Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Universal k-NN (UNN) Classification of Cell Images using Histograms of DoG Coefficients

Cellular imaging is an emerging technology for studying many biological phenomena. Cellular image analysis generally requires to identify and classify cells according to their morphological aspect, staining intensity, subcellular localization and other parameters. Hence, this task may be very time-consuming and poorly reproducible when carried out by experimenters. In order to overcome such limitations, we propose an automatic segmentation and classification software tool that was tested on cellular images acquired for the analysis of NIS phosphorylation and the identification of NIS-interacting proteins. On the algorithmic side, our method is based on a novel texture-based descriptor that is highly discriminative in representing the main visual features at the subcellular level. These descriptors are then used in a supervised learning framework where the most relevant prototypical samples are used to predict the class of unlabeled cells, using a new methodology we have recently proposed, called UNN, which grounds on the boosting framework. In order to evaluate the automatic classification performances, we tested our algorithm on a significantly large database of cellular images annotated by an expert of our group. Results are very promising, providing precision of about 84% on average, thus suggesting our method as a valuable decision-support tool in such cellular imaging applications.
Canine Model of Esophageal Injury and Atrial-Esophageal Fistula After Applications of Forward-Firing High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound and Side-Firing Unfocused Ultrasound in the Left Atrium and Inside the Pulmonary Vein

Background—Left atrial–esophageal fistula is a serious and poorly understood complication of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. The purpose of this study was to (1) develop a canine model of esophageal injury and left atrial-esophageal fistula after applications of forward-firing high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and side-firing unfocused ultrasound (SFU); (2) examine the relationship to esophageal temperature (Eso-temp); and (3) study the evolution of injury/healing. Methods and Results—Twenty dogs were studied. After transeptal puncture, HIFU catheter (ProRhythm Inc; 13 dogs) was positioned close to the esophagus, either outside (n=6) or inside (n=7) the inferior pulmonary vein (PV). In 7 other dogs, an SFU catheter was placed deep inside the PV, close to the esophagus. A balloon (20- to 25-mm diameter) with 7 thermocouples (2-mm separation) was positioned in the esophagus (Eso-balloon). Variable air filling of the Eso-balloon controlled the distance from the esophagus to the sonication source, pressing the esophagus against left atrium/PV. One to 9 (median, 5) HIFU (35 W) and 5 to 7 (median, 5) SFU (40 W) sonications were delivered for 40 seconds. Maximum luminal Eso-temp was closely related to HIFU Eso-balloon distance. For HIFU outside PV, Eso-temp ≥50°C occurred only for HIFU Eso-balloon distance ≤2 mm. For HIFU/SFU inside the PV, Eso-temp was ≥50°C, with HIFU Eso-balloon distance up to 6.8 mm. Endoscopy identified esophageal ulcer immediately after ablation in 11 of 13 HIFU dogs and 7 of 7 SFU dogs, all with Eso-temp ≥50°C. Endoscopy at 2 weeks showed ulcer healing in 5 of 11 chronic dogs and ulcer size progression with relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and esophagitis in 6 dogs. Two dogs developed left atrial-esophageal fistula and died at 2 weeks. Conclusions—This model produces esophageal ulcer when Eso-temp is ≥50°C. Eso-temp is higher with HIFU/SFU applications closer to the esophagus and with HIFU/SFU applications inside the PV. Ulcer progression and left atrial-esophageal fistula were associated with reflux esophagitis.
Personality traits and perceived social support among depressed older adults

The contribution of personality traits and social support to mental health is well established, but to our knowledge there have been no longitudinal investigations of the relation between personality and social support in depressed older adults. In the current study, we examined a repeated measures multi-level mixed model of change in perceived social support to determine whether personality traits and depressive symptoms were associated with changes in perceived social support over the 3 year study interval in a sample of depressed older adults. Results suggest that Conscientiousness and Extraversion were personality traits that were significantly predictive of changes in perceived social support over this time interval. Based on these results it appears that, among depressed older adults, those with conscientious or extraverted personality traits are more likely to resist impulses to withdraw from relationships. In addition, these traits may lead to more satisfying interactions and greater perceived social support over time. The implications of these results are discussed.
Structures of the Escherichia coli ribosome with antibiotics bound near the peptidyl transferase center explain spectra of drug action

Differences between the structures of bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic ribosomes account for the selective action of antibiotics. Even minor variations in the structure of ribosomes of different bacterial species may lead to idiosyncratic, species-specific interactions of the drugs with their targets. Although crystallographic structures of antibiotics bound to the peptidyl transferase center or the exit tunnel of archaeal (Haloarcula marismortui) and bacterial (Deinococcus radiodurans) large ribosomal subunits have been reported, it remains unclear whether the interactions of antibiotics with these ribosomes accurately reflect those with the ribosomes of pathogenic bacteria. Here we report X-ray crystal structures of the Escherichia coli ribosome in complexes with clinically important antibiotics of four major classes, including the macrolide erythromycin, the ketolide telithromycin, the lincosamide clindamycin, and a phenicol, chloramphenicol, at resolutions of ∼3.3 Å–3.4 Å. Binding modes of three of these antibiotics show important variations compared to the previously determined structures. Biochemical and structural evidence also indicates that interactions of telithromycin with the E. coli ribosome more closely resembles drug binding to ribosomes of bacterial pathogens. The present data further argue that the identity of nucleotides 752, 2609, and 2055 of 23S ribosomal RNA explain in part the spectrum and selectivity of antibiotic action.
A Multiplex Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay to Diagnose Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

ABSTRACT A molecular assay for diagnosis of light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), in North America is reported. The assay multiplexes two TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) probe systems that are designed to target DNA segments of the internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) and 18S rRNA gene. The RT-PCR probe designed for the 18S target recognizes a DNA sequence conserved in all of the moths included in the study and functions as a control in the assay. The second probe recognizes a segment of the ITS2 specifically found in E. postvittana and not found in the other moths included in the study, i.e., this segment is not conserved. Inclusion of the two markers in a single multiplex reaction did not affect assay performance. The assay was tested against 637 moths representing >90 taxa in 15 tribes in all three subfamilies in the Tortricidae. The assay generated no false negatives based on analysis of 355 E. postvittana collected from California, Hawaii, England, New Zealand, and Australia. Analysis of a data set including 282 moths representing 41 genera generated no false positives. Only three inconclusive results were generated from the 637 samples. Spike experiments demonstrated that DNA contamination in the assay can affect samples differently. Contaminated samples analyzed with the ITS2 RT-PCR assay and DNA barcode methodology by using the cytochrome oxidase I gene can generate contradictory diagnoses.
Looking for the Self: Phenomenology, Neurophysiology and Philosophical Significance of Drug-induced Ego Dissolution

There is converging evidence that high doses of hallucinogenic drugs can produce significant alterations of self-experience, described as the dissolution of the sense of self and the loss of boundaries between self and world. This article discusses the relevance of this phenomenon, known as “drug-induced ego dissolution (DIED)”, for cognitive neuroscience, psychology and philosophy of mind. Data from self-report questionnaires suggest that three neuropharmacological classes of drugs can induce ego dissolution: classical psychedelics, dissociative anesthetics and agonists of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR). While these substances act on different neurotransmitter receptors, they all produce strong subjective effects that can be compared to the symptoms of acute psychosis, including ego dissolution. It has been suggested that neuroimaging of DIED can indirectly shed light on the neural correlates of the self. While this line of inquiry is promising, its results must be interpreted with caution. First, neural correlates of ego dissolution might reveal the necessary neurophysiological conditions for the maintenance of the sense of self, but it is more doubtful that this method can reveal its minimally sufficient conditions. Second, it is necessary to define the relevant notion of self at play in the phenomenon of DIED. This article suggests that DIED consists in the disruption of subpersonal processes underlying the “minimal” or “embodied” self, i.e., the basic experience of being a self rooted in multimodal integration of self-related stimuli. This hypothesis is consistent with Bayesian models of phenomenal selfhood, according to which the subjective structure of conscious experience ultimately results from the optimization of predictions in perception and action. Finally, it is argued that DIED is also of particular interest for philosophy of mind. On the one hand, it challenges theories according to which consciousness always involves self-awareness. On the other hand, it suggests that ordinary conscious experience might involve a minimal kind of self-awareness rooted in multisensory processing, which is what appears to fade away during DIED.
An application to determine the efficacy of emoji use on social marketing ads

Social marketing can be described as non-profit organizations' marketing activities. With social marketing activities, it is aimed to create awareness of the campaign issues for create a useful behavioral pattern in society. As for business organizations, promotion is an important part of marketing activities in nonprofit organizations too. With the usage of the Internet in the marketing area, new channels have emerged to perform promotional activities. Social media can be described as one of these new channels. The most important reason of usage of social media as a promotion channel by nonprofit organizations is the possibility to reach more people on a tight budget. Also, social media provides to create an interactive communication, to measure campaign results and to transmit campaign messages to the right audience. Recently the newest concept using as a promotional tool can be described as emoji. Many companies including nonprofit organizations have started to use emojis in their advertising campaigns. The aim of this Study is to aimed to measure the attitudes towards emoji usage in social marketing campaigns and to guide companies who are going to use emojis in their advertising campaigns in the future. Not to encounter studies about measuring the effectiveness of emojis in marketing literature, expresses the importance of the study. In the study, experimental design method has been used and a survey has been applied to the selected sample. According to the results of the study, it has been concluded that emojis are effective for social advertising campaigns. Participants expressed that, usage of emojis in advertising campaigns is suitable for social campaigns. And using emojis in advertising campaigns explains the Project successfully. They expressed that the transmitted message of campaign is informative and effective. And also participants expressed that these kinds of campaigns are attractive, creative and innovative.
STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTIONS CURRENTLY ENCOUNTERED IN A LARGE MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL: SOME PROBLEMS IN EVALUATING ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPY IN SUCH INFECTIONS

The topic originally designated for this paper, “The Effect of Present Antimicrobials in Staphylococcal Infections” was presumably chosen in order to present in this monograph a clear picture of the status of antimicrobial therapy as applied to the kinds of staphylococcal infections now being encountered. This topic proved to be rather difficult, and neither profitable nor even capable of clear definition, either from our own experience or from data readily available in the literature. Much of the difficulty seemed to stem from the lack of any large body of basic data on the occurrence of various types of staphylococcal infections. Because 1 important objective of this monograph was interpreted to be the definition of some of the major problems involved in staphylococcal infections and an exploration into possible methods of coping with them, it seemed proper to deviate somewhat from the assigned topic in order to present some data and observations arising out of an attempt to evaluate antibiotic therapy. These will concern 2 general topics: first, the magnitude of the problem of staphylococcal infections as encountered at the Boston City Hospital in recent months and, second, some problems involved in evaluating the effectiveness of antibiotics in the management of severe staphylococcal infections.
Effect of Correlated Nakagami-m Fading on the ε-Outage Channel Capacity of the Decentralized Two-Relay Network

Using an infinite-series representation of the bivariate Nakagami-m distribution, the cumulative distribution function (cdf) of channel capacity of the decentralized two-relay network (DTRN) is derived. Subsequently, the ϵ-outage channel capacity can be computed. Based on the theoretical results, we define the forbidden zone of correlation, within which the overall channel capacity is drastically reduced by correlated Nakagami fading. Furthermore, the general expression of the outage capacity is also applicable to any other fading statistics. The analysis presented in this paper should provide useful insight on the placement of cooperative relays in the DTRN.
Professional development in the creative industries: Methods and insights from regional practitioners

Professional development for those pursuing a career in creative industries is typically driven by individual practitioners, given most areas (e.g. photography, design, film) do not require membership with a regulatory organisation or evidence of continuing skills development. For those based regionally, opportunities for professional development are also less available than for those in capital cities. This paper reports on the findings of a survey (N = 151) and follow-up interviews (N = 29) with current creative industries practitioners in the regional city of Townsville in northern Australia, in relation to professional development opportunities and issues faced as a result of being located a substantial distance from the nearest capital city. The findings reveal a range of key challenges for regional practitioners due to distance and access to specialists in the field, yet at the same time a number of opportunities for those who display human agency and who are agentic learners.
The role of social marketing communications in influencing “Text and Driving” Behaviors: Theory and Evidence from an international sample

Texting while driving is a dangerous practice becoming increasingly common, especially among young people. This paper aims to understand the role of social marketing communication in affecting people’s driving behaviors. The presented research compares the effectiveness of different social communication styles (traditional or shock), formats (text images, images, community initiatives and videos) and media (TV, radio, leaflet, poster, web, social networks) in influencing the use of a smartphone while driving. We found that shock advertising has a significant impact on drivers’ intentions about whether or not to use portable communication devices (i.e. smartphones, tablets) while driving. We also found that this impact especially counts for women. Both risk self-assessment and risk propensity improve after exposure to social advertisement. The strongest impact on recipients is achieved through shock advertising when broadcasted through online videos. Video advertising campaigns are also more likely to be shared than others on social networks, especially in the shock style advertisement. Finally, advertising through television and social media appear to have the highest impact on drivers’ behaviors. This paper offers some insights on how to design effective social communication strategies in order to affect drivers’ behaviors.
The Effect of Key Factors on Green Consumption Intention in the Green Hotel Industry

Band image is established to create an environment for customers living in green hotels. Customers can participate in environmental protection measures away from home. The goal is to help consumers generate a positive green perceived value, green trust, and green consumption attitude toward green hotels, thereby improving green consumption intention. The present study explores relationships between brand image, green perceived value, green trust, green consumption attitude, and green consumption intention for the green hotel industry. We find significantly positive correlations and impacts among brand image, green perceived value, green trust and green consumption attitude, and green consumption intention. These findings provide perspectives and insights into the impact on green consumption intention. The environmentally friendly hotel industry might use this information to implement environmental protection measures and make strategic suggestions to promote public green consumption
Do Venture Capital Networks Really Work in China?

Many financial markets are characterized by strong relationships and networks.We examine the performance consequences of this organizational structure in the context of relationships established when venture capital (VC) syndicate portfolio company investments. We find that social network has played a significant role in china VC industry;The increase of the centrality and stability contribute to higher exit rate of VC. We also provide initial evidence on the evolution of VC networks.
Approximations for the Queue Length Distributions of Time-Varying Many-Server Queues

This paper presents a novel and computationally efficient methodology for approximating the queue length (the number of customers in the system) distributions of time-varying non-Markovian many-server queues (e.g., Gt/Gt/nt queues), where the number of servers (nt) is large. Our methodology consists of two steps. The first step uses phase-type distributions to approximate the general interarrival and service times, thus generating an approximating Pht/Pht/nt queue. The second step develops strong approximation theory to approximate the Pht/Pht/nt queue with fluid and diffusion limits whose mean and variance can be computed using ordinary differential equations. However, by naively representing the Pht/Pht/nt queue as a Markov process by expanding the state space, we encounter the lingering phenomenoneven when the queue is overloaded. Lingering typically occurs when the mean queue length is equal or near the number of servers, however, in this case it also happens when the queue is overloaded and this time.
What Kind of Earnings Shape More Market Expectations?

We study how earnings attributes affect investors expectations about future earnings reflected in market prices. We separate the contribution of current earnings to price setting through a valuation incorporating expectations informed only by the current value of earnings. Its pricing error measures the extent to which expectations are shaped by information other than current earnings. We estimate the association between this pricing error and eleven earnings quality constructs commonly used in the empirical literature using a large sample of US non-financial firms over the period 1971-2014. We find that, above all, quality earnings vary little (are sustainable) and are predictive of future earnings. Moreover, their low volatility is shared by their accrual component and is not due to aggressive smoothing. We document that time-series accrual quality proxies subsume measures based on popular residual accruals models in shaping expectations. How often firms report special items has a significant impact on current earnings relevance to expectation formation: the less often, the better.
Customer-Based Corporate Valuation for Publicly Traded Noncontractual Firms

There is growing interest in “customer-based corporate valuation”—that is, explicitly tying the value of a firm’s customer base to its overall financial valuation using publicly disclosed data. While much progress has been made in building a well-validated customer-based valuation model for contractual (or subscription-based) firms, there has been little progress for noncontractual firms. Noncontractual businesses have more complex transactional patterns because customer churn is not observed, and customer purchase timing and spend amounts are more irregular. Furthermore, publicly disclosed data are aggregated over time and across customers, are often censored, and may vary from firm to firm, making it harder to estimate models for customer acquisition, ordering, and spend per order. The authors develop a general customer-based valuation methodology for noncontractual firms that accounts for these issues. They apply this methodology to publicly disclosed data from e-commerce retailers Overstock.com and Wayfair, provide valuation point estimates and valuation intervals for the firms, and compare the unit economics of newly acquired customers.
A Closer Look at Specific Therapeutic Strategies in Leukemia

Leukemia-associated fusion genes are detected in a significant proportion of newly diagnosed cases, where genes encoding transcription factors are usually found at one of the breakpoints. Activated fusion proteins, such as PML-RARalpha and AML1-ETO, have been shown to inhibit cellular differentiation by recruitment of nuclear corepressor complexes, which maintain local histone deacetylase (HDAC) in a variety of hematologic lineage-specific gene promoters. This HDAC-dependent transcriptional repression appears as a common pathway in the development of leukemia and could represent an important target for new therapeutic agents. On the other hand, the Bcr-Abl oncoprotein shows high tyrosine kinase activity and deregulates signal transduction pathways involved normally in both apoptosis and proliferation. This aberrant activity is affected by signal transduction inhibitors (STIs), which block or prevent the oncogenic pathway. In this review, we present a closer look at our understanding of both the reversible transcriptional repression controlled by HDAC and the deregulated Bcr-Abl signal transduction. In addition, the application of low molecular weight drugs for human leukemia treatment based in this knowledge results in durable clinical remission and acceptable risk of toxic effects that should increase the cure rate. We hope that this review will provide timely information to the readers.