Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Positive Emotion Infusions: Can Savoring Increase Help-Seeking Intentions among People with Depression?

BACKGROUND The current research effort used two experimental studies to assess whether a savoring-based, positive emotion infusion (PEI) could increase help-seeking intentions among individuals with elevated depressive symptomatology and whether this relationship would be mediated by positive emotion, arousal, and perceptions of personal control. METHODS In Study 1, participants with elevated depressive symptomatology, recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk (N = 135), were randomly assigned to complete a 6-minute savoring or control writing task followed by a help-seeking intentions scale. Study 2 participants (N = 136) were randomly assigned to the same tasks, but a scale assessing positive emotion, arousal, and personal control was added. RESULTS Study 1 indicated a direct effect; those who savored reported greater help-seeking intentions compared to control participants. Study 2 revealed an indirect effect of savoring on help-seeking intentions through greater positive emotion but not through greater arousal or perceptions of personal control. CONCLUSION Together, these results offer additional support for continued research on PEIs, and specifically, savoring-based PEIs. Although the experimental manipulations may be limited in regard to their ecological validity, for those seeking to create interventions, these studies offer a novel and efficacious approach for motivating individuals with elevated depressive symptomatology to seek help.
Unsupervised learning of categories from sets of partially matching image features for power line inspection robot

Object recognition and categorization are considered as fundamental steps in the vision based navigation for inspection robot as it must plan its behaviors based on various kinds of obstacles detected from the complex background. However, current approaches typically require some amount of supervision, which is viewed as a expensive burden and restricted to relatively small number of applications in practice. For this purpose, we present an computationally efficient approach that does not need supervision and is capable of learning object categories automatically from unlabeled images which are represented by an set of local features, and all sets are clustered according to their partial-match feature correspondences, which is done by a enhanced Spatial Pyramid Match algorithm (E-SPK). Then a graph-theoretic clustering method is applied to seek the primary grouping among the images. The consistent subsets within the groups are identified by inferring category templates. Given the input, the output of the approach is a partition of the images into a set of learned categories. We demonstrate this approach on a field experiment for a powerline inspection robot.
REAS: Combining Numerical Optimization with SAT Solving

In this paper, we present ReaS, a technique that combines numerical optimization with SAT solving to synthesize unknowns in a program that involves discrete and floating point computation. ReaS makes the program end-to-end differentiable by smoothing any Boolean expression that introduces discontinuity such as conditionals and relaxing the Boolean unknowns so that numerical optimization can be performed. On top of this, ReaS uses a SAT solver to help the numerical search overcome local solutions by incrementally fixing values to the Boolean expressions. We evaluated the approach on 5 case studies involving hybrid systems and show that ReaS can synthesize programs that could not be solved by previous SMT approaches.
Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis of Mycoplasma genitalium Infection in South African Men With and Without Symptoms of Urethritis

Background This study was done to diagnose Mycoplasma genitalium infection based on bacterial load in urine specimens from symptomatic and asymptomatic men. Methods Urine specimens from 94 men with visible urethral discharge, 206 with burning on micturition and 75 without symptoms presenting to a family practitioner were tested for M. genitalium as well as Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis by transcription-mediated amplification assays. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was used to determine the bacterial load for all specimens in which M. genitalium was the only organism detected. Results Among the 375 specimens collected, M. genitalium was detected in 59 (15.7%) men (both symptomatic and asymptomatic) using the transcription-mediated amplification assay, and in 45 (12.0%) of the total population, it was the only pathogen detected. One or more pathogens were detected in 129 (43%) of the symptomatic men, with N. gonorrhoeae in 50 (16.7%); C. trachomatis in 37 (12.3%) and T. vaginalis present in 24 (8.0%) patients. Among the 17 patients where mixed infections were detected, M. genitalium with N. gonorrhoeae was the most common (11/17; 64.7%). Patients with visible urethral discharge had significantly higher M. genitalium concentrations than those with burning on micturition. The median M. genitalium load in symptomatic men was significantly higher than that in asymptomatic men. Conclusions This study confirms the high prevalence of M. genitalium among men with urethritis in South Africa and demonstrates that there is a strong association with M. genitalium bacterial load and clinical urethritis. As the number of organisms increased, the severity of the symptoms increased, an indication of the role that the organism plays in disease progression.
Assessment of DNA damages in lymphocytes of agricultural workers exposed to pesticides by comet assay in a cross-sectional study

Abstract Purpose: To assess the predictive power of the comet assay in the context of occupational exposure to pesticides. Materials and methods: The recruited subjects completed a structured questionnaire and gave a blood sample. Exposure to pesticides was measured by means of an algorithm based on Dosemeci’s work (Agricultural Health Study). Approximately 50 images were analyzed for each sample via fluorescence microscopy. The extent of DNA damage was estimated by tail moment (TM) and is the product of tail DNA (%) and tail Length. Results: Crude significant risks (odds ratios, ORs) for values higher than the 75th percentile of TM were observed among the exposed subjects (score > 1). The frequency of some confounding factors (sex, age and smoking) was significantly higher among the exposed workers. A significant dose–effect relationship was observed between TM and exposure score. Significant high-risk estimates (ORs), adjusted by the studied confounding factors, among exposure to pesticides and TM, % tail DNA and tail length were confirmed using unconditional logistic regression models. Conclusions: The adjusted associations (ORs) between the comet parameters and exposure to pesticides were significant. The sensitivity of the comet test was low (41%), the specificity (89%) and the predictive positive value (0.77) were found acceptable.
Prediction of peripheral neuropathy in multiple myeloma patients receiving bortezomib and thalidomide: a genetic study based on a single nucleotide polymorphism array

Bortezomib‐ and thalidomide‐based therapies have significantly contributed to improved survival of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. However, treatment‐induced peripheral neuropathy (TiPN) is a common adverse event associated with them. Risk factors for TiPN in MM patients include advanced age, prior neuropathy, and other drugs, but there are conflicting results about the role of genetics in predicting the risk of TiPN. Thus, we carried out a genome‐wide association study based on more than 300 000 exome single nucleotide polymorphisms in 172 MM patients receiving therapy involving bortezomib and thalidomide. We compared patients developing and not developing TiPN under similar treatment conditions (GEM05MAS65, NCT00443235). The highest‐ranking single nucleotide polymorphism was rs45443101, located in the PLCG2 gene, but no significant differences were found after multiple comparison correction (adjusted P = .1708). Prediction analyses, cytoband enrichment, and pathway analyses were also performed, but none yielded any significant findings. A copy number approach was also explored, but this gave no significant results either. In summary, our study did not find a consistent genetic component associated with TiPN under bortezomib and thalidomide therapies that could be used for prediction, which makes clinical judgment essential in the practical management of MM treatment.
Can You Trust Your Encrypted Cloud?: An Assessment of SpiderOakONE's Security

This paper presents an independent security review of a popular encrypted cloud storage service (ECS) SpiderOakONE. Contrary to previous work analyzing similar programs, we formally define a minimal security requirements for confidentiality in ECS which takes into account the possibility that the ECS actively turns against its users in an attempt to break the confidentiality of the users» data. Our analysis uncovered several serious issues, which either directly or indirectly damage the confidentiality of a user»s files, therefore breaking the claimed Zero- or No-Knowledge property (i.e., the claim that even the ECS itself cannot access the users» data). After responsibly disclosing the issues we found to SpiderOak, most have been fixed.
Thermal stability analysis of eccentrically stiffened Sigmoid-FGM plate with metal–ceramic–metal layers based on FSDT

AbstractThis paper researches the thermal stability of eccentrically stiffened plates made of functionally graded materials (FGM) with metal–ceramic–metal layers subjected to thermal load. The equilibrium and compatibility equations for the plates are derived by using the first-order shear deformation theory of plates, taking into account both the geometrical nonlinearity in the von Karman sense and initial geometrical imperfections with Pasternak type elastic foundations. By applying Galerkin method and using stress function, effects of material and geometrical properties, elastic foundations, temperature-dependent material properties, and stiffeners on the thermal stability of the eccentrically stiffened S-FGM plates in thermal environment are analyzed and discussed.
Psychiatric morbidity among female commercial sex workers

Context: Psychological distress is higher in women working in sex industry. The various psycho social issues are associated with female commercial sex workers (FCSWs). The host of psychosocial vulnerabilities including, childhood sexual abuse, exposure to childhood physical abuse, poverty, interpersonal violence in adulthood, sexually transmitted diseases, and substance use, forms a fertile ground for psychiatric morbidity. Aim: This study aims to assess the psychiatric morbidity among FCSWs in Shillong, India. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 100 FCSWs were selected. For the recruitment of sample, simple random sampling procedure was followed; sociodemographic data sheet and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview were administered. Results: In the study, it was found that 9% of the respondents reported having major depressive episode (current), 25% of the respondents reported major depressive episode (past), 3% were having major depressive episode with melancholic features (current), 21% of the respondents reported posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 8% of the respondents reported to have alcohol dependence, 3% of the respondents reported to have nonalcohol psychoactive substance use disorder, 8% of the respondents were found to have generalized anxiety disorder, and 9% of the respondents were found to have antisocial personality disorder. Conclusions: There is a prevalence of mental health problems in the FCSW. Assessment of the psychiatric morbidity in FCSW is significant in developing health policy and interventions to reduce their impact on their well-being. It is the immediate need that the governmental and nongovernmental agencies, mental health professionals, and workers in this area need to be sensitized to the issue of mental health status of the commercial sex workers.
Validation of a Cytotechnologist Manual Counting Service for the Ki67 Index in Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Pancreas and Gastrointestinal Tract.

CONTEXT - Pathologists routinely assess Ki67 immunohistochemistry to grade gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Unfortunately, manual counts of the Ki67 index are very time consuming and eyeball estimation has been criticized as unreliable. Manual Ki67 counts performed by cytotechnologists could potentially save pathologist time and improve accuracy. OBJECTIVE - To assess the concordance between manual Ki67 index counts performed by cytotechnologists versus eyeball estimates and manual Ki67 counts by pathologists. DESIGN - One Ki67 immunohistochemical stain was retrieved from each of 18 archived gastrointestinal or pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor resections. We compared pathologists' Ki67 eyeball estimates on glass slides and printed color images with manual counts performed by 3 cytotechnologists and gold standard manual Ki67 index counts by 3 pathologists. RESULTS - Tumor grade agreement between pathologist image eyeball estimate and gold standard pathologist manual count was fair (κ = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.030-0.60). In 9 of 20 cases (45%), the mean pathologist eyeball estimate was 1 grade higher than the mean pathologist manual count. There was almost perfect agreement in classifying tumor grade between the mean cytotechnologist manual count and the mean pathologist manual count (κ = 0.910; 95% CI, 0.697-1.00). In 20 cases, there was only 1 grade disagreement between the 2 methods. Eyeball estimation by pathologists required less than 1 minute, whereas manual counts by pathologists required a mean of 17 minutes per case. CONCLUSIONS - Eyeball estimation of the Ki67 index has a high rate of tumor grade misclassification compared with manual counting. Cytotechnologist manual counts are accurate and save pathologist time.
Confirming the Constructs of the Adlerian Personality Priority Assessment (Appa)

The primary purpose of this study was to confirm the four-factor structure of the 30-item Adlerian Personality Priority Assessment (APPA) using a split-sample cross-validation confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The APPA is an assessment, grounded in Adlerian theory, used to conceptualize clients based on the four personality priorities most commonly used in the Adlerian literature: superiority, pleasing, control, and comfort. The secondary purpose of this study was to provide evidence for discriminant validity, examine predictive qualities of demographics, and explore the prevalence of the four priorities across demographics. For the cross validation CFA, I randomly divided the sample, 1210 undergraduates, at a large public research university (53% Caucasian, 13.1% Hispanic/Latino(a), 21.4% African American, 5.4% American Indian, and 5.8% biracial; mean age =19.8; 58.9% females), into two equal subsamples. I used Subsample 1 (n = 605) to conduct the initial CFA. I held out Subsample 2 (n = 605) to test any possible model changes resulting from Subsample 1 results and to provide further confirmation of the APPA's construct validity. Findings from the split-sample cross-validation CFA confirmed the four-factor structure of the APPA and provided support for the factorial/structure validity of the APPA's scores. Results also present initial evidence of discriminant validity and support the applicability of the instrument across demographics. Overall, these findings suggest Adlerian counselors can confidently use the APPA as a tool to conceptualize clients.
An Adaptive Classification Strategy for Reliable Locomotion Mode Recognition

Algorithms for locomotion mode recognition (LMR) based on surface electromyography and mechanical sensors have recently been developed and could be used for the neural control of powered prosthetic legs. However, the variations in input signals, caused by physical changes at the sensor interface and human physiological changes, may threaten the reliability of these algorithms. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of applying adaptive pattern classifiers for LMR. Three adaptive classifiers, i.e., entropy-based adaptation (EBA), LearnIng From Testing data (LIFT), and Transductive Support Vector Machine (TSVM), were compared and offline evaluated using data collected from two able-bodied subjects and one transfemoral amputee. The offline analysis indicated that the adaptive classifier could effectively maintain or restore the performance of the LMR algorithm when gradual signal variations occurred. EBA and LIFT were recommended because of their better performance and higher computational efficiency. Finally, the EBA was implemented for real-time human-in-the-loop prosthesis control. The online evaluation showed that the applied EBA effectively adapted to changes in input signals across sessions and yielded more reliable prosthesis control over time, compared with the LMR without adaptation. The developed novel adaptive strategy may further enhance the reliability of neurally-controlled prosthetic legs.
Efficient multi-user MIMO transmissions in the LTE-A uplink

Single-User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) transmissions are possible since Rel. 10 of 3GPP LTE-A. The Closed Loop Spatial Multiplexing (CLSM) transmission mode enables up to a four fold increase in spectral efficiency compared to Rel. 8, yet it requires complex User Equipment (UE) hardware supporting more than one transmit antenna. The closed loop spatial multiplexing transmission mode enables up to a four fold increase in spectral efficiency compared to Rel. 8, yet it requires complex UE hardware supporting more than one transmit antenna. As it is likely that the Base Station (BS) has more receive antennas than the UE transmit antennas, employing Multi-User (MU) MIMO transmissions in the uplink can lead to significant improvement in cell throughput. We formulate MU MIMO transmissions with linear receivers as a compact matrix system model. Based on our model we present a post-equalization SINR equation, allowing the calculation of a quantized feedback parameter, the Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) value. Within this framework we reveal possible MU gains through known scheduling algorithms although the frequency selective channel is approximated by its arithmetic mean.
Stochastic quasi-Newton with adaptive step lengths for large-scale problems

We provide a numerically robust and fast method capable of exploiting the local geometry when solving large-scale stochastic optimisation problems. Our key innovation is an auxiliary variable construction coupled with an inverse Hessian approximation computed using a receding history of iterates and gradients. It is the Markov chain nature of the classic stochastic gradient algorithm that enables this development. The construction offers a mechanism for stochastic line search adapting the step length. We numerically evaluate and compare against current state-of-the-art with encouraging performance on real-world benchmark problems where the number of observations and unknowns is in the order of millions.
A Review on Natural Fibre-Based Composites—Part II

Abstract Natural abundance, much higher strength per unit weight than most inorganic fillers, lower density and their biodegradable nature make natural fillers attractive as reinforcements of engineering polymer systems. However, certain drawbacks such as incompatibility with the hydrophobic polymer matrix, the tendency to form aggregates during processing and poor resistance to moisture greatly reduce the potential of natural fibres to be used as reinforcements in polymers. In this review, the main results presented in literature are summarized, focusing on the processing behaviour and final properties of natural fibres with polymeric matrices (thermoplastics, thermosets and biodegradables) and paying attention to the use of physical and chemical treatments for the improvement of fibre-matrix interaction and composite mechanicaln properties. This work mainly focuses on the use of natural fibres for automotive applications.
Receptive Field Characteristics That Allow Parietal Lobe Neurons to Encode Spatial Properties of Visual Input: A Computational Analysis

A subset of visually sensitive neurons in the parietal lobe apparently can encode the locations of stimuli, whereas visually sensitive neurons in the inferotemporal cortex (area IT) cannot. This finding is puzzling because both sorts of neurons have large receptive fields, and yet location can be encoded in one case, but not in the other. The experiments reported here investigated the hypothesis that a crucial difference between the IT and parietal neurons is the spatial distribution of their response profiles. In particular, IT neurons typically respond maximally when stimuli are presented at the fovea, whereas parietal neurons do not. We found that a parallel-distributed-processing network could map a point in an array to a coordinate representation more easily when a greater proportion of its input units had response peaks off the center of the input array. Furthermore, this result did not depend on potentially implausible assumptions about the regularity of the overlap in receptive fields or the homogeneity of the response profiles of different units. Finally, the internal representations formed within the network had receptive fields resembling those found in area 7a of the parietal lobe.
The cutoff values of serum AMH levels and starting recFSH doses for the individualization of IVF treatment strategies

Abstract Objective: The main purpose of our study is to categorize starting doses of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone (recFSH) based on various cutoff values of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and to determine the effectiveness of serum AMH levels in the prediction of poor ovarian response. Material and methods: Prospective data analysis was conducted at IVF center. A total of 323 patients were included. All patients were divided into four groups according to the patients’ serum AMH concentrations: Group 1 (AMH < 1 ng/ml; 450 IU/day n = 157); Group 2 (AMH 1–2 ng/ml; 375 IU/day, n = 55); Group 3 (AMH 2–3 ng/ml; 225 IU/day, n = 48); and Group 4 (AMH > 3 ng/ml; 150 IU/day, n = 63). Collected data included age, total gonadotropin dosage, duration of stimulations, the total number of oocytes retrieved, ovarian response, cancelation rate, and cPRs. Results: As serum AMH levels increased, there were significant decreases in the starting recFSH dose and total gonadotropin dosage, and a significant increase in the total number of oocytes retrieved. There was a significant trend toward increasing cycle cancelation rates and decreasing cPRs with decreasing serum AMH levels. Although there were no significant differences with regard to the proportion of cycles with hypo-response between all groups. A result of ≤0.83 was considered the cutoff value of AMH to predict a hypo-response to ovarian stimulation. Conclusions: AMH is a useful marker in selecting the starting dose of recFSH and prediction of poor ovarian response. Our protocol may allow clinicians to modulate the starting dose of recFSH according to these cutoff values for serum AMH levels.