Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and synthesis of heterocyclic compounds for neuroprotective enzyme interactions

i Neurodegenerative diseases are thought to be multifactorial in nature and therefore current research focus has shifted from a ‘one-drug-one-target’ approach to that of multitarget directed ligands (MTDLs). These ligands are designed to address more than one etiological target, thereby increasing patient compliance and decreasing side-effects. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are enzymes that have long been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. MAO-B is responsible for the metabolism of biogenic amines, including dopamine. During this process hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is formed leading to the production of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH), in the presence of free iron cations (Fe, Fe). NOS is responsible for the oxidation of L-arginine to L-citrulline and NO. Since NO is a free radical, an overproduction thereof by neuronal NOS (nNOS) may cause oxidative damage to neuronal cells in the substantia nigra, linking it to the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). The selective inhibition of MAO-B and nNOS is therefore hypothesised to be advantageous for the treatment and prevention of neurodegeneration. The aim of this study was therefore to synthesise a series of selective MAO-B inhibitors and to determine if they also exhibit NOS inhibitory activity. Three series of compounds were synthesised comprising pteridine-2,4-diones, benzofuranes and indoles. The pteridine-2,4-diones were obtained by reacting 1,3dimethyl-5,6-diaminouracil with the appropriate aldehyde to yield the pyrimidines, which were cyclicised by the addition of triethyl orthoformate to obtain the final products. For the benzofuranes activation chemistry using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) was applied to conjugate the appropriate benzoic or cinnamic acid with 5-hydroxy-3Hbenzofuran-2-one, producing the final products. The indole derivatives were synthesised by conjugating 5-amino-2-methylindole to the appropriate benzoic or cinnamic acid in the presence of either N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N -ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC.HCl) or DCC.
Motion2Vector: unsupervised learning in human activity recognition using wrist-sensing data

With the increasing popularity of consumer wearable devices augmented with sensing capabilities (smart bands, smart watches), there is a significant focus on extracting meaningful information about human behaviour through large scale real-world wearable sensor data. The focus of this work is to develop techniques to detect human activities, utilising a large dataset of wearable data where no ground truth has been produced on the actual activities performed. We propose a deep learning variational auto encoder activity recognition model - Motion2Vector. The model is trained using large amounts of unlabelled human activity data to learn a representation of a time period of activity data. The learned activity representations can be mapped into an embedded activity space and grouped with regards to the nature of the activity type. In order to evaluate the proposed model, we have applied our method on public dataset - The Heterogeneity Human Activity Recognition (HHAR) dataset. The results showed that our method can achieve improved result over the HHAR dataset. In addition, we have collected our own lab-based activity dataset. Our experimental results show that our system achieves good accuracy in detecting such activities, and has the potential to provide additional insights in understanding the real-world activity in the situations where there is no ground truth available.
CoRSA: a cardio-respiratory monitor in sport activities

We present the system CoRSA to incorporate integrated sensors in millimeter-scale packages for continuous cardiorespiratory (CR) evaluation in sports activities. CoRSA retrofits trending sports apparel to add on CR sensing capability. The system uses an air pressure sensor inside a vented mask to approximate a spirometer, and an earlobe pulse-oximeter (PO) to monitor heart rate (HR) and oxygen saturation (SpO2). CoRSA also includes an inertial measurement unit for tracking activity and future study on motion artifact correction on the CR signals in active sports. An aerobic exercise evaluation is also performed which shows results similar to sports studies using bulkier conventional medical equipment in the CR signals' characteristics.
Perceived Authenticity, Empathy, and Pro-social Intentions evoked through Avatar-mediated Self-disclosures

Avatars are our digital embodied alter egos. Virtual embodiment by avatars allows social interaction with others using the full spectrum of verbal and non-verbal behaviour. Still, one's avatar appearances is elective. Hence, avatars make it possible for users to discuss and exchange sensible or even problematic personal topics potentially hiding their real identity and hence preserving anonymity and privacy. While previous works identified similarities how participants perceive avatars compared to human stimuli, there is a question as to whether avatar-mediated self-disclosure is authentic and results in similar social responses. In the present study, we created a comparable stimulus set to investigate this issue and conducted an online study (N=172) for comparison. Our results indicate that avatars can be perceived as authentic and that empathy is attributed in similar level than to a human stimulus. In an exploratory model, we found that for in the overall results, authenticity fostered emotional empathy which in turn fostered pro-social intentions. We argue that avatars may serve as a valuable supporting medium for HCI applications related to mental well-being, self-disclosure, and support.
Feel the pressure: a haptic-feedback device for wearable musical instrument interaction

Wearable gestural interfaces for effect control during concerts enable artists to experiment with new ways to express their work. These interfaces can be seen as novel musical instruments, however compared to traditional musical instruments they often lack fine-grained haptic feedback. The artist effectively plays these instrument "blind". In this paper, we present an easily built pressure-feedback device to close the loop between gesture interaction and haptic feedback. This can give the artist an idea of the currently enabled musical effect, and indicates the strength of this effect which can serve as a warning signal when the effect reaches a otherwise invisible limit with respect to a starting gesture. To evaluate the system, study participants were asked to distinguish different levels of pressure, giving insights on the accuracy of such a haptic interface.
SoberComm

This paper reports on the development of a mobile support system (called SoberComm) aimed at facilitating the sharing of alcohol-use data between patients and their family members, while providing treatment teams with the data necessary to make constructive suggestions concerning inter-family communications. We began by conducting a pilot study to identify salient themes, which could be used to guide the overall design of the system. We then conducted an iterative development process involving the prototyping and evaluation of user interfaces using medium-fidelity wireframes. The final high-fidelity design was used in the practical implementation of SoberComm in a two-week field study involving nine dyads of alcohol dependent patients and their family members. Results demonstrate that SoberComm makes it easier for patients to refuse alcohol and deal with many of the issues underlying the difficulties they face. Responses collected via qualitative interviews also provided qualitative evidence that the proposed system can enhance problem-solving skills and facilitate communication between alcohol-dependent patients and their family members.
CD95 ligand expression as a criterion of malignant transformation in breast cancer

1. Endoh Y, Tamura G, Watanabe H, et al. The common 18-basepair deletion at codons 418–423 of E-cadherin gene in differ-entiated-type adenocarcinomas and intramucosal precancerouslesions of the stomach with the features of gastric foveolarepithelium. J Pathol 1999; 189: 201–206.2. Tamura G, Sakata K, Nishizuka S, et al. Inactivation of the E-cadherin gene in primary gastric carcinomas and gastric carci-noma cell lines. Jpn J Cancer Res 1996; 87: 1153–1159.3. Ishiguro S. Histological signiﬁcance of foveolar type tubularadenocarcinoma of the stomach: its histogenesis and relationshipto undifferentiated carcinoma (in Japanese with an Englishabstract). Med J Osaka Univ 1987; 39: 507–514.4. Tatematsu M, Ichinose M, Miki K, et al. Gastric and intestinalphenotypic expression of human stomach cancers as revealed bypepsinogen immunohistochemistry and mucin histochemistry.Acta Pathol Jpn 1990; 40: 494–504.5. Endoh Y, Sakata K, Tamura G, et al. Cellular phenotypes ofdifferentiated-type adenocarcinomas and precancerous lesions ofthe stomach are dependent on the genetic pathways. J Pathol2000; (in press). 6. Endoh Y, Tamura G, Motoyama T, et al. Well-differentiatedadenocarcinoma mimicking complete-type intestinal metaplasia inthe stomach. Hum Pathol 1999; 30: 826–832.
La dysphagie sidéropénique

Les auteurs rapportent 10 cas typiques de dysphasie sideropenique colliges en 4 ans. Ils etudient les signes cliniques, biologiques, endoscopiques et radiologiques. Ils insistent sur l'interet du transit œsophagien dans le diagnostic de la maladie. Les particularites de notre etude sont d'une part la frequence relativement elevee de la maladie en Tunisie; d'autre part, l'atteinte inhabituelle de 2 malades de race noire
A Geometric Model for Prediction of Spatial Aliasing in 2.5D Sound Field Synthesis

The avoidance of spatial aliasing is a major challenge in the practical implementation of sound field synthesis. Such methods aim at a physically accurate reconstruction of a desired sound field inside a target region using a finite ensemble of loudspeakers. In the past, different theoretical treatises of the inherent spatial sampling process led to anti-aliasing criteria for simple loudspeaker array arrangements, e.g., lines and circles, and fundamental sound fields, e.g., plane and spherical waves. Many criteria were independent of the listener's position inside the target region. Within this paper, a geometrical framework based on ray-approximation of the underlying synthesis problem is proposed. Unlike former approaches, this model predicts spatial aliasing artefacts for arbitrary convex loudspeaker arrays and as a function of the listening position and the desired sound field. Anti-aliasing criteria for distinct listening positions and extended listening areas are formulated based on the established predictions. For validation, the model is applied to different analytical sound field synthesis approaches: The predicted spatial structure of the spatial aliasing agrees with numerical simulation of the synthesised sound fields. Moreover, it is shown within this framework, that the active prioritization of a control region using so-called local sound field synthesis approaches does indeed reduce spatial aliasing artefacts. For the scenario under investigation, a method for local wave field synthesis achieves an artefact-free synthesis up to a frequency which is between 2.9 and 17.3 times as high as for conventional wave field synthesis.
Tuberculosis of the Wrist: A Report of Ten Cases

Ten patients with tuberculosis of the wrist are reported. In three, the disease was limited to the tenosynovium and these patients were treated by synovectomy. Seven patients had disease involving the carpal bones. In six of these an arthrodesis of the wrist was done, and solid fusion was attained in four. In all of the patients the wrist disease became inactive under treatment with isoniazid and para-aminosalicylic acid.
Unsupervised Retinal Blood Vessel Segmentation Technique using pdAPSO and Difference Image Methods for Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinal vessel segmentation is a practice that has the potential of enhancing accuracy in the diagnosis and timely prevention of illnesses that are related to blood vessels. Acute damage to the retinal vessel has been identified to be the main cause of blindness and impaired vision. A timely detection and control of these illnesses can greatly decrease the number of loss of sight cases. However, the manual protocol for such detection is laborious and although autonomous methods have been recommended, the accuracy of these methods is often unreliable. We propose the utilization of the Primal-Dual Asynchronous Particle Swarm Optimisation ( pdAPSO ) and differential image methods in addressing the drawbacks associated with segmentation of retinal vessels in this study. The fusion of pdAPSO and differential image (which focuses on the median filter) produced a significant enhancement in the segmentation of huge and miniscule retinal vessels. In addition, the method also decreased erroneous detection near the edge of the retinal (that is not sensitive to light). The results are favourable for the median filter when compared to mean ﬁlter and Gaussian ﬁlter. The accuracy rate of 0.9559 (with a specificity of sensitivity rate of 0.9855), and a sensitivity rate of 0.7218 were obtained when tested using the Digital Retinal Images for Vessel Extraction database. The above result is a pointer that our approach will help in detecting and diagnosing the damage done to the retinal and thereby preventing loss of sight.
IN THE WRONG PLACE?: GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN U.S. OCCUPATIONAL INJURY / ILLNESS RATES

Background: Assessment is the first core function of public health, and an understanding of geographic variation in health status and health risk factors is fundamental to prevention. In the occupational injury and illness field, there is great unrealized potential for using geographic tools. Methods: A literature search was performed to identify surveillance reports and studies on occupational injury/illness and geography. Articles were categorized and reviewed.
Cancer of the Large Bowel in Children

We present the morphologic and clinical features of large bowel carcinoma in 22 patients seen over 18 years at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. We saw 18 cases of mucinous adenocarcinoma, three of well differentiated adenocarcinoma, and one case of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patients ranged in age from 9 to 19 years with a median age of 15. There were 12 female and ten male patients; 12 were black and ten were white. Eighteen patients had Dukes' stage C disease, with median survival of seven months and one patient alive 12 months after diagnosis. Three patients had Dukes' stage B disease, with two patients surviving 16 months each and one presently alive seven months after diagnosis. Only one patient had Dukes' stage A disease and is alive 121 months after diagnosis. Large bowel carcinoma in children is predominantly mucinous adenocarcinoma and occurs in the adolescent age group. Tumor distribution is fairly even throughout the large bowel, and all subtypes of the tumor are positive for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on immunohistologic study. Active tumor and tumor regrowth are always accompanied by high serum levels of CEA. The tumor has no predilection for sex, but is significantly more frequent in blacks (P<.05). Discovery of the tumor in an early stage improves the prognosis.
Injury in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Training

Background: Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling-based martial art that can lead to injuries both in training and in competition. There is a paucity of data regarding injuries sustained while training in BJJ, in both competitive and noncompetitive jiu-jitsu athletes. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that most BJJ practitioners sustain injuries to various body locations while in training and in competition. Our primary objective was to describe injuries sustained while training for BJJ, both in practice and in competition. Our secondary objectives were to classify injury type and to explore participant and injury characteristics associated with wanting to quit jiu-jitsu after injury. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: We conducted a survey of all BJJ participants at a single club in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We developed a questionnaire including questions on demographics, injuries in competition and/or training, treatment received, and whether the participant considered discontinuing BJJ after injury. Results: A total of 70 BJJ athletes participated in this study (response rate, 85%). Ninety-one percent of participants were injured in training and 60% of competitive athletes were injured in competitions. Significantly more injuries were sustained overall for each body region in training in comparison with competition (P < 0.001). Two-thirds of injured participants required medical attention, with 15% requiring surgery. Participants requiring surgical treatment were 6.5 times more likely to consider quitting compared with those requiring other treatments, including no treatment (odds ratio [OR], 6.50; 95% CI, 1.53-27.60). Participants required to take more than 4 months off training were 5.5 times more likely to consider quitting compared with those who took less time off (OR, 5.48; 95% CI, 2.25-13.38). Conclusion: The prevalence of injury is very high among BJJ practitioners, with 9 of 10 practitioners sustaining at least 1 injury, commonly during training. Injuries were primarily sprains and strains to fingers, the upper extremity, and neck. Potential participants in BJJ should be informed regarding significant risk of injury and instructed regarding appropriate precautions and safety protocols. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should be aware of the substantial risk of injury among BJJ practitioners and the epidemiology of the injuries as outlined in this article.
Multinational Firms, Labor Market Discrimination, and the Capture of Outsider’s Advantage by Exploiting the Social Divide

We theorize that foreign multinationals wield a particularly significant competitive weapon in host markets: as outsiders, they can pinpoint social schisms in host labor markets and exploit them for competitive advantage. Using two data sets from South Korea, we show that multinationals improve profitability and productivity by aggressively hiring an excluded group, women, in the local managerial labor market. We predict and find that foreign multinationals in South Korea are in a unique position to identify social schisms, implement practices designed to support and enhance the hiring and promotion of female managers, hire and promote members of the socially excluded group to positions of managerial leadership, and enjoy a net profitability benefit from doing so despite the real risk of backlash from some regulators, customers, suppliers, and employees from the socially dominant group in society. Many multinationals, even those whose home markets discriminate against women, appear to have recognized the strategic opportunity of what we call the outsider’s network advantage. The gradualness of the host market’s shift toward a new equilibrium freer of discrimination presented multinationals a multiyear competitive opportunity for outsider’s advantage. Our study extends understanding of the multinational enterprise by showing how its competitive opportunities include identifying and exploiting social schisms in a host country’s labor market.
Experimental investigation on impact performance of glass–polypropylene hybrid composites: Effect of water aging

The effect of water aging on the impact performance of glass (G)–polypropylene (P)reinforced epoxy composites was investigated. Specimens were fabricated using the hand layup process with constant overall fiber volume fraction. Specimens were immersed in distilled water and seawater at room temperature, until reaching their water content saturation point. The dry and water-immersed specimens were subjected to edge-wise and flat-wise impact tests. Fractured surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy, SEM. The results showed that the impact performance of G-reinforced epoxy composite has been enhanced through hybridizing it with Pfiber but water uptake has been increased. Water uptake reduces the impact strength of all tested specimens. Composites exposed to seawater absorb less water than those exposed to distilled water. The water absorption percentage and impact performance can be effectively controlled by changing the hybrid configuration, plies stacking sequence and P/G fiber ratio.
Unraveling Secessions

In many ethnically segregated countries, policy is directly linked to ethnicity, and thus, nonruling ethnic groups may suffer from the implemented policy. For these groups, a secession is one instrument to eliminate ethnic heterogeneity costs by implementing their own policy. However, leaving the country reduces economies of scale in the public good provision. Therefore, separatist ethnic groups face a trade-off between eliminating ethnic heterogeneity costs and losing economies of scale in the provision of public goods. I present a model for unraveling secessions in an ethnically segregated country. I use this model to derive conditions for the breakup of countries and to compare equilibrium behavior with and without the possibility of a consecutive secession. Among others, I find that a secessionist conflict will be more likely if there is a previous secession. Furthermore, aggregated conflict spending is larger in secessions with the possibility of a consecutive conflict.
An Examination of Student Involvement as a Factor Impacting the Graduation of Black Males in Higher Education Opportunity Programs at Four Colleges In Western New York

Abstract The primary purpose of this study was to examine the extent that involvement promotes persistence towards graduation for Black males participating in New York State’s Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). The general question was, “Which factors, if any, promote graduation for Black males in the Higher Education Opportunity Program? To build an answer, a cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted to identify and examine the college experiences of HEOP students who were currently enrolled or had recently graduated from four independent higher education institutions in New York State. Participants in this study included 147 currently enrolled and recently graduated students from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Nazareth College, Saint John Fisher College and Syracuse University. All data were analyzed using SPSS generated frequencies and descriptive statistics for each research question. The major findings of this research seemed to indicate that some academic activities such as attending class and engaging with faculty in and outside of class may promote graduation for Black males in HEOP. Also, participation in some co-curricular activities may promote graduation for Black males in HEOP. Off -campus involvement such as spending time with faculty as a guest in their home proved to benefit the participants of the study. Institution involvement initiatives such as Admissions Tour Guide, attending lectures, and athletic events suggest little if any, positive persistence of Black males enrolled in HEOP toward a college degree. Degree Type Dissertation Degree Name Doctor of Education (EdD) Department Executive Leadership First Supervisor Arthur L. Walton, Jr. Second Supervisor Whitney Rapp Third Supervisor Jon Iuzzini Subject Categories Education This dissertation is available at Fisher Digital Publications: http://fisherpub.sjfc. edu/education_etd/15 An Examination of Student Involvement as a Factor Impacting the Graduation of Black Males in Higher Education Opportunity Programs at Four Colleges In Western New York