Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nemesis, Speaking, and Tauhi Vaha'a: Interdisciplinarity and the Truth of "Mental Illness" in Vava'u, Tonga

The people of Vava'u, Tonga, manage to deal with most incidences of "mental illness" without resorting to institutionalization or overt stigmatization. The terms used to describe unusual behavior, though pejorative in the eyes of psychiatrist Dr Mapa Puloka, are contestable and negotiable. Through the creative use of a multiplicity of explanations, people have inï¬uence over the potential stigma to suffering relatives. People's sensitivity to attributions of "mental illness" is born of Vavauan use of language to tauhi vaha'a (evoke and intensify relatedness). This socially constitutive use of language contrasts with the referential language in much of the social science and medical literature that informs mental health policy. Revealing its origin in the experience of vä (relatedness) is key to creating an interdisciplinary space to discuss the late presentation of Tongans to mental health services in Tonga and New Zealand. This paper answers the widely recognized need for more qualitative, epistemologically sensitive, and interdisciplinary work on Tongan experience of mental illness through focusing on the particular case of an eccentric in Vava'u known as 'Ahiohio. As this man shares remarkable similarities with Manu (Epeli Hau'ofa's subversive mouthpiece of anti-absolutism), the responses to and theories of 'Ahiohio's behavior enable discussion on the contrast and effects of Vavauan and, more broadly, medical and positivist ideas of truth.
Event-related desynchronization/ synchronization-based brain-computer interface towards volitional cursor control in a 2D center-out paradigm

To achieve reliable two-dimensional cursor control by noninvasive EEG-based brain-computer interface (BCI), users are typically required to receive long-term training to learn effective regulation of their brain rhythmic activities, and to maintain sustained attention during the operation. We proposed a two-dimensional BCI using event-related desynchronization and event-related synchronization associated with human natural behavior so that users no longer need long-term training or high mental loads to maintain concentration. In this study, we intended to investigate the performance of the proposed BCI associated with either physical movement or motor imagery with an online center-out cursor control paradigm. Genetic algorithm (GA)-based mahalanobis linear distance (MLD) classifier and decision tree classifier (DTC) were used in feature selection and classification and a model adaptation method was employed for better decoding of human movement intention from EEG activity. The results demonstrated effective control accuracy for this four-class classification: as high as 77.1% during online control with physical movement and 57.3% with motor imagery. This suggests that based on this preliminary testing, two-dimensional BCI control can be achieved without long-term training.
Ball Bearing (BB) Gun Injuries

War game has become quite a popular recreational game in Hong Kong nowadays. Ball bearing (BB) and pellet gun-related injuries should not be overlooked. This article presented a case of BB gun-related soft tissue injury on the face with retained pellet. We also reviewed the types, power levels, and the injuries of non-power guns. The management of BB and pellet gun-related injuries and the preventive measures concerning legislation, education program, product safety awareness and protective gears usage would be emphasized.
Loneliness among Students with Blindness and Sighted Students in Jordan: A brief report

This study investigated loneliness among students with blindness and those who are sighted in Jordan, and examined whether loneliness levels vary according to gender. Students included 90 students with blindness and 79 sighted students selected from high schools and universities in the capital city of Amman. The instrument used to collect information in this study was an Arabic translation and adapted version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale developed by Russell in 1996. The results indicated that students with blindness reported significantly higher degrees of loneliness than sighted students; however, no significant differences were attributable to gender or interaction between visual status and gender. The implications of the findings for families and teachers of students with blindness, and for future research in Jordan, are offered.
Female differences in creation of humor relating to work

Recent studies report that women lack humor when communicating in Professional activities. The purpose of this study is to investigate female differences in creation of humor relating to work. We estimate the effects of personality traits: extroversion, sensitivity, masculinity and feminity dominance. We also estimate the effects ofdominance on male occupations, which in turn effects the creation of humor. Usingpath analysis, the results show direct and positive effect ofdominance and male occupation on creation of humor. Male occupation is affected by dominance, extroversion and masculinity. Finally it isfound that dominance is mainly affected by masculinity. The findings suggest that women who score high on dominance, extroversion and masculinity tend to choose male professions which in turn effects creation of humor. A number of studies have examined sex-differences related to creation and appreciation of humor. The findings of these studies indicate a division between the sexes with respect to both of these two main dimensions of humor. Men tend to create humor more and women to enjoy it more (Cantor 1970; Brodzinsky 1981; Ziv and Gadish 1989; Bryant et al. 1980). An explanation for this may be found in the aggressive character of humor and the aggressive element of the male stereotype. Humor has been identified äs an expression of certain phases of aggression. In the triumph phase, the victor expresses satisfaction by laughing, while the loser expresses distress by crying (Rapp 1949). In the hierarchical-statusdifference phase, individuals with low Status in the hierarchy are not äs freely permitted a humorous outlet, while senior members tend to employ it more frequently äs a perquisite of their position. Moreover, the butts Humor 8-4 (1995), 349-362. 0933-1719/95/0008-0349 © Walter de Gruyter
A New Indian Muslim Agenda: The Dalit Muslims and the All-India Backward Muslim Morcha

Forming almost a  fth of the Indian population, the Scheduled Castes or the Dalits, a conglomeration of numerous caste groups considered as ritually ‘polluting’ and, therefore, untouchable, by caste Hindus, are victims of the most sternly hierarchical social order that human beings have ever devised. Buttressed by religious sanction, the caste system consigned the Dalits to a sub-human status, relegating them to the bottom of the social order as slaves or worse. Since the social and economic oppression of the Dalits has been so closely intertwined with the Hindu religion, over the centuries many Dalits have sought to escape from the shackles of the caste system by converting to other religions, particularly to Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Sikhism. Consequently, a considerable majority of India’s Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Sikhs today consist of descendants of Dalit and other ‘low’ caste converts.
On Algorithms for Simple Stochastic Games

We survey a number of algorithms for the simple stochastic game problem, which is to determine the winning probability of a type of stochastic process, where the transitions are partially controlled by two players. We show that four natural approaches to solving the problem are incorrect, and present two new algorithms for the problem. The rst reduces the problem to that of nding a locally optimal solution to a (non-convex) quadratic program with linear constraints. The second extends a technique of Shapley called the successive approximation technique, by using linear programming to maximize the improvement at each approximation step. Finally, we analyze a randomized variant of the Hooman-Karp strategy improvement algorithm.
Optimal apheresis treatment volume for the efficacy and safety of leukocytapheresis with cellsorba in patients with active ulcerative colitis

Background: Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) is used as an adjunct therapy for patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC). Although, LCAP is routinely performed at 3,000 mL per session, we were interested to see that if this can be replaced with bodyweight (BW) adjusted volume. Methods: In an open label prospective trial, the clinical response to BW adjusted LCAP (BWA‐LCAP) was evaluated in 14 patients with active UC. Fourteen demography matched UC patients who had been treated with the routine 3,000 mL LCAP were randomly sampled from our database as a control group. All patients were given 10 weekly LCAP sessions. In the BWA‐LCAP group, the processed blood volume (PBV) was set at 30 mL/kg × BW/session. Baseline demographic measures were not significantly different between the two groups. Results: The average PBV in the BWA‐LCAP group was 1971.0 ± 330.0 mL, range 1,020–2,460. In both groups, the average UC clinical disease activity index, the endoscopic index, and the concomitant prednisolone dosage were significantly and equally reduced during the course of 10 LCAP. Accordingly, at the end of the trial, no significant difference was seen in any outcome measure between the two groups. However, a significantly higher incidence of adverse event (AE) was observed in the routine 3,000 mL LCAP group as compared with the BWA‐LCAP group (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The outcomes of this investigation showed that the therapeutic efficacy of LCAP based on 30 mL/kg × BW is similar to the routine 3,000 mL per session LCAP. However, BWA‐LCAP should be favored if one is to see the full potential of LCAP without AE. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estimating the Number of Local Maxima for k-SAT Instances

We explore the applicability of a sampling method devised by J. Garnier and L. Kallel (SIAM J. Discrete Math., 2002) to approximate the number of local maxima in search spaces induced by k-SAT instances and a simple neighbourhood relation. The objective function is given by the number of satisfied clauses. Although the problem setting for k-SAT instances does not meet all pre-conditions required by the Garnier/Kallel-approach, we obtain approximations of the number of local maxima within the same order of magnitude as the exact values that have been determined by complete search. Since the comparison requires calculation of the complete set of local maxima, only small k-SAT instances have been considered so far. Furthermore, we outline a method for obtaining upper bounds for the average number of local maxima in k-SAT instances, which shows changes in the average number around the phase transition threshold.
Cysteine-rich protein 2 alters p130Cas localization and inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell migration.

AIMS Cysteine-rich protein (CRP) 2, a member of the LIM-only CRP family that contains two LIM domains, is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of blood vessels and functions to repress VSMC migration and vascular remodelling. The goal of this study was to define the molecular mechanisms by which CRP2 regulates VSMC migration. METHODS AND RESULTS Transfection of VSMCs with CRP2-EGFP constructs revealed that CRP2 associated with the actin cytoskeleton. In response to chemoattractant stimulation, Csrp2 (mouse CRP2 gene symbol)-deficient (Csrp2(-/-)) VSMCs exhibited increased lamellipodia formation. Re-introduction of CRP2 abrogated the enhanced lamellipodia formation and migration of Csrp2(-/-) VSMCs following chemoattractant stimulation. Mammalian 2-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that CRP2 interacts with p130Cas, a scaffold protein important for lamellipodia formation and cell motility. Immunofluorescence staining showed that CRP2 colocalized with phospho-p130Cas at focal adhesions (FAs)/terminal ends of stress fibres in non-migrating cells. Interestingly, in migrating cells phospho-p130Cas localized to the leading edge of lamellipodia and FAs, whereas CRP2 was restricted to FAs and stress fibres. Furthermore, we demonstrated that p130Cas expression and phosphorylation promote neointima formation following arterial injury. CONCLUSION These studies demonstrate that CRP2 sequesters p130Cas at FAs, thereby reducing lamellipodia formation and blunting VSMC migration.
Frequency reduction in Quantum dot cellular automata

In this paper, we have discussed the frequency aspects of the Quantum dot cellular automata (QCA) circuits. Techniques to operate a QCA circuit at a frequency which is a fraction of the universal clock frequency are presented. For the purpose many intermediate circuits like periodic signal generator and master-slave flip-flop circuits are designed. Prospective applications are suggested and their implementation details are discussed.
What are the implications of long-range dependence for VBR-video traffic engineering?

The authors explore the influence of long-range dependence in broadband traffic engineering. The classification of stochastic processes {X/sub t/} into those with short or long-range dependence is based on the asymptotic properties of the variance of the sum S/sub m/=X/sub 1/+X/sub 2/+/spl middot//spl middot//spl middot/+X/sub m/. Suppose this process describes the number of packets (or ATM cells) that arrive at a buffer; X/sub t/ is the number that arrive in the tth time slice (e.g., 10 ms). We use a generic buffer model to show how the distribution of S/sub m/ (for all values of m) determines the buffer occupancy. From this model we show that long-range dependence does not affect the buffer occupancy when the busy periods are not large. Numerical experiments show this property is present when data from four video conferences and two entertainment video sequences (which have long-range dependence) are used as the arrival process, even when the transmitting times are long enough to make the probability of buffer overflow 0.07. We generated sample paths from Markov chain models of the video traffic (these have short-range dependence). Various operating characteristics, computed over a wide range of loadings, closely agree when the data trace and the Markov chain paths are used to drive the model. From this, we conclude that long-range dependence is not a crucial property in determining the buffer behavior of variable bit rate (VBR)-video sources.
Which Is Greater: One Half or Two Fourths? An Examination of How Two Grade 1 Students Negotiate Meaning

A developing body of research in classroom mathematics discourse indicates that teacher facilitation can be specific and supportive without interfering in productive student talk. Students, including those who are struggling in mathematics or lack confidence, can benefit from exploring challenging mathematics and engaging in math-talk. In this study, one teacher videotaped two academically struggling Grade 1 students engaged in a mathematical debate. Transcript analysis illustrated that the student pair used math-talk guidelines to explain their thinking and ask one another clarifying questions, gaining a deeper understanding of equivalent fractions in the process. RésuméUn nombre croissant de recherches sur le discours mathématique en classe indiquent que l’intervention des enseignants peut être à la fois spécifique et favorable, sans pour autant entraver le discours productif des élèves. Les élèves, y compris ceux qui éprouvent des difficultés en mathématiques ou qui manquent de confiance en eux dans ce domaine, peuvent tirer avantage d’activités servant à explorer certaines idées mathématiques et à en discuter. Dans cette étude, un enseignant a filmé deux élèves de première année ayant des difficultés en mathématiques, au cours d’un débat sur une question mathématique. Une analyse des transcriptions montre que les deux élèves se sont servis des Directives sur le discours mathématique pour illustrer leur pensée et se poser l’un à l’autre des questions de clarification, ce qui leur a permis de mieux comprendre les équivalences de fractions.
Fundamental characteristics of material removal and surface formation in diamond turning of porous carbon

Porous carbon is an important material for manufacturing ultraprecision air bearings. This paper investigates the material removal mechanism and surface quality of porous carbon in diamond turning process. A total of 32 diamond turning tests were performed and the effects of feed rate, depth of cut, cutting speed, and tool rake angle were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy of the machined surface showed that three types of material removal mechanisms occurred in the diamond turning process, which was influenced by experimental conditions. Analysis of variance of experimental data demonstrated that feed rate had the most dominant effect on surface roughness, followed by depth of cut, whereas cutting speed has little effect. Tool rake angle effects material removal behaviour in a different way from that of diamond turning of other brittle materials, showing that a negative rake angle is disadvantageous. The results also indicated that by controlling the machining conditions, surface roughness, core roughness and the bearing area curve of the machined surface were controllable, and there was a 25% decrease in the percentage of porosity after machining. It was demonstrated that diamond turning can be used as an efficient method to fabricate high-precision surfaces on porous carbon for air bearing applications.
Molecular imaging of VEGF in gastrointestinal cancer in vivo using confocal laser endomicroscopy

Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a therapeutic target in gastrointestinal cancer (GiC). However, its in vivo visualisation could not be achieved to date with endoscopic techniques. Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a novel imaging technique for gastrointestinal endoscopy providing in vivo microscopy at subcellular resolution. The aim of the study was to evaluate CLE for in vivo molecular imaging of VEGF in GiC. Methods Molecular imaging of tumours in APCmin mice, in xenograft models and in surgical specimens of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) was achieved after application of labelled antibodies. The tumour sites were scanned with the probe for the strongest specific fluorescent signal. From all tumour sites examined with CLE in vivo, targeted specimens were obtained for histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence microscopy. Results A VEGF-specific signal was visualised in vivo in 13/15 APCmin mice and in 9/10 xenograft tumours. CLE enabled the cytoplasmatic distribution of VEGF to be displayed due to its subcellular resolution. In human tissue, a VEGF-specific signal was observed in 12/13 malignant specimens and in 10/11 samples from healthy mucosa from the patients (p<0.03). CLE findings correlated well with ex vivo microscopy. Conclusion In vivo molecular imaging with specific targeting of VEGF is possible in murine tumours, human xenografts and tissue specimens using CLE. CLE with similar probes can be performed in human colonoscopy. Therefore—from a technical point of view—in vivo molecular imaging is transferable to stratification of patients with CRC during endoscopy even today. CLE could contribute to the identification of lesions at risk and potentially predict response to targeted treatment.
NeMoS: Network monitoring with sound

In this paper we present NeMoS, a program written in Java that allows monitoring of a distributed system with sound. The architecture is client/server: the server collects (by polling via SNMP [19]) data from the monitored Network Components and the client plays accordingly. The sonication technique associates events (as dened by the user) to MIDI tracks. Our system is versatile (several channels of events can be created and used), easily congurable (personalization of events and tracks is offered to users), standard (it ts within the framework described in RFC 2570 [6]), distributed (multiple clients can be anywhere in the system) and portable (using Java as Programming Language).
Room impulse response synthesis based on a 2D multi-plane FDTD hybrid acoustic model

This paper exposes, and analyzes the validity of, a novel hybrid acoustic modeling system created through complementary assimilation of 3D geometric and 2D numerical modeling techniques. It is demonstrated that multiple 2D Finite Difference Time Domain schemes may be employed to simulate low-frequency sound wave propagation throughout a simplistic 3D enclosure, thus avoiding the immense computational challenges posed by 3D numerical approaches. Band limited room impulse responses (RIRs) generated in this way may be appropriately calibrated and combined with high-frequency results obtained from well-established geometric modeling methods to realize efficient, yet accurate hybrid RIR synthesis. Objective results show that the low-frequency 2D multiplane solution yields comparable accuracy to that gained through 3D simulation while achieving a run-time reduction of 99.15%.
Integration of radar sounder and altimeter data for the 3D reconstruction of ice sheets

The rise in global temperature accelerates the melting of the ice sheets. This highlights the importance of understanding the ice sheet structure and dynamics. Although fundamental for a reliable 3D modeling of the ice subsurface, the development of automatic techniques for the integration of multisensor data acquired over the ice sheets is still very limited. To address this issue, in this paper we present an automatic technique that integrates two types of data, i.e., radargrams (vertical profiles of the ice) acquired by airborne radar sounder (RS) instruments and ice surface elevation data recorded by altimeter (ALT) instruments. The aim of the technique is to perform a 3D reconstruction of the ice sheet by estimating maps of the surface, bedrock and ice thickness at the best possible reliable scale. Initially, the estimations of both the surface map and the related uncertainty intervals are done at several different scales by geostatistically interpolating information extracted from the RS data. Afterwards, a validation of the interpolation results and the identification of the best interpolation scale are performed by integrating the ALT data. The best scale is then used to estimate the bedrock elevation map, following the same interpolation scheme used for the estimation of the surface elevation map. Finally, the ice thickness map is computed by subtraction. The method has been applied to a subset of RS and ALT data acquired over a portion of the Byrd Glacier in Antarctica.