Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
How do people explore virtual environments

Understanding how people explore immersive virtual environments is crucial for many applications, such as designing virtual reality (VR) content, developing new compression algorithms, or learning computational models of saliency or visual attention. Whereas a body of recent work has focused on modeling saliency in desktop viewing conditions, VR is very different from these conditions in that viewing behavior is governed by stereoscopic vision and by the complex interaction of head orientation, gaze, and other kinematic constraints. To further our understanding of viewing behavior and saliency in VR, we capture and analyze gaze and head orientation data of 169 users exploring stereoscopic, static omni-directional panoramas, for a total of 1980 head and gaze trajectories for three different viewing conditions. We provide a thorough analysis of our data, which leads to several important insights, such as the existence of a particular fixation bias, which we then use to adapt existing saliency predictors to immersive VR conditions. In addition, we explore other applications of our data and analysis, including automatic alignment of VR video cuts, panorama thumbnails, panorama video synopsis, and saliency-based compression.
Semantic effects in single-word naming.

Three experiments demonstrated that, for lower frequency words, reading aloud is affected not only by spelling-sound typicality but also by a semantic variable, imageability. Participants were slower and more error prone when naming exception words with abstract meanings (e.g., scarce) than when naming either abstract regular words (e.g., scribe) or imageable exception words (e.g., soot). It is proposed that semantic representations of words have the largest impact on translating orthography to phonology when this translation process is slow or noisy (i.e., for low-frequency exceptions) and that words with rich semantic representations (i.e., high-imageability words) are most likely to benefit from this interaction.
Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection has two separate modes of spread in three-dimensional keratinocyte culture.

This study describes the outcome of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in an organotypic raft culture of spontaneously immortalized HaCat keratinocytes and human fibroblasts, as related to the virus load and epithelial stratification and differentiation. In this model, a confluent monolayer of HaCat keratinocytes was formed 60 h after seeding. Inoculation of HSV-1 before induction of differentiation by lifting of the culture to the air-liquid interface always resulted in a productive infection, but the virus yield was highest when the inoculation took place 72 h after seeding. Even at 0.1 p.f. u. per culture, the HaCat cultures became HSV positive. Infection of the full-thickness epithelium at 5 p.f. u. per culture resulted in a productive infection of the whole epithelium. The HaCat cells were about 10 times more sensitive to HSV-1 infection than the Vero cells in which the virus stocks were titrated. The raft cultures infected 30 min after lifting were negative by HSV-1 culture, and no HSV-1 antigen was detected by immunocytochemistry. PCR showed the presence of HSV-1 DNA and in situ hybridization showed reactivity with a latency-associated RNA probe, indicating the presence of a non-productive infection. Two different patterns of virus spread in epithelia were found: (i) lateral spread through the superficial layers of the epithelium and (ii) a demarcated infection throughout the whole thickness of the epithelium at the margins of the culture.
Plant health and global change – some implications for landscape management

Global change (climate change together with other worldwide anthropogenic processes such as increasing trade, air pollution and urbanization) will affect plant health at the genetic, individual, population and landscape level. Direct effects include ecosystem stress due to natural resources shortage or imbalance. Indirect effects include (i) an increased frequency of natural detrimental phenomena, (ii) an increased pressure due to already present pests and diseases, (iii) the introduction of new invasive species either as a result of an improved suitability of the climatic conditions or as a result of increased trade, and (iv) the human response to global change. In this review, we provide an overview of recent studies on terrestrial plant health in the presence of global change factors. We summarize the links between climate change and some key issues in plant health, including tree mortality, changes in wildfire regimes, biological invasions and the role of genetic diversity for ecosystem resilience. Prediction and management of global change effects are complicated by interactions between globalization, climate and invasive plants and/or pathogens. We summarize practical guidelines for landscape management and draw general conclusions from an expanding body of literature.
Disentangling the Link Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Violent Behavior: Findings From a Nationally Representative Sample

Objective: Although research using combat veteran samples has demonstrated an association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and violence toward others, there has been relatively little research examining this relationship among individuals with no combat history. Method: Data representative of the United States population collected from the two wave National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC) were analyzed to determine the risk factors for violent behavior of individuals reporting no history of active military combat (N = 33,215). Results: In &khgr;2 analyses, participants meeting criteria for lifetime PTSD at Wave 1 reported higher rates of violence between Waves 1 and 2 compared with participants without a history of PTSD (7 vs. 3%). An increase in anger after trauma and use of alcohol to cope with PTSD symptoms were stronger predictors of physically aggressive or violent acts than a lifetime diagnosis of PTSD without anger. When controlling for these and other covariates, PTSD alone no longer significantly predicted any subtype of physical aggression or violence toward others. Conclusions: Results suggest that although PTSD is related to violent behavior, specific sequelae of trauma (specifically, increased anger and self-medicating with alcohol) are more critical than diagnosis per se in predicting violent behavior in the general population. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.
A Simple and Economical Method for the Radioimmunoassay of Cortisol in Serum

Summary A simple, economical method is described for the radioimmunoassay of cortisol in serum. Extraction is avoided by heating the diluted serum to inactivate cortisol-binding globulin. The radioimmunoassay is carried out in a single disposable scintillation vial without centrifugation. Free and bound steroid is separated by partition between ammonium sulphate solution and liquid scintillation fluid. Accuracy, precision and sensitivity are satisfactory. Normal ranges obtained are comparable to those obtained by other radioimmunoassay methods for cortisol.
UV LIGHT FOR FRUITS AND FRUIT PRODUCTS

This chapter presents and discusses information on the application of ultraviolet light (UV) technology in continuous and pulse modes for processing whole and fresh cut fruits, and fruit juices. It starts with a brief overview of the fundamentals of UV light generation and propagation in solid and fluid products and followed by the review of available UV sources. Recent reports are reviewed to illustrate the effect of UV light on fresh fruits to extend their shelf-life as well as quality and nutritional aspects. The importance of fresh juices optical and physico-chemical characteristics and design of effective UV light pasteurization system and processes are discussed. The analysis of reported results of UV inactivation of pathogenic and spoilage organisms in various static and flow-through UV systems is presented. The information on susceptibility of certain vitamins to degradation by UV light that may occur during treatments of fruits and fresh juices is presented. Finally, potential application of UV technology to improve toxicological and chemical safety of fruits are discussed and supported by the effect of UV light on degradation of patulin in buffer and apple juice. The prospective of UV technology as emerging technology in sustainable food production are presented.
Field Performance of Two Rapid Screening Tests in Active Surveillance of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies in Small Ruminants

Recently, screening tests for monitoring the prevalence of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies specifically in sheep and goats became available. Although most countries require comprehensive test validation prior to approval, little is known about their performance under normal operating conditions. Switzerland was one of the first countries to implement 2 of these tests, an enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a Western blot, in a 1-year active surveillance program. Slaughtered animals (n = 32,777) were analyzed in either of the 2 tests with immunohistochemistry for confirmation of initial reactive results, and fallen stock samples (n = 3,193) were subjected to both screening tests and immunohistochemistry in parallel. Initial reactive and false-positive rates were recorded over time. Both tests revealed an excellent diagnostic specificity (> 99.5%). However, initial reactive rates were elevated at the beginning of the program but dropped to levels below 1% with routine and enhanced staff training. Only those in the ELISA increased again in the second half of the program and correlated with the degree of tissue autolysis in the fallen stock samples. It is noteworthy that the Western blot missed 1 of the 3 atypical scrapie cases in the fallen stock, indicating potential differences in the diagnostic sensitivities between the 2 screening tests. However, an estimation of the diagnostic sensitivity for both tests on field samples remained difficult due to the low disease prevalence. Taken together, these results highlight the importance of staff training, sample quality, and interlaboratory comparison trials when such screening tests are implemented in the field.
Oxygen effects on glucose meter measurements with glucose dehydrogenase- and oxidase-based test strips for point-of-care testing

ObjectivesTo determine the effects of different oxygen tensions (Po2) on glucose measurements with glucose dehydrogenase (GD)-based and glucose oxidase (GO)-based test strips, to quantitate changes in glucose measurements observed with different Po2 levels, and to discuss the potential risks of oxygen-derived glucose errors in critical care. DesignVenous blood from healthy volunteers was tonometered to create different oxygen tensions simulating patient arterial Po2 levels. Venous blood from diabetic patients was exposed to air to alter oxygen tensions simulating changes in Po2 during sample handling. Whole-blood glucose measurements obtained from these samples with six glucose meters were compared with reference analyzer plasma glucose measurements. Glucose differences were plotted vs. different Po2 levels to identify error trends. Error tolerances were as follows: a) within ±15 mg/dL of the reference measurement for glucose levels ≤100 mg/dL; and b) within ±15% of the reference measurement for glucose levels >100 mg/dL. Setting and Subjects Five healthy volunteers in the bench study and 11 diabetic patients in the clinical study. ResultsIn the bench study, increases in Po2 levels decreased glucose measured with GO-based amperometric test strips, mainly at Po2 levels >100 torr. At nearly constant glucose concentrations, glucose meter systems showed large variations at low (39 torr) vs. high (396 torr) Po2 levels. Glucose measured with GD-based amperometric and GO-based photometric test strips generally were within error tolerances. In the clinical study, 31.6% (Precision PCx), 20.2% (Precision QID), and 23.0% (Glucometer Elite) of glucose measurements with GO-based amperometric test strips, 14.3% (SureStep) of glucose measurements with GO-based photometric test strips, and 4.6% (Accu-Chek Advantage H) and 5.9% (Accu-Chek Comfort Curve) of glucose measurements with GD-based amperometric test strips were out of the error tolerances. ConclusionsDifferent oxygen tensions do not significantly affect glucose measured with the GD-based amperometric test strips, and have minimal effect on GO-based photometric test strips. Increases in oxygen tension lowered glucose measured with GO-based amperometric test strips. We recommend that the effects of different oxygen tensions in blood samples on glucose measurements be minimized by using oxygen-independent test strips for point-of-care glucose testing in critically ill and other patients with high or unpredictable blood Po2 levels.
Employment Protection, Technology Choice, and Worker Allocation

Using a country-industry panel dataset (EUKLEMS) we uncover a robust empirical regularity, namely that high-risk innovative sectors are relatively smaller in countries with strict employment protection legislation (EPL). To understand the mechanism, we develop a two-sector matching model where firms endogenously choose between a safe technology with known productivity and a risky technology with productivity subject to sizeable shocks. Strict EPL makes the risky technology relatively less attractive because it is more costly to shed workers upon receiving a low productivity draw. We calibrate the model using a variety of aggregate, industry and micro-level data sources. We then simulate the model to reflect both the observed differences across countries in EPL and the observed increase since the mid-1990s in the variance of firm performance associated with the adoption of information and communication technology. The simulations produce a differential response to the arrival of risky technology between low- and high-EPL countries that coincides with the findings in the data. The described mechanism can explain a considerable portion of the slowdown in productivity in the EU relative to the US since 1995.
A Greek survey of community prevalence and characteristics of constipation

Objectives We evaluated the prevalence and the main characteristics of constipation in the Greek general population. Methods The study sample included 1000 individuals, 15–64-years-old, who were citizens of Athens, Thessaloniki, or one of 11 Greek cities with a population of greater than 10 000, and the sample was selected by a stratified, multistage, random sampling procedure. Questionnaires were completed for each individual by personal interviews. Results The prevalence of self-reported constipation within the last year was 14%, whereas another 2% of participants had constipation according to the Rome III criteria. Constipation was significantly less frequent in males than females (11 vs. 21%, P<0.001), younger individuals (15–29-years-old: 12%, 30–59-years-old: 17%, 60–64-years-old: 25%, P = 0.006) and citizens of Athens than in citizens of other Greek cities (19 vs. 13%, P = 0.008). The mean duration of constipation was 6.3 years (females: 6.9, males: 5.1) and its mean frequency was once per 4 days. Constipation was considered to be mostly because of inappropriate diet (51%), stress (30%), and absence of physical activity (19%). Constipated patients mainly used dietary modifications (48%) and/or traditional products (40%), and/or laxatives (48%), whereas 19% of them did not try to treat constipation. Conclusion Constipation is present in approximately 15% of the Greek general population being significantly more frequent in females and older age individuals. Current dietary habits, stress, and the way of living seem to be considered as its most common causes. Although the duration is usually long, a substantial proportion of constipated patients do nothing to treat the problem, whereas the majority of them use dietary modifications and/or traditional products without satisfactory results.
Tree‐ring analysis and modeling approaches yield contrary response of circumboreal forest productivity to climate change

Circumboreal forest ecosystems are exposed to a larger magnitude of warming in comparison with the global average, as a result of warming‐induced environmental changes. However, it is not clear how tree growth in these ecosystems responds to these changes. In this study, we investigated the sensitivity of forest productivity to climate change using ring width indices (RWI) from a tree‐ring width dataset accessed from the International Tree‐Ring Data Bank and gridded climate datasets from the Climate Research Unit. A negative relationship of RWI with summer temperature and recent reductions in RWI were typically observed in continental dry regions, such as inner Alaska and Canada, southern Europe, and the southern part of eastern Siberia. We then developed a multiple regression model with regional meteorological parameters to predict RWI, and then applied to these models to predict how tree growth will respond to twenty‐first‐century climate change (RCP8.5 scenario). The projections showed a spatial variation and future continuous reduction in tree growth in those continental dry regions. The spatial variation, however, could not be reproduced by a dynamic global vegetation model (DGVM). The DGVM projected a generally positive trend in future tree growth all over the circumboreal region. These results indicate that DGVMs may overestimate future wood net primary productivity (NPP) in continental dry regions such as these; this seems to be common feature of current DGVMs. DGVMs should be able to express the negative effect of warming on tree growth, so that they simulate the observed recent reduction in tree growth in continental dry regions.
The Current Status of Facial Growth Prediction: A Review

Facial growth has an important bearing on orthodontic treatment and on its stability. However, despite much research in this field, the prediction of facial growth is subject to considerable inaccuracies. The best that can be done is to base treatment on the existing facial pattern with an allowance for average growth according to age and sex. In view of the uncertainty of prediction, treatment planning should be based on facial and dental relationships that change least with growth.
Empowering Disaster-Affected Communities for Long-Term Reconstruction: Intervening in Sri Lanka After the Tsunami

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami highlighted the importance of interdependencies between nations, delivery of humanitarian aid in an empowering manner, and long-term reconstruction. I examine relationships between overseas actors and local residents in tsunami-affected villages in Sri Lanka in a project initiated by the International Association of Schools of Social Work through its Rebuilding People's Lives After Disasters Network and another based on an institutional endeavour supported by Durham University because these sought to empower local communities through local, egalitarian partnerships. Lacking sufficient educational resources, capacity building in social work education has become a long-term objective.
Effect of familial distress on growth and maturation of girls: A longitudinal study

A longitudinal sample of girls (N = 271), all born during the same year, were examined at yearly intervals during a period of 11 (N = 174) or 8 years (N = 97). The data gathered included the following: age at menarche, anthropometric dimensions, skeletal maturity scores with the TW2 method, and questionnaire information about the present and past socioeconomic situation and family dynamics. The girls were divided into two groups. Group A (N = 207) comprised girls who lived in families free of strong traumatic events. Group B (N = 64) included girls whose family dysfunction exposed them to prolonged distress. Two anthropometric dimensions were central to the analysis: height and subischial leg length. Age at attaining four different maturity stages were also used: age at menarche, age at a Carpal score of 1,000, age at the RUS score of 1,000, and age at the total bone score of 995. The mean age at menarche of girls from group A was 13.3 years and that for girls in group B was 12.9 (F = 6.295, P < 0.01). There was no correlation between age and height at final stages of skeletal maturation, i.e., at a total bone score of 995 or a RUS score of 1,000 in group A. There was no significant difference in height between girls whose skeletal maturity was completed early and those in whom it was completed late. Girls from group B, whose skeletal maturity was reached earlier, were shorter than those who grew until a later age. In group B, the stature was positively correlated with the age at which the late stages of skeletal maturation was attained (r = 0.26 at a RUS score of 1,000 and r = 0.28 at a total bone score of 995, P < 0.05). Regardless of the ages at which any of the four maturity levels were reached by girls from group A, they were, on average, taller than those from group B at the same maturity level. Only at a RUS score of 1,000, when the sample size is reduced, the difference was not significant. The results show that girls exposed to familial distress are more likely to have an early puberty, which is associated with short final stature. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:771–776, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Citalopram in the Treatment of Depression and Other Potential Uses in Psychiatry

During the past decade, treatment options for depression have increased with the introduction of new agents. Older agents, such as tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, increase noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. Attempts to separate antidepressant effects from adverse effects led to the development of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Citalopram is the newest SSRI to be marketed in the United States. Of all SSRIs on the market, it is the most selective for serotonin reuptake pump. Its efficacy in treating depression was evident in both placebo‐controlled and comparator trials. In addition, citalopram was studied in the treatment of other psychiatric disorders. The agent has less inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes than other SSRIs, possibly giving it a lower potential for drug interactions.
Natural selection acting on body size, growth rate and compensatory growth: an empirical test in a wild trout population

Organisms usually grow slower than their maximum potential under a given set of conditions, suggesting that fast growth carries a corresponding fitness cost. A pattern of growth that might influence such costs is compensatory (or catch-up) growth, where individuals grow faster than expected. One form of compensatory growth occurs when small individuals grow faster for their size than do large individuals, thereby decreasing (or slowing the increase in) size disparity between themselves and larger conspecifics. We tested these ideas over several seasons in wild brown trout (Salmo trutta) by estimating selection acting on individual size, growth and compensatory growth. We then examined population-level growth patterns to determine whether they influence individual-level selection. Selection generally did not favour large individuals or those with slow growth; indeed, the opposite was more likely. Moreover, selection did not act against small/fast-growing individuals (i.e. those expressing compensatory growth). Populationlevel growth was proportional (i.e. mass increases were a constant percentage of initial mass across the range of body sizes) in all seasons except for the spring and, to a lesser degree, the early summer of the second year of life. In these two intervals, small fish showed greater proportional growth than large fish and small/fast-growing fish had higher (or at least not lower) survival. An intriguing explanation for these results is that fast (and compensatory) growth is only exhibited when the costs of fast growth are low. Our study introduces a novel approach for assessing growth at the population level, as well as the survival costs associated with individual size and growth.