Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Familial Clusters of HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis

Objective HTLV-1 proviral loads (PVLs) and some genetic factors are reported to be associated with the development of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). However, there are very few reports on HAM/TSP having family history. We aimed to define the clinical features and laboratory indications associated with HAM/TSP having family history. Methods Records of 784 HAM/TSP patients who were hospitalized in Kagoshima University Hospital and related hospitals from 1987 to 2012 were reviewed. Using an unmatched case-control design, 40 patients of HAM/TSP having family history (f-HAM/TSP) were compared with 124 patients suffering from sporadic HAM/TSP, who were admitted in series over the last 10 years for associated clinical features. Results Of the 784 patients, 40 (5.1%) were f-HAM/TSP cases. Compared with sporadic cases, the age of onset was earlier (41.3 vs. 51.6 years, p<0.001), motor disability grades were lower (4.0 vs. 4.9, p = 0.043) despite longer duration of illness (14.3 vs. 10.2 years, p = 0.026), time elapsed between onset and wheelchair use in daily life was longer (18.3 vs. 10.0 years, p = 0.025), cases with rapid disease progression were fewer (10.0% vs. 28.2%, p = 0.019), and protein levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were significantly lower in f-HAM/TSP cases (29.9 vs. 42.5 mg, p<0.001). There was no difference in HTLV-1 PVLs, anti-HTLV-1 antibody titers in serum and CSF, or cell number and neopterin levels in CSF. Furthermore, HTLV-1 PVLs were lower in cases with rapid disease progression than in those with slow progression in both f-HAM/TSP and sporadic cases. Conclusions We demonstrated that HAM/TSP aggregates in the family, with a younger age of onset and a slow rate of progression in f-HAM/TSP cases compared with sporadic cases. These data also suggested that factors other than HTLV-1 PVLs contribute to the disease course of HAM/TSP.
Estimation of the voicing cut-off frequency contour of natural speech based on harmonic and aperiodic energies

We present a new algorithm for the automatic estimation of the voicing cut-off frequency (VCO), i.e., the frequency that separates the periodic low-frequency part from the aperiodic high-frequency part in voiced segments of natural speech. Starting from the power spectrum of a two pitch period speech frame, we define the VCO to be located at the frequency for which the sum of the periodic and aperiodic energy in the spectral band below and above that frequency respectively, is maximised. By formulating the problem in terms of a score function we are able to apply a dynamic programming based smoothing technique. Remarkably smooth and accurate VCO contours were obtained, despite the simplicity of the proposed algorithm. In a formal evaluation the algorithm compares favourably to two existing VCO estimation techniques.
A realistic evaluation and comparison of indoor location technologies: experiences and lessons learned

We present the results, experiences and lessons learned from comparing a diverse set of technical approaches to indoor localization during the 2014 Microsoft Indoor Localization Competition. 22 different solutions to indoor localization from different teams around the world were put to test in the same unfamiliar space over the course of 2 days, allowing us to directly compare the accuracy and overhead of various technologies. In this paper, we provide a detailed analysis of the evaluation study's results, discuss the current state-of-the-art in indoor localization, and highlight the areas that, based on our experience from organizing this event, need to be improved to enable the adoption of indoor location services.
Influence of the building geometry on energy efficiency of timber-glass buildings for different climatic regions

The presented study is focused into examination of the building shape influence on the annual energy need for heating and cooling by taking into account climate data for six European cities located in different climatic regions. The research is performed on timber-glass box-house models parametrically varying building aspect ratio (L/W) and number of storeys (single- and two-storey), while the glazing - to - wall area ratio for southern facade is kept constant for all treated models (AGAW=35%). The influence of the mentioned parameters on the annual energy need is thoroughly analysed and leads to completely different conclusions drawn for cold and warm climate conditions. According to the presented results the recommendation for cold climate conditions is to design two-storey houses rather than single-storey ones. Additionally, the increasing aspect ratio shows a positive influence on the energy need reduction. In the case of warm climate conditions the findings are almost opposite to those for cold climates. The total energy need consist predominantly of data for cooling, whereby the energy need increases with the increasing aspect ratio. On behalf of specifics related to warm climate a further study was conducted for Athens with an additional examination of the building components with higher thermal transmittance (U). The results of the research for Athens show that designers are practically free to choose between single-storey or two-storey buildings with no significant impact on the building energy behaviour. The main output of the current study is to offer designers general information on energy-efficient design parameters for single-family timber-glass buildings under influence of different European climatic conditions.
Tumor-infiltrating immune repertoires captured by single-cell barcoding in emulsion

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are critical to anti-cancer immune responses, but their diverse phenotypes and functions remain poorly understood and challenging to study. We therefore developed a single-cell barcoding technology for deep characterization of TILs without the need for cell-sorting or culture. Our emulsion-based method captures full-length, natively paired B-cell and T-cell receptor (BCR and TCR) sequences from lymphocytes among millions of input cells. We validated the method with 3 million B-cells from healthy human blood and 350,000 B-cells from an HIV elite controller, before processing 400,000 cells from an unsorted dissociated ovarian adenocarcinoma and recovering paired BCRs and TCRs from over 11,000 TILs. We then extended the barcoding method to detect DNA-labeled antibodies, allowing ultra-high throughput, simultaneous protein detection and RNA sequencing from single cells.
Spheres of Skepticism - The Integration of the Climate Skeptic Counterpublic Within the German Networked Public Sphere

This thesis is an investigation into the climate change discourse in the German networked public sphere with a focus on the climate skeptic counterpublic. It focuses in particular on the hypothesis that a polarizing discourse might lead to a fragmentation of the public sphere and the formation of echo chambers. This overarching research question of this thesis, then, asks how the climate skeptic counterpublic can potentially be integrated in the German networked public sphere and to what extent. The climate change discourse in Germany serves as a suitable example since it is heavily polarized with the mainstream being convinced that dangerous anthropogenic climate change is happening while the skeptic minority rejects the idea of a global warming and / or mankind’s responsibility. In order to understand the possible integration of the skeptic counterpublic in the networked public sphere, three studies were conducted based on the integration dimensions of similarity of discourse, connectivity and collective identity. In the first study, the German-language climate networked public sphere was mapped with a hyperlink network analysis of over 10,000 climate websites. The results show a highly polarized, almost unconnected discourse and suggest that climate skeptics could even be considered to form an echo chamber in which only climate skeptic and antagonistic messages are being shared. The second study, then, identifies several skeptic frames in the German news medias’ reporting on COP17. However, it can be concluded that climate skeptic messages are barely being included in the media coverage thus showing that skeptics are also excluded in the mass media. In the third study, 10,262 online comments of ten comment sections (four news sites, two climate skeptic blogs, two climate activist blogs, two climate science blogs) were analyzed to look at if and how connected skeptics are on the different sites. The results show that skeptics are highly active in the comment sections and account for over 40 % of the relevant comments. It is further shown that even though there is discussion between mainstream and counterpublic, users from the mainstream react highly critical to skeptic messages. In sum, this thesis shows that albeit the climate skeptic counterpublic is structurally only barely connected to the mainstream as well as excluded from the mass media, skeptics are very vocal and foster discussions over climate change and climate science. These discussions, even though characterized by the clash of two opposing beliefs, are a sign of integration and show that the fear of an echo chamber that is disconnected from other opinions and, indeed, society is premature.
Generic Modal Cut Elimination Applied to Conditional Logics

We develop a general criterion for cut elimination in sequent calculi for propositional modal logics, which rests on absorption of cut, contraction, weakening and inversion by the purely modal part of the rule system. Our criterion applies also to a wide variety of logics outside the realm of normal modal logic. We give extensive example instantiations of our framework to various conditional logics. For these, we obtain fully internalised calculi which are substantially simpler than those known in the literature, along with leaner proofs of cut elimination and complexity. In one case, conditional logic with modus ponens and conditional excluded middle, cut elimination and complexity are explicitly stated as open in the literature.
Motion vector and mode selection based fragile video watermarking algorithm

According to H.264 video encoding standard, a fragile video watermark algorithm based on motion vector and mode selection is proposed. By selecting the motion vector with small splitting and minimizing the Laragian function in motion search to embed the fragile watermark into the motion vector that have the best rate distortion capability. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve better sensitivity to the re-encoding processing and bring little influence to video quality and bit rate.
Response to measles, mumps, and rubella revaccination in HIV-infected children with immune recovery after highly active antiretroviral therapy.

BACKGROUND The low prevalence of measles antibody in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children after immune recovery as a result of highly active antiretroviral therapy increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from disease. The objective of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of revaccination with measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in HIV-infected children with immune recovery. METHODS Inclusion criteria were (1) HIV-infected children aged >5 years, (2) a nadir CD4 lymphocyte percentage <or=15%, (3) immune recovery (defined as a CD4 lymphocyte percentage >15% for >or=3 months after highly active antiretroviral therapy), and (4) no protective antibody against measles. Each child received 1 dose of MMR vaccine, and antibodies were measured at 4 and 24 weeks after vaccination. Protective antibodies were defined as an antimeasles immunoglobulin G (IgG) level >or=320 mIU/mL, an antimumps IgG titer >1:500, and an antirubella IgG level >10 IU/mL. RESULTS There were 51 participants. The mean age (+/- standard deviation) was 10.2 +/- 2.5 years. Prior to revaccination, 28 participants (55%) had baseline protective antibody to mumps, and 11 (20%) had baseline protective antibody to rubella. The prevalence of protective antibody at 4 weeks was 90%, 100%, and 78% for measles, rubella, and mumps, respectively, and then slightly decreased to 80%, 94%, and 61%, respectively, at 24 weeks after revaccination. No serious adverse reactions were attributed to revaccination. CONCLUSIONS The majority of HIV-infected children with immune recovery can develop protective antibodies after MMR revaccination. Revaccination with MMR vaccine in HIV-infected children with immune recovery should be considered to ensure individual immunity and limit the spread of disease.
EFFECTS OF NATURAL AND SEXUAL SELECTION ON ADAPTIVE POPULATION DIVERGENCE AND PREMATING ISOLATION IN A DAMSELFLY

Abstract The relative strength of different types of directional selection has seldom been compared directly in natural populations. A recent meta-analysis of phenotypic selection studies in natural populations suggested that directional sexual selection may be stronger in magnitude than directional natural selection, although this pattern may have partly been confounded by the different time scales over which selection was estimated. Knowledge about the strength of different types of selection is of general interest for understanding how selective forces affect adaptive population divergence and how they may influence speciation. We studied divergent selection on morphology in parapatric, natural damselfly (Calopteryx splendens) populations. Sexual selection was stronger than natural selection measured on the same traits, irrespective of the time scale over which sexual selection was measured. Visualization of the fitness surfaces indicated that population divergence in overall morphology is more strongly influenced by divergent sexual selection rather than natural selection. Courtship success of experimental immigrant males was lower than that of resident males, indicating incipient sexual isolation between these populations. We conclude that current and strong sexual selection promotes adaptive population divergence in this species and that premating sexual isolation may have arisen as a correlated response to divergent sexual selection. Our results highlight the importance of sexual selection, rather than natural selection in the adaptive radiation of odonates, and supports previous suggestions that divergent sexual selection promotes speciation in this group.
DVB-T2 performance in presence of multipath laboratory tests

This paper presents the results of laboratory tests carried out to study the performance of DVB-T2 in presence of multipath in fixed reception with rooftop antenna. The typical multipath cause in this scenario is a Single Frequency Network (SFN) reception. A range of relative levels and delays between the main path and one echo are tested to obtain the C/N requirements for each case. DVB-T2 supports a large number of options that can be chosen to optimize the system. Some of those options (Pilot Patterns, Guard Interval Fraction, Rotated Constellations, FFT sizes) are tested to evaluate their performance. The results are compared with the simulation results available in the implementation guidelines for the extreme cases of Gaussian channel (no echo) and 0 dB echo channel (main path and echo at same level).
Phylogeography and Genetic Variation of Triatoma dimidiata, the Main Chagas Disease Vector in Central America, and Its Position within the Genus Triatoma

Background Among Chagas disease triatomine vectors, the largest genus, Triatoma, includes species of high public health interest. Triatoma dimidiata, the main vector throughout Central America and up to Ecuador, presents extensive phenotypic, genotypic, and behavioral diversity in sylvatic, peridomestic and domestic habitats, and non-domiciliated populations acting as reinfestation sources. DNA sequence analyses, phylogenetic reconstruction methods, and genetic variation approaches are combined to investigate the haplotype profiling, genetic polymorphism, phylogeography, and evolutionary trends of T. dimidiata and its closest relatives within Triatoma. This is the largest interpopulational analysis performed on a triatomine species so far. Methodology and Findings Triatomines from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil were used. Triatoma dimidiata populations follow different evolutionary divergences in which geographical isolation appears to have had an important influence. A southern Mexican–northern Guatemalan ancestral form gave rise to two main clades. One clade remained confined to the Yucatan peninsula and northern parts of Chiapas State, Guatemala, and Honduras, with extant descendants deserving specific status. Within the second clade, extant subspecies diversity was shaped by adaptive radiation derived from Guatemalan ancestral populations. Central American populations correspond to subspecies T. d. dimidiata. A southern spread into Panama and Colombia gave the T. d. capitata forms, and a northwestern spread rising from Guatemala into Mexico gave the T. d. maculipennis forms. Triatoma hegneri appears as a subspecific insular form. Conclusions The comparison with very numerous Triatoma species allows us to reach highly supported conclusions not only about T. dimidiata, but also on different, important Triatoma species groupings and their evolution. The very large intraspecific genetic variability found in T. dimidiata sensu lato has never been detected in a triatomine species before. The distinction between the five different taxa furnishes a new frame for future analyses of the different vector transmission capacities and epidemiological characteristics of Chagas disease. Results indicate that T. dimidiata will offer problems for control, although dwelling insecticide spraying might be successful against introduced populations in Ecuador.
Association between polymorphism in IgG Fc receptor IIIa coding gene and biological response to infliximab in Crohn's disease

Aim : To test the hypothesis of an association between polymorphism in FCGR3A (the gene coding for FcγRIIIa, which is expressed on macrophages and natural killer cells, is involved in antibody‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity and has recently been associated with a positive response to rituximab, a recombinant immunoglobulin G1 antibody used in non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas) and response to infliximab in Crohn's disease.
Sex differences in autonomic correlates of conduct problems and aggression.

OBJECTIVE To examine sex differences in autonomic nervous system functioning in children and adolescents with conduct problems and to evaluate the role of aggression in predicting autonomic nervous system functioning, over and above the effects of disruptive behavior. Although deficiencies in autonomic responding among boys with oppositional defiant disorder and/or conduct disorder are well documented, it remains unclear whether such findings extend to girls or apply only to children with aggressive forms of conduct problems. METHOD Electrodermal responding, cardiac pre-ejection period, and respiratory sinus arrhythmia were recorded while boys (n = 110; 53 with conduct problems, 57 controls) and girls (n = 65; 33 with conduct problems, 32 controls) between the ages of 8 and 12 sat for an extended baseline, then played a game with conditions of reward and frustrative nonreward. RESULTS Both sex effects and aggression effects were found. Aggressive boys with conduct problems demonstrated reduced autonomic functioning, consistent with previous research. In contrast, aggressive girls with conduct problems exhibited greater electrodermal responding than controls, with no differences in cardiovascular reactivity to incentives. CONCLUSIONS Observed sex differences in the autonomic correlates of conduct problems and aggression may suggest different etiological mechanisms of externalizing psychopathology for girls compared with boys.
Paraphrase Recognition via Dissimilarity Significance Classification

We propose a supervised, two-phase framework to address the problem of paraphrase recognition (PR). Unlike most PR systems that focus on sentence similarity, our framework detects dissimilarities between sentences and makes its paraphrase judgment based on the significance of such dissimilarities. The ability to differentiate significant dissimilarities not only reveals what makes two sentences a non-paraphrase, but also helps to recall additional paraphrases that contain extra but insignificant information. Experimental results show that while being accurate at discerning non-paraphrasing dissimilarities, our implemented system is able to achieve higher paraphrase recall (93%), at an overall performance comparable to the alternatives.
A Digital Realization of Astrocyte and Neural Glial Interactions

The implementation of biological neural networks is a key objective of the neuromorphic research field. Astrocytes are the largest cell population in the brain. With the discovery of calcium wave propagation through astrocyte networks, now it is more evident that neuronal networks alone may not explain functionality of the strongest natural computer, the brain. Models of cortical function must now account for astrocyte activities as well as their relationships with neurons in encoding and manipulation of sensory information. From an engineering viewpoint, astrocytes provide feedback to both presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons to regulate their signaling behaviors. This paper presents a modified neural glial interaction model that allows a convenient digital implementation. This model can reproduce relevant biological astrocyte behaviors, which provide appropriate feedback control in regulating neuronal activities in the central nervous system (CNS). Accordingly, we investigate the feasibility of a digital implementation for a single astrocyte constructed by connecting a two coupled FitzHugh Nagumo (FHN) neuron model to an implementation of the proposed astrocyte model using neuron-astrocyte interactions. Hardware synthesis, physical implementation on FPGA, and theoretical analysis confirm that the proposed neuron astrocyte model, with significantly low hardware cost, can mimic biological behavior such as the regulation of postsynaptic neuron activity and the synaptic transmission mechanisms.
Sleep need: how much sleep and what kind?

The authors studied 29 healthy men who habitualy slept nocturnally for long or short periods. The short sleepers were efficient, hardworking, and somewhat hypomanic: the long sleepers tended to be anxious, depressed, and withdrawn. Both groups had similar slow-wave-sleep (SWS) time, but the long sleepers had twice as much D (REM) sleep. The authors suggest that there are two separate requirements—a relatively constant requirement for SWS and a requirement for D sleep that is related to the individual's personality and life style.
Approachability: How People Interpret Automatic Door Movement as Gesture

Automatic doors exemplify the challenges of designing emotionally welcoming interactive systems. We attempt to broaden the automatic door’s repertoire of signals by examining how people respond to a variety of “door gestures” designed to offer different levels of approachability. In a pilot study, participants (N=48) who walked past a physical gesturing door were asked to fill out a questionnaire about that experience. In our follow-up study, participants (N=51) viewed 12 video clips depicting a person walking toward and past an automatic door that moved with different speeds and trajectories. In both studies, our Likert-scale measures and open-ended responses indicate that participants viewing the door behavior prototypes show significant uniformity in the interpretation of the door’s behavior, and that they attribute these motions as gestures with human-like characteristics such as cognition and intent.