Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Automatic Ship Detection Method Using $L$-Band Polarimetric SAR Imagery

Ship-sea contrast can be improved significantly when the full polarimetric information is used, compared with the information provided by a single polarization channel. Therefore, a new automatic ship detection method, termed SPAN Wishart (SPWH), is proposed in this paper based on an unsupervised classification concept, which combines the SPAN of a polarimetric SAR (POLSAR) data with the complex Wishart classifier. The significant improvement of this technique is to utilize the SPAN of ship cluster center as an iterative termination criterion to realize the automatic ship detection. Then, another method based on multifrequency is proposed to discriminate between ships and their ambiguities to provide a substitute for the ground truth for the subsequent validation of the SPWH algorithm by using an AIRSAR polarimetric dataset, which consists of C- and L-band data covering Kojimawan in Tamano of Japan. After that, the SPWH is validated only using the L-band data with the defined ships by comparing the performance of the SPWH with a traditional CFAR detector. By contrast, the SPWH algorithm is more effective, robust, and completely automatic.
Are ventrolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices involved in the computerized Corsi block-tapping test execution? An fNIRS study

Abstract. The Corsi block-tapping test (CBT) is an old neuropsychological test that, requiring the storage and the reproduction of spatial locations, assesses spatial working memory (WM). Despite its wide use in clinical practice, the specific contribution of prefrontal cortex (PFC) subregions during CBT execution has not been clarified yet. Considering the importance of spatial WM in daily life and the well-known role of ventrolateral-PFC/dorsolateral-PFC (VLPFC/DLPFC) in WM processes, the present study was aimed at investigating, by a 20-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) system (including four short-separation channels), the hemodynamic response of the VLPFC/DLPFC during a computerized version of the CBT. Thirty-nine university students were asked to perform CBT standard version (CBTs), block-suppression CBT (CBTb), and control task (CBTc). A VLPFC activation during CBTs and a DLPFC activation during CBTb were hypothesized. The results of the Bayesian analysis have not shown a delineated specific activation of VLPFC/DLPFC during either CBTs or CBTb. These results together with the related ones obtained by others using fMRI are not sufficient to definitively state the role of the PFC subregions during CBT execution. The adoption of high-density diffuse optical tomography would be helpful in further exploration of the PFC involvement in spatial WM tasks.
Development of a neuromorphic computing system

Although a variety of solutions for neuromorphic systems based on different hardware technology and software programming schemes, there has yet to be a common accepted one. Based on some recent findings in brain science, we propose a new design rule for developing a brain inspired computing system. We design and fabricate a neuromorphic chip, named `Tianji' chip. A multi-chip architecture-based PCB board has been demonstrated. The detailed hardware implementation and software programming scheme are presented in this paper.
Adolescent, caregiver, and friend preferences for integrating social support and communication features into an asthma self-management app

Abstract Objectives: This study examines: 1) adolescent preferences for using asthma self-management mobile applications (apps) to interact with their friends, caregivers, medical providers, and other adolescents with asthma and 2) how caregivers and friends would use mobile apps to communicate with the adolescent and serve as sources of support for asthma management. Methods: We recruited 20 adolescents aged 12–16 years with persistent asthma, their caregivers (n = 20), and friends (n = 3) from two suburban pediatric practices in North Carolina. We gave participants iPods with two preloaded asthma apps and asked them to use the apps for 1 week. Adolescents and caregivers provided app feedback during a semi-structured interview at a regularly-scheduled clinic appointment and during a telephone interview one week later. Friends completed one telephone interview. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. An inductive, theory-driven analysis was used to identify themes and preferences. Results: Adolescents preferred to use apps for instrumental support from caregivers, informational support from friends, and belonging and informational support from others with asthma. The majority of adolescents believed apps could enhance communication with their caregivers and medical providers, and the theme of self-reliance emerged in which caregivers and adolescents believed apps could enable adolescents to better self-manage their asthma. Friends preferred to use apps to provide instrumental and informational support. Conclusions: Given preferences expressed in this study, apps may help adolescents obtain social support to better self-manage their asthma. Future app-based interventions should include features enabling adolescents with asthma to communicate and interact with their caregivers, medical providers, and friends.
Study on Differences in Correlation between the Accounting Data and Stock Price of China and Thailand base on Ohlson Model

This paper compares the correlation between the accounting data and the stock price of China and Thailand by using the Ohlson residual income valuation model base on the 10680 companies’ data of 1068 listed companies during 2007 to 2016. The total assets of the company, the number of circulating shares and the time of listing are regarded as the control variables. It is found that the earnings per share and the book value per share of the listed companies in both countries have different meanings to the stock price. The explanatory power of the earnings per share and the book value per share of the listed companies in Thailand is stronger than those of the listed companies in China. And the longer the company goes on the market, the higher the explanatory power of the accounting data to the stock price. And Thailand listed companies are generally better than listed companies in China. On the other hand, the Thai investors pay more attention to the analysis of the fundamentals of listed companies. Keywords—Ohlson mode; accounting information; EPS; BVPS; stock price
Taste preference and psychopathology.

OBJECTIVE Excessive food intake has been linked to many factors including taste preference and the presence of psychopathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between sweet and salty taste preference and psychopathology in patients with severe obesity. METHODS A consecutive series of patients applying for bariatric surgery was recruited for the study. Taste preference was self-reported. Psychopathology was assessed using the revised version of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). 190 patients were included in the study. RESULTS In comparison with patients who had salty taste preference, patients with sweet taste preference had significantly higher elevations on the depression (OD: 4.090, p = 0.010) and the hysteria (OD: 2.951, p = 0.026) clinical scales of the MMPI-2. CONCLUSION The results suggest the presence of an association between taste preference and psychopathology. The findings may be of interest for clinicians who are involved in the treatment of obesity. In particular, they may wish to pay increased attention to patients with sweet taste preference or who have a strong attraction for both sweet and salty foods, in order to detect psychopathology and to adapt the treatment.
Cloning and phenotypic characterization of fleS and fleR, new response regulators of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which regulate motility and adhesion to mucin

This work has identified two genes (designated fleS and fleR) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa which are highly homologous to members of the subclass of two-component systems involved in transcriptional regulation of a diverse array of genes from sigma 54 promoters. The genes are located upstream from fliE, a flagellar gene of P. aeruginosa, and they are arranged in a putative fleSR operon. FleS has a predicted molecular mass of 43.87 kDa and shows strong homology to histidine kinases which in other two-component systems have been shown to be sensor proteins. FleR has a predicted molecular mass of 51.26 kDa and is homologous to other regulatory proteins that bind to specific upstream activating elements to enhance transcription of genes with sigma 54 promoters. The fleSR system is believed to control both flagellar synthesis and adhesion to mucin. Several lines of evidence are presented. (i) A nonpiliated mutant of P. aeruginosa PAK containing a gentamicin cassette in fleR is nonmotile and nonadhesive. (ii) The fleR mutant regained motility and adhesion when complemented with a wild-type copy of fleR. (iii) A Western blot (immunoblot) of the fleR mutant showed no synthesis of flagellin, and electron microscopy of the fleR mutant confirmed the lack of flagella. Previous work has shown that flagellar mutants with mutations in fliA (sigma 28) or fliC (the structural gene for flagellin) retain adhesion; therefore, these new observations suggest that FleSR regulates both the expression of flagella and the nonpilus adhesin(s) for mucin or that one of the flagellar proteins (other than flagellin) may be responsible for adhesion to mucins.
Characterization of cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding 2 protein expression and its RNA binding activity

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding (CPEB) proteins are translational regulators that are involved in the control of cellular senescence, synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. We have previously found all four known CPEB family members to be transcribed in the mouse hippocampus. Aside from a brief description of CPEB2 in mouse brain, not much is known about its biological role. Hence, this study aims to investigate CPEB2 expression in mouse brain. With reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) of total mouse brain cDNA, we identified four distinct CPEB2 splice variants. Single‐cell RT‐PCR showed that CPEB2 is predominantly expressed in neurons of the juvenile and adult brain and that individual cells express different sets of splice variants. Staining of brain slices with a custom‐made CPEB2 antibody revealed ubiquitous expression of the protein in many brain regions, including hippocampus, striatum, thalamus, cortex, and cerebellum. We also found differential expression of CPEB2 protein in excitatory, inhibitory, and dopaminergic neurons. In primary hippocampal cultures, the subcellular localization of CPEB2 in neurons and astrocytes resembled that of CPEB1. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay and RNA coimmunoprecipitation revealed CPEB2 interaction with β‐catenin and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (both established CPEB1 targets), indicating an overlap in RNA binding specificity between CPEB1 and CPEB2. Furthermore, we identified ephrin receptor A4 as a putative novel target of CPEB2. In conclusion, our study identifies CPEB2 splice variants to be differentially expressed among individual cells and across cell types of the mouse hippocampus, and reveals overlapping binding specificity between CPEB2 and CPEB1. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Expression of avian Ca2+-ATPase in cultured mouse myogenic cells

cDNA encoding Ca2+-ATPase was cloned from a chicken skeletal muscle library. The cDNA (termed FCa) comprised 3,239 base pairs, including an open reading frame encoding 994 amino acids which showed the highest degree of homology with the adult rabbit fast-twitch Ca2+-ATPase isoform (C. J. Brandl, S. de Leon, D. R. Martin, and D. H. MacLennan, J. Biol. Chem. 262:3768-3774, 1987). Radiolabeled FCa hybridized to a 3.2-kilobase transcript in chicken skeletal muscle RNA but not to cardiac muscle RNA, which confirmed its identity as encoding the fast Ca2+-ATPase isoenzyme. FCa was transfected into the mouse myogenic line C2C12, from which a protein of 100 kilodaltons was immunopurified by using a monoclonal antibody specific for the avian fast Ca2+-ATPase. Immunofluorescence microscopy of a line (designated C2FCa2) stably expressing the avian Ca2+-ATPase localized the protein to the nuclear envelope and a population of cytoplasmic vesicles. A similar pattern was observed when C2FCa2 cells were stained with DiOC6(3), a cyanine dye that labels endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria (M. Terasaki, J. Song, J. R. Wong, M. J. Weiss, and L. B. Chen, Cell 38:101-108, 1984). We conclude that the avian Ca2+-ATPase fast isoform is expressed and correctly targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum in mouse C2C12 cells.
Substance Use Among Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China: A Moderation Effect Model Analysis

Background: Substance use represents a public health challenge in China. The rapidly growing rural-to-urban migrants, currently numbering 88 million, may be especially vulnerable to substance use.Methods: Levels of and risk factors for substance use were examined among 3,752 rural-to-urban migrants using cross-sectional data collected in 2002 in China. A moderation effect modeling analysis was applied to examine interactions of workplace with income and income with depression in predicting substance use.Results: Respondents (41.7% females) were 18 to 30 years of age (mean = 23.3, SD = 3.5) with an average of 4.26 years of migratory experience. The nine workplaces for migrants were construction companies, restaurants, barber shops/hair salons, stalls/small shops, massage parlors, factories, night clubs, hotels, domestic services. The 30-day smoking rate was 10.5% for females and 56.5% for males; the 30-day alcohol intoxication rate was 16.8% for females and 36.7% for males; and lifetime use of illegal drugs was 1.8% for females and 1.6% for males. Hair salons and massage parlors were associated with increased levels of substance use for both sexes; construction companies and night clubs were associated with more substance use among females. Differences in levels of substance use by workplace were associated with differences in income and depression, but the effect was neither linear nor homogenous.Conclusions: Substance use is prevalent among rural-to-urban migrants, especially among female migrants. Workplace, income, and depression are associated with substance use interactively. Tailored substance use prevention is needed to target high-risk workplaces with specific efforts devoted to female migrants.
Body Surface Laplacian Electrocardiogram of Ventricular Depolarization in Normal Human Subjects

Body Surface Laplacian Map. Introduction: The body surface Laplacian electrocardiogram (ECG) mapping provides a noninvasive means for spatiotemporal mapping of cardiac electrical events. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between the Laplacian ECG and the underlying cardiac activities during ventricular depolarization in healthy human subjects.
Regulated Mitochondrial DNA Replication During Oocyte Maturation Is Essential for Successful Porcine Embryonic Development

Abstract Cellular ATP is mainly generated through mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, which is dependent on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We have previously demonstrated the importance of oocyte mtDNA for porcine and human fertilization. However, the role of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial replication factors during oocyte and embryo development is not yet understood. We have analyzed two key factors, mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and polymerase gamma (POLG), to determine their role in oocyte and early embryo development. Competent and incompetent oocytes, as determined by brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) dye, were assessed intermittently during the maturation process for TFAM and POLG mRNA using real-time RT-PCR, for TFAM and POLG protein using immunocytochemistry, and for mtDNA copy number using real-time PCR. Analysis was also carried out following treatment of maturing oocytes with the mtDNA replication inhibitor, 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (ddC). Following in vitro fertilization, preimplantation embryos were also analyzed. Despite increased levels of TFAM and POLG mRNA and protein at the four-cell stage, no increase in mtDNA copy number was observed in early preimplantation development. To compensate for this, mtDNA appeared to be replicated during oocyte maturation. However, significant differences in nuclear-encoded regulatory protein expression were observed between BCB+ and BCB− oocytes and between untreated oocytes and those treated with ddC. These changes resulted in delayed mtDNA replication, which correlated to reduced fertilization and embryonic development. We therefore conclude that adherence to the regulation of the timing of mtDNA replication during oocyte maturation is essential for successful embryonic development.
Willingness of E-care Cloud System using - based on a long-term caring institution in Sourthern Taiwan

This study is based on the theory `Technology Acceptance Model, TAM2' proposed by Venkatesh and Davis[1] to explore the caregiver willingness of E-care Cloud System using in a long-term caring institution in southern Taiwan. This study is by surveying the using situations of E-care Cloud System in the long-term caring institution in southern Taiwan. The survey was embarked in April to June, 2015 and was given to all caregivers. There were 45/50, excluding invalid questionnaires, analyzed. After obtaining approval from the Institutional Review Board (No. 10401) by the Pingtung Christian Hospital before the survey and by using structural equation modeling (SEM) data analysis. This study showed that: (1) subjective norm performed significant positive effect on the image; (2) the relevance of the work the IT literacy performed significant positive effect on perceived usefulness; (3) Information Literacy showed significant positive effect on perceived ease of use. Caregivers in this mental long-term caring institution are willing to using this E-care Cloud System. Besides, “working association” and “Information Literacy” will be able to enhance the caregivers' willingness to use it. It is obviously saving human resources and time.
An Efficient Grid-Based K-Prototypes Algorithm for Sustainable Decision-Making on Spatial Objects

Data mining plays a critical role in sustainable decision-making. Although the k-prototypes algorithm is one of the best-known algorithms for clustering both numeric and categorical data, clustering a large number of spatial objects with mixed numeric and categorical attributes is still inefficient due to complexity. In this paper, we propose an efficient grid-based k-prototypes algorithm, GK-prototypes, which achieves high performance for clustering spatial objects. The first proposed algorithm utilizes both maximum and minimum distance between cluster centers and a cell, which can reduce unnecessary distance calculation. The second proposed algorithm as an extension of the first proposed algorithm, utilizes spatial dependence; spatial data tends to be similar to objects that are close. Each cell has a bitmap index which stores the categorical values of all objects within the same cell for each attribute. This bitmap index can improve performance if the categorical data is skewed. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithms can achieve better performance than the existing pruning techniques of the k-prototypes algorithm.
A side-channel attack countermeasure based on segmented modular exponent randomizing in RSA cryptosystem

A novel modular exponent randomizing method is proposed to resist side-channel attack in RSA cryptosystem. The limitation of this method is given and the way of using random values also brings the security benefits. Experimental results show that though the randomized exponentiation sequence can be analyzed, the real private key is still covered. At last, the attack cost for this randomized sequence is evaluated.
Mutational and functional analysis of dominant SPT2 (SIN1) suppressor alleles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae SPT2 gene was identified by genetic screens for mutations which are suppressors of Ty and delta insertional mutations at the HIS4 locus. The ability of spt2 mutations to suppress the transcriptional interference caused by the delta promoter insertion his-4-912 delta correlates with an increase in wild-type HIS4 mRNA levels. The SPT2 gene is identical to SIN1, which codes for a factor genetically defined as a negative regulator of HO transcription. Mutations in SPT2/SIN1 suppress the effects of trans-acting mutations in SWI genes and of partial deletions in the C-terminal domain of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. Nuclear localization and protein sequence similarities suggested that the SPT2/SIN1 protein may be related to the nonhistone chromosomal protein HMG1. To assess the significance of this structural similarity and identify domains of SPT2 functionally important in the regulation of his4-912 delta, we have studied recessive and dominant spt2 mutations created by in vitro mutagenesis. We show here that several alleles carrying C-terminal deletions as well as point mutations in the C-terminal domain of the SPT2 protein exhibit a dominant suppressor phenotype. C-terminal basic residues necessary for wild-type SPT2 protein function which are absent from HMG1 have been identified. The competence of these mutant SPT2 proteins to interfere with the maintenance of the His- (Spt+) phenotype of a his4-912 delta SPT2+ strain is lost by deletion of internal HMG1-like sequences and is sensitive to the wild-type SPT2+ gene dosage. Using cross-reacting antipeptide polyclonal antibodies, we demonstrate that the intracellular level of the wild-type SPT2 protein is not affected in presence of dominant mutations and furthermore that the reversion of the dominance by internal deletion of HMG1-like sequences is not mediated by altered production or stability of the mutant polypeptides. Our results suggest that the products of dominant alleles directly compete with the wild-type protein. On the basis of primary sequence similarities, we propose that an HMG-box-like motif is required for SPT2 function in vivo and that this motif also is necessary for the dominant suppressor phenotype exhibited by some mutant SPT2 alleles.
Effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on evaluation of emotional images

There is growing evidence that drugs of abuse alter processing of emotional information in ways that could be attractive to users. Our recent report that Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) diminishes amygdalar activation in response to threat-related faces suggests that THC may modify evaluation of emotionally-salient, particularly negative or threatening, stimuli. In this study, we examined the effects of acute THC on evaluation of emotional images. Healthy volunteers received two doses of THC (7.5 and 15 mg; p.o.) and placebo across separate sessions before performing tasks assessing facial emotion recognition and emotional responses to pictures of emotional scenes. THC significantly impaired recognition of facial fear and anger, but it only marginally impaired recognition of sadness and happiness. The drug did not consistently affect ratings of emotional scenes. THC’s effects on emotional evaluation were not clearly related to its mood-altering effects. These results support our previous work, and show that THC reduces perception of facial threat. Nevertheless, THC does not appear to positively bias evaluation of emotional stimuli in general.