Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does Humanity Matter? Analyzing the Importance of Social Cues and Perceived Agency of a Computer System for the Emergence of Social Reactions during Human-Computer Interaction

Empirical studies have repeatedly shown that autonomous artificial entities elicit social behavior on the part of the human interlocutor. Various theoretical approaches have tried to explain this phenomenon. The agency assumption states that the social influence of human interaction partners (represented by avatars) will always be higher than the influence of artificial entities (represented by embodied conversational agents). Conversely, the Ethopoeia concept predicts that automatic social reactions are triggered by situations as soon as they include social cues. Both theories have been challenged in a2×2between subjects design with two levels of agency (low: agent, high: avatar) and two interfaces with different degrees of social cues (low: textchat, high: virtual human). The results show that participants in the virtual human condition reported a stronger sense of mutual awareness, imputed more positive characteristics, and allocated more attention to the virtual human than participants in the text chat conditions. Only one result supports the agency assumption; participants who believed to interact with a human reported a stronger feeling of social presence than participants who believed to interact with an artificial entity. It is discussed to what extent these results support the social cue assumption made in the Ethopoeia approach.
Radioimmunotherapy for delivery of cytotoxic radioisotopes: current status and challenges

ABSTRACT Introduction: Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) with monoclonal antibodies and their fragments labelled with radionuclides emitting α -particles, β-particles or Auger electrons have been used for many years in the development of anticancer strategies. While RIT has resulted in approved radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of hematological malignancies, its use in solid tumors still remains challenging. Areas covered: In this review, we discuss the exciting progress towards elucidating the potential of current and novel radioimmunoconjugates and address the challenges for translation into clinical practice. Expert opinion: There are still technical and logistical challenges associated with the use of RIT in routine clinical practice, including development of novel and more specific targeting moieties, broader access α to α-emitters and better tailoring of pre-targeting approaches. Moreover, improved understanding of the heterogeneous nature of solid tumors and the critical role of tumor microenvironments will help to optimize clinical response to RIT by delivering sufficient radiation doses to even more radioresistant tumor cells.
High serum concentrations of iron, transferrin saturation and gamma glutamyl transferase in captive black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis)

Iron storage disease (haemochromatosis) is thought to be the cause of many disorders unique to captive black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis). To establish reliable reference ranges for iron parameters, serum samples from 27 eastern black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis michaeli) from a translocation programme in Kenya were analysed and compared with the samples from 17 captive individuals. The transferrin saturation, serum iron concentration and gamma glutamyl transferase were significantly higher in the captive rhinoceroses, but these elevations were not evident when the results were compared with previously published data.
Nucleotide diversity of vernalization and flowering-time-related genes in a germplasm collection of meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds. syn. Lolium pratense (Huds.) Darbysh.)

In plant species, control of flowering time is an important factor for adaptation to local natural environments. The Vrn1, CO, FT1 and CK2α genes are key components in the flowering-specific signaling pathway of grass species. Meadow fescue is an agronomically important forage grass species, which is naturally distributed across Europe and Western Asia. In this study, meadow fescue flowering-time-related genes were resequenced to assess nucleotide diversity in European and Western Asian subpopulations. Identified sequence polymorphisms were then converted into PCR-based molecular genetic markers, and a meadow fescue germplasm collection was genotyped to investigate global allelic variation. Lower nucleotide diversities were observed for the Vrn1 and CO orthologs, while relatively higher values were observed for the FT1 and casein kinase II α-subunit (CK2α) orthologs. The nucleotide diversity for FT1 orthologs in the Western Asian subpopulation was significantly higher than those of the European subpopulation. Similarly, significant differences in nucleotide diversity for the remaining genes were observed between several combinations of subpopulation. The global allele distribution pattern was consistent with observed level of nucleotide diversity. These results suggested that the degree of purifying selection acting on the genes differs according to geographical location. As previously shown for model plant species, functional specificities of flowering-time-related genes may also vary according to environmental conditions.
The IACOB project. IV. New predictions for high-degree non-radial mode instability domains in massive stars and their connection with macroturbulent broadening

Context. Asteroseismology is a powerful tool to access the internal structure of stars. Apart from the important impact of theoretical developments, progress in this field has been commonly associated with the analysis of time-resolved observations. Recently, the so-called macroturbulent broadening has been proposed as a complementary and less expensive way – in terms of observational time – to investigate pulsations in massive stars. Aims. We assess to what extent this ubiquitous non-rotational broadening component which shapes the line profiles of O stars and B supergiants is a spectroscopic signature of pulsation modes driven by a heat mechanism. Methods. We compute stellar main-sequence and post-main-sequence models from 3 to 70 M with the ATON stellar evolution code, and determine the instability domains for heat-driven modes for degrees `= 1–20 using the adiabatic and non-adiabatic codes LOSC and MAD. We use the observational material compiled in the framework of the IACOB project to investigate possible correlations between the single snapshot line-broadening properties of a sample of ≈260 O and B-type stars and their location inside or outside the various predicted instability domains. Results. We present an homogeneous prediction for the non-radial instability domains of massive stars for degree ` up to 20. We provide a global picture of what to expect from an observational point of view in terms of the frequency range of excited modes, and we investigate the behavior of the instabilities with respect to stellar evolution and the degree of the mode. Furthermore, our pulsational stability analysis, once compared to the empirical results, indicates that stellar oscillations originated by a heat mechanism cannot explain alone the occurrence of the large non-rotational line-broadening component commonly detected in the O star and B supergiant domain.
The Inferior Parietal Lobule Is the Target of Output from the Superior Colliculus, Hippocampus, and Cerebellum

The inferior parietal lobule (IPL) is a functionally and anatomically heterogeneous region that is concerned with multiple aspects of sensory processing and sensorimotor integration. Although considerable information is available about the corticocortical connections to the IPL, much less is known about the origin and importance of subcortical inputs to this cortical region. To examine this issue, we used retrograde transneuronal transport of the McIntyre-B strain of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) to identify the second-order neurons in subcortical nuclei that project to the IPL. Four monkeys (Cebus apella) received injections of HSV1 into three different subregions of the IPL. Injections into a portion of the lateral intraparietal area labeled second-order neurons primarily in the superficial (visual) layers of the superior colliculus. Injections of HSV1 into a portion of area 7a labeled many second-order neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. In contrast, virus injections within a portion of area 7b labeled second-order neurons in posterior regions of the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum. These observations have some important functional implications. The IPL is known to be involved in oculomotor and attentional mechanisms, the establishment of maps of extrapersonal space, and the adaptive recalibration of eye–hand coordination. Our findings suggest that these functions are subserved by distinct subcortical systems from the superior colliculus, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Furthermore, the finding that each system appears to target a separate subregion of the IPL provides an anatomical substrate for understanding the functional heterogeneity of the IPL.
Preparation of WO 3 Thin Films for Electrochromic Display by Plasma Process

Tungsten oxide (WOx) thin film, which is well known as an electrochromic display, was deposited on the ITO film coated flexible substrates using the RF magnetron sputtering method. Phenomena of processing plasmas, the film quality and the electrochromic properties of deposited WO3 thin film have been studied as parameters of a gas pressure and gas mixture. Experimental results suggest that deposited WOx thin films at gas pressure of 10 Pa were amorphous structure independent of a gas mixture. XPS analyses suggest that the amorphous type WOx(x=2.43) film can be deposited at the gas flow ratio of O2:Ar=5:5, total gas pressure of 10Pa and RF power of 50W. The color of electrochromic display prepared using the deposited WOx film change from transparent to blue by applying a DC voltage, which means that the deposited film under the condition worked as electrochromic display.
The North Atlantic Marine Boundary Layer Experiment (NAMBLEX). Overview of the campaign held at Mace Head, Ireland, in summer 2002

The North Atlantic Marine Boundary Layer Experiment ( NAMBLEX), involving over 50 scientists from 12 institutions, took place at Mace Head, Ireland (53.32 degrees N, 9.90 degrees W), between 23 July and 4 September 2002. A wide range of state-of-the-art instrumentation enabled detailed measurements of the boundary layer structure and atmospheric composition in the gas and aerosol phase to be made, providing one of the most comprehensive in situ studies of the marine boundary layer to date. This overview paper describes the aims of the NAMBLEX project in the context of previous field campaigns in the Marine Boundary Layer ( MBL), the overall layout of the site, a summary of the instrumentation deployed, the temporal coverage of the measurement data, and the numerical models used to interpret the field data. Measurements of some trace species were made for the first time during the campaign, which was characterised by predominantly clean air of marine origin, but more polluted air with higher levels of NOx originating from continental regions was also experienced. This paper provides a summary of the meteorological measurements and Planetary Boundary Layer ( PBL) structure measurements, presents time series of some of the longer-lived trace species ( O-3, CO, H-2, DMS, CH4 , NMHC, NOx, NOy, PAN) and summarises measurements of other species that are described in more detail in other papers within this special issue, namely oxygenated VOCs, HCHO, peroxides, organo-halogenated species, a range of shorter lived halogen species ( I-2, OIO, IO, BrO), NO3 radicals, photolysis frequencies, the free radicals OH, HO2 and ( HO2 + Sigma RO2), as well as a summary of the aerosol measurements. NAMBLEX was supported by measurements made in the vicinity of Mace Head using the NERC Dornier-228 aircraft. Using ECMWF windfields, calculations were made of the air-mass trajectories arriving at Mace Head during NAMBLEX, and were analysed together with both meteorological and trace-gas measurements. In this paper a chemical climatology for the duration of the campaign is presented to interpret the distribution of air-mass origins and emission sources, and to provide a convenient framework of air-mass classification that is used by other papers in this issue for the interpretation of observed variability in levels of trace gases and aerosols.
Efficient aggregation algorithms for probabilistic data

We study the problem of computing aggregation operators on probabilistic data in an I/O efficient manner. Algorithms for aggregation operators such as SUM, COUNT, AVG, and MIN/MAX are crucial to applications on probabilistic databases. We give a generalization of the classical data stream model to handle probabilistic data, called <i>probabilistic streams</i>, in order to analyze the I/O-requirements of our algorithms. Whereas the algorithms for SUM and COUNT turn out to be simple, the problem is harder for both AVG and MIN/MAX. Although data stream algorithms typically use randomness, all of the algorithms we present are deterministic. For MIN and MAX, we obtain efficient one-pass data stream algorithms for estimating each of these quantities with relative accuracy (1 + ε), using constant update time per element and <i>O</i>(1/ε lg <i>R</i>) space, where each element has a value between 1 and <i>R</i>. For AVG, we present a new data stream algorithm for estimating its value to a relative accuracy (1 + ε) in <i>O</i>(log <i>n</i>) passes over the data with <i>O</i>(1/ε log<sup>2</sup> <i>n</i>) space and update time <i>O</i>(1/ε log <i>n</i>) per element. On the other hand, we prove a space lower bound of Ω(<i>n</i>) for any <i>exact</i> one-pass deterministic data stream algorithm. Complementing this result, we also present an <i>O</i>(<i>n</i> log<sup>2</sup> <i>n</i>)-time exact deterministic algorithm which uses <i>O</i>(<i>n</i>) space (thus removing the data-streaming restriction), improving dramatically on the previous <i>O</i>(<i>n</i><sup>3</sup>)-time algorithm. Our algorithms for AVG involve a novel technique based on generating functions and numerical integration, which may be of independent interest. Finally, we provide an experimental analysis and show that our algorithms, coupled with additional heuristics, have excellent performance over large data sets.
Radiologic Study of the Incidence of Ossification of the Manubriosternal Joint in Adult Nigerians

DOI: 10.21276/sjams.2017. 5.12. 50 Abstract: The manubriosternal joint is a symphysis between the manubrium and the body of the sternum. The surfaces of the articulating bones have a hyaline cartilage with a fibro-cartilaginous disc between them. It is said to undergo endochondral ossification from the fifth week of intrauterine life. This ossification process is usually completed in a smaller percentage of the population. Aim: This study is intended to find out the incidence of ossification of the joint in adult Nigerians through radiological studies. Materials and Methods: Being a retrospective study, laterally projected chest X-ray radiographs of 1,000 adult Nigerians between 25-85 years of age were obtained from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and examined. The radiographs were categorized into six groups, each group having ten years interval. The age and sex of the individuals were got from their medical records. From the radiographs, the number that showed complete ossifications was noted. Results and Discussions: The result of the study showed that the mean age of complete ossification of the manubriosternal joint was 63.30+17.16 and 70.80+15.20 years in males and females respectively. Conclusion: It was also observed that the incidence of ossification was higher in females than males and complete ossification occurred in 128 of every 1000 Nigerian adults, which gives a 12.8% incidence.
Tracking the flu pandemic by monitoring the social web

Tracking the spread of an epidemic disease like seasonal or pandemic influenza is an important task that can reduce its impact and help authorities plan their response. In particular, early detection and geolocation of an outbreak are important aspects of this monitoring activity. Various methods are routinely employed for this monitoring, such as counting the consultation rates of general practitioners. We report on a monitoring tool to measure the prevalence of disease in a population by analysing the contents of social networking tools, such as Twitter. Our method is based on the analysis of hundreds of thousands of tweets per day, searching for symptom-related statements, and turning statistical information into a flu-score. We have tested it in the United Kingdom for 24 weeks during the H1N1 flu pandemic. We compare our flu-score with data from the Health Protection Agency, obtaining on average a statistically significant linear correlation which is greater than 95%. This method uses completely independent data to that commonly used for these purposes, and can be used at close time intervals, hence providing inexpensive and timely information about the state of an epidemic.
Combination antifungal therapy in solid organ transplant recipients.

I read with interest the article by Nina Singh and colleagues (1) on the use of the combination of voriconazole and caspofungin as primary therapy in organ transplant recipients with invasive aspergillosis. Of the 40 patients who received combination antifungal therapy, four had kidney transplant and eight had liver transplant. However, a proportionately greater number of patients in the lipid amphotericin group (n 47) underwent kidney or liver transplant (12 and 16, respectively). Singh’s recent review (2) on Aspergillus infection in transplants recipients quotes a higher mortality rate for patients with kidney (77%) or liver transplant (87%) as compared to patients with lung transplant (68%). Incidentally, there were more patients with lung transplant in the combination arm than in lipid amphotericin arm, although this difference is not as striking as the one that I have referred above. It appears therefore that patients with a greater likelihood of a poor outcome were represented more often in the amphotericin arm. This could potentially exaggerate the beneficial effect of the combination treatment. Secondly, one would normally expect the controls to receive either voriconazole or caspofungin to test the efficacy of combination therapy with these two agents. Comparing the combination of these two agents to lipid amphotericin and then showing a benefit of the combination does not take into account the fact that use of voriconazole alone has been found to have a higher survival rate in immunocompromised patients when compared to lipid amphotericin as shown by Herbrecht and colleagues (3). While quoting this latter work, Singh and colleagues note that critically ill patients such as those who require mechanical ventilation were not included in Herbrecht’s study (3), and although in the present study 33% of patients in the combination therapy arm received mechanical ventilation, data do not show the corresponding figures for the control arm and the mortality rates for this subgroup of ventilated patients in each of the two arms. Finally, combination therapy is expensive, increases the likelihood for adverse effects, and potential for drug interactions (4). Caution should be exercised in recommending its use until robust data are available. Abhijit M. Bal Department of Medical Microbiology Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
Human Communication. A Publication of the Pacific and Asian Communication Association. Vol. 12, No. 2, pp.187 - 198. Uncertainty Reduction and Information Valence: Tests of Uncertainty Reduction Theory, Predicted Outcome Value, and an Alternative Explanation?

Uncertainty reduction has a major role in communication theory of relational development. Two competing theories, Berger and Calabrese’s (1975) uncertainty reduction theory (URT) and Sunnafrank’s (1986) predicted outcome value (POV), provide different perspectives on the uncertainty reduction process during initial interactions. Research suggests that when forming a first impression, negative information weighs more heavily than positive information, which is called the “negativity effect” (Kellermann, 1984). This research examined the relationship between the level of uncertainty and the negativity effect in initial interaction.
On the quality of service of failure detectors based on control theory

The detection of failures is a fundamental issue for fault tolerance in distributed systems. Recently, many people have come to realize that failure detection ought to be provided as some form of generic service, similar to IP address lookup. However, this has not been successful so far; one of the reasons being the fact that classical failure detectors were not designed to satisfy several application requirements simultaneously. More specifically, traditional implementations of failure detectors are often tuned for running over local networks and fail to address some important problems found in wide-area distributed systems with a large number of monitored components. In this paper, we study the quality of service (QoS) of failure detectors. We first present a novel failure detector scheme combined with control theory that can help in solving or optimizing some problems. Furthermore, this paper discusses the design and analysis of implementing a scalable failure detection service for such large wide-area distributed systems considering dynamically adjusting the heartbeat streams, so that it satisfies the bottleneck router requirements. We further show how the online failure detector control algorithm can be used to design a controller, analyze the theoretical aspects of the proposed algorithm and verify its agreement. Simulation results show the efficiency of our scheme in terms of high utilization of the bottleneck link, fast response and good stability of the bottleneck router buffer occupancy as well as of the controlled sending rates. In conclusion, the new failure detector algorithm provides a better QoS.
The Alphabet Soup of Pneumonia: CAP, HAP, HCAP, NHAP, and VAP

The classification of pneumonia is increasingly complex as the patient population becomes more diverse. More and more patients are identified with pneumonia attributed to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, occurring both in the hospital setting and outside of the hospital. This is likely related to the expanding pool of patients at risk for colonization with MDR bacteria. These expanding patient populations include individuals residing in nonhospital health care facilities (e.g., long-term nursing facilities, assisted living environments, rehabilitation centers), patients undergoing outpatient procedures or therapies (hemodialysis, wound care, infusion therapy), patients who have been recently discharged from the hospital setting, and those with significant underlying immunosuppression. Patients exposed to these nonhospital risks who develop pneumonia have traditionally been categorized as having community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, the new designation for pneumonia acquired in these environments is healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). Additionally, some authors have categorized patients in nursing homes as developing nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP) because there may be distinct epidemiological associations with this infection. Although HCAP is currently treated with the same protocols as CAP in many hospitals, recent evidence indicates that HCAP differs from CAP with respect to pathogens and prognosis, and in fact, more closely resembles hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) requiring broader empirical antimicrobial therapy than CAP.