Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
N-HAR: A Neuromorphic Event-Based Human Activity Recognition System using Memory Surfaces

In recent years, a new generation of low-power, neuromorphic, event-based vision sensors has been gaining popularity for their very low latency and data sparsity. Though the conventional frame-based cameras have advanced in a lot of ways, they suffer from data redundancy and temporal latency. The bio-inspired artificial retinas eliminate the data redundancy by capturing only the change in illumination at each pixel and asynchronously communicating in binary spikes. In this work, we propose a system to achieve the task of human activity recognition based on the event-based camera data. We show that such tasks, which generally need high frame rate sensors for accurate predictions, can be achieved by adapting existing computer vision techniques to the spiking domain. We used event memory surfaces to make the sparse event data compatible with deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs). We leverage upon the recent advances in deep convolutional networks based video analysis and adapt such frameworks onto the neuromorphic domain. We also provide the community with a new dataset consisting of five categories of human activities captured in real world without any simulations. We achieved an accuracy of 94.3% using event memory surfaces on our activity recognition dataset.
Purification and characterization of the DNA polymerase and RNase H activities in Moloney murine sarcoma-leukemia virus

Two RNase H (RNA-DNA hybrid ribonucleotidohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.34) activities separable by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration were identified in lysates of Moloney murine sarcoma-leukemia virus (MSV). The larger enzyme, which we have called RNase H-I, represented about 10% of the RNase H activity in the virion. RNase H-I (i) copurified with RNA-directed DNA polymerase from the virus, (ii) had a sedimentation coefficient of 4.4S (corresponds to an apparent mol wt of 70,000), (iii) required Mn-2+ (2 mM optimum) for activity with a [3-h]poly(A)-poly(dT) substrate, (iv) eluted from phosphocellulose at 0.2 M KC1, and (v) degraded [3-H]poly(A)-poly(dT) and [3-H]poly(C)-poly(dG) at approximately equal rates. The smaller enzyme, designated RNase H-II, which represented the majority of the RNase H activity in the virus preparation, was shown to be different since it (i) had no detectable, associated DNA polymerase activity, (ii) had a sedmimentation coefficient of 2.6S (corresponds to an apparent mol wt of 30,000), (iii) preferred Mg-2+ (10 to 15 mM optimum) over Mn-2+ (5 to 10 mM optimum) 2.5-fold for the degradation of [3-H]poly(A)-poly(dT), and (iv) degraded [3-H]poly(A)-poly(dT) 6 and 60 times faster than [3-H]poly(C)-poly(dG) in the presence of Mn-2+ and Mg-2+, respectively. Moloney MSV DNA polymerase (RNase H-I), purified by Sephadex G-100 gel filtration followed by phosphocellulose, poly(A)-oligo(dT)-cellulose, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography, transcribed heteropolymeric regions of avian myeloblastosis virus 70S RNA at a rate comparable to avian myeloblastosis virus DNA polymerase purified by the same procedure.
Efficiency of multistage marker-assisted selection in the improvement of multiple quantitative traits

The application of marker-assisted selection (MAS) to breeding programmes depends on its relative cost and the expected economic return compared to conventional phenotypic selection. The relative efficiency of MAS can be increased through a two-stage selection scheme or through marker-based, multiple-trait improvement. However, the effectiveness of these alternatives has not been quantified. In this study, we evaluate the efficiency of MAS relative to conventional phenotypic selection and marker-only selection in multistage selection for the improvement of multiple traits. We further incorporate the costs of obtaining measurements on phenotypic characters and marker loci into the objective function to evaluate the efficiency of MAS with respect to the gain per unit cost. Deterministic analyses indicate that excluding costs, multiple-trait MAS can be used to increase the aggregate breeding values in quantitative characters and is expected to be more effective than conventional selection or single-trait MAS. Two-stage MAS has a slightly reduced gain because of culling in the first stage. If the objective function is to maximize the gain per unit cost, multiple-trait MAS is inferior to phenotypic selection in most of the selection schemes investigated when the cost ratio (r) of obtaining measurements on phenotypic characters to scoring marker loci is less than unity (r≤1.0) and the heritability (h2) is greater than 0.3. The efficiency of MAS increases as r increases and h2 decreases. For MAS to be more effective, it is necessary to decrease further the cost associated with molecular marker assays.
Bordetella pertussis infection in mice: correlation of specific antibodies against two antigens, pertussis toxin, and filamentous hemagglutinin with mouse protectivity in an intracerebral or aerosol challenge system

The correlation of titers of specific serum immunoglobulin G antibodies against two antigens, pertussis toxin (PT), and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA), which are the main components of pertussis vaccine in Japan, with mouse protectivity was examined by both intracerebral and aerosol challenge systems with virulent Bordetella pertussis cells. Titer of the antibodies was calculated from the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) unit given arbitrarily to reference antibodies. PT antibody titer which protected 50% of mice was indistinguishable in both active immunization followed by intracerebral challenge and passive immunization followed by aerosol challenge. The 50% effective dose was 23 ELISA U/ml in the former mice and 24 ELISA U/mouse in the latter. In the intracerebral challenge system, FHA did not elicit a protective response but was very helpful for PT as an immunizing antigen. When anti-FHA immunoglobulin G coexisted with anti-PT immunoglobulin G in mice, the 50% effective dose of PT antibody was 4.4 or 10 ELISA U/mouse in intracerebral or aerosol challenge systems, respectively. In this active immunization system, pertussis toxoid of 1 micrograms or 0.1 microgram/mouse produced PT antibody of ca. 20 or 5 ELISA U/ml, respectively. It was concluded that pertussis toxoid or its antibody was much more potent than Formalin-treated FHA or its antibody; Formalin-treated FHA or its antibody was helpful when it was administered with pertussis toxoid toxoid or its antibody, however.
Should Practitioners (Continue to) Use a Single Discount Rate in Large-Scale Project Valuation?

A popular, large-scale, project valuation technique relies on discounting equity cash flows using the cost of equity as a discount rate. Practitioners often use a single discount rate (SDR). Academic professionals, however, argue for the use of multiple discount rates (MDR) to reflect changes in the project’s leverage and overall risk. This article explores the state of the art in MDR valuation, reconciles the MDR and SDR valuation approaches, and develops a practical example applying some of the simplest MDR techniques available. Some conclusions are drawn regarding which approach may offer the better results.
Agricultural pesticide use and risk of glioma in Nebraska, United States

Background: To evaluate the risk of the adult glioma associated with farming and agricultural pesticide use, the authors conducted a population based case control study in eastern Nebraska. Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with men and women diagnosed with gliomas (n = 251) between 1988 and 1993 and controls (n = 498) randomly selected from the same geographical area. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for farming and for use of individual and chemical classes of insecticides and herbicides, including pesticides classified as nitrosatable (able to form N-nitroso compounds upon reaction with nitrite). Non-farmers were used as the reference category for all analyses. Results: Among men, ever living or working on a farm and duration of farming were associated with significantly increased risks of glioma (⩾55 years on a farm OR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.8 to 8.6); however, positive findings were limited to proxy respondents. Among women, there were no positive associations with farming activities among self or proxy respondents. Specific pesticide families and individual pesticides were associated with significantly increased risks among male farmers; however, most of the positive associations were limited to proxy respondents. For two herbicides and three insecticides, use was positively associated with risk among both self and proxy respondents. Based on a small number of exposed cases, ORs were significantly increased for the herbicides metribuzin (OR = 3.4, 95% CI 1.2 to 9.7) and paraquat (OR = 11.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 101), and for the insecticides bufencarb (OR = 18.9, 95% CI 1.9 to 187), chlorpyrifos (OR = 22.6, 95% CI 2.7 to 191), and coumaphos (OR = 5.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 32). Conclusion: The authors found significant associations between some specific agricultural pesticide exposures and the risk of glioma among male farmers but not among female farmers in Nebraska; however, most of the positive associations were limited to proxy respondents. These findings warrant further evaluation in prospective cohort studies where issues of recall bias are not a concern.
Factors influencing nurses' readiness to care for hospitalised older people.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To gain a better understanding of nurses' perspectives on factors that influence their readiness to provide appropriate care for hospitalised older people. BACKGROUND Hospitals have consistently been criticised for failing to address the unique, complex needs of older people. Research suggests that multiple issues have led to this situation, including a lack of educational preparation for nurses, limited attention to environmental factors, and an absence of organisational preparedness that ensures hospitals are adapted to meet the needs of older people. DESIGN An exploratory, qualitative approach was used. METHODS Forty-one Registered Nurses participated (24 point-of-care nurses; 17 organisational leaders). Six focus groups and one individual interview were conducted. Thematic data analysis was employed to generate the main study findings. RESULTS An overarching theme of 'Poor Fit' emerged. While participants identified the shifting needs of patients towards more complex and relational care, the broader organisational and societal contexts were, largely, unchanging. This resulted in nurses recognising the factors needed to be ready to care for older patients and their families, but working in hospitals that were not suited to these needs. CONCLUSIONS The findings identify factors at the point-of-care, the organisational level, and in broader societal attitudes that shape nurses' readiness to care for hospitalised older people. However, many of these factors are modifiable and care for older people could be improved through quality improvement initiatives and nursing leadership. This study offers insight into ways to re-imagine nursing care that can be responsive to older people's complex needs in hospitals. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE With a growing contingent of hospitalised older people, it is imperative that nurses, who comprise the largest workforce in this setting, be included in the planning and delivery of healthcare services to ensure readiness to meet the needs of this population.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of the Inspiratory Upper Airway and Clinical Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

AbstractThe apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) is a widely accepted measure for the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Current methods to determine AHI fail to provide anatomic information for treatment decisions. In this report, we studied three-dimensional models of upper airways acquired by computed tomographic scanning with geometric measurements and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and evaluated the correlations with AHI.Participants had CT scans of their upper airways after standard polysomnography studies. Three-dimensional surface models of upper airways were generated for cross-sectional area measurements of the choanae (ACH) and the smallest cross-sectional area (Amin). Computational fluid dynamic analysis was then performed by using this three-dimensional model. Pressure differences required to set tidal volume during inspiration (&Dgr;Pmin-INSP) and expiration (&Dgr;Pmax-EXP) and minimum negative pressure produced in the level of ACH (Pmin-INSP at ACH) and Amin (Pmin-INSP at Amin) were calculated. Correlations of these parameters and the body mass index with AHI were analyzed. Statistical differences between groups of different AHI ranges were also compared.The pressure distribution simulated by CFD demonstrated abrupt pressure drops in Amin level, and this phenomenon was more significant in severe OSA. All parameters except ACH and Pmin-INSP at Amin significantly correlated with the AHI, and there were significant statistical differences between the OSA groups and the normal group. The results indicate that, in our study group, the geometry of pharyngeal airway and its CFD simulation correlate well with AHI. This model may be further applied for clinical evaluation.
Against the Odds

On March 15, 2018, the Syrian armed conflict entered its eighth year. Since 2011, attempts to facilitate a political solution to the Syrian conflict have either failed or stalled. The conflict, which began with anti-government protests demanding democratic reforms, has claimed over 500,000 lives, and there are more than 5.5 million Syrian refugees and 6.1 million internally displaced persons. Yet the efforts of UN–Arab League Joint Special Envoys Kofi Annan and Lakhdar Brahimi, both seasoned diplomats and mediators, did not succeed in bringing the conflict to an end. Current UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura has already put forward a number of initiatives, including a “freeze” of the conflict in Aleppo, consultations in Geneva, and the intraSyrian proximity talks, but has not yet managed to convince the parties to directly engage with one another. Amidst this deadlock, one track that has not stalled is the civil society track. Against the odds, progress can be observed at this level as Syrian civil society has become better organized and more tightly interconnected, and as its voice in the process has grown stronger. Under de Mistura’s leadership, the UN Office of the Special Envoy for Syria (OSE-S) established the Civil Society Support Room (CSSR) in January 2016 to create the conditions for civil society to play an important role in the intraSyrian talks. The CSSR is a meeting space in the UN’s Palais des Nations in Geneva put at the disposal of Syrian civil society actors during official talks. It allows Syrian civil society actors to engage in discussions among themselves and with the special envoy, his team, and members of his Women’s Advisory Board, as well as with UN member states, representatives of UN agencies, and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). The CSSR is a novel approach to including civil society in a peace process that could become a model for other processes to follow. It is therefore important to understand what it is, what it can achieve, and what its limitations may be. After a brief description of the CSSR, this analysis outlines three This issue brief was drafted by Sara
Structural and functional analysis of phosphorylation-specific binders of the kinase ERK from designed ankyrin repeat protein libraries

We have selected designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins) from a synthetic library by using ribosome display that selectively bind to the mitogen-activated protein kinase ERK2 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2) in either its nonphosphorylated (inactive) or doubly phosphorylated (active) form. They do not bind to other kinases tested. Crystal structures of complexes with two DARPins, each specific for one of the kinase forms, were obtained. The two DARPins bind to essentially the same region of the kinase, but recognize the conformational change within the activation loop and an adjacent area, which is the key structural difference that occurs upon activation. Whereas the rigid phosphorylated activation loop remains in the same form when bound by the DARPin, the more mobile unphosphorylated loop is pushed to a new position. The DARPins can be used to selectively precipitate the cognate form of the kinases from cell lysates. They can also specifically recognize the modification status of the kinase inside the cell. By fusing the kinase with Renilla luciferase and the DARPin to GFP, an energy transfer from luciferase to GFP can be observed in COS-7 cells upon intracellular complex formation. Phosphorylated ERK2 is seen to increase by incubation of the COS-7 cells with FBS and to decrease upon adding the ERK pathway inhibitor PD98509. Furthermore, the anti-ERK2 DARPin is seen to inhibit ERK phosphorylation as it blocks the target inside the cell. This strategy of creating activation-state–specific sensors and kinase-specific inhibitors may add to the repertoire to investigate intracellular signaling in real time.
Selectivity of Ferric Enterobactin Binding and Cooperativity of Transport in Gram-Negative Bacteria

ABSTRACT The ligand-gated outer membrane porin FepA serves Escherichia coli as the receptor for the siderophore ferric enterobactin. We characterized the ability of seven analogs of enterobactin to supply iron via FepA by quantitatively measuring the binding and transport of their 59Fe complexes. The experiments refuted the idea that chirality of the iron complex affects its recognition by FepA and demonstrated the necessity of an unsubstituted catecholate coordination center for binding to the outer membrane protein. Among the compounds we tested, only ferric enantioenterobactin, the synthetic, left-handed isomer of natural enterobactin, and ferric TRENCAM, which substitutes a tertiary amine for the macrocyclic lactone ring of ferric enterobactin but maintains an unsubstituted catecholate iron complex, were recognized by FepA (Kd ≈ 20 nM). Ferric complexes of other analogs (TRENCAM-3,2-HOPO; TREN-Me-3,2-HOPO; MeMEEtTAM; MeME-Me-3,2-HOPO; K3MECAMS; agrobactin A) with alterations to the chelating groups and different net charge on the iron center neither adsorbed to nor transported through FepA. We also compared the binding and uptake of ferric enterobactin by homologs of FepA from Bordetella bronchisepticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhimurium in the native organisms and as plasmid-mediated clones expressed in E. coli. All the transport proteins bound ferric enterobactin with high affinity (Kd ≤ 100 nM) and transported it at comparable rates (≥50 pmol/min/109 cells) in their own particular membrane environments. However, the FepA and IroN proteins of S. typhimurium failed to efficiently function inE. coli. For E. coli, S. typhimurium, and P. aeruginosa, the rate of ferric enterobactin uptake was a sigmoidal function of its concentration, indicating a cooperative transport reaction involving multiple interacting binding sites on FepA.
The Development of Caring in the Perioperative Culture: Nurse Leaders' Perspective on the Struggle to Retain Sight of the Patient

This article focuses on Swedish nurse leaders and is aimed at achieving a more complete and differentiated understanding of what constitutes caring in the perioperative culture as well as their knowledge and responsibility for the development of caring. Interviews with open-ended questions were conducted with 10 nurse leaders, in which they described their experiences of developing perioperative caring. The interpretation process was based on Gadamer's philosophy of hermeneutics. The findings indicate that developing a perioperative caring culture is a struggle to retain sight of the patient, a process that includes the following 6 phases: (1) when the nurse leaders understood perioperative caring as a process, the nurse's and patient's shared world became obvious to them; (2) safeguarding the patient's position as a unique human being; (3) safeguarding the nurse's welfare by creating a compassionate atmosphere; (4) promoting an idea means never giving up; (5) attaching importance to being trustworthy; and (6) being involved in a dynamic interaction, comprising communion and reciprocity. The most important goal of nursing leadership is to safeguard the welfare of the suffering patient and the relationship between the nurse leader and nursing staff, based on the motive of caritas derived from the idea of humanistic caring.
Nonnative EFL Teachers’ Speaking Anxiety: Post-Communist Country Context

The current study aims to fill the gap in the current literature by focusing on the wide scale of nonnative English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’ perceptions and opinions in the specific context of a post-Communist country. It focuses on the link between five demographic variables (age, the length of English language study, English teaching experience, stay in English-speaking countries, and the intensity of communication with English native speakers) of Slovak EFL teachers and their English speaking anxiety (ESA) and English speaking quality (ESQ). The teachers’ self-perceived causes, consequences, factors, and needs concerning their ESA were also detected. Data were collected by both qualitative methods (questionnaire and interview) and quantitative methods (scale and test). The correlation analyses revealed a negative relationship between most variables and teachers’ anxiety and a positive relationship between their age and anxiety. Both qualitative and quantitative results reflect the specifics of teaching EFL in a post-Communist country.
Knowledge and Attitudes of Primary Health Care Physicians Towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) of primary health care (PHC) physicians in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A crosssectional study including all physicians working at PHC centers in the Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia, was carried out from the beginning of April 2010 to the end of June 2010. Using a self-administered questionnaire, 1,113 physicians answered questions regarding their socio-demographic data, and knowledge, attitudes and utilization of CAM. Results: About 8% of the participants had attended a continuous medical education or a training activity. Most of them were unfamiliar with reflexology, energy healing, aromatherapy, ozone therapy, homeopathy, or chiropractic care (77.4, 71.3, 71.2, 67.2, 65.7, and 63.9%, respectively). On the other hand, most physicians felt that they could understand and feel comfortable about counseling patients about Ruqyah (spiritual healing), honey and bee products, dietary supplements, massage therapy, relaxation, herbal medicine, and cupping (40.3, 38.3, 34.9, 34.4, 25.8, 22.8, and 21.4%, respectively). More than half (51.7%) of the physicians used CAM for themselves or their family, but only 14.2% referred their patients to CAM practitioners. 85.1% of studied physicians agreed that physicians should have knowledge about CAM therapies commonly used in the region. 82.5% agreed that health authorities should have a role in regulating CAM, and 75.7% agreed that the physicians’ knowledge about CAM practices leads to better patient outcome. Conclusion: There is a positive attitude regarding the concept of CAM, but there is a reluctance to refer or to initiate discussion with patients regarding CAM practices, which may be attributed to a lack of knowledge.