Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) Reservoir Host Diversity and Abundance Impacts on Dilution of Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae) in Residential and Woodland Habitats in Connecticut, United States

Abstract The dilution effect in the zoonotic disease transmission cycle theorizes that an increased diversity of host species will alter transmission dynamics, result in a decrease in pathogen prevalence, and potentially lower human disease incidence. The interrelationship of Borrelia burgdorferi (Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt, and Brenner) (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), the etiological agent of Lyme disease (LD), and its primary vector, blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis Say) (Acari: Ixodidae), is a commonly used example of the dilution effect, suggesting that an increased diversity of host species will be found in large, undisturbed forested tracts and lower diversity in fragmented forests. Given that Connecticut woodlands are mature with heavy upper canopies and generally poor habitat quality, we hypothesized there would be higher diversity of host species resulting in lower prevalence of B. burgdorferi in white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus Rafinesque) (Rodentia: Cricetidae) in forested residential areas. Using camera and live small mammal trapping techniques, we determined there was a greater richness of reservoir host species, significantly higher encounters with hosts, and significantly lower B. burgdorferi host-infection in residential areas as compared to large, intact forested stands. Furthermore, we determined that the driving factor of pathogen dilution was not host species diversity, but rather overall encounter abundance with alternative hosts, regardless of habitat type. Our study challenges major concepts of the dilution effect within the Connecticut landscape and calls for new managerial actions to address the current state of our woodlands and abundance of host species in the interest of both forest and public health.
Immunohistochemical (IHC) Analysis of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) Spectrum According to WHO/REAL Classification: A Single Centre Experience from Punjab, India.

INTRODUCTION The distribution of the major subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) differs across geographic regions. This study, from the north Indian state of Punjab, has incorporated immunophenotypic findings while investigating the distribution of NHL subtypes based on World Health Organization (WHO)/ Revised European-American Classification of Lymphoid Neoplasms (REAL) system of classification. PATIENTS AND METHODS Over all seventy seven cases of lymphoma over a period of one year (between April 2012 and April 2013) were diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar (Punjab). Of these 30 cases (39%) were of Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL) and 47 cases (61%) were of Non Hodgkins lymphoma NHL. Of the total of cases of lympho-proliferative disorders, the diagnosis of NHL was done by light microscopy alone. All the cases diagnosed provisionally as NHL were taken up for immunophenotyping with Immunohistochemical (IHC) studies. There was 100 % concordance between the light microscopy and IHC studies. The individual NHL cases were classified according to the WHO/REAL classification according to the positive or relevant negative immonophenotypic expression and tabulated to ascertain the morphological spectrum of NHL in this part of the country. RESULTS B-cell lymphomas formed 89.3%, whereas T-cell lymphomas formed 10.7% of the NHLs. Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) was the most common subtype (46.8% of all NHLs). B-cell small lymphocytic lymphoma, Mantle-Cell Lymphoma (MCL), marginal zone B-cell lymphomas (including MALT lymphomas), Diffuse, mixed small cleaved cell and large-cell type and Follicular centre-cell lymphomas amounted to 17%, 12.8%, 2.1%, 2.1% and 4.3%, respectively. Among the T-cell lymphomas, T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, anaplastic large-cell lymphomas of T/null-cell type, and Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) accounted for 6.4%, 2.1%, and 2.1% of all NHL cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The distribution of NHL subtypes in India shows disparity with those from the rest of the world. Follicular Lymphoma (FL) and MCL are less common in India compared to Europe and the USA. Peripheral T-cell lymphomas and T/NK-cell lymphomas of nasal and nasal types, which are common in many other Asian countries, are also less prevalent. T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma and anaplastic large T/null cell lymphoma are more prevalent in India.
Wrapper Feature Selection

INTRODUCTION It is well known that the performance of most data mining algorithms can be deteriorated by features that do not add any value to learning tasks. Feature selection can be used to limit the effects of such features by seeking only the relevant subset from the original features (de Souza et al., 2006). This subset of the relevant features is discovered by removing those that are considered as irrelevant or redundant. By reducing the number of features in this way, the time taken to perform classification is significantly reduced; the reduced dataset is easier to handle as fewer training instances are needed (because fewer features are present), subsequently resulting in simpler classifiers which are often more accurate. Due to the abovementioned benefits, feature selection has been widely applied to reduce the number of features in many data mining applications where data have hundreds or even thousands of features. A large number of approaches exist for performing feature selection including filters (Kira & Rendell, 1992), wrappers (Kohavi & John, 1997), and embedded methods (Quinlan, 1993). Among these approaches, the wrapper appears to be the most popularly used approach. Wrappers have proven popular in many research areas, including Bioinformatics (Ni & Liu, 2004), image classification (Puig & Garcia, 2006) and web page classification (Piramuthu, 2003). One of the reasons for the popularity of wrappers is that they make use of a classifier to help in the selection of the most relevant feature subset (John et al., 1994). On the other hand, the remaining methods, especially filters, evaluate the merit of a feature subset based on the characteristics of the data and statistical measures, e.g., chi-square, rather than the classifiers intended for use (Huang et al., 2007). Discarding the classifier when performing feature selection can subsequently result in poor classification performance. This is because the relevant feature subset will not reflect the classifier's specific characteristics. In this way, the resulting subset may not contain those features that are most relevant to the classifier and learning task. The wrapper is therefore superior to other feature selection methods like filters since it finds feature subsets that are more suited to the data mining problem. These differences between wrappers and other existing feature selection techniques have been reviewed by a number of studies (e.g. Huan & Lei, 2005). However, such studies have primarily focussed on providing a holistic view of all the different types of …
Life Satisfaction for Older Female Homemakers, Retirees, and Workers

An examination of a nationally representative sample of 403 homemakers, 698 retirees, and 119 workers revealed that employment status had a significant effect on older women's life satisfaction. Older women who were currently employed had greater life satisfaction than members of their cohort who were homemakers or retirees. Furthermore, based on path analyses leisure activity emerged as an important predictor of life satisfaction for homemakers and retirees. Income and health problems also had meaningful effects on the life satisfaction of all three groups. Implications of the findings for theory development and future research are discussed.
Metagenomic Analysis of Respiratory Tract DNA Viral Communities in Cystic Fibrosis and Non-Cystic Fibrosis Individuals

The human respiratory tract is constantly exposed to a wide variety of viruses, microbes and inorganic particulates from environmental air, water and food. Physical characteristics of inhaled particles and airway mucosal immunity determine which viruses and microbes will persist in the airways. Here we present the first metagenomic study of DNA viral communities in the airways of diseased and non-diseased individuals. We obtained sequences from sputum DNA viral communities in 5 individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and 5 individuals without the disease. Overall, diversity of viruses in the airways was low, with an average richness of 175 distinct viral genotypes. The majority of viral diversity was uncharacterized. CF phage communities were highly similar to each other, whereas Non-CF individuals had more distinct phage communities, which may reflect organisms in inhaled air. CF eukaryotic viral communities were dominated by a few viruses, including human herpesviruses and retroviruses. Functional metagenomics showed that all Non-CF viromes were similar, and that CF viromes were enriched in aromatic amino acid metabolism. The CF metagenomes occupied two different metabolic states, probably reflecting different disease states. There was one outlying CF virome which was characterized by an over-representation of Guanosine-5′-triphosphate,3′-diphosphate pyrophosphatase, an enzyme involved in the bacterial stringent response. Unique environments like the CF airway can drive functional adaptations, leading to shifts in metabolic profiles. These results have important clinical implications for CF, indicating that therapeutic measures may be more effective if used to change the respiratory environment, as opposed to shifting the taxonomic composition of resident microbiota.
The tilt intonation model

The tilt intonation model facilitates automatic analysis and synthesis of intonation. The analysis algorithm detects intonational events in F0 contours and parameterises them in terms of the continuously varying Tilt parameters. We describe the analysis system and give results for speaker independent spontaneous dialogue speech. We then describe a synthesis algorithm which can generate F0 contours given a tilt parameterisation of an utterance. We give results showing how well the automatically produced contours match natural ones. The paper concludes with a discussion of the linguistic relevance of the tilt parameters and show that this is both a useful and natural way of representing intonation.
Unsupervised optimal phoneme segmentation: Objectives, algorithm and comparisons

Phoneme segmentation is a fundamental problem in many speech recognition and synthesis studies. Unsupervised phoneme segmentation assumes no knowledge on linguistic contents and acoustic models, and thus poses a challenging problem. The essential question here is what is the optimal segmentation. This paper formulates the optimal segmentation problem into a probabilistic framework. Using statistics and information theory analysis, we develop three different objective functions, namely, summation of square error (SSE), log determinant (LD) and rate distortion (RD). Specially, RD function is derived from information rate distortion theory and can be related to human signal perception mechanism. We introduce a time-constrained agglomerative clustering algorithm to find the optimal segmentations. We also propose an efficient method to implement the algorithm by using integration functions. We carry out experiments on TIMIT database to compare the above three objective functions. The results show that rate distortion achieves the best performance and indicate that our method outperforms the recently published unsupervised segmentation methods.
Seeing, Sensing and Recognizing Laban Movement Qualities

Human movement has historically been approached as a functional component of interaction within human computer interaction. Yet movement is not only functional, it is also highly expressive. In our research, we explore how movement expertise as articulated in Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) can contribute to the design of computational models of movement's expressive qualities as defined in the framework of Laban Efforts. We include experts in LMA in our design process, in order to select a set of suitable multimodal sensors as well as to compute features that closely correlate to the definitions of Efforts in LMA. Evaluation of our model shows that multimodal data combining positional, dynamic and physiological information allows for a better characterization of Laban Efforts. We conclude with implications for design that illustrate how our methodology and our approach to multimodal capture and recognition of Effort qualities can be integrated to design interactive applications.
Image Interpolation Algorithm for Edge Detection Using Directional Filters and Data Fusion

Preserving edge structures is a challenge to the image interpolation algorithms to reconstruct a high resolution image from a low resolution counterpart. We propose a new guide edge linear interpolation technique via address filter and data fusion. For a pixel to be interpolated, two sets of observation are defined in two orthogonal directions, and each set produces an estimated value of the pixel. These estimates of direction, following the model the different measures of the lack of noisy pixels are fused by linear least mean square estimation error (LMMSE) technique in a more robust estimate, and statistics two sets of observations. It also presents a simplified version of Based LMMSE interpolation algorithm to reduce computational cost without sacrificing much the interpolation performance. Experiments show that the new interpolation techniques can preserve sharp edges and reduce artifacts call.
External-memory exact and approximate all-pairs shortest-paths in undirected graphs

We present several new external-memory algorithms for finding all-pairs shortest paths in a <i>V</i>-node. <i>E</i>-edge undirected graph. For all-pairs shortest paths and diameter in unweighted undirected graphs we present cache-oblivious algorithms with <i>O(V·E/B</i> log <i>M/B E/B)</i> I/Os, where <i>B</i> is the block-size and <i>M</i> is the size of internal memory. For weighted undirected graphs we present a cache-aware APSP algorithm that performs <i>O</i>(<i>V</i>·(√VE/B+E/B log E/B)) I/Os. We also present efficient cache-aware algorithms that find paths between all pairs of vertices in an unweighted graph with lengths within a small additive constant of the shortest path length.All of our results improve earlier results known for these problems. For approximate APSP we provide the first nontrivial results. Our diameter result uses <i>O(V + E)</i> extra space, and all of our other algorithms use <i>O</i>(V<sup>2</sup>) space.
Evaluation of Innotrac Aio! Second-Generation Cardiac Troponin I Assay: The Main Characteristics for Routine Clinical Use

The availability of a simple, sensitive, and rapid test using whole blood to facilitate processing and to reduce the turnaround time could improve the management of patients presenting with chest pain. The aim of this study was an evaluation of the Innotrac Aio! second-generation cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assay. The Innotrac Aio! second-generation cTnI assay was compared with the Abbott AxSYM first-generation cTnI, Beckman Access AccuTnI, and Innotrac Aio! first-generation cTnI assays. We studied serum samples from 15 patients with positive rheumatoid factor but with no indication of myocardial infarction (MI). Additionally, the stability of the sample with different matrices and the influence of hemodialysis on the cTnI concentration were evaluated. Within-assay CVs were 3.2%–10.9%, and between-assay precision ranged from 4.0% to 17.2% for cTnI. The functional sensitivity (CV = 20 %) and the concentration giving CV of 10% were approximated to be 0.02 and 0.04, respectively. The assay was found to be linear within the tested range of 0.063–111.6 μ g/L. The correlations between the second-generation Innotrac Aio! , Access, and AxSYM cTnI assays were good (r coefficients 0.947–0.966), but involved differences in the measured concentrations, and the biases were highest with cTnI at low concentrations. The second-generation Innotrac Aio! cTnI assay was found to be superior to the first-generation assay with regard to precision in the low concentration range. The stability of the cTnI level was best in the serum, lithium-heparin plasma, and lithium-heparin whole blood samples (n = 10 , decrease < 10 % in 24 hours at +20°C and at +4°C. There was no remarkable influence of hemodialysis on the cTnI release. False-positive cTnI values occurred in the presence of very high rheumatoid factor values, that is, over 3000 U/L. The 99th percentile of the apparently healthy reference group was ≤ 0.03 μ g/L. The results demonstrate the very good analytical performance of the second-generation Innotrac Aio! cTnI assay.
Why Aren’t We Smarter Already

Pharmacological enhancers of cognition promise a bright new future for humankind: more focus, more willpower, and better memory, with applications ranging from education to military combat. Underlying such promises is a linear, more-is-better vision of cognition that makes intuitive sense. This vision is at odds, however, with our understanding of cognition’s evolutionary origins. The mind has evolved under various constraints and consequently represents a delicate balance among these constraints. Evidence of the trade-offs that have shaped cognition include (a) inverted U-shaped performance curves commonly found in response to pharmacological interventions and (b) unintended side effects of enhancement on other traits. Taking an evolutionary perspective, we frame the above two sets of findings in terms of within-task (exemplified by optimal-control problems) and between-task (associated with a gain/loss asymmetry) trade-offs, respectively. With this framework, psychological science can provide much-needed guidance to enhancement development, a field that still lacks a theoretical foundation.
Partial volume correction of multiple inversion time arterial spin labeling MRI data

The accuracy of cerebral blood flow (CBF) estimates from arterial spin labeling (ASL) is affected by the presence of both gray matter (GM) and white matter within any voxel. Recently a partial volume (PV) correction method for ASL has been demonstrated (Asllani et al. Magn Reson Med 2008; 60:1362–1371), where PV estimates were used with a local linear regression to separate the GM and white matter ASL signal. Here a new PV correction method for multi‐inversion time ASL is proposed that exploits PV estimates within a spatially regularized kinetic curve model analysis. The proposed method exploits both PV estimates and the different kinetics of the ASL signal arising from GM and white matter. The new correction method is shown, on both simulated and real data, to provide correction of GM CBF comparable to a linear regression approach, whilst preserving greater spatial detail in the CBF image. On real data corrected GM CBF values were found to be largely independent of GM PV, implying that the correction had been successful. Increases of mean GM CBF after correction of 69–80% were observed. Magn Reson Med, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Supersymmetry Breaking and α′-Corrections to Flux Induced Potentials

We obtain the vacuum solutions for M-theory compactified on eight-manifolds with non-vanishing four-form flux by analyzing the scalar potential appearing in the three-dimensional theory. Many of these vacua are not supersymmetric and yet have a vanishing three-dimensional cosmological constant.We show that in the context of type-IIB compactifications on Calabi-Yau threefolds with fluxes and external brane sources α'-corrections generate a correction to the supergravity potential proportional to the Euler number of the internal manifold which spoils the no-scale structure appearing in the classical potential. This indicates that α'-corrections may indeed lead to a stabilization of the radial modulus appearing in these compactifications.
Metaphors and Metamorphoses: Narratives of Identity During Times of Crisis

The narrative of transformative crisis appears in both autobiographical and fictional accounts of individual lives; it typically involves a difficult or traumatic episode and a period of self-questioning out of which a person emerges more able and more emotionally mature than before (Booker, 2005; Erikson, 1968; Tedeschi and Calhoun, 1995). The present study used interviews to elicit 22 narratives about crises experienced between the ages of 25 and 40, and about any developmental transformation and change that surrounded these crises. Analysis revealed a common four-phase process to the crisis episodes, common metaphors and recurrent descriptions of identity metamorphosis, ie. of ‘becoming a new person’. Comparison of these findings with theory on fictional plots shows a clear parallel between the four-phase process of crisis found in the current study and the ‘rebirth’ plot described by Booker (2005). The theoretical significance of these findings and interpretations is discussed.
Molecular characterization of aspartylglucosaminidase, a lysosomal hydrolase upregulated during strobilation in the moon jellyfish, Aurelia aurita

The life cycle of the moon jellyfish, Aurelia aurita, alternates between a benthic asexual polyp stage and a planktonic sexual medusa (jellyfish) stage. Transition from polyp to medusa is called strobilation. To investigate the molecular mechanisms of strobilation, we screened for genes that are upregulated during strobilation using the differential display method and we identified aspartylglucosaminidase (AGA), which encodes a lysosomal hydrolase. Similar to AGAs from other species, Aurelia AGA possessed an N-terminal signal peptide and potential N-glycosylation sites. The genomic region of Aurelia AGA was approximately 9.8 kb in length and contained 12 exons and 11 introns. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that AGA expression increased during strobilation, and was then decreased in medusae. To inhibit AGA function, we administered the lysosomal acidification inhibitors, chloroquine or bafilomycin A1, to animals during strobilation. Both inhibitors disturbed medusa morphogenesis at the oral end, suggesting involvement of lysosomal hydrolases in strobilation. Graphical abstract Chloroquine, which inhibits lysosomal hydrolases including aspartylglucosaminidase, disturbed jellyfish morphogenesis at the oral end in moon jellyfish, Aurelia aurita.
Gamut expanded halftone prints

We propose a framework for printing high chroma and bright colors which are beyond both the display sRGB and the classical cmyk print gamuts. These colors are printed with a combination of classical cmyk inks and the two additional daylight fluorescent magenta and yellow inks. The goal is to enhance image parts by printing them with high chroma and bright colors. We first select the image parts to be enhanced. We then apply to their colors a gamut expansion that increases both their chroma and their lightness towards the colors located at the boundary of the gamut formed by the combination of classical and fluorescent inks. This expansion can be controlled by user-defined parameters. We create smooth chroma transitions between the expanded and non-expanded image parts. We also preview the printable gamut expanded image generated according to user-defined gamut expansion parameters. The resulting prototype software enables artists to create and print their own designs.