Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
New framework for using image contents in blind steganalysis systems

Although current blind image steganalysis systems utilize a wide variety of features and classifiers, a common shortcoming in all of them is that they almost have similar processes for all images and they do not take advantage of the content diversity of different images. In this paper, a new framework is proposed that enables us to employ the content of images in these systems. All blind image steganalysis methods can be adapted to the proposed framework. In the training phase of our framework, the input images are first divided into classes according to an image content evaluation criterion and then the training process is specialized for each class. In the testing phase, a fuzzy approach is used to include different classes in the decision making process. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed framework significantly enhance the detection accuracy of these systems.
Prefertile vas lesion as a cause of sperm antibody formation: an experimental and clinical study.

It is well known that vasectomy in adult men can induce formation of sperm antibody (SPA) and that the presence of such antibodies can be correlated to decreased fertility. Operations close to the vas, e.g. herniorrhaphy, are common in childhood, implying a potential risk of a vas lesion. However, very little is known about the consequences of a vas lesion at prefertile age with respect to SPA formation in adulthood. The aim of this study was to determine whether a vas lesion at prefertile age can induce SPA formation after puberty; if so, is it possible to prevent the occurrence of such antibodies by microsurgical reconstruction of the vas lumen before puberty? Prefertile rats (aged 3-6 weeks) were subjected to uni- and bilateral vasectomy, uni- and bilateral crush injury to the vas and bilateral injury to the ductal artery. SPA could be demonstrated in all groups of animals at the age of 18-20 weeks by means of indirect immunofluorescence technique. Prefertile uni- and bilateral vasectomy caused SPA formation to the same extent as did adult bilateral vasectomy (90% of the animals SPA-positive), whereas the prefertile vas appeared more sensitive to crush injury than the adult vas (70% and 11% SPA-positive, respectively). In rats subjected to vasectomy at the age of 3-4 weeks, it was possible to prevent SPA formation in adulthood by vas reconstruction before puberty. It was further shown that the vas repair did not have to be performed immediately after injury but could be delayed several weeks postvasectomy provided it was still performed before puberty. By using a tissue glueing agent (fibrin glue) it was found possible to improve the anastomosis healing in vasovasostomies. This was probably due to the fact that the fibrin glue minimises sperm leakage at the site of anastomosis in animals with an ongoing sperm flow through the vas at the time of vasovasostomy procedure. With this vasovasostomy technique, it was also possible to delay the vas reconstruction after prefertile vasectomy until puberty, still preventing the formation of SPA. The clinical implications of these experimental findings were underlined by the findings in a review of 31 postpubertal boys (mean age 17 years) operated upon for inguinal hernia in childhood. In this group, there was 100% accordance between the occurrence of SPA in the blood and vas obstruction. The findings in this clinical study further indicated that there may be a significant risk of acquiring an accidental, unknown vas lesion during herniorrhaphy in childhood. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Initial Evaluation of 11C-DPA-713, a Novel TSPO PET Ligand, in Humans

Translocator protein (TSPO) is upregulated in activated microglia and thus can serve as a marker of neuroinflammation. Recently, a novel radioligand, 11C-N,N-diethyl-2-[2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5,7-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-acetamide (11C-DPA-713), has been described that binds to TSPO with high affinity. Here, we report the first examination of 11C-DPA-713 in human subjects using PET. Methods: Five healthy controls were studied with PET for 90 min after a bolus injection of high-specific-activity 11C-DPA-713. For comparison, 2 additional healthy controls were studied with 11C-R-PK11195. Arterial blood sampling and metabolite analysis were performed to allow the accurate quantification of tracer kinetics. Tracer uptake was evaluated for several brain regions. Tissue time–activity curves were fitted using 1- and 2-tissue-compartment models, with goodness-of-fit tests showing a preference for the 2-tissue model. Results: In the healthy brain, the average plasma-to-tissue clearance and the total volume of distribution were an order of magnitude larger than measured for 11C-R-PK11195. Accordingly, dose-normalized time–activity curves showed that 11C-DPA-713 gives a larger brain signal. Conclusion: Studies in patient populations will help determine whether 11C-DPA-713 provides better sensitivity for evaluating increased TSPO expression. This initial study in humans shows that 11C-DPA-713 is a promising ligand for evaluating TSPO binding with PET.
Multimodal Biometrics Based System for Efficient Human Recognition

This paper proposes the multimodal biometrics system for identity verification using four traits i.e., face, fingerprint, iris and signature. The proposed system is designed for applications where the training database contains a face, iris, two fingerprint images and/or one or two signature image(s) for each individual. The final decision is made by fusion at “matching score level architecture” in which feature vectors are created independently for query images and are then compared to the enrollment templates which are stored during database preparation for each biometric trait. Based on the proximity of feature vector and template, each subsystem computes its own matching score. These individual scores are finally combined into a total score, which is passed to the decision module. Multimodal system is developed through fusion of face, fingerprint, iris and signature recognition. This system is tested on IITK database and the overall accuracy of the system is found to be more than 97% accurate with FAR and FRR of 2.46% and 1.23% respectively.
1,3-Bis(2-cyanobenzyl)imidazolium bromide

In the title salt, C19H15N4 +·Br−, the central imidazole ring makes dihedral angles of 83.1 (2) and 87.6 (2)° with the terminal benzene rings. The dihedral angle between the terminal benzene rings is 6.77 (19)°; the cyanide substituents have an anti orientation. In the crystal, the cations and anions are linked via C—H⋯N and C—H⋯Br hydrogen bonds, forming sheets lying parallel to the ac plane.
The Implementation of Laryngeal Contrast in Korean as a Second Language

UC Berkeley Phonology Lab Annual Report (2009) The Implementation of Laryngeal Contrast in Korean as a Second Language Charles B. Chang * University of California, Berkeley Introduction Much research in second-language (L2) speech has investigated how L2 learners acquire laryngeal categories that differ from the laryngeal categories of their first language (L1). However, most of this work has concentrated on languages with two laryngeal categories that differ between L1 and L2 in terms of the same primary cue: voice onset time, or VOT (e.g. French and English: Caramazza et al. 1973, Flege 1987; Spanish and English: Flege and Eefting 1988; Italian and English: Flege et al. 1995; Portuguese and English: Major 1996). In the present study, I examine how L2 learners come to produce a laryngeal contrast that requires the use of a second phonetic dimension in addition to VOT—namely, the three-way Korean laryngeal contrast among lenis, fortis, and aspirated stops, which in initial position differ primarily in terms of VOT and fundamental frequency (f 0 ) onset (cf. Han and Weitzman 1970, Kim 2004, inter alia). How do learners use (or not use) f 0 onset in conjunction with VOT to realize this three-way contrast? In this paper, I describe the range of variation in phonetic spaces that learners construct for this novel laryngeal contrast and show how these differ from the results of cross-linguistic perception studies on English speakers hearing Korean. The paper is organized as follows: Section 2 provides some background on L2 speech acquisition, including the concept of cross-language equivalence classification; Sections 3 and 4 describe the design of a longitudinal production experiment and present the results of the last week of testing; and Section 5 discusses the implications of the results and summarizes the major conclusions. Background Foreign accent has been documented in a wide variety of L2 acquisition studies (for a broad overview, see Major 2001). Some of these focus on the effect of learner age on perceived foreign accent (e.g. Flege et al. 1995), while others are concerned with identifying which parts of an L2 phonology are the ones most likely to be produced as accented (e.g. Yamada 1995, Broselow et al. 1998,
Home Health Aides' Perceptions of Quality Care: Goals, Challenges, and Implications for a Rapidly Changing Industry

Home care payment models, quality measures, and care plans are based on physical tasks workers perform, ignoring relational care that supports clients' cognitive, emotional, and social well-being. As states seek to rein in costs and improve the efficiency and quality of care, they will need to consider how to measure and support relational care. In four focus groups (n = 27) of unionized, agency-based New York City home health aides, workers reported aide–client relationships were a cornerstone of high-quality care, and building them required communication, respect, and going the extra mile. Since much of this care was invisible outside the worker–client relationship, aides received little supervisory support and felt excluded from the formal care team. Aligning payment models with quality requires understanding the full scope of services aides provide and a quality work environment that offers support and supervision, engages aides in patient care, and gives them a voice in policy decisions.
Effect of plant development (age and size) on the Mi-1-mediated resistance of tomato to whitefly Bemisia tabaci

Abstract Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci, is one of the most important pests of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L. The Mi-1 gene mediates tomato resistance to the Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean (MED) species of B. tabaci, three species of root-knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp. , and the potato aphid, Macrosiphum euphorbiae. Tomato seedlings bearing the Mi-1 gene are resistant to nematodes soon after germination but resistance to aphids is developmentally regulated; a reliable conclusion about Mi-1 resistance to B. tabaci was not available to date. In the present work, 3-, 5- and 8-week-old plants of the tomato cultivars Motelle and Moneymaker (bearing and lacking the Mi-1 gene, respectively) were simultaneously tested under free-choice (antixenosis) and no-choice (antibiosis) conditions, to assess the real influence of plant age on the Mi-1-mediated resistance to the MED species of B. tabaci. Subsequently, plants of the same age but with different level of development were compared to check whether the plant size can also affect this tomato resistance. Obtained results demonstrated that Mi-1-mediated resistance to B. tabaci is developmentally regulated, as variations in the age of bearing-Mi-1 plants affects most infestation parameters tested. Differences between cultivars with and without the Mi-1 gene were significant for 8- but not for 3-week-old plants. For 5-week-old plants, differences between cultivars were less pronounced than in older plants, expressing an intermediate level of resistance in Motelle. Plant size also influenced whitefly infestation and reproductive activity on the resistant cultivar. However, plant age has more impact than plant size on the Mi-1-mediated resistance of tomato to B. tabaci.
Depression, stigma, and suicidal ideation in medical students.

CONTEXT There is a concerning prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation among medical students, a group that may experience poor mental health care due to stigmatization. OBJECTIVE To characterize the perceptions of depressed and nondepressed medical students regarding stigma associated with depression. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional Web-based survey conducted in September-November 2009 among all students enrolled at the University of Michigan Medical School (N = 769). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of self-reported moderate to severe depression and suicidal ideation and the association of stigma perceptions with clinical and demographic variables. RESULTS Survey response rate was 65.7% (505 of 769). Prevalence of moderate to severe depression was 14.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.3%-17.3%). Women were more likely than men to have moderate to severe depression (18.0% vs 9.0%; 95% CI for difference, -14.8% to -3.1%; P = .001). Third- and fourth-year students were more likely than first- and second-year students to report suicidal ideation (7.9% vs 1.4%; 95% CI for difference, 2.7%-10.3%; P = .001). Students with moderate to severe depression, compared with no to minimal depression, more frequently agreed that "if I were depressed, fellow medical students would respect my opinions less" (56.0% vs 23.7%; 95% CI for difference, 17.3%-47.3%; P < .001), and that faculty members would view them as being unable to handle their responsibilities (83.1% vs 55.1%; 95% CI for difference, 16.1%-39.8%; P < .001). Men agreed more commonly than women that depressed students could endanger patients (36.3% vs 20.1%; 95% CI for difference, 6.1%-26.3%; P = .002). First- and second-year students more frequently agreed than third- and fourth-year students that seeking help for depression would make them feel less intelligent (34.1% vs 22.9%; 95% CI for difference, 2.3%-20.1%; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS Depressed medical students more frequently endorsed several depression stigma attitudes than nondepressed students. Stigma perceptions also differed by sex and class year.
Tumor and Stem Cell Biology Genetic Ablation of Metadherin Inhibits Autochthonous Prostate Cancer Progression and Metastasis

Metadherin (MTDH) overexpression in diverse cancer types has been linked to poor clinical outcomes, but definitive genetic proof of its contributions to cancer remains incomplete. In particular, the degree to which MTDH may contribute to malignant progression in vivo is lacking. Here, we report that MTDH is amplified frequently in human prostate cancers where its expression levels are tightly correlated with prostate cancer progression and poor disease-free survival. Furthermore, we show that genetic ablation of MTDH in the transgenic adenomcarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) transgenic mouse model of prostate cancer blocks malignant progression without causing defects in the normal development of the prostate. Germline deletion of Mtdh in TRAMPmice prolonged tumor latency, reduced tumor burden, arrested progression of prostate cancer at well-differentiated stages, and inhibited systemicmetastasis to distant organs, thereby decreasing cancer-related mortality 10-fold. Consistent with these findings, direct silencing of Mtdh in prostate cancer cells decreased proliferation in vitro and tumor growth in vivo, supporting an epithelial cell–intrinsic role of MTDH in prostate cancer. Together, our findings establish a pivotal role for MTDH in prostate cancer progression and metastasis and define MTDH as a therapeutic target in this setting. Cancer Res; 74(18); 5336–47. 2014 AACR.
Limited capacity of humans to metabolize tetrachloroethylene.

Personal monitoring of exposure to tetrachloroethylene (TETRA) with carbon felt dosimeters and analyses of urine for total trichloro-compounds (TTC) were carried out in two groups of workers (36 males and 25 females), one group (20 males and 19 females) in dry-cleaning workshops and the other (16 males and 6 females) engaged in the removal of glue from silk cloth. Comparison of the urinary TTC levels with TETRA in the environment revealed that, while the metabolite levels increased essentially linear to TETRA concentrations up to 100 ppm, leveling off was apparent in the metabolite excretion when the exposure to TETRA was more intense (e.g. more than 100 ppm), indicating that the capacity of humans to metabolize TETRA is rather limited, as previously discussed. From the set of the data thus obtained, screening levels of 30 and 61 mg TTC (as TCA)/l urine as the lower 95% confidence limits for a group mean were calculated for the biological monitoring, by means of urinalysis, of exposure to TETRA at 50 and 100 ppm (TWA), respectively. A tentative calculation with additional exhaled-air analyses indicated that, at the end of an 8-h shift with exposure to TETRA at 50 ppm (TWA), 38% of the TETRA absorbed through the lungs would be exhaled unchanged and less than 2% would be metabolized to be excreted into the urine, while the rest would remain in the body to be eliminated later.
Sailing From the Seas of Chaos Into the Corridor of Stability

Recent events have led psychologists to acknowledge that the inherent uncertainty encapsulated in an inductive science is amplified by problematic research practices. In this article, we provide a practical introduction to recently developed statistical tools that can be used to deal with these uncertainties when performing and evaluating research. In Part 1, we discuss the importance of accurate and stable effect size estimates as well as how to design studies to reach a corridor of stability around effect size estimates. In Part 2, we explain how, given uncertain effect size estimates, well-powered studies can be designed with sequential analyses. In Part 3, we (a) explain what p values convey about the likelihood that an effect is true, (b) illustrate how the v statistic can be used to evaluate the accuracy of individual studies, and (c) show how the evidential value of multiple studies can be examined with a p-curve analysis. We end by discussing the consequences of incorporating our recommendations in terms of a reduced quantity, but increased quality, of the research output. We hope that the practical recommendations discussed in this article will provide researchers with the tools to make important steps toward a psychological science that allows researchers to differentiate among all possible truths on the basis of their likelihood.
Stochastic resonance decoding for quantum LDPC codes

We introduce a stochastic resonance based decoding paradigm for quantum codes using an error correction circuit made of a combination of noisy and noiseless logic gates. The quantum error correction circuit is based on iterative syndrome decoding of quantum low-density parity check codes, and uses the positive effect of errors in gates to correct errors due to decoherence. We analyze how the proposed stochastic algorithm can escape from short cycle trapping sets present in the dual containing Calderbank, Shor and Steane (CSS) codes. Simulation results show improved performance of the stochastic algorithm over the deterministic decoder.
Towards automated brachytherapy film implant labeling using statistical pattern recognition

This paper presents a new approach towards automating the identification and labeling of brachytherapy sources. Brachytherapy is a cancer treatment method in which radioactive sources (seeds) are implanted into and around cancerous tissues. A common method for determining the radiation dose distribution delivered to the patient requires analysis of two orthogonal radiographs that show the interstitial or intercavitary seed placement. First, the seeds must be identified on the radiographs, and then the corresponding seeds must be identified on both films. Once this labeling process is complete the spatial coordinates of the seeds can be determined and the 3 dimensional dose distribution can be computed. For the type of implant studied, typically the number of seeds is between 50 and 250, and the seed distributions are dense. The methodology for automatic seed labeling consists of three steps. First, Multiscale Geometric Statistical Pattern Recognition (MGSPR) is used to identify treatment relevant objects in the radiographs. Second, a priori information must be processed to verify the integrity of the object identification by MGSPR and to resolve any object identification ambiguities. Third, the identified objects are projected into 3 dimensions, completing the labeling task, and allowing computation of the dose distribution. <<ETX>>
User-defined interface mappings for the GraalVM

To improve programming productivity, the right tools are crucial. This starts with the choice of the programming language, which often predetermines the libraries and frameworks one can use. Polyglot runtime environments, such as GraalVM, provide mechanisms for exchanging objects and sending messages across language boundaries, which allow developers to combine different languages, libraries, and frameworks with each other. However, polyglot application developers are obligated to properly use the right interfaces for accessing their data and objects from different languages. To reduce the mental complexity for developers and let them focus on the business logic, we introduce user-defined interface mappings - an approach for adapting cross-language messages at run-time to match an expected interface. Thereby, the translation strategies are defined in an exchangeable and easy-to-edit configuration file. Thus, different stakeholders ranging from library and framework developers up to application developers can use and extend these mappings for their needs.
Protein-Protein Interactions within Type III Secretion System-Dependent Pili of Rhizobium sp. Strain NGR234

ABSTRACT Pili synthesized by the type III secretion system of Rhizobium species strain NGR234 are essential for protein secretion and thus for efficient symbiosis with many legumes. Isolation and partial purification of these pili showed that they are composed of at least three proteins, NopA, NopB, and NopX. Using biochemical assays, we show here that these proteins interact directly with one another.
Electrical Conductivity and Hydrophobicity of Modified Graphene / Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite Films

Modified graphene (MG) incorporated into a matrix of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared by a hydrothermal method and ultrasonic dispersion. The effect of high MG content on the properties of composite films was studied. Due to the chemical reaction between MG and PVA, the water resistance and electrical conductivity were improved. The properties of new film and the possibility of its application as conductivity materials were discussed.
Projected changes in elevational distribution and flight performance of montane Neotropical hummingbirds in response to climate change

The hovering flight of hummingbirds is one of the most energetically demanding forms of animal locomotion and is influenced by both atmospheric oxygen availability and air density. Montane Neotropical hummingbirds are expected to shift altitudinally upwards in response to climate change to track their ancestral climatic regime, which is predicted to influence their flight performance. In this study, we use the climate envelope approach to estimate upward elevational shifts for five Andean hummingbird species under two climate change scenarios. We then use field‐based data on hummingbird flight mechanics to estimate the resulting impact of climate change on aerodynamic performance in hovering flight. Our results show that in addition to significant habitat loss and fragmentation, projected upwards elevational shifts vary between 300 and 700 m, depending on climate change scenario and original mean elevation of the target species. Biomechanical analysis indicates that such upwards elevational shifts would yield a∼2–5° increase in wing stroke amplitude with no substantial effect on wingbeat frequency. Overall, the physiological impact of elevational shifts of <1000 m in response to climate change is likely to be small relative to other factors such as habitat loss, changes in floristic composition, and increased interspecific competition.