Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting the sources of impaired wh-question comprehension in non-fluent aphasia: A cross-linguistic machine learning study on Turkish and German

ABSTRACT This study investigates the comprehension of wh-questions in individuals with aphasia (IWA) speaking Turkish, a non-wh-movement language, and German, a wh-movement language. We examined six German-speaking and 11 Turkish-speaking IWA using picture-pointing tasks. Findings from our experiments show that the Turkish IWA responded more accurately to both object who and object which questions than to subject questions, while the German IWA performed better for subject which questions than in all other conditions. Using random forest models, a machine learning technique used in tree-structured classification, on the individual data revealed that both the Turkish and German IWA’s response accuracy is largely predicted by the presence of overt and unambiguous case marking. We discuss our results with regard to different theoretical approaches to the comprehension of wh-questions in aphasia.
Assessing impact of a large-sized refugee camp on the local vegetation condition with remote sensing: a case study of Kakuma, Kenya

As a case study of impact assessment of a large-scaled refugee camp, NDVI analysis around the Kakuma Refugee Camp (KRC), located in the Turkana District, Kenya, is implemented by developing maximum value composite of NOAA/AVHRR. Firstly, the all Local Area Coverage (LAC) images available via NOAA website for the second ten days of May, the period of vegetation peak, in 1989, 1993 and 1999 are analyzed, corresponding to before, just after and a certain period after construction of KRC, which was set up in 1992. Although a clear NDVI reduction is seen from 1989 to 1999, the difference in precipitation seems to contribute significantly. Thus we analyzed additional images; the second 10 days of April 1999 and May 1998. The results indicate that large part of NDVI change from 1989 to 1999 is induced by rainfall change. However, near KRC, interesting NDVI reduction, which is worthy of more study, is seen also in the additional images
Energy-aware transceiver for energy harvesting wireless sensor networks. (Système de transmission radiofréquence adaptatif en performance et en consommation pour réseaux de capteurs autonomes en énergie)

Technological advances achieved over the past decade in the fields of microsystems and wireless communications have enabled the development of small size and low cost sensor nodes equipped with wireless communication capabilities able to establish a wireless sensor network (WSN). Each sensor node is typically equipped with one or several sensing unit, a data processing unit, a wireless communication interface and a battery. The challenges raised by WSNs has lead to the emergence of a new research domain which focuses on the study and deployment of such a networks in order to offer the required remote monitoring and control solutions for complex and unreachable environment. WSNs have found application in a wide range of different domains, including home and structural health monitoring, military surveillance, and biomedical health monitoring. These applications usually impose stringent constraints on the WSN lifetime which is expected to last several years. To reach this objective, it is necessary to reduce the overall energy consumption of the sensor node and to find an additional source of energy as well. To address the last point, energy harvesting from the environment seems to be a an efficient approach to sustain WSNs operations. However, energy harvesting devices, which must also be small, are usually unable to ensure a continuous operation of sensor nodes. Thus, it is necessary to adapt the WSN consumption and activity to the low and unpredictable energy scavenged. The work presented in this thesis focuses on the issue of simulation and power consumption of autonomous sensor nodes. We have first developed, HarvWSNet, a co-simulation framework combining WSNet and Matlab that provides adequate tools to accurately simulate heterogenous protocols (based on discrete-time events) and energy harvesting systems (based on continuous-time events). We have demonstrated that HarvWSNet allows a rapid evaluation of energy-harvesting WSNs deployment scenarios that may accelerate the time-to-market for these systems. Thanks to the accurate energy models (battery, supercapacitor, etc.) implemented in this platform, we have studied and evaluated a large scale deployment of solar and wind energy-harvesting WSNs. Our second contribution focuses on the implementation of energy-aware reconfiguration strategies in the radio transceiver which is usually considered as the most energy hungry component in a sensor node. These strategies are intended to reduce the excessive power consumption of the radio transceiver when the channel conditions are favorable. To this end, we have a new simulation framework called EnvAdapt (based also on WSNet) dedicated to the evaluation of reconfigurable radio transceivers for WSNs. In EnvAdapt, we have implemented the required radio transceiver behavioral and power consumption models that allows the evaluation of the impact of radio transceiver reconfiguration on the communication performance and lifetime of WSNs.
Feasibility of a liquid-phase microextraction sample clean-up and liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric screening method for selected anabolic steroid glucuronides in biological samples.

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are metabolized extensively in the human body, resulting mainly in the formation of glucuronide conjugates. Current detection methods for AAS are based on gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis of the hydrolyzed steroid aglycones. These analyses require laborious sample preparation steps and are therefore time consuming. Our interest was to develop a rapid and straightforward method for intact steroid glucuronides in biological samples, using liquid-phase microextraction (LPME) sample clean-up and concentration method combined with liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) analysis. The applicability of LPME was optimized for 13 steroid glucuronides, and compared with conventional liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedures. An LC/MS/MS method was developed for the quantitative detection of AAS glucuronides, using a deuterium-labeled steroid glucuronide as the internal standard. LPME, owing to its high specificity, was shown to be better suited than conventional LLE and SPE for the clean-up of urinary AAS glucuronides. The LPME/LC/MS/MS method was fast and reliable, offering acceptable reproducibility and linearity with detection limits in the range 2-20 ng ml(-1) for most of the selected AAS glucuronides. The method was successfully applied to in vitro metabolic studies, and also tested with an authentic forensic urine sample. For a urine matrix the method still has some unsolved problems with specificity, which should be overcome before the method can be reliably used for doping analysis, but still offering additional and complementary data for current GC/MS analyses.
Recommendation Engine for Online Short Video

In today's internet era, people are facing huge amount of information, that is the so called information overloading. It has hampered people to make full use the convenience of the Internet. There are several ways to solve the problem, such as category list, search engine and re-commendation engine. Among them search engine and recommendation engine are more popular. In real situation a recommendation engine has been proved to be even more effective than search engine in e-commerce and personalized information retrieval. By the way, because of the application of mobile Internet, online short video has become a very popular form of video nowadays. A good recommendation system can help people to reach the content they want efficiently. This article introduce the design of a robust recommendation engine specialized for online short video.
Fault estimation with biased process noise covariances

Fault estimation with performance analysis is investigated in the least squares sense for a class of time-varying systems with event-triggered measurement transmission and biased process noise covariances. In most other work, process noise covariance is assumed as either completely known. In this paper, we relax the assumption of knowing the exact process noise covariance and apply an event-triggered strategy when considering the measurement output transmission to remote estimator. A filter is designed in order to achieve the minimization on the upper bound of the filtering error covariance with event-triggered measurement transmission and biased process noise covariance. The desired filter parameters are calculated recursively with the least squares method, which is suitable for online application. It is found that the deviation of filtering error covariance is dependent on the deviation of process noise covariance with the performance of the proposed filter with biased process noise covariance further analyzed. A numerical simulation is utilized to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Initial testing (stage 1) of the investigational mTOR kinase inhibitor MLN0128 by the pediatric preclinical testing program

MLN0128 is an investigational small molecule ATP‐competitive inhibitor of the serine/threonine kinase mTOR. MLN0128 was tested against the in vitro panel at concentrations ranging from 0.1 nM to 1 μM and against the PPTP in vivo panels at a dose of 1 mg/kg administered orally daily × 28. In vitro the median relative IC50 concentration was 19 nM. In vivo MLN0128 induced significant differences in EFS in 24/31 (77%) solid tumor models, but 0/7 ALL xenografts. The modest activity observed for MLN0128 against the PPTP preclinical models is similar to that previously reported for another TOR kinase inhibitor. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014; 61:1486–1489. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Addendum to: 'PDE Representations of Derivatives with Bilateral Counterparty Risk and Funding Costs'

This addendum corrects an error in the notation of earlier versions of our paper "PDE Representations of Derivatives with Bilateral Counterparty Risk and Funding Costs" and Journal of Credit Risk 2011. None of the arguments and results of the paper change. A revised version of the paper has been posted.The paper "Partial Differential Equation Representations of Derivatives with Bilateral Counterparty Risk and Funding Costs" to which this Addendum applies is available at the following URL: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1605307
Knowledge and attitudes of day care center parents and care providers regarding children infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

It was hypothesized that parents and child care providers are not prepared to accept children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), who are increasing in number, into the day care center setting. To determine their knowledge and attitudes toward HIV transmission, 219 parents in 4 day care centers and 176 care providers in 12 day care centers were given confidential questionnaires. More than 98% of respondents knew that sex and needle sharing can transmit HIV; 84% of parents and 77% of care providers knew that contact with blood can transmit HIV. There was, however, uncertainty about transmission via many common contacts in day care centers: human bites, urine, stool, tears, and vomit; kissing; sharing of food and eating utensils; and diaper changing areas. Only 43% of parents said they would allow their child to stay in the same room with a child who was infected with HIV. In a multiple logistic regression model, the unwillingness of parents to have their child stay in the same room with a child who was infected with HIV was significantly (P less than .0001) associated with black ethnicity, beliefs that such a child is likely to infect others (40%) and is dangerous to others (58%), and fear of their child being exposed to HIV (86%). Care providers' unwillingness to care for a child infected with HIV in the classroom (48%) was significantly (P less than .0001) associated with beliefs that such a child is likely to infect others (44%) and that common day care center contacts can transmit HIV (62%). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Immunomodulatory and cellular anti-oxidant activities of caffeic, ferulic, and p-coumaric phenolic acids: a structure–activity relationship study

Abstract Many studies have been performed to assess the potential utility of natural products as immunomodulatory agents to enhance host responses and to reduce damage to the human body. To determine whether phenolic compounds (caffeic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acids) have immunomodulatory effects and clarify which types of immune effector cells are stimulated in vitro, we evaluated their effect on splenocyte proliferation and lysosomal enzyme activity. We also investigated the activity of natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). In addition, induction of the cellular antioxidant activity in splenocytes, macrophages, and red blood cells was determined by measuring the ﬂuorescence of the DCF product. The study first results indicated that caﬀeic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acids significantly promote LPS-stimulated splenocyte proliferation, suggesting a potential activation of B cells, and enhanced humoral immune response in hosts treated by the tested natural products. Phenolic acids significantly enhanced the killing activity of isolated NK and CTL cells but had negligible effects on mitogen-induced proliferation of splenic T cells. We showed that caffeic acid enhances lysosomal enzyme activity in murine peritoneal macrophages, suggesting a potential role in activating such cells. Immunomodulatory activity was concomitant with the cellular antioxidant effect in macrophages and splenocytes of caffeic and ferulic acids. We conclude from this study that caﬀeic, ferulic, and p-coumaric acids exhibited an immunomodulatory effect which could be ascribed, in part, to their cytoprotective effect via their antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, these results suggest that these natural products could be potentially used to modulate immune cell functions in physiological and pathological conditions.
Maturational gradients in the retina of the ferret

In the present set of studies, we have examined the site for the initiation of retinal maturation in the ferret. A variety of maturational features across the developing inner and outer retina were examined by using standard immunohistochemical, carbocyanine dye labelling, and Nissl‐staining techniques, including 1) two indices of early differentiation of the first‐born retinal ganglion cells, the presence of β‐tubulin and of neuron‐specific enolase; 2) the receding distribution of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans within the inner retina; 3) the distribution of the first ganglion cells to grow axons along the optic nerve; 4) the emergence of the inner plexiform layer; 5) the emergence of the outer plexiform layer and 6) the onset of synaptophysin immunoreactivity within it; 7) the differentiation of calbindin‐immunoreactive horizontal cells; and 8) the cessation of proliferative activity at the ventricular surface. Although we were able to define distinct maturational gradients that are associated with many of these features of inner and outer retinal development (each considered in detail in this report), with dorsal retina maturing before ventral retina, and with peripheral retina maturing last, none showed a clear initiation in the region of the developing area centralis. Rather, maturation began in the peripapillary retina dorsal to the optic nerve head, which is consistent with previous studies on the topography of ganglion cell genesis in the ferret. These results make clear that the order of retinal maturation and the formation of the area centralis are not linked, at least not in the ferret. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Late nonstructural 100,000- and 33,000-dalton proteins of adenovirus type 2. I. Subcellular localization during the course of infection

We analyzed the subcellular locations of the late adenovirus type 2 nonstructural 100,000-dalton (100K) and 33K proteins in adenovirus type 2-infected HeLa cells both by biochemical cell fractionation and by immunofluorescence microscopy, using specific antisera against purified sodium dodecyl sulfate-denatured 100K and 33K polypeptides. Both methods showed that the 100K protein was present in the cytoplasm as well as in the nuclei of infected cells and that it accumulated in the nuclei during the course of infection. Phosphorylated 100K protein also was found both in the cytoplasm and in nuclei. However, the nuclear 100K protein pool was phosphorylated to a higher degree than the cytoplasmic pool. In all experiments the 33K protein, which also is a phosphoprotein, was present exclusively in the nuclei of infected cells. The 100K and 33K proteins were associated with different nuclear substructures; this was demonstrated serologically by an analysis of infected cells in which double color immunofluorescence microscopy was used. In these experiments antibodies against the 100K protein decorated different nuclear structures than antibodies against the 33K protein.
Ancestry Informative Marker Set for Han Chinese Population

The population of Han Chinese is ∼1.226 billion people. Genetic heterogeneity between northern Han Chinese (N-Han) and southern Han Chinese (S-Han) has been demonstrated by recent genome-wide studies. As an initial step toward health disparities and personalized medicine in Chinese population, this study developed a set of ancestry informative markers (AIM) for Han Chinese population.
Association between Albuminuria, Carotid Atherosclerosis, Arterial Stiffness, and Peripheral Arterial Disease in Korean Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background: To evaluate the association between albuminuria, carotid atherosclerosis, arterial stiffness, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in Korean type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: In total, 673 type 2 diabetic patients registered with the public health center participated. Following an overnight fast, venous blood and urine samples were collected and analyzed. The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), amount of carotid plaque, brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and the ankle-brachial index of each patient were also assessed. Results: Albuminuria was significantly associated with PAD (odds ratio (OR) 2.33; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28–4.25 for normoalbuminuria vs. microalbuminuria and OR 3.28; 95% CI 1.40–7.66 for normoalbuminuria vs. macroalbuminuria), but not with carotid plaque. The mean baPWV differed significantly according to the level of albumin relative to the creatinine ratio (1,764.79, 1,778.98, and 2,001.33, respectively; p < 0.001), while no significant difference was observed in the mean IMT value (0.73, 0.74, and 0.72, respectively; p = 0.399). Conclusions: Albuminuria was significantly associated with baPWV and PAD, but not with carotid plaque or CCA-IMT, in Korean type 2 diabetic patients.
Measuring diagnostic competency and the analysis of factors influencing competency using written case studies.

PURPOSES To measure nurses' diagnostic competencies by using written case studies and to analyze factors influencing these competencies. METHODS A descriptive study was conducted using survey methods and a mailed questionnaire with a convenience sample of 376 nurses. Two written case studies were used to measure the diagnostic competencies of the subjects. Possible factors influencing nurses' judgments in making nursing diagnoses that were measured were clinical experience, decision-making responsibility, knowledge of nursing diagnosis, and attitude toward the use of nursing diagnosis. FINDINGS Subjects who demonstrated all three competencies were 35% (n = 131) for case study 1, and 53% (n = 200) for case study 2. Subjects who demonstrated diagnostic competency in defining diagnostic labels had the longest length of clinical experience. Subjects who were primary nurses with the usual responsibility of identifying nursing diagnoses showed the highest percentage of competency rates for defining characteristics, related factors, and risk factors. CONCLUSIONS Many of these Japanese nurses did not perform at satisfactory levels of diagnostic competency with these two written case studies. Factors that influenced diagnostic competency were length of clinical experience, decision-making responsibility, and frequency of studying nursing diagnosis.
PREFERENTIAL HYPERACUITY PERIMETRY TO DETECT HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE RETINAL TOXICITY

Purpose: To determine if Preferential Hyperacuity Perimetry (PHP) testing can detect the presence of retinal toxicity due to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or chloroquine administration. Methods: Fifteen patients were divided into three groups. Five patients had confirmed HCQ or chloroquine toxicity, five patients had suspected HCQ toxicity, and five patients had history of long-term use of HCQ or chloroquine but no evidence of toxicity. All patients underwent PHP testing. Results: All patients with either known or suspected toxicity based upon standardized visual field testing and/or fluorescein angiography demonstrated significant hyperacuity defects on PHP testing. None of the patients on long-term HCQ therapy, without clinical suspicion of toxicity, demonstrated a PHP hyperacuity defect. Conclusion: Results of this pilot study with patients with known or suspected HCQ or chloroquine toxicity suggest that PHP may be a useful adjunct for testing of patients suspicious for toxicity due to these medications. Further testing is warranted.
SIEM selection criteria for an efficient contextual security

The IT environment is on a constant evolution and it's getting more complex. Therefore, organizations started to invest on integrating SOCs (Security Operation Center) to improve its security. Several studies have been carried out on this area of SOC analysis, its elaboration and the balance between the triad PPT (Person, Process and Technology). Our aim in this paper is to propose selection criteria that will help organizations analyzing different SOCs and perhaps chose the ideal one. In this context, we have implemented three SIEM tools and compared them through the proposed criteria, in order to demonstrate how much information these criteria can provide on each SIEM tool, and thus contributing in decision making for choosing the ideal SOC for a specific environment.