Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Image segmentation for the extraction of face using haar like feature

The segmentation of an image for the extraction of face is complex task. This paper presents a method for segmenting image for the extraction of human faces. The method is based on Haar Like Features (HLF) and it starts with skin colour detection in an input image. Then skin region is further processed by finding connected components and holes. Each connected component is tested to extract eye like holes by finding circularity and area. Each eye like holes is tested by comparingc correlation coefficient to confirm as eyes. If eye like features exist in the connected component then the rectangular box is drawn to enclose each eyes, nose and mouth like region based on the distance parameter between two eye like holes. Then HLF is detected by finding integral image. Based on the comparison of haar difference and test rules, the final verification of each connected component as face is done. The detected face is enclosed in rectangle box using distance parameter of the line between two eyes. The proposed method is tested on Bao face database and experimental results shows that the method is effective and achieves better accuracy of face detection and has low error rate as compared to Viola-Jones [19] and combining Haar feature and skin colour based classifiers [2].
EventMask: A Game-Based Framework for Event-Saliency Identification in Images

The concept of “event” emerged in recent years as a key feature to efficiently index and retrieve media. Several approaches have been proposed to analyze the relationship between events and media, enable event discovery, and perform event-based media tagging, indexing, and retrieval. Despite the outstanding work done in this area, a major problem that remains open is how to infer the link between visual concepts and events. In particular, the possibility of understanding which perceptual elements allow a human recognizing the event depicted by an image would open new directions in event media discovery. In this paper we introduce the concept of event saliency to define the above event-revealing perceptual elements, and we propose an original method to detect it by exploiting crowd knowledge through gamification. We propose an adversarial game with a hidden purpose, where users are engaged in competitive roles: masking photos to prevent competitors recognizing the related event, and discovering events in photos masked by other players. Rules and incentives are defined to minimize cheating and force players to focus on details that really matter. A suitable algorithm composes the masks created by different players on the same media, thus producing a saliency map that, different from the traditional concept of saliency, does not focus on perceptual prominence but rather on event-related semantics of media. A thorough validation on public datasets is presented, and initial experiments to apply event saliency in detection tasks are proposed . Furthermore, an event-saliency dataset is disclosed to allow further research.
Differential alteration of catecholamine release during chemical hypoxia is correlated with cell toxicity and is blocked by protein kinase C inhibitors in PC12 cells

Release of neurotransmitters, including dopamine and glutamate, has been implicated in hypoxia/ischemia‐induced alterations in neuronal function and in subsequent tissue damage. Although extensive studies have been done on the mechanism underlying the changes in glutamate release, few have examined the mechanism that is responsible for the changes in catecholamines. Rat pheochromocytoma‐12 (PC12) cells synthesize, store, and release catecholamines including DA and NE. Therefore, we used HPLC and ED to evaluate extracellular DA and NE concentrations in a medium during chemical hypoxia in PC12 cells. Chemical hypoxia produced by KCN induced differential release of DA and NE. Under normal glucose conditions, KCN induced release of NE, but not DA. Under glucose‐free conditions, KCN‐induced release of DA was elevated transiently, whereas the release of NE increased progressively. Under parallel conditions, KCN biphasically elevated the level of cytosolic free calcium ([CA2+]i) in glucose‐free DMEM, peaking at 95 ± 18 nM at 1,107 ± 151 s, followed by a new plateau level at 249 ± 24 nM sustained from 4,243 ± 466 to 5,263 ± 440 s. Cell toxicity, as measured by LDH release, was increased significantly by KCN in glucose‐free DMEM but was diminished in the presence of glucose, and was correlated with DA release by chemical hypoxia. The protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GÖ6976 or staurosporine inhibited KCN‐induced LDH release as well as the release of NE and DA. Taken together, selective activation of DA but not NE was correlated with the LDH release by chemical hypoxia, and was diminished with GÖ6976 or staurosporine. These results suggest that selective activation of PKC isoforms is involved in the chemical hypoxia‐induced DA release, which may lead to neuronal cell toxicity. J. Cell. Biochem. 79:191–201, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A role for pectin-associated arabinans in maintaining the flexibility of the plant cell wall during water deficit stress

One of the main components of pectin, a primary constituent of higher plant cell walls, is rhamnogalacturonan I. This polymer comprised of linked alternating rhamnose and galacturonic acid residues is decorated with side chains composed of arabinose and galactose residues. At present, the function of these side chains is not fully understood. Our research on Southern African resurrection plants, plants that are capable of surviving severe dehydration (desiccation), has revealed that their cell walls are capable of extreme flexibility in response to water loss. One species, Myrothamnus flabellifolia, has evolved a constitutively protected leaf cell wall, composed of an abundance of arabinose polymer side chains, suggested to be arabinans and/or arabinogalactans, associated with the pectin matrix. In this article, we propose a hypothetical model that explains how the arabinan rich pectin found in the leaves of this desiccation-tolerant plant permits almost complete water loss without deleterious consequences, such as irreversible polymer adhesion, from occurring. Recent evidence suggesting a role for pectin-associated arabinose polymers in relation to water dependent processes in other plant species is also discussed.
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure and outcomes in preterm infants: A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present retrospective study was to describe the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) and the prevalence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). STUDY DESIGN Data from 1526 neonates with gestational age less than 32 weeks, admitted to Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia (Vancouver, British Columbia) between period 1 (1996 to 2000) and period 2 (2000 to 2004) were analyzed. The use of respiratory therapies and outcomes were retrospectively compared before and after the introduction of a NCPAP approach to respiratory support. RESULTS A significant increase in the use of NCPAP was noted between periods 1 and 2 (60% versus 71%), as well as a significant reduction in the use of surfactant (50% versus 41%), postnatal steroids (30% versus 10%) and the need for mechanical ventilation (77% versus 64%). In period 2, there was a significant reduction in the prevalence of BPD at 28 days (33% versus 26%), higher prevalence of severe retinopathy of prematurity (3% versus 6%) and less periventricular leukomalacia (4% versus 2%). CONCLUSIONS A significant increase in the use of NCPAP therapy in the neonatal unit has been associated with a decrease in the use of more invasive therapies. The incidence of BPD has decreased if defined as need for supplemental oxygen at 28 days of age, but not when the 36 weeks' postconceptional age criterion was used. NCPAP therapy may decrease the use of more invasive therapies and may improve respiratory outcomes. The impact of this intervention on nonrespiratory outcomes warrants further investigation.
Assessing the Cross-Cultural Validity of a Parental Autonomy Granting Measure

This study investigates the cross-cultural validity of a 10-item parental autonomy granting measure with samples of adolescents from the United States, China, Mexico, and India. Multigroup confirmatory factor analysis suggested a moderately high degree of cross-cultural equivalence, particularly for the United States and China. Invariance in item loadings was found across samples, with the exception of items assessing freedom regarding career choices and encouragement to participate in family decisions. Correlations between autonomy granting and three criterion factors suggested that, across cultures, parental autonomy granting is associated with higher perceptions of parental support and greater effort exerted in school. Correlations varied in reference to associations between parental autonomy granting and reports of love withdrawal from mothers and fathers. Results also suggested that mean levels of autonomy granting from parents were highest in the U.S. sample and lowest in China. Results provide support for the universality of autonomy granting as a salient aspect of parenting across cultures but also point to areas where significant cultural differences exist.
Second-line outcomes in metastatic colorectal cancer – raising the bar for the high jump rather than the doing the limbo

Metastatic colorectal cancer is a significant burden to patients and healthcare systems worldwide. While outcomes have improved in the past 20 years, gains in survival in the second-line setting have been achieved at a significant monetary cost. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recently published guidelines on the definition of a clinically meaningful outcome as the measure of success of a therapy. We reviewed the FDA labels for drugs used in the second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and found that outcomes fell short of American Society of Clinical Oncology’s definition of clinically meaningful. There was also variation in the methods used to determine cost–effectiveness and value of outcomes. We discuss these observations and the challenges associated with justifying payment for expensive drugs that often only achieve marginal benefits.
Generation and characterization of NV gene-knockout recombinant viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus ( VHSV ) genotype

A recombinant viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (rVHSV-ΔNV-EGFP) containing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene instead of the NV gene was produced using the reverse-genetics method. For use as a positive control, another recombinant virus (rVHSVwild) was also generated, which had an identical nucleotide sequence to the wild-type VHSV genome except for a few artificially replaced nucleotides. The rVHSVs were rescued using a system controlled by T7 RNA polymerase supplied by a retroviral vector. Generation of rVHSV-ΔNVEGFP and rVHSV-wild was confirmed by sequencing of RT-PCR products, and rescue of infectious rVHSVs was confirmed by observation of plaque formation. Replication efficiency of rVHSV-wild was distinctly lower than that of wild-type VHSV, suggesting that the artificially replaced nucleotides, especially when immediately preceding the G or NV gene start codons, might affect the replication of the virus. Replication of rVHSV-ΔNV-EGFP was slightly lower than that of rVHSV-wild when epithelioma papulosum cyprini cells were infected with multiplicity of infection (MOI) 1.0, but much lower when cells were infected with MOI 0.00001. These results suggest that the NV gene plays an important role in VHSV replication through interactions with host-cell responses, and the lower replication ability of rVHSV-wild compared to wild-type VHSV might be caused by replaced nucleotides just before the NV gene open reading frame (ORF) rather than the G gene ORF. In olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, rVHSV-wild produced slower-progressing mortalities than wild-type VHSV, whereas rVHSV-ΔNV-EGFP pathogenesis was highly attenuated. These results suggest that the NV protein of VHSV may play an important role not only in viral replication but also in viral pathogenesis.
Pediatric Physeal Ankle Fracture

Ankle fracture is the second most common fracture type in children, and physeal injury is a particular concern. Growing children have open physes that are relatively weak compared with surrounding bone and ligaments, and traumatic injuries can cause physeal damage and fracture. Tenderness to palpation over the physis can aid in the clinical diagnosis of ankle fracture. Swelling, bruising, and deformity may be identified, as well. Plain radiographs are excellent for initial evaluation, but CT may be required to determine displacement and to aid in surgical planning, particularly in the setting of intra‐articular fractures. The Salter‐Harris classification is the most widely used system to determine appropriate management and assess long‐term prognosis. Complications of physeal injury include shortening and/or angular deformity. Tillaux and triplane fractures occur in the 18‐month transitional period preceding physeal closure, which typically occurs at age 14 years in girls and age 16 years in boys. Management is determined by the amount of growth remaining, with the intent of maintaining optimum function while limiting the risk of physeal damage and joint incongruity.
Intravenous contrast material-induced nephropathy: causal or coincident phenomenon?

PURPOSE To determine the causal association and effect of intravenous iodinated contrast material exposure on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), also known as contrast material-induced nephropathy (CIN). MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study was approved by an institutional review board and was HIPAA compliant. Informed consent was waived. All contrast material-enhanced (contrast group) and unenhanced (noncontrast group) abdominal, pelvic, and thoracic CT scans from 2000 to 2010 were identified at a single facility. Scan recipients were sorted into low- (<1.5 mg/dL), medium- (1.5-2.0 mg/dL), and high-risk (>2.0 mg/dL) subgroups of presumed risk for CIN by using baseline serum creatinine (SCr) level. The incidence of AKI (SCr ≥ 0.5 mg/dL above baseline) was compared between contrast and noncontrast groups after propensity score adjustment by stratification, 1:1 matching, inverse weighting, and weighting by the odds methods to reduce intergroup selection bias. Counterfactual analysis was used to evaluate the causal relation between contrast material exposure and AKI by evaluating patients who underwent contrast-enhanced and unenhanced CT scans during the study period with the McNemar test. RESULTS A total of 157,140 scans among 53,439 unique patients associated with 1,510,001 SCr values were identified. AKI risk was not significantly different between contrast and noncontrast groups in any risk subgroup after propensity score adjustment by using reported risk factors of CIN (low risk: odds ratio [OR], 0.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.76, 1.13; P = .47; medium risk: odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI: 0.81, 1.16; P = .76; high risk: OR, 0.91; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.24; P = .58). Counterfactual analysis revealed no significant difference in AKI incidence between enhanced and unenhanced CT scans in the same patient (McNemar test: χ(2) = 0.63, P = . 43) (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.13; P = .46). CONCLUSION Following adjustment for presumed risk factors, the incidence of CIN was not significantly different from contrast material-independent AKI. These two phenomena were clinically indistinguishable with established SCr-defined criteria, suggesting that intravenous iodinated contrast media may not be the causative agent in diminished renal function after contrast material administration. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL http://radiology.rsna. org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.12121823/-/DC1.
Relationship between skin color and solar elastosis in aged Asian skin: A colorimetric–pathologic correlation

Aged skin is reported to be associated with unattractive skin color changes and solar elastosis. However, comparative studies have not documented the possible correlation between the two factors. This study investigated the plausible relationship between the facial skin color of elderly Asians and solar elastosis. A total of 22 skin specimens were collected from 22 Korean patients who underwent cheek skin biopsies. Skin color was quantitatively measured using colorimetric photography techniques to produce CIE L*a*b* values; the degree of solar elastosis was quantifiably assessed using a histologic grading scale. These values were used to investigate a correlation between the CIE L*a*b* coordinates and solar elastosis grade. The solar elastosis grade increased according to patient age (r = 0.67, p = .0006). However, the extent of solar elastosis was not statistically correlated with the CIE L*a*b* values, including L*, a*, and b* (r = 0.02, p = .95; r = 0.15, p = 0.50; r = −0.07, p = 0.76, respectively). The results showed that the solar elastosis grade increased, according to patient age, because of cumulative actinic damage. However, colorimetric skin color data did not correlate with the degree of solar elastosis. Therefore, cutaneous color changes and solar elastosis are separate, age‐related phenomena. Physicians should be aware of the possible histologic changes in actinically damaged facial skin, regardless of the skin color.
In Vivo SPECT Imaging with 111In-DOTA-c(RGDfK) to Detect Early Pancreatic Cancer in a Hamster Pancreatic Carcinogenesis Model

Early detection of pancreatic cancer is key to overcoming its poor prognosis. αvβ3-integrin is often overexpressed in pancreatic tumor cells, whereas it is scarcely expressed in normal pancreatic cells. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of SPECT imaging with 111In-1,4,7,10-tetraazacylododecane-N,N′,N″,N′′′-tetraacetic acid-cyclo-(Arg-Gly-Asp-d-Phe-Lys) [111In-DOTA-c(RGDfK)], an imaging probe of αvβ3-integrin, for the early detection of pancreatic cancer in a hamster pancreatic carcinogenesis model. Methods: Hamsters were subcutaneously injected with the pancreatic duct carcinogen N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine to induce pancreatic cancer. N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine–treated hamsters underwent in vivo SPECT with 111In-DOTA-c(RGDfK). After imaging, the tumor-to-normal pancreatic tissue radioactivity ratios in excised pancreatic samples were measured with autoradiography (ARG) and compared with the immunopathologic findings for αvβ3-integrin. In a mouse model in which inflammation was induced with turpentine, the uptake of 111In-DOTA-c(RGDfK) in inflammatory regions was evaluated with ARG and compared with that of 18F-FDG. Results: 111In-DOTA-c(RGDfK) was clearly visualized in pancreatic cancer lesions as small as 3 mm in diameter. ARG analysis revealed high tumor-to-normal pancreatic tissue radioactivity ratios (4.6 ± 1.0 [mean ± SD] in adenocarcinoma and 3.3 ± 1.4 in atypical hyperplasia). The uptake of 111In-DOTA-c(RGDfK) strongly correlated with αvβ3-integrin expression. In the inflammatory model, inflammation-to-muscle ratios for 18F-FDG and 111In-DOTA-c(RGDfK) were 8.37 ± 4.37 and 1.98 ± 0.60, respectively. These results imply that 111In-DOTA-c(RGDfK) has a lower rate of false-positive tumor detection than 18F-FDG. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SPECT with 111In-DOTA-c(RGDfK) has great potential for the early and accurate detection of pancreatic cancer.
Does living in a cold climate or recreational skiing increase the risk for obstructive respiratory diseases or symptoms?

Objectives. Respiratory symptoms and obstructive pulmonary diseases experienced during exercise and in cold weather were analysed in a large postal questionnaire study of a general adult population living in a cold climate. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of shortness of breath (SOB) during exercise, or in cold weather, and to find out if the risks (odds ratio=OR) for asthma, chronic bronchitis, or SOB during exercise, or in cold weather, were affected by recreational cross-country skiing, or by outdoor work in a cold climate. Results. Of the 7937 invited persons, 84% responded; 876 of them were outdoor workers and 1497 were recreational cross-country skiers. Of the non-smoking responders, asthmatic subjects had the highest prevalence of SOB during exercise in cold weather (78%-82%), but allergic and bronchitic persons also had significantly higher prevalence rates (22%-38% and 27%-59%, respectively) than healthy persons (10%-19%). In all categories, the prevalence of SOB was significantly higher among current smokers than among ex-or non-smokers. Risk factor analysis revealed increased risks for respiratory conditions among those who had a family history of obstructive airway disease, or allergy. Skiers did not have a significantly increased risk for asthma, or respiratory symptoms. Among outdoor workers the risk for SOB during exercise in cold weather, OR 1.23 (CI 1.03–1.47), and for chronic bronchitis, OR 1.77 (CI 1.21–2.60), was higher than among indoor workers. Conclusions. In conclusion, the risk for chronic bronchitis and bronchitic symptoms was elevated among outdoor workers, but not among regular recreational cross-country skiers, and the risk for asthma was not significantly elevated by regular exercising, or by working in a cold climate.
The Information Content of Option Demand

This paper combines the concept of market sidedness with excess option demand (changes in open interest) to solve the empirical challenge of separating directional from uninformed trading motives in widely available, unsigned options data. Our measure of options market sidedness persistently predicts the sign and strength of stock returns.Trading strategies conditional on the measure are highly profitable. For instance, when the measure indicates positive(negative) information, out-of-the-money calls (puts) generate returns of 27% (32%) over roughly four weeks. Risk-adjusted returns of a long-short equity strategy yield more than 2%. An increase in directionally informed demand predicts a decrease in option liquidity and increases in pricing inefficiency.
Respon Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Jagung (Zea mays L.) Varietas Pioner terhadap Berbagai Takaran Pupuk Kandang Babi dan Jarak Tanam

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh takaran pupuk kandang babi dan jarak tanam terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil jagung hibrida varietas Pioner serta mengetahui takaran pupuk kandang babi dan jarak tanam yang tepat bagi pertumbuhan dan hasil jagung hibrida varietas Pioner yang optimum. Penelitian mengunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) faktorial 3 x 3 yang diulang tiga kali. Faktor pertama adalah takaran pupuk kandang babi yang terdiri dari tiga aras yaitu tanpa pupuk kandang babi, 20 t/ha dan 25 t/ha. Faktor kedua adalah jarak tanam yang terdiri dari tiga aras yaitu 70 x 30 cm, 70 x 40 cm dan 70 x 50 cm. Hasil penelitian menunjukan takaran pupuk kandang babi dan jarak tanam memberikan pengaruh interaksi terhadap panjang tongkol, berat 100 biji dan berat pipilan kering per petak. Takaran pupuk kandang babi berpengaruh nyata terhadap luas daun, panjang tongkol, diameter tongkol, jumlah biji per baris, berat pipilan kering per tanaman, berat pipilan kering per petak, berat segar berangkasan dan berat kering berangkasan. Jarak tanam berpengaruh nyata terhadap luas daun, jumlah baris per tongkol, jumlah tongkol per petak, berat pipilan kering per petak, berat segar berangkasan, berat kering berangkasan dan indeks panen. Takaran pupuk kandang babi 25 t/ha dengan jarak tanam 70 x 30 cm memberikan hasil jagung tertinggi berupa pipilan kering 3,48 t/ha.