Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reprompts as error handling strategy in human-agent-dialog? User responses to a system's display of non-understanding

In speech based technical systems, a ‘reprompt’ can be deployed as a verbally non-explicit and semantically unspeciflc practice of making a failure-to-understand transparent. Users' repeats or rephrasings of their previous answers might lead to further non-understandings, resulting in further reprompts by the system. On the basis of a Wizard-of-Oz video corpus in a schedule management setting with an embodied conversational agent and the special user groups of elderly and mildly cognitively impaired persons, we investigate in a conversation analytical approach the interactional impact of three-fold reprompts on subsequent user actions to an appointment suggestion. We focus especially on the type of user actions during the course of multiple reprompts in a confirmation/disconfirmation context. Analysis reveals more fine-grained user response types, testifying that all users ratify the first reprompt. After the second and third one, users tend to either add problem manifestations or initiations of the relevant next move. Or they substitute their previous answer by these types of actions. While additional or substituting problem manifestations call for more specific and linguistically restricting error handling practices, the user-initiated next moves are technically exploitable as implicit cues for confirmation in the presented special yes/no-context.
Does International Law Promote the Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes? Evidence from the Study of Territorial Conflicts since 1945

In this article, we explain the role of international law in the resolution of territorial disputes from 1945 to 2000. In doing so, we focus on three outcomes of interest. First, when do states choose to revise the territorial status quo through negotiations instead of force? Second, when are states able to reach a final settlement? Third, when do states prefer a process of legal dispute resolution (i.e., adjudication or arbitration) to bilateral negotiations? To answer these questions, we argue that when the legal principles relevant to the dispute are unambiguous and clearly favor one side, a law-based focal point will emerge. This focal point, in turn, facilitates the settlement process by helping leaders overcome distribution problems, a central obstacle in reaching a final agreement. We find strong and consistent empirical support for our hypotheses regarding international law and peaceful dispute resolution.
Stable, soluble beryllium aluminum citrate complexes inspired by the emerald mineral structure.

Despite its high toxicity, beryllium is widely used because of its unique properties. Beryllium is toxic both as a carcinogen and as the agent that initiates chronic beryllium disease (CBD). CBD, a granulomatous lung disease, is a cellmediated immune response to inhaled beryllium in 6–20% of exposed individuals. Considerable invesitagations into the nature and effects of CBD have been conducted but the role of beryllium in triggering CBD is still not well understood. Most research has focused on the biological and environmental effects of beryllium with far less emphasis on the speciation and interactions of beryllium under physiological conditions. The natural forms of beryllium, beryl and emerald, have not been reported to cause CBD unlike processed forms of beryllium metal and BeO. The beryl structure [Be3Al2(SiO3)6] (Figure 1) is interesting in two
Revising the TAM in hedonic information systems: The influence of the TAM, perceived enjoyment, innovativeness and extraversion on the use of location-based social networks

As a hedonic information system, a location-based social network (LBSN) is often seen as a promising innovative mobile service in recent years. However, research on LBSNs is still limited. Little is known about the factors influencing the intention to use LBSNs and the actual use of LBSNs. Our study aims to explain the critical factors underlying the use of a LBSN, by developing a conceptual framework based on the Technology Acceptance Model, the theory of diffusion of innovations and the Five-Factor Model. To examine our proposed research model, we conducted an online survey among users of a Dutch LBSN (Feest.je). We applied structural equation modelling to test our research model. Our results demontrate that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived enjoyment and innovativeness seems to be significantly predicting the intention to use and the actual use of LBSNs, and hedonic information systems in general. We found no effect of the influence of extraversion. In practical, our results suggest that developers of LBSNs should especially make their service pleasant and fun to use. Whether a service is seen as enjoyable, will in fact have a significant impact on the intention to use a service, and on the usefulness and ease of use of a service. Keywords: hedonic, location-based, social network, extraversion, innovativeness, usefulness, ease of use, enjoyment, technology acceptance model.
Application of a Quality Control Circle to Reduce the Wait Times between Continuous Surgeries.

PURPOSE To investigate how to shorten patient wait times between continuous ocular operations and to evaluate the influence of a quality control circle (QCC) on operating room management. METHODS QCC management was established to conduct activities. Clinical data were collected to analyze the causes of long wait times between continuous surgeries. Effective measures were undertaken correspondingly. RESULTS The staff from QCC actively undertook measures that would significantly shorten patient wait times between continuous ocular surgeries (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Multiple measures, such as setting up a QCC, enhancing the arrangement of surgical procedures, establishing effective communication channels, optimizing human resources, and integrating the use of instruments, can effectively shorten patient wait times between continuous vitreous or retinal surgeries.
Exploring relationships of catheter‐associated urinary tract infection and blockage in people with long‐term indwelling urinary catheters

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To describe and explore relationships among catheter problems in long-term indwelling urinary catheter users, including excess healthcare use for treating catheter problems. BACKGROUND Long-term urinary catheter users experience repeated problems with catheter-related urinary tract infection and blockage of the device, yet little has been reported of the patterns and relationships among relevant catheter variables. DESIGN Secondary data analysis was conducted from a sample in a randomised clinical trial, using data from the entire sample of 202 persons over 12 months' participation. METHODS Descriptive statistics were used to characterise the sample over time. Zero-inflated negative binomial models were employed for logistic regressions to evaluate predictor variables of the presence/absence and frequencies of catheter-related urinary tract infection and blockage. RESULTS Catheter-related urinary tract infection was marginally associated with catheter blockage. Problems reported at least once per person in the 12 months were as follows: catheter-related urinary tract infection 57%, blockage 34%, accidental dislodgment 28%, sediment 87%, leakage (bypassing) 67%, bladder spasms 59%, kinks/twists 42% and catheter pain 49%. Regression analysis demonstrated that bladder spasms were significantly related to catheter-related urinary tract infection and sediment amount, and catheter leakages were marginally significantly and positively related to catheter-related urinary tract infection. Frequencies of higher levels of sediment and catheter leakage were significantly associated with higher levels of blockage, and being female was associated with fewer blockages. Persons who need help with eating (more disabled) were also more likely to have blockages. CONCLUSIONS Catheter-related urinary tract infection and blockage appear to be related and both are associated with additional healthcare expenditures. More research is needed to better understand how to prevent adverse catheter outcomes and patterns of problems in subgroups. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurses can develop care management strategies to identify catheter blockage prior to its occurrence by tracking the amount of sediment and frequency of leakage. Bladder spasms could be an early warning of catheter-related urinary tract infection.
The rectal complex and Malpighian tubules of the cabbage looper (Trichoplusia ni): regional variations in Na+ and K+ transport and cation reabsorption by secondary cells

ABSTRACT In larvae of most Lepidoptera the distal ends of the Malpighian tubules are closely applied to the rectal epithelia and are ensheathed within the perinephric membrane, thus forming the rectal complex. The cryptonephric Malpighian tubules within the rectal complex are bathed in fluid within a functional compartment, the perinephric space, which is separate from the haemolymph. In this study, the scanning ion-selective electrode technique (SIET) was used to measure transport of Na+ and K+ across the rectal complex and across multiple regions of the Malpighian tubules of larvae of the cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni. Measurements were made in an intact preparation in which connections of the tubules upstream to the rectal complex and downstream to the urinary bladder and gut remained intact. SIET measurements revealed reabsorption of Na+ and K+ across the intact rectal complex and into the bath (haemolymph), with K+ fluxes approximately twice as large as those of Na+. Analyses of fluxes in larvae with empty guts, found in recently moulted larvae, versus those with full guts highlighted differences in the rates of K+ or Na+ transport within tubule regions that appeared morphologically homogeneous, such as the rectal lead. The distal rectal lead of larvae with empty guts reabsorbed K+, whereas the same region secreted K+ in tubules of larvae with full guts. SIET measurements of the ileac plexus also indicated a novel role for secondary (type II) cells in cation reabsorption. Secondary cells reabsorb K+, whereas the adjacent principal (type I) cells secrete K+. Na+ is reabsorbed by both principal and secondary cells, but the rate of reabsorption by the secondary cells is approximately twice the rate in the adjacent principal cells. Highlighted article: Scanning ion-selective electrode technique analysis of the intact excretory system of cabbage looper larvae reveals regional variations in Na+ and K+ transport and a novel function for the secondary cells.
Low socioeconomic status and neonatal outcomes in an urban population in a developing country

Objective: To investigate the effect of low socioeconomic status indicators, specifically parental educational and occupational characteristics on neonatal health outcomes. Methods: Analysis of 3372 newborn infants admitted to five National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network centers (1 February 2000 to 31 January 2002). Outcomes included birth weight, gestational age, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and length of hospital stay. The independent effects of mother's education and occupation as well as father's occupation on health outcomes were assessed by means of stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 271 (8.0%) infants were of low birth weight, 306 (9.1%) were preterm, 410 (12.2%) had NICU admissions and 240 (7.1%) were hospitalized for more than a week. After adjusting for maternal gravidity, age, smoking during pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications, parental socioeconomic characteristics had no significant impact on low birth weight or preterm birth. NICU admission and prolonged hospitalization were significantly correlated with skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled paternal occupations. Illiterate mothers had nearly 3-5 times the risk of NICU admission and prolonged hospitalization. Conclusion: Both father's occupation and mother's education play an important role as determinants of neonatal morbidity characteristics.
Elevational diversity gradients of Tibetan loaches: The relative roles of ecological and evolutionary processes

Abstract It is widely believed that species richness patterns (SRPs) are shaped by both ecological and evolutionary processes. However, the relative roles of these processes remain unclear, especially for aquatic organisms. In this study, we integrated ecological and evolutionary measures to tease apart the relative influences of these factors on the SRP of Tibetan loaches along an extensive elevational gradient. We found that the Tibetan loaches displayed a richness pattern that peaked at midelevations. The mean annual temperature (MAT), mid‐domain effect (MDE), and summed age of colonization (SAC, complex of colonization age and colonization frequency) were the main drivers, accounting for 85%, 51%, and 88% of the variations in the SRP, respectively. The three predictors had very high combined effects (MAT‐MDE‐SAC, MAT‐SAC, and MDE‐SAC were 44%, 38%, and 6%, respectively). Our analyses suggested that energy input, time‐for‐speciation, and species dispersal may directly guide the SRP or mediate it by geometric constraints. Conclusively, the SRP of the Tibetan loaches with elevation is the outcome of interactions between biogeographical processes and regional ecological conditions.
A European view of arc flash hazards and electrical safety

IEEE 1584™ and NFPA 70E® might have been “Made in the U.S.A. ” but both of these standards have been gaining increased use in arc flash and electrical safety practices found in many other countries around the world. This global use could lead to the conclusion that electrical safety practices may also be the same in each country. Although there are similarities, many distinct differences also exist. This paper provides an overview of electrical safety practices used in countries such as the U.K., Ireland and the European Community compared to those found in the United States. In addition, the paper will reflect on several other global approaches to arc flash protection and testing practices such as the International Electrotechnical Commission's IEC 61482-1-2 “Box Test” method for PPE testing and the European Arc Guide.
Cerebellar volumes in men with schizophrenia and alcohol dependence

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the variation in cerebellar morphology in schizophrenia and alcohol dependence. Volumetric measurements of cerebellar structures were performed using magnetic resonance imaging in 17 men with schizophrenia, nine men with alcohol dependence, and 18 healthy men. Schizophrenia patients had smaller volumes of the posterior superior vermis, while alcohol‐dependent patients had smaller volumes of both the anterior and the posterior superior vermis compared with controls. The groups were not significantly different with respect to cerebellar hemisphere volumes. The results provide indications for differential morphological abnormalities of the cerebellar vermis in patients with schizophrenia and alcohol dependence.
Wat is de beste transcriptie voor het Nederlands

A transcription system for the pronunciation of Dutch words presupposes a phonological analysis of the segments and the stress system, as well as an awareness of the syllables and phonological words. A segmental analysis determines what symbol categories are to be represented, but – given the class of symbols proposed by the International Phonetic Association – otherwise leaves the choice of symbol to four principles. First, the phonetic principle dictates that the phonetic value expressed by the symbol should not deviate unnecessarily from the sound it is meant to represent. Second, the phonological principle requires that symmetries in the system are expressed in the symbol choice. Third, the typographic principle requires that an alphabetic symbol is to be preferred to an exotic one. Fourth, the historical principle requires that a symbol is retained when the phonetic value of the phoneme changes over time. Since these principles are frequently in conflict, a symbol choice will ultimately depend on the purpose for which the transcription is to be used. In the case of Dutch, syllable and word structure can in large part be represented by using spaces between the elements of compounds. Ambisyllabic consonants resulting from a degemination of the final consonant of one word and the initial consonant of the next will need to be written twice, in order to keep this consonant distinct from one that occurs exclusively at the word end as well as from one that occurs exclusively at the word
"Anatometabolic" tumor imaging: fusion of FDG PET with CT or MRI to localize foci of increased activity.

Positron emission tomographic (PET) images of visceral cancers are commonly visualized as "hot spots" of increased activity with relatively little normal anatomy discernable, when 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) is used as the tracer. We describe a method by which computed tomography or magnetic resonance anatomic images can be digitally fused in three dimensions, using a rigid rotate-translate scale model with PET "metabolic" images, to simultaneously display registered anatomic and metabolic information. Such "anatometabolic" fusion images were produced in 10 patients with a variety of visceral cancers. External fiducial markers placed during both the anatomic and the metabolic study, as well as internal anatomic fiducials defined from landmarks observed on reconstructed transmission images, were used to achieve image fusion. The mean error magnitude +/- s.e. m. of fiducial registration in the nine patients with successful realignments was 5.0 +/- 0.8 mm. The mean accuracy in realignment between known anatomic structures seen on both the anatomic study and on the emission PET scan (but not used in realignment) was 6.3 +/- 0.8 mm. Localization of foci of increased FDG uptake to specific anatomic structures was achieved by this method, which represented an enhancement over the rudimentary anatomy available from the emission images alone. Anatometabolic fusion images made using this reasonably simple method should prove useful in the management of patients with cancer and other diseases.
Bases genéticas de la esquizofrenia: aspectos emocionales, cognitivos y neuroanatómicos.

La esquizofrenia es un desorden mental severo, con una incidencia del 1% y una elevada heredabilidad (alrededor del 80%). Por ello, hay un enorme interes en conocer los factores geneticos implicados en la vulnerabilidad a padecer esquizofrenia. Sin embargo, esta enfermedad presenta una herencia poligenica y ademas un importante numero de factores ambientales parecen influir en su aparicion. Asimismo, la heterogeneidad clinica tambien es elevada y esto dificulta el tener un fenotipo bien definido para el estudio genetico. Por ello, el estudio de fenotipos mas recortados y mejor definidos puede ser de gran utilidad. En el presente trabajo, se han seleccionado nueve genes de interes. Nuestra hipotesis principal es que variaciones en estos genes modulan la vulnerabilidad a padecer esquizofrenia o alguno de sus rasgos caracteristicos, particularmente las alucinaciones auditivas, el deterioro cognitivo y la disfuncion emocional. Como objetivo, nos planteamos el estudio de polimorfismos geneticos en varias muestras caso-control y familiares de Espana, Alemania y Estados Unidos. Se realizaron analisis de asociacion caso-control, basados en familias y estudios de asociacion con diferentes escalas clinicas. Asimismo, se estudio el impacto de ciertos polimorfismos sobre fenotipos de neuroimagen estructural y funcional. Los resultados mas interesantes fueron los siguientes: por una parte, diferentes genes del sistema serotoninergico (principalmente los genes SLC6A4 y HTR2A) parecian influir en el estado emocional del paciente, asi como en la respuesta emocional del paciente a las alucinaciones auditivas. Ademas, el gen ASPM se asocio con el riesgo de psicosis y con diferentes parametros cognitivos y de neuroimagen. Otros genes como NOS1, STMN1, PDE4D y PLEKHB1 parecian influir sobre el riesgo de psicosis, asi como sobre las puntuaciones obtenidas en diferentes escalas psicopatologicas, si bien en estos casos la significacion fue menor. Todos estos resultados permiten proponer un modelo de vulnerabilidad, segun el cual ciertos genes tendrian un mayor efecto sobre la vulnerabilidad a sufrir esquizofrenia, mientras que otros genes influirian sobre la severidad de ciertos sintomas. Ademas, nuestros resultados apoyan la existencia de una vulnerabilidad genetica a respuestas emocionales aberrantes, que podria estar modulada por la variacion en ciertos genes, tales como el transportador de serotonina.
Pectin-chitosan-PVA nanofibrous scaffold made by electrospinning and its potential use as a skin tissue scaffold

Scaffolds made of chitosan nanofibers are often too mechanically weak for their application and often their manufacturing processes involve the use of harmful and flammable organic solvents. In the attempt to improve the mechanical properties of nanofibrous scaffolds made of chitosan without the use of harmful chemicals, pectin, an anionic polymer was blended with chitosan, a cationic polymer, to form a polyelectrolyte complex and electrospun into nanofibers for the first time. The electrospun chitosan-pectin scaffolds, when compared to electrospun chitosan scaffolds, had a 58% larger diameter, a 21% higher Young’s modulus, a 162% larger strain at break, and a 104% higher ultimate tensile strength. Compared to the chitosan scaffolds, the chitosan-pectin scaffolds’ swelling ratios decreased by 55% after 60 min in a saline solution and more quickly released the preloaded tetracycline HCl. The L929 fibroblast cells proliferated slightly slower on the chitosan-pectin scaffolds than on the chitosan scaffolds. Nonetheless, cells on both materials deposited similar levels of extracellular type I collagen on a per DNA basis. In conclusion, a novel chitosan-pectin nanofibrous scaffold with superior mechanical properties than a chitosan nanofibrous scaffold was successfully made without the use of harmful solvents.
Estimating changes in ocean ventilation from early 1990s CFC‐12 and late 2000s SF6 measurements

Transient tracer measurements can constrain the rates and pathways of ocean ventilation and act as proxies for biogeochemically relevant gases such as CO2 and oxygen. Various techniques have deduced changes in ocean ventilation over decadal timescales using transient tracer measurements made on repeat sections, but these require a priori assumptions about mixing in the ocean interior. Here, we introduce a simple, direct observational method that takes advantage of the similar atmospheric increase rates of chlorofluorocarbon‐12 and sulfur hexafluoride, but with a time lag (offset) of 14–15 years. Such repeat measurements can be directly compared without prior assumptions about mixing. A difference larger than ~2 years between modern sulfur hexafluoride and historical chlorofluorocarbon‐12 tracer ages implies a change in ventilation, although lack of difference does not necessarily imply no change. Several tracer data sets are presented, which suggest changes in ventilation in the South Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans.