Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of Recognition System Using Fusion of Natural Gesture/Speech

A multimodal interface can achieve more natural and effective human-computer interaction. In this paper, we present an isolated-word recognizer using a fusion of speech and natural visual gestures. The fusion of audio and visual signals can be carried out either at the class level or the feature level. Our system incorporates a fusion system at the feature level which supports 10 natural gestures. One of most difficult problems in feature level fusion is synchronization between audio and visual features. To solve this problem, we propose a modified time delay neural network (TDNN) architecture with a dedicated fusion layer and optimize parameters of this recognition model. Experimental results show that this system yields a performance improvement when compared to the performance of automatic speech recognition (ASR) under various signal-to-noise rate (SNR) conditions.
Assessing Citizen Science Participation Skill for Altruism or University
 Course Credit: A Case Study Analysis Using Cyclone Center

A common challenge in citizen science projects is gaining and retaining participants. At the same time, the tertiary education sector is constantly being challenged to provide more meaningful and practical work for students. Can participation in citizen science projects be used as coursework with real practical experiential-learning benefits, without affecting the citizen science project outcomes? We seek to begin to answer this question via a case study analysis with Cyclone Center (CC), which asks participants to classify tropical cyclone characteristics through analysis of infrared satellite imagery. Skill of individual users has previously been shown to be obtainable once classifiers have looked at approximately 200 images using an expectation-maximisation likelihood approach. We use skill scores to determine if participation for course credit or altruism influenced skill for volunteers and students from two universities under three increasingly complex categories of classifications (eye or no eye; stronger, weaker, or the same; and which of six fundamental storm types). A bootstrap resampling approach was used to account for discrepancies between sample sizes. Overall, there is limited evidence for substantive differences in classification performance between credit awarded and altruistic participants, with only one finding of significance at
Associations between trauma exposure, religious coping, and psychiatric distress in a community sample in Nairobi, Kenya

ABSTRACT Adults (N = 703) in Nairobi, Kenya completed a screening survey in the aftermath of the postelection violence (PEV) of 2008. This study examined associations between exposure to PEV, prior trauma exposure, religious coping, and psychiatric distress. Results indicated a dose-response effect of the amount of PEV and prior trauma exposure on the severity of concurrent symptoms of psychiatric distress. Over 90% of the sample reported a religious affiliation, and the majority of participants also reported frequent use of religious coping strategies. However, there was no significant effect for the use of turning to religion as a form of coping on psychiatric distress. Study results aligned with existing research on the dose-response, cumulative effect of frequent exposure to trauma. Further research can investigate the nuanced ways that community members use their religion to cope.
Cell types involved in collagen and fibronectin production in normal and fibrotic human liver

Three collagen types (I, III and IV) and fibronectin were localized in normal and alcoholic human liver by light and electron microscopy using the indirect immunoperoxidase technique. In normal liver, most of the bundles of collagen fibers stained for type pro‐III collagen while only a few reacted for type I. Basement membranes stainedfor type IV collagen which formed discontinuous discrete deposits in sinusoids. Only fibronectin appeared as an almost continuous layer in the space of Disse. At the intracellular level, hepatocytes were found to contain little type I collagen and large amountsof fibronectin. Fat‐storing cells strongly stained for type IV collagen and expressed low amounts of types I and III collagen and fibronectin. Endothelial cells contained low amounts of all the components.
A Survey of School Administrators’ Training and Support Related to Evaluating Special Education Teachers

School administrators are often responsible for observing and evaluating special education teachers. The current study examined the training school administrators received, their needed knowledge and supports, and their confidence in performing job functions related to special education teacher evaluation. A total of 929 school administrators in California completed a 26-item survey in which they reported the training they had received, the usefulness of the training for informing practice, and the confidence they felt in evaluating special educators. Results indicated that most school administrators did not have a background in special education, did not receive training related to evaluating special educators, and felt less confident evaluating special educators than general educators. School administrators, especially those without a background in special education, may need more training and support related to evaluating special education teachers during preparation and in the early years of administration. Training and support should focus on evidence-based practices for teaching- ing students with disabilities.
Bupivacaine-induced Regeneration of Rat Soleus Muscle: Ultrastructural and Immunohistochemical Aspects

The regeneration of soleus muscle injury induced by the bupivacaine model was studied ultrastructurally and immunohistochemically. Twenty-one young (age range 3–3.5 months) male Wistar rats were subjected to a single intramuscular injection of 1 mL of 0.5% Marcaine. The muscles were examined on biopsy days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21. By day 1, mononuclear inflammatory cells had invaded the necrotic sarcoplasm. Degenerative morphological findings counted mainly for the hypercontracted fibers, dilation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, plasma membrane defects, mitochondrial alterations, and myofibril discontinuities. By day 2 proliferating myoblasts were seen with variety in shape, which fused on the day 3. Myotubes with multiple central nuclei and euchromatic nucleoli were formed by day 5. Asynchronous repair events were seen with bundles of myofilaments toward the core of the fibers, in contrast to the least mature distal growth cones, which had free myoblasts in proximity and formatted pseudopods. Chronologically asynchronous regeneration stages possibly suggested successive satellite cell activation profiles or heterogeneity in satellite cell population. In parallel with the electron microscopy, in light microscope immunocytochemistry, desmin- and vimentin-positive mononuclear cells were observed within the first 3 biopsy days, but as regeneration proceeded, desmin predominated over vimentin. Merosin immunoreactivity revealed preservation of the basal lamina, which is crucial for the stability and survival of myotubes. By day 21, fibers restored the overall control architecture.
Reducing tube feeds and tongue thrust: combining an oral-motor and behavioral approach to feeding.

OBJECTIVE A treatment package combining oral-motor and behavioral interventions was implemented for a 6-year-old girl with Down syndrome referred to an intensive day treatment feeding program for gastrostomy tube dependence and food refusal. The participant exhibited a tongue thrust, resulting in the expulsion of all foods presented. METHOD An oral-motor procedure was used to reduce the tongue thrust and allow the food to be swallowed. This procedure was paired with positive reinforcement and escape prevention to increase oral consumption of liquids and solids. A multiple-probe design was used to evaluate treatment effectiveness. RESULTS By the end of treatment, tube feedings were eliminated and tongue thrust was significantly reduced. CONCLUSION This intervention demonstrated the successful combination of oral-motor and behavioral components in the treatment of a severe feeding problem. It could serve as a model for the development of future interventions.
Housing Market Sentiment and Intervention Effectiveness: Evidence from China

This paper studies the interaction between housing market sentiment and government interventions. With a unique micro-level data from China, we construct a housing market sentiment index by applying the techniques in the finance literature. This index is significantly correlated with the confidence indexes from official sources. We find that housing market returns increase with contemporaneous sentiment, and high sentiment is followed by low returns. Tightening policies cannot reduce optimism, and high sentiment negatively impacts the effectiveness of tightening policies. This negative impact is especially significant in the zones where housing prices are sensitive to increasing sentiment.
Clinical and molecular genetic spectrum of autosomal dominant Emery‐Dreifuss muscular dystrophy due to mutations of the lamin A/C gene

Emery‐Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is characterized by early contractures of the elbows and Achilles tendons, slowly progressive muscle wasting and weakness, and life‐threatening cardiomyopathy with conduction blocks. We recently identified LMNA encoding two nuclear envelope proteins, lamins A and C, to be implicated in the autosomal dominant form of EDMD. Here, we report on the variability of the phenotype and spectrum of LMNA mutations in 53 autosomal dominant EDMD patients (36 members of 6 families and 17 sporadic cases). Twelve of the 53 patients showed cardiac involvement exclusively, although the remaining 41 all showed muscle weakness and contractures. We were able to identify a common phenotype among the patients with skeletal muscle involvement, consisting of humeroperoneal wasting and weakness, scapular winging, rigidity of the spine, and elbow and Achilles tendon contractures. The disease course was generally slow, but we observed either a milder phenotype characterized by late onset and a mild degree of weakness and contractures or a more severe phenotype with early presentation and a rapidly progressive course in a few cases. Mutation analysis identified 18 mutations in LMNA (ie, 1 nonsense mutation, 2 deletions of a codon, and 15 missense mutations). All the mutations were distributed between exons 1 and 9 in the region of LMNA that is common to lamins A and C. LMNA mutations arose de novo in 76% of the cases; 2 of these de novo mutations were typical hot spots, and 2 others were identified in 2 unrelated cases. There was no clear correlation between the phenotype and type or localization of the mutations within the gene. Moreover, a marked inter‐ and intra‐familial variability in the clinical expression of LMNA mutations exists, ranging from patients expressing the full clinical picture of EDMD to those characterized only by cardiac involvement, which points toward a significant role of possible modifier genes in the course of this disease. In conclusion, the high proportion of de novo mutations together with the large spectrum of both LMNA mutations and the expression of the disease should now prompt screening for LMNA in familial and sporadic cases of both EDMD and dilated cardiomyopathy associated with conduction system disease. Ann Neurol 2000;48:170–180
Cryptococcus Infection in Tropical Australia

ABSTRACT Eighteen cases of disease caused by the saprophytic fungi Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus bacillisporus are described from the Northern Territory of Australia. The majority of infections were with Cryptococcus bacillisporus and in the rural Aboriginal population, often causing pulmonary mass lesions.
Dielectric properties of LDPE-SiO2 nanocomposites

The dielectric behaviour of nano-SiO2 filled low density polyethylene is investigated over a frequency range of 10 mHz–10 MHz and for different temperatures from 250 K to 350 K. It is shown that the presence of nanoparticles change significantly the dielectric behaviour of the polymer system. The frequency variations of the permittivity and of the tan delta emphasize a α-relaxation process, for each of the nanocomposite samples. The relaxation is more important and occurs at higher frequencies with the increase of the filler content. The increase of the temperature leads to a shift of the relaxation frequency to higher values. Results from chemiluminescence measurements and from X-ray diffraction analysis are discussed in connection with the dielectric behaviour.
[Effects of normal lymph on myeloperoxidase activity and adenosine triphosphatase in rats with endotoxic shock].

OBJECTIVE To observe the effects of exogenous normal lymph on myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities of lung homogenate in rats with endotoxic shock caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to preliminarily discuss its mechanisms. METHODS Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: endotoxin group, lymph group, plasma group and control group. The rats in the preceding three groups were injected intravenously with LPS (5 mg/kg. bw, iv) to replicate endotoxic shock model. LPS was replaced by equal volume of normal saline in the control group. Fifteen minutes later, lymph without cell components was infused in lymph group. The amount of lymph was 1/15 of blood volume. In plasma group, lymph was replaced by plasma, and in normal and endotoxin groups, lymph were replaced by normal saline. Four hours after the infusion of LPS, lung homogenate in a concentration of 10% was prepared. The activities of MPO and ATPase were determined in lung homogenate. RESULTS Compared with control group, the activities of MPO in lung homogenate of endotoxin group and plasma group were significantly increased while the activities of ATPase were significantly lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The activity of MPO in lung homogenate of lymph group was significantly higher, while Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity was significantly lower than those of control group (both P<0.05). The activities of Ca(2+)-ATPase, Mg(2+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase in lymph group showed no statistically significant differences compared with those of control group (all P>0.05), but when compared with the endotoxin group and plasma group, the activity of MPO in lung homogenate was significantly lower (both P<0.01) and the activities of 4 kinds of ATPase were significantly higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that exogenous normal lymph could ameliorate the lung injury as a result of endotoxic shock, and its mechanism might relate to reduction of activity of the polymorphonuclear leucocyte (PMN) and enhancement of the activity of ATPase.
Part II: A Critical Review of Qualitative Research Related to Children's Experiences With Cancer

Using the qualitative research process to study children's experiences with cancer is being promoted because it is believed that it will afford researchers the opportunity to access children's perspectives of their cancer experiences. A detailed understanding of children's experiences with cancer will result, including a description of their feelings, wants, needs, and concerns. The information gained from qualitative research will help pediatric oncology nurses to better understand what their patients are experiencing. Although adoption of the qualitative paradigm in the study of childhood cancer is in its infancy, qualitative research findings related to children's perspectives of cancer are now slowly emerging. Accordingly, the purpose of this article is to identify some of the meaningful contributions that qualitative research has made in advancing the knowledge base of children's cancer experiences. The first section of this article discusses major themes that have evolved from use of the qualitative research process in the study of children's cancer experiences. This discussion is followed by a critique of the research with suggestions that will aid pediatric nurse researchers in conducting qualitative research when children with cancer are the research participants.
The Cellular Factor NXP2/MORC3 Is a Positive Regulator of Influenza Virus Multiplication

ABSTRACT Transcription and replication of influenza A virus are carried out in the nuclei of infected cells in the context of viral ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). The viral polymerase responsible for these processes is a protein complex composed of the PB1, PB2, and PA proteins. We previously identified a set of polymerase-associated cellular proteins by proteomic analysis of polymerase-containing intracellular complexes expressed and purified from human cells. Here we characterize the role of NXP2/MORC3 in the infection cycle. NXP2/MORC3 is a member of the Microrchidia (MORC) family that is associated with the nuclear matrix and has RNA-binding activity. Influenza virus infection led to a slight increase in NXP2/MORC3 expression and its partial relocalization to the cytoplasm. Coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence experiments indicated an association of NXP2/MORC3 with the viral polymerase and RNPs during infection. Downregulation of NXP2/MORC3 by use of two independent short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) reduced virus titers in low-multiplicity infections. Consistent with these findings, analysis of virus-specific RNA in high-multiplicity infections indicated a reduction of viral RNA (vRNA) and mRNA after NXP2/MORC3 downregulation. Silencing of NXP2/MORC3 in a recombinant minireplicon system in which virus transcription and replication are uncoupled showed reductions in cat mRNA and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) protein accumulation but no alterations in cat vRNA levels, suggesting that NXP2/MORC3 is important for influenza virus transcription. IMPORTANCE Influenza virus infections appear as yearly epidemics and occasional pandemics of respiratory disease, with high morbidity and occasional mortality. Influenza viruses are intracellular parasites that replicate and transcribe their genomic ribonucleoproteins in the nuclei of infected cells, in a complex interplay with host cell factors. Here we characterized the role of the human NXP2/MORC3 protein, a member of the Microrchidia family that is associated with the nuclear matrix, during virus infection. NXP2/MORC3 associates with the viral ribonucleoproteins in infected cells. Downregulation of NXP2/MORC3 reduced virus titers and accumulations of viral genomic RNA and mRNAs. Silencing of NXP2/MORC3 in an influenza virus CAT minireplicon system diminished CAT protein and cat mRNA levels but not genomic RNA levels. We propose that NXP2/MORC3 plays a role in influenza virus transcription.
The Plucking Model, the Great Recession, and Austrian Business Cycle Theory

This brief note points out that Milton Friedman’s “Plucking Model” has not held following the Great Recession. Friedman argued that the Plucking Model offered evidence against theories like Austrian Business Cycle theory; the bust was what needed explanation, not the boom. But as many economists have pointed out, the years leading up to the Great Recession fit many of the stylized predictions of the Austrian Business Cycle. Given their observations, it is of interest that the bust in recent years has not followed the Plucking Model.
Optimum operation scheduling model of domestic electric appliances for balancing power supply and demand

High penetration of variable renewable generations such as Photovoltaic (PV) systems will cause the issue of supply-demand imbalance in a whole power system. Activation of residential power usage, storage and generation by sophisticated scheduling and control using the Home Energy Management System (HEMS) will be needed to balance power supply and demand in the near future. In order to evaluate the applicability of the HEMS as a distributed controller for local and system-wide supply and demand balances, we developed an optimum operation scheduling model of domestic electric appliances using mixed integer linear programming. Applying this model to one house with dynamic electricity prices reflecting the power balance of the total power system, it was found that the adequate changes in electricity prices bring about the shift of residential power usages to control the amount of the reverse power flow due to excess PV generation.
Comparison of success rate and complications of contour-loop excision of the transformation zone (C-LETZ) with cold knife conization (CKC) in high grade lesion (HGL) from colposcopic impression.

OBJECTIVE To compare the complications and success rate of Contour-Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (C-LETZ) with Cold Knife Conization (CKC) in High Grade Lesion (HGL). MATERIAL AND METHOD Between April 1st, 2007 and November 30th, 2007, forty-five C-LETZs were performed in patients who had Pap smear result of High grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion (HSIL) or Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) combined with colposcopic impression of satisfactory HGL by using the "See and Treat" approach. Success rate, tissue size, operating time, blood loss, intra-operative, and post-operative complications (2 weeks) were recorded to compare with the retrospective results from therapeutic CKC. RESULTS Forty-five cases of C-LETZ and 50 cases of CKC were compared. Using the "See and Treat" approach, the over-treatment rate was 6.7% (3/45). The success rate and tissue size were not different between both groups. The operating time, blood loss, and post-operative infection were significantly less in the C-LETZ group. CONCLUSION The authors compared CKC with C-LETZ, which is a new method for the management ofHGL of the cervix and found C-LETZ to be a favorable method with comparable efficacy but with significantly less morbidity, and suitable as a "See and Treat" method in a hospital outpatient clinic.
Mild cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an intermediate state between normal aging and dementia, is characterized by acquired cognitive deficits, without significant decline in functional activities of daily living. Studies conducted on MCI have introduced new concepts regarding the possible distinctions between normal and pathologic aging of the brain. Neuroimaging and genetic testing have aided in the identification of individuals at increased risk for dementia. The measurement of change in cognitive and functional status in MCI remains challenging, because it requires instruments that are more sensitive and specific than those considered adequate for research in dementia. The authors provide an overview of the many methods that have been used to study MCI and directions that may help achieve greater uniformity in methodology. Considerable heterogeneity exists in research methodology used to study the epidemiology, thresholds for cognitive and functional impairment, rate of progression, risk factors, and defining subtypes of MCI. This article emphasizes the need for uniformity in the use of 1) appropriate and sensitive neuropsychological and functional measures to diagnose MCI, 2) reliable methods to determine progression or improvement of cognitive impairment, and 3) instruments in epidemiologic studies to establish population estimates for diverse ethnic and cultural groups. Greater consensus is needed to standardize definitions and research methodology for MCI, so as to make future studies more comparable and more useful for designing effective treatment strategies.