Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High-order statistically derived combinations of geometric features for handprinted character recognition

An intelligent character recognition (ICR) system for offline recognition of isolated handprinted characters is presented. The system comprises a feature extraction stage and a classifier (a feedforward network) that is trained using error backpropagation. The feature extraction stage consists of two steps. Given a bilevel image of a character, the system first extracts a set of experimentally optimized raw geometric features. These features are then combined to obtain higher order features which have higher discriminating ability according to the Fisher discriminant measure. The specific combinations of raw features that are chosen in particular application are determined by statistical analysis of the training data. The nonlinearity introduced by the feature combination is found to be much more powerful than the traditional sigmoid nonlinearity of backpropagation neural network classifiers. It is shown that by using the high-order features, one can drastically reduce the number of hidden nodes required in the classifier while retraining the same level of classification accuracy. <<ETX>>
Intraoral ancient schwannoma: A systematic review of the case reports

Intraoral ancient schwannoma is a rare type of oral schwannoma, which is encapsulated and well demarcated from the surrounding tissues. Ancient schwannomas are associated with conventional features of neurilemmoma; however, they are distinguished from other types of schwannoma due to factors such as the long history, cellular architecture showing hypocellularity, and hyalinized matrices. This systematic review was performed through searching in databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar using related keywords (intraoral, oral, ancient, schwannoma, and neurilemmoma). Eventually, 26 case reports were systematically reviewed by the researchers. Required data were extracted by one researcher, and all the selected articles were reviewed in full text after screening. This systematic review aimed to determine the most significant influential factors in intraoral ancient schwannoma and evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic methods in this regard.
Strongly Interacting Fermi Gases

Strongly interacting Fermi gases are of great interest. Interacting fermions are involved in some of the most important unanswered questions in condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, and cosmology. In 2008, we presented a systematic comparison of strong-coupling theories, predicted the finite-temperature phase diagram of a polarized system and investigated the collective modes in multicomponent attractive Fermi gas[1-4].
Albumin transfer across the choroid plexus of South American opossum (Monodelphis domestica).

1. Blood‐cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) transfer of various exogenous albumins has been investigated in developing Monodelphis domestica (South American grey short‐tailed opossum) and compared with the steady‐state CSF: plasma ratios for endogenous (Monodelphis) albumin. Ratios for Monodelphis albumin and human albumin were similar and were the highest at postnatal day 5 (P5) (48.2 +/‐ 4.4 and 40.6 +/‐ 4.5%, respectively). The ratio for bovine albumin was similar to the steady‐state ratio for Monodelphis albumin at P7‐8 but became consistently lower than the Monodelphis albumin ratio at all other ages until P32‐36 when all albumins tested attained a similar low ratio. The CSF:plasma ratio of chemically modified (succinylated) bovine albumin was always significantly lower than that of other albumins, except at the oldest age examined (P32‐36). 2. Immunocytochemistry showed that within the brain, albumin was confined to the lumen and endothelial cells of blood vessels. In the choroid plexus only a small proportion (0.2‐1.7% of the total cell number) of epithelial cells was positive for albumin, both endogenous and exogenous, at all ages studied (except the 3rd ventricle where cells were only positive from P8). The CSF was strongly positive for all albumins. The peak proportion of positive cells and of albumin concentrations in CSF occurred at P8. These findings suggest that the primary route for penetration of albumin into CSF is directly across the choroid plexus rather than via the brain. 3. Double‐labelling immunocytochemistry revealed that the same epithelial cells contained both endogenous (Monodelphis) and exogenous (human) albumin. In contrast, for succinylated albumin, at P7 only about 35% (lateral ventricle) and 50% (4th ventricle) of Monodelphis albumin‐positive cells were also positive for succinylated albumin, but by P30 this proportion increased to 90% at both sites. 4. Thus the developing choroid plexus distinguishes between different albumins. Chemical modification of albumin (succinylation) disrupts this mechanism. It is proposed that in older animals (P32‐36) all of the albumin in the CSF is derived from plasma by diffusion (as in adult animals). At earlier stages of development, a proportion of the albumin in CSF also appears to be transferred from the plasma by diffusion with an additional component transferred by a mechanism that can distinguish between different species of albumin. The main route of entry of albumin to CSF seems likely to be via the choroid plexus epithelial cells.
Histopathology of Vitiliginous Skin

ABSTRACT: A histological study of 74 vitiligo cases revealed imflammatory and degenerative changes in the epidermis, papillation, blood vessels, sweat glands and ducts, sebeceous glands cind hair follicles, dermis (connective tissue), and dermal nerves and nerve endings.
Attitudes, persuasion, and behavior

Social psychologists conceptualize attitudes as “a psychological tendency that is expressed by evaluating a particular entity with some degree of favor or disfavor” (Eagly & Chaiken, 1993, p. 1; see chapter 20, this volume, for a review of different definitions). Although most definitions characterize attitudes as relatively enduring mental states, attitudes change as people interact with their social environment. In fact, the bulk of attitude research has addressed the conditions and processes of attitude change. Understanding the dynamics of attitude change is as useful for basic researchers who try to explain social information processing as it is vital for practitioners in business, health, law, marketing, or politics who are interested in effective strategies of influencing attitudes and behavior. The present chapter provides a selective review of mainstream theorizing in two key areas of attitude research. We first address attitude change through persuasion and subsequently review research into the attitude–behavior relationship. Issues pertaining to the conceptualization of attitudes and the emergence of context effects in attitude measurement are discussed by Schwarz and Bohner (chapter 20, this volume).
Functional architecture of the Reb1-Ter complex of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Significance Transcription termination of rRNA genes by RNA polymerase I (pol I) in fission yeast requires the binding of the Reb1 protein to a terminator site (Ter). Termination is physiologically necessary because its elimination can cause replication–transcription collision and induction of genome instability. Furthermore, without termination, pol I can become unproductively sequestered on the DNA templates. We have determined the crystal structure of fission yeast terminator protein Reb1-Ter complex revealing its functional architecture. Structure-guided functional analysis revealed that it is not just tight binding of the protein to Ter but protein–protein interactions with the Rpa12 subunit of RNA polymerase I that causes transcriptional arrest. Reb1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe represents a family of multifunctional proteins that bind to specific terminator sites (Ter) and cause polar termination of transcription catalyzed by RNA polymerase I (pol I) and arrest of replication forks approaching the Ter sites from the opposite direction. However, it remains to be investigated whether the same mechanism causes arrest of both DNA transactions. Here, we present the structure of Reb1 as a complex with a Ter site at a resolution of 2.7 Å. Structure-guided molecular genetic analyses revealed that it has distinct and well-defined DNA binding and transcription termination (TTD) domains. The region of the protein involved in replication termination is distinct from the TTD. Mechanistically, the data support the conclusion that transcription termination is not caused by just high affinity Reb1-Ter protein–DNA interactions. Rather, protein–protein interactions between the TTD with the Rpa12 subunit of RNA pol I seem to be an integral part of the mechanism. This conclusion is further supported by the observation that double mutations in TTD that abolished its interaction with Rpa12 also greatly reduced transcription termination thereby revealing a conduit for functional communications between RNA pol I and the terminator protein.
An Assessment of Bank of England and National Institute Inflation Forecast Uncertainties

In February 1996 the Bank of England and the National Institute of Economic and Social Research significantly increased the amount of information they published about the uncertainty surrounding their central projections of inflation. In effect, and in different ways, they each began to publish a density forecast of inflation, that is, an estimate of the probability distribution of possible outcomes for future inflation. The Bank represented this graphically, as a set of forecast intervals covering 10, 20, 30, …, 90 per cent of the probability distribution, coloured red, of lighter shades for the outer bands. This was done for inflation forecasts up to eight quarters ahead, and since the distribution becomes increasingly dispersed and the intervals ‘fan out’ as the forecast horizon increases, the chart became known as the ‘fan chart’ (or, rather more informally, and noting its red colour, the ‘rivers of blood’). The National Institute represented the distribution as a histogram, in the form of a table reporting the probabilities of inflation falling in various ranges. These intervals, or ‘bins’ of the histogram, have changed from time to time; those used currently are: less than 1.5 per cent, 1.5 to 2.0 per cent, 2.0 to 2.5 per cent, and so on. The forecasts refer to the fourth quarters of the current and following years, and from the beginning have included not only inflation but also real GDP growth. Fan charts for real GDP growth first appeared in the Bank's Inflation Report in November 1997.
Hyperglycemia and Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Hyperglycemia's Impact on ACS

The association between hyperglycemia and increased mortality associated with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) has been studied and affirmed. Although more studies are needed to explore how managing this hyperglycemia can affect ACS mortality, the need to educate regarding current data is urgent so that it can be clinically applied. Reviews, randomized controlled trials, and other studies were obtained by means of electronic search strategies, such as Medline and Cochrane Library, as well as hand selection. Sources selected were limited to those that discussed ACS and hyperglycemia, and specific emphasis was placed on sources that focused on ACS and hyperglycemia in conjunction with one another. Selected studies were then assessed for quality and relevance. Clear correlations between mean and persistent glucose levels and ACS mortality are found. Persistent glucose levels offer a better model to predict ACS mortality than on-admission glucose levels. However, findings concerning the effect on ACS-related mortality of controlling glucose levels have been conflicting.
Factor Structure, Stability, and Predictive Validity of College Students’ Relationship Self-Efficacy Beliefs

Abstract This study explored the underlying structure, stability, and predictive validity of college students scores on a measure of relationship maintenance self-efficacy beliefs. Three identified efficacy-related factors were found to be stable; related in expected directions with gender, commitment status, and adult attachment orientations: and uniquely predictive of subsequent relationship satisfaction.
Persistence of Brucella abortus infection in six herds of cattle under brucellosis eradication.

Abstract Six herds of dairy cattle, in which infection had persisted after measures had been employed to eradicate brucellosis, were investigated in detail. One hundred and two animals out of 700 (14.6%) had evidence of the disease from cultural or serological tests. Only 4 infected animals aborted; the remaining 98 animals with brucellosis exhibited no clinical sign of the disease, and 52 were heifers calving for the first time. Sixty-five of the 700 animals (9.3%) produced brucella-infected vaginal discharges at the end of a normal period of gestation, and another 17 (2.4%) were detected only by the brucellosis (Brewer) card test (BCT) or complement fixation test (CFT). All the infected animals were removed from the herds immediately after detection. About 2 weeks after all the cows had calved, 20 of the remain-ing 510 animals (3.9%) in 4 of the herds became positive to one or more tests and 8 excreted brucellae in their milk. The pregnancy of three 2-year-old primiparous heifers terminated normally and.
Interferon alfa with or without ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C: systematic review of randomised trials

Abstract Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of interferon alfa with or without ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Design: Systematic review of randomised trials on interferon alfa plus ribavirin combination therapy versus interferon alfa. Patients were naive (not previously treated with interferon), relapsers (transient response to previous interferon therapy), or non-responders (no response to previous interferon therapy). Studies reviewed: Of 1155 references identified, 48 trials with 6585 patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients were followed to the end of treatment in 20 trials and in 28 trials for 12–96 weeks after treatment. Main outcome measures: Virological response and morbidity plus mortality. Results: Compared with interferon, combination therapy reduced the risk of not having a sustained virological response for 6 months by 26% in naive patients (relative risk 0.74, 95% confidence interval 0.70 to 0.78), 33% in relapsers (0.67, 0.57 to 0.78), and 11% in non-responders (0.89, 0.83 to 0.96). Morbidity and mortality showed a non-significant trend in favour of combination therapy (Peto odds ratio 0.45, 0.19 to 1.06). Combination therapy significantly reduced the risk of not having improvement in results of histology by 17% in naive patients (0.83, 0.74 to 0.93) and by 27% in relapsers and non-responders (0.73, 0.66 to 0.82). The risk of treatment discontinuations was significantly higher after combination therapy (1.28, 1.07 to 1.52). Conclusion: Treatment with interferon alfa plus ribavirin has a significant beneficial effect on the virological and histological responses of patients with chronic hepatitis C, irrespective of previous treatment. Combination therapy may therefore also be considered appropriate for relapsers and non-responders. What is already known on this subject Interferon alfa was the recommended treatment for chronic hepatitis C until the late 1990s Combination therapy is recommended for previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C, but the benefit of treating relapsers and non-responders to previous treatment with interferon remains controversial The effect of treatment on liver related morbidity and mortality has not been established What this study adds Combination therapy is more effective in treating hepatitis C than interferon alfa alone in naive patients, relapsers, and non-responders Combination therapy significantly reduced the risk of not having a sustained virological or histological response irrespective of previous treatment and may therefore also be considered in relapsers and non-responders to previous treatment The data indicate a non-significant trend towards a beneficial effect on morbidity plus mortality rates
Automated Generation of Test Cases Using Model-Driven Architecture

In this paper, we demonstrate a method that uses the model transformation technology of MDA to generate unit test cases from a platform-independent model of the system. The method we propose is based on sequence diagrams. First we model the sequence diagram and then this model is automatically transformed into a general unit test case model (an xUnit model which is independent of a particular unit testing framework), using model-to-model transformations. Then model-to-text transformations are applied on the xUnit model to generate platform- specific (JUnit, SUnit etc.) test cases that are concrete and executable. We have implemented the transformations in a prototype tool based on the Tefkat transformation tool and MOFScript. The paper gives details of the tool and the transformations that we have developed. We have applied the method to a small example (ATM simulation).
Lack of Complications in Skin Surgery of Patients Receiving Clopidogrel as Compared with Patients Taking Aspirin, Warfarin, and Controls

Clopidogrel, a new antiplatelet agent that irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation, is widely used today. This prospective work was conducted to evaluate the safety of performing skin surgery on patients taking clopidogrel. Patients undergoing surgery for excision of skin or subcutaneous lesions under local anesthesia taking clopidogrel were the study group. The control group comprised 2073 historical patients who had undergone a similar procedure. Data collected included: age, sex, past medical history, medications, and late complications. Follow-up was done at 1 to 2 weeks and 3 to 6 months. There were 32 patients on clopidogrel, having 38 lesions removed. Of these, seven patients were on aspirin and clopidogrel combined. The groups taking clopidogrel, aspirin, and warfarin had significantly more males, were older, and had significantly more comorbid medical conditions. There was no significant difference in the incidence of any of the complications in any of the groups. This study shows that patients taking clopidogrel before skin surgery, though older and with more associated medical conditions, do not experience a greater rate of complications. We conclude that patients undergoing minor excisional cutaneous surgery should continue taking clopidogrel because there is no apparent risk for increased complications when good meticulous surgical techniques are used.
Modelling Competitive Sports: Bradley-Terry-Élő Models for Supervised and On-Line Learning of Paired Competition Outcomes

Prediction and modelling of competitive sports outcomes has received much recent attention, especially from the Bayesian statistics and machine learning communities. In the real world setting of outcome prediction, the seminal Elő update still remains, after more than 50 years, a valuable baseline which is difficult to improve upon, though in its original form it is a heuristic and not a proper statistical "model". Mathematically, the Elő rating system is very closely related to the Bradley-Terry models, which are usually used in an explanatory fashion rather than in a predictive supervised or on-line learning setting. Exploiting this close link between these two model classes and some newly observed similarities, we propose a new supervised learning framework with close similarities to logistic regression, low-rank matrix completion and neural networks. Building on it, we formulate a class of structured log-odds models, unifying the desirable properties found in the above: supervised probabilistic prediction of scores and wins/draws/losses, batch/epoch and on-line learning, as well as the possibility to incorporate features in the prediction, without having to sacrifice simplicity, parsimony of the Bradley-Terry models, or computational efficiency of Elő's original approach. We validate the structured log-odds modelling approach in synthetic experiments and English Premier League outcomes, where the added expressivity yields the best predictions reported in the state-of-art, close to the quality of contemporary betting odds.
Experimental single-strain mobilomics reveals events that shape pathogen emergence

Virulence genes on mobile DNAs such as genomic islands (GIs) and plasmids promote bacterial pathogen emergence. Excision is an early step in GI mobilization, producing a circular GI and a deletion site in the chromosome; circular forms are also known for some bacterial insertion sequences (ISs). The recombinant sequence at the junctions of such circles and deletions can be detected sensitively in high-throughput sequencing data, using new computational methods that enable empirical discovery of mobile DNAs. For the rich mobilome of a hospital Klebsiella pneumoniae strain, circularization junctions (CJs) were detected for six GIs and seven IS types. Our methods revealed differential biology of multiple mobile DNAs, imprecision of integrases and transposases, and differential activity among identical IS copies for IS26, ISKpn18 and ISKpn21. Using the resistance of circular dsDNA molecules to exonuclease, internally calibrated with the native plasmids, showed that not all molecules bearing GI CJs were circular. Transpositions were also detected, revealing replicon preference (ISKpn18 prefers a conjugative IncA/C2 plasmid), local action (IS26), regional preferences, selection (against capsule synthesis) and IS polarity inversion. Efficient discovery and global characterization of numerous mobile elements per experiment improves accounting for the new gene combinations that arise in emerging pathogens.
Estereotipos negativos hacia la vejez en personas mayores de Latinoamérica

Introduction: The objectives of the study are focused on investigating the presence of old age stereotypes in ten countries of Latin America. In addition, the level of stereotypes among the studied countries, as well as the influence of social demographic variables in the formation of stereotypes, were investigated. Methodology: a cross-sectional descriptive study of seniors with ages between 60 and 70 (N: 965) from ten countries of Latin America was performed. The relevant information for the study was obtained using the old age negative stereotypes survey (in Spanish CENVE). After that, the possible associations between the social demographic variables and the CENVE factors were investigated through the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results show that there are negative stereotypes toward aging in older people being lower in the presence of this motivational factor. Furthermore, a significant correlation between the variables “occupation" and "education" was observed, and significant differences of the negative stereotypes between the countries of this study were confirmed. Conclusion: Old age negative stereotypes in seniors mainly from countries with important differences in health, educational and economic conditions were identified. The educational level as well as the socioeconomic status influence the development of old age negative stereotypes.
Use of green fluorescent protein to visualize the early events of symbiosis between Rhizobium meliloti and alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

A gene encoding a variant of green fluorescent protein (GFP) of Aequorea victoria was put under the control of a promoter which is constitutive in Rhizobium meliloti. The heterologous GFP gene was expressed at high levels during all stages of symbiosis, allowing R. meliloti cells to be visualized as they grew in the rhizosphere, on the root surface, and inside infection threads. In addition, nodules that were infected with bacteria which were synthesizing GFP fluoresced when illuminated with blue light. GFP-tagged bacteria could be seen inside infection threads, providing the opportunity to measure the growth rate and determine the patterns of growth of R. meliloti residing inside its host plant.