Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Context-aware Discriminative Phrase Selection for Statistical Machine Translation

In this work we revise the application of discriminative learning to the problem of phrase selection in Statistical Machine Translation. Inspired by common techniques used in Word Sense Disambiguation, we train classifiers based on local context to predict possible phrase translations. Our work extends that of Vickrey et al. (2005) in two main aspects. First, we move from word translation to phrase translation. Second, we move from the 'blank-filling' task to the 'full translation' task. We report results on a set of highly frequent source phrases, obtaining a significant improvement, specially with respect to adequacy, according to a rigorous process of manual evaluation.
I N F E C T I O N Control and Hospital Epidemiology Revised Shea Position Paper: Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel

This document serves as an update and companion piece to the 2005 Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Position Paper entitled "Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Workers and Vaccine Allocation for Healthcare Workers During Vaccine Shortages. " 1 In large part, the discussion about the rationale for influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP), the strategies designed to improve influenza vaccination rates in this population, and the recommendations made in the 2005 paper still stand. This position paper notes new evidence released since publication of the 2005 paper and strengthens SHEA's position on the importance of influenza vaccination of HCP. This document does not discuss vaccine allocation during times of vaccine shortage, because the 2005 SHEA Position Paper 1 still serves as the Society's official statement on that issue. SHEA views influenza vaccination of HCP as a core patient and HCP safety practice with which noncompliance should not be tolerated. It is the professional and ethical responsibility of HCP and the institutions within which they work to prevent the spread of infectious pathogens to their patients through evidence-based infection prevention practices, including influenza vaccination. Therefore, for the safety of both patients and HCP, SHEA endorses a policy in which annual influenza vaccination is a condition of both initial and continued HCP employment and/or professional privileges. The implementation of this policy should be part of a multifaceted, comprehensive influenza infection control program; it must have full, visible leadership support with the expectation for influenza vaccination fully and clearly communicated to all existing and applicant HCP; and it must have ample resources and support to implement and to sustain the HCP vaccination program. This recommendation applies to all HCP working in all healthcare settings, regardless of whether the HCP have direct patient contact or whether the HCP are directly employed by the facility. It also applies to all students, volunteers, and contract workers. SHEA recommends that only exemptions due to recognized medical contraindications to influenza vaccination be considered. The transmission of influenza in the healthcare setting is an underrecognized yet substantial safety concern that places patients, other staff, and HCP at risk. Preventing the spread of influenza involves initiation of a comprehensive infection control program designed to identify and to isolate infectious persons while using work practice controls to reduce the risk of influenza transmission. Rapid identification and isolation of patients suspected to have infection, adherence to hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette, source control …
Rapid Association Learning in the Primate Prefrontal Cortex in the Absence of Behavioral Reversals

The PFC plays a central role in our ability to learn arbitrary rules, such as “green means go. ” Previous experiments from our laboratory have used conditional association learning to show that slow, gradual changes in PFC neural activity mirror monkeys' slow acquisition of associations. These previous experiments required monkeys to repeatedly reverse the cue–saccade associations, an ability known to be PFC-dependent. We aimed to test whether the relationship between PFC neural activity and behavior was due to the reversal requirement, so monkeys were trained to learn several new conditional cue–saccade associations without reversing them. Learning-related changes in PFC activity now appeared earlier and more suddenly in correspondence with similar changes in behavioral improvement. This suggests that learning of conditional associations is linked to PFC activity regardless of whether reversals are required. However, when previous learning does not need to be suppressed, PFC acquires associations more rapidly.
Rapid, Simple In Vivo Screen for New Drugs Active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT We evaluated the use of a simple and easy-to-obtain potential marker of tuberculosis (TB) drug efficacy, body weight, and correlated weight loss or gain with the number of CFU of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in lungs and spleens of infected mice. C3H mice were infected intravenously with 106 CFU of virulent M. tuberculosis H37Rv, and body weight was evaluated for several weeks after infection. At day 20, infected untreated mice consistently lost more than 25% of their body weight. Chemotherapy with selected orally active anti-TB drugs was initiated 7 days following infection and continued for 13 days. Drugs that were administered daily by gavage included isoniazid (INH), ethambutol (EMB), rifampin (RIF), and moxifloxacin (MXF). At the most effective doses, each of these drugs inhibited bacterial growth and abolished infection-induced body weight loss. Chemotherapy with 1/10 the standard dose of INH determined in accepted long-term murine models of TB also prevented body weight loss, while chemotherapy with 1/10 the standard dose of RIF did not. With only 2 weeks of chemotherapy, we observed a good reverse correlation between CFU in lung or spleen and body weight of mice. The simple measurement of weight in TB-infected drug-treated mice required only a weight balance, and go/no-go drug efficacy data was available on day 20 without the necessity of prolonged drug treatment and long (3 weeks or more) in vitro culture times to obtain organ CFU values.
Vitamins Reverse Endothelial Dysfunction Through Regulation of eNOS and NAD(P)H Oxidase Activities

Abstract—Antioxidant vitamins C and E have protective properties in genetic hypertension associated with enhanced oxidative stress. This study investigated whether vitamins C and/or E modulate vascular function by regulating enzymatic activities of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and NAD(P)H oxidase using thoracic aortas of 20- to 22-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their matched normotensive counterparts, Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). SHR aortas had impaired relaxant responses to acetylcholine but not to sodium nitroprusside, despite an ≈2-fold increase in eNOS activity and NO release. The levels of superoxide anion (O2−), a potent NO scavenger, and NAD(P)H oxidase activity were also 2-fold higher in SHR aortas. Mechanical but not pharmacological inactivation of endothelium (by rubbing and 100 &mgr;mol/L L-NAME, respectively) significantly abrogated O2− in both strains. Treatments of SHR aortas with NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors, namely diphenyleneiodinium and apocynin, significantly diminished O2− production. The incubation of SHR aortas with different concentrations of vitamin C (10 to 100 &mgr;mol/L) and specifically with high concentrations of vitamin E (100 &mgr;mol/L) improved endothelial function, reduced superoxide production as well as NAD(P)H oxidase activity, and increased eNOS activity and NO generation in SHR aortas to the levels observed in vitamin C- and E-treated WKY aortas. Our results reveal endothelial NAD(P)H oxidase as the major source of vascular O2− in SHR and also show that vitamins C and E are critical in normalizing genetic endothelial dysfunction through regulation of eNOS and NAD(P)H oxidase activities.
Analysis of partial least squares for pose-invariant face recognition

Face recognition across large pose changes is one of the hardest problems for automatic face recognition. Recently, approaches that use partial least squares (PLS) to compute pairwise pose-independent coupled subspaces have achieved good results on this problem. In this paper, we perform a thorough experimental analysis of the PLS approach for pose-invariant face recognition. We find that the use of different alignment methods can have a significant influence on the results. We propose a simple and consistent alignment method that is easily reproducible and uses only few hand-tuned parameters. Further, we find that block-based approaches outperform those using a holistic face representation. However, we note that the size, positioning and selection of the extracted blocks has a large influence on the performance of PLS-based approaches, with the optimal sizes and selections differing significantly for different feature representations. Finally, we show that local PLS using simple intensity values performs almost as well as more sophisticated feature extraction methods like Gabor features for frontal gallery images. However, Gabor features perform significantly better with non-frontal gallery images. The achieved results exceed the previously reported results for the CMU Multi-PIE dataset on this task with an average recognition rate of 90.1% when using frontal images as gallery and 82.0% when considering all pose pairs.
Empirical investigation on the dependence of TCP upstream throughput on SNR in an IEEE802.11b WLAN system

An empirical investigation on the dependence of TCP upstream throughput against signal to noise ratio (SNR) in an IEEE802.11b WLAN system was carried out in various environments and varieties of QoS traffic. The TCP upstream throughput (TCPupT) was measured for various SNR observed. An Infrastructure based IEEE802.11b WLAN system having networked computers on which measurement software were installed, was set up consecutively in various environments (open corridor, small offices with block walls and plaster boards and free space). Empirical models describing the TCPupT against SNR for different signals ranges (all ranges of signals, strong signals only, grey signals only and weak signals only) were statistically generated and validated. Our results show a strong dependence of TCPupT on the received SNR which varied as the SNR values changed from high (strong signals) through low (grey signals) to very low (weak signals). Our models showed lower RMS errors when compared with other similar models. We observed RMS errors of 0.5431955Mbps, 0.447938789Mbps, 1.04536603Mbps and 0.4503096Mbps for all SNR model, strong signals model, Grey signals model and Weak signals model respectively. Our models will provide researchers and WLAN systems users with a tool to estimate TCPupT in a real network in various environments by monitoring the SNR.
The in-vitro antimalarial activity of ferrochloroquine, measured against Cambodian isolates of Plasmodium falciparum

(2004). The in-vitro antimalarial activity of ferrochloroquine, measured against Cambodian isolates of Plasmodium falciparum. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology: Vol. 98, No. 4, pp. 419-424.
Robust, anonymous RFID authentication with constant key-lookup

A considerable number of anonymous RFID authentication schemes have been proposed. However, current proposals either do not provide robust security guarantees, or suffer from scalability issues when the number of tags issued by the system is very large. In this paper, we focus on approaches that reconcile these important requirements. In particular, we seek to reduce the complexity of identifying tags by the back-end server in anonymous RFID authentication protocols---what we term the key-lookup problem. We propose a compiler that transforms a generic RFID authentication protocol (supporting anonymity) into one that achieves the same guarantees with constant key-lookup cost even when the number of tags is very large. This approach uses a lightweight one-way trapdoor function and produces protocols that are suitable for deployment into current tag architectures. We then explore the issue of minimal assumptions required, and show that one-way trapdoor functions are necessary to achieve highly scalable, robustly secure solutions. We then relax the requirement of unlinkable anonymity, and consider scalable solutions that are provably secure and for which the loss of privacy is minimal.
Background Subtraction for Automated Multisensor Surveillance: A Comprehensive Review

Background subtraction is a widely used operation in the video surveillance, aimed at separating the expected scene (the background) from the unexpected entities (the foreground). There are several problems related to this task, mainly due to the blurred boundaries between background and foreground definitions. Therefore, background subtraction is an open issue worth to be addressed under different points of view. In this paper, we propose a comprehensive review of the background subtraction methods, that considers also channels other than the sole visible optical one (such as the audio and the infrared channels). In addition to the definition of novel kinds of background, the perspectives that these approaches open up are very appealing: in particular, the multisensor direction seems to be well-suited to solve or simplify several hoary background subtraction problems. All the reviewed methods are organized in a novel taxonomy that encapsulates all the brand-new approaches in a seamless way.
Outage Analysis of Full-Duplex Architectures in Cellular Networks

The implementation of full-duplex (FD) radio in wireless communications is a potential approach for achieving higher spectral efficiency. A possible application is its employment in the next generation of cellular networks. However, the performance of large-scale FD multiuser networks is an area mostly unexplored. Most of the related work focuses on the performance analysis of small-scale networks or on loop interference cancellation schemes. In this paper, we derive the outage probability performance of large-scale FD cellular networks in the context of two architectures: two-node and three-node. We show how the performance is affected with respect to the model's parameters and provide a comparison between the two architectures.
Neurodevelopment of adopted children exposed in utero to cocaine.

OBJECTIVE To assess the neurodevelopment of adopted children who had been exposed in utero to cocaine. DESIGN A case-control observational study. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-three children aged 14 months to 6.5 years exposed in utero to cocaine and their adoptive mothers, and 23 age-matched control children not exposed to cocaine and their mothers, matched with the adoptive mothers for IQ and socioeconomic status. SETTING The Motherisk Programme at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, a consultation service for chemical exposure during pregnancy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Height, weight and head circumference at birth and at follow-up, and achievement on standard tests of cognitive and language development. RESULTS Compared with the control group, children exposed in utero to cocaine had an 8-fold increased risk for microcephaly (95% confidence interval 1.5 to 42.3); they also had a lower mean birth weight (p = 0.005) and a lower gestational age (p = 0.002). In follow-up the cocaine-exposed children caught up with the control subjects in weight and stature but not in head circumference (mean 31st percentile v. 63rd percentile) (p = 0.001). Although there were no significant differences between the two groups in global IQ, the cocaine-exposed children had significantly lower scores than the control subjects on the Reynell language test for both verbal comprehension (p = 0.003) and expressive language (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to document that intrauterine exposure to cocaine is associated with measurable and clinically significant toxic neurologic effects, independent of postnatal home and environmental confounders. Because women who use cocaine during pregnancy almost invariably smoke cigarettes and often use alcohol, it is impossible to attribute the measured toxic effects to cocaine alone.
Metabolic Signature of Sun Exposed Skin Suggests Catabolic Pathway Overweighs Anabolic Pathway

Skin chronically exposed to sun results in phenotypic changes referred as photoaging. This aspect of aging has been studied extensively through genomic and proteomic tools. Metabolites, the end product are generated as a result of biochemical reactions are often studied as a culmination of complex interplay of gene and protein expression. In this study, we focused exclusively on the metabolome to study effects from sun-exposed and sun-protected skin sites from 25 human subjects. We generated a highly accurate metabolomic signature for the skin that is exposed to sun. Biochemical pathway analysis from this data set showed that sun-exposed skin resides under high oxidative stress and the chains of reactions to produce these metabolites are inclined toward catabolism rather than anabolism. These catabolic activities persuade the skin cells to generate metabolites through the salvage pathway instead of de novo synthesis pathways. Metabolomic profile suggests catabolic pathways and reactive oxygen species operate in a feed forward fashion to alter the biology of sun exposed skin.
Responsive Proteins in Wheat Cultivars with Contrasting Nitrogen Efficiencies under the Combined Stress of High Temperature and Low Nitrogen

Productivity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) is markedly affected by high temperature and nitrogen deficiency. Identifying the functional proteins produced in response to these multiple stresses acting in a coordinated manner can help in developing tolerance in the crop. In this study, two wheat cultivars with contrasting nitrogen efficiencies (N-efficient VL616 and N-inefficient UP2382) were grown in control conditions, and under a combined stress of high temperature (32 °C) and low nitrogen (4 mM), and their leaf proteins were analysed in order to identify the responsive proteins. Two-dimensional electrophoresis unravelled sixty-one proteins, which varied in their expression in wheat, and were homologous to known functional proteins involved in biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, energy metabolism, photosynthesis, protein folding, transcription, signalling, oxidative stress, water stress, lipid metabolism, heat stress tolerance, nitrogen metabolism, and protein synthesis. When exposed to high temperature in combination with low nitrogen, wheat plants altered their protein expression as an adaptive means to maintain growth. This response varied with cultivars. Nitrogen-efficient cultivars showed a higher potential of redox homeostasis, protein stability, osmoprotection, and regulation of nitrogen levels. The identified stress-responsive proteins can pave the way for enhancing the multiple-stress tolerance in wheat and developing a better understanding of its mechanism.
RELATION BETWEEN NEONATAL CRANIAL ULTRASOUND ABNORMALITIES AND CEREBRAL VISUAL IMPAIRMENT IN INFANCY

A prospective follow‐up study was conducted of a cohort of 65 at‐risk neonates to assess the predictive value of neonatal cranial ultrasound abnormalities for cerebral visual impairment in infancy. Visual function was assessed using the acuity card procedure and behavioural visual responses were tested. Normal visual function was found in controls as well as in infants with small haemorrhages or mild leukomalacia. Infants with large haemorrhages performed poorly at 40 weeks postmenstrual age, but recovered to within the normal range in the first half year. In contrast, of the infants with extensive cystic leukomalacia, four of nine preterm infants and three of four term infants were severely visually impaired at 18 months. In the more mature infants, the cystic lesions extended deeper into the subcortical white matter, and this appeared to be associated with a worse visual outcome. Cystic leukomalacia proved to be highly predictive of cerebral visual impairment in infancy.
Demography and Population Dynamics of Massive Coral Communities in Adjacent High Latitude Regions (United Arab Emirates)

Individual massive coral colonies, primarily faviids and poritids, from three distinct assemblages within the southeastern Arabian Gulf and northwestern Gulf of Oman (United Arab Emirates) were studied from 2006–2009. Annual photographic censuses of approximately 2000 colonies were used to describe the demographics (size class frequencies, abundance, area cover) and population dynamics under “normal” environmental conditions. Size class transitions included growth, which occurred in 10–20% of the colonies, followed in decending order by partial mortality (3–16%), colony fission (<5%) and ramet fusion (<3%). Recruitment and whole colony mortality rates were low (<0.7 colonies/m2) with minimal interannual variation. Transition matrices indicated that the Arabian Gulf assemblages have declining growth rates (λ<1) whereas the massive coral population is stable (λ = 1) in the Gulf of Oman. Projection models indicated that (i) the Arabian Gulf population and area cover declines would be exacerbated under 10-year and 16-year disturbance scenarios as the vital rates do not allow for recovery to pre-disturbance levels during these timeframes, and (ii) the Gulf of Oman assemblage could return to its pre-disturbance area cover but its overall population size would not fully recover under the same scenarios.
Using LEAN to Improve a Segment of Emergency Department Flow

Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is an organizational concern. This article describes how Toyota LEAN methods were used as a performance improvement framework to address ED overcrowding. This initiative also impacted “bolus of patients” or “batching” concerns, which occur when inpatient units receive an influx of patients from EDs and other areas at the same time. In addition to decreased incidence of overcrowding, the organization realized increased interprofessional collaboration.
Symptoms of spinal stenosis do not improve after epidural steroid injection.

OBJECTIVE This study was carried out to evaluate the therapeutic effect of epidural steroid injection on pseudoclaudication in patients with lumbar degenerative spinal canal stenosis. DESIGN Fifty-three patients who complained of pseudoclaudication of less than 20 m in walking distance were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (n = 16) underwent epidural injection with 8 ml of saline. Group 2 (n = 18) underwent epidural block with 8 ml of 1% mepivacaine. Group 3 (n = 19) underwent epidural block with a combination of 8 ml of 1% mepivacaine and 40 mg of methylprednisolone. The criteria of evaluation were as follows: excellent effect, > 100 m in walking distance; good effect, 20-100 m in walking distance; poor effect, <20 m in walking distance. RESULTS In group 1, the numbers of patients who showed a good effect were two (12.5%) after 1 week, one (6.5%) after 1 month, and one (6.5%) after 3 months. In group 2, the numbers of patients who showed a good or excellent result were 10 (55.5%) after 1 week, three (16.7%) after 1 month, and one (5.6%) after 3 months. In group 3, the numbers of patients who showed a good or excellent result were 12 (63.2%) after 1 week, three (15.8%) after 1 month, and one (5.3%) after 3 months. There was no significant difference in the effectiveness of treatment between group 2 and group 3 throughout the time course. CONCLUSION The results suggest that epidural steroid injection has no beneficial effect on the pseudoclaudication associated with spinal canal stenosis as compared with epidural block with a local anesthetic alone.