Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A reservable antiadhesion barrier gel reduces the perineural adhesions in rats after anastomosis.

AIM The objective of this experimental study was to assess the effectiveness of ADCON T/N in reducing perinerural adhesions when applied around a previously exposed and then anastomosed peripheral nerve in a rat model. METHODS Sixteen adult 8-month-old male Wistar rats were used for this study. After the ulnar nerve was exposed bilaterally, the nerves were sectioned and anastomosised. ADCON T/N gel was applied around the nerve suture on 1 limb, while the contralateral limb was left untreated (sham operated control). Treatments were administered according to a randomised schedule revealed to the operator only after the perineural adhesions observed during the 2nd operation had been dissected and complete haemostasis achieved. In other group of 4 Wistar rats, the ulnar nerve was sectioned and the 2 ends connected with a 5 mm silastic tube that was placed bilaterally in each rat but on only one side, chosen randomly, was the nerve treated with ADCON TN and placed within the tube on that side. RESULTS Three months after the 1st operation, the same nerves were exposed again in all animals under general anesthesia before microsurgical external neurolysis. The neurolysis sites in 16 rats were evaluated by blinded surgical dissection immediately before death. Parameters examined included: quality of wound healing, possible adverse effects, presence of residual implant material and perineural adhesions. Perineural adhesions around the ulnar nerve were visually scored using a 4-point qualitative scale (Mean 2.81 without gel, and 1.18 with ADCON T/N. p=0.017). There was no evidence of persistence of residual implant material in the ADCON T/N treated sites. No significant difference between the average density of myelinated axons was observed in either group. All ADCON T/N treated rats (4 animals) showed axonal growth through the tube connecting the 2 ends. CONCLUSION ADCON-TN decreased fibrosis around the nerve anastomosis sites and did not impede growth between the severed ends of the axons. If reoperation becomes necessary, a reduction of fibrosis would facilitate access to the old site and decrease the risk of nerve lesions.
The Composition of Incremental Change

Current theories of aspectual composition acknowledge the pervasiveness of verbs of variable telicity, and are designed to account both for why these verbs show such variability and for the complex conditions that give rise to telic and atelic interpretations. Much of the literature on this topic has focused on the relation between nominal and verbal reference in so-called INCREMENTAL THEME verbs such as those in the following examples, which describe eventualties in which the internal argument of the verb undergoes an incremental change over the course of the event: incremental creation in (1a-b), incremental consumption in (2a-b), and incremental affect in (3a-b) (see e.g., Vendler 1967; Dowty 1979; Declerck 1979; Dowty 1991; Krifka 1989, 1992; Tenny 1994; Bertinetto and Squartini 1995; Levin and Rappaport Hovav 1995; Jackendoff 1996; Ramchand 1997; Filip 1999; Hay, Kennedy, and Levin 1999; Rothstein 2003; Borer 2005; Pinon 2005; Pinon 2008). 1
Van Fraassen on Explanation

Critique de l'analyse de l'explication proposee par B. van Fraassen dans ''The Scientific Image'' (Oxford, 1980). Les AA. pensent pouvoir montrer que van Fraassen a fourni un complement utile aux theories existantes de l'explication en developpant les composantes pragmatiques de ce concept, mais qu'il n'a pas donne une veritable solution ''pragmatique'' du probleme meme de l'explication scientifique
The effect of problem-based video instruction on learner satisfaction, comprehension and retention in college courses

The main purpose of this study was to identify the effects of two major components (ie, video and group discussion) of problem-based video instruction (PBVI) on college students’ learning. To achieve this purpose, this study examined whether or not PBVI can improve learner satisfaction, comprehension and retention by comparing the results from three dependent variables in PBVI with two other kinds of instruction: (1) problem-based text instruction (PBTI) and (2) PBVI without group discussion. According to the findings, there were significant differences in learner satisfaction, comprehension, and delayed retention between PBVI and PBTI groups, whereas there were no significant differences in learners’ satisfaction, comprehension, and delayed retention between PBVI and PBVI without group discussion. This study implies that PBVI in college courses have the potential to enhance student satisfaction, comprehension and delayed retention.
A design of motor driver for deep-sea TV grabs

This paper designed a remote permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) driver for the deep-sea TV grab. With the high-performance microcontroller STM32F415 and the well-established field oriented control (FOC) strategy, the high dynamic performance in PMSM was easily achieved. This paper also presented the hardware and software design. The experimental results show that the scheme of PMSM driver is feasible, which can be widely applied to various efficient control systems.
A Review of Anterior Open Bite

Anterior open bite malocclusion is reviewed under the headings of aetiology, morphology and treatment. The aetiology is discussed within the classification originally described by Dockrell in 1952. The morphological differences between skeletal and dental open bite together with the extra oral, intra oral, and cephalometric characteristics are described. Recognition is given to the recent developments in maxillo facial surgery and the importance of a combined surgical and orthodontic approach to the treatment of skeletal open bite. The merits of the palatal crib either on a fixed or removable appliance to break a thumb sucking habit are discussed in relation to the dental open bite. The relationship of post treatment stability to the adequate removal or modification of the aetiological factor is stressed.
Using Stacked Generalization to Combine SVMs in Magnitude and Shape Feature Spaces for Classification of Hyperspectral Data

This paper proposes to improve the classification accuracy of hyperspectral data with support vector machines (SVMs) by using stacked generalization (stacking) as well as the complementary information of magnitude and shape feature spaces. Stacking is a method to combine multiple classifiers by learning a meta-level (or level-1) classifier from the outputs of base-level (or level-0) classifiers (estimated via cross-validation). In the processing of hyperspectral data, magnitude features are the radiance values at different sensor bands, whereas shape features are the differences in direction rather than the magnitude of the spectral signatures. In particular, the proposed method is as follows: (1) SVMs trained in magnitude and shape feature spaces are adopted as level-0 classifiers (termed as level-0 SVMs); (2) outputs (decision values) of the level-0 SVMs are used as inputs (termed as meta-level features) of level-1 classifier, since the decision values contain much more information than class labels; (3) level-1 classifier adopts SVMs (level-1 SVMs) trained in the meta-level feature space. In addition, we also discuss the possibility of reducing the number of level-0 SVMs by meta-level feature selection and present one simple solution. Experiments on a benchmark hyperspectral data set demonstrate that our method significantly outperforms the methods with the single feature space and other combining methods, namely, simple voting, absolute maximum decision value, and stacking with class labels.
Bayesian oligogenic analysis of quantitative and qualitative traits in general pedigrees

A Bayesian method for multipoint oligogenic analysis of quantitative and qualitative traits is presented. This method can be applied to general pedigrees, which do not necessarily have to be “peelable” and can have large numbers of markers. The number of quantitative/qualitative trait loci (QTL), their map positions in the genome, and phenotypic effects (mode of inheritances) are all estimated simultaneously within the same framework. The summaries of the estimated parameters are based on the marginal posterior distributions that are obtained through Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods. The method uses founder alleles together with segregation indicators in order to determine the genotypes of the trait loci of all individuals in the pedigree. To improve mixing properties of the sampler, we propose (1) joint sampling of map position and segregation indicators, (2) omitting data augmentation for untyped or uninformative markers (homozygous parent), and (3) updating several markers jointly within a single block. The performance of the method was tested with two replicate GAW10 data sets (considering two levels of available marker information). The results were concordant and similar to those presented earlier with other methods. These analyses clearly illustrate the utility and wide applicability of the method. Genet. Epidemiol. 21:224–242, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Self-contained Passive Autonomous Formation Flight

Flying in formation is a common pilot task with high workload demands, which becomes particularly difficult while operating in degraded visual environments or windy conditions. Automation of the formation flying task can reduce pilot workload and increase safety in a piloted vehicle. In addition, autonomous formation flying control technology can be applied to collision avoidance and air-to-air refueling. Sikorsky Aircraft recently demonstrated a passive, self-contained approach to automated formation flying. The first closed-loop flight of the Automated Formation Flight (AFF) system was conducted on June 4, 2010, and four data flights were completed. The flights included data runs at hover and 70 KIAS, and were flown at the Aeroflightdynamics Directorate (AFDD) of the U.S. Army AMRDEC with the JUH-60A RASCAL aircraft following an EH-60L. The sensor used to determine the relative position of the following aircraft was a monocular visual spectrum video camera mounted on the nose of the trailing aircraft. The visual analytics algorithms used to interpret the video feed and calculate the relative range, azimuth, and elevation were implemented by the United Technologies Research Center and the Georgia Institute of Technology. The control laws used to maintain the desired relative position were developed by Sikorsky Aircraft.
Gene Selection and Classification Using Non-linear Kernel Support Vector Machines Based on Gene Expression Data

In microarray-based cancer classification, feature selection and classification method is an important issue owing to large number of variables (gene expressions) and small number of experimental conditions. For disease diagnosing, classifiers' performance has direct impact on final results. In this paper, a new method of gene selection and classification by using nonlinear kernel support vector machine(SVM) based on recursive performance elimination(RFE) is proposed. It is demonstrated experimentally that our method has better comprehensive performance than other linear classification methods, such as linear kernel support vector machine and fisher linear discriminant analysis (FLDA), also better than some non-linear classification methods, such as least square support vector machine(LS-SVM) using non-linear kernel. In the experiments, besides test set, leave-one-out algorithm is also used to test the classifiers' generalization performance. AML/ALL dataset and hereditary breast cancer dataset are used, which are available on internet.
Analysis of In Vivo Nuclear Factor-κB Activation during Liver Inflammation in Mice: Prevention by Catalase Delivery

Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor that plays crucial roles in inflammation, immunity, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Until now, there have been few studies of NF-κB activation in whole animals because of experimental difficulties. Here, we show that mice receiving a simple injection of plasmid vectors can be used to examine NF-κB activation in the liver. Two plasmid vectors, pNF-κB-Luc (firefly luciferase gene) and pRL-SV40 (Renilla reniformis luciferase gene), were injected into the tail vein of mice by the hydrodynamics-based procedure, an established method of gene transfer to mouse liver. Then, the ratio of the firefly and R. reniformis luciferase activities (F/R) was used as an indicator of the NF-κB activity in the liver. Injection of thioacetamide or lipopolysaccharide plus d-galactosamine increased the F/R ratio in the liver, and this was significantly (P < 0.001) inhibited by an intravenous injection of catalase derivatives targeting liver nonparenchymal cells. Imaging the firefly luciferase expression in live mice clearly demonstrated that the catalase derivatives efficiently prevented the NF-κB-mediated expression of the firefly luciferase gene. Plasma transaminases and the survival rate of mice supported the findings obtained by the luminescence-based analyses. Thus, this method, which requires no genetic recombination techniques, is highly sensitive to the activation of NF-κB and allows us to continuously examine the activation in live animals. In conclusion, this novel, simple, and sensitive method can be used not only for analyzing the NF-κB activation in the organ under different inflammatory conditions but also for screening drug candidates for the prevention of liver inflammation.
The cure for colon cancer: Results from the EUROCARE study

The interpretation of time trends and geographical differences of population‐based survival rates is generally not easy, due to the difficulty in disentangling the effects of observational biases, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and their interactions. Whereas descriptive analysis of relative survival is generally based on survival levels estimated at fixed time since diagnosis, interpretation issues can take advantage from the analysis of the shape of the considered relative survival. Parametric survival models allowing the estimation of the fraction of cured patients are applied here to analyze and discuss the differences in colon cancer relative survival between European countries, according to age and period of diagnosis. The survival curves of colon cancer patients are described according to 2 parameters: the proportion of cured patients and the mean survival time of fatal cases. These parameters are estimated by least square nonlinear regression of relative survival values derived from the EUROCARE Project publication. Exponential and Weibull survival functions are used to model the relative survival curve for the fraction of fatal cases. The Weibull model gives generally a better fit with respect to the exponential model, thus indicating that the mortality rate for fatal cases is decreasing with time since diagnosis. For the youngest patients, however, the 2 survival functions give practically overlapping estimates. The overall proportion of colon cancer patients in Europe that are estimated to be cured was 38.6%. This proportion increased from 36% to 40% for patients diagnosed in 1978–1980 and in 1983–1985, respectively. Accordingly, mean survival time of fatal cases increased from 1.18 to 1.52 years. According to age, the proportion of cured patients present a marked decrease from young (48.4% at age 15–44 years) to middle‐aged patients (38.6% at age 55–64 years) and only a mild decrease from these to the oldest patients (34.4% at age 75 or more). The opposite effect was shown by survival time of fatal cases, i.e., 1.71, 1.75 and 0.77 years for the same age classes, respectively. Proportion of cured cases and mean survival time of fatal cases tended to be positively correlated with each other across countries. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that a real improvement in colon cancer survival took place in Europe during the years 1978–1985 and also suggest that the well‐known decrease of relative survival with age at diagnosis could be mostly due to a decreasing efficacy of early diagnosis for patients under 60 years old and to less effective therapies for older patients. Int. J. Cancer 77:322–329, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thoughts and attention of athletes under pressure: skill-focus or performance worries?

Abstract Choking under pressure in sport has been explained by either explicit attention to skill execution (self-focus theories), or attention to performance worries (distraction theories). The aim of the present study was to find out which focus of attention occurs most often when expert athletes perform under pressure. Two retrospective methods were employed, namely, verbal reports and concept mapping. In the verbal reports, 70 expert athletes indicated their main focus of attention when performing under high pressure in competition. For concept mapping seven expert athletes generated statements about their focus of attention in such high-pressure situations. These statements were clustered and rated on how often they occurred and how important they were for choking. Both methods revealed that under pressure attention of expert athletes was often focused on worries and hardly ever on movement execution. Furthermore, the athletes reported that they focused attention on external factors and that they reverted to positive monitoring in an attempt to maintain performance. These results are more in line with distraction theories than self-focus theories, suggesting that attention to performance worries rather than to skill execution generally explains choking.
Employee voice: Speaking up in organisation as a correlate of employee productivity in oil and gas industry: an empirical investigation from Nigeria

The understanding and interpretation of voice have been given critical attention among researchers, practitioners in recent years. The firm believes of the workforce that they can openly express their personal opinion and concerns to higher authority in the organisation, and who believe that they can influence the decision, are likely to demonstrate optimistic attitude and constructive behaviours. The study surveyed 1067 employees of Nigerian oil and gas and 902 respondents were returned and used for the study. Data were obtained from the participants using a questionnaire of 19 question items by means of probability sampling strategy, while the research design was crosssectional. The findings of the study indicate a coherent and consistent one with literature. The study employed eight dimensions as drivers of employee voice in the Nigeria oil and gas industry which discovered mixed outcomes. One of the drivers is the communication/exchange of views which had an inverse association with employee productivity. Employee collective representation and employee engagement also recorded an insignificant relationship with employee productive work behaviour. However, employee participation, improved management systems, employee supervisorsubordinate relationship, workforce contribution and upward problem solving were significantly correlated with employee productive work behaviour. The study used descriptive statistics and Pearson moment correlation in analysing the data gathered from the participants and concluded that workforce of Nigerian oil and gas are not deeply engaged with the workplace environment due to the observed challenge of not allowing them to be duly represented and discourage them from exchanging their views and ideas.
Cryogenic CMOS interfaces for quantum devices

Quantum computers could efficiently solve problems that are intractable by today's computers, thus offering the possibility to radically change entire industries and revolutionize our lives. A quantum computer comprises a quantum processor operating at cryogenic temperature and an electronic interface for its control, which is currently implemented at room temperature for the few qubits available today. However, this approach becomes impractical as the number of qubits grows towards the tens of thousands required for complex quantum algorithms with practical applications. We propose an electronic interface for sensing and controlling qubits operating at cryogenic temperature implemented in standard CMOS.
Effects of methylphenidate on subtypes of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE To compare the effects of methylphenidate on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes. METHOD Nineteen ADHD/inattentive (ADHD/I) and 22 ADHD/combined (ADHD/C) 6- to 12-year-old children entered a 6-week, double-blind trial of placebo and methylphenidate in divided doses (0.94 +/- 0.02 mg/kg/day = 33.06 +/- 1.40 mg/day). ADHD children received a restricted arithmetic task without medication before the trial and after their noon dose on the last day of each phase. Thirty-four unmedicated controls were tested at comparable time points. Parents and teachers rated ADHD children before and after each phase of the trial; parents rated controls before the study. RESULTS Controls had marginally better arithmetic performance than children with ADHD/C who outperformed ADHD/I children. Unmedicated children with ADHD exceeded controls in task-incompatible behaviors during restricted arithmetic. Under methylphenidate, both ADHD subtypes reached control levels of arithmetic performance and task-incompatible behavior. Before the trial, parents rated children with both ADHD subtypes higher than controls on inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositionality/aggression and parents and teachers rated ADHD/C children higher than ADHD/I children on hyperactivity and oppositionality/aggression but not inattention. Methylphenidate lowered parent and teacher ratings of inattention and hyperactivity for those with both ADHD subtypes, but ratings of children with ADHD/C decreased more in hyperactivity and aggression. CONCLUSIONS Methylphenidate ameliorated task-incompatible behavior, arithmetic performance, and inattention comparably in both ADHD subtypes, whereas medication reduced hyperactivity and aggression largely in children with ADHD/C.
Stress and Spirituality on the Depressive Symptoms of Older Adults in Assisted Living: Gender Differences

In this study the authors explore the effects of stress and spirituality on the depressive symptoms of 92 older adult men and 224 older adult women who reside in assisted living facilities. Hierarchical regression reveals that stress was related to increases in depressive symptoms. The stress of women was more strongly associated with depressive symptoms than found among men. In contrast, spiritual coping was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms among all older adults in assisted living. The spiritual coping of older adult women was not a significant predictor of decreased depressive symptoms. Through this study the authors support the use of spiritual interventions to alleviate depressive symptoms experienced by older adults in assisted living.
A GPU acceleration for FFT-based fast solvers for the integral equation

This paper presents the advantages that GPUs can bring when used in cooperation with the CPU in solving linear systems arising from electromagnetic applications. In particular we show how FFT-based methods for the integral equation can be sped up with very low effort. Two different applications are shown to prove the gain in computational times achieved by the GPU acceleration.
Development of the Temperature Sensor for Measuring Heat Based on the Difference between the Specific Enthalpy

Reducing energy consumption, improving the heat efficiency is one of the key work of energy conservation and emission reduction. The measuring heat instrument take the principle of the difference between specific enthalpy and use Pt resistance as temperature sensor, the curve of two temperature sensors do matching pairs. This new technology and new technique can solve some difficult problems in the developing process of heat meter temperature sensor, and make the products meet the technical requirements of EN1434 as batch production, reaching the international advanced level, improve the market competitiveness of products.