Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lymphocyte mechanical response triggered by cross-linking surface receptors

Using a recently developed method (Petersen, N. O., W. B. McConnaughey, and E. L. Elson, 1982, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA., 79:5327-5331), we have measured changes in the deformability of lymphocytes triggered by cross-linking cell surface proteins. Our study was motivated by two previously demonstrated phenomena: the redistribution ("capping") of cross-linked surface immunoglobulin (sIg) on B lymphocytes and the inhibition of capping and lateral diffusion ("anchorage modulation") of sIg by the tetravalent lectin Concanavalin A (Con A). Both capping and anchorage modulation are initiated by cross-linking cell surface proteins and both require participation of the cytoskeleton. We have shown that the resistance of lymphocytes to deformation strongly increased when sIg or Con A acceptors were cross-linked. We have measured changes in deformability in terms of an empirical "stiffness" parameter, defined as the rate at which the force of cellular compression increases with the extent of compression. For untreated cells the stiffness was approximately 0.15 mdyn/micron; for cells treated with antibodies against sIg or with Con A the stiffness increased to approximately 0.6 or 0.4 mdyn/micron, respectively. The stiffness decreased after completion of the capping of sIg. The increases in stiffness could be reversed to various extents by cytochalasin D and by colchicine. The need for cross-linking was demonstrated by the failure both of monovalent Fab' fragments of the antibodies against sIg and of succinylated Con A (a poor cross-linker) to cause an increase in stiffness. We conclude that capping and anchorage modulation involve changes in the lymphocyte cytoskeleton and possibly other cytoplasmic properties, which increase the cellular viscoelastic resistance to deformation. Similar increases in cell stiffness could be produced by exposing cells to hypertonic medium, azide ions, and to a calcium ionophore in the presence of calcium ions. These results shed new light on the capabilities of the lymphocyte cytoskeleton and its role in capping and anchorage modulation. They also demonstrate that measurements of cellular deformability can characterize changes in cytoskeletal functions initiated by signals originating at the cell surface.
Coverage properties of clustered wireless sensor networks

This article studies clustered wireless sensor networks (WSNs), a realistic topology resulting from common deployment methods. We study coverage in naturally clustered networks of wireless sensor nodes, as opposed to WSNs where clustering is facilitated by selection. We show that along with increasing the vacancy in random placement of nodes in a WSN, it also alters the connectivity properties in the network. We analyze varying levels of redundancy to determine the probability of coverage in the network. The phenomenon of clustering in networks of wireless sensor nodes raises interesting questions for future research and development. The article provides a foundation for the design to optimize network performance with the constraint of sensing coverage.
The Experience of Tinnitus and Its Interaction With Unique Life Histories—Life Events, Trauma and Inner Resources Narrated by Patients With Tinnitus

Background: The challenges facing people with chronic tinnitus include finding relief and rebuilding quality of life. However, previous traumatic episodes may influence adjustment and prolong suffering. Recovery implies reducing aggravating reactions and improving social roles, relationships and interests. Self-narratives about living with tinnitus have not yet received the attention they deserve in the research literature. Thus, the main goal of the present study was to illustrate how tinnitus suffering interacts with the participants' unique life histories. Method: Four women and one man (ages 52–58) took part in the study after consulting a special hearing clinic for annoying tinnitus. Criteria for inclusion were that tinnitus was regarded as a problem with negative consequences for quality of life. The participants should be willing to share how the experience of tinnitus suffering interacts with their previous life story. Narrative methodology was employed in order to achieve the goals of the study. We used unstructured interviews with free conversation, which allowed for rich narratives with full contextual meaning. Results: The findings, based on the narrative analysis, revealed that three out of five participants presented a regressive form of narrative indicating ongoing struggles beyond tinnitus itself, which they were unable to bring to closure. For them, valued goals were continuously thwarted by frustrating circumstances in their lives, either past events or current unresolved issues. Progressive and stable narratives, as identified in the other two participants, demonstrated values that rely on others' attitude and understanding toward their suffering, in sharp contrast to the regressive narratives. We suggest that a central issue in tinnitus rehabilitation should be to help suffering patients to overcome unresolved conflicts and thereby extend their ability for a fuller commitment in life. Conclusion: Considering enduring tinnitus as a chronic condition, whose course is likely to vary depending on the patient's general health status, an alteration of progressive and stable narratives is likely to occur during the lifespan. A progressive narrative shows similarities to the core construct of the salutogenesis model of health promotion (1). In conclusion, a narrative approach in tinnitus rehabilitation can be health promoting by offering the patient the opportunity to engage in storytelling, which in turn can increase comprehensibility and a sense of coherence.
Investigation of patient dose from common radiology examinations in Isfahan, Iran

Background: The aim of this study was measurement of the radiation doses received by patients for common radiology examinations in hospitals under control of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Materials and Methods: Thermoluminescence (lithium fluoride chips, LiF: Mg, Tl) dosimeter was used to measure patient dose for four (chest, posterior-anterior and lateral and skull anterior-posterior, or posterior-anterior and lateral) common radiographic views in six hospitals (seven X-ray machines). The entrance surface dose was measured on 20 randomly patients for each X-ray room. Results: The maximum (8.85 ± 0.62 mGy) and the minimum (0.62 ± 0.22 mGy) values of ESD was obtained for X-ray machines of Shimadzu and Varian located in Ashrafi-Khomeini-shahr and Kashani hospitals, respectively. As results shows, the values of ESD of skull were higher than that of chest examinations. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that ESD measured doses were slightly greater than the ICRP and NRPB reference doses. Efforts should be made to further lower patient doses while securing image quality. In addition, the need to provide relevant education and training to staff in the radiology sections is of utmost importance.
Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibition Limits Angiotensin II-Induced DNA Oxidation and Protein Nitration in Humans

Compared to other cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, celecoxib is associated with a lower cardiovascular risk, though the mechanism remains unclear. Angiotensin II is an important mediator of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of vascular disease. Cyclooxygenase-2 may modify the effects of angiotensin II though this has never been studied in humans. The purpose of the study was to test the effects of selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition on plasma measures of oxidative stress, the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1, and nitric oxide metabolites, both at baseline and in respose to Angiotensin II challenge in healthy humans. Measures of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, advanced oxidation protein products, nitrotyrosine, endothelin-1, and nitric oxide metabolites were assessed from plasma samples drawn at baseline and in response to graded angiotensin II infusion (3 ng/kg/min × 30 min, 6 ng/kg/min × 30 min) before and after 14 days of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition in 14 healthy subjects (eight male, six female) in high salt balance, a state of maximal renin angiotensin system suppression. Angiotensin II infusion significantly increased plasma oxidative stress compared to baseline (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine; +17%; advanced oxidation protein products; +16%), nitrotyrosine (+76%). Furthermore, levels of endothelin-1 levels were significantly increased (+115%) and nitric oxide metabolites were significantly decreased (−20%). Cycloxygenase-2 inhibition significantly limited the increase in 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, nitrotyrosine and the decrease in nitric oxide metabolites induced by angiotensin II infusion, though no changes in advanced oxidation protein products and endothelin-1 concentrations were observed. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition with celecoxib partially limited the angiotensin II-mediated increases in markers of oxidative stress in humans, offering a potential physiological pathway for the improved cardiovascular risk profile of this drug.
Organizational Behavior: Integrating Individuals, Groups and Processes

This text was designed to aid in developing the analytical skills of future managers. Exercises and cases are integrated into the narrative flow (instead of placing them at the ends of chapters or in boxes). Scoring and interpretation immediately follow, allowing readers to learn something about themselves, as well as illuminating the topic under discussion. Ethical implications, international aspects, and personal and management implications are also woven in throughout the text.
Product of power spectrum and group delay function for speech recognition

Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) are the most widely used features for speech recognition. These are derived from the power spectrum of the speech signal. Recently, the cepstral features derived from the modified group delay function (MGDF) have been studied by Murthy and Gadde (Proc. ICASSP, vol.1, p.68-71, 2003) for speech recognition. In this paper, we propose to use the product of the power spectrum and the group delay function (GDF), and derive the MFCCs from the product spectrum. This spectrum combines the information from the magnitude spectrum as well as the phase spectrum. The MFCCs of the MGDF are also investigated in this paper. Results show that the cepstral features derived from the power spectrum perform better than that from the MGDF, and the product spectrum based features provide the best performance.
Hepatozoon caimani (Apicomplexa: Hepatozoidae) in Wild Caiman, Caiman yacare, from the Pantanal Region, Brazil

Abstract The prevalence and parasitemia of Hepatozoon caimani in the natural population of the caiman, Caiman yacare, from the Pantanal area, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, central Brazil, were evaluated according to gender and month of capture from July 2006 to February 2008. Blood samples were obtained bimonthly from a total of 229 caimans, and 76% were positive. Prevalence varied significantly according to sampling month and animal size. Almost all adults (100%) and young-adults (97%) were positive, while 63% of juvenile caimans were positive and all of the youngest individuals were negative. These results indicate that caimans are infected for the first time as juveniles. The mean parasitemia in blood was 13.5 ± 13.0 (n = 174; 1–96 parasites) and did not significantly vary with respect to gender, month of sampling, size, or weight of the caiman. The frequency distribution of parasites in the caiman population was aggregated. Differences in feeding habits and exposure to vectors between the youngest caimans and juveniles are hypothesized as the main risk factors for caimans to acquire H. caimani in central Brazil.
Dimension reduction approaches for SVM based speaker age estimation

This paper presents two novel dimension reduction approaches applied on the gaussian mixture model (GMM) supervectors to improve age estimation speed and accuracy. The GMM supervector embodies many speech characteristics irrelevant to age estimation and like noise, they are harmful to the system’s generalization ability. In addition, the support vectors machine (SVM) testing computation grows with the vector’s dimension, especially when using complex kernels. The first approach presented is the weighted-pairwise principal components analysis (WPPCA) that reduces the vector dimension by minimizing the redundant variability. The second approach is based on anchor-models, using a novel anchors selection method. Experiments showed that dimension reduction makes the testing process 5 times faster and using the WPPCA approach, it is also 5% more accurate.
Automatic Test Set Generation for Function Block Based Systems Using Model Checking

Many nuclear instrumentation and control (I&C) systems are designed using a function block diagram description of the system. Strict requirements pertain to the verification of these systems. Different verification techniques, including structure-based testing, are demanded by standards and the regulators. Unfortunately, the traditional structure-based test techniques intended for software code are not directly applicable to function block diagrams. However, coverage criteria for function block diagrams have recently been developed. In this work we have used these coverage criteria and developed a technique for generating structure-based test sets for function block based designs. The test set is automatically generated but the technique requires that a model checking model of the system is available. The technique utilises model checking to determine the concrete test cases. We have also described how tests can be generated so that multiple test requirements can be fulfilled at once, thus decreasing the number of generated test cases. We have implemented our approach as a proof-of-concept tool, and demonstrated the technique on a case study system.
Threat Perception in Older Customers Threat Perception in Older Consumers 1 Running head: THREAT PERCEPTION IN OLDER CONSUMERS Do Older Consumers Feel More Vulnerable? The Impact of Secondary Control Processes on Threat Perception

Previous research indicates that older consumers have a reduced capacity to engage in primary control behaviors that involve active responses to counteract threats, and thus compensate with secondary control processes that involve perceiving negative events as less threatening. Two studies were conducted to examine secondary control processes in older vs. younger consumers in relation to product harm crises. In both studies, older consumers perceived themselves as less vulnerable to the product harm crisis and viewed the crisis as less severe than younger consumers. Older consumers also placed less blame on the company involved in the crisis than younger consumers, and had stronger intentions to purchase and recommend products associated with the involved company in the future. These results suggest that secondary control processes in older consumers can exert an important influence on how this consumer segment interprets negative marketing events.
Complementary prioritized ensemble selection

We present a complementary ensemble selection method that utilizes a novel priority queue-based diversity measure. The method considers voting weaknesses of the current ensemble in covering the training set, and finds a classifier that can remove the highest priority weaknesses. Individual classifiers are generated using different machine learning algorithms and different parameter settings. A key feature of our method is in selecting complementary classifiers, i.e., repeatedly adding individual classifiers that best complement incorrect voting patterns of the current ensemble in priority order. We refer to this approach as “complementarity”. To evaluate this approach, we have performed months of experiments, making comparisons between our complementary prioritized ensemble selection method and an “ensemble of ensembles” approach. The comparisons are based on the forward stepwise selection method from earlier work on 5 datasets, each of which consists of comparisons from 9 folds of validated data (from 2 fold to 10 fold cross validated data). Over 1600 different classifier types were considered, yielding a huge space of alternative ensembles. The experimental results showed that a small and compact complementary ensemble yielded performance as good as and sometimes better than a huge ensemble selected by a state-of-the-art Ensemble of Ensembles method.
Graphical model checking with correlated response data

Correlated response data arise often in biomedical studies. The generalized estimation equation (GEE) approach is widely used in regression analysis for such data. However, there are few methods available to check the adequacy of regression models in GEE. In this paper, a graphical method is proposed based on Cook and Weisberg's marginal model plot. A bootstrap method is applied to obtain the reference band to assess statistical uncertainties in comparing two marginal mean functions. We also propose using the generalized additive model (GAM) in a similar fashion. The proposed two methods are easy to implement by taking advantage of existing smoothing and GAM softwares for independent data. The usefulness of the methodology is demonstrated through application to a correlated binary data set drawn from a clinical trial, the Lung Health Study. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SHEF-Lite: When Less is More for Translation Quality Estimation

We describe the results of our submissions to the WMT13 Shared Task on Quality Estimation (subtasks 1.1 and 1.3). Our submissions use the framework of Gaussian Processes to investigate lightweight approaches for this problem. We focus on two approaches, one based on feature selection and another based on active learning. Using only 25 (out of 160) features, our model resulting from feature selection ranked 1st place in the scoring variant of subtask 1.1 and 3rd place in the ranking variant of the subtask, while the active learning model reached 2nd place in the scoring variant using only 25% of the available instances for training. These results give evidence that Gaussian Processes achieve the state of the art performance as a modelling approach for translation quality estimation, and that carefully selecting features and instances for the problem can further improve or at least maintain the same performance levels while making the problem less resource-intensive.
The Data-Gathering Broker - A User-Based Approach to Viable EPR Systems

With the continued expansion of Electronic Patient Record systems ahead of comprehensive evidence, metrics, or future-proofing, European health informatics is embarking on a faith-driven adventure that also risks data swamping of end-users. An alternative approach is an information broker system, drawing from departmental data sources. A three-year study in health and social care has produced a first demonstrator which can search for specified information in heterogeneous distributed data stores, with source-specific permission can copy it, and then merge the search results in a real-time process.
Handheld Computers as Cognitive Tools: An Environmental Learning Project in Singapore

This design-based study uses handheld computers as cognitive tools to facilitate students' inquiry-based learning on environmental issues --3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) in a Singapore primary school. By using handheld computers, 40 Primary 4 students investigated how wastes are produced and what impact 3Rs can have on protecting the environment in a field trip. The results indicate improvements in the students' understanding of 3Rs as compared to before the activity. With the handheld computers, students' learning activities are more organized as a result of the complex processes made simple with the use of handheld computers as cognitive tools. In this study, it is not only the technology affordances, but the way the technologies were used in the context of the learning environment and the associated pedagogy that enables the handheld computers to serve as cognitive tools.
A Possible Role for Integrin Signaling in Diffuse Axonal Injury

Over the past decade, investigators have attempted to establish the pathophysiological mechanisms by which non-penetrating injuries damage the brain. Several studies have implicated either membrane poration or ion channel dysfunction pursuant to neuronal cell death as the primary mechanism of injury. We hypothesized that traumatic stimulation of integrins may be an important etiological contributor to mild Traumatic Brain Injury. In order to study the effects of forces at the cellular level, we utilized two hierarchical, in vitro systems to mimic traumatic injury to rat cortical neurons: a high velocity stretcher and a magnetic tweezer system. In one system, we controlled focal adhesion formation in neurons cultured on a stretchable substrate loaded with an abrupt, one dimensional strain. With the second system, we used magnetic tweezers to directly simulate the abrupt injury forces endured by a focal adhesion on the neurite. Both systems revealed variations in the rate and nature of neuronal injury as a function of focal adhesion density and direct integrin stimulation without membrane poration. Pharmacological inhibition of calpains did not mitigate the injury yet the inhibition of Rho-kinase immediately after injury reduced axonal injury. These data suggest that integrin-mediated activation of Rho may be a contributor to the diffuse axonal injury reported in mild Traumatic Brain Injury.
Homologous Recombination and DNA-End Joining Reactions in Zygotes and Early Embryos of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Drosophila melanogaster

A linear DNA with partial sequence redundancy can be recircularized in cells by either nonhomologous end joining (NEJ) or by homologous recombination (HR). We have studied the relative contributions of these processes in zygotes or early embryos of species that serve as model organisms for developmental genetics. Thus, we have microinjected a linearized plasmid substrate into zygotes of zebrafish (Danio rerio) or into the posterior end of Drosophila melanogaster early embryos before pole cell formation. Similar to the situation observed previously in Xenopus zygotes/early embryos, we detected a large preponderance of DNA-end joining over homologous recombination. A comparison of end-joined junctions revealed that from the three species tested, zebrafish introduced the least number of sequence distortions upon DNA-end joining, while Drosophila produced the largest deletions (average 14 bp) with occasional nucleotide patch insertions, reminiscent of the N nucleotides at V(D)J junctions in mammalian immune receptor genes. Double-strand gap repair by homologous sequences ('homologous recombination') involving a bimolecular reaction was readily detectable in both zebrafish and Drosophila. This involved specifically designed recombination substrates consisting of a mutagenized linear plasmid and DNA fragments carrying the wild-type sequence. Our results show that the basic machinery for homologous recombination is present at early developmental stages of these two genetic model organisms. However, it seems that for any experimental exploitation, such as targeted gene disruption, one would have to inhibit or bypass the overwhelming DNA-end joining activity.