Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurately determining intermediate and terminal plan states using bayesian goal recognition

Goal Recognition concerns the problem of determining an agent's final goal, deduced from the plan they are currently executing (and subsequently being observed). The set of pos- sible goals or plans to be considered are commonly stored in a library, which is then used to propose possible candidate goals for the agent's behaviour. Previously, we presented AUTOGRAPH - a system which re- moved the need for a goal or plan library, thus making any problem solvable without the need to construct such a struc- ture. In this paper, we discuss IGRAPH, which improves upon its predecessor by utilising Bayesian inference to determine both terminal and intermediate goals/states which the agent being observed is likely to pass through.
Relationship Between Cognitive Defect, Affect Response and Community Adjustment in Chronic Schizophrenics

Summary The relationship between mental status and community adjustment has been examined in 100 outpatient chronic schizophrenics. Sixty-six per cent presented at least one of the signs of Schneiderian First Rank Symptoms, which, however, failed to discriminate the diagnostic subgroups. Total adjustment correlated with total mental status and appeared to differentiate the diagnostic subclassifications of schizophrenia. From the major components of mental status, anxiety and depression appear to be significantly correlated with the functioning and stress of the individual in community adjustment while primary symptoms are only peripherally correlated with adjustment.
Transplanted Mouse Embryonic Stem-Cell-Derived Motoneurons Form Functional Motor Units and Reduce Muscle Atrophy

Prolonged muscle denervation resulting from motor neuron (MN) damage leads to atrophy and degeneration of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which can impart irreversible damage. In this study, we ask whether transplanted embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiated into MNs can form functional synapses with host muscle, and if so what effects do they have on the muscle. After transplantation into transected tibial nerves of adult mice, ES-cell-derived MNs formed functional synapses with denervated host muscle, which resulted in the ability to produce average tetanic forces of 44% of nonlesioned controls. ES-cell-derived motor units (MUs) had mean force values and ranges similar to control muscles. The number of type I fibers and fatigue resistance of the MUs were increased, and denervation-associated muscle atrophy was significantly reduced. These results demonstrate the capacity for ES-cell-derived MNs not only to incorporate into the adult host tissue, but also to exert changes in the target tissue. By providing the signals normally active during embryonic development and placing the cells in an environment with their target tissue, ES cells differentiate into MNs that give rise to functional MU output which resembles the MU output of endogenous MNs. This suggests that these signals combined with those present in the graft environment, lead to the activation of a program intended to produce a normal range of MU forces.
Isolation and characterization of human placental trophoblast subpopulations from first-trimester chorionic villi

A method for the simultaneous preparation of highly enriched human placental trophoblast populations (villous and extravillous) from first-trimester placental villi (5 to 12 weeks) by using sequential trypsinization, percoll gradient centrifugation, and negative selection with anti-CD9 immunomagnetic separation is described. The purification method resulted in the isolation of four distinct trophoblast populations identified on the basis of morphology and phenotyping: (i) mononuclear villous cytotrophoblast cells which, through differentiation, become committed to syncytium formation; (ii) an extravillous trophoblast population which appeared as a "crazy pavement" and, with subsequent subculturing, differentiated morphologically to mononuclear cells; (iii) an extravillous trophoblast fraction which fused to form multinucleated trophoblast giant cells; and (iv) floating intermediate extravillous trophoblast cells which fused together to form cell clumps and which further differentiated to a mononuclear anchoring intermediate extravillous trophoblast. Short-term cultures of the freshly isolated cell fractions consisted of heterogeneous trophoblasts at different differentiation stages as determined by their varied biochemical and morphological properties. All the isolated trophoblast populations expressed the cytokeratin intermediate filament and the epithelium-specific cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin. The isolated villous trophoblasts in culture expressed integrins alpha 6 and beta 4 and reduced levels of beta 1 subunits, whereas the proliferating extravillous trophoblast cultures expressed alpha 1, alpha 3, and alpha 5 and high levels of beta 1 integrin subunits, vitronectin receptor (alpha V beta 3/beta 5), and major histocompatibility complex class 1 molecules. Furthermore, the isolated trophoblast populations secreted metalloproteases (such as type IV collagenases [mainly 72- and 92-kDa enzymes, i.e., gelatinases A and B]) and urokinase plasminogen activator, as evaluated by substrate gel zymography. This method of isolation should facilitate in vitro studies of trophoblast proliferation, differentiation, invasion, virus interactions, cytokenesis, and immunology.
The Plane Truth: Aviation and the Environment

1 Introduction 7 2 How fast is the aviation industry growing? 8 3 Noise pollution 11 4 Local air pollution 14 5 The impact of aviation on global warming and climate change 18 6 Is aviation and airport development good for the economy? 23 PART 2: A new aviation policy 7 A new aviation policy based on transport demand management 27 Summary of part 1: The impact of aviation on the environment 35 Summary of part 2: A new aviation policy 36 Appendix 1 37 Appendix 2 38 Appendix 3 39 References 40 Biographical details 42 The Plane Truth: Aviation and the Environment 5 Since its foundation, The Ashden Trust has taken an active interest in transport policy as it relates to environmental issues. When the trustees were approached by Transport 2000 to fund research on the environmental implications of current trends in aviation, they were pleased to do so. Professor John Whitelegg and Nick Williams were commissioned to draw together existing information about the environmental impact of aviation, and to clarify issues which demand attention. It is timely that their work is now being published. The UK government has recently released its consultation paper on air transport. Responses to that consultation will provide important material to feed into the government's proposed White Paper on air transport, which is due in 2001. This study identifies a range of significant issues surrounding existing practice and predicted trends in aviation as these affect the environment. It has assembled data which must provoke serious concerns at the absence of any systematic approach to the subject of aviation and the environment. The Ashden Trust and Transport 2000 hope that it will stimulate debate leading to a significant realignment of the policy approach to the future development of aviation. Director The Ashden Trust Foreword 6 Part 1: The impact of aviation on the environment 7 This report looks at the current level of civil aviation* and considers the remarkable forecasts for the rates of growth within this industry. It looks at the impact that aviation is currently having on the environment and estimates what that impact might be if these widely predicted rates of growth are achieved. The report concludes that the way aviation affects the environment requires serious discussion. The aviation industry has grown at an extremely rapid rate and it looks as if future growth may be even faster. Aviation has the highest …
Cortical mapping of gamma oscillations in areas V1 and V4 of the macaque monkey

To characterize the temporal and spatial parameters of gamma activity evoked by visual stimuli in areas V1 and V4 of the monkey cortex, we recorded the electrocorticogram (ECoG) with an implanted array of 28 and 31 subdural electrodes placed over the surface of the operculum in two anesthetized monkeys. This intermediate level of recordings should help to bridge the gap between multiunit and scalp recordings. Both averaged and single-trial responses to small flashed stimuli, for which we varied the retinotopic position, the luminance and the color, were analyzed in the time-frequency domain using a wavelet-based decomposition of the signal. Large gamma oscillations (40–55 Hz), not phase locked to stimulus onset, were observed during the whole stimulus presentation, whereas visual evoked potentials (VEPs) were present mainly at stimulus onset and offset. Cortical mapping showed that both activities were restricted in spatial extent and followed the retinotopic organization of area V1 on the operculum, thus strongly suggesting they were generated in the underlying cortex. Oscillatory burst detection in single trials showed that one to two bursts lasting from 100 ms to 500 ms occurred in the first 500 ms following stimulus onset, and that bursts occurring during the subsequent phases of the response had a smaller amplitude and duration. Finally, we showed that gamma activity was stronger with higher luminances and for red than for green, yellow, or white stimuli of same luminance. In one animal we recorded gamma activity over area V4. This was of lower magnitude than the activity recorded over V1 and was delayed by 40 ms with respect to the beginning of gamma activity in V1, in contrast with the VEPs that were delayed by 20 ms only. Both gamma oscillations and early VEP followed the retinotopic organization of V4 over the prelunate gyrus. The results show that gamma oscillations are dependent upon the same parameters as the VEPs (retinotopic position, luminance, and color). However, the differences in the time course of VEPs and gamma activity (transient vs. sustained) suggests that these two responses may reflect different cell populations, different networks, or different firing modes.
Prognostic Significance of Molecular Markers and Extent of Resection in Primary Glioblastoma Patients

Purpose: Despite multimodal aggressive treatment glioblastoma patients still face a rather poor prognosis. Recent data indicate that certain molecular markers, in particular MGMT promoter hypermethylation, are associated with response to alkylating chemotherapy and longer survival. The clinical significance of other glioblastoma-associated molecular aberrations and their relationship to MGMT promoter hypermethylation is still poorly understood. Experimental Design: We conducted a translational study involving 67 newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients treated at our institution from 1998 to 2004. All patients were treated by open resection, followed by radiotherapy and adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy. The tumors were investigated for MGMT promoter methylation, mRNA and protein expression, as well as presence of MGMT sequence polymorphisms. In addition, we screened for genetic aberrations of the EGFR, TP53, CDK4, MDM2, and PDGFRA genes as well as allelic losses on chromosomal arms 1p, 10q, and 19q. Results: Correlation of molecular findings with clinical data revealed significantly longer time to progression after onset of chemotherapy and longer overall survival of patients with MGMT-hypermethylated tumors. In contrast, MGMT protein expression, MGMT polymorphisms, and aberrations in any of the other genes and chromosomes were not significantly linked to patient outcome. Multivariate analysis identified MGMT promoter hypermethylation and near-complete tumor resection as the most important parameters associated with better prognosis. Conclusion: Our study provides novel insights into the significance of molecular and clinical markers in predicting the prognosis of glioblastoma patients, which may improve stratification of patients into distinct prognostic subgroups. (Clin Cancer Res 2009;15(20):6683–93)
From acute to chronic pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A prospective follow-up analysis

Objective. The pathogenesis and risk of chronic pain after cholecystectomy are unknown. In this prospective study of 150 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the preoperative clinical data, cold pressor test, state of neuroticism and early postoperative pain intensity were assessed. Material and methods. Follow-up questionnaires were sent to all patients 1 year after surgery. Patients with moderate/severe chronic pain were interviewed and invited to participate in a structured examination programme. Results. The questionnaire response rate was 100%. Twenty patients reported moderate or severe chronic pain. The 1-year in-office interview revealed that two patients without chronic pain had misinterpreted the questionnaire. Sixteen patients were enrolled for the examination programme. Demonstrable pathology explained the aetiology of chronic pain in 8 patients (5%); another 8 patients with moderate (n=6) or severe (n=2) chronic pain were without pathological findings. In total, 132 patients had no chronic pain. Chronic pain patients suffered significantly more intense acute postoperative pain compared with those without chronic pain (p≤0.05). The incidence of chronic pain patients was higher in the group of patients with intense acute postoperative pain than in patients with low acute postoperative pain (p = 0.030–0.063). Development of chronic pain was not statistically related to a preoperative cold pressor nociceptive stimulus, preoperative state of neuroticism or to any other variables examined. Conclusions. The risk of significant chronic pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis is low but was significantly associated with the intensity of acute postoperative pain. Patients should be carefully examined to exclude somatic causes of chronic pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Estimating the high risk group for cardiovascular disease in the Norwegian HUNT 2 population according to the 2003 European guidelines: modelling study

Abstract Objective To estimate the high risk group for cardiovascular disease in a well defined Norwegian population according to European guidelines and the systematic coronary risk evaluation system. Design Modelling study. Setting Nord-Tröndelag health study 1995-7 (HUNT 2), Norway. Participants 5548 participants of the Nord-Tröndelag health study 1995-7, aged 40, 50, 55, 60, and 65. Main outcome measures Distribution of risk categories for cardiovascular disease, with emphasis on the high risk group. Main results At age 40, 22.5% (95% confidence interval 19.3% to 25.7%) of women and 85.9% (83.2% to 88.6%) of men were at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Corresponding numbers at age 50 were 39.5% (35.9% to 43.1%) and 88.7% (86.3% to 91.0%) and at age 65 were 84.0% (80.6% to 87.4%) and 91.6% (88.6% to 94.1%). At age 40, one out of 10 women and no men would be classified at low risk for cardiovascular disease. Conclusion Implementation of the 2003 European guidelines on prevention of cardiovascular disease in clinical practice would classify most adult Norwegians at high risk for fatal cardiovascular disease.
OUTPATIENT PRESCRIBING PRACTICES AT MBAGATHI DISTRICT HOSPITAL-NAIROBI COUNTY.

OBJECTIVE To assess medicine use practices by using WHO prescribing and patient care indicators in Mbagathi Hospital outpatient department. DESIGN A hospital based retrospective study. SETTING Mbagathi District Hospital outpatient department between 1st January to 30th June 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Measures used in this study included, total number of medicines in a prescription, proportion of medicines in the essential drug list, proportion in generic names, proportion with injectables and antibiotics and percentage actually dispensed. RESULTS Total number of drugs prescribed was 1,506. On average, each patient was prescribed 3.85 types of drugs. A total of 835 drugs were prescribed by generic name, accounting for 25.6% of total number of drugs prescribed (1,506). Out of 391 sampled prescriptions, 266 had antibiotics accounting for (68.0%). A relatively small proportion of the prescriptions, 9.5% had an injection. A total of 1,087 drugs were prescribed according to the essential drugs list or formulary, accounting for 72.2% of total number of drugs prescribed (1,506). Only 55.2% of total medicines prescribed were actually dispensed and the rest were out of stock. CONCLUSION The prescribing practices in this study are not satisfactory, as suggested by polypharmacy, over prescription of antibiotics, prescribing by brand names and lack of awareness of essential drugs list.
Some Contributions to the Study of Oenological Lactic Acid Bacteria through Their Interaction with Polyphenols

Probiotic features and the ability of two oenological lactic acid bacteria strains (Pediococcus pentosaceus CIAL‐86 and Lactobacillus plantarum CIAL‐121) and a reference probiotic strain (Lactobacillus plantarum CLC 17) to metabolize wine polyphenols are examined. After summarizing previous results regarding their resistance to lysozyme, gastric juice and bile salts, the three strains were assessed for their ability to release phenolic metabolites after their incubation with a wine phenolic extract. Neither of the two bacteria were able to metabolize wine polyphenols, at least in the conditions used in this study, although a certain stimulatory effect on bacterial growth was observed in the presence of a wine‐derived phenolic metabolite (i.e., 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid) and a wine phenolic compound (i.e., (+) ‐catechin). Bacteria cell‐free supernatants from the three strains delayed and inhibited almost completely the growth of the pathogen E. coli CIAL‐153, probably due to the presence of organic acids derived from the bacterial metabolism of carbohydrates. Lastly, the three strains showed a high percentage of adhesion to intestinal cells, and pre‐incubation of Caco‐2 cells with bacteria strains prior to the addition of E. coli CIAL‐153 produced a notable inhibition of the adhesion of E. coli to the intestinal cells.
Age-specific reproduction in a long-lived species: the combined effects of senescence and individual quality

Apparent changes in breeding performance with age measured at the population level can be due to changes in individual capacity at different ages, or to the differential survival of individuals with different capabilities. Estimating the relative importance of the two is important for understanding ageing patterns in natural populations, but there are few studies of such populations in which these effects have been disentangled. We analysed laying date and clutch size as measures of individual performance in a population of mute swans (Cygnus olor) studied over 25 years at Abbotsbury, UK. On both measures of breeding performance, individuals tended to improve up to the age of 6 or 7, and to decline after about the age of 12. Individuals with longer lifespans performed better at all ages (earlier laying, larger clutches) than animals that ceased breeding earlier. We conclude that the apparent mean increase in performance with age in mute swans is due to both individual improvement and differential survival of individuals who perform well, while the decline in older age groups is due to individual loss of function. Our results underline the need to take individual differences into account when testing hypotheses about life histories in wild populations.
Tumour cell conditioned medium reveals greater M2 skewing of macrophages in the absence of properdin

The tumour microenvironment is shaped by the interaction of immune, non immune, and tumour cells present in close proximity. Tumour cells direct the development of a locally immune suppressed state, affecting the activity of anti tumour T cells and preparing the escape phase of tumour development. Macrophages in the tumour typically develop into so‐called tumour associated macrophages with a distinct profile of activities which lead to a reduction in inflammation and antigen presentation. The direct impact of tumour cell conditioned medium on the activity profile of macrophages in dependence of their complement component expression has not yet been investigated.
PCBs in U.K. Urban Air.

Atmospheric PCB concentrations were routinely monitored every other week over a 2-year period (1991-1992) in four U.K. urban centers. These sites included the major cities of London, Manchester, and Cardiff and the light industrial town of Stevenage, located ∼60 km north of London. Eight major congeners were measured at all of the sites with a further 22 included at the Manchester and Cardiff sites. Atmospheric ΣPCB (eight congeners) concentrations ranged from 112 to 3850 pg m -3 at the four sites, with the mean in London the highest. Clear seasonal cycling was observed in the urban atmospheres with summer concentrations being higher than winter for all congeners. The relative amplitude change in this cycling pattern was greatest for the higher chlorinated congeners ; summer :winter ratios were 2.0, 1.7, 3.2, and 5.0 for congeners 28, 52, 153, and 180, respectively. A simple box model developed by Pankow (1) was applied to the surface area of Manchester to predict the vapor-phase concentration of the tetra-CB, congener 52. Desorption from various compartments such as vegetation, soil, and urban dust were considered. The release from building air was also estimated. The predicted gas-phase concentrations show the seasonal cycling observed in the ambient air concentrations. The model fit for the three considered compartments (veg/soil/dust) was lower than the observed city air concentrations. The model data reflect background rural concentrations more accurately, perhaps suggesting that elevated concentrations of the vapor-phase component in city air are derived from building air and/or a series of point sources. Even today, many years after restrictions of PCB manufacture and use were introduced in the U.K., cities continue to act as sources of airborne PCBs to surrounding areas.
The mobile blackboard system in higher education: Discovering benefits and challenges facing students

Article history: Received 7 January 2019 Received in revised form 30 March 2019 Accepted 30 March 2019 Although m-blackboard has an extensive role in the educational context, the adoption of m-learning in higher education institutes is still in its infancy. However, m-blackboard faces various types of challenges that could affect its acceptance and usage. The previous studies on m-blackboard generated general findings, and studied frequently common factors, did not adopt a focused view of organizational and technology infrastructural factors. These studies investigated the adoption of m-learning in general and did not focus on M-LMS in particular, which is different to m-learning because m-learning is more personal, where learning content is personalized for the individual learner. These promising findings call for more focus from the perspective of the authors of this study. This study used a mixed research methods (i.e., qualitative and quantitative methods). For the qualitative method, researchers interviewed eight staff from the University of Ha’il. As for the quantitative method, a survey questionnaire was employed. This paper contributes to enrich the literature by reviewing, comparing, and analyzing previous works that have examined m-blackboard systems. The respondents using m-blackboard report significant benefits; e.g., it provides easier access to information, increases productivity, makes wise use of time and money, and is accessible anywhere and anytime. On the other hand, some challenges remain; these include the weakness of mobile network signals, the small size of mobile device screens, the costs of connecting mobile devices to the internet, and the time needed to download the m-blackboard application. Researchers recommended that the University of Ha’il should move forward with the m-blackboard platform; and to examine the challenges and benefits in different settings, technologies, and countries.