Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rotated Feature Network for Multiorientation Object Detection of Remote-Sensing Images

Modern detectors in remote-sensing images follow the pipeline that feature maps extracted from ConvNets are shared between classification and regression tasks. However, there exist obvious conflicting demands in multiorientation object detection of remote-sensing images (RSOD) that classification is insensitive to orientations, while regression is quite sensitive. In addition, previous works cannot promise the reliability of rotation-invariant or rotation-equivariant features with only qualitative or intuitive analysis. To address these issues, we propose an encoder–encoder architecture, called rotated feature network (RFN), which produces rotation-sensitive feature maps (RS) for regression and rotation-invariant feature maps (RI) for classification. Specifically, the encoder unit assigns weights for rotated feature maps. The decoder unit extracts RS and RI by performing resuming operators on rotated and reweighed feature maps, respectively. To make the rotation-invariant characteristics more reliable, a metric is adopted to quantitatively evaluate the rotation-invariance by adding a constraint item in the loss, yielding a promising detection performance. Compared with the state-of-the-art methods, our method can achieve a significant improvement in NWPU very high resolution (VHR)-10 and RSOD data sets. The proposed RFN is further evaluated on the scene classification in remote-sensing images, demonstrating its good generalization ability. It can be integrated into an existing framework, leading to better performance with only a slight increase in test time and model complexity.
The effects of laboratory-induced mood on secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva

OF THE DISSERTATION THE EFFECTS OF LABORATORY INDUCED MOOD ON SECRETORY IMMUNOGLOBULIN A IN SALIVA by Susan Strum Dubitsky Florida International University, 1994 Dr. James G. Rotton, Major Professor The effects of induced mood on secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) were tested on 104 students (51 men & 53 women) using a mixed design with between subject factors of gender, induced mood (positive vs. negative), method of induction (writing about oneself vs. viewing a video), and a within subject factor, time (baseline vs. posttest). A split-plot multivariate analysis of covariance, controlling for salivary flow rate, did not support a causal link between induced mood alone and change in SIgA concentration. The effect of induced mood on blood pressure and heart rate was also examined. There were no significant main effects, but gender interacted with mood induction such that females experienced an increase in blood pressure in the positive mood induction condition. There was no significant effect of method of mood induction on SIgA, blood pressure, or heart rate. Stable personality traits, however, moderated the effects of mood induction. Persons who scored higher on depression and neuroticism, and lower on positive affect had significantly higher SIgA concentrations in the negative mood condition. There were no significant effects of
Single Case Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Mobile Application with a Substance Abuse Counselor

Abstract We implemented an exploratory A-B single case research design with a phenomenological lens to analyze journal entries to assess the effectiveness of a 12-week mindfulness-based mobile intervention to reduce burnout and increase mindfulness and self-compassion. Our participant was one 55-year-old White woman employed as a substance abuse counselor at a medium sized treatment facility in a midwestern state. We collected three weeks of baseline data followed by a 12-week intervention using the Calm © app and collected self-reported scores on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and the Self-Compassion Scale across baseline and intervention phases. Data analyses using the Percentage of Data Exceeding the Median provide preliminary evidence that using the Calm © app across 12 weeks may decrease levels of burnout and increase levels of mindfulness but provided no evidence for increased self-compassion. We provide suggestions for substance abuse counselors and discuss the limitations and future research recommendations.
The forensic pathological analysis of sport-related sudden cardiac death in Southern China

Abstract Studies regarding sport-related sudden cardiac death (SCD) mainly focus on competitive athletes; similar data are rare in the general population, especially in China. We conducted a retrospective study (from September 1998 to August 2013) to investigate the aetiological distribution and epidemiological features of sport-related SCD in Southern China. Selections of cases are based on details, and two subgroups were established: one was the sport-related SCD group, and the other was the disease-free accident victims group which was matched with the sport-related SCD group in gender, age and year of death. Among the 3770 sudden-death cases, 1656 cases were SCD cases. A total of 65 cases (57 males) out of 1 656 SCD cases were sport-related. The age range of the 65 sport-related SCD cases was from 12 to 68 years old with a mean (35.92 ± 14.23) years old. Only two of these cases were competitive athletes. The most common circumstances of the 65 sport-related SCD cases were heavy physical labour (46.15%) and running (30.77%). The three leading forensic diagnoses were the coronary atherosclerotic disease (CAD, 28 cases), cardiomyopathy (CM, 14 cases) and sudden unexplained death (7 cases). CM was the most common forensic diagnosis in those ≤35 years old, while CAD was the most common one in those >35 years old. Left anterior descending in which atherosclerotic plaques was most commonly found was the principal artery branch associated with sport-related SCD. There was a statistically significant difference in the weight of hearts between the 65 sport-related SCD cases and 65 diseases-free accidental cases. This study highlights the need to attract public attention to sport-related SCD and to issue a prevention strategy to the public, and to make the SCD-related genetic sequencing a routine tool in both forensic pathological examination and clinic screening.
Potential T-cell and B-cell Epitopes of 2019-nCoV

As of early March, 2019-nCoV has infected more than one hundred thousand people and claimed thousands of lives. 2019-nCoV is a novel form of coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and has high similarity with SARS-CoV. No approved vaccine yet exists for any form of coronavirus. Here we use computational tools from structural biology and machine learning to identify 2019-nCoV T-cell and B-cell epitopes based on viral protein antigen presentation and antibody binding properties. These epitopes can be used to develop more effective vaccines and identify neutralizing antibodies. We identified 405 viral peptides with good antigen presentation scores for both human MHC-I and MHC-II alleles, and two potential neutralizing B-cell epitopes near the 2019-nCoV spike protein receptor binding domain (440-460 and 494-506). Analyzing mutation profiles of 68 viral genomes from four continents, we identified 96 coding-change mutations. These mutations are more likely to occur in regions with good MHC-I presentation scores (p=0.02). No mutations are present near the spike protein receptor binding domain. Based on these findings, the spike protein is likely immunogenic and a potential vaccine candidate. We validated our computational pipeline with SARS-CoV experimental data. Significance Statement The novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV has affected more than 100 countries and continues to spread. There is an immediate need for effective vaccines that contain antigens which trigger responses from human T-cells and B-cells (known as epitopes). Here we identify potential T-cell epitopes through an analysis of human antigen presentation, as well as B-cell epitopes through an analysis of protein structure. We identify a list of top candidates, including an epitope located on 2019-nCoV spike protein that potentially triggers both T-cell and B-cell responses. Analyzing 68 samples, we observe that viral mutations are more likely to happen in regions with strong antigen presentation, a potential form of immune evasion. Our computational pipeline is validated with experimental data from SARS-CoV.
Touch point opportunities in American football at the collegiate level

American football at the collegiate level is big business in the United States of America. Not only is it big business for the colleges that participate, but for the businesses that sponsor the events as well. Utilizing touch points, as an evaluative measure of quality, this paper explores the role of exchange theory in determining the values of these sponsorships. The analysis indicates that touch points are a useful tool in determining sponsorship quality. Further, it is suggested that touch points help establish trust and interdependence among stakeholders.
Gliadin analysis by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography

In order to develop a method for rapid, efficient and accurate detection and quantitative determination of gliadin proteins from wheat flour, the usage of different solvents and different separation conditions were investigated by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). After albumin and globulins were removed from wheat flour (100 mg) with a salt solution, the gliadin extraction was achieved with ethanol, 1-propanol and isopropanol (50% v/v, 60% v/v and 70% v/v each). Then, the glutenin fractions were extracted using nitrogen and 50% (v/v) aqueous solution of 1-propanol containing Tris-HCl (0.05 mol/dm 3 , pH = 7.5) at 60 °C, urea (2 mol/dm 3 ) and dithioerythritol (1%). The separation and quantitative gliadin determination were carried out by RP-HPLC chromatography on C3 column maintained at different temperatures: 40 °C, 45 °C and 50 °C. In order to determine the absolute amounts of the protein type, gliadin protein standard was used. The obtained results in terms of repeatability, linearity and accuracy showed that RP-HPLC chromatography could be used as a fast, relatively simple and reliable way to quantify all types of gluten proteins in wheat flour and can be applied to assess the quality of cereals as raw materials or in cereal products.
Effect of Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) with SulfadoxinePyrimethamine(SP) and Amodiaquine (AQ) on the Acquisition of antiAMA1and anti-MSP1_42 Antibodies among Children under 10 YearsLiving in the Southern part of Senegal (Velingara)

Background: In developing countries, malaria is still a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and children are the most affected individuals. In order to strengthen malaria control, new intervention such as Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) has been developed. This strategy is very effective in preventing malaria clinical episodes but its effect on children’s immunity is not well documented. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of SMC on the acquisition of anti-AMA1 and anti-MSP1_42 antibodies among children fewer than 10 years living in the southern part of Senegal (Velingara). Patients and methods: The study was nested in a cluster randomized trial assessing the impact of SMC with a single dose of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) and 3 doses of Amodiaquine (AQ). Two cross-sectional surveys were carried out (October 2010) and (September 2011) to assess the effect of SMC on children’s immunity. Thick and thin blood smears were performed to assess malaria parasiteamia prevalence. Blood was collected on filter paper for serological measurement by ELISA to measure IgG anti-MSP1_42 and anti-AMA1. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess factors associated with the production of antibodies. Results: A total number of 1611 children under 10 years old were included in two surveys (866 children in 2010 and 745 children in 2011). Malaria prevalence was 10.39% at baseline (2010) and 5.03% one year after intervention (2011). The seroprevalence of anti-MSP1_42 anti-AMA1 antibodies was higher in 2010 compared to 2011 providing a significant reduction of IgG production at 11.4 AU (95%CI â¦8.3-14.4â¦) for MSP1_42 and 7.2 AU (95%CI â¦4.5-9.9â¦) for AMA1. Seroprevalence increased with age and Plasmodium falciparum carriage while it decreased according to the area and study period. Conclusion: SMC is an effective strategy for malaria prevention in children under 10 years. The strategy can as well induce a decrease of IgG anti-AMA1 and anti-MSP1_42 which are protective against malaria. Consequently, this strategy needs to be renewed each year in areas where malaria is highly seasonal to avoid a resurgence of malaria, while promoting the use of other antimalarial interventions.
Detoxification from methadone using low, repeated, and increasing doses of ibogaine: A case report

Background and aimsIbogaine is a natural alkaloid that has been used in the last decades as an adjuvant for the treatment of opiate withdrawal. Despite the beneficial results suggested by animal studies and case series, there is a lack of clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of ibogaine. Moreover, the majority of reports described cases of heroin-dependent individuals, with and without concomitant use of methadone, using high doses of ibogaine. Therefore, it is not clear if ibogaine at low doses could be used therapeutically in people on methadone maintenance treatments (MMT). MethodsCase report of a female on MMT for 17 years who performed a self-treatment with several low and cumulative doses of ibogaine over a 6-week period.ResultsThe patient successfully eliminated her withdrawals from methadone with ibogaine. Each administration of ibogaine attenuated the withdrawal symptoms for several hours, and reduced the tolerance to methadone until all signs of withdrawal symptoms disappeared at the.
Stabilization of DC Nanogrids Based on Non-Integer General Type-II Fuzzy System

This brief proposes a dynamic consensus algorithm-based nonlinear I-V droop control for the balancing state of charge of energy storage systems (ESSs) in DC Nanogrids (DCNGs). The dynamic consensus algorithm (DCA) provides a coordinated secondary control with sharing information between Distributed Generation (DG) units to regulate the output power of each DG based on the capacity and state of charge (SoC) of the ESSs. Furthermore, a novel high bandwidth fractional order general type-2 fuzzy logic proportional-integral-derivative (FOGT2FPID) controller is applied in the secondary control level to ensure fast and accurate voltage regulation, and SoC balancing in the DCNG. In the primary control level, a nonlinear I-V droop control approach provides fast dynamic and accurate power-sharing among DGs. Moreover, the proposed control method can provide reliability, modularity, and flexibility. Compared with conventional methods, over-current failures and abruptly disconnection of DGs are prevented with the proposed controller. Experimental results are shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme under different scenarios using facilities at the Microgrid Laboratory, Aalborg University.
Ginkgo biloba extract protects diabetic rats against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by suppressing oxidative stress and upregulating the expression of glutamate transporter 1

The current study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on the progression of acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic rats, and to determine the molecular mechanism associated with this effect. Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats were pretreated with GbE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day; intragastric) for 3 weeks. During this period, body weight changes and fasting blood glucose levels were assessed each week. Following pretreatment, rats were subjected to suture occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for 30 min, which was followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Neurological deficits were subsequently evaluated at 2 and 24 h following reperfusion. Rats were sacrificed after 24 h reperfusion, and infarct volume and S100B content were measured to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of GbE. The results of the present study demonstrated that GbE pretreatment improved neurological scores, and reduced cerebral infarct volume and S100B content. Oxidative stress markers, including glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were increased, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were reduced following GbE treatment. The levels of p-Akt, p-mTOR and glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) were observed to be increased in GbE-pretreated rats. These results indicated that GbE pretreatment may serve a protective role against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in diabetic rats by inhibiting oxidative stress reaction, upregulating the expression of Akt/mTOR and promoting GLT1 expression. In conclusion, the current study revealed the protective role and molecular mechanisms of GbE in diabetic rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and may provide novel insight into the future clinical treatment of this condition.
‘Tied up in a legal mess’: The alcohol industry's use of litigation to oppose minimum alcohol pricing in Scotland

This article examines the alcohol industry's legal challenges to minimum unit pricing (MUP) in Scotland through the stages heuristic of the policy process. It builds on previous studies of alcohol pricing policy in Scotland and across the UK, and of the use of legal challenges by health harming industries to oppose health policy globally. Having failed to prevent MUP passing into law, industry actors sought to frustrate the implementation of the legislation via challenges in the Scottish, European and UK courts. However, the relevance of legal challenges is not limited to the post-legislative stage of the policy process but was foreshadowed in all earlier stages of the policy process. The potential for a legal challenge to MUP, and the alcohol industry's clearly articulated intention to pursue such action, was used by industry actors to seek to prevent the adoption of MUP in the agenda setting, policy formulation and legislative stages and created significant ‘regulatory chill’ in other areas of Scottish and UK alcohol policy. Litigation, and the prospect of it, was thus part of a coherent and integrated long-term strategy which adapted to changes in the political climate and to different stages in the policy process. While both the rhetoric and reality of litigation failed to prevent policy implementation, it succeeded in causing a delay of six years, imposing significant costs on the Scottish government and creating policy inertia in Scottish alcohol policy subsequently. Moreover, the inclusion of a ‘sunset clause’ in the legislation, requiring ongoing evaluation of the policy's effects, presents additional opportunities for the industry to reverse MUP. Thus, industry strategies to undermine MUP and delay further alcohol policy developments require ongoing attention by policy actors and scholars.
Triggering preservice teachers’ writing skills through genre-based instructional model viewed from creativity

This study was aimed at finding out the effectiveness of genre-based instructional model in the teaching of writing skills viewed from students’ creativity. This study employed a quasi-experimental research design. The samples consisted of two classes in which one class was treated by using genre-based instructional (GBI) model and the second class was subjected to the process-based instruction (PBI) model. The writing test and creativity test were functioned as research instruments to collect the data in both classes. The data were analyzed by using the multifactor analysis of variance (ANOVA). The research finding informed that the GBI model was more effective than the PBI model. It was proved with the value of sig. (0.008) was lower than sig. level 0.05. Thus, students having high creativity have better writing achievement than those who have low creativity and it was proved with the value of sign (0.000) was lower than sig. level 0.05. It means that the effect of instructional model and writing skills rests on the level of students’ creativity. The finding indicates that there is significant interaction between instructional model being applied and creativity in the teaching of writing skills.
Elucidating the Mechanisms of Thromboembolism and Structural Arterial Disease in Children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of life-long relapsing and remitting inflammations of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, with complex aetiology and no known cure. Incidence world-wide is increasing, especially among paediatric-onset cases. In addition to known primary morbidities, recent epidemiological evidence suggests an increased life-time risk of cardiovascular events in IBD patients, however the mechanism for this is unknown. This thesis attempts to investigate the hypothesis that chronic inflammation in IBD promotes vascular dysfunction, which leads to increased cardiovascular risk, and is detectable in paediatric IBD. Mechanisms of endothelial microparticle (MP) formation were investigated, and it was found cytokines associated with IBD stimulate MP release in a synergistic manner. Additionally, markers of endothelial injury, hypercoagulability and circulating microparticles (MPs) were assessed in paediatric IBD patients and compared to healthy controls. Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) were raised in paediatric IBD, with even inactive patients having significantly higher CECs. This was corroborated by increased circulating levels of MPs, particularly those derived from neutrophils, the endothelium and those expressing tissue factor (TF). Paradoxically, plasma from patients showed delayed thrombin generation, as well as MP-mediated thrombin generation, measured by an in vitro assay. Patients also showed increased plasma activity of TF and derangement of the TF/TFPI axis. Patients were assessed for structural arterial disease by assessment of carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), but showed no difference to healthy controls. Finally, assessment of plasma cytokines and vascular injury markers by multi-plex electrochemiluminescent assay showed an increase in multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines in paediatric IBD. In summary, these novel findings suggest an increase in vascular injury in paediatric IBD along with promotion of a pro-thrombotic state. These findings provide a unique insight into the cardiovascular complications of IBD patients.
Comparison of High-Throughput Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Data Processing Pipelines

With the development of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology, it has become possible to perform large-scale transcript profiling for tens of thousands of cells in a single experiment. Many analysis pipelines have been developed for data generated from different high-throughput scRNA-seq platforms, bringing a new challenge to users to choose a proper workflow that is efficient, robust and reliable for a specific sequencing platform. Moreover, as the amount of public scRNA-seq data has increased rapidly, integrated analysis of scRNA-seq data from different sources has become increasingly popular. How-ever, it remains unclear whether such integrated analysis would be biased if the data were processed by different upstream pipelines. In this study, we encapsulated seven existing high-throughput scRNA-seq data processing pipelines with Nextflow, a general integrative workflow management framework, and evaluated their performances in terms of running time, computational resource consumption, and data processing consistency using nine public datasets generated from five different high-throughput scRNA-seq platforms. Our work provides a useful guideline for the selection of scRNA-seq data processing pipelines based on their performances on different real datasets. In addition, these guidelines can serve as a performance evaluation framework for future developments in high-throughput scRNA-seq data processing.