Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
RELIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURES BY MONTE CARLO SIMULATION AND NEURAL NETWORKS

This paper examines a methodology for computing the probability of structural failure by combining Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). MCS is a powerful tool, simple to implement and capable of solving a broad range of reliability problems. However, its use for evaluation of very low probabilities of failure implies a great number of structural analyses which can become excessively time consuming. In the present study, nonlinear structural analysis is involved and therefore the computational effort of MCS will be resonated comparing with that of the linear analysis. The proposed methodology makes use of capability of a ANN to approximate a function for reproducing structural behavior, allowing the computation of performance measures at a much lower cost. In order to assess the validity of this methodology, a structural example is presented and discussed. The numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methodology for the structural reliability analysis.
Effects of Three Different Modes of Exercise Training on Plasma Lipoprotein Profile in Healthy Men

Objective: The present study was designed to compare the effects of resistance, endurance, and combined endurance / resistance exercises on plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile in healthy untrained middle-aged men. Methods: Healthy middle-aged staff of Islamic Azad University of Sanandaj were randomly assigned to eight weeks of three-times weekly endurance training groups (ET, 30.67±1.1 years, n = 10), resistance training (RT, 31.75±1.1 years, n = 10), combined endurance resistance training (ERT, 30.38±1.1 years, n = 10) and control (c, 30.38±1.1 years, n = 10). Subjects of ET, RT and ER groups underwent endurance (E), resistance (R) and combined endurance / resistance (ER) Original Research Article Mohammadi et al.; BJMMR, 6(5): 493-499, 2015; Article no.BJMMR. 2015.225 494 training respectively. Control group subjects remained sedentary during the period of the study. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: Apolipoprotein B (apo B) decreased significantly (p =0.05) in ERT group. Triglyceride (TG) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased significantly (p =0.05) in both ERT and ET groups. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased significantly in RT group (p =0.05). Lipoprotein lipase, total cholesterol and apo A levels did not change significantly in none of the trained groups. Conclusion: Based on the results of the current study, ERT is the mode of choice for correcting plasma TG, LDL and apo B abnormalities, while RT works better for boosting HDL.
Genome Sequence of the Human Pathogen Vibrio cholerae Amazonia

ABSTRACT Vibrio cholerae O1 Amazonia is a pathogen that was isolated from cholera-like diarrhea cases in at least two countries, Brazil and Ghana. Based on multilocus sequence analysis, this lineage belongs to a distinct profile compared to strains from El Tor and classical biotypes. The genomic analysis revealed that it contains Vibrio pathogenicity island 2 and a set of genes related to pathogenesis and fitness, such as the type VI secretion system, present in choleragenic V. cholerae strains.
Pixel to Patch Sampling Structure and Local Neighboring Intensity Relationship Patterns for Texture Classification

In this letter, we explore local image descriptors for texture classification. We mainly propose two novel contributions: an effective sampling structure based on Pixel To Patch (PTP) to mimic the retinal sampling pattern; and a novel Local Neighboring Intensity Relationship Pattern (LNIRP) descriptor to extract texture feature by exploring neighboring gray-scale properties. The LNIRP descriptor is extended by using the PTP sampling structure which aims to capture not only micro-patterns but also macro-patterns, while reducing feature dimensionality and improving computational efficiency. The proposed descriptor has advantages of computational simplicity, no texton dictionary learning step and training-free. Moreover, the LNIRP descriptor is complementary to the Local Binary Pattern (LBP) descriptor. Extensive experiments were conducted on Outex database to evaluate the proposed descriptor and sampling structure. The proposed descriptor can achieve superior classification performance compared to most of the state-of-the-art methods, including what we believe to be the best results reported for Outex, while offering a smallest feature dimension.
Blob Motion Statistics for Pedestrian Detection

Video analysis aiming at efficient pedestrian detection is an important research area in computer vision and robotics. Although this is a well studied topic, successful detection still remains a challenge in outdoor, low resolution images. We present efficient detection metrics which consider the fact that human movement presents some characteristic patterns. Unlike many methods which perform an intra-blob analysis based on motion masks, we approach the problem without necessarily considering the pixel distribution inside the blob. Therefore, we apply periodicity analysis not to the pixel luminances inside the blob, but by analyzing the motion statistics of the tracked blob as a whole. We propose the use of three cues: (i) a cyclic behavior in the blob trajectory, (ii) an in-phase relationship between the change in blob size and position, and (iii) a correlation between blob size and vertical position, assuming that the camera is set up sufficiently high. These features are combined according to the Bayes classifier for improved performance. Experiments present numerical error rates and comparisons with other methods, illustrating the applicability of the proposed method.
Control of Multiple UAVs for Persistent Surveillance: Algorithm and Flight Test Results

Interest in control of multiple autonomous vehicles continues to grow for applications such as weather monitoring, geographical mapping fauna surveys, and extra-terrestrial exploration. The task of persistent surveillance is of particular significance in that the target area needs to be continuously surveyed, minimizing the time between visitations to the same region. This distinction from one-time coverage does not allow a straightforward application of most exploration techniques to the problem, though ideas from these methods can still be used. The aerial vehicle dynamic and endurance constraints add additional complexity to the autonomous control problem, whereas stochastic environments and vehicle failures introduce uncertainty. In this work, we investigate techniques for high-level control, that are scalable, reliable, efficient, and robust to problem dynamics. Next, we suggest a modification to the control policy to account for aircraft dynamic constraints. We also devise a health monitoring policy and a control policy modification to improve performance under endurance constraints. The Vehicle Swarm Technology Laboratory-a hardware testbed developed at Boeing Research and Technology, Seattle, WA, for evaluating a swarm of unmanned air vehicles-is then described, and these control policies are tested in a realistic scenario.
Nitric Oxide Acts as a Volume Transmitter to Modulate Electrical Properties of Spontaneously Firing Neurons via Apamin-Sensitive Potassium Channels

Nitric oxide (NO) is a radical and a gas, properties that allow NO to diffuse through membranes and potentially enable it to function as a “volume messenger. ” This study had two goals: first, to investigate the mechanisms by which NO functions as a modulator of neuronal excitability, and second, to compare NO effects produced by NO release from chemical NO donors with those elicited by physiological NO release from single neurons. We demonstrate that NO depolarizes the membrane potential of B5 neurons of the mollusk Helisoma trivolvis, initially increasing their firing rate and later causing neuronal silencing. Both effects of NO were mediated by inhibition of Ca-activated iberiotoxin- and apamin-sensitive K channels, but only inhibition of apamin-sensitive K channels fully mimicked all effects of NO on firing activity, suggesting that the majority of electrical effects of NO are mediated via inhibition of apamin-sensitive K channels. We further show that single neurons release sufficient amounts of NO to affect the electrical activity of B5 neurons located nearby. These effects are similar to NO release from the chemical NO donor NOC-7 [3-(2-hydroxy-1-methyl-2-nitrosohydazino)-N-methyl-1-propyanamine], validating the use of NO donors in studies of neuronal excitability. Together with previous findings demonstrating a role for NO in neurite outgrowth and growth cone motility, the results suggest that NO has the potential to shape the development of the nervous system by modulating both electrical activity and neurite outgrowth in neurons located in the vicinity of NO-producing cells, supporting the notion of NO functioning as a volume messenger.
Comparative Long-term Adverse Effects Elicited by Invasive Group B and C Meningococcal Infections

No vaccine is universally active against serogroup B meningococci. A theoretical concern that serogroup B capsular polysaccharide may induce autoimmunity hampers vaccine development. We studied long-term complications in 120 survivors of meningococcal disease. No evidence of increased autoimmune, neurological, or psychiatric disease was noted.
A Proof-Producing CSP Solver

PCS is a CSP solver that can produce a machine-checkable deductive proof in case it decides that the input problem is unsatisfiable. The roots of the proof may be nonclausal constraints, whereas the rest of the proof is based on resolution of signed clauses, ending with the empty clause. PCS uses parameterized, constraint-specific inference rules in order to bridge between the nonclausal and the clausal parts of the proof. The consequent of each such rule is a signed clause that is 1) logically implied by the nonclausal premise, and 2) strong enough to be the premise of the consecutive proof steps. The resolution process itself is integrated in the learning mechanism, and can be seen as a generalization to CSP of a similar solution that is adopted by competitive SAT solvers.
In Vivo Positioning Analysis of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Several techniques have been described for reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). The anatomical insertion of the MPFL has been defined; however, there are no reports describing the accuracy of femoral graft positioning assessed postoperatively. Purpose: To analyze our femoral tunnel positioning for MPFL reconstruction in correlation with our clinical results. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The authors reported a prospective series of 29 MPFL reconstructions with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. The tunnel positioning analysis was performed using plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging at 1-year follow-up. Results: Twenty-nine femoral tunnels were analyzed; 20 femoral tunnels (69%) were considered to be in good position on plain radiographs. On magnetic resonance imaging, the authors found 19 femoral tunnels (65%) in a proper location, 5 (17.5%) in a high position, and 5 in an anterior and/or high position. Conclusion: The study highlights the difficulty of reproducible MPFL reconstruction. The surgical procedure continues to be improved and finding a reliable technique to anatomically place the graft remains challenging. Verifying femoral tunnel placement radiographically may be recommended during surgery.
Cooperative shared memory: software and hardware for scalable multiprocessors

We believe the paucity of massively parallel, shared-memory machines follows from the lack of a shared-memory programming performance model that can inform programmers of the cost of operations (so they can avoid expensive ones) and can tell hardware designers which cases are common (so they can build simple hardware to optimize them). Cooperative shared memory, our approach to shared-memory design, addresses this problem. Our initial implementation of cooperative shared memory uses a simple programming model, called Check-In/Check-Out (CICO), in conjunction with even simpler hardware, called Dir1SW. In CICO, programs bracket uses of shared data with a check_in directive terminating the expected use of the data. A cooperative prefetch directive helps hide communication latency. Dir1SW is a minimal directory protocol that adds little complexity to message-passing hardware, but efficiently supports programs written within the CICO model.
Computational modelling of mobile bearing TKA anterior–posterior dislocation

Anterior–posterior stability in an unconstrained mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and one with rotational constraints is compared in a computational model based on an ASTM test. Both TKA designs dislocate at loads greater than reported maximum in vivo forces. The posterior drawer forces (mean: 3027 N vs. 1817 N) needed to induce subluxation increase with a greater anterior jump distance (12 mm vs. 7 mm; refers to the vertical height of the anterior or posterior border of the tibial insert's articulating surface). The posterior jump distance for both tested TKA differed by 1.5 mm and had minimal effect on the magnitude of the anterior drawer forces at dislocation in mid-flexion (unconstrained vs. constrained: 445 N vs. 412 N). The unconstrained insert dislocated by means of spin-out whereas in the constrained TKA the femur dislocated from the bearing during posterior drawer and the bearing from the baseplate during anterior drawer. MCL function is an important consideration during ligament balancing since a ± 10% variation in MCL tension affects dislocation forces by ± 20%. The simulation platform provided the means to investigate TKA designs in terms of anterior–posterior stability as a function of knee flexion, collateral ligament function and mechanical morphology.
Resolving Attachment Injuries in Couples Using Emotionally Focused Therapy: A Three-Year Follow-Up

Couples who seek therapy for marital distress often do so because they have suffered an attachment injury, characterized by an abandonment or betrayal during a time of critical need. This follow-up assessed the efficacy of the newly developed Attachment Injury Resolution Model based in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Twelve couples with attachment injuries who received EFT were assessed to determine if the significant improvement in relationship distress observed in resolved couples at post-treatment would be maintained at 3-year follow-up. Results demonstrated that improvements in dyadic adjustment, trust, and forgiveness, as well as decreases in the severity of the attachment injury, were maintained over time. This follow-up study provides initial evidence of the long-term benefits of the Attachment Injury Resolution Model.
Using Phylogenetic, Functional and Trait Diversity to Understand Patterns of Plant Community Productivity

Background Two decades of research showing that increasing plant diversity results in greater community productivity has been predicated on greater functional diversity allowing access to more of the total available resources. Thus, understanding phenotypic attributes that allow species to partition resources is fundamentally important to explaining diversity-productivity relationships. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we use data from a long-term experiment (Cedar Creek, MN) and compare the extent to which productivity is explained by seven types of community metrics of functional variation: 1) species richness, 2) variation in 10 individual traits, 3) functional group richness, 4) a distance-based measure of functional diversity, 5) a hierarchical multivariate clustering method, 6) a nonmetric multidimensional scaling approach, and 7) a phylogenetic diversity measure, summing phylogenetic branch lengths connecting community members together and may be a surrogate for ecological differences. Although most of these diversity measures provided significant explanations of variation in productivity, the presence of a nitrogen fixer and phylogenetic diversity were the two best explanatory variables. Further, a statistical model that included the presence of a nitrogen fixer, seed weight and phylogenetic diversity was a better explanation of community productivity than other models. Conclusions Evolutionary relationships among species appear to explain patterns of grassland productivity. Further, these results reveal that functional differences among species involve a complex suite of traits and that perhaps phylogenetic relationships provide a better measure of the diversity among species that contributes to productivity than individual or small groups of traits.
Stability and Aggregation of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Natural Aqueous Matrices

There is a pressing need for information on the mobility of nanoparticles in the complex aqueous matrices found in realistic environmental conditions. We dispersed three different metal oxide nanoparticles (TiO2, ZnO and CeO2) in samples taken from eight different aqueous media associated with seawater, lagoon,river,andgroundwater,andmeasuredtheirelectrophoretic mobility, state of aggregation, and rate of sedimentation. The electrophoretic mobility of the particles in a given aqueous media was dominated by the presence of natural organic matter (NOM) and ionic strength, and independent of pH. NOM adsorbed onto these nanoparticles significantly reduces their aggregation, stabilizing them under many conditions. The transition from reaction to diffusion limited aggregation occurs at an electrophoretic mobility from around -2 to -0.8 μm s-1 V-1 cm. These results are key for designing and interpreting nanoparticle ecotoxicity studies in various environmental conditions.
Narrative Therapy and Interpersonal Neurobiology: Revisiting Classic Practices, Developing New Emphases

This article reviews some of the recent advances in brain research and the growing field of interpersonal neurobiology, which we believe supports a number of narrative therapy premises. Highlighted is the potential usefulness of thinking about unique outcomes as “moments” of “affect-infused” experiences. The concepts and theory proposed are illustrated by the description of three therapy sessions with a 28-year-old woman struggling with anxiety and depression, and a transcript of an intentionally “affect infused” re-authoring conversation.
Do Children Who Bully Their Peers Also Play Violent Video Games? A Canadian National Study

The study examined whether children who bully others are likely to prefer playing video games that are rated high in maturity and violence. A stratified random sample of Canadian children ages 10 to 17 years from the provinces of Canada was obtained. Parents (n = 397) and their children (n = 492) completed an online survey of children's bullying behaviors and their three favorite video games. Ordinal logistic regression analyses showed that parents’ and children's reports of child preferences for mature and violent video games were significantly related to children's perpetration of bullying and cyberbullying. Panel regression analyses revealed no significant difference between parent and child informants. Children who play highly violent and mature video games were likely to bully and cyberbully their peers, according to both parent and child reports.
Ethical belief and behavior of managers using information technology for decision making in Hong Kong

Examines the standards of ethical belief and ethical behavior of managers using information technology for decision making in Hong Kong. Proposes that a way of maintaining higher standards of ethics in IT practice is by adopting codes of conduct. Uses the seven ethical codes of the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals (ICCP) as the measurement tool. These seven codes are accountability, conflict of interest, disclosure, integrity, personal conduct, protection of privacy, and social responsibility. Presents the results of a questionnaire survey of managers belonging to an IT Management Club of a computer society in Hong Kong. Concludes that the seven codes are adequate indicators for measuring ethical standards for managers.
13 C NMR Reveals No Evidence of n 2 p * Interactions in Proteins

An n{p interaction between neighboring carbonyl groups has been postulated to stabilize protein structures. Such an interaction would affect the C chemical shielding of the carbonyl groups, whose paramagnetic component is dominated by n{p and p{p excitations. Model compound calculations indicate that both the interaction energetics and the chemical shielding of the carbonyl group are instead dominated by a classical dipole-dipole interaction. A set of highresolution protein structures with associated carbonyl C chemical shift assignments verifies this correlation and provides no evidence for an inter-carbonyl n{p interaction. Citation: Worley B, Richard G, Harbison GS, Powers R (2012) C NMR Reveals No Evidence of n2p* Interactions in Proteins. PLoS ONE 7(8): e42075. doi:10.1371/ journal.pone. 0042075 Editor: Daniel Monleon, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria INCLIVA, Spain Received February 4, 2012; Accepted July 2, 2012; Published August 2, 2012 Copyright: 2012 Worley et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This work was supported in part from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (grant number R21AI081154) to RP. The research was performed in facilities renovated with support from the National Institutes of Health (grant number RR015468-01). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: rpowers3@unl.edu
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale in a Postsecondary Population

Objective: Clinicians frequently rely upon the results of self-report rating scales when making the diagnosis of ADHD; however, little research exists regarding the ability of self-report measures to accurately differentiate ADHD from other disorders. Method: This present study investigated the ability of the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) to discriminate between 249 postsecondary students with carefully diagnosed ADHD and 507 clinical controls. Results: The overall discriminant validity of the CAARS was 69%, and it had an unacceptably high false positive and false negative rate. At lower prevalence rates, a high score on the CAARS has only a 22% chance of accurately identifying individuals with ADHD. Conclusion: Although the CAARS is an adequate screening measure, it should not be the main method by which a diagnosis is made, as it frequently misidentifies individuals with other psychological complaints as having ADHD. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.