Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Dual-Network Progressive Approach to Weakly Supervised Object Detection

A major challenge that arises in Weakly Supervised Object Detection (WSOD) is that only image-level labels are available, whereas WSOD trains instance-level object detectors. A typical approach to WSOD is to 1) generate a series of region proposals for each image and assign the image-level label to all the proposals in that image; 2) train a classifier using all the proposals; and 3) use the classifier to select proposals with high confidence scores as the positive instances for another round of training. In this way, the image-level labels are iteratively transferred to instance-level labels. We aim to resolve the following two fundamental problems within this paradigm. First, existing proposal generation algorithms are not yet robust, thus the object proposals are often inaccurate. Second, the selected positive instances are sometimes noisy and unreliable, which hinders the training at subsequent iterations. We adopt two separate neural networks, one to focus on each problem, to better utilize the specific characteristic of region proposal refinement and positive instance selection. Further, to leverage the mutual benefits of the two tasks, the two neural networks are jointly trained and reinforced iteratively in a progressive manner, starting with easy and reliable instances and then gradually incorporating difficult ones at a later stage when the selection classifier is more robust. Extensive experiments on the PASCAL VOC dataset show that our method achieves state-of-the-art performance.
Global Air Quality and Health Co-benefits of Mitigating Near-Term Climate Change through Methane and Black Carbon Emission Controls

Background: Tropospheric ozone and black carbon (BC), a component of fine particulate matter (PM ≤ 2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter; PM2.5), are associated with premature mortality and they disrupt global and regional climate. Objectives: We examined the air quality and health benefits of 14 specific emission control measures targeting BC and methane, an ozone precursor, that were selected because of their potential to reduce the rate of climate change over the next 20–40 years. Methods: We simulated the impacts of mitigation measures on outdoor concentrations of PM2.5 and ozone using two composition-climate models, and calculated associated changes in premature PM2.5- and ozone-related deaths using epidemiologically derived concentration–response functions. Results: We estimated that, for PM2.5 and ozone, respectively, fully implementing these measures could reduce global population-weighted average surface concentrations by 23–34% and 7–17% and avoid 0.6–4.4 and 0.04–0.52 million annual premature deaths globally in 2030. More than 80% of the health benefits are estimated to occur in Asia. We estimated that BC mitigation measures would achieve approximately 98% of the deaths that would be avoided if all BC and methane mitigation measures were implemented, due to reduced BC and associated reductions of nonmethane ozone precursor and organic carbon emissions as well as stronger mortality relationships for PM2.5 relative to ozone. Although subject to large uncertainty, these estimates and conclusions are not strongly dependent on assumptions for the concentration–response function. Conclusions: In addition to climate benefits, our findings indicate that the methane and BC emission control measures would have substantial co-benefits for air quality and public health worldwide, potentially reversing trends of increasing air pollution concentrations and mortality in Africa and South, West, and Central Asia. These projected benefits are independent of carbon dioxide mitigation measures. Benefits of BC measures are underestimated because we did not account for benefits from reduced indoor exposures and because outdoor exposure estimates were limited by model spatial resolution.
Requirement for Protein Synthesis at Developing Synapses

Activity and protein synthesis act cooperatively to generate persistent changes in synaptic responses. This forms the basis for enduring memory in adults. Activity also shapes neural circuits developmentally, but whether protein synthesis plays a congruent function in this process is poorly understood. Here, we show that brief periods of global or local protein synthesis inhibition decrease the synaptic vesicles available for fusion and increase synapse elimination. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a critical target; its levels are controlled by rapid turnover, and blocking its activity or knocking it down recapitulates the effects of protein synthesis inhibition. Mature presynaptic terminals show decreased sensitivity to protein synthesis inhibition, and resistance coincides with a developmental switch in regulation from CaMKII to PKA (protein kinase A). These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism regulating presynaptic activity and synapse elimination during development, and suggest that protein translation acts coordinately with activity to selectively stabilize appropriate synaptic interactions.
Measuring Attachment Representation in an fMRI Environment: A Pilot Study

This exploratory study is the first to examine the neural correlates of attachment status in adults. The study examined the feasibility of assessing attachment narratives in the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) environment by challenging subjects to tell attachment stories to specific attachment pictures from the Adult Attachment Projective (AAP) while being scanned. We investigated theoretically derived hypotheses regarding predicted differences in the brain activation patterns of individuals whose attachment status was organized (resolved) versus disorganized (unresolved) with respect to attachment trauma (e.g., as associated with loss through death, abuse, threat of abandonment). Adult attachment was assessed using the AAP, a new representational attachment measure that we thought might be suitable for use in the fMRI environment. This measure was used to obtain a preliminary picture of the neural processes associated with the activation of attachment in 11 healthy female adults. Results are reported from a second-level analysis (p < 0.001 uncorrected) and confirm that the AAP is a feasible measure for use in a neuroimaging environment. Cerebral activation during continuous speech yielded results consistent with the literature. Brain activation was demonstrated in expected visual and semantic brain regions. Furthermore, we found that the rate of articulation was positively correlated with activation in the right superior temporal gyrus. The results of theoretically derived attachment hypotheses showed no differences at the chosen level of significance when comparing the ‘all attachment pictures’ effect between both groups (resolved vs. unresolved). More interestingly, we found a significant interaction effect between the sequence of pictures and attachment category. Only the unresolved participants showed increasing activation of medial temporal regions, including the amygdala and the hippocampus, in the course of the AAP task. This pattern was demonstrated especially at the end of the AAP task where the pictures are drawn to portray traumatic situations. We interpret these results as confirming our hypothesis, linking unresolved attachment to emotional dysregulation of the attachment system. These results are discussed in relation to assessing attachment in an fMRI environment and future research in this area.
Mechanism for the allosteric regulation of phosphodiesterase 2A deduced from the X-ray structure of a near full-length construct

We report the X-ray crystal structure of a phosphodiesterase (PDE) that includes both catalytic and regulatory domains. PDE2A (215–900) crystallized as a dimer in which each subunit had an extended organization of regulatory GAF-A and GAF-B and catalytic domains connected by long α-helices. The subunits cross at the GAF-B/catalytic domain linker, and each side of the dimer contains in series the GAF-A and GAF-B of one subunit and the catalytic domain of the other subunit. A dimer interface extends over the entire length of the molecule. The substrate binding pocket of each catalytic domain is occluded by the H-loop. We deduced from comparisons with structures of isolated, ligand-bound catalytic subunits that the H-loop swings out to allow substrate access. However, in dimeric PDE2A (215–900), the H-loops of the two catalytic subunits pack against each other at the dimer interface, necessitating movement of the catalytic subunits to allow for H-loop movement. Comparison of the unliganded GAF-B of PDE2A (215–900) with previous structures of isolated, cGMP-bound GAF domains indicates that cGMP binding induces a significant shift in the GAF-B/catalytic domain linker. We propose that cGMP binding to GAF-B causes movement, through this linker region, of the catalytic domains, such that the H-loops no longer pack at the dimer interface and are, instead, free to swing out to allow substrate access. This increase in substrate access is proposed as the basis for PDE2A activation by cGMP and may be a general mechanism for regulation of all PDEs.
Liquidity Shocks in the Secondary Corporate Loan Market

This article examines the influence of liquidity risk on the U.S. secondary corporate loan market (herein loan market). The authors empirically disentangle the impact of both loan-level liquidity shocks and systematic liquidity risk from default risk. Loans that experience shocks to either liquidity or default risk experience ongoing price declines, complementing evidence presented elsewhere of price momentum in loan markets. The prices of loans with high liquidity risk are significantly discounted when market liquidity is low, consistent with the time-varying funding liquidity constraints of financial intermediaries. In keeping with a close link between high risk debt markets and equity markets, there is evidence that equity market risk is priced in the loan market.
Surprise, Anticipation, and Sequence Effects in the Design of Experiential Services

The most salient or peak aspect of a service experience often defines customer perceptions of the service. Across two studies, using the same novel form of a scenario-based experiment, we investigate the design of peak events in a service sequence by testing how anticipated and surprised peaks influence customer perceptions. Study 1 captures the immediate reactions of participants and Study 2 surveys participants a week later. In both studies we find a main effect for the temporal peak placement, confirming the positive influence of a strong peak ending. When assessing the peak design strategies of surprise and anticipation, we find in Study 1 that surprise and anticipation moderates the temporal peak placement (e.g., early peak versus late peak) on overall customer perceptions, with the surprise peak at the end of an experience yielding the strongest effect. In Study 2 we see that the remembered experience of a surprise peak positively affects customer perceptions compared to an anticipated peak regardless of the temporal placement of the peak. We also find that the infusion of a surprise peak ending has a lasting effect that amplifies the peak-end effect of remembered experiences. Drawing on these findings, we discuss the role of surprise, anticipation, and sequence effects in experience design strategy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Impact of CRP gene and additional gene–smoking interaction on ischemic stroke in a Chinese Han population

Abstract Aims: To investigate the association of C-reactive protein (CRP) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), additional gene–gene, and gene–smoking interaction with ischemic stroke (IS) risk. Methods: Logistic regression is performed to investigate association between SNPs within CRP gene and IS risk. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was used to analyze the gene–gene and gene–smoking interaction, cross-validation consistency, the testing balanced accuracy and the sign test were calculated. Results: Logistic analysis showed that three SNPs were all associated with decreased IS risk in additive and dominant models. The IS risks were lower in carriers of homozygous mutant of rs2794521 polymorphism and heterozygous of rs3093059 and rs1205 than those with wild-type homozygotes genotype, OR (95%CI) were 0.62 (0.40–0.90), 0.68 (0.50–0.96) and 0.65 (0.46–0.97), respectively. GMDR analysis suggested a significant two-locus model (P = 0.0010) involving rs2794521 and rs3093059. We also found a significant two-locus model (P = 0.0010) involving rs2794521 and smoking. Participants with rs2794521-AG or GG and rs3093059-AG or GG genotype have the lowest IS risk, compared to participants with rs2794521-AA and rs3093059-AA genotype, OR (95%CI) was 0.4 2 (0.233–0.61). In addition, non-smokers with rs2794521-AG or GG genotype have the lowest IS risk, compared to smokers with rs2794521-AA genotype, OR (95%CI) was 0.47 (0.23–0.76). Conclusions: We found that rs2794521, rs3093059, and rs1205 were associated with decreased IS risk; we also found that gene–gene interaction between rs2794521 and rs3093059, and gene–environment interaction between rs2794521 and smoking were associated with decreased IS risk.
The prevalence of Rhesus negativity among pregnant women in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND Hemolytic disease of the newborn, secondary to rhesus D (Rh D) iso-immunization, contributes significantly to perinatal morbidity and mortality. Prevalence data in Nigeria, and Southeast Nigeria in particular, is very scanty. This study was carried out to provide our experience in this preventable clinical condition in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and trends of Rh D negativity among pregnant women in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 5-year retrospective study of rhesus negative women was carried out at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, between 1 st January 2000 and 31 st December 2004. RESULT The prevalence rate of Rh D negative women in Enugu, Nigeria, is 4.5%. Out of 6306 women who booked for antenatal care, 282 (4.5%) were Rh D negative women. One hundred and eighty-two (182) (64.5%) of the Rh D negative women were of blood group O followed by blood group A 20%, blood group B 12.1%, and blood group AB 3.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION There is a need for adequate counseling of pregnant women on the importance of Rh D negative factor during the antenatal period in order to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn.
Decomposition of Ethylene Using Dual-Polarity Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Ethylene (C2H4) gas promotes the aging of some kinds of fruits and vegetables such as persimmon, banana, and cucumber. Decomposition of ethylene using nonthermal plasma is effective for keeping freshness of fruits and vegetables in the transportation container. The ethylene was decomposed into gas stream using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor driven by dual-polarity pulse generator that consisted of four insulated gate bipolar transistors and a pulse transformer. The output voltage of the pulse generator was 10 kV in amplitude, 1 kilopulse/s in repetition rate, and 50 μs in rectangular pulsewidth. The 200 ppm ethylene was diluted with dried air and was employed as simulated gas of the transportation container. The gas mixture was fed into the DBD reactor for the evaluation of the decomposition efficiency. The ethylene concentration decreased to less than 1 ppm after the DBD treatment at 30 J/L in input energy. The energy efficiency for ethylene decomposition was around 50 g/kWh and was almost independent of the initial ethylene concentration. The decomposition efficiency increased with increasing oxygen content of the background gas. The byproducts were analyzed by a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The results showed that the H2O and CO2 were mainly produced after the decomposition of the ethylene by the DBD plasma.
Fascin is a potential biomarker for early-stage oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Fascin, an actin-binding protein, is usually expressed at a low level in normal epithelium, but is markedly up regulated in several types of carcinomas. Reports on fascin expression in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and precancerous lesions remain rare. Aim: To show the roles of fascin in the progression from normal epithelium to invasive ESCC. Methods: Fascin expression in 102 sections embedded in paraffin wax, including samples of normal mucosa (n = 20), dysplasia (n = 10), ESCC (n = 62) and special sections (n = 10) of a full-length mucosa layer from the distant margin to the cancer focus of the excised oesophagus, and 49 fresh specimens of ESCC was analysed by immunohistochemistry, western blot and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Fascin expression in ESCC cell lines was also investigated. Results: In the immunohistochemical study, the positive rate of fascin was significantly higher in the tumour tissue than in the normal epithelium (p = 0.020), but no significant difference was shown between ESCC and dysplasia (p = 1.000). Immunostaining for fascin was only apparent in the basal layer of the normal epithelium. However, in the dysplasia, positive staining was observed in most of the heterogeneous cells from the basal layer to the granular layer of the epithelium. Fascin expression was seen to increase progressively from the normal epithelium to invasive ESCC. Up regulation of fascin was observed in 87.76% (43/49) and 77.55% (38/49) of the specimens, respectively, using western blot and real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays; 80% (4/5) of ESCC cell lines also expressed fascin at a high level. Furthermore, overexpression of fascin was markedly correlated with cell proliferation and lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: These findings suggested that fascin was associated with the transformation and development of ESCC and implicated the potential of fascin as a novel biomarker that would allow the tumour to be identified at an early stage in high-risk individuals.
Treatment of agitation in the acute psychiatric setting. An observational study of the effectiveness of intramuscular psychotropic medication

Abstract Background: Agitation is frequent in the acute psychiatric setting. The observation and treatment of agitation is important to avoid harm to patients or staff, to reduce distress of the patient, and to reduce the risk of coercion, especially physical restraint. Aim: To evaluate the effect of intramuscular treatment with psychotropics on agitation in a non-selected acute psychiatric population. Methods: The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Excitement Component (PANSS-EC) was implemented in the acute psychiatric ward at Psychiatric Center Copenhagen to improve assessment and treatment of agitation. During a period of almost ~2 years the staff was requested to assess agitation before and after administration of intramuscular injections. Results: PANSS-EC was obtained at baseline and within 2 hours after injection for 135 injections with antipsychotics or benzodiazepines administered to 101 acute, non-selected psychiatric patients with high occurrence of co-morbid substance abuse. Mean PANSS-EC at baseline was 26.53 ± 4.87, and mean reduction in PANSS-EC was 14.99 ± 8.48 (p < 0.001). For 73% of injections PANSS-EC decreased with ≥40% (generally accepted definition of response). In 49% of cases patients were subjected to physical restraint. Patients subjected to restraint had a significantly higher PANSS-EC score. Patients who received a subsequent injection had a significantly lower decline in PANSS-EC score. Besides two cases of acute dystonia following haloperidol injections, no serious side-effects were observed. Conclusions: Treatment of agitation with intramuscular injections of psychotropics was in general effective in this non-selected, highly agitated psychiatric population, and injections were well tolerated.
Low Concentrations of Bile Salts Induce Stress Responses and Reduce Motility in Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579

Tolerance to bile salts was investigated in forty Bacillus cereus strains, including 17 environmental isolates, 11 dairy isolates, 3 isolates from food poisoning outbreaks, and 9 other clinical isolates. Growth of all strains was observed at low bile salt concentrations, but no growth was observed on LB agar plates containing more than 0.005% bile salts. Preincubation of the B. cereus type strain, ATCC 14579, in low levels of bile salts did not increase tolerance levels. B. cereus ATCC 14579 was grown to mid-exponential growth phase and shifted to medium containing bile salts (0.005%). Global expression patterns were determined by hybridization of total cDNA to a 70-mer oligonucleotide microarray. A general stress response and a specific response to bile salts were observed. The general response was similar to that observed in cultures grown in the absence of bile salts but at a higher (twofold) cell density. Up-regulation of several putative multidrug exporters and transcriptional regulators and down-regulation of most motility genes were observed as part of the specific response. Motility experiments in soft agar showed that motility decreased following bile salts exposure, in accordance with the transcriptional data. Genes encoding putative virulence factors were either unaffected or down-regulated.
The Moderate Muslim Brotherhood

THE MUSLIM B ROTH ERHOOD is the world's oldest, largest, and most influential Islamist organization. It is also the most controversial, condemned by both conventional opinion in the West and radical opinion in the Middle East. American commentators have called the Muslim Brothers "radical Islamists" and "a vital component ofthe enemy's assault force . deeply hostile to the United States. " Al Qaeda's Ayman al-Zawahiri sneers at them for "lur[ing] thousands of young Muslim men into lines for elections . instead of into the lines ofjihad. " Jihadists loathe the Muslim Brotherhood (known in Arabic as al-Ikhwan al-Muslimeen) for rejecting global jihad and embracing democracy. These positions seem to make them moderates, the very thing the United States, short on allies in the Muslim world, seeks. But the Ikhwan also assails U.S. foreign policy, especially Washington's support for Israel, and questions linger about its actual commitment to the democratic process. Over the past year, we have met with dozens of Brotherhood lead ers and activists from Egypt, France, Jordan, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom. In long and sometimes heated discussions, we explored the Brotherhood's stance on democracy and jihad, Israel and Iraq, the United States, and what sort of society the group seeks to