Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A video saliency detection method based on spatial and motion information

Saliency detection for images and videos has become increasingly popular due to its wide applicability. In this paper, we propose a novel bottom-up video saliency extraction method, which includes two parts: static saliency detection and dynamic saliency detection. Firstly, we consider the static saliency detection as a classification problem: a scene can be divided to saliency region and non-saliency region. To solve such problem, we use a frequency-based sampling method and then introduce a Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA)-based classification strategy using multiple cues. Secondly, we combine motion feature with the spatial feature to represent dynamic saliency in temporal domain. We test our method in both image based saliency extraction and video saliency extraction. The results illustrate its high performance in both two tasks.
Electrotonic length estimates in neurons with dendritic tapering or somatic shunt.

1. Compartmental models were used to compute the time constants and coefficients of voltage and current transients in hypothetical neurons having tapering dendrites or soma shunt and in a serially reconstructed motoneuron with soma shunt. These time constants and coefficients were used in equivalent cylinder formulas for the electrotonic length, L, of a cell to assess the magnitude of the errors that result when the equivalent cylinder formulas are applied to neurons with dendritic tapering or soma shunt. 2. Of all the formulas for a cylinder (with sealed ends), the most commonly used formula, which we call L tau 0/tau 1 (the formula uses the current-clamp time constants tau 0 and tau 1), was the most robust estimator of L in structures that tapered linearly. When the diameter at the end of the cylinder was no less than 20% of the initial diameter, L tau 0/tau 1 underestimated the actual L by at most 10%. 3. The equivalent cylinder formulas for a cylinder were applied to neurons modeled as a cylinder with a shunted soma at one end. The formula for L based solely on voltage-clamp time constants gave an exact estimate of L. However, the second voltage-clamp time constant cannot be reliably obtained experimentally for neurons studied thus far. Of the remaining formulas, L tau 0/tau 1 was again the most robust estimator of L. This formula overestimated L with the size of the overestimates depending on beta, rho beta = 1, and the actual L of the cylinder, where beta is the soma shunt factor, and rho beta = 1 is the dendritic-to-somatic conductance ratio when beta = 1 (no shunt). When the actual L was 0.5 and the soma shunt was large, this formula overestimated L by two- to threefold, but when the actual L was 1.5, the overestimate was only 10-15% regardless of the size of the shunt. 4. In neurons modeled as two cylinders with soma shunt, the L tau 0/tau 1 value computed with the actual tau 0 and tau 1 values overestimated the average L by two to six times when soma shunt was large. However, the L tau 0/tau 1 estimates computed with tau 0 and tau 1 values estimated with the exponential fitting program DISCRETE from voltage transients computed for these neuron models were never this large because of inherent problems in estimating closely spaced time constants from data. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Thermal and circulatory responses during exercise: effects of hypohydration, dehydration, and water intake.

This investigation examined the distinct and interactive effects of initial hydration state, exercise-induced dehydration, and water rehydration in a hot environment. On four occasions, 10 men performed a 90-min heat stress test (treadmill walking at 5.6 km/h, 5% grade, 33 degrees C, 56% relative humidity). These heat stress tests differed in pretest hydration [2 euhydrated (EU) and 2 hypohydrated (HY) trials] and water intake during exercise [2 water ad libitum (W) and 2 no water (NW) trials]. HY+NW indicated greater physiological strain than all other trials (P < 0.05-0.001) in heart rate, plasma osmolality (Posm), sweat sensitivity (g/degrees C.min), and rectal temperature. Unexpectedly, final HY+W and EU+W responses for rectal temperature, heart rate, and Posm were similar, despite the initial 3.9 +/- 0.2% hypohydration in HY+W. We concluded that differences in pretest Posm (295 +/- 7 and 287 +/- 5 mosmol/kg for HY+W and EU+W, respectively) resulted in greater water consumption (1.65 and 0.31 liter for HY+W and EU+W, respectively), no voluntary dehydration (0.9% body mass increase), and attenuated thermal and circulatory strain during HY+W.
Child Sexual Abuse in the United States: Perspectives on Assessment and Intervention

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a widespread problem the United States as it is in many areas of the world today. CSA can lead to a host of psychological and emotional difficulties and disorders that can cripple some children and youth for a lifetime. In this article the authors discuss the sexual abuse of minors in the United States. Risk factors involved in and potential causes of CSA are discussed. Signs and symptoms of CSA are summarized along with common consequences associated with sexual abuse. Characteristics of sexual perpetrators of children and adolescents are also examined. In addition, the authors discuss the problems children often have in disclosing the abuse, along with the individual, familial and societal challenges involved in reporting incidences of sexual abuse. Some assessment issues and tools associated with CSA are highlighted, and the importance of investigators and clinicians capturing children's narrative descriptions of their abuse, and various methods for doing so, are outlined. Finally, an overview of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for children is presented, and common challenges for therapists in treating children who have experienced sexual abuse and their families are discussed. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:. 0001pt; text-align:justify; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
Payments for Outsourced Computations

With the recent advent of cloud computing, the concept of outsourcing computations, initiated by volunteer computing efforts, is being revamped. While the two paradigms differ in several dimensions, they also share challenges, stemming from the lack of trust between outsourcers and workers. In this work, we propose a unifying trust framework, where correct participation is financially rewarded: neither participant is trusted, yet outsourced computations are efficiently verified and validly remunerated. We propose three solutions for this problem, relying on an offline bank to generate and redeem payments; the bank is oblivious to interactions between outsourcers and workers. We propose several attacks that can be launched against our framework and study the effectiveness of our solutions. We implemented our most secure solution and our experiments show that it is efficient: the bank can perform hundreds of payment transactions per second and the overheads imposed on outsourcers and workers are negligible.
Nitric oxide modulation of renal and cardiac hemodynamics in type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate endothelial function in type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic nephropathy. METHODS We studied the effects of systemic infusion of the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (L-NMMA) on cardiovascular and renal hemodynamics in six type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria (D2-MA), six type 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria (D2-NA) and five control subjects. Both type 2 diabetic patients and control subjects had mild arterial hypertension. RESULTS L-NMMA infusion decreased the cardiac index in all groups. A reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and an increase in filtration fraction were observed only in controls. Renal plasma flow decreased in controls and D2-NA patients and renal vascular resistance increased in all groups. CONCLUSIONS The effect of L-NMMA on cardiac output was similar in controls and type 2 diabetic patients with and without diabetic nephropathy. In contrast, the effect on GFR was impaired in both diabetic groups, suggesting that glomerular NO homeostasis is altered in type 2 diabetes. Moreover the discrepancy, in diabetic patients, between cardiac and renal effects during L-NMMA infusion suggests that the modulation of glomerular hemodynamics is independent from NO-regulated cardiac output.
DISCOVERY OF RAPID X – RAY OSCILLATIONS IN THE TAIL OF THE SGR 1806 – 20 HYPERFLARE

We have discovered rapid Quasi Periodic Oscillations (QPOs) in RXTE/PCA measurements of the pulsating tail of the 27th December 2004 giant flare of SGR 1806–20. QPOs at ∼92.5 Hz are detected in a 50 s interval starting 170 s after the onset of the giant flare. These QPOs appear to be associated with increased emission by a relatively hard unpulsed component and are seen only over phases of the 7.56 s spin period pulsations away from the main peak. QPOs at ∼18 and ∼30 Hz are also detected ∼200-300 s after the onset of the giant flare. This is the first time that QPOs are unambiguously detected in the flux of a Soft Gamma–ray Repeater, or any other magnetar candidate. We interpret the highest QPOs in terms of the coupling of toroidal seismic modes with Alfvén waves propagating along magnetospheric field lines. The lowest frequency QPO might instead provide indirect evidence on the strength of the internal magnetic field of the neutron star.
Effects of Race and Dialect of Examier on Language Samples Elicited from Southern African American Preschoolers

Language samples were elicited from 17 African American preschoolers by three examiners; a White female using Standard English, an African American female using Standard English, and an African American female using Black English. Language samples elicited by the Black English speaker contained more Black English features than those elicited by either of the Standard English speakers. Samples elicited by the two African American examiners contained more different Black English features than those elicited by the White examiner. Apparently children as young as four years of age may code switch during language evaluations according to the race and dialect of the examiner. Clinical implications are discussed.
Simultaneous Registration and Stiffness mapping of a Flexible Environment using Stiffness and Geometric Prior

In minimally invasive surgeries (MIS), surgeons have limited situational awareness of the surgical environment, making navigation a challenging task. Registration of preoperative images to intra-operative anatomy can help improve the situational awareness of the surgeon and validate if the surgery is going as per the preoperative plan. In this work, we use prior information about stiffness and geometry of the organ to develop an implementation for simultaneous registration and stiffness mapping. While several imaging-based techniques [1], [2] and palpation-based techniques [3] have been used for registration, these methods tend to perform poorly when the organ geometry is rotationally symmetric, as in the case of liver, heart, etc. A rotationally symmetric object has multiple solutions for rotation and/or translation, resulting in an ambiguity in registration [4]. In other applications, this ambiguity is usually resolved by introducing an additional dimension such as surface texture [5], surface reflectance [6], etc. In order to develop a formulation for registration that works reliably for any organ geometry, we extend the formulation of [3] by using a stiffness prior in addition to the geometric prior for resolving the ambiguity in registration. A prior stiffness map can be generated using elastography, physics based simulations or other complementary methods. Through experiments on a flat silicone organ with embedded stiff inclusions, we show that our method accurately estimates the registration as well as the stiffness map and outperforms the state of the art.
Construct for Investment Strategy Model through Genetic Programming Planning

This thesis takes three approaches in strategic sense respectively: Call, put and hold. First of all, it collects daily information and relevant factors which could influence the stock price one day ahead of the actual trading for China Steel stocks. These factors include aspects in the stock’s fundamental, share volume, technical performance in addition to Dow Jones average plus processing these information and subsequent normalization. Lastly, genetic programming planning is applied to construct investment model accordingly, in addition to conducting comparison analyses regarding the investment strategy classification capabilities for the decision tree modelling. From the end results of validity in classification accuracy for these two models, the findings of this research indicate that genetic programming planning is the better and preferred model in the sense of classification capability when comparing to that of decision tree model.
Unequal Pay, Unequal Responses? Pay Referents and their Implications for Pay Level Satisfaction

Pay referents are those with whom workers make pay comparisons. The five referents used in this study are: market, organizational, financial, social and historical. Of particular interest is the importance attached to each of these referents and the implications of inequity (under and over) for pay level satisfaction. The study also examines reactions to pay inequity on the basis of union status. The data for the study derive from a survey of 2867 public sector research workers. The study finds that the market referent is the most important to all workers, irrespective of union status; type of inequity (over or under) with this referent has the greatest impact on pay level satisfaction. The paper concludes with an examination of the implications for management, unions and the design of pay systems.
The Use of HRP in Decolorization of Reactive Dyes and Toxicological Evaluation of Their Products

This work studied the potential use of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the decolorization of the following textile dyes: Drimarene Blue X-3LR (DMBLR), Drimarene Blue X-BLN (DMBBLN), Drimarene Rubinol X-3LR (DMR), and Drimarene Blue CL-R (RBBR). Dyes were individually tested in the reaction media containing 120 mg·L−1, considering the following parameters: temperature (20–45°C), H2O2 concentration (0–4.44 mmol·L−1), and reaction time (5 minutes, 1 and 24 h). The following conditions: 35°C, 0.55 mmol·L−1, and 1h, provided the best set of results of color removal for DMBLR (99%), DMBBLN (77%), DMR (94%), and RBBR (97%). It should be mentioned that only 5 minutes of reaction was enough to obtain 96% of decolorization for DMBLR and RBBR. After the decolorization reactions of DMBLR, DMR, and RBBR, it was possible to observe the reduction of Artemia salina mortality and the no significant increase in toxicity for the products generated from DMBBLN.
Recognition of Facial Expression in Three Cultures

The results of three experiments show that emotions are accurately identified from facial expressions when (1) American and Malay observers judge expressions of Americans and Malaysians, (2) Malay observers use either a free-response task or a limited-response task, and (3) Temuan aborigine observers judge American expressions. The conclusion is that these results are not readily explained in terms of social learning, and support a theory of universal facial expressions of emotion.
Passive and Semi-Passive Wireless Temperature and Humidity Sensors Based on EPC Generation-2 UHF Protocol

This paper proposes passive and semi-passive wireless temperature and humidity sensors based on electronic product code (EPC) global Class-1 Generation-2 UHF communication protocol. The wireless sensors consist of a sensor key chip and off-chip temperature and humidity sensors. The sensor key chip integrates RF/analog front-end circuit, digital baseband processor, nonvolatile memory, on-chip temperature sensor, and sensor interface. The sensor interface connects the off-chip sensors and the sensor key chip. The sensor key chip with the on-chip temperature sensor can operate without battery power (passive mode), and also can co-operate with the off-chip temperature and humidity sensors powered by battery (semi-passive mode). The RF/analog front-end circuit provides the dc power to the sensor key chip and communicates with the interrogator passively. Advanced low-power techniques are adopted to reduce the power consumption of the sensor key chip. The sensor key chip is fabricated in 0.18-μm CMOS process. In passive mode, the maximum wireless sensitivity of on-chip sensor is -15.1/-11.2 dBm for reading and sensing operation, respectively, and the temperature sensing error is -1 °C/0.8 °C over operating range from -20 °C to 50 °C. It achieves a reading/sensing distance of over 9.5/6 m with 4-W effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) by the commercial interrogator. In semi-passive mode, the temperature and humidity sensing distance of off-chip sensors is 2.7 m.
CANCER INCIDENCE AND RISK ESTIMATION AMONG MEDICAL X-RAY WORKERS IN CHINA, 1950–1995

Cancer incidence (1950–1995) among 27,011 medical diagnostic x-ray workers was compared by means of O/E system with that of 25,782 other medical specialists employed between 1950 and 1980 to provide evidence of human malignant tumors produced by protracted and fractionated exposure to ionizing radiation and to assess resultant cancer risk. Significant cancer risk was seen among diagnostic x-ray workers (RR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.3). Significantly elevated risks were found for leukemia and cancers of skin, female breast, lung, liver, bladder, and esophagus; the RRs were 2.2, 4.1, 1.3, 1.2, 1.2, 1.8, and 2.7, respectively. The patterns of risk associated with years since beginning x-ray work and with age and calendar year of initial employment suggest that the excesses of leukemia, skin cancer, and female breast cancer—and possibly thyroid cancer—were related to occupational exposure to x rays. Because of a lack of individual dosimetry for Chinese medical x-ray workers (CMXW) before 1985, the dose was reconstructed by physical and biological retrospective dosimetry methods. The cancer risk of CMXW was estimated based on the reconstructed dose. The average cumulative dose for the earlier cohort (employed before 1970) was 551 mGy, and for the later cohort (employed from 1970 to 1980) it was 82 mGy. The RRs of leukemia and solid cancer were significantly high for the earlier cohort: 2.4 for leukemia, 1.2 for solid cancer. But no significant increase of RR was evident for the later cohort. The RR of leukemia was 1.7 and 1.1 for solid cancer. This means a significant cancer risk can be induced by long term fractionated exposure to ionizing radiation when the cumulative dose reaches a certain level.
Evidence of Multiple Inseminations in the Field in Aedes albopictus

Studies on the biology and mating behaviour of male mosquitoes are of major importance in a frame of a Sterile Insect Technique which could be used against mosquito vector species. Most particularly, the assumption of possible multiple inseminations in mosquito species must be investigated in order to optimize alternative mosquito control methods (Sterile Insect Techniques with genetically modified mosquitoes, cytoplasmic incompatibility, radiation…). The occurrence of multiple insemination events was investigated after 2 field samplings of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in La Reunion Island using microsatellite markers. Respectively, 14 and 13 females after the first and the second sampling laid eggs. Seven wild females out of the 27 laying females were found with a progeny involving more than one father. This result is important for the new alternative mosquito control methods and raises the importance of pre- and post-copulatory competition.
The Role of Higher Education System in Human Capital Formation

The article analyzes interrelation between the system of higher education and human resources. The authors have revealed the role and place of professional skills, gained at the university, in the formation of human capital. The interrelation between higher education, human capital, individual well-being, business profitability and development of the country economy was determined. The components of educational potential were analyzed. A number of measures to be taken in the system of higher education to prevent losses in human capital and to optimize the process of its formation have been formulated. The situation in the field of higher education development and human capital accumulation in Kazakhstan was studied through the prism of a new paradigm of thinking. The trends for intellectualization of Kazakhstan society and improvement of human resources quality have been identified.
Neurobehavioral status and health-related quality of life in newly diagnosed high-grade glioma patients.

PURPOSE To evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and cognitive functioning of high-grade glioma patients in the postneurosurgical period. PATIENTS AND METHODS The HRQOL, as assessed by the Short-Form Health Survey-36, tumor-specific symptoms, and objective and subjective neuropsychologic functioning, of 68 newly diagnosed glioma patients were compared with that of 50 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The association between tumor lateralization, extent of resection, and use of medication, and the HRQOL outcomes was also investigated. RESULTS The HRQOL of the two patient groups was similar but significantly lower than that of the healthy controls. Glioma patients reported significantly more neurologic symptoms and poorer objective and subjective neuropsychologic functioning than the NSCLC patients. Using healthy controls as the reference group, cognitive impairment assessed at the individual patient level was observed in all glioma patients and 52% of the NSCLC patients. Poor performance on timed tasks in the glioma group could be attributed, in large part, to visual and motor deficits. Tumor lateralization was found to affect neuropsychologic functioning in a predictable manner. The extent of resection was not related significantly to neuropsychologic functioning. Corticosteroid use was associated with better recognition memory, whereas antiepileptic drug use was correlated negatively with working memory capacity. CONCLUSION The general HRQOL of glioma patients is similar to that of patients with NSCLC. However, they suffer from a number of condition-specific neurologic and neuropsychologic problems that have a significant impact on their daily lives in the postsurgical period, before treatment with radiotherapy.
Changes in the Form of Knowledge in Social Work: From the ‘Social’ to the ‘Informational’?

This paper examines the changing form of knowledge in social work over the past thirty years and its implications for theory and practice. In particular, it considers the impact of new systems related to a range of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the shift from a narrative to a database way of thinking and operating. In doing so, it attempts to identify a series of key challenges and questions which need to be considered in order to engage with the changes. In particular, it addresses how far social work is still primarily concerned with subjects and their social relationships and argues that social work now operates less on the terrain of the ‘social’ and more on the terrain of the ‘informational’. Such changes have implications for the relationship between theory and practice in social work and the nature of ‘social’ work itself.