Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Service Use and Self-Reported Symptoms Among Persons With Positive PTSD Screens and Serious Mental Illness.

OBJECTIVE Although many studies have reported higher rates of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among persons with severe mental illness, the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD in public mental health centers remain at a suboptimal level and PTSD is often overlooked and untreated. This study used routine PTSD screening and service use data in electronic medical records to determine the association of PTSD, psychiatric symptoms, and service use in a sample of individuals with serious mental illness in a community-based treatment setting. METHODS The sample included 1,834 active clients between January 2007 and November 2010 who were screened for PTSD and who completed the 24-item Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-24). Service data included services provided a year before and a year after the screening date. RESULTS PTSD was associated with more severe psychiatric symptoms and increased no-show rates but not with increased service use or use of high-intensity services. PTSD likelihood interacted with race in accounting for elevated scores among African Americans on the psychosis domain of the BASIS-24. CONCLUSIONS PTSD screening is feasible and recommended in service environments and may contribute significantly to better understanding of racial-ethnic and other differences in service use and diagnostic practices.
Scattering characteristics of dielectric optical multilayers in visible region

A scattering measurement apparatus equipped with a halogen lamp and an integrating sphere was constructed. The scattering characteristics of ZrO2/SiO2 multilayers were measured in the visible region. The scattering characteristics did not only follow (lambda) -4 relation but also depended on the optical characteristics. It was shown that the electric field intensity distributions qualitatively explained the scattering characteristics. Also, the apparatus was useful as an instrument to find out the optimum deposition conditions of multilayers.
Passband measurement methodology for multiview 3D displays

This work presents a measurement methodology that estimates the perceived visual quality of a multiview 3D display. It uses the notion of a display passband, which considers the display as a signal processing channel and describes which spatioangular frequencies can be visualised with an acceptable quality. The methodology starts by measuring the optical parameters of the display. Then, a set of test signals are visualised on the display and photographed from a range of observation directions. Each test image is a sinusoidal grating with three frequency components - horizontal, vertical and angular one. The spectrum of each photograph is calculated and the distortions introduced by the display are analysed in the frequency domain. A model of the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) is applied in order to estimate the visually predominant frequency. If the dominant frequency in the input remains dominant in the output, the input frequency is deemed as belonging to the display passband. In the last step, the shape and size of the derived passband is used to calculate the equivalent spatioangular resolution of the display.
Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Effects of a Lectin-Like Substance from Clitoria fairchildiana R. Howard Seeds

Lectins are proteins that have the ability to bind specifically and reversibly to carbohydrates and glycoconjugates, without altering the structure of the glycosyl ligand. They are found in organisms such as viruses, plants and humans, and they have been shown to possess important biological activities. The objective of this study was to purify and characterize lectins in the seeds of Clitoria fairchildiana, as well as to verify their biological activities. The results indicated the presence of a lectin (CFAL) in the glutelin acid protein fraction, which agglutinated native rabbit erythrocytes. CFAL was purified by column chromatography ion-exchange, DEAE-Sephacel, which was obtained from a peak of protein retained in the matrix by applying 0.5 M NaCl using the step-wise method. Electrophoretic analysis of this lectin in SDS-PAGE indicated a two band pattern protein molecular mass of approximately 100 and 116 kDa. CFAL proved to be unspecific to all carbohydrates/glycoconjugates in common use for the sugar inhibition test. This lectin showed no significant cytotoxicity to human red blood cells. It was observed that CFAL has anti-inflammatory activity in the paw edema induced by carrageenan model, in which a 64% diminution in edema was observed. Antinociceptive effects were observed for CFAL in the abdominal writhing test (induced by acetic acid), in which increasing doses of the lectin caused reduction in the number of contortions by up to 72%. It was concluded that the purified and characterized lectin from the seeds of Clitoria fairchildiana has anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity, and is not cytotoxic to human erythrocytes.
Exploring Research Networks with Data Science: A Data-Driven Microservice Architecture for Synergy Detection

The determination of synergies in research networks is often approached by citation and co-authorship analysis using scientific publications. Although the latter methods allow a detailed insight into scientific cooperation and communities, the major part of the data, the text body of the publication, is mostly ignored. Hence, this text body contains valuable data, which can be processed in order to describe entities in a research network, detect synergies between those entities and make use of these synergies, e.g. in further cooperation. This paper aims at the description of a prototypic architecture, which uses data science to detect hidden topics from publication data. These topics are used to describe entities (e.g. institutes or projects) in a research network. Topical proximity between those entities is computed by the application of classification. In order to enable actors to explore the results of these processes, the architecture automatically generates graph-based visualizations of the derived synergies. This paper contains a description and definition of the technical elements and the process chain of the architecture to derive these synergies in network data. This is accompanied by a short outline of results with the prototype.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Buck Converter

This paper is concerned with the problem of modeling and simulation of piecewise linear systems with the pulse width modulation control. Models of this kind of systems are widely used in engineering practice, in particular in power electronic converters. The research provides the study of chaos and bifurcations in one of the switching converters – step-down converter under voltage mode control, operating in discontinuous and continuous current modes, using Matlab and Simulink simulation environment. Various types of models, including discrete – time maps, switched state – space models are examined in order to detect their suitability and reliability in numerical investigation of nonlinear phenomena in DC–DC converters. Some analytical methods for the search of periodic regimes and their stability estimation were also used in order to validate numerically obtained results and evaluate the accuracy of models used. As direct simulation does not accurately pinpoint bifurcation points and computes only stable invariant sets, some aspects and advantages of numerical path-following are also discussed.
Modified Newton's method applied to potential field-based navigation for mobile robots

This paper investigates the inherent oscillation problem of potential field methods (PFMs) in the presence of obstacles and in narrow passages. These problems can cause slow progress and system instability in implementation. To overcome these two problems, in this paper, we propose a modification of Newton's method. The use of the modified Newton's method, which applies anywhere C/sub 2/ continuous navigation functions are defined, greatly improves system performance when compared to the standard gradient descent approach. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first systematic approach to the oscillation problems in PFMs. We have validated this technique by comparing its performance with the gradient descent method in obstacle-avoidance tasks with different potential models and parameter changes.
A CHANGE IN THE QUIESCENT X-RAY SPECTRUM OF THE NEUTRON STAR LOW-MASS X-RAY BINARY MXB 1659−29

The quasi-persistent neutron star low-mass X-ray binary MXB 1659−29 went into quiescence in 2001, and we have followed its quiescent X-ray evolution since. Observations over the first 4 yr showed a rapid drop in flux and temperature of the neutron star atmosphere, interpreted as cooling of the neutron star crust which had been heated during the 2.5 yr outburst. However, observations taken approximately 1400 and 2400 days into quiescence were consistent with each other, suggesting the crust had reached thermal equilibrium with the core. Here we present a new Chandra observation of MXB 1659−29 taken 11 yr into quiescence and 4 yr since the last Chandra observation. This new observation shows an unexpected factor of ∼3 drop in count rate and change in spectral shape since the last observation, which cannot be explained simply by continued cooling. Two possible scenarios are that either the neutron star temperature has remained unchanged and there has been an increase in the column density, or, alternatively the neutron star temperature has dropped precipitously and the spectrum is now dominated by a power-law component. The first scenario may be possible given that MXB 1659−29 is a near edge-on system, and an increase in column density could be due to build-up of material in, and a thickening of, a truncated accretion disk during quiescence. But, a large change in disk height may not be plausible if standard accretion disk theory holds during quiescence. Alternatively, the disk may be precessing, leading to a higher column density during this latest observation.
Direct oral anticoagulants in patients with VTE and cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAs) have been shown to be as effective and at least as safe as conventional anticoagulation for the prevention of recurrences in patients with VTE. Whether this is the case in patients with cancer-associated VTE remains undefined. METHODS We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with the aim of assessing the efficacy and safety of DOAs in patients with VTE and cancer. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched up to December 2013 with no language restriction. The primary outcome of the analysis was recurrent VTE. Data on major bleeding (MB) and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding were analyzed. Data were pooled and compared by ORs and 95% CIs. RESULTS Overall, 10 studies comparing DOAs with conventional anticoagulation for treatment of VTE including patients with cancer were included in the review. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis (two with dabigatran, two with rivaroxaban, one with edoxaban, and one with apixaban), accounting for a total of 1,132 patients. VTE recurred in 23 of 595 (3.9%) and in 32 of 537 (6.0%) patients with cancer treated with DOAs and conventional treatment, respectively (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.37-1.10; I2, 0%). MB occurred in 3.2% and 4.2% of patients receiving DOAs and conventional treatment, respectively (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.41-1.44; I2, 0%). CONCLUSIONS DOAs seem to be as effective and safe as conventional treatment for the prevention of VTE in patients with cancer. Further clinical trials in patients with cancer-associated VTE should be performed to confirm these results.
A nonplugging annulus control valve for extrusion of polymers and slurries

An annular control valve was developed for the extrusion of wood slurries and polymers. The objective was to determine the optimal valve geometry: 1) to provide a linear pressure drop across the valve as a function of valve opening and 2) to eliminate the problem of valve plugging caused by the high solid content of the wood slurries. The approach was to model the non-Newtonian flow in a plasticating single-screw extruder. A finite-difference scheme was developed to model the flow through annular surfaces. The two flow equations were solved simultaneously and a parametric study was performed to determine the optimal valve geometry. The valve operability was evaluated for the extrusion of various mixtures of low-density polyethylene, sawdust, wood flour, and vacuum bottom. The experimental results were in good agreement with the model. In general, a linear valve characteristic was observed and the problem of valve plugging was not evident.
Facilitating data exploration with query previews: A study of user performance and preference

Networked and local data exploration systems that use command languages, menus, or form fill-in interfaces rarely give users an indication of the distribution of data. This often leads users to waste time, posing queries that have zero-hit or mega-hit results. Query previews are a novel visual approach for browsing databases. Query previews supply users with data distribution information for selected attributes of the database, and give continuous feedback about the size of the result set as the query is being formed. Subsequent refinements might be necessary to narrow the search. As there is a risk that query previews are an additional step, leading to a more complex and slow search process, a within-subjects empirical study was ran with 12 subjects who used interfaces with and without query previews and with minimized network delays. Even with 12 subjects and minimized network delays statistically significant differences were found, showing that query previews could speed up performance 1.6 to 2.1 times and lead to higher user satisfaction.
The Dynamics of DNA Methylation in Maize Roots under Pb Stress

Plants adapt to adverse conditions through a series of physiological, cellular, and molecular processes, culminating in stress tolerance. However, little is known about the associated regulatory mechanisms at the epigenetic level in maize under lead (Pb) stress. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to compare DNA methylation profiles during the dynamic development of maize roots following Pb treatment to identify candidate genes involved in the response to Pb stress. Methylated DNA immunoprecipitation-sequencing (MeDIP-seq) was used to investigate the genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in maize roots under normal condition (A1) and 3 mM Pb(NO3)2 stress for 12 h (K2), 24 h (K3) and 48 h (K4). The results showed that the average methylation density was the highest in CpG islands (CGIs), followed by the intergenic regions. Within the gene body, the methylation density of the introns was higher than those of the UTRs and exons. In total, 3857 methylated genes were found in 4 tested samples, including 1805 differentially methylated genes for K2 versus A1, 1508 for K3 versus A1, and 1660 for K4 versus A1. Further analysis showed that 140 genes exhibited altered DNA methylation in all three comparisons, including some well-known stress-responsive transcription factors and proteins, such as MYB, AP2/ERF, bZIP, serine-threonine/tyrosine-proteins, pentatricopeptide repeat proteins, RING zinc finger proteins, F-box proteins, leucine-rich repeat proteins and tetratricopeptide repeat proteins. This study revealed the genome-scale DNA methylation patterns of maize roots in response to Pb exposure and identified candidate genes that potentially regulate root dynamic development under Pb stress at the methylation level.
A new genetic algorithm approach for intrusion response system in computer networks

This paper deals with a combination of work in the fields of artificial intelligence and computer security. It describes a decision model based on a new genetic algorithm approach for intrusion response system (NGAA-IRS). A brief survey of intrusion detection and response system (IDRS), genetic algorithm (GA), and its application to IDRS are presented. Then, the proposed model, parameters and evolution process for GA are discussed in details. The model is characterized by a new implementation of individual structure based on a matrix of response-resource entries and a fitness function based on costbenefit approach for selecting the appropriate solution. These features are specific to NGAA-IRS model and do not be used in other implementations beforehand.
Detection and measurement of retinal vessels in fundus images using amplitude modified second-order Gaussian filter

In this paper, the fitness of estimating vessel profiles with Gaussian function is evaluated and an amplitude-modified second-order Gaussian filter is proposed for the detection and measurement of vessels. Mathematical analysis is given and supported by a simulation and experiments to demonstrate that the vessel width can be measured in linear relationship with the "spreading factor" of the matched filter when the magnitude coefficient of the filter is suitably assigned. The absolute value of vessel diameter can be determined simply by using a precalibrated line, which is typically required since images are always system dependent. The experiment shows that the inclusion of the width measurement in the detection process can improve the performance of matched filter and result in a significant increase in success rate of detection.
Learning Discriminative Bayesian Networks from High-dimensional Continuous Neuroimaging Data

Due to its causal semantics, Bayesian networks (BN) have been widely employed to discover the underlying data relationship in exploratory studies, such as brain research. Despite its success in modeling the probability distribution of variables, BN is naturally a generative model, which is not necessarily discriminative. This may cause the ignorance of subtle but critical network changes that are of investigation values across populations. In this paper, we propose to improve the discriminative power of BN models for continuous variables from two different perspectives. This brings two general discriminative learning frameworks for Gaussian Bayesian networks (GBN). In the first framework, we employ Fisher kernel to bridge the generative models of GBN and the discriminative classifiers of SVMs, and convert the GBN parameter learning to Fisher kernel learning via minimizing a generalization error bound of SVMs. In the second framework, we employ the max-margin criterion and build it directly upon GBN models to explicitly optimize the classification performance of the GBNs. The advantages and disadvantages of the two frameworks are discussed and experimentally compared. Both of them demonstrate strong power in learning discriminative parameters of GBNs for neuroimaging based brain network analysis, as well as maintaining reasonable representation capacity. The contributions of this paper also include a new Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) constraint with theoretical guarantee to ensure the graph validity of GBN.
Authoring of a mixed reality assembly instructor for hierarchical structures

Mixed reality is a very useful and powerful instrument for the visualization of processes, including the assembly process. A Mixed Reality based step-by-step furniture assembly application is introduced. On the one hand context related actions are given to the user to install elements. On the other hand an intuitive way for authors to create new MR based assembly instructions is provided. Our goal is to provide a powerful, flexible and easy-to-use authoring wizard for assembly experts, allowing them to author their new assembly instructor for hierarchical structures. This minimizes the costs for the creation of new mixed reality assembly instructors.
Trace Amine-Associated Receptors as Emerging Therapeutic Targets

Endogenous trace amines (TAs) of unknown biological function are structurally related to classic monoaminergic neurotransmitters and found at low concentrations in the mammalian brain. Their recently discovered group of G protein-coupled receptors, trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), may represent putative targets not only for trace and other amines but also for a variety of monoaminergic compounds, including amphetamines and monoamine metabolites. The trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), which is in part associated with the monoaminergic neuronal circuitry controlling various functions, including movement, is the best characterized of the class, although little is known about its regulation and function. Here we review the pharmacology and biochemical properties of the TAAR1 and its physiological functions as revealed in studies involving knockout mice lacking this receptor. Potential therapeutic applications of future selective TAAR1 agonists and antagonists are also discussed. Although understanding of biology and functions mediated by other TAARs is still in its infancy, it is expected that further characterization of the functional roles and biochemical properties of TAARs and identification of endogenous and exogenous ligands will eventually promote these receptors as an attractive class of targets to correct monoaminergic processes that could be dysfunctional in a host of disorders of brain and periphery.
Cold-Shock and the Mammalian Cell Cycle

Progression through the cell cycle is temperature sensitive, but the relationship is not straightforward. In culture, many types of mammalian cells fail to undergo the G2/M transition after cooling from 37? C to 16-20? C (moderate hypothermia). However, progression through G1 and S is not blocked at these temperatures, nor is progression through mitosis in cells cooled after they have become committed to the division process. Thus, at least one pathway is present during G2-—but not during G1, S or mitosis—that is selectively disrupted at or below a critical temperature. As a result, a prolonged (24-48 hr) exposure to moderate hypothermia can be used to enrich cultures for G2 cells. A brief (1 hr) exposure to severe hypothermia (4-10? C) is also reported to induce a high degree of mitotic synchrony (up to 80%) in some mammalian cultures. Although the mechanism behind this synchronization remains vague, it may involve a cell cycle checkpoint, triggered in response to the cold shock, that transiently inhibits the G1/S transition. Key Words: Mitosis, G2 arrest, G1 arrest, Cell cycle synchronization, Antephase
Motivational Aspects of Using Augmented Reality Glasses in Care

This paper shows different motivational aspects of using Augmented Reality (AR) glasses in care to support informal and formal caregivers. For this we present the idea of “CareGlasses” (“Pflegebrille”) which will be tested and used in domiciliary care. The motivation to use AR-glasses when carrying out care tasks is analyzed on multiple dimensions by providing specific scenarios which show potential motives for the usage of the “CareGlasses".
Influences and Properties of Various Activated Carbon and Carbon Black Filled in Epoxy Composite

This paper reports the investigation on the flexural properties of activated carbon filled epoxy composites. The Comparison of the properties between different sources of activated carbon, are illustrated. It has to be disposed safely or used for recovery of valuable materials as agricultural wastes like bamboo stem, coconut shell and Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB). Therefore these wastes have been explored for the preparation of activated carbon and carbon black employing chemical activation by H3PO4 and physical activation, respectively. The effect of pyrolysis and chemical activation on the activated carbon filled epoxy composite properties including mechanical (flexural strength), 5 % percent of carbon filler and Scan Electron Microscope SEM micrograph were analyzed. These determined the interaction between activated carbon filled epoxy composite. This study is to compare the effect of the nature of the different types of fillers on the epoxy composites material properties. The microstructures of the farcture surface was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were formed during the different preparation stages.