Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
From Signals to Emotions: Applying Emotion Models to HM Affective Interactions

In 1997 Rosalind Picard defined Affective Computing as the «computing that relates to, arises from, or deliberately influences emotions». Since then, research has developed to provide machines and computers with emotional skills similar to those of human users: among others, emotion recognition and expression. Within this approach, emotions are thought to constitute key components to achieve more effective Human Computer Interaction (HCI): «machines may never need all of the emotional skills that people need; however, there is evidence that machines will require at least some of these skills to appear intelligent when interacting with people» (Picard, Vyzas, & Healey, 2001). The core idea is that in the same way as emotion is crucial for human intelligent and rational functioning – as most recent psychology and neuroscience research has pointed out (Bechara & Damasio, 2005) – emotional abilities should be considered also in the development of intelligent computer systems. Within the broad research area of Affective Computing, it is possible to distinguish two main work areas: on one side, emotion simulation is aimed at implementing artificial human-like autonomous agents able to interact with the user reproducing human facial and/or vocal emotional expressions, e.g. avatars, robots and ECAs (Breazeal, 2002; de Rosis et al., 2003; Lisetti et al., 2004); on the other side, emotional decoding is meant to design interfaces able to recognize the user’s emotional responses from real-time capturing and processing of multiple signals (Lisetti et al., 2003). Whatever the research goal is – simulation or recognition – researchers have been confronted with the concept of emotion. Modelling emotions in HCI has revealed a complex challenge and different computational models have been developed to support its complexity and the multimodal richness of human face-to-face communication (Bianchi-Berthouze & Lisetti, 2002; Kort, Reilly, & Picard, 2001). Although the psychological study of emotion has brought to the development of different definitions of this construct, in the last years a widespread consensus has grown in psychological literature on the complexity of the emotional process and in particular on its componential nature (Scherer, 2005). All major theorists have stressed the need to analyze multiple response systems, such as physiology, behaviour and experience (Levenson, 2003). In this chapter, we’ll mainly focus on emotional decoding, i.e. the task to construct new generation interfaces able to sense and to respond to the user’s affective feedback (Picard, Vyzas, & Healey, 2001). In particular, the major purpose of the chapter is to provide hints
Lactation Curve Pattern and Prediction of Milk Production Performance in Crossbred Cows

Data pertaining to 11728 test-day daily milk yields of normal and mastitis Karan Fries cows were collected from the institute herd and divided as mastitis and nonmastitis and parity-wise. The data of lactation curves of the normal and mastitis crossbred cows was analyzed using gamma type function. FTDMY in normal and mastitis cows showed an increasing trend from TD-1 to TD-4 and a gradual decrease (P < 0.01) thereafter until the end of lactation (TD-21) in different parities. The FTDMY was maximum (peak yield) in the fourth parity. Parity-wise lactation curve revealed a decrease in persistency, steeper decline in descending slope (c), and steeper increase in ascending slope (b) from 1st to 5th and above parity. The higher coefficient of determination (R 2) and lower root mean square error (RMSE) indicated goodness and accuracy of the model for the prediction of milk prediction performance under field conditions. Clinical mastitis resulted in a significantly higher loss of milk yield (P < 0.05). The FTDMY was maximum (P < 0.05) in the fourth parity in comparison to the rest of parity. It is demonstrated that gamma type function can give the best fit lactation curve in normal and mastitis infected crossbred cows.
A nonlinear elastic deformable template for soft structure segmentation: application to the heart segmentation in MRI

This paper proposes a nonlinear 3D deformable model for the image segmentation of soft structures. The template is modelled as an elastic body which is deformed by forces derived from the image. It relies on a template, which is a topological, geometrical and material model of the structure to segment. This model is based on the nonlinear three-dimensional elasticity problem with a boundary condition of pure traction. In addition, the applied forces are successive, as they depend on the displacements. For computations, an incremental algorithm is proposed to minimize the global energy of template deformation. Sufficient conditions of the convergence for the incremental algorithm are given. Finally, a discrete algorithm using the finite element method is presented and evaluated on synthetic images and actual MR images of mouse hearts.
Psychosocial determinants of condom use among Ghanaian students: an application of the theory of planned behavior and the health belief model [abstract]

This study examined the applicability of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the health belief model (HBM) to the study of the condom use intentions of university students in Ghana. The data provided full support for the TPB when the constructs of the model were explicated with their direct measures. However when belief-based (indirect) measures of the constructs were used the perceived behavioral control construct ceased to be a significant predictor of intention and the data provided only partial support for the TPB. The TPB explained up to 47.2% the TRA up to 45.9% and the HBM up to 20% of the variance in students condom use intentions. A composite model comprising significant constructs of the TPB and the HBM successfully predicted 55.7% and 74.4% of male and female students intentions respectively. The critical difference between students who intended to use condoms consistently and those who did not was whether they believed significant referents (sexual partners friends parents and doctors) approved of condom use. Among female students perceived severity of HIV/AIDS also significantly differentiated intention. It is recommended that AIDS education interventions targeting university students focus simultaneously on individuals and on their social networks as one way of enhancing perceptions of significant referents acceptance of condom use. (full text modified)
Boundaries of major depression: an evaluation of DSM-IV criteria.

OBJECTIVE Little is known about the boundaries between major depression and milder subsyndromal depressive states. With respect to depressive symptoms, does DSM-IV "carve nature at its joints"? METHOD In personally interviewed female twins from a population-based registry, the authors examined whether a range of values along three dimensions of the depressive syndrome assessed in the last year (number of symptoms listed in DSM-III-R under diagnostic criterion A for major depressive episode, level of severity or impairment required to score symptoms as present, and duration of episode) predicted future depressive episodes in the index twin and risk of major depression in the co-twin. RESULTS An increasing number of criterion A symptoms predicted, in a monotonic fashion, a greater risk for future depressive episodes in the index twin as well as a greater risk for major depression in the co-twin. No such consistent relationship was seen with duration of episode. For severity, a single monotonic function predicted risk in the co-twin, while index twins with severe impairment had a substantially higher risk for future episodes than did those with less severe impairment. Four or fewer criterion A symptoms, syndromes composed of symptoms involving no or minimal impairment, and episodes of less than 14 days' duration all significantly predicted both future depressive episodes in the index twin and risk of major depression in the co-twin. CONCLUSIONS The authors found little empirical support for the DSM-IV requirements for 2 weeks' duration, five symptoms, or clinically significant impairment. Most functions appeared continuous. These results suggest that major depression--as articulated by DSM-IV--may be a diagnostic convention imposed on a continuum of depressive symptoms of varying severity and duration.
Identification of sites in apolipoprotein A-I susceptible to chymase and carboxypeptidase A digestion

MCs (mast cells) adversely affect atherosclerosis by promoting the progression of lesions and plaque destabilization. MC chymase cleaves apoA-I (apolipoprotein A-I), the main protein component of HDL (high-density lipoprotein). We previously showed that C-terminally truncated apoA-I (cleaved at the carboxyl side of Phe225) is present in normal human serum using a newly developed specific mAb (monoclonal antibody). In the present study, we aimed to identify chymase-induced cleavage sites in both lipid-free and lipid-bound (HDL3) forms of apoA-I. Lipid-free apoA-I was preferentially digested by chymase, at the C-terminus rather than the N-terminus. Phe229 and Tyr192 residues were the main cleavage sites. Interestingly, the Phe225 residue was a minor cleavage site. In contrast, the same concentration of chymase failed to digest apoA-I in HDL3; however, a 100-fold higher concentration of chymase modestly digested apoA-I in HDL3 at only the N-terminus, especially at Phe33. CPA (carboxypeptidase A) is another MC protease, co-localized with chymase in severe atherosclerotic lesions. CPA, in vitro, further cleaved C-terminal Phe225 and Phe229 residues newly exposed by chymase, but did not cleave Tyr192. These results indicate that several forms of C-terminally and N-terminally truncated apoA-I could exist in the circulation. They may be useful as new biomarkers to assess the risk of CVD (cardiovascular disease).
A new technique for primary hepatocyte expansion in vitro

The current application for many potential cell‐based treatments for liver failure is limited by the low availability of mature functional hepatocytes. Although adult hepatocytes have a remarkable ability to proliferate in vivo, attempts to proliferate adult hepatocytes in vitro have been less successful. In this study, we investigated the effect of coculture cell type on the proliferative response and the functional activities of hepatocytes. We show, for the first time, a robust proliferative response of primary adult rat hepatocytes when cocultured with mouse 3T3‐J2 fibroblasts. Hepatocytes cultured at low density on growth‐arrested 3T3‐J2 fibroblast feeder layers underwent significantly higher proliferation rates than when cultured on feeder layers made of four other cell types. Increasing colony size correlated with an increase in hepatocellular functions. The proliferating hepatocytes retained their morphologic, phenotypic, and functional characteristics. Using a cell patterning technique, we found that 3T3‐J2 fibroblasts stimulate DNA synthesis in hepatocytes by short‐range heterotypic cell–cell interactions. When hepatocytes that proliferated in cocultures were harvested and further subcultured either on 3T3‐J2 fibroblast feeders or in the collagen sandwich configuration, their behavior was similar to that of freshly isolated hepatocytes. We conclude that adult rat hepatocytes can proliferate in vitro in a coculture cell type‐dependent manner, and can be serially propagated by coculturing with 3T3‐J2 fibroblasts while maintaining their differentiated characteristics. Our results also suggest that one of the major reasons for the functional differences in hepatocyte cocultures may be due to the different proliferative responses of hepatocytes as a function of coculture cell type. This study provides new insights in the roles of coculture cell types and cell–cell interactions in the modulation of hepatic proliferation and function. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 345–356. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Global equity versus public interest? The case of climate change policy in Germany

The paper attempts to shed some light on the kind of role equity norms play in German sustainable development policy and the related discourse, focusing on the issue of global climate change. Especially the tensions between the public discussion of equity among and within nations are investigated. Attitudes and commitments of the general public and the main actor groups towards global climate change policies and related equity issues are analyzed. One of the central findings of the analysis is that the norm of global fairness enjoys broad (rhetorical) support by all actor groups and the public. However, the support by the public must be characterized as uninformed consent because the effects of the various global climate policies within Germany are either not discussed or played down by the proponents of a progressive climate change policy. The debates are framed by two different but overlapping discourses informed by the concepts of sustainable development or ecological modernization. While with respect to global climate change policy the sustainable development discourse dominates at the programmatic level (concerned with norms, values and fairness principles), it is clearly the concept of ecological modernization that underlies the concrete policies.
Detection of Plant Leaf Disease Employing Image Processing and Gaussian Smoothing Approach

A study of plant observation is critical to regulate the unfold of illness in plants, but its value could be higher and as a result, the producers of agricultural products often skip important preventive procedures to keep their production cost at low value. The detection of plant leaf is a vital factor to forestall serious natural event. Most plant diseases are caused by bacteria, fungi, and viruses. An automatic detection of plant disease is a necessary analytical topic. Computer vision techniques are used to uncover the affected spots from the image through an image processing technique capable of recognizing the plant lesion options is delineated in this paper. The achieved accuracy of the overall system is 90.96%, in line with the experimental results.
[Major depression invites major concerns].

OBJECTIVE To overview limitations to the concept and construct of major depression. METHOD The objectives in initially conceptualizing major depression are examined against its subsequent utility and relevance to clinicians and researchers. RESULTS It is argued that, as defined, major depression does not differentiate clinical depression well from expressions of non-clinical depression or sadness, that its criteria set do not generate reliable diagnoses, that a diagnosis of major depression means little in and of itself (as it effectively comprises multiple types of depression) and that it fails to inform us about cause, natural history or differential treatment response. CONCLUSION Limitations to the concept of major depression would benefit from wider appreciation to advance changes to the clinical diagnosis of depressive sub-types.
The Role of Coa2 in Hemylation of Yeast Cox1 Revealed by Its Genetic Interaction with Cox10

ABSTRACT Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells lacking the cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) assembly factor Coa2 are impaired in Cox1 maturation and exhibit a rapid degradation of newly synthesized Cox1. The respiratory deficiency of coa2Δ cells is suppressed either by the presence of a mutant allele of the Cox10 farnesyl transferase involved in heme a biosynthesis or through impaired proteolysis by the disruption of the mitochondrial Oma1 protease. Cox10 with an N196K substitution functions as a robust gain-of-function suppressor of the respiratory deficiency of coa2Δ cells but lacks suppressor activity for two other CcO assembly mutant strains, the coa1Δ and shy1Δ mutants. The suppressor activity of N196K mutant Cox10 is dependent on its catalytic function and the presence of Cox15, the second enzyme involved in heme a biosynthesis. Varying the substitution at Asn196 reveals a correlation between the suppressor activity and the stabilization of the high-mass homo-oligomeric Cox10 complex. We postulate that the mutant Cox10 complex has enhanced efficiency in the addition of heme a to Cox1. Coa2 appears to impart stability to the oligomeric wild-type Cox10 complex involved in Cox1 hemylation.
Doc ( WC ) P . 96-98 GINSENG INDUCED FETAL SKELETAL MALFORMATIONS

The use of alternative therapies including Herbal medicines is rapidly escalating in both the developed and the developing countries. It is generally believed that ‘natural’ herbal medicines are better and safer than conventional medicine; herbal medicines are in fact associated with serious toxic effects. The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Panax Ginseng; it was found that maternal treatment with Panax Ginseng negatively affected the development of skeletal system. Findings in our study suggest that further investigations and monitoring of embryotoxic effects of ginsenosides on human pregnancy are warranted.
Institutions, labour management practices and firm performance in Europe

[Summary of the book containing this chapter:] Combining the literature on comparative capitalism with that on comparative HRM, Human Resource Management and the Institutional Perspective explores the overlapping and distinct elements in work and employment relations both within and across country lines. The authors focus on intra-firm relations, internal diversity within varieties of capitalsm, and the uneven and experimental nature of systemic change, all the while employing an impressive level of theoretical rigor and empirical evidence. For those interested in contemporary developments in institutional theory, the relationship between regulation and practice, and in innovation and continuity in HRM, this book is a valuable resource. In a single volume, this text unites soundly based, theoretically strong and empirically new chapters that bring advances in institutional theory to bear on the subject of international and comparative Human Resource Management.
Novel, Magnetically Guided Catheter for Endocardial Mapping and Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation

Background—Ablation of complex arrhythmias would be greatly facilitated by more precise control of ablation catheters. A feasibility study was performed in animals to evaluate a novel magnetic guidance system (MGS) that generates a magnetic field to control the movement and position of a magnetic ablation catheter. Methods and Results—The MGS is composed of a digital biplanar fluoroscope within an array of superconducting electromagnets that surround the torso of the experimental animal and a computer control system that generates a composite magnetic field for directional catheter deflection. Magnetic catheter navigation was performed in dogs and pigs (20 to 30 kg). A 7F magnetic ablation catheter was used for intracardiac navigation and radiofrequency ablation. The performance of a standard 7F deflectable catheter was not affected by the MGS. The magnetic catheter was navigated successfully to 51 predefined targets throughout the heart in 6 animals. In 5 animals, the magnetic catheter, guided by a 3D computed tomogram, was successfully navigated to all pulmonary veins. Navigation accuracy was estimated as <1 mm displacement from the target. The magnetic catheter was used to ablate the atrioventricular node in 4 animals and to perform linear ablations across the endocardial surface underlying an epicardial multielectrode recording plaque in 4 animals. Conclusions—These results demonstrate that the MGS can navigate and stabilize an ablation catheter at endocardial targets. Linear or focal radiofrequency ablation with the magnetic catheter is not compromised by the magnetic field. This technology provides precise control of endocardial catheters.
User-centred multimodal reminders for assistive living

While there has been a lot of research on the usability of reminders and alarms in the work context, the home has been somewhat neglected despite the importance of reminder systems for telecare and assistive living systems. We conducted a comprehensive mixed-methods study into the requirements for useable and acceptable reminders in the home. The study consisted of a questionnaire (N=379), 6 focus groups, and 7 home tour interviews. Our results highlight the need for highly flexible and contextualized multimodal and multi-device reminder solutions that build on existing successful strategies for remembering in and around the home. We suggest that developers of home care reminder systems should design for diversity, context, priorities, autonomy, shared spaces, and optimal care.
Active tuberculosis among Iraqi schoolchildren with positive skin tests and their household contacts.

In a prospective cohort study in Iraq, schoolchildren with a positive tuberculin skin test during the nationwide survey in 2000 were followed up in 2002 to determine prevalence of latent tuberculosis (TB) infection and risk factors among household contacts. Of 205 children, 191 remained skin-test positive in 2002. Based on X-ray and clinical examination, 9 children (4.4%) were active TB cases. Among 834 house- hold contacts, there were 144 new TB cases, giving a cumulative incidence of 17.3%. Risk factors for TB among household contacts were: age ≥ 15 years; technical/professional job; smoking; low body mass index; diabetes mellitus; steroid therapy; and closeness of contact with the index cases. Based on past history of TB in index children and their contacts, 77.2% of new TB cases were attributable to household contacts. La tuberculose evolutive chez des ecoliers ayant une intradermo-reaction positive et leurs con- tacts familiaux en Iraq RESUME Lors d'une etude de cohorte prospective en Iraq, des ecoliers ayant eu une intradermo-reaction a la tuberculine (IDR) positive lors de l'enquete nationale realisee en 2000 ont fait l'objet d'un suivi en 2002 pour determiner la prevalence de l'infection tuberculeuse latente et les facteurs de risque chez les contacts familiaux. Sur 205 enfants, 191 avaient toujours une IDR positive en 2002. Sur la base de la radiographie et de l'examen clinique, 9 enfants (4,4 %) etaient des cas de tuberculose evolutive. Parmi les 834 contacts familiaux, il y avait 144 nouveaux cas de tuberculose, ce qui donne une incidence cumulee de 17,3 %. Les facteurs de risque de tuberculose chez les contacts familiaux etaient les suivants : âge superieur ou egal a 15 ans ; metier technique/emploi de professionnel ; tabagisme ; faible indice de Quetelet ; diabete sucre ; traitement steroidien ; et contact etroit avec les cas index. Sur la base des antecedents de tuberculose chez les enfants index et leurs contacts, 77,2 % des nouveaux cas etaient attribuables aux contacts familiaux.