Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
EEG-based subject-dependent emotion recognition algorithm using fractal dimension

In this paper, a real-time Electroencephalogram (EEG)-based emotion recognition algorithm using Higuchi Fractal Dimension (FD) Spectrum is proposed. As EEG is a nonlinear and multi-fractal signal, its FD spectrum can give a better understanding of the nonlinear property of EEG. Three values are selected from the whole spectrum and are combined with the other features such as statistical and Higher Order Crossings ones. The Support Vector Machine is used as the classifier. The proposed algorithm is validated on both benchmark database DEAP with video stimuli and our own dataset which used visual stimuli to evoke emotions. Up to 8 emotions can be recognized with only 4 channels. The experiment analysis results show that using FD spectrum features it is possible to improve classification accuracy.
Transactional, Transformational, Union and Organizational Commitment: An Examination of the Effect Flaws

A vast array of knowledge has been accumulated on leadership and leadership effectiveness in particular with a large number of studies over the past years. However, the effect of leadership of managers on some behavioral aspects of employees that are not in the immediate interest of managers in organizations is relatively unattended by the leadership researchers. The effect of leadership on union commitment of employees is such an issue that has been least attended by researchers. The objective of this study is to examine the effect flaws exist between transactional and transformational leadership, organizational commitment, and union commitment of unionized employees. A sample of 380 employees from the 33 public sector organizations in Sri Lanka was drawn. The parallel model testing procedure based on Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used for testing the hypothesized models. The results revealed that transactional and transformational leadership has a direct effect and an indirect effect as well via union commitment on organizational commitment of employees.
Assessment of Tumor Associated Tissue Eosinophilia (TATE) in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Using Carbol Chromotrope Stain

La eosinofilia tisular asociada a tumores (TATE) es un fenomeno conocido, sin embargo su pronostico y correlacion con el tamano del tumor primario aun es tema de controversia. El uso de cromotropo como tincion dirigida exclusivamente a los eosinofilos, ofrece una ventaja sobre la hematoxilina-eosina, que ha sido utilizada en la mayoria de los estudios. Se estudiaron celulas escamosas en 49 casos de carcinoma oral, con registro del estadio TNM. Las celulas fueron tenidas con carbol cromotropo de Lendrum. Se observo una diferencia significativa en el recuento de eosinofilos con el tamano del tumor y un aumento paralelo en numero, con el aumento de tamano. Hay un aumento correspondiente en el numero de eosinofilos que infiltran el tumor con aumento en el tamano de carcinoma de celulas escamosas orales.
Attitude of medical students about different teaching aids used in lectures in anatomy.

Nowadays medical teachers use different audiovisual (AV) aids of teaching in their classes to make the subject more interesting and understandable. To assess the impact of three common lecture delivery methods, viz Blackboard (BB), Transparency and Over Head Projector (OHP) and Powerpoint Presentation (PP), a questionnaire based study was carried out among first year MBBS students of R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata. One hundred fouty students of academic session 2010-2011 were exposed to different aids of teaching, viz. Black Board (BB), Over Head Projector (OHP), power point presentation (PP) for ten months. They were taught Anatomy by different teachers who used all the three AV aids in their lectures. Then they were asked to respond to a questionnaire regarding these three AV aids of teaching. The students preferred Black Board teaching over OHP and result was statistically significant (p value < 0.0001). BB teaching was also preferred over PP presentations (p < 0.02). But in comparison to OHP, students preferred PP though the difference is not statistically significant (p < 0.10). Most of the students still prefer Black Board teaching to other modern AV aids like OHP and PP. For better understanding of a subject by students and improvement of their performance, a teacher should match the lectures with preferred AV aids and use the AV aids prudently.
Characterization of CD8− HLA Class I/Epitope Tetrameric Complexes Binding T Cells

Antigen-specific CD8-expressing T cells play a crucial role in the host's defense against viral disease and malignancy. Epitope-specific CD8+ T cell responses to malignant and viral disease can be accurately measured using tetramers (tHLA) of HLA class I molecules loaded with antigenic peptides. In addition, tHLA have been used to evaluate immune responses to antigen-specific immunization. tHLA bind specifically to complementary T-cell receptor (TCR) structures on the surface of T cells expressing the CD8 coreceptor. Surprisingly, however, CD8− cells binding tHLA are often observed. This study uses four-color flow cytometry to show that HLA-A*0201-tHLA-stained CD8− cells can be divided into two subsets: 87% represent B-lymphocytes (CD19+, CD45RA+, HLA-DR+, and CD20+), and 13% represent T-helper cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD45RA+, and CD27+). This phenomenon is not HLA-restricted because it could be observed even in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a non HLA-A*0201-expressing healthy donor. In addition, no T-cell receptor was detected on the B-lymphocytes. Retrospective enumeration of vaccine-induced CD8− tHLA+ cells in 243 PBMC samples from 36 patients with melanoma undergoing peptide vaccination revealed that tHLA staining is not dependent on immunization status or the presence of CD8+ tHLA+ T cells. These findings, suggest that the nonspecific binding of tHLA to non-TCR-expressing T cells requires a careful interpretation of results and further steps in preparation of sample for tHLA-based sorting of epitope specific T cells.
The prospective management of women with newly diagnosed vulval intraepithelial neoplasia: Clinical outcome and quality of life

Summary Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a premalignant skin condition with significant morbidities from standard surgical treatment. This two-year prospective study recruited women with newly diagnosed VIN for careful observation rather than primary surgical excision. Surgery was performed to exclude progression or for uncontrollable symptoms. Participants were seen six-monthly for clinical review and completion of questionnaires assessing depression and anxiety, quality of life, sexual functioning, and partner relationships. Eight women were recruited. Six women required immediate treatment and two women were observed carefully. By study completion, seven participants had undergone surgical treatment, often for symptom control. Women scored poorly on quality of life and sexual functioning scores; this did not appear to be due to depression or anxiety. In conclusion, careful observation does not appear a feasible option for most women with VIN since the majority require surgical treatment. VIN has an adverse impact on quality of life and sexual functioning.
Plasma membrane localization and function of TRPC1 is dependent on its interaction with β-tubulin in retinal epithelium cells

Mammalian homologues of the Drosophila canonical Transient Receptor Potential (TRPC) protein have been proposed to encode the store-operated Ca2+ influx (SOC) channel(s). This study examines the role of TRPC1 in the SOC mechanism of retinal cells. htrpc1 transcript was detected in bovine retinal and in human adult retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE) cells. Western blot analysis also confirmed the expression of TRPC1 protein in neuronal cells including retina and ARPE cells. To determine the role of TRPC1 protein in retinal cells, TRPC1 was recombinantly expressed in ARPE cells and changes in intracellular Ca2+ were analyzed. ARPE cells stably transfected with htrp1 cDNA displayed 2-fold higher Ca2+ influx with no significant increase in the basal influx. Consistent with this the overexpressed TRPC1 protein was localized in the plasma membrane region of ARPE cells. Interestingly, both bovine retinal tissues and ARPE cells showed that TRPC1 protein co-localizes and could be co-immunoprecipitated with β-tubulin. Disruption of tubulin by colchicine significantly decreased both plasma membrane staining of the TRPC1 protein and Ca2+ influx in ARPE cells. These results suggest that TRPC1 channel protein is expressed in retinal cells, further, targeting/retention of the TRPC1 protein to the plasma membrane in retinal cells is mediated via its interaction with β-tubulin.
Beta-cell transplantation restores metabolic control and quality of life in a patient with subcutaneous insulin resistance.

Islet cell transplantation can achieve good metabolic control in type 1 diabetic patients (1–4) and may therefore delay or prevent the development of chronic complications when graft function can be maintained long term. A β-cell implant can also generate preliminary benefits in avoiding hypoglycemic episodes, which is particularly useful in patients with frequent episodes of hypoglycemia and with hypoglycemic unawareness. We now report another immediate benefit in restoring insulin action in patients with subcutaneous insulin resistance. The patient developed type 1 diabetes at age 24 years. Subcutaneous insulin therapy initially achieved acceptable glycemic control (average insulin dose 30 IU/day, HbA1c 7% [normal range 4–6%]; HPLC; Pharmacia Biotech, Uppsala, Sweden). However, 1 year after diagnosis, a state of insulin resistance progressively developed with difficulty controlling hyperglycemia despite the use of excessively high doses of insulin (>400 IU/day). During hospitalization, this resistance was correlated with subcutaneous insulin administration; it disappeared within 2–3 h after starting intravenous insulin therapy and reappeared within 1 day after returning to the subcutaneous route. Measurements of insulin levels confirmed low insulin resorption from subcutaneous injection sites, whereas adding aprotinin to the insulin preparation did not improve insulin absorption. There was no evidence for a condition of pseudoresistance …
Microoptical distance sensor with integrated microoptics applied to an optical microphone

The developed fiber optical microphone (FOM) using intensity modulation of light is based on triangulation. Emitted light from an LED is directed through an optical fiber onto the membrane. The reflected light is coupled into the receiving fiber. Vibration of the membrane results in a toggling of the light spot on the receiving fiber. Consequently a change in intensity can be detected at the photo diode. The sensor characteristics are determined mainly by the coupling between the transmitting and receiving fiber. The crucial parameter is the steepness of the dependency of the transmitted intensity on the distance to the reflecting surface. We optimized the geometrical design parameters and developed an integrated micro-macro-interface with high precision self-adjustment for optical components - the micro optical distance sensor. Introducing new concepts by using integrated microoptics leads to a significant improvement of the sensor's characteristics, such as higher sensitivity and dynamic range
[Analysis of effectiveness of selected treatment methods in patients with chronic low back pain].

UNLABELLED Chronic low back pain (CLBP) are becoming more and more frequently met disorder in modern society. Appearance of these symptoms mainly contribute degenerative changes in spine joints. Preventive, noninvasive treatment constitutes an important factor in therapy of chronic pain, therefore effective treatment methods for inhibiting the disease progression, pain-reducing and retrieving patients the functional ability are still seeking. AIM The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasounds, exercise therapy and combination therapy of both methods in the treatment of CLBP and comparing their effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 90 patients in the age of 42-82 treated for CLBP as a result of degenerative changes. Patients were divided into three 30-members groups. The first group used treatment consisted of ultrasounds. The second one included only exercise therapy and the third one underwent the combination of both methods - exercise therapy and sonotherapy. Treatment was continued for 2 weeks and was performed daily with the weekend break. Assessment of the pain level of was done with a VAS scale and a Laitinen questionnaire. The level of functional disability was determined on the basis of a modified Oswestry questionnaire. The spine motion was measured according to the Zembaty's methodology. Patients were examined twice - before and after therapy. RESULTS In all patients significant pain reduction was noticed. In addition, level of disability of patients became considerably less and the mobility of the spine for all tests increased significantly. There were no significant differences between groups after all therapies. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasounds, exercise therapy and combination of these two methods had a similar effectiveness in treatment of CLBP.
A Re‐examination of the MDM2/p53 Interaction Leads to Revised Design Criteria for Novel Inhibitors

The general model of epitope‐type MDM2 inhibitor was developed based on the structural information on the complexes between MDM2 and various low molecular weight ligands found in the PDB database. Application of this model to our in‐house library has led us to a new scaffold capable of interrupting protein–protein interactions. A synthetic library based on this and related scaffolds resulted in new classes of compounds that possess biochemical and cellular activity and good pharmacokinetic properties. We assume that such general approach to PPI inhibitors design may be useful for the development of inhibitors of various PPI types, including Bcl/XL.
Case-control study on the use of cellular and cordless phones and the risk for malignant brain tumours

Purpose : To investigate the use of cellular and cordless phones and the risk for malignant brain tumours. Materials and methods : A case-control study was performed on 649 patients aged 20-80 years of both sexes with malignant brain tumour diagnosed from 1 January 1997 to 30 June 2000. All patients were alive during the time of the study and had histopathology verified brain tumours. One matched control to each case was selected from the Swedish Population Register. The study area was the Uppsala-Örebro, Stockholm, Linköping and Göteborg medical regions of Sweden. Results : Exposure was assessed by a questionnaire answered by 588 (91%) cases and 581 (90%) controls. Phone usage was defined as 'ever use' and usage starting within 1 year before diagnosis was disregarded. Overall, no significantly increased risks were found: analogue cellular phones yielded an odds ratio (OR)= 1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI)= 0.82-1.57, digital cellular phones OR = 1.13, CI= 0.86-1.48, and cordless phones OR= 1.13, CI= 0.85-1.50. For ipsilateral (same side) radiofrequency exposure, analogue mobile phones gave OR= 1.85, CI= 1.16-2.96, for all malignant brain tumours. For astrocytoma, this risk was OR= 1.95, CI= 1.12-3.39. For all malignant brain tumours, digital mobile phones yielded OR= 1.59, CI = 1.05-2.41, and cordless phones yielded OR= 1.46, CI= 0.96-2.23, in the analysis of ipsilateral exposure. Conclusion : The ipsilateral use of an analogue cellular phone yielded a significantly increased risk for malignant brain tumours.
Comparison of the adaptive functioning of children prenatally exposed to alcohol to a nonexposed clinical sample.

BACKGROUND Several studies show impairments in the social and adaptive behaviors of children prenatally exposed to alcohol. However, there remains limited consensus on whether the alcohol exposure directly affects social functioning or whether its effect is mediated by deficits in IQ. In addition, no studies have investigated whether deficits in social functioning are significantly more pronounced in children prenatally exposed to alcohol than in children referred to psychiatric treatment who were not prenatally exposed. We explored the effect of alcohol exposure on social and adaptive functioning and explored whether or not social and adaptive functioning are significantly more impaired in children prenatally exposed to alcohol than in a clinical sample of children. METHODS A sample of 33 alcohol-exposed children was compared with a sample of 33 clinic-referred nonexposed children. The groups were compared on measures of communication, daily living skills, and socialization. The groups were matched on sex, age, IQ, and outpatient or inpatient status. RESULTS Analyses revealed that the prenatally alcohol-exposed children did not differ significantly from the nonexposed children in any of the domains of adaptive functioning. However, with age, exposed children showed a more rapid decline in socialization standard scores compared with the nonexposed clinical sample. CONCLUSIONS Young children who were exposed to alcohol prenatally show deficits in all domains of adaptive functioning. Although these deficits do not seem to differ from those exhibited by young children with psychiatric problems but no prenatal exposure, deficits in socialization behavior of prenatally exposed children may become more significant with age.
Force and slip sensing for a dextrous underwater gripper

Presents the design of the fingertip sensing subsystem constructed for use in a dextrous underwater gripper. Two distinct types of sensor were developed specifically for this application, a force sensor and a slip sensor. The force sensor is used to determine the force exerted by the gripper on the target object, and hence allow the force loop closure required for carrying out dextrous manipulation and the handling of delicate marine samples. The function of the slip sensor is to detect the occurrence of slippage between the fingertip and the target. The information can be used in a variety of ways, for example providing a warning system to the force control loop or enhancing the gripper's exploratory capabilities in areas of poor visibility. Two quite different methods of extracting the force data from the sensor readings are presented and evaluated. The performance of the slip sensor is assessed, as is its potential usefulness in acting in tandem with the force sensor.
A sparsity-aware proportionate normalized maximum correntropy criterion algorithm for sparse system identification in non-Gaussian environment

A sparsity-aware proportionate normalized maximum correntropy criterion (PNMCC) algorithm with lp-norm penalty, which is named as lp-norm constraint PNMCC (LP-PNMCC), is proposed and its crucial parameters, convergence speed rate and steady-state performance are discussed via estimating a typical sparse multipath channel and an typical echo channel. The LP-PNMCC algorithm is realized by integrating a lp-norm into the PNMCC's cost function to create an expected zero attraction term in the iterations of the presented LP-PNMCC algorithm, which aims to further exploit the sparsity property of the sparse channels. The presented LP-PNMCC algorithm has been derived and analyzed in detail. Experimental results obtained from sparse channel estimations demonstrate that the proposed LP-PNMCC algorithm is superior to the PNMCC, PNLMS, RZA-MCC, ZA-MCC, NMCC and MCC algorithms according to the convergence speed rate and steady-state mean square deviation.
The revealing muteness of rituals: A psychoanalytical approach to a Spanish ceremony

L'analyse d'une ceremonic heterodoxe de la Fete-Dieu celebree en Espagne permet d'en degager une particularite : l'action rituelle est executee par deux moities qui enoncent sur celle-ci des exegeses contradictoires. Cependant, malgre leur incompatibilite, les deux theories ont un trait en commun : la denegation de la presence juive au sein de chacun des deux groupes qui le enoncent. Ce resultat est analyse dans le contexte des stereotypes chretiens sur les Juifs. A un premier niveau d'analyse, la ceremonie de Camunas est envisagee, dans le cadre theorique de la performativite, comme un rituel de memoire. Des outils conceptuels empruntes a Sigmund Freud sont ensuite utilises pour analyser ce rituel. La denegation de la realite ainsi que le caractere irreconciliable des exegeses des deux moities evoquent le chvage du fetichiste face a la castration. Ainsi trois approches analytiques de profondeur crois sante sont proposees pour un seul et meme rituel - structuraliste, performative et psychanalytique. L'analyse d'une ceremonie heterodoxe de la Fete-Dieu celebree en Espagne permet d'en degager une particularite : l'action rituelle est executee par deux moities qui enoncent sur celle-ci des exegeses contradictoires. Cependant, malgre leur incompatibilite, les deux theories ont un trait en commun : la denegation de la presence juive au sein de chacun des deux groupes qui les enoncent. Ce resultat est analyse dans le contexte des stereotypes chretiens sur les Juifs. A un premier niveau d'analyse, la ceremonie de Camunas est envisagee, dans le cadre theorique de la performativite, comme un rituel de memoire. Des outils conceptuels empruntes a Sigmund Freud sont ensuite utilises pour analyser ce rituel. La denegation de la realite ainsi que le caractere irreconciliable des exegeses des deux moities evoquent le clivage du fetichiste face a la castration. Ainsi trois approches analytiques de profondeur croissante sont proposees pour un seul et meme rituel - structuraliste, performative et psychanalytique.
A Preliminary Study for Building an Arabic Corpus of Pair Questions-texts from the Web: AQA-WebCorp

With the development of electronic media and the heterogeneity of Arabic data on the Web, the idea of building a clean corpus for certain applications of natural language processing, including machine translation, information retrieval, question answer, become more and more pressing. In this manuscript, we seek to create and develop our own corpus of pair's questions-texts. This constitution then will provide a better base for our experimentation step. Thus, we try to model this constitution by a method for Arabic insofar as it recovers texts from the web that could prove to be answers to our factual questions. To do this, we had to develop a java script that can extract from a given query a list of html pages. Then clean these pages to the extent of having a data base of texts and a corpus of pair's question-texts. In addition, we give preliminary results of our proposal method. Some investigations for the construction of Arabic corpus are also presented in this document.