Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Al-Farabi on the interdependence of religion and politics

Abu Nasr Muhammad b. Muhammad, better known as al-Farabi (c.870 -c.950), was the most au- thentic of the Arabic philosophers. The principal sources of his philosophy are to be sought in the Greek tradition, in the original writings of Plato and Aristotle, in Neoplatonism and Aristotelianism of Alex- andria. Most significant is his turn towards the much undervalued Middle Platonism. His main thesis consists in the preponderance of philosophy over theology. Religion is used as a substitute for philoso- phy, as the complex and abstract notions of the latter are difficult to grasp. Religion attempts to express philosophical truths with the aid of imagination. Along with the support of jurisprudence and politics, it has taken upon itself to guide the ignorant, that is, the largest part of the population, towards the attain- ment of happiness. Political and social problems become overwhelming when legislators are under the sway of religious beliefs and do not realize the need to base their legislation on philosophy, rather than religion. In this paper, we are attempting to present, analyze and evaluate the views of al-Farabi on the interaction between religion and politics. Key words: philosophy, political philosophy, virtuous city, virtuous state, religion and politics.
Assessment of the impact of long exposure to cotton dust on respiratory health of workers in Minia city, Egypt

Cotton dust, when breathed in, irritates the lungs and that may leads to byssinosis. To study the pulmonary functions among the exposed workers in different areas in spin factory in Minia city, Egypt and to identify the type and concentration of aerosol particles in the working areas as well as in the sputum culture. This cross sectional descriptive study was carried out on 128 workers who worked 5 years or more in the factory. Full history, clinical and radiological examinations, pulmonary function studies and sputum culture were done for all workers. Measurements of concentration of bacteria and fungi were carried out in two main working areas representing the high and the low exposure. Exposure to cotton dust for 5 years or more was associated with statistically significant increase in prevalence of chronic cough and dyspnea as well as decline in all pulmonary tests among high exposed workers compared to low exposed workers. Mean concentration of total collected fungi was 1215 cfu/m 3 at the high exposed area and 396 cfu/m 3 at the low exposed area. Aspergillus Nieger represented the most dominant fungal species at both areas. Gram –ve bacteria, klebsiela, was found in sputum culture of high exposed workers more than low exposed workers. Aspergillus Nieger represented the most fungal species in the sputum culture of high exposed workers, while among low exposed workers, it was mixed species.
Rethinking the Image Fusion: A Fast Unified Image Fusion Network based on Proportional Maintenance of Gradient and Intensity

In this paper, we propose a fast unified image fusion network based on proportional maintenance of gradient and intensity (PMGI), which can end-to-end realize a variety of image fusion tasks, including infrared and visible image fusion, multi-exposure image fusion, medical image fusion, multi-focus image fusion and pan-sharpening. We unify the image fusion problem into the texture and intensity proportional maintenance problem of the source images. On the one hand, the network is divided into gradient path and intensity path for information extraction. We perform feature reuse in the same path to avoid loss of information due to convolution. At the same time, we introduce the pathwise transfer block to exchange information between different paths, which can not only pre-fuse the gradient information and intensity information, but also enhance the information to be processed later. On the other hand, we define a uniform form of loss function based on these two kinds of information, which can adapt to different fusion tasks. Experiments on publicly available datasets demonstrate the superiority of our PMGI over the state-of-the-art in terms of both visual effect and quantitative metric in a variety of fusion tasks. In addition, our method is faster compared with the state-of-the-art.
A seven-year experience of data collection on the Insall-Burstein II total knee arthroplasty

We describe a method of audit of a type of total knee replacement, including some details of the organisational difficulties of administering multicentre studies, and draw attention to how this can be done using industrial funding without prejudicing the study. This is a prospective record of 1439 patients who had an Insall-Burstein II (IBII) prosthesis implanted between 1990 and 1994. The data were collected using the American Knee Society scoring system. A method of storing radiographs digitally at low cost is also described.The results emphasise the need for the long-term collection of data on commonly used devices implanted by a cross-section of surgeons. We conclude that for most patients the IBII cemented, posteriorly stabilised, cruciate-substituting prosthesis will relieve pain and give excellent functional results throughout the patients’ remaining years with a very small incidence of revision, except in cases of infection.
Cognitive and neural mechanisms of social eye gaze

Social interactions are characterised by exchanges of a variety of social signals to communicate with other people. A key feature in real-life interactions is that we are in the presence of other people who can see us (audience), and we modulate our behaviour to send and receive signals (audience effect). Although social neuroscience research has traditionally examined how we respond to pictures and videos of humans, second-person neuroscience suggests that interactions with pre-recorded versus live people recruit distinct neurocognitive mechanisms. The aim of this thesis was to investigate which cognitive and neural mechanisms underlie changes in behaviour when being watched, particularly focusing on eye gaze, facial displays and prosocial behaviour as social signals. Using a novel ecologically valid paradigm, the first study showed that the opportunity to signal good reputation is a key modulator of eye gaze and prosocial behaviour. Using the same paradigm, the second study found no evidence to support the hypothesis that audience effects are mediated by an increase in self-referential processing. The third study focused on the time-course of eye gaze and facial displays patterns in relation to speech, both in typical and autistic individuals: contrary to what was expected both groups modulated eye gaze and facial displays according to the belief in being watched and speaker/listener role. Finally, the fourth study tested the role of reciprocity in live interactions: sharing information with a partner modulated eye gaze, facial displays, and brain activity in regions related to mentalising and decision-making. I discuss the theoretical implications of these findings and set out a cognitive model of gaze processing in live interactions. Finally, I outline directions for future research in social neuroscience.
Functional advantages of Lévy walks emerging near a critical point

Significance Lévy walks are common biological movements. However, the functional advantages of Lévy walks emerging near a critical point are poorly understood. We modeled Lévy walks based on nonlinear dynamical systems that were the determinants of locomotion. We showed that there could be functional advantages associated with Lévy walks emerging near a critical point, including a large dynamic range to stimuli and highly flexible switching between exploitation and exploration. Moreover, we empirically confirmed these functional advantages by analyzing movement trajectories of freely moving Drosophila larvae. These findings suggested that commonly observed Lévy walks emerge near a critical point and can be explained based on these functional advantages. A special class of random walks, so-called Lévy walks, has been observed in a variety of organisms ranging from cells, insects, fishes, and birds to mammals, including humans. Although their prevalence is considered to be a consequence of natural selection for higher search efficiency, some findings suggest that Lévy walks might also be epiphenomena that arise from interactions with the environment. Therefore, why they are common in biological movements remains an open question. Based on some evidence that Lévy walks are spontaneously generated in the brain and the fact that power-law distributions in Lévy walks can emerge at a critical point, we hypothesized that the advantages of Lévy walks might be enhanced by criticality. However, the functional advantages of Lévy walks are poorly understood. Here, we modeled nonlinear systems for the generation of locomotion and showed that Lévy walks emerging near a critical point had optimal dynamic ranges for coding information. This discovery suggested that Lévy walks could change movement trajectories based on the magnitude of environmental stimuli. We then showed that the high flexibility of Lévy walks enabled switching exploitation/exploration based on the nature of external cues. Finally, we analyzed the movement trajectories of freely moving Drosophila larvae and showed empirically that the Lévy walks may emerge near a critical point and have large dynamic range and high flexibility. Our results suggest that the commonly observed Lévy walks emerge near a critical point and could be explained on the basis of these functional advantages.
Distinct Patterns of PD-L1 and PD-L2 Expression By Tumor and Non-Tumor Cells in Patients with MM, MDS and AML

Introduction:Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) contributes to tumor escape from immune surveillance by binding to programmed death-1 (PD-1), a negative regulator of T-cell responses. PD-L1 is expressed by both tumor cells and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. In contrast, the role of PD-L2 in tumor immunity is unclear. To better understand the contribution of PD-L1/L2 to immune escape in marrow-based hematologic malignancies, we used multi-color flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to characterize cell-specific PD-L1/PD-L2 expression in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Results:PD-L1 was detectable (> 2% positive cells) in 100% of patients, with distinct disease-specific patterns. PD-L1 was expressed most widely in MM, predominantly by malignant plasma cells (median, 95% of plasma cells; n = 5) and lymphocytes (median, 12% of marrow lymphocytes; n = 5). In contrast, in MDS and AML, PD-L1 was more commonly expressed by non-tumor hematopoietic cells: MDS median, 36% of CD34− myeloid precursors and 47% of lymphocytes (n = 13) vs 12% of CD34+ myeloid blasts; AML median, 19% of CD34− myeloid precursors and 26% of lymphocytes (n = 7) vs 16% of CD34+ myeloid blasts were PD-L1+. A higher proportion of CD8+ T cells expressed PD-L1 compared with CD4+ T cells in all 3 malignancies: the CD8:CD4 ratio for PD-L1+ T cells was 3.02 in MM (n = 11), 1.92 in MDS (n = 10), and 1.29 in AML (n = 7). PD-L2 expression was largely absent in AML and MDS ( Conclusions:PD-L1 is highly prevalent in MM, MDS and AML, with significant expression by non-tumor hematopoietic cells, particularly CD8+ T cells. PD-L2 expression was largely absent in myeloid diseases but detectable in MM. Interestingly, PD-L1 expression was most common on tumor cells in MM and on non-tumor hematopoietic cells in MDS, whereas expression on non-tumor and tumor cells in AML was comparable. These data support clinical development of anti-PD-L1/PD-1 therapies in MM, MDS and AML. Future analyses will determine whether different patterns of PD-L1 expression are associated with clinical efficacy. Authors M Dail, L Yang, S Rodig, and J Venstrom contributed equally to this work. Disclosures Dail:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Green:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Ma:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Robert:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Kadel:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Koeppen:Roche: Employment, Equity Ownership. Adamkewicz:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Byon:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Woodard:Genentech, Inc.: Employment. Rodig:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Research Funding; Perkin Elmer: Membership on an entity9s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Venstrom:Genentech: Employment.
Germinal center B cells separate signals for selection and division like compact discs

Selection of B cells in germinal center (GC) reactions is pivotal to the generation of high affinity antibodies and memory B cells. Knowledge about B cell selection is limited to individual interactions and lacks global understanding. Here, seemingly contradictory experiments are unified in a common concept by separation of signals for the frequency of fate decision from the strength of cell division, which can then be controlled independently, similar to the separation of frequency and amplitude in digital audio signals. Based on this concept of information processing, three theories of B cell selection are developed that can be distinguish by predicted experiments drawn from computer simulations. Understanding encoding of information in molecular states is critical for targeted immune interventions.
Optimization and Fabrication of Photonic Crystal Drop Filters for Optical Biosensing

Photonic crystals can be used to make compact photonic devices. The use of photonic crystal drop filters as label-free optical biosensors by refractive index sensing was investigated in this study. The drop filter consists of two photonic crystal waveguides placed above and below a photonic crystal resonator. The components of the drop filter were designed and simulated in 2D and 3D using COMSOL and the open-source software packages MIT Photonic Bands and MIT Electromagnetic Equation Propagation. After optimization, a drop filter with a quality factor of 9,800 and 45% transmission at resonance was simulated in 3D. Additionally, the quality factor of the unloaded resonator was improved to 414,000, more than an order of magnitude higher than achieved in earlier work by the author. A multiplexer device consisting of four drop filters placed in series was simulated in 2D, and precise control of four resonance peaks was demonstrated. Photonic crystal drop filters based on the simulations were fabricated using electron beam lithography (EBL) to pattern silicon-on-insulator samples made using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). Patterned samples were later etched using inductively coupled plasma reactive-ion etching (ICP-RIE). High quality photonic crystal devices were fabricated, with transmission spectra for photonic crystal waveguides and filters similar to simulated spectra. A quality factor of 2,100 was found for the drop filter. Additionally, a resonance shift of 21.1 nm was found after depositing a drop of water on top of the sensor, similar to the 18.6 nm resonance shift found in 3D simulations.
An Economics Academic Word List (EAWL): Using online resources to develop a subject-specific word list and associated teaching-learning materials

The Academic Word List (AWL) (Coxhead, 2000) is widely used by educators providing Academic Language and Learning (ALL) development in tertiary education settings. The AWL, though, has been criticised for failing to take sufficient account of disciplinary variation, and for relying on the archaic General Service List (West, 1953). This study, therefore, describes the process of using readily available online resources to develop an academic word list that is subject-specific, and based on the New General Service List (Browne, Culligan, & Phillips, 2014). The resulting list, the Economics Academic Word List (EAWL), comprises 887 words (or 1,763 word forms), which cover up to 5.6% of texts both received and produced by university-level economics students. It is argued that, in comparison with generic academic word lists, the EAWL serves as a better reference for developing the academic language of the economics discourse community. This leads to a series of implications and the introduction of a dedicated EAWL website, hosting a range of ready-made teaching-learning materials.
Strategies for Implementing Workplace Violence Prevention Policies in Small Businesses

Strategies for Implementing Workplace Violence Prevention Policies in Small Businesses by Anthony J. Fleming MA, American Military University, 2011 BA, American Military University, 2006 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2019 Abstract Workplace violence can produce adverse financial outcomes for organizational shareholders, harms employees, and might create long-lasting mental health issues for survivors. Leaders of small businesses might lack the tools available to larger organizations to effectively address the growing incidence of violence in the workplace. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies some leaders of small businesses used to prevent workplace violence. The targeted population consisted of 3Workplace violence can produce adverse financial outcomes for organizational shareholders, harms employees, and might create long-lasting mental health issues for survivors. Leaders of small businesses might lack the tools available to larger organizations to effectively address the growing incidence of violence in the workplace. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies some leaders of small businesses used to prevent workplace violence. The targeted population consisted of 3 leaders of small businesses from 3 different organizations in the government consulting industry in northern Virginia who successfully implemented workplace violence prevention programs. The general systems theory was the conceptual framework for this research. Data were collected from applicable company documents and semistructured interviews. The data were analyzed through a 5-phase qualitative analysis cycle. Emergent themes included effective workplace violence prevention policies and procedures and leaders’ role in creating a positive working environment. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to reduce workrelated stress so that employees are healthy members of society. Leaders of small business who promote a positive work environment and understand the importance of an effective workplace violence prevention policy might be able to increase the performance of their businesses, which could allow them to be more involved in their communities. Strategies for Implementing Workplace Violence Prevention Policies in Small Businesses by Anthony J. Fleming MA, American Military University, 2011 BA, American Military University, 2006 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University August 2019
The Effectiveness of Video Distraction on Children Preoperative Anxiety: An Integrative Literature Review

Background: Children who undergo a day case surgery experience high levels of preoperative anxiety. Preoperative anxiety interferes with anesthesia induction compliance and is associated with many short and long term postoperative complications. Recently, video distraction intervention has been evaluated for its anxiolytic effects in preoperative children. Aim: The aim of this integrative review was to demonstrate the varying methodological approaches utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of a video distraction intervention in reducing preoperative anxiety in children undergoing day case surgery. Methods: A total of 8 articles, meeting the inclusion criteria, were evaluated and included. Findings: The eight studies investigating the effect of video distraction on children preoperative anxiety concluded that video distraction was significant in controlling children preoperative anxiety. Four of the eight studies (50%), investigated video distraction effectiveness against pharmacological comparisons and demonstrated superior or equal anxiolytic effect of video distraction on different points along the surgical continuum. Three of the eight studies compared video distraction against parental presences and video distraction showed superior anxiolytic effect. Three of the eight studies evaluated the effect of video distraction on anesthesia induction compliance and emergence delirium. A significant effect on anesthesia induction was demonstrated while non-significant effect on emergence delirium was documented. Conclusion: Video distraction is a safe, time and cost effective non pharmacological anxiolytic intervention. It can be provided by nurses to control children high level of anxiety before surgery and during anesthesia induction.
Estradiol level of male rat is correlated with depression and anxiety after traumatic stress

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex syndrome that is defined by individual exposed to intense, life-threatening trauma thereby leading to physical and psychological abnormalities. They further develop additional symptoms including persistent anxiety, exaggerated startle, cognitive impairments, and diminished extinction of fear. Most of the previous studies focused on brain and neurophysiology, but PTSD affects the whole body. Therefore, we wanted to concentrate more on the effects on sex hormones using rats. Testosterone and estradiol are major sex hormones in male and female which are well known to participate in not only reproduction but also brain function and behaviors. Two behavioral tests, open field test and tail suspension test, were used to determine whether animals have PTSD-like symptoms. At the same time, serum samples were collected for sex hormone analysis. We investigated the influences of traumatic stress and then tried to find out the correlations of behaviors and hormones. In results, 22% of rats were affected by stress based on the behavioral tests and grouped as PTSD-like. These rats showed enhanced anxiety and depression behaviors. In serum samples from the PTSD-like group, only estradiol levels in male after stress are significant higher than the control or stressed but no symptom groups. Testosterone level showed no difference after stress both in male and female. We also observed that only estradiol level in male correlates with PTSD-like behaviors. It indicates that estradiol levels in male just after traumatic stress might be an indicator for PTSD-like symptoms.
Automatic extraction of road intersection points from USGS historical map series using deep convolutional neural networks

ABSTRACT Road intersection data have been used across a range of geospatial analyses. However, many datasets dating from before the advent of GIS are only available as historical printed maps. To be analyzed by GIS software, they need to be scanned and transformed into a usable (vector-based) format. Because the number of scanned historical maps is voluminous, automated methods of digitization and transformation are needed. Frequently, these processes are based on computer vision algorithms. However, the key challenges to this are (1) the low conversion accuracy for low quality and visually complex maps, and (2) the selection of optimal parameters. In this paper, we used a region-based deep convolutional neural network-based framework (RCNN) for object detection, in order to automatically identify road intersections in historical maps of several cities in the United States of America. We found that the RCNN approach is more accurate than traditional computer vision algorithms for double-line cartographic representation of the roads, though its accuracy does not surpass all traditional methods used for single-line symbols. The results suggest that the number of errors in the outputs is sensitive to complexity and blurriness of the maps, and to the number of distinct red-green-blue (RGB) combinations within them.