Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Random Projected Convolutional Feature for Scene Text Recognition

Text recognition in natural scene image is an important yet challenging problem by its irregular nature. A novel method based on random projection and deep neural network(DNN) is proposed in this article. Firstly the word image is converted to multi-layers' convolutional neural network(CNN) feature sequence with sliding window. Then random projection(RP) is used to embed the original high-dimensional feature into a low-dimensional space. Finally, recurrent neural network(RNN) model is trained to recognize the text in word image based on the RP-CNN feature. The benefits of using RP is two-fold. It can preserve the geometrical relationship in dimension reduction, while reduce the computation and storage burden of the following RNN training effectively without much information loss. Moreover, RP brings information diversity with randomness which can improve the generation ability of original feature. Experiments show that recognition performance of RP-CNN feature, with 85% dimension reduction, is similar to the original high-dimensional ones. By ensemble of several RNN models based on various RP-CNN features, we obtain higher performance than single RNN based on original CNN feature. The proposed method shows competitive performance on public datasets such as SVT, ICDAR03, ICDAR13.
Quasi-newton methods for real-time simulation of hyperelastic materials

We present a new method for real-time physics-based simulation supporting many different types of hyperelastic materials. Previous methods such as Position-Based or Projective Dynamics are fast but support only a limited selection of materials; even classical materials such as the Neo-Hookean elasticity are not supported. Recently, Xu et al. [2015] introduced new “spline-based materials” that can be easily controlled by artists to achieve desired animation effects. Simulation of these types of materials currently relies on Newton’s method, which is slow, even with only one iteration per timestep. In this article, we show that Projective Dynamics can be interpreted as a quasi-Newton method. This insight enables very efficient simulation of a large class of hyperelastic materials, including the Neo-Hookean, spline-based materials, and others. The quasi-Newton interpretation also allows us to leverage ideas from numerical optimization. In particular, we show that our solver can be further accelerated using L-BFGS updates (Limited-memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno algorithm). Our final method is typically more than 10 times faster than one iteration of Newton’s method without compromising quality. In fact, our result is often more accurate than the result obtained with one iteration of Newton’s method. Our method is also easier to implement, implying reduced software development costs.
Diagnostic features of pemphigus vulgaris in patients with pemphigus foliaceus: detection of both autoantibodies, long‐term follow‐up and treatment responses

There are several studies that describe the simultaneous presence and conversion of pemphigus foliaceus into pemphigus vulgaris and vice versa. We describe eight patients with clinical, histological and immunopathological features of pemphigus foliaceus, at the time of the initial diagnosis. After a mean period of 2·5 years, additional serological features of pemphigus vulgaris were observed. During a long‐term follow‐up, systemic therapies, their durations and treatment outcomes were recorded. These patients did not respond to conventional systemic therapy and developed multiple side‐effects from these drugs. Hence, they were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg). Prior to the initiation of IVIg therapy, different assays were performed to detect the presence of autoantibodies, including indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), immunoblot assay using bovine gingival lysate, and ELISA. Twenty‐five healthy normal individuals, 12 patients with pemphigus vulgaris, and eight patients with pemphigus foliaceus served as controls for comparison of serological studies. At the time of initial diagnosis, the sera of all eight study patients also demonstrated binding on an immunoblot assay to a 160‐kDa protein (desmoglein 1) only. This is typically observed in pemphigus foliaceus. Prior to staring IVIg therapy, binding was observed to both the 160 kDa and 130 kDa (desmoglein 3) proteins on an immunoblot assay which was characteristic of pemphigus vulgaris. The antidesmogleins, 1 and 3 autoantibodies, were predominantly of the IgG4 subclass in all eight patients studied. IVIg therapy induced remission in four patients and control in four of the eight patients. The total follow‐up period ranged from 2·6 to 9·5 years (mean 5·3 years). It is difficult to determine the exact time at which these patients with pemphigus foliaceus developed pemphigus vulgaris. It is possible that the disease was nonresponsive to conventional immunosuppressive therapy owing to the simultaneous presence of two autoantibodies.
Hospital and 1-year survival of patients admitted to intensive care units with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

OBJECTIVE To describe outcomes and identify variables associated with hospital and 1-year survival for patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). DESIGN Prospective, multicenter, inception cohort study. SETTING Forty-two ICUs at 40 US hospitals. PATIENTS A total of 362 admissions for COPD exacerbation selected from the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) III database of 17,440 ICU admissions. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Hospital mortality for the 362 admissions was 24%. For the 167 patients aged 65 years or older, mortality was 30% at hospital discharge, 41% at 90 days, 47% at 180 days, and 59% at 1 year. Median survival for all patients was 224 days, and median survival for the patients who died within 1 year was 30.5 days. On multiple regression analysis, variables associated with hospital mortality included age, severity of respiratory and nonrespiratory organ system dysfunction, and hospital length of stay before ICU admission. Development of nonrespiratory organ system dysfunction was the major predictor of hospital mortality (60% of total explanatory power) and 180-day outcomes (54% of explanatory power). Respiratory physiological variables (respiratory rate, serum pH, PaCO2, PaO2, and alveolar-arterial difference in partial pressure of oxygen [PAO2-PaO2]) indicative of advanced dysfunction were more strongly associated with 180-day mortality rates (22% of explanatory power) than hospital death rates (4% of explanatory power). After controlling for severity of illness, mechanical ventilation at ICU admission was not associated with either hospital mortality or subsequent survival. CONCLUSIONS Patients with COPD admitted to an ICU for an acute exacerbation have a substantial hospital mortality (24%). For patients aged 65 years or older, mortality doubles in 1 year from 30% to 59%. Hospital and longer-term mortality is closely associated with development of nonrespiratory organ system dysfunction; severity of the underlying respiratory function substantially influences mortality following hospital discharge. The need for mechanical ventilation at ICU admission did not influence either short- or long-term outcomes. Physicians should be aware of these relationships when making treatment decisions or evaluating new therapies.
Neural Networks and Other Nonparametric Techniques in Economics and Finance

Because financial data contain important nonlinearities, neural networks and other nonlinear models can be extremely useful in financial modeling. These models are not always preferable to linear approaches, however, and understanding of their benefits and drawbacks can help the modeler make choices. Moreover, alternative nonparametric techniques may be more useful than neural nets in some cases; a useful technique that closely approximates human estimation, for example, is kernel regression.This presentation comes from the Blending Quantitative and Traditional Equity Analysis conference held in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 30-31, 1994.
Regions at risk : comparisons of threatened environments

Critical environmental regions - concepts, distinctions and issues Amazonia the Aral Sea basin the Nepal middle mountains the Ukambani region of Kenya the Llano Estacado of the American Southern High Plains the Basin of Mexico the North Sea the Ordos Plateau of China the eastern Sunderland region of South-East Asia comparisons and conclusions.
The Persistence and Indeterminacy of Unemployment in Search Equilibrium

Existing theories that explain persistent and indeterminant unemployment are brought together within the unifying framework of search equilibrium. External economies that exhibit increasing return to production and exchange are identified as potential causes for both the indeterminacy and the persistence of unemployment for a wide range of assumptions about wage determination. Those considered include a "market-clearing" wage, an "efficiency" wage, and an "insider-outsider" wage model. Although either of the non-market-clearing specifications can induce greater persistence, multiple equilibria require increasing returns in the technologies of either production or exchange. Copyright 1989 by The editors of the Scandinavian Journal of Economics.
Predictive Factors of Cessation of Ambulation in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Bakker JPJ, de Groot IJM, Beelen A, Lankhorst GJ: Predictive factors of cessation of ambulation in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2002;81:906–912. Objectives To identify baseline patient and treatment characteristics that can predict wheelchair dependency within 2 yr. Design This prospective cohort study included 44 subjects who met study inclusion criteria. The same investigator examined them at 6-mo intervals. Ambulatory status, anthropometric data, muscle strength, range of motion of weight bearing joints, scoliosis, WeeFIM® instrument, Functional Status II revised, and use of standing and walking aids. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and the stepwise technique were used to search for prognostic factors of wheelchair dependency within 2 yr. Results Children with impaired hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion strength are 11.5 (95% confidence interval, 3.2–40.5) and 3.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.4–9.7) times, respectively, more likely to stop ambulating within 2 yr. Conclusions This study confirms that strength loss, specifically in hip extension and ankle dorsiflexion, are the primary predictors of loss of ambulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Further research is needed for medical interventions that can improve hip extension or ankle dorsiflexion and actually can improve ambulation.
Recent studies of ribonuclease P

RNase P is an essential enzyme that is required for the biosynthesis of tRNA. It is composed of RNA and protein subunits. The RNA subunit of the enzyme derived from eubacterial sources can carry out the catalytic function by itself in vitro. Current studies of RNase P focus on structure‐function relationships with respect to interactions of the RNA subunit with its substrates and with respect to the determination of the kinetic parameters of the reaction, the role of the protein component, and the rules governing recognition of substrates. — Altman, S. ; Kirsebom, L. , Talbot, S. Recent studies of ribonuclease P. FASEB J. 7: 7‐14; 1993.
Thoughts on Iraqi Kurdistan: Present Realities, Future Hope

The collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime in April 2003 ushered Iraq into an era of unprecedented opportunity. The Kurds of Northern Iraq were given an opportunity to control their destiny in such a way not before encountered in their turbulent history. However, this moment has not been free of significant concern. Against the witness of history one can reasonably inquire as to whether or not the dominant Kurdish majority in Northern Iraq is able to seize this opportunity and make the most of it. Will they be able to break the historic cycle of internal dissension and unite to ensure the stability, prosperity, and security of their territory in Northern Iraq? Additionally, does Iraqi Kurdistan have the ability to adequately balance the often mutually exclusive demands it faces from powerful external actors? Clearly, the people of Iraqi Kurdistan must make their own choice in the matter. Nonetheless, outside forces must also help in the process by engaging with Kurdistan in Iraq in a positive and constructive manner. This will also go a long way toward securing and sustaining stability in this strategic area of the Near East. The article includes some thoughts about the current reality facing Iraqi Kurdistan, primarily as they relate to the KRG, together with some observations concerning the future hope for the region and its people. Some markers of Iraqi Kurdistan's progress are discussed not least of which is the status of its political development and freedom; economic health and growth; its fight against corruption; security within the KRG; its relations with Baghdad; and its external security situation, especially as it relates to Turkey, Syria, and Iran. These suggestions are based upon several recent trips by the author to Iraqi Kurdistan and from openly available source materials. However, these contemporary issues should be considered within their historical context. Therefore, the author gives also a summary review of some major historical events in the modern era leading up to the current situation in Northern Iraq.
Survol des contributions thoriques et empiriques lies au capital humain

Dans cette etude, nous passons en revue de facon exhaustive les developpements majeurs en commencant, comme il se doit, par la contribution fondamentale de Becker (JPE '62 et Woytinski Lecture '67). Nous portons ensuite notre attention sur les travaux de Mincer (JPE '58, '62 et NBER '74) qui, plus que quiconque, contribua a l’application pratique des concepts theoriques. Tout naturellement, l’accent est mis sur le developpement de « sa » fonction de gains quoique nous soulignions aussi la comprehension precoce par Mincer des problemes d’heterogeneite individuelle. Nous enchainons ensuite avec les developpements plus recents tant du point de vue theorique (matching, modele de paiements retardes de Lazear), que du point de vue empirique. A cet egard, nous examinons a la fois les contributions ayant fait usage des mesures directes d’accumulation du capital humain (e.g. nombre de semaines passees en formation) ainsi que celles n’ayant a leur disposition que les mesures indirectes habituelles (experience, anciennete).
Evaluating the effects of maternal exposure to benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene on oral clefts among offspring in Texas: 1999-2008.

BACKGROUND There is evidence from previous studies that maternal occupational exposure to hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) is positively associated with oral clefts; however, studies evaluating the association between residential exposure to these toxicants and oral clefts are lacking. Therefore, our goal was to conduct a case-control study examining the association between estimated maternal residential exposure to benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene (BTEX) and the risk of oral clefts among offspring. METHODS Data on 6045 nonsyndromic isolated oral cleft cases (3915 cleft lip with or without cleft palate [CL ± P] and 2130 nonsyndromic isolated cleft palate [CP] cases) delivered between 1999 and 2008 were obtained from the Texas Birth Defects Registry. The control group was a sample of unaffected live births, frequency matched to cases on year of birth. Census tract-level estimates of annual average exposures were obtained from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2005 Hazardous Air Pollutant Exposure Model (HAPEM5) for each pollutant and assigned to each subject based on maternal residence during pregnancy. Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between estimated maternal exposure to each pollutant (BTEX) separately and the risk of oral clefts in offspring. RESULTS High estimated maternal exposure to benzene was not associated with oral clefts, compared with low estimated exposure (CL ± P adjusted OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.81 - 1.12; CP adjusted OR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.67 - 1.09). Similar results were seen for the other pollutants. CONCLUSION In our study, there was no evidence that maternal exposure to environmental levels of BTEX was associated with oral clefts.
Network Design and Performance Evaluation of an Early Warning Network

The world today is witnessing a mushrooming requirement for bandwidth as a result of increased networking capabilities of devices and systems. The aggregation of these individual demands amplifies the importance of designing a high capacity network which is capable of meeting the performance requirements as well as the reliability, availability and survivability aspects. This paper examines various steps involved in the design of an early warning network. It considers typical requirements of an enterprise with a vast spread both geographically and in terms of legacy systems. Forward network is designed as a mission critical network for early warning, surveillance and disaster response called the Battle Eyes network. This paper also tries to highlight the existance of a need for evolving network design patterns which would help reduce the design time as well as lead to a progressive improvement in the design process as a whole.
Intestinal fatty acid-binding protein: the structure and stability of a helix-less variant.

The structure of Escherichia coli-derived rat intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) exhibits a beta-clam topology comprised of two five-stranded antiparallel beta-sheets surrounding a large solvent-filled cavity into which the ligand binds. It also contains two alpha-helices that span residues E15-A32 and join beta-strands A and B. This helical domain is conserved in all proteins of this family for which structures have been determined. In order to assess the structural and functional role of the helical domain, we engineered a variant of I-FABP by deleting residues 15-31 and inserting a Ser-Gly linker after residue 14. Circular dichroism measurements indicated that this I-FABP variant, termed delta 17-SG, has a high beta-sheet content similar to that of the wild-type protein. Two-dimensional NMR spectra of delta 17-SG revealed patterns similar to those observed for wild-type I-FABP, except for the selective absence of resonances and through-space interactions assigned to the helical domain. The delta 17-SG variant was less stable to denaturant than wild-type I-FABP, but the folding-unfolding transition was highly cooperative and reversible. Taking into account the lower stability, the refolding kinetics of delta 17-SG were essentially identical to those of wild-type. We conclude that delta 17-SG is a helix-less, essentially all-beta-sheet variant of I-FABP and that the helical domain is not a required element of the beta-clam topology of I-FABP. In addition, the helical domain does not appear to serve as a nucleation site for the refolding process. As shown in the accompanying paper [Cistola, D. P., Kim, K. , Rogl, H. , & Frieden, C. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 7559-7565], the helices may function to regulate the kinetics and energetics of ligand binding.
A proteomic approach to verify in vivo expression of a novel γ‐gliadin containing an extra cysteine residue

Gliadins and glutenins are the main protein fractions present in wheat gluten. They are responsible for technological and nutritional quality of wheat based products. In particular, glutenins are mainly responsible for dough visco‐elastic properties, whereas gliadins confer extensibility to dough and are the most important factor triggering celiac disease, the major human intolerance to gluten. Gliadins are monomeric proteins, whereas glutenins are polymers stabilized by disulfide bonds. Although they have distinctive structural characteristics, it is possible that some gliadins become part of the glutenin fraction because of mutations that affect cysteine number and distribution. Here, we provide evidence that a naturally mutated γ‐gliadin with an extra cysteine residue is incorporated into the polymeric fraction. This goal was achieved using an integrated approach involving heterologous expression, 2‐DE, RP‐HPLC and MS.
Momentum and Contrarian Profits Corresponding to the Coincident Economic Indicator on the Taiwan Stock Market

This study investigates the momentum and contrarian profits corresponding to the coincident economic indicator on the Taiwan stock market. The empirical findings are as follows. First, neither momentum nor contrarian profits are statistically significant on average. Second, winners and losers have positive excess returns on average, adjusted by the capital assert pricing model (CAPM) and the Fama-French model. Third, the selected portfolio size plays an important role in portfolio returns. Fourth, winner and loser profits are positively related to the size factor in the Fama-French model. Finally, the coincident economic indicator is positively correlated with long-term momentum.
2 Modeling and Manipulating Biomolecular Interactions Goals : • To understand the biophysics of molecular interactions • To computationally model the energetics of interactions • To predict protein structures

Diverse problems ranging from fundamental questions of molecular biology to drug development and synthetic biology can be analyzed in terms of the interactions between specific biomolecules, including protein-DNA and kinase-substrate interactions. Techniques for modifying these interactions are an essential part of the biological engineer’s toolkit. This section of 20.320 will focus on methods for modeling biomolecular interactions to understand and manipulate biology.
Smart antennas design exploiting time-modulation

This paper deals with synthesis of time-modulated linear arrays for adaptive nulling and beamforming where the intrinsic characteristics of this type of antenna arrays can be fully exploited, thanks to the capability of fast reconfiguration of its radiation pattern through the modification of the digital on-off signals controlling the element excitations. A strategy based on the particle swarm optimization is adopted to determine the optimal pulse sequences. A set of simulation experiments is finally proposed as a numerical validation.
The Role of Adoption Communicative Openness in Information Seeking Among Adoptees From Adolescence to Emerging Adulthood

Adoption Communicative Openness was examined as a predictor of information seeking from adolescence to emerging adulthood in a group of adoptees who did not have direct contact with birth relatives during adolescence. Changes in information seeking intentions and behaviors between adolescence and emerging adulthood were also examined. Data from 119 infant-placed adoptees and their adoptive mothers were used from Waves 2 (1996–2000) and 3 (2005–2008) of the Minnesota-Texas Adoption Research Project (Grotevant & McRoy, 1998). Adoptive mothers' Communicative Openness was positively associated with degree of information seeking in emerging adulthood. Degree of information seeking between adolescence (Wave 2) and emerging adulthood (Wave 3) increased for the majority of adoptees (62.2%). Approximately 16% of adoptees experienced no change in information seeking and 22% of adoptees experienced a decrease in information seeking. Females were more likely to exhibit a greater increase in information seeking change between Waves 2 and 3 and information seeking at Wave 3 than males. Results suggest that adoptee information seeking is a dynamic process that takes place over several life stages and that open communication about adoption within the adoptive family supports adoptee information seeking.