Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robot spatial perception by stereoscopic vision and 3D evidence grids

Very encouraging results have been obtained from a new program that derives a dense three-dimensional evidence grid representation of a robot’s surroundings from wide-angle stereoscopic images. The program adds several spatial rays of evidence to a grid for each of about 2,500 local image features chosen per stereo pair. It was used to construct a 256x256x64 grid, representing 6 by 6 by 2 meters, from a handcollected test set of twenty stereo image pairs of an office scene. Fifty nine stereo pairs of an 8 by 8 meter laboratory were also processed. The positive (probably occupied) cells of the grids, viewed in perspective, resemble dollhouse scenes. Details as small as the curvature of chair armrests are discernible. The processing time, on a 100 MIPS Sparc 20, is less than five seconds per stereo pair, and total memory is under 16 megabytes. The results seem abundantly adequate for very reliable navigation of freely roaming mobile robots, and plausibly adequate for shape identification of objects bigger than 10 centimeters. The program is a first proof of concept, and awaits optimizations, enhancements, variations, extensions and applications.
Inherited multicentric osteolysis with arthritis: a variant resembling Torg syndrome in a Saudi family.

The autosomal recessive multicentric osteolytic disorders of childhood-Torg, Winchester, and François syndromes-predominantly affect the carpal, tarsal, and interphalangeal joints, and their progressive bone loss and crippling arthritic deformities mimic severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In a consanguineous Saudi Arabian family two affected sibs with facial anomalies and short stature displayed a distal arthropathy of the metacarpal, metatarsal, and interphalangeal joints starting in the first few months of life that eventually progressed to the proximal joints and resulted in crippling ankylosis and severe generalized osteopenia. Facial changes included proptosis, a narrow nasal bridge, bulbous nose, and micrognathia. In addition, they had large, painful fibrocollagenous palmar and plantar pads and mild body hirsutism. Affected individuals were of normal intelligence and had normal renal function. Routine hematologic, chemistry, and rheumatoid studies were within normal limits. Histologic examination of bone marrow and an interphalangeal joint biopsy were not informative. The autosomal recessive inheritance, clinical, and radiologic characteristics of the affected sibs suggested that they had a form of multicentric osteolysis most closely resembling the Torg syndrome, but with a unique facial appearance, fibrocollagenous pads, and body hirsutism not noted in the original description of the syndrome.
An empirical investigation of multiple viewpoint reasoning in requirements engineering

Multiple viewpoints are often used in requirements engineering to facilitate traceability to stakeholders, to structure the requirements process, and to provide richer modelling by incorporating multiple conflicting descriptions. In the latter case, the need to reason with inconsistent models introduces considerable extra complexity. We describe an empirical study of the utility of multiple world reasoning (using abduction) for domain modelling. In the study we used a range of different models (ranging from correct to very incorrect), different fanouts, different amounts of data available from the domain, and different modelling primitives for representing time. In the experiments there was no significant change in the expressive power of models that incorporate multiple conflicting viewpoints. Whilst this does not negate the advantages of viewpoints during requirements elicitation it does suggest some limits to the utility of viewpoints during requirements modelling.
WEE1 Kinase Targeting Combined with DNA-Damaging Cancer Therapy Catalyzes Mitotic Catastrophe

WEE1 kinase is a key molecule in maintaining G2–cell-cycle checkpoint arrest for premitotic DNA repair. Whereas normal cells repair damaged DNA during G1-arrest, cancer cells often have a deficient G1-arrest and largely depend on G2-arrest. The molecular switch for the G2–M transition is held by WEE1 and is pushed forward by CDC25. WEE1 is overexpressed in various cancer types, including glioblastoma and breast cancer. Preclinical studies with cancer cell lines and animal models showed decreased cancer cell viability, reduced tumor burden, and improved survival after WEE1 inhibition by siRNA or small molecule inhibitors, which is enhanced by combination with conventional DNA-damaging therapy, such as radiotherapy and/or cytostatics. Mitotic catastrophe results from premature entry into mitosis with unrepaired lethal DNA damage. As such, cancer cells become sensitized to conventional therapy by WEE1 inhibition, in particular those with insufficient G1-arrest due to deficient p53 signaling, like glioblastoma cells. One WEE1 inhibitor has now reached clinical phase I studies. Dose-limiting toxicity consisted of hematologic events, nausea and/or vomiting, and fatigue. The combination of DNA-damaging cancer therapy with WEE1 inhibition seems to be a rational approach to push cancer cells in mitotic catastrophe. Its safety and efficacy are being evaluated in clinical studies. Clin Cancer Res; 17(13); 4200–7. ©2011 AACR.
Mood Dependent Memory for Internal Versus External Events

Events that originate through internal mental operations such as reasoning, imagination, and thought may be more colored by or connected to one's current mood than are those that emanate from external sources. If so, then a shift in mood state, between the occasions of event encoding and event retrieval, should have a greater adverse impact on one's memory for internal than for external events. To investigate this inference, a series of studies was conducted that relied on a continuous music technique to modify mood, and on the generate/read procedures devised by Slamecka and Graf (1978) to distinguish internal from external events. Considered collectively, the results suggest that internal events are less likely than external events to be recalled after a shift in mood state. Discussion centers on both the empirical limitations and theoretical implications of the present results, as well as on prospects for future research. This article addresses the state dependent effects of moods on memory for internal as opposed to external events. To paraphrase Johnson and Raye (1981), internal events are those that originate through mental operations such as reasoning, imagination, and thought, whereas external events refer to sensory stimuli that are apprehended, or brought into awareness, via the processes of perception. Though the distinction is neither rigid nor precise--thought tends to reflect perception, and perception, thought--differences between memories derived principally from internal versus external sources do exist. For instance, several studies have shown that
Antisense Oligonucleotide Directed to Human Apolipoprotein B-100 Reduces Lipoprotein(a) Levels and Oxidized Phospholipids on Human Apolipoprotein B-100 Particles in Lipoprotein(a) Transgenic Mice

Background— Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is a genetic cardiovascular risk factor that preferentially binds oxidized phospholipids (OxPL) in plasma. There is a lack of therapeutic agents that reduce plasma Lp(a) levels. Methods and Results— Transgenic mice overexpressing human apolipoprotein B-100 (h-apoB-100 [h-apoB mice]) or h-apoB-100 plus human apo(a) to generate genuine Lp(a) particles [Lp(a) mice] were treated with the antisense oligonucleotide mipomersen directed to h-apoB-100 mRNA or control antisense oligonucleotide for 11 weeks by intraperitoneal injection. Mice were then followed up for an additional 10 weeks off therapy. Lp(a) levels [apo(a) bound to apoB-100] and apo(a) levels [“free” apo(a) plus apo(a) bound to apoB-100] were measured by chemiluminescent enzyme-linked immunoassay and commercial assays, respectively. The content of OxPL on h-apoB-100 particles (OxPL/h-apoB) was measured by capturing h-apoB-100 in microtiter wells and detecting OxPL by antibody E06. As expected, mipomersen significantly reduced plasma h-apoB-100 levels in both groups of mice. In Lp(a) mice, mipomersen significantly reduced Lp(a) levels by ≈75% compared with baseline (P<0.0001) but had no effect on apo(a) levels or hepatic apo(a) mRNA expression. OxPL/h-apoB levels were much higher at baseline in Lp(a) mice compared with h-ApoB mice (P<0.0001) but decreased in a time-dependent fashion with mipomersen. There was no effect of the control antisense oligonucleotide on lipoprotein levels or oxidative parameters. Conclusions— Mipomersen significantly reduced Lp(a) and OxPL/apoB levels in Lp(a) mice. The present study demonstrates that h-apoB-100 is a limiting factor in Lp(a) particle synthesis in this Lp(a) transgenic model. If applicable to humans, mipomersen may represent a novel therapeutic approach to reducing Lp(a) levels and their associated OxPL.
First Record of Myotis occultus (Vespertilionidae) in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico

The bat, Myotis occultus (Vespertilionidae) is a rare and small-sized bat. The known distribution of M. occultus extends from the semi-arid areas of the southwestern United States down as far as the middle half of Mexico, not having beeing previously registered in the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. In August 2008 and February 2013, we collected bats using mist nets in the locality of Llanos de Santa Ana located within the municipality of Guanajuato, Gto. , Mexico. We collected twelve specimens of M. occultus at the entrance of an abandoned mine in the municipality of Guanajuato, which represents the first documented record of the species in Guanajuato and confirms its presence for the state as predicted by potential distribution maps of the species. It is a small-sized bat, with few records in Mexico and, according to previous studies, its distribution is confirmed for the states of Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Mexico State, Mexico City, and now Guanajuato.
Usage and Attitudes Towards Natural Remedies and Homeopathy in General Pediatrics

In order to better understand the global approach and country differences in physicians’ usage, knowledge, and attitudes towards natural remedies and homeopathy in pediatric practice, an online survey involving 582 general pediatricians and general practitioners treating pediatric diseases was conducted in 6 countries. Overall, 17% of the pediatric prescriptions refer to phytotherapy and 15% refer to homeopathic preparations. Natural remedies and homeopathic preparations are more frequently used in upper respiratory tract infections, infant colic, sleep disturbances, and recurrent infections. In the majority of cases, they are used together with chemical drugs. Both treatment options are typically used if parents are concerned about side effects of conventional drugs or prefer natural remedies for themselves. Physicians express high interest in natural remedies and homeopathy; however, their knowledge is variable. Lack of proven efficacy, knowledge on mechanism of action, and information on indications are main factors that limit their usage.
Funnel‐like organization in sequence space determines the distributions of protein stability and folding rate preferred by evolution

To understand the physical and evolutionary determinants of protein folding, we map out the complete organization of thermodynamic and kinetic properties for protein sequences that share the same fold. The exhaustive nature of our study necessitates using simplified models of protein folding. We obtain a stability map and a folding rate map in sequence space. Comparison of the two maps reveals a common organizational principle: optimality decreases more or less uniformly with distance from the optimal sequence in the sequence space. This gives a funnel‐shaped optimality surface. Evolutionary dynamics of a sequence population on these two maps reveal how the simple organization of sequence space affects the distributions of stability and folding rate preferred by evolution. Proteins 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A family with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and mutations in the gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor.

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism is often associated with anosmia in a condition known as Kallmann's syndrome. The gene for the X-linked form of Kallmann's syndrome has been mapped to chromosome Xp22.3,1 and several mutations have been described.2–4 In idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism there is no anosmia, and the involved genes have not been characterized. One possible candidate is the gene for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), especially since hypogonadal mice with the deletion of this gene have been identified.5 However, no abnormality of the gene for GnRH has been found in several patients with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.6–9 The gene for the GnRH receptor .
Initial Results of a Mesoscale Short-Range Ensemble Forecasting System over the Pacific Northwest

Abstract Motivated by the promising results of global-scale ensemble forecasting, a number of groups have attempted mesoscale, short-range ensemble forecasting (SREF), focusing mainly over the eastern half of the United States. To evaluate the performance of mesoscale SREF over the Pacific Northwest and to test the value of using different initial analyses as a means of ensemble forecast generation, a five-member mesoscale SREF system was constructed in which the Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research fifth-generation Mesoscale Model (MM5) was run with initializations and forecast boundary conditions from major operational centers. The ensemble system was evaluated over the Pacific Northwest from January to June 2000. The model verification presented in this study considers only near-surface weather variables, especially the observed 10-m wind direction. The ensemble mean forecast displays lower mean absolute wind direction errors than the component ensemble members when av.
Experiments with Learning Parsing Heuristics

Any large language processing software relies in its operation on heuristic decisions concerning the strategy of processing. These decisions are usually "hard-wired" into the software in the form of hand-crafted heuristic rules, independent of the nature of the processed texts. We propose an alternative, adaptive approach in which machine learning techniques learn the rules from examples of sentences in each class. We have experimented with a variety of learning techniques on a representative instance of this problem within the realm of parsing. Our approach lead to the discovery of new heuristics that perform significantly better than the current hand-crafted heuristic. We discuss the entire cycle of application of machine learning and suggest a methodology for the use of machine learning as a technique for the adaptive optimisation of language-processing software.
Insulin Bolusing Software: The Potential to Optimize Health Outcomes in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Insulin bolusing calculators alleviate the burden of having to calculate insulin bolus doses for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Three important pieces of information are needed: A blood glucose monitoring (BGM) result, carbohydrates to be consumed, and the amount of insulin bolus delivered. The purpose of this study was to describe insulin pump adherence behaviors associated with the use of bolus calculators in youth who use Medtronic insulin pumps. Methods: Data were downloaded from the MiniMed Paradigm insulin pumps (Medtronic) of 31 youth with T1DM. Areas of adherence that were evaluated included fundamental insulin pump adherence behaviors (e.g., BGM, carbohydrate entry, and insulin bolusing), decisions about Wizard® recommendations, and three Wizard steps: BGM result-carbohydrate input-insulin bolus. Results: On average, patients conducted BGM ≤4 times/day on 69% of days, inputted carbohydrates ≤3 times/day on 63% of days, and insulin bolused ≤3 times/day on 85% of days. Participants generally followed Wizard recommendations. Finally, participants completed all three Wizard steps (BGM, carbohydrate input, insulin bolus) within 30 min for an average of 29% of boluses. Almost 3% of boluses that were preceded by Wizard use were delivered without conducting BGM or inputting carbohydrates. Conclusion: There was substantial variability in insulin pump adherence behaviors (e.g., days when no BGM occurred, reliance on basal insulin). Interventions targeting insulin pump adherence behaviors have the potential to optimize diabetes health outcomes and glycemic control. Improving insulin pump software reports is one promising avenue for improving adherence.
Functional Limitations, Depression, and Cash Assistance are Associated with Food Insecurity among Older Urban Adults in Mexico City

Purpose. To examine factors associated with food insecurity among urban older adults (65 years and older). Methods. Three hundred and fifty two older adults attending community centers in a neighborhood of Mexico City were surveyed for food insecurity, functional impairments, health and mental health status, cash-transfer assistance, socio-demographic characteristics, social isolation, and the built food environment. Results. Having at least primary education and receiving cash-transfers were significantly associated with a lower probability of being moderately-severely food insecure (OR=0.478 and 0.597, respectively). The probability of moderate-severe food insecurity was significantly higher among elderly at risk of depression (OR=2.843), those with at least one activity of daily living impaired (OR=2.177) and those with at least one instrumental activity of daily living impaired (OR=1.785). Conclusions. Higher educational attainment and cash-transfers may have a positive influence on reducing food insecurity. Depression and functional limitations may increase the likelihood of food insecurity among older adults.
An Expansion Tester for Bounded Degree Graphs

We consider the problem of testing graph expansion (eithervertex or edge) in the bounded degree model [10]. We give aproperty tester that given a graph with degree bound d, anexpansion bound α, and a parametere> 0, accepts the graph with high probabilityif its expansion is more than α, and rejects it withhigh probability if it is e-far from any graphwith expansion α' with degree bound d,where α' 0.
Short-term Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Matter Increases Hospitalizations and Mortality in COPD: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Many epidemiologic studies have documented variable relationships between ambient particulate matter (PM) and COPD hospitalizations and mortality in cities worldwide. METHODS Comprehensive and systematic searches were performed in the electronic reference databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Ovid, and Web of Science) with specific search terms and selection criteria for relevant studies. Summary ORs and 95% CIs were calculated to evaluate the relationship between short-term exposure to PM with aerodynamic diameters ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) and COPD hospitalizations and mortality. The sources of heterogeneity and the effect of potential confounders were explored using subgroup analyses. Study findings were analyzed using a random effects model and a fixed effects model in COPD hospitalizations and mortality, respectively. RESULTS The search yielded 12 studies suitable for meta-analysis of hospitalizations and six studies suitable for the mortality meta-analysis until April 15, 2015. A 10-μg/m(3) increase in daily PM2.5 (lag days 0-7) was associated with a 3.1% (95% CI, 1.6%-4.6%) increase in COPD hospitalizations and a 2.5% (95% CI, 1.5%-3.5%) increase in COPD mortality. Significant publication bias was not found in studies focusing on the relationship between short-term PM2.5 exposure and COPD hospitalizations and mortality. CONCLUSIONS Our combined analysis indicated that short-term exposure to a 10-μg/m(3) increment of ambient PM2.5 is associated with increased COPD hospitalizations and mortality. Further study is needed to elucidate to what extent this relationship is causal, together with other factors, and to elucidate the mechanism by which PM2.5 induces activation of cellular processes promoting COPD exacerbations.
AIDS-Related Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the Era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

In economically developed countries, AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) accounts for a large proportion of malignances in HIV-infected individuals. Since the introduction of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) in 1996, epidemiology and prognosis of ARL have changed. While there is a slight increase in the incidence of Hodgkin's lymphoma in HIV-infected individuals, use of HAART has contributed to a decline in the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and also a decrease in the overall incidence of ARL. Strategies that employ HAART, improved supportive care, and the use of Rituximab with multi-agent chemotherapy have contributed to improved rates of complete remission and survival of patients with ARL that rival those seen in stage and histology matched HIV negative NHL patients. Most recent clinical trials demonstrate better outcomes with the use of rituximab in ARL. Tumor histogenesis (germinal center vs. non-germinal center origin) is associated with lymphoma-specific outcomes in the setting of AIDS-related diffuse-large B cell lymphoma. High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell rescue (ASCT) can be effective for a subset of patients with relapsed ARL. HIV sero-status alone should not preclude consideration of ASCT in the setting of ARL relapse. Clinical trials investigating the role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in ARL are currently underway.
The influence of temperature on the behaviour of mixed bacterial contamination of the shell membrane of the hen's egg

SUMMARY The inner membrane of the air cell of hens' eggs was inoculated with Pseudomonas putida, Staphylococcus xylosus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteitidis.The first mentioned eventually dominated the contamination of the albumen of eggs stored at 4, 15, and 20 °C. The last mentioned did so in eggs stored at 37 °C. The interval between inoculation of the membrane and gross contamination of the albumen was markedly influenced by site of contamination relative to yolk movement.
Validation and Verification of Conceptual Models of Diagnosis

Traditional approaches to validation and verification of KBS aim at investigating properties of a KBS which are independent of the particular task of the KBS, and are phrased in terms of the implementation language of the final system. In contrast to this, we propose an approach to validation and verification of KBS which exploits task-specific properties of a KBS, and which is based on an implementation-independent conceptual model of the system. We illustrate our approach by investigating the task-specific properties of a conceptual model for a wide class of diagnostic systems.