Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exploring the link between drug use and job status in the U.S

What is the relationship between drug abuse and job status in the United States? This is a complex question involving two directions of causality. Does drug abuse lead someone to become or stay jobless, or does unemployment lead to drug abuse? On the one hand, drug abuse can reduce a person’s employment prospects, both by reducing productivity and by decreasing the chance of getting a job in the first place, especially if an employer tests applicants for illegal drug consumption. On the other hand, those who are unemployed or otherwise out of the labor force may face financial hardship or simply have more unstructured time, either of which can result in a higher propensity to consume these substances, everything else held constant. If so, it would only be natural to think that a national increase in unemployment—such as during the Great Recession—could lead to increased drug abuse and persistent drug addiction issues. This article provides a quick glance at this relationship, using data about legal and illegal drug use from 2005 to 2011 from the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.1 Caffeine, alcohol and nicotine are by far the most popular addictive substances in the U.S., partly because they are not illegal and partly because their negative health effects are thought to be mild if consumed in moderation. In 2011, 13.5 percent of respondents reported having smoked a cigarette every day during the past month, and 18 percent reported having drunk alcohol more than 100 times in the previous 12 months. Figure 1 shows the fraction of the population reporting having consumed illegal substances in the month prior to questioning.2 The figure reveals that marijuana was by far the most popular illegal substance, with 7 percent of the population reporting having consumed it in the previous month. Pain relievers and tranquilizers follow marijuana in popularity and were reportedly consumed by 1.5 and 0.7 percent of the population, respectively. Substances such as crack, heroin and sedatives were consumed by 0.1 percent of the population. At first glance, the rates at which traditionally illegal substances are consumed appear inversely related to their addictive potential and to measures of their associated health risks. On the one hand, a medical study on addiction shows that heroin and some stimulants (methamphetamines) are the most addictive drugs, and, as Figure 1 shows, they are used by only a small portion of the population. On the other hand, another study, which focuses on the risk of acute reaction and death, shows that the least hazardous drugs are hallucinogens and marijuana, the latter of which is the most widely consumed, according to Figure 1.3 These are interesting facts for discussing theories of addiction.
Advanced 3D localization by fusing measurements from GPS, inertial and vision sensors

In this paper we present an efficient algorithm for estimating the 3D localization in an urban environments by fusing measurements from GPS receiver, inertial sensor and vision. Such hybrid sensor is important for numerous applications including outdoor mobile augmented reality and 3D robot localization. Our approach is based on non-linear filtering of these complementary sensors using a multi-rate Extended Kalman Filter. Our main contributions concern the modeling of the sensor fusion and the development of an efficient approach for camera pose tracking using only natural features. This method improves the accuracy of the estimated 3D localization. We evaluated the performances of our approach and demonstrated its effectiveness through experiments on real data.
Suitability of loci for multiple-locus variable-number of tandem-repeats analysis of Cryptosporidium parvum for inter-laboratory surveillance and outbreak investigations

SUMMARY Cryptosporidium parvum is the major cause of livestock and zoonotically-acquired human cryptosporidiosis. The ability to track sources of contamination and routes of transmission by further differentiation of isolates would assist risk assessment and outbreak investigations. Multiple-locus variable-number of tandem-repeats (VNTR) analysis provides a means for rapid characterization by fragment sizing and estimation of copy numbers, but structured, harmonized development has been lacking for Cryptosporidium spp. To investigate potential for application in C. parvum surveillance and outbreak investigations, we studied nine commonly used VNTR loci (MSA, MSD, MSF, MM5, MM18, MM19, MS9-Mallon, GP60 and TP14) for chromosome distribution, repeat unit length and heterogeneity, and flanking region proximity and conservation. To investigate performance in vitro, we compared these loci in 14 C. parvum samples by capillary electrophoresis in three laboratories. We found that many loci did not contain simple repeat units but were more complex, hindering calculations of repeat unit copy number for standardized reporting nomenclature. However, sequenced reference DNA enabled reproducible fragment sizing and inter-laboratory allele assignation based on size normalized to that of the sequenced fragments by both single round and nested polymerase chain reactions. Additional Cryptosporidium loci need to be identified and validated for robust inter-laboratory surveillance and outbreak investigations.
Comparison of schwann cell and sciatic nerve transcriptomes indicates that mouse is a valid model for the human peripheral nervous system

High‐throughput gene expression analyses of murine models of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), and its cellular components, have yielded enormous amounts of expression data of the PNS in various conditions. These data provided clues for future research directions to further decipher this complex organ in relation to acquired and inherited PNS diseases. Various studies addressing the validity of mouse models for human conditions in other tissues and cell types have indicated that in many cases the mouse model only poorly represents the human situation. To determine how well the mouse can serve as model to study the biological processes occurring in the PNS, we compared the gene expression profiles that we generated for mouse and human sciatic nerve and cultured Schwann cells derived thereof. A two‐way analysis based on the differentially expressed genes between the sciatic nerve and the cultured Schwann cell, and which takes into account the differential expression between mouse and man, indicates that the human PNS is well represented by that of the mouse in terms of the “biological processes” ontology. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploiting Query Feedback and Local Indices for Searching across Unstructured Peer-to-peer Networks

Peer-to-peer technologies has been developed to cater the need for users to search and retrieve these scattered data in a quick and cost-saving manned due to the dynamic and expensive nature of the internet. In recent years, peer-to-peer networks have become one of the medium for the Internet users to share resources. In a peer-to-peer network, a peer acts as client and a server of the system. Peer-to-peer presents attractive solution through its scalability, fault-tolerance and autonomy. However, in their basic structure, peer-to-peer suffers high cost when dealing with locating content efficiently due to use of primitive searching and searching technique that uses large overhead and long query time. It is crucial to select relevant peers to route query message to efficiently use the network resources without the loss of the unstructured peer-to-peer identity and characteristics.
OPA1-related auditory neuropathy: site of lesion and outcome of cochlear implantation

Santarelli et al. reveal that hearing impairments in patients carrying OPA1 missense mutations are the result of disordered synchrony in auditory nerve fibre activity owing to degeneration of terminal dendrites. Cochlear implantation improves speech perception and synchronous activation of auditory pathways in these patients by bypassing the lesion site.
Hordein gene expression in a low protein barley cultivar.

The low protein barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivar ;Karl' is deficient in hordeins, the major storage protein fraction, but has normal levels of other endosperm protein fractions. We compared hordein gene expression in Karl with that in ;Traill,' a related cultivar that contains normal amounts of hordein. In plants grown in controlled environmental conditions, hordein accumulation in Karl was 55% of that in Traill. The amount of hordein synthesized at all developmental stages tested was lower in Karl, as shown by pulse labeling of excised spikes with [(3)H]leucine. To determine whether levels of hordein mRNAs were related to amounts of hordein synthesis, total RNA preparations from endosperms at three or four developmental stages were hybridized to cDNA probes corresponding to B and C hordein genes. Both B and C hordein mRNA levels were significantly lower in Karl than in Traill at intermediate developmental stages. It was concluded that the low-hordein character of Karl was regulated by the size of the hordein mRNA pool. Transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional controls may be involved in the regulation of hordein mRNA levels.
Differentiation‐related expression of adhesion molecules and receptors on human neuroblastoma tissues, cell lines and variants

The expression of cellular adhesion molecules (CAM) involved in cell adhesion and immune recognition was measured on neuroblastoma tissue samples, on a neuroblastoma (NB) cell line, SK‐N‐SH, and on 3 phenotypically different variants, SH‐SY5Y, SH‐EP, SH‐IN, representing neuronal, Schwannian/ glial or intermediate NB‐cell types. Immunohistochemical analysis of CAM expression by NB and related tumors at different stages of differentiation revealed a co‐expression of several CAM (ICAN‐1/CD54, LFA‐3, VLA‐2 and HLA‐ABC) associated with low stages and more highly differentiated NB tumors and peripheral neuroepitheliomas (PN). In contrast, N‐CAM was uniformly expressed on all NB tumors. Flow cytometric analysis of CAM surface expression by SK‐N‐SH and variant cells revealed highly variable phenotypes. Expression of ICAM‐1, LFA‐3, VLA‐2 and HLA‐ABC molecules was associated with the epithelial cell type represented by the SH‐EP variant. In contrast, low expression of these molecules and high expression of N‐CAM was associated with the neuronal SH‐SY5Y cells. Exposure of the NB cells to differentiation inducers (retinoic acid, 5′‐brornodeoxyuridine and phorbol esters) and cytokines (τ‐interferon, α‐tumor necrosis factor) resulted in a variable up‐regulation of the expression of all CAMs, except N‐CAM, regardless of the type of differentiation induced. In an attempt to establish a link between the pattern of expression of CAM on NB cells and their susceptibility to natural killer (NK) or lymphokine‐activated killer (LAK) cell lysis, the analysis revealed that NB cells expressing CAM and a differentiated phenotype were less susceptible to NK lysis, but no difference in the sensitivity of the NB cell types to LAK effectors was observed. Treatment of NB target cells with cytokines or PMA decreased their susceptibility to NK and LAK lysis, while induction of differentiation with RA or BUdR resulted in no changes in the sensitivity to NK and LAK lysis. In conclusion, expression of HLA‐ABC and several co‐regulated CAMs was shown to be associated with a differentiated phenotype in NB, with an overall decreased sensitivity to NK/LAK effector cells. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell surface CD43 determination improves diagnostic precision in late B‐cell diseases

Summary. Panels of immunological markers are useful in refining diagnosis in view of certain variability between B‐cell leukaemias. A statistical multivariate approach was used on 100 B leukaemias (preliminary sample) to explore the potential value of the combination of CD43, and the classical markers CD5, CD23, CD79b, FMC7, CD22 and surface immunoglobulin to differentiate chronic lymphoid leukaemia (CLL) from lymphoma (non‐CLL). CD43 was highly effective (P < 0·00001) and its inclusion in the panels improved the accuracy of discrimination in a ‘control’ sample of 74 B leukaemias to 98·6%. Inclusion of CD43 facilitates the diagnosis of B‐lymphoproliferative disorders and improves their classification.
The Neural Site of Attention Matches the Spatial Scale of Perception

What is the neural locus of visual attention? Here we show that the locus is not fixed but instead changes rapidly to match the spatial scale of task-relevant information in the current scene. To accomplish this, we obtained electrical, magnetic, and hemodynamic measures of attention from human subjects while they detected large-scale or small-scale targets within multiscale stimulus patterns. Subjects did not know the scale of the target before stimulus onset, and yet the neural locus of attention-related activity between 250 and 300 ms varied according to the scale of the target. Specifically, maximal attention-related activity spread from a high-level, relatively anterior visual area (the lateral occipital complex) for large-scale targets to include a lower-level, more posterior area (visual area V4) for small-scale targets. This rapid change indicates that the neural locus of attention in visual cortex is not static but is instead determined rapidly and dynamically by means of an interaction between top-down task information and local information about the current visual input.
In vitro and in vivo analysis of co-electrospun scaffolds made of medical grade poly(ε-caprolactone) and porcine collagen

In this study, a nanofiber mesh made by co-electrospinning medical grade poly(ε-caprolactone) and collagen (mPCL/Col) was fabricated and studied. Its mechanical properties and characteristics were analyzed and compared to mPCL meshes. mPCL/Col meshes showed a reduction in strength but an increase in ductility when compared to PCL meshes. In vitro assays revealed that mPCL/Col supported the attachment and proliferation of smooth muscle cells on both sides of the mesh. In vivo studies in the corpus cavernosa of rabbits revealed that the mPCL/Col scaffold used in conjunction with autologous smooth muscle cells resulted in better integration with host tissue when compared to cell free scaffolds. On a cellular level preseeded scaffolds showed a minimized foreign body reaction.
Butane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid–4,4′-bipyridine (1/2)

The hydrothermal reaction of butane-1,2,3,4-tetracarboxylic acid (H4butca), 4,4′-bipyridine (bipy) and Mn(SO4)2·H2O afforded a new co-crystal, C8H10O8·2C10H8N2 or H4butca·2(bipy), in which strong O—H⋯N hydrogen-bonding and weak π–π stacking [centroid–centroid distance = 3.8459 (19) Å] interactions assemble the organic molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular framework. C—H⋯O interactions are also present. The whole molecule has inversion symmetry.
Low body weight and menstrual dysfunction are common findings in both elite and amateur ballet dancers

Background: Several studies have reported that low body weight and menstrual alterations are very frequent findings in elite dancers, suggesting they could be at risk for associated medical problems. However, it is still largely unknown whether these alterations are also common in the very large number of young amateur dancers. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess whether there is an increased prevalence of menstrual dysfunction also in amateur dancers. Material/Subjects and Methods: Ninety-two professional ballet dancers, 93 non-professional ballet dancers, and 293 (160 sedentary, 133 physically active) control women, ranging in age 14–23 yr, were included in the study. In these subjects, a detailed questionnaire that included questions on weight, height, age at menarche, training profile and menstrual alterations was administered. Results: BMI was lower in both professional and non-professional dancers than in controls. Frequency of menstrual dysfunction was 51%, 34% and 21% in professional dancers, non-professional dancers and controls, respectively (p<0.0001). Amenorrhea was reported by 23% of professional dancers, vs 1–7% in the other groups (p<0.0001). Age at menarche occurred later in professional dancers than in the other groups. Logistic regression analyses showed that menstrual dysfunction was associated with the training profile in professional dancers, and with BMI in non-professional dancers. Age at menarche was associated with menstrual dysfunction in both groups. Conclusions: This study shows that low body weight and menstrual dysfunction are frequent findings also in amateur ballet dancers.
The Neural Systems of Working Memory: The Sternberg Working Memory Task in a Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Sample

The Neural Systems of Working Memory: The Sternberg Working Memory Task in a Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Sample Jon Pertab Department of Psychology Doctor of Philosophy Working memory tasks are associated with the activation of widely distributed neural networks. The Sternberg working memory task has been used to explore the neural correlates associated with changes in memory load and the resolution of interference. Preliminary research suggests that the integrity of the anterior cingulate is correlated with resolving load adjustments but not in resolving interference demands; the opposite pattern of associations have been observed with the right middle frontal gyrus. Participants in the present study were 28 children who had sustained moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and 28 children who had sustained orthopedic injuries (OI). Participants were aged between 7 and 17 years at the time of injury (mean age = 13.2, s.d.=2.3). The groups were matched on age, gender, socioeconomic level, and pre-injury measures of behavioral and emotional functioning. Participants completed the Sternberg working memory task and structural MRI scans three months post injury. Automated brain parcellation software (Freesurfer) was used to calculate volumetric data for regions of interest. Regions of interest included the anterior cingulate and right middle frontal gyrus; additionally, the volume of the corpus callosum was used as an index of overall brain integrity. There were no significant differences between the groups on percent errors on the Sternberg task. Participants in the TBI group had significantly longer reaction times overall than the OI group. Interference in the Sternberg task has the potential to either help or hinder performance. Participants in the OI group displayed the anticipated effects of interference on reaction time whereas the TBI group as a whole did not display this pattern (priming effect not observed). The TBI group had significantly lower volumes in the regions of interest than the OI group. Hypothesized correlations between the regions of interest and changes in load / interference demands were partially supported. Exploratory analyses identified positive correlations between the volume of the right middle frontal gyrus and reaction time measures that warrant further exploration.
On Mesh-to-Mesh Transfer Operators for Unstructured Multigrid Solvers

A new mesh-to-mesh data transfer operator for unstructured multigrid methods is presented. The new algorithm integrates piecewise continuous (reconstructed) data defined on a source mesh over the control volumes of a target mesh. Analysis in one dimensions and numerical experiments in two dimensions demonstrate that this approach significantly reduces data transfer errors when compared to interpolation or agglomeration transfer algorithms, especially when transfering low-frequency data from coarse to fine meshes. It was expected that improved data transfer would translate into improved multigrid convergence rates. For Laplace's equation in one dimension, improvement of 10-15% was seen, while in two dimensions, improvement was about 2%. For the Euler equations in two dimensions, improvement in convergence rate was essentially zero. Possible reasons for this poor performance include insufficient coarse mesh convergence, the presence of high-frequency error modes, and subtle differences in the implementation of multigrid schemes with different data transfer operators. All present indications are that improving meshto-mesh data transfer does not have nearly as significant an effect on convergence rate as modest improvements in smoothing techniques on a single mesh. Even given the advanced state-ofthe-art in smoothing techniques, that arena is
Impedance Control for Legged Robots: An Insight Into the Concepts Involved

The application of impedance control strategies to modern legged locomotion is analyzed, paying special attention to the concepts behind its implementation which is not straightforward. In order to implement a functional impedance controller for a walking mechanism, the concepts of contact, impact, friction, and impedance have to be merged together. A literature review and a comprehensive analysis are presented compiling all these concepts along with a discussion on position-based versus force-based impedance control approaches, and a theoretical model of a robotic leg in contact with its environment is introduced. A theoretical control scheme for the legs of a general legged robot is also introduced, and some simulations results are presented.
Diabetic retinopathy image database(DRiDB): A new database for diabetic retinopathy screening programs research

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading disabling chronic diseases, and one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in the world. Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy enables timely treatment and in order to achieve it a major effort will have to be invested into screening programs and especially into automated screening programs. For automated screening programs to work robustly a representative fundus image database is required. In this paper we give an overview of currently available databases and present a new diabetic retinopathy database. Our database is to our knowledge the first and only database which has diabetic retinopathy pathologies and major fundus structures annotated for every image from the database which makes it perfect for design and evaluation of currently available and new image processing algorithms for early detection of diabetic retinopathy using color fundus images.
Incremental construction of rule ensembles using classifiers produced by different class orderings

In this paper, we discuss a novel approach to incrementally construct a rule ensemble. The approach constructs an ensemble from a dynamically generated set of rule classifiers. Each classifier in this set is trained by using a different class ordering. We investigate criteria including accuracy, ensemble size, and the role of starting point in the search. Fusion is done by averaging. Using 22 data sets, floating search finds small, accurate ensembles in polynomial time.