Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human Activity Classification in Smartphones Using Accelerometer and Gyroscope Sensors

Activity classification in smartphones helps us to monitor and analyze the physical activities of the user in daily life and has potential applications in healthcare systems. This paper proposes a descriptor-based approach for activity classification using built-in sensors of smartphones. Accelerometer and gyroscope sensor signals are acquired to identify the activities performed by the user. In addition, time and frequency domain signals are derived using the collected signals. In the proposed approach, two descriptors, namely, histogram of gradient and centroid signature-based Fourier descriptor, are employed to extract feature sets from these signals. Feature and score level fusion are explored for information fusion. For classification, we have studied the performance of multiclass support vector machine and $k$ -nearest neighbor classifiers. The proposed approach is evaluated on two publicly available data sets, namely, UCI HAR data set and physical activity sensor data. Our experimental results show that the feature level fusion provides better performance than the score level fusion. In addition, our approach provides considerable improvement in classifying different activities as compared with the existing works. The average activity classification accuracy achieved using the proposed method is 97.12% as against the existing work, which provided 96.33% on UCI HAR data set. On the second data set, the proposed approach attained 96.83% classification accuracy, whereas the existing work achieved 90.2%.
Evaluations of Antigay Hate Crimes and Hate Crime Legislation: Independent and Differentially Predicted

ABSTRACT Minimal studies have investigated individuals’ evaluations of antigay hate crimes and hate crime legislation simultaneously, with most research focusing on one or the other. In a sample of 246 heterosexual undergraduates, the present study found that evaluations of antigay hate crimes and hate crime legislation were unrelated. Higher social dominance orientation (SDO) and crime control orientation scores were associated with more positive evaluations of antigay hate crimes. Positive evaluations of hate crime legislation were associated with more positive attitudes toward gay men and lesbians. We also found that the relationship between SDO and evaluations were mediated by crime control beliefs (for hate crimes evaluations) and antigay attitudes (for hate crime legislation evaluations). The present findings have possible implications for the manner in which organizations advocate for the extension of hate crime legislation to include sexual orientation.
Room temperature stable perfluorocarbon emulsions with acceptable half-lives in the reticuloendothelial system.

Prolonged room temperature stability (i.e. zero particle growth) can be achieved for concentrated emulsions of perflubron (perfluorooctyl bromide) or perfluorodecalin via addition of a secondary high molecular weight, lipophilic fluorocarbon component. Due to their enhanced lipophilic character, the secondary fluorocarbon components have acceptable half-lives in the organs of the reticuloendothelial system.
[Epidural clonidine or dexmedetomidine for post-cholecystectomy analgesia and sedation.].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Clonidine and dexmedetomidine are alpha2-adrenergic agonists with analgesic proprieties which potentiate local anesthetic effects when epidurally administered. The goal of this study was to evaluate the analgesia and sedation promoted by clonidine or dexmedetomidine associated to epidural ropivacaine, in the postoperative period of subcostal cholecystectomy. METHODS Forty patients of both gender participated in this randomized double-blind study , aged 18 to 50 years, weighing 50 to 100 kg, physical status ASA I or II, submitted to subcostal cholecystectomy. The subjects were distributed in two groups: Clonidine (CG), receiving clonidine (1 mL = 150 microg) associated to 0.75% epidural ropivacaine (20 mL); Dexmedetomidine (DG), receiving dexmedetomidine (2 microg.kg-1) associated to 0.75% epidural ropivacaine (20 mL). Analgesia and sedation were evaluated 2, 6 and 24 hours anesthetic recovery. RESULTS Both groups present some grade of sedation in the moments 2 and 6 hours , with statistically significant difference between the two moments for the dexmedetomidine group. There has been analgesia in both groups, especially at 2 and 6 hours. There have been statistically significant difference among periods of 2, 6 and 24 hours in the dexmedetomidine group; in the clonidine group, this statistically significant difference was observed between the periods of 2 and 6 hours and between 2 and 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS Our results allowed to conclude that the association of clonidine or dexmedetomidine to 0.75% ropivacaine induces analgesia and sedation in 2 and 6 hours after anesthetic recovery in patients submitted to subcostal cholecystectomy and that clonidine promotes more prolonged analgesia.
An analysis of cotton product competitiveness in the top ten cotton product exporters to the United States using the environmental analysis framework

This study examined important environmental factors influencing the cotton export performance in the current top ten cotton suppliers to the United States, including Mexico, China, India, Honduras, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Indonesia, and Guatemala, using Austin’s Environmental Analysis Framework (EAF). The research used secondary data collected from various government sources with a 26 year time period from 1974 to 2000. The results indicate that three variables, GNP, exchange rates, and roads, have significant positive impacts on U.S. cotton import volume; while tariff rates have significant negative impacts on U.S. cotton import volume. This study also examined trend and changes of U.S. cotton imports. The findings have important managerial implication to U.S. cotton importers and retailers, and for the ten cotton exporting countries.
Effects of Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibition on Systemic and Pulmonary Hemodynamics and Ventricular Function in Patients With Severe Symptomatic Aortic Stenosis

Background— Pressure overload resulting from aortic stenosis causes maladaptive ventricular and vascular remodeling that can lead to pulmonary hypertension, heart failure symptoms, and adverse outcomes. Retarding or reversing this maladaptive remodeling and its unfavorable hemodynamic consequences has the potential to improve morbidity and mortality. Preclinical models of pressure overload have shown that phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition is beneficial; however, the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in patients with aortic stenosis is controversial because of concerns about vasodilation and hypotension. Methods and Results— We evaluated the safety and hemodynamic response of 20 subjects with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis (mean aortic valve area, 0.7±0.2 cm2; ejection fraction, 60±14%) who received a single oral dose of sildenafil (40 or 80 mg). Compared with baseline, after 60 minutes, sildenafil reduced systemic (−12%; P<0.001) and pulmonary (−29%; P=0.002) vascular resistance, mean pulmonary artery (−25%; P<0.001) and wedge (−17%; P<0.001) pressures, and increased systemic (13%; P<0.001) and pulmonary (45%; P<0.001) vascular compliance and stroke volume index (8%; P=0.01). These changes were not dose dependent. Sildenafil caused a modest decrease in mean systemic arterial pressure (−11%; P<0.001) but was well tolerated with no episodes of symptomatic hypotension. Conclusions— This study shows for the first time that a single dose of a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor is safe and well tolerated in patients with severe aortic stenosis and is associated with improvements in pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics resulting in biventricular unloading. These findings support the need for longer-term studies to evaluate the role of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition as adjunctive medical therapy in patients with aortic stenosis. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT01060020.
2G-6 Classification of Parotid Gland Tumors using Sonohistology

In this paper results from a clinical study on differentiating between various types of parotid gland tumors using computerized tissue characterization (Sonohistology) are presented. Complex baseband ultrasound data have been acquired during the common examinations of patients who were scheduled to have parotid surgery shortly after the acquisition. Data of 123 benign and malignant parotid-gland alterations have been included in the study. For data acquisition, a conventional diagnostic ultrasound scanner controlled by custom software running on a laptop computer was used. Tumors were manually contoured in the B-Mode images. Acquired data were stored on an external PC and subdivided into numerous regions of interest (ROI). For each ROI, a set of tissue characterizing spectral and texture features was calculated. Moreover, Fourier descriptors have been calculated from the contours of the lesions to characterize differences in shape of certain kinds of tumors. Training data have been generated from the manually contoured areas. For classification, the training data have been divided in up to four subclasses. The final classification was done using two target classes. The first class included all cases for which a surgical treatment was definitely necessary. The second class included all cases that did not necessitate a surgical treatment. The best feature set was processed by a classification system. For classification, the maximum likelihood measure was used. Classification was done by total cross validation over cases. The best feature set was found by sequential forward selection and included two spectral features (attenuation and slope), two first order texture feature (squared signal to noise ratio and kurtosis), two measures from the cooccurrence matrix (sum variance and variance of sum of squares) and two Fourier descriptors. The receiver operating characteristics curve area was AROC = 0.86
Migrant CEOS: Barriers and Strategies on the Way to the Top

This study discusses the main barriers that qualified migrants face in their route towards becoming chief executive officers (CEOs) along with the strategies they employ in their quest to reach the top. The study was conducted in France, a leading economic power with a long history of migration. A relational analytic framework was adopted, where in-depth interviews with migrant CEOs were triangulated with accounts from native CEOs, organizational leaders, and institutional actors. It emerged that meso- and macro-level factors created powerful barriers to advancement, while migrant CEOs tended to deploy four career strategies, two of them reactive – adaptation/adjustment and overcompensation – and the other two proactive – differentiation and manoeuvring. In addition, substantial differences were identified in the accounts of migrant CEOs and the other participants as to the existence of barriers and awareness of these by organizational actors.
Breast cancer following radiotherapy and chemotherapy among young women with Hodgkin disease.

CONTEXT Second cancer is the leading cause of death in long-term survivors of Hodgkin disease (HD), with exceptionally high risks of breast cancer among women treated at a young age. Quantitative associations between radiotherapy dose delivered to the breast and administered chemotherapy have not been reported to date in large series, nor has the influence of ovarian exposures on subsequent risk. OBJECTIVE To quantify the long-term risk of breast cancer associated with use of radiotherapy and chemotherapy to treat young women with HD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND SUBJECTS Matched case-control study of breast cancer within a cohort of 3817 female 1-year survivors of HD diagnosed at age 30 years or younger, between January 1, 1965, and December 31, 1994, and within 6 population-based cancer registries. The study was conducted March 1, 1996, through September 30, 1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Relative risk (RR) of breast cancer associated with radiation dose delivered to site of breast cancer or to ovaries and with cumulative dose of alkylating agents. RESULTS Breast cancer occurred in 105 patients with HD who were matched to 266 patients with HD but without breast cancer. A radiation dose of 4 Gy or more delivered to the breast was associated with a 3.2-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-8.2) increased risk, compared with the risk in patients who received lower doses and no alkylating agents. Risk increased to 8-fold (95% CI, 2.6-26.4) with a dose of more than 40 Gy (P<.001 for trend). Radiation risk did not vary appreciably by age at exposure or reproductive history. Increased risks persisted for 25 or more years following radiotherapy (RR, 2.3; 95% CI, 0.5-16.5; P =.03 for trend with dose). Treatment with alkylating agents alone resulted in a reduced risk (RR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.2-2.0) of breast cancer, and combined alkylating agents and radiotherapy in a 1.4-fold (95% CI, 0.6-3.5) increased risk. Risk of breast cancer decreased with increasing number of alkylating agent cycles (P =.003 for trend). Risk also was low (RR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.1-1.1) among women who received 5 Gy or more delivered to ovaries compared with those who received lower doses. CONCLUSIONS Hormonal stimulation appears important for the development of radiation-induced breast cancer, as evidenced by the reduced risk associated with ovarian damage from alkylating agents or radiation. The high radiation-related risk, which did not diminish at the highest doses or the longest follow-up, however, suggests the need for lifetime surveillance and programs of patient and public awareness.
Creating the luxury accommodation experience: case studies from New Zealand

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the luxury accommodation experience is created by investigating the perceptions of the three main participant groups – managers, employees and guests – using case studies from New Zealand. ,An interpretivist case-study methodology was used. Eighty-one participants were interviewed (27 managers, 27 employees and 27 guests) from six luxury properties. Thematic analysis was conducted to inform the results. ,The key themes identified in creating the luxury accommodation experience are: setting the stage; the ethos of the property; performances of the actors; and co-creation between the participants. Using the themes identified, a conceptual model of the creation of the luxury accommodation experience has been formulated. ,The conceptual model can be used to assist managers to deliver a more positive and memorable experience of their properties. Strategies to enhance the luxury accommodation experience include: training; standards of procedure; staff incentives; and the use of effective communication tools. ,This study identified the three alternative perspectives of managers, employees and guests regarding how the luxury accommodation experience is created. The luxury accommodation sector contributes to the economies of a number of nations and therefore it is important to highlight how it can be maintained and improved.
Interleukin-4 receptor in moderate atopic asthma. A phase I/II randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

UNLABELLED Interleukin-4 mediates important proinflammatory functions in asthma, including induction of the IgE isotype switch, expression of VCAM-1 on endothelium, mucin production, 15-lipoxygenase activity, and Th2 lymphocyte stimulation leading to the secondary synthesis of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Soluble recombinant human IL-4 receptor (IL-4R; Nuvance; altrakincept) inactivates naturally occurring IL-4 without mediating cellular activation. Nebulized IL-4R has a serum half-life of approximately 1 wk. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 25 patients with moderate asthma requiring inhaled corticosteroids were randomly assigned to receive a single nebulized dose of IL-4R 1,500 microg, IL-4R 500 microg, or placebo after stopping inhaled corticosteroids. No drug-related toxicity was observed. Treatment with IL-4R produced significant improvement in FEV(1) on Day 4 (1,500 microg versus placebo; p < 0.05) and in FEF(25-75) on Days 2 and 4 (1,500 microg versus placebo; p < 0.05). Asthma symptom scores stabilized among patients treated with IL-4R 1, 500 microg, despite abrupt withdrawal of corticosteroids, but not in the IL-4R 500 microg group or the placebo group (p < 0.05). Patients in the IL-4R 1,500 microg group also required significantly less beta(2)-agonist rescue use (p < 0.05). Anti-inflammatory effects were further demonstrated by significantly reduced exhaled nitric oxide (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS A single dose of IL-4R appears safe and effective in moderate asthma. The 1,500 microg dose appears as safe but significantly more effective than the 500 microg dose.
The THRombolysis and STatins (THRaST) study

Objective: To assess the impact on stroke outcome of statin use in the acute phase after IV thrombolysis. Methods: Multicenter study on prospectively collected data of 2,072 stroke patients treated with IV thrombolysis. Outcome measures of efficacy were neurologic improvement (NIH Stroke Scale [NIHSS] ≤ 4 points from baseline or NIHSS = 0) and major neurologic improvement (NIHSS ≤ 8 points from baseline or NIHSS = 0) at 7 days and favorable (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] ≤ 2) and excellent functional outcome (mRS ≤ 1) at 3 months. Outcome measures of safety were 7-day neurologic deterioration (NIHSS ≥ 4 points from baseline or death), symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage type 2 with NIHSS ≥ 4 points from baseline or death within 36 hours, and 3-month death. Results: Adjusted multivariate analysis showed that statin use in the acute phase was associated with neurologic improvement (odds ratio [OR] 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26–2.25; p < 0.001), major neurologic improvement (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.11–1.85; p = 0.006), favorable functional outcome (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.18–2.26; p = 0.003), and a reduced risk of neurologic deterioration (OR: 0.31, 95% CI 0.19–0.53; p < 0.001) and death (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.28–0.82; p = 0.007). Conclusion: Statin use in the acute phase of stroke after IV thrombolysis may positively influence short- and long-term outcome.
Characterization and Comparative Genomic Analysis of a Novel Bacteriophage, SFP10, Simultaneously Inhibiting both Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 are major food-borne pathogens causing serious illness. Phage SFP10, which revealed effective infection of both S. enterica and E. coli O157:H7, was isolated and characterized. SFP10 contains a 158-kb double-stranded DNA genome belonging to the Vi01 phage-like family Myoviridae. In vitro adsorption assays showed that the adsorption constant rates to both Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 were 2.50 × 10−8 ml/min and 1.91 × 10−8 ml/min, respectively. One-step growth analysis revealed that SFP10 has a shorter latent period (25 min) and a larger burst size (>200 PFU) than ordinary Myoviridae phages, suggesting effective host infection and lytic activity. However, differential development of resistance to SFP10 in S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 was observed; bacteriophage-insensitive mutant (BIM) frequencies of 1.19 × 10−2 CFU/ml for S. Typhimurium and 4.58 × 10−5 CFU/ml for E. coli O157:H7 were found, indicating that SFP10 should be active and stable for control of E. coli O157:H7 with minimal emergence of SFP10-resistant pathogens but may not be for S. Typhimurium. Specific mutation of rfaL in S. Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 revealed the O antigen as an SFP10 receptor for both bacteria. Genome sequence analysis of SFP10 and its comparative analysis with homologous Salmonella Vi01 and Shigella phiSboM-AG3 phages revealed that their tail fiber and tail spike genes share low sequence identity, implying that the genes are major host specificity determinants. This is the first report identifying specific infection and inhibition of Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 by a single bacteriophage.
Distinct regenerative potential of trunk and appendages of Drosophila mediated by JNK signalling

The Drosophila body comprises a central part, the trunk, and outgrowths of the trunk, the appendages. Much is known about appendage regeneration, but little about the trunk. As the wing imaginal disc contains a trunk component, the notum, and a wing appendage, we have investigated the response to ablation of these two components. We find that, in contrast with the strong regenerative response of the wing, the notum does not regenerate. Nevertheless, the elimination of the wing primordium elicits a proliferative response of notum cells, but they do not regenerate wing; they form a notum duplicate. Conversely, the wing cells cannot regenerate an ablated notum; they overproliferate and generate a hinge overgrowth. These results suggest that trunk and appendages cannot be reprogrammed to generate each other. Our experiments demonstrate that the proliferative response is mediated by JNK signalling from dying cells, but JNK functions differently in the trunk and the appendages, which may explain their distinct regenerative potential. Summary: Despite being derived from a common lineage, Drosophila trunk and appendages possess different regenerative potential and cannot be reprogrammed to regenerate each other.
Empowering through regional funds? The impact of Europe on subnational governance in the Czech Republic

ABSTRACT This contribution offers an evaluation of subnational governance change in the Czech Republic in the context of a domestic response to Europeanization dynamics employing both the top-down and bottom-up approach. We do not find much evidence of a substantial empowerment of the regional level, but that the central government is still a gatekeeper. The regions have experienced both centralized and decentralized forms (temporal empowerment) of EU’s structural funds management. The effect of EU was not constant, but conditioned in time by the mediating factors such as domestic politics and administrative capacity. On the local level, the weak fragmented municipalities have taken advantage of the European opportunity structure and have thus empowered themselves. EU’s structural funds have accelerated intermunicipal cooperation. The partnership principle has become more embedded in regional policy, and some signs of multilevel governance (MLG) have emerged. As a result, the fragmented municipalities have become stronger partners with the state.