Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early prediction of major depression in adolescents using glottal wave characteristics and Teager Energy parameters

Previous studies of an automated detection of Major Depression in adolescents based on acoustic speech analysis identified the glottal and the Teager Energy features as the strongest correlates of depression. This study investigates the effectiveness of these features in an early prediction of Major Depression in adolescents using a fully automated speech analysis and classification system. The prediction was achieved through a binary classification of speech recordings from 15 adolescents who developed Major Depression within two years after these recordings were made and 15 adolescents who did not developed Major Depression within the same time period. The results provided a proof of concept that an acoustic speech analysis can be used in early prediction of depression. The glottal features made the strongest predictors of depression with 69% accuracy, 62% specificity and 76% sensitivity. The TEO feature derived from glottal wave also provided good results, specifically when calculated at the frequency range of 1.3 kHz to 5.5 kHz.
DNA Methylation as an Adjunct to Histopathology to Detect Prevalent, Inconspicuous Dysplasia and Early-Stage Neoplasia in Barrett's Esophagus

Purpose: Endoscopic surveillance of Barrett's esophagus is problematic because dysplasia/early-stage neoplasia is frequently invisible and likely to be missed because of sampling bias. Molecular abnormalities may be more diffuse than dysplasia. The aim was therefore to test whether DNA methylation, especially on imprinted and X-chromosome genes, is able to detect dysplasia/early-stage neoplasia. Experimental design: 27K methylation arrays were used to find genes best able to differentiate between 22 Barrett's esophagus and 24 esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) samples. These were validated using pyrosequencing on a retrospective cohort (60 Barrett's esophagus, 36 dysplastic, and 90 EAC) and then in a prospective multicenter study (98 Barrett's esophagus patients, including 28 dysplastic and 9 early EAC) designed to utilize biomarkers to stratify patients according to their prevalent dysplasia/EAC status. Results: Genes (23%) on the array, including 7% of X-linked and 69% of imprinted genes, have shown statistically significant changes in methylation in EAC versus Barrett's esophagus (Wilcoxon P < 0.05). 6/7 selected candidate genes were successfully internally (Pearson's P < 0.01) and externally validated (ANOVA P < 0.001). Four genes (SLC22A18, PIGR, GJA12, and RIN2) showed the greatest area under curve (0.988) to distinguish between Barrett's esophagus and dysplasia/EAC in the retrospective cohort. This methylation panel was able to stratify patients from the prospective cohort into three risk groups based on the number of genes methylated (low risk: <2 genes, intermediate: 2, and high: >2). Conclusion: Widespread DNA methylation changes were observed in Barrett's carcinogenesis including ≈70% of known imprinted genes. A four-gene methylation panel stratified patients with Barrett's esophagus into three risk groups with potential clinical utility. Clin Cancer Res; 19(4); 878–88. ©2012 AACR.
Accurate Connection Strength Estimation Based on Variational Bayes for Detecting Synaptic Plasticity

Connection strength estimation is widely used in detecting the topology of neuronal networks and assessing their synaptic plasticity. A recently proposed model-based method using the leaky integrate-and-fire model neuron estimates membrane potential from spike trains by calculating the maximum a posteriori (MAP) path. We further enhance the MAP path method using variational Bayes and dynamic causal modeling. Several simulations demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately estimate connection strengths with an error ratio of less than 20%. The results suggest that the proposed method can be an effective tool for detecting network structure and synaptic plasticity.
Computational framework for next-generation sequencing of heterogeneous viral populations using combinatorial pooling

MOTIVATION Next-generation sequencing (NGS) allows for analyzing a large number of viral sequences from infected patients, providing an opportunity to implement large-scale molecular surveillance of viral diseases. However, despite improvements in technology, traditional protocols for NGS of large numbers of samples are still highly cost and labor intensive. One of the possible cost-effective alternatives is combinatorial pooling. Although a number of pooling strategies for consensus sequencing of DNA samples and detection of SNPs have been proposed, these strategies cannot be applied to sequencing of highly heterogeneous viral populations. RESULTS We developed a cost-effective and reliable protocol for sequencing of viral samples, that combines NGS using barcoding and combinatorial pooling and a computational framework including algorithms for optimal virus-specific pools design and deconvolution of individual samples from sequenced pools. Evaluation of the framework on experimental and simulated data for hepatitis C virus showed that it substantially reduces the sequencing costs and allows deconvolution of viral populations with a high accuracy. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The source code and experimental data sets are available at http://alan.cs. gsu.edu/NGS/? q=content/pooling.
Establishment of a Rabbit Model of Chronic Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Application in Cardiovascular Consequences

Background: Although obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been recognized as a major risk factor for cardiovascular complications and its clinical features are well characterized, it is difficult to replicate the OSA hypoxic model in humans. We aimed to establish an experimental rabbit model for chronic OSA and to explore its application to measure blood pressure (BP), myocardial systolic function, and oxidative stress. Methods: The rabbit model for OSA was established by repeatedly closing the airway and then reopening it. A tube specially designed with a bag that could be alternately inflated and deflated according to a predetermined time schedule, resulting in recurrent airway occlusions and chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) imitating OSA patterns in humans, was used. Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into obstruction, sham, and control groups, and their upper airways were alternately closed for 15 s and then reopened for 105 s in a 120-s-long cycle, for 8 h each day over 12 consecutive weeks. Before and after the experiment, the BP of each rabbit was monitored. Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-&agr; (TNF-&agr;) in the serum, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents, as well as Na+-K+-ATPase/Ca2+-ATPase activities in cardiac muscle were examined. In addition, cardiac functional parameters were measured using echocardiography. Results: After 3 months, all rabbits in the obstruction group manifested sleepiness performance similar to that observed in OSA patients. Traces of airflow and SpO2 showed that this model mimicked the respiratory events involved in OSA, including increased respiratory effort and decreased oxygen saturation. Gradually, the BP rose each month. CIH led to obvious oxidative stress and injured myocardial systolic performance. The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-&agr; increased significantly (64.75 ± 9.05 pg/ml vs. 147.00 ± 19.24 pg/ml and 59.38 ± 8.21 pg/ml vs. 264.75 ± 25.54 pg/ml, respectively, both P < 0.001). Compared with the sham and the control groups, myocardial activities of Na+-K+-ATPase/Ca2+-ATPase and SOD in the obstruction group decreased markedly, while ROS and MDA content increased. Conclusions: These results show that the rabbit model for OSA simulates the pathophysiological characteristics of OSA in humans, which implies that this animal model is feasible and useful to study the mechanisms involved in the cardiovascular consequences of OSA.
Making Brains run Faster: are they Becoming Smarter?

Abstract A brief overview of structural and functional brain characteristics related to g is presented in the light of major neurobiological theories of intelligence: Neural Efficiency, P-FIT and Multiple-Demand system. These theories provide a framework to discuss the main objective of the paper: what is the relationship between individual alpha frequency (IAF) and g? Three studies were conducted in order to investigate this relationship: two correlational studies and a third study in which we experimentally induced changes in IAF by means of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). (1) In a large scale study (n = 417), no significant correlations between IAF and IQ were observed. However, in males IAF positively correlated with mental rotation and shape manipulation and with an attentional focus on detail. (2) The second study showed sex-specific correlations between IAF (obtained during task performance) and scope of attention in males and between IAF and reaction time in females. (3) In the third study, individuals’ IAF was increased with tACS. The induced changes in IAF had a disrupting effect on male performance on Raven’s matrices, whereas a mild positive effect was observed for females. Neuro-electric activity after verum tACS showed increased desynchronization in the upper alpha band and dissociation between fronto-parietal and right temporal brain areas during performance on Raven’s matrices. The results are discussed in the light of gender differences in brain structure and activity.
Generating Tutorial Feedback with Affect

Studies aimed at understanding what makes human tutoring effective have noted that the type of indirect guidance that characterizes human tutorial dialogue is a key factor. In this paper, we describe an approach that brings together sociolingusitic research on the basis of linguistic choice with natural language generation technology to systematically produce tutorial feedback appropriate to the given situation.
Psychometric Properties of Scores on a New Measure of Psychological Type.

Instruments measuring Carl Jung's (1921/1971) theory of psychological types have been widely used in various counseling contexts. The most popular measure of types has been the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (K. Briggs and I. Myers). This measure has been criticized for dichotomous scoring, forced-choice response formats, and differential gender weighting of item responses. Two studies, one involving 207 college students and the other involving 894 college students, were conducted to explore the psychometric properties of scores from an alternative measure of types, the Personal Preferences Self-Description Questionnaire (PPSDQ) (B. Thompson, 1996). Results are compared with those from related previous studies involving the Myers and Briggs measure or the PPSDQ. Results regarding the psychometric properties of PPSDQ scores were very encouraging and were consistent with previous results for the same measure. They were as good as, or superior to, results reported for the Myers and Briggs measure. Appendixes contain item analysis statistics for the PPSDQ, a table of gender differences on PPSDQ scales, a variance/covariance matrix for one of the studies, and varimax-rotated component function/structure coefficients for one study. (Contains 3 tables, 1 figure, and 32 references.) (SLD) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** ppsdgl5t.wp1 6/13/99 Psychometric Properties of Scores on a New Measure of Psychological Type Tammi Vacha-Haase Colorado State University PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY . _d\"1(1°N)-5 0 itt TO THE INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Bruce Thompson Texas AM rb = 894) were conducted exploring the psychometric properties of scores from an alternative measure of types, the Personal Preferences SelfDescription Questionnaire (PPSDQ). Results are compared with those from related previous studies involving the Myers and Briggs measure or the PPSDQ.
Consistency of symptom clusters among advanced cancer patients seen at an outpatient supportive care clinic in a tertiary cancer center

Abstract Objective: Advanced cancer patients often develop severe physical and psychological symptom clusters (SCs), but limited data exist on their consistency or severity after an outpatient interdisciplinary team consultation led by palliative care specialists. The primary aim of the study was to determine the consistency and severity of SCs in advanced cancer patients in this setting. Method: A total of 1373 patients with advanced cancer who were referred to The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center's Outpatient Supportive Care Center between January 2003 and October 2008 with a complete Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS; 0–10 scale) occurred at initial and first follow-up visit were reviewed (median 14 days, range 1–4 weeks). We used a Wilcoxon signed-rank test to determine whether symptoms changed over time, and a principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation to determine SCs at baseline and at first follow-up. The number of factors calculated was determined based upon the number of eigenvalues. Results: The patients' ratings of the following symptoms (mean, SD) at the initial and follow-up visits, respectively, were: fatigue 6.2 (2.3) and 5.7 (2.5, p < 0.0001), pain 5.4 (2.9) and 4.6 (3, p < 0.0001), nausea 2.2 (2.8) and 2.0 (2.6, p < 0.0001), depression 3.0 (2.9) and 2.5 (2.7, p < 0.0001), anxiety 3.4 (3.0) and 2.8 (2.8, p < 0.0001), drowsiness 4.8 (3.1) and 4.4 (3.1, p < 0.0001), dyspnea 3.0 (2.9) and 2.7 (2.8), p < 0.0001), loss of appetite 4.2 (2.7) and 3.9 (2.7, p < 0.0001), sleep disturbances 4.2 (2.6) and 3.8 (2.6, P < 0.0001), and well-being 4.3 (2.5) and 3.9 (2.3, p < 0.0001). Cluster composition differentiated into physical (fatigue, pain, nausea, drowsiness, dyspnea, and loss of appetite) and psychological (anxiety and depression) components at the initial visit, and these two SCs were consistent upon follow-up. Significance of results: We conclude that SCs remain constant between baseline and near-term follow-up but that the severity of those symptoms lessened during that interval. This knowledge may allow palliative care teams to provide more targeted and higher-quality care, but further studies are needed.
Discovering innate immunity genes using differential display: A story of RNA helicases

In this review we discuss the current literature for RNA helicases in response to RNA virus infection. We show the use of Differential Display Reverse Transcription PCR methodology (DD) to analyze virus–host interactions and we present current findings in dengue virus‐induced gene expression of RNA helicases. J. Cell. Physiol. 209: 636–644, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Formation Control of Robotic Swarm Using Bounded Artificial Forces

Formation control of multirobot systems has drawn significant attention in the recent years. This paper presents a potential field control algorithm, navigating a swarm of robots into a predefined 2D shape while avoiding intermember collisions. The algorithm applies in both stationary and moving targets formation. We define the bounded artificial forces in the form of exponential functions, so that the behavior of the swarm drove by the forces can be adjusted via selecting proper control parameters. The theoretical analysis of the swarm behavior proves the stability and convergence properties of the algorithm. We further make certain modifications upon the forces to improve the robustness of the swarm behavior in the presence of realistic implementation considerations. The considerations include obstacle avoidance, local minima, and deformation of the shape. Finally, detailed simulation results validate the efficiency of the proposed algorithm, and the direction of possible futrue work is discussed in the conclusions.
Issues in incremental adaptation of statistical MT from human post-edits

This work investigates a crucial aspect for the integration of MT technology into a CAT environment, that is the ability of MT systems to adapt from the user feedback. In particular, we consider the scenario of an MT system tuned for a specific translation project that after each day of work adapts from the post-edited translations created by the user. We apply and compare different state-of-the-art adaptation methods on post-edited translations generated by two professionals during two days of work with a CAT tool embedding MT suggestions. Both translators worked at the same legal document from English into Italian and German, respectively. Although exactly the same amount of translations was available each day for each language , the application of the same adaptation methods resulted in quite different outcomes. This suggests that adaptation strategies should not be applied blindly, but rather taking into account language specific issues, such as data sparsity.
Prototyping of Task-Oriented Mobile Navigation System with Real Scale Mobile Services

Because present methods for mobile service navigation are insufficient to guide users efficiently to the services they need, the authors have been investigating a taskoriented menu, which enables users to search for mobile internet services not by category but by what they want to do. Construction of the task-oriented menu is based on a task ontology modeling method which supports descriptions of user activities, such as task execution and defeating obstacles encountered during the task. Since a prototype within a limited domain and task proved its efficiency for navigating novice users, this paper introduces the next step toward the realization of the taskoriented menu system. We have built task model of the mobile users which covered about 97% of the assumed situations of mobile internet services. Then we reorganized “contexts” in the model and designed a menu hierarchy from the view point of the task. We have linked the designed menu to the set of actual mobile internet service sites included in the i-mode service operated by NTT docomo, consists of 5016 services. Among them, 4817 services are properly connected to the menu. This paper introduces a real scale task-oriented menu system for mobile service navigation with some findings in the process of the prototyping.
Positive Linking: How Networks Can Revolutionise the World by Paul Ormerod

What do you do to start reading positive linking how networks can revolutionise the world by ormerod paul 2012 paperback? Searching the book that you love to read first or find an interesting book that will make you want to read? Everybody has difference with their reason of reading a book. Actuary, reading habit must be from earlier. Many people may be love to read, but not a book. It's not fault. Someone will be bored to open the thick book with small words to read. In more, this is the real condition. So do happen probably with this positive linking how networks can revolutionise the world by ormerod paul 2012 paperback.
Value creation from corporate divestitures: Evidence from European spin-offs over 1994-2006.

Purpose of the study In this Thesis I evaluate the value creation from corporate divestitures by studying European spin-offs over the period 1994-2006. I check the abnormal returns to parent shareholders following a spin-off announcement, and try to explain these returns by regressing them against relative size of the spin-off, increase in industry and geographical focus and change in operating performance. I also measure the long-run abnormal returns for the parent and the spun off subsidiary over five years around the announcement and the industry adjusted change in operating performance following a completed spin-off. The role of these tests is to facilitate the analysis regarding the sources behind the value creation. Data The data used in this study was collected from several sources. The spin-off events and company details were taken from SDC Platinum, financial statement information from Thomson OneBanker Worldscope database and the stock price information from Datastream. All this data was collected for the parents, spun-off subsidiaries and benchmarks. The final sample for testing the announcement effects consisted of 164 European spin-offs of which 120 were completed. The samples for testing long-run abnormal returns and changes in operating performance became smaller as data was not available for all observations. Results I find positive and statistically significant cumulative abnormal returns of +1.83% to the shareholders of the parent companies over (-1,1) days around the spin-off announcement. This value increases to 1.92% when only the sample of completed spin-offs is evaluated and further to 2.38% in the sample of only focus increasing spin-offs. This value creation is significantly related to the relative size of the spin-off. Increase in industrial focus, increase in geographical focus and change in operating performance show no significant explanation power. I also find insignificant long run abnormal returns for each subperiod in the four-year period around the spin-off announcement. Similarly, the change in operating performance, measured as the change in industry-adjusted return on assets, is not significantly different from zero over a five-year period around the spin-off announcement.
Shapechanger: Environments for Transfer Learning

We present Shapechanger, a library for transfer reinforcement learning specifically designed for robotic tasks. We consider three types of knowledge transfer---from simulation to simulation, from simulation to real, and from real to real---and a wide range of tasks with continuous states and actions. Shapechanger is under active development and open-sourced at: this https URL
The Polar Urals’ religious landscape in the 1920’s Images in the photographic collections of the Urals State Archive (GASO)

The Polar Urals is one of the more remote locations in the Russian North. The indigenous peoples of the region: Mansi, Khanty, and Nentsy, whose economy was based on hunting, fishing and reindeer herding, to a great degree have preserved their lifestyle and religious traditions despite several attempts of both Russian Imperial and Soviet state authorities to modernise them. That became possible due to the fact that northern religions are more a way of life than a religion in the European sense of the word. While the religious traditions of the Mansi, Khanty, and Nentsy have a rather developed historiography, this article aims to evaluate a new source of insight into native spirituality by examining a collection of the photographic materials and glass positives, which were recently located in the State archive of Sverdlovsk oblast' (GASO) and digitized. The article argues that examination of the photographic materials, in conjunction with written documents and contemporary indigenous experts' comments, can serve as a valuable approach to reconstructing the Polar Urals' religious landscape in the 1920s. Here I shall analyse the history of photo collection, explore the main techniques for taking pictures in the Polar Urals in the 1920s, and examine some potential methods for analysing the photo materials as a historical record of the religiosity of the indigenous peoples in the Polar Urals.