Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CD8 Cells of Patients with Diffuse Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Display Functional Exhaustion: The Latter Is Reversed, In Vitro, by TLR2 Agonists

Leishmania mexicana (Lm) causes localized (LCL) and diffuse (DCL) cutaneous leishmaniasis. DCL patients have a poor cellular immune response leading to chronicity. It has been proposed that CD8 T lymphocytes (CD8) play a crucial role in infection clearance, although the role of CD8 cytotoxicity in disease control has not been elucidated. Lesions of DCL patients have been shown to harbor low numbers of CD8, as compared to patients with LCL, and leishmanicidal treatment restores CD8 numbers. The marked response of CD8 towards Leishmania parasites led us to analyze possible functional differences between CD8 from patients with LCL and DCL. We compared IFNγ production, antigen-specific proliferation, and cytotoxicity of CD8 purified from PBMC against autologous macrophages (MO) infected with Leishmania mexicana (MOi). Additionally, we analyzed tissue biopsies from both groups of patients for evidence of cytotoxicity associated with apoptotic cells in the lesions. We found that CD8 cell of DCL patients exhibited low cytotoxicity, low antigen-specific proliferation and low IFNγ production when stimulated with MOi, as compared to LCL patients. Additionally, DCL patients had significantly less TUNEL+ cells in their lesions. These characteristics are similar to cellular “exhaustion” described in chronic infections. We intended to restore the functional capacity of CD8 cells of DCL patients by preincubating them with TLR2 agonists: Lm lipophosphoglycan (LPG) or Pam3Cys. Cytotoxicity against MOi, antigen-specific proliferation and IFNγ production were restored with both stimuli, whereas PD-1 (a molecule associated with cellular exhaustion) expression, was reduced. Our work suggests that CD8 response is associated with control of Lm infection in LCL patients and that chronic infection in DCL patients leads to a state of CD8 functional exhaustion, which could facilitate disease spread. This is the first report that shows the presence of functionally exhausted CD8 T lymphocytes in DCL patients and, additionally, that pre-stimulation with TLR2 ligands can restore the effector mechanisms of CD8 T lymphocytes from DCL patients against Leishmania mexicana-infected macrophages.
Comparison of Methods for Assessing Quality of Care for Community Case Management of Sick Children: An Application with Community Health Workers in Malawi

Direct observation (DO) with re-examination (RE) by a skilled clinician is a rigorous method for assessing health worker performance, but is not always feasible. We assessed the performance of 131 community health workers in Malawi in community case management of sick children with cough and fast breathing, fever, and diarrhea. We compared estimates of correct treatment measured through DO with RE (n = 382 cases) to DO only (n = 382 cases), register review (n = 1,219 cases), and case scenarios (n = 917 cases). Estimates of correct treatment of uncomplicated fever and diarrhea measured through DO only, register review, and case scenarios were within 9 percentage points of DO with RE estimates, while estimates for uncomplicated cough and fast breathing, and severe illness were substantially higher than DO with RE (12–51 percentage points above the estimate). Those planning for community health worker assessments in community case management can use these results to make an informed choice of methods on the basis of their objectives and the local context.
A VQ-Based Single-Channel Audio Separation for Music/Speech Mixtures

In this paper, we address the problem of audio source separation with one single sensor, based on estimation of statistical model of the sources. We improve the-state-of the art Vector Quantization (VQ) by considering apriori histograms of huge training data. This will result in a more accurate codebook for each source in contrast to the commonly used Linde-Buzo-Gray (LBG) algorithm. An optimum estimator is introduced in separation stage based on Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) amplitudes. Finally, conducting different simulations it is demonstrated that proposed approach efficiently segregated audio mixtures in terms of Signal to Distortion Ratio (SDR) measures as well as Mean Opinion Score (MOS) criterion.
Roles of Social Scientists in Crisis Media Reporting: The Case of the German Populist Radical Right Movement PEGIDA

This article examines the visibility of social scientists in the context of crisis media reporting by using the example of the German populist radical right movement PEGIDA. Based on previous research, a role typology was developed to serve as a framework for the empirical study. A content analysis of German newspapers demonstrates that social scientists are quite visible in the media coverage of PEGIDA and are presented mainly in the role of intellectuals. At the same time, new roles for social scientists are also discernible. Based on these findings, an extended role typology was developed to provide points of reference for further research.
Short- and medium-term impacts of the Just Like You disability awareness program: A quasi-experimental comparison of alternative forms of program delivery in New South Wales’ primary schools

Given the demands for inclusive and more equitable education, this evaluation compared two versions of the Just Like You disability awareness program delivered in primary schools in New South Wales, Australia, by Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Participants included 297 students from three schools in the Hunter region in the established program and 327 students from four schools in the Sydney region in the newer version of the program. Compared with the established program, the new format comprised a single presenter with a disability, two shorter sessions (rather than one long session) delivered at least one week apart, revised content mapped to the Australian rather than the NSW curriculum and a non-compulsory ‘homework’ activity offered at the discretion of the presenter. Longitudinal data included three successive administrations (i.e. pre-test, post-test and delayed follow-up) of the Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes towards Children with Handicaps scale. Quasi-experimental comparisons produced intake-adjusted effect sizes favouring the newer program over the established program both in terms of post-test (d = 0.47) and delayed follow-up (d = 0.42) Chedoke-McMaster Attitudes towards Children with Handicaps scores. The program evaluation demonstrated the efficacy and sustainability of effects in this short-term focussed disability awareness intervention, with the newer version producing greater improvements in student attitudinal change towards people with a disability than the established version.
THE INFLUENCE OF PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES ON THE EXPECTATIONS, ASPIRATIONS, AND DEFINITION OF SUCCESS OF HISPANIC IMMIGRANT PARENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN

The Hispanic population has become the fastest growing minority population in the United States. Hispanics have the highest high school dropout rate of all demographic groups accounted for in the United States in the most recent census. Reflecting on the import of those two factors and the changing demographics of our school populations across the United States it is imperative to consider the expectations and aspirations held by Hispanic immigrant parents for their children. This qualitative study explored through case studies the development of parent expectations and aspirations, and the influence of the parents’ own personal life experiences, particularly in their own education, on those expectations and aspirations. This study further explored the meaning of “success” through the lens of Hispanic immigrants and how that definition transferred to the children of the parents within this study. The purpose of this study was to give opportunity for the personal experiences of Hispanic immigrant parents to be heard as they shared their personal perspectives of the wishes and dreams that they hold for their US born or next generation children and the influence that their own personal experiences have had on their perspectives.
SMS Worm Propagation Over Contact Social Networks: Modeling and Validation

Nowadays, short message service (SMS) worms have been discovered to propagate themselves via victims' contact lists by sending malicious text messages. Correspondingly, defenders need to analyze and model the dynamics of these worms to lessen their potential threat. However, the existing worm propagation models, which almost generate the similar curves of an exponential smooth rise, cannot well explain the infection dynamics of real-world SMS worms, which exhibits an uneven wave-like uplift. Motivated by this observation, we formalize the general infection process of SMS worms in contact social networks, and propose a novel analytical model based on stochastic processes. In contrast to previous models, our model not only considers the different and asymmetrical relationships between mobile users by modeling the node reputation and the edge trust degree, but also describes the user behavior of checking messages by introducing two susceptible states. Moreover, the strong assumptions in previous works are eliminated by determining related components based on extensive statistical investigations. Afterward, both real-world SMS worms and artificial ones are utilized in validation and comparison experiments, and the results show that our model is more suitable for describing the propagation of these sophisticated worms, compared with the state-of-the-art models. In addition, we study on the impacts of key factors and give some interesting discoveries.
Traumatic experiences, alexithymia, and posttraumatic symptomatology: a cross-sectional population-based study in Germany

Objective Previous studies have established an association between number of traumatic experiences and alexithymia. The present study examines this relationship in a large-scale representative sample of the German general population (N=2,507) and explores the potential mediating effects of posttraumatic symptomatology, particularly avoidance/numbing. Methods Alexithymia was assessed with the German version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Posttraumatic symptomatology was operationalized by the symptom score of the modified German version of the Posttraumatic Symptom Scale, and traumatic experiences were assessed with the trauma list of the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Two mediation analyses were conducted. Results Of the total sample, 24.2% (n=606) reported at least one traumatic experience, 10.6% (n=258) were classified as alexithymic, and 2.4% (n=59) fulfilled the criteria of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Participants who had survived five or more traumatic experiences had significantly higher alexithymia sum scores. The PTSD symptom cluster avoidance/numbing mediated the association between the number of traumatic experiences and alexithymia. Conclusions Our findings illustrate an association between number of traumatic experiences and alexithymia and the influence of emotional avoidance and numbing within this relationship. The significant relationship between alexithymia and number of traumatic experiences in a general population sample further supports the concept of multiple and complex traumatization as associated with alexithymia. The results suggest the importance of further investigations determining the causal impact of alexithymia both as a potential premorbid trait and as consequence of traumatization. Lastly, future investigations are needed to clarify alexithymia as a distinct trauma-relevant characteristic for better diagnostics and specialized trauma-integrative therapy.
The ‘division of labour’ model of eye evolution

The ‘division of labour’ model of eye evolution is elaborated here. We propose that the evolution of complex, multicellular animal eyes started from a single, multi-functional cell type that existed in metazoan ancestors. This ancient cell type had at least three functions: light detection via a photoreceptive organelle, light shading by means of pigment granules and steering through locomotor cilia. Located around the circumference of swimming ciliated zooplankton larvae, these ancient cells were able to mediate phototaxis in the absence of a nervous system. This precursor then diversified, by cell-type functional segregation, into sister cell types that specialized in different subfunctions, evolving into separate photoreceptor cells, shading pigment cells (SPCs) or ciliated locomotor cells. Photoreceptor sensory cells and ciliated locomotor cells remained interconnected by newly evolving axons, giving rise to an early axonal circuit. In some evolutionary lines, residual functions prevailed in the specialized cell types that mirror the ancient multi-functionality, for instance, SPCs expressing an opsin as well as possessing rhabdomer-like microvilli, vestigial cilia and an axon. Functional segregation of cell types in eye evolution also explains the emergence of more elaborate photosensory–motor axonal circuits, with interneurons relaying the visual information.
XMM-Newton and Chandra Observations of the Galaxy Group NGC 5044. II. Metal Abundances and Supernova Fraction

Using new XMM and Chandra observations, we present an analysis of the metal abundances of the hot gas within a radius of 100 kpc of the bright nearby galaxy group NGC 5044. Motivated by the inconsistent abundance and temperature determinations obtained by different observers for X-ray groups, we provide a detailed investigation of the systematic errors on the derived abundances considering the effects of the temperature distribution, calibration, plasma codes, bandwidth, Galactic NH, and background rate. The iron abundance (ZFe) drops from ZFe ≈ 1 Z☉ within R ≈ 50 kpc to ZFe ≈ 0.4 Z☉ near R = 100 kpc. This radial decline in ZFe is highly significant: ZFe = 1.09 ± 0.04 (statistical) ± 0.05 + 0.18 (systematic) in solar units within R = 48 kpc (5′) compared to ZFe = 0.44 ± 0.02 (statistical) ± 0.10 + 0.13 (systematic) in solar units over R = 48-96 kpc (5'-10'). There is no evidence that the radial profile of ZFe flattens at large radius. The data rule out with high confidence a very subsolar value for ZFe within R = 48 kpc, confirming that previous claims of very subsolar central ZFe values in NGC 5044 were primarily the result of the Fe bias, i.e., the incorrect assumption of spatially isothermal and single-phase gas when in fact temperature variations exist. Next to iron the data provide the best constraints on the silicon and sulfur abundances. Within R = 48 kpc we obtain ZSi/ZFe = 0.83 ± 0.02 (statistical) ± 0.02 + 0.07 (systematic) and ZS/ZFe = 0.54 ± 0.02 (statistical) ± 0.01 + 0.01 (systematic) in solar units. These ratios (1) are consistent with their values at larger radii, (2) strongly favor convective deflagration models over delayed detonation models of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), and (3) imply that SNe Ia have contributed 70%-80% of the iron mass within a 100 kpc radius of NGC 5044. This SN Ia fraction is also similar to that inferred for the Sun and therefore suggests a stellar initial mass function similar to that of the Milky Way. We mention that at the very center (R ≈ 2 kpc) the XMM and Chandra CCDs and the XMM Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) show that the Fe and Si abundances drop to ≈50% of their values at immediately larger radius analogously to that seen in some galaxy clusters observed with Chandra. We find the magnitude of this dip to be sensitive to assumptions in the spectral model, but if real it is difficult to reconcile with the expectation that metal enrichment from the stars in the central galaxy should result in a centrally peaked metal abundance profile in the hot gas.
Detecting Subtle Changes in Visuospatial Executive Function and Learning in the Amnestic Variant of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background and Purpose Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is a putative prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD) characterized by deficits in episodic verbal memory. Our goal in the present study was to determine whether executive dysfunction may also be detectable in individuals diagnosed with aMCI. Methods This study used a hidden maze learning test to characterize component processes of visuospatial executive function and learning in a sample of 62 individuals with aMCI compared with 94 healthy controls. Results Relative to controls, individuals with aMCI made more exploratory/learning errors (Cohen's d = .41). Comparison of learning curves revealed that the slope between the first two of five learning trials was four times as steep for controls than for individuals with aMCI (Cohen's d = .64). Individuals with aMCI also made a significantly greater number of rule-break/error monitoring errors across learning trials (Cohen's d = .21). Conclusions These results suggest that performance on a task of complex visuospatial executive function is compromised in individuals with aMCI, and likely explained by reductions in initial strategy formulation during early visual learning and “on-line” maintenance of task rules.
A Comparison Between the Silhouette Index and the Davies-Bouldin Index in Labelling IDS Clusters

One of the most difﬁcult problems in the design of an anomaly based intrusion detection system (IDS) that uses clustering is that of labelling the obtained clusters, i.e. determining which of them correspond to ”good” behaviour on the network/host and which to ”bad” behaviour. In this paper, a new clusters’ labelling strategy, which makes use of a clustering quality index is proposed for application in such an IDS. The aim of the new labelling algorithm is to detect compact clusters containing very similar vectors and these are highly likely to be attack vectors. Two clustering quality indexes have been tested and compared: the Silhouette index and the Davies-Bouldin index. Experimental results comparing the effectiveness of a multiple classiﬁer IDS with the two indexes implemented show that the system using the Silhouette index produces slightly more accurate results than the system that uses the Davies-Bouldin index. However, the computation of the Davies-Bouldin index is much less complex than the computation of the Silhouette index, which is a very important advantage regarding eventual real-time operation of an IDS that employs clustering.
Handwritten digit Recognition using Support Vector Machine

Handwritten Numeral recognition plays a vital role in postal automation services especially in countries like India where multiple languages and scripts are used Discrete Hidden Markov Model (HMM) and hybrid of Neural Network (NN) and HMM are popular methods in handwritten word recognition system. The hybrid system gives better recognition result due to better discrimination capability of the NN. A major problem in handwriting recognition is the huge variability and distortions of patterns. Elastic models based on local observations and dynamic programming such HMM are not efficient to absorb this variability. But their vision is local. But they cannot face to length variability and they are very sensitive to distortions. Then the SVM is used to estimate global correlations and classify the pattern. Support Vector Machine (SVM) is an alternative to NN. In Handwritten recognition, SVM gives a better recognition result. The aim of this paper is to develop an approach which improve the efficiency of handwritten recognition using artificial neural network
Belief Network Analysis: A Relational Approach to Understanding the Structure of Attitudes

Many accounts of political belief systems conceive of them as networks of interrelated opinions, in which some beliefs are central and others peripheral. This article formally shows how such structural features can be used to construct direct measures of belief centrality in a network of correlations. This method is applied to the 2000 ANES data, which have been used to argue that political beliefs are organized around parenting schemas. This structural approach instead yields results consistent with the central role of political identity, which individuals may use as the organizing heuristic to filter information from the political field. In light of recent accounts of belief system heterogeneity, a search for population heterogeneity in this organizing logic was undertaken first by comparing 44 demographic subpopulations and then using inductive techniques. Contra these recent accounts, the study finds that belief systems of different groups vary in the amount of organization but not in the logic that organizes them.
Mass spectrum of orbitally and radially excited heavy-light mesons in the relativistic quark model

The mass spectrum of orbitally and radially excited states of $B$ and $D$ mesons is calculated in the framework of the relativistic quark model. The expansion in inverse powers of the heavy quark mass is carried out up to first order, while the light quark is treated without expansion. We find that the relativistic treatment of the light quark plays an important role. Different patterns of $P$ level inversion are discussed. The obtained masses of orbitally and radially excited states are in accord with available experimental data and heavy quark symmetry relations.
Combination of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation with Electromyography and Electroencephalography: Application in Diagnosis of Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that allows for in vivo examination of cortical processes. In 1985, Barker et al. introduced TMS as a tool for investigating the functional state of the motor pathways in patients with neurological disorders as well as in healthy human subjects (Barker et al., 1985). It was shown that a single TMS pulse applied to the motor cortex could activate cortical tissues associated with the hand or leg muscles and this activation could elicit a motor evoked potential (MEP) at the periphery captured through electromyography (EMG) recordings. The amplitude, area, latency and duration of this TMS induced MEP could then be used to investigate the integrity of the corticospinal pathways and the activation threshold of human motor cortex. Since this discovery, the combination of single and multi-pulse TMS with peripheral EMG recordings has allowed for examining various other processes in the human motor cortex such as excitability, plasticity, cortico-cortical connectivity, as well as the interaction between excitatory and inhibitory cortical processes. The integration of EMG with TMS has, therefore, offered a valuable tool for assessment of pathological processes that underlie neurological and psychiatric disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and depression. The combination of paired pulse TMS with EMG recordings, for example, permits altering the excitability of the motor cortex and observing the effect of this alteration on subsequent stimulation. In paired pulse TMS, the first TMS pulse (conditioning stimulus) inhibits or facilitates the MEP response to the second TMS pulse (test stimulus). The nature and the strength of this modulatory effect depend on the intensity of the conditioning stimulus and the latency (i.e. interstimulus interval (ISI)) at which it is delivered with respect to the test stimulus. It has been demonstrated that the TMS induced modulation of MEPs are