Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
]Video object segmentation by hypergraph cut

In this paper, we present a new framework of video object segmentation, in which we formulate the task of extracting prominent objects from a scene as the problem of hypergraph cut. We initially over-segment each frame in the sequence, and take the over-segmented image patches as the vertices in the graph. Different from the traditional pairwise graph structure, we build a novel graph structure, hypergraph, to represent the complex spatio-temporal neighborhood relationship among the patches. We assign each patch with several attributes that are computed from the optical flow and the appearance-based motion profile, and the vertices with the same attribute value is connected by a hyperedge. Through all the hyperedges, not only the complex non-pairwise relationships between the patches are described, but also their merits are integrated together organically. The task of video object segmentation is equivalent to the hypergraph partition, which can be solved by the hypergraph cut algorithm. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated by extensive experiments on nature scenes.
Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Cooked Gomchwi (Ligularia fischeri) Using the Myoglobin Methods

This study evaluated the influence of cooking methods (blanching, pan-frying, and microwaving) on the antioxidant activity of Ligularia fischeri (LF) using myoglobin methods against five different reactive oxygen species (ROS) (i.e., 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hypochlorite ions, hydroxyl radicals, peroxyl radicals, and peroxynitrite ions). With respect to DPPH scavenging activity, the antioxidant activities of blanched LF and pan-fried LF were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of fresh LF for all cooking times. Pan-fried LF and microwaved LF showed higher antioxidant activities against hydroxyl radicals and peroxyl radicals than uncooked LF, while the protective effect of blanched LF was low, except for the at the 3 min cooking time point. Microwaved LF showed high antioxidant activity against all ROS at the 2 min cooking time point. Interestingly, LF that had been microwaved for 2 min and 3 min had high antioxidant values, whereas blanched LF and pan-fried LF had low antioxidant values. The activities of cooked LF against five different ROS were characterized comprehensively by 5-axe cobweb charts.
A Brief Interview to Detect Panic Attacks and Panic Disorder in Emergency Department Patients with Cardiopulmonary Complaints

Objectives: Patients with panic-related anxiety often initially present to the emergency department (ED) complaining of respiratory or cardiac symptoms, but rates of detection of panic symptoms by ED physicians remain low. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relevance of panic attacks and panic disorder in ED patients who present with cardiopulmonary symptoms and to determine whether a brief symptom-based tool could be constructed to assist in rapid recognition of panic-related anxiety in the ED setting. Materials and Methods: English-speaking adult ED patients with a chief complaint of palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, or difficulty breathing were evaluated for the presence of panic attacks and panic disorder with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders. Participants completed self-report measures to assess panic-related symptoms, comorbid psychiatric conditions, health-related disability, and health service use. Results: In this sample (N=200), 23.5% had panic attacks and 23.0% had panic disorder. Both groups reported higher rates of panic attack symptoms, greater psychiatric comorbidity, greater health-related disability, and higher rates of ED and mental health service use compared with those without either condition. A brief 7-item tool consisting of panic symptoms identified patients with panic attacks or panic disorder with 85% accuracy (area under the curve=0.90, sensitivity=82%, specificity=88%). Conclusions: Patients with panic attacks or panic disorder commonly present to the ED, but often go unrecognized. A brief 7-item clinician rating scale accurately identifies these patients among those ED patients presenting with cardiopulmonary complaints.
Evaluation of tumor microsatellite instability using five quasimonomorphic mononucleotide repeats and pentaplex PCR.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype is a characteristic of the hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome as well as approximately 15% of sporadic colon and gastric tumors. It is a valuable diagnostic marker for the identification of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer cases and may be a molecular predictive marker for the identification of colon cancer patients who benefit from chemotherapy. To evaluate MSI, a reference panel was proposed at an international consensus meeting, comprised of 2 mononucleotide (BAT-25, BAT-26) and 3 dinucleotide repeats. Analysis of BAT-26 is sufficient for detecting the MSI phenotype in most, but not all, cases. Additional results with dinucleotide markers can sometimes lead to incorrect classification of MSI tumors. METHODS We describe here a single fluorescent multiplex system comprising 5 quasimonomorphic mononucleotide repeats for the detection of MSI tumors. RESULTS None of 184 germline DNA samples, including 56 from African subjects, was found to contain allelic size variations in more than 2 of these markers. In contrast, all MSI tumors showed allelic size variations in 3 or more of the microsatellites. Using this assay, we confirmed (or reclassified in 6 cases) the MSI status of 124 colon and 50 gastric primary tumors and 16 colon cell lines. CONCLUSIONS We propose that using a pentaplex polymerase chain reaction system allows accurate evaluation of tumor MSI status of DNA with 100% sensitivity and specificity without the need to match normal DNA. This assay is simpler to use than those involving dinucleotides and is more specific than using BAT-26 alone.
The Role of Minority Stress in Second-Generation Black Emerging Adult College Students’ High-Risk Drinking Behaviors

Objective: This study used a minority stress framework to investigate the relationships between multiple stressors (e.g., general life stress, race related stress, and acculturative stress) and high-risk drinking behaviors in a sample of second-generation Black emerging adult college students across the United States. Method: Participants (n = 148) were recruited from U.S. colleges and universities as part of a large, multiwave cross-sectional study. Results: Findings from this study mirrored those in the extant literature: the positive relationship between race-related stress and high-risk drinking behaviors found in other marginalized groups. However, when all stressors were entered into the model, acculturative stress accounted for significant variance in high-risk drinking behaviors above and beyond general life and race-related stressors in second generation Black emerging adult college students. Conclusion: Findings underscore the need to better understand the influence of acculturative stress on high-risk drinking behaviors among second-generation Black emerging adult college students: an understudied population in both the acculturation and alcohol use literatures. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
p300 Influences Butyrate-Mediated WNT Hyperactivation In Colorectal Cancer Cells

Deregulated WNT/catenin pathway, usually resulting from mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli and beta-catenin genes, drives colorectal tumorigenesis. Dietary fiber has been shown to have a protective role against colorectal cancer (CRC). We have previously demonstrated that the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) butyrate, a fermentation product of dietary fiber, induces WNT/catenin hyperactivation, which promotes CRC cell apoptosis. Therefore, the ability of butyrate to induce WNT hyperactivation and thus promote CRC cell apoptosis may in part explain the preventive function of fiber against CRC. The association between beta-catenin and the transcriptional coactivator p300 may influence WNT/catenin signaling and, therefore, colonic cell physiology. p300 functions as a histone acetylase (HAT); therefore, the modulation of WNT/catenin activity by p300 may influence the ability of the HDACi butyrate to hyperinduce WNT signaling and apoptosis in CRC cells. Our findings indicate that p300 affects the hyperinduction of WNT activity by butyrate. Knockdown of p300 levels represses butyrate-mediated WNT/catenin activity; but still allows for butyrate-mediated apoptosis. Overexpression of p300 stimulates basal and butyrate-induced WNT signaling in some, but not all, CRC cell lines. We also evaluate the role of p300 in therapeutic approaches that target CBP. The small molecule ICG-001, in clinical trial, is a specific inhibitor of CBP-mediated WNT signaling, and previous studies have suggested that p300 is required for the activity of ICG-001. However, we report that ICG-001 maintains full activity against CBP-mediated WNT signaling in p300-deficient cell lines, including the butyrate-resistance line HCT-R. In addition, our findings evaluating combinatorial treatment of ICG-001 and butyrate in HCT-R cells may have important therapeutic implications for the treatment of butyrate-resistant CRCs.
Choice of Biologic Therapy for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Infection Perspective

Biologicals revolutionized the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The targeted suppression of key inflammatory pathways involved in joint inflammation and destruction allows better disease control, which, however, comes at the price of an elevated infection risk due to relative immunosuppression. The disease-related infection risk and the infection risk associated with the use of TNF-α inhibitors (infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, golimumab and certolizumab pegol), rituximab, abatacept and tocilizumab are discussed. Risk factors clinicians need to take into account when selecting the most appropriate biologic therapy for RA patients, as well as precautions and screening concerning a number of specific infections, such as tuberculosis, intracellular bacterial infections, reactivation of chronic viral infections and HIV are reviewed.
Complete Detoxification of Vinyl Chloride by an Anaerobic Enrichment Culture and Identification of the Reductively Dechlorinating Population as a Dehalococcoides Species

ABSTRACT A major obstacle in the implementation of the reductive dechlorination process at chloroethene-contaminated sites is the accumulation of the intermediate vinyl chloride (VC), a proven human carcinogen. To shed light on the microbiology involved in the final critical dechlorination step, a sediment-free, nonmethanogenic, VC-dechlorinating enrichment culture was derived from tetrachloroethene (PCE)-to-ethene-dechlorinating microcosms established with material from the chloroethene-contaminated Bachman Road site aquifer in Oscoda, Mich. After 40 consecutive transfers in defined, reduced mineral salts medium amended with VC, the culture lost the ability to use PCE and trichloroethene (TCE) as metabolic electron acceptors. PCE and TCE dechlorination occurred in the presence of VC, presumably in a cometabolic process. Enrichment cultures supplied with lactate or pyruvate as electron donor dechlorinated VC to ethene at rates up to 54 μmol liter−1day−1, and dichloroethenes (DCEs) were dechlorinated at about 50% of this rate. The half-saturation constant (KS) for VC was 5.8 μM, which was about one-third lower than the concentrations determined for cis-DCE and trans-DCE. Similar VC dechlorination rates were observed at temperatures between 22 and 30°C, and negligible dechlorination occurred at 4 and 35°C. Reductive dechlorination in medium amended with ampicillin was strictly dependent on H2 as electron donor. VC-dechlorinating cultures consumed H2 to threshold concentrations of 0.12 ppm by volume. 16S rRNA gene-based tools identified a Dehalococcoides population, and Dehalococcoides-targeted quantitative real-time PCR confirmed VC-dependent growth of this population. These findings demonstrate that Dehalococcoides populations exist that use DCEs and VC but not PCE or TCE as metabolic electron acceptors.
A Hardware-Software Collaborated Method for Soft-Error Tolerant MPSoC

Multiprocessor systems-on-chip (MPSoCs) are attractive platforms for embedded applications with growing complexity, because integrating a system or a complex subsystem on a single chip provides better performance and energy efficiency and lower cost per function. As feature sizes and power supply voltages continually decrease, MPSoCs are becoming more susceptible to soft errors. However, traditional soft-error tolerant methods introduce large area, power and performance overheads to MPSoCs. This paper presents a low-overhead hardware-software collaborated method, called SENoC, to dynamically mitigate soft errors on MPSoCs using an on-chip sensor network. We developed a low-cost on-chip sensor network to collaboratively monitor and detect soft errors, and implemented software-based mechanisms to guarantee correct task executions. To maximize the performance of soft-error tolerant MPSoCs, a hybrid scheduling scheme is proposed to effectively manage applications and resources under uncertainties. We studied the new method on MPSoCs with different scales and tested it using typical embedded applications under different cosmic ray flux conditions. Experimental results show that comparing to traditional methods SENoC requires substantially lower protection overheads to achieve the same level of soft-error tolerance. For instance, soft-error tolerant MPSoCs using SENoC archive on average 114.1% better performance than a latest traditional method, and SENoC only introduces 0.42% area overhead to a 256-core MPSoCs.
Activation of CNTF/CNTFRα Signaling Pathway by hRheb(S16H) Transduction of Dopaminergic Neurons In Vivo

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is one of representative neurotrophic factors for the survival of dopaminergic neurons. Its effects are primarily mediated via CNTF receptor α (CNTFRα). It is still unclear whether the levels of CNTFRα change in the substantia nigra of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, but CNTF expression shows the remarkable decrease in dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), suggesting that the support of CNTF/CNTFRα signaling pathway may be a useful neuroprotective strategy for the nigrostriatal dopaminergic projection in the adult brain. Here, we report that transduction of rat SNpc dopaminergic neurons by adeno-associated virus with a gene encoding human ras homolog enriched in brain (hRheb), with an S16H mutation [hRheb(S16H)], significantly upregulated the levels of both CNTF and CNTFRα in dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, the hRheb(S16H)-activated CNTF/CNTFRα signaling pathway was protective against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced neurotoxicity in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic projections. These results suggest that activation of CNTF/CNTFRα signaling pathway by specific gene delivery such as hRheb(S16H) may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of PD.
Associations between type I interferon and antiphospholipid antibody status differ between ancestral backgrounds

Objective The type I interferon pathway is activated in many patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and anti-RNA binding protein autoantibodies are correlated with high interferon-α (IFNα) activity. We studied whether antiphospholipid (APL) antibodies, which should not stimulate Toll-like receptors, are also associated with high levels of IFNα activity. Methods Serum IFNα activity was measured in patients with SLE using the WISH cell bioassay. IgG APL, anti-RBP and anti-dsDNA antibodies were measured in the clinical laboratory, and standard clinical cut-offs were used to define the positive results. Results High IFNα activity was associated with anti-RBP and anti-dsDNA antibodies in all three ancestral backgrounds. Strikingly, African-American subjects with a positive APL antibody test had higher IFNα activity than those without IgG APL antibodies. This was not shared with other ancestral backgrounds. This finding was independent of other autoantibody profiles, and clinical features did not differ between IgG APL antibody positive versus negative African-American patients. Conclusion The difference in association between IFNα activity and IgG APL status between ancestral backgrounds supports differences in molecular pathogenesis. This may suggest B cell hyperactivity in the setting of type I IFN in African-Americans and could suggest ways to individualise therapy.
Antiretroviral therapy reduces the rate of hepatic decompensation among HIV- and hepatitis C virus-coinfected veterans.

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection accelerates the rate of liver disease outcomes in individuals chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). It remains unclear to what degree combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) protects against HCV-associated liver failure. METHODS We evaluated 10 090 HIV/HCV-coinfected males from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Virtual Cohort, who had not initiated ART at entry, for incident hepatic decompensation between 1996 and 2010. We defined ART initiation as the first pharmacy fill date of a qualifying ART regimen of ≥3 drugs from ≥2 classes. Hepatic decompensation was defined as the first occurrence of 1 hospital discharge diagnosis or 2 outpatient diagnoses for ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, or esophageal variceal hemorrhage. To account for potential confounding by indication, marginal structural models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of hepatic decompensation, comparing initiation of ART to noninitiation. RESULTS We observed 645 hepatic decompensation events in 46 444 person-years of follow-up (incidence rate, 1.4/100 person-years). Coinfected patients who initiated ART had a significantly reduced rate of hepatic decompensation relative to noninitiators (HR = 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], .54-.94). When we removed individuals with HIV RNA ≤400 copies/mL at baseline from the analysis (assuming that they may have received undocumented ART at entry), the hazard ratio became more pronounced (HR = 0.59; 95% CI, .43-.82). CONCLUSIONS Initiation of ART significantly reduced the rate of hepatic decompensation by 28%-41% on average. These results suggest that ART should be administered to HIV/HCV-coinfected patients to lower the risk of end-stage liver disease.
Application of WiFi-based indoor positioning system in handheld directory system

The purpose of this paper is to introduce a handheld indoor directory system which built on WiFi-based positioning techniques. The whole system consists of three modules, namely mobile phone module, Kiosks module, and Website and Database module. The mobile phone module is the main frontend module which installed on users' mobile devices, whereas the Kiosks and website are to provide supports and maintenances to the main module. User can download maps and application from the Kiosks or website. On the other hand, administrator uses the website to manage the database. The proposed system is aimed to provide a new ways of providing indoor floor directory, which offers capabilities to retrieve customizable information, to navigate interactively, to enable location-awareness computing and most importantly the portability of the directory system. Additionally, the proposed system is designated to cater for the needs of visually challenged persons by incorporating screen reader and improved accessibility.
Serum and its applicability and use in cell culture

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) has been used in cell culture for decades. In journal articles, it is normally listed in the Materials and Methods section alongside other cell culture ingredients, such as sodium chloride (NaCl) or antibodies. However, unlike the chemically defined NaCl molecule or an antibody that is subjected to questions regarding the identity of the clone and its source, FBS surprisingly has not endured the same level of scrutiny even though it introduces the greatest variability into cell culture. In this white paper, the use of FBS in cell culture applications will be examined, as its use may go against the basic principals of scientific experimentation in that the variables are not controlled for, it contains unknowns, and results from experiments using FBS in cell culture potentially cannot be replicated.
M ay 2 00 5 A black ring with a rotating 2-sphere

We present a solution of the vacuum Einstein’s equations in five dimensions corresponding to a black ring with horizon topology S×S and rotation in the azimuthal direction of the S. This solution has a regular horizon up to a conical singularity, which can be placed either inside the ring or at infinity. This singularity arises due to the fact that this black ring is not balanced. In the infinite radius limit we correctly reproduce the Kerr black string, and taking another limit we recover the Myers-Perry black hole with a single angular momentum.
Evaluation of Spatial Keyword Queries with Partial Result Support on Spatial Networks

Numerous geographic information system applications need to retrieve spatial objects which bear user specified keywords close to a given location. In this research, we present efficient approaches to answer spatial keyword queries on spatial networks. In particular, we formally introduce definitions of Spatial Keyword k Nearest Neighbor (SKkNN) and Spatial Keyword Range (SKR) queries. Then, we present a framework of a spatial keyword query evaluation system which is comprised of Keyword Constraint Filter (KCF), Keyword and Spatial Refinement (KSR), and the spatial keyword ranker. KCF employs an inverted index to calculate keyword relevancy of spatial objects, and KSR refines intermediate results by considering both spatial and keyword constraints with the spatial keyword ranker. In addition, we design novel algorithms for evaluating SKkNN and SKR queries. These algorithms employ the inverted index technique, shortest path search algorithms, and network Voronoi diagrams. Our extensive simulations show that the proposed SKkNN and SKR algorithms can answer spatial keyword queries effectively and efficiently.
Development of an Adaptable Monitoring Package for marine renewable energy

The Adaptable Monitoring Package (AMP) along with a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and custom tool skid, is being developed to support near-field (≤10 meters) and long-range monitoring of hydrokinetic energy converters. The goal for the AMP is to develop a system capable of supporting a wide range of environmental monitoring in harsh oceanographic conditions, at a cost in line with other aspects of technology demonstrations. This paper presents a system description of all related infrastructure for the AMP, including supported instrumentation, deployment ROV and tool skid, launch platform, and docking station. Design requirements are driven by the monitoring instrumentation and the strong waves and currents that typify marine renewable energy sites. Hydrodynamic conditions from the Pacific Marine Energy Centers wave test sites and Admiralty Inlet, Puget Sound, Washington are considered in the design as early adoption case studies. A methodology is presented to increase the capabilities to deploy and operate the AMP in strong currents by augmenting thrust and optimizing the system drag profile through computational fluid dynamic modeling. Preliminary results suggest that the AMP should be deployable in turbulent environments with mean flow velocities up to 1 m/s.