Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Script and Language Identification for Document Images and Scene Texts

In recent times, there have been an increase in Optical Character Recognition (OCR) solutions for recognizing the text from scanned document images and scene-texts taken with the mobile devices. Many of these solutions works very good for individual script or language. But in multilingual environment such as in India, where a document image or scene-images may contain more than one language, these individual OCRs fail significantly. Hence, in order to recognize texts in the multilingual document image or scene-image, we need to, manually, specify the script or language for each text blocks. Then, the corresponding script/language OCR is applied to recognize the inherent tasks. This is a step which is preventing us to move forward in the direction of fully-automated multi-lingual OCRs. This thesis presents, two effective solutions to identify the scripts and language of document images and scene-texts, automatically. Even though, recognition problems for scene texts has been highly researched, the script identification problem in this area is relatively new. Hence, we present an approach which represents the scene-text images using mid-level strokes based features which are pooled from the densely computed local features. These features are then classified into languages by using an offthe-shelf classifier. This approach is efficient and require very less labeled data for script identification. The approach has been evaluated on recently introduced video script dataset (CVSI). We also introduce and benchmark a more challenging Indian Language Scene Text (ILST) dataset for evaluating the performance of our method. For script and language identification in document we investigate the utility of Recurrent Neural Network (RNN). These problems have been attempted in the past with representations computed from the distribution of connected components or characters (e.g. texture, n-gram) from a larger segment (a paragraph or a page). We argue that, one can predict the script or language with minimal evidence (e.g. given only a word or a line) very accurately with the help of a pre-trained RNN. We propose a simple and generic solution for the task of script and language identification without any special tuning. This approach has been verified on a large corpus of more that 15.03M words across 55K documents comprising 15 scripts and languages. The thesis aims to provide a better recognition solutions in document and scene-texts space by providing two simple, but effective solutions for script and language identification. The proposed algorithms can be used in multilingual settings, where the identification module will first identify the inherent script or language of incoming document or scene-texts before sending them to corresponding script/language recognition module.
The Effect of the Focus of Comparison on Consumer Preferences

The authors propose that the attractiveness and choice probability of an alternative can be enhanced by making it the focus of a comparison (the focal option) with a competing alternative. This proposition is supported in choice problems involving alternatives about which consumers have information in memory (e.g., frozen yogurt and fruit salad). The focal option was manipulated by asking respondents how much more or less attractive one of the two (e.g., fruit salad) was. When descriptions of alternatives’ features were provided rather than retrieved from memory, a manipulation of the focal option had a weaker and less consistent effect on preferences. Think-aloud protocols were used to gain insights into the effect of changing the focal option on decision processes. The implications of the results for marketers’ communications strategies are discussed.
Inbreeding at the edge: does inbreeding depression increase under more stressful conditions?

Edge populations are frequently small and subject to stressful conditions that may compromise their long-term viability. Inbreeding can play an important role in small populations by reducing genetic diversity, leading to the fixation of deleterious mutations and, finally, carrying populations to an extinction vortex through inbreeding depression. Although stressful conditions may enhance the intensity of inbreeding depression, evidence to date is inconclusive in marginal habitats. Local adaptation, promoting native genotypes, and gene flow, reducing allele fixation, are two factors that can have different effects on the intensity of inbreeding depression. Three populations of Silene ciliata distributed across an elevation gradient at the southernmost edge of the species distribution were used for this study. Several fitness components – germination, survival and growth rate – were compared between inbred seedlings and seedlings from within- and between-population outcrosses, both in the field and controlled conditions. Overall, inbred seedlings had lower fitness than outcrossed seedlings. For most of the variables analysed, similar inbreeding depression effects were found in all three populations, but, for seed weight and seedling survival curve, inbreeding depression was only found in the low altitude population. Similarly, inbreeding depression was more evident in the field than in controlled chamber conditions. Outcrosses between populations contributed to an increase in most fitness estimates and populations, suggesting that the benefits of reducing inbreeding depression overrode the potentially deleterious effects of disrupting local adaptation. Our results suggest that inbreeding depression plays an important role in the fitness of early life stages of Silene ciliata at its southernmost distribution limit, but only provided partial support to the hypothesis that stressful conditions enhance the expression of inbreeding depression.
Tax Progressivity and Self-Employment Dynamics

Abstract Analysis of the relationship between taxes and self-employment should account for the interplay between responses in self-employment and wage employment. To this end, we estimate a two-state multispell duration model which accounts for both observed and unobserved heterogeneity using a large longitudinal administrative data set for Norway for 1993 to 2011. Our findings confirm theoretical predictions and are robust to various changes to definitions and sample selections. A policy experiment simulating a flatter tax schedule in the year 2000 is found to encourage self-employment, delivering a net increase of predicted inflow into self-employment from 2.8% to 5.3%.
Life-style in Relation to the Risk of Breast Cancer*

A hospital-based case-control analysis was conducted to assess the relationship of life-style to breast cancer in Japan. The study population was selected among the outpatients of a hospital where information on life-style had been routinely collected prior to diagnosis since 1987. The ageadjusted risk to breast cancer significantly decreased with marital status, fullterm pregnancy history, number of fullterm pregnancies, number of breastfed children, and the average length of breastfeeding, while age at first fullterm pregnancy and family history of breast cancer were positively associated with the risk. The adjusted risk, controlling for potential confoundings, significantly decreased in alcohol drinkers. On the other hand, there was a significant dose-response gradient of increasing risk with smoking. No relationship of physical activity to the disease was observed. There were significant decreases in the risk with increasing intake of rice, bean curd, soy bean paste, and green vegetables. However, no evidence of increase in the risk was found with a high fat diet. These findings suggest that further study under the specific hypothesis in a different population should be followed to confirm the different risk factors of breast cancer in Oriental people from those in the Western countries.
Is the change of plant–plant interactions with abiotic stress predictable? A meta‐analysis of field results in arid environments

1 Theoretical models have predicted that the relative importance of facilitation and competition will vary inversely across gradients of abiotic stress, with facilitation being the dominant interaction under high abiotic stress conditions. A critical reappraisal of current theoretical models is needed because experimental studies both support and refute their predictions. 2 A quantitative meta‐analysis of field and common garden studies evaluating the effect of abiotic stress (low vs. high) on the net outcome of plant–plant interactions in arid and semi‐arid environments was performed to evaluate the degree of empirical support for these models. We created four separate data sets corresponding to the categories of response variables commonly used to measure plant performance (survival, density, growth and fecundity). 3 The analyses showed that both the selection of the estimator of plant performance and the experimental approach followed have a strong influence on both the net outcome of plant–plant interactions and the effect of abiotic stress on such outcome. The effect of neighbours on the survival and growth of target plants was not significant at either stress level, but that on the density and fecundity of target plants was positive (facilitation) and negative (competition) at the low and high abiotic stress level, respectively. Density data showed that the net effect of neighbours was positive and negative at low and high abiotic stress levels, respectively, whereas other estimators suggested that the net effect of neighbours did not differ with stress level. None of our meta‐analyses indicated that the magnitude of the net effect provided by neighbours, whether positive or negative, was higher under high abiotic stress conditions, and facilitation does not therefore appear to increase in importance with abiotic stress. 4 As the predictions of current theoretical models regarding the relationship between the net outcome of a plant–plant interaction and abiotic stress do not hold in arid and semi‐arid environments, different models are needed. These should consider different sources of abiotic stress separately, and should be valid for performance measurements, such as survival, that integrate plant responses over time. The incorporation of these features into theoretical models will undoubtedly improve their predictive capabilities.
Hypercholesterolemia as a Risk Factor for Catheterization- Related Cerebral Infarction — A Literature Review and a Summary of Cases

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major risk factors of atherosclerotic disease. Treatment with statins reduces serum levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and attenuates athero‐ sclerotic plaque formation in the carotid artery, coronary artery, and thoracic aorta. During diagnostic angiography or interventions for coronary artery diseases, catheterization can lead to devastating complications, including stroke. Previous studies reported stroke rates of 0.1–0.4% [1-9]. Catheterization-related acute stroke is associated with high in-hospital mortality and prevalence of overall major complications [5,10,11]. Because only new neurological complications are classified as stroke, clinically unapparent cerebral embolisms are not taken into account. Asymptomatic cerebral infarction is thought to be related to the incidence of symptomatic cerebral infarction, cognitive decline, and demen‐ tia [12], and may thus represent a significant complication of catheterization procedures. Here, we summarize our review of published literature, present two case studies in our cardiovascular center, and summarize our data on hypercholesterolemia and catheterizationrelated stroke.
Two Models of Primary Health Care Development: Russia vs. Central and Eastern European Countries

The paper explores primary health care models in Russia and in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. Starting with the similar model, they have taken totally different ways of primary health care transformation, including the role of general practitioner, multi-specialty polyclinics and private sector. The comparison of this diversity, based on the conceptual framework of Primary Health Care Activity Monitor in Europe, demonstrated that the scores of primary care in Russia are relatively lower, particularly in the dimensions of accessibility, comprehensiveness, continuity and coordination of care. The score of the selected efficiency indicators is also relatively low. The major reasons for this are discussed, including the lack of strategic vision on the role of primary care, an excessive specialization of primary care and the delay with a shift to a general practitioner model. A debatable issue of primary care extended composition (the involvement of a growing number of specialists) is also addressed. The conceptual presumption that an extended composition presents new opportunities for more integrated care and better performance has not been supported by the evidence. Big multi-specialty policlinics in Russia don’t demonstrate advantages over solo and group GP practices that dominate in CEE countries. The potential of polyclinics is not used because of the lack of specific activities for integration. It is argued that new specialists in the practices can strengthen primary care only when they support generalists rather than replace them. The lesson learnt from CEE countries is that substantial changes are needed to overcome the lagging status of primary care in Russia, including overcoming the excessive specialization of primary care, the replacement of district physicians by general practitioners, developing the forms of independent practices operating in parallel with polyclinics and competing with them
Hepatoprotective effect of green tea (Camellia sinesis) on cadmium chloride induced toxicity in rats.

Cadmium chloride is potent hepatotoxic agents. The present study was undertaken to examine the inhibitory effect of the green tea (Camellia si ne is) on cadmium chloride induced hepatoprotective activity in liver. In rats inject d with cadmium chloride, the activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum g l tamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) was significantly (p < 0.05) increased when compared to those values in control rats. The rats administrated with green tea extract and cadmium chloride showed a significantly (p < 0.05) decreased levels of serum SGOT, SGPT, LDH and GGT. The results of this tudy indicate that the green tea extract is a potent hepatoprotectant agent for therapeutic purposes
Analysis of environmental and genetic factors in growth characteristics of Balkan goat.

Research was conducted on animals of Balkan goat breed. The impact of environmental factors on the weight of kids was analyzed, and also the value of genetic parameters of growth traits of kids to weaning had been examined. The body weight of kids varied depending on the year from 2.27±0.09 kg to 2.43±0.08 kg at birth and 10.81±0.58 kg to 11.13±0.51 kg at weaning. Variations depending on the season, ranged from 2.24±0.09 kg to 2.51±0.05 kg. Sex also had an impact because the male kids had higher weight of 0.12 kg at birth and 0.20 kg at weaning. All differences caused by environmental factors were statistically significant (P<0.01). Single born kids in comparison with twin born kids had higher birth weight by 0.22 kg at birth and 0.37 kg in weaning. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). It is a known fact that the increase in litter size influences decrease in body weight of kids. We also found that the weight at birth is associated with body weight at weaning. Heritability for growth traits observed moving in the range of low values from 0.102 ± 0.039 to 0.153 ± 0.041. Repeatability of the observed traits varied from low to medium values in the interval from 0.118 ± 0.030 to 0.528 ± 0025.
Studies of canine and feline sperm viability under different storage procedures

Chilling and freezing of spermatozoa permits transport and exchange of genetic material over distance. Frozen spermatozoa, which can be preserved over longer periods, can contribute to widening the gene pools of endangered canids and felids, as well as of domestic dogs and cats. In the present study different storage methods for dog and cat spermatozoa were evaluated. The viability of dog spermatozoa that had been cold stored for 1–2 days prior to freezing was assessed. The results revealed that there was no significant deterioration in motility, sperm plasma membrane integrity or acrosome integrity post-thaw. The results suggest that it would be possible for dog owners to collect semen nearer home and send it chilled to a semen bank for freezing and long-term storage. In the cat, we investigated susceptibility to cold shock and the beneficial effects of egg yolk in the extender used for cold storage. The results of these studies indicate that neither epididymal nor electroejaculated cat spermatozoa are susceptible to cold shock, and that 20% egg yolk in the extender is beneficial for motility and acrosome integrity in epididymal and electro-ejaculated cat spermatozoa. Electroejaculated spermatozoa proved superior to epididymal spermatozoa from the same tomcats in terms of motility, sperm plasma membrane integrity and acrosome intactness. The sperm-zona binding capacity of dog and cat zona pellucidae (ZPs) was tested using a zona pellucida binding assay (ZBA). In the dog the aim was to test whether different oocyte pools differed in their sperm-binding capacity, and whether 1- or 4-hour co-incubation was required. The results revealed that variation in oocytes should be taken into account when performing the ZBA, and that 1-hour co-incubation of spermatozoa and oocytes appears to be sufficient for fresh and chilled spermatozoa, but not for frozen-thawed (FT) spermatozoa, depending on the freezing medium used. A ZBA for cats was also performed to determine whether FT oocytes could be used (as in the dog) and whether they have equal binding capacity to fresh, in vitro-matured (IVM) oocytes. It was concluded that FT oocytes are not suitable for ZBAs in the cat.
Multiplication of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola 'in planta': II. Characterization of Susceptible and Resistant Reactions by Light and Electron Microscopy Compared with Bacterial Countings

In the compatible combination of the halo blight disease of bean Pseudomonas phaseolicola was able to colonize large areas of the intercellular space of leaves, such that these confluent water congested areas became visible as water-soaked spots. Most of the plant cell walls in the infected region maintained their normal shape, even when the cytoplasm had collapsed. Some inward bending of plant cell walls preceded their rather slow degradation and final replacement by bacterial masses. Neighbouring plant cells appeared to be metabolically active. In resistant leaves no indications of active bacterial attachment or encapsulation could be observed. However, bacteria appeared to be more densely packed in resistant leaves, and relatively more plant cells completely collapsed as compared with susceptible leaves. From 8-14 days after inoculation, the bacterial concentration did not change much in susceptible or resistant leaves, indicating the absence of bactericidal components. Even Pseudomonas pisi showed some multiplication in bean leaves (immune reaction), but its growth stopped earlier than that of P. phaseolicola in the resistant cultivars, probably due to a different mechanism of resistance. Although less bacteria were determined in the intercellular washing fluid (IF) compared with leaf homogenates, the high bacterial concentrations in the IF supported our observation that an effective encapsulation of bacteria in resistant leaves did not occur. U.S. Copyright Clearance Center Code Sutement: 0031-9481/85/1303-0200$02.50/0 201 Multiplication of Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola "in planta"
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF MOBILE AD HOC NETWORKS USING ROUTING WITH SELFISH NODES

In mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs)[1], a mobile station (MS) can communicate with nodes outside of its transmission range by employing intermediate nodes as relays. To find a path to a specific destination node, the source node broadcasts route request packets that are forwarded to all other nodes. A simple flooding scheme is employed in AODV [2], where every node rebroadcasts these route request packets even if some of its neighbors have already broadcast the requests and thus the rebroadcasts may reach no additional nodes. Appropriate use of a probabilistic method can reduce the number of rebroadcasting; therefore reduce the chance of contention and collision among neighboring nodes. A good probabilistic broadcast protocol can achieve higher throughput and lower energy consumption, without sacrificing reach ability or having any significant degradation. In this paper, we propose a selfish node based approach.
Effects of Apigenin on the Expressions of TGF-β1R II, NF-κB and VEGF Genes in Tumor Tissues of Mice with H29 Colon Cancer

To observe the effects of Apigenin on the expressions of TGF-β1R II, NF-κB and VEGF genes in tumor tissues of mice with H29 colon cancer. Fifty ICR mice with H29 colon cancer were randomly divided into five groups: normal saline group, low-dose Apigenin group, middle-dose Apigenin group and high-dose Apigenin group and cyclophosphamide group. The mice were killed on the next day of administration discontinuance, and subcutaneous tumor tissues were collected. Quantitative fluorescence RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of TGF-β1R II, NF-κB and VEGF genes in tumor tissues of H29 colon cancer mice. Apigenin raised the expression level of TGF-β1R II in H29 colon cancer tissues, which showed the most obvious effect in the middle-dose group, with a significant difference compared with the normal saline group (P<0.01). The Apigenin group of each dose could significantly lower the NF-κB expression level in H29 colon solid tumors, showing significant differences compared with the normal saline group (P<0.01). The middle-dose and high-dose Apigenin groups could significantly reduce the level of VEGF expression in tumor tissues of ICR mice with H29 colon cancer, and the high-dose group had most obvious effect, and there were significant difference among the middle-dose group, high-dose group and the normal saline group (P<0.01). The mechanism of anti-tumor effect of Apigenin might be the reason that Apigenin can raise the expression level of TGF-β1R II by down-regulating the expression of NF–κB and VEGF in tumor tissues of tumor-bearing mice, thereby inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation, so as to achieve the anti-tumor effect.
EVALUATION OF PAINFUL HIP ARTHROPLASTIES

We reviewed the plain radiographs, bone scans and hip aspiration results of 54 patients with painful hip arthroplasties which had been explored surgically, to compare the results of the investigations with the operative findings. For acetabularloosening, the sensitivity and specificity of bone scanning were 87% and 95%, with an accuracy of 90%: for serial plain radiography sensitivity was 95%, specificity 100% and accuracy 97%. For femoral component loosening, bone scan sensitivity was 85%, specificity 100% and accuracy 89%: the sensitivity of plain radiography was 100%, with specificity 92% and accuracy 98%. Technetium bone scanning did not provide additional information with regard to loosening and is not necessary in the routine investigation of a painful hip arthroplasty. Serial plain radiography is the most effective method of detecting loosening, and bone scanning is useful only when radiography is inconclusive with regard to loosening or infection.