP2, and SVP3), most likely resulting from an ancient whole-genome triplication in core eudicots. Among them, the SVP1 (SVP) and SVP2 (AGL24) clades are retained in nearly all species, whereas the SVP3 clade has been lost in Brassicaceae, Myrtaceae, and some species in other families. Reflecting lineage-specific tandem duplication and whole-genome duplication, SVP gene copy numbers ranged from 3 to 11 in the analyzed species. Sequence analysis showed that SVP3 proteins have obvious differences with SVP1 and SVP2 in the C-terminal (C) domain and intervening (I) domain. Positive selection analysis also showed that the ω (dN/dS) value was highest in the SVP3 clade, with 17 positive selection sites detected in the SVP3 clade. Promoter analysis for cis-regulatory elements showed that some genes in the SVP2 and SVP3 clades may be regulated by abscisic acid, ethylene, and gibberellin. RNA-seq data from grape, poplar, and apple revealed that genes in SVP3 group are highly expressed in vegetative organs such as buds, leaves, cotyledons, and dormant buds in particular, indicating the involvement of genes belong to SVP3 group in the dormancy process. Overall, the findings underscore the functional diversity of the SVP genes in eudicots.
Analysis and Classification for EEG Patterns of Force Motor Imagery Using Movement Related Cortical Potentials

Motor imagery-based BCIs are the most natural human-computer interaction paradigms. In recent years, researchers have tried to decode the kinetic information of motor imagery. In this paper, we analyzed and discriminated the EEG patterns of different force levels motor imagery using MRCPs. In the experiment, nine healthy subjects were required to perform the hand force motor imagery tasks (30% MVC and 10% MVC). From the view of MRCPs, the most significant discrimination between the two levels of mental tasks was the manifestation of motor planning. The average classification accuracy for features involving both MRCP and CSP was 78.3%, which was 8.5% higher than the CSP-based features (p¡0.001) and 2% higher than the MRCP-based features. The results demonstrated the feasibility of using MRCPs for hand force motor imagery classification.
New formula and conversion factor to compute tree species basic wood density from a global wood technology database

Premise of the study Basic wood density is an important ecological trait for woody plants. It is used to characterize species performance and fitness in community ecology, and to compute tree and forest biomass in carbon cycle studies. While wood density has been historically measured at 12% moisture, it is convenient for ecological purposes to convert this measure to basic wood density, i.e. the ratio of dry mass over green volume. Basic wood density can then be used to compute tree dry biomass from living tree volume. Methods Here, we derive a new, exact formula to compute the basic wood density Db from the density at moisture content w denoted Dw, the fibre saturation point S, and the volumetric shrinkage coefficient R. We estimated a new conversion factor using a global wood technology database where values to use this formula are available for 4022 trees collected in 64 countries (mostly tropical) and representing 872 species. Key results We show that previous conversion factors used to convert densities at 12% moisture into basic wood densities are inconsistent. Based on theory and data, we found that basic wood density could be inferred from the density at 12% moisture using the following formula: Db = 0.828D122. This value of 0.828 provides basic wood density estimates 4-5% smaller than values inferred from previous conversion factors. Conclusions This new conversion factor should be used to derive basic wood densities in global wood density databases. This would prevent overestimating global forest carbon stocks and allow predicting better tree species community dynamics from wood density.
Strain Conditions for the Inverse Heusler Type Fully Compensated Spin-Gapless Semiconductor Ti2MnAl: A First-Principles Study

In this work, we systematically studied the structural, electronic, magnetic, mechanical and thermodynamic properties of the fully compensated spin-gapless inverse Heusler Ti2MnAl compound under pressure strain condition by applying the first-principles calculation based on density functional theory and the quasi-harmonic Debye model. The obtained structural, electronic and magnetic behaviors without pressure are well consistent with previous studies. It is found that the spin-gapless characteristic is destroyed at 20 GPa and then restored with further increase in pressure. While, the fully compensated ferromagnetism shows a better resistance against the pressure up to 30 GPa and then becomes to non-magnetism at higher pressure. Tetragonal distortion has also been investigated and it is found the spin-gapless property is only destroyed when c/a is less than 1 at 95% volume. Three independent elastic constants and various moduli have been calculated and they all show increasing tendency with pressure increase. Additionally, the pressure effects on the thermodynamic properties under different temperature have been studied, including the normalized volume, thermal expansion coefficient, heat capacity at constant volume, Grüneisen constant and Debye temperature. Overall, this theoretical study presents a detailed analysis of the physical properties’ variation under strain condition from different aspects on Ti2MnAl and, thus, can provide a helpful reference for the future work and even inspire some new studies and lead to some insight on the application of this material.
Whole Genome Sequencing for Determining the Source of Mycobacterium bovis Infections in Livestock Herds and Wildlife in New Zealand

The ability to DNA fingerprint Mycobacterium bovis isolates helped to define the role of wildlife in the persistence of bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand. DNA fingerprinting results currently help to guide wildlife control measures and also aid in tracing the source of infections that result from movement of livestock. During the last 5 years we have developed the ability to distinguish New Zealand (NZ) M. bovis isolates by comparing the sequences of whole genome sequenced (WGS) M. bovis samples. WGS provides much higher resolution than our other established typing methods and greatly improves the definition of the regional localization of NZ M. bovis types. Three outbreak investigations are described and results demonstrate how WGS analysis has led to the confirmation of epidemiological sourcing of infection, to better definition of new sources of infection by ruling out other possible sources, and has revealed probable wildlife infection in an area considered to be free of infected wildlife. The routine use of WGS analyses for sourcing new M. bovis infections will be an important component of the strategy employed to eradicate bovine TB from NZ livestock and wildlife.
The Interface of Maternal Cognitions and Executive Function in Parenting and Child Conduct Problems.

Objective To explore the direct and indirect associations of maternal emotion control, executive functioning, and social cognitions maternal with harsh verbal parenting and child behavior and to do so guided by social information processing theory. Background Studies have demonstrated a relationship between maternal harsh parenting and increased child conduct problems. However, less is known about how maternal emotion and cognitive control capacities and social cognitions intersect with harsh parenting and child behavior. Method Structural equation modeling was used with a convenience sample of 152 mothers from Appalachia who had a child between 3 and 7 years of age. Results Maternal emotion control and executive functioning were both inversely associated with child conduct problems. That is, stronger maternal emotion control was associated with less harsh verbal parenting and lower hostile attribution bias, and higher maternal executive functioning was related to less controlling parenting attitudes. Conclusion The results suggest maternal emotion and cognitive control capacities affect how mothers interact with their children and ultimately child conduct problems. Implications To more effectively reduce harsh verbal parenting and child conduct problems, interventions should help mothers to improve their emotion and cognitive control capacities.
Factors associated with the intake of traditional foods in the Eeyou Istchee (Cree) of northern Quebec include age, speaking the Cree language and food sovereignty indicators

ABSTRACT The Eeyouch are a First Nations (Cree) population that live above 49.6°N latitude in Eeyou Istchee in northern Quebec. Eeyouch rely on traditional foods (TF) hunted, fished or gathered from the land. The overarching aim of this study was to achieve an understanding of the factors associated with TF intake among Eeyouch. Data were from 465 women and 330 men who participated in the Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii Multi-Community Environment-and-Health (E&H) study. The relationship between TF consumption and dietary, health, sociodemographic and food sovereignty (i.e. being a hunter or receiving Income Security to hunt, trap or fish) variables was examined using linear and logistic regression. Analyses were stratified by sex because of the male/female discrepancy in being a hunter. Among respondents, almost all (99.7%) consumed TF, 51% were hunters and 10% received Income Security. Higher intake of TF was associated with lower consumption of less nutritious ultra-processed products (UPP). In women, TF intake increased with age, hunting and receiving Income Security, but decreased with high school education. In men, TF intake increased with age and speaking only Cree at home. The findings suggest that increased food sovereignty would result in improved diet quality among Eeyouch through increased TF intake and decreased UPP intake.
Polyp Segmentation in Colonoscopy Images Using Fully Convolutional Network

Colorectal cancer is one of the highest causes of cancer-related death, especially in men. Polyps are one of the main causes of colorectal cancer, and early diagnosis of polyps by colonoscopy could result in successful treatment. Diagnosis of polyps in colonoscopy videos is a challenging task due to variations in the size and shape of polyps. In this paper, we proposed a polyp segmentation method based on the convolutional neural network. Two strategies enhance the performance of the method. First, we perform a novel image patch selection method in the training phase of the network. Second, in the test phase, we perform effective post-processing on the probability map that is produced by the network. Evaluation of the proposed method using the CVC-ColonDB database shows that our proposed method achieves more accurate results in comparison with previous colonoscopy video-segmentation methods.