Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anatomic study of the lacrimal fossa and lacrimal pathway for bypass surgery with autogenous tissue grafting

PURPOSE To study the microsurgical anatomy of the lacrimal drainage system and to provide anatomical evidence for transnasal endoscopic lacrimal drainage system bypass surgery by autogenous tissue grafting. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 20 Chinese adult cadaveric heads in 10% formaldehyde, comprising 40 lacrimal ducts were used. The middle third section of the specimens were examined for the following features: the thickness of the lacrimal fossa at the anterior lacrimal crest, vertical middle line, and posterior lacrimal crest; the cross section of the upper opening, middle part, and lower opening of the nasolacrimal canal; the horizontal, 30° oblique, and 45° oblique distances from the lacrimal caruncle to the nasal cavity; the distance from the lacrimal caruncle to the upper opening of the nasolacrimal duct; and the included angle between the lacrimal caruncle-nasolacrimal duct upper opening junction and Aeby's plane. RESULTS The middle third of the anterior lacrimal crest was significantly thicker than the vertical middle line and the posterior lacrimal crest (P > 0.05). The horizontal distance, 30° oblique distance, and 45° oblique distance from the lacrimal caruncle to the nasal cavity exhibited no significant differences (P > 0.05). The included angle between the lacrimal caruncle and the lateral wall middle point of the superior opening line of the nasolacrimal duct and Aeby's plane was average (49.9° ± 1.8°). CONCLUSION The creation of the bony tunnel should start from the middle or posterior middle part of the lacrimal fossa, extending toward the anterior inferior region with an optimal downward oblique angle of 45°.
Reading as Part of Computer Programming. An Ethnomethodological Enquiry

This paper examines reading as done by programmers engaged in software development. Reading is an activity we feel should be of fundamental interest to studies of programming, but the practical achievement of which has not been closely examined. We give examples of programmers reading in pairs, and reading alone, and show reading in both cases to be explainable in terms of shared social practices. These practices are not determined by the code but nor are they purely socially constructed; rather they lie in the linkage be-tween the code and programmers’ ways of reading the code. We discuss (1) how features of day-to-day coding work create pertinent occasions for reading a certain piece of code, (2) how programmers order and expect there to be an order to code, and (3) how programmers have ways of analysing code in order to make sense of it. This is an ethnomethodological study that draws from ethnographic fieldwork at a professional software development company.
BBQ-Networks: Efficient Exploration in Deep Reinforcement Learning for Task-Oriented Dialogue Systems

We present a new algorithm that significantly improves the efficiency of exploration for deep Q-learning agents in dialogue systems. Our agents explore via Thompson sampling, drawing Monte Carlo samples from a Bayes-by-Backprop neural network. Our algorithm learns much faster than common exploration strategies such as ε-greedy, Boltzmann, bootstrapping, and intrinsic-reward-based ones. Additionally, we show that spiking the replay buffer with experiences from just a few successful episodes can make Q-learning feasible when it might otherwise fail.
Mortality salience increases language style matching and well-being

Abstract The present research examined whether people imitate the language style of others (i.e., the use of function words) as a form of liking when mortality concerns are salient. In Study 1, participants answered questions about death or public speaking and then engaged in an instant messaging conversation with a confederate. In Study 2, participant pairs verbally discussed a news article about increasing homicide rates or the rise in academic pressure. Next, everyone completed measures of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and relationship need satisfaction. The results revealed that, in comparison to the control conditions, participants exhibited greater language style matching (LSM) following reminders of death (Studies 1 & 2). Further, mediational analyses showed that higher LSM after mortality salience was associated with better psychological and social well-being (Study 2). Although the threat of death has been shown to make people more hostile and disparaging toward dissimilar others, the present work suggests that individuals, even strangers, may feel closer through language coordination following thoughts of mortality.
Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among People with Type 2 Diabetes in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Research into CAM use by people with diabetes is limited. This study explored CAM use among patients who attend diabetic clinics for followup treatment. Special attention was paid to patients' changing patterns of CAM use before and after diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes, their experience of CAM use, and their management of CAM use with conventional medicines. A retrospective cross-sectional survey (n = 326) was undertaken in three census regions in Taiwan, including metropolitan, urban, and rural areas in 2006-7 (87.4% response rate). Participants reported extensive use of CAM with conventional medicines. The prevalence of CAM use was 22.7% before and 61.0% after diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes with nutritional supplements being the most commonly used CAM before and after diagnosis. However, the disclosure rate of CAM use to healthcare professionals remained low (24.6%), and lack of knowledge about CAM ingredients was common (63.4%). Awareness of the widespread use of CAM by people with Type 2 diabetes is crucial for healthcare professionals. The self-administration of both conventional medicines and CAM without disclosure of CAM use to healthcare professionals may result in ineffective diabetes management and adverse effects. CAM information needs to be incorporated into clinical practice and patient and professional education.
Multiplierless FIR filter design algorithms

This letter concerns the design of multiplierless implementations of finite impulse response (FIR) filters to achieve minimum adder cost. Existing approaches include dependence-graph multiplier-block methods and Common Subexpression Elimination (CSE) techniques applied either to the Canonic Signed Digit (CSD) representation of the coefficients or to other Signed Digit (SD) representations. We introduce a new CSE algorithm, which searches a bounded number of Minimal Signed Digit (MSD) representations. The performance of existing algorithms and the new algorithm is compared. It is shown that the relative performance of different algorithms depends on filter length and wordlength and that the new algorithm gives significant improvements in some cases.
Low-Rank Matrix Approximation with Stability

Low-rank matrix approximation has been widely adopted in machine learning applications with sparse data, such as recommender systems. However, the sparsity of the data, incomplete and noisy, introduces challenges to the algorithm stability - small changes in the training data may significantly change the models. As a result, existing low-rank matrix approximation solutions yield low generalization performance, exhibiting high error variance on the training dataset, and minimizing the training error may not guarantee error reduction on the testing dataset. In this paper, we investigate the algorithm stability problem of low-rank matrix approximations. We present a new algorithm design framework, which (1) introduces new optimization objectives to guide stable matrix approximation algorithm design, and (2) solves the optimization problem to obtain stable low-rank approximation solutions with good generalization performance. Experimental results on real-world datasets demonstrate that the proposed work can achieve better prediction accuracy compared with both state-of-the-art low-rank matrix approximation methods and ensemble methods in recommendation task.
Gland Instance Segmentation Using Deep Multichannel Neural Networks

Objective: A new image instance segmentation method is proposed to segment individual glands (instances) in colon histology images. This process is challenging since the glands not only need to be segmented from a complex background, they must also be individually identified. Methods: We leverage the idea of image-to-image prediction in recent deep learning by designing an algorithm that automatically exploits and fuses complex multichannel information—regional, location, and boundary cues—in gland histology images. Our proposed algorithm, a deep multichannel framework, alleviates heavy feature design due to the use of convolutional neural networks and is able to meet multifarious requirements by altering channels. Results: Compared with methods reported in the 2015 MICCAI Gland Segmentation Challenge and other currently prevalent instance segmentation methods, we observe state-of-the-art results based on the evaluation metrics. Conclusion: The proposed deep multichannel algorithm is an effective method for gland instance segmentation. Significance: The generalization ability of our model not only enable the algorithm to solve gland instance segmentation problems, but the channel is also alternative that can be replaced for a specific task.
Towards a new model of semantic processing: Task-specific effects of concreteness and semantic neighbourhood density in visual word recognition

According to data from three tasks, Danguecan & Buchanan (2014) demonstrated that semantic neighbourhood density (SND; Buchanan, Westbury, & Burgess, 2001) interacts with concreteness to influence visual word recognition response times (RTs). Importantly, these data suggest that the behavioural effects of these semantic variables are differentially impacted by task demands. The goal of the present study was to more precisely chart the flexibility of semantic processing by comparing recognition RTs of words (varying in concreteness and SND) across seven tasks with different explicit semantic requirements. The data show that linguistic associative information is particularly critical for abstract as compared to concrete concepts. These findings are discussed within the context of a new model of semantic processing, known as the Flexible Semantic Processing Hypothesis. SEMANTIC EFFECTS IN WORD RECOGNITION v
Secrecy Analysis of Transmit Antenna Selection Cooperative Schemes With No Channel State Information at the Transmitter

In this paper we investigate the physical layer security in a cooperative scenario where the source and the eavesdropper are equipped with multiple antennas, while the relay and the destination are single-antenna devices. We consider that no channel state information (CSI) is available at the transmitter, besides the index of the selected transmit antenna. Closed-form expressions for the secrecy outage probability of the selective decode-and-forward (SDF) and incremental decode-and-forward (IDF) schemes are derived. In addition, we also conduct an asymptotic analysis to get further insights on the performance of each scheme, which predicts a performance floor inherent to the scenario without CSI at the transmitter. Moreover, we also analyze the schemes in terms of the secrecy throughput, which shows that the performance floor that appear in the outage analysis only affects the secrecy throughput if the floor is too high, as is the case of the non-cooperative transmission. Our analysis show that IDF can considerably outperform the SDF and the non-cooperative transmission both in terms of secrecy outage probability and secrecy throughput.
“Just working in a team was a great experience…” – Student perspectives on the learning experiences of an interprofessional education program

Interprofessional education (IPE) programs aim to improve collaboration between health- and social-care professionals and to optimize clinical outcomes. Such programs are complex to design, and evaluation of effectiveness is difficult. Combining qualitative and quantitative data may provide greater understanding of how a program affects participants and what aspects are influential on attitudes and behavior. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore undergraduate student perspectives on what attributes of a 4-week IPE program they considered contributed to a successful learning experience. Due to the fact that the students were not formally assessed, the realistic context of the activities and the quality of the facilitators created an environment where the students felt empowered to interact freely without fear of reproach. Learning the roles of other professions and their contribution to a healthcare team broadened the students' perspectives on healthcare and increased their sense of self-worth and pride in their professions. In addition, being able to identify the relevance of the learning experience to their future practice motivated the students. This information can be used to create optimal learning environments for facilitating the development of successful future healthcare teams.
In-placement clock-tree aware multi-bit flip-flop generation for power optimization

Utilizing multi-bit flip-flops (MBFFs) is one of the most effective power optimization techniques in modern nanometer integrated circuit (IC) design. Most of the previous work apply MBFFs without doing placement refinement of combinational logic cells. Such problem formulation may result in less power reduction due to tight timing constraints with fixed combinational logic cells. This paper introduces a novel placement flow with clock-tree aware flip-flop merging and MBFF generation, and proposes the corresponding algorithms to simultaneously minimize flip-flop power and clock latency when applying MBFFs during placement. Experimental results based on the IWLS-2005 benchmark show that our approach is very effective in not only flip-flop power but also clock latency minimization without degrading circuit performance. To our best knowledge, this is also the first work in the literature which considers clock trees during flip-flop merging and MBFF generation.
NetB, a New Toxin That Is Associated with Avian Necrotic Enteritis Caused by Clostridium perfringens

For over 30 years a phospholipase C enzyme called alpha-toxin was thought to be the key virulence factor in necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens. However, using a gene knockout mutant we have recently shown that alpha-toxin is not essential for pathogenesis. We have now discovered a key virulence determinant. A novel toxin (NetB) was identified in a C. perfringens strain isolated from a chicken suffering from necrotic enteritis (NE). The toxin displayed limited amino acid sequence similarity to several pore forming toxins including beta-toxin from C. perfringens (38% identity) and alpha-toxin from Staphylococcus aureus (31% identity). NetB was only identified in C. perfringens type A strains isolated from chickens suffering NE. Both purified native NetB and recombinant NetB displayed cytotoxic activity against the chicken leghorn male hepatoma cell line LMH; inducing cell rounding and lysis. To determine the role of NetB in NE a netB mutant of a virulent C. perfringens chicken isolate was constructed by homologous recombination, and its virulence assessed in a chicken disease model. The netB mutant was unable to cause disease whereas the wild-type parent strain and the netB mutant complemented with a wild-type netB gene caused significant levels of NE. These data show unequivocally that in this isolate a functional NetB toxin is critical for the ability of C. perfringens to cause NE in chickens. This novel toxin is the first definitive virulence factor to be identified in avian C. perfringens strains capable of causing NE. Furthermore, the netB mutant is the first rationally attenuated strain obtained in an NE-causing isolate of C. perfringens; as such it has considerable vaccine potential.
Marked enhancement in gene expression by targeting the human insulin receptor

Exogenous genes can be delivered to cells without viral vectors using an “artificial virus” comprised of nonviral plasmid DNA encapsulated in the interior of 85 nm pegylated immunoliposomes (PIL). The liposomes are targeted to cells with receptor‐specific targeting ligands such as receptor‐specific peptidomimetic monoclonal antibodies.
Viruses in recreational water‐borne disease outbreaks: a review

Viruses are believed to be a significant cause of recreationally associated water‐borne disease. However, they have been difficult to document because of the wide variety of illnesses that they cause and the limitations in previous detection methods. Noroviruses are believed to be the single largest cause of outbreaks, which have been documented in the published literature 45% (n = 25), followed by adenovirus (24%), echovirus (18%), hepatitis A virus (7%) and coxsackieviruses (5%). Just under half of the outbreaks occurred in swimming pools (49%), while the second largest outbreak occurred in lakes or ponds (40%). The number of reported outbreaks associated with noroviruses has increased significantly in recent years probably because of better methods for virus detection. Inadequate disinfection was related to 69% (n = 18) of swimming pool outbreaks. A lack of required reporting and nonuniform water quality and chlorination/disinfection standards continues to contribute to water‐borne recreational disease outbreaks.
Autoimmune pancreatitis : an overview from pathologists ’ perspective with emphasis on recent advances

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas of unknown etiology. It is not a homogenous entity; two types have been recognized and they are currently named type 1 and type 2 AIP. Both types have overlapping radiological features and their clinical presentation can be similar, but their histologic appearance is different and the underlying pathophysiological processes appear to be different as well. Type 1 AIP, previously known as lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis, is part of the IgG4-related disease spectrum, a multisystemic fibroinflammatory condition that affects multiple organs in a synchronous or metachronous way. Type 2 AIP, previously known as duct-centric chronic pancreatitis or granulocyte epithelial lesion (GEL)-positive pancreatitis, is not part of the IgG4-related disease spectrum, and is not associated with other organ involvement. This review focuses on the most recent advances in their pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment with particular attentions to histologic diagnostic criteria. It also discusses the differential diagnoses.
Cholera Toxin Is Found in Detergent-insoluble Rafts/Domains at the Cell Surface of Hippocampal Neurons but Is Internalized via a Raft-independent Mechanism*

A number of studies have demonstrated that cholera toxin (CT) is found in detergent-insoluble, cholesterol-enriched domains (rafts) in various cells, including neurons. We now demonstrate that even though CT is associated with these domains at the cell surface of cultured hippocampal neurons, it is internalized via a raft-independent mechanism, at both early and late stages of neuronal development. CT transport to the Golgi apparatus, and its subsequent degradation, is inhibited by hypertonic medium (sucrose), and by chlorpromazine; the former blocks clathrin recruitment, and the latter causes aberrant endosomal accumulation of clathrin. Moreover, both internalization of the transferrin receptor (Tf-R), which occurs via a clathrin-dependent mechanism, and CT internalization, are inhibited to a similar extent by sucrose. In contrast, the cholesterol-binding agents filipin and methyl-β-cyclodextrin have no effect on the rate of CT or Tf-R internalization. Finally, once internalized, CT becomes more detergent-soluble, and chlorpromazine treatment renders internalized CT completely detergent-soluble. We propose two models to explain how, despite being detergent-insoluble at the cell surface, CT is nevertheless internalized via a raft-independent mechanism in hippocampal neurons.
Einsatzgebiete für Dokumenten- und Workflow-Management-Systeme im Drittmittelprozess einer Hochschule

Die Anzahl der Drittmittel(-projekte) hat in vielen Hochschulen zugenommen. Wissenschaftlerinnen sind hierdurch häufig mit administrativen Tätigkeiten zur Abwicklung eines Drittmittelprojektes beschäftigt. Eine vollständige IT-Unterstützung wird ihnen dazu jedoch nicht geboten. Der vorliegende Beitrag fokussiert daher zunächst die Erhebung eines administrativen Drittmittel-Prozesses, um diesen im Anschluss auf Einsatzgebiete für eine Dokumentenund Workflow-Management-Lösung zu untersuchen. Hierbei wird auf eine Fallstudie zur Prozesserhebung zurückgegriffen und die Einsatzgebiete werden mithilfe der Task-Technology-Fit-Theorie bestimmt.
Exploring the potential of touch-screen computer technology in promoting enjoyable activities with people living with dementia : a visual ethnography

Abstract The potential of developing new technologies that may assist people living with dementia to successfully navigate their day is increasingly recognised. Interventions include prompts and reminders to support memory function as well as safety detectors and activity monitors. Few however, have recognised the potential of using existing technologies as an intervention to support social interactions and enjoyable activities. This thesis explored the potential of touch screen computer technology in facilitating enjoyable activities with people with dementia who live in the community. The project premise that technology may facilitate enjoyable activity by those with a dementia diagnosis was explored through two successive studies. The first involved attendees at a community day care centre. They were living with moderate to later manifestations of the condition but still lived at home, some alone. The second study involved people with a recent diagnosis of dementia and participants took part in their own homes. The methodology employed was a focused visual ethnography and data collection methods comprised of video-based participant observations and in-depth interviews. Data analysis required the development of a novel technique drawing on concepts of multimodality and visual ethnographic methods which enabled non-verbal behaviour to be represented as equally significant to verbal behaviour. Findings from study 1 indicate that activities were enjoyed ‘in the moment’. Although familiarity of the devices and applications was observed within sessions this did not extend between sessions. Further, the group context in study 1 provides regular social contact for people experiencing life in similar ways. In contrast, findings from study 2 indicated that the use of new knowledge and retained learning occurred across sessions for all participants, irrespective of the style of technology engagement. Nevertheless, the majority of participants in study 2 reported feeling lonely as a consequence of the condition and in need of increased social contact. The conclusions reached suggest that touch screen technology can facilitate enjoyable activities with people living with dementia, irrespective of the level of impairment, if supported appropriately.
Eulerian Calculus for the Displacement Convexity in the Wasserstein Distance

In this paper we give a new proof of the (strong) displacement convexity of a class of integral functionals defined on a compact Riemannian manifold satisfying a lower Ricci curvature bound. Our approach does not rely on existence and regularity results for optimal transport maps on Riemannian manifolds, but it is based on the Eulerian point of view recently introduced by Otto and Westdickenberg [SIAM J. Math. Anal. , 37 (2005), pp. 1227–1255] and on the metric characterization of the gradient flows generated by the functionals in the Wasserstein space.