Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Infectivity tests in syphilis.

Renewed interest in the occurrence of spiral micro-organisms morphologically resembling Treponema pallidum in various tissues and body fluids of human beings and animals, especially in those which have received supposedly curative doses of penicillin, has forced a critical reappraisal of methods for identifying the causative agent of syphilis as we know it today. Among the most definitive tests for the presence of syphilitic infection in man and experimental animals is transfer of the infection to laboratory animals. Despite a large experience with these methods over the past 60 years, the notion is being promulgated that the successful transfer of T. pallidum from man to animals is fraught with difficulty, and is therefore an unreliable method for determination of infectivity in the original host. Before accepting such a conclusion and drawing from it other far-reaching conclusions, it will be well to look at the experience in this field. In this paper we shall review some of the pertinent experiences of ourselves and others, particularly from the standpoint of utilization of optimum methods. From this we believe will emerge the sense of the infectivity test as an entity, just as the TPI, the FTA, and the VDRL tests are entities, a test which if properly used can be a research tool of great value in determining the significance of the more recent findings.
Effect of lemon juice on blood pressure

Lemon juice has commonly been used by hypertensive patients in order to lower blood pressure (BP) acutely when BP is raised or as an alternative/complementary therapy for expectation of chronic improvement. Grapefruit, a citrus fruit like lemon, causes clinically significant interactions with a variety of drugs including calcium antagonists. The aims of this study were to investigate acute and chronic effects of lemon juice on BP among hypertensive patients. Ninty-eight patients were included in this prospective study. Patients using calcium antagonists were not included in the study. In the acute study group, neither lemon juice nor water affected systolic and diastolic BPs. Blood pressure readings after two weeks of lemon juice were not different when compared to basal measurements. There is little information about drinking lemon juice in hypertensive patients. To our knowledge, acute or chronic effect of lemon juice on BP has not been investigated previously. This study did not show any beneficial effects of lemon juice on elevated BP. Besides, lemon juice has two potential risks for the users; drug interaction and noncompliance to the prescribed treatment. In conclusion, there is no evidence that lemon juice lowers BP at the present time and more studies are needed to investigate the effect of lemon juice on BP and possible interactions between lemon juice and drugs. Physicians should keep in mind that alternative therapies can have risks and train their patients about compliance to the treatment. J. Exp. Clin. Med., 2012; 29:38-41
Clonal and molecular analysis of the prospective anterior neural boundary in the mouse embryo

In the mouse embryo the anterior ectoderm undergoes extensive growth and morphogenesis to form the forebrain and cephalic non-neural ectoderm. We traced descendants of single ectoderm cells to study cell fate choice and cell behaviour at late gastrulation. In addition, we provide a comprehensive spatiotemporal atlas of anterior gene expression at stages crucial for anterior ectoderm regionalisation and neural plate formation. Our results show that, at late gastrulation stage, expression patterns of anterior ectoderm genes overlap significantly and correlate with areas of distinct prospective fates but do not define lineages. The fate map delineates a rostral limit to forebrain contribution. However, no early subdivision of the presumptive forebrain territory can be detected. Lineage analysis at single-cell resolution revealed that precursors of the anterior neural ridge (ANR), a signalling centre involved in forebrain development and patterning, are clonally related to neural ectoderm. The prospective ANR and the forebrain neuroectoderm arise from cells scattered within the same broad area of anterior ectoderm. This study establishes that although the segregation between non-neural and neural precursors in the anterior midline ectoderm is not complete at late gastrulation stage, this tissue already harbours elements of regionalisation that prefigure the later organisation of the head.
Kooperation und Vernetzung im Bereich Frühe Hilfen und Kinderschutz: Bedeutung evidenzbasierter Methoden

Zusammenfassung Im Bereich der Fruhen Hilfen und im Kinderschutz sind fruhe und multiprofessionell angelegte Hilfen unerlasslich. Die dazu notwendige Kooperation von verschiedenartig strukturierten Institutionen und unterschiedlich qualifizierten Fachkraften gelingt eher, wenn die entsprechenden Vereinbarungen unabhangig von einem besonderen Einzelfall herbeigefuhrt und im weniger belasteten Alltag regelmasig praktiziert werden. Nur dann funktioniert die Zusammenarbeit auch bei extremen Fallen und die mitwirkenden Institutionen und Fachkrafte erleben die Kooperation als Hilfe und Absicherung und nicht als zusatzliche Komplikation. Voraussetzung fur eine derartige Entwicklung forderlicher Rahmenbedingungen vor Ort ist eine evidenzbasierte Kenntnis der Auswirkungen unterschiedlich strukturierter Kooperationsbeziehungen und Rahmenbedingungen. Dies erfordert empirisch basierte Datenerhebungen mit dem Ziel der Weiterentwicklung von lokalen Netzwerkstrukturen. Drei geeignete und leicht einsetzbare Instrumente b.
Planar Graphs with Circular Chromatic Numbers between 3 and 4

This paper proves that for every rational number r between 3 and 4, there exists a planar graph G whose circular chromatic number is equal to r. Combining this result with a recent result of Moser, we arrive at the conclusion that every rational number r between 2 and 4 is the circular chromatic number of a planar graph.
Distributed Task Allocation for Visual Sensor Networks: A Market-Based Approach

This work in progress presents a novel distributed task allocation method for visual sensor networks based on a computational market. Our proposed method automatically adapts the QoS levels of the individual tasks, depending on the resource requirements and the user-defined interest level of the service. Therefore, we define virtual commodity markets, where decentralized producer agents sell resource shares of nodes and communication links. Producer agents adapt their unit prices for resources depending on the demand for the individual resources. In this paper we discuss two pricing models: adjusted linear pricing and rate adaptive pricing. To allocate resources required for executing a task, a task allocation agent requests a number of offers from different producer agents. Task allocation agents use the received interest levels, which correspond to the virtual money, to lease resource shares for a specific time.
Novel Chikungunya Vaccine Candidate with an IRES-Based Attenuation and Host Range Alteration Mechanism

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a reemerging mosquito-borne pathogen that has recently caused devastating urban epidemics of severe and sometimes chronic arthralgia. As with most other mosquito-borne viral diseases, control relies on reducing mosquito populations and their contact with people, which has been ineffective in most locations. Therefore, vaccines remain the best strategy to prevent most vector-borne diseases. Ideally, vaccines for diseases of resource-limited countries should combine low cost and single dose efficacy, yet induce rapid and long-lived immunity with negligible risk of serious adverse reactions. To develop such a vaccine to protect against chikungunya fever, we employed a rational attenuation mechanism that also prevents the infection of mosquito vectors. The internal ribosome entry site (IRES) from encephalomyocarditis virus replaced the subgenomic promoter in a cDNA CHIKV clone, thus altering the levels and host-specific mechanism of structural protein gene expression. Testing in both normal outbred and interferon response-defective mice indicated that the new vaccine candidate is highly attenuated, immunogenic and efficacious after a single dose. Furthermore, it is incapable of replicating in mosquito cells or infecting mosquitoes in vivo. This IRES-based attenuation platform technology may be useful for the predictable attenuation of any alphavirus.
Comparison of conventional and cascode drive of SiC BJTs

This study compares simple conventional and cascode driver circuits for the SiC bipolar junction transistor (BJT). A low-voltage silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor is used in the emitter of the BJT to realise the cascode variant. The circuits are experimentally evaluated when switching a current of 2.5 A and a voltage of 600 V in a buck converter.
Design of a double layer cavity backed slot array antenna in gap waveguide technology

In this paper a double layer cavity backed slot array antenna at K band is presented. The slot antenna is built using ridge gap waveguide feed network and gap waveguide cavity layer. These antenna blocks are manufactured without the requirements of electrical contact between the metal plates The corporate-feed network is realized by a texture of pins and a guiding ridge in the bottom plate. The 4×4 slot array antenna has been fabricated and measured. The measured reflection coefficient remains below −11dB with reasonably good radiation patterns over the band of interest from 18.2 GHz to 21.2 GHz.
Histograms of Oriented 3D Gradients for Fully Automated Fetal Brain Localization and Robust Motion Correction in 3 T Magnetic Resonance Images

Fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a rapidly emerging diagnostic imaging tool. However, automated fetal brain localization is one of the biggest obstacles in expediting and fully automating large-scale fetal MRI processing. We propose a method for automatic localization of fetal brain in 3 T MRI when the images are acquired as a stack of 2D slices that are misaligned due to fetal motion. First, the Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) feature descriptor is extended from 2D to 3D images. Then, a sliding window is used to assign a score to all possible windows in an image, depending on the likelihood of it containing a brain, and the window with the highest score is selected. In our evaluation experiments using a leave-one-out cross-validation strategy, we achieved 96% of complete brain localization using a database of 104 MRI scans at gestational ages between 34 and 38 weeks. We carried out comparisons against template matching and random forest based regression methods and the proposed method showed superior performance. We also showed the application of the proposed method in the optimization of fetal motion correction and how it is essential for the reconstruction process. The method is robust and does not rely on any prior knowledge of fetal brain development.
The laminar organization of V1 neural activity in response to dynamic natural scenes

Despite remarkable progress in understanding the neurophysiology of cortex, fundamental questions regarding its function remain unanswered. The present study explores how a local population of neurons along a cortical column in visual cortex responds to dynamic natural stimuli. I show how a novel application of sparse coding to neural recordings obtained with high-density laminar probes can separate the complex statistical structure of this data into biophysically interpretable, underlying causes. The resulting data representation is instrumental in characterizing both spiking and local field potential activity across lamina in response to natural movies. Finally, I present a framework for understanding laminar population activity in terms of a statistical model that accounts for network interactions as well as the driving influence of the stimulus.
Structure Inference of Bayesian Networks from Data: A New Approach Based on Generalized Conditional Entropy

We propose a novel algorithm for extracting the structure of a Bayesian network from a dataset. Our approach is based on generalized conditional entropies, a parametric family of entropies that extends the usual Shannon conditional entropy. Our results indicate that with an appropriate choice of a generalized conditional entropy we obtain Bayesian networks that have superior scores compared to similar structures obtained by classical inference methods.
Evaluating Unattended Technology, a Subset of Calm Technology

Information is a central theme of the twenty-first century. This is evident in the fact that everyday objects are being augmented to provide information. Thus, ubiquitous computing – providing information using everyday objects – becomes increasingly popular. The problem is that information requires attention for acquisition. Hence, ubiquitous computing puts a strain on attention, which is limited. There are many innovations that attempt to solve this problem; this thesis focusses on one: calm technology, which was introduced to interface design by Mark Weiser. Calm technology attempts to reduce the attention required to acquire information. Ideally, calm technology would provide information without requiring any attention. I call this technology unattended. Calm technology research, however, typically provides little evidence showing that calm artifacts reduce the amount of attention required. Moreover, evaluations that are conducted on individual artifacts often fail to generalize. That is, evaluations only apply to the artifact that is evaluated. They do not identify properties of the artifact that make it calm. In this thesis, I design and conduct a dual task experiment. The results of the experiment indicate that users can perform an attention saturating primary task, and acquire information from a calm artifact not involved in the task, without sacrificing performance on the primary task. Thus, the artifact does not require any attention, as can be measured by the experiment, while providing information. Thus, the artifact is unattended, which provides an existence proof for unattended technology.
4-Meter Gait Speed Test in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: INTERRATER RELIABILITY USING A STOPWATCH

Purpose: 4-meter gait speed (4MGS) is increasingly used to assess functional performance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the current literature lacks information regarding some technical standards for this test. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare and to evaluate the interrater reliability between a stopwatch and video recording used as timing systems for the 4MGS in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as to verify the interrater reliability between 2 observers measuring the 4MGS time using a manual stopwatch. Methods: Fifty-one patients performed the 4MGS using 4 different protocols (random order): walking at the usual and maximum speed in a 4-meter course and walking at the same 2 speeds on an 8-m course using a 2-m acceleration zone, a 4-meter timing area, and a 2-m deceleration zone. Gait speed was measured simultaneously using a stopwatch and a video recording. In a subanalysis (n = 24), 2 independent observers timed the 4MGS using a stopwatch. Results: There was no significant difference in comparison between the 2 timing methods (P > .05 for all), and the reliability between video recording and stopwatch was excellent in all 4MGS studied protocols (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.91). Moreover, when comparing gait speed measured by 2 observers using a stopwatch, no significant difference was found among all proposed protocols (P > .05 for all), and there was also excellent reliability between the 2 independent observers (intraclass correlation coefficient ≥ 0.94). Conclusion: The stopwatch, a low-cost and feasible tool, is reliable as a timing device for the 4MGS in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Alternating-time dynamic logic

We propose Alternating-time Dynamic Logic (ADL) as a multi-agent variant of Dynamic Logic in which atomic programs are replaced by coalitions. In ADL, the Dynamic Logic operators are parametrised with regular expressions over coalitions and tests. Such regular expressions describe the dynamic structure of a coalition. This means that, when moving from Dynamic Logic to ADL, the focus shifts away from describing what is executed and when, toward describing who is acting and when. While Dynamic Logic provides for reasoning about complex programs, ADL facilitates reasoning about coalitions with an inner dynamic structure, so-called coordinated coalitions. The semantics for such coalitions involves partial strategies and a variety of ways to combine them. Different combinations of partial strategies give rise to different semantics for ADL. In this paper, we mainly focus on one version of the semantics but we provide a discussion on other semantic variants of ADL together with possible syntactic extensions. We see ADL to be suitable for the specification and the verification of scheduling and planning systems, and we therefore present a model checking algorithm for ADL and investigate its computational complexity.
Corporate cultures and the use of space: an approach from Cultural Theory

This paper applies and adapts an approach derived from anthropology previously known as grid–group theory and later as Cultural Theory (CT). CT is concerned with connections between forms of organization and the values and behaviors of actors within them. It first briefly outlines the structural bases of CT. In doing so it offers a framework for understanding how corporate organizations can be classified as cultures, demonstrating four archetypal categories. It identifies dominant features of each then shows with examples their manifestations in different uses of space – both internal and external. Space is linked integrally to information flow and control. Predictable and forecastable patterns are identified for each archetype. They are shown to relate to the differential selection, enforcement or abnegation of boundaries and the varying forms of exploitation, constraints and sanctions used to sustain them. The paper then examines the symbolic and ceremonial uses of space and effective and ineffective uses. It shows how organizations cannot be considered unicultural; but are mixed “regimes” comprising symbiotic but not necessarily synergistic cultures.
Climbing over large obstacles with a humanoid robot via multi-contact motion planning

Incremental progress in humanoid robot locomotion over the years has achieved important capabilities such as navigation over flat or uneven terrain, stepping over small obstacles and climbing stairs. However, the locomotion research has mostly been limited to using only bipedal gait and only foot contacts with the environment, using the upper body for balancing without considering additional external contacts. As a result, challenging locomotion tasks like climbing over large obstacles relative to the size of the robot have remained unsolved. In this paper, we address this class of open problems with an approach based on multi-body contact motion planning guided through physical human demonstrations. Our goal is to make the humanoid locomotion problem more tractable by taking advantage of objects in the surrounding environment instead of avoiding them. We propose a multi-contact motion planning algorithm for humanoid robot locomotion which exploits the whole-body motion and multi-body contacts including both the upper and lower body limbs. The proposed motion planning algorithm is applied to a challenging task of climbing over a large obstacle. We demonstrate successful execution of the climbing task in simulation using our multi-contact motion planning algorithm initialized via a transfer from real-world human demonstrations of the task and further optimized.
JU_CSE_TAC: Textual Entailment Recognition System at TAC RTE-6

The note describes the Recognizing Textual Entailment (RTE) system developed at the Computer Science and Engineering Department, Jadavpur University, India. In this competition, we participated and submitted the results in the RTE-6 Main Task (3 runs), Novelty Task (3 runs) and RTE-6 KBP task (3 runs for generic task and 3 runs for tailored task). For the Main and the Novelty Tasks, the corpus was a collection of news wire documents from various sources and arranged into particular topics, a hypothesis H and a set of "candidate" sentences retrieved by Lucene from that corpus for the hypothesis H. Each sentence in the set of documents associated with a given topic was involved in an entailment relationship with each hypothesis for the topic. RTE systems are required to identify all the sentences that entail H among the candidate sentences. For the Main and the Novelty Tasks, the system is based on the composition of lexical entailment module, lexical distance module, Chunk module, Named Entity module and syntactic text entailment (TE) module. Our TE system is based on the Support Vector Machine (SVM) that uses twenty five features for lexical similarity, the output tag from a rule based syntactic two-way TE system as a feature and the outputs from a rule based Chunk Module and Named Entity Module as the other features. For the Main task test set, the following micro-average results were obtained for Run 1: F-Score 34.79, Run 2: F-Score 26.78 and Run 3 : F-score 31.19. For the novelty task test set, the following micro-average results were obtained for Run 1: Novelty Evaluation FScore 81.77 and Justification Evaluation F-Score 34.35, Run 2: Novelty Evaluation F-Score 78.18 and Justification Evaluation 26.87 and Run 3: Novelty Evaluation F-score 78.69 and Justification Evaluation 24.57 were obtained. The KBP Slot Filling task is focused on the searching a collection of news wire and Web documents and extracting values for a predefined set of attributes (“slots”) for the target entities. The RTE KBP Validation Pilot is based on the assumption that extracted slot filler is correct if and only if the supporting document entails an hypothesis created on the basis of the slot filler. In RTE KBP, we participated for generic task and tailored task. For the RTE-6 KBP test set for Generic Task, micro-average results for Run 1: F-Score 0.1403, Run 2: F-Score 0.172 and Run 3: F-score 0.1531 were obtained. For RTE-6 KBP test set for Tailored Task, micro-average results for Run 1: F-Score 0.3, Run 2: F-Score 0.3307 and Run 3: F-score 0.3288 were obtained.
Revision and Change of Stereotypic Beliefs: In Search of the Elusive Subtyping Model

This chapter reviews previous literature and a recent programme of laboratory and field research testing three cognitive models—‘bookkeeping’, ‘conversion’, and ‘subtyping’—of stereotype change in response to disconfirming information. Stereotype change is generally greater following a dispersed than a concentrated pattern of disconfirming information, over a variety of conditions. Evidence yielded by several cognitive measures supports a prototype version of the sub-typing model, whereby change is brought about via typical ‘disconfirmers’ and is inhibited if disconfirmers are extremely atypical and thus easily assigned to a separate subcategory. Subtyping is viewed as a fundamental aspect of group representations, albeit incompletely understood, that seems to insulate stereotypes from change.