Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Error-Tolerant Sign Retrieval Using Visual Features and Maximum A Posteriori Estimation

This paper proposes an efficient error-tolerant approach to retrieving sign words from a Taiwanese Sign Language (TSL) database. This database is tagged with visual gesture features and organized as a multilist code tree. These features are defined in terms of the visual characteristics of sign gestures by which they are indexed for sign retrieval and displayed using an anthropomorphic interface. The maximum a posteriori estimation is exploited to retrieve the most likely sign word given the input feature sequence. An error-tolerant mechanism based on mutual information criterion is proposed to retrieve a sign word of interest efficiently and robustly. A user-friendly anthropomorphic interface is also developed to assist learning TSL. Several experiments were performed in an educational environment to investigate the system's retrieval accuracy. Our proposed approach outperformed a dynamic programming algorithm in its task and shows tolerance to user input errors.
Impact of a computer-based patient record system on data collection, knowledge organization, and reasoning.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effects of a computer-based patient record system on human cognition. Computer-based patient record systems can be considered "cognitive artifacts," which shape the way in which health care workers obtain, organize, and reason with knowledge. DESIGN Study 1 compared physicians' organization of clinical information in paper-based and computer-based patient records in a diabetes clinic. Study 2 extended the first study to include analysis of doctor-patient-computer interactions, which were recorded on video in their entirety. In Study 3, physicians' interactions with computer-based records were followed through interviews and automatic logging of cases entered in the computer-based patient record. RESULTS Results indicate that exposure to the computer-based patient record was associated with changes in physicians' information gathering and reasoning strategies. Differences were found in the content and organization of information, with paper records having a narrative structure, while the computer-based records were organized into discrete items of information. The differences in knowledge organization had an effect on data gathering strategies, where the nature of doctor-patient dialogue was influenced by the structure of the computer-based patient record system. CONCLUSION Technology has a profound influence in shaping cognitive behavior, and the potential effects of cognition on technology design needs to be explored.
A 110–134-GHz SiGe Amplifier With Peak Output Power of 100–120 mW

This paper presents a fully integrated eight-way power-combining amplifier for 110-134-GHz applications in an advanced 90-nm silicon-germanium HBT technology. The eight-way amplifier is implemented using four-stage common-emitter single-ended power amplifiers (PAs) as building blocks, and reactive λ/4 impedance transformation networks are used for power combining. The single-ended PA breakout has a small-signal gain of 20 dB at 116 GHz, and saturation output power ( Psat) of 12.5-13.8 dBm at 114-130 GHz. The eight-way power-combining PA achieves a small-signal gain of 15 dB at 116 GHz, and Psat of 20-20.8 dBm at 114-126 GHz with a power-added efficiency of 7.6%-6.3%. The eight-way amplifier occupies 4.95 mm2 (including pads) and consumes a maximum current of 980 mA from a 1.6-V supply. To our knowledge, this is the highest power silicon-based D-band amplifier to date.
Retroviral vector integration deregulates gene expression but has no consequence on the biology and function of transplanted T cells

The use of retroviral vectors in gene therapy has raised safety concerns for the genotoxic risk associated with their uncontrolled insertion into the human genome. We have analyzed the consequences of retroviral transduction in T cells from leukemic patients treated with allogeneic stem cell transplantation and donor lymphocytes genetically modified with a suicide gene (HSV-TK). Retroviral vectors integrate preferentially within or near transcribed regions of the genome, with a preference for sequences around promoters and for genes active in T cells at the time of transduction. Quantitative transcript analysis shows that one fifth of these integrations affect the expression of nearby genes. However, transduced T cell populations maintain remarkably stable gene expression profiles, phenotype, biological functions, and immune repertoire in vivo, with no evidence of clonal selection up to 9 yr after administration. Analysis of integrated proviruses in transduced cells before and after transplantation indicates that integrations interfering with normal T cell function are more likely to lead to clonal ablation than expansion in vivo. Despite the potentially dangerous interactions with the T cell genome, retroviral integration has therefore little consequence on the safety and efficacy of T cell transplantation.
Staphylococcus aureus single-stranded DNA-binding protein SsbA can bind but cannot stimulate PriA helicase

Single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) and PriA helicase play important roles in bacterial DNA replication restart process. The mechanism by which PriA helicase is bound and stimulated by SSB in Escherichia coli (Ec) has been established, but information on this process in Gram-positive bacteria are limited. We characterized the properties of SSB from Staphylococcus aureus (SaSsbA, a counterpart of EcSSB) and analyzed its interaction with SaPriA. The gel filtration chromatography analysis of purified SaSsbA showed a stable tetramer in solution. The crystal structure of SaSsbA determined at 1.82 Å resolution (PDB entry 5XGT) reveals that the classic oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding folds are formed in the N-terminal DNA-binding domain, but the entire C-terminal domain is disordered. Unlike EcSSB, which can stimulate EcPriA via a physical interaction between EcPriA and the C-terminus of EcSSB (SSB-Ct), SaSsbA does not affect the activity of SaPriA. We also found that SaPriA can be bound by SaSsbA, but not by SaSsbA-Ct. Although no effect was found with SaSsbA, SaPriA can be significantly stimulated by the Gram-negative Klebsiella pneumoniae SSB (KpSSB). In addition, we found that the conserved SSB-Ct binding site of KpPriA (Trp82, Tyr86, Lys370, Arg697, and Gln701) is not present in SaPriA. Arg697 in KpPriA is known to play a critical role in altering the SSB35/SSB65 distribution, but this corresponding residue in SaPriA is Glu767 instead, which has an opposite charge to Arg. SaPriA E767R mutant was constructed and analyzed; however, it still cannot be stimulated by SaSsbA. Finally, we found that the conserved MDFDDDIPF motif in the Gram-negative bacterial SSB is DISDDDLPF in SaSsbA, i.e., F172 in EcSSB and F168 in KpSSB is S161 in SaSsbA, not F. When acting with SaSsbA S161F mutant, the activity of SaPriA was dramatically enhanced elevenfold. Overall, the conserved binding sites, both in EcPriA and EcSSB, are not present in SaPriA and SaSsbA, thereby no stimulation occurs. Our observations through structure-sequence comparison and mutational analyses indicate that the case of EcPriA-EcSSB is not applicable to SaPriA-SaSsbA because of inherent differences among the species.
Orthotropic Pancreatic Cancer Model in Hamsters Endostatin Inhibits Tumor Growth and Metastasis in an Adeno-Associated Viral Vector-Mediated Expression of Updated

We examined the feasibility of using adeno-associated virus (AAV)mediated systemic delivery of endostatin in gene therapy to treat metastasis of pancreatic cancer. We established an animal model of orthotopic metastatic pancreatic cancer in which the pancreatic cancer cell line PGHAM-1 was inoculated into the pancreas of Syrian golden hamsters. Transplanted cells proliferated rapidly and metastasized to the liver. An AAV vector expressing endostatin (5 10 particles) was injected intramuscularly into the left quadriceps or intravenously into the portal vein. These routes of vector administration were evaluated by comparing various parameters of tumor development. Intramuscular injection of the vector modestly increased the serum endostatin level. The numbers of metastases and the incidence of hemorrhagic ascites were decreased in the treated animals. In contrast, the serum concentration of endostatin was significantly increased after intraportal injection of the vector. The antitumor effects on all parameters (including the size and microvessel density of primary pancreatic tumors, the sizes and number of liver metastases, and the incidence of hemorrhagic ascites) were significant. These results suggest that systemic delivery of endostatin represents a potentially effective treatment for pancreatic cancer and liver metastases. The route of vector administration influences the efficacy of AAV-mediated endostatin expression. Intraportal injection of the AAV vector appears to be more effective as an antiangiogenic gene therapy for pancreatic cancer.
The effect of the 1995 heat wave in Chicago on all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

OBJECTIVES We sought to reexamine the effects of the 1995 Chicago heat wave on all-cause and cause-specific mortality, including mortality displacement, using advanced time-series analysis methods. METHODS We used Poisson regression with penalized regression splines to model excess mortality and mortality displacement over a 50-day period centered on the day in which the heat wave temperature peaked, adjusting for meteorological and other variables. We controlled for temporal trends by using daily mortality data during 1993-1997. We estimated relative risks (RRs) with reference to the first day of the 50-day period. RESULTS We estimated that there were 692 excess deaths from June 21, 1995, to August 10, 1995; 26% of these deaths were owing to mortality displacement. RR for all-cause mortality on the day with peak mortality was 1.74 (95% confidence interval=1.67, 1.81). Risk of heat-related death was significantly higher among Blacks, and mortality displacement was substantially lower. CONCLUSIONS The 1995 Chicago heat wave substantially effected all-cause and cause-specific mortality, but mortality displacement was limited. Mortality risks and displacement affected Blacks disproportionally. Appropriately targeted interventions may have a tangible effect on life expectancy.
Coding, Modulation, and Detection for Power-Efficient Low-Complexity Receivers in Impulse-Radio Ultra-Wideband Transmission Systems

Impulse-radio ultra-wideband (IR-UWB) is a promising transmission scheme, especially for short-range low-data-rate communications, as, e.g., in wireless-sensor networks. One of the main reasons for this is its potential to employ noncoherent, hence low-complexity, receivers even in dense multipath propagation scenarios, where channel estimation required for coherent detection would be overly complex due to the large signal bandwidth and hence rich multipath propagation [23].
Potentiation of the bactericidal activity of Harungana madagascariensis Lam. ex Poir. (Hypericaceae) leaf extract against oral bacteria using poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles: in vitro study

Harungana madagascariensis Lam. ex Poir. (Hypericaceae) is known to have biological properties with mainly antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro bactericidal activity of the ethyl acetate H. madagascariensis leaf extract (HLE) on the main oral bacterial strains largely implicated in dental caries and gingivitis infections, and the possibility of potentialization of HLE antibacterial effects using the poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) nanoparticles (PLG-NP). The microdilution technique and the interfacial polymer deposition following the solvent diffusion method were used to investigate the in vitro bactericidal activity of ethyl acetate HLE and to prepare nanoparticles, respectively. HLE showed significant bactericidal effects against the bacterial strains tested, with minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) to 5×102 mg/l or less, except for Lactobacillus casei with 7.5×102 mg/l. With the HLE incorporated into PLG nanoparticles (HLE-PLG-NP), we observed diminution of the bactericidal concentration compared to HLE, the upper MBC being of 1.875×102 mg/l. Incorporation of the HLE into a colloidal carrier optimized its antibacterial performance.
Identification of Listeria monocytogenes In Vivo-Induced Genes by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting

ABSTRACT Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive, intracellular, food-borne pathogen capable of causing severe infections in immunocompromised or pregnant individuals, as well as numerous animal species. Genetic analysis of Listeriapathogenesis has identified several genes which are crucial for virulence. The transcription of most of these genes has been shown to be induced upon entry of Listeria into the host cell. To identify additional genes that are induced in vivo and may be required for L. monocytogenes pathogenesis, a fluorescence-activated cell-sorting technique was initiated. Random fragments of the L. monocytogenes chromosome were cloned into a plasmid carrying a promoterless green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, and the plasmids were transformed into the L. monocytogenes actA mutant DP-L1942. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) was used to isolate L. monocytogenes clones that exhibited increased GFP expression within macrophage-like J774 cells but had relatively low levels of GFP expression when the bacteria were extracellular. Using this strategy, several genes were identified, including actA, that exhibited such an expression profile. In-frame deletions of two of these genes, one encoding the putative L. monocytogenesuracil DNA glycosylase (ung) and one encoding a protein with homology to the Bacillus subtilis YhdP hemolysin-like protein, were constructed and introduced into the chromosome of wild-type L. monocytogenes 10403s. TheL. monocytogenes 10403s ung deletion mutant was not attenuated for virulence in mice, while theyhdP mutant exhibited a three- to sevenfold reduction in virulence.
Locus of Control and Savings

This paper analyzes the relationship between individuals’ locus of control and their savings behavior, i.e. wealth accumulation, savings rates, and portfolio choices. Locus of control is a psychological concept that captures individuals’ beliefs about the controllability of life events and is a key component of self-control. We find that households with an internal reference person save more both in terms of levels and as a percentage of their permanent incomes. Although the locus-of-control gap in savings rates is largest among rich households, the gap in wealth accumulation is particularly large for poor households. Finally, households with an internal reference person and average net worth hold significantly less financial wealth, but significantly more pension wealth, than otherwise similar households with an external reference person.
On the noisy MIMO interference channel with CSI through analog feedback

In this paper we propose a transmission protocol through which base stations (BSs) and user equipments (UEs) acquire the necessary channel state information (CSI) for Interference Alignment (IA) transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) filters design. We focus our attention on the frequency-flat noisy MIMO interference channel (IFC) without symbol extension and with initial assumption of no CSI neither at the BS nor at the UE. Each device acquires the necessary CSI through channel training and analog feedback. We consider optimizing the sum rate by focusing in particular on the resulting degrees of freedom (DoF). This approach allows us to easily optimize any set of parameters to unveil the trade-off between the cost and the gains associated to CSI acquisition overhead.
Impedance spectroscopy of reactive polymers. 1

Dielectric measurements were utilized to follow the advancement of cure in an epoxy/amine formulation. In contrast to earlier studies, complex impedance was measured during cure and used to calculate ionic resistivity. By using complex impedance were able to separate according to their frequency dependence the contributions to overall polarization from electrode blocking layers, migrating charges, and dipole relaxations. At any stage of cure, there is a unique frequency at which ionic resistivity can be singularly measured. Our approach does not involve trial-and-error frequency search and is conducive to the development of phenomenological models based on equivalent circuits. Excellent agreement was reported between the calculated values of normalized degree of cure obtained by dielectric and calorimetric measurements. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Survey of sparse and non‐sparse methods in source separation

Source separation arises in a variety of signal processing applications, ranging from speech processing to medical image analysis. The separation of a superposition of multiple signals is accomplished by taking into account the structure of the mixing process and by making assumptions about the sources. When the information about the mixing process and sources is limited, the problem is called ‘blind’. By assuming that the sources can be represented sparsely in a given basis, recent research has demonstrated that solutions to previously problematic blind source separation problems can be obtained. In some cases, solutions are possible to problems intractable by previous non‐sparse methods. Indeed, sparse methods provide a powerful approach to the separation of linear mixtures of independent data. This paper surveys the recent arrival of sparse blind source separation methods and the previously existing non‐sparse methods, providing insights and appropriate hooks into theliterature along the way. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 15;18–33;2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.20035
Immunohistochemical Assessment of Neuroendocrine Differentiation in Colorectal Carcinomas and Its Relation with Age, Sex and Grade Plus Stage

Background and Objective: Neuroendocrine differentiation has not been proved to have effects in behavior of colorectal carcinomas. The aim of this study was Immunohistochemical evaluation of neuroendocrine differentiation in colorectal cancer. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 83 paraffin blocks from patients admitted in Rasoul-e-akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during 2003 to 2008, were evaluated in Pathology Department. All sections were stained with immunohistochemistry method for neuron specific enolase (NSE) and Chromogranin A(CgA). Data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0. Results: Median age of patients was 56 yr. Forty four cases (53%) were female. According to TNM staging system, 11% of cases were in stage I, 29% in IIa, 7% in IIb, 2% in IIIa, 23% in IIIb, 24% IIIc and 2% were in stage IV. Thirteen cases (16%) were NSE positive, 15 cases (18.1%) were CgA positive. Two, 8 and 5 percent of the patients in grade I, II and III were CgA positive, respectively. Two, 6 and 5 percent of the patients in grade I, II and III were NSE positive. In grades II and III, NSE and CgA were significantly higher than grade I (P<0.001). CgA incidence was higher significantly in mucinous carcinomas (P<0.05). Conclusion: Less than 20% of colorectal cancers showed neuroendocrine differentiation. There was no significant relationship between NSE and CgA incidence with stage or tumor site. There was a relationship between histologic grade and above-mentioned markers; this finding may help us in our knowledge about tumor behavior.
Alendronate Sodium in the Management of Osteoporosis

Alendronate is one of the best and most extensively studied bisphosphonates in the treatment of osteoporosis. This review considers in detail the major pivotal study, the fracture intervention trial (FIT), upon which the use of alendronate is based and which was a landmark study in terms of design, size and clinical impact. The role of alendronate has subsequently been underscored by a range of studies extending the clinical indications for its use and consolidating the effect on reducing both vertebral and non-vertebral fracture risk. Although the emphasis of these studies has predominantly been on the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis, data is also available in primary prevention, men, and glucocorticoids-induced osteoporosis. Direct comparison between the different drugs used to treat osteoporosis with fracture end points are needed for patients and doctors to make informed choices, but the size of such studies are prohibitive. Clinical trials using surrogate markers such as bone mineral density and biochemical markers of bone turnover have been performed which provide some helpful information but the limitations of this approach need to be recognized.
Measured residual stress distributions for low and high heat input single weld beads deposited on to SA508 steel

Abstract In steel welds, the development of residual stress is often complicated by the solid state phase transformations that occur upon cooling. Here the authors present bulk residual stress distributions, as measured by neutron diffraction, for the configuration of a single pass gas tungsten arc weld bead deposited on to a 20 mm thick SA508 steel substrate. Two specimens were manufactured, one with a low heat input (1·2 kJ mm−1) and another with a high heat input (2·4 kJ mm−1). The resulting microstructures and residual stress distributions are discussed in terms of the differing thermal excursions across each weld. In regions that are austenitised during welding, the transformation strain on cooling is shown to compensate in part for thermal contraction strains. Accordingly, phase transformations in SA508 steel led to significant reductions in stress within the weld bead and much of the heat affected zone, while the highest tensile stresses were located immediately outside the heat affected zone boundary in the untransformed region.