Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A FAST PYRAMID NETWORK FOR ACCURATE LOCALIZATION OF CAR IN AERIAL IMAGES

Although deep learning-based object detectors have achieved great success in general object detection in recent years, detecting of objects like car in aerial images is still a challenge. The main difficulty of car detection in aerial images comes from the relatively small size with multiple orientations of car in images. In addition, due to the high resolution of aerial images, the inference time of current approaches is still high. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an enhanced framework for fast and efficient car detection in aerial images. In the proposed approach, ResNet-34 architecture is adopted to create the base convolution layers. Compared with ResNet-50 and ResNet-101, ResNet-34 achieves comparable performance while being faster and simple. Then, an enhanced feature map generation module is designed to generate enhanced feature maps from input feature maps. To speed up the detection process, the detection network based on region proposal network is used to exactly locate cars in original aerial images. The detection network included region proposal networks is applied at different enhanced feature maps with different scales to detect multi-scale car in input image. Experimental results on public dataset show that the proposed approach achieves comparable performance compared with other state-of-the-art approaches.
Prenatal Depression and Risk of Short Interpregnancy Interval in a Predominantly Puerto Rican Population.

Background: Short interpregnancy interval (IPI) is associated with risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes; however, few studies have evaluated the role of depression as a risk factor for short IPI. Puerto Rican women in the United States experience disparities in adverse birth outcomes and have the highest birth rates. Methods: We analyzed the association between prenatal depressive symptoms and IPI in Proyecto Buena Salud, a prospective cohort of predominantly Puerto Rican women in Western Massachusetts (2006-2011). Depression was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in early, mid, and late pregnancy. We calculated follow-up time as the difference between the date of delivery of the index pregnancy and the last menstrual period of the subsequent pregnancy using medical records and billing data. We defined short IPI as ≤18 months. Results: Of 1262 eligible women, 35% (n = 440) had at least probable minor depression (EPDS scores ≥13) and 25% (n = 315) had probable major depression (EPDS scores ≥15). Participants were followed for a median of 3.7 years (interquartile range = 1.4-6.0 years) and 240 (20.6%) participants experienced a short IPI. After adjusting for risk factors, women with probable minor depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.88) and probable major depression (aOR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.02-1.97) during pregnancy had increased odds of short IPI. Conclusions: Prenatal depressive symptoms were common in this Puerto Rican population and were associated with a modest increase in odds of short IPI. Further examination of the pathways through which mental health may affect IPI in vulnerable populations is warranted.
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: postnatal predictors of mortality.

INTRODUCTION Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) prevalence is low while its associated morbidity and mortality rates are high. Postnatal prognostic factors on the first day of life are useful for predicting the outcome. OBJECTIVES To determine the mortality predictive ability of postnatal echocardiographic, clinical, and biochemical factors among newborn infants with CDH in their first day of life. METHOD Observational analytical study of a retrospective cohort. Patients with CDH were consecutively included between March 2012 and November 2018. On the first day of life, analyzed predictors were the oxygenation index (OI), the highest partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) level in blood, the SNAPPE II severity score, the echocardiography, and the N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) value. RESULTS The population consisted of 178 patients with CDH. Survival was 75 %. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used in 24 %. The early onset of systemic or suprasystemic pulmonary hypertension showed no predictive ability (OR: 2.2, 95 % CI: 0.8-8), p = 0.1. NT-proBNP did not show good discrimination either (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.46, p = 0.67). The OI, SNAPPE II score, and the highest pCO2 level showed adequate discrimination power, AUC for OI: 0.82, AUC for SNAPPE II: 0.86, and AUC for pCO2: 0.75, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION The SNAPPE II score, the OI, and the highest pCO2 level measured on the first day of life, showed a good predictive ability in terms of the course of the disease; the SNAPPE II score was better than the OI and the highest pCO2 level.
Autocrine TGF-β1 Maintains the Stability of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells via IL-12Rβ2 Downregulation

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is an immunosuppresive cytokine that plays an essential role in immune homeostasis. It is well known that regulatory T (Treg) cells express TGF-β1; however, the role of autocrine TGF-β1 in the development, function, and stability of Treg cells remains poorly understood. We found that Treg cell-derived TGF-β1 was not required for the development of thymic Treg cells in mice, but played a role in the expression of latency-associated peptide and optimal suppression of naïve T cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, the frequency of Treg cells was significantly reduced in the mesenteric lymph nodes of the Treg cell-specific TGF-β1-deficient mice, which was associated with increased frequency of IFN-γ-producers among Treg cells. TGF-β1-deficient Treg cells were more prone to express IFN-γ than TGF-β1-sufficient Treg cells in a dendritic cell-mediated stimulation in vitro as well as in an adoptive transfer study in vivo. Mechanistically, TGF-β1-deficient Treg cells expressed higher levels of Il12rb2 and were more sensitive to IL-12-induced conversion into IFN-γ-producing Treg cells or IFN-γ-producing exTreg cells than TGF-β1-sufficient Treg cells. Our findings demonstrate that autocrine TGF-β1 plays a critical role in the optimal suppressive activity and stability of Treg cells by downregulating IL-12R on Treg cells.
Health related quality of life in children with congenital heart disease that undergo cardiac surgery during their first year of life.

INTRODUCTION Advances in diagnostic methods, surgical techniques and postoperative intensive care have significantly increased the survival rates for children with congenital heart disease. In this context, long term sequelae acquired greater relevance. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a concept that helps to measure the impact of chronic diseases. The purpose of the current study was to describe HRQOL in children with congenital heart disease that undergo cardiac surgery during their first year of life. METHODS A cross-sectional observational study was conducted between August 2017 and December 2018 at a University General Hospital. PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales were used. Children with congenital heart disease between 2 and 4 years old who had cardiac surgery during their first year of life and healthy children were included. Scores were compared with T-test or Wilcoxon according to the observed distribution. p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS A total of 31 children with congenital heart disease (26 % with a single ventricle) and 62 healthy children were enrolled. The first surgery was in the neonatal period in 61.3 %. Our study showed no statistical differences (p = 0.10) between HRQOL Total Scale Score of children with congenital heart disease compared to healthy children. However, lower scores were observed with statistically significant differences in social (p = 0.0092) and school (p = 0.0001) scales. CONCLUSIONS Our cohort of children diagnosed with congenital heart disease has a global quality of life comparable with healthy children except in social and school functioning scales.
WatchPose: A View-Aware Approach for Camera Pose Data Collection in Industrial Environments

Collecting correlated scene images and camera poses is an essential step towards learning absolute camera pose regression models. While the acquisition of such data in living environments is relatively easy by following regular roads and paths, it is still a challenging task in constricted industrial environments. This is because industrial objects have varied sizes and inspections are usually carried out with non-constant motions. As a result, regression models are more sensitive to scene images with respect to viewpoints and distances. Motivated by this, we present a simple but efficient camera pose data collection method, WatchPose, to improve the generalization and robustness of camera pose regression models. Specifically, WatchPose tracks nested markers and visualizes viewpoints in an Augmented Reality- (AR) based manner to properly guide users to collect training data from broader camera-object distances and more diverse views around the objects. Experiments show that WatchPose can effectively improve the accuracy of existing camera pose regression models compared to the traditional data acquisition method. We also introduce a new dataset, Industrial10, to encourage the community to adapt camera pose regression methods for more complex environments.
Anion intercalated graphite: a combined electrochemical and tribological investigation by in situ AFM

The intercalation of graphite by electrochemical methods is an efficient strategy to produce massive graphene flakes. In fact, when graphite is biased inside an acidic solution, anions enter inside the stratified structure of the electrode and reduce the layer‐to‐layer interaction. Consequently, a gentle sonication is sufficient to disperse the graphene flakes inside the electrolyte. In view of an optimisation of the production protocol, a detailed analysis of the intercalation mechanism at the molecular length scale is mandatory. In the last 30 years, electrochemical (EC) scanning probe microscopies (e.g. EC‐STM and in situ AFM) have been widely exploited in this research topic. In fact, these techniques have the possibility of combining the EC characterisation (e.g. cyclic‐voltammetry, CV) with mechanical characterisation (e.g. adhesion and friction) and topography acquisition with high (molecular) lateral resolution.
Interpretable Statistical Tests for Growth Comparisons using Parameters in the von Bertalanffy Equation

Likelihood ratio, t-, univariate χ2-, and T2-tests have been proposed to compare von Bertalanffy parameters among stocks. As commonly applied, all of these tests are approximate, with the accuracy of each dependent on the nonlinearity of the von Bertalanffy equation, sample size, and if present, the degree of heterogeneity in the error variances. An empirical comparison of these procedures shows that the likelihood ratio test often differs in outcome from the others. Analysis of the conflicting cases by confidence region comparisons and Monte Carlo simulations almost always resolved the outcome in favor of the likelihood ratio test. The parameter effects component of nonlinearity was found to be the principal factor biasing the t-, univariate χ2-, and T2-tests. Reparameterizations of the von Bertalanffy equation substantially reduced, but did not completely eliminate, conflicting outcomes. It is concluded that the likelihood ratio test is the most accurate of the procedures considered in this study, and w.
Social support and mental health among health care workers during Coronavirus Disease 2019 outbreak: A moderated mediation model

Purposes During the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) all over the world, the mental health conditions of health care workers are of great importance to ensure the efficiency of rescue operations. The current study examined the effect of social support on mental health of health care workers and its underlying mechanisms regarding the mediating role of resilience and moderating role of age during the epidemic. Methods Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Connor-Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC) and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were administrated among 1472 health care workers from Jiangsu Province, China during the peak period of COVID-19 outbreak. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to examine the mediation effect of resilience on the relation between social support and mental health, whereas moderated mediation analysis was performed by Hayes PROCESS macro. Results The findings showed that resilience could partially mediate the effect of social support on mental health among health care workers. Age group moderated the indirect relationship between social support and mental health via resilience. Specifically, compared with younger health care workers, the association between resilience and mental health would be attenuated in the middle-aged workers. Conclusions The results add knowledge to previous literature by uncovering the underlying mechanisms between social support and mental health. The present study has profound implications for mental health services for health care workers during the peak period of COVID-19.
Heavy Metal Tolerance, Biosorption And Bioaccumulation By Some Microalgae (Egyptian Isolates)

Three fresh water microalgal isolates [ Phormidium ambiguum (Cyanobacterium), Pseudochlorococcum typicum and Scenedesmus quadricauda var. quadrispina (Chlorophyta)] were tested for tolerance and removal of mercury (Hg 2+ ), lead (Pb 2+ ) and cadmium (Cd 2+ ) in aqueous solutions as a single metal species at conc. 5-100 mg / L under controlled laboratory conditions. The obtained results showed that Hg 2+ was the most toxic of the three metal ions to the test algae even at low concentration ( 2+ and Cd 2+ (5–20 mg / L) induced insignificant changes in the algal growth (chlorophyll a and protein), elevated concentrations (40-100 mg / L) were inhibitory to the growth. The results also revealed that Ph. ambiguum was the most sensitive alga to the three metal ions even at lower concentrations (5 and 10 mg / L). P. typicum and S. quadricauda were more tolerant to high metal concentrations up to 100 mg / L. The bioremoval of heavy metal ions (Hg 2+ , Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ ) by P. typicum from aqueous solution showed that the highest percentage of metal bioremoval occurred in the first 30 minutes of contact recording 97% (Hg 2+ ), 86% (Cd 2+ ) and 70% (Pb 2+ ). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the interaction between heavy metal ions and P. typicum cells. At ultrastructural level, an electron dense layers were detected on the algal cell surfaces when exposed to Cd , Hg, and Pb. At the same time, dark spherical electron dense bodies were accumulated in the vacuoles of the algal cells exposed to Pb. Excessive accumulation of starch around the pyrenoids as well as deteriorations of the algal cell organells exposed to the three metal ions were also observed . New Egyptian Journal of Microbiology Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 76-88
Industrial Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Status among Residents in an Industrial Area in Central Italy

The area of Civitavecchia (Lazio region, Central Italy) has been a reason of concern in the past because of environmental air contamination. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between air pollution from different sources and respiratory symptoms and lung function in the population. A sample of 1177 residents underwent medical examination and lung function tests. Information on individual characteristics, histories of exposure and medical history were collected through a validated questionnaire. Long-term exposure to industrial, harbour, biomass combustion emissions (PM10) and urban traffic (NOx) at residential address was assessed using a Lagrangian dispersion model. The associations between exposure and wheezing and dyspnea were assessed using logistic regression models, while modified Poisson regression models were used to evaluate cough with phlegm. Relationships between exposure and lung function were analysed using linear mixed-effects models and cross-correlation. PM10 emissions from the harbour were associated with lower lung function parameters (FEV1: β = –0.12, 95% CI –0.21 –0.03; p = 0.02; FEV1/FVC: β = –1.67, (–3.10 –0.23); p = 0.02. This association was observed also in healthy subjects, but not in females. We found, even if at low exposure level, an effect of environmental PM10 exposure from harbour on lung function.
Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor α (PPARα) Agonist Treatment Reverses PPARα Dysfunction and Abnormalities in Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in Ethanol-fed Mice*

Proper function of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is essential for the regulation of hepatic fatty acid metabolism. Fatty acid levels are increased in liver during the metabolism of ethanol and should activate PPARα. However, recent in vitro data showed that ethanol metabolism inhibited the function of PPARα. We now report that ethanol feeding impairs fatty acid catabolism in the liver in part via blocking PPARα-mediated responses in C57BL/6J mice. Ethanol feeding decreased PPARα/retinoid X receptor α binding in electrophoretic mobility shift assay of liver nuclear extracts. mRNAs for PPAR-regulated genes were reduced (long chain and medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenases) or failed to be induced (acyl-CoA oxidase, liver carnitine palmitoyl-CoA transferase, very long chain acyl-CoA synthetase, very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase) in livers of the ethanol-fed animals, and ethanol feeding did not increase the rate of fatty acid β-oxidation. Wy14,643, a PPARα agonist, restored the DNA binding activity of PPARα/retinoid X receptor α, induced mRNA levels of PPARα target genes, stimulated the rate of fatty acid β-oxidation, and prevented fatty liver in ethanol-fed animals. Impairment of PPARα function during ethanol consumption contributes to the development of alcoholic fatty liver, which can be overcome by Wy14,643.
Comparison of cell volume measurements by fluorescence and absorption exclusion microscopy

There are two light microscopic methods for cell volume measurement based on volume exclusion. One method, sometimes referred to as FLEX, utilises negative staining by an external fluorescent dye, and cell volume is found from attenuation of fluorescence under a wide‐field microscope. The other method (TTD) is based on exclusion of an external absorbing dye, resulting in an increased intensity of transmission image. In this work, we compared these two methods. TTD measurements were consistent, reproducible and identical to those obtained by confocal scanning. In our hands, FLEX based on either sodium fluorescein of fluorescent dextran, usually resulted in underestimation of cell volume, which were insignificant in shallow chambers but became more severe with increased chamber depth. We have not been able to exactly pinpoint the source of the problem; it may have been undetected accumulation of dye in the cells or, more likely, some unappreciated aspects of image formation under epi‐illumination. We also discuss applicability of both methods to in‐flow volume measurements.
EFFECT OF INCREASED SULFUR CONCENTRATION ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF THE CORIANDER (CORIANDRUM SATIVUM) PLANT TO CHROMIUM TOXICITY

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of increasing sulfur concentrations in irrigation water in alleviating the adverse effect of chromium toxicity. The cultivated coriander seeds were treated with different concentrations of sulfate (0.4, 0.8 &1.6 mM magnesium sulfate) for 6 weeks until completely growth and ensure for healthy. Each treated group was divided into three subgroups to handle treatment concentration of 0 μM, 50 μM and 100 μM chromium. Stem and root lengths, fresh and dry weights, pigments, protein and chromium concentration were measured. The data showed that increasing chromium concentrations induced a significant decrease in the measured morphological and physiological parameters. Moreover, chromium was accumulated in coriander plant with increasing chromium concentration in irrigation water. Increasing sulfur concentration alleviates the adverse effect of chromium by increasing shoot and root lengths and dry weights. Also, sulfur increased pigment concentration in chromium treated plants to levels as those of control plants. The effect of sulfur was more effective at 50 μM Cr than 100 μM Cr. The two concentration of sulfur were both effective.
Team Gender Diversity in High-Stake Competitions

We examine the link between gender diversity and performance outcomes in team competitions with large financial stakes, using new data on more than 2,300 teams from a series of high-profile television game shows. The collected data come from three diverse field settings including an actual business environment (The Apprentice), a natural survival contest (Survivor), and a high-pressure cooking competition (Hell’s Kitchen). Our overall results show all-female and female-dominated teams to be as successful as their male counterparts in each competition. Team success rates also depend on task type, with notable differences in win rates observed in favour of all-male teams for projects which demand creativity on The Apprentice. The probability of winning an intellectual challenge on Survivor is found to be proportional to the share of women in a team, while male-dominated teams perform better in physical challenges. Lastly, we report male and female team leaders to have equal success in high-stake business competitions, independent of the team gender mix or type of project undertaken. These findings provide some of the first evidence about the role of gender diversity in competitive field settings with unusually large payoffs.
Relaxed Persist Ordering Using Strand Persistency

Emerging persistent memory (PM) technologies promise the performance of DRAM with the durability of Flash. Several language-level persistency models have emerged recently to aid programming recoverable data structures in PM. Unfortunately, these persistency models are built upon hardware primitives that impose stricter ordering constraints on PM operations than the persistency models require. Alternative solutions use fixed and inflexible hardware logging techniques to relax ordering constraints on PM operations, but do not readily apply to general synchronization primitives employed by language-level persistency models. Instead, we propose StrandWeaver, a hardware strand persistency model, to minimally constrain ordering on PM operations. StrandWeaver manages PM order within a strand, a logically independent sequence of operations within a thread. PM operations that lie on separate strands are unordered and may drain concurrently to PM. StrandWeaver implements primitives under strand persistency to allow programmers to improve concurrency and relax ordering constraints on updates as they drain to PM. Furthermore, we design mechanisms that map persistency semantics in high-level language persistency models to the primitives implemented by StrandWeaver. We demonstrate that StrandWeaver can enable greater concurrency of PM operations than existing ISA-level ordering mechanisms, improving performance by up to $1.97 \times (1.45 \times avg.)$.