LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Long-Term learning using multiple models for outdoor autonomous robot navigation

Autonomous robot navigation in unstructured outdoor environments is a challenging area of active research. The navigation task requires identifying safe, traversable paths which allow the robot to progress toward a goal while avoiding obstacles. One approach is to apply Machine Learning techniques that accomplish near to far learning by augmenting near-field Stereo to identify safe terrain and obstacles in the far field. Some mechanism for applying past learned experience to the active navigation task is crucial for effective far-field classification. We introduce a new method for long-term learning in the robot navigation task by selecting a subset of previously learned linear binary classifiers. We then combine their output to produce a final classification for a new image. Techniques for efficient selection of models, as well as the combination of their output, are addressed. We evaluate the performance of our technique on three fully labeled datasets, and show that our technique outperforms several baseline techniques that do not leverage past experience.
Cost Reduction in Nearest Neighbour Based Synthesis of Quantum Boolean Circuits

computer algorithms require an 'oracle' as an integral part. An oracle is a reversible quantum Boolean circuit, where the inputs are kept unchanged at the outputs and the functional outputs are realized along ancillary input constants (0 or 1). Recently, a nearest neighbour template based synthesis method of quantum Boolean circuits has been proposed to overcome the adjacency requirement of the input qubits of physical quantum gates. The method used SWAP gates to bring the input qubits of quantum CNOT or C 2 NOT gates adjacent. In this paper, we propose cost reduction techniques such as ancillary constant determination to reduce the number of NOT gates and variable ordering and product grouping to reduce the number of SWAP gates required in nearest neighbour template based synthesis. The proposed approach significantly reduces the quantum realization cost of the synthesized quantum Boolean circuit than that of the original nearest neighbour template based synthesis.
Safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of quadrivalent human papillomavirus (types 6, 11, 16, 18) recombinant vaccine in women aged 24–45 years: a randomised, double-blind trial

BACKGROUND
Although the peak incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection occurs in most populations within 5-10 years of first sexual experience, all women remain at risk for acquisition of HPV infections. We tested the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the quadrivalent HPV (types 6, 11, 16, 18) L1 virus-like-particle vaccine in women aged 24-45 years.


METHODS
Women aged 24-45 years with no history of genital warts or cervical disease were enrolled from community health centres, academic health centres, and primary health-care providers into an ongoing multicentre, parallel, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Participants were allocated by computer-generated schedule to receive quadrivalent HPV vaccine (n=1911) or placebo (n=1908) at day 1, and months 2 and 6. All study site investigators and personnel, study participants, monitors, and central laboratory personnel were blinded to treatment allocation. Coprimary efficacy endpoints were 6 months' or more duration of infection and cervical and external genital disease due to HPV 6, 11, 16, 18; and due to HPV 16 and 18 alone. Primary efficacy analyses were done in a per-protocol population, but intention-to-treat analyses were also undertaken. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00090220.


FINDINGS
1910 women received at least one dose of vaccine and 1907 at least one dose of placebo. In the per-protocol population, efficacy against the first coprimary endpoint (disease or infection related to HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18) was 90.5% (95% CI 73.7-97.5, four of 1615 cases in the vaccine group vs 41/1607 in the placebo group) and 83.1% (50.6-95.8, four of 1601 cases vs 23/1579 cases) against the second coprimary endpoint (disease or infection related to HPV 16 and 18 alone). In the intention-to-treat population, efficacy against the first coprimary endpoint was 30.9% (95% CI 11.1-46.5, 108/1886 cases vs 154/1883 cases) and against the second coprimary endpoint was 22.6% (-2.9 to 41.9, 90/1886 cases vs 115/1883 cases), since infection and disease were present at baseline. We recorded no vaccine-related serious adverse events.


INTERPRETATION
The quadrivalent HPV vaccine is efficacious in women aged 24-45 years not infected with the relevant HPV types at enrolment.


FUNDING
Merck (USA).
Weakly Supervised User Profile Extraction from Twitter

While user attribute extraction on social media has received considerable attention, existing approaches, mostly supervised, encounter great difficulty in obtaining gold standard data and are therefore limited to predicting unary predicates (e.g., gender). In this paper, we present a weaklysupervised approach to user profile extraction from Twitter. Users’ profiles from social media websites such as Facebook or Google Plus are used as a distant source of supervision for extraction of their attributes from user-generated text. In addition to traditional linguistic features used in distant supervision for information extraction, our approach also takes into account network information, a unique opportunity offered by social media. We test our algorithm on three attribute domains: spouse, education and job; experimental results demonstrate our approach is able to make accurate predictions for users’ attributes based on their tweets.1
McLUHANISM: A JEWISH EDUCATOR'S RESPONSE

The author is indebted to Dr. Solomon Simonson, Ferkauf Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Yeshiva University, for his valuable suggestions in the preparation of this paper.
Computer typesetting of ALGOL

An application of computer-aided typesetting is introduced. A working method is described for publishing ALGOL by computerized translation from Hardware into Reference representation, computerized planning of typographical layout and computerized control of a typesetting machine. The point is made that experts in science, technology, and programming are guaranteed a correct ALGOL documentation without spending valuable time and power on typographic considerations and proofreading.
Effects of Volatile Components and Ethanolic Extract from Eclipta prostrata on Proliferation and Differentiation of Primary Osteoblasts

Eclipta prostrata, an aromatic plant, is known in Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of various kidney diseases. In the present study, the volatile components were isolated from the aerial parts of this plant by hydrodistillation and analysed by GC-MS. A total of 55 compounds, which were the major part (91.7%) of the volatiles, were identified by matching mass spectra with a mass spectrum library (NIST 05.L). The main components were as follows: heptadecane (14.78%), 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone (12.80%), n-hexadecanoic acid (8.98%), pentadecane (8.68%), eudesma-4(14),11-diene (5.86%), phytol (3.77%), octadec-9-enoic acid (3.35%), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid diisooctyl ester (2.74%), (Z,Z)-9,12-octadecadienoic acid (2.36%), (Z)-7,11-dimethyl-3-methylene-1,6,10-dodecatriene (2.08%) and (Z,Z,Z)-1,5,9,9-tetramethyl-1,4,7-cycloundecatriene (2.07%). The effects of volatile components and ethanolic extract from the aerial parts of this plant on the proliferation and differentiation of primary osteoblasts were evaluated by the MTT method and measuring the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP activity). Both volatile components and ethanolic extract (1 microg/mL to 100 microg/mL) significantly (p < 0.01) stimulated the proliferation and increased the ALP activity of primary osteoblasts. These results propose that E. prostrata can play an important role in osteoblastic bone formation, and may possibly lead to the development of bone-forming drugs.
The antibiotics potentiator bicarbonate causes upregulation of tryptophanase and iron acquisition proteins in Escherichia coli.

We have reported that bicarbonate (NaHCO3 ) potentiates the activity of aminoglycosides in Escherichia coli, but the action mechanism was not identified. To eventually understand how NaHCO3 can potentiate antibiotics, we thought that a rational first step was to examine the effect of NaHCO3 separately and to inspect initial gene expression changes triggered by it. In this work, we started by confirming that NaHCO3 can reduce the number of viable E. coli bacteria. We then investigated, via RNAseq, gene expression changes induced by NaHCO3 . There were upregulated and downregulated genes, among the top upregulated genes c. 10-fold increase in expression) was tnaA, the gene encoding tryptophanase, the enzyme that degrades tryptophan to indole. Considering that higher expression of tnaA likely led to increases in indole, we tested the effect of indole and found both growth inhibition and synergy with NaHCO3 . We suggest that indole may participate in growth inhibition of E. coli. The RNAseq analysis also revealed upregulation (≥4-fold) of genes encoding proteins for the acquisition of iron and downregulation (≥16-fold) of genes encoding iron-sulphur-holding proteins; hence NaHCO3 apparently triggered also an iron-deficit response. We suggest that iron deficiency may also be involved in growth inhibition by NaHCO3 . SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Bicarbonate (NaHCO3 ) can enhance the activity of various antibiotics. This work investigated its action mechanism. We carried out a transcriptional analysis in Escherichia coli with the aim of defining initial bacterial changes potentially linked to the enhancing activity of NaHCO3 . Our approach differed from the longer term exposure to NaHCO3 recently used by other researchers, who noticed changes in the bacterial proton motive force. Based on our analysis, we propose two routes possibly linked to the effect of NaHCO3 . Conceivably, those routes are potential targets that could be manipulated by alternative means to augment the effect of antibiotics.
Patients' decisions about whether or not to take antihypertensive drugs: qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE
To describe the ways in which patients taking antihypertensive drugs balance reservations against reasons for taking them.


DESIGN
Qualitative study using detailed interviews.


SETTING
Two urban general practices in the United Kingdom.


PARTICIPANTS
Maximum variety sample of 38 interviewees receiving repeat prescriptions for antihypertensives.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Interviewees' reservations about drugs and reasons for taking antihypertensives.


RESULTS
Patients had reservations about drugs generally and reservations about antihypertensives specifically. Reasons for taking antihypertensive drugs comprised positive experiences with doctors, perceived benefits of medication, and pragmatic considerations. Patients weighed their reservations against reasons for taking antihypertensives in a way that made sense for them personally. Some individual patients weighed different reservations against different reasons for taking antihypertensives.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients' ideas may derive from considerations unrelated to the drugs' pharmacology. Doctors who want their patients to make well informed choices about antihypertensives and to reach concordant decisions about prescribing should explore how individuals strike this balance, to personalise discussion of drug use.
The Uncanny Wall

This paper proposes that increasing technological sophistication in the creation of realism for human-like, virtual characters is matched by increasing technological discernment on the part of the viewer. One of the goals for achieving a realism that is believable for virtual characters is to overcome the Uncanny Valley where perceived strangeness or familiarity is rated against perceived human-likeness. Empirical evidence shows that the Uncanny can be applied to virtual characters, yet implies a more complex picture than the shape of a deep valley with a sharp gradient as depicted in Mori’s original plot of the Uncanny Valley. Our results imply that: (1) perceived familiarity is dependent upon a wider range of variables other than appearance and behaviour and (2) for realistic, human-like characters, the Uncanny Valley is an impossible traverse, is not supported fully by empirical evidence and the concept is better replaced with the notion of an Uncanny Wall.
The relationships of customer satisfaction , customer loyalty , and profitability : an empirical study

Introduction This paper’s purpose is to illustrate the relationship of profitability to intermediate, customer-related outcomes that managers can influence directly. It is predominantly a general management discussion, consistent with the Nordic School’s view that services are highly interdisciplinary, requiring a “service management” approach (see Grönroos, 1984, 1991). Its findings support the theory that customer satisfaction is related to customer loyalty, which in turn is related to profitability (Heskett et al., 1994, and discussed in Storbacka et al., 1994). While this theory has been advocated for service firms as a class, this paper presents an empirical analysis of one retail bank, limiting the findings’ generalizability. The service profit chain (Heskett et al., 1994) hypothesizes that:
Assessing the impact of verbal and visuospatial working memory load on eye-gaze cueing

Observers tend to respond more quickly to peripheral stimuli that are being gazed at by a centrally presented face, than to stimuli that are not being gazed at. While this gaze-cueing effect was initially seen as reflexive, there have also been some indications that top-down control processes may be involved. Therefore, the present investigation employed a dual-task paradigm to attempt to disrupt the putative control processes involved in gaze-cueing. Two experiments examined the impact of working memory load on gaze-cueing. In Experiment 1, participants were required to hold a set of digits in working memory during each gaze trial. In Experiment 2, the gaze task was combined with an auditory task that required the manipulation and maintenance of visuo-spatial information. Gaze-cueing effects were observed, but they were not modulated by dual-task load in either experiment. These results are consistent with traditional accounts of gaze-cueing as a highly reflexive process.
Nutritional evaluation of caseins and whey proteins and their hydrolysates from Protamex

Whey protein concentrate (WPC 80) and sodium caseinate were hydrolyzed by Protamex to 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% degree of hydrolysis (DH). WPC 80, sodium caseinate and their hydrolysates were then analyzed, compared and evaluated for their nutritional qualities. Their chemical composition, protein solubility, amino acid composition, essential amino acid index (EAA index), biological value (BV), nutritional index (NI), chemical score, enzymic protein efficiency ratio (E-PER) and in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) were determined. The results indicated that the enzymatic hydrolysis of WPC 80 and sodium caseinate by Protamex improved the solubility and IVPD of their hydrolysates. WPC 80, sodium caseinate and their hydrolysates were high-quality proteins and had a surplus of essential amino acids compared with the FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) reference standard. The nutritive value of WPC 80 and its hydrolysates was superior to that of sodium caseinate and its hydrolysates as indicated by some nutritional parameters such as the amino acid composition, chemical score, EAA index and predicted BV. However, the E-PER was lower for the WPC hydrolysates as compared to unhydrolyzed WPC 80 but sodium caseinate and its hydrolysates did not differ significantly. The nutritional qualities of WPC 80, sodium caseinate and their hydrolysates were good and make them appropriate for food formulations or as nutritional supplements.
The AUSCAN subscales, AIMS-2 hand/finger subscale, and FIOHA were not unidimensional scales.

OBJECTIVES
Evaluate the internal construct validity of the Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) index for hand osteoarthritis (HOA) and identify the physical function instrument with best performance.


STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING
AUSCAN, AIMS-2 (Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2), and Functional Index of HOA (FIHOA) were self-completed by 209 HOA patients (mean [standard deviation] age 61.6 [5.7] years) at baseline and 128 at follow-up. Rasch analysis was performed.


RESULTS
AUSCAN pain, physical function, and stiffness subscales comprised three constructs. AUSCAN scale performance was improved after removal of "Pain at rest" from the pain scale and division of physical function into two scales of high precision and grip strength tasks. AIMS-2 hand/finger subscale and FIHOA were improved after removal of one and two items, respectively and collapse of two AIMS-2 response categories. AUSCAN physical function scale showed better targeting to the sample and higher person reliability compared with FIHOA and especially AIMS-2 because of less "severe" items concerning grip strength tasks as opposed to precision tasks.


CONCLUSION
The AUSCAN subscales, AIMS-2 hand/finger scale, and FIHOA were not unidimensional. However, deletion of misfitting items improved scale performance. The revised AUSCAN physical function and FIHOA scales are preferable for measurement of grip strength and precision tasks, respectively.
3-D Wideband Antenna for Head-Imaging System with Performance Verification in Brain Tumor Detection

A 3-D slot-rotated antenna for a microwave head- imaging system is presented. The antenna is designed to have a wideband and unidirectional performance at the low microwave frequency band that are the requirements of the specified imaging system. Starting from a traditional wide-slot antenna, several conventional techniques are applied to enhance its bandwidth and directivity while miniaturizing its size. In that regard, four series of staircase-shaped slots are applied to lower the operating frequency, whereas a folding process is used to enhance the directivity and reduce the overall size. In addition, two parasitic patches are connected to the slot area to increase the operating bandwidth. The final design has the dimensions of 0.11 λ×0.23 λ×0.05 λ. ( λ is the wavelength of the lowest measured operating frequency.) It has a measured VSWR fractional bandwidth of 87% (1.41-3.57 GHz) and a peak front-to-back ratio of 9 dB. To verify the suitability of the antenna in head imaging, it is connected to a wideband microwave transceiver and used to circularly scan an artificial head phantom in 20° angle steps in a monostatic mode. The collected backscattered data are then processed and used to generate an image that successfully shows brain tumors. The compact size, wide operating bandwidth, unidirectional radiation, and detection viability are merits of the presented antenna and the subsequent system.
Ischaemic preconditioning reduces troponin T release in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether ischaemic preconditioning could reduce myocardial injury, as manifest by troponin T release, in patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery.


DESIGN
Randomised controlled trial.


SETTING
Cardiothoracic unit of a tertiary care centre.


PATIENTS
Patients with three vessel coronary artery disease and stable angina admitted for first time elective coronary artery bypass surgery were invited to take part in the study; 33 patients were randomised into control or preconditioning groups.


INTERVENTION
Patients in the preconditioning group were exposed to two additional three minute periods of myocardial ischaemia at the beginning of the revascularisation operation, before the ischaemic period used for the first coronary artery bypass graft distal anastomosis.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Serum troponin T concentration at 72 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass.


RESULTS
The troponin T assays were performed by blinded observers at a different hospital. All patients had undetectable serum troponin T (< 0.1 microgram/l) before cardiopulmonary bypass, and troponin T was raised postoperatively in all patients. At 72 hours, serum troponin T was lower (P = 0.05) in the preconditioned group (median 0.3 microgram/l) than in the control group (median 1.4 micrograms/l).


CONCLUSIONS
The direct application of a preconditioning stimulus in clinical practice has been shown, for the first time, to protect patients against irreversible myocyte injury.
Ultrasound Velocity and Attenuation in Cancellous Bone Samples from Lumbar Vertebra and Calcaneus

We report a study of ultrasound velocity and broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) in human cancellous bone samples. The influence of density and microarchitecture on ultrasound propagation in cancellous bone was examined. A total of 20 samples from vertebra L1 and 21 from calcanei were studied. The direction of ultrasound propagation was anteroposterior in the vertebra and lateromedial in the calcaneus. The relationships between ultrasonic parameters and density of bone samples, apparent ash density, trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) were analyzed using a simple linear model and a multiple regression model. Velocity of ultrasound and BUA were positively correlated with density and morphometric parameters, in both vertebra and calcaneus. The best correlation was found between velocity and bone sample density in vertebra (r= 0.961, p < 0.0001) and the worst between velocity and trabecular thickness in calcaneus (r= 0.632, p= 0.002). The best correlation for BUA was with BV/TV in vertebra (r= 0.960, p < 0.0001). Using the stepwise regression procedure, BV/TV only was selected as significant for BUA and apparent ash density with Tb.Th for velocity, in both vertebra and in calcaneus. The possible influence of trabecular configuration on ultrasonic parameters is discussed, emphasizing the different slopes of regression lines obtained for vertebra and calcaneus, sites with different architecture of trabecular bone.
A two-stage approach for discriminating melanocytic skin lesions using standard cameras

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to discriminate malignant melanomas and benign atypical nevi, since both types of melanocytic skin lesions have very similar characteristics. Recent studies involving the non-invasive diagnosis of melanoma indicate that the concentrations of the two main classes of melanin present in the human skin, eumelanin and pheomelanin, can potentially be used in the computation of relevant features to differentiate these lesions. So, we describe how these features can be estimated using only standard camera images. Moreover, we demonstrate that using these features in conjunction with features based on the well known ABCD rule, it is possible to achieve 100% of sensitivity and more than 99% accuracy in melanocytic skin lesion discrimination, which is a highly desirable characteristic in a prescreening system. 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.