Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of isotonic and hypertonic saline solutions on mucociliary activity in various nasal pathologies: clinical study.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of nasal irrigation with isotonic or hypertonic sodium chloride solution on mucociliary clearance time in patients with allergic rhinitis, acute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Mucociliary clearance time was measured using the saccharine clearance test on 132 adults before and after 10 days' application of intranasal isotonic or hypertonic saline. Patient numbers were as follows: controls, 45; allergic rhinitis, 21; acute sinusitis, 24; and chronic sinusitis, 42. The results before and after irrigation were compared using the Wilcoxon t-test. RESULTS Before application of saline solutions, mucociliary clearance times in the three patient treatment groups were found to be significantly delayed, compared with the control group. Irrigation with hypertonic saline restored impaired mucociliary clearance in chronic sinusitis patients (p < 0.05), while isotonic saline improved mucociliary clearance times significantly in allergic rhinitis and acute sinusitis patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Nasal irrigation with isotonic or hypertonic saline can improve mucociliary clearance time in various nasal pathologies. However, these solutions should be selectively prescribed rather than used based on anecdotal evidence. Further studies should be conducted to develop a protocol for standardised use of saline solution irrigation in various nasal pathologies.
MONOTONICITY OF THE LAGRANGIAN FUNCTION IN THE PARAMETRIC INTERIOR POINT METHODS OF CONVEX PROGRAMMING

A Abstract. Monotonicity of the Lagrangian function corresponding to the general root quasibarrier as well as to the general in verse barrier function of convex pro- gramming is proved. It is shown that monotonicity generally need not take place. On the other hand for LP-problems with some special structure monotonicity is proved for a very general class of interior point transformation functions. Current interest in interior point methods for linear programming was sparked by the 1984 algorithm of N. Karmark ar (7) that is claimed to be much faster than the simplex method for practical problems. The equivalence of Karmarkar's projective scaling method to interior point methods was pointed out by Gill and others in 1986 (4). Since then the in terior point methods for convex programming have been intensively studied again. Recently some attention has been given to the monotonicity of the corresponding Lagrangian function (with respect to the considered parameter). The known results concern only the logarithmic barrier function for convex programming problems (1) and the inverse barrier function for LP-problems (2). In this paper we analyse the above mentioned monotonicity for convex programming and for general parametric interior point transformation function (including quasi-barrier and barrier functions). We prove monotonicity for the general root quasibarrier function as well as for the general inverse barrier function and we show that monotonicity generally need not take place. On the other hand we prove monotonicity for LP-problems with some special structure for a very general class of transformation functions. Consider the con vex programming problem
Accurate Time-Domain Modeling of Reconfigurable Antenna Sensors for Non-Invasive Melanoma Skin Cancer Detection

The full-wave electromagnetic characterization of reconfigurable antenna sensors for non-invasive detection of melanoma-related anomalies of the skin is presented. To this end, an enhanced locally conformal finite-difference time-domain procedure, based on the definition of effective material parameters and a suitable normalization of the electromagnetic field-related quantities, is adopted. In this way, an insightful understanding of the physical processes responsible for the performance of considered class of devices is achieved. This in turn is important in order to enhance the structure reliability, optimizing the design cycle. A suitable microelectromechanical-system-based sensor layout is finally discussed in details.
The Friends of Siblings

SUMMARY Using the full siblings and their friends in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), we examined two possible processes of friends' similarity: selection/influence and social homogamy. For two phenotypes, delinquency and verbal intelligence (VIQ), self-reports of siblings and their friends were linked by a computer algorithm. Structural equation models were then applied to a 4 X 4 covariance matrix (siblings 1 and 2, friends of sibling 1, friends of sibling 2) for each phenotype separately. The best-fit model of delinquency included only a selection/influence process and no social homogamy process. In contrast, the best-fit model of VIQ supported a social homogamy process. Friends' resemblance in delinquency rates can be attributed to selection and/or influence. However, friends' intellectual resemblance may be due to friends' placements in ability tracks in schools and in other social contexts instead of being a result of a preference for a particular VIQ level.
Amplification of Antimicrobial Resistance in Gut Flora of Patients Treated with Ceftriaxone

ABSTRACT Although antibacterial therapy has an impact on human intestinal flora and the emergence of resistant bacteria, its role in the amplification of antimicrobial resistance and the quantitative exposure-effect relationship is not clear. An observational prospective study was conducted to determine whether and how ceftriaxone exposure is related to amplification of resistance in non-intensive care unit (non-ICU) patients. Serial stool samples from 122 extended-spectrum β-lactamase-positive (ESBL+) hospitalized patients were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR to quantify the resistant gene blaCTX-M. Drug exposure was calculated for each patient by using a population pharmacokinetic model. Multi- and univariate regression and classification regression tree (CART) analyses were used to explore relationships between measures of exposure and amplification of blaCTX-M genes. Amplification of blaCTX-M was observed in 0% (0/11) of patients with no treatment and 33% (20/61) of patients treated with ceftriaxone. Stepwise regression analysis showed a significant association between amplification of blaCTX-M and the plasma area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h for the unbound fraction of the drug (fAUC0–24), the maximum concentration of drug in serum for the unbound fraction of the drug (fCmax), and the duration of ceftriaxone therapy. Using CART analysis, amplification of blaCTX-M was observed in 11/16 (69%) patients treated for >14 days and in 9/40 (23%) patients treated for ≤14 days (P = 0.0019). In the latter group, amplification was observed in 5/7 (71%) patients with an fAUC0–24 of ≥222 mg · h/liter and in 4/33 (12%) patients with lower drug exposures (P = 0.0033). A similar association was found for an fCmax of ≥30 mg/liter (63% versus 13%, P = 0.0079). A significant association was found between the amplification of blaCTX-M resistance genes and exposure to ceftriaxone. Both duration of treatment and degree of ceftriaxone exposure have a significant impact on the amplification of resistance genes. (The project described in this paper has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT01208519.)
Full-Duplex Relay Selection for Amplify-and-Forward Cooperative Networks

This paper focuses on the relay selection problem in amplify-and-forward (AF) cooperative communication with full-duplex (FD) operation. Different relay selection schemes assuming the availability of different instantaneous information are studied. We consider optimal relay selection that maximizes the instantaneous FD channel capacity and requires global channel state information (CSI) as well as several sub-optimal relay selection policies that utilize partial CSI knowledge such as a) source-relay and relay-destination links b) loop interference c) source-relay links and loop interference. To facilitate comparison, exact outage probability expressions and asymptotic approximations of these policies that show a zero diversity order are derived. In addition, an optimal relay selection procedure that incorporates a hybrid relaying strategy, which dynamically switches between FD and half-duplex relaying according to the instantaneous CSI, is also investigated.
Stress reactivity in individuals with Non-REM Parasomnias, insomnia and good sleep

To date, there is little research into either stress reactivity or the specificity of psychological characteristics in particular forms of sleep disorder. NREM parasomnias are a relatively un-studied group of sleep disorders. The purpose of this study was to gain greater insight into how people with NREM parasomnias respond to ‘threat’ and to life situations. In particular, the aim was to investigate how their responses to a psychological stressor compared to individuals with insomnia and to good sleepers by measuring autonomic arousal, as well as subjective appraisals of stress. Baseline levels of autonomic arousal were intended to provide insight into daytime arousal levels at the trait level. Participants (N = 38) were recruited from the general population and attended the University of Glasgow Sleep Centre to take part. Autonomic arousal was measured via continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings of heart rate (HR) and cardiac vagal tone (CVT) whilst participants took part in baseline, stressor (a difficult mathematical task) and recovery phases. In general, group differences were not found, however this may be partly due to the small sample size and corresponding lack of power to detect differences. The results indicated that the NREM group reacted to stress in a similar way to good sleepers. In general, it was the insomnia group but not the NREM group whose data differed from good sleepers. However, both the NREM parasomnia and Insomnia groups exhibited a relatively higher (though not statistically significant) resting baseline HR compared to the good sleeper group, suggesting a higher level of underlying sympathetic arousal. The findings of this type of study have potentially important implications for the development of treatment programmes for NREM parasomnias. However, further work needs to be done before any conclusions can be drawn. The study was intended as an exploratory study and the preliminary findings indicate that further exploration is warranted.
Sexism in Practice: Feminist Ethics Evaluating the Hookup Culture

Hooking up—the practice of pursuing sexual activity without any expectation of a relationship—has become a fixture of the U.S. college experience, resulting in an identifiable hookup culture across the country that can and should benefit from a feminist analysis. Sociological research reveals that this practice appeals to college students by ostensibly providing greater independence than traditional relationships. An outside analysis of these claims, however, demonstrates that the heterosexual hookup culture operates in a decidedly sexist fashion. In fact, the four common features of this culture: lack of commitment, ambiguous language, alcohol use, and social pressure to conform, all undermine the freedom, equality, and safety of women on campus. An intentionally feminist perspective is in a unique position to highlight and critique these faults and the additional resources of feminist theology and ethics have the potential to help change this sexism in practice.
Mutation in the Sterol 27-Hydroxylase Gene Associated with Fatal Cholestasis in Infancy

BACKGROUND Inborn errors of bile acid synthesis are rare but potentially treatable causes of neonatal cholestasis. We here present a cholestatic infant with an ongoing cytomegalovirus infection who despite intensive treatment died of severe liver disease at 4 months of age. METHODS The urinary steroids were investigated by electrospray mass spectrometry and gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Oxysterols in plasma were analysed by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Mutations in the sterol 27-hydroxylase gene were detected by PCR. RESULTS Glucuronidated bile alcohols, which are known to be excreted by patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) were detected in the urine. Analysis of plasma revealed markedly reduced levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol. Mutation analysis showed the presence of a stop codon in exon 7, confirming the diagnosis of CTX, a rare disease not previously diagnosed in Sweden. CONCLUSIONS Fetal and neonatal deaths among siblings of patients with CTX have been reported previously and the present case supports the contention that reduced activity of the sterol 27-hydroxylase may predispose to the development of neonatal cholestasis. The associated viral infection may have further precipitated the liver disease. Since CTX, like other inborn errors of bile acid synthesis may be treated with bile acids an early diagnosis is essential. Thus, the analysis of urine by electrospray mass spectrometry is highly recommended in the investigation of patients with neonatal cholestasis.
Depth-based features in audio-visual speech recognition

We study the impact of depth-based visual features in systems for visual and audio-visual speech recognition. Instead of reconstruction from multiple views, the depth maps are obtained by the Kinect sensor, which is better suited for real world applications. We extract several types of visual features from video and depth channels and evaluate their performance both individually and in cross-channel combination. In order to show the information complementarity between the video-based and the depth-based features, we examine the relative importance of each channel when combined via weighted multi-stream Hidden Markov Models. We also introduce novel parametrizations based on discrete cosine transform and histogram of oriented gradients. The contribution of all presented visual speech features is demonstrated in the task of audio-visual speech recognition under noisy conditions.
Poly[[tetrakis(μ-1,2-di-4-pyridylethylene-κ2 N:N′)tetrakis(selenocyanato-κN)dimanganese(II)] 1,2-di-4-pyridylethylene disolvate]

The crystal structure of the title compound, {[Mn(NCSe)2(C12H10N2)2]·C12H10N2}2n, consists of two crystallographically independent Mn cations, four selenocyanate anions, four 1,2-di-pyridylethylene (bpe) ligands (two of which are located on centers of inversion) and two bpe solvent molecules. Each manganese(II) cation is coordinated by two terminally N-bonded selenocyanate anions and four bpe ligands within a slightly distorted octahedron. The manganese(II) cations are linked by the bpe ligands into chains that are further connected by these ligands into layers. These layers are stacked, forming cavities in which additional bpe solvent molecules are embedded.
Fast Mapping Across Time: Memory Processes Support Children’s Retention of Learned Words

Children’s remarkable ability to map linguistic labels to referents in the world is commonly called fast mapping. The current study examined children’s (N = 216) and adults’ (N = 54) retention of fast-mapped words over time (immediately, after a 1-week delay, and after a 1-month delay). The fast mapping literature often characterizes children’s retention of words as consistently high across timescales. However, the current study demonstrates that learners forget word mappings at a rapid rate. Moreover, these patterns of forgetting parallel forgetting functions of domain-general memory processes. Memory processes are critical to children’s word learning and the role of one such process, forgetting, is discussed in detail – forgetting supports extended mapping by promoting the memory and generalization of words and categories.
The Gender Dynamics of Dissent in Organizations

Title of Document: THE GENDER DYNAMICS OF DISSENT IN ORGANIZATIONS Laura Elizabeth Severance, Doctor of Philosophy, 2012 Directed By: Professor of Psychology and Distinguished University Scholar Teacher Michele Joy Gelfand, Department of Psychology Contemporary approaches to organizational behavior tout dissent as critical to organizational success. However, dissenters often incur penalties for expressing opinions that differ from the majority. The current work examines dissent as a gendered phenomenon, taking into account how the social context (i.e., female-dominated, maledominated, and mixed gender work groups) affects both backlash incurred by female dissenters as well as group performance. Study 1 demonstrated that female dissenters incurred more backlash than did male dissenters and that female participants reacted especially negatively to female dissenters. Study 3 demonstrated that female dissenters expected to receive the most backlash for speaking up in female-dominated groups relative to male-dominated and mixed gender groups. Study 4 demonstrated that women were actually most likely to dissent in female-dominated groups (relative to maledominated and mixed gender groups), although this did not translate into differences in group performance. However, dissenter communication style emerged as a key moderator of objective (i.e., group performance) and subjective (i.e., backlash toward the dissenter) outcomes as a function of group composition. Specifically, in female-dominated groups, women’s use of impolite communication tactics (e.g., interrupting) were related to decreased performance and increased backlash. Further, women were able to anticipate these backlash consequences. Overall, this work advances the understanding of gendered dissent dynamics in the workplace and how these influence not only female employees but also the organizations in which they are embedded. THE GENDER DYNAMICS OF DISSENT IN ORGANIZATIONS
The Delayed ACK evolution in MPTCP

Multipath TCP (MPTCP) is a major extension of TCP that aims to offer higher aggregate bandwidth and robustness by pooling multiple paths within one transport connection. One of the current weaknesses of the protocol is the Delayed ACK scheme inherited from TCP. The Delayed ACK is an option of TCP that allows the receiver to delay sending an ACK for every other packet within a window given by the Delayed ACK timer. At the sender, the RTO should be no less than the Minimum RTO to avoid spurious timeouts. This strategy can lead to significant performance degradation in the presence of timeouts, especially in high speed networks, where RTT is usually one- or two-order of magnitude smaller than the Minimum RTO. When a subflow occurs a timeout, the receiver has to buffer data from all the subflows until the missing packet is received. The data may overrun the receive buffer to cause flow control at the sender, which seriously impacts the overall performance. In order to avoid MPTCP performance degradation, we propose a new Delayed ACK aiming to remove the Minimum RTO constraint at the sender while to reserve the Delayed ACK function at the receiver. Our solution requires only minor modification to the legacy Delayed ACK scheme and it introduces negligible computational overhead and no extra traffic overhead. We use a NS-3 network simulator to evaluate the performance of our new Delayed ACK in three typical network environments. The results indicate that MPTCP using new Delayed ACK scheme requires much smaller aggregate buffer than MPTCP using the legacy Delayed ACK scheme, especially in high speed networks where the buffer requirement reduces one- or two-order of magnitude.
Alice's Adventure Through Second Language Acquisition: An Educator's Perspective

Alice’s Adventure through Second Language Acquisition: An Educator’s Perspective by Jessica Pryor Lee: Master of Second Language Teaching Utah State University, 2014 Major Professor: Dr. Maria Luisa Spicer-Escalante Department: Languages, Philosophy, and Communication Studies The author employs narrative writing to illustrate annotated bibliographies, classroom observations, research and research proposals, and self-reflections for second language learning. Elementary, secondary, adult, and college-level teachings are addressed. The author focuses on communicative language teaching, brain-based teaching, and dual language immersion with content based instruction. She addresses the importance of writing, authentic materials, task-based activities, communication, and the recognition of heritage learners. The main character is Alice and she travels through Argentina and Chile. Footnotes are used to keep the narrative style of the portfolio coherent. While the storyline is fictitious, all information included is based on the author’s research and actual classroom observations. (200 pages)
Demystifying Quadrilateral Remeshing

Quadrilateral meshes are ubiquitously used as a control grid for subdivision and parametric surfaces. The process of converting a triangular mesh into a quadrilateral is called retopology, or quadrilateral meshing, and it is an essential step for the creation of 3D models used in games, movies, and special effects. This article introduces the problem, highlights the major differences between triangular and quadrilateral meshes, and provides an overview of several new automatic and semiautomatic solutions. The pros and cons of each algorithm are discussed as well as interesting directions for future work in this area.
Outcome of a psychosocial rehabilitation program for persons with psychiatric disabilities

Objective: The study evaluated the outcome of a psychosocial rehabilitation program for persons with psychiatric disability who met DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for disorders on Axis I and II. Study Design: Twenty-seven users of community mental health centers were admitted to training-on-the-job courses in productive environments. All subjects were interviewed with structured questionnaires (IEF, DAS, LSP, GAS) to evaluate symptomatology and social skills at baseline and at the end of the program. Results: Statistically significant results were detected by the DAS on the Hyperactivity item, dysfunction in social roles, work performance, interest in information, by the LSP on Communication and Self-care subscale. Conclusion: The study replicated some findings from research in this field and confirms the indication of rehabilitation programs for the treatments of the negative dimension of functional psychosis. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Point-plane SLAM for hand-held 3D sensors

We present a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm for a hand-held 3D sensor that uses both points and planes as primitives. We show that it is possible to register 3D data in two different coordinate systems using any combination of three point/plane primitives (3 planes, 2 planes and 1 point, 1 plane and 2 points, and 3 points). Our algorithm uses the minimal set of primitives in a RANSAC framework to robustly compute correspondences and estimate the sensor pose. As the number of planes is significantly smaller than the number of points in typical 3D data, our RANSAC algorithm prefers primitive combinations involving more planes than points. In contrast to existing approaches that mainly use points for registration, our algorithm has the following advantages: (1) it enables faster correspondence search and registration due to the smaller number of plane primitives; (2) it produces plane-based 3D models that are more compact than point-based ones; and (3) being a global registration algorithm, our approach does not suffer from local minima or any initialization problems. Our experiments demonstrate real-time, interactive 3D reconstruction of indoor spaces using a hand-held Kinect sensor.