Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneous compute in computer vision: OpenCL in OpenCV

We explore the relevance of Heterogeneous System Architecture (HSA) in Computer Vision, both as a long term vision, and as a near term emerging reality via the recently ratified OpenCL 2.0 Khronos standard. After a brief review of OpenCL 1.2 and 2.0, including HSA features such as Shared Virtual Memory (SVM) and platform atomics, we identify what genres of Computer Vision workloads stand to benefit by leveraging those features, and we suggest a new mental framework that replaces GPU compute with hybrid HSA APU compute. As a case in point, we discuss, in some detail, popular object recognition algorithms (part-based models), emphasizing the interplay and concurrent collaboration between the GPU and CPU. We conclude by describing how OpenCL has been incorporated in OpenCV, a popular open source computer vision library, emphasizing recent work on the Transparent API, to appear in OpenCV 3.0, which unifies the native CPU and OpenCL execution paths under a single API, allowing the same code to execute either on CPU or on a OpenCL enabled device, without even recompiling.
Are Momentum Profits due to Common Factors or Idiosyncratic Returns ? Evidence from the Volatility of Momentum Portfolios

Calibration of a simple model shows that if momentum profits are due to common factors and not stock-specific returns, then the volatility of momentum profits should be (1) significantly lower than the market volatility; and (2) more correlated with common factor volatilities than with firm-level volatility. Using the sample of U.S. stocks over the period from 1965 to 2001, I find that momentum profits are as volatile as market returns. Further, firm-level volatility has a greater and more consistent impact on the volatility of momentum profits than do common factor volatilities. This result is stronger in the second half of the sample period, consistent with Campbell, Lettau, Malkiel, and Xu’s (2001) finding of long-term rise in firm-level volatility. Our findings suggest that the stockspecific returns play an important role in stock momentum. The stylized facts documented in this paper present a challenge to theorists who attempt to rationalize the momentum effect. JEL Classification: G12, G14
Reducing Baylisascaris procyonis Roundworm Larvae in Raccoon Latrines

Baylisascaris procyonis roundworms, a parasite of raccoons, can infect humans, sometimes fatally. Parasite eggs can remain viable in raccoon latrines for years. To develop a management technique for parasite eggs, we tested anthelmintic baiting. The prevalence of eggs decreased at latrines, and larval infections decreased among intermediate hosts, indicating that baiting is effective.
Comparative Analysis of Three Instruments Designed to Measure Self‐Care Agency

A number of instruments are used to measure Orem's (1985) concept of self-care agency. Their use reflects basic assumptions that both the instrument and the underlying tenets of the theory are valid. The purpose of this study was to examine the latent traits associated with three instruments designed to measure self-care agency. These included Denyes' (1980) Self-Care Agency, Kearney and Fleischer's (1979) Exercise of Self-Care Agency, and Hanson and Bickel's (1985) Perception of Self-Care Agency. The convenience sample consisted of 513 adult, non-hospitalized subjects who completed the three instruments. Common factor analysis and canonical correlation were used to identify latent traits and their relationships. The findings support the multidimensionality of Orem's (1985) concept of self-care agency. However, the use of one instrument does not adequately reflect this multidimensionality.
Recombinant Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Expressing the Spike Glycoprotein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Induces Protective Neutralizing Antibodies Primarily Targeting the Receptor Binding Region

ABSTRACT Immunization with a killed or inactivated viral vaccine provides significant protection in animals against challenge with certain corresponding pathogenic coronaviruses (CoVs). However, the promise of this approach in humans is hampered by serious concerns over the risk of leaking live severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) viruses. In this study, we generated a SARS vaccine candidate by using the live-attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) as a vector. The full-length SARS-CoV envelope Spike (S) glycoprotein gene was introduced into the deletion III region of the MVA genome. The newly generated recombinant MVA, ADS-MVA, is replication incompetent in mammalian cells and highly immunogenic in terms of inducing potent neutralizing antibodies in mice, rabbits, and monkeys. After two intramuscular vaccinations with ADS-MVA alone, the 50% inhibitory concentration in serum was achieved with reciprocal sera dilutions of more than 1,000- to 10,000-fold in these animals. Using fragmented S genes as immunogens, we also mapped a neutralizing epitope in the region of N-terminal 400 to 600 amino acids of the S glycoprotein (S400-600), which overlaps with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor-binding region (RBR; S318-510). Moreover, using a recombinant soluble RBR-Fc protein, we were able to absorb and remove the majority of the neutralizing antibodies despite observing that the full S protein tends to induce a broader spectrum of neutralizing activities in comparison with fragmented S proteins. Our data suggest that a major mechanism for neutralizing SARS-CoV likely occurs through blocking the interaction between virus and the cellular receptor ACE2. In addition, ADS-MVA induced potent immune responses which very likely protected Chinese rhesus monkeys from pathogenic SARS-CoV challenge.
Perception of occupational risk factors in sawmills in the El Salto region of Durango, Mexico

Introduction: In the sawmill industry, the identification and assessment of potentially dangerous agents, as well as the worker’s attitude towards the perception of risk factors, are important in the prevention of work accidents. Objective: To measure the level of workers’ perception of risk factors during work performance, at 11 sawmills in the El Salto region, Pueblo Nuevo, Durango, Mexico. Materials and methods: An exploratory questionnaire was applied to 108 workers to determine the frequency of use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and the perception of safety in the face of exposure to noise, lighting, smoke, dust and vibrations. Results and discussion: The average worker is a 37-year-old married person with 15 years of work experience and a grade six education. Most are overweight. Only 21 % of workers use PPE during the entire working day; gloves and dust masks are the most and least used items, respectively. Noise and vibrations are perceived as the most serious risk factors and, in general, the perception of safety at work goes from fair to good. The use of PPE P < 0.05) con la edad y aserradero. La percepción de riesgo en las partes expuestas del cuerpo y al ruido dependen del puesto laboral ( P < 0.05). Conclusiones: Es necesaria la capacitación y supervisión de los trabajadores en el uso apropiado del EPP para minimizar riesgos laborales.
Early Induction of Apple Fruitlet Abscission Is Characterized by an Increase of Both Isoprene Emission and Abscisic Acid Content12[W][OA]

Isoprene is an early marker of apple fruitlet abscission induction and its emission is correlated with the levels of bioactive abscisic acid and the activation of the abscission zone. Apple (Malus domestica) fruitlet abscission represents an interesting model system to study the early phases of the shedding process, during which major transcriptomic changes and metabolic rearrangements occur within the fruit. In apple, the drop of fruits at different positions within the cluster can be selectively magnified through chemical thinners, such as benzyladenine and metamitron, acting as abscission enhancers. In this study, different abscission potentials were obtained within the apple fruitlet population by means of the above-cited thinners. A metabolomic study was conducted on the volatile organic compounds emitted by abscising fruitlets, allowing for identification of isoprene as an early marker of abscission induction. A strong correlation was also observed between isoprene production and abscisic acid (ABA) levels in the fruit cortex, which were shown to increase in abscising fruitlets with respect to nonabscising ones. Transcriptomic evidence indicated that abscission-related ABA is biologically active, and its increased biosynthesis is associated with the induction of a specific ABA-responsive 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase gene. According to a hypothetical model, ABA may transiently cooperate with other hormones and secondary messengers in the generation of an intrafruit signal leading to the downstream activation of the abscission zone. The shedding process therefore appears to be triggered by multiple interdependent pathways, whose fine regulation, exerted within a very short temporal window by both endogenous and exogenous factors, determines the final destiny of the fruitlets.
The endotracheal tube cuff-leak test as a predictor for postextubation stridor.

BACKGROUND The endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff-leak test (CLT) has been proposed as a relatively simple, noninvasive method for detecting the presence of laryngeal edema prior to tracheal extubation. OBJECTIVE To determine the value of the CLT for predicting postextubation stridor (PES) among medical and surgical patients, and to assess the impact of certain variables on the incidence of PES. METHODS We conducted a prospective, observational study in the intensive care unit at Washington Hospital Center, a 907-bed acute care hospital in Washington DC, with patients who were intubated for > 24 h. As part of respiratory therapy quality assurance, patients intubated for > 24 h are evaluated daily for extubation readiness, and CLT is conducted prior to extubation. The CLT results and the postextubation outcomes were prospectively recorded for 6 months. RESULTS Of the 462 patients studied, 20 (4.3%) developed PES that required treatment; 7 of those 20 (1.5%) required reintubation. With patients who failed the CLT, defined by an absolute leak volume < or = 110 mL, the positive predictive value for PES was 0.12, the negative predictive value was 0.97, the sensitivity was 0.50, and the specificity was 0.84. Using different definitions for CLT failure did not improve the accuracy of CLT for predicting PES. Patients who had PES were more likely to be female (6.5% vs 2.4%, p = 0.04), to have a longer duration of translaryngeal intubation (6.5 + 4 d vs 4.5 + 4 d, p = 0.02), and to have a larger ratio of ETT size to laryngeal size (49.5 + 6% vs 45.5 + 6%, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Failing the CLT was not an accurate predictor of PES and should not be used as an indication for either delaying extubation or initiating other specific therapy. Female patients, those whose ratio of ETT size to laryngeal diameter was > 45%, and patients intubated for > 6 d were more likely to develop PES.
Degradation of β-lactam antibiotics

Recent developments in the chemistry and biology of β-lactam antibiotics which culminated with the introduction of several clinically useful classical and non-classical β-lactams have been most thrilling and highly rewarding. While this review touches upon the historical development of β-lactams and their reactivity in a nutshell, it provides an overview of various aspects of chemical and enzymatic degradation of β-lactams, pointing to various routes of degradation, degradation products and allergenicity.
Toll‐like receptor‐4 Asp299Gly polymorphism does not influence progression of atherosclerosis in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia

Background Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4) is a major receptor for inflammatory stimuli potentially involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and heat‐shock proteins. The Asp299Gly polymorphism of the TLR4 gene has been associated with a reduced intima‐media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery in healthy individuals. We have investigated whether the presence of the Asp299Gly polymorphism in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) has a similar protective effect, and whether it influences the effects of HMG‐CoA reductase treatment.
Antenatal, delivery and postnatal comparisons of maternal satisfaction with two pilot Changing Childbirth schemes compared with a traditional model of care.

OBJECTIVE to investigate maternal satisfaction with two pilot schemes based on the Changing Childbirth initiative (DoH 1993) and to compare this with a traditional model of care. In addition, a limited number of clinical outcome measures were also assessed. DESIGN a retrospective between-group design was used. Questionnaire data were collected from three groups (two pilot and one control) about the antenatal, labour and postnatal periods to establish both satisfaction with key objectives of the Changing Childbirth initiative (DoH 1993), and basic clinical outcomes. SETTING a large Trust (see definition in main article) in Central England, that covered a wide range of socio-economic strata. PARTICIPANTS the two pilot groups comprised 112 and 103 women respectively and were randomly drawn from GP practices within the Trust's catchment area. The third group of 118 women (Control) was selected from the Trust's obstetric unit. Women at high obstetric risk were excluded from this study. MEASUREMENT a five-part questionnaire was devised that covered: (1) preferences for type of care, health-care professional, venue etc; (2) details of antenatal care provision and the participants' satisfaction with this; (3) labour, including clinical outcomes, labour and birth details and satisfaction with care; (4) postnatal care information, including satisfaction scores; and (5) information and advice given throughout the ante, delivery and postnatal periods and satisfaction with this. The questionnaires were administered six weeks postnatally. FINDINGS although the two pilot groups had been set up to follow a one-to-one midwifery care model, the second group naturally evolved into providing care from within a small group of midwives. This variation did not lead to any differences in any of the outcome measures. The women in the obstetrician-led group were not dissatisfied with the care, information and treatment they received, but they were significantly less satisfied than either of the two pilot groups. The pilot groups also rated more highly the information and choice that they had, and felt that the midwives acted as partners in the process. These findings applied to the antenatal, delivery and postnatal periods. No differences in clinical outcomes were observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS midwifery-led care was much preferred to obstetrician-led care and did not lead to any deficits in clinical outcomes. The pilot scheme that adapted the initiative into small-group provision showed no reduction in satisfaction levels or other outcome measures. Since burn-out and stress have been identified as features of one-to-one midwifery provision, this model might have potential for offsetting this problem, while still maintaining the spirit of the Changing Childbirth policy. From the perspective of maternal well-being, both physical and psychological, the initiative reported here appears to have been highly successful.
Sacral Neuromodulation for Nonobstructive Urinary Retention: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: The objective of this study is to systematically review the literature regarding the efficacy of sacral neuromodulation (InterStim) for treatment of nonobstructive urinary retention. Methods: Eligible studies were selected through an electronic literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus databases from January 1980 to August 2008. Two investigators independently reviewed all studies to assess methodological quality and inclusion criteria. Eligible studies evaluated sacral neuromodulation using implanted generators with permanent lead placement for treating nonobstructive urinary retention. The primary outcomes assessed were the change in pre- and postoperative postvoid residual and voided volume. Exclusion criteria were neurogenic etiology (ie, spinal cord injury) for urinary retention and non-English studies. The lead authors of all selected studies were contacted to identify ongoing or unpublished research, as was Medtronic, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN). Data were extracted from the selected studies and analyzed using RevMan 5 (Review Manager, Cochrane Collaboration, 2008). The mean difference with a 95% confidence interval was the effect of interest. Results: A total of 14 articles met all inclusion criteria for the systematic review. This included one randomized control trial (RCT) and 13 observational studies. Outcome data was available from a total of 7 studies and used in the final analysis. After implantation, the mean difference in postvoid residual decreased 236 mL (95% CI: 219-253, P < 0.00001) and voided volume increased by 299 mL (95% CI: 280-318, P < 0.00001). The randomized control trial alone (n = 51) showed a mean decrease in postvoid residual volume in the implanted group compared with control of 270 mL (95% CI: 180-360, P < 0.00001) and a mean increase in voided volume of 104 mL (95% CI: 55-152, P < 0.0002). Conclusions: Based on the available literature, sacral neuromodulation is an effective therapy for treatment of nonobstructive urinary retention.
Specific Respiratory Neuron Types Have Increased Excitability That Drive Presympathetic Neurones in Neurogenic Hypertension

A major aspect of hypertension is excessive sympathetic activity but the reasons for this remain elusive. Sympathetic tone is increased in the spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rat reflecting, in part, enhanced respiratory–sympathetic coupling. We aimed to identify which respiratory cells might have altered properties. Using the working heart–brain stem preparation, we monitored simultaneously sympathetic and respiratory nerve activity in combination with intracellular recordings of physiologically characterized medullary presympathetic or respiratory neurons. In SH rats, respiratory modulation of both inspiratory and postinspiratory phases of sympathetic activity was larger relative to Wistar rats. An additional burst of sympathetic activity in the preinspiratory phase was also present in SH rats. After synaptic isolation of rostral medullary presympathetic neurons, there was no difference in their excitability compared with neurons in Wistar rats. Rather, both pre-Bötzinger preinspiratory and Bötzinger postinspiratory neurons had increased neuronal excitability in SH rats relative to Wistar rats; this was attributed to higher input resistance/reduced leak current in preinspiratory neurons and reduced calcium activated potassium conductance in postinspiratory neurons. Thus, the respiratory network of the SH rat is reconfigured to a pattern dominated by heightened excitability of preinspiratory and postinspiratory neurons. These neurons both provide augmented excitatory synaptic drive to rostral medullary presympathetic neurons contributing to excessive sympathetic nerve activity associated with hypertension in the in situ SH rat. Our data indicate selective modulation of potassium conductances in 2 subsets of respiratory neurons contributing to neurogenic hypertension.
Molecular markers of angiogenesis and metastasis in lines of oral carcinoma after treatment with melatonin.

BACKGROUND Oral cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer and its high rate of mortality and morbidity is closely related to the processes of angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. The overexpression of the pro-angiogenic genes, HIF-1α and VEGF, and pro-metastatic gene, ROCK-1, are associated with unfavorable prognosis in oral carcinoma. Melatonin has oncostatic, antiangiogenic and antimetastatic properties in several types of neoplasms, although its relationship with oral cancer has been little explored. This study aims to analyze the expression of the genes HIF-1α, VEGF and ROCK-1 in cell lines of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, after treatment with melatonin. METHODS SCC9 and SCC25 cells were cultured and cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, after treatment with 100 μM of CoCl2 to induce hypoxia and with melatonin at different concentrations. The analysis of quantitative RT-PCR and the immunocytochemical analysis were performed to verify the action of melatonin under conditions of normoxia and hypoxia, on gene and protein expression of HIF-1α, VEGF and ROCK-1. RESULTS The MTT assay showed a decrease in cell viability in both cell lines, after the treatment with melatonin. The analysis of quantitative RT-PCR indicated an inhibition of the expression of the pro-angiogenic genes HIF-1α (P < 0.001) and VEGF (P < 0.001) under hypoxic conditions, and of the pro-metastatic gene ROCK-1 (P < 0.0001) in the cell line SCC9, after treatment with 1 mM of melatonin. In the immunocytochemical analysis, there was a positive correlation with gene expression data, validating the quantitative RT-PCR results for cell line SCC9. Treatment with melatonin did not demonstrate inhibition of the expression of genes HIF-1α, VEGF and ROCK-1 in line SCC25, which has different molecular characteristics and greater degree of malignancy when compared to the line SCC9. CONCLUSION Melatonin affects cell viability in the SCC9 and SCC25 lines and inhibits the expression of the genes HIF-1α, VEGF and ROCK-1 in SCC9 line. Additional studies may confirm the potential therapeutic effect of melatonin in some subtypes of oral carcinoma.
A Cross-Layer Defense Mechanism Against GPS Spoofing Attacks on PMUs in Smart Grids

Recent investigations have revealed the susceptibility of phasor measurement units (PMUs) to the time synchronization attack by spoofing its global positioning system (GPS). This paper proposes a cross-layer detection mechanism to fight against simultaneous attacks toward multiple PMUs. In the physical layer, we propose a GPS carrier-to-noise ratio (C/No) based spoofing detection technique. We apply the patch-monopole hybrid antenna to two GPS receivers and compute the difference between the standard deviation of each receiver's C/No. The priori probability of spoofing is calculated from the distributions of the difference. A counter is embedded in the physical layer to identify the most suspicious PMU. In the upper layer, the spoofing attack is considered similarly to the bad data injection toward the power system. A trustworthiness evaluation, which is based on both the physical layer information and power grid measurements, is applied to identify the PMU being attacked. An experiment has been carried to validate the proposed algorithm.
Linoleic acid in diets of mice increases total endocannabinoid levels in bowel and liver: modification by dietary glucose

Linoleic acid (LA) is an essential fatty acid involved in the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid and prostaglandins. LA is known to induce obesity and insulin resistance. In this study, two concentrations of LA with or without added glucose (G) were fed to mice to investigate their effects on endocannabinoid (EC) biology.
A new 20-membered macrolide produced by a marine-derived Micromonospora strain

A new 20-membered macrolide named as levantilide C was isolated from the Micromonospora strain FIM07-0019 recovered from shallow coastal waters near the island of Chiloe, Chile. The chemical structure of levantilide C was elucidated on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR analysis. Two known indole derivatives were also isolated from this strain. Levantilide C exhibited moderate antiproliferative activity against several tumour cell lines.