Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pedestrian Path Forecasting in Crowd: A Deep Spatio-Temporal Perspective

Predicting the walking path of a pedestrian in crowds is a pivotal step towards understanding his/her behavior. This is one of the recently emerging tasks in computer vision scarcely addressed to date. In this paper, we put forth a deep spatio-temporal learning-forecasting approach, which is composed of two modules. First, displacement information from pedestrians' walking history is extracted and fed into a convolutional layer in order to learn the undergoing motion patterns and produce high-level representations. Second, unlike the mainstream literature which learns the temporal or the spatial dynamics among the pedestrians separately, we propose to embed both components into a single framework via a Long-Short Term Memory based architecture that takes as input the previously extracted high-level motion cues and outputs the potential future walking routes of all pedestrians in one shot. We evaluate our approach on three large benchmark datasets, and show that it introduces large margin improvements with respect to recent works in the literature, both in short and long-term forecasting scenarios.
Outcome of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with emphasis on sex‐related differences

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the results after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the four‐strand semitendinosus‐gracilis (ST/G) autograft in male (n=141) vs female (n=103) patients. The patients were operated on between 1996 and 2005, using interference screw fixation and drilling the femoral tunnel through the anteromedial portal. The pre‐operative assessments and demographics, apart from age (males 29 years, females 26 years; P=0.02), were comparable at the time of surgery. At 25 (23–36) months post‐operatively, no significant differences were found between the study groups in terms of anterior side‐to‐side knee laxity, manual Lachman test, Tegner activity level, Lysholm knee score, range of motion or donor‐site morbidity. Both study groups improved significantly in most clinical assessments and functional scores compared with their pre‐operative values. Two years after ACL reconstruction using ST/G autografts, there were no significant differences between male and female patients in terms of clinical outcome or functional scores.
Gender Diversity in Compensation Committees

Gender diversity in corporate boards and the functioning of compensation committees are two issues that have caught the attention of legislators and regulators in many countries. Using data from 5,630 observations from public companies in the United States, we find that firm and board characteristics are associated with the presence of females on the compensation committee. However, female presence on the compensation committee is not significantly associated with CEO pay (as a proportion of shareholder wealth increase). We then discuss issues related to research on gender diversity in corporate boards, and offer some suggestions for future research on diversity in corporate boards.
Aquaporin1 and 3 modification as a result of chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cell

Chondrocytes are cells of articular cartilage particularly sensitive to water transport and ionic and osmotic changes from extracellular environment and responsible for the production of the synovial fluid. Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of water and small solute transport channel proteins identified in several tissues, involved in physiological pathways and in manifold human diseases. In a recent period, AQP1 and 3 seem to have a role in metabolic water regulation in articular cartilage of load bearing joints. The aim of this study was to examine the levels of AQP1 and 3 during the chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from adipose tissue (AT). For the determination of chondrogenic markers and AQPs levels, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) quantification, immunocytochemistry, RT‐PCR, and Western blot were used after 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days from the start of differentiation. At 21 days, chondrocytes derived from AT‐MSCs were able to produce augmented content of GAGs and significant quantity of SOX‐9, lubricin, aggrecan, and collagen type II, suggesting hyaline cartilage formation, in combination with an increase of AQP3 and AQP1. However, while AQP1 level decreased after 21 days; AQP3 reached higher values at 28 days. The expression of AQP1 and 3 is a manifestation of physiological adaptation of functionally mature chondrocytes able to respond to the change of their internal environment influenced by extracellular matrix. The alteration or loss of expression of AQP1 and 3 could contribute to destruction of chondrocytes and to development of cartilage damage.
Study Abroad in Egypt: Identity, Access, and Arabic Language Learning.

STUDY ABROAD IN EGYPT: IDENTITY, ACCESS, AND ARABIC LANGUAGE LEARNING By Emma Gale Trentman Study abroad is often viewed as an ideal setting to improve target language proficiency due to opportunities for extensive contact with locals in the target language. However, research on study abroad demonstrates that this local contact and target language use can be quite limited, and that there is considerable variation in the linguistic outcomes of study abroad (Freed 1998; Kinginger, 2009). This study uses mixed methods to examine target language use and access to locals during study abroad in two different locations in Egypt: the Middlebury program at the University of Alexandria, and the study abroad and intensive Arabic programs at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Questionnaire, interview, and observation data were gathered from 54 Arabic learners, 10 Arabic teachers, and 13 Egyptian associates of the learners. The quantitative data demonstrate that while students in the Middlebury program used more Arabic on average than students studying at AUC, there is a great deal of individual variation within each program. Drawing upon identity theory (Norton & McKinney, 2011) and the qualitative data, I demonstrate how students' investment in Arabic related to their desired participation in an imagined community of study abroad to the Middle East. However, the reality of the communicative contexts they encountered abroad at times resulted in a mismatch with this imagined community, particularly regarding access to Egyptians and Arabic language use. Examining the ways in which students responded to this mismatch, particularly through the use of individual agency, sheds lights on the extensive variation in their access to locals and Arabic language use. Identity theory also provides crucial insights into the roles played by western foreigner, gender, and religious identities abroad. This study finds that particular identity categories (i.e westerner, female) can both help and hinder access to locals in the target language depending on how they are negotiated within the socio-historical context. Finally, the experiences of six case study students highlight the variety of experiences abroad as well as how these students were able (or unable) to negotiate their identities abroad in order to gain access to Egyptians and use Arabic. The results of this study have important implications for research on study abroad, identity theory, and study abroad program design. Copyright by EMMA GALE TRENTMAN 2012
Youths' Green Information and Communications Technology Acceptance and Implications for the Innovation Decision Process

‘Green’ is the trendy word that people pay attention to it. Green ICT is currently highlighted to be an important strategic technology due to its various benefits in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, lowering electricity costs, nurturing corporate images, etc. However, the adoption of green ICT products or services is not prevalent, especially in developing countries. Green consumers, particularly young people, are the key to build the success of the green ICT adoption. Thus, applying the case of university freshmen in Thailand, research objectives are to examine the understanding of youths about the green ICT, to explore the awareness and the acceptance of youths on green ICT practices, to discover the causes of adoption or refusal, and to introduce a systematic guideline for effectively promoting green ICT products or services. The research results could increase the use of green ICT in young people.
The ICSI procedure from past to future: a systematic review of the more controversial aspects.

BACKGROUND ICSI is currently the most commonly used assisted reproductive technology, accounting for 70-80% of the cycles performed. This extensive use, even excessive, is partly due to the high level of standardization reached by the procedure. There are, however, some aspects that deserve attention and can still be ameliorated. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the results of available publications dealing with the management of specific situations during ICSI in order to support embryologists in trying to offer the best laboratory individualized treatment. METHODS This systematic review is based on material obtained by searching PUBMED between January 1996 and March 2015. We included peer-reviewed, English-language journal articles that have evaluated ICSI outcomes in the case of (i) immature oocytes, (ii) oocyte degeneration, (iii) timing of the various phases, (iv) polar body position during injection, (v) zona-free oocytes, (vi) fertilization deficiency, (vii) round-headed sperm, (viii) immotile sperm and (ix) semen samples with high DNA fragmentation. RESULTS More than 1770 articles were obtained, from which only 90 were specifically related to the issues developed for female gametes and 55 for the issues developed for male gametes. The studies selected for this review were organized in order to provide a guide to overcome roadblocks. According to these studies, the injection of rescue metaphase I oocytes should be discouraged due to poor clinical outcomes and a high aneuploidy rates; laser-assisted ICSI represents an efficient method to solve the high oocyte degeneration rate; the optimal ICSI timing and the best polar body position during the injection have not been clarified; injected zona-free oocytes, if handled carefully, can develop up to blastocyst stage and implant; efficient options can be offered to patients who suffered fertilization failure in previous conventional ICSI cycles. Most controversial and inconclusive are data on the best method to select a viable spermatozoa when only immotile spermatozoa are available for ICSI and, to date, there is no reliable approach to completely filter out spermatozoa with fragmented DNA from an ejaculate. However, most of the studies do not report essential clinical outcomes, such as live birth, miscarriage and fetal abnormality rate, which are essential to establish the safety of a procedure. CONCLUSIONS This review provides the current knowledge on some controversial technical aspects of the ICSI procedures in order to improve its efficacy in specific contexts. Notwithstanding that embryologists might benefit from the approaches presented herein in order to improve ICSI outcomes, this area of expertise still demands a greater number of well-designed studies, especially in order to solve open issues about the safety of these procedures.
Stop and Go: The Neural Basis of Selective Movement Prevention

Converging lines of evidence show that volitional movement prevention depends on the right prefrontal cortex (PFC), especially the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). Selective movement prevention refers to the rapid prevention of some, but not all, movement. It is unknown whether the IFG, or other prefrontal areas, are engaged when movement must be selectively prevented, and whether additional cortical areas are recruited. We used rapid event-related fMRI to investigate selective and nonselective movement prevention during performance of a temporally demanding anticipatory task. Most trials involved simultaneous index and middle finger extension. Randomly interspersed trials required the prevention of one, or both, finger movements. Regions of the right hemisphere, including the IFG, were active for selective and nonselective movement prevention, with an overlap in the inferior parietal cortex and the middle frontal gyrus. Selective movement prevention caused a significant delay in movement initiation of the other digit. These trials were associated with activation of the medial frontal cortex. The results provide support for a right-hemisphere network that temporarily “brakes” all movement preparation. When movement is selectively prevented, the supplementary motor cortex (SMA/pre-SMA) may participate in conflict resolution and subsequent reshaping of excitatory drive to the motor cortex.
Does Meeting Needs Improve Quality of Life?

Background: This study investigated the relationship between patient-rated unmet needs and subjective quality of life using routine outcome data. Methods: 265 mental health service patients from South Verona were assessed using the Camberwell Assessment of Need, the Lancashire Quality of Life Profile, and other standardised assessments of symptoms, disability, function and service satisfaction. At 1-year follow-up, 166 patients were still in contact, of whom 121 patients (73%) were re-assessed. Results: Higher baseline quality of life was associated with being male, a diagnosis of psychosis, higher disability, higher satisfaction with care, fewer staff-rated or patient-rated unmet needs, and fewer patient-rated met needs (accounting for 40% of the variance). Specifically, fewer baseline patient-rated unmet needs were cross-sectionally associated with a higher quality of life (B = –0.08, 95% CI –0.12 to –0.04). Apart from its baseline value, the only baseline predictor of follow-up QoL was patient-rated unmet need (B = –0.08, 95% CI –0.21 to –0.09), accounting for 58% of the variance in follow-up quality of life. Graphical chain modelling confirmed this association. Conclusions: The association between high numbers of unmet needs and low subjective quality of life appears increasingly robust across several studies. Future research will need to investigate whether changes in needs precede changes in quality of life. This study provides further evidence that a policy of actively assessing and addressing patient-rated unmet needs may lead to improved quality of life.
Boosted or unboosted atazanavir as a simplification of lopinavir/ritonavir-containing regimens.

UNLABELLED Switches from lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) to either atazanavir/ritonavir (ATV/r) or unboosted ATV (ATV) are increasingly common in clinical practice, but data on outcome comparison between these two simplification strategies are very limited. METHODS Multicenter, observational, retrospective study. Data were collected from five Italian clinics. The objective of the study was to investigate the outcome of LPV/r simplification with ATV/r or ATV and to identify factors predicting virological rebound. Patients who switched from LPV/r to ATV/r or ATV with an HIV-RNA value<50 copies/mL at the time of switch and with at least one follow-up visit were included. We evaluated 468 patients (74.1% males), followed for a median (Q1-Q3) of 547 (305-788) days: 380 (81%) and 88 (19%) switched to ATV/r and to ATV, respectively. Virological rebound was detected in 78/468 (16.7%, 95% CI: 13.6 -20.3) patients [16/88 (18.2%, 95% CI: 11.4 -27.6) switched to ATV and 62/380 (16.3%, 95% CI: 12.9 -20.4) to ATV/r (p=0.638)]. Virological rebound was more frequent in patients who started LPV/r with HIV-RNA >30000 copies/mL (28% vs 6%, p=0.014). Replacing lopinavir/r with ATV or ATV/r yielded similar rates of virological rebound. Viral load at the initiation of lopinavir/r may be useful in driving the choice between ATV/r and ATV.
Is Monetary Cooperation Among the Four Regions Across the Taiwan Strait Feasible?

Abstract Drawing on the optimum currency area (OCA) and exchange rate theories, we use an extended OCA index approach to assess the feasibility of regional monetary cooperation in the four regions across the Taiwan Strait (FRTS). In addition to more common variables, such as differences in economic structure, inflation rates, and interest rates, we find that the asymmetric shock in money supply is an important factor affecting the comprehensive cost of regional monetary cooperation among the FRTS. We conclude that regional monetary cooperation among the FRTS is feasible according to empirical analysis of OCA indexes between the FRTS and a comparison of the OCA indexes between the FRTS and the European Union (EU).
An Instance-Based Schema Matching Method with Attributes Ranking and Classification

Schema matching is a critical problem in many applications of database system, such as information integration, data warehouses, e-commerce, etc. So far, many solutions based on schema and element have been proposed. In this paper we present a new approach of instance-based matching building on the hypothesis that the corresponding attributes have equal relative importance. The framework of our approach consists of three parts: attribute ranking, attribute classification and matching phase. Unlike traditional approaches considering all atrributes with the same importance, we take machine learning methods to prioritize all schema attributes by ranking and classification. During the matching phase, we construct an optimal objective function to find all equivalent attributes. In the end, our approach is validated by real datasets and the results show good accuracy.
Evaluation of the 7th edition of the TNM classification in patients with resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

AIM To evaluate the prognostic factors and tumor stages of the 7(th) edition TNM classification for esophageal cancer. METHODS In total, 1033 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent surgical resection with or without (neo)adjuvant therapy between January 2003 and June 2012 at the Thoracic Surgery Department II of the Beijing Cancer Hospital, Beijing, China were included in this study. The following eligibility criteria were applied: (1) squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction identified by histopathological examination; (2) treatment with esophagectomy plus lymphadenectomy with curative intent; and (3) complete pathologic reports and follow-up data. Patients who underwent non-curative (R1) resection and patients who died in hospital were excluded. Patients who received (neo)adjuvant therapy were also included in this analysis. All patients were restaged using the 7(th) edition of the Union for International Cancer Control and the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging systems. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the prognostic factors for survival. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to evaluate differences between the subgroups. RESULTS Of the 1033 patients, 273 patients received (neo)adjuvant therapy, and 760 patients were treated with surgery alone. The median follow-up time was 51.6 mo (range: 5-112 mo) and the overall 5-year survival rate was 36.4%. Gender, "pT" and "pN" descriptors, (neo)adjuvant therapy, and the 7(th) edition TNM stage grouping were independent prognostic factors in the univariate and multivariate analyses. However, neither histologic grade nor cancer location were independent prognostic factors in the univariate and multivariate analyses. The 5-year stage-based survival rates were as follows: IA, 84.9%; IB, 70.9%; IIA, 56.2%; IIB, 43.3%; IIIA, 37.9%; IIIB, 23.3%; IIIC,12.9% and IV, 3.4%. There were significant differences between each adjacent staging classification. Moreover, there were significant differences between each adjacent pN and pM subgroup. According to the pT descriptor, there were significant differences between each adjacent subgroup except between pT3 and pT4 (P = 0.405). However, there was no significant difference between each adjacent histologic grade subgroup and between each adjacent cancer location subgroup. CONCLUSION The 7(th) edition is considered to be valid for patients with resected ESCC. However, the histologic grade and cancer location were not prognostic factors for ESCC.
Vendor-managed inventory and bullwhip reduction in a two-level supply chain

Compares the bullwhip properties of a vendor managed inventory (VMI) supply chain with those of a traditional “serially‐linked” supply chain. The emphasis of this investigation is the comparative impact the two structures have on the “bullwhip effect” generated. Particular attention is paid to the manufacturer's production ordering activities as demonstrated using a simulation model based on difference equations. Documents and considers each of the four important sources of the bullwhip effect in turn. The analysis shows that with VMI implementation two sources of the bullwhip effect may be completely eliminated, i.e. rationing and gaming or the Houlihan effect, and the order batching effect or the Burbidge effect. VMI is also significantly better at responding to rogue changes in demand due to the promotion effect or to price induced variations. However, the effect of VMI on demand signal processing induced bullwhip or the Forrester effect is less clear cut. Concludes that on balance VMI offers a significant opportunity to reduce the bullwhip effect in real‐world supply chains.
Gefitinib in Combination with Capecitabine as Second-Line Therapy in Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer (aCRC): A Phase I/II Study of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie (AIO)

Background: This phase I/II study was conducted to assess the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) and the dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of gefitinib in combination with capecitabine in patients with advanced colorectal cancer (aCRC). Patients and Methods: After failure of a 1st-line therapy, patients with aCRC received escalating doses of gefitinib once daily in combination with capecitabine twice daily: dose level (DL) 1: gefitinib 250 mg and capecitabine 1,000 mg/m2, DL 2: gefitinib 250 mg and capecitabine 1,250 mg/m2, DL 3: gefitinib 500 mg and capecitabine 850 mg/m2. DLTs were determined after 6 weeks of treatment. Results: A total of 16 patients were enrolled. On DL1 (n = 6), 1 patient developed a DLT (hand-foot syndrome, HFS n = 1). On DL2 (n = 7), DLTs were observed in 3 patients (exanthema n = 2, HFS n = 1), and on DL3 (n = 3), DLT occurred in 1 patient (HFS n = 1) resulting in recruitment stop at DL3. No patient showed an objective tumor response. Disease stabilization was observed in 6 patients. Conclusion: The combination of gefitinib and capecitabine resulted in significant skin toxicities such as exanthema and HFS. As 2nd-line treatment of patients with aCRC, this combination showed no substantial efficacy.
Peripheral hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated channels contribute to inflammation‐induced hypersensitivity of the rat temporomandibular joint

Hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels conduct an inward cation current (Ih) that contributes to the maintenance of neuronal membrane potential and have been implicated in a number of animal models of neuropathic and inflammatory pain. In the current study, we investigated HCN channel involvement in inflammatory pain of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).