Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Novel Mutation in the Pyrin Domain of the NOD-like Receptor Family Pyrin Domain Containing Protein 3 in Muckle-Wells Syndrome

Background: Cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome (CAPS) is a group of rare, heterogeneous autoinflammatory disease characterized by interleukin (IL)-1&bgr;-mediated systemic inflammation and clinical symptoms involving skin, joints, central nervous system, and eyes. It encompasses a spectrum of three clinically overlapping autoinflammatory syndromes including familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome, Muckle-Wells syndrome (MWS), and neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease. CAPS is associated with gain-of-function missense mutations in NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), the gene encoding NLRP3. Moreover, most mutations leading to MWS occurred in exon 3 of NLRP3 gene. Here, we reported a novel mutation occurred in exon 1 of NLRP3 gene in an MWS patient and attempted to explore the pathogenic mechanism. Methods: Genetic sequence analysis of NLRP3 was performed in an MWS patient who presented with periodic fever, arthralgia, and multiform skin lesions. NLRP3 was also analyzed in this patient's parents and 50 healthy individuals. Clinical examinations including X-ray examination, skin biopsy, bone marrow aspiration smear, and blood test of C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum levels of IL-1&bgr;, immunoglobulin E (IgE), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, antinuclear antibodies, and extractable nuclear antigen were also analyzed. The protein structure of mutant NLRP3 inflammasome was calculated by SWISS-MODEL software. Proteins of wild type and mutant components of NLRP3 inflammasome were expressed and purified, and the interaction abilities between these proteins were tested by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay. Results: X-ray examination showed no abnormality in the patient's knees. Laboratory tests indicated an elevation of CRP (233.24 mg/L) and ESR (67 mm/h) when the patient had fever. Serum IL-1&bgr; increased to 24.37 pg/ml, and serum IgE was higher than 2500.00 IU/ml. Other blood tests were normal. Bone marrow aspiration smear was normal. A novel point mutation c.92A>T in exon 1 of NLRP3 gene was identified, which caused a p.D31V mutation in pyrin domain (PYD) of NLRP3. SPR assay showed that this point mutation may strengthen the interaction between the PYD of NLRP3 and the PYD of the apoptosis-associated speck-like protein. The mutation c.92A>T in exon 1 of the NLRP3 gene was not found in the patient's parents and 50 healthy individuals. Conclusions: The mutation c.92A>T in exon 1 of the NLRP3 gene is a novel mutation associated with MWS. The p.D31V mutation might promote the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and induce MWS in this patient.
The Analysis of Indicators in Teachers Evaluation Based on Rough Set

The traditional method of teachers evaluation in colleges and universities listed too many indicators, and there are some indicators that are unimportant or do not care about the people. This evaluation not only delay students, but also can not draw scientific conclusions. This paper introduces a method which combined discernibility matrix and the distinction function to analyze the data obtained by questionnaire survey. Through it we obtain the five optimal relative reductions from the twenty indicators in the teaching evaluation questionnaires, which the five indicators can be regard as the foundation of the evaluation of teachers.
Real-Time Blind Source Separation of Speech Signals with Adaptive Particle Swarm Optimization

To solve the problems of slow convergence and low computational precision of blind source separation(BSS) based on traditional particle swarm optimization(PSO), a novel approach-based adaptive particle swarm optimization for real-time blind source separation is proposed, in which the observations are linear convolutive mixtures of statistically independent speech sources. It combines the independent component analysis algorithm and the adaptive particle swarm optimization, takes the negentropy of mixtures as a target function, and adaptively adjusts the inertia weight factor according to the negentropy of separated signals, and optimizes the separation matrix so as to makes each signal component independent. The simulation and experimental results on mixed speech signal showed an improved separation and a superior convergence rate of the proposed algorithm over that of PSO. Moreover, this algorithm can converge to a much lower cost value than that of PSO.
A random walker based approach to combining multiple segmentations

In this paper we propose an algorithm for combining multiple image segmentations to achieve a final improved segmentation. In contrast to previous works we consider the most general class of segmentation combination, i.e. each input segmentation has an arbitrary number of regions. Our approach is based on a random walker segmentation algorithm which is able to provide high-quality segmentation starting from manually specified seeds. We automatically generate such seeds from an input segmentation ensemble. An information-theoretic optimality criterion is proposed to automatically determine the final number of regions. The experimental results on 300 images with manual ground truth segmentation clearly show the effectiveness of our combination approach.
Repercussões do Conflito Conjugal para o Ajustamento de Crianças e Adolescentes: Um Estudo Teórico

As repercussoes do conflito conjugal no desenvolvimento da prole vem sendo estudadas de forma expressiva no contexto internacional. Assumindo a relevância desta tematica para a saude mental familiar, o objetivo do presente estudo e descrever as repercussoes do conflito conjugal para o ajustamento de criancas e adolescentes, a partir da literatura. Para tanto, fez-se uma articulacao dos resultados de pesquisas derivadas dos principais modelos teoricos que explicam tais reverberacoes no contexto familiar. Expoem-se resultados de estudos acerca da percepcao, dos sentimentos e das estrategias de enfrentamento dos filhos diante do conflito conjugal, demonstrando a influencia negativa do conflito para o desenvolvimento dos filhos e, confirmando o efeito spillover. Destacam-se o reconhecimento do carater multidimensional do conflito e a existencia da multiplicidade de caminhos e fatores que influenciam a vulnerabilidade dos filhos ao conflito conjugal. Normal 0 21 false false false PT-BR X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabela normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:. 0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Cambria","serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
Comprehensive Grobner bases and von Neumann regular rings (CGB特集)

There is a close relation between comprehensive Grobner bases and non-parametric Grobner bases over commutative von Neumann regular rings. By this relation, Grobner bases over a commutative von Neumann regular ring can be viewed as an alternative to comprehensive Grobner bases. (Therefore, this Grobner basis is called an “alternative comprehensive Grobner basis (ACGB)”. ) In the first part of this paper, we treat the theory of Grobner bases in polynomial rings over a commutative von Neumann regular ring. In the second part, we describe the special type of comprehensive Grobner bases which is called alternative comprehensive Grobner bases on varieties (ACGB-V).
Toward photonic-crystal metamaterials: Creating magnetic emitters in photonic crystals

In this work, we explore the possibility of designing photonic crystals to act as magnetic metamaterials: structures that exhibit magnetic properties despite the nonmagnetic character of their constituents. The building blocks of a magnetic material are microscopic magnetic dipoles, and to create a synthetic analog we employ point-defect modes in a photonic crystal. We begin by identifying a point defect mode in a three-dimensional crystal whose local field pattern resembles an oscillating magnetic moment. By analyzing the far-field pattern of the field radiated from the defect, we prove quantitatively that such modes can be designed with a primarily magnetic character: over 98% of the emitted power goes into magnetic multipole radiation. Unlike the constituents of natural para- and ferromagnetic materials, these synthetic magnetic emitters can be designed to operate without losses even at optical frequencies.
Role of CD8 in Aberrant Function of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes

Using H-2Kd-restricted photoprobe-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones, which permit assessment of T cell receptor (TCR)-ligand interactions by TCR photoaffinity labeling, we observed that the efficiency of antigen recognition by CTL was critically dependent on the half-life of TCR-ligand complexes. We show here that antigen recognition by CTL is essentially determined by the frequency of serial TCR engagement, except for very rapid dissociations, which resulted in aberrant TCR signaling and antagonism. Thus agonists that were efficiently recognized exhibited rapid TCR–ligand complex dissociation, and hence a high frequency of serial TCR engagement, whereas the opposite was true for weak agonists. Surprisingly, these differences were largely accounted for by the coreceptor CD8. While it was known that CD8 substantially decreases TCR–ligand complex dissociation, we observed in this study that this effect varied considerably among ligand variants, indicating that epitope modifications can alter the CD8 contribution to TCR-ligand binding, and hence the efficiency of antigen recognition by CTL.
Achievable rate analysis for multi-pair AF massive MIMO systems with imperfect CSI

In this paper, a multi-pair amplify-and-forward (AF) massive MIMO system is investigated, where multiple source users communicate with multiple destination users via a single relay. The achievable rate of the system and its analytical expression are studied for power-scaling laws when ZFT/ZFR algorithm is adopted at the relay. The imperfect channel state information (CSI) is considered and the MMSE estimator is utilized. Analytical consequences reveal that with the number of antennas growing into infinity, the effect of small-scale fading, the inter-user interference and the noise could be eliminated. And the achievable rate will be affected by channel errors, the number of users, and the power-scaling law. Simulation results effectively verify our analytical expressions.
Absolute pressure measurements on a nanosecond time scale using surface plasmons

Transient acoustic waves generated by laser‐induced bubble formation at a liquid–solid interface are sensitively monitored using optically excited surface plasmons. This method enables the detection of both the compressive and tensile waves with high accuracy as demonstrated for the propagation and reflection of acoustic pulses at a quartz–water interface. Unique advantages of this new technique are the high sensitivity of 0.1–0.2 MPa that could be achieved for absolute pressure measurements on a nanosecond time scale and its ability to probe exact pulse profiles due to the localized probe depth of surface plasmons.
Social cognition models and health behaviour: A structured review

Abstract A number of social cognition models have been developed to account for socio-demographic variations in health behaviour. This paper distinguishes between: (a) motivational, (b) behavioural enaction, and (c) multi-stage models of health behaviour. The models are evaluated in terms of advancement of existing knowledge and - where appropriate - predictive utility. Common themes that appear within- and between- these categories are discussed, with consideration of ways in which theory may be advanced by future research. Each approach has associated strengths and weaknesses, suggesting that a “consensus” approach to the study of health behaviour may prove fruitful. Identification of the key constructs across different model types would allow coherent integration and promote further understanding of the psycho-social determinants of health behaviour.
Beyond hyperlinks: organizing information footprints in search logs to support effective browsing

While current search engines serve known-item search such as homepage finding very well, they generally cannot support exploratory search effectively. In exploratory search, users do not know their information needs precisely and also often lack the needed knowledge to formulate effective queries, thus querying alone, as supported by the current search engines, is insufficient, and browsing into related information would be very useful. Currently, browsing is mostly done by following hyperlinks embedded on Web pages. In this paper, we propose to leverage search logs to allow a user to browse beyond hyperlinks with a multi-resolution topic map constructed based on search logs. Specifically, we treat search logs as "footprints" left by previous users in the information space and build a multi-resolution topic map to semantically capture and organize them in multiple granularities. Such a topic map can support a user to zoom in, zoom out, and navigate horizontally over the information space, and thus provide flexible and effective browsing capabilities for end users. To test the effectiveness of the proposed methods of supporting browsing, we rely on real search logs and a commercial search engine to implement our proposed methods. Our experimental results show that the proposed topic map is effective to support browsing beyond hyperlinks.
Influences on intercultural classroom communication: student voices

ABSTRACT The case study is an attempt to understand how students experience intercultural classroom communication and what kind of competence they need to cope in intercultural classroom communication. The context is a supplementary course in English for university enrolment in Denmark. It is a multinational student body and all the students have finished a 3-year upper-secondary school. The motive is to uncover challenges in intercultural classroom communication and to suggest tools to improve student learning outcome. The method applied is grounded theory focusing on observation of classroom communication, student questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. The study shows different categories of students in relation to the students’ intercultural communication and awareness. Some student categories are interested in intercultural classroom communication, whereas other student categories are less interested. The outcome of the study is related to theories of student behaviour and intercultural competence. Influences on intercultural classroom communication are student agendas in relation to learning and communication. Other influences are course description and the students’ language skills. The study suggests tools to improve intercultural classroom communication. In the intercultural classroom, teachers can act as mediators across cultures and students can act as initiators of intercultural communication.
Adaptive Virtual Exhibitions

The paper presents a generic framework for designing and implementing multiuser virtual exhibitions that adapt visitors’ preferences and goals and foster the emergence of communities with common interests. A user-oriented platform for designing and executing virtual exhibitions has been presented in which implicit generation and adjustment of user profile allows exhibition to dynamically adapt content presentation to users’ interest and preferences. http://dx.doi. org/10.14429/djlit.33. 4604
Development of a WWW server management support system

As the Internet is becoming more popular, many network servers are emerging. These network servers are evolving to large scale servers because they provide many services such as broadcasting of several events, reservation of a travel ticket and so on. Server administrators should offer stable service to users. In addition, requests from clients are balanced to several distributed WWW servers, and they should be thus managed in a centralized manner, instead of a distributed one. We develop a novel system to help the administrators to manage a distributed server system in a centralized manner. This system will enable administrators to recognize the status of the server, and further to detect whether the system is overloaded with requests or not in a timely manner. It will be also able to reduce the cost related to management issues.
D 4 . 1 : Methodology and Architecture for Multimedia Ontology Evolution Version 1 . 0 Final

Project ref.no.: FP6-027538 Workpackage: WP4 WP / Task responsible: UNIMI Other contributors: TUHH, NCSR, CERTH Quality Assurance: George Paliouras, Sergios Petridis Document type: Report Security (distribution level): Restricted Status & version: Final Rel. 1.0 Contractual date of delivery: M08 Actual date of delivery: Deliverable number: D4.1 Deliverable name: Methodology and Architecture for Multimedia Ontology Evolution Date: 19 December 06 Number of pages: 88 EC Project Officer: Johan Hagman
A Voting Based Approach to Detect Recursive Order Number of Photocopy Documents Using Probability Distributions

Photocopy documents are very common in our normal life. People are permitted to carry and present photocopied documents to avoid damages to the original documents. But this provision is misused for temporary benefits by fabricating fake photocopied documents. Fabrication of fake photocopied document is possible only in 2 nd and higher order recursive order of photocopies. Whenever a photocopied document is submitted, it may be required to check its originality. When the document is 1 st order photocopy, chances of fabrication may be ignored. On the other hand when the photocopy order is 2 nd or above, probability of fabrication may be suspected. Hence when a photocopy document is presented, the recursive order number of photocopy is to be estimated to ascertain the originality. This requirement demands to investigate methods to estimate order number of photocopy. In this work, a voting based approach is used to detect the recursive order number of the photocopy document using probability distributions exponential, extreme values and lognormal distributions is proposed. A detailed experimentation is performed on a generated data set and the method exhibits efficiency close to 89%.
An autonomous incremental learning algorithm of Resource Allocating Network for online pattern recognition

In this paper, we propose a new autonomous incremental learning algorithm for radial basis function networks called Autonomous Learning algorithm for Resource Allocating Network (AL-RAN). The proposed AL-RAN can carried out the following operations autonomously: (1) data collection for initial learning, (2) data normalization, (3) allocation of RBFs, (4) setting and adjusting RBF widths, and (5) incremental learning. In this paper, we mainly improve the first four functions in the initial learning phase where a convergence criterion based on the class separability of collected data is adopted in order to reduce the computational costs. In AL-RAN, training data are first collected until the class separability is converged or the recognition accuracies for normalized and unnormalized data have a significant difference. Then, an initial structure of ALRAN is autonomously determined from the collected data, and AL-RAN is trained with them. After the initial learning, the incremental learning of AL-RAN is conducted whenever a new training data is given. In the experiments, we evaluate ALRAN using five benchmark datasets. The experimental results demonstrate that the above autonomous functions work well and the number of collected data in the proposed AL-RAN is significantly decreased without sacrificing the final recognition accuracy as compared with the previous version of AL-RAN.
Modeling trajectories in the HMM framework

Most state-of-the-art statistical speech recognition systems use hidden Markov models (HMM) for modeling the speech signal. However, limited by the assumption of conditional independence of observations given the state sequence, current HMM's poorly model the trajectory constraints in speech. In [1], we introduced the parallel path HMM, where each phonetic unit is represented by a parallel collection of HMM's that model the phone trajectory variability. The trajectory constraint is imposed by disallowing transitions across parallel paths. In this paper, we investigate improvements to two critical components of this new framework: (i) initializing the sets of trajectories per phone that will form the basis of the parallel collection of HMM's, and (ii) evaluating alternative parameter sharing strategies related to distributing the number of model parameters. Recognition results on Switchboard, a large vocabulary conversational speech recognition task, demonstrate 0.7-1.0% absolute performance improvements with the parallel path HMM in the N-best rescoring paradigm.
Three-Degree-of-Freedom Coupled Numerical Technique for Extracting 18 Aerodynamic Derivatives of Bridge Decks

A three-degrees of freedom (3-DOF) coupled numerical simulation technique for synchronously extracting 18 aerodynamic derivatives of bridge decks is proposed and evaluated in this study. Computations are performed with a finite volume unstructured computational flow dynamics (CFD) solver using two-dimensional (2D) hybrid meshes with fine near-wall resolution. The accuracy of the numerical model is verified by identifying the aerodynamic derivatives of one thin plate section with theoretical solutions. Further, for two typical deck sections (streamlined and bluff) of two long-span bridges, the extracted 18 aerodynamic derivatives from both coupled and uncoupled techniques are compared. The results showed good agreement with the experimental results. The proposed 3-DOF coupled method can provide almost the same level of accuracy as the 1-DOF method and saves about 67% of the computation time. The appropriateness of the linear superposition theorem for the aeroelastic forces generated by different motions (single and coupled mode) is examined, and found that there are significant differences in both aerostatic and aeroelastic forces. Various high-order aeroelastic force components are successfully captured by the newly presented coupled numerical simulation, and the aerodynamic derivatives are proved to be immune to the high-order components mathematically. This knowledge is essential for a thorough evaluation of aerodynamic derivatives identification accuracy. The proposed technique and the analytical viewpoints presented in this paper may serve as the building block for developing new numerical tools and analytical frameworks for rapid and accurate evaluation of aerodynamic derivatives, and the response of long-span flexible bridges to wind excitation.