Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
What Can Self-Reports and Acoustic Data Analyses on Emotions Tell Us?

There are two approaches to measure people's experiences: memory-based and moment-based. Whereas the memory-based approaches are susceptible to the peak-end effect, the moment-based approaches appear to better reflect the experience of the present. In this paper, we propose that emotional assessment of think aloud verbalisations is a moment-based methodology for measuring UX. We conducted an empirical study with 46 participants in the domain of online shopping to evaluate their emotional experiences. Acoustic analysis of verbal data was used as the moment-based approach and self-report questionnaires as the retrospective or memory-based approach. Results of the study confirmed the previous finding that retrospective assessments did not reflect the actual experience. The results also suggested that retrospective evaluations of emotions were significantly correlated with the most frequently elicited emotion (i.e. modal emotion) during the interaction. In conclusion these results support the use of acoustic data analysis as an alternative approach to measuring UX.
Ab Initio Characterization of the Electrochemical Stability and Solvation Properties of Condensed-Phase Ethylene Carbonate and Dimethyl Carbonate Mixtures

A central challenge in the refinement of lithium-ion batteries is to control cathode-induced oxidative decomposition of electrolyte solvents, such as ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). We study the oxidation potentials of neat EC, neat DMC, and 1:1 mixtures of EC and DMC using the newly developed projection-based embedding method, which we demonstrate to be capable of correcting qualitative inaccuracies in the electronic densities and ionization energies obtained from conventional Kohn–Sham density functional theory (DFT) methods. Our wave function-in-DFT embedding approach enables accurate calculation of the vertical ionization energy (IE) of individual molecules at the CCSD(T) level of theory while explicitly accounting for the solvent using a combination of DFT and molecular mechanics interactions. We find that the ensemble-averaged distributions of vertical IEs are consistent with a linear response interpretation of the statistics of the solvent configurations, enabling determinatio.
Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Monoclonal Antibody Cetuximab Augments Radiation Effects in Glioblastoma Multiforme in Vitro and in Vivo

OBJECTIVE:Previously, we demonstrated that the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab alone was effective against EGFR-amplified glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells in vivo and in vitro. The purpose of the present work was to study further the effectiveness of cetuximab as a monotherapy as well as combining it with radiation therapy or chemotherapy. METHODS:EGFR-amplified GBM cells were implanted either in the flanks of nude mice to determine the effectiveness of cetuximab on larger tumor burden or intracranially to assess the ability of cetuximab to cross the blood-brain barrier. Cells were also exposed to cetuximab in combination with radiation in vivo or chemotherapeutic agents in vitro. RESULTS:Increasing tumor burden in the flanks of mice decreased the amount of tumor growth inhibition. For the first two intracranial models using cetuximab for 5 weeks, the treated mice had a significant increase in median survival compared with controls. When cetuximab was given indefinitely, the results were encouraging, with an increase in median survival for the treated group not yet reached but at least 900%. Mice with flank GBM exposed to cetuximab and radiation had a larger increase in median survival than those with either treatment alone. Preliminary in vitro experiments using cetuximab and chemotherapeutic agents showed increased cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION:These results were encouraging, demonstrating the effectiveness of cetuximab against EGFR-amplified GBM. Surprisingly, cetuximab was effective when administered systemically in an intracranial model. Radiation augmented the effect of cetuximab on GBM in vitro and in vivo. In vitro analysis demonstrated additive effects for chemotherapeutic agents as well. These results confirm EGFR blockade with cetuximab as a potential treatment against human GBM.
Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Llama (Llama glama): Acute Visceral Disseminated Lesions, Diagnosis, and Development of Tissue Cysts

Abstract: Clinical toxoplasmosis has been reported in many species of warm-blooded animals but is rare in camelids. Here we report acute fatal systemic toxoplasmosis involving heart, thyroid gland, stomach, intestine, diaphragm, kidneys, adrenal glands, and liver of a 13-mo-old llama (Llama glama). Many Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites were associated with tissue necrosis in multiple organs. Death was attributed to severe myocarditis. Ulcers associated with numerous tachyzoites were present in the C3 compartment of the stomach. Tissue cyst development was followed using bradyzoite-specific T. gondii antibodies. Individual intracellular, and groups of 2 or more, bradyzoites were identified in hepatocytes, biliary epithelium, myocardiocytes, lung, diaphragm, thyroid gland, spleen, and stomach. Lesions in the brain were a few microglial nodules and very early tissue cysts containing 1–3 bradyzoites. These observations suggest that the animal had acquired toxoplasmosis recently. Diagnosis was confirmed immunohistochemically by reaction with T. gondii-specific polyclonal rabbit serum but not with antibodies to the related protozoan Neospora caninum. Genetic typing using the DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded myocardium of llama and 10 PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers revealed a type II allele at the SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, PK1 L358, and Apico loci; therefore, this isolate belongs to the ToxoDB PCR-RFLP genotype #1, which is most common in North America and Europe.
Relaxed long run average continuous control of piecewise deterministic Markov processes

In this paper we consider the long run average continuous control problem of piecewise-deterministic Markov processes (PDP's for short). The control variable acts on the jump rate λ and transition measure Q of the PDP. We consider relaxed open loop policies which choose, at each jump time, randomized (rather than deterministic) control actions. The advantage of allowing randomized actions is that the optimality equation for the continuous-time problem can be re-written as a discrete-time Markov decision process with compact action space. The main goal of this paper is to show the compactness proprieties of the action space for discrete-time problem as well as to prove the equivalence between the optimality equations of the continuous and discrete-time problems.
Adverse Reproductive Outcomes among Women Exposed to Low Levels of Ionizing Radiation from Diagnostic Radiography for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

In a cohort of women followed up for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, we assessed the association between exposure to ionizing radiation from diagnostic radiography received in adolescence and subsequent adverse reproductive outcomes in adulthood. We estimated risk for unsuccessful attempts at pregnancy, spontaneous abortions, low birthweight (<2,500 gm), congenital malformations, and stillbirths according to dose to the ovaries. We used regression models for binary and continuous outcomes, accounting for key covariates and for clustering in the data that arose from women having multiple pregnancies. Risks in the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis cohort were higher than in the reference group for unsuccessful attempts at pregnancy [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.84–2.13], spontaneous abortions (OR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.06–1.73), and congenital malformations (OR = 1.20; 95% CI = 0.78–1.84), but the odds ratios did not increase monotonically by dose to the ovaries. There were fewer stillbirths (OR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.15–0.97) and low-birthweight infants in the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis cohort (OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.59–1.21). Nevertheless, when the analysis of low birthweight was restricted to the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis cohort, the adjusted odds ratios were found to increase by quartiles of dose (median dose of 0.69 cGy): 1; 1.43 (95% CI = 0.54–3.90); 2.24 (95% CI = 0.89–5.94); and 2.34 (95% CI = 1.02–5.62). We also found that the adjusted mean birthweight decreased with increasing dose by 37.6 gm per cGy (standard error = 23.5 gm per cGy). Associations between adverse reproductive outcomes and radiotherapy have been observed previously, but this is the first study in which an association with birthweight has been found with diagnostic radiography. (Epidemiology 1998;9:271–278)
Limited T-cell receptor beta-chain diversity of a T-helper cell type 1-like response to Mycobacterium leprae

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) is the standard measure of T-cell responsiveness to infectious organisms. For leprosy, the Mitsuda reaction, a local immune response to cutaneous challenge with Mycobacterium leprae, is considered to represent a measure of DTH against the pathogen. We analyzed the diversity of the T-cell receptor beta-chain repertoire in Mitsuda reactions to determine the breadth of the mycobacterial antigens involved. The polymerase chain reaction was used to compare V beta usage in the Mitsuda reaction T-cell lines established and unstimulated peripheral blood. These molecular analyses revealed a skewed T-cell receptor V beta gene usage in the Mitsuda reaction and in T-cell lines from lesions. To examine the reactivity of T cells from these lesions, T-cell lines were tested against the available native and recombinant antigens of M. leprae. T-cell lines derived from Mitsuda reactions responded more strongly to the 10-kDa M. leprae antigen, a homolog of GroES in Escherichia coli, than to other M. leprae proteins. T-cell lines were also shown to proliferate strongly in response to the 17- and 3-kDa proteins. The pattern of the lymphokine mRNA of these cells was reminiscent of the pattern of murine TH1 cells, positive for interleukin-2 and gamma interferon and weakly positive for interleukin-4. These data indicate that a limited array of T cells, perhaps recognizing stress proteins, secrete a type 1 lymphokine profile in the DTH response to mycobacteria.
Actitudes de los docentes: Incorporación de las tecnologías en la práctica docente

El objetivo general de la presente investigación, fue analizar las actitudes que tienenlos docentes de la Unidad Académica de Derecho de la Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit,en cuanto al uso de las TIC en el ámbito educativo. El estudio se realizó con enfoquecuantitativo descriptivo del tipo no experimental y transversal, por tratarse de 51 docentesadscritos, en la búsqueda de una mayor confiabilidad se contempló en la muestra el 100 porciento. El instrumento utilizado maneja la medición a través de las escalas tipo Likert, yestá dividido en dos partes: a) Caracterización de los docentes y b) Actitudes hacia las TIC.
Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems ( PACIS ) 2007 IS Development and Acquisition : The Use of Standard Methods

While standard methods have long been used in an effort to improve the IS development process and outcomes, recently their relevance in a changing development environment has been questioned. A Web-based survey of 106 New Zealand organisations was conducted to obtain an updated assessment of standard method use and to compare practices in New Zealand with those reported elsewhere. Levels of standard method use continue to be high, although methods are often used in a pragmatic or ad hoc way. Organisations that reported using standard methods perceived them to be beneficial, and generally disagreed with most of the published limitations of standard methods.
Simulation as a Tool to Facilitate Practice Changes in Teams Taking Care of Patients Under Investigation for Ebola Virus Disease in Spain

Introduction We analyzed the impact of simulation-based training on clinical practice and work processes on teams caring for patients with possible Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Cantabria, Spain. Methods The Government of Spain set up a special committee for the management of EVD, and the Spanish Ministry of Health and foreign health services created an action protocol. Each region is responsible for selecting a reference hospital and an in-house care team to care for patients under investigation. Laboratory-confirmed cases of EVD have to be transferred to the Carlos III Health Institute in Madrid. Predeployment training and follow-up support are required to help personnel work safely and effectively. Simulation-based scenarios were designed to give staff the opportunity to practice before encountering a real-life situation. Lessons learned by each team during debriefings were listed, and a survey administered 3 months later assessed the implementation of practice and system changes. Results Implemented changes were related to clinical practice (eg, teamwork principles application), protocol implementation (eg, addition of new processes and rewriting of confusing parts), and system and workflow (eg, change of shift schedule and rearrangement of room equipment). Conclusions Simulation can be used to detect needed changes in protocol or guidelines or can be adapted to meet the needs of a specific team.
Utilization Study of Antihypertensives in a South Indian Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital and Adherence to Standard Treatment Guidelines

Aim: Hypertension represents a major health problem primarily because of its role in contributing to the initiation and progression of major cardiovascular diseases. Concerns pertaining to hypertension and its sequelae can be substantially addressed and consequent burden of disease reduced by early detection and appropriate therapy of elevated blood pressure. This cross-sectional observational study aims at analyzing the utilization pattern of antihypertensives used for the treatment of hypertension at a tertiary care hospital in perspective of standard treatment guidelines. Materials and Methods: Prescriptions were screened for antihypertensives at the medicine outpatient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Medical records of the patients were scrutinized after which 286 prescriptions of patients suffering from hypertension were included. The collected data were sorted and analyzed on the basis of demographic characteristics and comorbidities. Results: The calcium channel blockers were the most frequently used antihypertensive class of drugs (72.3%). Amlodipine (55.6%) was the single most frequently prescribed antihypertensive agent. The utilization of thiazide diuretics was 9%. Adherence to the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEMs) was 65%. The combination therapy was used more frequently (51.5%) than monotherapy (48.8%). The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin 2 receptor blockers (ACE-I/ARB) was 41.4% in diabetes. Conclusions: The treatment pattern, in general, conformed to standard treatment guidelines. Few areas, however, need to be addressed such as the underutilization of thiazide diuretics, need for more awareness of drugs from the NLEMs and enhanced use of ACE-I/ARB in diabetic hypertensives.
Analysis of the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and Chlamydia trachomatis infection in 6083 pregnant women at a hospital in Otaru, Japan

Aim: Our aims were to evaluate the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis (BV), Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) infection and Mobiluncus spp. infection among pregnant women in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan according to the month and year of the first prenatal visit, and to evaluate their risk factors.
Strangulated obturator hernia with acute gangrenous appendicitis.

demonstrated in silver-impregnated sections of foetal tissues of experimentally infected guinea-pigs by Babudieri and Biocca (1941) and in the foetuses of pigs and cattle by other workers, but they have been isolated only from animal foetuses examined immediately or very shortly after death (Ryley and Simmons, ,954). Though we have no proof that the human foetus was infected there is sufficient evidence in previous work on human and animal abortions to indicate that it probably was. In any case it is reasonable to suppose that the mother's leptospiral infection in one way or another resulted in the death of the foetus. It is important, therefore, to be aware of the possibility of leptospirosis in cases of feverish illness during pregnancy in persons living or working in situations where sources of infection are known to exist. One can then endeavour to suppress the septicaemia by prompt antibiotic treatment and so reduce the risk of the foetus becoming infected. REFERENCES
The Parkes Multibeam Pulsar Survey - VI. Discovery and timing of 142 pulsars and a Galactic population analysis

We present the discovery and follow-up observations of 142 pulsars found in the Parkes 20-cm multibeam pulsar survey of the Galactic plane. These new discoveries bring the total number of pulsars found by the survey to 742. In addition to tabulating spin and astrometric parameters, along with pulse width and flux density information, we present orbital characteristics for 13 binary pulsars which form part of the new sample. Combining these results from another recent Parkes multibeam survey at high Galactic latitudes, we have a sample of 1008 normal pulsars which we use to carry out a determination of their Galactic distribution and birth rate. We infer a total Galactic population of 30 000 ± 1100 potentially detectable pulsars (i.e. those beaming towards us) having 1.4-GHz luminosities above 0.1 mJy kpc 2 . Adopting the Tauris & Manchester beaming model, this translates to a total of 155 000 ± 6000 active radio pulsars in the Galaxy above this luminosity limit. Using a pulsar current analysis, we derive the birth rate of this population to be 1.4 ± 0.2 pulsars per century. An important conclusion from our work is that the inferred radial density function of pulsars depends strongly on the assumed distribution of free electrons in the Galaxy. As a result, any analyses using the most recent electron model of Cordes & Lazio predict a dearth of pulsars in the inner Galaxy. We show that this model can also bias the inferred pulsar scaleheight with respect to the Galactic plane. Combining our results with other Parkes multibeam surveys we find that the population is best described by an exponential distribution with a scaleheight of 330 pc. Surveys underway at Parkes and Arecibo are expected to improve the knowledge of the radial distribution outside the solar circle, and to discover several hundred new pulsars in the inner Galaxy.
Memo No . 067 December 26 , 2017 Musings on Deep Learning : Properties of SGD by

We ruminate with a mix of theory and experiments on the optimization and generalization properties of deep convolutional networks trained with Stochastic Gradient Descent in classification tasks. A present perceived puzzle is that deep networks show good predictive performance when overparametrization relative to the number of training data suggests overfitting. We dream an explanation of these empirical results in terms of the following new results on SGD: 1. SGD concentrates in probability like the classical Langevin equation – on large volume, “flat” minima, selecting flat minimizers which are with very high probability also global minimizers. 2. Minimization by GD or SGD on flat minima can be approximated well by minimization on a linear funcion of the weights, suggesting pseudoinverse solutions. 3. Pseudoinverse solutions are known to be intrinsically regularized with a regularization parameter λ which decreases as 1 T where T is the number of iterations. This can qualitatively explain all the generalization properties empirically observed for deep networks. 4. GD and SGD are connected closely to robust optimization. This provides an alternative way to show that GD and SGD perform implicit regularization. These results explain the puzzling findings about fitting randomly labeled data while performing well on natural labeled data. They also explain while overparametrization does not result in overfitting. Quantitative, non-vacuous bounds are still missing, as it has almost always been the case for most practical applications of machine learning. This is version 3, which differs from version 2 only in the title. The first version was released on 04/04/2017 at https://dspace.mit. edu/handle/1721.1/107841.
A Theory of Efficiency Wage with Multiple Unemployment Equilibria: How a Higher Minimum Wage Law Can Curb Unemployment

This paper uses efficiency wage theory and the existence of community-based sharing to hypothesize that labor markets in developing countries have multiple equilibria – the same economy can be stuck at different levels of unemployment with different levels of wages. The model is meant for developing economies where wage-productivity links are discernible and income-sharing among the poor is prevalent. It seems reasonable to posit that in such an economy more unemployment leads to more income sharing. The main results are generated combining this claim with a theoretical demonstration of the fact that more sharing increases unemployment rates. As corollaries, we show that (1) within the same society, two different racial groups that may be ex ante identical can have different levels of unemployment and wages in equilibrium and (2) the imposition of a legal minimum wage can raise employment.
An Empirical Investigation of Factors that Influence Individual Behavior toward Changing Social Networking Security Settings

While the use of social networking sites continues to rise, security continues to be an important issue. This issue often results when many users do not change their social networking security settings. Such behavior leaves vast amounts of data vulnerable to criminal activities. This study utilized the Theory of Planned Behavior to examine factors that impact users' behaviors regarding changing their social networking security settings. This research found support for six of the eight hypotheses. Results showed that Attitude (H1), Subjective Norm (H2), and Perceived Behavioral Control (H3) predicted Behavioral Intention. Behavioral Intention (H4) positively influenced Behavior. Apathy (H6) negatively predicted Attitude while Perceived Behavioral Control (H7) positively influenced Social Trust. Finally, Perceived Behavioral Control did not predict Behavior (H5) and Social Trust did not impact Behavioral Intention (H8). These findings have future implications for research and practice.