Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Learning Discriminative Fisher Kernel for Image Retrieval

Content based image retrieval has become an increasingly important research topic for its wide application. It is highly challenging when facing to large-scale database with large variance. The retrieval systems rely on a key component, the predefined or learned similarity measures over images. We note that, the similarity measures can be potential improved if the data distribution information is exploited using a more sophisticated way. In this paper, we propose a similarity measure learning approach for image retrieval. The similarity measure, so called Fisher kernel, is derived from the probabilistic distribution of images and is the function over observed data, hidden variable and model parameters, where the hidden variables encode high level information which are powerful in discrimination and are failed to be exploited in previous methods. We further propose a discriminative learning method for the similarity measure, i.e., encouraging the learned similarity to take a large value for a pair of images with the same label and to take a small value for a pair of images with distinct labels. The learned similarity measure, fully exploiting the data distribution, is well adapted to dataset and would improve the retrieval system. We evaluate the proposed method on Corel-1000, Corel5k, Caltech101 and MIRFlickr 25,000 databases. The results show the competitive performance of the proposed method.
A novel protein kinase family in Plasmodium falciparum is differentially transcribed and secreted to various cellular compartments of the host cell

Processes at the surface of Plasmodium falciparum‐infected erythrocytes such as antigenic variation and cytoadhesion may be modulated by active signalling between host and parasite. Potential candidates for this role include the putative kinases of the FIKK family. The novel Apicomplexa‐specific FIKK gene has expanded in P. falciparum to 20 sequence‐related members distributed between 11 chromosomes. Specific antibodies raised against different members indicated that most FIKK proteins locate to punctate foci in the erythrocyte cytoplasm that colocalized with Maurer's clefts proteins. One FIKK member dissociates at the trophozoite stage from the Maurer's clefts and relocates with the erythrocyte cytoskeleton. Another FIKK protein, despite having a PEXEL motif, remains located within the parasite. FIKK proteins possess the essential residues for phosphotransferase activity. We show that protein kinase activity was detected in immunoprecipitates obtained with two anti‐FIKK antibodies. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed differential gene transcription of the FIKK paralogues in asexual blood stages parasites. We observed significant changes in the transcription pattern between parasites with different adhesion phenotypes. Our data suggest a role of FIKK proteins in the remodelling of the erythrocyte surface and reveal the existence of an adaptable parasite system able to sense intra‐ and possibly extracellular changes.
Expression of CDK7, Cyclin H, and MAT1 Is Elevated in Breast Cancer and Is Prognostic in Estrogen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer

Purpose: CDK-activating kinase (CAK) is required for the regulation of the cell cycle and is a trimeric complex consisting of cyclin-dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), Cyclin H, and the accessory protein, MAT1. CDK7 also plays a critical role in regulating transcription, primarily by phosphorylating RNA polymerase II, as well as transcription factors such as estrogen receptor-α (ER). Deregulation of cell cycle and transcriptional control are general features of tumor cells, highlighting the potential for the use of CDK7 inhibitors as novel cancer therapeutics. Experimental Design: mRNA and protein expression of CDK7 and its essential cofactors cyclin H and MAT1 were evaluated in breast cancer samples to determine if their levels are altered in cancer. Immunohistochemical staining of >900 breast cancers was used to determine the association with clinicopathologic features and patient outcome. Results: We show that expressions of CDK7, cyclin H, and MAT1 are all closely linked at the mRNA and protein level, and their expression is elevated in breast cancer compared with the normal breast tissue. Intriguingly, CDK7 expression was inversely proportional to tumor grade and size, and outcome analysis showed an association between CAK levels and better outcome. Moreover, CDK7 expression was positively associated with ER expression and in particular with phosphorylation of ER at serine 118, a site important for ER transcriptional activity. Conclusions: Expressions of components of the CAK complex, CDK7, MAT1, and Cyclin H are elevated in breast cancer and correlate with ER. Like ER, CDK7 expression is inversely proportional to poor prognostic factors and survival. Clin Cancer Res; 22(23); 5929–38. ©2016 AACR.
Effects of balance-specific exercises on balance, physical activity and quality of life in adults with multiple sclerosis: a pilot investigation

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of functional balance exercises on balance impairment, physical activity and quality of life (QOL) in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design: A multiple-baseline time-series design with an uncontrolled intervention. Method: Ten subjects with MS completed assessments twice before and once after a 10-week balance intervention. ANOVA were used to evaluate the effects of testing session on the Brief-BESTest, instrumented stance and gait recordings by inertial motion sensors, lower-limb strength recorded by force transducers, accelerometry-based activity, the 12-item MS Walking Scale (MSWS-12), the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) questionnaire, the Modified Fatigue Impact scale (MFIS) and the Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Results: The intervention associated with significantly improved scores on the MSQOL-54 mental component, MFIS, MSWS-12 and Brief-BESTest. Sway amplitude significantly decreased and jerk significantly increased during instrumented standing on foam with eyes closed. Instrumented gait recordings of sagittal trunk range of motion also significantly decreased. ABC scores, strength measures and activity measures were not significantly changed. Conclusions: Ten weeks of functional balance exercises provided a feasible intervention for individuals with MS that improved components of balance, mental well-being and perceived fatigue impact and ambulation disability. A future randomized, controlled clinical trial should confirm these preliminary findings. Implications for Rehabilitation A balance-specific exercise program is both safe and feasible for individuals with mild-to-moderate MS. Comprehensive exercise interventions that are conceptually driven and employ well-designed progressive exercise across multiple contexts of balance control can facilitate improvements in balance impairments associated with MS. Functional balance exercises can positively impact clinical and objective measures of balance control and favorably influence perceptions of ambulation disability and fatigue as well as perceived quality of life in people with MS.
Prehospital use of intraosseous infusion by paramedics

Vascular access in young children frequently proves difficult in the prehospital setting. To assess the feasibility of training paramedics in the placement of intraosseous (IO) lines as an alternative to intravenous (IV) access, this pilot project studied a training program and treatment protocol for prehospital IO use. Paramedics underwent a training program in IO placement. Patients enrolled were less than five years of age and in cardiac arrest. During a 10-month period, paramedics attempted 12 IO placements, of which 10 (85%) were successful, nine on the first attempt. Although no patients achieved long-term survival, three were initially resuscitated from arrest. Paramedics can be trained in IO placement, and IO infusion can be used in prehospital pediatric care. Training methods, limitations, and implications for future use are discussed.
Correlation between chemical composition of seminal plasma and sperm motility characteristics of Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio).

The objectives of the present study were to determine the relationships between chemicals compositions of seminal plasma with sperm motility traits in Prussian carp, Carassius gibelio (Bloch, 1782). There were significant positive correlations between sperm movment duration and Ca of semen. Also, a significant positive relationship was found between percentage of motile spermatozoa and Ca of semen. On the other hand, Na, Cl and pH correlated negatively with sperm movment duration. Understanding of such correlations can be useful to evaluation of sperm quality and make media (extender) for dilution of semen and improving sperm motility parameters of Prussian carp.
The Blood Supply of Thigh Skin

The pattern of blood supply to the integument of the thigh is reported. A new technique is described for analyzing the length, direction, and number of arterioles in specimens of cadaver skin and deep fascia. The information obtained from these studies adds to existing knowledge of the anatomic vascular basis of direct cutaneous and musculocutaneous flaps in this region and provides a scientific basis for the elevation of fasciocutaneous flaps in such a way as to aid the achievement of maximum length-to-breadth ratios.
Social Media Awareness and Implications in Nursing Leadership

Many nursing professionals-may be reluctant to engage in or are confused about appropriate use of social media in a clinical, research, or policy context. To address this issue, we developed a study to enhance nurse leaders’ facility with social media in the context of a national professional meeting. This study examined a social media campaign at the 2015 American Academy of Nursing conference. The campaign was intended to bridge the gap between active social media users and nonusers attending the conference. Following a targeted social media campaign at the American Academy of Nursing 2015 Transforming Health, Driving Policy Conference, responses to the conference evaluation questions about social media were reviewed and analyzed. Overall, evaluations were positive about the campaign; however, some conference attendees were not aware of its various components. Despite perceived barriers to its use, there is significant curiosity about social media use among nurse leaders. With the engagement of these leaders, there may be opportunities to enhance social media use at professional meetings and to make broader use of this valuable tool throughout the nursing profession.
Tweet Inside: Microblogging in a Corporate Context

With the advent of Twitter, Microblogging has become increasingly popular. The service is simple, easy to use and its success has company executives wondering if using the short message service in their Intranets would benefit organisational information sharing and communication. At the same time, others have cautioned against transferring social media inside the corporation as this might lead to importing unwanted procrastination behaviours. Against this backdrop, our case study explores communication patterns in a team that has adopted Enterprise Microblogging. By applying genre analysis, find that microblogging in this corporate context is vastly different to its public equivalent. We discuss our findings in light of contextual differences and the open nature of communication platforms, which impact on user appropriation. Moreover, we argue that decision makers should vest trust in their employees in putting microblogging to productive use in their group work environments.
Match-study of statin therapy in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: is the discontinuation reasonable?

BACKGROUND We analyzed the relationship between statin continuation or discontinuation and outcome after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). METHODS From a databank with 447 data sets, we selected patients with hypertensive or anticoagulation-related hemorrhage (volume 10-250 mL). Of 323 patients available for analysis, 63 were taking statins. This group was divided into those who discontinued (N.=18) or continued therapy (N.=45). Statin users were matched by age, sex, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) status in 1:4 ratio to nonusers. Mortality after 30 days, 3 months, and 12 months was analyzed using Cox regression. The Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores at discharge and at least 6 months after ICH onset were recorded. RESULTS Baseline characteristics of patients with continued and discontinued statin use were not different. Patients who discontinued statin therapy were very similar to their matched-cases; however, the control-matched cases for patients who continued statins had lower incidences of diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. In multivariate analysis, statin discontinuation was associated with a 6.9-fold (95% CI 2.09-23.13, P=0.002) higher risk of death within the first 30 days after ICH onset compared to patients who continued therapy. Patients who discontinued also had an increased risk of death within 30 days of ICH onset compared to their matched-controls (HR=3.87, 95% CI 1.69-8.87, P=0.001). The continued statin group displayed only a slight reduction in mortality risk after 3 month (HR=0.67, 95% CI 0.37-1.21, P=0.19) compared to matched-controls, but the chance to be discharge with a better neurological (NIHSS<15) was increased among patients with continued statin use (51% versus 33%, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS The continued use of statins after an ICH led to a small mortality reduction, whereas discontinuing statins might be related to increased mortality. Randomized clinical trials are needed to define the role of statin use in the management of acute ICH.
Abnormal sperm parameters in humans are indicative of an abortive apoptotic mechanism linked to the Fas-mediated pathway.

The life cycle of many cell types can hinge on the presence of death factors that can control programmed cell death. The Fas-mediated apoptotic pathway has been implicated in controlling apoptosis during spermatogenesis in a number of mammalian species. In the human, the presence of nuclear DNA damage in ejaculated spermatozoa has pointed to a possible role for apoptosis during spermatogenesis. The presence of other molecular markers of apoptosis has, however, not been shown. More importantly, differences in these markers have not been investigated in men with normal and abnormal sperm parameters. In this study we examine for the presence of the cell surface protein Fas in ejaculated human spermatozoa. Ejaculated spermatozoa (55 samples) were labeled with anti-human Fas antibody and the number of spermatozoa displaying Fas were counted using a fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS). In 30/31 (96.8%) normal males (>20 million sperm per milliliter), less than 10% of the spermatozoa were Fas positive. In contrast, 14/24 (58.3%) oligozoospermic samples (<20 million sperm per milliliter) contained more than 10% Fas-positive spermatozoa. Similar differences were observed in men whose spermatozoa had poor motility and morphology. These results indicate that apoptosis is a major mechanism in regulating spermatogenesis in the human and that there are clear differences in molecular markers of apoptosis between males with normal and abnormal sperm parameters. We propose that the presence of Fas-labeled spermatozoa in the ejaculate of these men is indicative of an "abortive apoptosis" having taken place, whereby the normal apoptotic mechanisms have misfunctioned, have been overridden, or have not been completed.
Pediatric constraint-induced movement therapy for a young child with cerebral palsy: two episodes of care.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This case report describes the use of "Pediatric Constraint-Induced Therapy (Pediatric CI Therapy)" given on 2 separate occasions for a young child with quadriparetic cerebral palsy. CASE DESCRIPTION The child was 15 months of age at the beginning of the first episode of care. She had previously received weekly physical therapy and occupational therapy for 11 months, but she had no functional use of her right upper extremity (UE), independently or in an assistive manner. She scored from 5 to 7 months below her chronological age on developmental assessments in gross motor, fine motor, and self-help skills. INTERVENTION Pediatric CI Therapy involved placement of a full-arm, bivalved cast on the child's less affected UE while providing 3 weeks of intensive intervention (6 hours a day) for the child's more affected UE (intervention 1). Therapy included activities that were goal oriented but broken down into progressively more challenging step-by-step tasks. Pediatric CI Therapy was administered again 5 months later to promote UE skills and independence (intervention 2). OUTCOMES The child developed new behaviors throughout both interventions. During intervention 1, the child developed independent reach, grasp, release, weight bearing (positioned prone on elbows) of both UEs, gestures, self-feeding, sitting, and increased interactive play using both UEs. During intervention 2, she had increased independence and improved quality of UE movement, as supported by blinded clinical evaluations and parent ratings.
Personalization of Risk Through Convergence of Self- and Character-Risk

This study reports a quasi-experiment (N= 374) that examined an underlying mechanism through which narratives can facilitate personalization of risk. The participants were exposed to one of four entertainment clips depicting an at-risk character who either tested positive or negative for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). As predicted, reduction of perceived social distance to an at-risk character resulted in a convergence of perceived self- and character-risk. More importantly, the convergence of risk was driven by an increased perception of self-risk, as opposed to a reduction of character-risk. The observed pattern of risk convergence was much more pronounced in the negative rather than the positive STD test narratives. Furthermore, narrative engagement through identification, parasocial interaction, and perceived realism led to a greater degree of risk convergence, which was mediated by reduction in perceived social distance. The order in which the subjects estimated self- and character-risk did not influence the perceptual gap.
Mathematical modeling process of liquid filtration taking into account reverse influence of process characteristics on medium characteristics

The article presents and solves the questions of accounting for reverse influence of process characteristics (the contamination concentration of liquid and sediment) on medium characteristics (the coefficients of porosity, filtration, diffusion, mass-transfer and others) by the example of liquid cleaning in magnetic and sorption filters. The algorithm of numerical-asymptotic approximation to the solution of the relevant model task which is described by the system of nonlinear singular perturbative differential equations of the type «convection-diffusion-mass-transfer». The proper correlations (formulas) are effective for conducting theoretical researches which are aimed at the «productivity» (in particular, optimization) of the parameters of filtration process (namely: time of protective action of load, sizes of filter, and others) in cases of predominance of convection and sorption components of the proper process above diffusive and desorption components, that takes place in large majority of filtration installations. The computer experiment was conducted on this basis. These ones results show the advantages of the offered model in comparing to classic.
Parental Tobacco Use: Impact on Child Emotion Identification Ability

Although the physical effects of tobacco on an individual are well-known, the impacts that smoking has on social skills of family members are less understood. The ability for children to identify emotions is crucial for normal social functioning, and the impact of parental tobacco use during child development of this skill is not known. The proposed research compares parentreported tobacco use to child emotion identification ability (EIA). Information regarding parental tobacco use history was gathered from a structured diagnostic interview of DSM-IV symptoms called the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Child EIA was assessed using a paradigm called Emotional Faces, which presented photos of faces expressing different emotions at different strengths. Ability was determined based on the percentage of emotions that the child correctly identified. Exposure to parental smoking both during childhood and prior to birth was related to significantly lower child EIA compared to the EIA of children whose parents never smoked, while covariates of gender, SES, birth weight, race, and ethnicity were not significant. However, there was a significant main effect of age which, when added to the model, overwhelmed the significance of parental smoking on EIA. Upon further investigation into EIA for carrying strengths of emotion expressions, significant differences in EIA were found between children whose parents had never used tobacco, and those whose parents has used tobacco during the first decade of the child’s life for child identification of moderate amounts of emotion (expression strengths of 60% and 40%), regardless of the effect of age. No significant differences were found among the groups for the stronger expression strengths of 100 and 80. The findings of this study suggest that parental tobacco use during the early years of a child’s life when social skills are developing may negatively impact the child’s EIA, especially in situations where they are presented with more ambiguous emotional information. As more is understood about the familial impacts from tobacco use, more effective cessation programs can be developed, and better interventions for children with decreased EIA can be explored. PARENTAL TOBACCO USE: IMPACT ON CHILD EIA 3
Teachers' Burnout Profile: Risk and Protective Factors

Received: September 18, 2017 Revised: November 13, 2017 Accepted: December 12, 2017 Abstract: Background: Burnout syndrome represents a factual risk for school teachers during their career. Several factors have been analyzed as stress sources enabled to menace teachers’ general well-being; nevertheless, protective factors mostly related to their personal resources may differently characterize teachers’ profiles.